Lets Try this Again--- ALGERIANS!!

[sarahaziz 0]

you know i am just thinking, maybe because my father sent so many papers along with the visa as proof to our marriage, birth certificates, all in original copies etc.. maybe they didnt look at my papers because they will approve it??? i dont know its a hopefull thought. I did also send k3 in July 9. but they sent the money back to me and my k3 is still valid but i dont know if they will use it....probably not.

Someone with more experience with the service centers should probably answer this, but I do think it is common to be approved without being "touched" first. If your file is obviously approvable, everything is in order and they don't want any additional info, then it is just a question of them getting to your case.

PS My husband's grandparents were from jijel. I have never been there, only seen pictures, but next time we visit Algeria we really hope to go.

jijel is a city with a beach and many shopping arenas. i usually go there for grocery shopping. they have nice things clothe shoes etc but expensive $$$ if you know where is bejaia you should go shopping there

I do know Bejaia. The drive along the coast from Algiers is one of my favorites. I didn't do any shopping there, but I did eat more sardines than I want to admit.

akkhhh i never liked fish hahahah shopping is better in usa altogether in my opinion. Which airline did you take to algiers? when u visited algeria

Wahrania are you actually algerian or a wife of an algerian? I didn't meet an algerian who asked me proof of my origin yet that's why im asking. A canadian woman who married an aquaintance of my husband she was very protective over his origin after marriage and considered herself algerian against another american woman there who also married an algerian. She was protective over how the word "wallah" was said she got mad and was like its not WALLAHI ITS WALLAH and was telling the other woman not to speak to her husband. i dont know what that was about so im just curious if you american or really algerian?

Are you kabilye?

You say you are from Bejaja or Jiljel. Are you by chance kabilye?

you are an algerian or wife of an algerian? ?

[jpaula 20]

Sarah, I lived in Algiers so flights were pretty easy to find. I flew Lufthansa alot because it got me United miles and there are good flights to Frankfurt from the west coast of the US which is where I am from. Going to Algiers usually sucked as the flight leaves Frankfurt late at night and so usually involved a 12 hour+ layover in Frankfurt. Sometimes I flew Air France for the Paris layover. I would like to take the ferry one day just because I like boats, but I could never justify the extra time it takes.

I think you should clarify the K3 vs CR1 question on the K3 board. It is my understanding that if you file for a K3 they automatically consider you filed for a CR1, and that if the CR1 comes through first they will proceed with that rather than the K3. But it is VERY possible that I have no idea what I am talking about as I did not go through USCIS. So, you should definitely ask in the K3 forum.

[doodlebugg 10]

you know i am just thinking, maybe because my father sent so many papers along with the visa as proof to our marriage, birth certificates, all in original copies etc.. maybe they didnt look at my papers because they will approve it??? i dont know its a hopefull thought. I did also send k3 in July 9. but they sent the money back to me and my k3 is still valid but i dont know if they will use it....probably not.

I'm really confused here. There is no "k3" to send in anywhere. What forms did you exactly send in?

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

you know i am just thinking, maybe because my father sent so many papers along with the visa as proof to our marriage, birth certificates, all in original copies etc.. maybe they didnt look at my papers because they will approve it??? i dont know its a hopefull thought. I did also send k3 in July 9. but they sent the money back to me and my k3 is still valid but i dont know if they will use it....probably not.

I'm really confused here. There is no "k3" to send in anywhere. What forms did you exactly send in?

Now perhaps you understand why I question whether she is algerian or not... When you do not even know what you filed for, it leads me to believe that nothing else she says is truthful either...

[doodlebugg 10]

you know i am just thinking, maybe because my father sent so many papers along with the visa as proof to our marriage, birth certificates, all in original copies etc.. maybe they didnt look at my papers because they will approve it??? i dont know its a hopefull thought. I did also send k3 in July 9. but they sent the money back to me and my k3 is still valid but i dont know if they will use it....probably not.

I'm really confused here. There is no "k3" to send in anywhere. What forms did you exactly send in?

Now perhaps you understand why I question whether she is algerian or not... When you do not even know what you filed for, it leads me to believe that nothing else she says is truthful either...

Well by the sounds of it her dad filed for her so I guess that's understandable. I think Sarah you should ask your dad what forms did he exactly file, then you can fill in your timeline and people can better help you.

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

you know i am just thinking, maybe because my father sent so many papers along with the visa as proof to our marriage, birth certificates, all in original copies etc.. maybe they didnt look at my papers because they will approve it??? i dont know its a hopefull thought. I did also send k3 in July 9. but they sent the money back to me and my k3 is still valid but i dont know if they will use it....probably not.

I'm really confused here. There is no "k3" to send in anywhere. What forms did you exactly send in?

They did not start returning k3 money until after July 30th. They would not have sent money back if she sent it in July 9th...

you know i am just thinking, maybe because my father sent so many papers along with the visa as proof to our marriage, birth certificates, all in original copies etc.. maybe they didnt look at my papers because they will approve it??? i dont know its a hopefull thought. I did also send k3 in July 9. but they sent the money back to me and my k3 is still valid but i dont know if they will use it....probably not.

I'm really confused here. There is no "k3" to send in anywhere. What forms did you exactly send in?

Now perhaps you understand why I question whether she is algerian or not... When you do not even know what you filed for, it leads me to believe that nothing else she says is truthful either...

Well by the sounds of it her dad filed for her so I guess that's understandable. I think Sarah you should ask your dad what forms did he exactly file, then you can fill in your timeline and people can better help you.

The only logical explanation is that her Dad did everything for her. She needs to have her dad fill in her timelines as well so she can ascertain what her priority dates are....

[jpaula 20]

you know i am just thinking, maybe because my father sent so many papers along with the visa as proof to our marriage, birth certificates, all in original copies etc.. maybe they didnt look at my papers because they will approve it??? i dont know its a hopefull thought. I did also send k3 in July 9. but they sent the money back to me and my k3 is still valid but i dont know if they will use it....probably not.

I'm really confused here. There is no "k3" to send in anywhere. What forms did you exactly send in?

Now perhaps you understand why I question whether she is algerian or not... When you do not even know what you filed for, it leads me to believe that nothing else she says is truthful either...

C'mon now. She is obviously Algerian, and if she is confused about the process, how about showing a little class and helping rather than throwing accusations that at this point just seem really silly? As she wrote, her father has sent in the paperwork and she is trying to understand the process. If he originally sent in the I-130 it would be an application for a CR1. My best guess is that the "sending in the K3" refers to the I-129. Does this make sense?

When I went through this I did not know anyone else going through Algiers. VJ is an invaluable resource and as there are so few of us with experience with this consulate it would be really nice if we could manage to pull it together and help each other out.

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

you know i am just thinking, maybe because my father sent so many papers along with the visa as proof to our marriage, birth certificates, all in original copies etc.. maybe they didnt look at my papers because they will approve it??? i dont know its a hopefull thought. I did also send k3 in July 9. but they sent the money back to me and my k3 is still valid but i dont know if they will use it....probably not.

I'm really confused here. There is no "k3" to send in anywhere. What forms did you exactly send in?

Now perhaps you understand why I question whether she is algerian or not... When you do not even know what you filed for, it leads me to believe that nothing else she says is truthful either...

C'mon now. She is obviously Algerian, and if she is confused about the process, how about showing a little class and helping rather than throwing accusations that at this point just seem really silly? As she wrote, her father has sent in the paperwork and she is trying to understand the process. If he originally sent in the I-130 it would be an application for a CR1. My best guess is that the "sending in the K3" refers to the I-129. Does this make sense?

When I went through this I did not know anyone else going through Algiers. VJ is an invaluable resource and as there are so few of us with experience with this consulate it would be really nice if we could manage to pull it together and help each other out.

youre right JP....touche

[sarahaziz 0]

I'll try to explain my personal situation a little more. I filed along with my dad

so that I could see exactly what he was doing because its my spouse of course!

The I 130 is an Immigration Visa which was sent June 20 2007 and after I recieved a reciept

number which was a WAC # I then sent in a fiance application I 129F which can be used

as a K3 form to bring a spouse sooner July 9 2007. So I basically have 2 forms pending

at the USCIS. They sent my money back for the k3 saying it was already paid for and the guy said don't worry about it maybe you got a free K3?? and gave me a new WAC number and said the Fee was Waived. I don't know anymore about that situation (K3) and I left it alone . I've gotten my hopes pinned on the I 130 Immigration form because my 6 months is pretty much over now. CR1 is a conditional Resident visa Im guessing?

Wahrania I don't usually marry immigrants every couple of months to actually understand or even care about the immigration process . I'm new at this.

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

I'll try to explain my personal situation a little more. I filed along with my dad

so that I could see exactly what he was doing because its my spouse of course!

The I 130 is an Immigration Visa which was sent June 20 2007 and after I recieved a reciept

number which was a WAC # I then sent in a fiance application I 129F which can be used

as a K3 form to bring a spouse sooner July 9 2007. So I basically have 2 forms pending

at the USCIS. They sent my money back for the k3 saying it was already paid for and the guy said don't worry about it maybe you got a free K3?? and gave me a new WAC number and said the Fee was Waived. I don't know anymore about that situation (K3) and I left it alone . I've gotten my hopes pinned on the I 130 Immigration form because my 6 months is pretty much over now. CR1 is a conditional Resident visa Im guessing?

Wahrania I don't usually marry immigrants every couple of months to actually understand or even care about the immigration process . I'm new at this.

You are a K3 applicant then. Count on a January approval. You will have to go k3 and he will adjust status in the USA. There is nothing for you to do but wait..

[doodlebugg 10]

I'll try to explain my personal situation a little more. I filed along with my dad

so that I could see exactly what he was doing because its my spouse of course!

The I 130 is an Immigration Visa which was sent June 20 2007 and after I recieved a reciept

number which was a WAC # I then sent in a fiance application I 129F which can be used

as a K3 form to bring a spouse sooner July 9 2007. So I basically have 2 forms pending

at the USCIS. They sent my money back for the k3 saying it was already paid for and the guy said don't worry about it maybe you got a free K3?? and gave me a new WAC number and said the Fee was Waived. I don't know anymore about that situation (K3) and I left it alone . I've gotten my hopes pinned on the I 130 Immigration form because my 6 months is pretty much over now. CR1 is a conditional Resident visa Im guessing?

Wahrania I don't usually marry immigrants every couple of months to actually understand or even care about the immigration process . I'm new at this.

Thanks for clarifying. I really think you need to call again and find out why the check was sent back because that is very very odd. When you file the I129F after the I130, the I130 is now held at the service center and the I129F is processed and after the NOA2 is achieved the I129F is sent to the NVC and then to the consulate. You should have gotten an NOA1 for your I129F. With that number you can track the progress. You won't see any progress for your I130 at all. I would normally say look at the number on the back of your cancelled check that you sent in for the I129F but obviously that was sent back to you.

This is important.........you need to find out for a fact why they sent back the check. Hope that helped.

[jpaula 20]

OK, now we are getting somewhere! It seems to me that either:

1) The went ahead with your I-130 and processed a CR1, ignoring the K3

OR

2) They have messed up your K3 by sending your check back when they shouldn't have.

You should definitely clarify with your father and then call USCIS and be sure you understand what has happened.

I think some very good advice throughout all of this is to not trust what USCIS tells you. It is a huge inefficient organization and they make mistakes all the time, so if something does not make sense, don't let it drop. Fight to get to the bottom of it. Let us know if you find anything out.

[morocco4ever 63]

If you sent the k3 ,you are no longer a cr1. Your cr1 will be held until adjudication of the k3. You need to fill in the timeline for the k3 with all the receipt dates and then the system will give you an estimate.

Your cr1 is being held for the adjudication of your k3

I think perhaps you are a little confused on this. When you file the CR1 (I130) you have 2 options. You can wait out the CR1, which takes longer, or you can file the K-3 (I-129F), which is to bring them here faster. Filing the K-3 in no way stops the CR1. In fact, if you want to file the K-3 you have to file the CR1 first.

I filed our CR1 first, then the K-3. Our CR1 actually went faster because they lost our I-129F file for several months. My husband ended up coming after our 2 year anniversary which then makes him eligible for the IR1, a ten year visa.

What confuses me with the OP situation is that they returned the fee. Our I-130 had been approved before I filed the I-129F and they certainly never returned the fee. Have you questioned why they returned it?

[doodlebugg 10]

If you sent the k3 ,you are no longer a cr1. Your cr1 will be held until adjudication of the k3. You need to fill in the timeline for the k3 with all the receipt dates and then the system will give you an estimate.

Your cr1 is being held for the adjudication of your k3

I think perhaps you are a little confused on this. When you file the CR1 (I130) you have 2 options. You can wait out the CR1, which takes longer, or you can file the K-3 (I-129F), which is to bring them here faster. Filing the K-3 in no way stops the CR1. In fact, if you want to file the K-3 you have to file the CR1 first.

I filed our CR1 first, then the K-3. Our CR1 actually went faster because they lost our I-129F file for several months. My husband ended up coming after our 2 year anniversary which then makes him eligible for the IR1, a ten year visa.

What confuses me with the OP situation is that they returned the fee. Our I-130 had been approved before I filed the I-129F and they certainly never returned the fee. Have you questioned why they returned it?

Actually the rules have changed since you did this. Now when you do the K-3 process the I130 stays at the service center and the I129 is the one that gets processed. If you WANT to have the I130 processed then you have to file a form to request that the service center forward it to the NVC, but the current processing time just to get it mailed out to the NVC is 6 months for the vermont service center, I don't know about other service centers.

It did used to be though like you described where if you did the K3 process you looked to see which one got done first, the I129 or the I130 but they stopped that a while ago to cut down on processing times.

[morocco4ever 63]

If you sent the k3 ,you are no longer a cr1. Your cr1 will be held until adjudication of the k3. You need to fill in the timeline for the k3 with all the receipt dates and then the system will give you an estimate.

Your cr1 is being held for the adjudication of your k3

I think perhaps you are a little confused on this. When you file the CR1 (I130) you have 2 options. You can wait out the CR1, which takes longer, or you can file the K-3 (I-129F), which is to bring them here faster. Filing the K-3 in no way stops the CR1. In fact, if you want to file the K-3 you have to file the CR1 first.

I filed our CR1 first, then the K-3. Our CR1 actually went faster because they lost our I-129F file for several months. My husband ended up coming after our 2 year anniversary which then makes him eligible for the IR1, a ten year visa.

What confuses me with the OP situation is that they returned the fee. Our I-130 had been approved before I filed the I-129F and they certainly never returned the fee. Have you questioned why they returned it?

Actually the rules have changed since you did this. Now when you do the K-3 process the I130 stays at the service center and the I129 is the one that gets processed. If you WANT to have the I130 processed then you have to file a form to request that the service center forward it to the NVC, but the current processing time just to get it mailed out to the NVC is 6 months for the vermont service center, I don't know about other service centers.

It did used to be though like you described where if you did the K3 process you looked to see which one got done first, the I129 or the I130 but they stopped that a while ago to cut down on processing times.

It has been quite awhile since I filed, so changes are always going. I stand corrected, thanks. So in comparision, how much longer, on average, does it take to process the I-130 in comparison to the I-129F? At the time we filed it took approximately an additional 4 months for the CR1.

Due to this is it feasible that they returned the fee because they are in the process of adjudicating the I-130? I just can't imagine they return anything.