Hi, my I-130 and I-129F both got approved together. Can I choose to pursue both paths simultaneously? Do I need to inform USCIS or NVC that I intend to do that? My attorney thinks that it could be done but has never done it before herself. I have read cases on this forum where people did do this. Please post if you have had such an experience.

You may want to read this: http://www.uscis.gov/uscis-ext-templating/...0000ecd190aRCRD

More than likely they will hold the I-130 back and let the I-129F continue on for a K-3 visa. They are doing this because the vast majority of K-3 visas resulted in adjustment of status in the USA, this is a labor saving mesure to save NVC and Consulate from doing extra work only to have to return the I-130 back to USCIS when the K-3 adjusts status.

The decision to do K-3 OR CR-1 needs to be made before filing the I-129F

Both may continue on. The USCIS has been forwarding both to the NVC lately. If you get a case number for your I-130 and a letter from the NVC about your 129F, then you'll know the answer.

The choice should be made before filing and that's probably good for people who are filing now to hear, but a lot of us who are finally getting approvals now filed at a time where it was the popular consensus of the board to file the 129F anyway and go with whatever gets approved first because CR-1's were taking 400+ days from NOA1 to interview and the USCIS had forwarded both in the past (as they seem to be doing again). Hindsight is 20/20.

hi guys!

i called the nvc last wednesday. our i-129 was finally forwarded to the embassy... while for i-130, the 3230 and aos were generated.

as per nvc staff, it's okay to process the two petitions at the same time, since they will generate different visas.

personally, i'd be happy to receive whichever visa so i can be with my hubby soon... i'm not really picky! he he he... never mind if it'll cost me an additional 1k for aos!

oh well, things happen for a reason.... let's see what will happen next.

Here's a kicker!
K3 approved first..interview came...got visa...same day CR1 interview package came..
so my husband could literally come here but now has to stay back until May 15th interview..UNBELIEVABLE! Attorney advised he stay there and get it all finished up, it will save time, aggravation and money...I just hope CR1 goes as smooth as K3

really? oh wow... i'm not overly sure if we'll be able to finish the cr1 process by the time i get an interview schedule... we just started (as in, we just sent the 3230)...

however, hubby and i will probably go back to manila later on this year for the cr1 interview since my mom's health is a bit precarious... and we'd gladly take any excuse to come home.... by then, the hubby will be able to take another leave of absence...

let's see....

A quick update for anyone in the same boat as me. NVC assigned a case number to both the K3 and the CR1 applications. Looks like they are both processing in parallel. So far so good! See my timeline below.