I've been reading about this IMBRA thing, but I'm getting very confused about what exactly the ramifications are. Could someone please explain? I understand there is this new IMBRA act that somehow affects K1/K3 and a new I-129F has been published (this week?). I've also been following this news since only very recently, so I missed out on the history. So is the problem that:

1) the processing dates are not moving and remain stuck, due somehow to IMBRA? How the two are connected exactly, I don't understand.
2) a new I-129F form was due out, but was horridly late? and anyone who filed after a certain date (march 6th?) will have to wait for an RFE to update their petition. And this would delay their K3 processing because of this increased paperwork overhead.
3) anything else?

Also, now that the new I-129F form is out, does IMBRA affect in any way for someone who applies for K3 today (that is, with the new form)? Is there like some extended background check hellhole that one can potentially get stuck in?

I'd really appreciate if somone could provide explanations.

Thanks.

joe84, no one knows the complete ramifications of IMBRA on timelines yet. So if you're thinking of petitioning for a visa, you might as well dive in. With K3, you automatically apply for CR-1 too, and can pursue whichever is approved fastest. If you're worried about a background check, the new form I-129f asks if you met through a marriage broker. If yes, the USC may have to provide more evidence. (Just guessing, it's early.) Others have pointed out a loophole, since the question about marriage brokers isn't asked when applying for CR-1. Yet. So there may not be a background check on the USC until later in the process. What are you thinking about doing?

Thank you, Jersey Girl.

I'm thinking of applying for a K3 and from what I'm reading from the internet, it seems to take about 4 months to get the K3 visa? (Is that correct?). Due to work commitments, I cannot visit my girlfriend until 2 months from now, which is when we've planned for a wedding, and we did not meet through a marriage broker. I'm planning on applying for K3 right away, as soon as I come back after the wedding.

You'd mentioned no one knows the complete ramifications of IMBRA on the timelines yet. Could you please tell me what is the cause for concern, that IMBRA poses, in the K1/K3 community?

Thanks again.

The concern over IMBRA is that our government has added time to K visas, which were invented to unite families quicker. There hasn't been enough experience yet to document the actual time it will add.

If you apply two months from now, it will probably be sorted out. (I'm an optimist.) You'll use the new form I-129f and simply answer "no" to the question about meeting through a broker.

Where are you? Where is your intended? This makes a difference and you can check the timelines for your Service Center and Embassy where she lives.

You seem to know a lot already. But no one can predict how a newlywed bride will react during a separation that could be 6 months or more. Better have a plan for a long distance romance.

Have you considered a K1 to get the ball rolling now?