If the I-130 gets approved before the I-129F (K-3), can that one be used to bring your spouse to the States instead?

yes, and that is the one you want to get approved first. It is less hassle, you dont need to do AOS(adjustment of Status). You get the harra patta(green card) right away

I must also mention that the I130 process is longer than I129f .. I am assuming you r comparing k3 to IR right. Our k3 took less than 6 months in total for my husband to come home. We have out AOS interview 5 days after our 1 yr anniversayr and he will have been here in the US for 6 months! I have friends who used the IR process and have taken up to 2 yrs some a little longer and none less than a year, but you do get so much more with it. But if having your spouse home with you is more important thanthe inconvenience of having to pay to file more forms and fees then I would say stick it out.. you dont have to make a decision yet anyway.. you have until it( the petition) gets to the embassy. There have been cases where the I130 was approved but the k3 got an interview date b4 the 1-130 so just let them both run until you have to make a choice.

Less than 6 months?! Wow! I wish mine would take that long. But with the new IMBRA, I think everyone is suffering with longer wait times - several months longer.

Best wishes for a speedy approval - to us ALL!

By filing both the I-130 and I-129F you are effectively filing to lead toward both the CR-1 and the K-3.

Have a read HERE which will give you a better understanding of the CR-1 (I-130) and the K-3 (I-129F)

CR-1 is generally not taking near as long as it used to. Mine eg was just under 8 months and we procrastinated. By continuing with an approved I-130 petition through NVC you will cover your bases, especially as the K-3 is affected by the IMBRA and may very well add some time to acquiring such.

hm...what if the MSC will approve the held up K3 petitions now, since they already sending out the RFE's (FINALLY). I bet there will be a whole bunch of people who just take that route and adjust for status in the US. I mean since peeps have been longer seperated because of this new law, it is understandable that some just take the shortest way then, dont you think?

Isabel

Yes. I think so too, as it is my desire to complete this first step (to be together) as soon as possible. And for us, 2 or 3 months may make all the difference.

My one and only concern is being with my husband again, regardless the cost or inconvenience of filing more applications. I can barely breathe without him. So, whichever application gets him home faster, I'm taking it! I can handle anything easier than I can handle this forced (and what I deem completely unnecessary) separation.

Again, however, I will comment what a comfort it is to see so many people here so supportive and encouraging. It's quite lovely...

I wholeheartedly agree! Getting my wife here with me the fastest is what I'm interested in. I don't care about paperwork. I'm a perfectionist at that kind of stuff, and can read legal-ese pretty well (I have written contracts before). So paperwork isn't a big deal. Being together with my honey is most important to me!

So much for the K-visas reuniting families quicker! At least there's movement on the horizon.

Best wishes and hugs to all. Hang in there. What else can we do?!