I was just told by someone at my senator's office that our I-130 is likely to be approved before our I-129F. This was a big surprise to me since I read the official government news release a couple of months ago announcing that they would stop processing I-130s for spouses, assuming that everyone intends to get K-3 visa. It seems from what I have seen and heard that processing of 1-130s is actually continuing as before. Anyway, I began reading the information on this site about the CR-1 visa process. It seems to me that there is a lot more processing done at NVC for CR-1 than for K-3. Is the amount of time between petition approval and forwarding to embassy significantly longer for CR-1 visa applicants compared to K-3 visa applicants? Any insight is appreciated!

I too am a little confused on the I-130 processing if there's an I-129 in process. I saw that memo or press release about the change but it looks like people with I-129 & I-130 petitions still getting NOA2's for their I-130's now. Keep in mind that even if your I-130 is approved (NOA2) there is more processing to do at the NVC whereas the I-129 goes to the NVC for just a brief time and then is forwarded on to the foreign consulate or embassy. As far as the processing time for an I-130 at the NVC I don't know the amount of time but I do know there's fees, paperwork exchange, payment, etc involved. Maybe check out similar timelines in the 'Immigration Timelines' link above. Hopefully someone with more insight can shed more light on this...

Yup, it will take longer for a CR-1/IR-1 especially since they seem to be approving both petitions at the same time. The I-129F goes directly to the NVC for a short time and then to the consulate. With the approved I-130, it gets retained until you file and pay $200 for them to release it to the NVC and then more processing (see the NVC flowchart for CR-1/IR-1) before NVC schedules an interview with the consulate.

I don't think anyone knows exactly how long it's taking yet either after they file for the I-130 to be forwarded before it even gets to NVC.

See my timeline. Both petitions were approved the same day and my I-129F is already at the consulate and only spent 1 day at NVC. If I had filed for the I-130 to be forwarded to NVC, it probably still wouldn't have been forwarded as of today.

We have pretty much given up on the I 130 route. It has been a nightmare for us. It hasn't been touched since October 28 2006, we filed an I 824 to have it sent to the NVC and then to Canada. That hasn't been touched since Noveber 11.

We sent the I 129- K3 in on Dec 29, we have our receipt for it and it has just been sent to California. It will go to Vancouver which I hear is usually quicker. I wish we had known more before, we could have filed for this in September.

The K3 is supposed to reunite couples faster, that is the general plan for it anyway. I have more hope for the K3 than the CR1.

Stacey, you know that when you finally get your visa (whichever one), Mel will not let you come back to Canada right?

(also only Montreal does CR-1/IR-1 interviews)

I know- Mel has already said he will never let me leave the US.

I would have been excited to go to Montreal for the CR1- I am from Montreal and haven't been back in a while. But I'll be happy to have the K3 in Vancouver.

I love Montreal too. Used to go every month or so and hang out around the Plateau area a lot. I hope that you get some action on your I-129F soon!

ah the debate of k3 and cr1 lives on