I 130 Petition and I 129 F for K3

[Nikolaadzic2008 0]

Hi,

I'm US Citizen and my wife is Croation Citizen. We just got married in Sarajevo Bosnia (we are both born there). Upon my return to the States I submitted I 130 and anwser question that my wife will be applying for visa in Croatia (that is where she resides).

I'm ready to send I 129f for K3 visa, so she can come sooner and instruction for this form as you filing for K3 VISA is saying : Per Life Act..........as you choose embessy where she is going to apply that you must choose embessy in country that you got married, which would be Bosnia.

If I do that would NVC send one application to Croatia (my wife resides there) and one to Bosnia (where we got married)??? Would my wife have one interview in Croatia for I 130 and one in Bosnia for I 129 f for K 3???

Should I choose embessy for both applications in the country whery she resides??? PLEASE HELP!!!!

[YuAndDan 153]

First off compare timelines for CR-1 and K-3, you may find that CR-1 is not much longer to get.

One of the big reasons to NOT do K-3, it may be a bit quicker than CR-1 but has the pain of dealing with USCIS for EAD and AOS.

CR-1 is not taking much longer than K-3, CR-1 costs less, CR-1 gets Green-card upon entry, CR-1 can work, get SSN and driver's license shortly after arrival. K-3 needs EAD before being able to WORK, get SSN, or Driver's license. EAD can take 90 days or more to get.

Also cost compare:

K-3:

I-130: $355

I-129F: NONE

Consulate: $131

AOS: $1010

($1496)

CR-1

I-130: $355

NVC I-864: $70

NVC Visa fee: $400 ($355+$45)

($825)

[pushbrk 12,092]

First off compare timelines for CR-1 and K-3, you may find that CR-1 is not much longer to get.

One of the big reasons to NOT do K-3, it may be a bit quicker than CR-1 but has the pain of dealing with USCIS for EAD and AOS.

CR-1 is not taking much longer than K-3, CR-1 costs less, CR-1 gets Green-card upon entry, CR-1 can work, get SSN and driver's license shortly after arrival. K-3 needs EAD before being able to WORK, get SSN, or Driver's license. EAD can take 90 days or more to get.

Also cost compare:

K-3:

I-130: $355

I-129F: NONE

Consulate: $131

AOS: $1010

($1496)

CR-1

I-130: $355

NVC I-864: $70

NVC Visa fee: $400 ($355+$45)

($825)

Second that but you really have no option on the location of the K3 interview. It must be in the country of marriage or Consulate that serves that country.

With a K3 visa, there's no reason to have a second interview abroad. She just adjusts her status in the US. I wouldn't make any hasty decisions on the I-129F filing. Chances are you'll be better off sticking with just the I-130 and an immigrant visa. Examine your priorities carefully.

[Nikolaadzic2008 0]

Thanks a lot!!!

My concern is to get my wife in the USA as soon as posible. So what do you recomend?? What is the difference in timelines I 130 Petition (is this CR1??) and I 129 F -K3 VISA??

As i submited I 130 i requested that she will apply for visa in country of her residance> Is this OK???? Instractions on the form I 130 did not say anything about IN WHICH COUNTRY SHE SHOULD APPLY.

However, on instructions for I 129 F used for K 3 VISA Item 8 talking about that in this case we must apply in country of marrige. What do you think???

[Dakine 26]

I say listen to Yu and Dan and pushbrk. May take a bit longer with the I-130 but it's worth it in the long run. I blew it and went with the K3. BIG mistake.

[vareska 3]

First off compare timelines for CR-1 and K-3, you may find that CR-1 is not much longer to get.

One of the big reasons to NOT do K-3, it may be a bit quicker than CR-1 but has the pain of dealing with USCIS for EAD and AOS.

CR-1 is not taking much longer than K-3, CR-1 costs less, CR-1 gets Green-card upon entry, CR-1 can work, get SSN and driver's license shortly after arrival. K-3 needs EAD before being able to WORK, get SSN, or Driver's license. EAD can take 90 days or more to get.

Also cost compare:

K-3:

I-130: $355

I-129F: NONE

Consulate: $131

AOS: $1010

($1496)

CR-1

I-130: $355

NVC I-864: $70

NVC Visa fee: $400 ($355+$45)

($825)

Hello there,

If I understand this correctly, the only advantage K3 has over CR-1 is that it may be quicker to obtain?

How much time difference are we talking, where do I check the timeline?

Just married a Bosnian and trying to get him over here, wondering which is the safest, quickest path to choose...

Nikolaadzic2008, howdy neighbor (by birth place)