CR1 VISA

[Hang Nga 0]

Dears,

I do not understand clearly about the visa K3 and CR1 VISA, if you got full information about this, pls help me to know it.

Thanks

Nga

[YuAndDan 153]

K-3 is an optional visa process that was developed at a time when I-130 was taking a long time to process when compared with K-1 fiancee visa, the K-3 allowed the prospective immigrant to enter the USA and wait for I-130 to be approved. However since USCIS has been approving the I-130 and I0129F at the same time lately the reason for the K-3 no longer exists, the 2 visa processes tend to be about the same time to approve through to a visa.

Both visas start the same way, you file an I-130 for a CR-1 spousal visa, and then file an I-129F to the address indicated on the I-130 NOA1 letter to start the K-3 option.

Consider sticking to the I-130 visa process, for the most part USCIS has been approving I-129F AND I-130 on the same date which essentially eliminates the whole reason that the K-3 was developed in the first place (LONG I-130 Processing time ate USCIS).

For the most part CR-1 tends to take a bit longer than K-3 to get if you prepare for NVC when they request I-864 fee, and Visa fee, as well as documents requested by NVC. In many cases the CR-1 petition reaches the consulate just before K-3 interview, which causes K-3 to get dropped and the interview becomes a CR-1 visa interview.

K-3:

I-130: $355

I-129F: NONE

Consulate: $131

Adjustment Of Status: $1010 I-485

($1496)

CR-1

I-130: $355

NVC I-864: $70

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

($825)

I see many posts from K-3 holders stating, "Wow this sucks, I am stuck at home because I don't have EAD, DL, etc, or I am having hard time getting added to bank accounts because of NO SSN." K-3 has a 90 day or longer period of limbo while waiting for EAD or Green-card.

K-3 was developed at a time when CR-1 was taking much longer that today, NVC has greatly streamlined the CR-1 process to the point where K-3 becomes irrelevant.

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

For the most part CR-1 tends to take a bit longer than K-3 to get if you prepare for NVC when they request I-864 fee, and Visa fee, as well as documents requested by NVC. In many cases the CR-1 petition reaches the consulate just before K-3 interview, which causes K-3 to get dropped and the interview becomes a CR-1 visa interview.

Based on this statement, would it be a feasable tactic to file for a K-3 after having already filed the I-130 for IR-1/CR-1 just to speed-up the Consulate Interview?

[YuAndDan 153]

For the most part CR-1 tends to take a bit longer than K-3 to get if you prepare for NVC when they request I-864 fee, and Visa fee, as well as documents requested by NVC. In many cases the CR-1 petition reaches the consulate just before K-3 interview, which causes K-3 to get dropped and the interview becomes a CR-1 visa interview.

Based on this statement, would it be a feasable tactic to file for a K-3 after having already filed the I-130 for IR-1/CR-1 just to speed-up the Consulate Interview?

Does not speed anything up in fact it may slow things down abit at USCIS because they match the two petitions up and tend to approve the both on the same day.

Compare timelines, you will see that the two processes are nearly the same, perhaps a week or two different, not much for the cost savings, and NOT HAVING TO DEAL WITH USCIS A SECOND TIME TO ADJUST STATUS.

[Dillan 0]

As YuandDan wrote, you 100% DO NOT want to deal with USCIS anymore than absolutely necessary. Even if it took a month longer to get the CR-1 it's worth it, not having to interact with USCIS again.

[CA dreamer 3]

cr1 and k3 nearly take the same time.so go through the cr1 better for you

[Dakine 26]

I've explained the difference to MANY times.

Listen to YU and dan. He's also explained the difference at least a 100 times .

Bottomline is !

K3 is Dog sh!t compared to the CR-1. Been there done it!

Edited April 25, 2009 by Haole