Which is better K1 Visa or K3 Visa?

[filipinas 0]

Hi Everyone!

I have a boyfriend who is an immigrant in US while I am here in the Philippines. And we are planning to get married soon. But what are the options for us to be able to get the right visa for me. What are the advantages and disadvantages of both visas, K1 Visa and K3 Visa?

I would really appreciate your help on this. Thanks!

[Otto 83]

K-1 is only if you're not already married.

K-3 is only if you're already married.

Check the What Visa Do We Need? section of the Guides for some of the pros and cons of each type of visa.

[filipinas 0]

K-1 is only if you're not already married.

K-3 is only if you're already married.

Check the What Visa Do We Need? section of the Guides for some of the pros and cons of each type of visa.

Thanks for the info! This would really help.

[YuAndDan 153]

Your boyfriend, is he a US Citizen??

If he is NOT a US citizen he cannot file I-129F which is required for K-Visas (K-1 or K-3)

K-3 is an OPTIONAL visa for persons who are applying for a CR-1 or IR-1 SPOUSAL IMMIGANT visa.

Since USCIS has been approving both I-130 and I-129F on the same day in K-3 cases, this has essentially eliminated the reason that K-3 was developed (Entry to the USA and waiting for I-130 approval)

Follow the shortcuts and you more than likely can get I-130 to the consulate before K-3 interview.

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-1:

($100 more than K-3) ($1596)

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.

[rheanick 42]

Hi Everyone!

I have a boyfriend who is an immigrant in US while I am here in the Philippines. And we are planning to get married soon. But what are the options for us to be able to get the right visa for me. What are the advantages and disadvantages of both visas, K1 Visa and K3 Visa?

I would really appreciate your help on this. Thanks!

Your fiance should be a US Citizen in order for you to file K1 or K3.

[YuAndDan 153]

Hi Everyone!

I have a boyfriend who is an immigrant in US while I am here in the Philippines. And we are planning to get married soon. But what are the options for us to be able to get the right visa for me. What are the advantages and disadvantages of both visas, K1 Visa and K3 Visa?

I would really appreciate your help on this. Thanks!

Your fiance should be a US Citizen in order for you to file K1 or K3.

More than Should be, he NEEDS to be. I-129F REQUIRES proof of US Citizenship to be attached.

[filipinas 0]

Hi Everyone!

I have a boyfriend who is an immigrant in US while I am here in the Philippines. And we are planning to get married soon. But what are the options for us to be able to get the right visa for me. What are the advantages and disadvantages of both visas, K1 Visa and K3 Visa?

I would really appreciate your help on this. Thanks!

Your fiance should be a US Citizen in order for you to file K1 or K3.

More than Should be, he NEEDS to be. I-129F REQUIRES proof of US Citizenship to be attached.

I forgot to add it up. Yes, he is a US Citizen. Thanks a lot for the big info!

[Dakine 26]

Hi Everyone!

I have a boyfriend who is an immigrant in US while I am here in the Philippines. And we are planning to get married soon. But what are the options for us to be able to get the right visa for me. What are the advantages and disadvantages of both visas, K1 Visa and K3 Visa?

I would really appreciate your help on this. Thanks!

Your fiance should be a US Citizen in order for you to file K1 or K3.

More than Should be, he NEEDS to be. I-129F REQUIRES proof of US Citizenship to be attached.

I forgot to add it up. Yes, he is a US Citizen. Thanks a lot for the big info!

Fastest and easiest is the K1 fiance visa. Better also if things don't work out as you won't have to get an annulment in PI if things don't work out as you would with a K3 or CR-1. That way you can move on with your life

Long distance relationships aren't all successfull in the long run.

Edited May 16, 2009 by Haole