Continue with K3 or go for IR1 / CR1?

[Jonathan - Tamsyn 0]

First off, thanks to all for having such a great forum!

So yesterday our I-130 was approved! The I-129f is still pending so now my questions (that I know have been answered soooo many times before)...

- Will the IR1 / CR1 visa be the quicker option? It seems that visa processing times have become exponentially quicker, especially at the VSC which we are going through, but through the whole process we have heard that the K3 visa is the quicker option. I am now looking into the IR1 visa, and although I believe the I-130 will be processed/approved within the next 1-2 weeks, we definitely would like to skip the whole AOS, SS card, EAD, etc. processes. But more importantly, we want to be together as soon as possible. No matter what's the 'better' option, we just do not want to have to wait any additional time if we do not need to.

- Will we need to redo the medical exam? My wife went to do the medical exam (getting shots and skin test, etc.) before we even sent the first packet. Reason being is that we read the requirements incorrectly and thought that we needed the exam immediately. Now that it has been 3 months and we are approved, will we need to redo the exam. Does it have a time-frame such as 'within the last 30/60/90 days'?

- Lastly, is the CR1 / IR1 visa's the same thing? Will we need to apply for one over the other, or are we just applying for both at the same time?

Once again, thank you all so much for all the time and dedication you put into this forum and everyone that has helped us through our journey to this point. Good luck to everyone as well!

[Malrothien 6]

I would go with the CR1/IR1 (the difference is CR1 = conditional, married less than 2 years and will require a removal of conditions; IR1 = married 2+yrs; 10 yr green card). I would read the guides regarding the CR1 and the NVC process. I would get everything together then follow LingChe's shortcuts.

I think you should be okay with the medical, but I'm not 100% sure on that one.

[Beth/ Paris Heart 2]

First off, thanks to all for having such a great forum!

So yesterday our I-130 was approved! The I-129f is still pending so now my questions (that I know have been answered soooo many times before)...

- Will the IR1 / CR1 visa be the quicker option? It seems that visa processing times have become exponentially quicker, especially at the VSC which we are going through, but through the whole process we have heard that the K3 visa is the quicker option. I am now looking into the IR1 visa, and although I believe the I-130 will be processed/approved within the next 1-2 weeks, we definitely would like to skip the whole AOS, SS card, EAD, etc. processes. But more importantly, we want to be together as soon as possible. No matter what's the 'better' option, we just do not want to have to wait any additional time if we do not need to.

- Will we need to redo the medical exam? My wife went to do the medical exam (getting shots and skin test, etc.) before we even sent the first packet. Reason being is that we read the requirements incorrectly and thought that we needed the exam immediately. Now that it has been 3 months and we are approved, will we need to redo the exam. Does it have a time-frame such as 'within the last 30/60/90 days'?

- Lastly, is the CR1 / IR1 visa's the same thing? Will we need to apply for one over the other, or are we just applying for both at the same time?

Once again, thank you all so much for all the time and dedication you put into this forum and everyone that has helped us through our journey to this point. Good luck to everyone as well!

I can tell you this, the CR-1 is the better visa, but you have to go thru NVC, and this takes about a month, now the K3 will be sent to embassy once NVC gives it a case number unless you get AP on the K3 like we did, this can delay you. Im followong hte CR-1` while K3 is in AP, which comes out first, well we have to see.

You just have to decide, do you have a month or so to spare, then do the CR-1 the better visa.

[Jonathan - Tamsyn 0]

Thank you so much for clearing things up for me. What I take from all of this is that:

The CR1 is a 'married less than two year' visa, but same filings/papers as IR1.

The CR1 will take a little longer, possibly more than a month due to it being sent to the NVC first.

Although there is an extra month or so, the benefits FAR outweigh the time saved with the K3

Bottom line, even though the K3 (I-129f) has not been approved yet, it will probably be quicker to attain than the CR1 in the short term. However, the CR1 would save time and money in the long run due to the immediate immigrant status, SSN, ability to work, and other benefits of a citizen.

Sorry for the repetition, but I want to make sure that I have all of the information before making a solid decision on this.

Thank you once again to everyone!

[New Beginnings 32]

Absolutely go with the CR1. It was only a difference of about 4 weeks between the K3 interview that was scheduled and the CR1 interview for us. It was well worth it to wait for the CR1 visa. For us it wasn't even about saving money (which is great, don't get me wrong) but it was about the freedom that it offered us once my husband arrived.

He was able to start looking for jobs right away, get his SSN right away, his greencard and so on. I know at this point a month sounds like eternity. But it's worth it to wait.

[Dakine 26]

Here's Ling che's NVC shortcuts which will speed things up.

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/...he_NVC_ShortCut

DON'T make the mistake I did going with the K3!

[Beth/ Paris Heart 2]

Absolutely go with the CR1. It was only a difference of about 4 weeks between the K3 interview that was scheduled and the CR1 interview for us. It was well worth it to wait for the CR1 visa. For us it wasn't even about saving money (which is great, don't get me wrong) but it was about the freedom that it offered us once my husband arrived.

He was able to start looking for jobs right away, get his SSN right away, his greencard and so on. I know at this point a month sounds like eternity. But it's worth it to wait.

It sure is the best way to go!!!!

[Peter&Jaime 1]

We choose the CR1 and have not regretted it. My husband was able to get his social security number, his drivers license, and a job shortly after coming to the United States. If you go K3 then you will be waiting a long time until your spouse can work, drive, or go to school. You really need to read the guides and understand the process completely. It is cheaper in the long run as well. Also, when I was applying for my husband's visa I kept track of others who started the process at the same time as me. Those who applied for the K3 actually ended up receiving an interview about 1 month behind the IR1. In my opinion it is not faster then the CR1.

[imaisha 1]

CR-1 all the way, especially with London. They take so darn long to schedule interviews these days that you basically lose no time (provided of course you're prepared for NVC). With NVC you'll most likely have an interview the month after you get a case complete. I pursued both paths and the CR-1 wound up being quicker! If you haven't gotten the I-129f approved yet though it won't be approved. Once you've got an approved I-130 petition the I-129f is moot. They're doing you a favor really.

And the medical is valid for 1 year. Did you do it with Knightsbridge? I was under the impression that they wouldn't schedule an appointment without a case number as if they forward the results to the embassy without that number it'd just get tossed.

[mrsemcee 1]

Is is a really informative thread, and helps me a lot as I'm doing the same thing, the CR1 after initially thinking K3.

Good luck with your process, seems like you really understand the process, which is a big chunk of it, I believe

I sent my I130 before I really truly understood the process, but I'm confident now from what I've learnt on here that I know what I'm doing

[qhayder 0]

I am in the same position- trying to figure out should I continue with my K3 or go for the CR1 now. The only concern I have is that I am with my SO riight now outside of the US and I am not sure if I can complete the CR1 process from here. Does anyone know if it should be any problem that I compile all the documents (since I brought my tax returns, etc.) with me and mail them from Pakistan directly to the NVC versus returning to America right now to complete the process.

thanks!

[hindocha 0]

I just changed from K3 to I130. Called embassy, they said they are processing 2 weeks apart

[New Beginnings 32]

I just changed from K3 to I130. Called embassy, they said they are processing 2 weeks apart

2 weeks to save all the hassle of the K3! Definitely worth it!!

Good luck!!!

[Stuey 0]

CR1 all the way - we could have gone with K-3 but waited that extra month and going with CR1 now. Would have been less than that between but I was waiting for my police clearance....

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I am in the same position- trying to figure out should I continue with my K3 or go for the CR1 now. The only concern I have is that I am with my SO riight now outside of the US and I am not sure if I can complete the CR1 process from here. Does anyone know if it should be any problem that I compile all the documents (since I brought my tax returns, etc.) with me and mail them from Pakistan directly to the NVC versus returning to America right now to complete the process.

thanks!

If you are married already and live abroad; you might be able to process via Direct Consular Filing. this procedure is specially designed for folks like you. Check the DCF forum; and also the Embassy/consulate section to see if your consular district offers it