K-1 or K-3???

[marieMH 1]

I would like to know which visa procedure is faster K-1 or K-3??

and which one of them is sure to get approved for

[J&N* 68]

K-1 is faster.

The probability of getting approved is high on either, it just depends on your case.

K-1 is for engaged couples, that means you get married in the States, not Egypt (Just in case you're planning a wedding here)

There's CR-1 too, which is better than the K-3

[thelastpetitioner 218]

theoretically speaking,k-1,but keep in mind k-1 is applying for a visa,meaning your beneficiary wont be able to work as soon as he or she enters the states,youll have to apply for adjustment of the status in order for them to be able to get a greencard,enter or exit the country and work,however Cr-1 ( the new name for k-3 ) is much easier in those departments.

but currently it seems like they both take the same amount of time since the processing of k-1 visa has gotten noticeably slower

[J&N* 68]

The K-3 is different from the CR-1, in the K-3, you still have to do the Adjustment of Status

[Barbara J 115]

I would like to know which visa procedure is faster K-1 or K-3??

and which one of them is sure to get approved for

Have read on here no K3 anymore, CR-1 is the way now. K1 fiance visa is not too bad we used it and all done in 6 months. Approved in 3 in US then on to NVC then my country, but as stated in previous post K1 means you marry in USA and stay then apply for permanent residency.

[Dakine 26]

I would like to know which visa procedure is faster K-1 or K-3??

and which one of them is sure to get approved for

CR-1 or IR-1 using a DCF if possible are the "BEST" all around.

Just a few reasons why to go with the CR-1. If you are eligible for a IR-1 then you would be nuts going with a K3!

The K3 has to adjust status which cost $1010 + $131 visas application fee.

Have to go thru the cost and hassles of getting a I-693 also.

K3 normally has to do biometrics and have a AOS interview. Time off from work cost the petitioner. PLUS the hassles of submitting the paperwork and going for the interview. Taint fun.. Especially if denied or questioned. Ever done a Stokes interview?

Thats the second interview if they are in doubt of your relationship.

Also a possibility of being deported. Yeah doesnt happen much but it happens.

K3 has to wait about 90 days after they file to get EAD or GC so they can get SSN and be able to work.

CR-1 can work as soon as they get the GC and SS card in the mail. Normally with 6 weeks.

Cant do a LOT of things without SSN. Like work or get a drivers license in some states.

Some K visas dont get GC for a LONG time.

If petitioner goes belly up before you get GC you stand a chance of being deported.

If the petitioner loses his/her job after the interview you dont have to worry about getting a co sponsor to adjust status!

CR-1 cost about $470

Get their GC and SS card in the mail within 6 weeks of arrival.

No biometrics , dealing with civil surgeons, AOS interviews, going to SSA for SS card.

Im sure Ive missed a few things.

Bottomline is anyone that goes with the K3 the way things are now are masochist!

Yeah I did but at that time K3s were a LOT faster. Thats not the case anymore.

Edited October 13, 2010 by Dakine

[thelastpetitioner 218]

what the bleeping bleep,i cant edit my own post.

but at first i thought there is still k-3,and cr-1 but now that i think about it,i agree with barbara i remember readin somewhere else that there is no k-3 anymore

Edited October 13, 2010 by ygr

[baron555 934]

I would like to know which visa procedure is faster K-1 or K-3??

and which one of them is sure to get approved for

K-1 is faster and neither is a slam dunk for approval. You need to have a legitimate relationship and be able to prove that at the interview to be granted the visa.

[Nik+Heather 121]

There is a lot of scatter in the data for how fast a petition will be processed. On average a K-1 petition is processed faster than a CR-1 petition. But, the slowest K-1 may take longer than the fastest CR-1, so there are no guarantees either way in terms of processing. Also, CR-1 is a superior visa. The beneficiary (immigrant) arrives as a permanent resident, and there's no hassling around with immigration for a couple of years, whereas with the K-1, getting the visa is only HALF the process! K-1 is also more expensive.

However, with a K-1, you can start the process immediately after being engaged (provided you have met in person at least once before). If you are apart, then in order to do a CR-1 visa, you have to plan another trip and a wedding before you can start processing, so that means that for two couples who get engaged on the SAME DAY, the one who pursues a K-1 and starts immediately can have a months long head start on the couple who takes time to plan and perform a wedding before they start their paperwork. So really a lot of that delay would be under your control, but depending on what sort of wedding you'd like should factor into your time calculations.

We picked K-1 for a different reason - we wanted to be together after we got married. With the K-1 you wait out the visa processing before marriage. With the CR-1, you wait out the visa after you get married.

[J&N* 68]

We picked K-1 for a different reason - we wanted to be together after we got married. With the K-1 you wait out the visa processing before marriage. With the CR-1, you wait out the visa after you get married.

Yes, that's why we too picked the K-1, I didn't want to spend the first year of marriage apart from my husband, but the CR-1 is really a great route to go, when we started our K-1, we didn't know about the CR-1, otherwise I'd have definitely gave it some thinking!

Marie, whatever you do, don't go the the K-3, it's the worst of both worlds!

[Darnell 8,479]

Some light reading, K-3 specific ->

Comparison on K-3 vs CR-1 - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/204324-wondering-if-i-made-a-mistake-marrying-in-us/page__view__findpost__p__3060767

K-3 administratively closed - http://www.visajourney.com/news/2010/02/07/department-of-state-to-close-k-3-visas-if-i-129f-and-i-130-petitions-approved-and-received-together/

Good Luck !

[J&N* 68]

Some light reading, K-3 specific ->

Comparison on K-3 vs CR-1 - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/204324-wondering-if-i-made-a-mistake-marrying-in-us/page__view__findpost__p__3060767

K-3 administratively closed - http://www.visajourney.com/news/2010/02/07/department-of-state-to-close-k-3-visas-if-i-129f-and-i-130-petitions-approved-and-received-together/

Good Luck !

I see a lot of people, especially lately, applying for K-3, I also thought it was closed down but apparently it's a accepted now along the CR-1 at once.

[R&W 5]

If you want it faster, go for K1.

But, if your wife wants your wedding in her country, you can choose IR-1. A little longer but takes a lot of hassle away when she gets in the U.S.

[Darnell 8,479]

I see a lot of people, especially lately, applying for K-3, I also thought it was closed down but apparently it's a accepted now along the CR-1 at once.

Na, NVC will close the I-129F as it travels over with the I-130.

Sure, there are anomolies, but 'a lot of people' ??

One can always apply, is nothing to 'stop' this applying, but it slows down the USCIS time (2 to 11 weeks) and usually the end result is that the I-129F is administratively closed at NVC.

Edited October 13, 2010 by Darnell