Pursuing both CR-1 and K3

[EmilyS 11]

Can someone pursue both CR-1 and K3 to see which one gets a faster interview date? Our K3 survived through NVC and it will be at the consulate soon, I can't decide which route to take since I have no idea which one will be faster at this point, because we want to take whatever route reunites us faster and don't care about the advantages of CR-1 at this point...I just want my hubby

If that's not possible and you have to just go with one...does anyone know if we can expedite our CR-1 with the NVC right now? since the k3 will be at the consulate and I-130 still sitting at the NVC to be logged into the system (no case number yet) I know they don't like giving K3s out, if one asks to expedite the case so that they can take that route and not the K3, do you think it will be approved?

I appreciate any help you can give me

Edited January 25, 2013 by EmilyS

[bsd058 296]

Can someone pursue both CR-1 and K3 to see which one gets a faster interview date? Our K3 survived through NVC and it will be at the consulate soon, I can't decide which route to take since I have no idea which one will be faster at this point, because we want to take whatever route reunites us faster and don't care about the advantages of CR-1 at this point...I just want my hubby

If that's not possible and you have to just go with one...does anyone know if we can expedite our CR-1 with the NVC right now? since the k3 will be at the consulate and I-130 still sitting at the NVC to be logged into the system (no case number yet) I know they don't like giving K3s out, if one asks to expedite the case so that they can take that route and not the K3, do you think it will be approved?

I appreciate any help you can give me

You can pursue both. If the I-130 gets adjudicated before the I-129F, then the I-129F is administratively closed.

Very few K3 visas have been issued because I-130 apps are usually approved prior to the K3 being issued. You can only expedite a case if you fall under these criteria: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=16a6b1be1ce85210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD . An expedite request all depends on the reason. If it doesn't fall within one of the reasons listed in the link, then chances are they will not expedite anything. But it's case by case. If you just want to be closer sooner, and that's your reason for the expedite, then almost 100% chance they will say no.

Edited January 25, 2013 by bsd058

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

Yes in the rare case where the K3 file doesn't get closed at NVC stage, you can choose- usually, the K3 would be a bit faster than the CR-1. There was one member on here who, upon getting their interview appointment for K3, called the embassy and asked could they make it a CR-1 interview and it was agreed to, but overall the answer is no, you can't do that/ don't count on it. To get an actual expedite you need to have a reason (medical, military etc).

[EmilyS 11]

You can pursue both. If the I-130 gets adjudicated before the I-129F, then the I-129F is administratively closed.

Very few K3 visas have been issued because I-130 apps are usually approved prior to the K3 being issued. You can only expedite a case if you fall under these criteria: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=16a6b1be1ce85210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD . An expedite request all depends on the reason. If it doesn't fall within one of the reasons listed in the link, then chances are they will not expedite anything. But it's case by case. If you just want to be closer sooner, and that's your reason for the expedite, then almost 100% chance they will say no.

My k3 wasn't closed, they sent it to the consulate couple of days ago. I wanted to know since they don't give out k3s anymore and mine magically survived will they accept to expedite so that they don't have to issue me a k3?

And as for my question for pursuing both, I mean after they reach NVC. See my k3 will soon be at the consulate and the I-130 is at the NVC waiting to be assigned a case number. Can I submit packet3 when I get it? And also at the same time pursue I-130 once the case number is assigned ??

Edited January 25, 2013 by EmilyS

[EmilyS 11]

Yes in the rare case where the K3 file doesn't get closed at NVC stage, you can choose- usually, the K3 would be a bit faster than the CR-1. There was one member on here who, upon getting their interview appointment for K3, called the embassy and asked could they make it a CR-1 interview and it was agreed to, but overall the answer is no, you can't do that/ don't count on it. To get an actual expedite you need to have a reason (medical, military etc).

So you mean I can send packet3 for k3 when I receive the instructions? And also submit all the things needed for cr1 when I get my case number? Can that be done? And see which one will be faster?

Edited January 25, 2013 by EmilyS

[Villanelle 4,122]

My k3 wasn't closed, they sent it to the consulate couple of days ago. I wanted to know since they don't give out k3s anymore and mine magically survived will they accept to expedite so that they don't have to issue me a k3?

And as for my question for pursuing both, I mean after they reach NVC. See my k3 will soon be at the consulate and the I-130 is at the NVC waiting to be assigned a case number. Can I submit packet3 when I get it? And also at the same time pursue I-130 once the case number is assigned ??

So your reason for expediting is "please expedite my CR1 so that you dont have to issue me the K3 visa?" Um.. yeah. I dont think thats going to be approved. Review the expedite criteria list. I cant see anything on there that by any means of the imagination can even be twisted enough to make that fly. Maybe "Compelling interest of USCIS" if you word your letter cleverly enough and the person who reads it is in a good mood (?) Perhaps if you can show that its in their best interest to issue the CR1 first and not the K3 (less paperwork, saves them money etc) they may expedite your CR1. Good luck. Hope your husband gets home soon.

[bsd058 296]

So your reason for expediting is "please expedite my CR1 so that you dont have to issue me the K3 visa?" Um.. yeah. I dont think thats going to be approved. Review the expedite criteria list. I cant see anything on there that by any means of the imagination can even be twisted enough to make that fly. Maybe "Compelling interest of USCIS" if you word your letter cleverly enough and the person who reads it is in a good mood (?) Perhaps if you can show that its in their best interest to issue the CR1 first and not the K3 (less paperwork, saves them money etc) they may expedite your CR1. Good luck. Hope your husband gets home soon.

An expedite of a CR-1 because your K3 was approved before it would defeat the purpose of the K3 in the first place. So I would say almost 100% no to the expedite.

Edited January 25, 2013 by bsd058

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

So you mean I can send packet3 for k3 when I receive the instructions? And also submit all the things needed for cr1 when I get my case number? Can that be done? And see which one will be faster?

Yes you can do that. We haven't had many cases like this recently because it is so rare for a K3 to get through but yes it is possible. What some people used to do is go ahead with the K3, go to interview, and if approved go to see their husband, then when the CR-1 was ready for interview go back for a vacation and to the CR-1 interview, rather than AOS within the USA.

[EmilyS 11]

Ok I won't ask for an expedite based on that, although we did incluse an expedite request with our I-129F petition, never heard of it at the USCIS level though until our petition was approved and I have no idea if they apporved the expedite or not, so if I decide to go ahead with an expedite request I would include that same letter.

For the most part though I have been trying to find out if we could pursue both routes passed the NVC level and see which one gets a closer interview date and that's answered now. Thank you all for taking the time to reply

[Ms Hogan 295]

The part I don't understand is why the CR1 would be faster if the K3 is already on its way? I guess I don't know the K3 steps well enough to understand at this point.

[EmilyS 11]

The part I don't understand is why the CR1 would be faster if the K3 is already on its way? I guess I don't know the K3 steps well enough to understand at this point.

same here, I wish I knew how they schedule interviews for K3 applicants at least, so I would have had a better idea

Edited January 25, 2013 by EmilyS

[Ms Hogan 295]

same here, I wish I knew how they schedule interviews for K3 applicants at least, so I would have had a better idea

Your timeline shows info for CR1 not K3 so it's confusing to figure out timing.

[EmilyS 11]

Your timeline shows info for CR1 not K3 so it's confusing to figure out timing.

I know because our I-130 petition was approved before I-129F but managed to get to NVC and leave before I-130 even got there. I don't think you can put both of them on your timeline, can you?

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Progress Reports to K3 Process & Procedures.

[canadian_wife 1,823]

Since Montreal can be slow for assigning interviews, I would follow up with the Cr-1 while it is at NVC. When the K-3 interview is issued you can always see if they will change it to a cr1

good luck