CR-1 vs K-3

[oncefuturealien 45]

Hello I've been lurking for a while but first-time poster.

Background: I'm a Canadian citizen, former green card holder (surrendered 15+ years ago, no drama). I married an American guy more than 5 years ago, and he is a Permanent Resident here.

We want to move back to the US in the near future, and I'm trying to figure out the best/easiest way for us. We have had NEXUS cards for a few years, so the US government has already done some recent checking into our bonafides; and we don't anticipate any trouble getting me a green card again (no criminal record or anything).

Because we're in Vancouver, having to fly 3000 miles to Montreal (much as I love Montreal) for an interview is kind of a pain in the butt. It's hard for me to get time off work, and there's the expense....Once I get approved/am able to legally move, we will sell our house and go pretty quickly, but until that time we are cash-poor.

So I guess my question is, even though in the end it costs more to go the K3 route, we'd be able to interview in Vancouver and possibly move sooner, although I wouldn't be able to work there right away (that wouldn't matter so much, because by that point we will have lower living expenses there). My husband will be able to continue working for his company in the new location.

Can any of you comment on this for our situation? it seems like a hardship on married folk to travel 3,000 miles for an interview when we're, what, 50 miles from the US border? and there's a consulate here and everything.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Morganalmonshid94 84]

K3s are rarely given to people anymore due to processing times the likelyhood is about 2-5% of a chance of getting one they usually get closed down at the nvc stage most of the time anyways . Most people on here will tell you the more realistic route is the cr1 because even if you shoot for the k3 it will likely get turned into the cr1 regardless.

[Boiler 43,391]

IR1 by the sound of it as you have been married 2 years. There is the medical and the interview but not something you need to worry about now, that will be some time away.

Otherwise looks pretty straightforward, no need for a co sponsor.

Edited May 14, 2015 by Boiler

[YouAndMeForever 1,022]

Hello I've been lurking for a while but first-time poster.

Background: I'm a Canadian citizen, former green card holder (surrendered 15+ years ago, no drama). I married an American guy more than 5 years ago, and he is a Permanent Resident here.

We want to move back to the US in the near future, and I'm trying to figure out the best/easiest way for us. We have had NEXUS cards for a few years, so the US government has already done some recent checking into our bonafides; and we don't anticipate any trouble getting me a green card again (no criminal record or anything).

Because we're in Vancouver, having to fly 3000 miles to Montreal (much as I love Montreal) for an interview is kind of a pain in the butt. It's hard for me to get time off work, and there's the expense....Once I get approved/am able to legally move, we will sell our house and go pretty quickly, but until that time we are cash-poor.

So I guess my question is, even though in the end it costs more to go the K3 route, we'd be able to interview in Vancouver and possibly move sooner, although I wouldn't be able to work there right away (that wouldn't matter so much, because by that point we will have lower living expenses there). My husband will be able to continue working for his company in the new location.

Can any of you comment on this for our situation? it seems like a hardship on married folk to travel 3,000 miles for an interview when we're, what, 50 miles from the US border? and there's a consulate here and everything.

Thanks in advance for your help.

K3 is obsolete. Stick with the IR-1/CR-1.

[oncefuturealien 45]

It's totally straightforward, I am just annoyed that I will have to spend another thousand bucks or what have you to the enrichment of Air Canada or WestJet and some hotel or other, as well as try to wrangle days off work with possibly short notice.

I understand the conventional wisdom here is the K-3 is obsolete....and yet, it is still an option legally available.

(Thanks for taking the time to respond, everyone.)

Edited May 14, 2015 by oncefuturealien

[CAMama3 1]

Unfortunately, it's not really your choice between the two. You can try for the K3, but it will most likely be turned into the IR1 and you'll have to go to Montreal. There was one person maybe 2 years ago from Vancouver that successfully got a K3. That's the only person I have heard of being successful.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/481416-anyone-with-k3-experience-from-vancouver-bc/

I know 2 people in real life from Vancouver who had to go to Montreal, one of them lived a 5 minute walk from the Vancouver embassy. It is what it is.

[NikLR 13,220]

You can try. Ive seen one go through. But prepare for it not to happen. You get at least 2 weeks but more often a month of notice for interview. Also you'd have the IR1 right away which means claiming EI right away to help balance out the costs.

[oncefuturealien 45]

Thanks, CAMama3 and NLR! it's encouraging

And maybe there are more people out there, who just are not posting here.

[Boiler 43,391]

Is this a Canadian joke I am not getting?

[oncefuturealien 45]

Is this a Canadian joke I am not getting?

Is what a Canadian joke?

[Boiler 43,391]

Encouraging

[oncefuturealien 45]

Heh, well, *someone* managed it, so perhaps we could, too. A tiny chance is better than a poke in the eye or a flight to/from Mtl with that restless leg thing....especially if my husband couldn't come with me.

Edited May 14, 2015 by oncefuturealien

[Flames9_RN 358]

http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare Make sure u know what the differences are between the k3 and the Ir-1.....I think you may find out the $$$$ is not as far apart as you think..Especially that, as NLR mentioned you can start collecting Employment Insurance (EI) right away( you can't collect EI unless you can legally work---which as a IR-1 you can----where as with the K3, you need to wait and get EAD), and avoid a few other hassles as well. And you are right, only a small fraction of people find VisaJourney, so could chance there are more K3'ers...but make sure you understand all the differences and do what is best for you.

[NikLR 13,220]

The reason the K3 made sense in the other case was because the stay at home mom had multiple children, one of whom was a baby or young toddler, and the cost for the entire family to travel to Montreal was more than the cost of the AOS. Because she wouldn't lose any money by not being able to work, that point was moot. I'm super glad I had my EI when I first moved and was really annoyed to find employment quickly when I was really looking but suddenly my first pay check was only $50 more than my EI was! I still make less than both of my last jobs in Canada and have been working for the same company for 18 months. I had to travel from Central Alberta to Montreal and spent a week there because I did the medical at the same time.

[oncefuturealien 45]

Once we move I won't necessarily need EI, as my husband will keep his current job and we won't have a mortgage...I mean I would feel weird collecting, honestly. We're moving by choice, so why should the government give me money? although god knows I've paid into it over the years!

It's only up until we sell the house and move that the money is an issue (and it's the avoidable waste of it as much as the spending of it, really).

I do appreciate everyone's thoughts.