Switching from K1 to K3?

[Islandgirl297 1]

Hi all, 

 

does anyone have experience with switching from K1 to K3?? 
 

We haven’t applied for K1 visa but are thinking once we apply and process takes too long - we would want to switch to K3.

 

Is that possible? Or would we have to restart everything all over again? 

[payxibka 10,045]

1 minute ago, Islandgirl297 said:

Hi all, 

 

does anyone have experience with switching from K1 to K3?? 
 

We haven’t applied for K1 visa but are thinking once we apply and process takes too long - we would want to switch to K3.

 

Is that possible? Or would we have to restart everything all over again? 

No switch.  It's a 100% do over

[geowrian 22,337]

1) Not possible to switch.

2) K-3 is basically obsolete. Only a small handful are issued each year. A CR-1 would be much more likely the result of trying.

[Just Paul 4,595]

9 minutes ago, Islandgirl297 said:

Hi all, 

 

does anyone have experience with switching from K1 to K3?? 
 

We haven’t applied for K1 visa but are thinking once we apply and process takes too long - we would want to switch to K3.

 

Is that possible? Or would we have to restart everything all over again? 

You would need to get married and file an I-130.  That takes longer than a K3.   Only a handful of K3 were issued last year.

[NoMansLand2020 298]

17 minutes ago, Islandgirl297 said:

Hi all, 

 

does anyone have experience with switching from K1 to K3?? 
 

We haven’t applied for K1 visa but are thinking once we apply and process takes too long - we would want to switch to K3.

 

Is that possible? Or would we have to restart everything all over again? 

I don't think they even approve k3 anymore. It would require you to get married first. 

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

1 hour ago, Solaris81 said:

I don't think they even approve k3 anymore. It would require you to get married first. 

They approve it but it is in the single digits for worldwide approval.

[TiEy 69]

What is the difference between K3 and CR-1?

[Unlockable 7,315]

 

12 hours ago, Islandgirl297 said:

Hi all, 

 

does anyone have experience with switching from K1 to K3?? 
 

We haven’t applied for K1 visa but are thinking once we apply and process takes too long - we would want to switch to K3.

 

Is that possible? Or would we have to restart everything all over again? 

Not going to work. 

 

A common venture people, who are just starting out on this journey, try to do is think of ways to speed up the process. If there was a successful way, it would be the number 1 thread on this and every other immigration website. There is no switching visas. And to give you an idea of the K3, there were only 6 K3's approved in 2018 and 5 approved in 2019. With how Covid-19 is affecting everything, you would have a better chance winning the lottery than getting approved for a K3.

 

Here is the official US report -> https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Statistics/AnnualReports/FY2019AnnualReport/FY19AnnualReport-TableXVI-B.pdf

 

It sucks but you have to wait it out. 

[Mollie09 1,543]

2 hours ago, TiEy said:

What is the difference between K3 and CR-1?

K-3 used to be a visa to get a spouse in the country and then wait out adjustment of status, like K-1 for fiancees, when spousal visas took much longer than they do today.

[geowrian 22,337]

4 hours ago, TiEy said:

What is the difference between K3 and CR-1?

K-3 is a non-immigrant visa. It lets you enter the country then apply for permanent residence.

CR-1 is an immigrant visa. You become a permanent residence upon entry.

[Erin & Ricky 12]

It's my understanding that you would need to start completely over, forfeiting any money you've already paid. 

[dwheels76 5,468]

No such thing as switching. K3 is for married folks. So filing a K1 would not be your path. K3 would probably 99.9% never be issued because it's not a viable path. You would need to marry and just go that course.
So choices are stay single file I-129F or get married file I-130.

[nastra30 2,288]

You can't switch from K1 to K3; there's no such thing. However, you can get married and file for CR1 by completing I-130. Once I-I30 receipt is received you may optionally file for K3; though you should note that K3 is essentially obsolete.