sannie

any I-130 approvals from April 2006 yet

mine was approved in april...

It is different in each country. In Germany, you don't need your case number to get the medical. Also, you don't get the stuff, they send it directly to the embassy.

Angelika, Deine Mailbox ist voll... wollte Dir eine PM schicken!

Hey,

can you guys tell me what your experiences are regarding NVC processing times?

After receiving the IV-Bill from the NVC - how long did it take for them to forward the paperwork to the embassy abroad?

[i am especially interested in the experiences of people from Germany]

Thank you

well, i didn't get the information to follow both path from this side originally... and it didn't sound like a "recommendation" either, but more like a 'requirement" to file both petitions.

the actual thing I AM complaining about is that you never know where you are at with any of these two petitions... nobody can give you information when it makes sense to cancel one process and only pursue the other...

we, as the petitioners, are required to submit documents accurately and in a timely manner - but we never really get any response regarding the status of our cases.

sannie,

Then blame VJ if you're upset about the extra cost of following two parallel paths, or again yourself for not understanding both the pros and cons underlying a recommendation to follow both. Because the K3 is purely optional and it hasn't been as attractive as it once was for quite some time now. (And with IMBRA it may be even less attractive.)

Yodrak

Your choice to pursue a K3 visa or not. The government has given you an option, they haven't coerced you into using it.

Yodrak

maybe I got this wrong then, but this side here even tells you to pursue both ways [in the guides] and I thought that's what you have to do...

Don't get me wrong, it is a nice option to pursue both, but you never know where you are at with any of the two...

Your choice to pursue a K3 visa or not. The government has given you an option, they haven't coerced you into using it.

Yodrak

That's absurd and also exactly what they told me too! I'm not miffed about the time. It does all even out really...K3 or CR1. What I am miffed about is the money that we have all collectively spent towards the false hope of a K3. I mean, how many more ways can our governement find to rip us all off? It's just disgusting. The zen approach soon fades after you haven't seen your husband in a few months. Besides, it's not really my style. I just hope they take the money they have pocketed and put it to some good use...like maybe more user friendly, professional looking websites. Now, that would be a treat!

i am totally with you on that...

the waiting time doesn't matter that much but all the money that we spent by pursueing both ways is just ridiculous [especially if you don't have a job and have to pay it all from your savings - if you have any!]

maybe I got this wrong then, but this side here even tells you to pursue both ways [in the guides] and I thought that's what you have to do...

Don't get me wrong, it is a nice option to pursue both, but you never know where you are at with any of the two...

If you were approved 4/25/06 for the I-130 have you heard nothing from NVC yet? If not I would certainly do some checking on what the holdup is.

Sannie, I just found this...

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...hl=AOS+EAD+fees

AOS - $395

EAD - $180

AP - $170

Those are the present costs. They could increase slightly before you file.

that helps some... thanks

We received the NVC package two weeks ago, but we don't know if we still should pursue this path because of the high fees...

Sannie, I just found this...

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...hl=AOS+EAD+fees

AOS - $395

EAD - $180

AP - $170

Those are the present costs. They could increase slightly before you file.

that helps some... thanks

First of all, congratulations... your application(s) are moving along really well.

I don't know the cost of adjusting status in the US. Also, you'll also have to apply for the EAD if you want to work while waiting for your green card.

But whether you should wait for the CR-1 or go ahead and do K-3 is really up to you. Do you want to be with your husband sooner? Or, can you wait for the CR-1 (since CR-1 is more desirable than a K-3)?

For the CR-1, you'll probably have another couple of months at the NVC if you decide to go for it. Do you know how fast your consulate schedules interviews?

The other thing is... you can opt to continue with the CR-1 instead of adjusting status. After you get your K-3, you'll have to go back to Germany (in maybe a 2 or 3 months) and do the CR-1 interview. That's what my husband and I plan to do. I am going on the K-3 interview and then come back later for the CR-1 interview in Canada. It might go faster than adjusting status.

Good luck!

The thing is that I would of course like to wait for the CR1 [since it is more desirable], but it's also a question of money... since we're paying for both petitions right now.

I have no income right now [as I lived in the US for two years on a different visa before] and any more money spent unwisely would be a big burden.

I don't know if coming back for the CR1 interview would be an option in my case, because flights overseas [to Germany] can be quite expensive depending on the time of year.

So I am trying to figure out: which is the shortest, but also most efficient way to be reunited with my hubby?

That's absurd and also exactly what they told me too! I'm not miffed about the time. It does all even out really...K3 or CR1. What I am miffed about is the money that we have all collectively spent towards the false hope of a K3. I mean, how many more ways can our governement find to rip us all off? It's just disgusting. The zen approach soon fades after you haven't seen your husband in a few months. Besides, it's not really my style. I just hope they take the money they have pocketed and put it to some good use...like maybe more user friendly, professional looking websites. Now, that would be a treat!

i am totally with you on that...

the waiting time doesn't matter that much but all the money that we spent by pursueing both ways is just ridiculous [especially if you don't have a job and have to pay it all from your savings - if you have any!]

we're at crossroads with the K3 and CR1 visa...

my K3 petition is already at the embassy and i am waiting for my visa interview.

the cr1 requires another payment of $380 (!) and the forwarding of the affidavit to the NVC.

does that make sense in our case anymore?

would it still be worth waiting for the cr1 when i am only waiting for the interview appointment for the K3?

how much more do we have to pay [approximately] in the US to adjust status when I enter with the K3? would it be worth paying the $380 for the cr1 petition and wait?

thank you guys!

Looks like the K-3 is the front runner, especially if you already have information from embassy. Which way you choose to go is up to you and your needs. Do you want him home faster, or do you want him home with his green card in hand and nothing more to do for a couple of years?

B

it looks like i won't get the k3 before july, 3rd [on which date i have a return flight to the us], so i might have to change the flight anyways.

i am wondering how long the cr1 route would take from here [mailing the I-864 and waiting to hear back from them] and if it would make sense to wait for it or just change the flight to a month later and enter with k3

Approved "I-130's" spend about 3 months at NVC and depending on the timeline of your country some other time. In my case I was looking at 3 months at NVC and 2 more in Bogota = 5 months , I decided to got for K-3.

Good luck

the k3 is at the embassy already... i am just wondering how much longer the cr1 route will take, since i have to chance my flight to a later date and might be able to come with cr1 then...

Looks like the K-3 is the front runner, especially if you already have information from embassy. Which way you choose to go is up to you and your needs. Do you want him home faster, or do you want him home with his green card in hand and nothing more to do for a couple of years?

B

it looks like i won't get the k3 before july, 3rd [on which date i have a return flight to the us], so i might have to change the flight anyways.

i am wondering how long the cr1 route would take from here [mailing the I-864 and waiting to hear back from them] and if it would make sense to wait for it or just change the flight to a month later and enter with k3

hi...

don't worry, i am not asking about the difference between k3 and cr1... it's all in the guides

but i received approval for both petitions and i am wondering which way to go now...

i already received the package from the us consulate in germany to prepare for the k3.

at the same time, we received the papers to prepare the affidavit of support for the cr1 which will be sent to the NVC and who will forward the petition -after going over it - to the us embassy in germany.

does anyone have a clue which petition is likely to go through first?

thank you

The I-130 will still take two or three months to get through NVC depending on whether you use the shortcuts or not. They will likely be fairly close and if the I-130 arrives at the embassy after the I-129F and before a K-3 interview the I-130 will take precendence. At this stage I would follow the I-130 through NVC as it would be worth your while as this is the green card, especially as you do have an approved I-130 and still waiting on the I-129F. Check out the NVC timesavers link in my signature.

You usually send the I-129F when you receive NOA1 "notice of action" for the I-130.

Look at the Guide for K-3.

We only sent out the I-130 petition at the end of January and have already received the approval notice this week.

The I-129F was sent of at the beginning of March. Is this still more likely to go through more quickly?

How long does it take now to hear back from the Service Center in New Hampshire?

Thanks Shirl...

did you get the CR1 or the K-3?

I support your post 100%. I too live in california and I just get outraged watching the news and listening to the radio. Tomorrow is "walk out day". Yeah.

I think a lot of the country doesn't realize what we're hearing and seeing in Calif. Maybe tomorrow they'll understand. I feel exactly how you feel, I am a newlywed (today is my 4 month anniversary of the day I married the love of my life) and I have been in his arms a total of 13 days since we got married. It angers me in the same way. Just wanted you to know.

well said

We only sent out the I-130 petition at the end of January and have already received the approval notice this week.

The I-129F was sent of at the beginning of March. Is this still more likely to go through more quickly?

How long does it take now to hear back from the Service Center in New Hampshire?

I don't think you have to put this on the resume at all... I mean, you're going to give them the EAD when you go to the interview or something. Why confuse them more beforehand?

I am in the first stage of the K-3 visa process, but I am curious when did you all start preparing the affidavit of support and how long does that take.

Also, which of the two forms do I use???

Thanks