marapot

I wish my I-130 was approved as quickly as yours. Mine had a receipt date of June 4, 2013 and FINALLY got approved on January 8. This after senatorial involvement, etc. It was only expedited because of the super typhoon. I received the January 8 approval date from the USCIS and as of friday (the 17th) they have still not received my package from USCIS. Wish I had done the fiance visa and just done the adjustment of status as that seems to be a much faster process than the I-130.

I have been seeing some of you stating you had to fly to Montreal for your interviews. I know I have to fly my wife to Manila, but can she do the interview on her own or does the American citizen have to be there as well?

Saneril - I meant to reply to your quote but replied to the topic thread instead. Please see my reply.

Saneril,

Here's the Bureau of Consular Affairs (US Dept of State) Interview Appointments and Preparation link. Clicking on Who Must Participate in the Interview shows "No, only applicants must appear to be interviewed".

With regards the the National Visa Center, here's the NVC contact link. NVC asks you to give them minimum 30 days before you contact them but no harm in calling them before then - they'll be able to at least tell you if they've received the approved petition if you provide them the Receipt Number on your approved NOA.

ashiteru18,

here's a rather lengthy reply to your original post. i haven't discerned any domestic violence, physical, or sexual abuse from your description but i hope the following helps:

1. HUSBAND'S RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS MOTHER. I know you are now the wife but, although you met your husband in DEC 2010, you have only been living together as husband and wife since JUN 2013 (about 8 months). I don't know your husband's age and whether or not he is the only child but from what you have described, he is very close to his mother and may have been so since birth (especially if he is the sole child). I hate to be blunt but, especially if he grew up to be a "Mama's Boy", that life-long attachment to his mother may explain why he still spends a lot of time with his mother. This the same situation described by "InHis Time" above.

I am not making excuses for him and you would think that an adult like him should be "free" of mother at his age now but the fact is, there are a few people who have difficulties breaking that dependency even through adulthood and marriage. This is compounded by the fact that you are pitting 8 months of living together against a lifetime he's lived with Mom. Finally, you coming into his life won't necessarily change the way his mother treats him - if he was a coddled boy, then to his mother, he will always be his "baby" no matter what and she may actually view you as competing for his affection. I wouldn't be surprised if his mother still makes some decisions for him. Unfortunately, most times you don't really get to know a person until after you've been married.

I see that you've made some attempts (although unsuccessful) to become part of their daily routine but don't expect changes to always happen overnight - remember it's 8 months so far with you versus lifetime with her. For the same reason, try adjusting to their schedule (e.g. going to church later instead of early). Also, in the process, you have to somehow be able to convince mom that you are not there to replace her affection. I agree with the posters who advised you to have another serious talk with him.

Bottom Line: The extent that you have to put up with the situation you are currently in depends on your patience and how much you want the marriage to succeed but, although I didn't see any domestic violence (physical or sexual abuse) yet, don't wait until abuse happens. USA is still the land of opportunity and you've already made it this far but then again, what is opportunity and success without happiness. Like other posters mentioned, if your efforts are not getting you anywhere, leave ASAP and go home - you deserve to be happy. You have a very good career potential that you can always re-start back home or in another country.

2. ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS. According to your original post, your husband is "afraid of what is being said in the papers" (i.e. the I-864). I'm sure you already know that the I-864 is the Affidavit of Support form (one of the forms required when he applies for your Adjustment of Status) which he needs to submit to demonstrate that he can adequately financially support you. I hate to be blunt but it seems to me that the reason he is "afraid" to complete / submit the I-864 is because he has to state on the form his financial assets (income, savings/checking, stocks, bonds, etc) and the fact that you both live in his parents' basement seems to indicate his finances may not be in order / may not be adequate at this time. You may use this to convince him to let you work so you can help financially.

FYI - The fact that he brings home leftovers from work, seldom goes to the grocery, and sets the thermostat so low when he leaves for work may be force of habit or due to financial difficulties or both.

3. EMPLOYMENT. The following is from this USCIS K-3/K-4 link:

"Upon admission, K-3 and K-4 nonimmigrant visa holders may obtain employment authorization. They can obtain evidence of eligibility to work legally in the United States by filing Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Upon filing an application for adjustment of status, K-3 and K-4 nonimmigrant visa holders may also apply for employment authorization based on that pending application even if the K-3 or K-4 nonimmigrant status expires."

Based on the above excerpt, you should be able to work even before Adjustment of Status is filed.

4. RIGHTS AND PROTECTION FOR FOREIGN-CITIZEN FIANCE(E)S. Again, I haven't discerned any domestic violence, physical, or sexual abuse based on your initial description but here's a US Dept of State resource link that tells you about your Rights, Protection, and Resources as a Foreign-Citizen Fiance(e). Scroll down that page and download the English informational pamphlet. The pamphlet include not only tips and hotlines but also discusses the 3 WAYS that immigrants who are victims of domestice violence, abuse, or specific crimes may apply for LEGAL IMMIGRANT STATUS for themselves and their children (without the need for a sponsor).

Good luck, God Bless, and don't lose hope!

B&G,

My Philippine beneficiaries live nowhere near where the super typhoon hit. I actually mentioned this fact in a reply to the thread link posted by "Lakehouse" above.

I just returned from the Philippines this JAN 16th. U.S. Embassy Manila's American Citizen Services unit (which provides passport services, reports of birth and death, notarial services, etc. to U.S. citizens in the Philippines) did give priority to U.S. citizens in or around Tacloban City (ground zero) and Samar and I have no doubt, pending visa interviews for beneficiaries at those affected areas. I think these may have led some to conclude that ALL Philippine applications were expedited. A few years back, I had the opportunity to work alongside the State Department / Immigration authorities in processing refugees / displaced people from 2 Central/Latin American countries and the so called "expedite" didn't apply to the whole country back then either.

Regarding the I-129F, it was not my intention to let people think it was the reason my I-130 was approved. Rather I was merely echoing and amplifying what "Lakehouse" (and his thread link) stated above about not likely seeing K3's come to completion - and, more than just echoing, giving my opinion as to why, even with the knowledge that I-129F / K3s will most likely get administratively closed if an I-130 is processed first, it was still worth submitting it on the off chance that my I-130 was delayed for whatever reason.

I-130 PETITIONS APPROVED IN 96 DAYS AND I-129F PETITION APPROVED IN 77 DAYS!!!

As you can see from my timeline I pasted below, my I-130 petitions were approved in 96 days and my I-129 petition was approved in 77 days. My Philippine beneficiaries are my wife and step-daughter. My Philippine beneficiaries do NOT live in the area hit by the recent super typhoon. Our case was NOT an expedited criteria. Finally, I didn't do anything special other than submit the forms and documents required by USCIS. Don't get me wrong, although I don't know how my case has progressed so quickly, I am really very happy with the progress so far.

From my timeline below, I submitted my I-130 petitions just last SEP 27, 2013 and submitted my I-129 petition last OCT 16, 2013.

CSC in Laguna Nigel, CA approved both my I-130 and I-129 petitions just this JAN 6, 2014 and forwarded them to NVC Portsmouth, NH. NVC Portsmouth received the petitions JAN 15, 2014. Yesterday (JAN 17, 2014), I received 2 e-mails from NVC Portsmouth stating they have started processing our I-130 (the e-mails requested completion of DS-261 and paying the Affidavit of Support processing fee, which we did). As mentioned in another thread, the K3 will be "cancelled" if NVC receives and processes the I-130 first. I was previously aware of same - that NVC will administratively close the I-129 if I-130 is being processed - but called NVC anyway just to confirm and yes, they confirmed that they will be administratively closing my approved I-129 petition since my approved I-130 petition is already being processed. Currently completing my Affidavit of Support (in my case, I-864EZ) and should have it submitted by next week.

So is it worth submitting a K-3? In my opinion, K-3 was and is still worth submitting. It is afterall, provided as a free option for I-130 filers. In the best case scenario like mine, my I-130s (received by NBC Kansas) and I-129 (received by NBC Missouri) somehow all managed to make their way to CSC in Laguna Nigel, California were they were all approved on the same date and forwarded to NVC. Yes, NVC decided to process my I-130 hence my I-129 will be administratively closed (probably the reason why some filers think K-3 is obsolete or not worth submitting) but considering the worst-case scenario where an I-130 application approval is delayed, then filing an I-129 could potentially be a faster option and fall back, albeit eventually a more expensive option (due to the Adjustment of Status fee for K3 / K4s which is around $1K per beneficiary).

Event Date Service Center : National Benefits Center Consulate : Manila, Philippines Marriage : 2013-01-18 I-130 Sent : 2013-09-27 I-130 NOA1 : 2013-10-02 I-130 RFE : I-130 RFE Sent : I-129F Sent : 2013-10-16 I-129F NOA1 : 2013-10-21 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2014-01-06 NVC Received : 2014-01-15 NVC Left : Consulate Received : Packet 3 Received : Packet 3 Sent : Packet 4 Received : Interview Date : Interview Result : Second Interview
(If Required): Second Interview Result: Visa Received : US Entry : I-130 Approval : 2014-01-06 Comments : Processing
Estimates/Stats : Your I-129f was approved in 77 days from your NOA1 date.

Your I-130 was approved in 96 days from your NOA1 date.

I-130 PETITIONS APPROVED IN 96 DAYS AND I-129F PETITION APPROVED IN 77 DAYS!!!

As you can see from my timeline I pasted below, my I-130 petitions were approved in 96 days and my I-129 petition was approved in 77 days. My Philippine beneficiaries are my wife and step-daughter. My Philippine beneficiaries do NOT live in the area hit by the recent super typhoon. Our case was NOT an expedited criteria. Finally, I didn't do anything special other than submit the forms and documents required by USCIS. Don't get me wrong, although I don't know how my case has progressed so quickly, I am really very happy with the progress so far.

As you can see from my timeline below, I submitted my I-130 petitions just last SEP 27, 2013 and submitted my I-129 petition last OCT 16, 2013.

CSC in Laguna Nigel, CA approved both my I-130 and I-129 petitions just this JAN 6, 2014 and forwarded them to NVC Portsmouth, NH. NVC Portsmouth received the petitions JAN 15, 2014. Yesterday (JAN 17, 2014), I received 2 e-mails from NVC Portsmouth stating they have started processing our I-130 (the e-mails requested completion of DS-261 and paying the Affidavit of Support processing fee, which we did). As mentioned in another thread, the K3 will be "cancelled" if NVC receives and processes the I-130 first. I was previously aware of same - that NVC will administratively close the I-129 if I-130 is being processed - but called NVC anyway just to confirm and yes, they confirmed that they will be administratively closing my approved I-129 petition since my approved I-130 petition is already being processed. Currently completing my Affidavit of Support (in my case, I-864EZ) and should have it submitted by next week.

So is it worth submitting a K-3? In my opinion, K-3 was and is still worth submitting. It is afterall, provided as a free option for I-130 filers. In the best case scenario like mine, my I-130s (received by NBC Kansas) and I-129 (received by NBC Missouri) somehow all managed to make their way to CSC in Laguna Nigel, California were they were all approved on the same date and forwarded to NVC. Yes, NVC decided to process my I-130 hence my I-129 will be administratively closed (probably the reason why some filers think K-3 is obsolete or not worth submitting) but considering the worst-case scenario where an I-130 application approval is delayed, then filing an I-129 is at least a fall back, albeit eventually a more expensive option (due to the Adjustment of Status fee for K3 / K4s which is around $1K per beneficiary).

Event Date Service Center : National Benefits Center Consulate : Manila, Philippines Marriage : 2013-01-18 I-130 Sent : 2013-09-27 I-130 NOA1 : 2013-10-02 I-130 RFE : I-130 RFE Sent : I-129F Sent : 2013-10-16 I-129F NOA1 : 2013-10-21 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2014-01-06 NVC Received : 2014-01-15 NVC Left : Consulate Received : Packet 3 Received : Packet 3 Sent : Packet 4 Received : Interview Date : Interview Result : Second Interview
(If Required): Second Interview Result: Visa Received : US Entry : I-130 Approval : 2014-01-06 Comments : Processing
Estimates/Stats : Your I-129f was approved in 77 days from your NOA1 date.

Your I-130 was approved in 96 days from your NOA1 date.

Here's the link to medical examination (including vaccinations) requirements (scroll down to the "Preparing for the Medical Examination" section, select country of origin from the drop-down box and download PDF file):

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/immigrant-process/interview/prepare/medical-examination.html

As you can see from my timeline I pasted below, my I-130 petitions were approved in 96 days and my I-129 petition was approved in 77 days. My Philippine beneficiaries are my wife and step-daughter. Our case was not an expedited criteria. Although I don't know how my case has progressed so quickly, I am very happy that it did.

As you can see from my timeline below, I submitted my I-130 petitions just last SEP 27, 2013 and submitted my I-129 petition last OCT 16, 2013.

CSC in Laguna Nigel, CA approved both my I-130 and I-129 petitions just this JAN 6, 2014 and forwarded them to NVC Portsmouth, NH. NVC Portsmouth received the petitions JAN 15, 2014. Yesterday (JAN 17, 2014), I received 2 e-mails from NVC Portsmouth stating they have started processing our I-130 (the e-mails requested completion of DS-261 and paying the Affidavit of Support processing fee, which we did). As mentioned by one of the posts on this thread, the K3 will be "cancelled" if NVC receives and processes the I-130 first. I was previously aware of same - that NVC will administratively close the I-129 if I-130 is being processed - but called NVC anyway just to confirm and yes, they confirmed that they will be administratively closing my approved I-129 petition since my approved I-130 petition is already being processed.

So is it worth submitting a K-3? In my opinion, K-3 was and is still worth submitting. It is afterall, provided as a free option for I-130 filers. In the best case scenario like mine, my I-130s (received by NBC Kansas) and I-129 (received by NBC Missouri) somehow all managed to make their way to CSC in Laguna Nigel, California were they were all approved on the same date and forwarded to NVC. Yes, NVC decided to process my I-130 hence my I-129 will be administratively closed (probably the reason why some filers think K-3 is obsolete or not worth submitting) but considering the worst-case scenario where an I-130 application approval is delayed, then filing an I-129 is at least a fall back, albeit eventually a more expensive option (due to the Adjustment of Status fee for K3 / K4s which is around $1K per beneficiary).

Event Date Service Center : National Benefits Center Consulate : Manila, Philippines Marriage : 2013-01-18 I-130 Sent : 2013-09-27 I-130 NOA1 : 2013-10-02 I-130 RFE : I-130 RFE Sent : I-129F Sent : 2013-10-16 I-129F NOA1 : 2013-10-21 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2014-01-06 NVC Received : 2014-01-15 NVC Left : Consulate Received : Packet 3 Received : Packet 3 Sent : Packet 4 Received : Interview Date : Interview Result : Second Interview
(If Required): Second Interview Result: Visa Received : US Entry : I-130 Approval : 2014-01-06 Comments : Processing
Estimates/Stats : Your I-129f was approved in 77 days from your NOA1 date.

Your I-130 was approved in 96 days from your NOA1 date.

Were you in an area affect by the typhoon to be processed so quickly?

If I were you, I'd read up on the NVC process with the CR1/IR1 because over 99% of the time, the I-129F is closed before it can reach an embassy because of an approved I-130.

No, my Philippine beneficiaries do not live anywhere close to where the super typhoon hit.

Yes, I'm aware that NVC will administratively close my I-129 if NVC happens to process and approve my I-130 first. Thanks for looking out though.

Coincidentally, that same JANUARY17th afternoon that I posted my original quote (which you replied to), I received 2 e-mails from NVC Portsmouth, NH indicating that NVC has started processing our I-130 (they e-mailed and asked us to complete the DS-261 and pay the Affidavit of Support processing fee which we did). I called NVC who confirmed that they received our approved I-130s and I-129 from CSC last JANUARY 15th and have processed the I-130s (they also confirmed that they will administratively close our I-129).

I really don't know why our application has moved rather so quickly - my case was not an expedite criteria and I submitted nothing more than what was required by USCIS. Don't get me wrong - I am very happy about how quickly my application has been processed so far. At least, with the I-130, I won;t have to pay the 1K+ dollars (per beneficiary) that I would have paid if with the I-129 route.

My cases (I-130s and I-129) were transferred from MSC to CSC in Laguna Nigel, California on 25 NOV 2013. Both were approved on 6 JAN 2014 and have been sent to NVC for processing and forwarding to the appropriate consulate. Filed I-130 late SEP 2013 and I-129 in OCT 2013. See my posts on below link:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/466875-case-is-transfered/

Gentlemen,

My I-130 and I-129 petitions were APPROVED within 3 months of filing!!!

I live in California. Shortly after I received text messages that my "case was transferred...to another office for processing" (read my 22 November 2013 post), I receive paper notifications in my mail dated 25 Nov 2013 stating that my I-130 and I-129 petitions were transferred to California Service Center in Laguna Nigel, California for processing.

Last week, I received 3 separate NOA2 letters dated 6 January 2014 stating that my I-130 and I-129 petitions have been APPROVED and that the petitions have been sent to the Department of State National Visa Center (NVC) in Portsmouth, NH for processing and forwarding to the appropriate consulate (in my case, Manila Philippines).

Philippine beneficiaries (spouse and stepdaughter)

I-130s filed 9/27/2013 - - - NOA1 received 10/2/2013 - - - NOA2 (indicating I-130s were approved) 1/6/2014

I-129 filed 10/16/2013 - - - NOA1 received 10/21/2013 - - NOA2 (indicating I-129 was approved) 1/6/2014

How many Notice of Action (NOA) has your husband received to date?

Based on the USCIS My Case Status website today (USCIS Processing Time Information Chart for Vermont Service Center which was last updated Sep 30, 2013), Vermont is just starting to process I-130s they have received on Feb. 12, 2013. This means, as of Sep 30, 2013, if your I-130 was received by USCIS on Feb 13 or later, they haven't started processing them yet.

Looking at your timeline though, USCIS received your I-130 application July 7, 2012 so your case should well be into Decision by now unless your case was delayed due to RFEs (Request for Evidence) which your husband had to submit. RFEs are normally requested if an petition is lacking required documentation (initial evidence) or if USCIS needs more documentation (additional evidence).

I would ask your husband to clarify to you what they told him. Finally, he can always make another Info Pass appointment.

This Visa Waiver Program (VWP) link should answer your queries. Spain is one of the countries whose citizens are allowed to visit the U.S. for business or pleasure or transit without the need for a visa provided the visit is for a period of less than 90 days. But your Mom has to be a Spanish citizen or a citizen of one of the countries listed on the VWP link.

Took only a week for me - submitted mine 10/16/2013 and received 1st USCIS Notice of Action (a.k.a. NOA1) that they have officially received my application on 10/21/2013.

Default notification of USCIS receipt of application is by postal mail.

By e-mail as well if you also completed the optional G-1145 (e-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance) and submitted it along with your I-129 application.

FYI - Once you receive the NOA1, go open an account and register your case number at USCIS My Case Status so you can keep track of your progress online. Once you've registered your case number, you can also opt to register to receive case updates via text messages to your cell phone.

USCIS offers a free appointment based service system known as InfoPass which allows people to schedule appointments at your local USCIS office by using the internet 24/7. InfoPass appointment system eliminates having to go to the local USCIS office in person to schedule an appointment.

The USCIS Immigration Officer informed your husband that your case is already in the "Decision" phase.

The USCIS My Case Status website shows only case status and, from your post, I'm assuming the case is still showing "Initial Review". I would go with what the USCIS Immigration Officer said since he/she has access to real time info. Also, when USCIS transfers a case, they will mail a notification. Did your husband receive that notification?

USCIS My Case Status shows my cases were transferred as well and all 3 case numbers now read:

"On November 22, 2013, we transferred this case **I130 IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN** to another office for processing and sent you a notice explaining this action. Please follow any instructions provided on the notice. We will notify you by mail when a decision is made. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283".

**For my I-129 case number, it reads the same except it contains the following in place of the I-130 comment: I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Philippine beneficiaries (spouse and stepdaughter)

I-130s filed 9/27/2013 - - - NOA1 received 10/2/2013

I-129 filed 10/16/2013 - - - NOA1 received 10/21/2013

A couple of years back, the so called "permission" from the CO or OIC (or equivalent) was required (by some military units) of junior enlisted personnel more as a counseling tool - this was leadership's way to ensure that their very junior / young servicemembers were financially able to support a wife / family. Units I was with never required permission but leaders did take the opportunity to financially counsel junior members with marriage plans.

The Joint Service Regulations mainly deals with Country and / or Theater Clearances for certain countries. I said "and / or" because not all countries require both. Again, not all units require that you get this clerances but unless you are stationed in that particular foreign country, you are technically supposed to obtain a Country and / or Theater Clearance for the country you are intending to visit (whether it's for marriage, vacation, etc). This mechanism is in place for the military member's safety, tracking, and notification should a terrorism or other adverse incident happen either before or during an intended visit. The official titles may vary but your unit's Physical Security Officer, Anti-Terrorism Officer, Security Officer, S-3, or Personnel Admin section should be able to assist you. In addition to obtaining Country and/or Theater Clerances, at least in my unit, we also require our servicemembers to register at U.S. Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) - again, this is for the servicemember's safety since registration enables the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the visited country to notify and/or assist you faster during adverse international incidents. What's the chance that an adverse international incident may happen while you are visiting a foreign country on leave or vacation? In most cases, small but why take the risk and not take precautions?

Krispykreme is correct - the U.S. Embassy or Consulate will NOT ask you for any permission, clearance, or registration since the assumption is it is the military service member's and the units responsibility to do so prior to his/her visit.

Just 2 further clarifications:

1. If your husband CAN'T accompany you to the ID issuance, whether in the U.S. or at the U.S. Embassy, you need to have a signed DD Form 1172-2 along with the previously mentioned documents.

2. If a TIN is assigned in relation to your ID card, the Direct Care eligibility is only valid for 90 days at a time until you can show proof of a valid SSN issued in your name.

First, as long as you are legally married to a US Military Member and you have the required documentation (normally original marriage certificate and your birth certificate), DEERS may issue you an ID card.

Since you are getting married in Georgia, you should be able to get a Family Member ID Card issued to you at a military facility closest to your place of marriage as long as your husband accompanies you. I know you obviously will be travelling with your passport but bring an original birth certificate and another unexpired ID (e.g. driver's license) as well. Bring these and your original marriage certificate to the closest issuing military facility and there should be no problem with obtaining an ID. Regarding the SSN, since you are a foreigner (and don't have Permanent Resident PR status yet), you should be issued a Foreign ID Number (FIN) instead of a Tax ID Number (TIN). If they mistakenly issue you a TIN, then your "Direct Care" eligibility (eligibility for medical/dental care) is only good for 90 days hence you will need to keep renewing every 90 days if you want to retain Direct Care eligibility. Some DEERS ID section assume that you are a PR and may issue you a TIN instead of FIN so if I were your husband, I will make sure to bring that subject up at the ID section. They normally accept walk-ins on a case by case basis but if you know when you are getting married and when an original marriage certificate can be available, your husband can use the following link to make an appointment at the US military facility (that has ID issuance capability closest to your place of marriage:

https://rapids-appointments.dmdc.osd.mil

FYI - Most US Embassies and Consulates normally provide ID Card services but frequency of issuance varies (some do it only twice a month) and they normally dont take walk-ins so you'll have to schedule in advance. Documentary requirements are usually the same with one addition - your husband has to go to his ID Issuing facility with your original birth certificate and marriage certificate, request for a DD Form 1172-2 (Application for Identification Card/DEERS Enrollment), sign the form, and mail the signed original to you. Your husband can use the same link above to make an appointment at the embassy / consulate nearest your location.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

If followed mailing instructions exactly as stated on the USCIS website and forms.

- Submitted my I-130 to Arizona 9/27/13 and got NOA1 on 10/2/13 indicating NBC Kansas.

- Submitted my I-129F for K3 to Texas and got NOA1 on 10/21/13 indicating NBC Missouri.

A little bit cautious about some USCIS Helpline Agents - some of them sound like they're reading from a script and get kinda stuck when you ask them something that slightly deviates from their script.

Whether K-3s are rarely approved or not, the bottom line is that USCIS gives customers the OPTION to apply for a K-3 visa for their spouse using the I-129F form. I OPTED to submit a K-3 visa application for my spouse. Other than the minor task involved in filling up the I-129F and other required forms and making photocopies of required documents, there was NO FEE required since I already previously submitted an I-130 for her.

NLR is correct - if you have all the required documents, go ahead and submit your I-130. Filed correctly and at the right address, you should then receive (mine came in less than 2 weeks) an I-797C Notice of Action (NOA) from USCIS acknowledging receipt of your I-130. Should you OPT to submit an I-129F for a K-3 visa, a copy of this I-797C NOA is required to be submitted with your K-3 application.

Again, I-129F submission is totally up to you. Me, I sleep better at night knowing I took advantage of all available options.