4Lifer

Does anyone have an idea what the normal processing time is once USCIS starts working on the petition?

Got an RFE e-mail this morning. Anyone have experience with one these? What type of info do they typically request and does it take very long to get the approval process moving again?

We sent in end of June but NOA1 is first of July so I am officially calling us July filers. God speed to everyone here!

CONGRATULATIONS! I am happy to see that they are indeed approving those who marry in Aruba! SMILE!

K3 was originally intended to reunite husbands and wives faster, much faster. Under current procedures (with rare exceptions) there is no timeline advantage to speak of and the costs have become significantly higher to take the K3 route instead of the CR1 or IR1, with little if any time savings. It's the most frequently discussed subject in the K3 forum. Check it out.

Respectfully disagree on the bold statements above.

Looking at the data here on VJ, it still appears that a K-3 is 2 to 4 months 'faster' than a CR-1/IR-1 ("NOA2 to interview" for the past three months is 86 days for K-3s and 209 days for CR-1s in the "immigration timelines" stats). For some, those 2 to 4 months would be deemed a timeline advantage. The additional cost of going the K-3 route vs. CR-1 route is between $126 to $671 depending on when EAD and AOS are filed.

Factors to consider before making the decision:

1) How long have you been married? If you go for the immigrant visa and it is less than two years, your spouse will get a conditional GC. More than two years and your spouse will get a 10 year GC.

2) Will your spouse want to work in the USA (within the first two years of arrival)? With the CR-1/IR-1 they can work right away. With the K-3, they will have to file for an EAD. This can be done either before adjusting status (for a price), or along with adjusting status (EAD fee waived).

With regards to cost, it depends on your answers to 1) and 2) above):

A K3 costs $355 for the I-130, $0 for the I-129F, and $131 for the visa (at the embassy); $486 total. The IR-1/CR-1 costs $355 for I-130 plus $70 for AOS bill plus $400 for IV bill ; $825 total.

With the CR-1 your spouse can get a SSN and work upon arrival in the USA. With a K3, no SSN or EAD. To get them for the K-3, you would have to file either the EAD ($340) or AOS, $1,010 cost (EAD $0 when filed concurrently or subsequent to AOS). However, if your spouse will not work, then the costs between the two are not substantially different.

If you file for IR-1/CR-1, then two years after your spouses arrival you would have to file I-751 to lift conditions at a cost of $545 (assumes the original GC was a 2-yr conditional card). Total cost from start to 10 yr GC would be $1,370.

If you can get the K-3 and wait until your second wedding anniversary, you avoid receiving a conditional green card and lifting conditions. That means only $1,010 for AOS resulting in a ten year GC. The total for I-130 filing to 10 yr GC would be $1,496. ($126 - well worth it to most people for the potential to be reunited 2 to 4 months sooner).

If the K3 route is chosen plus AOS upon arrival (to get SSN and EAD) then the total would be $486 plus $1,010 plus $545 (for lifting conditions); a total of $2,041. An alternative would be to file K-3 ($486), then EAD ($340), then AOS ($1,010) around second wedding anniversary - total of $1,836. These options are $671 and $466 more, respectively, than the CR-1. Again, potentially worth it for the 2 to 4 month time savings to some applicants.

This is a pretty good anaylysis but they assume a 2 to 4 month time savings based on a small data sample that is incomplete. Many of the recent VJ CR1 visas are issued to beneficiaries who had both petitions filed. The second petition slowed the first through the system and the couple subsequently chose the CR1 route. Some of them didn't use the appropriate shortcuts through NVC. My analysis takes a different route which can certainly be argued against. I see the I-130 being approved about a month sooner than the two petitions together would be approved, followed by pushing the case through NVC. NVC eats up the month or so advantage and two to 6 more weeks are potentially added because of immigrant visa interview scheduling delays at some Consulates vs non-immigrant interview scheduling. The net change is a matter of 4 to 6 weeks and it can go either way.

Another cost factor beyond "fees" is the delay in work authorization. This is far more significant for those who would wish to and could find become employed shortly after arrival. I see the minimum cost differencial as $671 for anybody who would receive a conditional green card.

K3 is still right for some people. It just doesn't carry anything like the advantages it did a couple years ago or earlier. We have far more people reporting they wish they had never filed the I-129F than those who report they are happy they did. I disagree with the blanket recommendation for the immigrant visa path, however because there are very definite exceptions in individual case.

In our particular situation, it seemed a good idea to file for the K-3 because the initial cost of bringing my wife and daughter was only $355 + $131, my wife does not need to become employed, and we can wait for EAD, AOS, etc. Of course we INITIALLY thought K-3 would be much faster. Are we still choosing the right path considering our circumstances? Thanks!

We just got the news in the mail today that both of our papers are approved. For some reason it has not been updated on the site and we have not received the email that we optioned for, but that does not matter now... WE ARE APPROVED! Now we will just wait our package and interview. Good luck to everyone else who is waiting and most likely you will not wait as long as we have... 10 months... so be happy B)

CONGRATULATIONS!! Too long of a wait for you two.

Some people have said they never got touched. Went right from NOA1 to NOA2.

I was touched way back in OCTOBER. Nothing since then.

This is soooooooo Frustrating !

A lot of late June Filers got touched in October. It would be interesting to see if any are approved. I bet not at this point.

I have met with one Congressman personally, had two inquiries each from two seperate Congressmen and now working on a Senator. So far, no use whatsoever. I gave them more info than they were able to give me. The immigration problem is known by them but does not gain their attention due to the fact that it is well hidden and unimportant to the public-at-large.

We shoulda filed in August. They seem to be doing better LOL!

So it took you awhile from the interview until the visa was issued

Stay busy and take it one day at a time is the best advice.

Congratulations to you both!

Congratulations my friend!

Im a July/August filer. Got touches in October but nothing since then. Unfortunately it appears we may have longer wait than those preceeding us, however this too shall pass in time.

It appears completely irresponsible whether there are 16,000 or 7,000 employees processing petitions. I would love to know exactly what is involved with the approval process. It appears the petitions are reviewed prior to issuing an NOA1. I wonder how difficult it could be to go ahead and run the approval process from that point as opposed to "touching" the petition several times over the next 7 or 8 months.

My experience with government is that at least half of the 16,000 are managers, directors, commissioners, executive assistants, etc. That leaves 8000 workers. At least 10% of the 8000 are administrative support(including IT support) and another 2% are custodial, engineering and ground maintenance. That leaves roughly 7000 of the 16,000 staff to actually approve petitions. You can do the math from there.

We should start betting on the number of approvals per week. Of course, when you have only a few options, like 0, 1, 2, or 3...it's not as exciting.

I'm going to bet on 2 approvals this week, and 1 RFE.

I think they're gonna be March people only.

What do you think???

Kentucky woman

She shines with her own kind of light

She looks at you once

And a day thats all wrong looks all right

And I love her

God knows I love her

Kentucky woman

If she get to know you

She goin to own you

Kentucky woman

Check it out babe thats what your man is really thinking![/b]

Bout time for some snow days up in beautiful Vermont dont you imagine. I am hoping VSC can take a few days off and get a little skiing in before the holiday. I would hate to be approved before the New Year!

Hello everyone,

I came across President-elect Obama's page and I was thrilled to see how he thinks. I hope and pray he doesn't go back on his word and if we all send letters to him asking to follow through with what he has said, well, God willing he will help us all out. We need as many people as possible to write him so he can see there are a lot of us needing his help. If we can get everyone we know to do the same, he will be advised of this and take action. One letter will do nothing to help our loved ones be with us. But if we all come together then we can move mountains.

Quote,

Improve Our Immigration System

Obama and Biden believe we must fix the dysfunctional immigration bureaucracy and increase the number of legal immigrants to keep families together and meet the demand for jobs that employers cannot fill.

Site found at, http://www.barackobama.com/issues/immigration/

This is the information on how to contact President-elect Barack Obama. If anyone knows of a better way please post here so we can all start working at this. Together we can do anything and we can't afford to lose hope.

Step1. First, you need to have your letter or postcard to send Barack Obama (at this time packages are discouraged). It can be a handwritten note, typed or even printed on the computer.

Step2. Be direct in what you would like to say to President Elect Barack Obama. People who send letters are addressing their concerns and efforts in the United States while others are requesting a simple autograph.

Step3. Make sure you include your name and address on the note in case it gets separated from the envelope.

Step4. Place your papers inside an envelope and address the left hand corner with your full name and address. It needs to be clearly written to avoid delays.

Step5. Next the center of the envelope needs to be addressed as follows: President-elect Barack Obama Presidential Transition Team Washington, DC 20270

Found at following website, http://www.ehow.com/how_4595303_letter-pre...mpaign=yssp_art

So what do you say, are you with me? Would be great to see if any of us get a response from our letters, so if anyone does please post here and let us all know.

Thank you for your time and God bless all of you and your families.

Hello everyone,

I came across President-elect Obama's page and I was thrilled to see how he thinks. I hope and pray he doesn't go back on his word and if we all send letters to him asking to follow through with what he has said, well, God willing he will help us all out. We need as many people as possible to write him so he can see there are a lot of us needing his help. If we can get everyone we know to do the same, he will be advised of this and take action. One letter will do nothing to help our loved ones be with us. But if we all come together then we can move mountains.

Quote,

Improve Our Immigration System

Obama and Biden believe we must fix the dysfunctional immigration bureaucracy and increase the number of legal immigrants to keep families together and meet the demand for jobs that employers cannot fill.

Site found at, http://www.barackobama.com/issues/immigration/

This is the information on how to contact President-elect Barack Obama. If anyone knows of a better way please post here so we can all start working at this. Together we can do anything and we can't afford to lose hope.

Step1. First, you need to have your letter or postcard to send Barack Obama (at this time packages are discouraged). It can be a handwritten note, typed or even printed on the computer.

Step2. Be direct in what you would like to say to President Elect Barack Obama. People who send letters are addressing their concerns and efforts in the United States while others are requesting a simple autograph.

Step3. Make sure you include your name and address on the note in case it gets separated from the envelope.

Step4. Place your papers inside an envelope and address the left hand corner with your full name and address. It needs to be clearly written to avoid delays.

Step5. Next the center of the envelope needs to be addressed as follows: President-elect Barack Obama Presidential Transition Team Washington, DC 20270

Found at following website, http://www.ehow.com/how_4595303_letter-pre...mpaign=yssp_art

So what do you say, are you with me? Would be great to see if any of us get a response from our letters, so if anyone does please post here and let us all know.

Thank you for your time and God bless all of you and your families.

Thanks for getting this information out. I am writing a letter now!

Pls add me:

K1 Timeline:

08-19-2008: Sent I129F Package via USPS

08-22-2008: Package received and signed for by P. NOVAK

08-25-2008: NOA1 Mailing Date

08-28-2008: Touched!!!

09-29-2008: Touched again! Woohoo!!!

09-30-2008: Touched again! My hands are itching for the NOA2 now...

***Still waiting for the NOA2. Come on!***

Petitioner: Louisville, KY

Beneficiary: Philippines

Big question to the KY dust collectors: CATS or CARDS?

Hi there

Could you please add me to your spreadsheet

Thanks so much

and good luck

kirsten

Lisa add this one too! Our list is going to be overstocked!

they were both already on there lol

I will accept that invite! Caught the Stones at Churchill couple years back but didnt see any horses......

Hi there

Could you please add me to your spreadsheet

Thanks so much

and good luck

kirsten

Lisa add this one too! Our list is going to be overstocked!

I'll add these when I get home (peeking at vj at work lol)

We should have a big welcome to kentucky party when they get here lol

lisa

Probably should allow the culture shock to wear off first! LOL! Here's hoping all your spouses are home by Derby time!

VSC hasn't done anything this month....seems like they are on vacation...

They need to realise that they are effecting lives of families

Hi all

Just wondering if any july filers have got their NOA2 yet? i filed in august and just wanna know if there has been any progress

i know!! some people keep telling me to look at 4-6 months then others say 6-8 month wait for my NOA2! When i started the process the timeline was like 4 months!! why the change?? VSC use to be the fastest! i just cant wait another however many months till approval! i just dont get what takes so long!!! how can they keep spouses apart for such a long amount of time. lets all hope to process will speed up soon and suprise us all

Yeah we need a real October surprise out of VSC!

I suppose the biggest surprise is how it never occurred to me that it would be so difficult to bring my wife to the U.S. Most U.S. citizens have not gone through this process and mistakenly believe we can bring our spouses into the country immediately.