ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhen is K-3 canceled in favor of CR-1?
i was actually in a situation where my k3 interview was set up and shortly after my 130 was approved for cr1 processing. at that time i was really confused about the 2. i ended up going for my k3 visa and entering the US on that, and held off on replying to the NVC notice i got for my 130 approval.

i entered the US on the k3 and filed for my AOS right away with the 485.. if that is the route you wish to take, you will then have to write a letter to the NVC telling them that you are in the US now on your K3 and wish to adjust your status through the 485 form. they will then send you a letter confirming they have received your request. They will hold your petition at the NVC until they are notified by the USCIS to return the petition to them. The K3 allows you to adjust status WITHIN the US and have your interview within the US. The CR1 requires you to have your interview outside the US and your consulate.

Either way, I think both time frames to getting your green card, whether itd be through k3 or cr1 is about the same. The only difference is that the cr1 route allows you to live and work in your home country while you wait and enter into the US as a permanent resident when your interview is complete and approved.

Hope that wasnt too confusing and helps you decide which way you want to go.
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2006-06-30 22:20:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMCSxxxxxxxxxx .... diff from other receipts starts in 3 letters?

Hi, im having problem too logging in my receipt number with the letter come first as MSCxxxxxxxxxx..... my question is with this quote when u got error encoding of ur receipt no. in USCIS website......as...

"To view the status of a case, please enter the corresponding application receipt number. The 13-character application receipt number can be found on application notices you have received from the USCIS. It begins with three letters such as (EAC, WAC, LIN, or SRC)." <------------ where's the MSC in here???????? :huh:

I asked bcos when i try to check status of my WAC (I-129F) receipt, i havent experienced problem viewing the status of it, but now having an AOS NOA1, it starts with MSCxxxxxxxxxx , that always keeps telling me errors in my receipt nos. i got #3 NOA's for my K1/K2 + EAD.

Any info's?? :help:
thx!


MSC just means that your AOS case is processed through the Missouri Service Center...also known as The NBC National Benefits Center. I have 2 MSC cases and have had no problems viewing the status on the USCIS site. Maybe what you can do is try registering for an account at USCIS and keep a portfolio and maybe it might work that way, instead of typing it in all the time... better yet, you can try calling the customer service line to check your case status, enter your receipt number when prompted and see if in fact there is an error on the receipt number if it doesnt say so.
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2006-07-27 12:07:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIn a Bind





My husband is here on a student visa. He just finished his OPT almost two months ago so he's going to be out of status next week. We got married June 17th, and haven't been able to get all the info we need to submit the I-130 and I-485. Since he's going back to Morocco I know I can file the I-130 and then the I-129f for him to return. Can I submit everything at once?


Just file the 130 since youre already married.. when you get your first NOA from your 130 petition, you can then file for a K3 visa. K3 visa usually gets settled about 3 months. Once your K3 is approved he can come back to the US as a non-immigrant, apply for AOS and wont have to go back to Morocco.

Try being long distance for 7 years.. Be a strong person :no: .. I know its hard.., you can live apart for more than 3 days.


Timeframes/difficulties for getting a K3 in Canada do not translate to getting a K3 in Morocco.


That is true. But its all based on volume as well. :rolleyes:


It is not based on any single factor.


Theres a factor in every case.. could be anything.. could be volume, or time factor. If there is no factor then we should get our paperwork done in a zippy.
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2006-07-27 18:04:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIn a Bind



My husband is here on a student visa. He just finished his OPT almost two months ago so he's going to be out of status next week. We got married June 17th, and haven't been able to get all the info we need to submit the I-130 and I-485. Since he's going back to Morocco I know I can file the I-130 and then the I-129f for him to return. Can I submit everything at once?


Just file the 130 since youre already married.. when you get your first NOA from your 130 petition, you can then file for a K3 visa. K3 visa usually gets settled about 3 months. Once your K3 is approved he can come back to the US as a non-immigrant, apply for AOS and wont have to go back to Morocco.

Try being long distance for 7 years.. Be a strong person :no: .. I know its hard.., you can live apart for more than 3 days.


Timeframes/difficulties for getting a K3 in Canada do not translate to getting a K3 in Morocco.


That is true. But its all based on volume as well. :rolleyes:
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2006-07-27 12:46:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIn a Bind

My husband is here on a student visa. He just finished his OPT almost two months ago so he's going to be out of status next week. We got married June 17th, and haven't been able to get all the info we need to submit the I-130 and I-485. Since he's going back to Morocco I know I can file the I-130 and then the I-129f for him to return. Can I submit everything at once?


Just file the 130 since youre already married.. when you get your first NOA from your 130 petition, you can then file for a K3 visa. K3 visa usually gets settled about 3 months. Once your K3 is approved he can come back to the US as a non-immigrant, apply for AOS and wont have to go back to Morocco.

Try being long distance for 7 years.. Be a strong person :no: .. I know its hard.., you can live apart for more than 3 days.
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2006-07-27 12:33:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNo RFE? any other K-3 still waiting for RFE?

To date we still have not received a imbra RFE. Our notice date was june 2nd, of course i called the 800 number and of course they couldn't tell me anything...."they have no information on the RFE's". Is anyone else still waiting for their imbra RFE?


I believe the IMBRA is currently affecting the K1 applications.. not K3s..
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2006-07-27 12:24:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresK-3/I-129

The instructions I was given, via telephone, from USCIS for the I-130/325A forms was; use my wife's family name (I.e. Name she was given at birth) even though we are legally married by Thai law. This didn't sound appropriate, but that is the way I filled the out, and submitted, forms to NSC a week ago.

I'm starting advanced preparation of the I-129/G-325 forms, but once again, using her maiden name still doesn't seem appropriate since we are talking about a married visa (K3) petition.
Another possible glitch is; that my wife had her named changed to her married name on her Thai passport . I'm sure that the Visa (Paperwork) and Passport names must be the same.

I've read and reread the USICS instructions, and still I have to ask these questions; which is wrong and what is is right? Should I have used my wife's maiden, or married name for the I-130 package. The same questions applies to the I-129F package.

You may, or may not, think about putting this question to me "Why don't I just call USCIS for the answers?"

If you would like to know, my answer is: I don't appreciate talking to someone (USCIS in this case) who responds to my inquiry as if I'm bothering them-and they start out the discussion with " You don't have more then 5 questions, right?" :(

I will appreciate any inputs/suggestions.

Thanks!

Sincerely;

Bernie


I used my married name as Family Name... because it also asks you, I believe, any other names you've used in the past, such as maiden or previously married names.. I believe there is a section on the forms for that question.
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2006-07-27 12:12:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWhat are the requirements for citizenship?
I'll be married for 3 years August 19, 2008. I first got my conditional green card on August 15th 2006. Im in the process of lifiting conditions. I would have been in the US for a total of 2 years on August 15th, 2008...cos it counts from the date of conditional residence right?

Question is: When can I submit my application for citizenship? is it 90 days BEFORE August 15, 2009? or ON/AFTER August 15, 2009??

Thanks
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2008-06-02 14:18:00
CanadaEasier for Canadians?
I think it all depends on your destination.. places that have higher volumes of applications may take a while.. but the K1 is usually pretty quick.
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2006-06-30 22:41:00
CanadaI130 Documentation


Also, where can I find a list of what shots I need to get ?

here

You can go to http://www.cdc.gov/n...x-a_693vacc.pdf and view the pdf file. This form is what civil surgeons use when u come to the US to get your vaccinations completed. These are the following things you must be up to date on. If you get yor vaccines from your regular doctor, make sure you get your doctor to update your vaccine book, if you have one or just make sure you have a record of your shots from your dr. When it comes time for you to go for your official medical exam, bring your vaccination record so the civil surgeon/panel physician can update your medical exam with it. Dont know if you know but civil surgeon are what they call the doctors WITHIN US side and a panel physician is any other doctor performing the medical exam OUTSIDE of the US.
hope that helps.
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2006-07-21 11:59:00
CanadaI130 Documentation

Sorry - another question.

How long is the medical good for ? Could I get that done now? Also, where can I find a list of what shots I need to get ?


Medical is good for a year. You have to get medical done by a panel physician. You will receive instructions from the consulate on where to go for your med exam.
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2006-07-21 00:15:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionAffidavit Letter
Just curious... do you think they prefer family members or friends to write the affidavit letters to prove our marriage? I was thinking of using my mother inlaw and husbands step mom since they know us the best since even before we got married. We just have 1 friend in common, but we hardly see each other because of distance and we dont get out too much. any advice would be much appreciated.
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2007-08-15 16:06:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionNotarized Affidivats
QUOTE (fwaguy @ May 16 2008, 10:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
In a multiple part document... this method assures that page 1 and page 2 belong together... otherwise you could attach any page 1 if the notary stamp was only on the acknowledgement page...


So Im assuming this is ok and that it will be accepted, whether its the state of Nebraska or state of California, wherever they decide to start my casework.?
Sorry to sound so naive.. I'm just so paranoid right now!!! Monday is file day
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2008-05-16 13:38:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionNotarized Affidivats
Hi There,

I don't know if anyone else has submitted their affidavits this way but my my mother inlaw and brother inlaw wrote letters for us and when they got their lettters notarized it shows 1/2 of the notary stamp on the 1st page, which is the body of letter, and the other half of stamp on a 2nd page, which is an Instrument of Acknowledgement sheet from the notary. Is that normal? has anyone sent in their letters with that format from the notary? It's like they just put both pages side by side and stamped their notary deal in the middle of both, to show that the 2 pages go together.

I just find it strange and not sure if it will be excepted or not.

mother inlaws letter was notarized in thet state of WA. brother inlaws was in the state of OR.

can anyone help me with this and let me know if its ok to send it in like that?

Thank You
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2008-05-16 12:42:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionNotarized Affidavits
QUOTE (motu @ May 17 2008, 09:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The best way to fancify it is to attach several hundred dollar bills to it! rofl.gif Some of us didn't send any affidavits as we had enough evidence of joint lives. Don't worry if one is fancified or not - they don't even need to be notarized. Good Luck


Thats a good one! good.gif But I think we've forked out too much already. lol. Ah.. the wait begins!
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2008-05-24 20:53:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionNotarized Affidavits
I have some places that have notarized our letters really fancy, indicating things like "I, blah blah blah have witnessed blah blah on this date blah blah" and then the stamp and seal. Some others I've just gotten a Stamp and Seal and a Signature and Date it was notarized and thats it. Is that acceptable or does it have to be fancified?
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2008-05-16 19:19:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionGuide to fill up I 751
QUOTE (sambridh @ May 25 2008, 07:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
In the form I 751 part 3, # 8 it said if you are married, is this different marriage than the the one through one which conditional residence status obtained. what is this i don't understand we have to tick yes or no.



It's basically asking you if you're still married to the same person through which AND when you got your conditional green card. Did you remarry since you got your card? If you're still with the SAME marriage then you check No.
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2008-05-26 11:15:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionCheck Cashed
QUOTE (Kathryn41 @ May 28 2008, 05:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi Pat,

Once you have mailed it off without a tracking number there won't be any way to verify its arrival until you receive either the NOA or you can check with your bank to see if the cheque is cashed. Once the cheque is cashed you will see the date it was cashed/received on the back. We sent ours off certified and I had a return receipt so I know when it arrived and the cheque was cashed 7 days after the package arrived. The package took 4 days in the mail. Hope that helps to give you a time frame for when you might receive information about yours. I wouldn't worry too much - I am confident your package will arrive at the Service Center without a problem. Good luck!


This is off the subject but its so nice to see another fellow Cdn in the US spell cheques the french way still. I'm still weirded out with spelling it 'check'.. and others for that matter. lol
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2008-05-28 14:41:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionCheck Cashed
Ok, so my check was cashed 5/24. Exciting? Yes! And looking at the scanned check that they cashed, they wrote a WAC number on the top. Im thinking..OK.. maybe its too early to track.. but I went to the USCIS website to check case status just for the heck of it.. entered in the WAC number and they were not able to locate that receipt number. bummeR! i guess its too premature.. but then how do they generate that WAC number?

Has this happened to anyone else? Or should I just wait for the letter to arrive?

Im just giddy, anxious, nervous and excited all in one. I'm sure you've all gone through all that at the same time. lol


Ok, any input would be great.

Have a great day everyone! smile.gif
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2008-05-27 18:27:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion1 Year Extension
I got my 1 year extension letter yesterday. Awesome cos it was my bday too. So is the 1 year extension from the date my green card is currently set to expire, which is 8/15/08? Or from the notice date on the letter? which is 5/21. I'm thinking its the date on the green card right? just wanted to make sure.
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2008-05-31 09:52:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionFingerpinting Letter
QUOTE (1HappyGuy @ Jun 4 2008, 11:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We got the biometrics letter about a week after the NOA1. The biometrics letter is important since that has the actual case file number.

The appointment was scheduled about a month later. We went earlier in the day than was established by them and it was no problem.


so lets say the bio letter got lost in the mail and i never received it.. if i called USCIS customer service and gave them the WAC number on the NOA.. do u think they'll be able to see if the bio letter was ever mailed out?

I had read somewhere else where someone didnt receive their bio letter because it was sent to wrong address and i think they were sent a denial letter because they did not attend appt... or another incident where they DID attend the bio appt and was sent denial letter indicating that they NEVER went. *sigh*

I do understand that the ASC receipt number is the trackable number for case status.. but that WAC number should be for something right?

Im just trying to cover the 'what ifs".
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2008-06-04 14:14:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionFingerpinting Letter
QUOTE (raymaga @ Jun 4 2008, 09:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I received both my NOA and biometrics notice on the same day.

My daughter received them one week apart.


I just got my 1 year ext letter on 5/30 and was just curious. Looking at the timelines i've noticed the biometrics appt is about 1 month apart from the NOA date.

Thanks for replying
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2008-06-04 12:45:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionFingerpinting Letter
Hi there,

So just curious usually as to how soon the fingerprinting letter shows up once you've received your 1 year green card extension letter.

Just curious.
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2008-06-04 10:55:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionInterview for Condition Remove
QUOTE (portland @ Jun 17 2008, 03:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks for your reply. I don't know what do you mean by timeline. My conditional residency expiring on Jan 2009.


I'm confused. So you went for an interview in April 2008. What was that interview for? Your conditional residence expires in Jan 2009. So what are you filing for now?
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2008-06-17 18:01:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionTravelling out of country
I have my 1 year extension and awaiting for my 10 year green card.

My grandmother is ill and lives overseas. Will i have a problem coming back into the US, travelling with just my extension letter? Or do I need to apply fro an AP???

Not sure how it works.

Thanks
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2008-07-16 15:54:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionYay! Card production ordered.
Oh wow.. thats the same day my husband and I got married and the same year too!! crazy!!! Congrats on your approval.
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2008-08-07 15:00:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionCSC April Filers
Just wondering if there were any April filers with CSC that have gotten their approval yet. Just wanted to get a better idea of where they're at with processing. The timeline doesn't really get updated and its only a handful of us that really post on there.

Thanks,
Curious filer!
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2008-08-12 10:06:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionCard Production Ordered
QUOTE (felshen @ Aug 22 2008, 11:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Congrats !!! star_smile.gif

Wht time did you receive your email? Just trying to get a concensus as to if they are sent in a bulk in the mornings or all day long

QUOTE (sleeplessseattle @ Aug 22 2008, 01:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ok.. I was not expecting an approval for at least another month since last week there were filers in mid-april just getting approved.

It is officially safe to say that I'm approved right? I can't believe I'm still paranoid. It says Card Production Ordered.



It says sent 1245pm yesterday August 21st, 2008.
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2008-08-22 14:17:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionCard Production Ordered
Ok.. I was not expecting an approval for at least another month since last week there were filers in mid-april just getting approved.

It is officially safe to say that I'm approved right? I can't believe I'm still paranoid. It says Card Production Ordered.
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2008-08-22 13:33:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionCard Arrived.
You guys were right about getting the card within a week. I got mine in like 3 business days since I got the Card Production Ordered notice. Hallelujaaaaaaah!!! I can eat breathe and live again! Good Luck to everyone else.
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2008-08-27 10:06:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionApproval Notice
QUOTE (jsnearline @ Sep 5 2008, 10:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
This is actually somewhat related to something I just posted.

The card is the approval notice. They often seem to send the email about it being mailed after you receive the card. If you have the card, don't expect to receive a separate approval notice.

In my case, the email I got was worded slightly differently. It said, "Card Mailed".


Thanks for the reply. I was just curious because with the initial conditional card they had sent 2 years ago, they also sent a seperate approval notice after receiving the green card.
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2008-09-05 12:27:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionApproval Notice
I got my green card in the mail 3 days after I was notified by email. Then I got another notice by email saying they mailed out approval notice on Aug 25th but I have not seen anything in the mail. Just wanted to know how long it usually takes to receive that approval notice once you've been notified. I'd like to have it for my files, even though I got the card in hand already. Any ideas?
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2008-09-05 12:03:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionSocial Security Card
When I first received my SSN on a conditional green card they sent me a card that read "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION".. Now that I have my conditions lifted, do I need to go back to the Social Security office to have this card changed? I'm sure I'm not the only one that has received an SSN card like such.

Any input is much appreciated.
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2008-11-30 17:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI130 versus K-3 I NEED HELP!

jessica and rob,

I-130 does not need to be approved before a K3 can apply to adjust status.

Yodrak


Now, when you say "your 130 would have to be approved first", are you refering to the notice of application reciept thingy they send you in the mail...that basically just says, when then received your petition, and that you just have to wait now??? And being almost 2 monts into the waiting after the receipt notice, would it be too late or a waste of time/money (though time is of unequatable value) to start the K-3 visa when it's only taking approximately 6 months to approve the 130?


Another clarification. When I said "130 approved first".. i was talking in relations to applying for AOS. Thats if you went through the k3 route and adjusting status to permanent residence (I-485) within the US.

....


Actually yes it does because you need to provide the approval notice of your 130 with your AOS application. Its not the CR1 visa that needs to be approved, just the petition.
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2006-07-24 12:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI130 versus K-3 I NEED HELP!

Now, when you say "your 130 would have to be approved first", are you refering to the notice of application reciept thingy they send you in the mail...that basically just says, when then received your petition, and that you just have to wait now??? And being almost 2 monts into the waiting after the receipt notice, would it be too late or a waste of time/money (though time is of unequatable value) to start the K-3 visa when it's only taking approximately 6 months to approve the 130?


my apologies if i wasnt clear. if you received your first noa regarding your 130 already, which is what you've mentioned, you can start your k3 application right away. Even if your 130 is approved in 6 months, you still have to wait for an interview date to receive the immigrant visa for your spouse to enter the states. When they tell you that your 130 is approved, the NVC will mail you some forms to fill out. Then you fill more forms to mail back to them. Then from there I believe they set a date for the immigrant visa interview in your spouses contry of residence. That is the part where I"m not sure how long it takes to get an interview date.

Now, when you say "your 130 would have to be approved first", are you refering to the notice of application reciept thingy they send you in the mail...that basically just says, when then received your petition, and that you just have to wait now??? And being almost 2 monts into the waiting after the receipt notice, would it be too late or a waste of time/money (though time is of unequatable value) to start the K-3 visa when it's only taking approximately 6 months to approve the 130?


Another clarification. When I said "130 approved first".. i was talking in relations to applying for AOS. Thats if you went through the k3 route and adjusting status to permanent residence (I-485) within the US.

With regards to applying for a k3, all you need is that first NOA you received for your 130 petition u just filed...the receipt 'thinggy..'797c.. so you can apply for k3 now if you wanted to.. the I-485 form is way down the road from now for you.

Sorry if I"m confusing you. I had to figure out a lot of stuff on my own when I started this paperwork with my husband. I'm glad that I didnt go through a lawyer or anything. Oh god.. Ive heard many nightmare stories. I think the lawyer route is even worst.
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2006-07-21 00:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI130 versus K-3 I NEED HELP!

I have recieved my first NOA, on June 3, 2006. I was under the impression that once I filed for the K-3, i couldn't cancel, even if the I-130 was approved first.....so, can i cancel the k-3 if the I-130 is approved first? and have I wasted too much time now, for filing the K-3, to make it even worth it? time and money wise?


That is right. If your 130 was approved first and your k3 is still pending, you can abandon your k3 and go the 130 route for an immigrant visa. You do have to inform uscis that you wish to abandon your k3 application. Money would be lost there cos they dont process refunds. Time wise, I think it would be worth it knowing that your spouse gets his k3 approved first and you get to reunite with him quicker. You would have an option between which route you wish to take. Money would be a waste if you're giving money to someone and they're not doing anything with your application. so yeah, money would be a waste if you went through both routes and chose one over the other.
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2006-07-21 00:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI130 versus K-3 I NEED HELP!

Hi, My name is Andrea. I'm a US citizen and I married April 26, 2006 to a Brazilian. My petition for the I-130 was recieved on June 3, 2006, and I'm still in the waiting process. My question is, should I wait it out for immigrant visa for my husband, or apply for a K-3? Other than the filing fee for the K-3, are there more fees after he comes here, or adjusting status, etc? Is it more complicated and expensive to get the K-3 than the I-130? I know the I-130 is a "stronger" visa, since it is an immigrant visa....I'm just already freaking out and missing him so much more than I thought...I just want him here! What to do.....?


Hi Andrea,

The K3 allows your spouse to enter the US a bit quicker as a non resident alien and allows the both of you to attend the AOS interview within the US. You do however have to wait for your 130 to be approved first before you can file for your AOS. My 130 was approved a few weeks after my k3 was approved.
If you went with the 130, your immigrant visa interview will be held in the country of your husbands residence. I kinda wish I went through the 130 route, so I would still be working and making some money and just came in on a Permanent Resident status. But I chose the k3 because its been 7 years of being apart (relationship not married wise).

I waited 3 months for k3 to be approved. I entered US at the end of April 2006, filed my EAD, AOS at the end of May. I have my AOS interview on Aug 15 and still waiting for my EAD to be approved. Not sure how long the 130 route would have taken.

I'm not too sure about fees. It all depends on the forms the 130 uses for immigrant visa processing. There are always fees popping up left right and center and fees do go up annually i believe, for some forms. For the K3, my husband and I spent so far less than 1k.

Hope I was of some help. Good luck on your journey.



No, my husband is NOT in the US. He has never been to America. He is currently in his home country, Brazil. To file for a K-3, one would have to file FIRST for the 1-130, which you can wait for the completion, or file simultaneously for the K-3 to get the spouse to the US sooner, correct? Well, my question was should I just wait for the I-130 to be approved, or file for the K-3? Because I keep hearing and reading, that the I-130 is processing faster than the K-3 right now...


I do believe that the processing times depends also on your spouses country. Not sure but that is what I heard. You can only file your k3 once you received your first NOA from USCIS regarding your 130 petition. You have to file a copy of that with your application for a k3. I would apply for a k3 as well, nothing to lose but a few $$$. :o) Every case is different. The choice is yours really.
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2006-07-20 23:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 general question (Please HELP!!!!!!!)

Ok, wedding is over and I am going home tomorrow now we are filling out the I-130 before I go home so I can drop in the mail soon after I get home. We have a nagging question!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


We have debate about how to put all the papers together. Should we put clip on papers or just put in the envelope loose... all the pics and forms etc. (pics are in small ziplock bag.)

Please help we are having our first marital discord heheheheh, just kidding.

Daniel and Odeza


Seriously, they are not that picky. But I paper clipped all my forms together, photos in a ziplock.
sleeplessseattleFemaleCanada2006-07-27 12:22:00