ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-3 Spousal Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWhen should I start k3 visa processing

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.


marapotMalePhilippines2013-10-30 21:22:00
K-3 Spousal Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsanyone sent their I-129f to the NBC Overland Park, KS

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.


marapotMalePhilippines2013-10-30 21:37:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 transfer from MSC to CSC; how long more?

 

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.   


marapotMalePhilippines2014-01-19 04:22:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 transfer from MSC to CSC; how long more?

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.visajourn...-is-transfered/


marapotMalePhilippines2014-01-17 19:50:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSearched but can't find: When are we notified which vaccinations to get?

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.


marapotMalePhilippines2014-01-20 03:03:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSearched but can't find: When are we notified which vaccinations to get?

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....xamination.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.

 




marapotMalePhilippines2014-01-19 05:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsinfo pass appointment done

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.


Edited by marapot, 22 November 2013 - 09:47 PM.

marapotMalePhilippines2013-11-22 21:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsinfo pass appointment done

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?

 


marapotMalePhilippines2013-11-22 20:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportscase 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


Edited by marapot, 17 January 2014 - 07:18 PM.

marapotMalePhilippines2014-01-17 19:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportscase is transfered

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


Edited by marapot, 22 November 2013 - 07:57 PM.

marapotMalePhilippines2013-11-22 19:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsFiling I-130 January, 2014

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.

 




marapotMalePhilippines2014-01-19 05:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-129F wait time

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.


marapotMalePhilippines2013-11-22 20:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsdilemma. help please :(

thanks for the quick response :)

yes he filed after divorced was finalized :)


mae&junNot TellingPhilippines2013-10-19 11:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsdilemma. help please :(

       i've known my fiancee since we were kids.when he left for the states i  haven't had communication with him since.

 i've had my fair share of relationships then, i have 2 kids with my ex boyfriend in 2006 and 2008, and separated in 2010.  

     my fiancee(childhood friend) on the other hand also had relationships, married his  now ex wife obtaining him permanent residency. But In 2011, his wife talked to him about separating and that she was getting back together with an ex boyfriend, this is where i come in, my fiancee came to visit the philippines, we met and i got pregnant with our daughter while he was separated of course but not yet divorced, when he came back to the states he learned that his wife was also pregnant with the ex boyfriend's child so they got a divorce and was finalized in 06/2013. now my dilemma is this, i have read that since i am from a high fraud country i/ we/the relationship might be scrutinized since i have known my fiancee before he went to the states and that i might be blamed for their separation/divorce.   i am not the reason of course since it was his wife's decision to leave and that was before i came into the picture. also he obtained permamnent residency (he became a naturalized USC while serving in the military) through marriage to a USC his marriage might be scrutinized. I have been bothered by this since we decided to file for i=129f. I think i might be having an anxiety attack. i am scared to check the status of our petition and i dread the day of the interview if there would be one. sad.png


mae&junNot TellingPhilippines2013-10-19 11:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOctober 2013 Filers

my fiance sent a request for expedite on nov 14, he is to be deployed january. on nov 18 they emailed us that they received the request and the supporting documents and that they have completed the review on our case and a few hours later they sent us our NOA2, does this mean they have approved the expedite or is the approval due to the normal process of things since it's been more than a month since our NOA1? if the expedite is approved does it also mean that it would be expedited at nvc? his orders sent to uscis says that he is to deploy on january


mae&junNot TellingPhilippines2013-11-19 05:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOctober 2013 Filers

Approved in 21 days!!!! My lord!

I got NOA1 on Oct 2nd and NOA2 dated Oct 23rd!!!! Something crazy must be happening at USCIS. But all I am saying is Thank you god!

wow!!! that was fast! goodluck on your journey good.gif


mae&junNot TellingPhilippines2013-10-28 16:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOctober 2013 Filers

hello fellow october filers! hope this becomes a smooth and fast process for all of us rose.gif 


mae&junNot TellingPhilippines2013-10-23 23:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedurescancel approved k1

there is a thread about this on facebook, a filipina got a 221g on her interview because a few years back a different fiance filed a k-1 for her but did not go through with it, they broke up after filing so she didn't know what happened with the petition then, now the US embassy manila wants her to contact her ex and let him cancel the old petition, problem is she doesn't know how to contact her ex as she says it was a long long time ago

 


mae&junNot TellingPhilippines2013-11-15 08:45:00