how long & what's next? k-3 spouse visa

[savoy]

Hi everyone!

I applied for a K-3 visa for my wife. I submitted the I-130 and already got 797 c receipt which I then used to submit the I-129f etc. I just got the 2nd 797C receipt for the I-129 form submission as well. It's marked May 1st, 2009

I'm wondering what happens next and is there anything I or my wife can prepare now? I'm already pretty familiar with the entire process by reading the info on these forums and the USCIS page.

For example:

Can she get her police report & medical check up now or is that something the embassy does?

What about my affidavit of support?


I used the receipt number to look up my case. So far there's no specific info except that the forums were received and receipts sent out. I found a general time table on the USCIS site that says normal processing time is 6 months.

I know from asking people who've already been through the process that it actually takes 12-14 months!?

But I also hear right now everything is going through alot faster then normal? Any info on this?

[nichole]

If you looked at a graph of the timing it would go up and down like a roller coaster. So depending on who you ask and when they went through the process, you'll get alot of answers.

Looking at some recent lists I've seen:
California Service center is approving K3 I-129F petitions submitted in late March.

Vermont Service center is approving K3 I-129F petitions submitted in late November.

Your other questions about what's next to prepare depend on the Consulate and country where the visa will be processed. Each has their own specific way of handling the paperwork. You can google US Embassy <country> and probably find a webpage for that consulate and information about their process if you dig around.

In general, you can order tax transcipts for your I-134 Affidavit of Support. They are free from the IRS and you can order 3 years by mail, fax, or telephone. They are complete without making copies of your tax return and W2s or 1099s. You can do that now and start filling in the I-134. If your income is short, then you should be lining up a co-sponsor now.

Police certificates are generally good for 1 year. Some have to be ordered from every place/town where a person has lived since age 16. Other countries have one certificate that covers the entire country. Another thing to find out specific to your situation. Not knowing the country, it's hard to give you more info.

Certified birth certificates are needed that include the parent names. Some countries have two different kinds. If they are not in English, then a certified translation has to be provided with it. Same with divorce decrees if the wife has been married before.

Immunizations that are lacking like MMR and Tdap could be given now before the medical in the foreign country. They don't have to be finished before a visa is issued, but if they are totally completed now and recorded on the DS3025 at the medical exam, then the Adjustment of Status process in the US is a little easier. And you won't have to pay a Civil Surgeon to complete new immunization records in the US. It's too early to schedule the official exam, but gathering her medical records (immunizations) to take to the exam can be done now. If there are any health problems, ie asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure,etc then the family doctor needs to write a letter explaining the condition and how it's being treated or controlled. That has to be given to the doctor doing the visa medical exam.

The forms for the Embassy could be studied or at least rough drafts made so final copies can be quickly done once the petition is approved and on it's way to the Embassy. They are mostly online fill-in and can't be saved. But a paper copy could be printed and filled in for the rough draft. Nothing worse than spending alot of time on a document then it asks something you aren't sure of and you need to look it up. If you close the document, then you start all over. I suggest paper copies to get all the info, then do the online version once you know you've got all the answers.

[ferlia]

Hi Savoy .. I was wondering, why do you need to submit I-129 (fiancee) since you already married and submitted I-130 (spouse)?

I just got married to US Citizen too and submit I-130 with the affidavit of support and I'm also wondering what to do next.

I'm now working on I-485 and I-131 since I have to go back to my home country on Oct. Do you know how long it takes for I-131 approved?

Thank's

[chocky311]

to nichole

i filed I129f for my fiancee at california service center. where can i find what month they are currently approving. please advise. thanks!

[Russell]

If you looked at a graph of the timing it would go up and down like a roller coaster. So depending on who you ask and when they went through the process, you'll get alot of answers.

Looking at some recent lists I've seen:
California Service center is approving K3 I-129F petitions submitted in late March.

Vermont Service center is approving K3 I-129F petitions submitted in late November.

My K1 129f was received feb 25, 2009 and they are doing 129f from March. Did I get missed or is the K3 get priority?

I would love to get a peak at one of those graphs just to get an idea of the short and long side of this process. Waiting with no information is torture haha.


Russell

[LexiMStL]

Hi Russel,

I'm pretty sure thats March of LAST year, lol. Sorry =(

I'd also like to know where these charts are coming from. I would love to know how they get their info since USCIS pages only say 6 months (uggh.) It's been 6 months and 1 week on my I130 app.

Lexi

[savoy]

A friend of mine had am I-I30 receipt date of Dec 21, 2008 and his wife just her interview date about a month ago for July 21st.

[hector]

Hey Russell, my understanding is that k1 are processed faster. I filed on March 3, 2009 and received NOA1 a week later and just received NOA2 with approval on June 30th. Our paper work is now at the NVC in NH and am waiting for the next step in filling out other paperwork which should be within 2-4 weeks. The graphs that I believe other people are talking about is in the USCIS page under processing times