Which visa is faster or least likely to be denied? (K1, K3)

[mmeza]

I have searched the boards and I haven't been able to find an answer to my question yet...

I am a US citizen and my fiance lives in Uruguay.

Would it be easier for us to apply for a K1 Visa, or would it be better for us to get married in his country, then try applying for a K3?

Thanks for your help!

[kprettypaul]

k1

the k1 is the best route because it's faster than the k3. the reason is because it stop at the nvc for a short time frame just a few days then it is sent to your fiancee country. with the k3 the petition it takes longer because the nvc has to complete additional paper work.

[nichole]

the k1 is the best route because it's faster than the k3. the reason is because it stop at the nvc for a short time frame just a few days then it is sent to your fiancee country. with the k3 the petition it takes longer because the nvc has to complete additional paper work.

It is the CR1/IR1 married visa that spends time at the NVC, not the K3. The CR1/IR1 is basically applying for the green card through the NVC so that's why it takes longer. But when the visa is issued, the spouse arrives in the US and gets the green card and a social security card immediately.

A K3 enters the US then files for the green card. It takes another mountain of paperwork and $1010 and a wait of 4-6 months or longer to get the GC and a social security card.

Basically if married submit I-130 petition. If you do nothing else, it will process as a CR1/IR1.

Or

(If married) submit I-130 petition. When the Notice of Action that they have received your petition arrives, make a copy of that notice and submit an I-129f along with the photocopy of the I-130 receipt. The I-129 will normally be approved first. It will pass through the NVC in a matter of days and on to the consulate where an interview for a K3 visa will be set up. If both of your petitions "tie" and get approved at the same time, then make a choice which way you want to go. Don't pay fees or send forms to the NVC on the I-130 if you desire the K3 visa.

The K3 was created to get families together in the US faster back when the CR1 visas took much longer to process. The process is much more automated now and the CR1 doesn't take much longer than a K3. And CR1 has the advantage of being cheaper, and the immigrant is able to have a green card, Social Security card and work authorization immediately after arrival, whereas the K3 can't for some months.

And to the original question. K1s still seem to go faster. If your Service center is California, the I-129F for a K3 is getting approved quite quickly. If your service center is Vermont, for some reason they just don't move on those I129Fs for K3s as fast.

Example at CSC:
I129Fs for K3s --currently processing June 19 applications
I129Fs for K1s --processing May 7

Example at CSC:
I129Fs for K3s --currently processing March 3 applications
I129Fs for K1s --processing Mar 21

I-130 approvals for CR1/IR1
CSC: processing Apr
VSC: processing Nov '08

If your service center is Vermont, I would definitely go with the K1.
What you have to remember is that if applying for a K3, there is a delay waiting for the receipt of the I130 before you can put your I129F in the race.

[meenushan2009]

No update still :-( Need Help Nichole!!!

Hi Nichole,

Are you sure that CSC is processing June 19 aplication for i129f?

Mine is June 9th I have not got any update still. How to proceed?

Waiting for your reply. Thanks in advance.

With Regards,
Mesh

[nichole]

Hi Nichole,

Are you sure that CSC is processing June 19 aplication for i129f?

Mine is June 9th I have not got any update still. How to proceed?

Waiting for your reply. Thanks in advance.

With Regards,
Mesh

Some people have reported approvals around that date so it's an indicator of how far they have gotten datewise. There are still others who just got approved with April and May dates. It never goes in order. All you can do is wait. The official date posted on the USCIS service centers is the worst case scenario and reflects their oldest cases that still aren't approved. If yours gets past that date, then you can call. Otherwise you wait. But there is hope when you see they are actually working on some June cases rather than their "official" date.

[Woodger]

Some people have reported approvals around that date so it's an indicator of how far they have gotten datewise. There are still others who just got approved with April and May dates. It never goes in order. All you can do is wait. The official date posted on the USCIS service centers is the worst case scenario and reflects their oldest cases that still aren't approved. If yours gets past that date, then you can call. Otherwise you wait. But there is hope when you see they are actually working on some June cases rather than their "official" date.

Wow ! June approvals ? Seriously ! my NOA2 is 1st June ... that's exciting

Thanks Nichole !

[nichole]

Wow ! June approvals ? Seriously ! my NOA2 is 1st June ... that's exciting

Thanks Nichole !

That is CSC K3s 129f. I don't remember what kind of visa you are seeking.

K1s, Vermont, and I-130s are different.

[tbilisitampa]

K-3 Approval from USCIS... Snet to NVC, Now what

Hello, everyone - I know you are all going through the same struggle and wait.... So I appreciate any advice you can give.

Applied for my husbands K-3 (I-130) on 04/10/09. Got the approval letter from USCIS on 08/05/09. Since then, we have gathered all the birth, marriage, police certificates, photos, etc. My question is; When can I or he expect to hear from NVC? Will they call or send a letter, what is the approximate time frame. It has already been 3 weeks, I do understand it takes slightly longer with a k-3, but... what is the general time frame from now, and what can I expect?

Thanks!!

[nicainix]

call NVC... @ 603 334-0700. Ask them if they have your case.. and/or if they sent it to your wife/husband's embassy... if yes then ask when... and ask for the case number...


if you know when they sent it give atleast 1-2 weeks for the physical files to get processed in his/her embassy.. or you can call the embassy and ask...

[meenushan2009]

K3 and i130 both not approved

I got my receipt notice for i130 on June 1st and i129f on June 9th.

My visa is not approved still........

I am wondering why it is pending still???