I want to know........

[nino1]

I want to know that what differences between k1 and k3 visa ? And what is better one ? I mean which one takes short time ? Can anyone help me ?

[nichole]

K1/K3 are similar process but K1 is fiance and K3 is spouse. Both are non-immigrant visas to get the fiance/spouse into the US. (Remember not everybody can travel visa waiver.) Once in the door, they can apply for a greencard that allows them to stay in the US and work. That costs another $1070 and takes about 5-6 months, so no work (or US drivers license in most states) for that long. If they don't file for the greencard (called adjustment of status) then they are out of status when their entry expires.

CR1 or IR1 is a true immigrant visa for a spouse. After the initial I-130 petition is approved, the greencard stuff is processed at the NVC. The foreign spouse remains in their country. When their visa is granted, they enter the US as a permanent resident eligible to stay and work. There is no filing of adjustment of status. They get the greencard mailed to them a few weeks after arrival. It's a better deal and only takes slightly longer to get to the US because they are processing the greencard before you come. No extra filing in the US ($1070) or waiting months to see if you will be approved or waiting months to be ablr to work or drive.

The CR1/IR1 used to take a long, long time to process so married people chose the K3 to get in the US where they could stay and wait on adjustment of status. Now the CR1/IR1 process is as fast as K1/K3 so USCIS made a ruling that if both cases are pending and both petitions are approved at the same time, they shut down the K3 and only the CR1/IR1 case continues the process. It's pretty much useless to go for a K3 anymore because they are rarely issued since the ruling. Even if you submit an application it will most likely be cancelled and the CR1 visa processed instead.

[geeta85]

i had the same exact question regarding k3 visa or cr1. thanks your info it helped me a bit . but could you tell if i'm getting married in november 2011 ...when is the good time to start this process? i130 n etc..does it process take 6months or more thn that.
p.s. i'm a us citizen marrying Indian citizen

[nichole]

i had the same exact question regarding k3 visa or cr1. thanks your info it helped me a bit . but could you tell if i'm getting married in november 2011 ...when is the good time to start this process? i130 n etc..does it process take 6months or more thn that.
p.s. i'm a us citizen marrying Indian citizen

Part of the documentation is a marriage certificate...a certified one that is registered with the government of the country. Not a church certificate. I don't know Indian documents so you'll have to figure out that part. Once you have that, you can file the I-130 petition.

The time it takes has 3 parts
1. Getting the petition approved by USCIS- 3-4 months? There are 2 service centers. One is faster than the other. Depends on: the service center you get, how good a job you did sending in everything they need in the way of documentation, how many other applications come in that would backlog the center, luck

2. NVC processing- each party sends in forms, fees and documents. Don't know time--1-2 months? Depends how ready you are because you studied ahead and know exactly what's going to be sent there so got it before they told you, ie birth certificate, police reports, I-834 and proofs of income, etc. You could send things in the same day they tell you to, or you could say "OMG where do I get a police report? I can't find my divorce decree. I need to order a tax transcript." How long will you hold up the process by not having documents ready before they ask for them?

3. Immunizations, medical exam at a designated clinic, Interview. 2 months?
Depends on: How busy your consulate is. How hard/easy it is to get a medical appointment. Every country is different.

So that's why you can never get a straight answer--There are too many variables!

Is you paperwork perfect or does USCIS have to request things you forgot to send or sign?
Do you get the faster service center?
How busy will USCIS and NVC be when you case gets there?. It changes monthly.
How long will you hold up the process finding your documents when you could get them early?
Do you gather your shot records early so you're prepared for the medical or do you have to hold up scheduling it so you can get records from you doctor?
How busy is your embassy?
Do you show up at the interview without something you were supposed to bring and delay approval?

[nino1]

Thanx all . Can you tell me the process step by step . What documents should submit first and which things attach with it .And what shoud i do after that .pls reply me soon .

[nichole]

Thanx all . Can you tell me the process step by step . What documents should submit first and which things attach with it .And what shoud i do after that .pls reply me soon .

No I'm not going to walk you through it. That would take too much of my time. The person who runs this website provides guides if you will click on VISAS in the top menu bar and start reading.

If it is too complicated for you to understand, then there are immigration lawyers who get paid to fill in the forms for you and take them to the post office.