I-129F K3 Document Questions.

[JonathanM]

Just received I-797C, Notice of Action. I am now preparing to send the I-129f packet, but not sure if I understand the K3 visajourney outline and some of the instructions clearly. I think there is alot of information that doesn't apply when processing the form for the K3.

 

Do I have to wait for a I-130 Transfer notice as noted in number 3 in the checklist where my petition was routed to?

 

If no, do I send the I-129f to Chicago Lockbox where I sent the I-130 or to the Address listed on the bottom of the page of the NOA I-797C in California?

 

Should I include a copy of the check for $355?

 

I have the following to send with the I-129f, please let me know if I left anything out or if something is a overkill. I have all chinese docs translated in english, certified and notarized.

 

I-129F Form

G-325a for wife and myself

passport photo for the both of us

birth certs for the both of us

divorce cert for my wife

marriage cert

coverletter

 

Thank you

[dnoblett]

You file the I-129F to the service center that is handling the I-130, Should be California or Vermont, this will be noted on I-130 notice of action or a transfer notice, you do not send I-129F to Chicago.

 

Copy of $355 check?? There is no fee paid for I-129F, you paid it when you filed I-130, the copy of I-130 NOA1 letter is prof of fee paid.

 

Keep in mind USCIS tends to halt processing the I-130 until they can match the 2 petitions together causing a delay, and they have been approving both in the same date in most cases. This defectively defeats the original intent of the OPTIONAL K-3 petition, (K-3 was developed at a time when USCIS was taking a very long time to process I-130 petitions, the K-3 allowed the intending immigrant to enter the USA and WAIT for I-130 approval).

 

Lastly CR-1 will save you a lot of $$ and TIME, because there is no adjustment of status, CR-1 gets green-card the moment they enter the USA, K-3 needs to adjust status and the wait months for USCIS to issue green-card, and also will need to interview for the green-card.

 

K-3:

I-130: $355

I-129F: NONE

Consulate: $131

AOS: $1010

($1496)

 

CR-1

I-130: $355

NVC I-864: $70

NVC Visa fee: $400 ($355+$45)

($825)

 

I see many posts from K-3 holders stating, "Wow this sucks, I am stuck at home because I don't have EAD, DL, etc, or I am having hard time getting added to bank accounts because of NO SSN." K-3 has a 90 day or longer period of limbo while waiting for EAD or Green-card.

 

K-3 was developed at a time when CR-1 was taking much longer that today, NVC has greatly streamlined the CR-1 process to the point where K-3 becomes irrelevant.

 

Guangzhou has a new pilot program with NVC that allows them to process and send documents to GUZ electronically for CR-1 visas, this greatly speeds up the process to the point that in most cases CR-1 reaches the consulate before K-3.

 

More on the electronic process.

 

http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=37703

[JonathanM]

Thanks for the info, i understand the CR1 process, how it is much more cost effective and in most cases it just makes more sense. But the K3 right now is the right way to go for me and the wife, without going into much detail. I just want to make sure I understand everything that I have asked or something I may have missed. Don't want to leave anything out that may cause any delays.