K3 preparations

[CharlesR]

Well I'm here in Moldova and my girl and I are now officially married. Is there anything I can do while I'm here that will help in the K3 process such as the filling out/signing of certain forms that may be required of her? Maybe someone else has been through the K3 process and found they could have saved some time by doing something or other while overseas.  Ill be here until the first week of sept.

[Daveman]

I have no idea about your question, but wanted to say congratulations!  Have a great celebration and enjoy the rest of your trip!

Dave

[CharlesR]

I have no idea about your question, but wanted to say congratulations!  Have a great celebration and enjoy the rest of your trip!

Dave

Thanks Daveman. Actually, Ive been here since June but we've had a hang up or two and have only been married two days. I regret not asking the question sooner and not having done a little more homework but we'll get through it.

[Ravens9273]

Charles

First congratulatios.

Second there is no longer a K-3 visa. It has been done away with.

Now it is the CR-1 and IR-1

Both of you will need to fill out and sign the G-325A form. So this is something you can do with her now.
You will also need a passport type picture of your wife so get that wihile you are there as well.

Your best resource online is visajourney.com
This website covers the whole process better then any I have seen and even give you a checklist of things you will need to file your I-130 petition. It is best to go there and work your way through the checklist to do all you can do now before you return home.

[Admin]

Charles

First congratulatios.

Second there is no longer a K-3 visa. It has been done away with.

Now it is the CR-1 and IR-1

Both of you will need to fill out and sign the G-325A form. So this is something you can do with her now.
You will also need a passport type picture of your wife so get that wihile you are there as well.

Your best resource online is visajourney.com
This website covers the whole process better then any I have seen and even give you a checklist of things you will need to file your I-130 petition. It is best to go there and work your way through the checklist to do all you can do now before you return home.

Ravens,

Where are you finding reference to K-3 visa being canceled?

From my read, it seems the K-3 is still a valid visa though taking a bit longer to process than a K-1. Here is a link to our flowchart comparing the K-1, K-3 and IR-1 -- http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?pid=47

At one time guys would file a K-3 and IR-1 simultaneously, but that practice has been curtailed as of Feb 1st this year (ref: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_2993.html).

For most guys, it seems the K-1 is the better choice at this time, but since the OP is already married, I think the IR-1 or K-3 are both valid options. K-3 times are taking in the 7 month range - give or take.

FWIW

- Dan

[Turboguy]

I have lots of experience with K-1's but non with a spousal visa.   I will agree with Dan the K-3 still exists but has fallen out of favor because a CR-1 is faster and cheaper. 

Here is a cost comparison

K-3:
I-130: $355
I-129F: NONE
Consulate: $131
Adjustment Of Status: $1010 I-485
($1496)

CR-1
I-130: $355
NVC I-864: $70
NVC Visa fee: $400 ($355+$45)
($825)

I will post a little more info soon.

[Turboguy]

The forms you are going to need are the

I-130
2. G-325a
3. G-1145 (optional)

She needs to sign and date her G-325A so do that while you are there.

You will need a passport photo of her, get that while you are there.

You need a copy of the marriage certificate.

You need a copy of any divorce decrees for her if she has been married before, get those while you are there. 

You used to need a copy of her passport and birth certificate but those are no longer required.

There is a lot of good info on Visa Journey so that will be a good resource for you.

[Ravens9273]

When I spent alot of time at Visa Joruney it was stated all over the K-3 was done with. This was my source and I figured they know what they were talking about.
The K-3 visa was for the purpose of bringing the spouse over quicker while the paperwork was being finalized.

Now the CR-1 and IR-1 are just as fast and they are no longer doing K-3 visa's.
The I-130 is getting approved just as fast as the I-129.
My I-130 was approved in 4 months. Others at Visa Joruney were getting their I-130's approved at the 100 day mark.
Either way even if K-3 is still being taken it is better to just go the I-130 route today with the fast time.

[Ravens9273]

OK I wanted to make sure I am not giving wrong information so I did research.

Starting February 1 2010 USCIS is no longer accepting I-129 (K-3) petitions with I-130 (CR-1 IR-1) Petitions.
If a person submits both Petitions they are only going to process the I-130 for a CR-1 or IR-1 Visa

A person can still submit a I-129 (K-3) by itself.
However at this point and time it is a waste to just file the I-129.
It only will cost more money in the long run and since processing times of the I-130 (which you will have to do sooner or later) are now the same. USCIS will be cutting off the I-129 for the K-3 all together in the near future.

[CharlesR]

Thanks for the congats, and a big thanks to Turbo for the research and info. The I-130 will be the direction we are going in.