The important bits are done
by dixie
Updated K3 timeline:
I-130 sent off: 31 May
I-130 receipt received: 8 June
I-129F sent off: 9 June
I-129F approved: 8 July
Wanderer contacted by US Embassy in Dublin: 5 August
Medical exam scheduled for: 12 September
Results from exam received: 14 September
Appointment with US Embassy Dublin made for: 16 September
Wanderer arrives in LA: 21 September
I-765 sent off: 3 October
Biometrics appointment: 21 November
EAD received: 9 December
I-130 approved: 10 December
No story to tell; just a general sense of relief. The next question is whether we really need to act on that I-130 (the petition for a family-based green card, for those who haven’t been taking notes). A year from now we should know for sure whether we need to 1. extend the 2-year K3, or 2. apply for a green card (the CR1 visa, to be adjusted to an IR1 if/when the time comes). With any luck we’ll be gone before the K3 expires, but I should know by next fall if I’m going to be done by then.
The “Visa” category page is the first hit on Google for “horrible stories about K3 visa.” I laughed at that. Another searcher wondered whether the K3 is actually faster than the CR1 (some ‘net sources indicated it may not be), and in my case it certainly has been. The intrepid searcher may compare the approval times for my I-130 and I-129F.
The next challenge will be to apply for a Social Security card…
Comments
I am currently trying to get a K-3 visa to the US as well (I’m Serbian, my husband is an American), and have been trying to find good sources for information about filing out some of the forms, and in the process, I stumbled upon your weblog. I don’t want to be imposing, so I wont post any questions here in your weblog (unless you give me the OK for doing so), but I was wondering if you might be willing to answer a few questions I have. If you are willing, can you either send me an e-mail, or give me an adress to which I can send you an e-mail? It would be greatly appreciated, as I am somewhat lost in the reeds, and need some serious clarification. You seem to be rather knowledgable on the issue, having gone through much of the process, and your knowledge would undoubtedly be a huge help. Thanks ahead of time. Even if you dont feel comfortable answering my questions, your weblog has helped answer several I previously had.
Hi,.Ive just filed my I130 at the US embassy in Dublin, so lets call today as Day 1. When can I expect, all going well, that I can travel to the US. My wife is american, and we need to get back there for at least mid July. Im hoping this process will be over in 4 months. Now, as far as I gather, if I get thru the interview at the embassy, I get the green card, is this correct? Does this then allow me to travle to the US and seek employment, or so I need then to gte another visa? Theres so much information out there I don;t know what to believe, but you seem to have followed the same path Im just about to step onto so any help is appreciated…
Cheers..Jim