Time diffrence between i-130 and i-129F

[VeronikaK]

Everybody talks, that i-129f giving you a faster appoitment. But having approved i-130, you apply for K visa too,right? what usually time diffrence between this two?

[Luckysprite]

By filing the I130 alone - you are applying for an Immigrant Visa - whereas the K3 visa (filing the I130/I129F) is a Non-Immigrant Visa. The difference is substantial.

In the past - when it took significantly longer to receive an approval on an I130 - people opted to file the I129F as well to speed up the process. Now that the processing times are similar for both petitions (around 6 months) - it becomes a matter of personal preference and/or what country you are filing through really - as to which route you take.

The K3 visa will still get you a quicker appt (5-8 months if you are going through Mexico) I believe, however once back in the US you need to adjust status. Meaning yet more forms, fees need to be filed to removed the temporary conditions of the NIV. Also - you file for the EAD - authorization to work.

With just the I130 - you enter the US and are mailed a green card/ssc and there is no additional paperwork that needs to be processed. In the past it was taking about 12 months, again going through Mexico. Right now - it seems that at least for now - interviews are being scheduled in 8 months.

The timeframe is not that greatly different through Mexico atleast anymore, however I can not say the same about other countries.

[aguilar1115]

Apparently our lawyer did just the I130 because my husbands paper from immigration said visa type;IR1. Kitkat let me know the difference and my husband will be an IMMIGRANT and should get a green card. Look at our timeline though how long it took. Thank God we don't have to go through too much more after all of this to adjust status/etc.

[Luckysprite]

Unfortunately - because of the way waivers were processed before the pilot program - it substantially increased the time from start to finish.... (aguilar, I am glad you got your approval - finally!!!)

But because of the pilot program however, and the chance of same day approvals - that also decreases one's timeline.

We are only filing the I130 also and going for the immigrant visa - I don't want the hassle of AOS after the interview - not the mention the additional $1000 in filing fees - my estimated timeline is as such: We filed our I130 3 months ago and hope to have an interview in CDJ late late next year/early 2009 - so from start to visa - it would be between 18-22 months, God willing.

Seems a long time - but hopefully for us (with a PP approval) - the longest wait will be actually waiting for an interview in CDJ - currently taking 8 or so months....

Timelines have become more similar in terms of the IR1 vs K3 route....atleast through Mexico.

I'm sorry you - and so many others have endured such a more lengthy process and unfair separation!! :(