Kath

Hi everyone,

I'm a UKC and my fiance and I are currently in the K1 process with an
NOA1 of December 4th 2003. We are going through the TSC... which as
we know is currently the slowest (sigh).

My fiance and I have just recently talked about the K3 - getting
married in the UK (or 'accidentally' in the US on visa waiver) - in
the hope that the timelines may be shorter. I would leave the US on
the waiver and wait for the K3 at home.

I know just about all there is to know about the K1 visa - have
researched it to death - but having just spoken about the K3 with my
fiance, I have a couple of fundamental questions:

1) He lives in Georgia - how quickly does the SC that deals with K3
for this region of the US, process them? $64m question is - when
would I get the k3?

2) How long after arriving in the US may I then be able to work? I am
aware that K3-ers also need an EAD and SS number - how quickly do they
generally come through?

Many thanks in advance for your help,

Kath

Hypertweeky

Hi Kath

First of all I would like to clarify that the slowest center for K1's is Nebraska, but I agree that TSC is very slow too, sorry about that.
So you want to go to the states marry him and start applying for a k3??. I doubt you will let be in the states under the VWP with a cancelled I-129 (For fiancee) application in your back?.

1) MSC/NBC is the only center that handles I-129 for K3's.. therefore It doesn't matter where your fiancee lives

2) When you apply for an EAD it USUALLY takes 3-4 months.. but it varies

Take care!!

Simon&Vik

But after 90 days, you can go to your local & get an interum EAD. But after that, you'll need to get a SS# too.

As for timeline, you can check my sig for an idea. But, as we all know, times may vary

cindyabs

Hi Kath,
We are a K3 couple in Georgia (I'm the USC, my husband is the UKC). We married here in the US and he went right back to the UK. I did the 130 and then applied for the K3 for him.
I can't speak to if there might be a problem with cancelling a 129F for the K1 and then applying for the K3. You are in the computer already. Smart folks who have come over to visit here while on K1 status have come with plenty of proof they are returning back to their country, but still entry IS at the discretion of the officer at the POE.
Having said all that, as other posters have said TSC is slow, about 6 months or so on K1s I think. The K3 route would probably take you 3-4 months from start to finish at current rate. However you already have a month under your belt with the K1-so they might possibly even out.
The wait for a K3 EAD is currently 3 plus months through NBC. K1s are authorized to work but you still have to go through hoops getting an EAD. Atlanta is the local district office for Georgia and they say they take 90 days to process an EAD. So not much difference there.
Good luck on whatever you decide.