Your Immigration Link to the World

The Following Steps are Essential for K3 Processing:

1. US citizen spouse files an I-130 to the Service Center for foreign spouse.
2. US citizen spouse receives a notice of action from the Service Center for this petition.
3. US citizen spouse then sends a copy of the notice of action (or proof of filing the I-130) with a completed I-129F form, other required documents, and a $455.00 fee to the Chicago P.O. Box USCIS address on the I-129F petition form.
4. The Chicago office checks the petition, deposits the $455.00 fee, and sends the petition on to the Missouri Service Center.
5. Missouri Service Center approves the petition and forwards it to the US consulate.
6. On the consulate side of things, the foreign spouse completes a process very similar to the K-1 process: receives a packet of forms/documents, gets a medical exam and police certificate, attends an interview, and gets the K3 visa.
7. The foreign spouse enters the US as a K3 to await the final processing of the I-130 petition. The foreign spouse is allowed to work but must have a work authorization card in order to do so. A separate request is filed with the USCIS to obtain work authorization.
8. The I-130 petitioner informs the USCIS (the regional center where the I-130 was filed) that the I-130 beneficiary is already in the U.S. and will not be applying for permanent residency at the Consulate abroad as originally indicated on the I-130.
9. After I-130 is approved, go through I-485 processing to obtain conditional permanent residency.