The Department of State (DOS) has recently changed its procedure for the K-3 spousal visa. Originally, the K-3 visa was meant to provide an avenue for foreign nationals who are married to a U.S. citizen to come into the United States while they wait for the adjudication of an immigrant visa (I-130). Unfortunately, the process for obtaining the K-3 visa has often become just as long as the I-130 process.
Since the two applications are taking about the same amount of time, the DOS has changed its procedure. Now, when both the I-129F (for the K-3 visa) and the I-130 (for the immigrant visa) have been approved by the USCIS, the DOS will administratively close the I-129f application. This change is a logical step in lessening the DOS’s workload. Let’s hope that the change will allow the DOS and USCIS to hurry up its approval of K-3 visas where the I-130 petition lags.