Whats the difference between a k3 visa and a I130 ?

Question

is it one and the same?

Answer 1

a K3 visa is a nonimmigrant visa for spouses of American citizens. An I-130 is an immigrant visa petition, or the paperwork that is required before you can receive an immigrant visa. For the spouse of an American citizen, that would be an IR-1. The K-3 petition can only be filed with the IR-1 petition. You're not eligible for a K-3 unless you do have an IR-1. The paperwork for the K-3 is an I-129f petition. The K-3 visa was intended to be faster, which is why it was designed. These days there's usually very little difference in processing time.