I am an U.S. citizen and want to bring my fiance to the U.S. I like to check the processing time for either visa K-1 or K-3 (which one is shorter?)

The California service center of U.S.C.I.S.’ processing time chart has both K-1 and K-3 petitions at 5 months. The Vermont service center only has K-1’s at 5 months without reference to K-3’s. I do note that you must also file an I-130 petition in order to file the K-3, and if both the I-130 and K-3 are together at the National Visa Center (NVC) after approval by U.S.C.I.S., the K-3 petition will be denied. On the whole, K-1 processing is probably faster than K-3’s, without the risk that K-3 processing may be stopped at the NVC. Due to the limitations of the Lawyers.com Forums, Alan Lee, Esq.'s (the "Firm") participation in responding to questions posted herein does not constitute legal advice, nor legal representation of the person or entity posting a question. No Attorney/Client relationship is or shall be construed to be created hereby. The information provided herein by the Firm is general, and requires that the poster obtain specific legal advice from an attorney. The poster shall not rely upon the information provided herein as legal advice nor as the basis for making any decisions of legal consequence.