ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-230, forms and interview
No, they will just issue an RFE. They might even just tell you to take it to the interview - it depends what it is. Just make sure you send the original documents to NVC. They will be returned at the interview.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-08-07 11:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-230, forms and interview
I think that you, and maybe the immigration lawyer, are getting confused between the different processess for the spouse visa and fiancé visa. With the spouse visa, the documentation, including the DS230 and the AOS, is all collected by NVC. Once they have everything they need they will assign you an interview date and forward all the paperwork to the Embassy. With the fiancé visa, the application just passes through NVC briefly, is assigned a case number and is then forwarded to the Embassy. So you do not need to complete the DS-2001- NVC will tell you when you are ready.

You will need to take copies of the paperwork with you to the interview in case anything has gone astray but it should all be in your file.

Check this link for the NVC flowchart for the IR1/CR1: http://www.visajourn...wchart_v1-2.pdf

I would also recommend joining this thread:http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/380887-nvc-filers-august-2012/
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-08-06 16:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-797 Notice of Action Clarification
It looks like your case has been auto-expedited as you are both living abroad. That seems to be happening often now. Join Saylin's thread and read the guides she links to in her first post: http://www.visajourn...rs-august-2012/

There is a template on here which you can use to email in the DS3032. That could save some time: http://www.visajourn...il_DS-3032_form

Good luck on the rest of your journey.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-08-09 13:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNew here and full of questions of course - WHEN to file?
You have to include a copy of your marriage certificate in the package so you must be married.

Edited by cathy2904, 09 August 2012 - 10:16 PM.

cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-08-09 22:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 Entering the USA
No, she doesn't have to attend the interview and yes, you can enter the US after her. You can't enter before her though.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-08-21 13:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTo travel or not to travel?That is the question.
I think you will be ok. I had an issue at Atlanta the last time I visited before we were married. I was taken into secondary processing and questioned but my return ticket seemed to convince the officer and he let me in, although with a warning that I would not be allowed in again on the VWP.

One way to be certain without having to do a transatlantic crossing would be to take a flight via Ireland. You can do POE at Irish airports.

Edited by cathy2904, 15 August 2012 - 10:31 AM.

cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-08-15 10:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureswhat is the best and quickest Visa process to use for our situation?

In reality, she will need her Social Security in order to work and that should take a couple of months after she enters the US.


I don't know if that was a typo but if she enters with a CR1 visa she should have an SSN in a couple of weeks rather than months.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-08-29 13:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR-1 and not iving together...
Those are just examples of evidence you might provide, not a list of what you need to provide. We did exactly what you are proposing (see my signature). When we filed we had only been married for a month or so and we had not lived together so all we were able to send was three affidavits from people who knew us as a couple. We were approved with no problems. The UK is considered a low fraud country so the evidence requirement is much lighter than for certain other countries.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-08-28 18:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhat to Bring to Interview
I took two folders: one contained copies of all the documents we had sent to NVC (including extra photographs) and the other contained relationship evidence. I didn't get either of them out of my bag! All I needed was my interview letter and passport. I'm not suggesting you go with nothing but there is no need to be too concerned about it. When you receive your interview date they will send a checklist saying what is needed, what had already been provided etc

Visa Interview Requirements
Cxxxxxxx Exxxxxxxx Wxxxxxx must bring the following to the visa interview:
* Any original documents that were requested by the NVC but were not submitted
to the NVC
* The medical examination results if not submitted to the Embassy/Consulate by
the physician
* The correct size and number of photographs
* Valid passport for all traveling applicants
The following table lists the documents requested by the NVC and whether or not the NVC received them. Please note that even though the applicant may have provided the NVC with a copy of a document, the applicant is still required to bring the original document to the visa interview.
Document Name
CORRESPONDENCE INSTRUCTIONS C
1 - IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION PART 1 Y
1 - IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION PART 2 Y
2 - PASSPORT Y
3 - BIRTH CERTIFICATE O
4 - ADOPTION F
5 - MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE O
6 - MARRIAGE TERMINATION O
7 - COURT RECORDS F
F - FINANCIAL EVIDENCE Y
8 - CUSTODY PAPERS F
9 - MILITARY RECORDS F
10 - GREAT BRITAIN/NORTHERN IRELAND POLICE CERT. O
FEE PAYMENT $
PHOTOGRAPH Y
F - PETITIONER MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE F
F - PETITIONER BIRTH CERTIFICATE F

Document Status Description

?A = Applicant must acquire this document and present it at the time of the interview.
C = Direct inquiries to your consulate / embassy
D = Certified document received
F = This form is not necessary for this application.
I = The required form is incomplete. Please ensure that a complete form is presented at the interview.
O = The original document has been received and accepted as meeting post requirements.
P = The police certificate must be requested by the applicant. If you have already applied for this document, no further action is required. The issuing police authority will send the police record directly to the appropriate US Embassy to have on hand at the time of the interview.
R = The electronic DS-260 form has been submitted and reviewed.
S = Scanned document received. The original document must be presented at the time of the interview.
T = An acceptable document has been received, but a translation is required as the
submitted document is not in English or the official language of the processing post.
The applicant must present a certified translation at the time of the interview.
U = The applicant has informed the NVC that the required document is unavailable.
X = The required document is unobtainable for this country per the Foreign Affairs Manual.
Y = The required document has been received.
$ = Payment received.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-09-05 09:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurescopy documents
You'll be fine. If by chance they were to mislay the form they would ask you for another one. VJ advice is to keep a copy of everything because if you had a copy it would be easier to resend; in your case you would just have to fill another one out.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-09-14 09:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFeeling naked before interview
My interview was painless. I was asked the date of my wedding several times and I was questioned about my last entry to the US when I was taken into secondary. I think she thought that I had not been allowed in and so was confused about how I managed to get married in Georgia a month later. But apart from that there really were no questions. You will be fine.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-09-17 19:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFeeling naked before interview
I took copies of everything and a stack of relationship evidence 'just in case', but I didn't need any of it. The checklist that came with your interview letter should confirm that you have provided NVC with everything that was required.

Good luck.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-09-17 10:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNewbie....

Hi Cathy, Congratulations on finally being with your husband. It sure does help to hear positive stories like yours. We are 3 months in after submitting our I-130...do you think I'm being too hopeful in thinking there is a chance I can move around Christmas? lol


Nothing wrong with being hopeful. If you were to get your NOA2 today it would probably take a week or so before your file got to NVC and then around three weeks going through NVC. Of course that is assuming both NVC and USCIS are working at top speed - I don't know where they are at the moment because they seem to constantly speed up one minute and then slow down the next. You can see from my signature how long things were taking this time least year and we were ready to jump as soon as we could at every stage.

Once your interview is scheduled you could contact the Embassy to see if an earlier one were possible.

If you haven't already I would take a look at this thread; it will give you a feel for what is happening at NVC currently and Saylin's guides are very helful:

http://www.visajourn...september-2012/

Good luck.

Edited by cathy2904, 10 September 2012 - 12:07 PM.

cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-09-10 12:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNewbie....
I feel your pain - we went through the exact same thing last year. It seemed to take forever but we were actually pretty lucky and got through the whole process in 7 1/2 months. I have been here for nine months and that long wait and the separation is now just a distant memory!

Congratulations on your marriage and best wishes for a swift journey.

Cathy
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-09-10 10:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHusband got his visa, now a quesiton!

Thank you for your reply, it is appreciated!

The thing in his visa that says, "upon endorsement serves as a temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residence for 1 year" is what confused me and I wanted to ask if i had to do something about his visa.


As iwaiting said, that just means that they will stamp (endorse) his passport and that endorsement will act as a temporary green card for up to a year while you wait for the actual green card to arrive in the mail. It should only take a few weeks.

As you have been married for more than two years he will have an IR1 visa and will not have to remove conditions later.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-09-19 15:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFILLING I -130 as LPR vs USC @ Case will be upgrade but ......

I am so worried too how comes they did not tell us this? We got thee upgrade letter n thee service request letter also but nothing about pd changing n that means I would have to wait til june omg my pd is august 2011


When did you upgrade?
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-03-31 11:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFILLING I -130 as LPR vs USC @ Case will be upgrade but ......
All I can tell you is that I have had a number of conversations with people on this site regarding upgrading the petition and this is the first time I have heard of a PD being reset. Of course, navchusu11 may be right and the rules may have changed in the last few months. Let's hope not. I checked the guide on the USCIS site: http://www.uscis.gov...ources/B1en.pdf and that has not changed (although I am aware that that doesn't necessarily mean a thing. :whistle: )

Edited by cathy2904, 30 March 2012 - 01:07 PM.

cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-03-30 13:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFILLING I -130 as LPR vs USC @ Case will be upgrade but ......

Cathy - Thanks for the advise and adding me as friend . Is it possible to message eachother on or off the forum as there are more questions you could answer for us
Sorry to hijack this post


I have sent you a private message. If you did not get that you can email me via the link on my profile.


I can't tell what you have to do as we two ( I & cathy) have totally different experience. the only thing I can tell you is my situation is latest. rules might be changed in between. at the same time, I mentined that it is as of March 29, 2012. It might be totally differnt, I mean processing time frame, when cathy filled his I-130 as LPR. for me it took only 3 months to get my citizen vs almost 5 months for Cathy. I updated my timeline but sorry I dont know where I have to check the option to show my timeline underneath my post.here is my journey


You are right, no two cases are ever exactly the same. I do know of several other people on here who had similar experiences to us once they became USCs. And the policy may have changed as you say. It seems to me, like so much with USCIS, that you will often get a different response depending on who you speak to. And perhaps it depends exactly where in the process you are.

As far as the time that the Naturalization process takes is concerned, I think that will often depend on how busy the local office is. Trevor had his biometrics down within a month but there was a long wait for his interview. He was lucky enough to be able to get a same day oath ceremony.

If you want to show your timeline underneath your posts, you need to add it to your 'signature':-
select the arrow next to your username in the top right hand corner of the page - Choose My Profile - Edit My Profile - Change Signature

Edited by cathy2904, 30 March 2012 - 12:16 PM.

cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-03-30 12:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFILLING I -130 as LPR vs USC @ Case will be upgrade but ......

CATHY- Congratulations to both of you
We are just about to embark on the same visa journey after 5 years of LPR limbo. I will apply for USC this month and then for I-130 for my wife. We were married in 2007 in UK, can we also apply for I-130 immediately after my N400 application as you did, or do I have to wait until it is granted and I am a USC?


Thank you.

No, I would recommend that you file the I-130 as soon as it is ready. Then, when you are a USC call USCIS, ask to speak to a Tier 2 operator and ask them to upgrade your petition to that of USC. In our case that call prompted an RFE for the Naturalization certificate and, as you can see from my signature the NOA2 followed on pretty soon after that. I believe that is because we were already pretty near the top of the pile at that point but it meant that both processes could run in parallel and probably saved us a few months.

Good luck to you both. It will seem like forever while you are going through it but once it is all over you will forget all about the waiting.

Edited by cathy2904, 29 March 2012 - 02:26 PM.

cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-03-29 14:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFILLING I -130 as LPR vs USC @ Case will be upgrade but ......
This does not seem to have been true in our case. We filed at the end of March 2011. After we called USCIS in July to let them know that Trevor was now a USC, they sent us an RFE asking for a copy of his naturalization certificate. Our NOA2 came 5 days after they received that - less than 5 months from initial filing. See my signature for the exact timeline.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-03-29 13:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSo utterly confused with this process (I-130 approved)

Thank you :-)

I-864.. I just went through the 'payments' screens again and looked in the receipt section, and discovered 'the next steps' bit which actually says we now need to do the AoS and supporting documetns (d'oh!). Really not sure how we missed that. I won't forget the barcode cover sheet.. in fact, I am pretty certain I sent two copies of that to my wife already!

I will look at saylin's thread :-)

With regard to the IV : So basically I don't have to send off all those police stuff etc? I just need to send off the DS-230, and then when the interview happens, take all the supporting stuff with me? (i.e. police check etc.). So I don't need to send the police check, but take it in?


No, you do have to send all the original civil documents and the Police Certificate to NVC. They should return them to you at the interview but tNVC has to 'pass' the package before they close your case and assign an interview date. If you fail to send something they may just ask you to bring it to the interview but it is more likely that they will send you an RFE.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-09-27 22:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSo utterly confused with this process (I-130 approved)
You need Saylin! ;)

Join her thread: http://www.visajourn...september-2012/

You can send the AOS packet (the I-864 and supporting documents) now. Make sure you print off the barcoded payment receipt.

By the way, I was the beneficiary and I didn't get anything through the post at any point. I looked at the payment portal every day (multiple times a day!) - and followed Saylin's guides and advice of course.

Good luck - not long now.

PS IV stands for Interview - it's all the forms and civil documents.

Edited by cathy2904, 27 September 2012 - 06:20 PM.

cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-09-27 18:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview on the 11th question about docs
You won't need it. I know that you are the USC, but in England you have to surrender your marriage certificate to the court when you are divorced so I wouldn't have been able to produce mine.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-09-30 12:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresafter arriving

You have to apply for the social security number, it will not be sent out automatically!


Not true - my green card arrived automatically. I was all set to go and apply for it after about two weeks but it arrived in the post just over a week after my POE.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-10-16 23:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPregant after filing I-130 from abroad concerned about timing

Nevermind, I see that it's the Missouri Service Center. That isn't even listed as an option to check processing times at the USCIS website.


From what I have seen on here recently, some petitions have been routed to MSC to help ease the workload.

Take a look at this thread: http://www.visajourn...o-missouri-nbc/
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-10-31 12:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPregant after filing I-130 from abroad concerned about timing

My husband, who is a British citizen, and I (American citizen) got married in the US on July 7, 2012. We both reside in Madrid, Spain. I mailed his I-130 to the Chicago Lockbox in September and received our NOA1 on October 10, 2012. We have not yet received an NOA2 and have no idea what processing center we will be assigned to (but my permanant US address is in Texas).


The receipt number on your NOA1 will tell you which service centre you are assigned to: WAC is California and EAC is Vermont.

The others are right in that he will have 6 months from the date of the medical in which to enter but there are also plenty of opportunities to slow down the process on the way to the interview if you need to.

Congratulations and good luck.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-10-31 10:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresApplication for I-130
It always says 5 months! That is their goal. From what I have read on here recently California seems to be a bit quicker than that at the moment and Vermont is slower. If you click on your timeline and edit that to show your NOA1 date and your Service Center it will give you an approximate date for your NOA2, based on the data entered by other VJ members.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-09-26 14:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresApplication for I-130

Hi Cathy,

First of all thanks a lot and can I contact you again you if I need your help in future :)


Of course.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-09-26 13:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresApplication for I-130
The I-797C is what we call the NOA1 (Notice of Action) on VJ. The case number on it will tell you which Service Center your petition has been sent to for processing. If it starts EAC then it has gone to Vermont (VSC), WAC is California (CSC). With that information you can edit your timeline and get an estimate of when you will receive approval (your NOA2). For now, you just have to wait.

Good luck.

Edited by cathy2904, 26 September 2012 - 01:26 PM.

cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-09-26 13:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSpouse visa process

Thank you Cathy, your a legend :)


You're welcome. Good luck.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-11-26 17:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSpouse visa process
No, but as has been mentioned the K3 visa is to all intents and purposes obsolete anyway; it used to be faster than the CR-1 spousal visa but no longer, and is administratively closed at NVC stage, and you cannot use it to stay in the USA during the process.

Edited by cathy2904, 26 November 2012 - 04:29 PM.

cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-11-26 16:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSpouse visa process
Yes, get married and file for the CR1 visa in London. You can travel to visit but you will not be able to move to the US until your visa is approved. If you do go to visit you will need to take evidence of strong ties to the UK as the fact that you are married to a USC will make it appear likely to CBP that you will stay.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-11-26 16:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSpouse visa process

YOu can;t do the K1 as you are already married.


Apparently not, OP is considering which route to take: http://www.visajourn..._1#entry5841907

Edited by cathy2904, 26 November 2012 - 04:02 PM.

cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-11-26 16:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSpouse visa process
I think most people will tell you that as you are currently living together in the UK you are fortunate to be eligible for DCF so you should get married and go that route. Forget the K3, it is obsolete.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-11-26 15:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSpouse visa process
Are you married yet or not? Your other post suggests that you are already married and you also call her your wife in this post. If you are married you obviously cannot do the K1 as that is a fiancé visa. If you are married then do DCF as advised in your other thread.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-11-26 15:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSpouse visa process
If you had gone through the K1 route you would have moved to the US once the visa was issued but you would not have received an immediate green card. You would have first had to get married and then apply for Adjustment of Status (AOS) - more paperwork, more waiting and more fees. At the same time as filing the AOS you would have applied for your Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) which usually takes a couple of months to arrive. So it would have been a few months at least before you would have been able to work.

As you are both living in the UK and therefore eligible to use DCF, you will probably find the process is quicker than either the K1 or the IR1/CR1 that you would have filed if the petitioner had been living in the US and the beneficiary overseas. The K3 is effectively obsolete these days - it was used when spouse visas were taking a very long time to be processed as a way of reuniting families more quickly. Whether you were married in the UK or the US is irrelevant at this point as far as I can see.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-11-26 15:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR-I visa app question
We had ours notarized but only because we happen to know someone who could do it.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-12-04 14:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR-I visa app question
We were in the same position as you and had none of the evidence listed on the I-130 instructions. Apart from the civil documents required, we just sent in three affidavits from friends - nothing else - and our petition was approved with no RFE for evidence. While we waited for the interview stage we worked on gathering other evidence although none of it was required by the London Embassy.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-11-29 12:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurestraveling while waiting...
You can file now and he can still travel to visit but he will need to show strong ties to the UK. Things like a letter from his employer, rental agreement, return ticket etc. in the eyes of CBP,having a USC spouse makes it more likely that he will not leave if they admit him as a visitor.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-12-04 14:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMarrying in May!
I agree with the other posters. There is nothing wrong with going to the USA to get married, so long as you return afterwards.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-01-20 17:43:00