ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPreparing for NVC While waiting for noa2

In IR-1/CR1 Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports, go to the post May 2012 NVC filers and read the very first post. That'll help you.


:thumbs: :thumbs:

http://www.visajourn...ilers-may-2012/
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-05-21 13:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC and payments
Unfortunately NVC does not accept credit or debit cards.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-05-27 17:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 Proof of Bona Fide Marriage??
http://www.uscis.gov...0000ecd190aRCRD

They don't want you to use staples but there is actually no problem with paper clips - "use ACCO fasteners or heavy clips".

As I said, they will take it apart anyway and order it the way they want it.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-05-24 18:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 Proof of Bona Fide Marriage??
I don't think that is necessary but if it gives you peace of mind then by all means do so.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-05-23 17:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 Proof of Bona Fide Marriage??
Not exactly sure what you mean by proof of legal name change. If you mean to your husband's surname then it would be your marriage certificate.

As for the organization - maybe just group documents together with paperclips and write a list of what is included on the cover letter. They will take it all apart and organize it the way they want it so no point in doing anything too fancy.

Edited by cathy2904, 23 May 2012 - 10:26 AM.

cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-05-23 10:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 Proof of Bona Fide Marriage??
I don't think so. We were worried that ours were only from friends and not family!
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-05-21 20:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 Proof of Bona Fide Marriage??
It looks fine to me. Ours were much shorter but I think having one from your mum is good.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-05-21 19:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 Proof of Bona Fide Marriage??
Ooh, I don't know about that but generally it seems to be copies to USCIS and originals/certified copies to NVC later on. If you have or can get a spare certified copy then you could send that to be on the safe side I guess.

Edited by cathy2904, 21 May 2012 - 06:29 PM.

cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-05-21 18:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 Proof of Bona Fide Marriage??
We didn't send any photographs - we had a courthouse wedding and Trevor's daughter was the only person there, so she was behind the camera!

Just get two or three affidavits from people who know you as a couple. I don't think it matters if they witnessed your marriage or not. The affidavits were the only bits of evidence of the relationship that we sent. We had nothing else. We collected more for the interview but being London, it wasn't asked for or looked at.

Your parents can write the cheque/check. ;)

Edited by cathy2904, 21 May 2012 - 08:53 AM.

cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-05-21 08:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 Proof of Bona Fide Marriage??
We were in exactly the same position as you. We just sent three affidavits: one from a female friend who has shared all Trevor's sob stories while we have been apart (nice and gushing), another from a male friend (quite matter of fact) and the third from another friend who had also happened to be Trevor's boss at one point (fairly formal). I have attached that one. We wrote them all and just asked our friends to edit them as they felt appropriate and then sign them. Let me know if you would like to see any of the wording of the other two.

Attached Files


Edited by cathy2904, 19 May 2012 - 03:02 PM.

cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-05-19 15:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAssembling AOS package
have you tried asking your question in this thread?

http://www.visajourn...ilers-may-2012/

Its contributors will all be pretty much at the same stage as you.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-05-30 10:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview Questions
We were married just a few weeks before we filed. My husband's daughter was the only person there and we did not send in any photos with our application. In fact, the only evidence we sent was three affidavits from people who knew us as a couple.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-06-07 17:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTotal costs for Spouse visa

thanks for the info. Do you have a list of the immunisations that are required?


They are here. http://photos.state....accinechart.pdf

Varicella (chicken pox) is not available in the UK so you just have to tell them you have had it and they will check it off.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-06-17 20:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTotal costs for Spouse visa
Here is the link to the information for the London medical. http://london.usemba...xamination.html

It is performed by a clinic called Knightsbridge doctors and they have two offices in central London. Generally it involves a blood test, chest x-ray, a quick physical examination which seemed to be mainly a check for lumps and bumps (but bizarrely includes a quick peek to check you are the gender you claim to be!) and a questionnaire. As I mentioned, you can also get them to give you vaccinations but they will charge over the odds.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-06-15 16:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTotal costs for Spouse visa

OP was asking about the NVC stage of the process. medical is at the consulate stage


To be fair, the OP was asking about cost for 'each stage'. The Consulate stage is one of those.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-06-15 14:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTotal costs for Spouse visa
The London medical currently costs £227. You will have to pay for any vaccinations you have done at the clinic so I recommend checking what you need and getting them done at your GP's surgery. They will be much cheaper there, if not free.

Once your visa is approved you will have to pay approximately £15 to have it returned by courier. You pay that on the day of the interview.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-06-15 13:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAffidavits examples
Have a look at this thread: http://www.visajourn...-fide-marriage/

My post is number 13 and outlines what ours were like and I have attached one of them.

Good luck.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-06-19 18:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresJust sent off I-130
The Police Certificate is valid for a year so you should be ok to start ordering that now.

I don't know much about the DCF process so others may step in and correct me, but normally you can't do anything about the medical until you have been assigned a new case number - it will start with LND (for London). Normally that is done by NVC but as you are DCF I guess it will be the Embassy, once your I-130 is approved. What you can do for sure is check the vaccination requirements and if you need any then you could get your GP to do them. That will probably save you time and money later.

http://photos.state....accinechart.pdf

The DS230 will also have to be submitted to the Embassy so you probably have a while yet before that is needed, although there is no harm in practising filling it out.

Edited by cathy2904, 09 July 2012 - 10:57 AM.

cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-07-09 10:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresjoint account

You can add to an account while not being present. Some banks will allow, some will not allow.


Agreed. Bank of America added me before I was resident.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-07-05 10:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPlease I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed
I don't know if you are able to file DCF from Israel - it depends if there is a local field office. If not, it seems that those USCs who reside abroad and use their overseas address on the paperwork are finding that their cases are being auto-expedited. Take a look at this thread:

http://www.visajourn...-living-abroad/
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-07-15 09:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAfter DS-230 Submitted ?
You're welcome and apologies for the typos. I am on my computer now so in case you haven't already found it, here is the link:

http://photos.state....18a_medical.pdf
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-07-15 13:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAfter DS-230 Submitted ?
Apologies in advance. I am on my phone so I can't include any links at the moment.

When your case is complete at NVC you will receive an email from them with an interview date. Mine took 4 days from CC but it can be longer. The email will contain a checklist if which documents you have already supplied, which are not neded and which you should take to the interview. You shouldn't need anything at the interview that you have already sent to NVC.

Generally Lindon does not ask to see anything.

The medical can be booked as soon as you have an LND case number so I would get on to that if I were you. As far as I remember the email did not contain any instructions but I had already had mine so I may have glossed over it. There is a link in the Embassy website - when I need to find it I just Google 'London Embassy Medical'.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-07-15 08:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 copies or original documents?

Thanks Cathy........a question,do the butterflies and nerves about the whole process ever subside????? :wacko:


Ha ha, probably not. You will read on here time and again how London does not require any evidence at the interview but you will still take a pile of the stuff. And I'm already anxious about the ROC stage, even though we have more than a year to go before we can even file!

Good luck - it will all be worth it. I hope you have a wonderful wedding day.

Edited by cathy2904, 19 July 2012 - 11:39 AM.

cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-07-19 11:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 copies or original documents?

Thanks for the reply Ryan,so we're ok with copies. :thumbs:


Yes, you will need to send the original to NVC during the next stage of the process.
cathy2904FemaleUnited Kingdom2012-07-18 17:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDelay in upgrading petition from F2A
Cali,
At 4:10, the petition was upgraded! See below. I am so excited for my friend & her hubby. Thanks for responding. I guess persistence paid off.

Dear Sir/Madam:

Your inquiry has been received at the National Visa Center (NVC).

We received the petitioner's proof of citizenship and upgraded the visa classification of your petition. Please see the new visa classification below.

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) does not allow derivative status to family members of immediate relatives. IR1, CR1, CR2, IR2, and IR5 classifications are immediate relative visa categories. This means that a spouse, unmarried child under the age of 21 and a parent of a U.S. citizen require their own individual petition in order to immigrate to the U.S.



Case Number: XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Petitioner's Name: XXXXXX,XXXXXXXX
Principal Applicant's Name: XXXXXX,XXXXXXXXX
Preference Category: F2A
Your Priority Date: 15Mar2010
Foreign State Chargeability: JAMAICA
U.S. EMBASSY
142, OLD HOPE ROAD
KINGSTON 6
JAMAICA, W.I.


Sincerely,
Annie
National Visa Center
Written Inquiry Unit
Serco Inc, Support Contractor
NVCInquiry@state.gov

This email is Sensitive but Unclassified based on the definitions provided in 12 FAM 540.
Any information in this transmission pertaining to the issuance or refusal of visas or permits to enter the United States shall be considered confidential under Section 222(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) [8 US C. Section 1202]. Access to and use of such information must be solely for the formulation, amendment, administration, or enforcement of the immigration, nationality, and other laws of the United States under INA 222(f) and as specified in FAM guidance. If you have received such information in error, do not review, retransmit, disclose, disseminate, use, or take any action in reliance upon this information, and contact the sender as soon as possible.
Black VelvetFemale02011-08-16 21:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDelay in upgrading petition from F2A

Yes, I've tried a few times and recieved a standard response: "We have 20 days for reply..." .I've sent the mail and e-mail with the naturalization certificate and I-797 notice of approval and nothing.
There will be exactly 20 days on Friday so I'm waiting...


I guess you can request to speak to a supervisor (Monday, August 22nd). Hopefully, your case will be upgraded by then. Please keep me posted. I saw that another VJ member has his case upgraded in just 4 business days.
Black VelvetFemale02011-08-16 12:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDelay in upgrading petition from F2A

Hi All,

I have the same situation. We sent our packet to upgrade a case on July 20th, NVC received it on July 25th and still no response. It's almost 20 business days.


Wow! Have you tried to call the NVC? I just don't understand what takes so long, especially if a copy of the naturalization certificate was included.
Black VelvetFemale02011-08-16 12:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDelay in upgrading petition from F2A

It takes what it takes--rarely the full 20 business days, but that is their standard response since it gives them some breathing room to complete things.


Magical, Thanks for the response. The NVC operator advised her that today is only Day #9. Hopefully, her request will be fulfilled in 11 business days of less. :blink:
Black VelvetFemale02011-08-16 10:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDelay in upgrading petition from F2A
On August 1st, my friend became a US citizen. She sent numerous e-mails to the NVC. In addition, she overnighted a letter to request that her petition be upgraded (F2A to IR-1). She also attached a copy of her naturalization certificate. When she called, the NVC rep stated that it takes 20 business days. Here is the standard e-mail response.

Dear Madam:

Your inquiry has been received at the National Visa Center (NVC).

The correspondence submitted is currently under review. An appropriate action will be taken once this review is completed.

Case Number: KNG2010XXXXXX
Petitioner's Name: XXXX, XXXXXXX
Principal Applicant's Name: XXXXXX,XXXXXX
Preference Category: F2A
Your Priority Date: 15Mar2010
Foreign State Chargeability: JAMAICA
U.S. EMBASSY
142, OLD HOPE ROAD
KINGSTON 6
JAMAICA, W.I.
Sincerely,

National Visa Center
Written Inquiry Unit
Serco Inc.
Support Contractor
NVCInquiry@state.gov

Does it really take 20 business days to upgrade? What should she write as the e-mail subject. She has been putting her case # in the subject area.
Black VelvetFemale02011-08-16 10:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCo Sponsor Question
No, the co sponsor does not have to be a relative. The person must be a US citizen or permanent resident. He/she has to meet the income guidelines. See the link below.

http://www.uscis.gov...form/i-864p.pdf
Black VelvetFemale02011-08-23 09:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 VISA Interview today - APPROVED !!!!
Congratulations!
Black VelvetFemale02011-07-26 13:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresupgrade i 130 from f2a to cr1

so u mean that i will get the upgrade information till i get noa2? omg. its really a long long time/
however, i have some friends who had the similar situation with me , their case was successfully upgraded within one month after they informed uscis


My friend had the same problem. She sent the NVC a copy of her naturalization certificate (3 Aug). Her petition was upgraded from F2A to IR-1 on 18 Aug. I would suggest that you scan your naturalization certificate and send an e-mail to nvcinquiry@state.gov. Here is a sample that I sent on my friend's behalf-

NVC Case#: KNGXXXXXXXXX
USCIS Receipt#: WAC-10-XXX-XXXXX
Petitioner's Name: XXXXXXXXX
Petitioner's Date of Birth: XXXXXXXXX
Beneficiary's Name: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Beneficiary's Date of Birth: XXXXXXXXXXX
Dear NVC Representative:
My case was completed on December 16, 2010. At the time of application, I was a legal permanent resident (LPR). On Monday, August 1, 2011, I became a US citizen (Atlanta, Georgia). Attached is a copy of my naturalization certificate. Please upgrade my husband's case from F2A to IR-1. Please schedule my husband's interview (Kingston, Jamaica) at your earliest convenience.
Regards,
XXXXXXXX
Black VelvetFemale02011-10-07 09:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC: Waiting for Case Number

welcome dinny...

it takes a few weeks sometime before you get your case mumber from NVC but once you do you will recieve the first fee bill, pay it then you send in Affidavite of support. omce they approve that you will get the bill for visa fee. pay that then you send in visa application and all they ask for.
it didnt take us long with NVC as it did with USCIS. USCIS it took us exactly 8 months from priority date.

it took us about 4 mmonths to get his interview at the embassy in cairo.

good lick.
BE PATIENT!


R your petition is citizen of us or greencard holder ?
Bob1222MaleIndia2012-05-04 06:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVisa Approved WHOO HOO!!!!!
congrats!!! :thumbs:
HaroldJucyMalePhilippines2011-09-13 23:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresGot my interview date.

get ready,have every thing you and your wife all your documents togather and other papers,study the date birthdays of each other, date of marriage,your job her job when the io questions you both should have the same answers,relationship,congratulations on your noa-2, good luck on your interview.

Thank you so much!!

Thank you all guys for your prayers... :thumbs:
HaroldJucyMalePhilippines2011-10-03 08:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresGot my interview date.

Congrats!! :)

Thank you! :yes:
HaroldJucyMalePhilippines2011-10-03 00:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresGot my interview date.
I got my interview date on November 3rd! Thank you so much VJ'rs, you guys such a big help in our CR1 journey. :) (F)

Goodluck to all!!!
HaroldJucyMalePhilippines2011-10-02 23:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion about retired joint sponsor

Another question I hope to get a reponse to is, my wife is pregnant. So I am concerned that maybe they will look at my income level for an addtional person now even though the baby isnt born yet. Should I worry about this?

Secondly, what if this process takes so long that she goes into labor in her country, do I need to start this process over again or can I add the baby into the processing?

Gosh this process is stressful, you always have questions and just dont know what the outcome will be. :(


I agree about the stress..... i havent even started the process yet and my stomach is in knots over all the things that could happen
erikalovescrippyFemaleUnited Kingdom2011-09-21 19:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresvisa approved in Nairobi kenya
Hello VJ members just want to thank you all for your support . My wife had her medica 08/16/2011 interview on 08/29/2011 . Interview was very easy but of course she was a bit nervous. Question asked were , how did we met, how long did i vist her while she was in Mauritius, does she have any wedding pictures , does she know my birth day and lastly where am i at this moment . POE was a breezer in ATLANTA . One question asked there only how long had we been married ? We are just waiting for her green card to show up once more thanks for all your support .
sajeed636Not TellingMauritius2011-09-15 07:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview tomorrow

Good luck indeed, as long as you have your documents the interview is very easy, you will be surprised how little they actually ask for.

Kevin



this is true. my wife just had her interview last Wednesday, Nov 2nd. they asked less than 8 questions building up to my trips there and when and where we got married. she simply showed the consul our pictures - about 12 in all, the consul looked through them and when she saw pictures of our wedding she said "congratulations, have a happy trip" and approved my wife's visa. so i think, if you applying for a CR1 or IR1 visa, and you have good collection of evidence in pictures then the interview is very easy. my two cents.
mpsmith78MalePhilippines2011-11-07 21:06:00