Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Questions about SSN with IR-1 visa	It comes AFTER her entry into the USA... they mail it a few weeks after she arrives... But once she arrvies, after about a week u can go to your local Social Security office and request the # and get a card produced...	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-14 22:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Urgent help... Interview next month... need to change co sponsor.	No, you should be able to substitute without an issue... just gather all the needed info...	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-15 22:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Does co-sponser has to be immediate relative?	If you have the origina BC, then it would not have been issued in the past 2 years, so NO, but yes you must send originals (or certified copies certified from the country/vital statistics) Yes, your cousin can be a co-sponsor, does not have to be related...	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-16 15:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	IR1/ K3 ?	The paperwork you are looking at is for DCF, which you indicated you are not... So your fees are paid directly to NVC, not the consulate... Take a good look at the guides here on VJ for CR/IR1, they are your friends!!! They will halp you understand the process and payments, to whom and when they are made... As far as Sachinky's case, as Pushbrk indicated, totally different ball game since the spouse was in the USA...	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-17 21:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	IR1/ K3 ?	When you process IR1, everything is paid either to USCIS (the initial $355 application fee) or NVC ($70 for AOS and $400 for IV fee), there is nothing paid at the consulate... You pay everything by check with the initial application then by electronic payment from a US bank account when at the NVC stage. Only the K3 is paid at the consulate but if you go IR1 everything but the medical (which is paid directly to the medical facility) is paid up-front... You can also do check or money order, but electronic is MUCH quicker	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-17 13:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	IR1/ K3 ?	how much it might cost for my wife side.. becouse she has just moved a new house and she might need my financial help. i know the cost for "IR1": petitioner (my wife) side I-130: 355 $ I-864: 70$ Total : 425 $ is there any fees i dont know ? or any hidden fees ? i will send the money by western union and as you know the as the amount of money is sent increase as the commission of services decrease. therefore i dont want to send money each time small amount. 500 $ will be ok for her ? thanks! You also have the fee for the IV processing; $400 Plus the medical fees (depending on the country between $150 - $250) And any DHL or documents you need to send and/or copy...	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-16 12:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	IR1/ K3 ?	Still the same visa, just start the process by filing the I-130 from the US... Then your on your way with the IR1	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-12 15:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	IR1/ K3 ?	IR1 ALL THE WAY.... DO NOT EVEN CONSIDER THE K3 at this point!!!! The 10 year GC will be granted upon entry and it takes about the same time as the K3 AND costs less!!! K3 is obsolete!!!! As far as the marriage cert. you only need to send a copy with the I-130 applicaiton... the Original (certified copy with the registrar seal) is taken to the consulate (I beleive you are DCF correct??) Do not worry about the difference, it will be fine	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-10 14:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	I-864 and Assets	if you were reading the instructions carefully and the FAM then you would know that there are some rules that the consular follows , and one of them is that the value of the assets should be able to be cash within a year and to be in the US too , so your house in italy was not an option as i know . but anyways she has no problems as her husband will be at the interview with a joint sponsor such in case good luck for both of you during your journey and may God bless us all and give us the patience that we need to complete our journey FYI, it was CASH in an Italian bank, we did not even list the apartment and they did not consider it... I know what the rules say, I am just saying that it is up to the consulate if they will consider it!!! And recently I can name 5 cases where consulate did not accept homes because of the resons listed above... So to the OP, be prepared to use the co-sponsor, that is all that I am saying... It is totally up to the consulate...	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-17 21:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	I-864 and Assets	yes that's true and the consular is the one who decides if you are financially ok or if you need to use anything else , but when you have some house then that is an asset and you can use it for sure , but the asset value should cover 3 times the difference between your income and the requirements so i am not sure if the value covers that , but anyways let you husband take the joint sponsor documents with him such in case and everything will be fine good luck Not necessarily "for sure" they have to use it or qualify it as an asset. It is totally up to the consulate if they accept it... In MANY recent cases they would not consider the house an asset because it is unlikely that you would sell your only home, the house values have plummeted and it is very difficult to sell a house witha year to convert to cash in the current economy... Another example of the autonomy of the consulate to determine what they will and will not accept, we were using assets totaling over 25 times the 125% but the assets were in Italy, the consulate refused to consider ANY assets in Italy and we had to show 3x the 125% in the USA under the USCs name, period... But you have the co-sponsor and as long as they earn enough to cover everything you should be OK...	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-17 12:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	I-864 and Assets	The letter means that the NVC does not determine if you financially qualify, they have basically red flagged it as an issue for the Consulate to take a look at. The consulate makes the final determination. I have heard of some people having problems lately using the house as assets. They are citing the recent downturn in the market, plumetted values and the difficulty of selling the primary dwelling in the current market and the actuality of someone selling their primary home to support someone.. However it is totally up to the consulate. But it is a great thing that you have all the documents to back you up with a co-sponsor. I have a feeling that you might, unfortunatly, end up having to use a co-sponsor. I know it is not the ideal situation, but it is a very good possibility that you will have to... Make sure that you send him with all the info for the co-sponsor... The consulate (based on this notification by NVC) will 100% ask about finances so he should be prepared when they do. We had the same letter and the first thing out of their mouth is that they needed more info on our assets (which we used to qualify as they did not consider the intending immigrants income, even though it was from and US company that he would work for once entering the US) Anyway, as long as you have the co-sponsor you should be OK... Not saying they will definetly not accept the house, just be prepared that they probably will not...	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-16 14:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	When does marriage become US approved	USA does not require you register anything... you just file the USCIS paperwork with your marriage documents from wherever you got married... If your married there, your married here too...	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-17 21:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Traveling to and from with spouse visa/green card	The green card is for people who want to leave their old home country and make the USA their new home country. And what a big country it is: 50 States, including Alaska and Hawaii and 300 Million people guarantee there's the right destination for everyone. I visited my old home country the last time 16 years ago and short of family emergencies and perhaps occasional vacations your husband should accept that permanent residents of the US live in the US permanently, or they will lose their status and can spend all of their time back in theit old home country again. Of course there is the situation where the intending immigrant has a job that requires them to leave the USA often. My husband has such a job and had to leave the US 4 days after POE as he had to catch a ship in Venezuela... There might be a job situation that they have to go back, or a family one theat they are tending to... Living in the USA and being chained here without ever going back to see family or travel abroad is a bit restricting don't ya think???	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-18 16:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	I864 help	First of all you fill out an 864 AND the Mom fills out an 864 Question 8 = Yes 24b = Your form you put your income... Moms form, she will put her household income 27 = N/A since no-one is filling out an 864a 28 = Moms form N/A , Your form, if you are using any income of the intending immigrant (it must be continuting when they get to the US) you would put that here, otherwise N/A	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-18 23:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	green card arrival question	You can also make a USCIS infopass appointment at your local office and see what is going on... 7 months is WAY too long!!!	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-19 17:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Mistaken about the CR1, but still confused	No it's not. It's stupid to not think about ALL your options before doing anything. that's how you get into trouble. She's done the right thing by speaking to a lawyer before they decide which route to go. Also, how are you to know whether she's been proposed to yet? The reference to "boyfriend" could be a mistype seeing it's all fresh. It could also be that before telling their friends and family they're waiting to assess their options so they can tell their friends and family they've talked about it. I know personally that I was asking "how's it going to work" by people when I told them my boyfriend was from overseas. The simple answer is we DON'T know her entire situation and are in fact advising based on information that we have, as to which visa is the best option. That MEANS discussing the CR-1 (i.e. waiting till AFTER they're married) or the K1 (i.e. BEFORE they're married). Everyone on here is "jumping the gun" to some degree, planning their lives overseas before they've moved etc but PLANNING because it's the smart way to do it so your judgement of our advice or the OP's situation is unwarranted. I know she was not even proposed to because she wrote it on page 2 in her post!!! see below: hxxr, how long before filing for the K1 did you get engaged? Did you get married in the U.S.? How was he able to come for 89 days if 90 is the cap? I want to understand what the process would be like for us on the K1. My boyfriend has actually not proposed yet! and I am all for planning ahead, except that you have to have BOTH parties privy to the planning process. And she seems to have gotten potentially harmful and at the least confusing information from a lawyer which is what brought her here in the first place.... But everybody spinning their wheels for a one sided engagement seems a bit premature to say the least. Here is some advice, perhaps the next logical step before going to an immigrantion lawyer is to discuss what the boyfriend wants to do and if it is his intention to marry/engage and start the process. Since he seems to have a good job he might have a definite opinion of this... Edited by christeen, 08 January 2010 - 08:11 PM.	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-08 20:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Mistaken about the CR1, but still confused	The whole discussion about the CR1 seems a bit premature since he has not even proposed yet!!!	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-08 19:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Evidence in Support of I-130	From Ghana I would definetly send in enough proof, things like plane tickets showing visits, e-mails, chat logs, phone records, adding to life insurance as beneficerary, Wedding photos, photos with your/his family, affadavits from family/friends who know you as a couple.. etc... Check out the link above to see ideas	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-13 13:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	NVC packet not delivered	Thank you for your reply. Not that I don't trust you but can anyone else confirm their experience on this? Sorry I am a bit Obsessive Compulsive and I need to be assured by more than one person; but seriously thank you for your reply. Whatever	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-16 15:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	NVC packet not delivered	The post office told me that they will not attempt a redelivery unless the NVC calls the post office and requests it to be redelivered. My question is does the NVC do this? Will the NVC call the post office and request redelivery? Yes, it gets re-delivered and/or picked up by NVC... same thing happened to me on a saturday	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-16 15:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	NVC packet not delivered	They will bring it Tuesday or Wednesday to NVC (monday is a holiday)...	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-16 15:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	what they really mean by I130 Processing time?	I called the USCIS and asked them this very question... they told me that the 5 month processing time for the I-130 was an average to get your NOA2 approval, but that it is not a guarentee and to call back in 5 months if I had not recieved my NOA2 by then They HAVE to tell you that, it is on their script... Go with what others here have told you as it is more accurate and truthful. The USCIS website is not updated often and your waiting will be kinda like sittin in the dark, but I would say anywhere between 2 - 4 months for the NOA2 is averge, then you are off to NVC. Yes, you can start to gather your documents as most, are valid for at least 6 months...	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-21 00:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Cost of medical exam in Ankara, Turkey!	http://turkey.usemba...quirements.html Also the $131 visa fee, that could soon be increasing. That fee is for the K visas... Not the CR1 which is what the OP is applying for to OP; as answered in your other posts, all fees are paid to NVC for CR1/IR visas, you have to pay the medical and any shipping/DHL costs... You might want to ask in the regional forum if there are any other fees for CR1/IR visas that are unique to the Consulate in Turkey...	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-18 23:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	864 vs 864a since petitioners father in same home	Do we get to spit a portion of the lawyer fees???. lol	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-22 01:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	IR 1 - CR 1	Download the forms... Do not wait by the mailbox!!!	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-22 01:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Which One I will Follow	I called them but I don't find any reliable person to answer my inquiries. If I want to talk to the immigration section no one answers but an automated message. Can you e-mail the embassy??? But if I had to make a judgment call (if you cannot get a hold of anyone) I would take the embassy's word since they are the ones doing the interviews... just my .02 cents	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-22 01:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	NVC time line,,,	Average is about 14 - 17 days with no RFE's...	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-23 13:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	ds 230 document problem or not	The case # in the corner thing is just as a precaution in case the documents gets seperated... But they accept it just the same without it...	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-23 13:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	question	In the eyes of the USA, if the marriage is legal in Belgium, then it is legal in the USA... And if you are legally married and he is a USC, then he can petition for you... Since you both live in Belgium I would file for DCF (look at the guides here on VJ) once you are ready to move to the states. He will have to take steps to establish residency here in the USA...	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-23 23:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Question about Interview docs	Thanks christeen, We do have copies(not originals) of all the original docs we submitted to NVC. However, will it be OK to request(call or email) NVC to send all original docs to consulate? Any person who had such experience with chennai consulate,India. please share your experiences. Generally, they get sent to the consulate by NVC, no special request necessary...	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-24 16:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Question about Interview docs	Usually, the consulate will have all the originals that you sent to NVC... they should send you a form once the interview is assigned and it indicates the documents that they have and ones they need... But if possible, it is always good to have another copy just in case	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-23 23:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	I-130 May 2009 filers	Since you are outside the processing time, one of the phone options is a service request...	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-20 00:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	CR1 question - special case situation	The only sticking point I see is that in order for a marriage to be considered by USCIS it must be legal AND consummated... I am not versed in any cultural exceptions, however I just bring this up as a possible issue... Perhaps someone from the regional forums have more specific info on similar cases...	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-24 23:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	VISA HAS BEEN ISSED!!!!!!!!	Big congrats!!!!	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-25 15:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	I-864 Question	Correct, they mean other people in the household... Say you are sponsoring your parents, in that case you would have to add your husband in your household... Since you are sponsoring your spouse, you do not have to list him again... Each person only ONCE!!!	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-26 16:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	NVC MISSING DOCUMENT	I see you posted the details in another thread (might wanna keep your threads together to avoid confusion)... Sorry that they mixed your stuff up... Just get them the info, correct the 230 and your back on the road again!!! Edited by christeen, 26 January 2010 - 03:37 PM.	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-26 15:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Still confused about what gets sent where..	If you are living overseas in your SO's country, are you doing DCF??? If so, you might want to post in the DCF section... That is direct consular filing... Or did you send the package from the USA???	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-27 20:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	CR1 vs. K3 & time limit to enter US following visa?	I vote for CR1, as the I-130 petition is pulled out of the line to wait for the I-129 during USCIs processing, thus causing you to lose some time... The K3's are basically obsolete visas now... and the CR1 is a FAR superior visa allowing for GC upon entry, work, drivers licence... no AOS etc...	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-28 01:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	What happens once in the U.S?	For spouse visas it is usually pretty mundane... They take immigrant to area, collect the big mystery envelope, if they have any questions about the contents they ask, many ask the address that you will be living at etc... Then you get the I551 stamp, wait about a week or two, go to the Social Security office to get SS# (it is hit or miss on the mailing of it) and wait for the GC to arrive in about 1-2 months...	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-29 22:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Get Married first then apply?	Is she is a resident (legally) in UK? Keep in mind that the CR1 is processed in the home country whereas the K3 is processed in the country where you marry...	christeen	Female	Italy	2010-01-29 22:00:00