ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAnother Case Complete - way to go NVC!
It seems as though NVC has been on a roll recently. Called the NVC today to find my case has been complete. What a hughe relief that is. I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel. Just one more big hurdel to jump and we should be on the home straight!

Good luck to other still waiting.. your time to celebrate this milestone will come soon.
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-02-21 13:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureswaitin for CR1/CR2

I have waited for over 6 months for my NOA2, USCIS has passed my date, but yet I have no idea about anything to date. They have not contacted me for anything.
Has anyone experienced this? I know of at least 3-4 people who have filed after me and have gotten their NOA2. My wife is Chinese.

I did have a K1 approved before, but she was a bogus person and left after a very short time.


Sorry to hear about your situation.

Have you tried calling the 1800 # for USCIS? Normally they provide no useful information, but it's still worth a try.

You could also try to check our case status on-line? You'll need to set up a new account with your USCIS case number if you have not done so already. The link is below. It may provide you with some additional information perhaps.

https://egov.immigra.../jsps/index.jsp

Lastly, you may want to contact your local cogressman/woman's and senator's office and ask them to inquire about your case. I've read of several success stories of people in a similar situation that have contacted thier elected officals.

Good luck
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-02-23 14:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-230 help please

I sent my I-864 to the NVC about a month ago and a couple of weeks ago I received a letter from the NVC saying they were missing the DS-230. My husband sent the DS-230 and they received it on yesterday. I checked the voice recording today and it says they have received the missing information and expect 6-8 weeks for the processing to be complete. Does anyone know if in fact it takes 6-8 weeks for them to review the DS-230 and send the information to the consulate? Does anyone also know how long it takes to get an interview? The thought of having to wait another 2 months is quite depressing, we have already been apart for 8 months. If anyone knows anything pleeeeeeeeeeeeease let me know :crying:

Pam


Pam,

It will take approx 4 weeks for the DS230 to be reviewd and approved. My DS230 was received by NVC on Jan 22 and it was approved on Feb 20th. The answer of 6-8 weeks is a standard reply by NVC.. don't read to much into it.

Good luck!
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-02-22 11:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresK3 vs CR1

I'm sure someone will sigh when reading this, but the flowcharts and numbers really are confusing to us. We know that the K3 visa interview (once scheduled) is pretty short, maybe a month. What about CR1's? Are they the same wait period when scheduled as K3's? I didn't see any info (like the K3 flowchart) here nore at the embassy site in Manila. Again only non immigrant visa info. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

Orimai


I don't believe there is much difference in scheduling the interview for either a K3 or and CR visa. I really think it's first come first serve basis at the consulate.. though I could be wrong. Some consulates are much busier than others so the wait time for an interview may be longer than at an other embassy.

What really shorten's the overall timeline is the amount of time your case is sitting at the USCIS or NVC. It used to be said that I129F were approved faster at USCIS than the I-130's.. but I think there is not much difference there. At the NVC a CR visa sits there for about 3 months before being sent to the embassy, where as with the K3 it only has a short pitstop at the NVC before being sent on to the embassy.

Good luck!
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-02-23 08:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-864

thanks guys.. i will send it in tomorrow.. i am going to use the I864EZ.. i only need 1 year tax return, right?


If you have tax returns for the other 2 years, I would send them. I know it's optional, but I'd rather provide more info than is required.. it does not hurt. It may potentially save you an RFE
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-02-23 11:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-864

hello all.. i've called NVC yesterday to check on my case and i was told that the I-864 was generated on Feb. 19 and the IV bill was generated on Feb. 12.. now i know that i cannot use Jame's shorcut on the IV bill, but i can do it on the I-864.. since the form has been generated, can i go ahead and send the one that i have already prepared to NVC?

thanks


Yes.. you should be good to go.
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-02-22 13:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresdo u have to send a PHOTO also with DS230 application?

Do I have to attach my husband's passport size photo also when I am ready to send his DS230 application,

anyone who has gone through, please let me know.

thanks


Rimash,

No you do not need to send a passport size picture. All you need is a photocopy of his passport.. the part with his picture, and the bio-graphic page.
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-02-24 20:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresOMG - Case Complete!!!

I think it's the best feeling in the world when the immigration process becomes almost predictable - and then does what you expect :)

I knew that Monday was a holiday, so the NVC voice system wouldn't update until today rather than Tuesday as usual... so I called this morning and my case was complete!!! I'm so excited :D

The way things have been working with cases going to Montreal it's actually really possible that we'll have an April interview, which I had totally given up on!! I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much, but thankfully we only have to wait a few weeks to find out.

Good luck to everyone waiting, Jame's Shortcuts DEFINITELY pay off!!


Congrats riblet.. I was kinda :angry: when I read your post, since I had sent all my doc's in before you, and when I called and talked to the NVC yesterday they said it was still being reviewed. So I called the automated message system this morning and guess what.. MY CASE WAS ALSO COMPLETE!!!! :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:
Doesn't it feel good?

Congrats again.
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-02-21 09:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresGot a Visa, what next?

OK, we got a CR-1 Visa.

She will be in the US in a couple of weeks.

What do I need to do (immigration wise) after that? Any more paperwork required to keep her here legally?

Thanks everyone!


3 months before the end of the 2 year mark, you'll need to apply for removal of conditions. The CR1 visa (green card) is conditional for 2 years, after you successfully remove the conditions your wife will get a 10 year greencard
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-02-25 22:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresJames's Shortcuts

Hey there,

I have read about Jame's shortcuts but I never fully understood what they are and what they are used for and why. Can anybody clue me in? Thanks!


Jasmin,

James shortcuts are used during your time at the NVC (National Visa Center). The shortcuts help save approx 20 days or so.

The link to Jame's shortcuts is below

http://www.visajourn...p?showtopic=117

Couple of examples of James' shortcut include

E-mailing the Choice of Agent rather than waiting for the document to be sent out.

Sending the AOS fee bill before you receive the bill itself

You should read the short cuts carefull and follow all the instructions as described.

Good luck



Thank you for your quick answer.
Is that whole thing legal, though? Generating something?


These shortcut's are not "offically recognized" by the NVC. However, in saying that, many people, including myself have used them to great effect to save significant time. The critical thing to remember is to use the shortcuts at the appropriate time - that is to say, when the NVC's automated phone system indicates that the documents have been generated and sent.. issentially all you are doing is sending the documents you create before the orignals are delivered to your house.

It's your own personal choice whether you decide to use these shortcuts or not.
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-02-26 09:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresJames's Shortcuts

Hey there,

I have read about Jame's shortcuts but I never fully understood what they are and what they are used for and why. Can anybody clue me in? Thanks!


Jasmin,

James shortcuts are used during your time at the NVC (National Visa Center). The shortcuts help save approx 20 days or so.

The link to Jame's shortcuts is below

http://www.visajourn...p?showtopic=117

Couple of examples of James' shortcut include

E-mailing the Choice of Agent rather than waiting for the document to be sent out.

Sending the AOS fee bill before you receive the bill itself

You should read the short cuts carefull and follow all the instructions as described.

Good luck
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-02-26 09:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIRS transcripts for AOS application

I am getting ready to gather docs for filing AOS application.

I already have the IRS transcripts for 2003, 2004, 2005.

Do I also need transcripts for California franchise board?

I HAVE ALL THIS:
1. employment letter
2. Salary increase letter (after I got a great review from my Boss)
2. IRS transcripts
3. W2-'s for 3 years
4. bank statements
5. savings account statement
6. i certainly meet the 125% poverty cut off

please advice??

thanks


That should be more than enough.. however you may want to add last 3 months of pay stubs as well.

Just as an FYI.. all I sent was 03/04/05 tax transcripts 03/04/05 W2's and last 3 months of paystubs.. and my AOS was approved without any issues.
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-02-26 14:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI am not able to generate the BARCODE for DS230

I have tried 10 times but its not working.....When I click on "create barcode" i reach a page and no image shows up.


Some one please help!!!!!!!


Rimash,

I'm going to send you a PM.. check it out
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-03-06 14:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR-1 application

Hello All,

Please I need help on something very basic but very confusing to me right now. To all or anyone that has already applied. Am filling out my 1-130 application right now but am confuse of what name to right for my wife as her last name here. We got married few days ago in the Philippines and on our marriage license it still reads her maiden last name. So what name do I write as her last name on this I-130 petition and on her G-325a, my last name or her maiden name? Please if anyone can help me with this small issue I would really appreciate it.


_alex


For the I-130 I wrote her married last name rather than her maiden name. In the section about any other names used, I wrote her maiden name. It's worked out fine.
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-03-06 21:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR-1 "Agent" Advice Needed For Friend...

Hi Everyone,

Good luck on your immigration journeys. Before I begin, let me say that this message thread is not about me or my situation (see my timeline for my situation). Rather, it is for a friend of my husband's and mine. I am just asking for an opinion from the rest of the VJ community about this, in hopes to share this information for this friend of ours, as he is concerned about this.

Ok, the friend's situation is (Note: He, a USC, is in the process of a CR-1 Visa, petitioning for someone in the Philippines):

“I was wondering if most people who don't have lawyers list the Petitioner's name or the Alien's for the Agent? Maybe I'd (the Petitioner) prefer to be the agent so I'd get to see all the forms (the Agent would be the Petitioner in this case) and I'd guess I'd be required or allowed to make them out then and send them to NVC (I'm guessing that is where they'd be sent and come from). I'm just assuming the forms are always sent out by NVC in Vermont and sent back to that place. If it was that I think my being the Agent would be best even if I have to send them to the Alien to ever sign (I'm not sure who signs the forms the Agent or Alien). But then it could be one extra step involved for each leg of sending and receiving forms to and from overseas. However if the Alien was listed as the Agent she'd get them directly and send them back directly without the other person involved each time. So I'm not sure what to do. Maybe it's better if I see the forms whether it takes longer or not, and whether I have to pay to send them all mail, to make sure I was aware of everything on the forms and if I could make most of them out for our case to make sure they were done right. Yet, what if the forms are sent by the Government from the overseas Manila embassy instead of NVC to whoever the Agent is? Then it would be much easier to have the Alien be the Agent if that were the case since it takes 5-30 days for most letters to go back and forth from the US to the Philippines. Any advice?”

Any ideas, comments, questions, or concerns, are apprecaited, and will be forwarded to our friend.

Thanks in advance.

Ant


I would and I think most would recommend that the USC be assigned as the Choice of Agent rather than the oversea's beneficary. It really helps from two areas.. 1) it shortens the timeline significantly with the forms being sent within the US rahter than abroad. 2) You never know what the postal system is like abroad, and the NVC sends these documents regular mail, so the chances of it being lost is increased.

Have your friend go the the NVC forum.. pinned at the top is a thread that discusses shortcuts that can be leveraged during the time at the NVC. Those short cuts will save significant time as well.

Edited by devblt, 06 March 2007 - 01:20 PM.

devbltNot TellingIndia2007-03-06 13:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCalling NVC

Just was wondering when listening to the automated info. It says the case number was assigned this day and is ########. It says please allow 6-8 weeks for agent of choice to be received. Does that mean its been created or will it say it has been created and was mailed out this date. Just anxious to get this moving along.


The automated system should say that the Choice of Agent and the Affadavid of Support have been generated and sent. It's at this time that you can e-mail the Choice of Agent, and use the short cut for the AOS fee bill.

Check out my timeline to get a better understanding of when documents are generated

Good luck.
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-03-07 13:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshubby forgot to send me a copy of I-864?

hey guys i have a bit problem actually me and my asawa.. he forgot to make a copy of I-864 for me when he sent it to NATIONAL VISA CENTER. And i am set to go on the 23rd of April for interview for cr-1. , are they going to ask for it again? I really dont know.. please someone help us....


Boo


From my understanding, the NVC will send the I-864 and supporting documents your husband submited to the NVC to the consulate. However, I heard/read, that it help to take a copy of the I-864 to the interview with UPDATED supporting documents. For example, your husband may have provided W2's and Tax transcripts for 03/04/05.. however, since your interview is in April, he will need to provide 06 W2's and tax returns.. and the most recent paystubs, etc

You can have your husband fill out a new I-864, and then have him update all the supporting documents.

Good luck.
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-03-07 14:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI - 864 Affidavit of Support for interview
I would encourage you to have your wife take the AOS form with her along with all the supporting documents, and updated supporting documents. For example, your 06 W2's and tax return, and the most recent last 3 months of paystubs.. an updated bank statement or letter of employment if you had orignally submited that.

I just received the letter from the NVC confirming they had sent my wife's case to the consulate. On that letter, it clearly stated that my wife should bring an UPDATED AOS and supporting documents.

Good luck.
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-03-08 15:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNeed Advice Please!!!!

If you send an Inquiry to NVC:


To reach the National Visa Center (Immigrant visa inquiries)
call: 603-334-0700
or email: NVCINQUIRY@state.gov.
Place your Case Number in the Subject Line
In the area where you write your message or question to them, make sure to include your significant others
name
birthdate

To track your parcel to USPS
go to http://www.usps.com
at the top right of the web site you will see a TRACK & CONFIRM prompt in the dark red head line.
click on track & confirm
now you will see a box asking for the label/receipt number from the mail you sent.
type in the number and click GO
It will tell you when it was received and the three letters of the person who received it.
Hope that helps.



As the others said , if you really did send it to the correct address then you will be fine. if you sent it over night Express, then if you go to their web site, it will show the 3 initials of the person who accepted it at NVC. Just go to tracking, and type in your number from the express slip, and it will display the delivery message and you will know it was received.
If you call NVC, it usually says it will take so many weeks...blah..blah..blah
But it only takes up to 2 weeks in this case for that step,usually less. So be patient,which lord only knows no one will ever be on this site,including me, and check the USPS web site to help rid your self of the delivery worry.
Hope that helps resolve your worries a little bit. The days will pass like years, and gray hairs start to replace the youthful ones. But the day of holding our loved one will one day come, just think Spring, warmth, and how nice it will be to be in their arms by summer.
Good Luck...
Randy


Randy,
Thank you for the info. I truly appreciate everyone's input here at VJ. What is the email address for NVC? I did send the package to the correct address, I just worded it incorrectly when I requested help.

Mari


Good Morning Randy, :)

Thank you so much for the information! I did trace it and found out it was received! Would it be safe to go ahead and mail out the package or should I just wait until I get the letter from them?

Mari


You need to wait a little longer until the NVC tells you that the AOS package has been generated and sent to you. If you send it before then, NVC may not process it.
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-03-14 09:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNeed Advice Please!!!!
That's interesting because I was instructed to send the bill payments to:
National Visa Center
P.O. Box 790135
St. Louis, MO 63179-0135

At least that's what's in James shortcuts and the envelop that I received.
[/quote]

beameup,

Yes, you are right.. don't know what i was thinking when I send the payments need to be sent to NH. Apologies for the misinformation.
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-03-14 07:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNeed Advice Please!!!!

Hi All, :help:

I hope someone can give me some advice and tell me how to handle this problem.
I mailed out my AOS bill fee last week on Thursday overnight via USPS. As of this morning, VSC is telling me that they
do not show it in their system and it may take anywhere from 20-25 days before it is process. I have my I864 package ready to ship it to them. Can I go ahead and mail the package or do I have to wait until I hear from the representative that they have receive my payment? I feel that I'm so close to finalizing all and getting ready for the interview, and yet so far from getting all this ordeal behind me.

Please advice and good luck to everyone! :)
Mari


Mari,

Where did you send the AOS fee bill? You state VSC (Vermont Service Center).. is that a mistake on your part? The AOS fee bill should have been sent to NVC (National Visa Center - New Hampshire)

If it is a typing mistake on your part.. then fair enough.. if you really did send it to Vermont Service Center.. you sent it to the wrong address. If you really did send it to NVC.. then do not worry about what they said.. check next week on the status.

Hi devblt
I sent it NVC - New Hampshire. I'm just a little concern that they haven't post it when I see other people timeline and see that they usually received it the following day and they're working on sending out their next package. I guess I'm just trying to get this all done asap. My husband is going thru a depression stage and its starting to concern me, so I'm trying to see if I can move along as quickly as I can. That's why I ask what I ask. Thank you for your response.


Mari,

If you look at my signature below, you'll notice it took approx 13 days from the time that I sent my AOS fee bill before the AOS application was generated.. don't worry..
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-03-13 13:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNeed Advice Please!!!!

Hi All, :help:

I hope someone can give me some advice and tell me how to handle this problem.
I mailed out my AOS bill fee last week on Thursday overnight via USPS. As of this morning, VSC is telling me that they
do not show it in their system and it may take anywhere from 20-25 days before it is process. I have my I864 package ready to ship it to them. Can I go ahead and mail the package or do I have to wait until I hear from the representative that they have receive my payment? I feel that I'm so close to finalizing all and getting ready for the interview, and yet so far from getting all this ordeal behind me.

Please advice and good luck to everyone! :)
Mari


Mari,

Where did you send the AOS fee bill? You state VSC (Vermont Service Center).. is that a mistake on your part? The AOS fee bill should have been sent to NVC (National Visa Center - New Hampshire)

If it is a typing mistake on your part.. then fair enough.. if you really did send it to Vermont Service Center.. you sent it to the wrong address. If you really did send it to NVC.. then do not worry about what they said.. check next week on the status.
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-03-13 10:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI am the choice of agent....
It better for you to stay the choice of agent since the NVC will send the documents by regular mail - the chance of it getting lost going internationally is much greater. Also, by you being the choice of agent, it saves a ton of time - it will take up to 10 days for you to receive the documents from NVC as opposed to 20 days going to an international destination.

With the documents that the beneficiary (alien husband in this case) has to sign, you should prepare those documents well ahead of time, and get him to send it back to you. So when the NVC sends you the documents, you have everything ready to send out.

Trust me, don't stress out with the fact that you are the choice of agent. Be greatful. Many people who make the mistake of keeping the beneficiary as the choice of agent have had almost 2 more months added to their overall timeline because of it.

Good luck.
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-03-15 16:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurescan the agent be the petitioner?

Hi again,

I have another quick question: can the petitioner (in this case my USC husband) be the agent of choice? On the Department of State webpage it says that the agent can be the applicant (me) but I do not live in the US yet, whereas my husband has still an address there...

Thanks


Coco&Kitten,

Can you clarify if your husband (USC) currently resides in the USA? You state that your "husband still has an address there" not sure if that means he is currently in the USA or if he is living with you outside of the USA. The reason for this clarification is important, since if you assign your husband the Choice of Agent with his USA address, the NVC will send the documents to that address, and if he does not currently live there it'll make this difficult for you to get a hold of those documents. If he is living abroad with you, it may just make sense for you to assign yourself as the choice of agent. If he is living in the USA, then by all means assign your husband as the choice of agent.
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-03-20 08:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-864 & James' shortcut Question

For those who Sent the AOS using jame's shortcuton is did you fill out the form on the PC and or did you Print it and the filled out by PEN. I wanted to type in the Answers On a PC and then print and sign. Thgank you


Either is fine. I did mine on the PC and printed it off.
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-03-21 11:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureswhat are cases uscis is processing now in VERMONT CENTER?

I believe they are just showing the 6 month date of their maximum processing goal... if you want to get a more realistic idea of how long things are taking check out the timelines on this site.


Hey Riblet,

Congrats on your interview date. I was hoping we'd get an interview date in April, but that has not been the case.
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-03-22 15:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPriority Date

I received a letter today from NVC stating that they have completed processing our case and forwarded our file to the US embassy in Moscow. They state "Note that certain visa categtories will not be scheduled for an interview until the case's priority date is eligble." The priority date given is March 16, 2006. My wife will get a CR1 visa.

Can somebody explain how this priority date works? I did a search of the postings and nothing came up.

Thanks,

Bob


Priority dates are given to family based immigration visas. Typically immigration visas for spouses are not constrained by priority dates. Visa's for siblings/parents/or Children over the age of 21 are given a priority date based on the number of visas that are available for any given country.

I hope I have explained this correctly. Regardless, I know for sure that a spousal visa is not restricted by the priority date so you shound be fine. You should get out the NVC website for more details on the priority dates.

Good luck.
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-04-02 16:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresmumbai consulate

How efficient/timely is the mumbai consulate with processing the I130 before an interview is granted ?

my wife's file will go there in the future (near future i hope)...

please share your experiences with this consulate?

thanks all


My wife is going for a CR1 interview at the Mumbai consulate. Our case was sent to Mumbai from NVC around 3rd of March. Her interview is scheduled for May 4th. So it takes approx 2 months (for a CR/IR application) from when Mumbai gets the case.

For K1's and K3's I'm not sure how long it would take.

Good luck.
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-04-04 10:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresOMG OMG!!!!!!!

So I'm here trying to get my 3 month year old niece to go to bed. Then my cell phone went off b/c I recv'd a message to check my hotmail acct. I first didn't move but when I looked at my phone it said CRIS...I talking screaming and my sister first asked me what was wrong. I said I just got approved. She was like "hold on" first check the email so I did. I gave her the baby and rushed over and guess what............................

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL ***

The last processing action taken on your case

Receipt Number: WAC07xxxxxxxx

Application Type: I130 , IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN

Current Status: Approval notice sent.

On April 3, 2007, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I130
IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN. Please follow any
instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call
customer service.

If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status
results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within
the current processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at
(800) 375-5283.

*Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov
under Case Status & Processing Dates.
*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.


Sincerely,


The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)


Let me be the first to congratulate you! CONGRATS!
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-04-03 20:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresShould we get married in India?

Hi

I am worried about filing for a K1 visa because he was denied a tourist visa in April. I thought this would go on his permanent record.


I don't think you need to worry too much. Many people have been denied tourist visas in the past. You should only be concerned if your spouse was refused entry at customs when he attempted to go through immigration in the U.S.A, which you would have to declare on the application, but even then, many people who have been denied entry into the USA have successfully entered on a spouse visa without too much difficulty.

Good luck!
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-01-05 13:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresShould we get married in India?
Here's my take on it.

I got married in India August 06 came back to the states in September and applied for the CR/IR1 visa. I hope to have the process complete by May. All the paperwork so far has gone smoothly so far, I went to India for one month only to get married. There is no rule about how long you have to stay in India before you can get married. This option is always available to you.

You go to India get married stay for 90 days, (90 days being from the time you arrive, and not from the time you get married is my understanding.. could be wrong) and apply for the IR/CR1 from New Delhi (DCF or Direct Consular Filing). There are some residency requirments in place. You should go to the Delhi consulate website for more information. Going this route, the process should likley take less than 5 month from the time you apply. After you apply you can either stay in India until the process is complete or come back to the States and wait for your wife's application to be complete. However if you do a DCF you both have to go to Delhi to apply


Third option is what the previous poster suggested.. going through the K1 process.

Hope this helps.
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-01-03 10:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-864 Package details

hello everyone

I have a question for those who all have recived the I-864 package from NVC. I wana know what all is contained in the package and also would like to know the details on how to fill everything. My wife just recived it and wasnt sure what all needs to be done . It also talks about going on the web to complete some of the documents could you guys give me the details please.

thanks


Bsuboyus,

I assume that your wife is the US citizen (the petitioner).

The I-864 packet should have contained a bar code cover sheet, along with instructions on how to fill out the AOS document. The reference to going to the web to complete the documents is specifically refering to downloading the I-864 form from the website. Privously, they used to send the I-864 to the petitioner, now they ask the petitioner to go to the website to download it and fill it out.

There are two types of I-864 forms. The regular I-864 and the I864-EZ. Have your wife look at the I-864EZ form, and if she meets the criteria for using the I-864EZ form, then she should use that. If she doesn't, then she'll need to fill out the I-864 regular form.

If she does not have income over the 125% poverty limit (greater than approx $16,000 I think) than she'll need to get a co-sponser and the co-sponser will need to fill out I-864A.

Your wife will also need to provide supporting documents

Tax returns or transcripts for the most recent tax year (in your case most likly 2006) in addition she may also want to send in transcripts or returns for 2005 and 2004.

W2's to accompany the tax returns.

Last 3 months of paystubs

Letter from Employer stating she is employed with them

Your wife will need to send the I-864, along with the bar code cover sheet, and the supporting documents listed above to the NVC.

Send me a PM if you have any specific questions



Good luck.
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-04-05 14:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 Visa Received - Colombia

This is the first opportunity I've had to get on Visa Journey since the visa interview in Bogota, Colombia. We went to Orlando immediately after arriving in the States on our way from Miami to northwest Florida. She got her visa!!! I posted details of the interview in the "Foreign Embassy and Consulate General Discussion" forum. It is posted under the "CR1 Colombia Club." Thanks to everyone for all of their assistance during this process. The people I have met here on Visa Journey have been very helpful and I know things would not have gone so rapidly and successfully without the help I received from this community. Thanks again.

Mark


Congrats Mark. I was looking for an update from you for the last couple of weeks. I assumed all was well, otherwise you would have been on here asking for advise.

Again congrats and good luck for the future!
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-04-06 17:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion on DS-230

Hi, like everyone in here, I am looking for a way to speed up this process.

I am in the states and my wife in Thailand. We are to the point where I have paid the 846 fees (await the package) and the NVC has received her petition designating me as our agent.

I have already filled out the 846 and await the NVC's actual documents, before submitting, with any additional requests.

Looking at the flowchart, I see my wife needs to fill out the DS-230 (signing page 1 but not page 2).

Here's where I am trying to save some time:

Could I just have her download the forms, fill them out and send to me? This way they will be ready when the NVC sends me, the agent, the actual forms. I would then place them in the NVC's included envelope and send back to them. Is this cool or will this anger someone?

I understand there is a question asking if "anyone helped fill out the forms?" Would it be wrong to just say yes and admit that we are trying to expedite the process??

Anyone know where the best (legal and current) copy of this form can be downloaded?

I thank you (very much) in advance. Both for your time and this great forum.


That's exactly what I did.

Don't worry about answering "Yes" to the question about "anyone helped fill out the forms?" There is no issue is downloading the form having your wife fill it out and having her send it to you. Just make sure she does not DATE the form.. you should date it when you actually send the form in.
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-04-10 21:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresvisa number immediately available ???

What does this statement from USCIS actually mean ?

"...The immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, which includes parents, spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21, do not have to wait for an immigrant visa number to become available once the visa petition filed for them is approved by USCIS. An immigrant visa number will become immediately available."


Once the petition is approved is a visa immediately granted to spouses of US citizens?

How does this affect the wait time from filing of and I-130 to visa-in-hand?

thanks all for the help


Greeneclipse,

What that paragraph is refering to, is the number of visa that are available in a specific country by a number of different catogeries.

A person applying for a spousal visa is exempt from the visa limits set by the US state department, and therefore, once the I-130 has been approved, you would be able for a spousal visa "immediately" i.e the NVC process.

If for example a U.S. citizen is applying for a sibling, once the I-130 is approved, it could be as long as 10+ years before a "visa number" is available (due to the limitations set by the State Department) i.e. the NVC process.
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-04-13 09:33:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS 230
For part 1, all you need to send is the DS230 part 1 along with photocopies of the passport.

This should be in the instructions packet.

I just sent my DS230 part 1 about 2 months ago... for Mumbai India.

Good luck.
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-04-13 20:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAre the blogs always helpful?????
This guys been on some other sub-forums on VJ and called our very own Gupta a looser... :protest:

I don't know what this guy is on.. but if you ask me.. he's the LOOSER
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-04-19 16:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures3032 and choice of agent

Quick question. If we decide that I, the petitioner, will be the choice of agent, will I be the one getting packets 3 & 4 in the mail here in the States? Instead of him in Colombia? In that case, I will have to mail everything for him to have when he has the interview. Is that correct?


Packet 3 will be mailed to you (Choice of agent/the petitioner). You'll need to send the DS230 part one from packet 3 to your SO to sign and have the SO send over the appropriate documents you need to send with Packet 3. You can do this ahead of time - download the DS230 and send it to your SO have them sign it and send it back to you.

Packet 4 - which is the interview packet will be sent to your SO regardless of who the Choice of agent is.
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-03-28 15:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures3032 and choice of agent
It typically take about 10-12 business days for the official documents to arrive from the NVC.

As Ausiwench indiciated in the previous post, you can e-mail the choice of agent as soon as it's generated.
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-03-26 15:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures3032 and choice of agent

could I sent to AOS fee bill and tell my wife to email the choice of agent as soon as the 3032 and AOS bill are generated?

does printing the barcodes and the shortcut works with out problem from NVS.
thaks for you help


Yes the barcodes and the e-mail of the choice of agent to the NVC will work. Just be sure to wait until the automated phone message at NVC tells you that the two documents have been generated. Do not send anything before that.

Good luck.


So once the two documents will be generated, I will print the Bill and tell my wife to email them the choice of agent; I didn't really undertand the shortcut for the barcode and how I will sent the bill could you please explain how I do that, I know it said it in the shortcut but it still confusing for me the printing the barcode!

So it all what I have to do first tell my wife to email them the choice of agent anf print the bill and send it, of course after they get generated?



If you are unsure about generating the barcode, then I would suggest not using that short cut and just wait for the offical bar code to come through the mail.


With the e-mail of choice of agent either you or your wife can do this. Just remember to send the e-mail from your wife's email account and not your own.

Here is what I sent to NVC for the choice of agent using my wife's e-mail account. I got a response back from NVC in a couple of days acknowledging the Choice of Agent. If you do the e-mail, your wife will still reveice the offical Choice of Agent form, however she will not need to send that back to the NVC.

=============================================================================
To: nvcinquiry@state.gov
Subject: Re: NCV Case Number BMB2006841014


Case Number = BMB##########
Beneficiary Name and DOB = Wife's name and DOB
Petitioners Name and DOB = My name and DOB

Dear Sir or Madam at NVC,

My name is (wife's name) my NVC assigned case number is BMB##########

Unfortunately I cannot locate my Choice of Agent form # DS-3032, and would like to appoint my husband as my agent of choice to receive all correspondence from NVC

My husband's (the petitioner) name and address is as follows

(My name and (USA) address)

All correspondence from the National Visa Center concerning my immigration visa application should be sent to the address referenced above.

Please kindly reply with a correspondence acknowledging the recepit of this e-mail in lieu of the DS-3032 Choice of Agent form.


Thankyou kindly,
(My wife's name)
=============================================================================
devbltNot TellingIndia2007-03-26 11:22:00