ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWedding At 1st Physical Meeting

I hope NVC realize trips of these magnitudes cost 3-5k........Hmm maybe the K-1(fiance visa) visa would have been easier.. They require one meeting


K1 requires one in person meeting to initially file the i-129f yes, BUT you still have to have "proof of relationship" with photos tickets etc by the time the consulate interview comes around. And depending on the consulate this can be easy or very hard.

You should not have any issues though as you did spend a month together as well. Should be fine as others have posted.

Edited by Kimbear, 01 April 2011 - 07:57 AM.

KimbearFemaleCanada2011-04-01 07:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNeed to get SS card
that is complete BS. i got married within 4 days of my poe, got my marriage certificate within 2 weeks and then applied for my ssn and had that within 2 weeks. take a look at the guide to getting an ssn, there is an informative letter you can print out and bring with you stating that k1 visa holders are allowed to get an ssn even before GC etc. and that you can get it in your married name with the marriage certificate. definitely talk to someone higher up. the only issue you may have is if she is not in the SAVE database, if that is the case wait another 2 weeks and go back. otherwise they will have to verify it manually which could take forever.
KimbearFemaleCanada2011-04-13 10:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUPS to Chicago
what are you sending them? is it for aos or ?

if its aos i used the following for fedex:

USCIS
ATTN: FBAS (REPLACE THIS WITH WHATEVER FORM YOUR SENDING)
131 SOUTH DEARBORN 3RD FLOOR
CHICAGO IL 60603-5517

uscis site says thats the correct addy for i130 and others..i used fedex lol not ups.

Edited by Kimbear, 08 November 2012 - 11:29 AM.

KimbearFemaleCanada2012-11-08 11:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPicture and fingerprint with CR-1 Green-Card???
I'm still going through the K1 process...but the only time i've heard of the fingerprints / photo was when i was pulled into Secondary and refused entry to the US. I have no idea why they did that to you if you have your Green card..
KimbearFemaleCanada2009-07-18 10:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresExpediting A Case
AFter 7 months of waiting and 2 months after noa2 recieved, csc made a mistake by not sending us an RFE beforet eh approval now we are getting one. The lvl 2 immigration officer told us it was going to be expedited due to their mistake, however the request for expedite was denied.

they seem to pick and choose which expedites to actually expedite.
KimbearFemaleCanada2009-10-03 11:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion for a friend
considering the circumstances financially if it were me i'd do the cr1, thus there would be no break inbetween working, and it would be a bit cheaper in the long run. Also as long as he keeps current ties etc to his country he should be able to visit her in the usa, unless you cannot visit while beingin progress for a cr1 in england. I'd ask in the regional forums to be sure on that part.
KimbearFemaleCanada2010-03-09 14:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-160 ??
https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/

most of the forms are up on the site here as well with examples. and most of the forms you need are listed in the embassy link above.
KimbearFemaleCanada2010-03-22 11:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresP3 , Questions...
you need to bring the last 3 years of transcripts with you to the interview. Only send back what is on the cover letter. the rest which you ticked off on the checklist is to be brought to the interview.

check out the montreal embassy link above. it has all the info there.
KimbearFemaleCanada2010-03-22 11:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMedical....in US?
i'm fairly certain you have to use the approved physicians in canada..as you are canadian. In all the research i've done, i've never come across anyting on dos or nvc that states you can have the medical done in the usa. There is probably a reason for this but alas that i do not know.
KimbearFemaleCanada2010-03-23 12:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPolice Certificate in canada takes 120 days or so
in canada if you do not have a criminal record you can just go to your local police station and get a name check done through the cpic database. i live in windsor ontario, but have also lived in quebec as well. i went in on monday and got a call tuesday saying it was ready. paid 40$. however you can only do th is in the city you live. if your are from another city or outside canada you may have to pay more and go through rcmp.

but still 120 days..lis a bit much if you ask me.
KimbearFemaleCanada2010-03-08 12:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresForwarding mail
I had my mail from canada redirected to the states when i came down here for february, and my p4 was forwarded no problem. shouldn't be an issue getting it at your new address.
KimbearFemaleCanada2010-05-26 07:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHELP !Police Certificates!!!
Trailmix is correct on the dates of residency. They do not want to see any gaps or discrepancies. Normally if you lived in Canada all your life one police certificate is good.

Read over the RFE carefully, they sent me one for one of the questions on the i-129 app, but also included some stuff about imbra which i had answered correctly the first time as well. Some of the froms are generic and include multiple items, even if answered the first time.
KimbearFemaleCanada2010-07-06 09:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAfter POE whts next
it depends. what visa did you file for? your timeline is blank so i can't really offer any advice :)

What you describe sounds like a cr-1? Usually it is automatic for them, and you get it shortly after you cross. But if your a k1 then you have to wait the 2weeks and then go in and fill out the ssn forms.
KimbearFemaleCanada2010-09-10 08:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCr-1 crossing border frequently
My husband crossed the bridge at windsor almost twice a month to come see me when i was living in Windsor. Never had any issues. they are pretty used to the traffice due to the casino etc right there as well. If you go just make sure you have proof of ties, job, lease, etc. the bridge was always a no hassle crossing for us.
KimbearFemaleCanada2010-09-16 07:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresA stupid question
When in doubt check the canada forum and the wikis :)
KimbearFemaleCanada2010-09-22 10:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresquestion about online form DS-160
QUOTE (Arabella @ Apr 16 2009, 11:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (bogartnoir @ Apr 16 2009, 11:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
thanks so much, you guys! good stuff to know! star_smile.gif


I had my fiance fill it out (way too early) and put 80 years. lol

We'll probably have to do it again since we haven't even received the NOA2 yet. I've filled out all of the paperwork for the interview already, just left the dates blank, and gave it to my fiance when he was here last week. I'm OCD when it comes to paperwork. I don't want to waste any time at all filling out forms and possibly delaying the interview.



i've done almost the same thing lol smile.gif i've d/l all example forms etc. and real forms to fill out so i don't make any mistakes..if i can have as much done ahead of time the better.
KimbearFemaleCanada2009-04-16 12:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresquestion about online form DS-160
yes that is the new online form replacing the 156. just put any number of years. a few have put 10 or 50..it won't cause any issues whichever number you put.
KimbearFemaleCanada2009-04-15 23:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhats the hardest part
Not being able to hold his hand, touch his cheek, to rest my head on his chest and listen to his heart beat, or to ruffle his hair.
KimbearFemaleCanada2009-06-30 17:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNo rent receips for "proof of ties"
My situation back in december was very similar.

i posted about it here : http://www.visajourn...p;#entry2976797

there is alot of other good advise in that thread.

Edited by Kimbear, 07 July 2009 - 07:07 PM.

KimbearFemaleCanada2009-07-07 19:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWaiting for NOA2 - driving me crazy!!!
QUOTE (Ed+Cindy @ Jul 9 2009, 07:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (dutchmatt @ Jul 9 2009, 02:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Anyone else getting sick of checking igor's list and the USCIS site yet? I know I am! I hoping to hear something any day now, but who knows! Anything I can do in the mean time to keep me sane?


Stop checking both lists and it will come...if you check USCIS every day/hour/etc, you will go crazy.


Quoted For Truth!!

At one point i was going nuts..checking sites timelines etc..20 times a day..i actually put myself in a depression and almost said to hell with it. Luckily i have a very wonderul and amazing fiance and he came up to see me, and made me realize that waiting 6-10months ( hey anything is possible) is nothing compared to the years we still have ahead of us. I know right now you can't see it..but you will. and you'll wonder why you were so insane during this process.




KimbearFemaleCanada2009-07-09 18:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat happens in the adjudication process?
It has one smile.gif it's in the Guides section under "Other things to know"
KimbearFemaleCanada2009-07-20 09:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat happens in the adjudication process?
Just keep in mind it is a bit of an old thread..and many things may have changed over the years..but it does give you a basic understanding of what they do and what they look for. Too bad we dont have any current abjudicators as members to update us on the actual system in place today. It'd be nice to know if anytihng has changed.
KimbearFemaleCanada2009-07-19 23:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat happens in the adjudication process?
You can read this thread here : http://www.visajourn...dicator-q-and-a

it's from an abjudicator who used to work at uscis. it's from a while ago. but gives you a very good idea of the whole process from their eyes etc.

Edited by Kimbear, 15 July 2009 - 05:39 PM.

KimbearFemaleCanada2009-07-15 17:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresfiancee us coming for a visit
QUOTE (CBR @ Jul 20 2009, 02:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We had big problems with this and my hubby is from Canada. It's no easier than any other country as far as visitation goes. In fact, my hubby was denied entry twice and was unable to visit me throughout our k-1 wait (I had to go there, otherwise we'd have not seen each other for an entire year).

Your best evidences are going to be the employer letter, utility bills, landline phone bills (cell phone bills weren't solid enough proof of strong ties in our experience), proof of home ownership (if she has a home) or not as good, but better than nothing...rental agreement, the bank statement(s) will be good.

In our experience, my hubby only had a couple of the above and it wasn't enough for them. It seemed that the employer letter, home ownership and bank statements would have been better proof of strong ties (which he didn't have). Other than lack of these things, he had no reason to be denied entry.

Denials are rare, so she'll probably be fine. I just like to add my 2 cents to warn people to be overprepared. I wish we had been.
good luck!


Yep..same here. I was denied entry twice from canada to the usa. they are real sticklers for "ties to canada" even if you are applying for K1.

As others have said bring the Noa, letters from job that she is goign back and a return ticket. And a lease if she has it. I was asked for other paperwork as well but to no avail. Just tell the truth and remember they can refuse you.

Good Luck!
KimbearFemaleCanada2009-07-20 14:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow to go on...
QUOTE (swoozygirl @ Jul 20 2009, 07:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
He is flying to go back home this wednesday. I am really having a hard time with it. I am trying to stay strong. He has been in the U.S for one year. I am looking for some advice on how other couples make it work?


Not quite sure what you mean by leaving...? And what process are you goign through? Maybe if you timeline.gif it would help us give you advice.
KimbearFemaleCanada2009-07-20 18:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNOA2 question
a touch is a date change on your online status at uscis..

* Note on "Last Updated" date:
Your case may have a new "Last Updated" date and you may receive an Email Notification of your case being updated, without the status of the case changing. This is due to internal USCIS processing being performed on your Case. This will be reflected in the "Last Updated" date, but may not result in a different status message.

that is their polite way of saying it could be anything.
KimbearFemaleCanada2009-07-28 15:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNOA2 question
it really depends.. a few of the march filers didn't see anyting until they got the actual hardcopy letter in there mailbox and not the email type of mailbox. others have just gotten an email, and pretty much most of them are still showing as received and pending on the uscis online site.

i have no idea what is going on with CSC...april 27ppl are being approved and i'm still waiting..sigh. sad.gif
KimbearFemaleCanada2009-07-28 13:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresKI VISA FOR FIANCE-- still waiting for approval since 5 months
i'm considering actually taking a break from the VJ site...aside from the fact it is making me very OCD with timelines etc..i just get depressed when i see april and may filers getting approved and i get angry at uscis for it and then get grumpy at my family. no touches no rfe nothing..and there are a few march filers who are still clueless about where there petition is with no info available to them and the same old responses to wait til 6 months have passed.

its going to be 5 months soon for me as well..being without my sweetie for this long..it feels almost like just a friendship, its getting harder to feel connected if that makes any sense and i know it's not his fault that we are still waiting but we tend to get irritated easier and argue over stupid little things..and that alone breaks my heart sad.gif i jsut really miss snuggling in his warm arms and feeling safe and secure sad.gif
KimbearFemaleCanada2009-07-20 18:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures7 months for a K-1? (pre-engagement thinking ahead)
it varies extremely. for me i'm bout to hit my 5 months mark, for another march filer who is also from canada, she was approved after 3 months. however interviews take longer at montreal as well, cue to the fact in canada it is the only place for cr1/k3 interviews so they have double the workload, and she has been waiting 2 months sofar for an interviewe date. 8-10 seems to look more likely to me.
KimbearFemaleCanada2009-08-04 21:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresConsulate "background checks" re: the FAQ
checks are done at each stage of the visa process, currently i'm stuck at the uscis stage where my USC Fiance is in FBI background checks which we just found out today from our congressman.

this link may help you:

http://usaimmigratio...tiveReview.html
KimbearFemaleCanada2009-07-31 18:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting your fiance during the immigration process
for k1 there is no scotiabank payment..you pay directly at the consulate, at least for montreal you do. noa2 is the petition approval, consulate interview is the actual visa approval. and ya you have to get the medical etc after the noa2. although i already gave in my long form birth cert in the original 129f package.
KimbearFemaleCanada2009-08-10 21:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting your fiance during the immigration process
exactly Ashen, it's the JUST IN CASE part..smile.gif

like i said..i was probably the worse case scenario. but there have beena few canadians who were refused in the last year or so.
KimbearFemaleCanada2009-08-10 15:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting your fiance during the immigration process
QUOTE (inhopeofglory @ Aug 10 2009, 02:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Kimbear, what evidence did you take the second time you were refused entry? Did they elaborate on what they meant by "insufficient ties" in your case?

On a more positive note, I see you received your NOA2 a few days ago. Congratulations! :-)


yes i finally got my noa2..after getting my conressmen involved. ty smile.gif

as for proof..they wanted to make sure i was going to go back to canada..and my return ticket was not enough.. they told me they wanted copies of my bank account. they wanted proof of my enrollment in school, and utility bills, showing i had a monthly obligation, i even brough a letter from my sister stating i lived there and paid rent. i showed them the appointment letter with the drivers licence office in january that stated i had to go get my licence switched over. none of it made a difference. they kep tasking me i fi owened a house..sadly no..i sold it and moved provinces.

they told me if i had a job, owned a house had kids it might not look so bad. shrug the first time was scary but the guy wasn't as bad..the 2nd time..it was a sick pimply little kid who has the nerve to deny me and he woudln't even let me see the supervisor.

but alas it matters not now..i have my noa2 smile.gif
KimbearFemaleCanada2009-08-10 09:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting your fiance during the immigration process
there is no certainty really..the cbp officers have 100% discretion on whether to let someone into the usa or not. take a look at me.. i went down to chicago to see my faince in september for a week. went back in october stayed for 2 months..tried to go back for xmas and was denied at two diff poe's. reasons given were "insuficient ties to canada" i even have a copy of the refusal paper that i had to give to the CDN guards to let me cross back into canda.

if you do not have a job or an apartment / lease / house/ kids that stay behind when you visit they can deny you entry. they did it to me.. i even brought back proof with me the 2nd time i tried to cross and they still refused me. i was treated like a criminal my fiance and i were interogated for hours while my dogs sat in a car in december, and i was photographed and fingerprinted. they even took the keys to his car..and then had the nerve to give me ###### for not leaving the window open on the car...and i got really ticked off at that point and wanted to punch the jerks, since there was no way i knew i was going to be in there that long, and coudln't even go to my car cuz i was not allowed to leave, let alone they had my freaking keys !

anyways..you can always go to their site for more info..www.cbp.gov. or google search. chances are you can find a bunch of ppl on this very site who have experience the same thing.

maybe mine was a worst case scenario..who knows..but it was on my bday..the day i will remember as it was the day i was forced to be separated from my love until i see him again when i get my visa.

Edited by Kimbear, 10 August 2009 - 12:01 AM.

KimbearFemaleCanada2009-08-09 23:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129F Security Checks
he probably means the fbi background check on the petitioner. every application goes thru this at uscis. took me 142 days to get my approval becasue of that and my congressman told me fbi checks were backlogged as well. and that the check takes like a month.

if a mod could maybe see if the Captain can put this PDF up with the rest of the guides? i dont think i recall seeing this here and it does have some good info on it? if it's already there i apologize in advance smile.gif

Edited by Kimbear, 10 August 2009 - 03:40 PM.

KimbearFemaleCanada2009-08-10 15:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSenator/ congressman contact question
just as an update..if you look at the march filers for CSC, those of us who felt left behind (as most of april is done, and a few from may have been approved) we contracted our congressman, two of us have had our approval within a week of contacting them. and a couple more have made contact wth congressman as well.

with the recent influx of approvals that seem to be stemmed from congressman pushing USCIS i would definately say it's well worth it. After 142 days of waiting, i'm happily getting all my stuff i need for P3 now as I received my Noa2 one week from contact with our congressman.


KimbearFemaleCanada2009-08-12 08:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSenator/ congressman contact question
at 4.5 months we contacted our congressman..within 3 days they pulled our file and started work on it and got the fbi check rolling on the usc. we went to his website and d/l the authorizaton form and faxed it in. 3 days to finally get info on our case was awesome. we were also told fbi checks were backlogging a few cases. our congressman told us with the first letter that uscis had one week to get back to him..and he sure came through. today we got another touch. however the congressman also told us he can't do more until 5 months has passed..then he can really push uscis. this is pertaining to CSC in particular.

it does not hurt to try. and many ppl have gotten a response and an update on their case this way.
KimbearFemaleCanada2009-08-07 14:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow often to call VSC about missing case status?
the sudden change in uscis maybe because of the recent ombudsman teleconference, as well as ALOT of constituants getting in touch with their congressman.

i would have to agree with Gary on this one..the misinformation line is at best useless and a waste of time. they have a script of specific things to say to ppl and they are told not to stray from it at all. Even the supervisors have the same rules according to the abjudicators manual. Until you are past your processing date there is nothing you can do and even your congressmen / senator will tell you this.
KimbearFemaleCanada2009-08-14 14:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSnail mail sucks
montreal is known for loosing the packet 3 and many ppl have had to request a 2nd copy. have you emailed them back since? should only take 3 days max in same province. give or take when they sent it out exactly.
KimbearFemaleCanada2009-08-26 18:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresreturned k-1 application from NVC to USCIS
I was just curious if you had an update on your returned petition.

it seems NVC also sent my approved petition back to uscis. it was at nvc for a week, and i was told it was in processing. i called today and was told they returned it to CSC and i would have to wait for a letter from uscis. and tat would take at least a weak for it to get to CSC.

and yes we have the actual approval noa2 that was sent to us, and copies of the approval email as well on august 7th. After being delayed at uscis i do no know what to do. we already had our congressman get involved at 5 months to get our petition moving at csc and now this.

what is weird is that today we got mail form nvc dated a few days ago that it was forwarded to the consulate.

i am so confused right now and upset. sad.gif

Edited by Kimbear, 26 August 2009 - 07:59 PM.

KimbearFemaleCanada2009-08-26 19:57:00