Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January 2012 I-130 filers?	Hi, I sent mine out on the 12th, and received the NOA1 by email and text on the 17th. Last night I received the hard copy (I-797) and it mentions priority date January 13,2012. I was able to view the case status online since the time I received the email/text. I am surprised yours is not working. Did you paste your case number on the site or typed it? If the latter, make sure it is typed correctly. I copy/pasted...Over and over, I tried typing too, I tried taking out the letters.. I tried calling just to get hung up on 3 times... Ugh.	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2012-01-24 11:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January 2012 I-130 filers?	Hey Jan Filers.... Question: We sent our file out on Jan8th and recieved NOA1 date of Jan 12th... I've tried checking the status on USCIS.gov (expecting not to see much more than "acceptance") but it's showing still that our case doesn't exist. Is this normal for everyone else? Or have you all been able to check your case status?? Thanks in advance- Jaym	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2012-01-24 10:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January 2012 I-130 filers?	How are the Jan i-130 filers coming along? Any news? Good luck to everyone by the way, I hope we get through this quickly!!	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2012-01-18 16:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January 2012 I-130 filers?	Hey, I'm so sorry to disappoint you, but I just received an I-797C notice of rejection I had a feeling it was going to be rejected, but for different reasons. I had originally and unknowingly sent my wife's G-325A with white out on it. Although this wasn't the reason for the rejection, keep it in my mind going forward with this post. I sent a concurrent filing of the I-130 and the I-485 to the Chicago Lockbox. I heard from sources that you can do this all in one shot and get it processed faster in this manner. But I made a mistake on the I-485: I used my wife's address from Mongolia; they rejected it for the reason that a non-US address was used. The good news is that I got all my stuff back and now I can send another packet with a better G-325. The question is: Do I send another concurrent filing with the corrections, or do I just file an I-130 instead? To make matters more complicated, they sent me a green paper of the rejection, instructing me to place it on top of my packet so that it merits special consideration. Even if I wanted to send just the I-130, I have concerns that they will balk at the fact that there is no associated I-485 to go along with it. But I really did not like the fact that my I-130 automatically got rejected because of a mistake I made on the I-485, although this might support the fact that they do process them together at the same time. So do I fix the mistake and send it out again with cleaner documents(white out mistake), or do I send the I-130 alone so I can get this process started at least? Should I send them an email about what I detailed here? I guess my biggest fear is another rejection of my I-130 due to some problem with the I-485. Thank you for all your advice in advance! So sorry to hear of the rejection letter, that stinks that such a little mistake can send everything back I'm not an expert so don't take my advice as your only advice lol But if you want to continue just the CR/IR1 route you only need to send the i-130 packet. I believe you only need to sent both i130 and 485 together if your spouse is already living here and wants to stay? or if you are doing a k-3 visa which used to be faster that cr1/ir1 but isnt necessarily the case anymore... Again, I am just going off some other things i;ve read here and I don't know this information to be fact. But it was my understanding that the 485 isn't needed at all for the USCIS for CR/IR1 visas, only the i-130 with supporting evidence as outlined in all the guides. I hhope that helps a little? Sorry I was not of more use... good luck with everything!!	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2012-01-13 18:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January 2012 I-130 filers?	Hi, I live in New Jersey and I just received the email from my mailing a couple days ago that the I-130 processing is to be handled by the California Service Center. Isnt that a slower center, I was expecting being in the northeast for it be handled by the Vermont Service Center. Any ideas? Thats weird too, what state are you from? I believe certain states go to certain centers... I dont know if it's 100% based on location of the state though. Again. Im not sure of that.... I'm in NY though and I just recieved e-mail as well.. Mine went to Vermont.	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2012-01-13 18:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January 2012 I-130 filers?	Yeah, I'm not too worried about the NOA2 just yet; I just want hear and confirm that they actually got the packet, and will start working on it. Maybe sometime by next week? I'm not sure but hopefully sometime next week Ours was delivered on Jan 11th, so we are hoping to hear sometime late next week too, I'm going to follow your timeline because we seem to be close in our dates... we can hopefully help each other out through this longgggg journey! Good luck!!	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2012-01-13 13:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January 2012 I-130 filers?	Hey everybody, I sent in my application and FedEx reported it delivered on the 9th of January. I was just wondering when I should be receiving a notice of action by; the agent I spoke to today said it would take from 30 to 60 days, is this true? Wish you all good luck in any case! Hmmm weird... my understanding is NOA1 is usually like 5-7 days from when they get the case (sometimes faster...), NOA1 is just basically the day they confirm they get it and start to enter your case in the computer (at least thats what I've gathered, someone correct me if thats wrong) Then NOA2 can take a while... average is about 5 months from ur NOA1 date but depends on your service center, what country your spouse is from, how much information you provided... etc.	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2012-01-12 15:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January 2012 I-130 filers?	I'm really hoping there are at least a couple others who have filed in January (or plan to in the next couple weeks). I only just sent my I-130 out yesterday but the waiting game is going to be really hard, hopefully there will be some other people here going through it too so we can help each other through it	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2012-01-09 11:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January 2012 I-130 filers?	Hi JD Wish you couple good luck. I posted My I130 on 27th December and received the NOA1 on 3 Jan 2012. I got a couple of reply that we will have to wait for 2-4 months before they approve our I130 2-4 months is relatively normal though right? I was under the impression that the whole thing total (NVC and interview included) can take about 6 to 9 months. Maybe that's wrong? Now that they split the work load to two different lock boxes, I'm hoping that makes a little bit of the process go faster, but you never know... Thanks for the reponse!!	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2012-01-09 07:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January 2012 I-130 filers?	Hey everyone! I have mostly been looking around this site and haven't posted a lot but everyone elses questions and advice have helped a LOT! We just sent out our I-130 this afternoon, wondering if anyone else just started their IR-1/CR-1 process??? Would love to chat and/or follow each others timelines to get an idea of how fast things are moving for others... ALSO--- a good thing to note: There are now TWO different lock box addresses, certain states go to a specific lock box, this went into effect on Jan 1,2012.. if you haven't filed yet, make sure you have the right lock box before sending!!! Good luck to anyone filing!! Hope to hear from other Jan filers -Jaym & Dru	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2012-01-08 22:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Changing last name / CR-1 Visa	Weird! I didn't realize that was a possibility. I basically did the same thing (while using my maiden name on the marriage certificate) because I was told there's a pretty big filing fee for a name change in Texas anyway. Figure we'll make the switch when we have our 'real wedding' once this visa nonsense is all sorted. That may only be true in some places. I guess in New York theres a place for "name change" if desired on license. But I don't know this to be fact, just what I have heard from a friend who was semi-recently married, that's why I was a little confused with the facts and which name I should be using. But I think it just makes a lot more sense to keep my name for now either way... and deal with the name change when that time comes Thanks again everyone!!	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2011-10-13 14:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Changing last name / CR-1 Visa	You are not in a unique situation. Changing last names is very common when dealing with immigration for a new spouse. USCIS are aware of this. They simply need a marriage certificate to link the two names together. Personally, I think it is better to use your maiden name on the marriage certificate because it shows a link between your maiden name and your new last name. If you just use your new last name on the marriage certificate, then it's harder to show the link between your maiden name (which isn't on the marriage certificate) and your married name. For example: The marriage certificate shows "Mary Smith" and "Robert Jones." Under the laws of every state, you can use the marriage certificate to legally change your name to "Mary Jones." You can do this anytime during the marriage. Alternative, the marriage certificate shows "Mary Jones" and "Robert Jones." It makes it much harder to show that "Mary Smith" is the same person as "Mary Jones." If you choose to use your maiden name on the marriage certificate, you do not need to get a new marriage certificate when you legally change your name. Thank you so much, that makes a lot more sense. I didn't realize that it wasn't necessary to put my married name on the certificate. That clears up all of my problems! I will use my current (maiden) name on the license (and therefore marriage certificate) so i can continue using that name for all I-130 and other CR-1 visa related forms/petitions until next year when we do a vow renewal and I legally take his name. Thanks again!!!	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2011-10-13 13:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Changing last name / CR-1 Visa	Much easier to get a new marriage certificate down the line than to debate with USCIS as to why your documents don't match? I'm a little confused though: how is it even legal to put a name which is technically not yours as your last name on a legal document like a marriage certificate? Well... Apparently, putting your new intended last name on the marriage license is legal because you intend to take his name in the future after the marriage is offical (which in NYS can be any time up to 60 days later) but it doesn't fully become your legal name until you go thru the steps and get a new SS Card, etc. I don't want to legally change my name untill he is moved here and we do a "vow renewal" ceremony in front of friends and family. I guess it's probably worth it to just pay the extra money to have new marriage license/certificates made at a later date then... this part is the only part I'm still confused about Thanks!	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2011-10-13 13:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Changing last name / CR-1 Visa	Hi everyone, So far this forum has been incredibly useful to me. I have question though about changing names and such during petition time. My boyfriend and I plan to get married in January (he will return to England a few days later) and I wil petition VERY shortly after. My question is this: I was told that even if I do not wish to legally change my last name to his name right away that I need to put his name on the marriage license/certificate so that when I'm ready to legally change it, it will not be a problem and we won't need a new marriage licencse/certificate. BUT if I don't change it right away and I'm filling out all the forms for the I-130 and all else to follow... what name should I write on the forms? (as my legal name would still be my madien name but our marriage papers would all have his name?) Has anyone else had this situation... was this a problem for anyone else? if so, how would you go about it? Thanks in advance for the help!! -Jaym Edited by xxJaym, 13 October 2011 - 12:54 PM.	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2011-10-13 12:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	First time here.. help! haha	Hi there, I would suggest a brief look at the Wiki to get an idea of all the stages involved. I have just finished the CR-1 process and it took, in total from filing the I-130 to interview, 7 months and 2 days. I have seen people maybe get it finished in 6 1/2 months but that is extremely rare. You can look at my timeline for an idea of how long things take. The basic overview of the CR-1 is: 1) USCIS stage: submit I-130 and accompanying documents (this takes about 5 months). Once it is approved USCIS transfers the documents to the NVC. 2) NVC stage: you will submit a DS-3032, I-864 and DS-230 (as well the medical in Knightsbridge). Once that is completed (1-2 months) NVC send the documents to the Embassy in London. The NVC will then schedule an interview (usually about a month after the NVC gives you "case complete"). 3) Interview and approval (passport is then returned about 7-10 days after this) Most importantly though I wish you the best of luck and if you have any further questions do not hesitate to ask! Thank you so much for that information, I checked out your timeline and that makes me feel a lot better. When they told me "about 5 months" in my head I was thinking closer to 6 or 7 anyway, but I didn't think it would take 9 or more, good to know that 7 is a fairly accurate timeframe. My boyfriend will be here next week and we plan to get as much information and stuff together now, we have plenty of "proof" of a relationship and all that but since were not married YET, we obviously can't include wedding pics, marriage license or certificate or anything like that, but our hope is to get the full package for the I-130 almost completely done during this trip, then when he comes back to get married next time, we just have to add the last few things, make some copies and send it out so we can get things started ASAP. Hopefully that will help us get a head start on the processing. Thanks again for the help, that input and your timeline was very useful!!	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2011-10-06 10:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	First time here.. help! haha	Well he would be coming to the US where I live and we would marry here. Yea I guess the call centers probably don't have as much info as someone who actually works there or someone who has gone through the process. Thanks for your help! Its good to know he would still be able to come visit during this time possibly.. I was under the impression that under no circumstance can he come here at all during the process. Good to read here that you may be able to as long as you prove your intent to go back, and that you have filed legally and are in process, etc.	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2011-10-05 16:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	First time here.. help! haha	Interview is at embassy in London, before he arrives. Yes, it really takes that long Oh no So the total process will be closer to almost a year by the time he gets here? If we marry in Jan and file everything the first week, we are looking at like September/October before we can be actually together again? I called the 800 number for USCIS and they told me processing time was about 5 months, so that means 5 months here... plus the time to interview I'm assuming. Grrr. Thanks for the help!!!	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2011-10-05 13:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	First time here.. help! haha	Ok so I finally joined this site. I have been looking around the internet a ton and doing research about the options for visas in order to be able to permanantly live with my boyfriend here in the U.S. (New York) he is from England and we are planning to get married in early January with him returning to England, and then we will apply for the IR-1/CR-1 visa once he returns home (that will give him time to finish school and get things all set anyway while things are being processed). The people on this site have been very helpful so far from the outside and I think as this whole thing gets close, being a part of this community would greatly benefit me in the future, so I am glad to say that this is my first post here My biggest question I keep coming accross is: Where is the interview for this kind of visa? It is at the embassy before he comes here, or after her arrives? I looked at the "trends/stats" page and it says approx. average total days til approval (depending on which service center is used) is some where from 123 days to 177 days, while the top portion claims the average total time to interview is 311 days...??? Does it really take only about 150 days to process than you have to continue sitting around in different countries for another 150 days or so for the interview before entering the U.S.? Or are they able to come once approval is given and then and interview is done here, in the U.S., once things are settled in? Sorry I sound so confused, I have a really good grasp on all the other details but this minor number confusion has really got me worried! Any information that can provided would really help! Thanks so much in advance. -Jaym Edited by xxJaym, 05 October 2011 - 01:09 PM.	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2011-10-05 13:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	USC to visit spouse while I-130 is being processed?	Thank you both for your answers, can't wait to go see him! Glad I should be alright to go there and I'll be sure to bring my marriage certificate just in case, and some info showing I am definitely returning home Thanks again	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2012-01-28 10:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	USC to visit spouse while I-130 is being processed?	Hi all, A little background: I am the USC, my husband lives in England. We married a few weeks ago in the US, he has returned back to England, and I have already filed for i-130 and received NOA-1. I planned and paid for a trip to visit him in a few weeks (Feb 10th to Feb 20th) in England, and I did this all before we got married.... My plane ticket, passport, and driver's license are all in my maiden name HOWEVER for work reasons and benefits through my job, I have already begun the name change process at the Social Security office and at work. I have not received my new social security card in the mail yet but all my work information has my new name on it.... My questions: 1. In general, is it ok for me to fly to visit my husband while in the cr-1 process? i know it's generally not easy (or not possible) for the beneficiary to visit the US during the process but I am unsure of how it works for the USC to visit them? 2. what documents should i bring, if any, to show them at customs in England that we are married but i do intend to return to the US? (will my return ticket, a letter from my employer stating the date i am expected back to work, and a copy of the NOA-1 notice to show we are in the visa process and are going about things the "right way" sufficient?) 3. will i be ok to fly still since my plane ticket, license and passport are all matching even though my name change process has begun in other sections? will just a copy of marriage certificate be ok for this in case there are questions for some reason about different names on anything else? Thanks in advance for the help... Sorry if I confused anyone!! -Jaym	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2012-01-28 09:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	IV fee reduction?????	Wow this is awesome news... we should be paying that fee soon-ish (I hope.. haha) So it's def good to hear that we can save some money!!	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2012-05-04 08:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Can a POE be in London?	Not just Shannon and Dublin. Someone recently had a Bahamas POE. My POE will be Toronto. There are other ports too. Oh, and POE is port of entry. London, as far as I know, wouldn't be a POE though. Right Port, sorry, it was late when I was writing.. and I did say that some other places besides Shannon and Dublin might do it but I wasn't sure. However, I know for sure that London DOES NOT do pre-clearance as my husband lives near London and travels through varies London airports to the U.S. to visit often, and he never goes through customs until landing in the U.S. -- he doesn't have the option to go through early screening. Edited by xxJaym, 22 May 2012 - 09:37 AM.	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2012-05-22 09:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Can a POE be in London?	Poe is point of entry (as in... point of entry into the u.s.) london does not do us customs/poe/boarder patrol... the poe would be in raleigh. I think the only plaace that i know of that clears u.s. customs outside us territory is ireland (shannon and dublin airports do a pre clearance) that may be wrong.. others MIGHT do it too but im 100% that london does not. Any international airpot to the u.s. does their own poe though so im not sure who said tha raleigh doesnt but any airport with a flight from london would have a customs/poe/border patrol clearance to get into the u.s.	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2012-05-21 22:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	RE: How is this happening	I think you are being extremely short-sighted. It is hard to be apart. But making a long-term established family leave one another is not the answer (which in most cases is true of couples living abroad together). There are plenty of people in this world luckier than you, and less lucky. Getting mad that a couple that has only been married a few months who got a fast NOA2 is not going to fix anything. USCIS should not force that couple to be apart because they are "less good" than you. You clearly are not reading my posts.. I have not ever said that I think families should be broken up. I said people that are in the same position as me should have the same treatment... those who are married for a long time, have kids, live abroad and have a life together should NOT be split up or wait forever... I never said they should.. But those people who take a "trip" to "live" with their spouse for a month so that they can get faster approval kinda sucks. Again, I am not trying to offend anyone, and maybe that is just my own opinion. But if I "moved" abroad for a month and filed i130 and then got approval in a matter of days only to come back once it's fast-tracked, that doesn't seem fair yet it's something people do. THOSE are the cases that *I* personally, don't think should get special treatment. I don't know for sure that the post I linked earlier did exactly that, but it is something that has been done and discussed on ehre in the past. You seem to be reading my posts wrong (or I am not explaining it the way I'm trying to...) but I have never meant that any long established family with a life together should have to be split up... I merely said that the 5-6 month wait for NOA2 for those of us who live apart would be MUCH easier to deal with if we had our spouses by our side, the ones in the same position as me, newly married with no kids or life established together yet, shouldn't get expedited and special treatment just because they "happen" to be in the same country when they filed for i130 :/ I will say once again, I am not trying to offended anyone, just stating my opinon, sorry if my last post was confusing.. I don't want anyones family to be split up.	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2012-05-24 10:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	RE: How is this happening	Not offended at all, just trying to maybe think of another reason why cases abroad take less time. Yea I hear ya, and in some cases I do agree that it makes more sense for those who have been married a while and have a life together elsewhere... or for medical reasons... or other expedite criteria. I just think people in the same position as me (newly married and wanting to finally be able to see each other again and start a life together and be with their loved one) shouldn't be given special treatment necessarily... they are lucky to be with their spouse while waiting. Those who are separated shouldn't be punished for not being able to (for whatever reason) move abroad for a month or two to file the i-130 :/	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2012-05-24 10:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	RE: How is this happening	I think the policy is extremely fair. Think about it this way: You are married, but you have not established a home life together. A couple living together abroad already has an established home life and to make them wait a year to be reunited, especially if they have kids together, is cruel. I know it is hard to wait now, and obviously everyone would want quicker processing times across the board. But realize, once you are done with this, you will never have to do it again! If you move abroad, you can move back quickly. How upset would you be for having to do this again if you decided to move to your husband's country? You'd be saying you were being punished for leaving the country. Again, I was not trying to offend anyone and I was not really talking about people who move and make a life together and for some reason have to move back.... I am still mostly talking about cases such as this one: http://www.visajourn...pic/369418-yay/ Cases where people who just met are able to get NOA2 in 10 days... We have 3+ years of history, and we've been married 4 months and have gotten to spend about 10 days together since we got married. It just kinda stinks to have to be apart for 7-10 months while things are being processed when there are other people who just met and have been married barely 2 weeks longer than us are spending this time together instead of being separted for months at a time. AGAIN.. I'm not wishing ill-will or long wait times on ANYONE. I am just simply expressing my frustration with the long wait time for those of us who are waiting alone. Sorry again if I offended anyone, that's not at all what I was trying to do.	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2012-05-24 10:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	RE: How is this happening	Besides what Musashii said, also, people living abroad who suddenly file for their spouses, it means they need to return to the US quickly. You don't make a life abroad and then decide, hey I'm bored let's go back to the States. In my case I had to run and file because I have a medical condition that I can get better treatment for in the US. Sorry if you took offense to what I wrote.. I understand that sometimes there are very good reasons to expedite a case and for medical reasons especially, I completely understand that... it is cases like this: http://www.visajourn...pic/369418-yay/ That frustrate me... meeting and getting married in 3 months... getting NOA2 in 10 days... this person obviously knew they planned long term to live in the US. they didn't make a life abroad and suddenly have to return to the US.. they were abroad and filed. Again, I wasn't trying to offend anyone, I'm just saying... I feel like the goverment and USCIS should "have a heart" and get separated couples together in a more timely fashion Not that I wish long waits or ill-will on anyone filing, but it seems to me that this waiting game would be A LOT easier if I was already with my husband	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2012-05-24 09:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	RE: How is this happening	One word, Business. Do they really think about you and your spouse? I don't think so. In the same way business visas have priority over family based ones, DCF has priority over non-DCF. Why? because USC is living abroad and government is not able to deduct any taxes from their income so it is government's loss. They approve the petition faster to bring the USC back along with the spouse which would bring back the tax payer and the money sooner than otherwise. Why would they care otherwise if you were living with your spouse or are separated. Not their headache. Makes sense? Well no they obviously don't think about us being with our spouses, that is why I made the comment.... Also, that isn't true about the taxes. USC living abroad still have to pay US taxes even on money made in a different country if I'm not mistaken. (I read that someone on VJ when people were filing taxes and asking about it...) Either way. I was just explaining my frustration that it doesn't seem right or fair for those of us in pain and away from our loved ones to have to sit here waiting for 7-10 months, alone, thousands of miles apart... while the ones sitting next to their loved ones are approved in 6 days. Thats all. Its just not fair.	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2012-05-24 08:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	RE: How is this happening	I got my I-130 approved 6 days after NOA1. I am living abroad with my spouse so I can assume that is the only reason why it happened so quickly. Good luck to everyone! I guess what doesn't make any sense to me is..... Why do the people who are already with their loved ones get priority over the ones who cannot be together until the process is complete? This doesn't seem right or fair in my opinion. I'd be happy to wait 5-6 months for NOA2 if I was able to be with my husband every day in England until we were done. It seems to me that they have things backwards.... the people who are married and in love and then have to wait months and months to see eachother should be the ones that are "fast tracked" not the ones who are already able to spend their time together. It's hard adjusting to "married life" especially when even 4 months later I'm still being told "congrats" and "where is your husband?" "when is he coming here? "do you miss him?" "when will you see him again?" It's heart breaking to have people asking me these things all the time.... Of course I MISS HIM! And it kills me to have to explain over and over that we have NO IDEA... not even a decent estimate of when he will be here or when we will next see eachother, etc. Why don't the people going through that pain every day get "priority"??? Maybe just my opinion.... Edited by xxJaym, 24 May 2012 - 08:24 AM.	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2012-05-24 08:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Spouse Visa Processing Time`	It usually takes about 6-9 months to get your visa. I remember reading about 6-9 months (some things said 7-10 months) when I was first getting ready to apply late dec/early jan but it seems at Vermont Service Center in particular has slowed down quite a bit and are generally telling people 6 months now between NOA1 and NOA2. (Then you still have the NVC case number assignment, sending of packets, checklist if applicable, send to consulate, assign interview date... then actual interview) I'm also catching things here and there from other people saying that the NVC steps are taking a bit longer too, people waiting 2 or 3 times as long as they used to just to get a case number. In my opinion, I think 8-12 months would be a more accurate guess since most people are 5-6 months anyway just from NOA1 to NOA2 lately. You will have plenty of time to sched a flight for your spouse to come to you before you return here. I wouldn't do anything untill you begin the NVC steps (probably about 6 months from now) or wait a few weeks later and get the interview date and have your spouse sched their trip to get you about 2 weeks or so after the interview (this allows time for the visa to be processed and sent to you after the interview). Just some suggestions.. as always, nothing on here is 100% accurate and you can always find contradicting answers since some cases move faster than others for various reasons. But I do think you will likely be waiting more than a total of 6 months in all honesty and don't want you to have your spouse buy tickets too early and waste money Good luck in the process and I hope all goes well!!	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2012-05-29 12:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Case Status	Well I don't know if it makes you feel better or worse but our NOA1 is 1/12/12 also at VSC and our case was last updated on 3/29/12 as well. We are now past the 5 month mark and we were told they can't do anything for us (not even service request with senator/congressman help) for another 3 weeks... I'd say since your NOA1 is in March you have at least another 2 months to go, possibly more. Of course there is always a chance that things get sped up between now and then but I'd advise you to think on the long end of things instead of the short end so that you won't be disappointed... when we filed the average for VSC was 3 to 3.5 months so we were assuming ours would be too and VJ timeline originally predicted based on other timelines that we would have approval between April 1 and April 15th... here we are June 15th and still no NOA2 approval. Better to be prepared for a good 5-6 months for NOA2 and then be pleasantly surprised if you get it sooner because it's not fun to have to try to re-adjust your thinking to wait longer that you originally planned or expected :/ Trust Me Have you guys checked your case status on USCIS site? I saw this "Last Updated: March 29,2012". Does they updated our case last 3months ago? It's already June2012'should I be worried? Vermont is killing me! Service Center : Vermont Service Center Consulate : Manila, Philippines Marriage (if applicable): 2012-02-16 I-130 Sent : 2012-03-14 I-130 NOA1 : 2012-03-27 Edited by xxJaym, 15 June 2012 - 08:48 PM.	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2012-06-15 20:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Can I visit my husband during CR1 process?	Hi, I know where you are coming from and I can tell you first hand information since I have visited my wife more than twice within the last six months while having a pending I-130 application. I actually wrote to CBP office directly and asked the question and this was their answer: "You can travel under the Visa Waiver program while an I-130 is pending. Admission is always at the discretion of the port of entry, but you could bring copies of your petition, evidence of residency and employment in the UK and any other relevant documents to help facilitate your entry." When I got this reply my ESTA had actually expired but I applied for it while I-130 pending and got approved. I was prepared for questions and I declared my purpose of visit is to see my wife. Every time I go it's not smooth sailing as they will grill you with questions..... one time it was almost 45 minutes of questioning my intention of visiting. I was blunt and honest and it worked out well in the end. Because they keep the history of all conversation I have had with them in the past and they can see my I-130 application it becomes easier after the first time. I did take a lot of supporting documents but they did ask but they never wanted to see them. If you ask me, its a 95% chance you will be fine, just be honest and be prepared for questions, you may be lucky they may not ask too many questions after all. Either way goodluck and congratulations on your wedding R OP, 1st-- congrats on the wedding! yay! We are kinda in the same situation, I am the USC and my husband is from England. WE got married here though in the US and he had to leave just 3 or 4 days later. I then sent the I-130 petition and planned to go visit him in the UK a few times since it would be easier customs/border patrol wise for me to go there than for him to come here. I went for 10 days in Feb but then I ended up getting pneumonia a few weeks later and burned up almost ALL my sick and vacation time at work and I def cant afford to miss that much work for go back so he came here just yesterday. I read tons of stories of people getting in and not getting in while having a petition/visa pending... I was a nervous wreck the whole time he flew especially since he lives with his parents currently so doesn't have evidence of a lease agreement or mortgage or anything like that.. he also just finished school (school was always a tie to England, ya know, a reason to go back... but now hes done so he didnt have that as a reason anymore) and he isn't working because as I said he JUST finished school and he hasnt begun looking for a job there yet (and might now since he will have to quit in like 3 or 3 months anyway to move here. lol) but anyway yea... all he had to prove he was coming home was a copy of his itinerary showing his return flight in 2 weeks, a copy of our NOA1 proving that we are in the visa process and are doing it the "right way" and wouldn't want to ruin that by overstaying or causing any delays, and the only other thing he had was his passport history where he came and left numerous times in the alst 2 years and always stayed only as long as he told them he was staying. I was really nervous because so many other people bring lease agreements, car information, job/employment letters, etc. But we didn't have that option. His POE was at JFK in NYC and this particular officer didn't give him any trouble at all. And he didn't need to give any evidence, he just stated that he had a return flight in two weeks... they didnt even ask him for proof (which he did have just in case). As everyone says, sometimes it's kind of luck... its USUALLY fine for you to come here, but definitely be prepared to show ties home and have a return flight booked. Also, like someone else stated, can you possibly go to a different internation airport in your spouses state? If they POE at the airport you usually use is that bad then maybe try your luck somewhere else... You can check out peoples reviews of POE on here and maybe that would help your situation more? Good Luck!!	xxJaym	Female	United Kingdom	2012-06-21 13:02:00