ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-230 Barcode sheet
The correct DS-230 coversheet is the one with the blue Statue of Liberty, you will find it in the Timesavers thread page 11, post # 151.

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-04-15 09:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInstruction Package to embassy!
The whole packet thing does not exist anymore for CR1/IR1 visas since the NVC is now gathering all documents and making the appointments themselves for most embassies.

These are the things the NVC will need:
DS-3032
AOS fee bill
IV Bill
I-864
DS-230

Once they process all of those documents they will take about 2 weeks to complete the case. Then they will make an appointment with the embassy the first two weeks of the following month. In most cases. After they do this, they will send out the interview letter to both, the petitioner and the beneficiary, with lab & medical instructions. This is what used to be called packet 4.

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-04-17 17:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCould we say that Instruction Package is the same as Packet 2??
No, actually for CR1/IR1 visas, packet 3 no longer exists since the documents don't have to sent to most embassies anymore. It is now known as the list of documents that need to be sent along with the DS-230, so the phrase packet 3 went out the window.

Packet 4 will contain lab and medical information as well as the interview letter.

Diana

Edited by Mononoke28, 17 April 2008 - 05:31 PM.

Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-04-17 17:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTimelines For Ecuador
Thanks. And yes, we're good peeps. ^_^
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2007-04-30 23:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTimelines For Ecuador
As far as CSC goes, it's the same for everyone who files no matter what country they're from. So for starters you're looking at an average of 90-120 days for your petition to be approved. From there it goes to the NVC and that's about 1-2 months. Then it goes to the embassy and that's when the process is different for everybody since each consulate works differently.
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2007-04-30 18:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAfter NVC...
Before the NVC changes took place last year, they would get the case #, ask for AOS and IV bills and send it to the embassy. Then the beneficiary would get packet 3 which was a letter of all the documents they needed to get for the interview (police certificate, birth certificate, migratory movement, etc.), after that they would get packet 4 which is the letter with the interview date.

TODAY...

The NVC handles everything for most embassies and what was called packet 3 is now the process where the Choice of Agent sends everything to the NVC (police certificate, birth certificate, migratory movement, etc.) along with the DS-230. That is why there isn't a packet 3 anymore.

Once the NVC completes the case, usually about 2-3 weeks after they received the DS-230 with the documents (This is the step you are now waiting for), they will make an appointment with the embassy the first two weeks of each month. It has only been a week since they received your DS-230. So give it time.

Your spouse will get packet 4, which is the interview letter. So with CR1/IR1 visas, this shouldn't be called packet 4 anymore but just that: Interview Letter. I guess the term stuck and people keep calling it that.

K1 & K3 visas are not handled by the NVC, they only get case #s assigned and then the embassy takes care of them. That's why they do get packets 3 and 4, because the NVC does not process their documents before the interview.

Diana

Edited by Mononoke28, 24 April 2008 - 02:59 PM.

Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-04-24 14:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHow many times?
QUOTE (karla5001 @ Apr 24 2008, 02:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hehe..im crazy like that too!!


wait till you get to the NVC stage... you will be calling almost every single day to hear and update!

Oh my gosh, this is so true. The USCIS process is nothing compared to the NVC. You're going to be amazed to see how many times you call them on a daily basis. I'm pretty sure they could certify it as stalking. whistling.gif

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-04-24 15:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHow many times?
I did it 3 times a day, morning, afternoon and right before going to bed. It didn't help to get me an NOA2 but it made me feel better. happy.gif

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-04-24 15:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCertified copies
QUOTE (lucyrich @ Apr 24 2008, 01:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If you take some document to a notary or other trusted authority and ask him to make a copy, the best he could do is certify that the copy he made was a genuine unaltered copy of what you gave him. But since he's not in a position to vouch for the authenticity of the document you gave him, that kind of certification is pretty much useless for immigration purposes.


It depends on the kind of authority the notary has in each country. In Colombia for example, and maybe I misunderstood but I thought they said in Brazil as well, the people who issue these records are the notaries. For example for my marriage certificate we went to the notary, asked for a certified copy, the lady took our original marriage certificate, photocopied it, it came out all blurry, but then she put a stamp on it that said "this is a certified copy of the original" with her signature. Even though she was just a notary she still had the authority to make that nasty photocopy a certified copy. That's what I sent the NVC and they completed my case without an RFE.

Maybe it's different in Brazil and I misunderstood. whistling.gif

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-04-24 15:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCertified copies
The NVC was correct. A copy of a marriage certificate from Thailand cannot be certified as a copy of the original by a notary in the US. It has to be certified in Thailand.

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-04-23 16:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCertified copies
Well a certified copy is just that. Our copies say "this is a certified copy" signed by the notary.

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-04-23 14:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCertified copies
I sent certified copies of my marriage certificate as well as my husband's birth certificate. The only ones we can get in Colombia are done by the notary who are the issuing authority, the NVC didn't have any problems accepting them .

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-04-23 14:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVermont go to Hell
I don't mean to play the Devil's Advocate but waiting almost 4 months for them to approve you is not that long compared to other people who have waited 7 months for an NOA2, even longer.

Is it fair? No it's not, but there's nothing you can do about it except wait.

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-04-24 14:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFees After I-130 Approval
Please try to go to the National Visa Center forum so you can get an idea of what the process is at the NVC. There is also a new way of paying these bills online that can help you get through the process a lot faster.

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-04-28 16:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-230 - PLEASE HELP
Oh if the automated system or live rep says that it has either been generated or mailed, you can mail it to them as soon as you hang up the phone. No need to wait around an extra day if you everything ready.

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-04-28 14:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-230 - PLEASE HELP
No, you have to wait until either the automated system or a live rep tells you that it has either been generated or that it has been mailed to you. You shouldn't send anything before that or you'll delay the process.

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-04-28 11:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresEnclosed envelope from NVC
Since I sent all my documentation to the NVC Next Day Delivery I used the Express Mail carton envelope used at the Post Office.

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-04-29 09:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhats wrong with NVC Phone number
I just called it and got through to the automated system just fine. Have you tried calling them late at night, around 11:30pm EST always worked for me.

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-04-29 09:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview Date 05/09/08
Awesome! I'll try to find the thread and post this info there.


Thanks!!!
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-04-30 10:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview Date 05/09/08
Hello Carlos,

If you have a solid case with good evidence you should be all set. The only bad thing that may happen is that the CO asks for something or asks for you to go to the embassy with her and until then, her visa approval might be on hold. But it doesn't happen that often. Just think positive.

I had a question since you already went through the NVC process. What police documents did your wife have to get to send to the NVC with the DS-230? Police Certificate? Migratory Movement Certificate? The reason I ask is because there is a VJ member in the Foreign Embassy forum who's getting really confused about what police certificates are needed for the US Embassy in Peru and if they need to be from every city his fiancée has lived in.

Thanks!

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-04-29 15:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAPPROVED
Congratulations and the best of luck while you're at the NVC!!!!!

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-04-29 17:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurescopy of passport?
Yes, the choice of agent will have to send it a copy of the bio page of your wife's passport. The process at the NVC was taking about 3 months or so but since some people have started using the online pay bill and printing options and have seen that it's taking about 1½ month.

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-04-29 14:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresU.S Embassy Colombia Interview Questions
Well, if they don't complete your case before the first two weeks of May you will be getting a July interview for sure. The NVC schedules interviews with the embassies during the first two weeks of the month for the following month, if you miss that window, they'll make it for the month after that.

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-05-02 11:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresU.S Embassy Colombia Interview Questions
There's also a list of questions that are posted in the Colombian Club thread that you can go over. They're a list of sample questions that people gathered that might be very helpful. I can't really tell you on which page they are but try to check all pages from about May to September.

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-04-30 17:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhich is best ???
The CSC was processing I-130 and I-129Fs within three months last year and I was lucky enough to be in the bunch. This is all before the fees changed of course. They processed our I-130 within 3 months and customer service was not bad.

The NVC processed all of our paperwork within 3 months and customer services wasn't bad either.

The US embassy in Bogotá was just as efficient, especially since we had done a lot of research regarding the additional documents we had to bring with us, medical and lab, all thanks to all the people in the Colombia Club since we try to help each other as much as we can. The whole process took about 7½ months without any hiccups. So in summary, all three entities were pretty efficient.

Diana

Edited by Mononoke28, 06 May 2008 - 09:13 AM.

Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-05-06 09:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDo I need to use staple ???I-130
Well, I did use pretty colored sticky notes when I sent stuff to the NVC. They were all over the place. I'm sure they loooooved it! happy.gif

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-05-06 12:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDo I need to use staple ???I-130
I also used paperclips to keep each set of documents together, ex.: marriage certificate and translation. No need for folders.

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-05-06 09:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHOW TO PAY IV BILL ONLINE
It seems like the NVC is just like a slot machine. You just need to call them several times until one of them gives in and hands out the IINs. happy.gif

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-05-07 12:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC payment online?
Also, keep in mind that since this process is faily new, most NVC operators will tell you that the online payment options are not available yet and won't give you the IIN. You have to call back and try until you get an operator who will give you your IIN, with that number in hand you're golden.

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-05-07 12:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCertificado Judicial
Sisas.

Don't forget to get the Carta Migratoria from the DAS as well. Your spouse will need it on the day of the interview.

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-05-07 14:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCertificate of Baptism
That's correct. In Colombia is very important to get every document the embassy requests or you might get denied, this includes the certificate of baptism. The reason they ask for it is because it acts as a second piece of evidence that backs up the birth certificate since a lot of people don't register their kids when they're born but do get them baptized due to their Catholic faith. People who were not baptized for whatever reason or who are not Catholic can get a notarized document explaining the absence of the document, a waiver per se.

Please double check this information with the embassy so you're not blindsided the day of the interview.

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-05-07 15:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-230 Part I Documentation
It all depends on your embassy.

timeline.gif

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-05-07 12:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresK-3 OR I-130
Filing for a K3 or CR1 visa won't matter much at the USCIS level (service center). The time difference is when it goes to the embassy. Some embassies will give interviews faster for K3s than CR1s. In Colombia for example the time difference is about 1-2 months and with the new NVC online payment option it looks like CR1s will be processed faster.

Check out timelines of VJ members going through your embassy and service center for both K3 and CR1 visas to see how long it might take. That should give you a better idea.

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-05-08 15:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresdocuments verification
Yeah, get what? huh.gif

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-05-07 12:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHow long for me to recieve NOA-1
I waited a month for my NOA1 and the WAC# on the back of the cancelled check was too blurry for me to make out. They gave me the WAC# over the phone and I had to ask them to "re-send" the NOA1 even though they had never sent it in the first place. I received it 2 days after our I-130 was approved. Then it took another two months to receive the NOA2. rolleyes.gif

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-05-09 12:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresForeign Marriages recognized in NY?
We got married in Colombia and our marriage is valid anywhere in the US.

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-05-09 10:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNew Fastest NVC process
This is very cool. I wonder if they webmasters can pin this thread so other people can see what the new process will look like.

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-05-07 15:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDoes anyone know if this Visa Appointment Link is for all countries?
It's not good for all countries, at least not for Colombia. It may be good only for the Philippines.

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-05-12 14:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresThose of ya'll with kiddos
Yes, you're baby will get US citizenship through you and the US embassy should be able to get the baby a US passport and apply for a social security number. I would call the embassy in Japan to find out what you need to bring with you, I'm assuming your US passport and the baby's birth certificate.

Also, Japan does not allow dual citizenship.

Diana

Edited by Mononoke28, 13 May 2008 - 02:51 PM.

Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-05-13 14:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-230 Question
Ecuador doesn't provide police certificates for foreigners either, so it's not needed for Bogotá.

Diana
Mononoke28FemaleColombia2008-05-14 11:00:00