ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMedical exam question, HELP!!

Hi everyone,

Although my case is not spouse related, but it's a general question. My parents have got an interview in Abu Dhabi (U.A.E.) and they're going to have to schedule their medical exam the day before the interview. I'm really concerned that they won't have the test results that early. Can anyone please tell me how long does it take to get the medical test results back and how long prior to their interview they should schedule their medical?

I'd appreciate it if anyone could tell me where do you find the US government approved doctors (panel physician) to schedule your appointments with? Is there any list for that?

Thanks.


Consular staff at the embassy should have provided your parents with the list of the approved doctors for the medical exam and that list should have also contained info on when to do the exam (how long before the interview). My paper said to do it at least 2 weeks in advance but when I received a copy of my medical exam when they issued my visa I saw that HIV and syphillis results were back 4 days after they took my blood.

Maybe the US embassy in UAE website will have the information you are looking for. And you or your parents can probably email them - don't forget to put the case number in the subject of the email!

Best of luck,

milimelo
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2007-01-16 03:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshe quickest way?

I have a question. We didn't decide yet where we will marry, but probably in my home country. What do you think if we marry in my home country and submit I-130 in US Consulate in my home country- will be it faster than to submit this I-130 in US? For me it will be easier as I plan to change my passport (as I will surname of my fiance) and get this Immigration visa in my new passport. So what is the fastest way: via Service Centre or US Consulate?


I can only tell you from our experience in Bosnia. My husband, USC, did not have any residency requirements from the US embassy before we could file. So, once we were married in Sarajevo, two weeks later we went to the embassy and he submitted the I-130. The rule here is as soon as you are married, you can get an appointment to submit the I-130 - no waiting period required.

You might want to get in touch with the US embassy in Kazakhstan - I am sure they will be able to assist you in this matter.

Best of luck,

Milimelo
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2007-01-21 04:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSend form instructions?

Just wondering...

When you send in the forms (I-130 and G-325A), is it necessary to include the instructions that came with the form? i.e., I-130 is 6 pages: 4 pages of instructions and the actual form which is 2 pages.

We all know how picky government workers can be...



I didn't confuse them and kept the instructions at home.

Didn't seem to slow the process much.



No, they do not want you to send them the instructions - they are there to help you fill the form(s).
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2007-01-30 03:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 questions

I'm about to go to Ukraine to marry my fiancee. We had originally planned to use DCF, but since that's been killed, I plan to start the K-3 process as soon as I get home. That said, I have a few questions I'm hoping to get help with:

1) Item C.1. When we get married, we plan to have her take my surname. I'll be returning home before she has a chance to update her internal and international passports, so they'll still have her maiden name. Thus, I'm not sure when filling out the I-130 (and other forms), whether to use my surname (which will now be her correct name), or use her maiden name (which matches her passports until we can get them updated).

2) Item C.7. For other names used, I read that alternate spellings should be listed also. Here's my problem...she had her profile on several dating sites and in translating her name to English, she wasn't sure exactly how to translate it so there are about 4-5 versions of both her first and last name. I don't know if I need to list these names at all since they were just alternate spellings for the translation or if they are only asking for her names in Ukrainian, etc. Her emails to me which I plan to use as evidence of our relationship show her names spelled differently than those in her international passport. Also, I'm not sure if they need every variation of first and last name, just last name, etc. Obviously if she has used 4-5 translations of each name in various combinations this could be a rather large number. Anyone know what is correct for this?

3) Item C.20. This item asks for her name and address in Ukrainian. I had heard that this is used to send her mail when that time comes. She has a post office box where she normally gets her mail sent and this address is different from the place she actually lives (used in Item C.2, C.19, etc.). Is this ok to have a different address for this and is it correct to use her post office box for C.20?

Thanks in advance for any help on these! I know I'm probably over-analyzing the ####### out of these forms, but can you ever really be too safe when dealing with our government? (Just as a side note on this...I ordered 2 copies of my birth certificate from Texas using the expidited option to get them here in 7-10 days. Finally after 3 weeks, I got them in the mail only to find that I have 2 copies of someone else's birth certificate. The cover letter was correct and to me, but the BCs were for some completely random person. I of course emailed the email address listed on the cover letter immediately. About 4 hours later I got a sysadmin email back saying that the email is not a recognized one. So maybe this will help explain a little bit of my "paranoia"...then again I'm probably preaching to the choir here!) BTW, since I can't do DCF, I contemplated getting a lawyer for these and contacted some of the very well-known ones. I can say that after spending a couple weeks here on visajourney.com, when I talked to them on the phone, I felt like I knew just as much as they did (or more). That coupled with the fact that it's nearly impossible to find someone competent anywhere that I can trust to do all this right, I finally decided I'm best off educating myself and doing it myself with the help of all the people here! So thanks again!


Hi there LvivLovers,

since you are getting married in Ukraine, why don't you just apply for CR1 as it gives your wife instant green card and she does not have to do any AOS or wait for her work authorization?

Also, once you are married, you will get the marriage certificate which will show her new last name (our certificate has my maiden name on it too). I do not know how long it takes to get the new international passport in Ukraine but I can tell you that it took me only 2 weeks to change my ID card, passport and driver's license. You/or she might want to inquire what is the processing time to get the new passport there. So for 1) use her new name (your surname)

The only important name is her name in Ukrainian official documents, in my opinion - it should not matter what she called herself on the dating site or in her email address. 2) I believe it only applies if she had changed her name before.

3) I think she can use the P.O box address to receive mail from USCIS. SOmebody please correct me if I am wrong.

Good luck with the wedding and the entire process K3 or CR1 - whichever you decide to choose :thumbs:
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2007-01-31 05:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAOS fee - what is the current cost?

I am attempting to create my own AOS Fee Bill, using James "shortcuts" but don't know the current 2007 cost.
I never received mine and it was mailed a month ago.


I'm new here, so please forgive my ignorance...

What is an AOS Fee Bill?

Is it a filing fee for the Affidavit of Support?



I think there should be a list of abbreviations somewehere. Anyhow, AOS is Adjustment of Status. It is not related to Affidavit of Support even though it abbreviates the same :)
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2007-02-05 06:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresOf-169 for CR1
I received the OF169 with my packet 3/4 back in December. They crossed out $325 and wrote in $380 to bring either in $$ or local currency. I don't think this form will ever get outdated because it is just a list of what you will need for your interview.

Good luck!



Hello,


I've received my Packet 4 for my CR interview. On the list there is the required document OF-169, i have no idea what that form looks like. My husband and I didn't received any OF-169 form from the NVC. Can anyone help me with this? My interview will be 3 weeks from now and I really want to prepare all this document.


Thanks,
KimTung



That particular form can be found here:

http://www.hmi-usa.com/OF169.pdf

Hope that helps.


EDIT: Hmm... on second thought, that form appears to be outdated... I'm not sure if that will be accepted...


milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2007-02-27 06:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurescr1 info
hey there,

CR1 is immigrant visa for those who have been married for less than two years. It is better than K3 as you do not have to adjust status and can work immediately (once you enter the States they mail the green card to you in about a month). The only other thing you will have to do is lift the conditions 90 days before the expiration of the 2-yr green card.

Good luck with your journey!


hello i just found this site would have helped much during our process anyway my wife just received her k3 and her apointment for her cr1 is on march 16 can anyone tell me what the cr1 is and how much longer before we wil be done with her visa


milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2007-02-28 08:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresApplying before marriage - is it really impossible?

Another post got me thinking that this might be possible...

OK, first of all, before anyone gets twitchy, I AM NOT GOING TO DO THIS. Nor do I IN ANY WAY suggest that anyone do this - I think it's morally questionable and maybe illegal as well. But since this is a forum, I'm just kind of curious what everyone thinks.

Is it really impossible to send in the I-130 petition before you get married? Don't the petitions sit in a box for several months, and then when the adjudicator finally looks at it, if something is missing, doesn't he/she then send out an RFE? Couldn't you send the marriage certificate at that point? Especially if you had a lot of other supporting eveidence of an ongoing realtionship...

Or would they chuck the whole thing if they see that you sent the main petition before you actually got married?
Your thoughts...?


You simply cannot do it for the simple reason - the form itself asks for your marriage certificate and if I remember it correctly for the date of your marriage and place. Does not matter how long the petitions sit in the box if you have not submitted the information/evidence they requested (especially marriage certificate, date and place of marriage) you will raise a red flag.
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2007-03-06 03:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresApping before marriage ?
Hi Catou1181,

I do not think you can file for a spousal visa - in your case it would be CR1 (less than 2 years married) before you are actually married. The main reason being that you need to submit your marriage certificate with the I-130. I know this because I went with my husband to the embassy 2 weeks after we were married and we had to submit the marriage certificate (and they even looked at our wedding pics before approving us on the spot).

Good luck with your visa journey!



Hi :)

I just called the AMCITS to get some information on what would be best for my situation. Im Canadian, planning to marry an American and moving there this fall. The wedding is planned to occur in Montreal for a few reasons(so my family can attend more easily, since Im moving there, we thought it would be nice to get married here).

So from all that Ive read and heard, that crossed out the fiance visa option as we wouldn't be getting married in the States.

So Ive been looking, and worrying and just about to have my head explode lol... I called the AMCITS and they told me that it's possible for my fiance to apply for a Spousal Visa before we are married. Is that true ? The girl didn't seem sure herself of the information she was giving me.

From what I understood from her, is that we could apply for the Spousal Visa which is supposed to take from 6 to 12 months. In the meantime, we would get married(possibly in 6-8 months) and if the visa is issued I could move there right away, and if not, I would only have to wait 1-6 months before being able to be with my husband; as opposed to applying for the Visa after being married and having to wait 6-12 months to be with my husband.

Is any of this information correct ? I need to make a decision about my current lease and job within a month so Im sorta stressed out about the whole process and what's the best thing for us to do.

Any insight ? Can anyone confirm that we can in fact file the petiton for a spousal visa before getting married ?

Thanks so much
Cat


milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2007-03-05 12:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTravel after arrival in USA but before final Green card?
I hope this will help to someone :)

During my interview, I asked about coming to the States firts for a visit with my hubby in June and activating my visa, then leaving and returning in December once my contract is up. The lady said it will not be a problem so long as I enter before a year passes, preferably within six months. Re: green card (as I had the same question) - she said I will probably get it during our visit and if not, that my mother in law can send it to me, otherwise just the stamp is ok in passport.

So, no worries.
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2007-03-15 10:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPrevious J-1 visa
I had a letter from my previous employer showing the dates I started the new contract in my home country. Then I had a copy of my diploma - as I graduated from my home university. One visitor visa a year upon return to my home country (spent a month in the States). This covered two years of J-1 requested HRR. Besides that I had one more visitor visa to show as well as the latest employer letter, bank statements for the past period...

They only took copies of my passport pages that had my visitor visas for 2003 and 2005 - everything else was returned to me.

Good luck with your visa journey!





You should not have any problems. I was on J-1 visa for a year, returned to my country and 5 years later received my CR1 without any problems. Brought them all kind of proof that I actually returned to my home country (had the 2-year HRR) - old passports, new passport with 2 new visitor visas for US...


Do you recall what exactly they had you show at the interview, in regards to the 2 year HRR you served? (or the 5 ;) )

Besides the passports.......what else did you bring to prove you had served your time? What did they ask for?


milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2007-03-23 10:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPrevious J-1 visa
You should not have any problems. I was on J-1 visa for a year, returned to my country and 5 years later received my CR1 without any problems. Brought them all kind of proof that I actually returned to my home country (had the 2-year HRR) - old passports, new passport with 2 new visitor visas for US...


Hi again,

I am just checking all the loose ends before we filed in order to avoid any surprises at the end. I want to make sure everything is tied and cool before we start the process. So, my question is: does it matter that I (spanish citizen, now married to a USC) lived in the US for 3 years under a J-1 visitor visa? I had the famous "two year rule" which I already accomplished since I have been living in Spain now for 4 years. But I just want to make sure they will not hassle me with this later.

Thanks


milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2007-03-21 14:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHas Anyone done both K-3 and CR-1 interview
I'd say good choice :thumbs:
Once your wife is done with the interview, she gets her GC sooner than she would have should you have opted for AOS IMHO.
I would guess having already done K3 the CR1 interview would be easier.

Best of luck to you!


We were planning on going back to Taiwan anyhow so we thought this way would be easier.

My wife had her K-3 interview last August and will do her CR-1 interview next week. She said the entire K-3 interview process was quite formal. All of her supporting documents were checked by a clerk first, then she waited for a half hour for her interview and the interview itself was quite short, mainly concerned with checking that her medical and supporting documents were complete and in order. Has anyone gone through both the K-3 and CR-1 interview process at the same embassy? Were they similar or do CR-1 interviews differ in intensity?


Hi,

well first of all why r u having her interview in Taiwan u should file I-485 and have her interview done here in USA instead of going there and as far as interview goes they are almost the same


milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2007-03-30 11:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHow long before Green Card Arrives
For GC give it a month to arrive (make sure your wife's name on the mail box). For SS number, if she had not had one before wait two weeks then if nothing comes to your address go to the nearest SS office with (passport stamped with I-551, birth certificate, marriage certificate) and have them do a new one.



Hello all,
I am a little confused about the next steps. My wife arrived on Cr1 on April 14. We checked to have an SS assgined on DS230. My questions are - How long on average before the green card arrives? Do I need to go to SS office to apply for an SS or it will be automatically sent?

Any answer will be highly appreciated.


milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2007-04-17 09:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresa quick question: does everyone here also apply K3 at the same time?
http://www.visajourn...ist...,26,27,28

whitesail,

if you look at the link above, it gives you timeline of CR1/IR1 visas processed for Canada - I saw in one case petition filed in Sept. 06 and interview is scheduled for 22 May. Therefore, your CR visa may be done within 8 months which gives you plenty of time to get the visa, wrap up work and move to the States. You have 6 months since you receive your visa to activate it. And, by going CR1 route you can work immediately upon entry to the States (not the case with K3 unless you get EAD).

Best of luck on your journey whichever route you choose.

M
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2007-05-02 08:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurespolitical asylum

no, do u think it will help??
usually they say nosing but wait and see our processing times which haven't been changed for over 6 months for vsc


Well I've seen people call if they heard nothing from SC in couple of months and they get some info. Since your case is a specific one and related to political asylum (not sure on which grounds you applied for one and how did you return to Ukraine), you might want to have your husband contact an immigration attorney as he/she may shed more light on why your cases is not pass NOA1 yet. Based on that, you can determine the next steps you two want to undertake.

Best of luck on your journey,

mel
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2007-04-28 12:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurespolitical asylum

:help:
Hi everyone!!!!
I'm waiting for my I-130 since december 2006. I'm in ukraine since november 2006. before that I have lived in the US for 4 and half years and during that time i was legal based on political asylum in october i got the refusal from immigration court and that's why i had to leave my husband ( that time bf) said that he didn't wnt me to leave that's why we got married but lawyer advised me to leave and wait for papers in ukraine so here i'm for 6 months.
My question is do u think it takes longer for them to check me because i've lived in the states or there is a chance for denial?
P. S. just want to believe that I'll be with my husband SOON, miss him a lot.


Nchipic,

you may want to give us your timeline: when was the I-130 submitted and to which service center, status (received NOA1, NOA2). Your husband should be able to give you all this info as he is the one receiving receipt notices from USCIS.

Only then can people from the forum be able to give you advice/opinion.

Best,

Mel



:help:
Hi everyone!!!!
I'm waiting for my I-130 since december 2006. I'm in ukraine since november 2006. before that I have lived in the US for 4 and half years and during that time i was legal based on political asylum in october i got the refusal from immigration court and that's why i had to leave my husband ( that time bf) said that he didn't wnt me to leave that's why we got married but lawyer advised me to leave and wait for papers in ukraine so here i'm for 6 months.
My question is do u think it takes longer for them to check me because i've lived in the states or there is a chance for denial?
P. S. just want to believe that I'll be with my husband SOON, miss him a lot.


I'm a little confused...I thought political asylum was claimed when the person could not return to their home country due to political upheaval (or other reasons) because they would be in danger of their lives if they returned? That is why I don't understand how you were able to return to your home country after the US denied your political asylum claim. I'm not sure but your wait may have to do w/ your previous asylum case (meaning your wait is longer because of it). The problem would not be that your lived in the states....but immigration may be examining your case more closely. Did you marry your husband before or after you filed for immigration benefits based on claiming political asylum? If you married after, immigration may well be checking more closely, to make sure that the marriage was conducted "in good faith" and not to receive immigration benefits (i.e. it is a real marriage, not fraudulent).
Hang in there, you'll make it. Good luck.

As for your signature questions. When you are logged in, towards the top of your page, click on "My Controls", then on the bar in the left hand side, click on "Edit Signature". You can then type any text you want to appear as your signature...and that will show each time you make a post on the forums.

-P


Service Center : Vermont Service Center
Consulate : Ukraine
Marriage : 2006-11-02
I-130 Sent : 2006-12-11
I-130 NOA1 : 2006-12-15



Did your husband call the USCIS hotline to see what's the status of the application?
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2007-04-27 02:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurespolitical asylum

:help:
Hi everyone!!!!
I'm waiting for my I-130 since december 2006. I'm in ukraine since november 2006. before that I have lived in the US for 4 and half years and during that time i was legal based on political asylum in october i got the refusal from immigration court and that's why i had to leave my husband ( that time bf) said that he didn't wnt me to leave that's why we got married but lawyer advised me to leave and wait for papers in ukraine so here i'm for 6 months.
My question is do u think it takes longer for them to check me because i've lived in the states or there is a chance for denial?
P. S. just want to believe that I'll be with my husband SOON, miss him a lot.


Nchipic,

you may want to give us your timeline: when was the I-130 submitted and to which service center, status (received NOA1, NOA2). Your husband should be able to give you all this info as he is the one receiving receipt notices from USCIS.

Only then can people from the forum be able to give you advice/opinion.

Best,

Mel
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2007-04-26 07:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMilitary Dependant with CR-1 Visa

1. This is still an error. The OP said his wife may return to her home country to await his arrival and yes the re-entry permit applies to all LPR's. Whether traveling on military orders or living on US soil abroad changes things is irrelevant to your initial assertion.

2. The CR1 visa is not multiple entry. CR1 visa holders receive a green card soon after entry and may travel as they wish, subject to the re-entry issue.

3. Thanks for the reference. If correct, and I assume it is, that changes things.




1 and 2. I have just looked at some old posts, still recent, and there have been many people who are on CR1 and left the US without a re entry permit. I hope this link works - http://www.visajourn...php/t28122.html

Also, I think she will only need a re entry permit if she is out of the country for more than year. There is a possibilty she may not need one because she will be out of the US because of her husband, who is out of the US because of the military. I do think that being in the military changes some things, especially residency requirements.

3. You're welcome, we chose the IR1 route because of less paperwork, I HATE paperwork!! :)


Well, judge for yourself. Here's question you answered by saying a re-entry permit isn't required with the multiple entry CR1 visa.

I have been doing my homework online and I have read she must apply for a re-entry permit before she leaves to be able to come back if she is gone longer that a year. Is this true even though her visa status will fall under the multiple entry category?

Your answer was wrong on both counts. CR1 is not a multiple entry visa and the re-entry permit is required under the circumstances described in the question.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Greetings Everyone,

First of all I really appreciate all of you that have taken the time to repond to my questions. Thank you. :thumbs:

I understand now that the CR-1 Visa is just used as a way to get into the United States. At the time of entry you are eligible for a Alien Registration Receipt Card ("green card") that grants conditional permanent residence. The status must be adjusted to permanent within the 90 day window of the second entry anniversary with form I-751. Do I get that green card on entry or will it be mailed to us?.

From what I have read is it also correct she will alredy have her EAD and SSN under this category? If so will she receive the cards/documentation upon entry or will it be mailed to us?

The text in bold below is an excerpt I found from the Travel.State.gov website. It clarifies the topic of our discussion.

http://travel.state....info_1333.html#

A permanent resident alien returning to the United States from a visit abroad of less than a year may apply for readmission by presenting an Alien Registration Receipt Card ("green card") to the immigration authorities at a port of entry. The one-year time limitation does not apply to the spouse or child of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, or of a civilian employee of the U.S. Government stationed abroad pursuant to official orders. In this case, the spouse or child must present the card mentioned above, not have relinquished residence, and be preceding or accompanying the member or employee, or be following to join the member or employee in the United States within four months of the return of the member or employee.

A permanent resident alien who intends to remain abroad for more than a year should, at least 30 days prior to the proposed date of departure, apply while in the United States to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the Department of Homeland Security for Reentry Permit. The permit is valid for two years and may not be extended. If such a permit is obtained the alien may use this card to reenter the United States within the period of validity. Every alien applying for readmission must satisfy the immigration authorities that he or she is eligible in all respects for admission.

A Reentry Permit does not preserve residence for naturalization purposes. An application for preservation of residence must be filed with USCIS prior to departure from the United States. Further information may be obtained from the USCIS office having jurisdiction over the alien''s place of residence in the United States.

Travel documents required for entry into foreign countries come within the jurisdiction of the government concerned; information on such matters should be requested from the representatives of those countries in the United States. A Reentry Permit contains space for visas issued by consular representatives of other countries.

Permanent resident aliens who are unable to return to the United States within the travel validity period of the Alien Registration Receipt Card, or the Reentry Permit, may apply to the nearest U.S. consular office for a special immigrant Returning Resident (SB-1) visa. To qualify for such status aliens must show:--

That they were lawful permanent residents when they departed the United States. -- That when they departed they intended to return to the United States and have maintained this intent: -- That they are returning from a temporary visit abroad and, if the stay was protracted, that it was caused by reasons beyond their control and for which they were not responsible; and -- That they are eligible for the immigrant visa in all other respects.

Applicants who wish to apply for Returning Resident (SB-1) visas should contact the nearest consular office well in advance of their intended travel (at least three months in advance, if possible) to permit sufficient time for visa processing.

If the returning Resident (SB-1) visa is refused on the grounds that the alien has given up his residence in the United States, it may or may not be possible to obtain a nonimmigrant visa, depending on whether the applicant has established a residence abroad to which he will return. If the applicant wishing to return to the United States cannot submit convincing evidence of compelling ties abroad he may have to apply for an immigrant visa on the same basis by which he immigrated originally, if that is possible.

I wish all of your families good luck, happiness, and health in the future.

Adam


When she enters through PoE her passport will be stamped with I-551 which is good for a year. After couple of weeks - could take couple of months, she should get her GC in mail (make sure her name is on or in the mailbox as there are accounts of people whose GC have been returned because their name wasn't there). If she ticked yes for the SSN card to be issued to her, she should receive it in 2 weeks, but in some cases it has been known to last longer than that. In any case, if she does not have SSN in two weeks, she should go to the nearest SSa office and request the card - they will check that she is in the system and get her a card. Count on time delays just in case. She does not need EAD since GC already gives her the right to work - until she gets a real GC she can show the stamped I-551 CR1 visa page in her passport. Should she want to travel, and GC is not there yet, she can use her passport with stamped I-551.

Best of luck to you and your wife!
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2007-05-24 05:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMilitary Dependant with CR-1 Visa
Ok, as there seems to be some confusion going let's get things straight@

OP's wife will get CR1 visa. Once she receives it, she has 6 months to activate the visa. Upon entering, 2 years start to count. 3 months (90 days) before 2nd anniversary of entering the US, the OP and his wife will file for removal of conditions on her residency, and she will receive 10 year GC. One year later, which is 3 year anniversary of entering the States, OP's wife can file for naturalization.

The deal with expedited naturalization is that it only applies to active duty military personnel deployed overseas. If OP in an unlikely case is deployed again for 12 months, after his wife enters she can file for expedited naturalization. See the link below.


http://www.visajourn... naturalization

Hope we are all clear on everything now.

edited for typos

Edited by milimelo, 24 May 2007 - 02:35 AM.

milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2007-05-24 02:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDifference between K3 and CR-1 Visa?
Lara,

if you are getting married in Germany, and your USC spouse-to-be has been living in Germany for 6 months you are eligible for DCF. Through DCF you can get CR-1 immigrant visa (I-130) in couple of months. It is much better than K-3 visa as you do not have to adjust status - you only have to remove conditions 90 days prior to 2 year anniversary of entering the States. And, CR-1 gives you GC immediately and thus you can start working right away. Once you have visa in hand, you have six months to activate it which should be ok as you want to move to the States in January 2008.

Check out the DCF subforum for more info.

Best wishes for the wedding!

Good luck on your visa journey!

Mel
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2007-05-21 08:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview Completed
There is no Welcome Package - you get a I-797 which is a welcome notice that will give you your case number and A number (A number is already on the visa sticker). After that, in 6-12 weeks your wife should be getting her green card.
If you do not receive SSN in two weeks from the POE you can go to the SS office and ask for one - just bring her passport.

Congratulations and welcome!

PS> DId your wife get the IV visa in Zagreb or Sarajevo (I know Sarajevo started processing IV visas in October)?

Edited by milimelo, 28 January 2008 - 05:11 PM.

milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2008-01-28 17:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUSCIS reply to NY times
I wonder what Gonzales will say about this: http://www.nytimes.c...n...l?th&emc=th
The NYT is certainly on USCIS' back these days whistling.gif
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2008-03-21 12:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCan you renew your visa?
QUOTE (reeses16 @ May 25 2009, 08:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hopefully people who did the IR-1/CR1 can shed more light, but I was wondering what date would be on her green card? Would it be the date she entered the US as listed on her I-94? Or is it a later date when the green card is officially approved by USCIS?


Date of first entering the country and activating the visa - that is your admission date ie. resident since date.

Don't know about AOS people, I presume whenever their adjustment is approved (interview or NOA2 approval).
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2009-05-26 13:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVacinnation Records!
Sorry you had to go through that. We have a set vaccine schedule in my home country and everyone receives them (not optional). They are recorded in your "medical book" which you carry around. If you lose it, you can go to the public health department and they can issue you a certificate of vaccines received based on your DOB - no titer needed.
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2009-07-03 18:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures2yr or 10 yr GC??
QUOTE (LÜvtechwifey @ Jul 2 2009, 11:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If in your visa says you are under CR1 when you entered USA, you will receive 2 yr conditional GC. But if you entered USA on IR1 visa, then you will received a 10 yr GC. USCIS will not consider your paperwork just for a mere look that you have celebrated your 2nd wedding anniv. You have to undergo proper filing of forms so you'll have your GC changed.


Not quite true as some people were successful in having the IO at POE change the code in the system from CR-1 to IR-1 upon presenting the marriage certificate.
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2009-07-03 18:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHelp! US Border Entry
Don't you have a NOA-1 by this time? It should serve as enough proof that you are doing the legal way to gain US residency and should get you into the country.
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2009-07-07 08:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresConfused Canadian Wife!!!
QUOTE (ilovemyushusband @ Jul 15 2009, 11:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi everyone,
i've been searching and searching both here and on google and i can't seem to get a solid answer. i married my American Husband on July 22, 2009 and came back home to Canada. we are now in the process of filing out the i-130 forms and were told we could file the i-485 forms either together or separately. i am still in Canada and my hubby is back in the US.
my question is do we file the i-485 if i am still in Canada? or do i have to wait until i am in the US to file the i-485? AND just to clarify which forms other than the obvious i-130 forms should we be sending in at this time? i'm going the CR-1 route and NOT the K-3.
Thanks in advanced!
Confused Canadian!!!



Checks her calendar which says - today is July 16, 2009 - how do you marry in future? Did you mean June 22 2009? headbonk.gif
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2009-07-16 07:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPotentically Lost 1040 Form for 2008
QUOTE (Ber + Ter @ Jul 21 2009, 10:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Wait, one more question so he needs a completed I-864, and his tax transcripts? The list says W2's, or am I overthinking, and the employment letter and pay stubs are optional? o_o



Don't need W-2 since he has the transcripts that contain all info from W-2. Since he is in the military, only has to show proof for 100% of poverty line, not 125%.

My husband's employment letter was very simple - with the military from date, deployed from date, rank, pay per year.
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2009-07-22 08:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTravelling to the US with Visa before I intend to use it
No worries - we activated my CR-1 visa on a 2-week visit to husband's family then went back to my home country for another 5,5 months until he finished his military deployment and I wrapped up my work. They never even asked where's myu GC - the I-551 stamp was sufficient.

Good luck house hunting!
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2009-07-28 07:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion about length of interview at POE
Well O'Hare was our last stop but for CR-1 visa activation it took us close to an hour. Actually, it wasn't the processing, it was the waiting for IOs to process people who had problematic cases - work visas, old ladies who could not speak English, expired documents...

We were done in 10 minutes - took my fingerprints, opened the envelope, entered my info into SAVE system.
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2009-08-04 15:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 VISA expired
QUOTE (~bLairwhich~ @ Aug 2 2009, 12:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (estrella @ Aug 3 2009, 12:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey it may not be all be lost, things can be done a lil' different if your husband is in orders with the army and is in active duty, I really don't know them completely to tell you that you may be saved and you'll be able to lift the conditions, but you could go to your embassy or have your husband call USCIS or something.
I wish you the best of lucks, and I understand you completely, when my husband was deployed we had the chance to make the paperwork and make it faster thanks to his deployment but we choose not to because I was gonna stay in Mexico with my family in the mean time, so don't listen to those who say they can't believe what you did, is probably just frustration on the process. I hope everything works out in the best way for you

Thanks a lot, I will be following your advice. I appreciate your hopes and good wishes. It feels good when someone can relate and even if we're strangers you wished me well. Thanks so much!


Get your husband to involve assistance from your congressman - if the card never arrived and the address has not changed, you have every right to receive your card (don't pay another $380).

For SSN, when you get to the States, just go to the closest SSA office. There is an office locator on www.ssa.gov and you can also download the application form.
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2009-08-02 15:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 VISA expired
Ok, your CR-1 was clearly stamped and has served as a temporary GC. What you need to do now is track down the GC - has the Welcome to USA letter arrived at your in-laws in the States? Whose address did you give when you filled the forms? If the letter has arrived, maybe the GC has too. You definitely want to check on that.

Since you have entered in October, I'd make sure to get back to the States before the expiration of the stamp. Then follow up with USCIS if the GC has not arrived.

For SSN, even though you check you want it sent to you, that happens in maybe 1% of all cases. That's why you have to go to the SSA office and file for the SSN personally.

Best of luck to you!
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2009-08-02 08:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 VISA expired
Well if you did not have a tourist (B1/B2) but only CR-1 visa when you got into the States then you were processed as a new resident. Go back to your passport and look at the visa page - what does it say and are there any stamps with a date on it - whatever kind of visa you had had to be stamped.
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2009-08-01 12:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAfter 2 months no Green Card?
QUOTE (gqbabson @ Oct 23 2009, 06:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey Gang,

Hope all is well.

My wife entered on her CR-1 2 months ago. Still no welcome letter or Green Card. However, just yesterday, she got a 797-C requesting Biometrics. Is this normal? We did all this when getting to JFK (and have the Entry Stamp in Passport). I thought a 797C is needed for Adjustment of Status?

Please help.

Thanks


Call the USCIS help line and ask why biometrics if she came in on CR-1 visa. In the past, no biometrics were required, upon POE processing CR-1 visa holder would receive welcome letter (or several) and a green card (eventually, that;s why the passport is stamped so it serves as a temp green card).
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2009-10-23 19:00:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWife has got VISA and living with me, what now?
QUOTE (Chris S. @ Oct 26 2009, 02:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello,

My wife has received her CR1 Visa and is now living with me in Arizona. I am really just curious what the next step is for my wife? Do i need to get her a green card? do i need to do an Adjustment of Status? get her a social security card? I want to make sure I get her all the required documents.

thanks in advance, I did some searching on the website but couldn't find a definite answer; so hopefully one of you all can guide us in the right direction?



When did she enter the country? There seems to be a new procedure after POE where they send an I-797C request for biometrics and applicants have to get their picture taken as well as fingerprinted. GC comes around 10 days later. See this post:
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=225047

milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2009-10-26 14:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTo late to change wife's name?
QUOTE (nyankee @ Nov 8 2009, 10:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Shes already doing that. Will that cause any problems at the interview?


No it won't but don't forget to fill out the DS-230 with the name she wants on the green card - they'll go off of that when they issue the green card.
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2009-11-08 11:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWife got her visa... Can she work when she comes over now?
QUOTE (pushbrk @ Nov 8 2009, 08:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (bigangrytexan @ Nov 8 2009, 04:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My wife will be finally arriving on Tuesday on her IR-1 visa. When can she work, legally? Can she start immediately, or does she have to wait for the green card to come in the mail?

Didn't find the answer in the FAQ section...

Thanks in advance for your answers.


Technically, she's authorized to work immediately upon entry but it usually takes about two weeks for the SSN and three weeks for the Green card to come in the mail. She would need at least the SSN to execute the required I-9 form upon accepting employment.

The green card will come automatically and the SSN will too if you checked the right boxes on her DS 230.



The OP said that his wife already has a SSN from when she was here on J-1. She doesn't have to wait on SSN, she just has to go update it so the restriction is removed.
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2009-11-08 21:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWife got her visa... Can she work when she comes over now?
QUOTE (christeen @ Nov 8 2009, 08:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You can still owrk, just go to the SSA office after about 2 weeks (time for you to get in their system) and get the SSN


She already has a SSN - no waiting required. She can go over to SSA office for update the day of arrival or next morning.
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2009-11-08 20:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurestravel on CR1----pre green card 551 stamp
QUOTE (.MythaG- @ Nov 10 2009, 10:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
if ur viisa in ur hand buy ticket and fly here in u.s.


Do you have comprehension problems? OP clearly said he and his wife are in the US right now.
milimeloFemaleBosnia-Herzegovina2009-11-11 09:24:00