ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresChanging name in passport after arriving in the USA
QUOTE (Cuchita @ Jun 16 2009, 09:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Tha is not a problem. After you get married you go to the SS with marriage cert. and have it changed. Your passport doesn't need to be changed.


What you are suggesting is for applicant coming to US on K-1 visa. OP is of CR-1 visa, she is already married.

To OP, if you do want to change your name, you will have to start with going to the court, change your name. Next step will be --

SSN office
Send an email to your countries Embassy and ask them how they process changing names and how long will it take. For India I know I won't have to go personally to the Embassy, Chicago said to send in my marriage certificate and passport via mail and it will be done, so may be your country Embassy follow something like that.
Then its changing name on your GC, it will cost you around $400
Also your state id and your driving licence.

So given all the money spent on GC and also passport, I decided not to change my name.
trinketFemaleIndia2009-06-16 09:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAfter CR1... what's next?
QUOTE (jiskat08 @ Jun 20 2009, 08:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ok, i got my passport with visa now.

As i arrived in USA - i will received my GC which is good for 2 years.

Before the expiration date (90 days) of my 2 year GC- I have to file for removal of condition so that I can get another GC which is good for 10 years.
AM I CORRECT?

And when i'm already staying in USA for 3 years - I can file for citizenship.. and i can get a naturalization certifcate. Am i correct again?

Do we have to pay any amount for all of this process?


i-751 fee for now is $465, you will have to check what the fee would be whenever you file for it in 2 years time.

Naturalization fee is -- $595 plus a biometrics fee of $80; the fee total is $675. It's form N-400. Again fee will depend upon when you file, USCIS may change the fees anytime they wish for.
trinketFemaleIndia2009-06-21 01:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresOccupation Question on DS-230
Doesn't really matter, if you put Unknown or Undecided. I put -- Not yet decided.
trinketFemaleIndia2009-06-17 23:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresstarting again
Agree with Parisheart. Don't file for i-129f, it will slow down your process. Stick to i-130
trinketFemaleIndia2009-06-21 12:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWife Got Her Visa Today
Congratulations
trinketFemaleIndia2009-06-22 15:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAP
Keep calling the consulate once a week, so you can get an update.
trinketFemaleIndia2009-06-22 21:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAP
You might want to go to this thread for AP tracker and more informations. Best wishes for speedy re-union rose.gif
trinketFemaleIndia2009-06-22 20:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresStated K 3 in G325 at filing I 130 form
QUOTE (Niik @ Jun 22 2009, 07:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
dear All members,

as we are not aware abt the IR1 visa at the time of submitting our petition we put at this question in G 325 ( This form is submitted in connection with an application for: K 3). Now as many have suggested that we have completed mroe than 3 yrs of marriage so IR1 would be better option for us.

1. Does it make any diffrence to our process???
2. Do we need to call at CSC and change for the IR1 instead of K3.

pls guide so we make it ASAP if any changes we need to make,

thanks a lot for your support,
God bless u all,
Niik


No it doesn't make any difference. Most probably whenever you will get your approval, both your i-129f and your i-130 will be approved at the same time. Just abandon k-3 route at this time and follow through IR-1.

You don't have to inform USCIS of anything.
trinketFemaleIndia2009-06-22 20:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresASking for a friend
QUOTE (jnt @ Jun 22 2009, 03:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi guys,

I know that this might be the wrong place to ask this question but your subject is quite the same as my queries. Im asking on behalf of my cousin. She's now in Hawaii together with her 5 year old son. They just got here a couple months ago, she was petitioned by her US citizen parents. The father of her son is in the Philippines. Is it possible for her to petition the father of her son even if she just got to the US couple months ago and just about to start working? Or she needs to go back to PI and marry him then petition him right after? She couldn't wait for 5 years after she'll file for citizenship to petition him. Please advise. Thanks so much!


A GC holder can not apply for Fiance visa, so your cousin has to marry her partner. Also keep in mind that it will take longer for her to bring her husband to US, as she is a GC holder and not a USC. She will have to wait at NVC to get processes as she isn't a USC. A USC doesn't have to wait for case to be processed at NVC but a GC holder has to wait, and that wait could be anywhere from 3 to 8 years or even more.

Though she can change her status as soon as she gets her Citizenship and NVC will update her case as such.
trinketFemaleIndia2009-06-22 15:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresfiling from US
Since he is on tourist visa you won't be able to file DCF from UK. If he had residency and lived in UK for past 6 months, you could have filed that.

So your option now is either to choose CR-1 or K-3, choose CR-1. K-3 actually slows down the process, and with CR-1 you will be saving $1000 plus will be able to work as soon as you come to US, rather than waiting for other process to complete with K-3.

Do read the guides and you will be fine.

Edited by trinket, 21 June 2009 - 12:25 PM.

trinketFemaleIndia2009-06-21 12:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresRFE
Since you didn't ask any question, so heres hoping you flash forward through this RFE
trinketFemaleIndia2009-06-23 21:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHOW TO TRACK PACKAGE
QUOTE (LOSTGURL--SOPHIA @ Jun 23 2009, 09:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
this is not really accurate you can give it a try:

The NVC uses DHL to ship their packages. Once you confirm the date that the I-130 was sent, you can go on the DHL website to approximately track your case. There are forums here talking about it but I'll sum it up below.

1. Go to: http://track.dhl-usa...?nav=TrackByRef
2. In Reference, enter the info as follows:
EXP DD MMM YYYYA
EXP is constant
DD is the date before the day the NVC said they shipped the case.
MMM is the three letters representing the month the NVC shipped the case
YYYY is the year the NVC shipped the case
A is constant
For example, if the NVC says they shipped the case on February 12 2009, this would be entered as "EXP 11 FEB 2009A"
3. Date range for shipment - From: Enter the date of the day NVC said they sent the case
4. Date range for shipment - To: Enter todays date
5. Keep the rest of the fields blank
7. Once you enter the info, press "Track"
8. After a while you will see a list of all of the packages that left the NVC today. You need to search for the specific consulate, in your case Lima?
9. When you find the shipment the corresponds to your consulate, you will see the tracking number that you can record.
10. You can then track the shipment from the NVC to your specific Consulate

HOPE THIS HELPS A BIT rose.gif


good.gif As she said, also its not really important to track your package, don't worry since NVC has alloted you an interview date, they will make sure that your package reaches consulate at time.

trinketFemaleIndia2009-06-23 21:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresK-3 and I-130 Approved (VSC)
congratulations
trinketFemaleIndia2009-06-25 15:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhat do you think?
QUOTE (married1989 @ Jun 26 2009, 09:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (gogo @ Jun 26 2009, 07:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
if you take too long, USCIS might not think you are serious of your visa.. wacko.gif

Hi thanks, the embassy will have my requested letter on the 30th, thats 7 days after the interview, it wouldve been earlier but usps dont overnight to po boxes blink.gif


7 days is alright. You really worry too much. I hope you would relax a bit, its not the end of the world, it is just a small bump.
trinketFemaleIndia2009-06-26 10:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR 1 misleading information by immigration
May be ask your question in this forum, people going through Dominican will have a better idea about how much time it takes to get an interview date with CR-1.
trinketFemaleIndia2009-06-26 10:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR 1 misleading information by immigration
QUOTE (Justin143Wendy @ Jun 25 2009, 02:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Well, im doing the CR 1 but my wife says she called immigration and they said that the cr 1 can take another 6 months. I know this is not true. I think that they are thinking she is talking about the k1? No idea.

We got the interview for the K3 and its Aug 3, i was just going to ignore that but shes so worried that now the CR 1 is another 6 months. Can someone please tell her on here that its NOT 6 more months.

Her Embassy was the one that told her that.

IF the interview for the K 3 was Aug 3 then how long do you think it will take for the CR 1?

Thank you for your help.



I dont' know about current situation of Dominican Republic but a year ago someone (from Dominican) told me how it used to take around 2 years to get interview date. You should really do some more research on this topic, and see the current timelines from beneficiary's country.

Here is the post I am talking about.

Edited by trinket, 25 June 2009 - 03:19 PM.

trinketFemaleIndia2009-06-25 15:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresEvidence of a Bonifide Marriage
Other than marriage certificate, this is all we sent during our i-130 filing

-10 photographs of ours together, including 4 of the wedding along with relatives.
--Description of each photograph, along with date.
-Phone records from June 2007 to December 2007
-6 postal letters along with postal sealed envelops, 4 greeting cards
-7 western union receipts.
-His medical insurance where my name has been given as the beneficiary.
-My life insurance where his name has been given as the beneficiary.
-11 huge emails, writing each other back and forth
-10 chat transcripts, and also he took the print out of the chat log from google mail from June 2005 to January 2008.
trinketFemaleIndia2009-06-29 15:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIs it worth applyng for removal of conditions/ IR-1 green card?
Usually you get an extension of 6 months or so to be away from US. I think living away for 2 years will void your GC. Since you and husband will be living in UK together, you can always file for DCF whenenever the time is near to come back to US. With that your VISA processing time will be pretty short plus you will get your IR-1 visa.

Someone might correct me if I am wrong.
trinketFemaleIndia2009-06-20 16:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresGreen card name....resume name....
Employment is an official thing, your employee will provide you with W-2, your employee will issue cheques in your name which you will have to submit in your bank account.......or a direct deposit from the employee. What I mean to say is, you will have to use your legal name which is on your passport and your GC. If you do want to change your maiden name to married name, you will have to make changes to those too. But whenever there is a legal matter you will have to use whats your passport says, even for things like buying plane tickets you will have to buy it in the name which is on your passport.

Edited by trinket, 22 June 2009 - 03:47 PM.

trinketFemaleIndia2009-06-22 15:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresOriginal or Certified????
If you can get certified from the issuing agency, you can send that. I sent my certified BC, while marriage certificate was original, so were the PCC. It didn't make any difference and got all my documents back on the day of my interview. They never asked to see original BC on the day of interview either, but I did have it with me for just in case situation.
trinketFemaleIndia2009-06-21 12:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresat the POE...
I had my x-ray with me but they didn't take it. I did ask in the forums about it and apparently X-ray is not needed. But to be on the safe side, you might want to carry your x-ray along.
trinketFemaleIndia2009-07-22 05:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI am 20, got married to NON-u.s citizen/resident, not in school, freelance CAN I FILE?
This is what we sent but you will have to do a few adjustment and read the new publications and paste the new publication tables as such. Hope it helps
trinketFemaleIndia2009-02-24 21:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI am 20, got married to NON-u.s citizen/resident, not in school, freelance CAN I FILE?
Ok, do got the file. Can you pm me your email address so I can send it to you? Basically you will have to quote IRS publications for the past year stating the gross income for an individual to file.
trinketFemaleIndia2009-02-24 21:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI am 20, got married to NON-u.s citizen/resident, not in school, freelance CAN I FILE?
QUOTE (MumtazG38 @ Feb 24 2009, 07:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So if the irs does tell me that I don't need to file a tax return what would I provide as proof that the irs said I am not required....I read somewhere that you have to provide a letter or something proving that. Also...will that be enough for my I864 along with my bank statement (even if I just opened my bank accnt last month and have not made many transactions, only 6-8 actually) and with my joint sponsor and her tax info and bank statements and employment letters and whatnot???

Thank you so much for answering my question!


Yes you provide them with a letter. That's what we did and it went through smoothly. I will look for that format of letter, I hope I still have it in somewhere (deleted most of the stuff after receiving visa).


trinketFemaleIndia2009-02-24 21:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresGOT AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO STATION
tafeagans,

Congratulations, and you can bet for the visa interview to go smoothly for sure kicking.gif
trinketFemaleIndia2008-02-27 05:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhati is VFS? India
QUOTE (champi @ Jun 1 2009, 02:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (trinket @ Jun 1 2009, 12:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (milo75 @ Jun 1 2009, 10:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
VFS will be handling your paperwork, the courier to send out the passport, and handles some scheduling issues.

India does the exact same thing here in the US - they use a firm called Travisa...


Totally OT but Travisa is so good tongue.gif Husband forgot to attach utility bill to show current address while filing entry visa for India, they emailed him and asked him to send scan copy, didn't even need to send it through mail. As soon as he sent the scanned copy, Visa was ready next day and was posted the same day.


Agreed. VFS in India is not consistent. Based on what location you go to, you've to submit more or less documents. For example, my husband who's in line for CR-1 visa only had to submit courier fee at VFS office in Bangalore. But, VFS office in Mumbai ask for lots of stuff even if it is CR-1 and have gone through NVC..


Yup its true. I remember when I was going through my interview phase, people who submitted documents at Gujarat's VFS had to only submit their medical, passport photocopy and interview letter. But when I went to VFS Mumbai, thinking I have to submit the same, they refused to take only those copies. I had to come back again at VFS Mumbai the next day with photocopies of everything I submitted with my DS-230 package mad.gif showing NVC interview letter which clearly states that I have submitted everything at NVC didn't work with VFS folks in Mumbai.
trinketFemaleIndia2009-06-01 14:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhati is VFS? India
QUOTE (milo75 @ Jun 1 2009, 10:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
VFS will be handling your paperwork, the courier to send out the passport, and handles some scheduling issues.

India does the exact same thing here in the US - they use a firm called Travisa...


Totally OT but Travisa is so good tongue.gif Husband forgot to attach utility bill to show current address while filing entry visa for India, they emailed him and asked him to send scan copy, didn't even need to send it through mail. As soon as he sent the scanned copy, Visa was ready next day and was posted the same day.
trinketFemaleIndia2009-06-01 11:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFalse RFE?? Does anyone know??
Yes it is known as false RFE, basically they are waiting for your DS-230 and acknowledging it as missing documents.
trinketFemaleIndia2009-05-30 09:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresConsul approved my CR1 VISA today!
Congratulations
trinketFemaleIndia2009-06-16 09:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshow to registered online
Go to USCIS.gov, click on online registration and register the NOA-1 number along with his email. Make sure not to use any of the hyphens while putting down NOA-1 number.
trinketFemaleIndia2009-09-05 22:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWork before green card arrives in mail
QUOTE (Anh map @ Sep 28 2009, 04:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
She should have the temporary I-551 stamp in her passport (or noted on the actual visa) which authorizes her for employment.


True that good.gif

But do remember that most employees do ask for SSN, so you might have to wait for SSN before she can apply for jobs. And usually GC arrives within a month's time.
trinketFemaleIndia2009-09-28 19:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresBonafide Marriage (No chat logs, only a few letters)
QUOTE (gpmaan @ Sep 28 2009, 09:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yes. you're right. it will be an IR-1 Visa. As stated a few posts above, I do visit and have made 3 trips since our wedding. I tried life insurance, but to no avail, i was told by an agent that the beneficiary should be a US resident at least. Ill try other avenues in the future.


Ill try to go home on her interview (god willing)if my job allows me too. I dont have a lot of annual leave left since I go home once or twice a year.


If its possible, let your wife have an insurance in Philippines and have you as the beneficiary. My husband had an accidental insurance from Aflack in US and they added me as beneficiary.

You can also add your wife to your house/apartment lease if possible.

Edited by trinket, 28 September 2009 - 09:39 PM.

trinketFemaleIndia2009-09-28 21:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresBonafide Marriage (No chat logs, only a few letters)
QUOTE (gpmaan @ Sep 28 2009, 08:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (trinket @ Sep 28 2009, 08:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If they are just letters or do you have the postal envelop showing the postal stamps too? I think postal envelops are more important than letter itself as it shows communication timeline.

You haven't filled your timeline, so I am not sure at what stage of this process you are in, if you are in early stage you still have time to build more chat logs, save phone bills and send more letters to each other. Also what you can use is your SO's passport stamps, how many times he/she came to meet you and loads of photographs, both together and with family.

Thanks. Its on its early stage, NOA1 was just received last Friday (09/25), but ill do my timeline here shortly. Yes, I think ill start saving some chat logs now.



by the way, I only have 1 affidavit from a 3rd party, do you guys think this will suffice?


I never submitted any 3rd party affidavits and didn't have any problems.
trinketFemaleIndia2009-09-28 20:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresBonafide Marriage (No chat logs, only a few letters)
If they are just letters or do you have the postal envelop showing the postal stamps too? I think postal envelops are more important than letter itself as it shows communication timeline.

You haven't filled your timeline, so I am not sure at what stage of this process you are in, if you are in early stage you still have time to build more chat logs, save phone bills and send more letters to each other. Also what you can use is your SO's passport stamps, how many times he/she came to meet you and loads of photographs, both together and with family.
trinketFemaleIndia2009-09-28 19:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview Qustion
To be on the safe side, let your wife have photocopies of every other document you submitted throughout this process i.e., i-130 package, DS-230 package and i-864 package.

Most probably she won't be asked about official documents but as I said to be on the SAFE side.
trinketFemaleIndia2009-09-29 21:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 for my wife with unborn baby
QUOTE (celiothrkn @ Sep 29 2009, 10:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
First and foremost, congratulations!

There are pro's and con's to this argument you'd have to consider.

First, after your wife receives the K3 or CR1, you have some time to get to the US (2 years?). Luckily you're not a K1 filer because they have to get to the US in 6 months.

If your wife delivers the baby in China, you, your wife, and the baby will have to show up at the nearest US Embassy / Consulate to file for a CRBA. It's not difficult, but if you're working in the US, it'll still cost you a plane ticket.

Also keep in mind Chinese women who deliver have to go through a "healing period" called Yuezi (??). You can ask your wife about that. During Yuezi, they are not allowed to leave the house. So don't expect her to deliver and then immediately get on a plane.

Of course, if you deliver in China, the total cost of delivery will be much lower. We paid something like 10,000 RMB for the hospital fee & doctor's "red pocket." Keep in mind red pockets are common practice at hospitals in China. Again, your wife can tell you more about that.


Please don't give out wrong informations. She will have only 6 months to enter USA once she receives her visa.
trinketFemaleIndia2009-09-29 22:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 for my wife with unborn baby
QUOTE (ao_cons @ Sep 29 2009, 02:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What if the child will be born Stateside?


Then CRBA is not required. It is only for children born overseas. OP might want to have his wife give birth to the baby in China depending upon how long it takes for the visa process. Two reasons---- Long plane travel is excruciating for a pregnant woman, and secondly he will not be able to add his pregnant wife to health insurance as pregnancy is seen as preexisting condition.
trinketFemaleIndia2009-09-29 21:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresChanging Last Names?
I never changed my last name and it hasn't been a problem anywhere. But if you guys really want to change the last name, I would suggest to do it now, given its fast and easy in China to change last name and then get it added on her passport.

It will be the best route to take as VISA will be issued on whatever her name is on her passport, also GC will be issued on the same name as VISA has been issued.

If you wait till VISA is in hand, then you will have to spend around $400 plus more to change names here in USA. First you will have to change her name through Chinese consulate in USA (spend whatever the fee is for that), then you will have to change name at SSN, and then send it for the name change in her GC.
trinketFemaleIndia2009-09-29 22:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWHO SHOULD REALLY BE PUT ON AP
OP, I understand you are frustrated but lets get things right

--Immigration is not a right its a privileged.
--US as a country has a right to give or deny immigration to anyone it wants
--US has the biggest concerns of security.

If you think AP shouldn't be based on where a person is from, you are WRONG. Forget US, even India doesn't give everyone from Pakistan visa and vice a versa.

The question is about security, I am not being racist here but there has been accounts where the intending immigrant has done harm to particular country and that's why rules are so strict for certain countries to attain visa. Even with Indian muslim male, they go through AP, its not the end of the tunnel, its just one of the passage you have go through.

So chin up and accept the AP rather than complaining how unfair it is. Doesn't matter how much you hate the rules, rules are rules, you have to accept it.
trinketFemaleIndia2009-09-29 11:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIR-1 Visa in Guangzhou China APPROVED!!!
Congratulations
trinketFemaleIndia2009-02-26 19:15:00