Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Just received NVC case Number & IIN	Our I-130 petition was approved last week. I called NVC this morning and received the case number and Invoice identification number. But the NVC rep. told me that I can't do anything with these numbers at this time and I would to wait until I receive an email from them later this week. After looking at other forums on VJ, my understanding was that we can pay AOS fee ( for I-864) as soon as we get the NVC case #/IIN # and email DS-3032 (choice of agent form). Should I wait for NVC to email me or should I proceed with AOS fee payment and sending in DS-3032? Thanks. Grats on your recent I-130 approval! Don't listen to the rep. You can send the DS-3032 by email (follow the wiki template on this site!!) now. Be warned though, it may be rejected for sending it too early, but you can then just re-send it. This way, you're not wasting any time. As for the AOS payment, if you can log on and see the AOS invoiced, then by all means, pay it! You don't need to wait for NVC to tell you to pay a bill. Wait it is all a process they will request everything plus the DS 3032 and AOS can be digitally scanned and emailed back to them it speeds up the process only the visa petition requires original forms and supporting documents. Even after you pay for the AOS and visa you have to wait for a receipt to show proof of payment if asked at the consulate. Just be prepared when they ask for everything. Good luck Only the DS-3032 can be emailed by everyone. The AOS package can only be emailed with those in the EP (electronic processing) program. Neither you nor the OP are eligible for EP.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-15 08:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	RFE BECAUSE DS230 HAS ARRIVED EARLIER THAN AOS TO NVC.	Hi guys, My DC230 package arrived on october,4 to NVC and my husband's AOS package arrived on 9.We know this because we have FedEx confirmation.My husband called to NVC last friday and they said that it takes 20 days to process the documents and to call back after 20 days.Now we have a RFE from NVC saying: ______F - FINANCIAL EVIDENCE:______________________________________ The NVC has received the requested Immigrant Visa Application (DS-230). However, we are still waiting for the Affidavit of Support form. Please submit the Affidavit of Support form according to the instructions on the Department of State website at the following address: www.ImmigrantVisas.state.gov. From there, you can fill out an Affidavit of Support form online, then print the completed form and mail it to NVC What we should do in this case because i am confused .. we call NVC telling that we sent already the AOS package or we resend the AOS package? Thank you. This is great news! This is a false checklist. It happens when NVC reviews one of the packages (in your case, the IV). It almost certainly means they reviewed and ACCEPTED your IV package. Call up NVC to confirm! And no need to worry about the AOS package. They have it. They tend to automatically generate this checklist after reviewing a package, without checking at all if the other package is there.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-17 15:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Payment amount to expect at consulate interview	My costs were a little different from what Saylin listed above. We paid: $462 for i-130 $88 for i864 $404 for visa application fee $350 for medical in Vancouver That doesn't count the fees for obtaining the documents, photos and immunizations required for the applications as well travel to get to Vancouver for the medical and then Montreal for the interview. All in I would say that we paid around $2500. This was for an IR-1 visa. We have a child together and only had to apply for a CRBA for her which was only $100 and we did while we were in Montreal. We didn't have to pay anything at the interview though. Well, I paid differently too. Mine looked more like yours. I was listing the CURRENT fees. And just for forms and the medical. There's always other costs to think of, like you mentioned above. Thankfully I lived in Montreal so didn't have to worry abou flying to Montreal or hotel stays	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-18 08:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Payment amount to expect at consulate interview	Hi all, I am trying to estimate my total cost to follow the CR-1 process to completion for my wife and two daughters. Most costs are obvious (I-130f $420, etc.) but I wasn't certain of the amount that would need to be paid at the consulate interview. I also understand medical examinations have a certain fee. Can anyone tell me the amount I should expect to pay at the interview? Montreal, CAN is the location for the interview. Thanks! Tyler I-130: $420 I-864: $88 DS-230: $230 Medical: varies by panel physician, but around $200-$300 (mine was ~$230) Interview: no fee for IR-1/CR-1 applicants	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-17 23:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	how long DS-3032 ????????	thank youuu for replays everyone ! special thanks to sayliiin !! You're welcome	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-17 21:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	how long DS-3032 ????????	we were to call today . yesterday my husband received an email to pay IV fee and instructions how to pay, but nothing about IV packet(documents and forms). should we wait for another email asking about (documents and the from I-230)? or no need to wait until they ask about it! *DS-230, not I-230 And no, you don't need to wait for an email from them. Once the IV fee is appearing as PAID on the payment portal, you can send the IV package to NVC.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-17 08:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	how long DS-3032 ????????	hello everybody . i sent the from DS-3032(agent ) snail mail from my country , and i was tracking it. it is now one week(8 days) they received it , but still no acceptance/notification email! my husband paid the AOS fee and sent the from I-864(almost one week) and still no response too! my question is : how long does it take to get a response on these 2 forms ? and how long should we wait for the IV fee to be paid and the IV paket ? thank you everybody for any help! I don't know processing times for mailed in versions of the DS-3032, but for the emailed versions, it's around 1-2 weeks for a response. But, keep in mind, since you mailed yours in, you might not get a response. The ultimate way of knowing they accepted the DS-3032 is by the invoicing of the IV fee. And they will not contact you about accepting the AOS package. They'll only contact you if a checklist has been generated. You need to call NVC and ask if your AOS package has been accepted or not. And the IV fee is only invoiced once the DS-3032 has been accepted and added to your case file.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-12 22:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Immigrant Visa - CR1 Interview questions	Thank you so much for your fast reply!! Saylin, since you have been through the same situation, my next question will be around preparation for proof of relationship. Besides the Marriage Certificate, did they ask you for pictures, e-mails, proof of spouse's visits? Besides the required documents, they asked for no proof of relationship. Montreal is really easy in this aspect. It's very rare to be asked for proof of relationship. I still most definitely suggest bringing it, but it's likely you won't be asked at all for it. The interview is also very short (compared to other countries). I was in the actual interview room less than 5 minutes. Was only asked two questions. I suggest you read my review (found by clicking on the 'timeline' button to the left)	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-19 20:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Immigrant Visa - CR1 Interview questions	Hello All, Both my husband and I have been doing a lot of reading and research in this site,where we found similar answers to our case. In one of the trips from Canada to the US, when my husband was asked in the border "what is the purpose of your trip to the US?" he answered with "going to get married". He didn't know the process of applying for IV through marriage to a US citizen. So he was told to go back to Canada, and if he wanted to just visit the US, he had to bring proof of domicile in Canada. Two weeks later by husband tried to come and visit as a tourist with all the records he was told to have handy in case of further questions from the borders officer. This time he was denied again, and was told to bring back all the records of 6 months of utility bills, phone bills, confirmation of rent paid and his pay stubs from work. After this second time, we decided to start the process for Immigrant Visa. We got married in Canada. Now we are waiting for the Interview date in Montreal Consulate. However, this is where we have questions!! In the interview, one of the questions being asked is if "you have ever had trouble entering in the US?" which he also answered in the DS-260 - application form, with the correct dates of both times he tried passing the border. We are confused or even worried, if this question has a risky potential in the interview because of the word "trouble"? He wasn't troublesome, wasn't handcuffed or arrested, but had the option to withdraw his request of visit the US, in both times, which he did!! Is this trouble? Has anyone been in the same situation? If so, what has been the best answer to give? We understood that we were naive, not to know that you can't move from Canada to US as if you move from one town to the other. The difference between countries and rules is that he needed to apply for a visa. So if he answers the same way he did at the border, which is the truth, does the embassy penalizes you for that? Any advice, suggestions or answers from anyone here would be greatly appreciated! Take a deep breath and let it out. You'll be fine I had a similar situation where I was denied twice at the border. After the second time, I didn't bother again and my husband just came to visit instead. I answered on the DS-260 about my two denials (as there was no way I was going to lie or cover it up). At my interview, I was prepared to answer questions about my 2 denials. I had the answers all mentally ready. Guess what? They never even asked me about it! Although I knew it wouldn't be a problem (they can't deny a visa just because you got denied at the border for silly reasons), I still thought I'd be asked a question or two. As a Canadian, it's nothing worth worrying about. The officers know that we cross a lot to the US, and that denials do happen. As long as one isn't denied entry due to something serious (like being suspected of being a terrorist or something), it's not an issue.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-19 20:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	I-864EZ ??	I was looking at the requirements for this form. All three of the following are true: You filed a Form I-130 petition, for your relative There is only one applicant on the Form I-130 petition, and All your qualifying income comes from a salary or pension and shows on one or more W-2 Forms that you receive 1> Yes 2> Yes 3>???? I don't understand what number 3 means. He was unemployed from Jan 2012 until Sept 2012. At his current job he would make under the 19k(ish) that is for the time period that is left in this year. His yearly salary, however, is quite a bit higher, but his W-2 for 2012 probably won't reflect that (Sept - Dec.) However, he made well over that in his last job (USAF) for the past 3 years and he will have the tax transcripts for those years and pay stubs from this year if needed. FYI, we are not going on assets at all, purely on salary and it states on his pay stubs exactly what is yearly salary is and it is above the 125%. Can we still use the I-864EZ or does he have to use the regular I-864? I just don't want him to get and fill out the wrong form when I'm confused on the question and so is he. I appreciate any help! Thanks again VJ!! If you're not using assets to qualify, then yes, you qualify to use the I-864EZ. That third criteria is just saying the petitioner will be using income (from salary or pension) instead of using assets or savings to qualify.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-22 22:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	CHECKLIST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!	Of course , I should have expected it would be different for Morocco..uggh! Seems a bit unfair to label other countries and treat them differently , just my opinion. I know now that fraud is higher in Morocco, but its not good to discriminate against the whole country . They're not discriminating. NVC has to slowly roll out the EP process to all countries, to ensure the process works like it's supposed to. It only first started with Canada and China and has now reached I think around 10 countries. Each year, a handful of new countries are added. EP will be available to Morocco, just not right now.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-20 21:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	CHECKLIST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!	oh! sorry i did it by mistake , i thought that i removed the first topic coz i post it in the wrong forum! YES my husband has sent the AOS package , and he has paid the AOS fee. after 12 days the IV fee has generated, and he paid it too. NOW he is waiting to receive my documents for the IV package.(4 days to receive them) well, thank you saylin .. i just needed someone to insure me with wht i understood from the email . thanks again No worries. I moved the older one (which was in the wrong forum anyway) to the duplicates forum And yeah, if you sent the AOS package, then that checklist is a really good indicator it was accepted and that they're now waiting on your IV package. Again, call to confirm with them. No problem	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-19 21:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	CHECKLIST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!	hello today we have received an email (checklist cover letter ) ______CORRESPONDENCE INSTRUCTIONS:_________________________________ When responding to the National Visa Center, please include the bar code sheet that came with this letter. Failure to include the bar code sheet may cause a delay in the processing of your case. The bar code sheet should be placed on top of all documents being submitted for this case and mailed to the address provided. PLEASE NOTE: No interview will be scheduled until ALL of the information requested has been returned to the National Visa Center. ______1 - IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION PART 1:_______________________ The National Visa Center is waiting for an Immigrant Visa Application to be submitted for this case. The Principal Applicant and any other Applicants who will be accompanying him or her to the United States must now download and complete an Immigrant Visa Application; please visit the following website for instructions: http://immigrantvisas.state.gov (click on the link for "submit Visa application and civil documents") Please submit the Immigrant Visa Application form(s) and required supporting documents for each Applicant in one package to the National Visa Center; sending this information separately will delay your visa. we have paid the IV fee , but we havent sent yet the IV packet!( i sent it yesterday to my husband, and he has to add some other documents to it then send it to NVC) is this email about the IV packet or there is a prb with the previous steps ?? First off, please don't create 2 topics with the very same content. You need to give people time to respond. To answer your question: you're fine! Yes, the email is referring to the IV package. Have you sent your AOS package? If so, then this checklist is really great news. It's a good indication your AOS package was reviewed and ACCEPTED! Call up NVC asap (they're still open for about 3 more hours) to confirm	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-19 20:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Email or mail civil documents to NVC/Consulate?	Can you find adequate cheese curds to go with said gravy? Negative. So send good cheese curds too	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-24 22:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Email or mail civil documents to NVC/Consulate?	Hey - yer welcome ! To give thanks, arrange a 20 kg bag of powdered poutine gravy, shipped directly to Saylin, sometime before the end of the month. Saylin would very much appreciate that	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-24 15:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Email or mail civil documents to NVC/Consulate?	Hi everyone, We have a question about how and when we are to submit our supporting civil documents (birth certificates, passport copies, police clearances, marriage certificate, ID photos, etc.). For what it's worth, we're working through the US Consulate in Montreal... Here is where we're at so far: NVC case number assigned Affidavit of Support (AOS) invoice received, OPTIN email for Email Processing sent and accepted Paid AOS bill Emailed AOS package to NVCElectronic@state.gov Immigration Visa (IV) bill invoiced Paid IV bill Completed IV and ALIEN REGISTRATION (DS-260) online At this point we have gathered all our civil documents and we have the capability to scan them. What I'm wondering is if we are supposed to: 1. Either email (and if so, to what email address?) scanned copies of all our civil documents now that our DS-260 has been submitted, or 2. Mail originals or certified copies of these documents (if so, to what address... the Montreal consulate?)? If anyone could point us in the right direction, we'd greatly appreciate it! (P.S. I'm sorry if this is a silly question, it's just that we have to navigate so many websites to find what little concrete information we can, and I'm really hesitant to part with original copies of our marriage and birth certificates if it's not necessary.) Since you opted into the EP program, you'll be emailing the IV package, exactly like the AOS package. Same email address. You'll then bring the originals to the interview where they'll take them from you for a bit, review them, then return them to you after a successful interview.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-24 13:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	recived nvc case #	ok guys i recived my NVC case number but how and when do i get my Invoice number? and what documents should i ask my wife to send? what originals? and what copies? please help and does she have to take a medical whenever possible? or wait until they send her a letter? and one more big question... i meet the AOS minimun requirements now but i just started my job a month ago ... i did not meet it the last two years will this be a prob? should i get a co sponser? or will they just look at my current salary?how deeply does last 3 year of tax return play into this? are they cheking to see if i paod taxes or if i met the requiremnt for last 3 years? thanx. Call back up and ask for the IIN. You could have gotten that at the same time as your case number. If the operator doesn't want to give you the IIN (they can be stubborn at times), just hang up and call again. As for documents to send in both packages, I suggest you click on the last two links in my signature and do some major reading. Yes, a medical needs to be done. Typically, in most countries, you need the interview letter for the panel physician, so unless your country allows advance medicals, you'll need to wait until after an interview date has been assigned. If you meet the poverty line CURRENTLY, then you should have no problems at NVC. But, you also have to pass the inspection of the CO at the interview, and they may have different guidelines (ex: needing to meet the poverty line for the past 3 years).	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-25 09:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Cairo NOT participating in e-mail process! WHYYY!!!	We just found out calling the NVC that Cairo is NOT participating in e-mailed processing of IV forms or Affidavit of Support packets. JERKS!! This just cost us probably ANOTHER month! I'm so angry I could scream! UGHHH!!! Now I will have to put the whole AOS package together AGAIN and send it by mail, wait until they get to it and THEN my husband will have to express mail me all the civil documents along with the DS-230 etc.. and I will have to send it to them after submitting the only copy we have our our stamped marriage certificate. I don't understand this. Why does Egypt have to make everything harder! Ugh.. we are both fed up. My son is already 6 weeks old today, and he still hasn't met his own father. We were hoping he'd be here by thanks giving, but THAT'S not going to happen unless there is a miracle and I'm at the point where I just doubt it. Before New Years is the new goal... Really mad. Just letting other Egyptian immigrants know the score cause you'll have to deal with this bullshizzle too. Sorry to have to be the bearer and receptor of bad news. :-/ Unfortunately, if you had done your homework, you'd know that Egypt is currently not eligible for EP, along with many other countries in the same position. While you were waiting for the I-130 to be approved, you could have been gathering both the AOS and IV package documents. You could have had all of it done and prepared before you even got your case number assigned by NVC. I don't want to be mean, but it's honestly your own fault for making the NVC process long...	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-25 21:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	electronic processing	Actually saylin I do have one more question if you dont mind answering I am looking at this link http://travel.state....l?cid=9172#docs Under west bank and it does give specifics on all documents needed but it doesnt say when they will be needed at interview or nvc. I know nvc will ask for these documents im just trying to figure out should I get him to send originals now or.just copies? Also the police certificate the Israel one will be sent to the consulate but the Palestinian one should I send that to nvc? Im sorry for all the questions. You send all originals/certified copies to NVC. Once your case is complete and an interview date is scheduled, NVC will send your case (with everything you sent in) to the consulate/embassy abroad, so when you have your interview, they have all the documents already. I suggest, if it's possible, to get certified copies of all your original documents and send those in. You can always get more certified copies if something gets lost. You can't get another original.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-26 07:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	electronic processing	Will you send me the links I dont see them. Ive on the website where it says to click on the.consulate for.nvc.stage.but.it doesnt say whether or not.originals are sent to.nvc or at.interview They're in my signature below this post. Post with links/guides I put together: http://www.visajourn...78#entry5653478 Post with an FAQ I put together: http://www.visajourn...87#entry5653487	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-25 23:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	electronic processing	Ok thank you for telling me. Another question is it true that NVC asks for.things depending on what country you are from for example marriage certificate, birth certifcates, passport photos, things like that or are they required in all cases and countries as the same thing like all must be originals for everyone. There are a basic set of requirements for everyone. But then there may be country-specific only documents. Im trying to figure out what all I need from.my husband so I can have them ready for nvc especially since theres no electronic processing. I have a lawyer on our case so I dont think he has to fill out the choice of agent form, or am I wrong and he still has to? No, because you have a lawyer, they are automatically designated as the agent for your case, thus no DS-3032 needed. Which means both bills will be invoiced at the same time. I highly suggest you click on the last two links in my signature and start some major reading	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-25 23:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	electronic processing	Can anyone tell me where I can find a list that says the countries that allow electronic processing during the NVC stage? I am trying to.find out if I will be able to electronically file my papers for.my husband who is in Jerusalem through the NVC stage. To be more specific I meant emailing documemts to them instead of snail mailing them. Sorry, your husband's country is not one of the eligible countries for EP, nor online forms. Source: http://travel.state..../info_5165.html [table at bottom]	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-25 22:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	No Dates on Pictures	Hi again VJ'rs Just wanna know, what is the chance of getting an RFE if I had forgotten to put dates& names of the people on the pic & the place it was taken in all the pictures that I send (totally blank on the back).Yikes ! Most of them is our wedding pictures done on civil court, reception pictures, pictures of my husband & I alone and also some pictures of us along with his kids from previous marriage and my daughter ( a family picture kind). Now this is making me nervous I didn't have any dates or captions on any of the pictures we sent in (didn't think about it until later), and had no problems	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-28 23:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	How much time does one save by using an attorney (since this skips DS-3032) ?	its a total waste of time to get a lawyer. we did ours completely on our own and it took 9 months from start to POE. no glitches, no RFE's, no delays. Same with me. Nine months, no RFEs, no checklists	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-31 08:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	How much time does one save by using an attorney (since this skips DS-3032) ?	FIRST, YOU WILL NEED TO SNED THAT FORM DS3032 REGARDLESS YOU HAVE AN ATTORNEY OR NOT. YOUR BENIFICARY MUST ASSIGN WHO HE/SHE WANTS TO ACT AS HER AGENT IF THERE'S NO ATTORNEY THEN THE PETITIONER IS THE AGENT. BY APPOINTING AN AGENT, THAT AGENT WILL GET ALL EMAILS AND CASE UPDATES AND WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SENDING AND COMMUNICATING WITH NVC ON THE BENIFICIARY BEHALF. SECOND, CR-1 IS VERY EASY PROCESS, DONT W2ASTE TIME AND MONEY USING AN ATTORNEY ESPECIALLY IF YOUR CASE IS STARIGHTFORWARD. HERE IS HOW YOU APPLY USING CR-1 SEND IN THESE DOCS BY PHASES: PHASE 1: I-130 G325A BIO FOR PETITIONER G325A BIO OF BENIFICARY SUPPORTING DOCS COPY I.E MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE AND FEW PHOTOS TWO PASSPORT SIZE PHOTOS AFTER 4-5 MONTHS YOU I-130 WILL BE APPROVED PHASE 2: SEND DS-3032 CHOICE OF AGENT FORM PHASE 3 PAY I-864 FEE SEND I-864 WITH 1040 TAX RETURN, W-2 AND EMPLOYEMENT LETTER PHASE 4 SEND DS-230 SIGNED BY BENIFICARY ALL CIVIL DOCS I.E MARRIAGE CERTIFICATRE/ BIRTH CERTIFICATE / POLICE CERTIFICATE ETC ( CHECK THEIR WEBSITE FOR LIST OF CIVIL DOCS) PHASE 5 CASE COMPLETES IN ONE WEEK PHASE 6 INTERVIEW DATE IS GIVEN WITHIN 3 WEEKS PHASE 7 1 MONTH AND HALF IS GIVEN BETWEEN INTERVIEW SO YOU CAN GET MEDICAL DONE ETC Sorry, but you do NOT send a DS-3032 if you have a lawyer/attorney attached to the case. They are AUTOMATICALLY selected as agent. And those time frames you gave at the end will always vary by country. Just because it may have taken you 3 weeks to get an interview date, doesn't mean EVERYONE gets their interview in that same time frame. Some get it sooner, some get it later. And please, don't write all in caps. It's extremely hard to read, and according to forum etiquette, it means you're yelling...	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-30 08:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	How much time does one save by using an attorney (since this skips DS-3032) ?	As many people here on VJ will tell you, even you save yourself 2 weeks, you will loose a lot of money for "buying" yourself that time. Also, in many cases, you end up not just paying a lot, but wasting time as well, as lawyers are not always that knowledgeable and helpful as they want you to believe. It will be your call whether or not it's worth it. Exactly. Unless one has a serious issue (overstay, past criminal charge, etc), this entire process can be done without any lawyers/attorneys. Just follow the instructions on the official forms and guidance on sites like VisaJourney, and you're good to go.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-29 15:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	How much time does one save by using an attorney (since this skips DS-3032) ?	Keep in mind though: lawyers/attorneys can ADD time as one frequently sees through other members' posts of them taking weeks to send out packages due to various reasons.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-29 15:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	How much time does one save by using an attorney (since this skips DS-3032) ?	Hi VJ members, I am wondering how much time does one save by using an attorney for CR-1 Visa process? From my understanding by using an attorney, we skip the DS-3032 part of the process when the application is at NVC. Thanks a lot in advance. By not having to send in a DS-3032 (as the lawyer/attorney is automatically selected as agent for the case), then you save about a week or two (as DS-3032s are taking around that long to get accepted and added to the case file) as the IV bill will be invoiced at the same time as the AOS bill.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-29 15:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Montreal Processing times	I a Canadian citizen living in Canada and am the spouse of a US citizen who lives in the United States. I am currently awaiting a letter from the NVC in either Montreal or New Hampshire to advise us of the next step in the process. My wife's I130 petition was approved at her interview in Florida on Sept 4th, 2012; letter stating approval received Oct 3, 2012. On this letter it advised me that I will hear withing 30 days advising us of the next step required. Does anyone know what the next step will be and what forms I will need to fill out to adjust my status to a permanent resident? Consular processing? Also are there any resources that state the processing time in Montreal once the next step is completed? Any help would be appreciated as we would like to start planning If you're adjusting status (and not applying for an IR-1/CR-1 visa), then you don't deal with Montreal at all. Read the guide here about AOS (adjustment of status): http://www.visajourn...tent/i130guide2 Edit: Wait, I'm confused. Are you doing AOS from within the US or are you applying for a visa? I'm getting conflicting information with what you're saying, where you posted, and what your profile says... Edited by Saylin, 01 November 2012 - 04:12 PM.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-11-01 16:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Employement letter	Remember that the employment letter is optional. You do not have to send it as long as the beneficiary can send some pay stub which clearly indicates what he earns and who is he is employed to. *Petitioner, not beneficiary And yes, although the employment letter is optional, it's still a great proof of income to send in.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-11-02 12:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Employement letter	I've read, and been told, that I need an employement letter for the NVC step when it happens. What exactly does the letter have to say? Thanks Here's the wiki about it: http://www.visajourn...ployment_Letter	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-11-02 10:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Horribly Confused about DCF!	Hi, everyone! DH and I have just started our process, in that we haven't even sent off our I-130 yet (I'm getting everything together for mail-out next week). I've been reading posts on this site for the last day or so, and I have to say that it's all been helpful. I've been living in Co. Kildare for a little over a year now, legally, and we are hoping to be in the States sometime in the next 6 months to 1 year. Here's my question: do I start all of this by sending our packet to the Chicago lockbox or are we eligible for DCF? I looked around, but the different sites seem to be contradicting each other! Any and all help would be greatly appreciated! DCF was removed in most countries last August. There are still a few countries with international USCIS offices that can apply for DCF, but unfortunately, Ireland is not one of them. Source: http://www.uscis.gov...000082ca60aRCRD HOWEVER, if you put your foreign address on the petition forms (instead of putting a US address), USCIS will fast track your case and you should get approved in a much shorter time frame than the usual average of 5 months.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-23 11:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	FAQ - Terminology and Glossary	First of all, this is a great form! It has a wealth of information that helps families and individuals to unite. However, it needs a FAQ page that has description or link to the common abbreviation and terminology. Like: USC - Unites States Citizen It actually does exist already: http://www.visajourn...Acronym_Summary	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-11-03 12:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	DS-230 and AOS	Hi Guys! Very quick question..a friend of mine is getting ready to mail his " choice of agent" DS-30323 and AOS package. Do both form DS-3020 and AOD package go out to the same address? he is little confused on that. thanks a million! DS-3032 can be sent by email Much faster. And cheaper!	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-11-16 23:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Received NVC Email with DS-3032, what next?	Thanks Saylin. I'm going to follow your advice and wait until the status changes to PAID. But out of curiosity, what would be the detriment of sending it in? If the payment didn't clear properly and NVC receives your package before the payment is received by the them, it may cause a delay (aka they may not review your package right away).	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-11-19 16:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Received NVC Email with DS-3032, what next?	I paid the AOS $88.00 fee on Friday night (11/16/12). The status it shows now (Monday morning) is "IN PROCESS". When I made the payment on Friday night, I generated and saved the "Document Cover Sheet" with a bar code. My question is as follows: Can I use that "Document Cover Sheet" to send my I864 today and all related documents? Or do I need to wait until the status changes to then generate a "cover sheet" to send with he docs? I also used the template to create one's own cover letter (without the bar code). Also, I'm confused as to whether the i864 can be emailed or printed and sent via regular mail. Peter The bar-coded cover sheet doesn't change from the "IN PROCESS" status to "PAID". Despite this, it may be a good idea to wait until payment clears before sending the AOS package in case something goes wrong. The AOS package can only be emailed in countries eligible for EP (electronic processing). Unfortunately, at this time, the DR is NOT eligible for this, so you need to SNAIL MAIL your package.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-11-19 11:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Received NVC Email with DS-3032, what next?	I'm confused. I received two PDFs emailed by the NVC. One addressed to the applicant which says that "the first stage of visa processing is to establish communication with the NVC" The other PDF emailed to me (the petitioner) includes an "Affidavit of Support (AOS) Processing Fee Bill Invoice" in the amount of $88.00 1 - Can I go ahead and pay for this $88.00 or must the applicant (my wife) assign the agent of choice FIRST? 2 - Must I send the DS-3032 via regular mail or can I email it? 1. Since the AOS and IV are two completely separate tracks, it doesn't matter which you do first as neither impacts the other. 2. You can send it by email! I highly suggest you click on the last two links in my signature and do some reading	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-11-15 22:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	How do the NVC issue interview date?	Hey, We posted off the last documents to the NVC 7 days ago. Does anyone know how long the NVC take to issue an interview date (London Embassy) and also, how do they issue it, by email? post? Many thanks, hope your visa journeys are going smoothly L Before you can get an interview, you need to have a case complete. You need to call NVC to find out if both the AOS and IV packages are reviewed and accepted. Once both packages are accepted, then your case is complete. Once your case is complete, then your case is put into the interview queue. The time frame for this always varies by country. Could be a few days after case complete, or a few weeks. As long as you gave over both email addresses to an operator once the case number was assigned, then the interview letter will be sent by email.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-11-21 09:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Modify DS-230 after NVC	Hello members, is it possible to modify DS-230 after NVC has already closed the case? I am not sure if they have already sent it out though. Can one bring an updated DS-230 to an interview? Thank you Regards, kg Just bring an updated DS-230 to the interview and tell the officers there that you need to submit a new DS-230 due to changes.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-11-22 10:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Montreal Interview Preparation	At least every birthday is a surprise birthday for him Omg, lol!	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-11-28 13:43:00