ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 From India--How much time
Bump.
thedude6752000MaleIndia2011-12-24 12:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 From India--How much time
Yes, she is Muslim. For this and many other reasons getting married in India would be a problem for me. So would a K-1 be better for us?
thedude6752000MaleIndia2011-12-24 06:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 From India--How much time
So I and my soon-to-be fiance from Lucknow, UP India were planning on marrying after she came here to the US on the English program she'd been planning to do for ages (I met her in India but I am a white "goraa" guy native to the States lol). Unfortunately, after some research I discovered that most likely La Migra would likely consider her F-1 a scam just to get into the country and marry me, so we're now looking at getting married at the completion of her program and then applying for a CR1 after she returns to India. How much time would this take, from her returning to India to coming back afterwards? And also would her previous F-1 visa complicate the process?

Edited by thedude6752000, 24 December 2011 - 12:54 AM.

thedude6752000MaleIndia2011-12-24 00:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhy does the CR1 take so long
We are getting married soon and will apply thereafter.
thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-03-21 21:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhy does the CR1 take so long
Why does the CR-1 one for country's like my fiancee's (India) take a whole year or more? And will the current Congressional efforts on immigration reform have any effect on this terribly ridiculous length of time?
thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-03-21 20:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresChecklist for Visa Journey

Thank you! I clearly see now that it needs to be the Chicago lockbox. Is there anything else that I missed?


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-05-20 20:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresChecklist for Visa Journey

I actually forgot the marriage certificate. I have heard that Indian marriage certificates are sometimes not accepted without further documentation. In addition to the marriage certificate, is there any other document (or some other form of it) I can provide to establish a bona fide legal marriage? 


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-05-20 18:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresChecklist for Visa Journey

OK, so here is our story:

 

I met my fiancee and soon to be wife Samar when I was in Lucknow, India studying Urdu with a US Dept. of State program. We fell in love, and we began planning on how we can be together. After getting engaged and then deciding the K1 route was not the best to go, we are now going with the CR1. We will be wed in August and I will return and hopefully file for the CR1 in September, October at the latest. With only a little more than 2 months to go until I depart for India, I am now starting to gather all of the documents I will need for the application. Here is a list of what I will be including in the I-130 packet:

 

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative

Cover letter stating all documents of package

(2) G-325A's, Biographic Information, one for me and one for her

2 passport sized photos, 1 of me one of her

Copy of my birth certificate

Question: Do I include the I-864 Affidavit of Support or not?

 

Additional documents:

Hundreds of pages of chat logs

Hundreds of pages of emails

All the skype conversations I can get my hands on

Letters from her to me

Letters from me to her

Reciepts of for her dresses, gold, rings, and my dresses and rings

Plane tickets

Hotel tickets from our honeymoon

Hopefully thousands of pictures from our engagement, wedding, and honeymoon

Signed Affidavits by guests from the wedding to the affect that we are a bona fide couple

Bank statement from our shared bank account

 

I will of course be sure to make 1 complete copy of all this and also to save it as digital PDF's stored on Google Plus. 

 

 

Is there anything I am missing? And is there anything that I should bring back with her from India, so as not to have to spend more money on international mail latter? Should I bring back copies of her birth certificate and police report? What other preparations should I make? Please advise that she is a Muslim and I am a white Christian guy, our story is complicated and our case needs to be airtight. Also, I live in Maryland, where will I mail my package too? The Vermont (dis-)Service Center I assume? 


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-05-20 18:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAffidavit of Bona Fide Marriage-- Can it be notarized in another country?

Another question on evidence: a lot of our emails and chats are in Hindi(is tarah se likhaa huaa). Do we need to translate them? There are tons in English as well...I would say it's about 66%/33% Hindi/English. 


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-06-18 22:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAffidavit of Bona Fide Marriage-- Can it be notarized in another country?

doubtful they would even be looked at

 

Ok, good to know. What about her parents and other family members who know me and have met me?


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-06-18 11:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAffidavit of Bona Fide Marriage-- Can it be notarized in another country?

Thanks for the replies! Another question. Can affidavits come from people who have never met the beneficiary in person? My family knows all about my case but they have never had the chance to meet her due to travel costs etc. Can (or should?) they also sign affidavits? 


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-06-18 11:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAffidavit of Bona Fide Marriage-- Can it be notarized in another country?

Thanks for the responses! I will go to the India forum to find out where we can notarize them. I don't want an RFE, no sir-ee, so we will  be gathering all of the documents we need while I am there for the wedding. 


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-06-16 22:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAffidavit of Bona Fide Marriage-- Can it be notarized in another country?

Hello all,

 

I will be getting married in just 2 months (ya!) and thereafter applying for the CR-1. Since I and my fiancee do not live together, the only proof we can really show besides the photo-chat-email type is sworn affidavits (not entirely true, we will be opening a joint bank account in India too for me to put a little money in, but that's the best we could do). Three non-Indian friends and one Indian friend of mine will be coming to the wedding, as well as a bunch of her family and friends. My one friend is from Austria, and the other two live in states far from where I live, and my Indian friend and his wife live in India. I want to get their affidavits right after the wedding, but I will not be able to go visit notaries in the US with all of them of course! Will the USCIS and embassy accept documents notarized in a foreign country (India?)? Also, can family members sign? And can people who have never met my fiancee in person sign if they know about our relationship? Thanks!


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-06-16 20:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresG-325a Form--Former Residences

I am filling out my G-325a for the application, and I am stuck at the part about former residences. Starting in 2007 I moved from my home in Tampa, FL to go to college in Tallahassee, Florida and every year from then until 2011 I lived at a new place every year. I only re-registered to vote twice though. I then moved back to my parents house is Tampa and am now living in Maryland. I cannot remember all of the places I lived at, and I did not register to vote every time I moved. And I never got a new driver's license (I am just about to get my MD license here). Also, some of the apartments I lived at have been sold many times over and now have totally different names. How much does this matter? I don't want to give false information but I am afraid I am not able to give completely true information for lack of access to it. 


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-07-21 14:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresJust want to clarify leaving US after sending I-130

 

No, if USCIS were to call you for an interview (rare, but not an impossibility), then you would have to appear at the place they tell you to.

 

What stages can this happen at? Could she go there after getting her NOA2? 


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-07-21 15:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresaffidavits of marriage

 

You are only stating what you submitted.  What makes you think they actually helped?  When a couple has a lot of time together in person, affidavits are definitely not needed.

 

How much is "a lot?" I am taking more than a month for my wedding this month and next month and getting that was like pulling teeth. Altogether, in our two year (going on 3) relationship, we will have spent a little less than 6 months together when I apply for her visa. Is that considered a lot? If not, would an affidavit help in that case?


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-08-02 14:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuestions Before Sending in the I-130

Thanks for the response! Also should I get the copy of our wedding certificate notarized?


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-10-13 09:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuestions Before Sending in the I-130

So our marriage is complete, certificate is in hand. I am preparing to file our I-130 (I am just waiting for both of us to move to our new, permanent domiciles). 

 

I am ready to send in, but I had a few questions left:

 

1. Since I cannot send in any joint bank account receipts, etc. (we've only live together for about 1 and 1/2 months at her family house) I am sending in other evidence of my trips to India and our relationship, plane tickets, receipts. etc. How much is enough...or too much? I have been to India twice since we met in 2011 and each time I kept ALL of the receipts....I will be including all the receipts for planes, hotels, and wedding/engagement rings, but should I include visits to electronic stores and drug stores as well? 

2. We have tons and tons of emails, Skype chats, and FB chats. How much should I include? I don't want the packet to get too big. Should I just do the last year? 

3. If I am to include hundreds of pages of chat logs, how do I include them in the packet? You're supposed to use paper clips but we have too many chat logs for that. 

4. I only have my "short form" 1 page birth certificate. The VJ instructions say "front and back" of the birth certificate. Am I supposed to send in the long form? If so I will just use my passport. 

 

Finally, anything to watch out for that a lot of people miss? Thanks for all your help!


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-10-12 18:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion on I-130--About to Send Today, Please Answer, Urgent!

I have mine printed out on glossy photo paper. Would it be allright to send them in a bag? O just with rubber bands around them?


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-11-09 18:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion on I-130--About to Send Today, Please Answer, Urgent!

OK, two last questions. What is the best way to  bundle supporting photo evidence and what is the best method of payment? Personal check? My checks have an old address on them, will that be a problem? 


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-11-09 16:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion on I-130--About to Send Today, Please Answer, Urgent!

So my lawyer was wrong, surprise surprise...thanks so much. 


Edit* The lawyer told me to put my own  name in the very bottom box of the G-325A, NOT my wife's name. She actually "corrected" the way I had originally done it. 


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-11-09 15:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion on I-130--About to Send Today, Please Answer, Urgent!

Hello VJ,

 

I am about to file my I-130 and I have a question on my wife's G-325A. My lawyer has told me that at the very bottom of the page, where it says "Applicant: Print your name and Alien Registration Number" I need to put my wife's name, not my name. I have 10 blank copies of the G-325A filled out by my wife and one original (wrong) filled out by her. I have filled out two more, one with her name in the box, and now at the advice of my lawyer one without it. Which should I send in? If the "Applicant" is me shouldn't I be the one to sign the "Signature of Applicant" and not my wife? Please advise ASAP! Thank you!


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-11-09 14:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresadministrative procesding with 221 g form given

You seriously misunderstand AP.

 

There is a rash of very unhealthy and angry people on VJ lately.

 

Care to explain how I misunderstand? And with how great this process is I can't possibly imagine why anyone would have a complaint. 


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-11-12 19:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresadministrative procesding with 221 g form given

It won't go to court immediately, they will try everything not to let that happen as it looks very bad for them. This will put the fire under their asses to get it done. Personally, if they are going to keep my case in AP after all the waiting I have done for more than a year they can keep the damn visa, I'll leave this god-forsaken country and never come back rather than deal with that. If it gives a chance of a faster process, I would do it if I was at 6 months (and AP is only supposed to last for a few weeks so 6 months is way too long).


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-11-12 19:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresadministrative procesding with 221 g form given

You can file a writ of mandamus to force the bastards to do their jobs. 


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-11-12 18:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresJust Sent I-130-- Evolution of Relationship Letter has Wrong Date

Could someone with experience tell me if I am going to get an RFE??????? Also does this packet go to the embassy or not???


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-11-12 14:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresJust Sent I-130-- Evolution of Relationship Letter has Wrong Date

Update: UPS delivered it despite frequent assurances that they would not. Looks like I am screwed. Note to VJer's: NEVER ship anything through UPS, they suck and they lie like the USCIS themselves. 


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-11-12 14:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresJust Sent I-130-- Evolution of Relationship Letter has Wrong Date

Update: I called UPS back and they said they could hold it now that it's in Chicago. 

 

I talked to a supervisor and got her name, so hopefully they can actually do it now. 

 

Also after 30 mins still on hold for Tier 2 .........


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-11-12 09:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresJust Sent I-130-- Evolution of Relationship Letter has Wrong Date

But will I even get there? Won't I get an RFE at the I-130 stage because of the date discrepancy?

 

Edit: I was not even in India on the 15th this year, and my ticket stubs shows this. 

 

 

 

Yes, if you try to send it to USCIS, it likely will not get matched with your file (which is why I usually say sending items to USCIS unsolicited is usually nothing more than an exercise in futility).

 

HOWEVER, when the time comes to send material to the NVC, simply include an amended along with the required items that are sent as part of the DS-260 package and then it will go where it needs to go.

 


Edited by thedude6752000, 12 November 2013 - 08:56 AM.

thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-11-12 08:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresJust Sent I-130-- Evolution of Relationship Letter has Wrong Date

So even though my wedding photos say "August 15" and my EOR says "June 15" I shouldn't get an RFE from the USCIS adjudicator? Also I feel like if I send an amended letter it won't ever get where it needs to go. 


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-11-12 01:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresJust Sent I-130-- Evolution of Relationship Letter has Wrong Date

My wife pointed it out to me about 4 hours after I sent it. I put the wrong date for our religious ceremony on our EOR letter. It was August 15th and I put June 15th, probably because our engagement ceremony was then and I was really tired when I wrote it and proofed it. I tried to stop UPS from shipping it but they did not succeed in this endeavor. What should I do now? Will this cause an RFE? Should I cancel my check? Cancel the application?


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-11-12 00:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCan I file for spousal visa while I-129F is in AP at New Delhi Embassy?

Also be sure to contact the USCIS Ombudsman office. Here is a handy little escalation guide I found in another forum:

 

"Don't waste your time, money and the Court system resources filing a mandamus action. Filing a frivolous lawsuit can get you into being imposed monetary sanctions. You must first try to resolve your matter with USCIS in good faith, you should have at least sent the Service Center director and District Director two letters inquiring about your case via certified mail with return receipt. 

You should also make an Infopass appointment with your district office and talk to an immigration officer to inquiry about the status of your case (this did it for me when my case was frozen).

Lastly, USCIS has the office of the ombudsman (a person that works for the public to resolve USCIS matters by making suggestions to make the process smoother or by inquiring about cases that have been frozen as far as processing goes) which can investigate the case for you. Check : 

http://www.dhs.gov/ximgtn/programs/editorial_0497.shtm

Only if you attempt all of this and after 6 months you still do not get a response then you should file the mandamus action. 99% of the chances are that if you do all of things I outlined for you above, you will receive a response as to the status of your case."




thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-11-15 18:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview check-list

Might want to grab a copy of your medical too, I know they require it to be sent to the embassy first but I have seen RFE AP's for not having this despite the fact that the embassy already has it. 


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-11-23 11:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC Stage--Birth Certificate

yes you need your long form birth certificate (that means it has both of your parents names on it) if available.  Also it needs to be an original or certified copy which means a copy that is from the issuer of the birth certificate.  So if you can get another copy from whomever issued your birth certificate originally, you can send that instead of the original. 

 

OK. What about my wife's? Can I get her to make a certified copy and then scan and email it to me?


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-11-23 11:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC Stage--Birth Certificate

For the NVC stage, do I need the original copy of my wife's birth certificate or will a certified copy do? And if I get the certified copy, can I have her scan it and send it to me or does it need to be shipped or carried back from India? Also do I need my long-form birth certificate (IE the one Obama used to prove he was not born in Kenya)?


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-11-23 11:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresEmployment Letter for NVC

Does it matter if I've switched departments? I used to be in project management and now I am in support, but my salary has not changed. 


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-11-23 17:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresEmployment Letter for NVC

Does anyone have a sample employment letter for the NVC? I know it has to be on company letterhead etc. I just want to know what format to give to HR. Thanks!


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-11-23 14:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresRFE for marriage certificate

Hindus and Muslims often only do a religious wedding, then they get it registered under the Special Marriage Act if they need a piece of paper for legal reasons. For a number of reasons, this process being one of them, I chose to get the Special Marriage Act waalaa with my wife immediately after my religious marriage (actually we went to register it before the ceremony even began, but that's another long story). Special Marriage Act certificates, which is probably what the OP has, are issued in English.

 

OP, you need to call the USCIS disinformation line and demand to speak to a Tier 2 Supervisor. Do not accept a Tier 2, ask for THEIR SUPERVISOR. Put in a service request with them. Then if that does not work or you have doubts you need to go to the USCIS Ombudsman's office ASAP. 

http://www.dhs.gov/o...case-assistance


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-11-23 11:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHelp!!!! Question 22 on I-130

I had a heck of a time with this, leaving Q22 completely blank.
After I got the approval notice, stating my wife was now eligible to adjust status inside the USA,
my congressional liason human had the whole thing rehomed to NVC.

It was a mess.

I called USCIS 4 or 5 times, talking with an ISO about this stuff, and even have the hard copy on the service request(s ) filed about it. I also covered this with the floor supervisor at 2 seperate infopass appointments, and was told the casefile was going on to NVC.

All of it was BS, for my petition. In the end, what really matters is the adjudicator's input on the casefile, they read Q22 on my petition and did not check anything else.

I was lucky, the casefile was adjudicated at a local office and did not leave the building immediately.

Steps taken in my profile - click the girls under my name, have a read on the fun bits.











 

Will the fact that I put "NA" for everything make a difference?


Why did you contract and/or continue to retain the 'useless lawyer'?

 

Otherwise, if you already have a NOA1 for that I-130, you can call USCIS to correct something in your forms if you think it is important - or wait for an RFE if USCIS considers the missing info to be of great import, and then respond to it. I do remember we called USCIS  to correct a typo which had resulted in a wrong d.o.b.

 

If you do not have a NOA1 for that particular form yet, calling USCIS without a receipt number is more pointless than freely retaining a lawyer and then branding him/her useless.

 

As to the lawyer: they are no longer my lawyer, I am not retaining them.

 

I have gotten the NOA1 email, but they can't seem to get the I-797 to my physical address for some distressing reason. When I call up the line though they can use my receipt number to give me their BS just fine. 

 

Will I possibly get an RFE for this?


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-11-25 20:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHelp!!!! Question 22 on I-130

While this is technically incorrect, it will not be an issue with your petition.

 

Really? There are 4 consulates in India and I am almost sure the great patriots ™ at the USCIS won't look up under which jurisdiction Uttar Pradesh falls.


thedude6752000MaleIndia2013-11-25 19:31:00