ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuicker I-130 Approval?
I appreciate that the OP wants to help others. I only filed an I-130 and we were approved in 27 days (NOA1-NOA2). There is another thread on this site where an ex-uscis adjudicator talks about the process. It actually only takes 15 minutes or so to adjudicate your case. But there are background checks and other checks and some people with common names like, John Smith, might get a "hit" on the background checks. It just has to do with Odds. The more people who have a name like yours the greater the chance that one is a criminal. It's little things like that.

Edited by ImmigrationReform, 02 April 2013 - 08:37 AM.

ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-04-02 08:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresabout new fee uscis
Can anyone confirm what happens after they've paid this fee. Have they been notified that it's been received and processed?

I paid for my wife and on the first page it asked for last and first name A number and case number. I used my name because I was the one paying. Hope that was correct? I haven't received an email or any other notification that payment has been accepted.
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-04-20 03:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresExpedite procedure
The long story. When NVC received approval from the embassy for the expeditious handling of our petition they didn't contact me via email before shipping out our case to the embassy. In fact I never received an email notifying us our case was expedited even though I was told I would.

NVC didn't/couldn't look for our IV packet which had been in the building since the 18th of March. Through persistence and happenstance I called on the same day our approved expedite request was sent to the NVC from the embassy. I spoke with a supervisor who guaranteed me that any stray files would be gathered up and forwarded. I mentioned that my IV packet was at NVC as of March 18th. She guaranteed that any files related to the case would be pulled and shipped to the Embassy. Unfortunately, her inter office email wasn't read by the person who had possession of our IV packet, and since she wasn't working on the day the case was shipped to the embassy she couldn't follow up on her own request. No body stood up and walked over to find the file, they just gave commands from their chairs. She also didn't ask anyone else to check up on the case for her. I assumed all was well because I never received any notice from that supervisor that the file had been orphaned at NVC (even though someone reviewed the orphaned file and updated the DOS portal to "Ready" on April 1st , one day before our case arrived at the embassy). Again, they screwed up because they just let the orphaned file sit there for four more days without notifying anyone. The original supervisor took no action and the person who reviewed our IV packet took no action even though the case must have shown up as 'expedite approved' and 'shipped' on their screen. I received no notice from NVC. I only found out after I visited the Embassy to arrange an interview that our IV packet was not in the shipment. I called NVC on the 4th and they said it was still at NVC but they would get it out to me the next morning. Called on the 6th and spoke with the original supervisor who told me it was STILL there and would ship on Monday the 8th. She apologized and told me to call her back on Tuesday the 9th for the DHL tracking number. They said they could not forward it to the embassy; that it had to be shipped to me. What a circus. I knew ahead of time they were going to drop the ball and I still couldn't avoid it. Calling everyday didn't make a difference. Stating my concerns to two different supervisors on three separate occasions didn't make a difference.

From this experience I can draw some conclusions:

1. Lack of effective communication is a big problem at the NVC.

2. Keeping their clients/customers in the dark while they work behind the curtains creates a confusing atmosphere that causes them to be overburdened with phone calls.

3. When cases don't fit into the models they've developed their system to handle there are serious goof ups.

3. They don't know how to handle expedites in an expeditious manner.

4. If you are going to request an expedite at the NVC stage do it before sending any of your documents to NVC, or after they have all been reviewed and accepted at the interview stage- NOT IN THE MIDDLE. Also, ask your congressman/senator to send in the expedite for you so you don't have to wait two weeks to find out if the embassy will approve it. If you are denied you only lose a few days time and continue with the normal process.

Edited by ImmigrationReform, 07 April 2013 - 06:29 AM.

ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-04-07 06:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresExpedite procedure

Our "ready" showed up as soon as the embassy received the package, then an update when they scheduled an interview, and a final update to show AP whilst waiting for the medical results. It'll probably come back up once the embassy has it. :thumbs:


Our Ready came up a day before the embassy received the package. Package is there as of this morning. I have made an appointment at the embassy for tomorrow. We'll see if they are ready to discuss interview dates or not. Our medical has been moved forward to the 5th - I called to see if there were any cancellations and there had been.Posted Image I have no idea how long it takes our medical people to get their file to the embassy. I will ask at the embassy tomorrow but I am sure they will say something like, "Well, we can't say how long it takes to get medical results from IOM" Posted Image
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-04-02 07:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresExpedite procedure

Our "ready" showed up as soon as the embassy received the package, then an update when they scheduled an interview, and a final update to show AP whilst waiting for the medical results. It'll probably come back up once the embassy has it. :thumbs:


Nola123, the embassy agreed to give you an interview before your medical??? I was considering asking ours to do that… would you tell me,,, how did you accomplish this?
I am tracking the package now, it will probably be here on tuesday or wednesday.
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-03-30 11:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresExpedite procedure
I called NVC today and requested the same supervisor I spoke with earlier (I wanted to make sure they found all of our files, reviewed and unreviewed, and included them in the shipment). Again, I was told to call back tomorrow to get a definite answer, but it looked like "the case would be leaving March 29" via DHL. I will try and track it using the procedure on this site. They don't know so I don't know if all the files were found or not.

One curious thing is that I asked for the case complete date and she said, "we've only reviewed your AOS packet". I gather this means there isn't a "case complete" when you expedite. The 'expedite track' seems entirely different. Out of curiosity I checked my case status on the CEAC portal. It was showing as 'processing' until the expedite was approved. Now our case doesn't exist in their system.
Posted Image
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-03-29 00:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresExpedite procedure

Yaaay! After reading your input on the medical interview and how the erliest was the 9th of April, I called and made an appointment as well!!! The earliest they got is April 9th as well, lol :D :dance: :dance: Thank you so much Nola123 and ImmigrationReform for your guys's help :jest:



Best of luck on your expedite request. Once you're approved you will be on your way to the interview with all prerequisites completed and in hand.Posted ImagePosted Image
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-03-28 05:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresExpedite procedure

I don't know the procedure in your country, but we didn't even have an appointment letter or an appointment when we scheduled the first time. I believe they only need the NVC case number to forward to the embassy. Easiest thing to do is ask the doctor and explain the situation.

Nola123, thank you! You just saved us weeks. I called our medical center and we made an appointment.Posted Image The earliest was April 9th! Posted Image So… we're glad to have that appointment reserved, and Embassy should have our case-file a few days before that date… if our "luck" continues.Posted Image

FYI Sarsoor… They asked if we had our Appointment Letter and I explained that we didn't because of the expedite blah, blah, blah. Then he said any document that has your case number on it will be fine and to bring it. (I am sure he means a document sent from NVC/DOS, possibly printing an extra 'Cover Sheet' or 'Fee Bill' from your I-864 or DS-230 or any email with the beneficiaries name and Case #)
Posted Image
Each medical center will be different but it's worth a try. They might be flexible on the appointment letter and schedule your medical appointment sooner. This probably only applies to expedited cases because of the short time intervals, but it's still useful information for the group, especially in very busy countries where medicals can hold up the interview.
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-03-28 04:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresExpedite procedure

I don't know the procedure in your country, but we didn't even have an appointment letter or an appointment when we scheduled the first time. I believe they only need the NVC case number to forward to the embassy. Easiest thing to do is ask the doctor and explain the situation.


Thank you for your thoughts on this. I think we'll call now and see what they say.Posted Image
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-03-28 03:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresExpedite procedure

:thumbs:

The only thing an embassy seems to want before the interview for an expedited case is the DS-230. In our case we emailed it to them. They reviewed all of the documents (I-864s, domicile, police, birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.) in about 10 minutes before the interview.

In our case, as soon as the embassy got the I-130 they were willing to schedule an interview immediately. I'd suggest you get the medical done now, because that is what is holding up us getting the visa issued at this point.


How can we do a medical without an appointment letter?
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-03-28 02:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresExpedite procedure

Good question, but isn't a case completed earlier already mean an earlier interview than they would normally assign you? I will wait with you for others to reply to that question :)


I don't think it's a case complete because or DS-230 hasn't been approved yet. NVC will send the case to the embassy then they will review the DS-230 and documents. If that's it, and our interview is not expedited, then we haven't gained much, maybe a week. Whereas getting an expedited interview can cut months off the process. Big difference one week compared with months! My intention was to get an expedited interview since it appears our embassy makes applicants wait two months for an interview.
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-03-28 01:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresExpedite procedure
I requested an expedite of our case at the very end of the NVC stage hoping to get an earlier interview. I anticipated they would have reviewed and approved our IV packet by the time the expedite was approved/denied. They have approved our AOS packet, however our IV packet has been at NVC for 9 days but hasn't been reviewed yet. Our expedite request was granted today.

I have read on these forums that the expedite does not transfer from NVC to the embassy - meaning that we have to request an expedite for her interview with the embassy because our case wasn't complete at NVC???Posted Image

That doesn't make any sense. What should we expect now? Will the embassy/NVC/DOS contact me or should I pester them? Today an NVC supervisor said only that they would be shipping the case off to the embassy with the unreviewed IV packet… once they found it; nothing else.Posted Image
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-03-28 00:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWelcome letter and green card delays?

Just thought I would add my experience. We paid during the first month of the new fee using the old website. Paid after we were issued a visa and before we left. Bank statement shows the payment, we have the receipt numbers from government. That was in April 2013 - still no Green Card. I have called four times. First time was told to wait 15 days, then 30 days then 60 days, the last call she said wait until June 2014 - "it should be there by then - this new fee has caused a lot of issues and there is a tremendous backlog." So, we have been waiting. Everything is in order on our side. I plan to wait until April and if no card we'll call our congressman. It's very annoying like an itch you can't scratch, keeps the long and arduous process of immigration going when you expected it to be over. 


ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2014-01-12 14:33:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHusband admits during medical he smoked weed 4 years ago

Well he is sticking to his guns!! He says when the interview comes he will again be honest. I speak with him mom all the time and she advocates he is a honest man fer sure!!

Some folks have more standards than others.. I am thankful truly we will be victorious I am sure. I just spoke with our lawyer and informed her she feels he did the right thing and as long as the test is negative that should not be held against him. She does not feel it will affect the decision. I put all my faith in my Father see my husband is what I asked him for a honest man, a true man, a man of God. And that he is I a bit disappointed by he says he is going to do Great things for GOD. Yes for some reason it took a very long time to get approved. Evilness wants to trick me into believe it has prevailed over us. The Devil is a lair and a snake and has no dominion over anything in our lives.. I trust HIM completely


I think you have a good man there. And I can totally understand how you would blow up over this. It's so incredibly difficult. A long process and everyday you just want it to be over. So good luck to you both. He did the right thing.
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-04-02 07:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUSC petitioner living abroad
I thought I would also post part of my cover letter as an example:


January 5, 2013

Dear Sir or Madam,

REQUEST FOR IR-1 IMMIGRANT VISA FOR MS. FIRST NAME, LAST NAME INITIAL

I am requesting an IR-1 immigrant visa for my wife NAME-HERE. We have been married for eight years and we live together in Nepal. We have two children, X and X who are American citizens and have Consular Reports of Birth Abroad in their names. At this point our family would like to move to the USA.



I think that having children will really push your case through. In fact I was told so by the embassy in 2011, "Get CRBA for your children, it will make your wife's immigration process much quicker"
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-04-02 08:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUSC petitioner living abroad
1. Country USC resides in: Nepal
2. Is there a USCIS field office in this country / Is DCF still possible? No
3. When did you file the I-130: Jan 15, 2013
4. How long had you been living abroad: 8 years
5. Do you reside in the country legally? Yes
6. What is the reason for your residence: work permit/student/tourist/other - personal choice
7. Did you list your foreign address on all forms in I-130 package? Yes
8. Did you send I-130 package from abroad? Yes
9. Did you include evidence of your residence abroad in the I-130 package? No.
10. Did you mention the fact you reside abroad in the cover letter or write a letter describing your current situation and the evolution of your relationship with your spouse (mentioning your residence abroad)? Yes
11. Has your case been "auto-expedited"? How long between NOA1 and NOA2? I don't know, 27 days.
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-04-02 08:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresConsulate: do they already know they'll approve or not?

For example, Lagos is a high fraud post


A few members have stated that certain consulates and embassies get a lot of fraud. Are there statistics on this somewhere or is it just hearsay?
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-03-11 07:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsFinally NOA 2 today
Thanks guys, we wish you all a nice and smooth journey. Just hang in there..!!
Carmen&AdrianMaleRomania2013-05-30 07:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsFinally NOA 2 today
We are so happy after all this time...!!!! NOA 2 approved. Thanks visa journey for all the info..
Carmen&AdrianMaleRomania2013-05-30 05:23:00
Asia: SouthAddress problems: Kathmandu Nepal

Hello/Namaste,

On the I-129F I've listed my home address as the address of the physical building I'm living in. However we never get any mail at this address because our post delivery service is not too reliable. Most of the mail I get is at a GPO for my office.

I am worried that when my NOA2 comes and the NVC sends me a package to my home address, it will get lost in the mail and lead to delays in our already long (perceived) wait. Its only been a month since I applied, but judging from comments and statistics, I can expect another 5 months before I get my NOA2.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation or can dispense advice for mine?

Thank you.

Greatly appreciated.


have you figured this out yet?
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal3/9/2013 12:42
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionIR-1 Embassy Interview
I am sure we'll fumble because up until now we've never had a reason to know any of those details about each other.
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-03-08 11:34:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionIR-1 Embassy Interview

sometimes those tiny details are what they look out for.


Thank you, but I hope they are not so busy looking for tiny details that our two children knock over their cup of coffee.
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-03-08 11:31:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionIR-1 Embassy Interview
I have read the list of questions for interviews. Mostly they are questions for newly weds to establish that they are indeed married and know each other.
Since I have been married and living with my wife in her country for the last eight years and we have two children who are US citizens by birth, very few of those questions apply.
If anyone has been through an IR-1 interview after living as an expat I would like to hear about your interview process.
Were you drilled regardless of the obvious evidence of your long-term marriage?
What questions, if any, were you asked?
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-03-08 03:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 2013 Interviews
Wife had interview today. All went well except her medical files were't there. They gave her a 221g and said they will call her once her medical file shows up, and to bring in her original civil docs, still on the way from NVC but should be here this week. So, looks like we'll be going back in on Thursday/Friday to finish up the petition. We're feeling pretty confident that she'll get her visa.
The consular just asked her three questions. Name? Your husband is a USC? You have two USC children? Finished. Oh, they looked at our photo album.
So, if you want an easy interview this is what you do: You marry your foreign spouse; move to her country and live there for eight years and have two USC children.Posted Image
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-04-09 14:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 2013 Interviews
My wife has her interview tomorrow; the 9th. Embassy people know that she won't have her original civil documents (we do have photocopies). So, her case will most likely be put in AP until the originals arrive from the NVC sometime this week. They just asked her to fill out a new DS-230 and bring that and we'll go from there.
Both of us are a little bit nervous. Guess we'll just see what happens.

I assume that as long as the initial interview is before April 15th that we won't be needing tax documents from 2012 even if her original civil documents aren't in their possession before the 15th?
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-04-08 06:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 2013 Interviews

Got an email from the embassy today saying they rescheduled interview for Apr 14!!! Then another email 5 min later saying no they take it back b/c they haven't received my case yet (lazy, it got there on Thurs, it's probably sitting in the mail room), but once they do they'll schedule us for the next Sunday (they only do IV interviews on Sundays).

So now I'm running around like a crazy person trying to make sure all our packets are in order (it's all unorganized and all over the place right now) and seeing which pics I should print to bring with us.... :wacko:

I don't know if I should update the list here when they give us an earlier date? I don't want to throw off those waiting for their dates...


Congrats on your interview. What about his medical?
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-04-08 06:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 2013 Interviews

I got approved today on my interview, :D wish everyone got their approvals soon. :dance:


Posted ImagePosted ImagePosted ImagePosted ImagePosted Image
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-04-04 13:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 2013 Interviews

THANK YOU!

I am now concerned about the medical exam. Am confident I don't have any diseases (HIV, Hepatitis, STDs etc) as I get tested every year during my health screening. However, I don't think I have all the required immunisations listed on NVC's official website. I quote the list below:

"Panel physicians who conduct medical examinations on behalf of immigrant visa
applicants are now required to either verify that immigrant visa applicants have
met the new vaccination requirements, or to state that it is medically
inappropriate for the visa applicant to receive one or more of the listed
vaccinations. Required vaccinations include:

Mumps, Measles, Rubella, Polio, Tetanus and Diphtheria
Toxoids, Pertussis, Influenzae B (HIB), Hepatitis B,
Varicella, Pneumococcal, and Influenza."

Is there anything I can do before the official medical exam to get my immunisation records up to date? Should I start getting tested by my family physician for any missing immunisations and get the necessary shots asap?


They will give the shots you need not all of those will apply to you. Some of those shots have age limits; Rubella is for babies. They will for sure require MMR (Measles Mumps Rubella), the latest Flu shot, and Tdap if you never had DTaP as a child. Bring what written evidence you have of past immunizations. Check their fees. If you can get shots for less somewhere else then do it and get a record, otherwise just let them give them to you.

You can go through the vaccinations on http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines and see which apply to you.
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-04-02 05:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 2013 Interviews
DO NOT DELETE:
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6. Add in order by NVC case complete date.
7. Add the date you received your interview date so others can see from case complete to assignment time-frame.


December Cases Waiting on Interview:

NAME....................COMPLETE.......INTERVIEW....VISA TYPE.....EMBASSY
Gringa Chapina..........12/11/12.......xx/xx/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Guatemala


January Cases Waiting on Interview:

NAME....................COMPLETE.......RECEIVED......INTERVIEW....VISA TYPE.....EMBASSY
ik2011..................01/13/13.......03/06/13.......04/02/13.....IR-1..........India
ndu26...................01/28/13.......03/05/13.......04/19/13.....CR-1..........Nigeria
olumides_wife...........01/31/13.......03/05/13.......got it.......IR-1/CR-1.....Nigeria


February Cases Waiting on Interview:

NAME....................COMPLETE.......RECEIVED......INTERVIEW....VISA TYPE.....EMBASSY
2HeartR1................02/04/13.......03/05/13.......04/16/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Nigeria
dwheels76...............02/05/13.......03/05/13.......04/15/13.....IR-1..........Nigeria
A.J.....................02/06/13.......03/15/13.......04/02/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Morocco
PARISS..................02/12/13.......03/15/13.......04/03/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Morocco
M&C.....................02/12/13.......03/13/13.......04/15/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Nigeria
Carlos1986..............02/12/13.......03/06/13.......04/03/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Colombia
PuppyLove...............02/12/13.......xx/xx/13.......xx/xx/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Pakistan
papiakumi...............02/14/13.......03/05/13.......04/18/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Venezuela
sugarbritches...........02/14/13.......03/06/13.......04/22/13.....CR-1..........United Kingdom
wellensky/denise........02/15/13.......xx/xx/13.......xx/xx/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Nigeria
Carry...................02/15/13.......03/04/13.......04/17/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Canada
LoveyDovey..............02/15/13.......03/07/13.......04/01/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Philippines
elicearea...............02/18/13.......03/05/13.......04/25/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Romania
EmilyS..................02/19/13.......03/04/13.......04/05/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Canada
bluetina................02/19/13.......03/14/13.......04/04/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....EGYPT
chuhuchu................02/18/13.......03/18/13....... got it .....IR-1..........SINGAPORE
ebe.....................02/20/13.......03/06/13.......04/17/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Chile
regw76..................02/20/13.......03/13/13.......04/08/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Japan
Rezahoss................02/21/13.......03/06/13.......04/09/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Abu Dhabi
Sangita.................02/23/13.......03/06/13.......04/17/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....India
RFQ.....................02/24/13.......03/14/13.......04/03/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Egypt
God's mercy.............02/25/13.......xx/xx/13.......xx/xx/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Nigeria
sic2005.................02/25/13.......03/07/13.......04/17/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Bangladesh
Gregger235..............02/25/13.......03/07/13.......04/12/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....MEXICO
sonineni................02/26/13.......04/07/13.......04/04/13.....CR1...........INDIA
austex..................02/26/13.......03/06/13.......04/08/13.....IR-1..........Australia
flamgirl................02/27/13.......03/06/13.......04/29/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....INDIA
PerthtoMass.............02/28/13.......03/06/13.......04/30/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Australia
Mzsitcheron.............02/28/13.......04/06/13.......04/25/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Jamaica
leszeku1................02/28/13.......03/08/13.......04/04/13.....CR-1..........Philippines


March Cases Waiting on Interview:

NAME....................COMPLETE.......RECEIVED......INTERVIEW....VISA TYPE.....EMBASSY
meltemapo...............03/01/13.......xx/xx/13.......xx/xx/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Turkey
John & Jeni.............03/01/13.......03/29/13.......05/14/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Greece
JLCANDRLF...............03/04/13.......03/07/13.......04/12/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Brazil
Mrs. AJ.................03/04/13.......03/07/13.......04/09/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Cameroon
lovecyercat.............03/05/13.......03/06/13.......04/30/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Russia
oohpartiv...............03/05/13.......xx/xx/13.......xx/xx/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Ecuador
VikingMamma.............03/06/13.......03/06/13.......04/10/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Iceland
Grace2013...............03/06/13.......03/07/13.......04/16/13.....IR-5..........Guangzhou
sld.....................03/06/13.......03/14/13.......04/03/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Philippines
pogipatrick.............03/06/13.......03/24/13.......04/15/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Brazil
smkr....................03/07/13.......03/12/13.......04/17/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....India
niyapravi...............03/11/13.......xx/xx/13.......xx/xx/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....India
hamigirl710.............03/13/13.......03/15/13.......04/30/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Morocco
Aladlhassan.............03/13/13.......xx/xx/13.......xx/xx/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Morocco
Judy2Rock...............03/13/13.......xx/xx/13.......xx/xx/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Jamaica
Mntjc...................03/13/13.......03/12/13.......04/03/13.....CR-1..........Belgium
TeamMcGregor............03/15/13.......xx/xx/13.......xx/xx/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Dominican Republic
Mina90..................03/15/13.......xx/xx/13.......xx/xx/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Bangladesh
martha brown03..........03/18/13.......xx/xx/13.......xx/xx/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Kenya
MeredythB...............03/20/13.......xx/xx/13.......xx/xx/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Ireland
Vicki&Nanuka............03/20/13.......xx/xx/13.......xx/xx/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Nigeria
Mar_Wil.................03/20/13.......03/30/13.......05/02/13.....IR-1..........Philippines
Sunflower123............03/20/13.......03/29/13.......05/13/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Mexico
Roosha .................03/22/13.......03/29/13.......05/19/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Qatar
kwakuoj ................03/22/13.......xx/xx/13.......xx/xx/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Ghana
babyjk .................03/26/13.......xx/xx/13.......xx/xx/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Barbados
MikeJill................03/27/13.......xx/xx/13.......xx/xx/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....UK
Mrs&Mr..................03/27/13.......03/29/13.......05/24/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Greece
ImmigrationReform.......03/28/13.......xx/xx/13.......xx/xx/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Nepal


April Cases Waiting on Interview:

NAME....................COMPLETE.......RECEIVED........INTERVIEW....VISA TYPE.....EMBASSY
srloring13..............xx/xx/13.......xx/xx/13........xx/xx/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Nigeria
teysha..................xx/xx/13.......xx/xx/13........xx/xx/13.....IR-1/CR-1.....Haiti
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-03-31 09:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 2013 Interviews

Yes one of my to do's. Ewok asked if I could help with updating. But I am scared touching anything. Would you update LingChe's short cut you know it needs updating.

Also can u PM me or email me exactly what i need to do. I have my wiki account I am ready.


Yes! it needs updating. I sent a PM to Ling, or was it Che… with a few ideas. Mostly to do with removing the barcode suggestion and also with sending in the IV and AOS packets as soon as their respective Cover Sheets are printable. And of course fees,,, the new USCIS $165 fee after your visa is approved. I also think it should be considered to wait for your AOS Fee Bill and DS-3032 emails to be received and then to send one email using supervisor review to get your emailed DS-3032 seen quickly and entered. As long as it's done after you receive your AOS Fee Bill and your DS-3032 we know they will be ready to input that info. Not a waste of time for anyone, or an abuse, since those DS-3032 requests are handled by supervisors anyway not operators. So, it's actually helping reduce unnecessary email volume compared to sending email in the hopes that the timing will be perfect, and if it wasn't - resending the DS-3032 again and waiting again. Some things to consider here.
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-03-31 06:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsUSCIS new immigration fee
When filling out the form on the first page it asks for case number, a-number (that's easy) then it asks for last name and first name. It's a bit confusing because you think you should put the first and last name of the visa applicant but you find out later that it's the first and last name of the person who is paying the fee. Because the name field comes out under "Account Information" on the payment page. Then when you get your receipt it doesn't show the case number or a number on it. Leaves it all a bit confusing. I paid so I entered my name, hope that was correct?
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-04-16 11:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI payed $165.00 Immigrant Fee using pay.gov… still waiting for LPR Card

Hi Darnell,

 

called again today and spoke with a nice ISO who assured me that I have done all I can and it's USCIS TSC's turn now. They are backlogged with many issues related to this new Immigrant Fee; mistakes people made on the form. She hoped that we will receive a Green Card within the next 30 days.

 

Strange that this issue hasn't come up anywhere else on this site if so many people have been affected.

 

I am just glad that I kept my receipt for the payment.


ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-11-08 14:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI payed $165.00 Immigrant Fee using pay.gov… still waiting for LPR Card

Still no card and still our case shows up as having an unpaid "immigrant fee". Nearly to the end of the "if you don't receive a card within 60 days call back" period. So odd that pay.gov can find the payment but USCIS can't.


ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-10-27 13:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI payed $165.00 Immigrant Fee using pay.gov… still waiting for LPR Card

I made a payment for my wife on April 16th 2013, the day after she got her visa, using the pay.gov website.  I called to see where her card was in early August and they informed me her file was just getting reviewed at the Texas Service Center and she would be receiving her welcome letter soon. We came into the US on June 3rd. A week later I get a letter in the mail saying we never paid our Immigrant Fee. The following day I called USCIS and waited on hold for 90 minutes to speak with a Rep. He told me to send their letter along with a copy of my receipt for the payment to the Texas Service Center (he said he couldn't help me over the phone; couldn't take the information and initiate a service request over the phone). So I mailed the documents as he suggested. A month went by and still no card. So I called again, waited another 90 minutes and spoke with a rep who told me to give her the tracking number for the payment and she would initiate a service request to TSC. She told me there were quite a few people whose payments went "missing" when the payment database was transferred from pay.gov to USCIS ELIS. It's been ten days since and still our case shows up on USCIS as not having received payment. Still no word from USCIS? A bit frustrating to see that even with the help of computers they can't fix their blunder in less than 60 days, and that I had to bring the issue to their attention in the first place. I mean, they have my money, weren't they wondering what it was for.

 


ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-09-09 11:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWhen will Husband get Greencard

We came in June and still she has not received her card. However, I think this is just an issue with the first payment portal, pay.gov. I have contacted USCIS and they are "working on it", but the ISO told me, "they are severely backlogged" due to the new Immigrant Fee process.


ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-11-08 14:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNVC Filers - March 2013

 

Woohoo, glad you two made it to the US safely!!

 

Did you pay the $165 immigrant fee after getting the visa?

 

Um, wow, the NOA2? That's the approval notice from USCIS for the I-130 petition. Kinda late.. blink.png You don't need the NOA2, especially since she's already immigrated, but it might be a good idea to have for your records, but it's up to you. And weird about her case regressing, especially since she's long been out of USCIS. *shrug*

 

Not much to do now except to settle in! If her SSN card doesn't arrive in 3 weeks from POE, then have her go apply in person at a local SSA office. That's what I ended up having to do.

 

Saylin, I called USCIS today and they told me that the craziest thing. I have to fill out a form I-824 ($405.00 rofl.gif) in order for them to re-mail our NOA2 to our current address in the US. He said that was the only way since our visa application was approved. Guess we don't need that piece of paper after all. no0pb.gif

 

Oh, I did pay the $165 Immigrant Fee after we got the visa and before we left for the US. I never got any confirmation that it was paid though. Guess I should check my bank statements to see if it went through? I remember thinking the payment portal was confusing and also how odd that there was no email receipt.


Edited by ImmigrationReform, 17 June 2013 - 12:30 PM.

ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-06-17 12:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNVC Filers - March 2013

Just wanted to check in and say that we made it to the US and my wife was approved for her 10 year green card. Obviously she hasn't received her green card or SS card in the mail yet.

 

We were so worried after arriving at our POE that we'd miss our connecting flight in the US (the customs and immigration lines were horrendous and they wouldn't let us go to the front) that we didn't thank the Immigration officer who approved my wife. He began to explain everything but we were sort of rude, "yeah, great,,, ok. Gotta go!" We ended up missing the flight anyway?

 

Now we are in the US and I receive an email from USCIS saying that her NOA2 was returned by the post office on May 30th. That's 45 days after her visa was approved! They wan't me to call. Is the NOA2 an important document to have? Should I bother calling USCIS and having them send it to us? Also, her case on USCIS has regressed from "Post Decision Activity" to "Initial Review".

 

Now that we're here is there anything else we need to do? I can't remember.

 

Thanks to all on the VJ, especially Saylin, for their help. I hope our experience will contribute to helping others make their journeys.


ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-06-16 15:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNVC Filers - March 2013

How do we apply for expidite request?


There have been a number of people asking about expediting. You have to have a valid reason to expedite. Not just because you don't want to wait.Posted ImagePosted ImagePosted Image

This USCIS website has information. Click here for expedite requirements.

For those who think that expedites are arbitrary and are envious? I wouldn't envy us. We have been through hell since January. Our family received death threats, we were told to get out of the village we own land in, my children and I have been persecuted because we are "white". This is a place we have lived in for seven years now. We finally had enough when a mob encircled our house, and neighbors, who we've always helped, didn't utter a word to support us. In hindsight I should have requested an expedite in the beginning, but we thought we would tough it out and follow the 'normal' immigration process while our children finished their school year - try to keep some semblance of 'normal' life for them.

Edited by ImmigrationReform, 31 March 2013 - 12:30 AM.

ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-03-31 00:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNVC Filers - March 2013

How'd you find out then?

And they should have emailed you saying it was approved. If not, I'd call up and request confirmation.


I called them two days in a row and was told over the phone on the 2nd day. I was told it was approved on the 28th and shipped on the 29th. Sure enough… I am tracking it on the DHL website.
I will call and ask them to send an email confirmation. Maybe send an email request too for good measure.
Thank you.Posted Image
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-03-30 22:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNVC Filers - March 2013

Yes, in your case, it might be better if you visit the embassy in person. Make sure you have your passport with you, as well as perhaps the first piece of correspondence showing your NVC case number, and the email you received from NVC saying your expedite was approved.


I never received an email saying my expedite was approved.
ImmigrationReformMaleNepal2013-03-30 20:45:00