ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresrezident card holder for spouse viza
If the case is finished at NVC - then expect to be scheduled soon.
The 'lag' as a LPR petitioner occurs between USCIS approval and NVC 'arrival' -
so if NVC is DONE (you've sent in the DS-230 and I-864) then at some point,
soonish, NVC will finish the final review, and then lob the casefile into the
'appointment scheduling queue'. And you wait some more, anywhere from 1 to 6 weeks to get that appointment date set.

When you become a citizen, tell NVC about it, then send them what they ask for - they will forward all to the CONSULATE/EMBASSY IV UNIT, prior to the actual interview.

*** not a K-3 visa topic, moving to IR-1/CR-1 forum ***

Edited by Darnell, 15 January 2011 - 11:03 AM.

DarnellMaleChina2011-01-15 11:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTSC to Congressman Waxman in Los Angeles
oh - I think the 'point to cover' was to unveil WHY TSC IS LAGGED
and I had hoped you could get an ILS human to figure that out.

The answer you got back is specific to yer casefile, and really, is a standard, stock (I'M SORRY TO SAY) BULLSH|T response.

but at least you got it - was standard 'congressional inquiry' .. Yay !

Truly, I was hoping was other indication of why TSC is lagged - so ... no worries.. relax, you...
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-14 11:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTSC to Congressman Waxman in Los Angeles
hey Ron - if that was the 'answer' from the ILS human, I'd be concerned with 'what was the question'
as the answer is a 'stock answer' of 'lets just copy what CIS tells us'

and I'm thinking yer question was NOT matched up to the answer, at all.
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-13 18:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresneed some information after approval i130
Please review http://www.visajourn...p/EZGuideSpouse

*** not a K-3 visa question, moving to IR-1/CR-1 forum ***
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-13 12:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresvisa process when living in China
yup - you qualify to file TWO I-130 petitions - one for yer wife, one for the child -
via
Direct Consular Filing.

Yer in Shenzhen - yer Consular District is at US Consulate/Guangzhou IV Unit - and I've no idea if you can 'send it in' or if you need to show up in person - but it needs to get to them.

Once you send in the I-130s, they are approved, then you prepare the I-864 and DS-230 documents. The DS-230 is the actual visa application - need 2 - one for yer wife, one for the child - and there's a slew of civil documents as well, that are notarial translations from Chinese to English, usually termed (in the vernacular) as 'White Books'.

You must show 'domicile' in USA by interview day - usually WHEN you have approved I-130 in hand, is best time to leave China to go to USA to re-establish domicile (if needed).

Forms and such are up at http://guangzhou.use...and_packets.htm - please note for the DCF'd path - you want to study the
IV Instruction Packet (“Packet 3”) and IV Appointment Packet (“Packet 4”) sections and forms.

We've a DCF guide here, as well - be sure to read it !
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-16 12:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresEntering USA on a tourist visa while the CR1 visa application is pending

Hi guys,

Thanks for the answers.

So it seems that it's a better idea for her to go to the states first and then apply for the CR1 visa while I stay here in Colombia. However, does that mean that I won't be able to visit her in states at all while the visa is processing?

Thanks,
Johan


Please review the DCF GUIDE here at VJ - suggest SHE file the I-130 IN Colombia, and NOT to Chicago.
(my apologies if someone already mentioned this)

Once you've made the time to read the DCF guide -
please make some time to refactor 'the plan'.


DCF rocks ! (if you know what yer doing, are fore-warned and fore-armed)
---

some silly nomenclature -
--interview in USA without prior 'status' - wow - that's an AOS interview, resulting in 2 year greencard, used to be really easy to adjust status from a VWP country if not married when first residing in the USA - but - yer married - so this option won't even apply to you.
--interview in Colombia - results in an immigration VISA, a CR-1 or IR-1, depending on the length of the marriage at interview day. Is no such thing as 'visa interview in USA', ever. all visa interviews are performed outside the USA.
--wife not need to go to USA to file at all - she can file in Bogota at the US Embassy (highly recommended ! ) or send it off to the Chicago Lockbox address (I not recommend this, IF she qualifies for DCF filing)
--wife MUST PROVE UP 'proof of USA domicile' on interview day, regardless if filing I-130 to Chicago (normal, slow way) or if filing I-130 to US Embassy Bogota (DCF, faster way) since she's been living outside of the USA for some time.

Edited by Darnell, 18 January 2011 - 11:44 AM.

DarnellMaleChina2011-01-18 11:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresi didnt send proof of bona fide marriage with my i130 petition
*** not a K-3 visa topic, moving to IR-1/CR-1 forum ***
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-18 11:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresApply for a visa while waiting for his visa
oh - this is 'post interview' timetick - sorry -
hmmmm

can surely apply for a tourist visa - but without a passport - exceptionally difficult to ISSUE ONE to him.

OTOH - sounds like he's in AP with Cairo - are you calling DoS Hotline (#in my profile), getting a Human, inquiring about the holdup?

***Not a K-3 visa topic, as K-3 visa holders and hopefuls are not holding /chasing after immigrant visas - a K-3 visa is a non-immigrant visa - moving to IR-1/CR-1 forum ***

Edited by Darnell, 18 January 2011 - 11:15 AM.

DarnellMaleChina2011-01-18 11:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAdd Form G-1145G to your I-130 petition

Wonder if this is sticky worth?


I had thought about that, but - I had successfully moaned and groaned to get this form added in to the I-130 instruction set for the IR-1/CR-1 Guide - so I'm happy.

I just bump this topic every once in a while - just in case ppl aren't reading the Guide here at VJ.
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-18 16:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAdd Form G-1145G to your I-130 petition
bump
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-18 12:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAdd Form G-1145G to your I-130 petition
bump
DarnellMaleChina2010-08-17 13:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAdd Form G-1145G to your I-130 petition
bump
DarnellMaleChina2010-07-02 12:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAdd Form G-1145G to your I-130 petition
You might want to think to add in Form G-1145G with yer I-130 petition submittal -

It 'gives you' electronic notification that the casefile was received. IMO, removes much worry.

USCIS page for download - http://www.uscis.gov...00045f3d6a1RCRD

This is something 'newish'. My apologies if covered before.
DarnellMaleChina2010-05-14 13:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWaiting for mail
so what's going on with the USC petitioner ?
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-19 15:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWaiting for mail
The USCitizen can be best prepared by downloading the forms needed for NVC Processing -
please review?
DS-230 - http://travel.state..../info_3190.html
I-864 - http://travel.state..../info_3730.html
General NVC stuff - http://travel.state..../info_1335.html


--
Waiting for Mail is the kiss of death, don't do it.
Instead, be proactive, based on stuff happening at the online payment portal -
please review -
http://www.visajourn...ost__p__3560467
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-13 13:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresk3 spouse visa questions?
darkdancer - I assume nothing - as it's Montreal, there's a Canadien involved.

Are you ok ?
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-20 10:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresk3 spouse visa questions?
the 'live and work in canada bit' is great -
but

I suggest, instead, that the USC file an I-130 petition directly to the Montreal Consulate, for Direct Consular Filing Process, instead of anything else you might think to plan about.

Also - we've a great guides section here - please train yer eyeballs UP, find the word 'Guides', click it, pick appropriate GUIDE, and study it, copiously.

Going forward - should you 'see' anything about the K-3 visa in the future, disregard it - as it is mostly unattainable since 1 FEB 2010.

Focus on a CR-1 visa, forget the K-3 visa, eh?

Edited by Darnell, 19 January 2011 - 07:17 PM.

DarnellMaleChina2011-01-19 19:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresChina Marriageability Affidavit
1.yes
2.yes (but this varies, find out in her hukuo city, first, if they accept english document or not - and if not, inquire for which office to use in her hukuo city for translation)
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-20 12:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPackage for filing I-130

When that change I did mine end of Novemeber and I had to send my wife's passport and birth certificate


Photocopies were listed in the I-130 instructions, circa March 2007.
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-20 10:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPackage for filing I-130
uhm - anything original ?
if so - make a photocopy, include the PHOTOCOPY instead of the original.

uhm - anything a 'certified copy' ?
if so - make a photocopy, show the seal/stamp/attestation - include the photocopy instead of the certified copy.

Edited by Darnell, 19 January 2011 - 07:11 PM.

DarnellMaleChina2011-01-19 19:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresJune Filer's
Bob - are you beating on 'Tier 2 Humans™' or not?

Please read http://www.dhs.gov/x...37986181.shtm#5
then
wrap yer head around exactly what an ISO is -
and then

call into USCIS, get an ISO (not an easy task, btw)
and

then ask exactly what the hold up is - ask the ISO to READ the screen and go to the SECOND screen, review status.
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-06 13:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDid you receive any hard copy letter from NVC?
Sorry, I confuse myself easily - I try agian.

IF the I-130 petition was sent to the chicago lockbox
then yer gonna have NVC activity later, for the DS-230 and I-864

IF the I-130 petition was filed directly to HCM, then there is no NVC activity.

But it's Vietnam, and dangit - I've forgotten how it works with NVC.
IF NVC schedules it, you and the beneficiary will receive an EMAIL containing the appointment letter.

My apologies for my confusion - I suffer from slow-brain as the weather gets cold. and it's @#$@#$ cold today.
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-20 20:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDid you receive any hard copy letter from NVC?
was the I-130 petition sent to Chicago or HCM ?
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-20 17:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-3032 Question
OPT IN is only for NVC Electronic Processing.

If you wish to email something, please review the wiki topic - search on 'DS-3032 email' and you'll find the right entry.
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-21 00:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMy wife's Horror Story from Guangzhou,
OP filed an I-130, chasing after a CR-1/IR-1 visa.
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-21 00:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMy wife's Horror Story from Guangzhou,

I really believe my wonderful wife fate was decided before her first interview. She had the kitchen sink and a lot more with her and was well prepared not to fail her interview. But even at her first interview she was not allowed to provide the VO with none of the documentation to prove to the VO our love was true and a bona fide love and marriage. My wife had all that information in her hands and well organized. The VO never allowed her to show him anything. He just handed her a blue slip of paper. I know my wife felt violated by the way she was treated by the VO. Her total time at he first interview was 3 minutes. That is the time it took for our love and lives and fate to be decided. He had ask her 4 questions. My wife answered then quickly and honest. I can't even go to a florist to pick out and buy my wife roses that quick. But our fate was decided that quick. I did fax my congressman all the information he requested all 18 full pages typed. Just to show everyone how much information that was in the kitchen sink. When my wifes case files were sent to Guangzhou. I sent 17 lbs of everything my wife and I had gathered up. And for what she was never allow to use any of it. My wife is not a bad person. She just loves her husband and wants to be with me. My wifes second interview was even shorter. It took security longer to escort her away then her entire first and second interview combined. There is nothing right the way my wifes interview was handled. My congressman suggested that my wife write a letter of apology to the Consulate for her behavior in front of everyone. I talked to my wife today about this and she agreed her behavior was unexceptable. She will write this letter. I really appriciate all of you VJ's for your support and help. I hope and pray no one has to go though the pain and embarrassment my wonderful wife had to endure. Our prayer go with everyone that has to go to Guangzhou for there interview. What worries my wife and me is what did we ever do to anyone to deserve to be treated like this. What did we do? WHY is our biggest question. Thanks again and God bless all.


This is a good example (sorry) of why to front load.
The VOs in GUZ IV read the casefile prior to the interview - and
in some VOs opinion - something was amiss.

Doesn't matter what she had in her hands that day - what matters, IMO (and others) is what the Visa Officer READ in the casefile prior to the interview date.

OK - so if yer one of the ones with a casefile currently at NVC, you can sling more relationship evidence in (reread the I-130 instructions, la, those 6 types are listed there) with the DS-230 - via EP if yer an EP case, or via postal mail if yer going postal. For a detailed write-up on this - please review http://www.visajourn...ost__p__4100571
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-12 11:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMy wife's Horror Story from Guangzhou,
s kdsjlskjflskdjflskjflHave you contacted Marc Ellis yet?

IMO - this is one of those cases where -
YOU SHOULD have snuck in an EOR with the DS-230





Have you contacted Marc ElliHave you contacted Marc Elliksdlkjsldkjfslkjf
DarnellMaleChina2010-12-07 21:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHow will I start?
Hey Troop - you qualify for DCF'd I-130 - Study the Guides here on BOTH
the I-130 AND the Direct Consular Filing (DCF) process - you'll be fine if
you file this month or next.

re: child - if the child is YOUR CHILD (yer the biological father) then
child not need VISA -but child DOES need a
Consular Record of Birth Abroad (CRBA) with USA Passport - that's straightforward to get,
can apply for that NOW.

*** not a K-3 visa topic - moving to IR-1/CR-1 forum, for now ***
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-21 11:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWill my income and co-sponsor be accepted?
I-864 is reviewed at NVC, but they just check basic stuff, kick it back IIF there is massive issue - but
(this is a big but)

Final Adjudication of the I-864 occurs at the Embassy's IV Unit - so if this is of some concern to you (and I sense it is)
you'll need to prove up income/s clearly - suggest to add in a one page income summary document that YOU prepare on you AND yer mother.

Most NVC folksen look for taxable income, and you don't have any - so be prepared to WRITE about this, add explanations IN to a LETTER with the I-864, as well.

Edited by Darnell, 21 January 2011 - 10:50 AM.

DarnellMaleChina2011-01-21 10:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurescomplicated questions?
Hey - welcome to Visa Journey !! We've a great guide section here - please read it
and decide if you wish to apply for a visa OR file to adjust status. These are 2 different things, decision never made lightly.

*** not a K-3 visa topic - moving to IR-1/CR-1 forum, for now ***
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-21 09:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshelp please....
question? hmmm

My case was completed in first week of January with status of 'case complete' - when will the interview be scheduled?

Answer -
Alas - 'case complete' is not the end of it - the casefile needs a 'final review' as well - so when the final review is completed, the casefile is then put into the queue for 'available to be scheduled'. Early in 2009, final reviews were completed in 3 days or less, after 'case complete' status. These days, is 10 to 14 days of time to wrap up a final review, as there's a queue. FWIW, 'case complete' really means NVC has tagged the casefile as 'documents complete - no further input or documents needed from you' but there's still a dearth of activity to be done on yer casefile - this activity won't start until the casefile is complete at NVC. Think about it - why to review a casefile that isn't 'documents complete'? It's a set of double effort, and will waste time of any NVC adjudicator.

Manila schedules the 2nd week of each month, apparently, so IF the final review was not finished during the 2nd week of January, you'll need to be patient - I'm guessing that yer already IN the next queue for the next scheduling session, for next month.

For now, call into NVC, inquire 'Is Final Review Completed for my casefile, or no? If yes, what was the date for Final Review? '
then take note of the answers - and pay attention to the calendar.

Good Luck !
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-21 11:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting Fiance in canada and applying for a CR-1?
no - is no 'file for work authorization' needed after have CR-1 visa in passport - as it's not needed - is un neccessary to file for it - CR-1 visa is a temp green card for 1 year, can work with the visa stamp and a ssn.

no, is no file for I-485, adjustment of status, as a CR-1 visa holder is already an immigrant, with the right visa to enter the country as an immigrant. I-485 petition is not utilized by a CR-1 visa holder, ever.

I beg of you, please, read the guides. If you continue to promulgate the wrong info to other people, it does a great disservice to people who really need the information. A lot of time and energy, man-hours, were put into the creation of the guides - wouldn't you like to be able to give the right info after reading them?

as to 'proving up domicile' on interview day - it's straightforward, not so easy (or everyone would do it, right?) it's not as difficult as many people think - but it does require money and connections, regardless of where the petition was filed. The USC's desire to live in Canada whilst the paperwork is unwinding is admirable, but that 'domicile' bit needs to be handled..

Edited by Darnell, 21 January 2011 - 12:20 AM.

DarnellMaleChina2011-01-21 00:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting Fiance in canada and applying for a CR-1?
I dunno, I blame Canada™ [queue the music from SouthPark]

proving up domicile is a huge issue on interview day - so be aware of that, when doing the CR-1 visa either via Chicago or Montreal.

pegs - as to the info you've put out - ya, it was rife with errors, but - let me whist away the fog, and suggest this -

IF an I-130 petition is filed, the foreign spouse (the Canadien) may or may not be let INTO the USA whilst the paperwork is pending.
It depends on 2 things, IMO -
--attitude and knowledge of the CBP officer at the instant she comes across or
--her ability to prove up that she's NOT immigrating, showing evidence at the border , to a CBP goon, that she's fully ensconched in Canada, showing a lease document, student enrollment papers, leave document / holiday document from the hr department, etc etc...

either one of these can trip up a 'vacationer', always.
or not - depending on that particular CBP goon at that particular moment, whilst the beneficiary is inside the POE.

FWIW, no, the K-1 and the CR-1 are not so similar - if you have a mo, please review the guides section here - I think you can glean the differences from studying the forms list, the processes, and any flowcharts ya find.
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-20 21:00:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting Fiance in canada and applying for a CR-1?
did you refer to a site? oh my.

please read the guides here at VJ - especially the DCF guide.

then work up 2 timetables -
one for Chicago Filing
one for Montreal Filing
compare the two, and let us know the results?

Please?

Purty please with bulgogi on it ?

She can visit you while the CR-1 is being processed.
If she shows ties to Canada and receipt for the CR-1 once it is filed it shows you are going about it the legal way until she enters with the CR-1.
The reason I suggest this is at some point after the CR-1 is issued and she enters on that visa you will have to file a I-130 to show you can support her financially a I-485 for her AOS and a I-785 for her work authorization.
If your in Canada and not working you may have problems showing you meet the financial guide lines for the I-130 unless your financially independent without working.


I declare shenanigans.

Seriously.

Seriously yer reply is rife with errors.

'after the CR-1 is issued' - full stop - the rest of yer post is rife with errors.

Are you ok ?
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-20 17:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI got a NOA 1 although I only sent copy of marriage certificate.
I-130 instructions do say photocopies.

What kind of problem did you wish to create for yerself, really?

[Please re-read instructions on the forms ]

Edited by Darnell, 20 January 2011 - 04:23 PM.

DarnellMaleChina2011-01-20 16:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSo confusing!!!

Thanks so much guys! You're awesome as always! I've never felt so thankful for a website or group of people in my life. You all deserve raises! I never would have gotten through this without you guys. Seriously, my wife and I thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts. If any of you ever come to the Seattle area, look me up, seriously!

Ah, last thing....her green card and social security number will allow her to work here?

She's got the green card - and it's really a cr@p shoot whether or not she'll automagically receive the SSN card - but - she can get into the SSA office, apply, and see what happens. Usually, 2 weeks after POE date, can get into a SSA office, apply, requesting the clerk to LOOK HER UP in the SAVE database. If no problems with SAVE, can accept the application, she can come back in 2 days and get the SSN, waiting up to 2 weeks to receive the physical card in the postal mail.




Massive edit above - but the rest of this blather can be useful to someone else->
Can ya verify that the VISA inside of her passport IS or IS NOT a K-3 visa? or a CR-1 Visa? or an IR-1 Visa?

IF NOT a K-3 visa -
there's a stamp inside the passport, that validates the visa to be used for 1 year as a temporary I-551 (green card) document.
2 weeks after the POE date, get to SSA, apply for a SSN, request a lookup in the SAVE database, and see what the clerk says. If all is ok, come back 2 days later, clerk will give her the # (but not the card, that comes in the mail)

AT THIS POINT - with her passport and the SSN (not the SSN card) - she can work. She'll be automagically verified with the e-verify system for any employer.

anywhere from 30 to 60 days after POE date, the green card will automagically arrive
2 weeks after applying for a SSN card, it will automagically arrive.
-----
If a K-3 visa - ouch - sorry, she has 2 years to apply to adjust status - and the result of adjusting status is the green card.

Please Study Up on http://www.visajourn...ost__p__3060767 and let us know which visa is stamped in her passport, soonish?

Edited by Darnell, 20 January 2011 - 09:33 PM.

DarnellMaleChina2011-01-20 21:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures$404 USD
IF the IV Fee Bill is AVAILABLE to be paid,
then
the DS-3032 was accepted.

here's my handy dandy guide to using the online payment portal for status -
http://www.visajourn...ost__p__3560467
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-21 17:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresnew drama
if it doesn't show up 4 months past the NOA-1 date on the I-797-C formletter, IMO, it won't show up at all - don't sweat it.

It's a CR-1/IR-1 visa type - you can't hurry it along at USCIS unless you make an expedite.

There's 'no useful status' on it either - and
USCIS will send you an email notice (you filed the G-1145, right?) if any RFE action.
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-21 17:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPutting together the I-130
wow - sounds like you have as much 'problems' generating them bonafides as a couple bound for Guangzhou !!!
wait a mo - that's me and mine !!

Here's my frontloading list for the I-130 - stuff that I did - have a read?

http://www.visajourn...c

You can refactor it to suit yer particular situation.

Good Luck !
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-21 14:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHow much time between NOA2 and interview
you can get some speed if you drive all @ NVC.

we've some wiki entries about speed at NVC - have you seen them ?
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-21 10:00:00