ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
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
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHow much time between NOA2 and interview
have you studied the timelines IN YER PORTAL ?

Click the word 'PORTAL', above, then once it loads.

train yer eyeballs left and down, find the timeline section IN yer portal
and then
study the CR-1/IR-1 thingie.

Good Luck !
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-20 16:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHow much time between NOA2 and interview
7.9 weeks

Please study the timelines - gives you GREAT idea of what happened yesterday.

Edited by Darnell, 20 January 2011 - 12:42 PM.

DarnellMaleChina2011-01-20 12:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshow NVC will annouce us they received our DS-3032?
jenny - please hit the wiki main page here - and look up (in the search box)
'DS-3032 email'

Thanks !
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-23 19:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshow NVC will annouce us they received our DS-3032?
ya - have the USC spouse review LingChe's Shortcuts in the wiki
and Loto's EZGuideSpouse section in the wiki, as well -

one of you or both need to understand this stuff, quickly.
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-21 14:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshow NVC will annouce us they received our DS-3032?
announce?
sorry - is no 'instant announcement'
but

if you are utilizing the online payment portal, you'll see that the IV fee (for the DS-230 packet) is available to be paid.
This is a visual thing, you must log in, use yer eyeballs - is not any visual thing for 'ds-3032 acceptance' rather, it's 'nvc ready to do intake on the DS-230' after the DS-3032 is added to the casefile. With the portal, 'intake' starts with payment. When this fee bill is ready to be paid, woo hoo ! DS-3032 is in the casefile.

or
if you are a 'postal-only filer'
you'll get a notice from USCIS asking you to send in the IV packet .

Postal filers suffer from super slow turn around time, about 3 months per thing (there are 3)

Are you using the online payment portal (you've an IIN in an email from NVC, because the USC talked with NVC Human, received AOS fee bill via email afterwards) ?

Edited by Darnell, 21 January 2011 - 10:09 AM.

DarnellMaleChina2011-01-21 10:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresRecord of Money sent to China

I know this is a silly simple question, but I ask anyway. My fiancee and I will marry in Beijing in March, and, I want to send her some money to use to book our wedding party and pay for my wedding shirt. But I would also like to keep a record of the money transfer. For record keeping and evidence purposes, which is best:

1. Bank draft from my bank with her name on it, or
2. Wire transfer via MoneyGram, or
3. Wire transfer direct to her credit card?

I am the USC.

Thanks.

1. study the clearing time before choosing this route. 30/60/90 days used to be the norm.
2. never use it, only use Western Union - I've transferred thousands via Western Union - limited to 4999.99 each transaction - but I can send 2 and 3 transactions a day, at my convenient time (after 7 PM local time, when I'm done for the day)
3. You prolly mean direct to her bank stuff (Chinese call it a TT , or Telephonic Transfer, same as wire transfer here) - suggest you study the fees and turn around time at yer bank. If it makes sense for 20K via a TT, with 50 bucks in fees, 3 days turnaround, then all win.

My wife has a paypal debit mastercard on one of my business paypal accounts - is a hassle when she needs more than the daily limit, but can get much $$ via any atm machine, so the hassle is not SO bad.

Is other deals with USA banks and China banks - where is no fee for atm usage in China - check out who's who and what's what - then get ATM cards on accounts at those USA banks...
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-17 14:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresRecord of Money sent to China

I would go with xoom.com send it and you can print all of the receipts has all the information the amount the names and such. Easy to set up an account and relatively inexpensive. You can use your bank account or a credit card for the transactions.


xoom.com gave up on China new business about 6 months ago. I was p|ssed, too.
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-17 14:00:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDoes anybody know?...
when next you call into NVC -
get a Human™.

At this stage, Humans™ are important.

Here's a nice 'how to' with phone numbers, entity names, and what you can get -
http://www.visajourn...he-nvc-and-dos/

it's for the K-1 visa hopefuls, but at least you'll have the write numbers, know which #s to punch to 'Get A Human™'.

Good Luck !
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-25 11:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresOriginal or Certified Okay
no, not necessarily, that, either .
IF she has the originals , originals can be submitted into NVC, and IF photocopies are included, she can ask for the originals, and get them back, on interview day at the Embassy IV unit right during the interview.

The translated document usually not need any notarization or apostille. Usually.

Edited by Darnell, 25 January 2011 - 03:19 PM.

DarnellMaleChina2011-01-25 15:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresOriginal or Certified Okay
I dunno, darkdancer - the instructions seemed crytal clear to me .

Photocopies to USCIS
then at NVC ->
originals or certified copies (certified by original issuing authority)
plus a photocopy.

I guess if you were used to 'notarized copies' being taken as 'originals' in yer spouse's home country,
where the notary work was done NOT at the issuing authority,
then I can smell the confusion.

I also read that Court documents such as Birth and divorce can't be certified?? in some countries - that is true - but said court document CAN be re-issued from THAT court, as well, hence creating a new 'original document'.

Edited by Darnell, 25 January 2011 - 11:26 AM.

DarnellMaleChina2011-01-25 11:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshow do you track package from NVC to embassy?
I'm a fan of calling DoS, asking for status.

DoS Hotline # in my profile - click the girls, look down and left.
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-25 17:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresthe same boring question I guess:) how long does it takes to obtain the spouse visa from the day the I_130petiton was sent?
hi miaa - 297 days, or 296 days if not a leap year.
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-25 17:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 & FS-420
"a copy of form FS-420, report of birth abroad of a citizen of the US"
and
"an original statement from a US consular officer verifying that you are a US citizen with a valid passport"



not applicable to you, at all.
This is a type of birth record currently tagged as a 'Consular Record of Birth Abroad', and is utilised when one of THE PARENTS is a US Citizen and the CHILD is born outside of the USA, to register the birth with a US Embassy/Consulate, and hence have THE CHILD to have citizenship of the U.S.A. whew !

Now, since yer a naturalized USC - and if you and yer spouse have a child in Jakarta - the CHILD qualifies because YOU are a USC.

Don't sweat this - again - this isna applicable to you, at all.
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-18 11:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI'm in UK wife is in the States, been apart now 5 months
Yay Canada !! That's a nice backup plan, always.

Good Luck !
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-25 17:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI'm in UK wife is in the States, been apart now 5 months
good lord. ouch.
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-25 00:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI'm in UK wife is in the States, been apart now 5 months
don't confuse 'getting a CR-1/IR-1 visa'
with
'adjusting status', as
they're 2 different beasties.

Stay on the CR-1/IR-1 track, read the guide copiously that Harpa Timsah linked for you,
and make sure yer lass understands all.

FWIW - the I-130 will be approved, but then
there's more work (for the two of you ) at NVC
and later, at some point, an interview at the US Embassy (somewhere) is scheduled for you.

Can't skip the NVC and USEmbassy steps, at all, alas.

*** not a K-3 visa topic, moving to IR-1/CR-1 forum ***
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-24 14:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIR-1 on hold
sorry, i use acronyms here much -
ILS - Immigration Liason Staffer, works in a congressman's office (representative, senator)
you'll need to contact one of the 3 in yer 'zone' in the USA, usually they want a faxed sign'd letter of release (available on their websites, thankfully)
then
the 'automatic process' they will start is a normal congressional inquiry. Whilst this may or may not be useful, it's not what you want.
Instead, you want the ILS human to start a 'CIA DESK CLEARANCE' - this will start some dialogue with the CIA officer in charge at the US Embassy, and sometimes forces a review of 'what the US Agent is doing' and in some cases (I hope this is yours) they discover their silliness, stop it, and release the casefile back to the IV unit, clearing it (and closing the inquiry) off of their DESK.

That's what I'm hoping for ya, anyway.... hope it turns out well !

Edited by Darnell, 24 January 2011 - 10:56 PM.

DarnellMaleChina2011-01-24 22:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIR-1 on hold
US Agent? that's usually the CIA staffer at the Embassy -so sorry !

it is possible to hold up visa issuance, but it has to be very speficic, and in real time -
and it's both for your husband.

The most you can do, IMO, is to ask the ILS human to request 'clearance' from the CIA desk at the embassy, for visa issuance.
This will take some manuevering, as well, as most ILS humans only do 'congressional inquiry', and might need to be trained on how to handle 'CIA clearance request'.

Good Luck !
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-24 10:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-864 when to file
ah - so you aren't doing the I-130 to HCMC. got it .

Yup - can file the I-130 petition now, not worry about taxes or I-864 for about 5 months (the span o time you can expect to wait for the I-130 approval).

So that's 5 months to 'fix yer taxes' after filing the I-130 petition to Chicago.
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-26 10:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-864 when to file
yer local office is HCMC ? you are DCF case in Vietnam?

if YES -
then no - you not file the I-864 with the I-130 to HCMC - you will file the I-864 and DS-230 together, to HCMC, AFTER HCMC has approved the I-130 petition.

(if none of this makes sense, that's ok - just disregard anything I write here )
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-24 10:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurespls help
*** not a K-3 visa topic, moving to IR-1/CR-1 forum ***
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-26 10:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresOH NO!!! FORGOT DOCUMENT FOR NVC

well update on my situation, i just reprinted the barcoded cover sheet and resent the missing document. I found out last week AOS has been reviwed and everythings fine so it did not cause any problems. NVC told me that if you include the barcoded coversheet from the payment portal thats how they connect that these forms are AOS and just put it into your file.


YUP - them there barcoded coversheets from the online payment portal are mighty important, when sending things in.

I LOVE THE ONLINE PAYMENT PORTAL - tell yer friends to use it?
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-26 11:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresChanging Jobs for a better one
IR-1 ? BioData on YOU ? NOPE. You already did ONE I-864, that info was already 'taken' - no need to update it again for any IR-1 beneficiary.

Just make sure CBP has YOUR current address for MAILING the greencard out -
have yer lass recheck it when she comes in to USA with the CBP goon.
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-26 11:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresRetiring to Florida
Ah - sorry, my bad -
Canada is Wonky™

Vancouver USED to handle both I-130 intake AND IR-1 interviews
but
NOW - I know only Montreal handles the IR-1 interview -
so -

does Vancouver still handle the intake of the I-130? I THINK THIS IS THE STICKY BIT. If Vancouver does handle the I-130 intake, you need to find out if they accept it face to face (solely) or via postal delivery (solely) or either.

My apologies for seeming harsh - I am a cranky curmudgeon™, by both trade and profession, sometimes it bleeds out.
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-26 12:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresRetiring to Florida
Holy Crudikins, Batman ! Hey - those 2 links I provided to you have the info you need, but you wished to 'call the consulate' instead? I hope you realize that VisaJourney.Com is the best 'DIY Immigration Portal' on the net, with an emphasis on 'Y' and 'D'.

Kathryn has thoroughly dissected your Position, I pray you read her reply to you AND copiously study the content in the 2 links I put here.

(HINT - ALL DCF'd I-130's for Canadiens are sent off to Montreal without any I-864 or DS-230 )

Edited by Darnell, 26 January 2011 - 09:59 AM.

DarnellMaleChina2011-01-26 09:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresRetiring to Florida
huh? contact the Consulate ? oh joy - more confusion, yes?

Good luck with that - and
in the meantime

please read those 2 guide links I put out for ya - and you two decide about 'which way to file the I-130' - either to Chicago or to Montreal.
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-25 11:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresRetiring to Florida
at the end of the day, when all is said and done -
you (The Canadien) will have an IR-1 visa stamp in the passport -
which, after crossing the border and ACTIVATING IT -
will trigger a 10 year green card to be automagically sent to you, via postal mail.

HOWEVER.

Since the USCitizen has been living in Canada all this time -
SHE QUALIFIES to file the I-130 via Direct Consular Filing (DCF)

Read the DCF guide here, as well as the I-130 guide ..

http://www.visajourn...tent/i130guide1
http://www.visajourney.com/content/dcf

IGNORE ALL YOU SEE/READ about the K-3 - do not file an I-129F - it's a waste of time.

The USCitizen must prove up 'proof of domicile' but I think you two have that covered, already - just be able to show that the domicile in Florida is jointly owned by her, on interview day, and yer golden.

re: support - that's the affadavit of support, the I-864 - and USUALLY, the UScitizen must prove up that he/she has enough income to support the intending immigrant. I'll hazard a guess, that she's been a housewife, and you've got all the bux - so - the formulas are a bit different - but I'm guessing YOU will qualify using the 1/5 rule plus the assets you share jointly with her in Florida.
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-25 00:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCan I get expedite for my kids? Wife has interview on March 1st
yes, you can. where are the kids casefiles? (USCIS vs NVC) - the approach is different, on each.

For USCIS, need to get ISO (see http://www.dhs.gov/x...37986181.shtm#5 ) and follow their instructions exactly.

For NVC, call in, get a Human, ask for expedite - you'll usually be dealing with PL/I Supervisor Sue afterwards.
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-26 14:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDo we have to include copies in addition to all of the original documents when sending I-864 and IV to NVC?
ds-230 instructions clearly state to send in regular photocopies with originals.
DS-230 - http://travel.state..../info_3190.html -- see page 3.

Edited by Darnell, 26 January 2011 - 04:08 PM.

DarnellMaleChina2011-01-26 16:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurespls help
*** not a K-3 visa topic - moving to IR-1/CR-1 forum ***
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-26 11:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 certified copies or regular photocopies?
YES !
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-26 16:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAGE DIFFERENCE
*** not a K-3 visa topic - moving to IR-1/CR-1 forum ***
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-24 10:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIR-1/CR-1 Visa Status and procedures
one of the joys of the research that yer about to embark upon/on -
is that
'where to send' is revealed.
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-26 12:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI am going to sleep early fron now on!!!!
ya, HCMC has FRAUD unit there, one of the regular things they do is to call the visa beneficiary in the USA.

Where is yer wife currently ?
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-26 16:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-751 and other post arrival activities for a CR-1 person
90 days before green card expires.

re: travelling - be back in USA before green card expires.
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-21 00:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTime Line
*** not a K-3 visa topic, moving to IR-1/CR-1 forum, for now ***
DarnellMaleChina2011-01-24 10:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresK3, K4 Visa converted to CR 1 by National Visa Center

Thanks, but how many more months does this take?


WITH an expedite and NVC Electronic Processing, 3 to 4 months.

IIWY, I'd email GUZ IV Unit, explain that yer filing for a new CR-2, and ask them to reschedule the spouse's interview to occur when the child's interview comes up.
DarnellMaleChina2010-05-11 10:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresK3, K4 Visa converted to CR 1 by National Visa Center

Looks like he did! Interview date May 20. Congrats, Jim ... :star:


Not the OP...
DarnellMaleChina2010-05-10 21:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresK3, K4 Visa converted to CR 1 by National Visa Center
Hey - any movement? You get that I-130 prepped with the expedite request?
DarnellMaleChina2010-05-08 22:34:00