ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
National Visa Center (Dept of State)Choice of Agent form
Ok, So as soon as i figured out that I had a case number at NVC, I emailed them who i wanted my choice of agent to be....BEFORE they have generated the form or the AOS Bill....and BEFORE i've recieved any other such correspondance....i just knew what they're next step would be, so i'm wondering if by "jumping the gun" might cause a problem, or will it be just fine and acknowledge the email when that form is generated?

Also, Do I need to send the DS 2001 form to the Rio Consulate? What else can i do right now, to take some short cuts, or get our application to the consulate, etc? Thanks.
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-09-27 01:14:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)I-864
Ok, I'm using Jame's Shortcuts, and I was reading, the order for sending in the I-864

-COVER LETTER
-Barcoded cover sheet
-I-864
-Authorization for Release of Federal Tax Data
-Copy of tax returns and w2s
-Letter of Employment
-Pay stubs

Ok, but he doens't tell me what is supposed be on the COVER LETTER.

Can someone please give me a cover letter example, where i can just input the appropriate info where I'm supposed to?
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-09-27 19:05:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)Jame's Shortcuts
Ok, I just happened to luck out by coincidence, to email NVC about the choice of agent, before I knew the DS3032 had been generated, which it was on that same day, so, for me it worked, and it was accepted.



Now, I'm using the rest of Jame's shortcuts...I'll let you know if and how it works for me, as i go on....So today, I sent the AOS bill with the barcode and word document, it will get there on Friday.

but I'm just curious, who HAS used them, and did it work for you? and if so, how much time do you think it cut off, and how long total were you at NVC until your case was forwarded to the consulate?
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-09-27 18:36:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)Called NVC about I-864
Ok, So today I called NVC to see if they received my AOS bill in the mail, and I don't remember what they said, but they did say that if or once they do, it takes like 4-6 weeks to process it!! What? how freaking long does it take for them to cash a postal money order and put it in the system!!!!???

And also, they said I HAD to wait for the I-864 packet they send me, becuase I told them I already had it ready to go....and they said I needed theirs to make sure I have the updated version, but I do, which i got from their website....so was the agent just following protocyol? Am i ok, to have already filled it out, and have it ready to go? Also, I qualify upbove the poverty limit, but I want to send in my mother's I864 Co-sponsor application, just in case....if i do qualify by myself, will they just dismiss her application, or will they use it anyway? Should I send only mine in first, and see if I qualify alone, and if not, then send hers in if they request it? Or will this slow things up, and I should just mail in both just to be safe?

AND once NVC forwards our case to the consulate in Rio de Janeiro, will the consulate send the packets and other info to me the US Cit. & Choice of Agent, or will they send it to my husband? Becuase mailing it to my husband would obviously be faster since he lives in brazil, versus having to internationally mail me packets and info....??

AND at this point in our process, if we have no hang ups, or RFE's, do you think our case will be done by December, including interview, that he'll make it home by Christmas, and if not, what about January, or do you think it will be longer?
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-10-02 15:57:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)HELP! I may have made a mistake!
Ok, I already mailed in my I-864 packet early, following James's shortcuts....and today I received the acutal packet, and I noticed that my bar code sheet, that says National Visa Center Barcode sheet. You MUST return this blah blah blah....well at the bottom of the real barcode sheet the actual barcode is bigger than the one i put on my created barcode sheet. It was probably an overlooked detail....the barcode is still the same though, as far as the case number....will the size make a difference? Should i be okay?
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-10-17 11:32:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)DS-230 question
Ok, so My husband is from Brazil, so do I ONLY mail part 1 of the DS230 to the NVC? and then bring part II for the consulate interview?

Also, do i mail the DS 2001-readiness for interview WITH the ds 230 to the NVC or seperately to the consulate, or not at all?

Also, I just want to make sure I've included everything for the NVC:

-DS-230 part I
-photocopy of passport info and bio page w/picture
-2 photos

is this it? just those 3 things?
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-10-21 15:18:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)DS 230 mailed to NVC
Ok, today the DS 230 part 1 packet will be received by NVC. So, approximately how long will it take to complete the NVC? Do i still need to hear back from them regarding the I864 i sent in nearly a month ago? HOw long does it take to review the ds230 info? Do you think my case will be completed and forwarded to the embassy in a month to 2 months?
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-11-10 10:59:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)WHOO-HOO! I love the NVC
Ok, so I checked the automatic system a day or two ago, and it said I had an RFE....that something was incomplete or missing from my packet of forms (which would've been the I-864) so i was so sad....I finally got through to an operator today to ask what exactly was the problem, so I could send it in before receiving the letter in the mail...but they said that it was referring to the DS 230 which (at that time) had not been received, but was received today, and entered into the system. (Veteran's day caused a slight delay)

So, I then asked him about the status of my I-864, and he said there was a big fat Y E S next to it. WHOO-HOO! :dance: I can't believe it! :dance: I made no mistakes, and neither did my co-sponsor! It went by so quickly. So, then he said it takes only 2-4 weeks to review and approve the DS 230 (which was more great news since I thought it was 6-8 weeks).....So, we could be done by the end of this month! And if not, well, i'm still ECCSTAIC to know that well be done FOR SURE in December, and our papers will be at the Consulate in December too! So who knows, maybe luck or God is on our side, and Santa Clause will bring me a husband for Christmas; if not...i'll settle for a birthday present (which is in late January)

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! Good luck to all that are still on this crazy journey.....but eventually, the light does come! (But I can't get too ahead of myself...we still have a few more hurdles to jump)

Edited by andrea&roberto, 15 November 2006 - 02:20 PM.

andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-11-15 14:17:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)James Shortcuts - Not Enough Memory to Copy Barcodes
YES! acutally, i did have this problem also. Let me remember what i did....I right clicked on the barcode, and clicked SAVE AS, assinged where I was saving the picture to, (a folder in My Pictures) then, I went back into Word, and I used the toolbar at top, and INSERT picture (From File) and it worked fine. Let me know if that works. PM me for more help.
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-12-17 20:47:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)CASE COMPLETED!!!!
:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: I never thought this day would come! HOLY COW! Our case if finally completed at NVC....how many days has it been? I'm too excited to figure it out...can someone help me with that....So, we're in the air, on our way to the consulate. Tomorrow, I'm calling the consulate in Rio to find out when we can get our interview date. Thanks SO much to EVERYONE here on VJ; because of your help, we had no issues from start to finish... VJ'ers, you are life savers! WHOOHOO! :dance:
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-12-19 13:36:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)james shortcut
In my opinion, I would abandon the K3, and go for the CR1, becuase there is no hassel one you get it. With a K3, it's only a temporary, non immigrant status, and the adjusting of status, and everything else AFTER the wedding can be tricky, and it's much more time consuming, and long lasting. My husband and I chose to skip that hassle, even if it meant waiting a little bit more longer, to have him come in on permanent residence status, with Social Security # in hand.....
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-12-28 01:21:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)Urgent Matter
And on a personal note, in my opinion, I would have NEVER filed for a K3...I would have, and did, just stay with the CR1 (I-130)....honestly, a K3 isn't much faster, and when it comes to our spouses, whether it's a day apart or year, it feels like the same damn sucky thing....
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2007-01-10 01:36:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)Urgent Matter
You should be able to order all your tax information through the IRS website or phone; I don't know how long it would take to mail it to you. But for the I864 you have to provide a lot more than just tax returns, including pay check stubs. And even though your co sponsor more than qualifies, you still MUST FULLY complete the I-864 even if you don't qualify, because of previous years. If you do not, or you leave some portions blank, you will receive a "Request for Further Evidence" You petition will not be approved until both YOU and your co sponsor fully fill it out. You can't just put it on the shoulders of your co sponsor to take care of your financial responsibility forms.....good luck.
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2007-01-09 13:36:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)Need some Tips......
Yes.. I was (the USC) the Choice of agent. just make sure you have your husband fill out the correct forms, with his signature on them, and mail them to you asap.
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2007-01-30 13:02:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresBrazil Marriage HELP
Hi, I'm getting married in Brasil next month, and I'm wondering if anyone has been married there....Does brasil require a marriage license, or blood tests? Will the US recognized my marriage in brasil? What do i need to do after the marriage, while i'm in brasil? Once I come back to the US, we will file for a K-3 visa....but what do when i'm there!? HELP! Thanks.
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-03-04 20:59:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresK-3 or K-1
Which is faster or better? the K-3 or K-1? We were originally going to get the K-1 visa, but it sucks to wait 1 year, or however long it takes. so then, after i graduated school, i was going to move to brasil, get married, and live there for 2 years, because we thought that if we married in brasil, we'd have to stay in brasil for 2 years in order to prove our marriage was legit. but i was told, by USCIS that that is incorrect. we could get married in brasil, then apply for the k-3 visa, which only takes about 4 months...so, that's what we're deciding to do.... are we doing the right thing to get Roberto to the US the quickest?
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-03-04 21:38:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTouched?
Where did you find the answer? I've been wondering this myself. Altough I have an idea what "touched" means, I want to read the exact answer..thanx



What on earth does it mean when everybody keeps saying they've been "touched"????

Hopefully you can appreciate how weird this sounds when you've got no idea what it means!

Edit 10 mins later: Don't worry - I found the answer!


andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-07-27 14:16:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDo i still file a I129 F if the I130 is approved
I was going to do what you did, but I've decided just to let my I-130 ride...and NOT file the I129....I would cancel the I129, and continue with the I130.
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-07-30 16:42:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionLife Insurance
sorry I'm reposting this, but I didn't get any responses in the CR1 forum, so maybe this is the correct forum....my question is...I just started a life insurance policy on me, (USC) and my beneficiary is my foriegn husband....will having this policy hurt or help me when it comes to proving our marriage is real, and during the interview?
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-07-26 14:49:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPolice Certificates for Brazilian Fiancee
Click on this link to go directly to police certificates info http://www.embaixada...amp;itemmenu=58

if that doesn't work, Go to the US consulate website in Rio... http://www.embaixada...;action=rio.php

then click on VISAS at the top left hand corner blue tab bar

then middle of the page, there are 2 columns, the one on the right is IMMIGRATION VISA, under that column, click on FORMS FOR FIANCE VISAS

scroll down the page, and you'll see State and Federal Police certficate information, requests and lists. Good luck!
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-09-14 01:46:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionDocuments needed for CR-1 interview in Rio de Janiero, Brazil
Ok, so we don't need to fill out the DS-2001. But what exactly is in which packet and where does it come from? NVC and/or Rio Consulate? I have everything together that NVC will need. I-864, DS230, and all the documents they want proof of etc..I know i can email NVC for choice of agent, so after all that...will I get anything else from the NVC? And then once my junk is mailed to the Rio Consulate, what happens there? I'm blinded from this point on. What does the Consulate mail me or my husband? What will I need to send them? Ok, thanks for you help.
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-09-21 18:26:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionDocuments needed for CR-1 interview in Rio de Janiero, Brazil
Ooh, great question. I want to know this too....My husband's application is at NVC now, and we're just waiting for our case number...so soon we'll be at the consulate in Rio....What exactly does the consulate want? What is the DS-2001??
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-09-20 02:42:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionJames' Shortcut and the K-3/K-4
yes, the ds 230 part one DOES require a barcode sheet.
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-11-10 10:40:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussiondocument order for interview
Ok, I've seen somewhere on VJ a few people post the list of order of documents the DAY of the interview....but I don't know where I found it, or how to find it again. Can someone please help me? What are the documents, and in which order do they go in, and what else do I need to bring to the interview. This is for a CR1, permanent resident visa, in Rio de Janiero.
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-12-25 01:05:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionRio Consulate
Ok, so now my question is, what is a good, cheap hotel that's located in the middle...something to too far from the consulate, close enough to the beach, and not far from the touristy things, including the Jesus statue that I really want to see....??
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2007-01-19 14:26:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionRio Consulate
does anyone know the name or phone number of a hotel close to the consualte, or within walking distance?? I read on a post somewhere that there is one, but I don't know how to find that post.....I need to book my hotel, like now. Thanks.
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2007-01-19 13:46:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionDocument order for interview
I have a question regarding this....my husband's interview is in two weeks, so now that we know the order of the documents, Do we also need 2 copies per document? And for his CR1, do I need to fill out a NEW I864? or is the one i filled out for the NVC sufficent, since that has been mailed to the consulate? And does anyone anything about the new I864 that came out this jan 2007...is it different? Do i need to worry?
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2007-01-28 16:54:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionProcessing Times
Hi, Ok, my husband's expiration date is Feb 14, 2009. If we file before Jan 14, we are still ok and within the 90 days prior right?? When is the very last day to file to meet the requirements? Also, how long does it take to process this form? Will he recieve a new green card by or before his actual expiration date? andrea
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2009-01-04 01:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCan my governor help?
Haha. Thanks everyone for your advice. And as my husband would say, "Paciencia Mulher!" Which means "Patienc Woman!"
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-07-21 14:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCan my governor help?
What would be classified as an "emergency"? Would being pregnant help? (I'm not pregnant, i'm just asking.)
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-07-20 23:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCan my governor help?


A couple told me that I should write my state governor and ask him/her to write to the California Service Center to help me expedite my petition. Does this really help? Are there any other ways to help expedite the petition WITHOUT applying for a K-3?


What is your reason to expedite?


Why not? Why not try everything and anything to help my husband get here more quickly? It's worth a try. This couple said that's what they did. Just curious if anyone else has tried this, or heard of it, or how it would work. But besides my sanity and emotional well being, there is no "major" reason to expedite..I'm not dying if that's what your asking....

Edited by andrea&roberto, 20 July 2006 - 11:06 PM.

andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-07-20 23:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCan my governor help?

With all due respect, you only started in May. If you start freaking out now, you won't have any hair whatsoever over the next few months!!! Trust me, if there were some way to expedite a petition after less than 2 months, someone would have found it and broadcasted it by now.

I don't mean to sound harsh. I'm just dramatic. Good luck!



Hi, Well I feel as if it is already. I've only spent barely over a month in person, with my husband, and of that time, it is not consecutive time. I'm ready to just be married, and be with my husband for real. Did you file for a K-3 after filing for your I-130? and if so, why did you choose that route, and do you think I should apply for a K-3, or wait it out, for the immigrant visa for my husband?
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-07-20 22:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCan my governor help?
A couple told me that I should write my state governor and ask him/her to write to the California Service Center to help me expedite my petition. Does this really help? Are there any other ways to help expedite the petition WITHOUT applying for a K-3?
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-07-20 22:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresRead about how processing works.
Hey guys....yes, USCIS sucks with customer service. I waited 1/2 hour once, to ask a question, only to have the representative hang up on me, mid sentence, within the 1st minute...becuase he's an idiot and wasn't really listening to my question....regardless....

I don't think ANY negative comments should be made to anyone on here, regardless if their justfully made...or whether the person was feeling sorry for themselves, for whatever reasons, because in all honesty, we are here to support each other...and lean on each other, because we don't have anywhere else to go....NO ONE understands what we're going through unless they're going through the same thing, or have gone through.

We all feel sorry for ourselves at some point or another, and we all miss our spouses/fiance so much, we'd sell our souls to the devil to be reunited faster...(I know I would.) But I think to help us all, to help HOPE prevail, we should ALWAYS be supportive of one another, and damn it...sometimes, we do just need a "hug" or someone to say "I feel your pain."

Now, let's all be friends, and take one day at a time....because as each day that goes by, we're one more day closer to our loved ones. (Though I know I won't always believe my own words...somedays, even a little right now, I doubt my words...and become lost in depression...but I have to just keep pretending, lying to myself..whatever to make the pain go away; to find that little bit of hope again, and start over. And each day, try to make the hope grow bigger...)

And I find hope through YOU ALL....that's why I'm here. That's why, I need to, and newhampshire needs to, and everyone else needs to hear about whatever hope, whomever has at that moment. Otherwise, why are we hear really? If we didn't feel so afraid, or alone, or frustrated, we wouldn't need a VJ forum to turn to.

Sincerely, ~Andrea
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-07-23 04:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 at NVC, Expedited Processing -- What happens when sent to Consulate in Rio?
Wait...hold up! You got your senator to help expedite your petition! Someone told me about that, and I posted a message here asking about it, and everyone said don't do it...that there wasn't really anything he/she could do for me....

What is your "special circumstance," your "humanitarian concern issue?" What about my emotional sanity/stability? Or that fact that I need my husband here, so he can get a job and help support me, while I'm desperately struggling through work and life...do those count? I'm freaking out of my mind here. I've spent just barely over a month, IN REAL LIFE ONLY, and not consecutive days, with my husband! I just want to be married now damn it! And living with him! I would do anything to convice my state senator to help me.... any recommendations? My 1st NOA started on June 3.... help.
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-07-23 01:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresquick question
If i filed for an I-130 for my husband, then the type of visa he is getting is a Permanent Residence, or a CR/1 right? So, once my application is approved, does it skip the NVC, since i did NOT apply for a k-3 visa? Will the application go directly to his consulate?
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-07-24 01:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI130 versus K-3 I NEED HELP!
Now, when you say "your 130 would have to be approved first", are you refering to the notice of application reciept thingy they send you in the mail...that basically just says, when then received your petition, and that you just have to wait now??? And being almost 2 monts into the waiting after the receipt notice, would it be too late or a waste of time/money (though time is of unequatable value) to start the K-3 visa when it's only taking approximately 6 months to approve the 130?
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-07-21 00:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI130 versus K-3 I NEED HELP!
I have recieved my first NOA, on June 3, 2006. I was under the impression that once I filed for the K-3, i couldn't cancel, even if the I-130 was approved first.....so, can i cancel the k-3 if the I-130 is approved first? and have I wasted too much time now, for filing the K-3, to make it even worth it? time and money wise?
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-07-21 00:00:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI130 versus K-3 I NEED HELP!
No, my husband is NOT in the US. He has never been to America. He is currently in his home country, Brazil. To file for a K-3, one would have to file FIRST for the 1-130, which you can wait for the completion, or file simultaneously for the K-3 to get the spouse to the US sooner, correct? Well, my question was should I just wait for the I-130 to be approved, or file for the K-3? Because I keep hearing and reading, that the I-130 is processing faster than the K-3 right now...
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-07-20 23:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI130 versus K-3 I NEED HELP!
Yes, thank you, I've already read ALL of that....I'm really only asking personal opinions....Looking for surety that what I'm doing is the right way of doing it....or if there is a better, faster way....what to do to get on the ball.
andrea&robertoFemaleBrazil2006-07-20 23:34:00