ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHow long after you sent the DS -230 for interview?
If they've already completed reviewing your I-864 and you haven't submitted the DS-230 package then there is nothing else for them to work on. You need to send in the rest of the documents.

The dates in the timeline don't matter unless you've sent in all the paperwork- if you don't complete the processing you will not be assigned an interview, even if it's been longer than 3-4 months since your NOA2.

imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-15 07:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHow long after you sent the DS -230 for interview?
QUOTE (YMR @ Jul 14 2009, 12:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Still some way to go. Once the NVC send the docs to the consulate it takes 3-4 months to get the interview date. If everything goes well you both will spend Xmas in US.

Good luck


This does not apply- OP is a CR/IR-1 applicant. NVC will assign an interview date before sending the documents to the embassy.

imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-14 12:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresiV FEE BIll paid...then after 2 week said REJECTED
But can they check the bank account balance? See if the month was taken from the account. It may be an error. Or if the funds were not available yes, it would be rejected.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-15 08:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhat is the process post submitting DS-230 and AOS?
After your case is complete NVC will send you this link in the interview letter: http://travel.state..../info_3731.html for information regarding what to do before your interview.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-15 07:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTIMELINE
The dates on your timeline will change many more times before your approval.

For me, it was spot on. My approval came right in between the two dates.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-15 07:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresRFE question
I got the same message from the AVR, no email no letter in the mail nothing. The operator also said it was probably just them finishing the AOS and not having started the IV package yet. If it is a real RFE the operator should be able to see what's missing. I think you've got nothing to worry about. My case was completed about a week after the false RFE.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-15 09:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI864 form
Before you sure them, which would most likely just be a big old waste of your time and money... speak to a supervisor!!!
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-16 08:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI864 form
The embassy in Kingston should not have seen any of your paperwork if your case is still being processed at NVC. Is it possible that they mean that the income is not enough to meet what Kingston requires? You should really call and ask to speak to a supervisor. If you tell them that they have sent you the same RFE 5 times then I think they'll want to pass you off to one.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-15 16:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI864 form
And on your copy that you kept do they match? Did you fill it out by hand? Maybe they can't read the handwriting?
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-15 15:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAnother RFE Question (not False)
You can certainly ask them to resend it- don't know if they'll comply though. And also ask if they are able to send it to you rather than your lawyer again.

Definitely do not send anything in without a barcoded cover sheet- it will never make its way to your file. There was a shortcut for making your own coversheet here: http://www.visajourn...p;#entry1338961 I haven't used it so I don't know if it works but the second page looks pretty similar to the other barcoded pages they create.

Also, if I remember correctly (can't get the form to open now- sorry), the DS-230 doesn't contain any original signatures- maybe they'd allow you to email a scanned copy without a barcode? Something to ask the operator.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-15 18:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLogging into NVC
This: https://ceac.state.g...ice/signon.aspx is the site people mean they are logging into. It's really only for paying the fees but becomes useful at the end of NVC. When it no longer lets you log in then your case is nearly complete. Note that you'll need your Invoice Identification Number to log in- that should be listed on your AOS fee bill.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-16 12:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion regarding AOS/IV Fees
QUOTE (AbbynSheryl @ Jul 16 2009, 08:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
i am sure that online payment will accept the check from canadian bank.
try putting the routing number and the check number and see what happen?
good luck
abby n sheryl


They definitely won't accept that. It specifically says it must be a bank on U.S. soil drawn in U.S. dollars.

Do you know anyone still in the U.S. who can use their account to make the payment? It'd be much faster than waiting for them to receive and cash a money order.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-16 21:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresConfused Canadian Wife!!!
Please read the guides.

http://www.visajourn...page=i130guide1
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-16 07:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPicture and fingerprint with CR-1 Green-Card???
QUOTE (Ontarkie @ Jul 18 2009, 06:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
i should of posted this too

http://www.sootoday....oryNumber=37336

any way you look at it its going to be a pain


Yeah that's only referring to a land border crossing though. Anyone getting off of a plane will still have to go through it sad.gif

I find it funny that the DHS video says they are doing it to "protect your identity," but surely it'd be more useful to steal a USC's passport than a green card. Is it not important to protect the identity of USCs? Why would they even bother pretending that's what this is all about?
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-18 19:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPicture and fingerprint with CR-1 Green-Card???
QUOTE (Ontarkie @ Jul 18 2009, 11:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I posted something awhile ago about a new policy that was in place, but it was being taken the wrong way or something like that by border officials.
Dang I wish I could remember what it was, I'll keep looking for it.

Ok found it here it is

http://www.dhs.gov/x...1972592442.shtm


It's really annoying, but it doesn't look like border officials are taking it the wrong way. Biometrics are now required of all LPRs every time you enter (and that website implies they'll be doing it upon exit soon as well) as of January 18th, 2009. That sucks!
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-18 17:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresOriginal or Certified????
mrsemcee- You definitely can get a copy from them. I just got a copy of my grandmother's marriage certificate (for fun) from 1952.

Check here: http://chfs.ky.gov/d...ital/mdcert.htm for the form and fees. He can order it by phone or mail.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-18 09:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresOriginal or Certified????
we sent an original police certificate and certified copies from the government agencies for the marriage and birth certificates. worked out fine.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-06-21 20:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuestions - Getting Married and Living in Her Country
QUOTE (GabiandVi @ Jul 19 2009, 12:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Do you have assets that would put you over the poverty line? With your pension, your Belarus income, and with your assets, you might be able to qualify. If not, I guess you'd have to have a co-sponsor.


Only income that will continue when you are in the U.S. will count, so unfortunately you cannot use the income you'll be making from employment in Belarus.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-19 14:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNOA2 till CR1 Interview time - more dependent on NVC or Embassy?
QUOTE (OBX @ Jul 19 2009, 06:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
NVC does schedule the dates but they do so based on available slots provided to them by the individual consulates. So if your particular consulate is a busy one you will wait longer for your interview.


I think it's also not just how busy they are but what their capacity is. The consulate in Bern is probably smaller than the one in Bangkok and with fewer resources that could also lead to a longer wait.

Edited by imaisha, 19 July 2009 - 05:32 PM.

imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-19 17:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMedical exam problems???
Your profile says that you are IR/CR-1 but I think this should be in the AOS section.

Aside from that...

The medical exam is primarily to find out transmittable conditions. Sometimes the panel physician will care if you have any sort of health problems at all but so long as the hyperthyroidism is under control you should be alright. Be sure to get a letter from your doctor stating that they are aware of your condition and you are undergoing treatment and that should suffice.

As for the TB- if you have to have an x-ray you have to have an x-ray. That will show that you definitely do not have TB and that the skin test results were due to the vaccine. Nothing to worry about.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-19 21:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPCC expiration date
You know the answer.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-20 12:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIs it ok to send / despatch AOS and DS-230 through USPS?
I sent them USPS express mail and they got there the next day before noon with no problems.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-20 11:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPls help-I130/DCF from India
If she really will be able to become a citizen and file the I-130 in October, you might still be able to be together by May or June. Because you'd be filing for DCF five months later and the current processing time at USCIS is 5 months it won't really save you any time.

I'm also not sure how DCF works for a dual citizen. Once she takes her naturalization oath the U.S. will consider her a U.S. citizen. I'd imagine they'd want proof of her residency in India, which usually takes the form of a visa in her American passport. India of course will not issue her a visa if she is a citizen.

I could be making something out of nothing there. Maybe someone else who has filed for DCF as a dual citizen will have a better idea of the repercussions there.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-20 08:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNeed Advice for K3/CR1
It won't necessarily be obvious but so long as you read through the guides here and are prepared for NVC you'll be fine. Start by reading this http://www.visajourn...he_NVC_ShortCut and this http://www.visajourn...wchart_v1-2.pdf and you'll have a better idea of everything that happens after the NOA2.

After the NOA2 the two petitions (I-130 and I-129f) will be separated. The I-129f will spend a day or two at NVC and then be forwarded to the embassy who will then contact you asking for some more forms etc. before they'll set up an interview. That's the packet that you'll ignore. The I-130 spends more time at NVC because it undergoes all the necessary processing there, and will receive an interview date before it is sent out to the embassy.

It's not bad to ignore it- in fact the DOS told me to do just that. The embassy will hold the petition for a while, a year I think, as some people take much longer to go through this whole process. Long before then your I-130 will be done with NVC and ready and waiting for your interview. Somehow the petitions are still related, so once the I-130 gets to the embassy they'll know that you're going for the IR/CR-1.

I followed both paths and with London in particular there is absolutely no reason to go for the K-3. I was done with NVC and had an interview date scheduled before the embassy even thought about scheduling my K-3 interview. The DOS folks told me that once my I-130 gets to the embassy they'll know to ignore everything we sent in for the K-3. As they haven't even bothered to schedule a K-3 interview yet it's not like we're missing anything.

And there is no way to "call" the embassy. You just get a hotline that you pay $16 to get to and get a code to email the embassy. Via email or letter it'd be at least two weeks before anyone sees anything you send them. You can feel free to send them a letter to let them know what you're up to but honestly they don't care. If you have a CR-1 interview that's all that matters. They won't schedule the K-3 if you don't send them the forms they need so you really can't run into any problems. People abandon petitions all the time.

Edited by imaisha, 21 July 2009 - 09:52 AM.

imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-21 09:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNeed Advice for K3/CR1
Yes do the CR-1.

Ignore the paperwork you get from the embassy. Follow the I-130 through NVC.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-21 08:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCase Complete..When to expect appointment letter for interview?
good luck!
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-21 12:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCase Complete..When to expect appointment letter for interview?
It's definitely not a rule that they only schedule during the 2nd week. My case was completed in middle of the third week and we had our appointment letter two days later.

It depends on the embassy though. NVC needs to wait until they're notified of the availability of interviews before they can start scheduling. I guess some embassies let them know earlier than others.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-21 12:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresStupid Question
USCIS updates their timeframes every month and you should be sure to check them regularly. Right now they say 5 months but it can take longer. Giving them the benefit of the doubt and assuming you are prepared for every step, you can plan on:

USCIS: 5-7 months
NVC: 1-2 months
Interview wait: 1-2 months

The visa will be valid for 6 months and he will be a permanent resident upon entry. Once you have prepared the I-130 be sure to begin reading over the LingChe shortcuts so that you are prepared for NVC as soon as you are approved. You can find them here: http://www.visajourn...he_NVC_ShortCut

Good luck!

imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-19 21:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresassistance on co sponsor who is retired
Oh didn't even think of that! I guess I wanted to give them one piece of paper for each thing that they requested. Didn't want to give them too much credit and think they'd go looking for the information on their own... heh. I shouldn't poke fun at them though- they were very good to me smile.gif
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-22 09:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresassistance on co sponsor who is retired
QUOTE (mrsemcee @ Jul 22 2009, 08:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
oh one more thing, do you know if i need proof of his citizenship? if so, is a notarised photocopy of his birth certificate ok? (i mean for the co sponsor)


Yes you do need proof. For my mother I sent in just a regular old photocopy of her birth certificate and her passport and that worked. I only included the passport as well since her married name is obviously not included on her birth certificate. Oh and the passport was expired!

Oh and if your husband is living with his father and the father is submitting an I-864A he'll need proof of their relationship and proof of shared residence as well. For those I included my birth certificate and photocopies of both of our driver's licenses.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-22 08:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNAO2 and related documents
The NOA2 will look much like the NOA1 just instead of saying "we've received your petition and it is pending..." it will say "we've approved your petition..." It will then go to NVC. Read up here: http://www.visajourn...he_NVC_ShortCut to see what you need to begin preparing for that stage.

And processing times are now 5 months. There is nothing you can do until you are outside of processing times. Some people never get a touch. They mean nothing really.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-22 12:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPre and Post Interview Process
QUOTE (eklondon @ Jul 22 2009, 03:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Canadian passports? I guess your family will keep them. They will need the visa contained in the passports for the first weeks of being in the US. As long as they want to maintain Canadian citizenship I suggest they keep them. [thanks]


They actually must keep them. The green card is only good for entry to the U.S. If you travel to any other country they'll need their passports to enter.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-22 14:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPotentically Lost 1040 Form for 2008
It is not necessary or even recommended to send both. They ask for one or the other. Not sure what you mean by "normally" but my transcripts were accepted "normally" without incident.

OP, if your husband cannot find his 2008 return, the transcript will do the trick and is even considered the preferred method. Nothing to worry about.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-22 08:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPotentically Lost 1040 Form for 2008
QUOTE (Ber + Ter @ Jul 21 2009, 11:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Wait, one more question so he needs a completed I-864, and his tax transcripts? The list says W2's, or am I overthinking, and the employment letter and pay stubs are optional? o_o


You need the I-864 with either the tax transcripts OR the returns + the W-2

Employment letter and paystubs are technically optional but really should be included. Really really should be included. Include them.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-21 22:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCouple of questions
If you're using a phone card then there is no way to keep records of the calls. You should consider looking into traceable methods, such as international service through your phone company. If that's not possible then you should work on collecting other types of proof such as e-mails, chat logs, etc.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-23 11:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures$12,410
QUOTE (lgg @ Jul 23 2009, 10:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Imaisha!
Ha!
I know, right? Well, at 10$ a pop, I guess it can add up. Just found out that I have to get mine redone so that they're US specific -- didn't even think of that.
Want a couple of really bad pics of me to put on your monitor? This way you can see what I look like while I'm yip-yapping away on here.

Yes. Of course I'm kidding!
smile.gif


Hahaha! Can I politely decline? whistling.gif
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-23 09:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures$12,410
Have you considered the IR/CR-1? Then you'll avoid that nasty $3220 for AOS. The visa fee will be higher- $400 each rather than $131 but I think you'll only have to pay one affidavit of support fee which is $70.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-23 09:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures$12,410
QUOTE (eklondon @ Jul 22 2009, 11:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
120 passport photos
775 Medical / passport photo 275 and 150 x 3 another 50 in photos / Gas / additional 50 x 4 to have docs shipped not included ?
2400 trip to consulate and more passport photos


Wow where are you getting your passport photos done that they cost over $170? They'd better be printed on gold for that much!
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-23 07:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhat do I need to send in with my DS-230 Package??
NVC requires originals/certified copies- no way around that.
When they complete the processing on your case they will forward the whole thing to the consulate so that the original documents will be there for the interview. He doesn't have to worry about that. It's always a good idea to bring your own photocopies to the interview though, just in case.
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-23 19:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion on the I-130 form...
Fill in N/A
imaishaFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-24 12:39:00