ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresG-325A Form of Beneficiary: Who signs?
My husband and i just mailed our I-130 petition after a week of completing it.

We both read the I-130 instructions and it never mentioned that the beneficiary will sign off on any forms. That is exactly what we did... Even for my (beneficiary) G-325A form and continuation sheet.

Were we wrong in doing that? If yes, what can we do to remedy it?

I really thought that at the petition stage, everything should be signed off by the US citizen/ the petitioner :-/
ivyanddanFemaleJapan2013-01-15 00:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUSC petitioner living abroad
Ah... I am giddy to be sharing this on here... :)

1. Country USC resides in: Japan
2. Is there a USCIS field office in this country / Is DCF still possible? No
3. When did you file the I-130: Late January 2013
4. How long had you been living abroad: USC almost 4 years; married for less than 1
5. Do you reside in the country legally? Yes
6. What is the reason for your residence: Work (military)
7. Did you list your foreign address on all forms in I-130 package? Yes, indicated as our current physical address and the last address we lived in together
8. Did you send I-130 package from abroad? Yes, but it was sent through the US Postal Service on base
9. Did you include evidence of your residence abroad in the I-130 package? Yes. We had to do so to prove we are living together and that the non-USC (me) is legally able to join him and thus further proving our valid relationship.
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. We frontloaded them with proof, so we felt the need to explain why those proof was needed for them to understand how our relationship evolved.
11. Has your case been "auto-expedited"? How long between NOA1 and NOA2? I believe so. About 47 to 49 days. :) (sheepishly unsure because I'm confused with which are the NOAs)

Edited by ivyanddan, 21 March 2013 - 11:49 AM.

ivyanddanFemaleJapan2013-03-21 11:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUSC petitioner living abroad

So do I, but it has been 103 days. We are special snowflakes, though. :star:


I am feeling very positive about your case. It will come soon :star:
ivyanddanFemaleJapan2013-02-19 09:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUSC petitioner living abroad

As far as I can tell from the past month or so, yes they are. As long as the paperwork is filled out right (overseas address on the i-130 form wherever they ask it, mention it on your cover letter, etc.) and you make sure that you mark your file as "filed from abroad" in every way, you should get expedited. It won't be one or two weeks like before, but you can (hopefully) expect a processing time of about 40 days. Of course all of this goes out the window if they start transferring petitions elsewhere or change their procedures again!


Ah I so wish for a 40 day processing time :)
ivyanddanFemaleJapan2013-02-19 08:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUSC petitioner living abroad
No "auto-expedites" for February yet? :luv:

(i hope it will be ours, hihi)
ivyanddanFemaleJapan2013-02-06 07:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUSC petitioner living abroad

1. Country USC resides in: New Zealand
2. Is there a USCIS field office in this country / Is DCF still possible? No
3. When did you file the I-130: Jan 3, 2013
4. How long had you been living abroad: 4.5 months
5. Do you reside in the country legally? Yes
6. What is the reason for your residence: work permit/student/tourist/other - Extended tourist visa (not even an actual resident visa, although since filing we changed NZ visa status)
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? Yes, joint lease, utilities etc.
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, explained USC in NZ on extended visitors visa and would stay in NZ until we could both go back to USA together
11. Has your case been "auto-expedited"? How long between NOA1 and NOA2? Yes, 28 days, insane!


Oh my! You're probably the first I-130 Jan 2013 filer on here who got NOA2!! http://www.visajourn...ost__p__5955267

Ahhh! I hope I can get this awesome news this month, too. :) Congratulations!

Edited by ivyanddan, 01 February 2013 - 10:44 PM.

ivyanddanFemaleJapan2013-02-01 22:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUSC petitioner living abroad
Thank you for posting!

This makes me hope for a similar path for our petition...

Ahhh... A girl can dream :hehe:
ivyanddanFemaleJapan2013-01-31 18:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUSC petitioner living abroad

Hi everybody and thank you for this topic!

My case: my american boyfriend will come in switzerland next summer (and we will get married before in europe) to work one year. After 6 months (is it 6 months for every countries?) we will fill the I-130 form.

I am a bit confused by the actual role now of the US embassy overseas. If we have to send the I-130 form to chicago, then what is the purpose of the US embassy (in switzerland in my case)? It will be there that the interview will take place? Do we have to contact this embassy before filling and sending the form I-130?
Also, is there any other documents to fill than the I-130?

Apparently the timeline for getting IR1-CR1 is much faster when one applied overseas than when the american citizen is leaving in US, can someone explain me why? I understand why it was the case before august 2011, but I don't understand why it is still the case now...

Thanks to anyone who can help me, even a little bit! I can't wait to start all the processes (and can't wait for it to be over!). And sorry for my english ;)

all the best

caro


You can look the Guides on here for more info with the process of immigration visas.

Embassies/consulates handle the interview stage. Department of Homeland Security/USCIS handles the very initial stage, the petitions. You can look up uscis.gov... They have info on the process, too :)

Good luck!
ivyanddanFemaleJapan2013-01-30 21:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUSC petitioner living abroad
Has there been a consolidated analysis of these posts on here?

Receiving updates on here was pretty exciting for us filing from abroad :)
ivyanddanFemaleJapan2013-01-30 20:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUSC petitioner living abroad

why not try DCF in the PI, instead? It's available, ya know.


Thanks. We know what DCF is, ya know. And it doesn't apply to us :dance:
ivyanddanFemaleJapan2012-07-29 06:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUSC petitioner living abroad

Hey guys!

We now have numerous testimonies and what we can gather is that the only absolute necessity to be routed to the expedited queue is to PROVIDE YOUR FOREIGN ADDRESS ON ALL FORMS of the I-130 package. Do NOT provide your parent's address in the US in one of the forms, give your foreign address ONLY.

Of course, you have to be extra careful in reviewing your package because an RFE could compromise everything, especially if the postal service in the country you reside in is not reliable.

And do NOT use a lawyer: they're not even aware that this special queue exists, and they'll most probably insist on writing a US address on the forms, sending you in for the long wait.




This is an amazing thread! THANK YOU FOR THIS!

I do hope we will be qualified to fill in the survey. :) :star:
ivyanddanFemaleJapan2012-07-27 08:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures2009 Tax Return-married but may file single? Please help!
I am married to a USC last june 15, 2010 but he filed "single" for his 2010 tax? Can we ammend it? What do we need to submit? Thank you for your help
PatRheaFemale02012-02-01 02:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUpdate sent by mail
its indeed interesting i hope we do receive it soon. the waiting time is too painful to bear. crying.gif
mommy&helenaFemalePhilippines2008-08-16 08:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUpdate sent by mail
Hey there! We received our NOA1 last March 6 and still havent received the approval since. The thing is we received a notice/mail from them saying that our application has been updated. Nothing further. Our portfolio still shows status as pending. Did any of you received the same? Its just that i havent heard anyone talk about receiving such mail and i find it weird, we should be receiving NOA2 instead. =) Thanks in advance for your inputs.
mommy&helenaFemalePhilippines2008-08-16 07:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresapproved after 1 week
congratulations you guys! i hope we all get lucky and get approved soon... cheers!
mommy&helenaFemalePhilippines2008-08-16 08:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNOA1 to NOA2 Timeline
QUOTE (Rhiannon @ Apr 21 2008, 02:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Congrats! They seem to be moving finally!!!

rhiannon


QUOTE (hyd617 @ Apr 21 2008, 08:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
HELLO

PLEASE ADD ME TO THE LIST. I GOT APPROVED FOR I130 TODAY FROM VERMONT!!
IM SO EXCTIED

ITS LIKE A DREAMM!!!!!



Good for you Rhiannon! Congrats! For the rest of us who havent received it yet, have you seen the updated processing time for VSC as of April 15? I-130 is still the same. crying.gif
mommy&helenaFemalePhilippines2008-04-21 20:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNOA1 to NOA2 Timeline
QUOTE (przy @ Apr 19 2008, 08:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (mommy&helena @ Apr 19 2008, 06:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (jeca @ Apr 19 2008, 08:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It took you 6 months just to get NOA1!?I mean people receive their approvals in 6 months.I hope you won't have to wait much longer.Have you called them?


I know it's crazy right. We haven't called them yet after receiving the NOA1. You think we should?


Absolutely. It doesn't hurt to call and see what's going on with your petition.

Good luck,

Przy


Thanks everyone ill definitely ask my husband to do that. I hope we get a good news. unsure.gif
mommy&helenaFemalePhilippines2008-04-19 21:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNOA1 to NOA2 Timeline
QUOTE (jeca @ Apr 19 2008, 08:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It took you 6 months just to get NOA1!?I mean people receive their approvals in 6 months.I hope you won't have to wait much longer.Have you called them?


I know it's crazy right. We haven't called them yet after receiving the NOA1. You think we should?
mommy&helenaFemalePhilippines2008-04-19 20:33:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNOA1 to NOA2 Timeline
Hi Eresh and everyone! Include me in your timeline tracking as well. I've been going through this thread almost everyday. We are also waiting for our NOA-2. It gives me a spark of hope seeing all of the other filers. At least I'm not alone. yes.gif

My timeline:
Service Center : Vermont Service Center
I-130 Sent : 2007-08-28
I-130 NOA1 : 2008-02-28
... case still pending and untouched ...
mommy&helenaFemalePhilippines2008-04-19 05:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAugust 26 transferrees
QUOTE (frali @ Oct 13 2008, 04:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I think there are about 5 or 6 applications still waiting to be approved from the transferred lot.

Stay positive, you will get approved soon.

Good luck!


Btw, Frali, how did you know that there are 5 or 6 applications pending to be approved? Is that for real? I am keeping my fingers crossed now. good.gif
mommy&helenaFemalePhilippines2008-10-15 10:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAugust 26 transferrees
Thank you guys! I almost cried reading all your positive responses. I am praying that this struggle ends for all of us.
mommy&helenaFemalePhilippines2008-10-13 21:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAugust 26 transferrees
Hi there VJer's! How are the August 26 transferrees from VSC to CSC doing?
My daughter and I are transferred on that day and we havent heard from CSC since.
We were touched 9/11 then nothing more. I was really ecstatic when i learned that our case was transferred. The trend of approvals then seemed faster. Those who have been transferred last aug 26, let me know what happened to your cases. I want to set my expectations based on what happened to you guys.

Thanks!

crying.gif
mommy&helenaFemalePhilippines2008-10-12 03:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFinally approved!!!!!
Congratulations! You're a step closer to being complete. I hope we get there soon too. innocent.gif
mommy&helenaFemalePhilippines2008-10-15 11:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFinally NOA2 has come my way!
QUOTE (Math Man @ Oct 19 2008, 10:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
mommy&helena,

Congratulations!!! I'm also a VSC-to-CSC tranferee who got approved this past week, so I know the sense of relief and happiness you're feeling. Out of curiousity, did you get an approval e-mail? I didn't--I found out about my approval only by checking the USCIS website.

Please feel free to join the October approvals thread as we muddle our way through the NVC process. wink.gif Here's a link:

http://www.visajourn...howtopic=156755


Thanks Math Man! No, i didnt get an email yet. I just found out when i checked our case status in the USCIS website.
mommy&helenaFemalePhilippines2008-10-19 20:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFinally NOA2 has come my way!
QUOTE (sasha414 @ Oct 18 2008, 06:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
congratulatios! call NVC in 6 days and ask for your case #


Thanks sasha414 and everyone! Are sat and sunday counted in the 6 days? or just working days?
mommy&helenaFemalePhilippines2008-10-19 04:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFinally NOA2 has come my way!
Hey VJers my case was trasnferred to CSC last aug26. and we just got approved yesterday, oct 17! thank you for all your inputs. now, im going through Lotofpatience's guide so that processing can move quicker. If you have any advise let me know!

Thanks VJ! kicking.gif
mommy&helenaFemalePhilippines2008-10-18 07:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhere to get married for CR1
That's why I said in my first post that "it's entirely up to them (OP and his girlfriend)". :rofl:
apple21FemalePhilippines2013-03-11 21:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhere to get married for CR1

so getting married here does NOT constitute as fraud as long as she goes back? Any source of info to back that up? Sorry it's not that I don't trust you guys.. I just don't want to screw this up


First of all, B2 visa is primarily for VISITING purposes. Not for marriage.

If your girlfriend is asked by CBP for her intentions of entering the US and she says "I intend to marry my US citizen boyfriend", don't expect that CBP will let her in.

Otherwise, it entirely up to you.

If you want to pursue the CR1 route: you visit her in her home country, get married there, you go back to the US and file CR1, she stays and waits for the visa in her country.
apple21FemalePhilippines2013-03-10 23:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-230 supporting documents

follow up question, my wife signed the ds-230 and scanned them, will NVC aceept that?


She needs to mail-in the original signed DS-230. She can keep the scanned/photocopy for her personal file.
apple21FemalePhilippines2013-03-11 23:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-230 supporting documents

thanks for the info .. she can mail the ds-230 from manila to NVC? do you know how long it takes before NVC receive the documents?


Yes, more or less its 4-5 days.
apple21FemalePhilippines2013-03-11 23:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-230 supporting documents
Your wife can fill out and sign DS-230 and mail it together with her civil documents from Manila to NVC directly.

Yes, she needs to submit her original NSO birth certificate, original NSO marriage certificate, original NBI Clearance (the green one), photocopy of her Philippine passport's bio page and visa pictures.

She can mail it via 2GO (UPS), FedEx, DHL or LBC.

Edited by apple21, 11 March 2013 - 10:36 PM.

apple21FemalePhilippines2013-03-11 22:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresA little confused with$165 fee..

I am aware of this "new" $165 fee that has been made up but am a little confused. On our interview date I asked and was told that anyone that had received their visa interview date package or packet 4 before February 1st would not have to pay this fee. We received ours on January 31st. Today when my wife received the passports the lady at Domex told her that she must pay the $165 for her and each of my step daughters prior to any travel. What is the correct info on this fee? Anyone?


According to your timeline (signature) you received visa/visa packet March 7, 2013, therefore, you will pay the $165 for each applicant.
apple21FemalePhilippines2013-03-09 22:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresA little confused with$165 fee..

does this new fee of $165 apply for k1 visa ?


No because K1 is a NON-immigrant visa.
apple21FemalePhilippines2013-03-09 22:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNBI Clearance/ Police Certificates
Send in the original copy. NBI clearances are issued in two's. You can keep the other one for the embassy interview. NBI clearance is valid for 1 year.
apple21FemalePhilippines2013-03-12 20:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAm I screwed?

I have 3 children with my wife. Married after 10 years. We had problems (better now).
Stupid me popped these questions to the embassy. I used the same email as I have given them. My wife thinks they will not give me a green card now when they suspect that we are getting a divorce, what do you honestly think? Thanks

I wrote this:
I am in the process of applying for a IR-1 Visa. Now I am in the NVC phase.
My wife (after 10y) is american and I have 3 dual citizen children.
Me and my wife have had some rough times. I think that we are fine but I just want to check.
What happens if we divorce:
1. Before the interview, will I still be able to get the g-card?
2. After I have received the IR-1 Visa, Will I loose the green card? Will I be able to gain citizenship?


Yikes. :dead: Did you include other personal info like your full name and date of birth, petitioner's full name and DOB and NVC case number?
apple21FemalePhilippines2013-03-11 21:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTourist Visa for Wife
They have to overcome the "immigrant intent" because of the USC husband. They can try. They only have the filing fee to lose.
apple21FemalePhilippines2013-03-14 19:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresif you have USA its not mean u can Enter USA

Hi every body i took Visa Cr1 and i life in Qatar my case its was there also i i did not come back to my country around 2 years Ago and when i got married it was i also in Qatar . now my country has hard situation Security in general is very very bad now if i go to my country and from there i go to USA maybe in airport i cant enter because i came from my country ??? and it will be better if i go to usa from Qatar


and i want to tell that for every body if oyu have US VISA it not mean u will enter USA I read that before


Thanks and Gob bless you


You're afraid that if you will travel to France then to the US you will have problems with immigration officials. Why would you have issues with that? Unless you have any sort of criminal record in France.

You can enter the US from any part of the world as long as your CR1 visa is still valid.
apple21FemalePhilippines2013-03-13 22:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresBeing sponsored again- (merged duplicate topics with
One of your family members in the US can be your co-sponsor.
apple21FemalePhilippines2013-03-15 20:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHELP!!!!! SOOO STRESSED OUT AND FRUSTRATED :(

medical expired within 1yr (philippines) not sure at your country!!!

wow i have nothing to say. but honey i offer u my prayers. may god be with u guys!!!


For Philippines, medical exam is only valid within 6 MONTHS.
apple21FemalePhilippines2013-03-11 19:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresChanging wife's passport Philippines

I had my wife go to renew her passport in her Married name in Cebu and the DFA told her she couldn't becuz her passport doesn't expire for a couple more years. They said she had to wait til then. That's in Cebu though, and you know how it is in the PI. If you go somewhere else they might just renew it without telling you that. I wanted to get it in her Married name, cuz we just took a trip to Hong Kong the beginning of March. I used her married name on the tickets, so I just had to make sure we brought our marriage certificate with us. Cebu asked a lot more questions then Manila did, but it was no problem since we had the MC and all our paperwork correct. She had her CFO certificate also.

I know when she renews her passport here in the USA we'll have to go all the way to Chicago. To the Philippine Consulate there.


Wow! DFA Cebu told her that? Shame on them. Some government employees are real idiots.

I have a valid passport under my maiden name, after I got our NSO MC I immediately renewed my passport. The guy at DFA (Aseana-Macapagal) asked why I'm renewing a valid passport, I simply said I changed marital status and I want to use my married name.
apple21FemalePhilippines2013-03-24 23:26:00