ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInitial Review

How can I join there?


Here is the thread:
http://www.visajourn...010-cr1-filers/

Read all those march filers' pain like you :-) You may ask questions and get an idea where you are.

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-09 22:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInitial Review

Thank you for your reply! How long will it still takes before we get the approval? Thanks!


Normal "average" processing time is 4 to 6 months (if all documents required are present and no issues in background check). You're in the 5th month. So, I would say at the most another month.

Please join March 2010 Filers' big boat to get an idea.

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-09 22:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInitial Review

My husband checked our status and it said that we were under Initial review. What does this mean?


Still pending with the USCIS. But you are close to approval, if all the documents are proper with I-130.

Good luck!
Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-09 22:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInteresting Turn of Developments..

Rumba,

Fix means we just lost few weeks :-) And I am still losing the time for NOA1 due to this 'fix' :-)

Did you re-send all the documents back to the USCIS after correction?

Regards
Loto


Rumba,

Finally they fix-ed my problem :-) Now I am waiting for your case fix-ing...

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-09 23:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInteresting Turn of Developments..

Hey Loto,

I am about to send it very soon (couple of hours). Just thought it to be funny after all my questions i got that email. :) Sorry, I don't understand your message. You mean it was time lost? Ouch! Anywho, hope you hear good news soon!

Peace



Peace,

If the USCIS ties your priority date with the original submission, you won't lose any time. We don't know what is happening in this blackbox unless and until receive the NOA1 with the priority date marked on it.

Footenote: Sometimes priority date also does not make any sense because some people gets faster approval than others (same non-DCF cases).

"same non-DCF cases" was purposely placed in the parentheses, otherwise Darnell would comment that the faster approval is for DCF cases :-)

Patience
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-09 15:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInteresting Turn of Developments..

Hey Loto,

I am about to send it very soon (couple of hours). Just thought it to be funny after all my questions i got that email. :) Sorry, I don't understand your message. You mean it was time lost? Ouch! Anywho, hope you hear good news soon!

Peace


Good luck Rumba!

I called USCIS today morning and have posted the response in July 2010 filers' thread.

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-09 12:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInteresting Turn of Developments..
Rumba,

Fix means we just lost few weeks :-) And I am still losing the time for NOA1 due to this 'fix' :-)

Did you re-send all the documents back to the USCIS after correction?

Regards
Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-09 11:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresabsence of petationer in the us

Actaullay she has permanant residency on the behalf of this she had submit my petition.what do u mean by domocile


thanks you



In law, domicile is the status or attribution of being permanently resident in a particular jurisdiction. A person can remain domiciled in a jurisdiction even after they have left it, if they have maintained sufficient links with that jurisdiction or have not displayed an intention to leave permanently.

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-09 15:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresabsence of petationer in the us

thanks for ur reply.actually my wife is not a working women.but i have handsome amount asset dat i can sale on a time of immigreation.my brothers
and my mother is also living there n they r maintaing good life style (own home n handsome salary).can u please suggest me whether they can show there bank account n tax return instand of my wife.


Yes, of course, they can be your sponsors.

Since she maintains the permanent & mailing address in the U.S, it should not be a problem as well.

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-07 10:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresabsence of petationer in the us

im benficary and my case status is intial review.my wife is not in USA she had taken 2 year extension n she is here with me.can any body suggest me
at what time she should be there.


Two things come into my mind:
1) Petitioner must have U.S domicile, if USCIS challenges (Since and I hope your wife filed I-130 and left the U.S, there is no other place USCIS can question her, unless there is any RFE to provide the residence again. However, in NVC stage forms, if she files her current address outside the U.S, you are throwing the ball in to their court. Be careful!)
2) When you reach NVC stage, Do your petitioner, you or any other sponsors have enough income to overcome the U.S poverty line?

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-06 16:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 - Recent Chennai Consulate interviewees....

Hello

Finally, today my wife (US citizen) got the automated message saying that 'Your case was closed on 6th August 2010. Kindly wait for 8 weeks for further instructions'. At this point, the NVC sends some sort of notice to the Chennai Consulate - who will then send me an appointment letter for the interview.

Question: How long will it take for me to receive the interview letter ? Will it actually take 8 weeks ? Anyone who has recently gone through the process at the Chennai consulate would have the best answer for this.

Thanks a lot in advance

Regards

~APC


You, the petitioner will get the beneficiary's appointment letter copy from NVC. You can mail it to the beneficiary, with full set copy of I-130, IV and AOS, any other your original documents (such as your birth certificate, divorce decree if any, original bonafide affidavits if you had submitted the copies earlier to prove the relationship etc) that you think would be helpful in the interview.

Also, Consulate will mail a letter to the beneficary at the address mentioned in DS-230. It will take long time to get it. I think in our prior case, this one reached very close to the interview date. I have heard some people has not even received the consulate appointment letter in the past, may be delay or missing in the mail etc.

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-10 11:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1, but not living together? Challenges?
OP,

I saw that you have CR1 option as well. Though they don't do virgin/hymen test, there is another possibility.

Suppose, your wife became pregnant after your marriage and you came back to the U.S. When you apply for baby's U.S passport and birth certificate (assuming you are USC) in the Consulate, if they find lack of evidence to prove the relationship with the baby, DNA test will be conducted just to make sure it is your own baby.

Immigration is kind of many many years planning and execution!

Loto


LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-09 16:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresProcessing Times graph on vj.vom

How come only california service center and vermont service center processing graph are shown in processing times tab on visajourney.com? no texas service center?


Good question! May be enough data not present to plot :-)

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-10 13:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresshould i go to the interview with my husband?

Hello, everyone-
My husband and I are waiting for his petition to be approved in the NVC before receiving notification for an interview date in Dakar. I am in the States right now, and I am an American citizen. Should I fly to Dakar to be with him before the interview? How much of a difference does that make? My lawyer advised me to submit my bank statements and western union receipts for the past year along with my tax returns and my i-864, so he doesn't need to bring those with him, right? Will he be okay for the interview without me? I see that most of the reviews about Dakar's consulate, the petitioner and beneficiary were there together.
This has already been a long, painful, and expensive process, but if there are any more delays, I really will kill someone. What do you all think?
Thanks in advance for your advice.


I don't know about Dakar's consulate. But, generally the petitioner need not to go to the Consulate for beneficiary's interview. However, if you are with the beneficiary, it shouldn't hurt as well. Since you are USC, most probably you MAY enter inside the Consulate.

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-10 17:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPlease fill your timeline in VJ, if you have not done it
Thanks tokyo.lovers!

Thanks thekfc providing the method to Zeban.

Zeban, Signature is fine. In addition to this, please add your timeline in VJ Timeline.

You can go to the top right of every page to see your picture and userid. Click on your userid to see "Add/Edit Timeline" in the menu. Then proceed from there.

This is one of the methods. Probably, others would know much better method than this.

Thanks, Loto

Edited by LotOfPatience, 11 August 2010 - 07:29 AM.

LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-11 07:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPlease fill your timeline in VJ, if you have not done it
Please fill your timeline in VJ, if you have not done it. This would be really useful to all other VJ members in the queue to project their cases.

Click on your username at the top right of the page, and select "My Timeline Add/Edit" option in the drop-down list to fill your timeline.

Everybody here is providing valuable responses to your questions. So, as a token of appreciation, please fill your timeline.

Thanks and Appreciate your help!
Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-10 21:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresurgent help needed family name issue

Thanx loto,

Now my question is should my hubby put the name ( without family name) in ALL OTHER NAMES USED coloum in ds 230... this will create a difference in g 325 a form and ds 230....

thanx for replying in advance


Technically, that is NOT the other name (it is the same name, but not expanded fully). I suggest you may not have to put it under other names. Just fill the complete name in DS-230.

In my case, I filled middle initial in some forms and full middle name in others and had no issues.

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-11 10:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresurgent help needed family name issue

hi friends, good news for me tat i got approval from USCIS............. PLEASE TELL ME WT SHUD I DO ...........
should i make clear to NVC abt both these names .... should my hubby put the name ( without family name) in ALL OTHER NAMES USED coloum in ds 230... this will create a difference in g 325 a form and ds 230..... still more help needed can any clarify me........ please
some more replies


First of all, Congratulations for your approval!

At NVC stage, fill the complete name, because this is the name printed on the Green Card.

Also, please fill your timeline in VJ.

Loto

Edited by LotOfPatience, 10 August 2010 - 09:22 PM.

LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-10 21:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWill this be an issue for NOA1?

Well thanks for the nice news. I'll call about expeditinng the form after they accept my new petition.

How is your petition going?.


Who knows? After your initial acceptance of I-130, if you keep bugging them based on "USCIS Error" as expedite criteria (say you lost time!), they MAY be forced to consider your petition's approval as well!

"Sometimes bad will turn into good!" - as my mother-in-law always says :-)

My check cleared yesterday and waiting for NOA1 by mail.

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-11 10:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWill this be an issue for NOA1?

I wasn't banking on it. What threw me off was the email from lotbox support stating they erronously rejected my petition. I am not sure what this means for my petition. I'll be to contact them after they accept my petition. Who knows if I qualify for retaining my date given it was their mistake.


That will be your best, Rumba!

It is USCIS error. You can expedite your case as this is one of the grounds to expedite the case.

http://www.uscis.gov...00045f3d6a1RCRD

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-11 10:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWill this be an issue for NOA1?

ahh. NO i didnt. I didnt want a rejection notice floating around with my packet. I just mentioned my petition was rejected due to the application being incomplete. I referenced my case number in the RESUBMISSION COVER letter. Other than that. Besides some rectifications (which all of VJ was polite enough to help me with), I included all the older forms. Hopefully, i get priority date.

IS there a way to know?


Rumba,

Sadly you will NOT get your old priority date as per USCIS, if your initial application is rejected/denied.

Goto this page: https://egov.uscis.g...is/Dashboard.do
And click on "Acceptance" link to get the description of each steps in the entire process.

It says - "Applications and petitions that are not properly filed are rejected with an explanation of why the application is rejected and the corrective action needed. Rejected applications or petitions do not retain their filing date."

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-11 07:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWill this be an issue for NOA1?
Did you mean how would you ensure to get your old priority date? If you have included your rejected documents and it clearly states your old date, I think they should consider this fact.

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-10 14:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWill this be an issue for NOA1?

How Could I ensure that? I just referenced the Notice of action. By the time the lot box sent me my email that they messed up... It was gone haha :)

But yes, larely ive been feeling like the butt of a lot of jokes haha


If you have completed Form G-1145 and included in I-130 packet, you should receive the email from USCIS, 2 weeks after the delivery date.

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-10 14:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWill this be an issue for NOA1?

Well Funny Story. I sent it overnight Delivery via USPS. Waiting to see when the USPS accepts it


USPS tracking really sucks! My last update was "Sorting Complete" to deliver it today. And it never said "Delivered". I assumed it was delivered and trashed the USPS receipt yesterday after the email from USCIS.

Every place is making fun out of us :-)

But, you should be all set this time. Only thing I want to make sure you get the old priority date.

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-10 14:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWill this be an issue for NOA1?

Glad to hear that Loto. I am glad you are on your way


Thanks Rumba!

Did you mail out your I-130 package and deliver to the USCIS?

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-10 14:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWill this be an issue for NOA1?

Great news Loto! You are on your way!


Thanks OBX!

I was little worried since it went to the third week for NOA1, due to the below reasons:
1) Complicated I-130 filing since it is for the second time for the same beneficiary
2) Recent address (PO Box) change by the USCIS and I thought I messed it up with some old PO Box
3) My 2.5 years old photograph and I worried if they match it with my 2 year old I-130 file with them
4) Didn't include beneficiary's passport or birth certificate copy as per VJ (my beneficiary had used other names even before the marriage)

Other than that, the application was perfect. Now I am all set with NOA1 and waiting patiently for another 4 to 6 months time, unless there are further issues.

This time, I am little pessimistic than the first time!

It was super clean for the first time with 3.5 months for I-130 approval, 1 month for NVC, 1.5 months to complete Consulate interview - with overall time of 6 months from I-130 filing to Interview.

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-10 11:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWill this be an issue for NOA1?
Oh My Gosh :dance: :dance: :dance:

Finally, my I-130 application has been received and routed to VSC. I got the email text from Chicago Lockbox.

The text follows:

from Do_Not_Reply_Lockbox@dhs.gov
to myemailid

date Mon, Aug 9, 2010 at 6:41 PM
subject USCIS Acceptance Confirmation

Dear Applicant/Petitioner:

Your USCIS application/petition has been received and routed to the Vermont Service Center for processing. Within 7-10 days by standard mail you will receive your official Receipt Notice (Form I-797) with your Receipt Number EACNNNNNNNNNN. With the official Receipt Notice (Form I-797) you may visit www.uscis.gov where you can check the status of your application using My Case Status. We suggest you wait until you have received your Form I-797 before checking My Case Status.

This confirmation provides notification of the date USCIS received your application/petition. This notice does NOT grant any immigration status or benefit. You MAY NOT present this notice as evidence that you have been granted any immigration status or benefit. Further, this notice does NOT constitute evidence that your application remains pending with USCIS. The current status of your application/petition must be verified with USCIS.

PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-09 20:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWill this be an issue for NOA1?

Well, at least that's good news - I mean about the priority date :)
Now, you can rest assured that you're just sitting back and waiting like the rest of us.
(I'm sure you'll feel better though once your check is cashed and you get your receipt #)


Yes Debbi, I have lot of patience :-) BTW, thanks again for your help!

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-09 11:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWill this be an issue for NOA1?

Thanks DebbyNSeyi! I will talk to the representative on Mon after 8AM.

Live persons are available Mon-Fri 8AM to 8PM.

Thanks a lot!
Loto


Called the USCIS to check the delay of NOA1. After first level representative collected the basic information, the call was escalated to the second level. They asked my last name and zip code and advised that their mail room is full with 1000s of applications and to wait until the check is cashed, after routing to the appropriate service center. I asked them how many more weeks (mine is going to be 3 weeks on this Wed) to wait. Then I was told another 2 more weeks! Also, I was told that there will be a receipt# at the back of the cleared check. Good thing they told was I won't lose the priority date of I-130 which is July 21, even if there is a delay in entering the application into their system or not.

Hope this helps to others who are also stuck like me not having NOA1 for more than 10 days after the submission!

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-09 07:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWill this be an issue for NOA1?

USCIS - 1-800-375-5283.

Keep following the automated menu. When you hear a menu choice regarding lost receipts #'s for petitions, press that number. You'll eventually get a human that you can talk to.


Thanks DebbyNSeyi! I will talk to the representative on Mon after 8AM.

Live persons are available Mon-Fri 8AM to 8PM.

Thanks a lot!
Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-06 22:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWill this be an issue for NOA1?

I would call them and get a status and the receipt number. When I filed my first petition (an I-129F) for my husband (then fiance), I never got the NOA1 (have no idea why...was very disturbing actually!) and I called them and they gave me the receipt # and dates over the phone. If your timeline is correct, it's been 16 days that have passed already!


DebbyNSeyi, Which number is the contact# without even the receipt#?

Chicago lockbox# or Vermont Service Center# or National Customer Service#?

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-06 21:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWill this be an issue for NOA1?

I mailed mine out on 7/20/10 & it was received on 7/22/10. I used the same P. O. Box address.
As you can see in my signature, it was received, check cashed & 3 touches - so far.


Thanks, thekfc! So, there is no problem with the address that I mailed to. It looks like they changed the PO Box effective 08/03/2010.

It looks like something is wrong in my application, let me wait another week to see what is happening - receipt or rejection!

Loto


LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-06 18:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWill this be an issue for NOA1?

Loto,
You don't need your wife's Passport and Birth Certificate for the I-130. Just yours. And of course your marriage certificate as well. You will, however, need her passport and BC for the DS-230 at the NVC stage. If her legal name change is as a result of her marrying you, then the fact that you're married should serve as proof of her "legal name change".


Then it is fine, DebbyNSeyi!

Her name change was at birth time, not related with our marriage.

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-06 15:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWill this be an issue for NOA1?

I carefully checked the address before I sent out on June 9th. I used P.O. Box 804616 since I live in NY.


Thank you so much, DebbyNSeyi! This is what exactly I wanted.

When I was checking the USCIS website to help out Ravens (Though he lived in Maryland, his case went to CSC - which is odd!), I saw the USCIS address where I-130 needs to be sent. Then I compared with mine and was totally disappointed because of the discrepancy in the address. Then, when Rumba provided a USCIS link, the last updated date on this new address was 08/03/2010. I was so relieved after reading that link. Now when you confirmed it, I am now perfectly fine. Thank you so much!

I also live in NY like you and our SC should be VSC unlike what happened to Ravens!

I would expect an RFE sooner or later for my I-130 since I followed the checklist in VJ. VJ had crossed out beneficiary's copies of documents such as Passport, Birth Certificate etc. So I didn't send them.

But, USCIS website says that you need the below 3 things to be proved:

1) Proof of your U.S. citizenship
2) Evidence of the qualifying relationship (birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc.)
3) Proof of any legal name change for you or the beneficiary (My wife had used another name in the past and I didn't submit her proof!)

VJ link: http://www.visajourn...tent/i130guide1
USCIS link: http://www.uscis.gov...000082ca60aRCRD

I would highly recommed VJ to update your guide. Any moderator, please validate this and act accordingly.

Loto

Edited by LotOfPatience, 06 August 2010 - 03:22 PM.

LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-06 15:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWill this be an issue for NOA1?

"Any Form I-130 filed at an incorrect location will be rejected" is possibly refering to sending to
wrong service center. I think your problem will come down to postal office worker as to weather or not
they see the USCIS on package and put into the right box. If put into right box I do not see any problems
for you.


Thanks Ravens! I also hope exactly what you think.

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-06 14:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWill this be an issue for NOA1?

http://www.uscis.gov...00045f3d6a1RCRD

Not sure if it pertains to your topic. BUt it does say what they will do with an incorrect form. COrrect me if I am wrong.

GL


Thanks Rumba for this link. It says the last updated date 08/03/2010. If they have used the new address with the P.O. Box 804625 effective LUD above, then I am all set.

Can anybody who filed their stand-alone I-130 before 08/03/2010, please let me know what address you used exactly with the PO Box?

I used the below address when I sent the application in 07/19/2010:
USCIS
P.O. Box 804616
Chicago, IL 60680-4107

I wanted to double check it. I appreciate your help!

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-06 14:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWill this be an issue for NOA1?
As per the website, the address to send stand alone I-130 is:
USCIS
P.O. Box 804625
Chicago, IL 60680-4107

But I sent to the address below (my bad while copying the cover letter from an old application):
USCIS
P.O. Box 804616
Chicago, IL 60680-4107

Will this be an issue? Only difference is PO Box#.

USCIS website says "Important: Any Form I-130 filed at an incorrect location will be rejected."

Loto

Edited by LotOfPatience, 06 August 2010 - 12:13 PM.

LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-06 12:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresProcessing time at NVC for photos
OP, All above posters said the exact details that you wanted.

Loto


LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-11 10:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhat to do with USCIS after filing I-130?

Thanks for the help, one last thing, what is a priority date?


USCIS technically assigns your application (I-130 in this case) a date when they receive it by mail. And they process the applications "first come first served" method. The application received date is your Priority date.

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-11 12:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhat to do with USCIS after filing I-130?

Just an email from USCIS, but they said they were going to send me a receipt notice in the mail.


Excellent, then you are all set with your NOA1 (Receipt Notice). Join the July filers' club and watch the actions for the next 6 months!

Loto
LotofPatienceMaleIndia2010-08-08 22:22:00