ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVJ experienced members help needed please ??
If the house is in your name you can use that as an asset. You would have to get an appraisal done on it, and get a payoff statement from the mortgage company. Whatever equity is left in the home is your asset. If you have any savings or other assets that can be used too.
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-23 16:00:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshow long until interviews are scheduled?
Each embassy varies but we got our appointment date email 3 weeks after CC.
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-25 19:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCLARITY NEEDED
As far as the DS-230, fill out all pages, but only sign the bottom of part I. Mail everything to your husband when you get the police cert.
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-21 12:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCLARITY NEEDED
The police certificate is good for 1 year so you should be safe ordering it Now. I don't think you have much longer until a decision is made on the petition.
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-21 11:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresreview of file...how long?
Even if they lost & found it, it's unlikely they'll tell you that...it's good you sent a new one right away. It'll take about 2 wks for them to review the new one. Have you already done the IV payment & package? If so, you should have CC very soon. You can call the NVC everyday if you want to check on it.
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-26 06:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresreview of file...how long?
2 weeks is about average for them to review a response to an RFE. The NVC is pretty quick with processing.
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-25 21:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresExpedite Request Sent, Case Transferred?? HELP!!!
I'm guessing you faxed to the CSC? Give the expedite 2-3 weeks to be forwarded and reviewed. If you don't hear anything by then, put in a service request with the USCIS to find out if they received the expedite paperwork.
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-25 21:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLong worse Administration Process
Call the embassy and ask to speak to a supervisor in the IV Unit. Tell that person that you need to expedite your case because of a medical emergency, and your wife needs you for her upcoming surgery. It's worth a shot?!
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-25 21:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresStarting I-130 need help
You're very welcome!
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-26 13:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresStarting I-130 need help
The best advice I can give you about this situation is to join immigrate2us.net. There are a lot of members on that forum that have been through the same situation as your cousin's wife, and many are from Mexico. There is great informational "stickies" written by immigration lawyers such as Laurel Scott who specializes in waivers and cases like your cousin's.
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-25 21:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresdiff address
I don't think it would be cause for denial, or an RFE. I can only base that on my case, and my address on the marriage cert. is not my permanent address in the US. Hope that helps.
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-27 20:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresneed a help
CC means Case Complete at NVC. Good luck!
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-28 10:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresneed a help
It looks like all you have to do now is send AOS packet & IV packet then case complete. It's just a matter of how quickly you & lawyer get that paperwork in. If all documents are submitted in the next week, you should have CC in May and potentially a June interview (if your embassy still has openings). Many people here on Vj have their packets ready to send off even before the receipts show "paid" which is a time saver.
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-28 07:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWifes Passport

My passport is in my maiden name. My Greencard was issued in the name I used to complete documents associated with my adjustment of status ie my married name. So, you don't need to change the name in your passport, not at all.


Coming on a K1 fiance visa and adjusting status is very different, for the simple fact that you aren't married when applying for the visa, therefore wouldn't be using your married name on the application. With a CR1 you are already married and all paperwork is processed before entering the country. The greencard arrives in the mail a few weeks after POE...it will be in whatever name your passport & visa are in. I have yet to see or hear of any embassy overseas issue a CR/IR1 visa in a name other than that printed in the passport.
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-29 20:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWifes Passport
You can change it later. It would be easier if you change it before you get to the NVC stage because she will have to submit a photocopy of her passport. You should definitely change it before your case is forwarded to the embassy for interview because her Visa/Greencard will be issued in whatever name is in her passport...changing the name on a greencard later is much more hassle & more expensive. Do it while you are waiting for I130 to be approved if you can.
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-29 17:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVisa process for a friend
No, not kosher. I don't know what he's up to but she better not let that baby go.
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-30 16:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresConfused on what to do next

u file i-129 if u wanna do the k3 visa which is not good for u cuz it takes same period of time as i-130 u dont need to file it. just wait for your i-130 to be approved and u ll be fine.


Yes, love my baby is correct. Since the CR1 processing wait times have decreased it has made the K3 pretty much obsolete. You can still file the I129f simultaneously but it's almost a guarantee that you'll be wasting your time, ink & postage.
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-30 20:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNeed help with which 864 form(s) to fill out
Yes, still applies. Doesn't matter that you live in the same residence. You can file I864 and have your dad fill out I864a, but it's not the preferred method to use according to the experts.
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-30 22:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNeed help with which 864 form(s) to fill out
Sorry, correction: your parent (joint sponsor has to make 125% of federal poverty guideline) so I864a wouldn't apply to them. Whichever parent exceeds the 125% should be the only joint sponsor. (sorry, it's getting late & I am tired :bonk: )
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-30 22:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNeed help with which 864 form(s) to fill out
OK, I just wanted to make sure because it's important for household size.

You fill out I864 include you & wife.

Your parent fills out I864 (the other parent fills out I864a if income needed) includes you, your wife & themselves (and any other dependents they claim on taxes, if any)

You will not be combining income so NO to 21.g (because like the other posters said, it's best to keep income seperate by both you & parents filing individual I864's)
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-30 22:33:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNeed help with which 864 form(s) to fill out

Thank you guys.
I have a much better idea of what to do now. I have another question...
In part 5, question 21.g. of the I-864, it asks if I have siblings, parents or adult children with the same residence who are combining their income with mine by submitting an I-864A to enter the number of people.
On my parents parents' I-864 I am listed as a dependent, so they would fill out a total household size of 4 including me and my wife.
But for my form, would my household size include my parents (they file their taxes jointly) to be 4 people? Or would it just be 2 (me and my wife)?


Wait, do your parents actually claim you as a dependent on their tax returns? If not it's a different scenario.
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-30 22:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMarriage in US -> Return home -> CR1

No, it is not lying to fail to mention a wedding on your itinerary any more than it would be lying to fail to mention a planned visit to a public restroom. Any truthful answer is truthful. I recommend a more generic truthful answer than mentioning one's own wedding. You are simply out of your element and over-reacting. Yes, I'm harsh with people who give bad information to people looking for the truth.

Any visitor faces the possibility of refusal. It is just as legal to enter the USA with the intention of marrying a US Citizen and then leave to pursue a spouse visa as it is to enter with the intention of attending a football game, buying a burger and a brew and then leaving. Both are "pleasure" trips. Both are "holiday/vacation" trips. Both are "visits". Pleasure, holiday, vacation and visiting are truthful generic answers used thousands of times every day when asked for the purpose of a visit to the USA. Picking any one of those answers when planning to do each and every one of them PLUS getting married or NOT getting married is TRUE and legal. Take it to the bank.


OK, so "witholding information" is not lying for US entry. Got it! I wonder if that works with criminal records or communicable disease? Pushbrk, insinuating that "I am out of my element" is not couth unless you have checked my resume.

And sorry Owen for clogging up your thread with all this. I wish you the best in you marriage and visa journey, however you achieve that. :D
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-18 19:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMarriage in US -> Return home -> CR1

You SOUNDED sure enough to call it LYING. It's not. Others have explained the real issue which is intent to marry AND STAY to adjust status. Even this is only a problem in certain circumstances that seldom apply to the spouse of a US citizen. When you ARE NOT SURE, please don't make rash statements. Somebody will be along shortly who IS sure.


That was a bit harsh pushbrk! I never said it was illegal, I said it was lying & risky. When he approaches CBP at the airport and they ask what his intentions are for visiting the US, if he says anything other than "to get married" that is lying. And if he does tell them he is getting married and she's a US Citizen, that's risky...they can put him on the next plane back home. If you do take this route Owen, bring proof of very strong ties to your home country. Any non-immigrant faces the possibility that they may be refused entry. Period.
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-17 21:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMarriage in US -> Return home -> CR1
OK so there you go, Cathy had success marrying on VWP. I wasn't sure how an immigration officer would view this. I guess anyway you look at it, the only way to stay together permanently following the wedding would be K1, but can't work for a while, more expensive.
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-16 12:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMarriage in US -> Return home -> CR1
I wouldn't advise entering on the VWP then get married in the US. Even if you have proof of a return flight, your intention to travel on VWP is supposed to be pleasure/tourism. I'm not saying people don't do it, but it's technically lying about your intentions and too risky IMO.

The B2 only applies if you don't qualify to travel under VWP, or you intend to stay longer than 90 days, up to 6mos. Also for pleasure/tourism and some other certain catagories.

If you want to marry in the US, then take the K1 route.

If you want to marry in the UK, then do the IR/CR1 route.

Like you said, your fiance has to stay in the UK for a period before the wedding can take place, and she also has to apply for a Marriage Visa through the British Consulate.

The Bonus of the K1 is that you can travel over for the wedding (within 90 days) and remain in the US after wedding where you would then do an adjustment of status.

We got married in the UK and then I returned home after the wedding, and I have to say it is a difficult way to begin a marriage when you are seperated for so long while waiting for CR1.

Edited by trojam227, 16 April 2012 - 11:43 AM.

trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-16 11:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresshould I ? Or should I not ? helppp
Of course you can visit! Did you send a completed G-1145 e-notification form with your petition? If so you will get correspondence via email/text. If you are worried you might miss something you can also check your status on the website. If they need something more from you it will be updated on the website and you can call to find out what is requested.
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-30 21:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresplease i want an answer to this question
It's unlikely you will get any notice about the decision to expedite or not. If they decide to approve it things will just move faster. If they don't, you will move at the same speed as everyone else in this stage. You can call the NVC everyday and ask about the outcome if you want, but will you get a straight answer from an operator? Not necessarily..
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-05-02 09:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresconfused about vaccination requirements
That list from CDC covers vaccines for all age groups. If your husband is over 18 and under 55 he will not need nearly this many shots. I would recommend the titres for MMR & Varicella if he thinks he had the vaccines/diseases against these. He will need a Tdap (if available in his country) or some form of it. The US has recent outbreaks of pertussis which is why the Tdap made it onto the list of Required vaccines (Td or Dt used to be acceptable). Flu shot is debatable...schools & healthcare workers aren't even making these mandatory yet, so I can't see why people immigrating would have to have them. A money making scheme on the part of panel physicians IMO.
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-29 08:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresReceived NOA 2, spouse working abroad on cruise ship...
You're welcome! But, just so you know, you won't be able to have the medical done on-board, it will have to be at one of the embassy appointed physicians. I found this list on the US Embassy/Germany's website:

http://photos.state.... in Germany.pdf

As Darnell said, study the guides for the next steps so you know when to start collecting documents & such.
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-05-03 07:33:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresReceived NOA 2, spouse working abroad on cruise ship...
First, congrats on NOA2!
I can help with a few of these questions.

Now that your petition is approved it is being sent to NVC, not germany just yet.

You should receive your NVC case# in a few weeks and things can move a bit quicker in this stage. You can stall the process at the NVC but must have correspondence within 1 year or your case will be closed. The NVC will collect fees from you & you will send documents/forms to them. Be aware that certain documents are only valid for 1 year.

Once your case is complete here, NVC will schedule an interview appt. at the embassy in Germany for you where your entire case will be forwarded. An interview can be rescheduled if need be and is done directly with the embassy.

You will also need to have a medical exam done by the embassy's approved panel physician once you get an interview date. You will most likely have to do this atleast 2 weeks before the interview (also only good for 1 year).

If you are approved for a visa at your interview, you will have to leave your passport with them and they will courier your passport back to you once the visa is affixed. (not sure how long germany takes to do this but 1-2wks is average for most)

You Have 6 months to enter the United States on the CR1 visa. After POE, you become a LPR and will receive the greencard in the mail a few weeks later.

The exact process varies with each country but this should give you a rough idea of how things will run from this point on.

Best of luck!

Edited by trojam227, 02 May 2012 - 09:17 AM.

trojam227FemaleEngland2012-05-02 09:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDoes this look right?
Your questions are country specific to Mexico because you are e-processing and scanning documents. The only thing I would add is to make sure you scan color documents to pdf, not a black & white photocopy of something, and if divorce/military/adoption applies to you, send those documents as well. The I 864 instructions ask for 6mos worth of paystubs (or 1 if YTD income is included on it, according to some Vj members) but if your list from CEAC only asks for 3, then send 3.

I read your post yesterday but was hoping someone who has been through Cj would be able to help you but I guess they are all sleeping! :help:

Good luck!
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-05-02 17:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSpouse visa steps

OP, the ability to have the medical exam conducted at a facility approved by the Embassy or Consulate prior to receiving an interview appoint is only possible in a handful of countries; in most countries, the medical cannot be done until the interview appointment is made. You need a Canada specific answer in this regard.


Yeah, I was surprised someone from Cananda didn't chime in.
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-23 07:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSpouse visa steps
The entire process can take about 1 year from start to finish. Some people do it in less, some take a bit longer. The VJ guide is a good reference, but if you want to know in simplest terms, this is how it goes:

Your wife files I130 with USCIS after the wedding. This is to prove her citizenship and your relationship to her. Takes approx. 4-7 mos to get an approval for this part.

If your I130 is approved, it gets forwarded to the NVC (national visa center). They are in charge of fee & document collection. This is when the I864, DS230, and all of Your Civil documents will be asked for. Don't get confused here, as some people do...the petitioner is always the USC, your wife. The beneficiary (also known as applicant) is you, the immigrant. This entire step moves pretty quickly, and if your ahead of the game, can be completed in about 1-2 months.

While you are at the NVC stage you can have your Medical Exam done by the embassy physician, or you can wait until you get your interview appointment date.

Once your case is complete at the NVC, they will schedule an interview appointment at your nearest embassy in canada, and your entire package is sent over there. At your interview you will find out if you are approved for a visa to immigrate. It might take a week to get your passport back with your visa inside (not sure how long canada takes) but once you have that in hand, you can travel to the US to live permanently.

Edited by trojam227, 21 April 2012 - 01:09 PM.

trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-21 13:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAOS Invoice?
I think once you send DS-3032 Choice of Agent and it's accepted, the AOS fee invoice is generated. I got the AOS invoice a day after DS-3032 email.

Oh, I should add that the NVC seems to be moving a little slower these days.

Edited by trojam227, 02 May 2012 - 07:22 PM.

trojam227FemaleEngland2012-05-02 19:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFront loading CR1 petition

Thank you trojam227. It is my objective to submit enough evidence to show an ongoing correspondence over the years, but at the same time, as you indicated, I don't want them to get overwhelmed and roll their eyes and pass our application over without looking at it. When you say "key pieces" of evidence can you elaborate please. At Lagos, I hear the more the better. One or two pages each month might raise the CO's eye brows? I don't want to give them a reason to say, "where is the evidence in between this week and then next. It is nerve racking to deal with US Embassy in Lagos.

I appreciate your help.


What I consider to be Key Pieces would be anything showing ongoing marital union. For example, including a couple wedding pics are fine, but boarding passes and pics from another trip over since the wedding might bear more weight. Co-mingling is tough but any proof of combining finances after the wedding is a plus. I had my husband added as beneficiary of my pension at work. I thought of it this way, anybody can put on a show and have a big wedding with all the bells & wistles but only a true marriage continues on & on. People who have been approved through Lagos should be able to give you a better idea of how much to include. England is obviously a different ball game...I didn't send one picture,chat or phone bill. No cover letter either. Only boarding passes, 2 affidavits from relatives, and a little co-mingling. I may have just been lucky, but I believe when they did the background checks they saw how many times I exited the US in the past 4yrs. with destination London.
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-30 08:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFront loading CR1 petition
Just send a snapshot of your relationship starting from when you first started talking until now. Photos together are important but from different periods if possible. Chat & phone bills could be 1-2 pages for each month spent together, boarding passes and of course the affidavits but 15 is a lot, maybe just a few from people who spent the most time with you both together. The last thing you need is for them to look at your petition and roll their eyes, put it aside and work on an easier one. Keep the evidence to key pieces would be my reccommendation. Maybe someone who had a similar situation could give more input. Good luck this time around!
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-26 18:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMarriage Certificate with I-130
Here's a link from the USCIS website with assembly instructions. It specifically says to try and Avoid sending originals (photocopies are preferred for this step) and at the bottom of the page it gives the exact wording of the translator statement. Hope this helps.

http://www.uscis.gov...0000ecd190aRCRD
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-30 20:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresone month without IV fees updated in online payment system

Hello i really got big trouble with my IV application processing fees. almost one month and the nvc has not generated yet. i call so many time but no solution. so i decided to pay by mail. so i need advice about how to do it, if someone has already experienced this, it would be very helpful. i have just three question: where to send the money and where to send the document or do i have to send the money and the document in the same package? i already got the IV application invoice attached by email from nvc.


I had a problem paying invoices from my computer also. I think it was because of security settings, not sure. I had to have my husband log on and pay from his computer and it worked for him. Try using someone else's computer before snail mailing.
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-05-02 19:33:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresi dont understand what going on with my case
If he said that, then that means they are processing your case! Now you wait until you hear from them again...or you can check the status of your case everyday on the uscis website like I did, and probably everyone else on here does/did. Did you ever get NOA1 in the mail? Or just the request for evidence?
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-05 20:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresi dont understand what going on with my case
It looks like they may have re-opened your case to review it again. Anytime you get corespondence from USCIS it usually means they are "touching" your file. I would put a call into them though just to be sure.
trojam227FemaleEngland2012-04-05 19:59:00