ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurespriority date is current
Also send everything via USPS Express REGISTERED mail so you have a means by which to track your document's being received.
JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2013-12-11 20:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFiling for a CR-1 Visa from Japan - HELP NEEDED
So many answers to send back to you but i want to read your information more carefully again and will come.back to you on most of this. Just want to say its great you've put the reaearch time in on all fronts, will surely make it easier to underatand i advance. There are several sets of cirumstances to be linsideres i'll try to sort through thie
JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2013-12-22 00:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNBI Clearence to NVC

My apologies Bammo...I was reading Birth Cert in my brain, not NBI clearance.


JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2013-12-04 15:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNBI Clearence to NVC
Dont send any originals
JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2013-12-03 21:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresG-325a question

There are many You Tube videos on how to fill out many of the forms....detailed out line by line....follow the ones by the Immi Atty...he's very specific.


JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-01-02 16:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresGetting ready to file Cr-1/ forms question

Yup....follow ONLY the USCIS website....it's all very detailed.  Don't try to second guess anything, it's all very spelled out.


JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-01-02 16:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC Processing Questions
Interesting that the "receipt page" from tthe CEAC payment portal lists only the specific countries who can file electronically and says "all others mail the ds-230 paper application and civil documents" to the NVC NH address.
JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-01-16 23:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC Processing Questions

There are several posts out here that seem to be aimed at NVC processing (includine the LingChe very helpful information), but a great deal of the info is not as current so I thought it would be helpful to start a fresh one with my question here! 

 

Getting ready to send the DS-230 package in to the NVC....I know we don't complete the signature section of Part 2, but do we actually send Part 2 in with the application or does he take that with him to the interview?  (sorry this seems like a dumb question but I seriously don't want to make any tactical errors on this!)

 

thanks all!


JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-01-15 20:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHelp on filling up G 325A
From: birth
to: present

JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-01-16 10:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC documents (Philippines)
Questions for you all please....I've read back and forth between VJ and the USCIS website regarding NVC required documents .... Some places on the govt website say copies of originals and then they go on to say originals will be returned at the interview....and then they also reference the "email electronic processing program" to scan and email documents. I've spent no less than two years studying this stuff to make sure we do this right first time; so far that appears to have paid off. This paperwork process, although time consuming as hell, is relatively easy and straight forward (most of the time).

I'm clearly over anticipating at this point while I'm waiting for the NVC to send their packet to me, but all of the originals of my husbands documents, including his NSO red ribbon birth cert, red ribbon Cenomar, his prior Japanese wife's original/certified/translated death cert are with him in Osaka. I obviously have mine and all I864 documents as well as our original certified/translated marriage cert.

Are they really going to ask us to send in all of these original documents again? Exactly the same documents we sent copies of with our petition. I get that they will want to see the originals at the interview.

Do you know, he doesn't have to send the documents himself from there, right. I'm doing all of the paperwork from here in the US including his electronic Visa application....I can send everything to the NVC myself, right? Like they don't care where it comes from just that they get everything they ask for?

Also, looking for advice on the "email electronic processing program" and how reliable that is? I'm a bit Leary with the number of folks who post that they used the process and hear back from the NVC way late in the game that their documents were not received.

Sorry for the mazillion questions...just don't want to fall short on this anywhere if I can avoid it.

Thanks folks!!

Edited by JA_Martinez, 15 December 2013 - 09:32 AM.













JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2013-12-15 09:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDo you/ Can you pick interview date?
Well.....they schedule it with the Consulate on your behalf. I dont know the answer to this but someone else will, but seems I've read here and on the govt website that you can "reschedule" your appt if you cant make the one they set for you, but interviews are scheduled based on openings at the consulate. They don't schedule one person at a time, they schedule several on the same day...that being "one of the days they do interviews". So unfortunately its not like they have an open appt book for you to pick a date and time more convenient. Would be easier for all of us for certain. I believe you have to wait for them to schedule it for you then if you have to change it you have to contact the NVC to do that.
JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-01-25 15:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures[Worried] forget to submit the marriage photo (i130)
Dont send anything until they ask for it. Many June filers have made it through many havent yet. Be patient it will come.
JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-01-20 23:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresRFE dilemma
Unless your wife has a SS# you have to file Married Filing Seperately but then that requires you to include her income......way big hassle. Dont rely on taxes as bonafides.
JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-02-08 22:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresquestion about police clearance
Make copies of everything you send to the NVC and take all copies with you. Best be safe than sorry
JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-02-13 21:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWe got a weird RFE and need help
Letters from family and friends are perfect. They should write in at the bottom of their statement that they are signing that their statement is true (kinda shows that they are signing their name saying they are not writing fictitious information). They should include their address and phone # (that makes the statement that they are providing contact information should the govt feel they would ever ned to contact them for legal reasons to verify the legitimousy of your relationship). Everything has to be translated, but the statements do not have to be notorized.
JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-02-18 19:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-864EZ question # 18

WARNING!   the online I-864ez form doesn't always save the information entered in the Check Boxes   Submitted our 864 three weeks ago, got an RFI today asking that I re-submit a new (completed) I-864ez form.   Checklist they emailed me said there was missing Sponsor information.   I pulled the form down from the USCIS website again and completed it again (just to make sure) and realized when I saved it, the X in the check boxes for Field #'s 14, 17 and 19 didn't save and I apparently didn't pay attention to that when I printed it the first time.   This time I made sure before I printed it that everything was checked correctly and still field # 19 came out unchecked when printed.    Verify everything is on every form you complete so they don't ask for it to be completed again.   To be safe, I'm resending the entire packet again, including all of my tax documents just to make sure they don't come back and tell me they need those resent as well.    Also, don't forget to attach their official Case Number Bar Code cover sheet to the front of everything you send them in bundles.


JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-02-21 19:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTranslation Question-Every Detail and Stamp?
Not that you're friend isnt competant, but how do you know that it will be 100% accurate. You should have his translation verified and notorized....esp birth certs
JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-02-20 18:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTranslation Question-Every Detail and Stamp?
We had our Japanese certificate translated at the American Consulate. The Consulate had a blank form we had to translate on, that was layed out the same as the Japanese form but in English. It must be an exact translation and altho nothing says it has to be notorized, we had an official person notorize that my translation was 100% accurate. If there are stamps on your marriage certificate that have a description of the stamp written in Spanish its there for a reason and should then also be translated. Go to your Consulates website to see if they might also have a form you can use that they designed to match the format.
JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-02-20 18:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshong kong police clearance
My husb is Filipino living in Japan. They also req'd something from the US showing why its being requested....he's still in Japan so we were able to use the first email/ltr that came from the NVC that shows our NVC file # and states its for immigration to the US. We also had to get a cert from Taiwan which req'd only a notorized signature and passport copy. It might be important for you to verify how long the HK police cert is valid...the police cert (not NBI) we got from Manila shows a 6mth expiration. Theres a fine line here wih timing....you dont want to wait too long but you may not be able to get them too early. My personal opinion is that if you havent yet had your I-130 approved and been moved to a new Service Center, you would be wasting your time getting the certs now. Are you in the PI now?
JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-02-28 09:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPlanning ahead
Do not book anything. The NVC website also states that. You havent made it thru the NVC yet....nor do you have a Visa appt nor a visa.
JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-02-26 18:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPrison records for El Salvador
Prison record?
JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-03-08 17:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 Surname update!?
Regarding NOA's.....noa1 is the USCIS telling you they received your I-130 petition. Noa2 is their notice to you that your I-130 petition has been approved. Neither are a "phase". After the petition is approved and you get the noa2 saying so, your "case" will be transferred to the NVC. NVC processing is the actual processing of the Visa application. then assigns your new "case number" that will be permanant for your visa. You will get a ton of direction from the NVC and a whole list of civil documents you need to send....all originals....you get them back during the interview
JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-03-11 11:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 Surname update!?
Be certain youre using her correct "legal name" as your wife, whatever name she is using legally goes on all documents. The only place where you should be concerned about her birth name is where they ask for that, unless her birth name and name she is carrying now is the same. You do need to get the passport updated so you have that for the nvc (right behind noa2).
JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-03-11 10:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 Surname update!?
Your application should reflect her legal name, passport needs to be updated. I sent our petition in with a copy of my passport before my name got changed on it. All other documents should be consistent.
JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-03-11 10:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCEMAR/CENOMAR Philippines - NVC or Embassy?
Not sure why the US govt cares about the Cenomar?
JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-01-17 00:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresquestions regarding fees
http://www.uscis.gov/fees
JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-03-14 00:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresmedical
No you cannot go for a medical until you have an interview scheduled. Then lab work they do there will expire and and you would have to start over. Until you have an interview appointment scheduled you cant know if you are being approved for a visa
JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-03-13 12:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresjust wondering
What does that mean, denied? Like your entire visa application was denied?
JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-03-04 15:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPictures rejected

don't send your original pictures to them or you may never see them again!   we copied all of our pictures into one document, made a timeline with descriptions for each as they request.   if they lose the copied page, we still have our pictures.   don't make this a big deal, take your originals with you to the interview.  all of this stuff goes in to a big fat file folder that has attachments on each side.....applications get attached on the right, documentation gets attached on the left.   the entire file gets sent to the consulate/embassy for the interview.


JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-03-18 16:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCan't Pay IV Fee Online
Frustrating sometimes to try to stay ahead now and them being a week behind. Remember you can send EVERYTHING in together. 864 & civil docs. Dont wait until they let you pay the IV fees and do the online Ds-260. Stay ahead, use the cover sheet and send it all in so you're ahead of the game and you will sail on through. They are clearly running behind with as long as it took them to send you the IV invoice email.
JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-03-21 17:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCan't Pay IV Fee Online
I had the same issue. There appears to be about a dy delay btwn them saying you can pay the fees and the CEA C site actually letting you pay. Its whacky. But thank goodness they finally sent you the magic email!!
JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-03-21 17:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIRS receipt for extension
They need proof of income
JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-03-19 20:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC filing - Original or certified documents
Hey Harry...original vs certified copies is kind of a semantics thing. Meaning that like birth certs....the "original" is kept with the Bureau of Vital Statistics....what you prob have is a certified (notarized) copy of the original document. Would very likely be the case with all legal documents that are processed thru the govt (local, county, state)...originals are never typically passed off...only copies that are certified (raised seal/stamped/notarized). Does that help?
JA_MartinezFemalePhilippines2014-03-24 18:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFiling DCF pending I-130

 
No you can not with a petition already active. Also you have to qualify for DCF are you a permanent resident of Philippines fulfilling the requirements there to file DCF?
 
Also I posted in The Philippines forum about steps USCIS is taking to help those in Philippines with petitions you might consider ax expedite they are considering them.



Thanks for this info

Mr.&Mrs.EMBNot TellingPhilippines2013-11-18 10:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFiling DCF pending I-130

 
No you can not with a petition already active. Also you have to qualify for DCF are you a permanent resident of Philippines fulfilling the requirements there to file DCF?
 
Also I posted in The Philippines forum about steps USCIS is taking to help those in Philippines with petitions you might consider ax expedite they are considering them.



We're actually 3 months short of the required residency. We're just thinking of giving it a shot as this backlog isn't really looking good.
 

Edited by Ryan H, 18 November 2013 - 11:03 AM.

Mr.&Mrs.EMBNot TellingPhilippines2013-11-17 20:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFiling DCF pending I-130
Is it possible to file DCF while waiting for the I-130 to be approved (NBC)?

Or do we have to cancel the I-130 filed while I was in US then proceed with DCF?


Mr.&Mrs.EMBNot TellingPhilippines2013-11-17 11:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC says DS-261 can't be handled by them.
Since the petition was forwarded to USEM MLA, I would say your best bet is to call US embassy mla and get connected to an immigrant visa (department) agent.
Mr.&Mrs.EMBNot TellingPhilippines2014-02-01 07:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresGreen card after entering US
I got my green card after 12 weeks. SSN after 2 weeks.
EmigratingSwedeMaleSweden2013-03-24 21:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhat should we do?

Unfortunately DCF is no longer an option from Sweden. That option disappeared the summer of 2011. I know because the announcement that they would no longer accept DCF accelerated our own plans to move to the U.S. We got our application in just a very short while before they stopped taking applications. 


EmigratingSwedeMaleSweden2013-10-13 09:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhat should we do?

I believe your husband should really have filed is U.S. taxes every year even though he did not make any money in the U.S. since the U.S. taxes you on your world wide income. Unless he made over 92k/year his tax liability would be zero due to the amount of foreign income you can exclude.

I believe he could file his taxes for the last couple of years even now. Contact the IRS and ask about it. (Might be wise of him to keep his identity to himself until he knows if he is in trouble with the IRS)


EmigratingSwedeMaleSweden2013-10-10 17:44:00