ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 and I-129F Approved!!!!!!!
Congrats! Yes, funny how that works isn't it? We also got our senator involved and when his office called us back they told us we had been approved! We eventually got the hard copy NOA2's in the mail but we still haven't recieved any email notifications and the website still says Jun 2, 2008!! At least some of the congressmen/senators seem to help! If some of you are over the 5-6 month timeline I recommend trying it!

Edited by A & M, 30 January 2009 - 07:52 PM.

A & MFemaleCanada2009-01-30 19:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhat is required for your CR1 package
I would say the majority of the people here are using VJ to help them get through all this with out a lawyer. There are a few that have lawyers who say they never would have if they had known about this site before, and there are a few that prefer to have the lawyer so that they don’t have to do the work. It depends on how involved you want to be really and if you mind spending the $$$. The misconception is that people think lawyers can speed up the process - this is not true. In fact sometimes because everything is going through yet another party, it might take even more time. In my opinion if you can read English and follow these guides there is no need for a lawyer.

The first thing you need to do is decide between the K-3 and the CR-1 paths. (since you are posting in the CR-1 forum maybe you have already done this. There is a guide that helps compare the two choice for already married couples: http://www.visajourn...mp;page=compare
Everything you need is on this site, and if you can’t find something you can always ask – there are lots of helpful people here!

Edited by A & M, 31 January 2009 - 10:06 AM.

A & MFemaleCanada2009-01-31 10:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPreparing for Interview
QUOTE (ynatots @ Jan 31 2009, 11:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Interview date: 2009-01-22...passed!!!
Receipt of Visa/Passport: 2009-01-24
POE: 2009-02-14 LAX


Congratulations on your interview after all this time and may you have the best Valentine's Day ever! Only 2 weeks to go! It will be another new "memory" you will look back on one day! Enjoy it! heart.gif
A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-01 14:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresconfused about when to send the AOS packet
QUOTE (Peter'n'Jaime @ Feb 1 2009, 12:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I think that rule is more to warn people not to send their paper work before they have paid the fees. Just my two cents.

I agree with Peter'n'Jaime - I think this is to stop people from randomly sending in forms when their case is not at the appropriate stage yet. If you are following your case along in order and the bills have been generated that means you can pay them. Once they change to "PAID" print them and include them. You do have to have the cover letter to go with each (I-864 = $70 bill, DS-230 = $400 bill) in order to send the packages.

I don't think you should run into any issues. I have not heard of anyone having problems...
A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-01 13:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-3032
Actually, I just recived an email about 5 min ago which was the response to my DS-3032. So I would say it takes about a week.
A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-03 13:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-3032
I sent ours via email on the 28th Jan and still have never recieved an auto-reply or an email response. I sent the hard copy and they accepted my DS-3032 the same day they recieved the hard copy in the mail.. so I would suggest people send the hard copy too if they haven't already.
A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-03 12:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNOA2 within a Month of NOA1?
Wierd, but LUCKY YOU if this is true! We waited for nearly 8 months!! I would check into it before you get too excited - but it is Vermont and it wouldn't surprise me, stranger things have happened!!! I hope for your sake it is a lovely surprise! Keep us informed!
A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-01 14:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAlright...a little help here?
Just bring this forward again. Today I got the first package from the embassy for the K-3 process. I am towards the end of the NVC process but I have heard my embassy takes around 2 months from Case Approval at NVC to the interview. Was wondering if anyone can tell me more about sending the K-3 stuff back to the embassy and wether it is worth it or not... Anyone continued their K-3 and tried switching the interview to a CR-1 interview as soon as the CR-1 left NVC?
A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-05 16:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAlright...a little help here?
I am not sure if htat is what Moosker means - I won't speak for her, but if we are already following the CR-1 route with hopes to use it my understanding is that we can either ignore(?) the K-3 process or we can follow it along as some VJ members have, and get a K-3 interview scheduled then try to switch the K-3 interview to the CR-1 to save time...

How is this done and at what point are you paying for the K-3 (which would be a waste of money if you stick with the CR-1)... ?
A & MFemaleCanada2009-01-28 13:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAnother Police Certificate Question, but plz answer!
QUOTE (ABENITEZ @ Feb 5 2009, 03:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yeah, you know another problem I'm having is my lawyer. I paid him $850, which seemed to be the cheapest around here, and he seemed like an ok guy, but now its like when ever I email him or call him he doesn't respond. He told me like 3 weeks ago he would fill out the DS-230 for me but I've received nothing yet. I'm also sure I will get an RFE cuz he didn't send any proof of bona fide relationship with the I-130 which I didnt realized I needed until I found this website. Seriously, I'm thinking I should just do this all on my own. All the lawyers around here seem like they either don't know anything or after you pay them they just get lazy n dissappear. What to do???

A lot of people on this site say their laywers suck and they'd rather be doing it alone. I think with the guide, anyone can get through this without a lawyer. Seems they are more trouble than good in a lot of cases and just slow things down.
http://www.visajourn...he_NVC_ShortCut
A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-05 16:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAnother Police Certificate Question, but plz answer!
QUOTE (ABENITEZ @ Feb 5 2009, 03:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Great advise guys! Much appreciated. I just sent my I-130 packet end of December so we will probably wait another month or so til we apply for the police certificate, that way its not too soon nor too late. Thanks again!

Your welcome. Using the shortcuts, I was expecting NVC would take me around a month - which I thought was really fast and I would have been happy - but I as you can see by my timeline below it's been even faster! I could have sent my DS-230 on Feb 3rd (everything else is ready) and they would have recieved it on the 4th! Timing really is everything!
A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-05 15:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAnother Police Certificate Question, but plz answer!
I woudl advise to leave more time than you think for this. I held off not wanting to get it too early for fear it might not be current enough. I was told it had to be within 6 months (which I am not sure is true) but regardless they seem to be taking more than 10 business + mailing. I am waiting to send my DS-230 and the only thing holding me up is the lack of my UK police report! Don't let the same thing happen to you!
A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-05 14:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIs it fair for the Jun - Dec CSC filers to be by-passed?
QUOTE (GoddessGrrrl @ Feb 7 2009, 07:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I wish they would at least lie to me and tell me that they have touched our file. It would make me feel a whole lot better. smile.gif

We waited nearly 8 months for our NOA2 and we never had a single touch. Don't assume that you always need a touch before something happens to your file... you could go the entire time without one and then get your approval!
A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-07 19:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-230 addresses as a student?!?!?
I did as OBX said and included an additional page with a spreadsheet. I travelled overseas and lived and worked in NZ, Aus and UK so I have a lot of addresses too (#20). There is no way I could using the form alone! I also used the same spreadsheet as my record of visits when I crossed the border to the US - they asked for the dates of the last few visits and duration and there is no way I could remember off the top of my head.


A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-11 22:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureswe r so so sad so depressed so upset
At least they just have to clear something up. Seems like NVC has had a lot of false RFE or mix-ups but they generally are fixed without costing much additional time! At least your not missing something like a certificate you might have to wait on and hopefully nothing needs to be re-sent! This seems like an error on their part that they should be able to fix! Don't be depressed, I think you should be ok! Just keep monitoring it/calling them etc. until it is straightened out!
A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-11 22:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-864 AOS Package, Original Employment Letter?
It's also handy if it says how long you have worked at the company and if you are a FULL TIME and/or PERM employee.
A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-11 17:33:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPlease help
Outside Canada: Applicants who are not physically present in Canada must obtain a Certified Criminal Record Check by sending a duplicate set of fingerprints (taken by a local police force) to the RCMP. Fingerprint submissions must include the following:

rolled and flat impressions of all ten fingers taken with black ink (may use a standard FD-258 FBI fingerprint card)
full name, date of birth, and sex of the applicant
the name and address of the police agency taking the fingerprints
the signature of the official taking the fingerprints
the reason for the fingerprint submission (U.S. visa)
the processing fee of CAD 25.00 or USD 18.00, payable to the "Receiver General for Canada" by certified check or money order.

Fingerprint submissions should be sent to: RCMP, Civil Fingerprint Screening Services, P.O. Box 8885, Ottawa, ON, K1G 3M8. Additional information is available online.

Here is the link if you want to check it out yourself:http://travel.state....ocity_3531.html
A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-12 23:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresEmbassy info needs clarification pls
See what OBX said above. To transfer your file between NVC and MTL it sometimes takes 1-2 weeks... once your file is there you must wait again!! The stats for the wait time from case completed at NVC until interview date at MTL were running between 60-70 days but the last few that are listed seem to be getting longer from what I can tell at 100+ days. Good luck though! We're all in this same boat! It'd be nice to see MTL speed up just a bit!

(The K-3 is a shortcut some married couples also filed. The K-1 is the finace visa for unmarried couples.)
A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-14 00:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresEmbassy info needs clarification pls
timeline.gif
A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-13 00:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresEmbassy info needs clarification pls
The DS-160 replaces other forms that are being phased out but at present I believe it is only used for people from Canada, Mexico and couple other places.

If you filed a K-3 (I-129F) along with your CR-1 and the K-3 was approved - it would only have stayed at NVC long enough to get a case number and then they would have sent it to the embassy. So, if you are following along the K-3 path at the same time as the CR-1 you will be sent the packet asking you to do the online form DS-160, Part 1 of the DS-230, the I-134 (which is similar to the I-864 asked for when filing for the CR-1) and fill out and return the checklist of documents for the K-3 interview. Once they recieve this you will have to wait until they will contact you with K-3 interview date.

If you chose to ignore all the K-3 stuff and move along only with the CR-1 then you can ignore the above. The best thing to do then is follow the LingChe ShortCutand you can get through in a few weeks. Once the case is completed it will be sent to the embassy (it could take a week or two?)

The embassy schedules interviews during the first 2 weeks of the month. For eg. those with approved cases already at MTL are currently being notified of interview dates in March. At the end of this week they will be done scheduling and then we will have to wait until the first 2 weeks of April which is the next time they will be giving out interview schedules.

Also, you may want to check out the NVC threads to learn more.
A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-13 00:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresmailing the AOS and DS230 packages
QUOTE (MMW @ Feb 14 2009, 01:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello all well just waiting for the payment status to show paid online then i am ready to mail my packages. My question is will it be ok to mail the AOS and DS-230 package in the same package or is this a potential problem?

Lots of people have done this and it's been fine. Just be sure you have the barcoded cover pages to go with each package! Good luck!
A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-14 14:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCHOICE OF AGENT RE DS3032
If you have no other choice, it's still totally do-able. The reason it's better to have the US based petioner (or someone in the US) designated as the choice of agent is because it will really speed things up with the mailing times etc. You can still manage it just may take a bit longer!
A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-18 12:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVSC transfers to CSC in December 2008
QUOTE (Hollis @ Jan 28 2009, 11:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Anyway, just a bit upset !!


Awww - you poor thing!!! I would be too! Well hopefully it's just a forgotten signature or something that you can easily get a copy of... The thing that is hard to remember is that in the long run - when it's all over - it'll have been worth it! Easy to say that now right??? Please keep us informed. We are all rooting for you!
A & MFemaleCanada2009-01-28 11:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresGR8T NEWS!!!!
Awsome news - Congrats to you both!! You have enough time to have the interview and get her over there before she gives birth! Don't worry - just enjoy the news for now!! You'll get the interview soon!
A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-18 23:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI129 Approved but without email notice
Not sure I really understand everything here... if you submitted an I-129F to accompnny the I-130 could it be your NOA1 for the I-129F that your mother-in-law recieved?
A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-19 12:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPassport Photos for NVC??
QUOTE (no more patience @ Feb 23 2009, 02:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
They told me that they need the cover letters to procede, this might be a problem for you. I would call the NVC and ask them about that.

I think this depends what Patrycja is referring to...

Patrycja - Do you mean the barcode cover letters from when you paid online, because I believe THEY are required as proof you have paid and so that NVC can link all your required docs and fees together - if you mean a cover letter written by the petitioner listing all the contents that you have mailed to them - I am sure you could get by without this!!
A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-23 14:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPassport Photos for NVC??
You need to include 2 of the photos with your DS-230. It's funny that some get RFE for writing in pen and some don't. People have been saying to use pencil (but I couldn't get it to write on the back of my photos) or felt tipped pen. I used a Sharpie ultra fine tip permenant marker and just let it dry really well. I then put them into a small zip lock bag which also had my name and birthday and case number on it (excessive I know, but just in case it got seperated from the packet of other stuff). Anyway, so far we have not heard anything.

You will also need photos for your medical.
A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-23 12:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDNA TESTING DONE! WOOHOO
Wow - that seems really fast considering!!! Congrats and keep us up to date!
A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-24 23:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVSC has been turbo charged?!
Check it out - nice that NOW they do something!! Well at least it'll be better for all of you filing now!! Best of luck!
http://www.visajourn...for-form-i-130/
A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-25 23:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDoes NOA2 (for I-130)depend on beneficiary country?
I think it all depends... when I have been keeping an eye on other poeple's approvals before my NOA2 I always thought the Canadians were not moving nearly as fast as other countries...
A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-27 15:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresProceeding with immigration
If your wife has all the supporting documents for the DS-230 you should be able to zoom through it! As said already, follow the Wiki guides and get her working on the DS-230 ASAP!!!
A & MFemaleCanada2009-03-03 00:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCan not get through to NVC
QUOTE (emma88 @ Mar 3 2009, 10:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
when you send the papers to the embassy did u have to send all the originals?
are they going to send them back to you?
arent they requiring originals for the interview also?

You hsoudl be sending a set of originals and a set of photocopies and at he interview they should give the originals back to you.

Also it doesn't hurt to take a set of photocopies to the interview just to have at hand in case they can't find something or have lost something from your file.
A & MFemaleCanada2009-03-03 10:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNew Bottleneck = NVC case assignment
QUOTE (EricN @ Mar 1 2009, 02:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It seems that after months of quick Case Number assignments the NVC is taking a new stance when you call and try to get your number...'Your number may be available in 3 to 12 weeks, try back again next week?'

Those of you that have received your number in less than 10 days...did you get this long prediction as well.

EN


Off the top of my head I think the operator told me it would take 1-2. Everything at NVC takes 4-6 or 6-8 weeks or more according to them - it's the standard thing they say. If you follow the Wiki Guides you will be through in a month or less! If NVC is getting a rush of NOA2's being sent to them at the same time this could slow it down a bit but NVC is much nicer than being at the Service Centers because you can speak to the NVC operators/AVR along the way. You also have the shortcuts in the guides which will save you soooo much time instead of waiting for their responses in the mail!

Not sure if you have checked it out already, but here is a useful link with the automated messages you will get at NVC:
NVC automated messages
A & MFemaleCanada2009-03-01 08:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresGetting IIN
If at all possible pay your bills online!! As everyone else is saying, it now seems almost impossible to get the IIN from the operators but you'll only be waiting a few days for it in the mail! If you pay online that will speed everything up and you'll be back to following all the shortcuts and easily through NVC in less than a month!!
A & MFemaleCanada2009-03-05 09:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMY WIFE GOT HER VISA TODAY!!!!!
Congrats!
A & MFemaleCanada2009-03-05 09:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuery on I-130 processing timeline
I'm not trying to be discouraging but processing times depend on a variey of things such as:
a) date recieved
cool.gif which Service Center it goes through
c) which shelf or desk it lands on or whether a contractor takes it home
d) if that person does their work or uses it for a paper weight
e) the weather
f) the amount pending from your country
g) how long it takes for htem to transfer it from service center to NVC, and NVC to embassy
h) if you have any RFE
i) just about anything else you can think of

There seems to be no rhyme or reason - they have all these guidelines and procedures (they say), as well as posted timelines on their site, but really I am skeptical. Some people are lucky enough to get NOA's in a couple months (one couple have incrediably gone from applying to completing NVC in 55 days!!), some cases take 8 or 9 months just to get an NOA2. Recently the timelines seem to be speeding up at the Service Center's but we'll have to wait to see if that causes a backlog at NVC. Each embassy has a wait time too - some are about a month after case completion and some are more like 3+ months! I hope you are one of the lucky ones that speeds through!! It'd be nice if the USCIS got their process in order so that people like us could predict our lives a little better - wouldn't it?!
A & MFemaleCanada2009-03-06 14:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresneed help pls
QUOTE (queuedup @ Mar 7 2009, 09:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Simply put N/A in those boxes once you print out the forms, or leave them blank.

On any immigration documents/forms you should always put N/A or NONE as apposed to leaving them blank to avoid any RFE's. Sometimes they can be picky about this stuff!!
A & MFemaleCanada2009-03-07 11:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresRFE, NEED HELP
What exaclty does the RFE say? I suggest you just send what they ask for???
A & MFemaleCanada2009-03-02 16:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresRecent I-130 approvals for January!
QUOTE (Peter'n'Jaime @ Feb 26 2009, 07:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Got my interview date on April 2.

Congrats Stevai and Peter'n'Jaime!! That's great news. Figures they start doing things we don't expect... seems there are a few people getting interview dates now... and I thought we have always been told they schedule only the first 2 weeks of each month!!

Edited by A & M, 26 February 2009 - 09:01 PM.

A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-26 20:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresRecent I-130 approvals for January!
Guess what? Our case completed today! Yeay!

Look's like I am joining you waiting for a MTL interview!! Yeay! How nice to be moving into that "waiting room" finally! One step closer!
A & MFemaleCanada2009-02-26 16:24:00