ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDo you need a marriage broker?

No. You do not hire a marriage broker. A marriage broker is for when someone is looking for someone to marry .. not when they already know who they want to marry.





Ahhhhh that's a relief. We randomly met in person back in Jan 2004 at a club in Las Vegas, she was on vacation... later became friends, and later last year started a relationship... so I think I'm ok then.

Edited by David A., 17 May 2006 - 08:38 AM.

David A.MaleAustralia2006-05-17 08:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDo you need a marriage broker?
With this new IMBRA Law... does someone have to hire a marriage broker ahead of time? My girlfriend and I met a while back but didn't really become a couple until late last year... now we're thinking about getting married... I've read some of this new law and how it's used to protect women. Fine, I have no criminal record... what's the process?

Edited by David A., 17 May 2006 - 08:18 AM.

David A.MaleAustralia2006-05-17 08:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDealing with IMBRA
Further skimming through this new law it seems to me, I apologize ahead of time if I'm wrong:... if the sponsor has no felony convictions, no domestic violence history, has a clean slate, has never sponsored for more than 1 fiancee... then there's no need to worry. The law is to protect those, especially women, from being victimized once they're here in the US. The Law is good in my opinion :thumbs: ... at the same time it sucks :( because all it would do is slow things down because of the extra background checks. I guess if a persons' visa got approved then suddenly revoked, who knows... maybe there's something their fiancee isn't telling them about their past :hehe: and the security checks over looked it.

I wish someone would put out a statistic on how many women immigrated to the US by way of marriage and were victimized by domestic violence or spousal abuse. Sad to know, but that would be an interesting number to see especially since the government went out of their way to create a law. :wacko:
David A.MaleAustralia2006-05-17 13:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 Process for Australia Fiancee

Hi all,

I would like to bring my fiancee that I met 3 years ago from Australia to the US with K1 visa.
Can any one that had experience with K1 process from Australia lending me a hand.
I need to know the process and also need to know how much money do you need to have in the bank when ask for banking statements to prove that you can provide support while your fiancee is here in the States.
Any help would be appreciate.
Thanks in advance
Sacto



Welcome... as a newbee myself, I've learned from many of these people. Everyone here will be glad to help you and answer your questions. To start off... there are different ways you can do this... you can do this the long drawn out process of a K-1 which normally takes 4-6 months (in some cases more) but now seems to be at a hault because of some new laws that you don't want to get into right now... or you can go to Australia, marry your fiance and file directly in Australia and have the process take 1-3 months. There are more factors than just having some money in the bank. If you don't have much, that's fine, as long as you meet the poverty levels with your income.

Do your research, read the K-1 forums and then read the Direct Consular Filing forum and look up DCF Australia. Then decide which route is best for you.
David A.MaleAustralia2006-05-31 13:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresName change question

I am a female US citizen filing for my fiance. i was wondering do i have to change my last name when we get married. Does it make a difference if i don't change my last name?

any insight on this would be greatly appreciated

thanks



Probably doesn't, but then again, you've got to look at it from the interviewers perspective... "hmmm... I wonder why she doesn't want to change her name." Might give them false ideas. I know in Australia, the US Consulate actually asked for the certificate of name change... without it, we couldn't file.
David A.MaleAustralia2006-12-16 04:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFiancee is pregnant

Pregnancy was your choice.... its not an illness, could have been prevented...

but hey if you can jump the line and you are ok with it then feel free everyone else will just have to wait....

Kezzie


Yup, Kezzie's right, it could have been prevented. The rest of us just has to wait.
David A.MaleAustralia2006-05-18 12:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFiancee is pregnant
Congratulations to the pregnant ones...

What's that mean for everyone else? I guess everyone go get pregnant to expedite their cases and have the congressperson deal with 100s of new petitions wanting to get expedited due to pregnancy. So if you're pregnant now... I suggest making those calls/letters ASAP, otherwise people will get the idea that they can beat the system this way. Maybe not on purpose, but I'm sure others will find reason to do it on purpose.

For everyone else... I guess you have to let a few people cut in line, maybe more, once the word gets out that you can expedite your case if you're pregnant. Well good luck to you guys, hope the government doesn't start seeing an influx of pregnant fiances and starts delaying cases.
David A.MaleAustralia2006-05-18 11:48:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCR-1/IR-1 Colombia Club

George, no they don't ask you what name you want to use at the embassy. As to the other, trouble getting it, as with all else some do have issues other do not. Not a lot of help. I checked yes but my wife and I are not doing the name change until the process is completely over. We thought that to be less a hassle. But to be honest, the name change is not that important to either of us.

Doug

Hey Doug and George:

This has always been one of the most difficult decisions for me. When to change the name? We opted to keep her original name through the entire visa process. We will probably look at changing it in the near future or when we apply to remove the conditions. I called CIS and they said it might be a good idea to do it when we apply to remove the conditions. If you do it before that time then they will schedule an appointment at a CIS service center to do fingerprints, etc. and order a new green card. Our CIS service center is about 6 hours away in Jacksonville. The CIS rep seemed to indicate it would be easier to wait the 2 years.

I was wondering if, when you apply to remove conditions and she still has her maiden name, if they look at that as a sign that the marriage is not legitimate. The CIS rep I talked to said that should not be a concern if you have all the other evidence of a legitimate marriage. She said they are used to this situation. So I think we will attempt to change the name in 2 years or maybe we will just keep it the way it is and never change it.

Mark
florida-photoMaleColombia2007-05-01 10:19:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCR-1/IR-1 Colombia Club

Mike or Mark, either one can answer this. Mike you said the pass through is small. Do you mean height wise or width wise. I have all my photos in 81/2x11 plastic sleeves mounted on card stock. I guess I figured when Mark said his wouldn't fit he meant in a hard bound book. These could be folded in half if necessary. I will be leaving on Wed. morning and the interview is Thurs. Am all set, just wrapping up a few loose ends tonight. Thanks

Doug

Doug:

The slot is small in both width and height. But I was able to slide my 8 1/2x11 printouts of my phone bills through the slot, so I am sure you will not have any problems. Good luck with the interview Doug!!!

Mark
florida-photoMaleColombia2007-04-10 15:34:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCR-1/IR-1 Colombia Club

great news that you got your visa, congrats to you both!!! another success story, rough at the end but successful.
a few questions for you.

1) did you ever get to show any pics? my wife has a small album that holds 100 4X6 pics, should she get something else like pages that will slip through the window? we want to take our wedding album but maybe this is too fat, nay suggestions?

2) of the other people who went there for CR1 visas, were all of the people with their USC spouses? Were there any alone? Do you think that it was neccesary to be with your wife? As much as I would like to be there with mine when we get our interview, I dont know if I will be able to because of work.

Hey Jediknight:

1. We never actually did show any pics because the darn thing wouldn't fit through the window. I was prepared to tear some pages out and slip them through the window, but he never asked for them. I also had a small album that held 100 pics. I know that some people have printed their photos on regular paper using their computer. You can print four or more pics per page by downsizing the photos a little. You might want to print out some of those as a backup.

2. Thieving69 was there without the USC spouse and had no problems at all. I mainly went because I had some issues pertaining to me that I was fairly certain they would want to speak with me about; but they didn't. Also, I just felt better being there in case there was a problem or if there was anything I could clarify. I think as long as you are well prepared and have the paperwork in order, there should be no problems. In a perfect world everybody could go for the interviews just to be on the safe side, but may times it is not possible. Many CR1's receive their visas without the spouse being there.

Mark
florida-photoMaleColombia2007-04-09 11:06:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCR-1/IR-1 Colombia Club
anagd3: It looks like someone else answered your question which is good because I was not really sure which line the K3's use. I know that there were a lot of K1's in line #3 after they made the announcements.

cartagena2112: Yes, it was walking distance. We walked it several times. It takes about 5 minutes and maybe a few more minutes to get around to the other side of the embassy where the entrance for the visas is located. You may want to walk it one time as practice just to make sure that you are familiar with the route. Also you can check out where the entrance is for the visas. Here is the link for their website http://www.hotelamer...m.com/index.htm. In addition the hotel offers a shuttle to embassy which runs every hour in the morning starting around 6:30 am. We walked because we wanted to get there earlier. A taxi would only cost about $1.50 from the hotel. They will pick you up and take you back to the airport for free. Breakfast is included. TIP: Rooms that face the rear of the hotel are quiet. Rooms that face the front street can be a little noisy from the street noise. I would request a room in the rear of the hotel if you like a quiet room. The hotel is nothing special and is not as good as most American hotels I have stayed in. The bed and pillows were a bit firm and the bathrooms were small, but it had a good TV with cable, hot water, responsive staff (especially the bellboys), and I felt very safe there. It can be difficult to get an outside line sometimes when you need to make a phone call. I believe this is an issue at most of the hotels in the area of this class and lower. If you want a hotel that is more expensive and more American style, there are a number to choose from in Bogota, but they can be fairly expensive. Some people have used apartments near the embassy which can be economical, but we decided that a hotel would be more secure. I have had my room cleaned out of all my electronics already in Colombia and I wasn't looking for a repeat.

Edited by florida-photo, 07 April 2007 - 03:38 PM.

florida-photoMaleColombia2007-04-07 15:36:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCR-1/IR-1 Colombia Club
Hey everybody:

This is the first chance I've had to get on Visa Journey since the visa interview in Bogota. Here is some info on our experiences. Sofia had her interview on 3/27 and she was approved!

If you are a CR1 applicant you line up in line #3 outside of the embassy. We found this out the day before. We got there about 6:00 a.m. and we were the only ones in this line. At about 6:15 a.m. the Colombian embassy employees came out and started making announcements. There were a lot of people in Line #1 and many of them shifted over to Line #3 after the announcements were made. Some people grumbled about Sofia and I being first in line when we arrived after they did. But I didn't feel bad because we took the time to find out which was the correct line the previous day. They started calling names and checking documents and and handing out stickers. Your name wil NOT be called out if you are a CR1 applicant, so don't worry. At about 7:40 we were let inside the embassy grounds. We were lined up and given a briefing about how to prepare the dccuments and then handed a folder. When her name was called she turned in her documents at the first window and was asked a few preliminary questions like my address, my telephone number and when were we married. After this she was told to go across the other side of the outdoor waiting area to window #2 where here fingerprints would be taken. After a wait of approximately an hour her named was called and her fingerprints were taken. About 40 minutes later she was called for her interview!

She picked up the phone and she was asked how we met, did I speak Spanish. He then asked to see relationship evidence. We tried to show the photos, but they would not fit under the window even though the album we had was pretty compact. While we tried to figure out the best way to get the photos to him we gave him our stack of phone bills. He then asked her what her telephone number was to cross reference with the phone bills. I was ready to demonstrate all of the other evidence (emails, plane tickets, hotel bills, etc.), but then he asked me to pick up the phone. He asked me how we met and how did I learn Spanish - that was it. Then he asked to speak with her and told her that she was approved and to return the next day at 4:00 pm!

This is where the problems began. We returned the next day around 3:15 pm and she was let into the embassy shortly before 4:00 pm. They would not let any Americans enter and we had to stand outside in the rain. Nice! Thanks a lot. Anyway, after several hours of standing in the rain and watching person after person come out with their visas, Sofia comes out in tears because she did not receive her visa. She was only told that the information was not in the "system", but she was not given any explanation as to why this happened or if and when the visa would be ready. They said to come back the following day and see what happens. Now we had to change the flights we had for the following morning and pay the corresponding penalties without knowing if we would need to change the flights again. I have seen accounts here on Visa Journey of people caught in limbo in Bogota without explanation. We went back the following morning, but we were told to speak with the person at the cashier's window??? He was a complete idiot and knew nothing. He said later in the day they would look to see if her visa was in the strongbox (which we already knew it wasn't). We asked if we could speak to somebody who might have some "real" information about what was happening with her visa. We were told to go to an adjacent window. When she spoke with that guy he implied that she hadn't returned when she was supposed to receive her visa the previous day and it was probably in the strongbox; she explained that she indeed had returned the previous day and in fact was one of the first people there. He rudely hung up on her while she was still speaking. These were both Colombians. You CANNOT speak with an American if you are in this situation. Believe me, I tried but I was refused after asking multiple embassy employees and explaining how we were getting the cold shoulder and getting any help. By luck, later on Sofia ran into a woman who was atttempting to help her a little the previous day. This woman was apparently higher ranking than all of the other Colombian employees in the outside waiting area. She went into the back and a short time later came out with Sofia's visa. After a rough night and morning of having no idea what was happening she finally had her visa.

I am very upset with the absolute lack of concern, total lack of information, and outright rude treatment we received by multiple employees at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota. They could care less if you have a problem or if you need help; you are just a number and any problem you might have is of no concern to them. I am sure most people will have an uneventful experience when having their interviews and receiving their visas. Unfortunately, we had a rather negative experience. But, she got her visa and she is here with me now in the U.S. So even though we had some problems we are both very happy that she got her visa! Good luck to everybody with their Visa Journey! Also, it was great seeing Thieving69 and RabbitNYC!! Congratulations to both of you!!

Mark

P.S. We stayed at Hotel American Dream. It is a little more expensive (137,000 pesos) than the cheapest hotels in the area, but most of the staff is excellent, professional, and very responsive. I also believe it is significantly more secure and a definite step up in class while still not too expensive.

Edited by florida-photo, 06 April 2007 - 01:37 PM.

florida-photoMaleColombia2007-04-06 13:36:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCR-1/IR-1 Colombia Club
...
florida-photoMaleColombia2007-03-17 10:54:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCR-1/IR-1 Colombia Club

Sure you can call the embassy. I invite you to do so. You have a two hour time frame two days a week from I believe 1-3 pm eastern time. Some of us work and it is very hard to get through. And as Looking said, the local number is much easier to get the same info. For me, I was not concerned that the embassy received the package. I need to know the interview date so I can make plans. I just had a few minutes today and looked at the DHL site for kicks. Today was the first day I called and will call again Friday. Hopefully something will be in the system by then. Mark got his date around the same time frame I am sitting in right now. Looking has been waiting a bit longer but I think that is because he just missed the cutoff for March interviews and they haven't started setting April yet. Just my guess.

Doug

Looking4wife and Doug: I hope you guys hear something soon on your interview dates. I would like to see you in Bogota, but I guess that is unlikely at this point.

This is off topic, but I just wondering if anybody might know this. Miller started importing Aguila beer from Colombia last month. I am sure it is only available in particular markets; definitely not here in the completely non-hispanic area of the Florida panhandle. I will be driving from Miami to Pensacola after we arrive in the U.S. Does anyone know where in Miami or Orlando I might be able to pickup a couple of cases of Aguila beer? You can tell where my head is at these days.

Mark
florida-photoMaleColombia2007-03-07 11:36:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCR-1/IR-1 Colombia Club

Can't answer your question Mark, not sure anyone can when it comes to the Colombian mail system. With Ceci living in Bogota, I she might get hers first. Just kidding. If it were me, I would email Brad and see if he could fax you what Vicky received. Then you can email it to me, lol. I am sure someone has it in some form then could email you. Called the DC number today, in the system but no word yet from Bogota.

Doug

Doug and Mike:
I just got a call at work from my wife and she said that she got a call from the post office this afternoon informing her that the package was in their office. She went and picked it up! I'm feeling better now. Thanks again!

Mark

Edited by florida-photo, 02 March 2007 - 05:35 PM.

florida-photoMaleColombia2007-03-02 17:33:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCR-1/IR-1 Colombia Club

Can't answer your question Mark, not sure anyone can when it comes to the Colombian mail system. With Ceci living in Bogota, I she might get hers first. Just kidding. If it were me, I would email Brad and see if he could fax you what Vicky received. Then you can email it to me, lol. I am sure someone has it in some form then could email you. Called the DC number today, in the system but no word yet from Bogota.

Doug

Thanks for the replies so far. I am sure I can a copy of the packet from someone else, but you need the ORIGINAL appointment letter to get the medical done and to enter the embassy. Neither of these can be done without the original letter addressed to the applicant.

Mark
florida-photoMaleColombia2007-03-02 16:47:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCR-1/IR-1 Colombia Club
Does anybody know how long it normally takes to receive the interview package from the embassy when the applicant lives in Barranquilla? They sent it on 21 February. I know that another VisaJourney member received the package in 8 days, but maybe that was faster than normal. No word today and Monday will be 12 days. When do we need to start to worry? Is there a way to have a replacement package sent via Servientrega or DHL if we never receive the original package? Thanks.

Mark
florida-photoMaleColombia2007-03-02 14:55:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCR-1/IR-1 Colombia Club
I just wanted to let everybody know the good news. I found out today that our interview has been scheduled for March 27th in Bogota!! That was actually a little sooner than I was expecting. Time to start making plans...

Mark
florida-photoMaleColombia2007-02-26 15:23:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCR-1/IR-1 Colombia Club

Don't usually post on this thread since I went the K-3 route. However, I can answer this question. IR-1/CR-1s, K-3, and K-1 are all interviewed in the same area by the same group of embassy employees. If you look at the list of interviewees for a given day, you are likely to see a very large number of K-1 interviewers and much fewer IR-1/CR-1 and K-3 interviewees. My experience was similar to Brad's....in that there were a LOT of denials. But, from what we could tell and from what my wife could here in Spanish, it was primarily the K-1 girls....most of whom where there alone.

Mike

Hey Brad:

Congrats again! Why do you think you were seeing a lot of denials? Do you know if they were CR1's? Was it couples or single applicants? I was thinking that CR1 denials were not too common, but maybe I am wrong about that. Enjoy your remaining days in Colombia!

Mark

Mike:

Thanks for the info. That is kind of what I was thinking. I appreciate your first-hand account of what you observed. That makes me a little more relaxed for our upcoming interview.

Mark
florida-photoMaleColombia2007-02-19 10:32:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCR-1/IR-1 Colombia Club
Brad:

Thanks for the info on the denials. I will be sure to have photos of us together. Sounds like it might be a good idea to bring the 06 tax return also. I wish I had remembered to ask this in my previous post: I've been getting a lot of conflicting information on the vaccinations that are required and if they need to handled ahead of the medical appointment. Do you have insight on this? Party down in BAQ and have a good trip back to Florida.

Mark
florida-photoMaleColombia2007-02-02 11:40:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCR-1/IR-1 Colombia Club
Hey Brad:

Congrats again! Why do you think you were seeing a lot of denials? Do you know if they were CR1's? Was it couples or single applicants? I was thinking that CR1 denials were not too common, but maybe I am wrong about that. Enjoy your remaining days in Colombia!

Mark
florida-photoMaleColombia2007-02-01 16:13:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCR-1/IR-1 Colombia Club
Brad:

Congratulations! Also, thanks for the info on your experience.
florida-photoMaleColombia2007-01-31 13:03:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCR-1/IR-1 Colombia Club
Brad:

Good luck with everything in Bogota. Hopefully, the DAS certificate will not be requested in your case. But I like your plan of requesting it Monday just in case and then you could provide it the day after the interview if necessary. I assume you are bringing your laptop. If I remember correctly the apartment you will be using has internet access, so keep us posted.

Mark
florida-photoMaleColombia2007-01-28 14:40:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCR-1/IR-1 Colombia Club
Thanks Brad! I may contact you later about a couple of the items on the list. I really appreciate you posting the contents of the package.

Mark
florida-photoMaleColombia2007-01-15 18:00:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCR-1/IR-1 Colombia Club
I'd be interested in seeing other members' CR1 experiences in Bogota. It looks like you (Looking4Wife) and I have very similar timelines and we have the possibility of interviews in the late March - April timeframe if all goes well. Any feedback from people who have recently gone through Bogota on a CR1 would be much appreciated. I know that BradyVicky will have their interview soon and I am sure they would be interested in other's experiences also.
florida-photoMaleColombia2006-12-27 10:15:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionColombia Club

Florida-Photo, the vaccines are the ones that Brebster posted.....do them as soon as you can

Congratulations on your successful interview! Thanks for the info on the vaccines also. After we get the NVC approval and an interview scheduled we will probably use the apartment that you and Brad are using in Bogota. It appears to be in a great location. Thanks!

Mark
florida-photoMaleColombia2007-01-24 10:54:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionColombia Club

Mark,

I would have her get them as soon as possible at her local doctor. She can even get one at the Red Cross if they have one in the city where your fiance lives (mine lives in Cartagena and they had one).....

Thing is that my fiance got her shots like in Nov. When she went to her Dr's appt yesterday they said she needed the second dose for the Td and Varicela. Now my fiance was not aware and was not told she needed a second dose at all until yesterday....

Usually with vaccinations you need to wait a certain amount of time between doses, so I would not recomend you do everything here in Bogota a few days b4 the interview.....give yourself some time for the 2nd dose...


Mystery:

She mentioned to me something about Red Cross recently so I know there is an office in Barranquilla. She is not sure which vaccinations are required by the embassy. Could you tell us which ones are listed in the packet? Thanks again!

Mark
florida-photoMaleColombia2007-01-23 07:46:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionColombia Club
Mystery:

Great Info! Thanks. Just one question comes to mind right now. Are the applicants required to have all vaccinations done months before the interview? Most don't even receive the packet until shortly before the interview. Can't all of that be handled at the medical?

Also - Good luck on Wednesday!

Mark
florida-photoMaleColombia2007-01-22 21:07:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionTravel evidence

Tomjerry,

Just a tad curious as to why you are submitting travel evidence with I-765.

Yodrak

I was wondering the same thing.
florida-photoMaleColombia2007-04-09 14:46:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionSending I-751 in One Week - Final Questions
1. Has there ever been a consensus on notarizing or not notarizing the affidavits? As usual the USCIS couldn't be more vague in their instructions.

2. I read the USCIS suggestions for assembing the package (two-hole punch ACCO fasteners, etc.). It says to use tabs on the bottom to separate the attachments. Does anyone know what kind of tabs they are talking about? I'll be stopping by the office supply store next week and I want to pickup the fasteners and tabs.

3. Any suggestions for organizing photos? Place them in some plastic sleeves or just clip them together in a stack?

Thanks!
florida-photoMaleColombia2008-12-27 15:59:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionForgot This Question - Cover Letter
Who should the cover letter come from or does it matter? The I-751 is completed by the immigrant with one small section asking about the U.S. spouse so it would seem logical that the cover would come from the immigrant. Could others who have already had their conditions removed or recently submitted their packages let me know how they handled this. Thanks..


florida-photoMaleColombia2008-12-27 17:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 Not Touched?

Hey buddy.... Good to see you on here!

I didnt see this post in time, nor does it matter because you already found your answer!!!! I just got back from Colombia and will write you back soon - in the meantime Congratulations on your application progress and the best of wishes to the both of you for a speedy and uneventful process!

Brad & Vicky


Hey Brad:

Good to hear from you. I wrote you a couple of times on hotmail recently. I checked out your website and it is great! I need to get around more and take more photos while I am Barranquilla next time. You have a ton of photos on there; it must have been a lot of work to put up your site. I'm not sure I am going to show your website to Sofia immediately because she will probably give me a hard time about not taking her to Cartagena yet. We were going to go in August but when I called a bunch of hotels in Cartagena they were all full on the weekend we wanted to go. Get in touch with me sometime.

Mark
florida-photoMaleColombia2006-10-25 19:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 Not Touched?

We are in the same boat my friend. My wife is in Colombia, and we received the NOA1 within days of each other. And no, I have not been touched either. Don't fret, they have you in the system, this is our personal hell. Keep me updated please and I will do the same.

Doug


Thanks for everybody's replies! UPDATE: I was logging into the CIS website to check our case status every week and nothing ever changed. It always said the same NOA 1 date. I was logging in with our case number. I didn't realize that I had to log into my account using my username and password and then click on the "portfolio" link. Once I did that I saw that there was a date later than the NOA 1 date and I now know that our case was "touched". As you guys said, it sounds like no big deal either way. I thought I would mention this just in case anyone else was doing the same thing I was.

Doug - I also noticed that we submitted our paperwork at almost the same time. I will keep you posted on our progress. Thanks!

Mark
florida-photoMaleColombia2006-10-25 12:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 Not Touched?
I filed the I-130 for my Colombian wife on August 23, 2006. I received the NOA 1 shortly thereafter. I notice that almost everyone else's application was "touched" a few days after receipt by the California Service Center. Our application was never "touched". Is that anything to worry about? Thanks!

Mark
florida-photoMaleColombia2006-10-20 00:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 Approved Today!
Just letting everyone know that I received the NOA 2 Approval e-mail tonight on our I-130 submission! It only took 71 days. It looks like some of these are getting approved fast by the CSC. I am trying not to celebrate too much on here because I know that there some couples that have been waiting for months. I guess we were one of the lucky ones. I can only hope that all of you that have been waiting longer will receive your approvals shortly. Thanks for everybody's help so far. I am sure we will be needing more help with some of these steps as the NVC process begins for us shortly.
florida-photoMaleColombia2006-11-02 22:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 Approved !
Congratulations! We got our approval tonight also. Let's hope these things keep coming through fast for everybody.
florida-photoMaleColombia2006-11-02 22:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresChange of Address
Thanks for your reply! I will keep checking every week to see if they have received our case at NVC.


As soon as you know that your case has been received at NVC i.e. assigned a case number; you can email your address change to NVCINQUIRY@state.gov

Make sure you put the case number in the subject line.


Suggested email content as per the one my hubby sent.


1. Regarding the subject case number the following information applies:

a. Beneficiary name: XXXXX XXXXXX XXXXX - DOB: 13FEB1982

b. Petitioner name: XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX - DOB: 02JUL1980

2. I am requesting that Petitioner address be changed to reflect the
following:

(NAME)
(NEW ADDRESS)



Hubby received an email confirmation back within a couple of days.


florida-photoMaleColombia2006-11-09 15:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresChange of Address
We got our I-130 NOA2 approval from CSC about 10 days ago. NVC should be receiving our case soon. I am moving within the same city and zip code. Just a couple of questions:

1. What is the best way to notify CIS of my new address? I assume it is with a phone call to their 800# since the AR-11 is used only for aliens to update their address and the I-865 is used for sponsors only if you have already filed an affidavit of support.

2. Does the NVC need an official notification of the updated address or do we just start using the correct address on the DS 3032, I-864, DS-230, etc.? Again, a phone call to NVC the best method?

3. Does a change of address cause any delay in processing if you are moving within the same city?

I just wanted some insight on here before talking to CIS and NVC because it is common to get a representative on the phone that doesn't know what they are talking about. Thanks!

Mark
florida-photoMaleColombia2006-11-09 13:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresBarcode for AOS Bill
Thanks for everyone's responses. I kind of assumed that the barcode represented the NVC Case #, but it never mentioned it in the instructions in James' Shortcuts (at least where I was looking). I guess they figured that it was obvious that you need to type in the case number in the barcode generator. Sometimes I miss obvious things (like this time). Oh well, that's why I'm glad this forum exists.

Doug: I an optimistic that you will be getting your NOA 2 approval at any moment. The touch would indicate to me that they finally got to yours in the stack of cases. Let us know as soon as it happens.

Brad: Thanks for the encouragement and also not making me feel like an idiot on the barcode thing. It looks like you should be getting the NVC approval any day now. I can't wait to be where you are now in the process.

Let's all keep in touch..

Mark

Like they said Mark...and dont feel stupid. I believe it actually forgets to tell you that at one point, or something like that, at any rate it is easy to get mixed up at times with the directions. Glad to hear you are moving right along!


Edited by florida-photo, 23 November 2006 - 02:32 AM.

florida-photoMaleColombia2006-11-23 02:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresBarcode for AOS Bill
For those of you familiar with James' Shortcuts I have a question:

I know that you need to generate a barcode and I inderstand how to create it and paste it into the AOS Bill. In the instructions (James' Shortcuts) nothing is said about personalizing the barcode. Wouldn't everbody have the exact same barcode? Or, am I supposed to type my case # into the barcode generator?

Thanks!

Mark
florida-photoMaleColombia2006-11-22 17:54:00