ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 Visa Received - Colombia
This is the first opportunity I've had to get on Visa Journey since the visa interview in Bogota, Colombia. We went to Orlando immediately after arriving in the States on our way from Miami to northwest Florida. She got her visa!!! I posted details of the interview in the "Foreign Embassy and Consulate General Discussion" forum. It is posted under the "CR1 Colombia Club." Thanks to everyone for all of their assistance during this process. The people I have met here on Visa Journey have been very helpful and I know things would not have gone so rapidly and successfully without the help I received from this community. Thanks again.

Mark
florida-photoMaleColombia2007-04-06 15:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR-1 Approved!
Congratulations!!!!!
florida-photoMaleColombia2007-04-13 10:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHow long before Green Card Arrives
My wife arrived on March 30th and she received her Social Security card within 7 days which was a bit of a surprise. We are still waiting on the Green Card. My understanding is that is supposed to arrive within 3 weeks which would be April 20th for us.

Edited by florida-photo, 17 April 2007 - 11:01 AM.

florida-photoMaleColombia2007-04-17 11:00:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures2nd Interview Scheduled for March 28th!!
Sounds like everything should be good to go for you guys this time. We may cross paths in Bogota because wife's interview is the 27th. We are planning on relaxing in Orlando for a few days on the drive back from Miami to northwest Florida. The Cali idea sounds nice - great city.

Mark

Edited by florida-photo, 07 March 2007 - 04:51 PM.

florida-photoMaleColombia2007-03-07 16:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresApproved!!!

Just a quick note, Ceci got her visa today in Bogota, well got the approval. She will pick up the visa on Monday and then head home for the first time. More later but thanks to all who have traveled the road before me. Your help has been invaluable. Thanks.

Doug


Sofia and I were thinking about you guys yesterday. I'm really happy you got the visa!! Contact me when you get a chance. Congratulations!!!!

Mark
florida-photoMaleColombia2007-04-13 10:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures(For Bogota) DS-230:NVC needs "which" Documents???

If there is a change (and I'm not at all sure that there is), then you're probably not going to know until they send you the DS-230 package when your IV fee bill shows up as being paid in the system (i.e., a good month -- or at least it used to be -- after you pay the IV fee bill you're about to receive).

I agree that unless this can be pinned down by somebody soon then one of you guys is going to have to be the guinea pig and wait to receive the actual package from NVC and let everyone else know what it says. I feel for everybody going through this right now with all the confusion and conflicting information out there. Has anybody put a call in to the embassy about this? Through last month I was able to call between 2-4 pm Bogota time on Mondays and Wednesdays and speak with someone in the Immigrant Visa unit. At times it was virtually impossible to get through. I saw somewhere on here that might have changed, but I would still try to call or send a fax if necessary.

I'm still doubtful, though. The anecdotes of people being sent home must have to do with the spouse in Bogota not getting all of his or her ducks in a row -- if one didn't send the required docs with the DS-203 Part I to NVC, they'd never complete the case and send it to the embassy to begin with.

I agree with that also. They would never get the appointment if NVC did not have what was required.
florida-photoMaleColombia2007-04-19 11:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAfter entering USA on IR1/CR1 how long for green card in mail ?

The subject of the topic pretty much covers it.

My wife entered the USA on her IR1 visa which was processed and endorsed at the POE into USA.
How long does it take for her to receive the actual green card in the mail ?
Where does the green card get mailed from ? The local USCIS office in our city ?
Where or who would I call to check on the status of it being mailed or if it was mailed already.
We specified a different MAILING address for the card to go to instead of our RESIDENCE address.

Any input from anyone ?



It looks like you live in Florida. Your welcome letter and Green Card should come from the Texas Service Center.
florida-photoMaleColombia2007-04-25 09:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTimeline to receive green card and SS Card in mail after POE with IR-1/CR-1 Visa

POE: Miami
DATE ENTERED: 3/29/07
SOCIAL SECURITY CARD: 4/6/07
WELCOME LETTER: 4/10/07
GREEN CARD: 4/21/07



Oh, you mean it arrived within four weeks?
:lol:


Yeah, got everything within approximately 3 weeks.
florida-photoMaleColombia2007-04-25 16:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTimeline to receive green card and SS Card in mail after POE with IR-1/CR-1 Visa
POE: Miami
DATE ENTERED: 3/29/07
SOCIAL SECURITY CARD: 4/6/07
WELCOME LETTER: 4/10/07
GREEN CARD: 4/21/07
florida-photoMaleColombia2007-04-25 09:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTimeline on I 130 Approvals
Our interview date is 3-27-07 if you want to update it here. Thanks!
florida-photoMaleColombia2007-02-27 12:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTimeline on I 130 Approvals
I decided to add us to the list since I know a couple of you "Colombia" guys on here.

UPDATE:
Added Florida-Photo

Name ---------------- NOA1 ------------ NOA2 Approval------------ Case Complete --------- Interview
The_dip_sticks ------- 06/15/06 -------------- Pending
BradyVicky ------------ 06/22/06 -------------- 8/29/06 -------------- Pending
Michael and Milahjean--07/13/06------------ 09/07/06--------------------- 11/15/06--------------------Pending
MarocAmer ------------ 07/17/06 ------------- Pending
Our mao --------------- 07/27/06 ------------- Pending
Xuemei ---------------- 08/16/06 ------------- Pending
a1angied----------------08/19/06--------------10/11/06----------------Pending
rizthomson ------------ 08/21/06 ------------- 10/03/06 ------------- Pending
BelwinMills ------------- 08/28/06 ------------ 10/12/06 -------------- Pending
knowledge ------------ 08/28/06 ------------- Pending
Slithytoves ------------ 08/30/06 ------------- 10/26/06 -------------- Pending
PMRS ------------------- 09/01/06 ------------- 11/08/06 -------------- Pending
Florida-Photo --------- 09/06/06 ------------- 11/02/06 -------------- Pending
Bosnia ----------------- 09/07/06 ------------- Pending
Natty Bumppo -------- 09/08/06 ------------- Pending
Heina ------------------- 09/11/06 ------------- Pending
Elle ---------------------- 09/11/06 ------------- Pending
dougyceci -------------- 09/13/06 ------------- Pending
Arpita & Deven-------- 09/19/06 ------------- Pending
Dennis & Ezgi---------- 09/21/06 ------------ Pending
TongandWei ----------- 09/25/06 ------------ Pending
Tony & Olga------------ 09/25/06 ------------ Pending
riblet -------------------- 09/28/06 ------------ Pending
Mike and Adriana ----- 09/29/06 ------------ Pending
StarProg --------------- 10/18/06 ------------- Pending
florida-photoMaleColombia2006-11-19 02:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresArriving in the US from Colombia on a CR-1 Visa
We came through Miami after midnight on March 29th. Avianca had to bring in another plane to replace their broken one and there was a huge delay flying out of Bogota (This is the second time in 2 years this has happened with Avianca). We were both pretty tired after arriving in Miami in the middle of the night so some of the details are a little fuzzy.

1. I travelled with my wife.
2. She did not fill out anything. I filled out the usual customs/immigration form on the plane. There is one form per family.
3. POE - Miami
4. We went through the U.S. Citizens line.
5. I don't believe the Immigration Officer asked her anything in the first station that we came to. I think she just took her fingerprint and photo and then she called for another immigration officer to escort us to a waiting room.
6. Yeah, she just gave the immigration officer in the waiting room her passport/visa and the envelope she received from the embassy.
7. We were never split up.
8. No questions were asked of her by the immigration officer who processed her in the waiting area.
9. The first officer in the immigration line was not very friendly. The officer who precessed her in the waiting area was very friendly. He made some jokes and let us know about the requirement to remove conditions in 2 years.
10. The process took less than 45 minutes. The only reason it took that long was that we were alone in the waiting room for about 30 minutes waiting for an immigration officer to show up. I think at that time of the night there is nobody staffing that area and we had to wait for an officer to break free from the immigration lines after they finished processing the passengers on our flight. We breezed through customs and our bags were not searched.

Everyone here on VJ and on the Colombia Clubs have been very helpful with the sharing of information regarding the visa process but I've noticed that the final stage of the journey is sometimes not included. It's completely understandable that with the excitement, relief and joy of having your spouse finally here you might not post on this forum as often as before. It would help alot of people if, as soon as you are able to, to please post your arrival immigration experiences here. Some questions that I have that I hope you will include answers to are:

1) Did your spouse travel alone or were they accompanied by the USC spouse?
2) Which form did your spouse fill out on the plane before landing?
3) Where was your spouse's Point of Entry (e.g. JFK, Miami, Atlanta etc)?
4) What line did your spouse get on when they got off the plane? Visitors, Resident?
5) Did the immigration agent speak in Spanish or attempt to speak in English to your spouse?
6) What documents did your spouse have ready to hand over? Passport,Visa, MBE(Mysterious Brown Envelope)
7) If traveling with the USC spouse, were you split up or was your USC spouse with you the whole time?
8) What kind of questions did they ask your spouse?
9) Were the immigration officers friendly, rude?
10) How long was the whole process?

If your spouses would like to write their first hand experiences in Spanish, please feel free to do so, thay way we can pass on the message and information to our spouses in Colombia.
Mil gracias, JK


florida-photoMaleColombia2007-04-22 10:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSent I 129F Express to TSC

Attached File  thanksfamPicture_016.jpg   749.34KB   28 downloadsStatus: Notice Left

We attempted to deliver your item at 11:22 am on October 25, 2006 in MESQUITE, TX 75185 and a notice was left. A second delivery attempt will be made. If unsuccessful, we will hold it for five business days and then it will be returned to the sender. Information, if available, is updated every evening. Please check again later.

At the very least; express was a waste of money. At the very most; I may be getting the whole submission back. I have read here where so many others have done this so I thought I would give it a shot. If it comes back I will use snail mail.

Welcome to the world of the K1 Visa


Same thing happened to me. I called the post office. It is normal, don't worry. She explained that most likely there is not enough room in a P.O. Box for all the petitions that arrive on a daily basis. When the notices of delivery are picked up by a TSC representative, he/she will take them to the counter and pick up the envelopes.

Mark
florida-photoMaleColombia2006-10-25 19:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHELP!
William33 is correct. The same thing happened to me. Your package will be picked up.
florida-photoMaleColombia2006-11-09 20:44:00
PhilippinesNOA2 Approved 11-4-09
Hello July 2009 VSC K-1 Filers!!! Tonight is the day Cherry Ann and I have been waiting for . We were approved for NOA2 by E-mail notification from USCIS at 10:45 PM (Central Time) on November 4th, 2009. Our NOA1 hard copy was July 14...

We thank you all for your kind words, support and good information...

We will all continue on this Journey together...

Kindest regards,

Scott and Cherry Ann
Scott_AnnMalePhilippines2009-11-05 00:01:00
PhilippinesParent of Consent???
Hello..

I just to ask only if I need to have a Parent of Consent for the CFO seminar... Im 24 yrs.old.. Do I need to have that???


Thanks and God bless...
Scott_AnnMalePhilippines2009-11-06 00:56:00
PhilippinesAnyone interviewing on Dec 15?
My fiancee is the same date interview with your fiancee... She will be on Manila dec.13.... Good luck of us....
Scott_AnnMalePhilippines2009-12-06 22:37:00
PhilippinesK1 interview documents
I have same interview date of your friend... Good luck us........
Scott_AnnMalePhilippines2009-12-07 11:27:00
Philippinescounting the days for my interview..
I got pink slip........... yeheyyyyyyyyyyyyyy thanks to all the vjers...

Edited by Scott St. Hillier, 15 December 2009 - 10:26 AM.

Scott_AnnMalePhilippines2009-12-15 10:23:00
Philippinescounting the days for my interview..
Thank you all for wishing me well. I fly to Manila tomorrow afternoon . All my papers are in order. I am a nervous train wreck. Good luck to you all too. I will let you know the result.

Thanks to you all.

Scott_AnnMalePhilippines2009-12-11 21:37:00
Philippinescounting the days for my interview..
Im counting the days for my Interview its making me nervous already... blush.gif Please pray for me to get PINK SLIP...

Edited by Scott St. Hillier, 11 December 2009 - 05:33 AM.

Scott_AnnMalePhilippines2009-12-11 05:32:00
Philippineshotel manila
We stayed with my wife in mabuhay manor hotel its near only in the airport.. check this site http://mabuhaymanor.com.ph/
Scott_AnnMalePhilippines2010-04-05 15:00:00
PhilippinesAny Filipina here from Florida?
Were here in Pensacola, Florida
@marriedtomrg: My mother n law is from Tallahasee we visit there a lot. She told me that there's a Fil-Am Organization there...
Scott_AnnMalePhilippines2010-09-03 20:07:00
PhilippinesPassport Question-Please help me

you really have to go to DC to get your passport updated they will take your picture and finger print there or wait for an outreach program in your area


ok thanks dianne, can i still go in the cruise even its not yet updated of my passport?
Scott_AnnMalePhilippines2011-02-14 10:40:00
PhilippinesPassport Question-Please help me
Hello vj...My husband and I want to go on a cruise and we are concerned about my passport. My Filipino Passport has my last name before I was married here in the US. I have a Green Card, Drivers License, Employment Authorization, Social Security Card, and a marriage certificate, but my passport reflects my previous surname. I want to get an updated passport, but have been told that the only way to update my passport is to go to Washington DC and get an updated passport. My question is how can I get an updated Philippine passport without going to Washington and can I go on the Cruise without my passport being updated?

Edited by Scott_Ann, 14 February 2011 - 10:21 AM.

Scott_AnnMalePhilippines2011-02-14 10:16:00
PhilippinesBalikbayan box
Hello... I just want to ask only what happens with Customs to pay import tax on items imported into the Philippines? Do they check these boxes or what? Thanks and advance.
Scott_AnnMalePhilippines2010-02-23 19:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsPhilippines Credit Card for Fiancee'
Hello,

My fiancee' is in the Philippines and we filed for her K-1 Visa and just received NOA1 07/14/09. She lives in Tacloban and the interview and medical exam will be in Manila. She will need to fly from Tacloban to Manila and back twice and stay in hotel's etc. to complete the K-1 process. I currently send her cash through moneygram.com but I would like to get her a prepaid credit card so she can go online and book flights, pay for hotel rooms, etc. I would like for her to have a prepaid credit card that originates from the Philippines so there are no issues where when she uses the card, it is a US based card and beleive there is a security issue because the charge is taking place outside the US. I would also like to "load" the card from the US for her use. I have investigated the Moneygram prepaid credit card and they do not allow what I am trying to accomplish. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can accomplish this.

Thanks!
Scott_AnnMalePhilippines2009-07-22 09:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAdjudicated I129f Question
When your I129f petition is adjudicated, does that mean you received NOA2 or does it mean something else?

Thanks in advance!

Good luck to all
Scott_AnnMalePhilippines2009-09-10 21:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsCENOMAR
Hello.. I just want to ask only about my CENOMAR cos they issued me for the passport/travel not for the Visa.. Im just curious why they issued me like that but for my purpose is for the K1-visa..Is it the same? My question is that ok that they issued me only for Passport/Travel of my CENOMAR? or do i get another copy that they will be issued me for k1-visa...

Thanks and have a good day...


Cherry Ann
Scott_AnnMalePhilippines2009-09-23 22:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNOA2 Approved!!!
Hello July 2009 VSC K-1 Filers!!! Tonight is the day Cherry Ann and I have been waiting for . We were approved for NOA2 by E-mail notification from USCIS at 10:45 PM (Central Time) on November 4th, 2009. Our NOA1 hard copy was July 14...

We thank you all for your kind words, support and good information...

We will all continue on this Journey together...

Kindest regards,

Scott and Cherry Ann
Scott_AnnMalePhilippines2009-11-04 23:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsCruising out of the US???
My Fiancee and I would like to go on a cruise to Mexico after we get married... I would not have a green card only my K1 visa, passport and state id. Am I okay to make this trip or do I need green card?

Thanks and advance
Scott_AnnMalePhilippines2010-02-02 21:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJuly 2009 Filers
Hello July 2009 VSC K-1 Filers!!! Tonight is the day Cherry Ann and I have been waiting for . We were approved for NOA2 by E-mail notification from USCIS at 10:45 PM (Central Time) on November 4th, 2009. Our NOA1 hard copy was July 14...

We thank you all for your kind words, support and good information...

We will all continue on this Journey together...

Kindest regards,

Scott and Cherry Ann
Scott_AnnMalePhilippines2009-11-04 23:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJuly 2009 Filers
Hey guys.. Hope we get our NOA2 this month.... GOOD LUCK OF US......................
Scott_AnnMalePhilippines2009-11-02 07:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJuly 2009 Filers
Don't forget us:

Scott and Cherry Ann

We are July 14th NOA1 filers...

We can't wait for NOA2. We wonder if Manila is slow now because of the Typhoon and the flooding???

Good luck to everyone!!!
Scott_AnnMalePhilippines2009-10-06 18:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPhysical Address vs. Mailing Address
This is my first post and I have searched the forum and read the guides and can't find out the answer to this:

I have a "mailing address" on everything DL, checks, bank accounts, etc. After looking a some of the forms, they seem to want "physical address" but I do not accept mail at my "physical address" (I don't even have a mailbox at my physical address). I would like to just fill out everything with my "mailing address". I use the UPS Store for my mailing address and I have had a few experiances where the people I am giving my "mailing address" to say that it is not a valid residential address like for my voter's registration card, etc. I have many good reasons as to why I do this but I don't want to boar you with those reason unless you are interested.

Do you think I will be okay filling out all my paperwork just using my "mailing address".

Regards,

Scott
Scott_AnnMalePhilippines2009-04-10 14:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresComments please on this K-1 Visa Lawyer
I am considering hiring this law firm to process my K-1 Fiancee Visa. I live in Florida and my Fiancee is in the Philippines.

See:
http://www.visa-fian...ancee-visa.html

Any comments good or bad about this lawyer?

Please don't try to tell me to do it myself, I am really seeking specific advise on selecting a lawer this one or another you would recommend.

TIA

Good luck to all.
Scott_AnnMalePhilippines2009-05-12 18:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureswe're approved and ready for the next step
QUOTE (zenki_james @ Aug 3 2009, 11:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hi i was surprise coz i am always checking the igor's list and our status always pending but my fiancee checked the case status by entering our case number and it says approval notice sent last august 3, 2009..we really didnt expected that were already approved...i keep jumping on my room and crying that time when he said were approved....thank u visa journey for everything...for the vj members who posted a lot here thank u coz it really helped us a lot...


Congratsssssssssss!!!

Where and When did he filed ure petition?
Scott_AnnMalePhilippines2009-08-03 23:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresquestion
check this link....

http://www.theworldo...?showtopic=1113
Scott_AnnMalePhilippines2009-09-19 06:55:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionApplying for citizenship and living in Florida
Thanks all for the help; I would rather Jacksonville than Louisiana; hopefully I get that choice.
Isobel BirnieFemaleScotland2012-02-15 10:43:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionApplying for citizenship and living in Florida
Thanks kstrozyk :)
Isobel BirnieFemaleScotland2012-02-14 14:09:00