ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresanother helpful website to help
Thank you guys very much for your endorsement. :blush: We would love to have any of you on our site. We have sample forms and checklists specific to the DR and best of all people who have been through the process including myself (I am the owner of the site). Thanks again for mentioning us!
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2011-04-13 14:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSanto Domingo Embassy
Good luck on your interview!
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2011-04-17 05:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurespassport

His BC to the english language? Right?

Might as well have him get an inextensa birth certificate because he will need that one for the process.
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2011-04-17 05:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresjoint savings account
Evidence of joint finances is not necessarily required but it's great that you have it. Just translating the passbook copy of the page would be fine.
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2011-05-31 01:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresmarriage in dom rep
There are actually tons of people over on our forum who did not have to have half of this stuff. It really depends on who is marrying you. For example, I'm getting married down there in two weeks and I just need my passport, and birth cert. the lawyer who is doing the marriage doesn't even require an apostille. I am bringing translations and an apostille anyway just in case but for SURE you don't have to have the SSL done at the embassy. they are telling you that because they make tons of money on those. Any good attorney in the DR can do that for you for less than half the price. Of course if you call the official agencies down there like the Junta Central they are going to tell you otherwise because they want to make MONEY.
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2011-05-31 00:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCSC to TSC to NVC: the Saga continues

Garyyyyyyyy yessssssssss, sign in faileeeeeeeeeeed, jejejejejej happy so happy , check in the portal maybe you cant sign in .



jajajajaja yes , very funny hahahah :rofl: :dance:

Congrats!
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2011-04-08 07:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresseparated while on visa process
I'm afraid not. Without support from the USC there is no grounds for a visa issuance, sorry.
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2011-06-29 03:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWAITING FOR AN INTERVIEW DATE
Actually they have been scheduling interviews rather quickly as of late. 2-3 months is possible but they have been scheduling them in one month in some cases.
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2011-06-29 03:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresShould we worry? ds-230 part 2 not signed during interview
You can't sign for your husband on any of the docs, they must be signed by him only.
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2011-07-04 01:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSuggestions: How can my husband kindly request IR-1 stamp at POE?
You should have asked for the IR-1 at the interview. If you are that close the Consulate will usually grant an IR-1 instead of the CR-1 but it's too late now.
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2011-07-19 07:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWe were denied, HELP

Spousal visa petitions never expire. Since that is what the OP filed for, they will already have an approved petition on file. Filing another petition now and starting over is probably not an option for the OP. If USCIS sends the OP a NOIR, then the OP MUST respond to it and will have a limited amount of time to do so.

This may be the way it's supposed to be but our experience with the DR consulate has been that the case gets sent back to the USCIS and a denial letter can take up to a year to be received by the petitioner so they can take any action. I don't remeber any of our members ever getting a NOIR on their case after denial. We had at least one member that I know of who was a CR-1 file a second time and was approved for his visa. Of course YMMV.
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2011-07-25 05:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWe were denied, HELP
Were you taken to Window 11? This is the investigations window. Were you separated? Either way you will probably have the best luck filing another petition and starting over again. If you are eligible for a waiver, you should have that with you at the next interview. This is the fastest way. If you wait for word from USCIS it could be up to a year before they send you anything and even then it might not tell you much. Did you get a yellow or pink form with your denial reason codes on it? If so what were they?
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2011-06-29 03:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 Approve! Thanks God! Finally…
Congrats on the visa. Best wishes on your new marriage, and please post your interview experience!
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2011-08-08 04:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresGot some questions for you :)
Actually, they are referring to an optional cover letter you can send although I would highly recommend it. Here is an example from our site:

http://dominicanstot...7546/#msg197546
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2011-08-14 00:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMore questions
You can PM me if you want or email me at admin@dominicanstotheusa.com. Like someone mentioned, you won't get any decent feedback if you can't post details, and if that's the case, you more than likely need some advice. You may even need a waiver.
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2011-08-14 00:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureseveryone in dr is a LADRON
This is really not that complicated. I got married (again) at the Junta Central in santiago on June 10th and all I needed was my birth cert, and my passport. They handled the Single status letter and didn't even ask me for an Apostille on the birth cert. It was a very smooth process for $7,000 pesos. My wife handled everything before I got there.
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2011-08-22 04:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPictures
One thing you have to remember is that every Consulate is different in the way they adjudicate their cases. The DR is no exception. Even there, they change their requirements over time so that it is difficult to anticipate what you will be asked to show at the interview. When I went for my first interview in 2006, it seemed like all they were interested in was pictures. Today, most of the people on my website are either asked for a lot of evidence or none. Pictures are still a very important part of the evidence being asked for and specifically you want to have some wedding photos and some photos of the two of you doing things together. They are NOT interested in photos of you and the relatives, only photos with you and your significant other are important. I brought over 400 photos in 2006, but I will probably bring less the next time around. Still, the majority of my evidence will be photos.
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2011-08-22 05:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCSC NOA1 to NOA2 time
Expected wait time is 5 months, however, it can happen in less than that in some cases.
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2011-08-29 04:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 and I129F Approved at the same time
They are not doing K3s in the DR. You will be much better off with the CR-1 anyway. If you have the I-130 approved, why would you want to pursue the K3 anyway?
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2011-08-29 04:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresEXPEDITE good reason?

I doubt it. These are all YOUR expenses, not expenses relating your yourself AND the immigrant. If you didn't have a husband what would you do?

That said, doesn't hurt anything to ask/try does it?

In fact it might hurt to try in this case because of exactly what the other poster said about the I-864. I would not chance it as if I was a betting man I would bet $10,000 that you won't get an expedite for the reason you stated.
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2011-09-19 05:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 CR1 cover letter sample
Here is another example from our site:

http://dominicanstot...lists-examples/
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2011-09-20 00:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDual Citizenship
As magical stated you can pick either one. There is a specific place to designate the Consulate you want on the I-130 form.
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2011-10-12 04:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPermanent Resident
As was stated, the visa is good for 6 months. You will not get a different one when he gets here. The green card will be valid for two years at which time he will need to lift conditions to get the 10 year card. After three years from the GC issuance date he can apply for citizenship.
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2011-10-12 04:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCSC BACKED UP
Actually, some of the members from my site have reported that they are actually only backed up on F2 visas. I would not worry about K1/CR1 visas as they have been taking just 3-4 months to adjudicate.

-Tim
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2011-09-19 05:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTax question about ITIN and nonresident spouse

My spouse's filing status or exemption will not change the amount of my refund. I have her notarized birth certificate. But to obtain certification of the other documents like passport and national identification card is next to impossible. In Vietnam, they are highly bureaucratic. To get any certification done you need to get serial certifications from the commune, ward, township, city and provincial levels. To say it's difficult is to put it mildly.

My question for the tax expert out there is that since my wife will have nothing to do with my taxes, i.e., she is filing taxes separately and isn't claimed as an exemption by me, do I really need an ITIN for her? What will the IRS do if I leave her SSN line empty? Will they reject my tax return?


You don't need to certify anything IF she has a passport (which she will have to have anyway). You need a notorized COPY of her passport. The document must be notorized by an American notary, but these are available at the American Embassy. It will cost you about $30, but worth every penny.

-Tim
Visit the Dominican immigration forums at:

www.dominicanstotheusa.com
http://forums.dominicanstotheusa.com
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2006-01-29 00:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresany dominicans out there? (waiting time for consulate)

My husband and I were married in the Dominican December 2005; we filed the I130 on January 2006; he was approved March 22, 2006 and the NVC sent to Santa Domingo on August 15. We have been told it will be exactly 1 year before an interview. We also filed a I-129F was approved July sent to Santa Domingo but also told 10-12 months before interview. Since my husband is originall from Brazil we contacted that Consulate and was told less than 5 months so he is moving back long and transfering jobs to wait out at home. Our experiences and luck with Dominican has been really poor. The NVC and U.S. Immigration here says that the CR1 and/or K3 Visas should never take that long but explain that to the Dominican.......


It has NOTHING to do with the Dominican Republic. They don't approve visas. The US Consulate and the State Dept are the responsible parties here.

Your decision was a very wise one.

-Tim

--
Visit the Dominican immigration forums at:

http://www.dominicanstotheusa.com
http://forums.dominicanstotheusa.com
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2006-09-16 10:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresany dominicans out there? (waiting time for consulate)

I'm wondering if there is anyone who has experience with the US Consulate in the Dominican Republic - e.g. their interview experience, paperwork issues, etc. More specifically how long is the typical wait time for an interview after the consulate receives the NVC paperwork. any information would be helpful!


Unfortunately if you are just starting now, just the wait for an interview is about 20 months, then add on the USCIS and because of the IMBRA snafu, that is taking about 6 months now, so the process is probably over 2 years....... :o

-Tim

Visit the Dominican immigration forums at:

http://www.dominicanstotheusa.com
http://forums.dominicanstotheusa.com
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2006-08-29 02:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-230


If you are only required to submit part 1 of the DS-230, then all you need to submit is a photocopy of the biograpics page/s of your passport. Check the 'Instructions for Immigrant Application' appropriate to your country HERE



Thanks for that information. I just wanted to be sure. This helps a lot.

Dibley


How did you get through the USCIS without a passport? Didn't you have to send a copy of hers?
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2006-11-17 05:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresGetting Married in Tegucigalpa, Honduras on Feb 17th

Is your fiancee in Honduras as a visitor, or resident of Honduras? USCIS and NVC will defer the case to the consulate in the Dominican Republic if she is not a resident of Honduras.

See also other post.
http://www.visajourn...showtopic=50894


You are not correct if he files a K3. Here is an excerpt directly from the I-129f directions:

The LIFE Act requires applicants to apply for a K-3 visa in the country where their marriage to the U.S. citizen petitioner occurred. Petitioners should make sure toidentify the appropriate consulate, in the same countrywhere they married the alien for whom they are petitioning,in block 20 to avoid lengthy delays. In the event thepetitioner and alien were married in the United States, theyshould list the country of the alien's current residence. SeeU.S. Department of State regulations at 21 CFR 41.81.

This is why they are getting married in Honduras in the first place, to avoid the 20-24 month wait for an interview at the Dominican Consulate.
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2007-01-22 07:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshow long is noa2 good for?
The NOA2 says it "expires" in 4 months, but the reality is the Consulate can extend your NOA2 indefinitely. My case took 13 months to get an interview at the consulate and I had no trouble. Don't panic when you see the 120 day "expiration"
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2007-01-31 05:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDominican Republic IR-1 or file K3
Unfortunately the Congressman isn't going to be able to do much at all. At this point filing a K3 would just be a waste of money. The K3 would get on the waiting list and wait behind the I-130.

Priority dates mean nothing in this case since she is filing for her spouse and there is an unlimited quota on those visas.

The waiting list is posted on the Consulate web site at http://www.usemb.gov...aiting_list.htm in case you weren't aware of it.

Tell her to log on to our forums that are just for the Dominican Republic and she can learn much more about the process. The address is in my signature.
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2007-04-18 00:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAOS
You probably would heave been better off posting this in the NVC forum.....
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2007-05-24 05:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures?? Q's- Why CR1 after 3.5 yrs? & work permit?
Marilyn,

It is highly unusual not to get the SS card if you check the box. Yes, it has happened to ONE person on our forum, but most everyone else has gotten theirs.

Secondly, the POE is NOT the place to get an IR-1 visa. When you have your CR-1 appt, if you have been married over two years they are supposed to give you an IR-1. It pays to remind them however.

Most times if you are even close to two years, if you let them know, they will give you the IR-1. It's up to the Consul. We have verified this with Chief Consul William Bent. He is on our website and answers submitted questions every week.
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2008-05-09 01:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures?? Q's- Why CR1 after 3.5 yrs? & work permit?
QUOTE (MarilynP @ May 4 2008, 05:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (minmn @ May 4 2008, 05:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi,
Thanks for your reply. I'm confused. I do not see an I-551 stamped in his passport.

Does the green card get generated from the folks at the POE or from the consulate in the foreign consulate?

So, he can work as soon as he physically has a SS card and green card in hand???? yes?

it should be stamped somewhere by the visa... mine says
QUOTE
processed for I-551 Temporary evidence of lawful admission for permanent resident valid until _____ employment authorized"...



I don't think the I-551 is stamped on CR-1 and IR1 visas. I am about 90% sure my wife's does not have this.
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2008-05-09 00:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures?? Q's- Why CR1 after 3.5 yrs? & work permit?
QUOTE (pushbrk @ May 4 2008, 05:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (eau_xplain @ May 4 2008, 05:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm not sure if I'm following this correctly. You said:

Dec 28, 2004 = marriage
Feb 07, 2008 = waiver
Apr 07, 2008 = visa approval
Apr ??, 2008 = date of entry?

The visa was approved 3yrs and almost 4 months after your marriage. Your husband should definitely have gotten an IR1 when he entered. Does he have his physical green card already? If not, then perhaps you can make an INFOPASS and ask the USCIS records to be corrected to show that he is an IR1 and not a CR1.


IR1 is a visa. It goes in the passport before entering the US. Yes, from my reading, the visa should have been an IR1, not a CR1. However, it may ultimately not matter in the least.

What happens with a CR1 visa when the entry occurs after the two-year anniversary is the same as what happens with an IR1, in that the green card issued is good for ten years instead of two. Once that ten year green card is in hand, the visa category is meaningless.

A CR1 visa does not EVER become an IR1 visa, but both can result in a ten year green card.


Ah yes but you are forgetting that lifting conditions in two years costs about $600 and requires more paperwork and also ultimately approval. they should make the infopass appt and try to get it straightened out.

BTW, if you checked the box on the DS-230 you do NOT have to got to the SS office, the card will come automatically on about two weeks for a CR-1.

Edited by twincactus, 09 May 2008 - 12:22 AM.

twincactusMaleDominican Republic2008-05-09 00:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWORRIED ABOUT GETTING THE BOOT ONCE HE GET INTO THE US!
I don't want to be negative or scare you but it is quite common for Dominicans to leave their petitioners after they get here IF the relationship isn't that solid. Seems to be more common for American female petitioners.
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2009-09-13 08:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFrustruated

The really sad thing about apeach's impatience in statring this topic again is that i have read multiple posts about dominican republic taking a solid year for an interview even after noa2 is recieved. So i do feel sorry that she has such a long wait, but still at the rate she is going she'll drive herself crazy well before interview time.

But still i do wish her well


Ah hem......


Nope, apeach has no reson to even think about getting upset.

My case was submitted OCT 2004. NOA2 was Jan 2005, and in April it will be one year from the time my case got to the Embassy. That is when I expect an intervew. Jeez folks, just 2 years ago, if you would get NOA2 in like 60 days it would have been a miracle. Everybody is getting so spoiled now. Check my timeline. We are now at 4,3XX on the waiting list for an appt.

-Tim

Visit the Dominican immigration forums at:

www.dominicanstotheusa.com
http://forums.dominicanstotheusa.com
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2006-01-29 00:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPregnant while wating for K-1 interview
They have been known to give open interviews for people the other way around, where the female was in the DR, so that they could be assured of being able to fly home. This way, it won't help you at all unfortunately.

-Tim
--
Visit the Dominican immigration forums at:

http://www.dominicanstotheusa.com
http://forums.dominicanstotheusa.com

Edited by twincactus, 04 February 2006 - 12:52 AM.

twincactusMaleDominican Republic2006-02-04 00:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresStill waiting in Dominica Rep
http://www.usemb.gov...aiting_list.htm

Yes it is taking quite long right now because there is a backlog of 25,000 people waiting for an interview. Join our group and help us try to get that fixed. www.dominicanstotheusa.com

Don't give up.

-Tim
Visit the Dominican immigration forums at:

www.dominicanstotheusa.com
http://forums.dominicanstotheusa.com
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2006-02-04 00:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresrelationship proof

Mercury, thanks for the kind words. The visa was approved and she is now here with me.

How did your interview go?


Congrats! I was wondering how everything went with you guys. Could you come over and post your experience in our forum? I know our members would love to hear the details of what to expect, especially since several of us have interviews coming up soon.

Thanks so much, and I hope you have a long and happy life together!

-Tim
--
Visit the Dominican immigration forums at:

http://www.dominicanstotheusa.com
http://forums.dominicanstotheusa.com
twincactusMaleDominican Republic2006-03-17 12:24:00