ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresbring my wife to the US

She had already gotten her NBI Clearance in Late Feb 2012, also she has the original marriage certificate from the NSO ( I have it as well ), she also has original birth certificate. All others should be a breeze to get =) . Would you know if she is able to take her "medical exam" now or does she need to wait until its been approved?

Also , would you know if she is considered an "immediate relative"?


I'm sure others can answer this better than I can but I *think* her visa will only be valid for as long as her medical exam is valid (and sorry, I'm not sure how long the med exam is valid)...so it's probably best to wait until a month or two before her interview date before getting the med exam.

Yes, your wife is an immediate relative.
Mark&FatimaNot TellingPhilippines2012-03-24 22:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresbring my wife to the US

Im hoping for No RFEs, I have sent almost all evidence asks on the "I-130 instructions sheet".

My wife will be applying for her "Passport" within April, Is there any more documents she should be aware/ready of?


As the next step gets close, and before you get the NOA2, have her get her NBI (police clearance certificate), original birth certificate, original marriage license, 2 more passport-style pics, copy of her bio/photo page from her passport, and 1 set of photocopies of all those original documents. There are a few things you'll need too: your IRS transcripts for the last 3 years (you can get them for free - Call IRS at 800-908-9946, takes a couple of weeks to get them), pay stubs for the last few months, and a letter of employment from your work. Having all that before you get the NOA2 will prevent any delays.

This link is a great help to me (I'm currently waiting for my NOA2 as well and getting ready for the next step).

Edited by Mark&Fatima, 24 March 2012 - 10:22 PM.

Mark&FatimaNot TellingPhilippines2012-03-24 22:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresbring my wife to the US

So after Approval from the USCIS, Do you think I would have to wait another 6 months til she is here? or is it total of within 12 months she is here? Do you think she will be here by Dec. 2012? just a thought =/


Assuming you get no RFE's, are prepared in advance for each step, and the medical exam/interview go well, she will most likely have her visa before December. :thumbs:
Mark&FatimaNot TellingPhilippines2012-03-24 21:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresbring my wife to the US

So I been reading around, I am being confused if I should have also filed form K-3 ? or did I file correctly?
I have sent I-130 , G325a forms for ME and HER, Evidences that were married, pictures, letters, etc.. thanks


The K3 is (from what I know) administratively closed and no longer beneficial (K3 used to be faster but this is no longer the case). You sent in the I-130 and G325a, which will give your wife a CR-1 visa (would be an IR-1 visa had you been married more than 2 years). Sounds like you did everything right :) This link shows the differences between the visas.

Edited by Mark&Fatima, 24 March 2012 - 09:42 PM.

Mark&FatimaNot TellingPhilippines2012-03-24 21:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresbring my wife to the US

Hi everyone, I just filed my wife. We got married in the philippines in Dec of 2011. I am a US Citizen born in Hawaii. I filed in late January 2012 Form I-130 and form G-325a including all documents needed. I sent them to the Chicago Lockbox, they have received the paperworks a couple days after, I received form I-797c (notice of action) through mail.

Case type : I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
Priority date: Feb 6, 2012
Preference classification: 201 B INA SPOUSE OF USC

I believe its been rerouted to the California Service Center for approval. I have been checking my "case status" online everyday and its been almost 2 months now that nothing has been updated. As of today (march 24, 2012) case status is under "initial review" followed by "Decision" & "Post Decision activity".

I just want to know how long the process will take or should I say how long more (aproxx) until my wife should be here. thank you in advance.


You're waiting for the NOA2, which is the longest part of the Visa process. CSC (California Service Center) is supposed to finish processing I-130's in less than 5 months, but lately it's been taking between 6-7 months. Be sure to read the very helpful guides here on VJ (mainly these links) and be prepared for the next steps. Double, and triple check everything you do, so you can avoid a dreaded RFE (Request for Further Evidence) to minimize the time. Ask as many questions as you need here and you'll get plenty of help. Be glad you found VJ, this site has helped me immensely! Realistically a CR-1 Visa (which I'm assuming you are trying to get) takes between 6-12 months before your wife will have her Visa in hand and ready to fly to the U.S.

Good luck on your journey!

(also, please fill out your timeline here on VJ. It helps keep time estimates accurate for everyone who uses this site) :thumbs:

Edited by Mark&Fatima, 24 March 2012 - 09:10 PM.

Mark&FatimaNot TellingPhilippines2012-03-24 21:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresStarting the Journey Soon

Well an update for you folks!!

SHE SAID YES AN WE ARR NOW ENGAGED.

Think we are planning a spring wedding on Tybee Isand GA.

Guess now the hard work begins.

We are probably going down the CR1 route as it will allow me to work immediately on entry.


:dance: Congrats! Hope your lives together is all you could ever wish for. Good luck to you two :)
Mark&FatimaNot TellingPhilippines2012-04-16 16:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresStarting the Journey Soon

Thanks for the advice.
Do you know how we can print out Skype chat history?


I use yahoo messenger so I did a quick search and I found this on Skype printing (hope it's still relevant): My link and here's one on VJ: My link

Edited by Mark&Fatima, 03 April 2012 - 04:22 PM.

Mark&FatimaNot TellingPhilippines2012-04-03 16:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresStarting the Journey Soon
I would also add to start collecting evidence of your relationship. Keep receipts for anything you buy for her (your wedding ring, flowers you sent, etc). Print chat logs and phone records. Take lots of pics during your time together (which of course, every couple does anyway). Open a bank account together while you are here (and other things listed as evidence of a bonifide marriage in the I-130 instructions).

Others gave great advice...it's really not very difficult, just follow directions, search or ask questions, and be happy you found VJ, it's really a great help!
Mark&FatimaNot TellingPhilippines2012-04-03 14:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 G325A dumb question

When I filled out that form, I ticked "other" and typed "Form I-130" and had no issues.


Same here
Mark&FatimaNot TellingPhilippines2012-04-15 15:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresEmails from NVC with empty pdfs - PAOSF I-130 FOR NEOPOST DS-1200 and ACL FOR NEOPOST DS-1200

Hi Everyone,

We sent our i-130 in about two months ago and hadn't heard anything until today when we got two emails. The emails had a message about the attachments only being for the named but the attachments (both pdfs) were blank when I tried to open or download them.

Please help!

The attachments were:
1) CSBxxxxxxxxxx (PAOSF I-130 FOR NEOPOST DS-1200)
and
2) CSBxxxxxxxxxx (ACL FOR NEOPOST DS-1200)(CC)

I'm assuming that the CSB # is our case number, but what were the attachments? Will they resend them?

What should we do now? We're excited to have heard something but at a loss as to what to do next. Thank you.

Vago and Hanane


I got the same thing today (except mine was for AIVF FOR NEOPOST DS-1200). I emailed them about it but have not gotten a reply other than their automated message.

other info - I'm using PDF Converter Enterprise 7.1, and I tried opening it from Firefox and IE but no luck.

Edited by Mark&Fatima, 01 June 2012 - 11:18 AM.

Mark&FatimaNot TellingPhilippines2012-06-01 11:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC - fee payment online problem. HELP!

Do you have any idea why we can't make payment? we can sign in without problems, but as soon as we press "pay selected fees" the screen say the same message all over again "Page not found"

it's sooo frustrating. is there any other way to pay? and pay attention - i am using Internet Explorer 9



You can also mail a money order or cashiers check instead of using their online payment system. I had problems twice online so I just mailed it to them...no problems at all, just took a couple of extra days. You can find more info here: My link
Mark&FatimaNot TellingPhilippines2012-07-20 15:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow Long Does NOA1 Take?
Mine took about a week. Be patient, you'll get it :yes:

(and yes, I realize you're applying for a K1 vs my CR-1, but the NOA1 is the same thing, just them letting you know they received your application)

Edited by Mark&Fatima, 27 October 2011 - 10:48 AM.

Mark&FatimaNot TellingPhilippines2011-10-27 10:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresApplying for fiance visa
Welcome to VJ! You'll find all the answers you need and many helpful people here...be glad you found it :)

You'll need a K1 visa, since you're engaged and not married yet. This guide will help and don't be afraid to ask questions, especially in the K1 forums. Good luck in your journey!
Mark&FatimaNot TellingPhilippines2012-03-18 14:42:00