ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomLondon 2012- K1s from NOA2 to interview thread

Try reading post 6 in this thread. There is no exact order.

 

I've read it three separate times.  It answered one question (I misread a sentence).  Thanks.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-19 13:36:00
United KingdomLondon 2012- K1s from NOA2 to interview thread

Okay, I'm putting together a detailed Word document with all of the items required, fees involved, where to get various things, etc.

 

But I'm struggling with the timeline.

 

I understand that you can gather documents needed from petitioner (I-134 and supporting documents), get immunizations, and get police certificate around NOA2 to prepare.  But it's after NOA2 that I'm getting lost.    

I have the steps, I think, I just don't know what order they go in.

 

 

- Once you receive the NOA2, your file gets forwarded to NVC.  After about two weeks, you can call NVC to get your LND# and check status - correct?

- The file is passed on from NVC to the Embassy - correct?  At this point, does the Embassy let you know they have your file, or do you have to call to check this, as well?

- At what point do you send in the DS2001?  Where is it sent?

- When do you provide the other DS documents from "packet 3"?

- At what point (besides after you get the police certificate) should you have your medical done - I saw something like at least four days prior to the interview, is this the only requirement?  Is there such thing as having your medical too early? 

- I believe the medical results are sent directly to the embassy and you aren't given anything to take with you to the interview - correct?

- Does anything else occur prior to the interview?

- Once the interview happens, how long does it take to get your visa and the mysterious envelope that doesn't get opened until POE?

 

 

Sorry, I know the answers are out there, and it's probably very simple, but I've been trying for days and I just can't wrap my head around it helpsmilie.gif

 

 

 

 

 


 

Did you forget to paste something in? huh.png

 

Sorry, I hit something while I was editing and my text just disappeared.  Didn't realize it had posted.  Please see my corrected entry.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-19 12:34:00
United KingdomLondon 2012- K1s from NOA2 to interview thread

Okay, I'm putting together a detailed Word document with all of the items required, fees involved, where to get various things, etc.

 

But I'm struggling with the timeline.

 

This is what I have so far:

 

1) Around the time of NOA2, you can gather documents needed from petitioner (I-134 and supporting documents), get immunizations, and get police certificate.

2) After NOA2 is received:

 


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-19 12:02:00
United KingdomLondon 2012- K1s from NOA2 to interview thread

 

I guess it's just different there.  It seems to be no big thing to just go by a different name in the UK. 

 

From UK citizen's advice: http://www.advicegui...nge_of_name.htm

 

If you wish to be known by a different name you can change your name at any time, provided you do not intend to deceive or defraud another person. There is no legal procedure to follow in order to change a name. You simply start using the new name. You can change your forename or surname, add names or rearrange your existing names.

 

It probably should be noted that later on in the article it does say that this is not acceptable in all circumstances.  I'm guessing for immigration purposes, a more formal method is necessary (especially because you do have to have a valid passport, and a passport is one of the things that it says a deed poll is required for).

 

 

Technically, in the US, you can "go by" any name you want.  To be able to have that name on official things, like credit cards, ID's, etc., though, you do have to go through official channels.  For a divorce in the US, part of the documentation needed for your divorce hearing has a question about whether or not you are reverting to your maiden name.  When the judge signs off on the divorce documents, after your hearing, the certified copy serves as your proof that you legally changed your name.  You give this to the Social Security office to get a new SS card, and then present it at the DMV to get your revised driver's license and/or state ID.  At this point, you're pretty much official.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-18 11:53:00
United KingdomLondon 2012- K1s from NOA2 to interview thread

After being a UK forum regular for five years, I do think it helps to put a date. And if you read this whole thread I have elaborated on that a few times. You do not have to put a date. I personally made up a wedding date for the form. The only reason they even ask is for scheduling purposes.

 

 

Oh, hunny, I only got about 15 pages in before I started to go a bit cross-eyed ;)  These forums are very helpful but reading them chronologically not only gets overwhelming (especially with 85 pages!), it makes you question your sanity after a bit *lol*

Thanks for the info.  I had a suspicion, but better safe than sorry.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-14 20:08:00
United KingdomLondon 2012- K1s from NOA2 to interview thread

"When you have obtained all of the required documents and are prepared for the visa interview, you are required to complete the Notification of Applicant(s) Readiness, Form 2001 and mail it to the Immigrant Visa Unit together with a cover letter containing your email address, if applicable, date of your wedding, and date of the medical exam."

 

Is "date of your wedding" necessary, do you know?  We won't know ours exactly in advance, since we'll be basically doing a quick ceremony as soon as we receive the license, just to get the AOS started, and then we'll have a larger, more fun do (like a wedding celebration, I suppose) later on when we can afford it.  I'm not sure if the "if applicable" part applies to just the email address or all items listed there.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-14 13:48:00
United KingdomWhat parts of English culture will you/do you miss?

Woodchuck is too sweet for me, and Angry Orchard (depending on the type) is too watery.  I like dry ciders like Strongbow (Sam Smith's is my favorite), but most places in my area serve Angry Orchard now.  Oh, well, anything is better than Magners.

 

Even as the USC, I "miss" the NHS, the scenery, the layout of towns (that great mix of residential and commercial), all the free or low-cost things to do (that don't involve shopping, driving two hours, or paying $15 to park), those decaying touristy piers, the history, carveries, and little things like pasties or a good cream tea that only costs a few quid (I swear, I'm under 40... I just think there's something very calming and relaxing about a good cream tea). 


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2014-01-07 15:27:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusQuestion about getting the medical

No need to wait if the packet is coming soon.

Don't know if this will happen for you but when we scheduled our medical they asked if we had the police certificate.  We didn't have that yet, but we just said it was on its way and they were fine with that.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-11 16:32:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHit a bump and need some advice on flying with the wife.

I'm confused by what you mean by "match her K-1 visa".  Do you mean match her passport?

 

If so, I would follow Umka36's advice.  From everything I've read, the name on the ticket should match the ID.  If you're unable to change the name or cancel the flight and rebook, then bring the marriage certificate which is proof of name change.  

 

I don't have personal experience with this (I've always booked my tickets with the name on my passport, even if that was not my current name) but I have read of people doing this on travel blogs and having success.  


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-12-27 17:29:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)NVC has idiots working

 

I need a REAL American tooo look at this paperwork!..not the immigrants they have working there..

 

 

I think you'll enjoy Tennessee a lot.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-02 10:42:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)NVC says 8 weeks to receive petition?

I just called today as well.  Was on hold for 30 minutes.

Our NOA2 was issued August 6th.  They JUST got our packet on August 30th.

 

Wait another week, they should have it.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-04 12:12:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionLondon - Instructions for DS Forms and Scheduling Medical

 

My timeline is a standard timeline for a standard case.  London does generally make attempts to squeeze people into an earlier interview slot when possible, so be sure and be very clear on your cover letter detailing your wedding date and when you plan to travel to the US.  They very well may be able to get you an earlier appointment.  There are no guarantees of course, but i'd say that it is feasible.

 

Thank you.  It's always good to know there's hope.  It's a very special date for us.

 

Turns out my fiance misread the instructions for the medical.  He thought he needed the police certificate before he could schedule the medical, not attend it.  He's going to schedule it tomorrow, so hopefully things will go fast!


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-18 11:27:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionLondon - Instructions for DS Forms and Scheduling Medical

I sent in my forms except the Readiness form before the medical, and then sent in the Readiness form just before my medical.  Honestly though, with the way the timing is, sending the forms earlier won't speed it up much if at all.  Basically they won't schedule your interview until they have all your forms and the medical, and it's 2-4 weeks after they get the medical when they schedule the interview which is about a month later.  Also, medical is about a two week wait for an appointment (at least last I heard a few weeks ago they were scheduling 2 weeks out.  So once you are ready to schedule your medical, you can get the appointment then mail in all your documentation.  That gives them 3 weeks to receive all your forms and get them logged in (this figures in the 5 day wait for the results of the medical to arrive).  

 

Like I said, it doesn't hurt to send in the forms early, but from our experience, it's really not likely to speed the process between medical and interview.   

 

 

I agree. Mail all of the other forms and call to book your medical (you just need the LND# from NVC). 

 

Send the DS2001 form when you have everything in hand. The form is signed to be you lawfully saying that you have everything ready and in hand - as in, if they gave you an interview date of tomorrow, you'd be good to go. 

 

I wouldn't risk sending the DS2001 before you have everything....just in case things get lost in the mail.

 

As was mentioned, the Embassy won't schedule your interview until they have the medical results in hand anyway, so sending the DS2001 way ahead of the medical won't help you at all.

 

Good luck!

 

 

 

Thank you UK-USA-K1 and ChicagoSarah, this was very helpful.  We're shooting for a November 23rd wedding date, so I was trying to shave off any time I could, and was hoping the interview would be scheduled faster if they had everything in hand already when the medical results came in.  

 

With the timeline UK-USA-K1 posted, though, it looks like we're not going to make it sad.png  


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-18 11:17:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionLondon - Instructions for DS Forms and Scheduling Medical

I think the website (http:london.usembassy.gov/iv_15.html) was just updated with the changes for the DS-260, so I'm not sure if this was there before, but there appears to be a slight contradiction between steps 2 and 3 and I was wondering what other people have done.

 

 

Step 2 says "...complete the Notification of Applicant(s) Readiness, Form 2001 and mail it to the Immigrant Visa Unit together with a covering letter containing your email address, if applicable, date of your wedding and date of the medical examination."

 

Step 3 says "Schedule a medical examination"

 

 

Right now, we are waiting for the police certificate to arrive (requirement for the medical to be scheduled).  We'd like to send in the DS forms and cover letter while we're waiting.  Can we do this even though the medical hasn't been scheduled yet?  Do we just leave that date off the cover letter?  

Or would it be better to wait until the medical is scheduled before sending anything in?  

 

 

(Sorry if this has already been asked, but I couldn't find anything much more recent than 2006, and the search function is being a little wonky on me today.)


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-17 12:44:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134 form to be sent to the Embassy before interview or not?

DS230 has been replaced by the online form DS260, yes?

 

http://www.visajourn...ing-the-ds-230/

 

Or does this not apply to all regions?


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-22 09:58:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionGovernment Shutdown

I don't think any of us could know for absolute certain.  These are probably considered "non-essential functions" and so would likely be cut in the event of a shutdown, but I wouldn't worry about it too much.  Government shutdown has been threatened a couple of times, mostly just empty threats or the House trying to swing its power around.  No one actually wants it to happen, so it's basically the Congressional equivalent of playing "chicken".  A deal is usually struck at the final moments to keep services at 100% because nobody wants the blame for that, politically.  

 

Not a guarantee, but I wouldn't get too concerned about it.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-22 09:49:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionHow long now?

Our embassy interview was just over a month from when the embassy received the medical (they already had everything else).  I think the letter came about a week and a half after the medical was received, can't remember exactly.  

 

Embassy interview resulted in an approval, and the visa was received exactly one week later (on Thanksgiving Day, no less).

 

Lost_at_sea has a good point about the holidays, might delay things a bit for you.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-12-05 13:51:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionRequest for 'more' evidence that we don't have. Help!

Is there a reason why she is not listed on the mortgage? She has all the proper documents now... Why aren't you both on the deed?

I'm sorry, I just can't understand why she's not on anything if you are both married!

 

I've been married before and been in the same boat.

 

Separate credit cards and banking accounts (I'm bad with my money, he was really good, so having separate accounts helped me better manage my side of things), our insurance was supposed to be under both our names but after spending three years trying to get our agent to update this we gave up, and the mortgage wasn't changed due to the expensive title fees involved.  We also had no land line, separate cell phones (I had a cadillac AT&T package whereas he went TMobile prepaid), no magazine subscriptions, only I had health insurance (his employer didn't offer it and my employer asked for more than a month's rent to add a spouse), and the few bills we had were in his name (since he was "the bookkeeper").

 

Pretty much the only thing in both of our names were the tax returns.

 

We didn't really plan it that way, but that's how it ended up.  Granted, we were both USC's, so it didn't matter, but I can see how it happens.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-28 12:43:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI got RFE .... :( any help?

Well, it says that they need evidence that "covers two years".  It sounds like you sent lots of evidence but much of it didn't cover the period they needed?

Maybe in addition to the taxes from 2012, can you send them your rental agreement(s) before last August, as well as your bank statements and bills covering that period, if you have them?  Better too much info than not enough.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-02 16:32:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionAR-11 Epic Fail!

 

How do we know there isn't a bunch of gnomes in an underground office somewhere printing all of these forms, manually creating punch cards, then feeding the cards into a reader?  Can we at least say it's possible?

 

smile.png

 

Maybe THAT'S Step 2!  They're taking our underwear and burning 'em to run their printers and card readers!

 

(South Park reference, for those confused right now.)


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-07 17:08:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionAR-11 Epic Fail!

 

 

Thanks @EricaandHeath! Using IE worked. I dont recall them saying something like "for best results use Internet Explorer"!!! Who still uses Internet Explorer in 2013???

 

I had the exact same thing happen when I was having issues paying my cell phone and cable TV bills online.  Not just the USCIS.  You'd think they'd learn.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-07 17:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI am so happy to share with you that I came to USA and currently staying with my husband...feeling very happy…….

 

                       I was eagerly waited for this day from last one and half year?I felt very happy that I will be seeing my husband in next 24 hours because I did not saw him from last one and half year?

 

I don't know how you did it.  I'm not normally the mushy, overly-romantic type, but it's been only a little over a month since the last time I saw my fiance and I'm an absolute quivering wreck *lol*

 

Congratulations, welcome to the US, and thanks for sharing your experience!


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-12 16:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsCase Complete, Medical Expedite

  The best medical care in most countries is cheaper than the worse care in the US.  For the uninsured the cost of even routine surgery is shattering.  My oldest son had an appendectomy without insurance. The hospital costs alone topped 100,000 .  If someone like a new immigrant does not have insurance and they have medical issues it will either fall back on their sponsor ( spouse)  or the treatment may be tagged as not urgent and delayed until you either save up for it or it becomes urgent.  How long will it take you to save up 100,000   Consider fixing whatever issue there it is probably cheaper. 

 

 

And even if you have insurance, "adding your spouse" isn't necessarily as simple as it sounds.  My employer offers insurance benefits for employees and spouses, but to add a spouse to the least-expensive policy costs more than what I pay in rent each month.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-23 16:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWhats wrong with USCIS?

I am sorry i didnt mean it directly at you. All i was saying is its useless trying to explain cr1 situation to k1 person because they are totally different. My comment was about all the k1 ppl who think they know how other feels. Sorry for misunderstanding. And i dont mind seeing k1 getting approved faster i just dont like how uscis ignore cr1 but thats not fault of k1 person so i cant blame them.

 

Well, we're all in long distance relationships, and I would venture that most of us, CR-1 and K-1 alike, know precisely what it feels like to spend so much time apart, or at the very least have very little difficulty understanding what it feels like.  

 

 

I'll admit, it's the ones with kids I really have trouble with.  I'm not even a very maternal person, but I cannot imagine what kind of hell that is like.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-31 20:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWhats wrong with USCIS?

Makes me wonder: Why would USCIS knowingly give preference to K-1?  Politically you'd think the CR1's would have more clout ("family values" and all that).  Do we pay more in fees or something?  Do K-1s tend to come more from allied countries?  Maybe I'm just not being creative enough in my thinking here... I'm just stabbing in the dark for reasons why it would be structured that way.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-31 19:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWhats wrong with USCIS?

 

Not trying to be mean or anything but talk is cheap, only the person who is going through this inhuman process understands the pain, but its a public forum and everyone is entitled to their opinions.  Good luck in your journey. Lets get back to the topic of USCIS instead of K-1 vs CR1

 

Except where I asked someone in another thread how the post-NOA2 process compares, I haven't said a word about "K-1 vs CR1", so I don't understand why this comment was directed at me.  

 

So far as the USCIS is concerned, I've said everything I need to on that.  The disparity between the processing times is terrible and wrong.  


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-31 17:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWhats wrong with USCIS?

I second what LoveInBrazil said.  I'm a long-winded person and I tend to bombard people I know with details.  If there's a blog out there or something that someone knows about which explains the process, what people have to go through, that can be posted and shared, that would be neat.  Because most people have absolutely no idea.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-31 14:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWhats wrong with USCIS?

 

Coming on a tourist Visa for purpose of marriage is fraud

 

 

This is what I mean by confusing.  I believed this wholeheartedly when we started and for a good while after (one of the many reasons we chose the K-1 route, as I mentioned before) but I've had multiple people tell me that it's not precisely true.  Some have said that if you come into the country on a tourist visa with evidence of ties to your country, get married, then leave and start the CR-1 process properly, you are fine.  I've even heard that you are not required to tell the customs officer you are getting married (that you're only required to inform them if they ask you).  Others say this isn't the case, it is fraud, period, and you could get banned for up to 10 years.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-31 14:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWhats wrong with USCIS?

 

I don't think the married couples are more legitimate, more power, or more painful. (Unless there are kids involved, then yes, it is way more painful than people with no kids. That doesn't mean your pain is invalid, it just means that carrying your own pain, plus the pain of your little ones is worse than just carrying your own.)  

Marriage might just be a piece of paper, relationship wise, but it's also a legal contract. As such, there is a legal commitment there that someone coming in on a fiance visa doesn't have. For instance, when I moved to the Netherlands, our relationship was filed as a civil union. So we were living together, etc, but it could be dissolved immediately by either party without having to go to court. We were only entitled to those assets that we brought into the relationship, etc.  As a married couple, we would need to divorce in the court (thus dissolving the legal contract between us) and split up our marital assets 50/50 because that's the way the law works in that country.  Fiance's do not have that legal contract in place, is all that I'm saying. And I think that having a legal contract should work in the favor of those who are married, which does not seem to be the case, currently. 

 

I don't think that fiance's should be slowly adjudicated. I think they should hire more people and speed up the process for all of us. 

 

And if you want to get married, you don't need a fiance visa to do so. You can do it on a tourist visa, you just can't adjust your status or immigrate. My husband and I got married here in NJ while he was on a tourist visa, and then we went back to the Netherlands. You only file for the fiance visa if you're planning on immigrating.  Yes, you need to adjust status afterwards, but you get to stay with your spouse while you're doing it.  I really do understand, I've done it, and it sucks having to go through that, but it's a completely different kind of suck when your spouse can't even visit you (without a serious chance of being denied entry) for months or possibly years.  

 

But I honestly don't blame the K1's. Not one little bit. I'm jealous as all hell that they are getting their files processed so quickly. I miss my husband so much there aren't even words. I cry every day. My kids cry every day. And I HATE the USCIS for doing this to all of us.  But it's not the other petitioner's faults. 

 

 

I agree with pretty much all of this.  But I definitely agree with this statement: All the files should be processed at the same speed.  

 

The process is confusing, especially when you're first starting and deciding what you need to do, and there is lots of misinformation out there.  When my fiance and I were looking at the options, it seemed to us that the CR-1 visa was intended for people who had met while one was living in the other country for a time (maybe on a student visa or something like that) and had already gotten married, and that wasn't us.  Also, we were seeing stories about people getting turned away at airports because they were planning on getting married and therefore were seen as a risk in the US of having intent to immigrate (I'd been told a couple times while visiting in the UK point-blank in Customs "you are not allowed to get married while you're here" *lol*), and as such thought the CR-1 route was either not the correct visa for us, or carried too much risk.  Right now, it's kind of a moot point, because it would be stupid to throw out all of the work we've done and money we've paid to get married and start over.  We are so close, relatively speaking.  Had I known the things I know now, we may have made a different decision (actually, we may have decided just to move to the UK instead of the US, but that's another topic entirely).

 

 

What you've said, though, is much more fair, and I appreciate it.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-31 14:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWhats wrong with USCIS?

 

Married couples are started their life but fiance are jus gonna start their life after they marry. thats the only reason. Preference can be given to one who already started. coz the pain is more for married couple. They shouldnot end up their relationship while the CR1 is on process. the legitimate relationship is more powerful n committed one than fiance visa applicants.If fiances breaks up the relationship, they wil be still single n can get another fiance. but for married couples, if they ends up the relationship, their status wil be changed to divorced. I dont want this to happen to married couples when CR1 is on the process. If they live together , the interest n intimacy wil be increasing. It decreases the divorce case. they can stay , committed with the relationship. I jus dont want USCIS to be the root cause for couples getting divorce. Any more explanation u want?

 

My fiance and I have also "started our lives" together.  We make daily decisions together, "landlord" a house together, make financial decisions and plans together, are each others' legal beneficiaries, cry when we're missing the other, feel like throwing things at the wall when we hear of yet another delay, support one another, and do everything that a married couple who lives 4,000 miles apart and is also trying to be together would do (except on top of all of that, we also have to try to plan a wedding when we have no idea when we'll be able to get married). That stuff is already happening.  It's not like we live completely separate lives until one day we get this magical piece of paper and suddenly our lives are joined.  They are already joined.  We have already started our lives together.  Or as much as anyone can from this distance. 

 

I agree that USCIS should not be a root cause for divorce, but it ALSO should not be a root cause ANY couple to split.  The end result is the same: Two people who were in love are now going their separate ways.  I don't want that to happen to anybody.  

 

I've been married before, I know what it's like from both sides.  Marriage is not a magic wand that amplifies the pain of being separated.  It's a piece of paper.  Being separated from the person you love is being separated from the person you love, period.  And if my fiance and I were to split up for some reason, it's not like I'd just shrug my shoulders and "get another" fiance (any more than you would just turn around and "get another" spouse).    

 

I am very sorry for the couples here that have to be separated for so long, and it does appear that CR-1s have to wait longer and there is no excuse for that.  It should be equal.  Loved ones should be reunited at the same pace.  

But the things you've said here about being "legitimate" and "more powerful" or that you experience "more pain" are pretty darn offensive, especially when the only reason we're not already married is because we're waiting for the government to let us!  


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-31 11:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWhats wrong with USCIS?

 

Nope, after the NOA2 is issued it's pretty much the same (minus the fact that CR-1s need to file an AOS. Actually, I think it's shorter for K-1s after they get their NOA2 because they don't spend a lot of time at the NVC from what I've read, and also get to schedule their own interview date, which CR-1s aren't allowed to do. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. The NOA2 part is the one that causes CR-1s to be so slow because right now it's taking anywhere from 12-16 months, whereas K-1s are getting their NOA2 in 2-3, it appears. Terrible is an understatement for the current state of I-130s. 

 

 

Depends on what "a lot of time" means.  I honestly have no frame of reference here because I haven't been involved in the CR1/IR1 process at all. For K-1s, my understanding was that NVC doesn't actually do much with the approved applications except forward them to the embassy.  Despite this, it still took 1.5 months for us, which is about 3 times what the turnaround used to be.

But no, we don't get to schedule our interview date.  If you call the embassy, they will say they can't help you and you need to complete an online inquiry.  You do that, and a week or so later you just get a canned response that basically says "wait for your letter".  

When I was in the NOA1-NOA2 phase, it was about 3-6 months for NOA2.  We got ours in 4, which was nice, we were on track to make our wedding day at that point, so we started with the wedding planning, which ended up being a bit of a mistake.  The instructions say that it goes really fast after you get your NOA2 but actually, for us it's been longer (or, rather, will have been longer once we complete this part) than the processing at USCIS. Because of the ever-shifting schedules and delays, we've had to keep scaling back our wedding plans to the point where we can basically get up and married with at most two week's notice, which means our venue is... not precisely traditional (I really don't know how other people manage to pull off these huge traditional weddings when going through the K-1 process).  This is making me extremely nervous, though; I'm worried that a really basic wedding in an unusual venue will throw up red flags when my fiance goes to apply for his green card.  

 

Question about dealing with the UKBA as you mentioned: You said your "marriage visit visa".  Is this just to let the non-UK citizen into the country to get married, with the intent of returning to their home country?  Or was that for immigration purposes, too (like a K-1 ultimately is)? 


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-31 10:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWhats wrong with USCIS?

so what about me my wife she filler i-130 in 19-08-2013 and she got NOA 1 in 25-08-2013 i think it will take long time

we must be patiance ....and why K1 visa don't take time like CR1 shocked.gif shocked.gif

 

 

I don't know very much about the CR1 process, but perhaps a reason that it looks like the K-1 takes such a short time because there are multiple steps.  We were "approved" in early August, but it's still probably going to be another two months before we get the visa.  Not sure if there are similar steps to the CR1, as well... in which case if there are, I'm really sorry sad.png   Apparently there are more CR1 applicants than K-1s, which really surprised me!  I thought it would be the other way around.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-10-30 16:26:00
Mexico, Latin & South AmericaColombia Club Part IV
Hi all, just wanted to introduce myself. My fiance is from Medellín but spent her first 7 years in Pasto and then one year in Rionegro before coming here in 2010 on a F-1. We will be getting married in two weeks and will be beginning the process to change her status and get an EAD. We will be following the "Step-by-Step Guide on How to File an I-130 for a Spouse Inside the US" and I'll create a timeline as soon as we start the process. Can't wait to meet other users and maybe practice my limited Spanish in the other thread. ;)
BearDownMaleColombia2012-12-10 22:23:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionExtended Review after Husband's Naturalization Interview?


I appreciate your response but don't see why you had to be so sarcastic.

I guess Brother H  thinks he appoints even the Presidential candidate of this country. You may ignore these kind of irrelevant answers. After all we are paying the govt. to work, if they don't we've all rights to question them.


cashwindowsMaleIndia2013-07-21 21:05:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionPlease Help!! Questions for N-400 Jan 2014

Except your question # 3 - The state id is sufficient for an address proof, rest of your questions definitely requires an experienced attorney to solve those complications on your N400 filing.


cashwindowsMaleIndia2013-12-31 19:15:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionHello.... N400 delayed, Rude USCIS Supervisor, No Changes in RFE status, Congressional Enquiry

Thankfully you got through it. some of us are still stuck. but I think USCIS needs a independent authority overlooking their whole process. Kind of harrassment people go through is mind boggling. 


I think it's hight time for u get hold of a good immigration attorney, if you feel that your case is getting delayed for no reason. After all that's how it worked for me.
cashwindowsMaleIndia2014-05-02 19:06:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionHello.... N400 delayed, Rude USCIS Supervisor, No Changes in RFE status, Congressional Enquiry

Congratulations! Finally!!!

Thank you!


cashwindowsMaleIndia2014-04-21 13:23:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionHello.... N400 delayed, Rude USCIS Supervisor, No Changes in RFE status, Congressional Enquiry

Congratulations!! Wonderful news!!!

 

Thank you!


cashwindowsMaleIndia2014-04-02 19:40:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionHello.... N400 delayed, Rude USCIS Supervisor, No Changes in RFE status, Congressional Enquiry

CONGRATULATIONS!  Well done!!!  Welcome, fellow new citizen!!!

 

 

 

 

Thank you! :)


cashwindowsMaleIndia2014-04-01 18:55:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionHello.... N400 delayed, Rude USCIS Supervisor, No Changes in RFE status, Congressional Enquiry

Congrats, Can't believe what you've been put through with USCIS.

 

Thank you! Some tougher days in life! I'm now out of it with god's grace...


Congratulation, I am so happy for you.

 

Thank you!


cashwindowsMaleIndia2014-03-31 00:24:00