ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduressomeone please wake me up
Congrats!
misaFemaleCanada2006-12-18 20:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSOO HAPPY..but what do i do next?
I don't know about your next steps, but congrats!
misaFemaleCanada2007-01-03 20:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresstill no NOA2
I'd love it if an ex-USCIS employee signed up to tell us all exactly what goes on during processing, etc., etc. It can't be all that much since if one is fortunate to do DCF, petitions are approved in as little as 1 day.
misaFemaleCanada2007-01-06 17:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresstill no NOA2

I wouldn't recommend trying this until it's really been a long time-ie, until we're outside of the processing dates listed by Vermont. Not only is this maneuver sneaky, it also takes time away from them processing other cases. Not to mention if we all start doing it, they're sure to catch on.

Good points.
misaFemaleCanada2006-12-19 11:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresstill no NOA2

I am seeing Late october filers getting approved... I am beginning to loose hope here... I mean if there was a problem with paperwork they should have let me know by now. And " we will process the applications in the order they were received" is bull ####### i think. :(

It's total bull that they process in the order they receive. I've seen K1s at VSC get approved in as little as 9 days (recently too) while K3s take longer after reaching the service centre (i am not including transfer time from Chicago to NBC to service centre). Why do K1s get processed so quickly? It hardly makes sense since K1s and K3s still have to undergo the same process of interview and AOS after entry.

Anyhow, I read in another thread that maybe you should make them touch your file. Someone sent in another copy of their marriage certificate along with a letter stating that they think they "forgot" to include it the first time. After it was sent it, their file was touched and an approval came shortly after. It's worth a shot.

Edited by misa, 19 December 2006 - 10:41 AM.

misaFemaleCanada2006-12-19 10:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresstill no NOA2

niagra, where did you see that someone from oct 24 got an approval from VSC?

Third link is from October 24 and the others are from earlier in October for VSC:

Two for K3 (with I-130 approval)

http://www.visajourn...le.php?id=27188
http://www.visajourn...le.php?id=26701

And two for IR-1/CR-1:

http://www.visajourn...le.php?id=26992
http://www.visajourn...le.php?id=27259

Edited by misa, 18 December 2006 - 08:13 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2006-12-18 20:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMarriage with a US Citizen

It's a big chance to take just to prove you were above the rules. The correct way to to do and the consequences of immigration fraud have already been stated. I have a friend in Calif who met a girl online and she came down from Canada. They married in 2 weeks. This happened back in July. She just passed her 6 month limit to be here, and was telling me all smug like how she did all this and applied for her I130 just like some of her other relatives have done. She even asked me why I don't do like her!!! Well when she heard about the rules and visa, and the words IMMIGRATION FRAUD. Now she is walking around a scared mess, knowing full well if the CO pays attention to the fact that they married a mere two weeks after arrival, she is looking at a ban. Those of us who chose to follow the rules get punished with additonal waits and bureaucratic mess by those of you who break the rules.

Does she plan on going back up to Canada or is she going to risk the overstay? The smart thing for her to do is go back home ASAP.
misaFemaleCanada2007-01-07 14:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMarriage with a US Citizen

It frustrates me to no end because I am sitting here waiting out this long process for my fiance visa and find it so unfair that other people are getting away with something that I was told not to do. So, does anyone have any idea why some are still getting away with this?


It's something that frustrates us all of us I think regardless of what route we're taking (K1, K3, CR/IR). It's a huge risk for people to do that since it is immigration fraud and could bite them in the ### when it comes time to do their adjustment of status. If they get denied, they have to leave and get barred from the country (I think that's how it works).

There is someone here that posted recently that their lawyer advised them that an overstay would be forgiven but their husband ended up getting deported.

It's just not worth the risk IMHO.
misaFemaleCanada2007-01-07 13:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMy turn to celebrate!
Congrats!
misaFemaleCanada2007-01-03 20:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 confusion
Yup, that's right. Quick pitstop at NVC and then onto the consulate. :)
misaFemaleCanada2007-01-11 17:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 confusion
If they're approved at the same time, then the I-130 will take longer. After approval the I-129F goes to the NVC, then on to the consulate. The I-130 it looks like needs to be requested to be forwarded (for a $200 fee) for NVC processing and there's a whole flowchart of things at that level before an interview.

The CR is the better visa though since it is an immigrant visa. The K3 is non-immigrant and you have to adjust status upon arrival, however, it reunites you with your spouse much faster. If time is not of the essence, then go for the CR/IR over the K3.

Edited by misa, 11 January 2007 - 05:32 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-01-11 17:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresApproved I-130 Recieved says my beneficiary is in the US!!!!!

Oh jeez - just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, I came across all this stuff !

the last to hear eh ?

Well I left question 22 on the 130 totally blank as it said

'22. Complete the information below if your relative is in the United States and will apply for adjustment of status.'


I filed for a K3 but left that blank on the I-130 since I don't live there. They approved my I-130 at the same time as my I-129F with no RFE. NVC is pretty good at determining the consulate.

But since I left it blank, I am not sure if they are retaining the I-130 yet. We haven't received either NOA2 in the mail as of yet.

Edited by misa, 14 January 2007 - 02:00 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-01-14 13:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresChanges in I-130, "evidence that bona fides your marriage"
I don't have experience with this (used the old for for K3) but it also wouldn't hurt to show proof of visits, letters, email, phone calls, gifts, etc.
misaFemaleCanada2007-01-11 20:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresOK quick question on I-130
You need to fill out a G-325A for yourself and your wife has to file one for herself too. I don't know about the stepson.
misaFemaleCanada2007-01-11 22:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHelp!
When it comes to immigration, there's no "definite" at any point. If you want to support your spouse then definitley go to the interview. It won't hurt and it might help.
misaFemaleCanada2007-01-16 20:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHow long until I130 gets to NVC?
Yeah, that is weird. There was a previous question of whether part of it was based on what you answered for question 22 on the I-130. I left it blank since I am not in the U.S.

Vermont usually forwards things to NVC really quickly too so it seems that yours was retained.

I wonder if they retained yours anyway despite saying that they didn't? There are a few people who have filed to have it forwarded. I hope yours gets forwarded soon!

Have you been watching your touches online? Maybe that will give you an indication of when they will forward it.

Edited by misa, 24 January 2007 - 10:25 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-01-24 22:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHow long until I130 gets to NVC?
Mine does, but it's because I also filed the I-129F for a K3 and both petitions were approved the same day.

I thought that if you only filed for CR-1/IR-1 it would automatically be forwarded to NVC?
misaFemaleCanada2007-01-24 22:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHow long until I130 gets to NVC?
Does your notice say it's being retained?

Edited by misa, 24 January 2007 - 09:22 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-01-24 21:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 Approved
Congrats!
misaFemaleCanada2007-01-31 23:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresShould I send spouse copy of I-864?
The embassy or consulate does receive an electronic copy and a hardcopy of the case. But just to be on the safe side, I second what riblet says about sending her a copy of EVERYTHING you submitted.
misaFemaleCanada2007-02-04 19:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMontreal Embassy made mistake on IR-1 visa stamp
Did you call the consulate to ask whether it's been fixed and how they are sending it back? I hope not regular mail!
misaFemaleCanada2007-02-07 16:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMontreal Embassy made mistake on IR-1 visa stamp
Hopefully they'll get it back to you within a week. :)
misaFemaleCanada2007-02-01 17:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMontreal Embassy made mistake on IR-1 visa stamp
Call their IV unit today. 2-4 p.m. EST. Dial the main number, then hit 4.
misaFemaleCanada2007-02-01 13:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTHE PROCESS OF I-130
Congrats! Glad to see things worked out. :)
misaFemaleCanada2007-02-17 11:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhich way is the most cost effective in the long haul
Thanks for the luck, I'll be a nervous wreck before my interview I'm sure, and good luck with whichever visa you decide to pursue. Also check out the Canada subforum, we're very friendly there. :)
misaFemaleCanada2007-02-23 21:00:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhich way is the most cost effective in the long haul
CR-1 - cheapest but slowest, does not require adjustment of status
K1 - fastest but requires adjustment of status
K3 - faster than CR-1 but requires adjustment of status and an additional filing fee over the K1.

However, I just noticed that you're in Vancouver. If you file for a CR-1, you'd have to interview in Montreal and spend that money on flying out there and a hotel. Montreal is notoriously slow with interviews as well.

So the cheapest and fastest option for you would be the K1 (you'd interview in Vancouver). However adjustment of status is a big headache for a lot of people, so... consider your options and how much time you are willing to wait and the costs involved.
misaFemaleCanada2007-02-23 00:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresK3 vs CR1
Depends on the consulate I think and how they schedule things with NVC.

For example, with K3 interviews in Montreal, Canada it looks like a wait time of about 4 months after submitting packet 3 back before an interview. With completed CR-1/IR-1 cases, looks like a wait time of maybe 2 months from NVC case complete.
misaFemaleCanada2007-02-23 11:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHow do we enter USA from Canada with approved IR-1 visa in passport ?
No problem at all activating at a land crossing in a rental car and then flying from BUF. Once you're in the U.S. doesn't matter that you're dropping off the car across the border and hopping on a domestic flight. It's what I'll be doing with my K3 (aside from the flying, we're picking up a second rental car at BUF).

Look around for the cheapest place to rent a car one way. Most rental companies here I've learned do not charge an additional fee for this if you pickup in Toronto and drop off at BUF (going pretty much else in the U.S. with a one way from Toronto gets you a hefty $1,000 non-refundable drop off charge).

Actually I'd be interested in the best (i.e., not busy, knowledgable staff) crossing from Toronto to Buffalo as well. I'm going to post in the Canada forum about this. :)

Edited by misa, 25 February 2007 - 01:32 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-02-25 13:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMedical Exams
I don't think so. They need to put her case number on it and you don't get that until the petition is approved and case number assigned by the NVC.
misaFemaleCanada2007-03-11 13:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAll Good If Interview Scheduled?
Having an interview scheduled doesn't guarantee a visa or not being held ups. Believe me, I wish it did!

There are other security checks performed at the consulate level. Lots of people get stuck in Administrative Review/Administrative Processing after their interviews due to additional security checks, waivers needing to be filed, asking for more evidence. People also get denied too and their petitions sent back to the U.S.

Edited by misa, 13 March 2007 - 06:27 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-03-13 18:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTracking Recently Approved I130 Petitions
Stacey33 also sent in the I-824 in November and nothing yet.
misaFemaleCanada2007-01-31 11:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTracking Recently Approved I130 Petitions
That's super frustrating for those who filed to forward their approved petition...
misaFemaleCanada2007-01-29 21:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTracking Recently Approved I130 Petitions
Oh, you can also updated me as "NO" for filing I-824. Not bothering with the CR-1/IR-1.
misaFemaleCanada2007-01-28 21:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTracking Recently Approved I130 Petitions
I'm not filing for a CR-1/IR-1 but I'm just curious, for those who filed & paid for their I-130 to be forwarded to NVC, has it been forwarded yet?
misaFemaleCanada2007-01-28 01:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTracking Recently Approved I130 Petitions
Let me clarify, looks like they are retaining regardless of whether you answered question 22 *if* you have filed an I-129 as well (or maybe only if it is also approved at the same time).
misaFemaleCanada2007-01-22 22:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTracking Recently Approved I130 Petitions
Thanks Riblet. He just left... :(

Anyhoo, he brought the I-130 approval and says that I indicated that I am in the U.S., blah blah blah. Not true. The I-130 application we filed, we left question 22 completely blank (didn't write "none" or "n/a", just blank) since I am not in the U.S. and we did not write down any consulate on the form (I just double-checked our copy again).

Looks like they are retaining the I-130 if you file an I-129 regardless of what you write down for question 22.

So you can also update my status to "retain".

Edited by misa, 22 January 2007 - 08:49 PM.

misaFemaleCanada2007-01-22 20:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTracking Recently Approved I130 Petitions
My husband just got both NOA2s today (for I-130 and I-129F). They were both approved on the same day (January 9). NVC received my I-129F on January 11 and it was shipped out to their mailroom on January 12. NVC doesn't have record of the I-130 yet... I'll post back tomorrow what the NOA2 for the I-130 says when I get it tomorrow. He's coming up for a visit. :)
misaFemaleCanada2007-01-17 19:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTracking Recently Approved I130 Petitions
FYI, I called the NVC today to get my case number for my K3 and they don't have a record of the approved I-130 so I'm assuming it was automatically retained.
misaFemaleCanada2007-01-17 15:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTracking Recently Approved I130 Petitions
Oh, when you have a chance, please update mine to I-129F approved (still unknown about the I-130 retained or not). :)
misaFemaleCanada2007-01-10 10:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTracking Recently Approved I130 Petitions
Thanks Riblet! I'm still banking on the K3 though because it's faster (hopefully). BTW, did you ever get your I-129F approved?
misaFemaleCanada2007-01-10 00:54:00