ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
USCIS Service Centerswhich is the best center to file to for a CR-1?

I live in Ontario Canada and my fiance is in Michigan. Which center would you recommend to be the best one to apply to? thx

You don't choose which service center processes your petition/application. The center depends on what state the petitioner resides. It is found in the USCIS form (I-130, I-485, etc) instructions.
MarkieboyMalePhilippines2010-11-07 15:11:00
USCIS Service Centers5 days and counting, still no RFE letter :(
I'm sorry to hear you got an RFE. (F)

Usually, the USCIS notices arrive in 7-10 days. Five days may be still too early. Sometimes NOA1s and NOA2s take 2 weeks to arrive in the mail.
You most certainly can try to call and ask if they can fax/email your RFE. I highly doubt they would, though.
This is the part that seems to take forever...waiting.

I wish you good luck with your case! Hopefully, you'll get something tomorrow! :thumbs:
MarkieboyMalePhilippines2010-11-19 18:19:00
USCIS Service Centershurry up and wait

Today i called the 1-800 number to check on my case since we just passed 5 months, the guy said i am outside the 5 month period but when he tried to put in a service request he said"it wont let me." Then he said if i dont here anything in 30 days to call back..... anyone hear this too??? Also he mentioned they are still doing september petitions.

Yeah, the "call back in 30 days" seems to be their standard answer.
I would write your representative, since your case is beyond the 5-month mark. It wouldn't hurt.

Good luck and keep us posted! :thumbs:
MarkieboyMalePhilippines2011-03-17 19:29:00
USCIS Service CentersI-130 journey

My husband and I have been married for 8 years. My husband is Mexican, and we met down in Mexico. We got married in the U.S. I filed his I-130 here in the US on August 4, 2010 and we are still waiting for a decision. It has been moved back and forth between the Texas and California service centers several times. I received and submitted a request for evidence on March 1st for a document I had already given them --my marriage certificate. We never filed the K-3 because we were told not to by several of the USCIS officers as it would delay the process. Now it is mid-March, and we are still waiting. Not sure what to do. I miss my husband so much. What are our options? Do we just have to keep waiting?

I'm sorry to hear all your waiting. There are options, though.

First, I would write your representative and state senator. On their respective websites, there will be some sort of "privacy release form." By completing this form, you authorize their liaisons to inquire the status of your case. In many cases, requesting congressional assistance is successful. Many cases, which were overdue, are approved immediately. Second, I would make an Infopass appointment at your local USCIS office. You will actually speak to a USCIS employee, in person, and inquire the status of your case.

I hope that you have success with contacting your state representatives! Good luck and keep us posted! :thumbs:
MarkieboyMalePhilippines2011-03-17 19:53:00
USCIS Service CentersContacting your Senator works for CR1 process
I agree with all the advice you gave.
Contacting state representatives worked for my case. I'm glad it worked for you, too!

Good luck with the rest of your journey! :thumbs:
MarkieboyMalePhilippines2011-03-25 08:53:00
IMBRA Special TopicsSecond K1 for same person?!
Ok now I will try it in this Forum.
My Faince and I are having big problems and wont get married at this point in time,I would like to know if anyone on here has petitioned for the same person twice and was approved.I know it technically is possible,but even though I have found some posts about ppl trying it I havent found one post that said they got approved a second time.
So any info on that please??
NAt
VetsWife328FemaleGermany2008-06-02 04:51:00
USCIS Service CentersDoes anyone know?
OK we will FINALLY be able to put our I 129F in by November1st,going through Nebraska Service Center (unless the transfer it to CSC) ,does anyone have a clue how long it could take until NoA 2 when you submit the new I 129 F form (IMBRA) and u don't get an RFE???
Also is it a good idea to send it in when I'm in the USA to visit my man next month even though he wont start his new job until Nov 1st and therefor wont have a current employer listed on the G 325a submitted with the I 129F????
SO sick of waiting!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or is it better to hang in there and wait until he can put his new employer down on the G 325a????
He will start a job being a Truck Driver with a very large company so we will be making a lot more than the 125% required. And as I undersatnd we wont need the I 134 until the case goes to the Embassy here in Germany,but will it look ok on the papers if we put the petition in now?
TY
Nat
VetsWife328FemaleGermany2006-08-22 16:14:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)Handwritten "WT" on stamp in childs passport?!
Thanks a lot for the info.Never had that on my stamp and it only is in my son's passport so I was worried.Glad to know it's nothing special!
Thanks again!
Nat
VetsWife328FemaleGermany2006-08-25 10:58:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)Handwritten "WT" on stamp in childs passport?!
OK maybe one of ya all knows what this means.
I went through ATlanta with the VWP in 2/2006 and had ( for no reason at all other than that Officer wanting to be an *****,no previous overstays or anything) BIG problems.
To cut it short,I did get my stamp and my passport,well the 90 day stamp in it looks just fine,but on my sons (4 years at the time) the put "WT" in handwriting on the stamp......
Does anyone know what this means?????
We're heading to the USA again September 14th,again with the VWP.(Have NOT applied for K1 yet and will send the I 129 F in when I'm back in Germany in October),and I'm really really worried about Immigration.
We'll be flying in at Washington Dulles Airport,any info?
Nat
VetsWife328FemaleGermany2006-08-24 19:11:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)hiv waiver
I might be wrong,but as far as I know there is NO waiver for HIV (Aids).HIV banns you from immigrating to the USA.
Nat
VetsWife328FemaleGermany2007-11-07 03:52:00
USCIS Service CentersService Center Information
I was wondering how you go about actually figuring out the processing times for the Vermont Center. It says on there that it is processed by May 12, 2008?? I don't quite understand how I am supposed to calculate if the time given is in the past. Maybe I'm just being very overlooking. I received the NOA1 for my honey February 12, 2009, so I'm wondering when about I'll get the NOA2?

Thank you.
gatoula_touFemaleGreece2009-02-26 22:39:00
ThailandThailand Thread
I like many parts of the big mango too, but CM is on the list in recent years. Maybe around McCormick Hospital. Oddly, I find folks in BKK friendlier than CM. Probably just me.

Samui would be fun but the water scarcity is a concern. BUT! If we rent there wont be much of a concern beyond chucking the last month deposit and moving on.

So we look for places with AC, Bed, Refrigerator, and micro - EZ move. The Skytrain extension area rents seem to be lagging. Added rentals near new Skytrain stops will at least take pressure off all stops inside On Nut.

Then again - If Toxin returns; up-country might be a good place to catch scraps off the banquet table.

Edited by ding, 28 November 2011 - 09:31 PM.

dingMaleThailand2011-11-28 21:30:00
ThailandThailand Thread

WE JUST GOT AN INTERVIEW DATE, HE'LL BE HERE BEFORE CHRISTMAS!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!! :dance:

Grats! That is a wonderful feeling. Time to jai yen now... :thumbs:
dingMaleThailand2011-11-28 12:54:00
ThailandThailand Thread

I hope y'all had a nice Thanksgiving. Full 'o turkey and pumpkin pie. Packers are now 11-0, my Boston Bruins are once again on top..

Life so far has been sweet.

Happy Holidays everyone. Wishing all the best from my baan to yours. B-)

Thanks! - and to you all as well.
We had a farang style Thanksgiving and I actually cooked a decent bird this year.

We both miss Thailand, I miss it more than my wife I think! I'm worried for the country as the King ages.
But as we age, we'll be going back for medical as well as family reasons.

With climate change and flooding, as well as the obvious politial condition, it's less of an enchanting place to retire to.
I'll root for the Packers anytime CJ, but never the Steelers who cheated their way to a Superbowl "win".

Chok dii to all!! Life is great for us.
dingMaleThailand2011-11-28 12:49:00
ThailandThailand Thread

Ok, finally found everybody. Been on here one year and have overlooked this forum. Thanks for the point in right direction Daboyz.

daboyz is da man, he's helped me a good bit. Glad ya found the thread.

But not as glad as I am over how well it's going now.
Family life is great (work aside). And the silly delay from the USCIS questioning her pre-1970 Thai birth certificate paid off. They drug it out past the 2 year marriage date and we have the 10 year card.

Hang tough all, it will happen!

Edited by ding, 06 November 2010 - 02:39 AM.

dingMaleThailand2010-11-06 02:37:00
ThailandThailand Thread
Sawat dii khrup all!

Hey, anyone know a member going by DVD? MarkNAam mentioned I could ask DVD about a missing original Birth Certificate - thought I'd give it a try.
I think I miss LOS more than my wife, BTW!
laughing.gif
dingMaleThailand2009-05-21 15:32:00
ThailandHappily married 4 1/2 years now
Just checking in after years. We had a rough 11 months getting my wife here, but it has been well worth it.
USCIS tripled fees and doubled the wait times as we started this.

Hang in there folks, it IS worth all the effort if the hearts are cool. She's studying for her citizenship test now.
:D
dingMaleThailand2012-12-23 17:57:00
ThailandCan't download N400

 

I don't have IE either, but I use IE tab.  It's what I used to look at the form and it worked.  It's a plugin for other browsers you can use so they will look like IE to websites. 

 

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=IE+Tab
 

 

That worked. Thanks!

Was able to d/l it and then save it.


dingMaleThailand2013-10-07 20:57:00
ThailandCan't download N400

Same thing going on with Chrome.

 

IE is broken for me now, need to sort that...


dingMaleThailand2013-10-06 16:35:00
ThailandCan't download N400

I can't download form N400.

 

Anybody else?

 

I can d/l the instructions and checklist fine.

I have updated adobe 3 times and per their link.

 

Here's what I get;

Please wait...
If this message is not eventually replaced by the proper contents of the document, your PDF
viewer may not be able to display this type of document.
You can upgrade to the latest version of Adobe Reader for Windows®, Mac, or Linux® by
For more assistance with Adobe Reader visit http://www.adobe.com/support/products/
acrreader.html.

dingMaleThailand2013-10-06 16:19:00
VietnamG325A how to complete address portion?
From what I saw lawyers write down in Thailand, the US government must be lenient and realize addresses are pretty different around the world.

It probably doesn't take many weeks on a USCIS job trying to put that square peg in the round hole before you accept planet earth for how it is, I bet.

I looked at what the passport says and stick with that, being consistent. In Thailand they have a Tabien Bahn, or housebook, which gives the address. If those two differ a choice needs to be made and stick with it. Also, the spaces in the forms never allow for real world addresses. There are postal routing numbers that seem to mean nothing even to Thais in that very area. Another thing to note, a city named Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya is known just as Ayutthaya to everyone, which actually fits in the form box!

YMMV
dingMaleThailand2009-04-02 01:39:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA forum closure? Feedback
It seems like there's quite a large volume of issues dealt with here. To me, I think it may be too much as a 'pinned' thread in K-1. I check in here because I think we need a waiver to file our I-129F too. I almost referred a poster in K-1 to this forum for the OP's waiver question a minute ago.


Would the posts here be archived and searchable if this forum is removed, or changed to a 'waivers' forum?
dingMaleThailand2007-01-21 19:42:00
IMBRA Special TopicsApproved IMBRA Waiver

I GOT APPROVED WITH A WAIVER...WOKE UP TO THE EMAILS TODAY. BYE BYE USCIS!!!!!

I will post a copy of my letter later today, I've gotta get some work done.

Thank you everyone TurboGuy, FWAGUY, Roger (and a few others), for being supportive and helpful with this whole waiver issue. I know it's only part one, we still have our interview, but I'm not worried about that.

I hope this gives some others hope that the waiver is not the end of the world, you can still get that NOA2 - and mind you I didn't get any touches or RFE's!

thanks again everyone!

That's great news! I can well imagine that's a relief.
dingMaleThailand2007-03-02 00:24:00
IMBRA Special TopicsDUI-convictions
Yeah, that's a while ago huh? I had one in the 70's. What is the threshold for needing a waiver? I didn't see it in the USCIS info when I read through it. Maybe I missed it...
As I recall reading, it seemed like serious violent or child crimes needed a waiver from the outset???
dingMaleThailand2007-02-11 17:48:00
IMBRA Special TopicsDUI-convictions

With 3 DUI convictions does this qualify for IMBRA paperwork? Is this means for denial? What should I do? I am a U.S. citizen.


If the convictions qualify under the IMBRA law then a waiver must be requested

I just heard from an attorney that a waiver isn't automatically required if a 'yes' to those questions. Thanks for the clarification fwaguy. How many decades back do the DUI's go? :help:
dingMaleThailand2007-02-11 00:01:00
IMBRA Special TopicsDo I need IMBRA waiver??
So how would I get a 'certified police report'? My DUI was long ago. Do they keep records that old available?
Thanks for the help too.
dingMaleThailand2007-03-02 00:19:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA K1 visa waiver

an update.

whatever it was i said in the letter must have been acceptable
as our petition has been approved.

took less than a week after i mailed the waiver back.

thanks all for the help.

That's good news feasant. Can you describe (in a general way at least) what you wrote? It might be helpful.
dingMaleThailand2007-01-28 01:51:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA limitation filing on K nonimmigrant
Point taken, thanks. :blush:
I was advised that the case should be made that the US Citizen would undergo hardship if the waiver is denied - not the beneficiary.
dingMaleThailand2007-07-02 23:16:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA limitation filing on K nonimmigrant
This should help. I got it from VJ somewhere but can't recall right now;


Filing a Waiver
How Do I File A Hardship Waiver?

If you are an immigrant fiance or spouse with a criminal history, you should obtain and bring your court
records with you to your visa interview, because the consulate will ask to see them. If you have the records
with you, it helps to make things move faster. If your visa is denied, you may be eligible to file for a waiver. (but
you cannot file for a waiver until you have been denied the visa) If you are reasonably sure that you will require
a waiver, your US citizen fiance/spouse can go ahead and download the I-601 waiver form and compose a
letter indicating why you should be granted the visa. Your US fiance/spouse should send the letter and form to
you to take along to the interview. Then, if you are told you need to file the waiver, you will have the waiver
form and letter all ready to hand in right at the interview, thus saving some more time.

The US citizen has to show to the satisfaction of the consulate that there is hardship to the US citizen
because of your denial and why he/she cannot live in the foreign country instead of the US. There are
several things that may validly be used as reasons in the letter that the US citizen writes for the waiver:


U.S. citizen children who need schooling in the US.
U.S. citizen children who cannot leave the US due to previous spouse not granting immigration consent
U.S. citizen children who would have to stay behind in the US that you would not be able to visit
frequently.
U.S. citizen inability to speak the language of the foreign country.
U.S. citizen's lack of employment in the foreign country.
U.S. citizen's need to care for aging parents or relatives in the US.
U.S. citizen's ownership of properties in the US that he/she does not want to sell or cannot sell for
specific reasons.
U.S. citizen's preference that you want to live in the US because it is your native country and you are a
citizen of that country.
excessive cost involved in moving your household members and goods to the foreign country, including
plane fares and transport of goods.
U.S. citizen's financial loss due to the separation.
get character reference letters from anyone who can provide these for the immigrant fiance/spouse.
get letters from doctors, clergymen, and the like, regarding emotional suffering that the US fiance/spouse
is experiencing as a result of the separation.
Any letters submitted are best notarized and should include the name, address, social security
number, date and place of birth of the person writing the letter.
Below are cases which go into defining "extreme hardship", I suggest that you read and study
these for more information on what kinds of things may be helpful in defining "hardship":
--- http://www.usdoj.gov...pdfDEC/3298.pdf
--- http://www.usdoj.gov...mended/3380.pdf
--- The Kao/Lin Case 5/4/01, a new decision that is worth reading
--- The Agwu Okpa Case, 6/7/01, another new decision you will find informative
Remember: The goal is to show hardship to the U.S. Citizen, NOT to the immigrant fiance or
spouse!
The US citizen may file the waiver form without attorney assistance, however using an attorney may
improve the chances of success, in order to be sure that the case is presented in the best light. Attorney
assistance is generally recommended for filing a waiver.
What Does the Law Say About Crimes?

The following links provide additional information on the law regarding moral turpitude:
http://travel.state....ineligible.html
http://foia.state.go.../0940021aPN.pdf
dingMaleThailand2007-06-19 21:59:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA limitation filing on K nonimmigrant

hello there fellow visajourney-ians, I need your help. Does anyone have any sample waiver request for the IMBRA? I'm planning to file a K1 visa again and needs to write a waiver for the INS to grant my second K1 but I dont know how to start it. so hopefully you guys can shed some lights. thanks

Some have said that you should make a case for a hardship.
dingMaleThailand2007-06-19 21:14:00
IMBRA Special TopicsK-1 was approved, then I cancelld it, we reconciled now
CR1 average:
Processing at the CSC takes 112 days to NOA2
Bangkok interview is 217 days after that NOA2
So, 329 days to interview -Then we're together (that's all that matters to us)

K-3 average:
Processing at the CSC takes 106 days
NVC Dept. of State time 23
Bangkok embassy takes 61 days
So, 190 days to interview

I may have missed something, not sure... and I did check after your first suggestion and came up with the above average times to interview. All we care about is being together, not her ability to work, travel, or citizenship status. Are there advantages to the CR1 I missed?
dingMaleThailand2007-07-04 02:18:00
IMBRA Special TopicsK-1 was approved, then I cancelld it, we reconciled now
My congressman's immigration specialist suggested I could go with the I-130. He says it's showing about the same time on he USCIS website. He says the K-3 was just to clear a backlog and since it's eased, the K-3 is not such a popular choice.

But since the K-3 includes the I-130 I don't see a reason not have both applications in play... just in case the immigration for family member situation changes.
dingMaleThailand2007-07-02 22:10:00
IMBRA Special TopicsK-1 was approved, then I cancelld it, we reconciled now
Thanks fwaguy, that agres with my congressman's forwarded USCIS fact sheet.

I don't want to undermine my lawyer's advice but I need to ask for help.

I go to Thailand in August. I think we should marry and file a K-3.

Lawyer said all the IMBRA provisions apply to K-3 even when I specifically asked about the 2 year wait - and said we should file the new K-1 ready to send. Says maybe marry in Aug and file K3 when K1 fails. But I think I need a visa stamp in passport for that date and need to travel there anyway for the date of marriage.


He's good and does this a LOT! He's filing our second K-1 for free, so is very helpful too. So I'm really stumped here. But need to move on it.
dingMaleThailand2007-07-01 12:29:00
IMBRA Special TopicsK-1 was approved, then I cancelld it, we reconciled now

ding,

IMBRA is attached to the I-129f petition. Even so I don't understand what you mean by "wait risk", and you will want to explain the situation when you submit a new petition whether that petition is I-130 or I-129f, and without regard to IMBRA.

Yodrak


Thanks to all, I'm grateful for the help.

Yodrak,
by wait/risk I mean the risk of a 2 year wait if the waiver request is denied.
So if I understand correctly, since IMBRA is attached to the I-129F the 2 year wait could apply to the K-3. So, my immigration attorney advice is right, and the USCIS fact sheet is wrong???
"...These limitations do not apply to petitioners for a K nonimmigrant visa for an alien spouse (K-3). "


fwaguy -That is hopeful. And I really need to let go and have hope on the application. I think I'll request that it be a consideration. Thanks!
dingMaleThailand2007-06-29 16:25:00
IMBRA Special TopicsK-1 was approved, then I cancelld it, we reconciled now
Thanks folks!
I had a very helpful lawyer inform me that a K-3 has the same 2 year wait that a K-1 has. But this confuses me. From a USCIS fact sheet :

"
B. Filing Limitations


IMBRA imposes limitations on the number of petitions a petitioner for a K nonimmigrant visa for an alien fiancé(e) (K-1) may file or have approved without seeking a waiver of the application of those limitations. If the petitioner has filed two or more K-1 visa petitions at any time in the past, or previously had a K-1 visa petition approved within two years prior to the filing of the current petition, the petitioner must request a waiver. These limitations do not apply to petitioners for a K nonimmigrant visa for an alien spouse (K-3).


1. General Waiver

The adjudicator may, in his or her discretion, waive the applicable time and/or numerical limitations if justification exists for such a waiver, except where the petitioner has a history of violent criminal offenses against a person or persons. The petitioner may request a waiver by attaching a signed and dated letter, requesting the waiver and explaining why a waiver would be appropriate in his or her circumstances, together with any evidence in support of the waiver request.



Factors the adjudicator should consider include, but are not limited to:

* Whether unusual circumstances exist (e.g. death or incapacity of prior beneficiary(ies));

* Whether the petitioner appears to have a history of domestic violence;

* Whether it appears the petitioner has a pattern of filing multiple petitions for different beneficiaries at the same time, of filing and withdrawing petitions, or obtaining approvals of petitions every few years.



Examples of acceptable evidence to support a waiver request include, but are not limited to: a death certificate, police reports, news articles describing an accident which resulted in the beneficiary's death or incapacity, or medical reports from a licensed medical professional regarding the death or incapacity of an alien approved for a prior K visa. The determination of what evidence is credible and the weight to be given that evidence shall be within the sole discretion of the adjudicator.

Some examples of possible scenarios are:



* A petitioner who has no criminal history with regard to one of the specified crimes requests a waiver of the filing limitations. The petitioner has one prior approved Form I-129F for the same fiancé(e), and files a report from a physician detailing the illness of the beneficiary that rendered her unable to enter the United States within 90 days. Absent any other adverse factors, the waiver may be granted.



* Conversely, a petitioner who has no criminal history with regard to one of the specified crimes requests a waiver of the filing limitations. The petitioner has previously filed a Form I-129F, for 12 different beneficiaries. The petitioner has submitted no supporting documentation explaining why a waiver of the filing limitations would be appropriate. Absent any favorable factors which may outweigh denial, the waiver should not be granted.

"
dingMaleThailand2007-06-29 00:49:00
IMBRA Special TopicsK-1 was approved, then I cancelld it, we reconciled now
I wont go into it but we worked it out and want to get married again.

But before we reconciled I cancelled our K-1 which USCIS approved.
Now should we file a K-3 to avoid the 2 year IMBRA wait risk?
dingMaleThailand2007-06-28 20:30:00
IMBRA Special TopicsWithdraw request for K1

Thanks again Paula,

I have already contact the USCIS and set up and appointment to go to the local office this coming Wednesday.

On a separate topic, does anyone happen to know, what a request for withdraw looks like and how long does it take for it be processed?

Max.


I did one back in 2004. I simply stated that USCIS case number LINxxxxxxxxx should be closed immediately with no further action. Very short and sweet. I received official notice within a couple of weeks but my case file was current and not "stale" as yours appears to be.


Fwaguy,

Does the letter needs to be notarized? I mean anyone with the right amount of information can send a letter to USCIS and ask for a complete termination of a visa. Since I scheduled a meeting with the local immigration office, I would like to have the letter complete ready to be filed if they require me to do so.


Mine was not....

Neither was mine.

I doubt anyone would be crazy enough to maliciously send a withdrawal letter. If someone is vengeful enough to risk forging a signature to the Department of Homeland Security, ya probably need to hide! :ph34r:
dingMaleThailand2007-07-07 01:32:00
IMBRA Special TopicsWavier Requested

What was the reasoning to not go with a K-3? Just curious, really. Trying to learn.


K3 is for married people. You can only "go for" a visa that is appropriate to your circumstances. Perhaps you are asking why they didn't choose to marry abroad.

Yes, that's what I was wondering. Marry abroad or in petitioner's country, either way.
dingMaleThailand2007-07-09 22:02:00
IMBRA Special TopicsWavier Requested
What was the reasoning to not go with a K-3? Just curious, really. Trying to learn.
dingMaleThailand2007-07-08 21:53:00
IMBRA Special TopicsRFE Waiver
My representative's immigration specialist told me that US CIS has wide liberty in requiring things and denying things. I was worried about cancelling our K-1 and then restarting after reconciling.

You are within the stated limits but you may need to just comply. On your waiver, maybe state up front that you applied for ONLY ONE K-1 and state the date of that K-1.

Good luck!
dingMaleThailand2007-07-21 01:10:00