ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSOO HAPPY..but what do i do next?
Congratulations, that's very good news :)

My biggest piece of advice is to really study the NVC Flowchart from the guides:

http://www.visajourn...wchart_v1-2.pdf )

and the NVC Timesavers Thread: http://www.visajourn...?showtopic=117)

They really helped me understand what to expect next.

Good luck with the rest of the journey :)
ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-03 21:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureswill i need............?
My understanding is that you bring the copies to the interview, and they will return the originals to you at that time.

Hi,evryone
I just sent my DS 230 to nvc with all documents requered ,certificate of birth , certificate of the police of marriage.........,please will i need to prepare new same documents after ,at the day for my interview? or just bring the copy of the first ones?
thanks for your help.


ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-03 17:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresClueless...
USCIS has a new policy designed to streamline their processing. Since many people who have filed for both K3 and IR/CR1 end up entering on K3 and adjusting status, it is a waste of resources to ever send the I130 to the NVC.

So they are presuming that anyone who has an approved K3 will choose to pursue Adjustment of Status and they are holding onto the approved I130s and not forwarding them to NVC. They don't seem to be applying it consistently yet. I started a thread "Tracking Recently Approved I130s" in this forum to try to figure out how they are doing it :)

Hope this helps!
ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-03 22:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSo sorry - I'm a bit confused.
Please fill in your timeline - it helps everybody :)

If you have filed an I130, and your husband receives a CR1 visa based on the approval of the I130, he will receive a Green Card in the mail shortly after entering the U.S. He will be work authorized when he enters the U.S. and will have a stamp in his passport of evidence of this.

You will NOT have to file a I485, but if he does enter the U.S. when you have been married less than 2 years, then you will have to file for removal of conditional status... here is the link to the guide for this: http://www.visajourn...p;page=751guide

Good luck with everything, congrats on the marriage :)
ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-03 22:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWe have the Appointment!!!!!
Congratulations!! Great news :)
ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-03 15:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresThe new DS-3032 form
Sorry for the mixup, here's the correct link: http://foia.state.go...visa/ds3032.pdf

Way to be prepared :D Good luck with everything!
ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-03 19:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresThe new DS-3032 form
Do you know you can just email the choice of agent? I did it & it worked great :)

But here's the official version from the Department of State: http://foia.state.go...visa/ds0230.pdf

Hello, was just wondering if anyone knows where I could download a copy of the new DS-3032. I've found a downloadable copy here http://www.ilw.com/forms/ds3032.pdf but it expired Dec. 31, 2006.

Thanks in advance


ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-03 17:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCan you enter the USA on IR-1 then go right back home?
I was still in University in Canada when I got my green card, I just drove across the border and activated the visa at the border, bought some gas and went back.

The border guard didn't seem particularly impressed - I've had issues in the past where some of them were annoyed that I wasn't going to school in the U.S., but as long as you are clear that your intent is to reside in the U.S. - that's the key. You don't want to be construed as abandoning your U.S. residency - which means in the mean time that anytime you cross the border or if you happen to file taxes etc. you are now a U.S. resident.
ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-04 10:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresmarraige and tax/dependent ?'s
I agree that unless you have been provided with a specific section of statute to support the information you have been given, you really cannot rely on what you have been told. Hopefully your visit to the IRS will be more productive as I'm sure many people on VJ would be interested if they could claim a stepchild living outside the U.S. in some way.

Good luck!
ribletFemaleCanada2006-12-27 07:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresmarraige and tax/dependent ?'s
I found this on bankrate.com - but maybe an accountant would be able to confirm this for you:

"Child dependent tests
In order to claim a child as your dependent so that you can use the $3,200 exemption, as well as gain other potential child-related tax breaks, the youngster must now meet four tests:

Relationship test: The child must be your child, either by birth, adoption or by being placed in your home as a foster child. A dependent child also can be your brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister or a descendent of one of these relatives.
Residency test: The child must live with you for more than half of the year. If the youth is away temporarily for special circumstances, such as for school, vacation, medical treatment, military service or detention in a juvenile facility, these particular absences still count as time lived at home. A child who was born or died during the year is considered to have lived with you for the entire year if your home was the child's home for the entire time he or she was alive during the year.
Age test: A child must be under a certain age, depending on the particular tax benefit. For the dependency exemption, the child must be younger than 19 at the end of the year. However, a youth who was a student at the end of the year can be claimed as long as he or she is under age 24. There is no age limit where the individual is permanently and totally disabled.
Support test: This refers to the youngster's contributions, not those of adults in the family. To qualify as a dependent, the child cannot provide more than half of his or her own support during the year."


You need to file form W7 to get an ITIN.

I'm almost certain that you will not be able to claim the daughter, from what I recall of tax law, dependents must reside with and receive more than half of their support from you.

Hi,

The daughter does get more than half of her support from me, she lives with my wife, but i support both.

Jazzy


ribletFemaleCanada2006-12-21 22:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresmarraige and tax/dependent ?'s
You need to file form W7 to get an ITIN.

I'm almost certain that you will not be able to claim the daughter, from what I recall of tax law, dependents must reside with and receive more than half of their support from you.
ribletFemaleCanada2006-12-21 17:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHow long after??
It took them about a month to upgrade me (I had to call back), and then it was about 6 weeks after that that we got the approval.

You should be able to just look at the timelines, using your upgrade date as your NOA1 date.

Good luck & congrats on becoming a citizen tomorrow :)

Hi ya all,

I am new to this site and like to give my greetings to all and say this is a fantastic site. I am becoming a US citizen tomorrow and finally the wait for this step of many is over. I had filed the I-130 for my wife a year ago and tomorrow hopefully when I get sworn in and get my Naturalization cert will fax it to immigration to upgrade her file. My question is for those of you guys that have gone thru this already how long should I expect to wait to get the I-130 approved and How long should I expect to wait after I-130 is approved for the interview date?Turkey will be the embassy that we will have to go to and my service center is California.

Again thanks for any help or advice and good luck to everyone.

Mobby


ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-04 15:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFINALLY
Congratulations :)
ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-03 15:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresstill no NOA2
I've heard that security checks can and do happen at any point in the process.
ribletFemaleCanada2006-12-13 10:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresstill no NOA2
I know I sometimes just wanted to choke people who would tell me to be patient, that it wouldn't be that long :P People are always asking my husband how much longer it will be, and it is super frustrating... but I guess we do know that in the end we will finally be together.

Unfortunately you don't have a choice about the waiting, unless someone wants to smuggle you into the country :) Has your US family set a date for the celebration, if so maybe that is adding to your stress? Maybe it would be better if there isn't a firm date until you get your NOA2 and can see the end in sight.

Sorry if I didn't cheer you up!
ribletFemaleCanada2006-12-13 10:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresINTERVIEW DATE SET!!!!
Congrats & good luck with the rest :)
ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-03 15:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresinterview
Congratulations!!
ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-04 11:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMy turn to celebrate!
Congratulations!! That's very good news :)
ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-03 19:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDo you call NVC to know if choice of agent has been generated?
Check out the NVC Timesavers Thread pinned at the top of the NVC forum, it really helped me a lot :)

You do need to call, and the automated system will tell you where they are on your case.
ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-11 14:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLost Paperword
I've just started ordering all the documents this week, and I'm ordering two of each - and was actually even thinking about ordering three. I'm so paranoid. I'm pretty sure that NVC is supposed to send the originals to the Consulate, so you're supposed to be okay at the interview, but I think the DOS website itself recommends getting duplicates in case something gets lost. I know that NVC mails a package to the Consulate when the case is complete, and my understanding was that that was all your documents.

Edited by riblet, 07 December 2006 - 03:55 PM.

ribletFemaleCanada2006-12-07 15:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLost Paperword
YuAndDan - sorry, but you are wrong.

The DS230 instructions specifically say:

Documents You Need to Obtain and Submit
Please obtain the original documents or certified copies from an appropriate
authority (the issuing entity) for yourself and each family member who will
accompany you to the United States. All documents that pertain to your
petition are required, even if they were previously submitted to the CIS with
your petition.
ribletFemaleCanada2006-12-07 15:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLost Paperword
Oh gosh, I'm sorry this is happening. I've usually had good luck with USPS delivering stuff the first time, although once they lost something and then somehow wanted proof that it was lost before paying the insurance.

Did you get duplicates of everything when you got the originals? If you did it might make sense to just send it out straight away again.

I'm sorry :(
ribletFemaleCanada2006-12-07 15:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDetailed Review????????????
Is it possible that your husband's file is under Administrative Review? I know a lot of people go through this - there are security checks at every stage, and something may have triggered an additional check. I hope it goes quickly for you - no matter how long it takes, at least you are lucky enough to be together already. :)
ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-10 18:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresApproved I-130 Recieved says my beneficiary is in the US!!!!!
Hear Hear! :) Maybe you're not all-knowing, but your close enough for me :)
ribletFemaleCanada2006-11-29 21:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresApproved I-130 Recieved says my beneficiary is in the US!!!!!
Hopefully it would cause the REVERSE of a bottle neck at the NVC since a lot less cases will be being sent there for the time being, if the USCIS is following its policy :)

I know I've seen a lot of people take longer than a week - especially since last week was Thanksgiving. Hopefully you'll hear something soon!



Cutie,

I think Ausie is right about the new procedures in place now with USCIS combining services and locations.
But I am more concerned with NVC receiving my K3 Approval at the moment. Maybe I am impatient but my K3 was approved on November 15th and touched again on the 16th and I called this morning and they do not have it as of yet. I know they say allow several weeks for this part of the process, but it seems like everyone else's time lines show about 2-5 days for NVC to receive them. Then, they are sent out to the Embassies 1-3 days later (generally)!

So my question is, with this new change in policy with USCIS, is this causing a bottle neck at NVC? I guess time will tell.


ribletFemaleCanada2006-11-29 19:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresApproved I-130 Recieved says my beneficiary is in the US!!!!!
That's exactly what my first impression was. Sigh.

It seems from early cases that regardless whether this question is answered or not, they are retaining the I-130 if there is an I-129F approved. As has been said in this and other threads, Q22 does not clearly indicate that one wishes to apply for a visa at a consulate abroad. I'm not sure what the correct thing to do is as there is nowhere on the form to clearly indicate.


Edited by riblet, 29 November 2006 - 06:30 PM.

ribletFemaleCanada2006-11-29 18:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMy turn to celebrate
Congrats :) That's great news! Hope you get an interview soon.
ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-17 10:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPaper Size
All signatures MUST be original - people have had their petitions returned for this reason.

What about trimming the paper and then manually setting the paper size for the printer if you're concerned. :)

Good luck.

Does my wife's G-352a sent with the I-130 need to be the original signed sheets or can they be copies?

Our problem is that paper is slightly larger in Germany, we don't want to upset anyone by sending a bulky package.


ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-17 12:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCase Complete !!! Wohoo
Congratulations!! I hope you get your interview soon. Since the NVC schedules the appointment, I'm not sure if the fact that you've already been waiting a long time for the K3 interview will be a factor.

Unfortunately I haven't seen as many CR/IR1s on the Montreal Timeline... so it's hard to predict, but someone posted this morning and their appointment was about 3 months after case complete.
ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-17 15:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresanyone got I-824 approved?
The only ones I've seen I've added to my list... it's looking like it takes a while unfortunately, it really seems like it would be simple and fast, but I guess we are talking about USCIS.

Just wondering if anyone who has I-130 retained by BCIS and filed I-824 to forward to NVC got it approved recently. Do we have the numbers regarding how long it typically takes?


ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-19 18:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI130 question
Many couples going through immigration have never lived together because of the restrictions placed on us by the immigration process. Visiting someone is not the same as living together. I responded "N/A" to that question and my husband's I130 was approved.

Good luck :)
ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-19 09:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC Request for AOS I-864
The OMB expiration is just an internal administrative review issue, it does not mean that the forms themselves are expired. The forms on the USCIS site are the most current available and are the ones we are supposed to use.

Good luck!! I'm working on my I864 this weekend too. :)
ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-20 12:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLondon Interview Scheduled
Congratulations!! :)
ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-20 17:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 moving along at NVC: case complete!
languageladki,

Montreal has consistently been taking 2 to 3 months from NVC case complete to get an interview, and sometimes as long as 4 months. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but at least you are so close now!

I'm not sure if you know I added you to the Montreal Timeline thread in the Canada forum, which may help you to get a better idea of the wait.

Good luck & congratulations on your case being complete. Oh, and from what I've seen, the interview date/medical letter generally arrives about a month before the interview.

So....have you gotten an interview date yet? Gosh, if your doesn't happen until March, are we going to have to wait until April? God, I hope not. Do let me know when you get that interview date, please!


Congratulations on getting your case complete. My wife is also applying from Canada. Our petition was approved on December 6th 2006 and we are waiting for the interview date. I have spoken to the NVC and they themselves schedule interviews for the Montreal embassy. The 'application' only goes when the interview is scheduled. The way they schedule is: in the 2nd week of every month they arrange interviews for the following month. We are keeping our fingers crossed my wife will get an interview next month but more likely will be the month after (ie interview in March) As to how they arrange who actually gets an interview first I have no idea!!
Hope this helps

Good Luck


ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-20 17:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresApproved Finally
Congratulations :D
ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-19 10:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-230
NVC officially says not to send in anything other than their own forms, but if you're comfortable with using the James' shortcuts, there's no reason to wait. They just don't want people sending in outdated or incomplete forms.

My friends at fastk3 said I need to wait for the DS-230 to arrive and actualy use the form they send me. The form I have here (In PDF format) expires in July of 2007 and it is already completed. Why cant I use that? And why can't I send it in to NVC after receiving word the DS-230 has been generated?

orimai


ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-19 21:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresworried for ds 230
My IV Bill was generated on January 1st and we still haven't received it! My understanding is that once something gets generated, they don't actually mail it out that same day.

Hopefully we both get some good mail soon - I'm thinking in the next week for sure. I think it was Our Mao that had the IV Bill mailed out December 25, and didn't receive it until January 15.

Good luck :)
ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-19 10:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion on cover letter for I-864 application
Officially all you need is the NVC Barcode cover sheet.

What I made as a cover letter (which is optional) was basically a table of contents for everything that I had included.


On the instructions for I-864, they ask to include a cover letter. What should I write or say in this letter?

Thanks,

-Justo.


1-28-06 - Wedding
I- 130
09-13-06 - Mailed I-130
09-18-06 - CSC received
09-25-06 - NOA1 mailed
09-28-06 - NOA1 received
12-07-06 - Touched
12-11-06 - RFE mailed
12-13-06 - RFE received
12-14-06 - Mailed RFE (Birth Certificate)
12-21-06 - RFE received
12-27-06 - Approval
12-28-06 - NOA2 mailed / E-mail notified
01-04-06 - NOA2 received
NVC
01-05-07 - Assigned case number
01-15-07 - DS-2032(Choice of Agent Generated)/AOS I-864 bill generated
01-17-07 - E-mailed Choice of Agent
01-20-07 - Mailed AOS I-864 payment


ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-21 22:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureswhat is JAMES SHORTCUTS?
James' Shortcuts are found in the pinned thread at the top of the NVC forum:

http://www.visajourn...p?showtopic=117

It's about the 4th post I believe - but the first few posts are very informative and helpful.

Good luck :)
ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-21 18:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhy are we being punished? (I824 bologna)
Here's the press release: http://www.uscis.gov...e/PN_i-129f.pdf

And here's a thread with some discussion of the new policy: http://www.visajourn...h...6&hl=policy


Would you please post a link to the press release you are refering to? Thanks so much for you help.


m&n - I know it's hard not to get cynical going through this process - but I'm not sure they're quite that evil :) And if people don't file the I129F then the I824 won't be needed, as the I130 is only retained if there is an approved I129F petition (from what I've seen)... so basically if they keep doing the I130's faster they won't get money for the I129F or the I824.

Good luck with everything.

Exactly, how are you supposed to opt out of it when the customer service reps don't even know what it is you are choosing to opt out of?!?!

I think it is just a policy to ensure that revenue keeps pouring in.....maybe, since now I130 applications are being processed faster.....people won't even bother petitioning for the K-3.....perhaps they lost money because of this....maybe fewer people filed for K-3's......and so, to recover the money they lost they added the clause of ...... well, if you want your immigrant petition to eventually get to NVC..... just dish out another $200.....unfortuately, those paying.....paying both by money and lost time.....are those that filed for the K-3 and paid it's fee as well......

just a theory.........


ribletFemaleCanada2007-01-23 12:38:00