Preparing to File I-130, HK Citizen/ US Permanent resident, CR-1

[SueroLi 0]

Greetings to all,

My wife (Regina)and I(Cesar) have several questions as we are beginning to prepare all of the documents required to send to Immigration.

Quick background: I am an US permanent resident, and my wife is a Hong Kong citizen, and we recently got married in the US where I live and decided the best way to start the immigration process is through the consulate.

Since we're newlyweds ( less than two years) we are automatically processed as CR-1.

Now we're a bit confused as to what exactly we need to file, because some things don't add up.

As for example filing fees, on this link http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare#ircr1

It says that it costs around $903USD for the entire process.

I-130: $420
G-325A: $0

I-864: $0-120? We are not quite sure if we need to pay for I-864 and having trouble finding out whether we do or not.

Uscis Immigrant Fee: $165

Total: $705

So as you can see there's a difference of $198 USD, so we're not sure if we're missing something here.

We're also a bit confused on the form DS230, some links say we need it, some say we don't. Do we?

Next thing, is time, the link above says it takes roughly 13 months, but some say it takes 2.5 years, and some even 5 years? Is there any way of knowing what time frame will apply for us?

It would be great if we could also find someone that had dealt with a similar process, HK citizen immigrating to US through US permanent resident/ CR-1 style.

Thank you very much,

Cesar & Regina

[EM_Vandaveer 2,366]

Unless you are a US citizen, you are filing an I-130 for F2A visa.

There is a couple of years' wait for Priority Dates to become current in this category.

Edited August 28, 2016 by EM_Vandaveer

[EM_Vandaveer 2,366]

~ Moved from "IR-1/CR-1 Visa Process and Procedures" to "Bringing Family Members of Permanent Residents to America" ~

[NewBrunswicker 19]

There is also the cost for the medical. What has been said already is right. You are not a citizen of United States. CR1 does not apply to you.

[SueroLi 0]

Unless you are a US citizen, you are filing an I-130 for F2A visa.

There is a couple of years' wait for Priority Dates to become current in this category.

I see! However the process of filing is the same, just takes longer correct? And once we start the process we aren't able to adjust the status in case anything changes?

Are there any extra forms that require filing F2A?

[EM_Vandaveer 2,366]

No extra forms. No AOS before PD becomes current.

[SueroLi 0]

There is also the cost for the medical. What has been said already is right. You are not a citizen of United States. CR1 does not apply to you.

okay, and the cost for the medical is purely situation I believe? It's not a fixed price then? And yes we've become aware now, it was a bit weird finding the exact filing procedure, which is why we turned to you awesome folks.

[SueroLi 0]

No extra forms. No AOS before PD becomes current.

Alright, I understand AOS but I just want to clarify the acronym PD, we're both new to this and are trying to inform ourselves as much as possible.

Thank you so much.

[aleful 1,905]

hi

for now only the i130

but later on at the nvc stage you will have to pay, $120 for the i864 and $325 for the DS260

plus medical and vaccination at the time of the interview, once she has her interview date, she can do the medical and vaccinations

once she gets the visa, the last thing is the $165 for the physical green card

[EM_Vandaveer 2,366]

PD is Priority Date. She cannot get a visa or file for Adjustment of Status from within the US before the PD becomes current.