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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline

Hello

My girlfriend (canadian)and I (american) have been trying to figure out the fastest way to get her to the US and for her to be able to work. It appears that marrying her and doing the CR 1 would be that option correct? So would we have to be married in Canada or the US? Also is there any services that you would recommend because I am totally lost in this whole process. Thanks

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: China
Timeline

hey - welcome to VJ !

grab a pc, click the word 'Guides' and study a bit.

as to 'where to marry' - it doesn't matter.

Sometimes my language usage seems confusing - please feel free to 'read it twice', just in case !
Ya know, you can find the answer to your question with the advanced search tool, when using a PC? Ditch the handphone, come back later on a PC, and try again.

-=-=-=-=-=R E A D ! ! !=-=-=-=-=-

Whoa Nelly ! Want NVC Info? see http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_Process

Congratulations on your approval ! We All Applaud your accomplishment with Most Wonderful Kissies !

 

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Filed: K-3 Visa Country: Peru
Timeline

Hello

My girlfriend (canadian)and I (american) have been trying to figure out the fastest way to get her to the US and for her to be able to work. It appears that marrying her and doing the CR 1 would be that option correct? So would we have to be married in Canada or the US? Also is there any services that you would recommend because I am totally lost in this whole process. Thanks

I think it all depends on which one is your (both of you) biggest priority.

1. The K1 visa route is the fastest way to get your fiance here. The problem is that she won't be able to work immediately once she enters the US. After you guys get married here she will have to do file for Adjustment of status and apply to AP (advanced parole) and EAD (employment cards) while she waits for her green card to be processed. She could get her EAD card within 90 days from AOS and start working then.

2. Do the CR1 and as soon as she enters the US she will be able to work, but it is a longer process from USCIS to NVC to the embassy interview. Since you are in CA your process through USCIS may be quicker as your case will likely be processed by CSC, but still have to go through NVC like everyone else and then the interview at the embassy if doing the CR1 route.

As Darnell suggested, read the guide. This is a do it yourself type of site. If you dont have any red flags about your situation then you dont need a lawyer and you could do it yourself.

Good luck and if you have any questions just ask away :-)

Edited by cocolucho

*The material presented is intended for general information only and does not constitute legal advice*

USCIS - IR1/CR1 Wife/IR2 Daughter - K3 Wife/K4 Daughter

12/03/2013 -- I-130s Sent, 12/06/2013 -- I-130s Received                                           12/13/2013 -- I-129F Sent, 12/16/2013 -- I-129F Received           

12/10/2013 -- I-130s NOA1 Hard copies received from VSC                                         12/20/2013 -- I-129F NOA1 Hard copy from VSC           

06/05/2014 -- I-130s Alien Registration Numbers Changed                                           02/12/2014 -- I-129F Transferred from VSC to TSC hard copy                                       

06/09/2014 -- I-130s RFE Emails, 06/12/2014 -- I-130s RFE Hard copies received       02/25/2014 -- I-129F Alien Registration Number Changed

06/16/2014 -- I-130s RFE Response received                                                              07/11/2014 -- I-129F NOA2 email (207 days)

09/25/2014 -- I-130 NOA2 Emails 290 days                                                                 07/16/2014 -- I-129F NOA2 Hard copy received and sent to NVC        

NVC - K3 Wife/K4 Daughter

07-29-2014 -- NVC received I129F                                                                           

07-31-2014 -- NVC case number assigned

08-01-2014 -- Left NVC in route to Embassy in Lima

Embassy - K3 Wife/K4 Daughter

08-07-2014 -- Embassy in Lima received case from NVC                                        

08-07-2014 -- Received email interview letter and packet IV

08-18-2014 -- Completed DS-160 online                                                                 

08-21-2014 -- Medical & Vaccination completed

09-03-2014 -- Interview (Approved)                                                                        

09-05-2014 -- Visa Issued (CEAC website)

09-10-2014 -- Visa in hand                                                                                      

09-18-2014 -- Dulles VA

USCIS - AOS Wife/Daughter

12/10/2014 -- I-485 Sent - including I-765                                                            

12/11/2014 -- I-485 Received

12/16/2014 -- I-485 and I-765 NOA Received email                                             

12/20/2014 -- I-485 and I-765 NOA Hard copies received

01/09/2015 -- I-485 and I-765 Biometrics appointment                                       

01/14/2015 -- I-485 Ready for interview

02/02/2015 -- I-485 Interview notification received                                             

02/14/2015 -- I-765 Approved - EAD card production email and text

02/24/2015 -- I-765 EAD card received                                                              

 03/12/2015 -- I-485 Interview Date (APPROVED)

03/17/2015 -- CR6/CR7 Welcome letters received                                               

03/21/2015 -- CR6/CR7 Green Cards received :dance:

USCIS - ROC Wife/Daughter

01/12/2017 -- I-751 Sent

01/17/2017 -- I-751 NOA Received for wife and daughter

02/23/2017 -- I-751 / CRI89 Biometrics Appointment for wife and daughter

12/26/2017 -- I-751 / CRI89 Approved for wife and daughter

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: China
Timeline

are you on a PC? If no, well, that was the first bit.

get on a PC then visit this website again,

and click 'Guides' . Train yer eyeballs up and you'll see that word.

Go Get Em,. and Good Luck !

Sometimes my language usage seems confusing - please feel free to 'read it twice', just in case !
Ya know, you can find the answer to your question with the advanced search tool, when using a PC? Ditch the handphone, come back later on a PC, and try again.

-=-=-=-=-=R E A D ! ! !=-=-=-=-=-

Whoa Nelly ! Want NVC Info? see http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_Process

Congratulations on your approval ! We All Applaud your accomplishment with Most Wonderful Kissies !

 

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Sweden
Timeline

Here's a link to the US governments information about the spouse visa. Has links to forms etc:

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/types/family/immediate-relative.html

Met online October 2010


Engaged December 31st 2011


heart.gifMarried May 14th 2013 heart.gif



USCIS Stage


September 8th 2014 - Filed I-130 with Nebraska Service Center


September 16th 2014 - NOA1 received


March 2nd 2015 - NOA2 received :dancing:



NVC Stage


March 28th 2015 - Choice of agent complete & AOS fee paid


April 17th 2015 - IV fee paid


May 1st 2015 - Sent in IV application


May 12th 2015 - Sent in AOS and IV documents


May 18th 2015 - Scan Date


June 18th 2015 - Checklist received


June 22nd 2015 - Checklist response sent to NVC


June 25th 2015 - Put for Supervisor Review


Sept 15th 2015 - Request help from Texas US Senator Cornyn and his team


Sept 23rd 2015 - Our case is moved from supervisor review to NVC's team for dealing with Senator requests


Nov 4th 2015 - CASE COMPLETE!!!! :dancing:



Embassy Stage


Dec 16th 2015 - Medical exam


Dec 21st 2015 - Interview


Dec 21st 2015 - 221(g) issued at interview for updated forms


Jan 13th 2016 - Mailed our reply to the 221(g) to the US Embassy, received and CEAC updated the next morning


Jan 20th 2016 - Embassy require more in-depth info on asset for i-864


Feb 1st 2016 - Sent more in-depth info on assets as requested. Received the next morning


Feb 16th 2016 - Visa has been issued :dancing: :dancing: :dancing: :dancing: :dancing:



In the US


April 5th 2016 - POE Newark. No questions asked.


April 14th 2016 - SSN received


May 10th 2016 - First day at my new job :dancing:


May 27th 2016 - Green Card received


June 7th 2016 - Got my Texas driver's license

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welcome and good luck in advance.

read the guides as Darnell mentioned.....top left hand part of the vj home page....4th tab from the left "guides". start reading and re-read.

one can spend days, months and even years on VJ learning the immigration ropes.

k1 might have perks (quicker in process) but slower to get green card. the ir1/cr1 can be slower but you get the gc quicker. its all based upon choice. the wait time is never guaranteed.

another good read is http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/93-canada/ which can be found in the general discussion area under regional discussions. this link is for canadians, you should find it interesting too.



USCIS
30 Jan 2014 - Sent I-130
03 Feb 2014- NOA1

10 months of bologna, we cannot believe this, nor will you if you knew
02 Dec 2014- NOA2

NVC
30-Dec 2014 case received
10-Feb 2015 case and iin # assigned
10-Feb 2015 completed ds 261
11-Feb 2015 paid AOS fee
11-Feb 2015 welcome letter rec'd
15-Feb 2015 emailed AOS & IV package info
19-Feb 2015 paid IV fee
23-Feb 2015 submitted ds260
07-Apr 2015 CC :dancing:
26-May 2015. interview--approval

28-May 2015 noon visa in hand!!

POE-??

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Spain
Timeline

Hi,

My husband and I are on the home stretch of visa process. His interview is in April and let's hope that's the end of it!

Because it's been such a confusing process, I've put together a blog of my experience that provides step-by-step information on the spouse visa process. Hopefully our experience and some of our mistakes can help others! You can check it out here: https://spousevisausa.wordpress.com

Hope that helps and good luck!

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USCIS
03/07/13 - I-130 Sent
03/15/13 - NOA1
10/31/13 - Transfered to NSC

12/04/13 - Alien registration number changed

12/05/13 - NOA2 Finally!

NVC
12/30/13 - NVC received file
01/29/14 - Case number assigned

02/05/14 - Received AOS Invoice Email and Completed DS-261

02/06/14 - AOS Payment became available. Paid it.

02/13/14 - IV Payment became available. Paid it and sent in AOS and IV packages

02/14/14 - AOS and IV packages arrived at NVC (viewed tracking info)

02/21/14 - Packages were attached to my case

03/13/14 - Received, answered, and sent back checklist (missing I-864 information)

04/02/14 - Received, answered, and sent back 2nd checklist (OUCH - was told conflicting info by NVC reps regarding Total vs Adjusted Gross Income)

04/18/14 - NVC approved application!!

05/02/14 - Interview date set for June 5

EMBASSY

06/05/14 - Interview... Approved!! Paid Domex for delivery of Visas

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Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: China
Timeline

Hello

My girlfriend (canadian)and I (american) have been trying to figure out the fastest way to get her to the US and for her to be able to work. It appears that marrying her and doing the CR 1 would be that option correct? So would we have to be married in Canada or the US? Also is there any services that you would recommend because I am totally lost in this whole process. Thanks

Wooo Hooo ... adding another (motivated) US tax payer soon!! :D

K1 fiancee visa should be quicker to get her to US,

but spouse visa should be quicker for her to be able to work in US.

Good luck!

10-04-2013 We met online
11-21-2013 We met in person in Shanghai for 2 weeks

12-13-2013 I-129F packet sent via express

12-19-2013 USCIS NOA #1 (text and email) received

12-24-2013 USCIS assigns Alien Registration Number
12-31-2013 USCIS NOA #1 hard copy received
06-02-2014 USCIS web site shows NOA #2 approval
06-06-2014 USCIS web site shows case sent to NVC

06-xx-2014 Fiancee acquired birth, marriage, and police certificates from local police station (wrong)

06-16-2014 NVC creates case with GUZ### number

06-19-2014 NVC sends case sent to Guangzhou, China
06-24-2014 Received packet 3 express mail from embassy
06-25-2014 Completed DS-160 and paid K1 visa fee

06-26-2014 Mailed packet 3 response back to Embassy

06-26-2014 Requested police certificate from Russian embassy

07-08-2014 Received packet 4 email from Embassy

07-17-2014 Picked up Russian police certificate

07-25-2014 Fiancee medical exam (received MMR & Varicella, but they missed required TD shot)

07-31-2014 Picked up medical exam reports

08-01-2014 Request (correct) birth, marriage, and police certificates from Notarial Service (GongZhengChu)

08-06-2014 Picked up birth, marriage, and police certificates from Notarial Service

08-14-2014 Passed Interview Guangzhou embassy

09-01-2014 Received passport, visa, & sealed envelope

09-13-2014 POE

09-17-2014 Went to CBP office to get (US entry) I-94 updated correctly

09-18-2014 Applied for Social Security Card
09-19-2014 Applied for Marriage License (via online)
09-25-2014 Received Social Security Card
09-30-2014 Picked up Marriage License
10-09-2014 Marriage by Justice of Peace
10-09-2014 Got Certified Marriage Certificate Copies
10-17-2014 Received a letter from SS office that they need the marriage license
10-09-2014 Applied to change the social security card name
10-24-2014 Went back to SS office to provide the marriage certificate documents again!!!
12-09-2014 Submitted AOS, EAD, and AP
12-16-2014 Received 16 emails and 16 text NOA messages
01-05-2015 Received Biometrics appointment letter for (01-12-2015)
01-12-2015 Had Biometrics (fingerprint & picture) - Required Marriage Certificate!!!
02-17-2015 EAD and AP is approved
02-23-2015 Received AP is approval letter
02-25-2015 Received EAD/AP combo card (expires 02/16/2016)
02-27-2015 Applied for SS card name change (they took her SS card)
02-27-2015 Driver's learner permit test was denied since the SS card was given to SS office for name change
03-17-2015 Received SS card with married name
03-17-2015 Started to change all her accounts to married name
03-23-2015 Received potential interview waiver letter
03-27-2015 DMV rejects learner's permit due to "legal status=pending" and vision test failure
04-05-2015 Vision test for learner's permit
04-06-2015 DPS sent us letter that DHS cleared my wife's status to acquire driver's license.
04-10-2015 Passed Driver Learner's Permit
04-22-2015 Received Driver Learner's Permit ID card (expires 02/16/2016)
08-27-2015 Green Card approved
08-31-2015 Received Green Card "Welcome Notice Was Mailed" letter
09-05-2015 Received Green card
10-26-2015 Passed Driver's License Road Test (on 3rd attempt)
11-03-2015 Received Driver's License (expires 02/16/2022)
11-06-2015 Applied to remove conditional work remark on SS card
11-23-2015 Received updated Social Security Card.
- - - - - - - - - - Pending Future Processing - - - - - - - - - -
05-27-2017 File 10 Year Green Card
08-27-2017 2 Year Green Card Expires
05-27-2018 File USC

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline

Thank you all for the help to start this journey! It's been a huge asset to start this process. Just to be 100% clear it doesn't matter if we get married in the us or Canada correct? It won't effect the Cr1 visa

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You are correct, it doesn't matter where you get married.

(I got married in India and once I returned back to the States, we are working on my wife's CR-1 visa).

Read the Guides above, they are very handy.

And welcome to VJ!

USCIS

January 16, 2015 I-130 Mailed, Chi lockbox January 20, 2015 Priority Date, January 21, 2015 NOA1 notice date, Assigned VSC, January 23, 2015 Check Cashed, electronically March 5, 2015 NOA2

NVC

March 27, 2015 NVC received April 6, 2015 Case#, IIN# assigned April 8, 2015 Paid AOS + IV fee Invoices May 5, 2015 AOS + IV package submitted May 11, 2015 Scan Date

June 11, 2015 DS-260 submitted June 25, 2015 False checklist (for ds260).. hello? June 30, 2015 Answered checklist Aug 5, 2015 Escalated to Supervisor review Aug 13, 2015 Case Complete

Consular

Sept 10, 2015 Interview Scheduled Sept 11, 2015 P4 Letter received Sept 21, 2015 file In transit from NVC Sept 23, 2015 file at Embassy

Sept 28, 2015 Medical Oct 14, 2015 Biometrics Oct 15, 2015 Interview (Approved) Oct 19, 2015 IV visa Issued Oct 23, 2015 Passport Pickup

POE

Nov 2, 2015 Entered the US Nov 16, 2015 Applied for SSN, walk-in Nov 20, 2015 Social Security Card recd Jan 15, 2016 GC received

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Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: India
Timeline

Wooo Hooo ... adding another (motivated) US tax payer soon!! :D

K1 fiancee visa should be quicker to get her to US,

but spouse visa should be quicker for her to be able to work in US.

Good luck!

Actually, Fiancee visa (K1) and spouse visa (K3) are non-immigrant visas. K1 is for foreign fiancee who must enter US and stay within 90 days. K3 is for married foreign spouse. It is valid for two years generally, but it does depend on the reciprocity agreement the US has with the country of origin. For the UK, it is two years for K3

For K1 and K3 spouses, they cannot work in the US until they apply for work permits (Employment Authorization document) while adjusting status to permanent/temporary status or just apply for work permits alone. That's true that it should be quicker to get non-immigrant visas, but they cannot start working in the US right away.

CR-1 and IR-1 visas are immigrant visas -- foreign married spouse can work right away after entering the US as US conditional resident/US permanent resident and getting her/his new SSN.

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My husband and I married in the US only because we picked a city that was half-way between us.... and it was actually a lot cheaper for our quickie nuptials ;) Marrying in Canada or the US does not matter.... We chose to go the Spousal Visa route so that I would have the ability to work right away and be able to criss-cross the border (I have two children that will come back to Canada for time with their father and family...)

I am a bit of a research nut and I understand the overwhelming confusion you feel at the beginning. Luckily this is a really awesome forum with info about every single step along the way!!

One thing you can start doing is putting together your "proof of relationship". Photos of you two together and with family, trips you've taken together, letters/cards mailed to each other, etc...... the options for 'proof' is quite extensive!

Read through the Guides, re-read them, and again..... Read through the USCIS forms and research anything you're not sure about (or ask here....)

And above all - BE PATIENT! This can be a long process and waiting for paperwork to be reviewed can drive people nuts!!

Best wishes!!!

Met in the SCA - DRACO INVICTUS!  08-14-2014 Married in Ann Arbor, MI

Spoiler

 

USCIS.... DONE  in 150 day from NOA1 to NOA2 (TSC)

NVC... DONE  in 116 days from NOA2 to final CC

Final Steps... DONE in 350 days from NOA1 to POE
POE 08-11-2015 in Detroit, MI 

 

 

 

 

Removal of Conditions

07-11-2017 NOA1 date (rec'd on 14th)

08-03-2017 Daughter and I completed biometrics; May 2018 - I had to redo my biometrics (reason unknown)

WAC17283xxxxx....and we wait...400 days

07-13-2018 I-551 extension stamp (12 mths) obtained at USCIS office in Detroit

09-20-2018 Transferred to TSC

10-15-2018 Text notification "New Card Being Produced"   YAY!!

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