CR1/IR1 Interview Venue

[NiceGuy123 0]

I got married in July 2009 in Pakistan. My wife is a US citizen. She's applying for I-130 petition. It will take 3-4 months and then I'll file the later application after getting the Visa Number.

I have a confusion about Interview venue. I married in Pakistan but I used to live outside Pakistan for studies since last 3 years. I consult a lawyer in US and he said I must go back to Pakistan for interview. So, I wanted to know where my interview will be held? Pakistan or Outside. would it be possible to change the venue from home country to the country of residence?

need a quick and detailed reply..

Thanks.

[Bobby+Umit 161]

From the State Department website:

National Visa Center (NVC) Sends Petition To Post

After the USCIS approves the I-129F, it sends it to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC sends the petition to the embassy or consulate in the country where the marriage took place. If your marriage took place in the United States, the NVC sends the petition to the embassy or consulate that issues visas in the country of your spouse's nationality. If your marriage took place in a country that does not have an American embassy, or the embassy does not issue visas, the NVC sends the petition to the embassy or consulate that normally processes visas for citizens of that country. For example, if the marriage took place in Iran where the United States does not have an embassy, the petition would be sent to Turkey.

[New Beginnings 32]

From the State Department website:

National Visa Center (NVC) Sends Petition To Post

After the USCIS approves the I-129F, it sends it to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC sends the petition to the embassy or consulate in the country where the marriage took place. If your marriage took place in the United States, the NVC sends the petition to the embassy or consulate that issues visas in the country of your spouse's nationality. If your marriage took place in a country that does not have an American embassy, or the embassy does not issue visas, the NVC sends the petition to the embassy or consulate that normally processes visas for citizens of that country. For example, if the marriage took place in Iran where the United States does not have an embassy, the petition would be sent to Turkey.

[trailmix 77]

From the State Department website:

National Visa Center (NVC) Sends Petition To Post

After the USCIS approves the I-129F, it sends it to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC sends the petition to the embassy or consulate in the country where the marriage took place. If your marriage took place in the United States, the NVC sends the petition to the embassy or consulate that issues visas in the country of your spouse's nationality. If your marriage took place in a country that does not have an American embassy, or the embassy does not issue visas, the NVC sends the petition to the embassy or consulate that normally processes visas for citizens of that country. For example, if the marriage took place in Iran where the United States does not have an embassy, the petition would be sent to Turkey.

This post refers to the I-129F - IR1/CR1 visa applicants do not file and I-129F.

[trailmix 77]

Also, this question doesn't come up often, but from what I have read the whole 'where you were married' rule does not apply to IR1/CR1 applicants. I've seen these applicants switch embassies, from Canada to Ireland and from Korea to Canada.

OP, I would check with your nearest consulate for clarification - be sure to let them know that you have applied for a CR1 or IR1 visa and that you would like your interview to be held there.

Edited September 25, 2009 by trailmix

[NiceGuy123 0]

Also, this question doesn't come up often, but from what I have read the whole 'where you were married' rule does not apply to IR1/CR1 applicants. I've seen these applicants switch embassies, from Canada to Ireland and from Korea to Canada.

OP, I would check with your nearest consulate for clarification - be sure to let them know that you have applied for a CR1 or IR1 visa and that you would like your interview to be held there.

I contacted to the US embassy Korea where I'm living now and they replied:

Even though she is not eligible to file the petition in Korea, you can still have your visa interview in Korea if you are reside in Korea. When she files the I-130 in the U.S., she can request the CIS in the U.S. to assign your case to Seoul.

[trailmix 77]

Also, this question doesn't come up often, but from what I have read the whole 'where you were married' rule does not apply to IR1/CR1 applicants. I've seen these applicants switch embassies, from Canada to Ireland and from Korea to Canada.

OP, I would check with your nearest consulate for clarification - be sure to let them know that you have applied for a CR1 or IR1 visa and that you would like your interview to be held there.

I contacted to the US embassy Korea where I'm living now and they replied:

Even though she is not eligible to file the petition in Korea, you can still have your visa interview in Korea if you are reside in Korea. When she files the I-130 in the U.S., she can request the CIS in the U.S. to assign your case to Seoul.

[Lancelotte25 1]

I got married in July 2009 in Pakistan. My wife is a US citizen. She's applying for I-130 petition. It will take 3-4 months and then I'll file the later application after getting the Visa Number.

I have a confusion about Interview venue. I married in Pakistan but I used to live outside Pakistan for studies since last 3 years. I consult a lawyer in US and he said I must go back to Pakistan for interview. So, I wanted to know where my interview will be held? Pakistan or Outside. would it be possible to change the venue from home country to the country of residence?

need a quick and detailed reply..

Thanks.

I was married in the Philippines but I've been living in Saudi Arabia since 2001, since until now I am staying in Saudi, my interview will be done here.

Fiance Visa cannot be process outside the country of origin.

[Jamaican JNR 2]

I got married in July 2009 in Pakistan. My wife is a US citizen. She's applying for I-130 petition. It will take 3-4 months and then I'll file the later application after getting the Visa Number.

I have a confusion about Interview venue. I married in Pakistan but I used to live outside Pakistan for studies since last 3 years. I consult a lawyer in US and he said I must go back to Pakistan for interview. So, I wanted to know where my interview will be held? Pakistan or Outside. would it be possible to change the venue from home country to the country of residence?

need a quick and detailed reply..

Thanks.

Go to the state dept website for your answers. Best of luck