CR-1 process...Timeline

[dwheels76 5,463]

Hello,

Have read alot and thank you for information. But I would like to hear from people who filed in the United States from start of I-130 to Interview ti approved. I have heard so many time,lines. But one thing I hear is US takes extra long and I should prepare for 10 to 12 months.

Why does it take so long? I am currently in Nigeria with my husband But I have to leave and won;t be able to come back for 6 months. I am nt a permanent resident and do not qualify to file paperwork at embassy here which I hear goes very fast.

So anybody have timelines and even know why it takes so long for a US filing?

Thanks Dwheels

[Dave and Kinnari 31]

Nigeria is a high fraud country.

[dwheels76 5,463]

Yes its a high fraud country but what does that have to do with the excessive timeline? I have been told that filing in US is 2 to 3 times the wait. If I was filing in Nigeria we would have VISA probably within 8 weeks. So was just wondering how long people have been getting their VISA's. Curious since I will have to fly back and forth during this waiting period.

[~happyndinlove~ 540]

I would think that DCF is a lot faster, regardless. I might be wrong though...

[M in CA 9]

I would think that DCF is a lot faster, regardless. I might be wrong though...

i believe you are correct. Direct Consular Filing has faster time expectation. sad truth, considering that it's the US-based ones where the spouses are more likely separated geographically and want to hurry things along.

It seems for the I-130 that nothing happens with the application for about 3 months. It just sits in a pile. Not sure if this is logistics, understaffing, calculated to sift out fraud, or job-security.

DCF puts the pressure on the embassy to take immdiate action.

Expectation for CR-1 using US-based I-130 should be about 5 months MAX, beyond which you can seek outside help from congress-person. Phase 2, however, the I-230 part might be longer if coming from fraud-riddled nation.

best wishes, M.

[Mrs O. 29]

Expectation for CR-1 using US-based I-130 should be about 5 months MAX

I believe OP is asking for a time estimate from I-130 filing to Interview which is waaaay more than 5 months. The I-130 approval takes about 5 months in USCIS, then goes on to NVC which can range from 3 weeks to 3months+ depending on how quickly the applicants respond to requests and the accuracy of submitted documents. THEN the application finally goes to Lagos. Scheduling of the interview date depends on how busy the embassy is.

I dont have a precise estimate but we are looking at 8-12 months, all things going well.

[KingsWife 4]

I'm sorry, I dont mean to be discouraging but my I-130 has been processing for over 1 year already.I ended up having to get a Congressman's office invloved before it was finally moved to NVC. Now we are in the final steps hopefully, and they say they have all the information(Application,AOS, police certificate, marriage certificate, passport etc.) they need and all the fees have been paid.God willing, they will be sending us an interview date shortly.I have been to Nigeria 3 times already and was told that you cannot file in Nigeria, you must file in the U.S.so thats what I did, more than 1 year ago:(

Best of luck to you!!

[dwheels76 5,463]

DCF is not an option. For Nigeria at least you have to be a permanent resident and have lived here 6 months from the start of the permanent resident status.

Well I am tenacious on things and pray things move faster. Seems things work faster for other countries so I pray I will get a fast moving clerk. that will gt things done.

But WOW 1 year? and not even an interview. More than likely I will be back to stay in a few months have to go back to states get some things done and get another VISA and wait and wait for the interview process. Thanks all for your input.

[Dave and Kinnari 31]

Ghana is 1 year wait from NVC Complete to Interview...

[dwheels76 5,463]

Okay just trying to get all this so I know what to expect and prepare for fee's and all that.Okay you all seen the CR timeline list. I have seen some people's timeline when sending their I-130 they post check cashed.I know you have to file I-130 with the $420 fee correct?

Now what is the I-86 Bill and the IV Bill? I have gone over all the forms and on form DS-230 it has $325 fee. Is that the IV Bill they speak of? Just don't want to forget anything in my initial packet. So far I see $775 in fees from I-130 through interview is that right. Please advise thanks.

I-130 Sent :

I-130 NOA1 :

I-130 RFE :

I-130 RFE Sent :

I-130 Approved :

NVC Received :

Received DS-3032 / I-864 Bill :

Pay I-864 Bill

Receive I-864 Package :

Return Completed I-864 :

Return Completed DS-3032 :

Receive IV Bill :

Pay IV Bill :

Receive Instruction Package :

Case Completed at NVC :

NVC Left :

Consulate Received :

Packet 3 Received :

Packet 3 Sent :

Packet 4 Received :

Interview Date :

Interview Result :

Second Interview

(If Required):

Second Interview Result:

Visa Received :

US Entry :

[Mrs O. 29]

IV bill is $404: 330 + 74 (IV processing fee + security surcharge)

I-864 bill: $88 (Affidavit of support review)

http://travel.state...._1263.html#perm

Edited June 21, 2011 by Mrs O.

[Brusik 11]

Figure medical and expenses for mailing documents via DHL which can be about 60 dollars......

[dwheels76 5,463]

Okay so it goes like this right.

IV Bill=$404

I-864=$88

So added to

DS-230=$325

I-130=$420

Yikes $1267, Not to mention the medical which I can only imagine how much with all those test, xrays and such. Biometrics shouldn't be too much. Wondering how far in advance he should order his police records. hmmmm.

[Mrs O. 29]

DS-230=$325

Not sure where you got that DS230 amount from. As far as I know the IV Bill is what you pay for the DS230. So take 325 out of your calculation, relieved?

[dwheels76 5,463]

I see so when its time for the DS-230 and AOS thats the IV Bill and such. I got the $325 off the I-169 Instructions for Immigrant Visa application.It's the checklist you send in with the DS-230 when you get all your required information and you send in to get your interview appointment. I assume that's part of the packet you get back form the NVC.

Is this an old form? There's so many out there now I just want to make sure. I guess once you send in your I-130 packet of stuff you just follow along what the USCIS and NVC send to you.

Also just wondering is it better to have all information sent to the US citizen and you send to spouse/fiance' or have the USCIS send directly to them? Nigerian mail is the worst at least postal service. We have letters ad cards we sent to each other when we first dated that never have arrived. I had cards once that arrived 6 months later. So much for that proof. (srry I digress . Thanks for the info. Sorry to be such a chatty Kathy but so thrilled to be with people who know the way and willing to help. I am so grateful.