First time here.. help! haha

[PleaseDeleteAcct 7]

Ok so I finally joined this site. I have been looking around the internet a ton and doing research about the options for visas in order to be able to permanantly live with my boyfriend here in the U.S. (New York) he is from England and we are planning to get married in early January with him returning to England, and then we will apply for the IR-1/CR-1 visa once he returns home (that will give him time to finish school and get things all set anyway while things are being processed). The people on this site have been very helpful so far from the outside and I think as this whole thing gets close, being a part of this community would greatly benefit me in the future, so I am glad to say that this is my first post here

My biggest question I keep coming accross is: Where is the interview for this kind of visa? It is at the embassy before he comes here, or after her arrives?

I looked at the "trends/stats" page and it says approx. average total days til approval (depending on which service center is used) is some where from 123 days to 177 days, while the top portion claims the average total time to interview is 311 days...???

Does it really take only about 150 days to process than you have to continue sitting around in different countries for another 150 days or so for the interview before entering the U.S.? Or are they able to come once approval is given and then and interview is done here, in the U.S., once things are settled in?

Sorry I sound so confused, I have a really good grasp on all the other details but this minor number confusion has really got me worried! Any information that can provided would really help! Thanks so much in advance.

-Jaym

Edited October 5, 2011 by xxJaym

[Chris921 13]

i personally didn't do the ir-1 but i believe the interview will be as the london embassy before he arrives, and although the approval takes 123-177 days, that is just with the uscis, it then goes onto the nvc for further processing, before it is forwarded to the london embassy and they do their processing and send him out packets of forms and things he has to complete before he is given an interview date (they will also have to have a medical at the knightsbridge doctors near the embassy beforethe interview) so once approved there is a few hoops to go through which all take time hence the difference in times.

[Harpa Timsah 13,260]

Interview is at embassy in London, before he arrives. Yes, it really takes that long

[PleaseDeleteAcct 7]

Interview is at embassy in London, before he arrives. Yes, it really takes that long

Oh no

So the total process will be closer to almost a year by the time he gets here?

If we marry in Jan and file everything the first week, we are looking at like September/October before we can be actually together again?

I called the 800 number for USCIS and they told me processing time was about 5 months, so that means 5 months here... plus the time to interview I'm assuming. Grrr.

Thanks for the help!!!

[Harpa Timsah 13,260]

Yes, there are a few "stages." The petition approval is around 5 months, but then there is processing at the National Visa Center and time waiting for the interview. Your future spouse can come and visit you while the process goes through like normal (following the terms of his visitor status etc).

It's too bad the phone number misleads people and says "5 months" when they are only talking about one stage... oh well... the people you call are a call center and not actual USCIS employees who understand he process.

Also, I believe you need permission to marry in the UK (like a "get married" visa), so make sure to look into that.

[PleaseDeleteAcct 7]

Well he would be coming to the US where I live and we would marry here.

Yea I guess the call centers probably don't have as much info as someone who actually works there or someone who has gone through the process. Thanks for your help!

Its good to know he would still be able to come visit during this time possibly.. I was under the impression that under no circumstance can he come here at all during the process. Good to read here that you may be able to as long as you prove your intent to go back, and that you have filed legally and are in process, etc.

[VisaParaUnSueno 9]

Yes, there are a few "stages." The petition approval is around 5 months, but then there is processing at the National Visa Center and time waiting for the interview. Your future spouse can come and visit you while the process goes through like normal (following the terms of his visitor status etc).

It's too bad the phone number misleads people and says "5 months" when they are only talking about one stage... oh well... the people you call are a call center and not actual USCIS employees who understand he process.

Also, I believe you need permission to marry in the UK (like a "get married" visa), so make sure to look into that.

We are new on this Journey but we are willing to do and wait as long as it takes. Any suggestions, advice, answers are a blessing as we begin this Journey together... Thanks in advance for the response!

Here's Our Story... Morocco LOVES Colombia

We meet on the once popular Myspace! From all those people online we found each other with a click on the browse button; a sec would have made a difference of never meeting but we both believe it was meant to be... Love at first "site" We have talked since Aug, 2007... Because of our age at the time and our focus on school, we kept our relationship long distance. It was the only thing we could do and I also lost my Father. For those reasons we have never been able to meet in person but... I became a U.S. Citizen I am from Colombia and he is Moroccan but currently living in the U.K. now on a Student Visa for 2 years. We never lost touch and we have been glued to the computer for each other ever since and have grown closer and closer. Before anything we are best friends and he is a blessing in my life. On Aug, 2011 we decided to take our relationship to another level and we have decided to get married. Now 26 he 25. I am currently waiting on my U.S. Passport and I plan to travel to the U.K. and get married with him there. We have kept records of messages since 2007, pictures, money transfers, gifts, letters, and I'm currently having trouble getting my phone records of him calling me long distance with my Metro phone... :(IF THERE ARE OTHER WAYS OF OBTAINING THESE RECORDS PLEASE SHARE SUGGESTIONS...) TNK He's talked to my Mother and Family through Skype and asked for my hand in marriage and recorded that meeting and pictures of that moment. We plan to record the first time we meet at the airport and also of course the formal proposal in person, plus pictures with dates !!! AND The civil marriage it's self as proof for (K-3 or CR-1)... if that is the best route for us to take instead of the (K-1)? I also read that letters from friends and relatives with approving statements and supporting our relationship once in the interview process will help?! Do you guys know if the letters have to be typed or hand written and or notarized?

1) I'm not sure what is best for our situation. He's been living in the U.K. for 2 years on a student visa, will that favor us in any kind of way?

2) I think that asking for him as a Fiance (K-1) would be a little bit more difficult or take longer? Since we haven't met each other yet but will meet in Nov 11 and I will stay with him for like 3-4 months, we are really considering getting married in the U.K. instead thinking this will be more beneficial in our case because it might be the only time in a while that we can meet again... Does this mean I have to wait a while to file for him after we meet or I can file right away...?

(K-3)

3) I want to know when we meet in the U.K. get married and I'm planning on staying with him for like 3-4 months there; will that will be enough time to apply for him as my spouse (there at the U.S. Embassy) ? or I need to come back here and have to file from the State of Georgia?

4) Will he have to leave the U.K. and go to Morocco at any point since he is there in school and can lose his visa and not finish school or with the K-3 or CR-1 has the option of interviewing in the U.K?

WE JUST WANT THE FASTEST WAY POSSIBLE AND THE ONE THAT MIGHT MAKE US WAIT A LIL LONGER FOR HIS LEGAL STATUS TO CHANGE BUT WILL ALLOW US TO BE TOGETHER IN THE PROCESS... DON'T WE ALL WANT THAT!

GOD BLESS!

THANK YOU!

HERE WE GO!

[Christanj 0]

Oh no

So the total process will be closer to almost a year by the time he gets here?

If we marry in Jan and file everything the first week, we are looking at like September/October before we can be actually together again?

I called the 800 number for USCIS and they told me processing time was about 5 months, so that means 5 months here... plus the time to interview I'm assuming. Grrr.

Thanks for the help!!!

Hi there, I would suggest a brief look at the Wiki to get an idea of all the stages involved.

I have just finished the CR-1 process and it took, in total from filing the I-130 to interview, 7 months and 2 days. I have seen people maybe get it finished in 6 1/2 months but that is extremely rare. You can look at my timeline for an idea of how long things take.

The basic overview of the CR-1 is:

1) USCIS stage: submit I-130 and accompanying documents (this takes about 5 months). Once it is approved USCIS transfers the documents to the NVC.

2) NVC stage: you will submit a DS-3032, I-864 and DS-230 (as well the medical in Knightsbridge). Once that is completed (1-2 months) NVC send the documents to the Embassy in London. The NVC will then schedule an interview (usually about a month after the NVC gives you "case complete").

3) Interview and approval (passport is then returned about 7-10 days after this)

Most importantly though I wish you the best of luck and if you have any further questions do not hesitate to ask!

[PleaseDeleteAcct 7]

Hi there, I would suggest a brief look at the Wiki to get an idea of all the stages involved.

I have just finished the CR-1 process and it took, in total from filing the I-130 to interview, 7 months and 2 days. I have seen people maybe get it finished in 6 1/2 months but that is extremely rare. You can look at my timeline for an idea of how long things take.

The basic overview of the CR-1 is:

1) USCIS stage: submit I-130 and accompanying documents (this takes about 5 months). Once it is approved USCIS transfers the documents to the NVC.

2) NVC stage: you will submit a DS-3032, I-864 and DS-230 (as well the medical in Knightsbridge). Once that is completed (1-2 months) NVC send the documents to the Embassy in London. The NVC will then schedule an interview (usually about a month after the NVC gives you "case complete").

3) Interview and approval (passport is then returned about 7-10 days after this)

Most importantly though I wish you the best of luck and if you have any further questions do not hesitate to ask!

Thank you so much for that information, I checked out your timeline and that makes me feel a lot better. When they told me "about 5 months" in my head I was thinking closer to 6 or 7 anyway, but I didn't think it would take 9 or more, good to know that 7 is a fairly accurate timeframe.

My boyfriend will be here next week and we plan to get as much information and stuff together now, we have plenty of "proof" of a relationship and all that but since were not married YET, we obviously can't include wedding pics, marriage license or certificate or anything like that, but our hope is to get the full package for the I-130 almost completely done during this trip, then when he comes back to get married next time, we just have to add the last few things, make some copies and send it out so we can get things started ASAP. Hopefully that will help us get a head start on the processing.

Thanks again for the help, that input and your timeline was very useful!!

[JoannaV 174]

Timelines vary widely, and it varies from month to month. So it could be quicker. But you want to be prepared for a long time and then be happy when it's sooner :-)

They understand that you'll be newlyweds and living in separate countries. There is no need to go overboard with pictures and the like. As you won't be able to provide some of the more concrete things you should include the affidavits that they list as an option. That's what we did, and the only other piece of evidence we had was a boat insurance document which happened to have both our names on. Concentrate on trying to get a couple of things which show some kind of financial intermingling, however minor.

He'll be able to visit you whilst you wait, as much as his schooling allows at least. There shouldn't be a problem getting into the US, but he can bring proof of his school dates just in case. Once he graduates he can always come visit for a full 90 days, although then he might risk doing what I did: being in America when I got my interview date and so having to reschedule for the following month But if there's a delay because you're together then it doesn't really count as a delay, right? :B

[Christanj 0]

Thank you so much for that information, I checked out your timeline and that makes me feel a lot better. When they told me "about 5 months" in my head I was thinking closer to 6 or 7 anyway, but I didn't think it would take 9 or more, good to know that 7 is a fairly accurate timeframe.

My boyfriend will be here next week and we plan to get as much information and stuff together now, we have plenty of "proof" of a relationship and all that but since were not married YET, we obviously can't include wedding pics, marriage license or certificate or anything like that, but our hope is to get the full package for the I-130 almost completely done during this trip, then when he comes back to get married next time, we just have to add the last few things, make some copies and send it out so we can get things started ASAP. Hopefully that will help us get a head start on the processing.

Thanks again for the help, that input and your timeline was very useful!!

It sounds to me like you are very well read and prepared, I am sure the whole process will go smoothly for you. Anyway, best of luck and look forward to hearing about your journey!

[Nat & Nate 0]

Also, I believe you need permission to marry in the UK (like a "get married" visa), so make sure to look into that.

A US citizen can come to the UK on holiday and marry without any kind of 'get married' visa as long as they do not intend to stay. The 'certificate of approval' was abolished in May. Usual visas apply to those intending to stay.

My fiance and I are getting married in the UK next March and all we need to do is register our intention to marry at a designated register office 8 clear days after his arrival, sit out a 15 day waiting period, then get married. Simple. If the US citizen has been married before then the divorce papers will need UK 'approval' which is usually done during the 15 day waiting period (they are usually faxed to a different office and I was told it's a pretty quick process and just a formality). Both parties need to attend in person to register their intent to marry and will need to provide details of residency (boarding pass or passport stamp to prove he's been in the country 8 days will suffice in his case), ID and original birth/divorce certificates. I visited my local register office this morning to clear all this up as I wasn't sure of the process. Since the abolition of the certificate of approval the floodgates have opened with non UK citizens wanting to marry here that my local designated office is taking 'intention to marry' appointments for December!!