When can I expect medical/interview for my wifein Canada?

[MCMLXXXII 29]

Hi, new to the forum.

I got married to my wife in Toronto on July 24th 2011. She is a Pakistani citizen and a Canadian Perminent Resident. Since then I have filed for I-130 in September 13th and subsequently an I-129F for a K3 visa but I am told that most probably that route will be closed. I have received NOA1 for both in september (please see timeline). I have the following questions:

1. Will her I-130 take longer for approval because of her being a Pakistani citizen?

2. What kind of dates can I expect for the interview? I am guessing some time around May or June 2012. Is that about right?

3. What is the process for the medical? Can this be done prior to an interview being set? My wife plans to go abroad in February for a month and I want to know if that would impact anything. What does she need to have completed before that?

Thanks for all your help.

[Ryan H 3,813]

1. Will her I-130 take longer for approval because of her being a Pakistani citizen?

Yes if USCIS decides to conduct "extra background checks" prior to approving the petition.

2. What kind of dates can I expect for the interview? I am guessing some time around May or June 2012. Is that about right?

Impossible to predict when an interview may occur until you have your NOA2 from USCIS and a case number from the NVC.

[Saylin 1,605]

Hi, new to the forum.

I got married to my wife in Toronto on July 24th 2011. She is a Pakistani citizen and a Canadian Perminent Resident. Since then I have filed for I-130 in September 13th and subsequently an I-129F for a K3 visa but I am told that most probably that route will be closed. I have received NOA1 for both in september (please see timeline). I have the following questions:

1. Will her I-130 take longer for approval because of her being a Pakistani citizen?

2. What kind of dates can I expect for the interview? I am guessing some time around May or June 2012. Is that about right?

3. What is the process for the medical? Can this be done prior to an interview being set? My wife plans to go abroad in February for a month and I want to know if that would impact anything. What does she need to have completed before that?

Thanks for all your help.

As you know, yes, the K3 will most likely close, and NVC will continue processing with your I-130, making it a CR-1 visa.

Anyways, no, her being a Pakistani citizen will most likely not affect this part of the process. The I-130 focuses more on the petitioner as USCIS has to make sure you're eligible to petition for a foreign spouse. But if her name is similar to those on the government's "hit list", then additional checks might be needed, and might take longer.

As for dates: if you filed in September, and it takes average 5 months to get approved, you're looking at getting the NOA2 in February sometime. Then, if you're on top of things at NVC (with all forms ready to go), then it should take about 2 months there, with a case complete around April. And for Canada, the interview is about two months from case complete to the date, so the interview would be around June. Of course, this all depends on when you get your NOA2. If you get approved faster, then the timeline will change. Also, if you're not prepared for NVC, or get an RFE, this will also affect the timeline.

As for the medical, in Canada, you have to wait for an interview date to be set before you can schedule a medical. So, going with the above timeline, she'd be having her medical probably in May.

So her trip in February won't affect much, as long as you get approved sometime in February. If you get approved sooner (and by sooner, I mean like a few months early), then there might be an impact.

Edited October 26, 2011 by Saylin

[MCMLXXXII 29]

As you know, yes, the K3 will most likely close, and NVC will continue processing with your I-130, making it a CR-1 visa.

Anyways, no, her being a Pakistani citizen will most likely not affect this part of the process. The I-130 focuses more on the petitioner as USCIS has to make sure you're eligible to petition for a foreign spouse. But if her name is similar to those on the government's "hit list", then additional checks might be needed, and might take longer.

As for dates: if you filed in September, and it takes average 5 months to get approved, you're looking at getting the NOA2 in February sometime. Then, if you're on top of things at NVC (with all forms ready to go), then it should take about 2 months there, with a case complete around April. And for Canada, the interview is about two months from case complete to the date, so the interview would be around June. Of course, this all depends on when you get your NOA2. If you get approved faster, then the timeline will change. Also, if you're not prepared for NVC, or get an RFE, this will also affect the timeline.

As for the medical, in Canada, you have to wait for an interview date to be set before you can schedule a medical. So, going with the above timeline, she'd be having her medical probably in May.

So her trip in February won't affect much, as long as you get approved sometime in February. If you get approved sooner (and by sooner, I mean like a few months early), then there might be an impact.

Thank you so much Saylin, You are awesome!

What documents do I need signed by her for the NVC? Just the choice of agent form? Can that be done before receiving the NOA2?

[Saylin 1,605]

Thank you so much Saylin, You are awesome!

What documents do I need signed by her for the NVC? Just the choice of agent form? Can that be done before receiving the NOA2?

Well, since she's going to be interviewing in Canada, you're required to do online forms. One of which is the DS-261 (Choice of Agent form, DS-3032 but online). Now, some people required to do online forms are still sending in the email template of the DS-3032 and it being accepted. So that option is still open for you. The other online form is the DS-260 which is MANDATORY. It's the equivalent of the DS-230. The DS-260 is done online as well. So there are no forms your wife has to sign. Only you have to sign one form (I-864).

I'd suggest reading the wiki I wrote (linked in my signature below) that describes the NVC process for Canadians. The online forms are required, but electronic processing (sending packages by email) is still optional for Canada.

[MCMLXXXII 29]

Well, since she's going to be interviewing in Canada, you're required to do online forms. One of which is the DS-261 (Choice of Agent form, DS-3032 but online). Now, some people required to do online forms are still sending in the email template of the DS-3032 and it being accepted. So that option is still open for you. The other online form is the DS-260 which is MANDATORY. It's the equivalent of the DS-230. The DS-260 is done online as well. So there are no forms your wife has to sign. Only you have to sign one form (I-864).

I'd suggest reading the wiki I wrote (linked in my signature below) that describes the NVC process for Canadians. The online forms are required, but electronic processing (sending packages by email) is still optional for Canada.

Thank you so much! That wiki is very usefull!

[Saylin 1,605]

Thank you so much! That wiki is very usefull!

You're welcome!

And I'm so glad you find the wiki useful! That was my intention; to help Canadians (and other countries doing EP/online forms).

If you have any questions during this process, I'm more than happy to help you!