CR-1 Shortcut if living in Russia?

[millefleur 5,037]

3 minutes ago, Chip&Vera said:

Now that one can reside in Russia using a 3 year multi-entry visa, the "proof of legal residence" rules have changed. You do not need to show a residency permit or work contract as is still stated on the government website. This was confirmed by email to USCIS Moscow (see above) and by the fact that my I-130 DCF application was accepted by them with no argument whatsoever.

 

What I used to prove legal residence:

* An apartment lease (translated) with my name on it.

* Russian address registrations for the past 2 years (you only need 6 months).

* An affidavit from a Russian friend attesting to my living here. (probably not needed)

* Passport stamps which verify my travels. 

 

Further info on DCF in Moscow. The clerk who reviewed my package was extremely helpful and patient and had me correct several items, using white-out. She then took it to the officer on duty and came back with the official acceptance of my DCF. And the surprise of the day, since my wife was there with me, they conducted our interview immediately. To top off the good fortune, I had my reply in email in 2 days -- APPROVED. 

 

Thanks, Chip&Vera! You should update your timeline.

 

I wish I had known that all along, I wouldn't have stayed on my work visa so long. Regarding the interview: that was only your first interview, there will of course be another one, which is the final and more in-depth interview.

[CM&KV 72]

Congrats! I'm glad to know that this has worked.

[Chip&Vera 3]

On 3/2/2017 at 1:28 AM, millefleur said:

Thanks, Chip&Vera! You should update your timeline.

 

I wish I had known that all along, I wouldn't have stayed on my work visa so long. Regarding the interview: that was only your first interview, there will of course be another one, which is the final and more in-depth interview.

 

The next interview is the usual visa interview, correct? I think we have gotten the dreaded "is your marriage a fraud?" interview out of the way?

 

If you completed the rest of the process (after I-130) in Russia, how long did it take? 

[millefleur 5,037]

2 hours ago, Chip&Vera said:

 

The next interview is the usual visa interview, correct? I think we have gotten the dreaded "is your marriage a fraud?" interview out of the way?

 

If you completed the rest of the process (after I-130) in Russia, how long did it take? 

We're still waiting to schedule the medical and the final interview....this is just a personal preference: we could go ahead and do it now, but we need to gather our documents and translations again, etc. We also have to book a hotel as we're not in Moscow, so we're planning for late March/early April.

 

Basically, as soon as you get your case number (which will begin with MOS-xxxx... followed by a series of numbers), you can schedule the final interview! You should be getting it soon, it'll arrive via e-mail. So, in theory, you could finish the entire process in a less than a month if you had all your papers in order already.

 

Actually, I've heard that the final interview can be much more in-depth. This is where the questions about your plans and intentions come up, and if they have any suspicions, can ask really probing questions about personal habits and so on. But it depends on each case: it may be easier than the first. Nobody can predict, but it's always good to be prepared! The final interview will not be done by the same people. I get the impression that the guys who do the DCF I-130 interviews are a lot more laid back from what I've read/heard.

 

Edited March 3, 2017 by millefleur