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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Nigeria
Timeline
Posted

Yes, but the K-1 is more expensive, in the end, and does not allow the visa holder to work. 

CR-1 Visa

Married in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria on 29 September 2016 - Civil Marriage
** USCIS **

Service Center: Potomac

Consulate : Lagos, Nigeria 

I-130 Sent: 2016-12-03

I-130 Delivered to Chicago Lockbox: 2016-12-05

I-130 NOA1: 2016-12-08

Oko mi was baptized, confirmed, and received into the Catholic Church in Akure, Nigeria: 2017-04-15 at the Easter Vigil Mass!

Marriage Convalidated in the Catholic Church, Akure, Nigeria: 2017-04-16 Easter Morning! 

I-130 Approved : 2017-05-19

** NVC **

NVC Received : 2017-06-01

NVC Case Number Assigned: 2017-06-15
Received DS-261/AOS Bill: 2017-06-21

Pay AOS Bill: 2017-06-21
Receive IV Bill : 2017-06-23
Pay IV Bill : 2017-06-23

Receive I-864 Package : 2017-06-28

Send AOS Package : 2017-07-01

Submit DS-261 :  2017-06-21

Send IV Package : 2017-07-01
Scan Date: 2017-07-07

Receive Instruction and Interview appointment letter : 2017-09-30

Case Completed at NVC : 2017-09-01

----------------------------

 

Interview Date : 2017-11-22

Interview Result : Approved! Thanks be to God!

Visa Received : 2017-11-27
US Entry : 2017-12-08 Atlanta

 
Posted

*~*~*moved from "processes and procedures" to "progress reports"*~*~*~

Timeline in brief:

Married: September 27, 2014

I-130 filed: February 5, 2016

NOA1: February 8, 2016 Nebraska

NOA2: July 21, 2016

Interview: December 6, 2016 London

POE: December 19, 2016 Las Vegas

N-400 filed: September 30, 2019

Interview: March 22, 2021 Seattle

Oath: March 22, 2021 COVID-style same-day oath

 

Now a US citizen!

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

I don't understand the logic of US immigration. I've been together with my husband for 12 years and married for 9 1/2 years (we also have a 4 year old son). By the time I get my green card I will be married 10 years. People from Canada and the US are just shocked, absolutely shocked when I tell them I can only go to visit my spouse 1-2 weeks at a time IF I AM LUCKY if I can prove ties. The fact that a IR1/IR2 would take the better part of a YEAR to process is ridiculous. But yet if I had just met my spouse on some website and had questionable intentions I would be allowed to legally enter the US on a promise to marry in 90 days. It's just unbelievable. I've learned from this process the more genuine your relationship is, the more it works against you. I had a border agent tell me because my relationship is real makes it a higher probability I won't return home. I could rant about this for hours. They really need to find a better system or temporary visa for spouses who can legally enter the US and adjust status. As for the cost of all this it is costing our family to run two households. Without question I'd be willing to pay an extra $10,000 if it meant speeding up the process because being separated and all our expenses well exceed that. Don't even get me started on how I have to disclose all my personal information to the IRS on my spouse's taxes. The cheque to pay the accountant to do taxes comes from our joint account. Or the fact I gave birth to a son who has citizenship rights (I was told my son can go live in the US but I can't). Or the fact I have a close relationship to my in laws who live in the US. None of it matters. The process is totally backwards and I hope someone with common sense changes it.

 

As crazy as this sounds my spouse even asked me "do you think you would get here faster if we divorced and got re-married". The really crazy part is, it wouldn't actually take all that much longer.

Posted
14 hours ago, JFH said:

This frustration is expressed all the time. You're not the first to feel this way and you certainly won't be the last. I used to feel the same way too when we started the process. 

 

However, I would not have done the K-1 for all the chocolate in a candy store. No way. The CR-1/IR-1 is a far superior visa. When I arrived in the USA on December 19 last year I was a permanent resident immediately. I was working less than 2 weeks later, in a very good job. Working doesn't just bring the money in, it helped me integrate, gave me structure and routine to my life. I have learned a lot from my co-workers, not just about the company but about working in this industry in this country and about life in this country. My employer provides medical, vision and dental insurance. The premiums don't cost me a penny, just the usual co-pays and deductibles. I got my drivers license almost immediately, already have a credit card and auto financing. All this happened in less than 6 months after my arrival. 

 

Although I haven't travelled out of the country since I arrived, I'm pleased that I have had that option since day one and can leave immediately if I need to (e.g if my mother should have an accident or illness). In my job the ability to travel overseas at short notice is almost essential. 

 

We chose when and where we married. I don't want the government putting me under a 90-day deadline and telling me I must marry in the USA. Not for me! We did get married in the USA but that was what we wanted to do, not what we were told to do. And as for not being able to work for months....I'd be stir crazy! We could probably afford for me not to work for a few months but that's not the point. I would have felt awful loneliness here. And in my field the longer you are out of the business, the harder it is to get back in, and even harder to get back in at the same level you left. 

 

Basically the K-1 is a very expensive tourist visa that allows you to have immigration intent. You have no status here whilst you wait for AOS. For my husband it was important that his wife has permanent and full status from day one. He felt that I deserved that. And he's right. I was proud to go through my POE and be admitted to the country as a permanent resident, wife of my husband. I certainly didn't want to spend months in limbo whilst someone decides whether I can stay or not. 

 

The processing time was frustrating. But I promise you it's absolutely worth it when you cross through CBP at whichever airport you are landing at and you are done with USCIS and paperwork and fees, etc. Some have to go through ROC but that's 2 years away. I got my 10-year green card on arrival and boy was I relieved to be done with all this. Now all I have to do is renew my card every 10 years or apply for citizenship in 2019. 

Unfortunately, we don't know these things when we are working to be together. It must be nice to have all that behind you. My husband is now here after entering on K-1 and we are going through AOS and waiting for EAD. But, at least we are together. 😊

Posted
24 minutes ago, acidrain said:

I don't understand the logic of US immigration. I've been together with my husband for 12 years and married for 9 1/2 years (we also have a 4 year old son). By the time I get my green card I will be married 10 years. People from Canada and the US are just shocked, absolutely shocked when I tell them I can only go to visit my spouse 1-2 weeks at a time IF I AM LUCKY if I can prove ties. The fact that a IR1/IR2 would take the better part of a YEAR to process is ridiculous. But yet if I had just met my spouse on some website and had questionable intentions I would be allowed to legally enter the US on a promise to marry in 90 days. It's just unbelievable. I've learned from this process the more genuine your relationship is, the more it works against you. I had a border agent tell me because my relationship is real makes it a higher probability I won't return home. I could rant about this for hours. They really need to find a better system or temporary visa for spouses who can legally enter the US and adjust status. As for the cost of all this it is costing our family to run two households. Without question I'd be willing to pay an extra $10,000 if it meant speeding up the process because being separated and all our expenses well exceed that. Don't even get me started on how I have to disclose all my personal information to the IRS on my spouse's taxes. The cheque to pay the accountant to do taxes comes from our joint account. Or the fact I gave birth to a son who has citizenship rights (I was told my son can go live in the US but I can't). Or the fact I have a close relationship to my in laws who live in the US. None of it matters. The process is totally backwards and I hope someone with common sense changes it.

 

As crazy as this sounds my spouse even asked me "do you think you would get here faster if we divorced and got re-married". The really crazy part is, it wouldn't actually take all that much longer.

First of, not all using fiance visa met on websites and they do pay and wait for a specific visa that is use to be allowed legally in the US for 90 days with the intention was to immigrate. However, I do agree with you for the spouses. There are people who doesn't want to move here and just want to go meet the family or stay for extended of time but no intention to stay for good. There should be a separate visa for those spouses or family members and yes A YEAR is too long of a process. But of course, we can never fully understand why they want things the way they are.

Posted
54 minutes ago, Diane and Chris said:

Unfortunately, we don't know these things when we are working to be together. It must be nice to have all that behind you. My husband is now here after entering on K-1 and we are going through AOS and waiting for EAD. But, at least we are together. 😊

Research is key! You should have known exactly west uou were getting yourselves into when you chose your visa path. Anyone who goes into a K-1 not knowing then will have to go thorough AOS and that they won't be able to work etc only has themselves to blame. 

 

Yes, I have everything behind me now. That's why we chose IR-1. We spent a considerable period of time preparing ourselves for this and finding out all we can about it. Those who have been on the CR-1/IR-1 forum for a while will know that we haven't had it easy - we initially wanted to live in my country, the U.K., but my husband was denied a U.K. visa with no possibility of appeal and a lifetime ban. 

 

We spent over two years going through the two visa processes to be together. 

Timeline in brief:

Married: September 27, 2014

I-130 filed: February 5, 2016

NOA1: February 8, 2016 Nebraska

NOA2: July 21, 2016

Interview: December 6, 2016 London

POE: December 19, 2016 Las Vegas

N-400 filed: September 30, 2019

Interview: March 22, 2021 Seattle

Oath: March 22, 2021 COVID-style same-day oath

 

Now a US citizen!

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted (edited)
10 hours ago, POA said:

First of, not all using fiance visa met on websites and they do pay and wait for a specific visa that is use to be allowed legally in the US for 90 days with the intention was to immigrate. However, I do agree with you for the spouses. There are people who doesn't want to move here and just want to go meet the family or stay for extended of time but no intention to stay for good. There should be a separate visa for those spouses or family members and yes A YEAR is too long of a process. But of course, we can never fully understand why they want things the way they are.

I think you are missing the point. Right now I'm stuck in NSC waiting for my i130 to be approved because someone has to validate my relationship is real. Just the i130 alone is expected to take 8-9 months. Anybody with any degree of common sense knows after almost a decade of being married, having a child and entering the US dozens of times, I have no intention of immigrating illegally. But yet I have to wait longer to be reunited with my spouse and at no point am I allowed to enter for 90 days like a fiance. I'm lucky if the border allows 2 week visits!

 

No, not everyone meets online but I've seen plenty of stories where people have said they have only seen their fiance a handful of times (some even once or twice). But yet they have more of a right to enter the US legally than I do? I come from one of the lowest risk countries. I really had no idea just how backwards the system was until I started watching the show 90 day fiance. I just sat there shaking my head all these people who clearly don't even know whether they are marrying the US citizen. They get to enter the US and here I am having to wait out the immigration process abroad. It's just unbelievable.

Edited by acidrain
Posted
17 hours ago, JFH said:

Research is key! You should have known exactly west uou were getting yourselves into when you chose your visa path. Anyone who goes into a K-1 not knowing then will have to go thorough AOS and that they won't be able to work etc only has themselves to blame. 

 

Yes, I have everything behind me now. That's why we chose IR-1. We spent a considerable period of time preparing ourselves for this and finding out all we can about it. Those who have been on the CR-1/IR-1 forum for a while will know that we haven't had it easy - we initially wanted to live in my country, the U.K., but my husband was denied a U.K. visa with no possibility of appeal and a lifetime ban. 

 

We spent over two years going through the two visa processes to be together. 

I'm not blaming anyone for anything. My husband and I are perfectly happy with this journey. We are together. Everyone chooses their own journey. The ultimate goal is to be together.  

 

It is too bad that your husband could not come to your country to live there with you. Why was he given a denial and lifetime ban from the U.K?  I'm glad you two are together at last. 😊

Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Nigeria
Timeline
Posted

im so happy my topic is generating more talks, its giving me an insight into wat u all have gone through.

sometimes i wish my part of Africa is not tagged as bad, mayb i would have been eligible for a VIsa waiver.

 

well im still on the sixth month waiting for NOA2,   hoping we  get it soon, at least a sign of relieve wil be on me.

 

Posted
9 hours ago, acidrain said:

I think you are missing the point. Right now I'm stuck in NSC waiting for my i130 to be approved because someone has to validate my relationship is real. Just the i130 alone is expected to take 8-9 months. Anybody with any degree of common sense knows after almost a decade of being married, having a child and entering the US dozens of times, I have no intention of immigrating illegally. But yet I have to wait longer to be reunited with my spouse and at no point am I allowed to enter for 90 days like a fiance. I'm lucky if the border allows 2 week visits!

 

No, not everyone meets online but I've seen plenty of stories where people have said they have only seen their fiance a handful of times (some even once or twice). But yet they have more of a right to enter the US legally than I do? I come from one of the lowest risk countries. I really had no idea just how backwards the system was until I started watching the show 90 day fiance. I just sat there shaking my head all these people who clearly don't even know whether they are marrying the US citizen. They get to enter the US and here I am having to wait out the immigration process abroad. It's just unbelievable.

I do sympathize with you by waiting for too long because we were on the same boat once. Ours took almost two years even being together for almost a decade and had to involved Ombudsman because of USCIS error . I also watched 90 day fiance and I agree that most couples doesn't really know each other that much, met once or twice but then ended up getting the visa where they can stay here legally. A lot of them are already divorced now. I am not sure if you know how the process is for fiance. Once they get here and married, the scrutiny for their relationships will follow. For us, spouses, it happens before we get the visa. Being away from your spouse is never fun, but at least you have the chance to visit your husband while others don't. If only we have to power to change the process, I'm sure a lot of members here in VJ will form a group to make that happen.

 

Though sometimes I wonder if they are really doing some "validation" or they are not just prioritizing properly. As you may have already read a lot, some get their greencards even it was obvious that they weren't here to be with the spouse. 

 

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted (edited)

Wow. The process took TWO YEARS for you? I can honestly say my heart goes out to you. It's rare to find other couples who have been together as long as you have. Obviously if you've been together for 10 years there is very little chance your intent was to get into the US.

 

I totally understand the fiance Visa is met with higher scrutiny and it is the start to a lengthy process. I know once I get my green card I will legally be allowed to work, live and apply for citizenship in 3 years. It's the separation that bothers me the most. It's just my opinion but if the US government trusts people coming in on a fiance Visa why can't they trust people who applied for IR1/IR2? I don't have any evidence to back this up but wouldn't the chance of marriage fraud be LOWER the longer two spouses have been together?

 

I'm guessing relationships that start out apart would have a higher chance of breaking up. We waited 2 years before we got engaged. It was 2 1/2 years before we got married. I had no idea until I watched the show 90 day fiance that if someone gets a divorce they may still be able to stay in the US. Some of the threads have been surprising to hear stories of foreign spouses not wanting to have sex or threatening to go to the police and claim abuse if they annul the marriage. I'm obviously not tarnishing everyone with the same brush and realize not everybody is trying to use their spouse for a green card.

 

A few years back i130's were processed in consulates abroad and we did just that. I got approved in 2 months but never finalized the process. We weren't willing to take the plunge to move countries at that point. Unfortunately the Canadian embassy shreds the file after a couple of years so we had to start over. If the process took 6 months which is the length of time we've waited so far we could live with that. But a year or more (especially in your case) just seems ridiculous. My spouse has missed milestones of his 4 year old son's life like preschool graduation and will miss his first day at Kindergarten. The stress for me is not knowing whether the border will let me cross every time I try to visit. I have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt I will come back in a couple of weeks while fiances are allowed to enter for 90 days to try to figure out whether the relationship is even going to work out.

Edited by acidrain
 
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