Consular processing timeline_India

[p53 0]

What is the current estimated timeline for CR-1 consular processing in India? 

Long friendship in person, mixed race couple, mostly long distant relationship but some time spent together in person before COVID hit. 

 

Considering both K1 and CR-1, might also have the option of AOS in case H1B gets approved (iffy), and trying to avoid J1 (the two visa options for the beneficiary currently). 

We have about 15 months before we need work authorisation, ideally by June 2022 (H1B and J1 dilemma). 

 

[p53 0]

Another question: I'm noticing that Nebraska is getting fast i130 approvals, whereas Potomac is severely delayed.. Is it a toss up about where you get assigned? Is it by region of stay (US State)?

 

Thanks so much. I'm new, and will appreciate answers or redirections to find these answers.

 

 

[Crazy Cat 41,978]

The USCIS service center which processes your case will be determined by USCIS based on their workload.  It is not determined by geographical location.  If you are trying to decide between a K-1 and a CR-1, please allow me to interject my simple analysis.  In pre-Covid times, the average time for a CR-1 was 12-18 months.  It is, likely, closer to 2 years right now.  

Every couple has their own priorities, and each couple must decide which visa is better for their situation.

 

K-1    
    More expensive than CR-1    
    Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork)    
    Spouse can not leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 6-8 months)    
    Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 6-8 months)    
    Some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period    
    Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed.
    A denied K-1 is sent back to USCIS to expire
  

CR-1   

    Less expensive than K-1    
    No Adjustment of Status(I-485, I-131, I-765) required.    
    Spouse can immediately travel outside the US    
    Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival.    
    Spouse can receive Social Security Card and Green Card within 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US    
    Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport.

    Spouse has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US.
  �

 

[Crazy Cat 41,978]

****This topic has been moved to Which Visa Do I Need?****

[p53 0]

13 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

The USCIS service center which processes your case will be determined by USCIS based on their workload.  It is not determined by geographical location.  If you are trying to decide between a K-1 and a CR-1, please allow me to interject my simple analysis.  In pre-Covid times, the average time for a CR-1 was 12-18 months.  It is, likely, closer to 2 years right now.  

Every couple has their own priorities, and each couple must decide which visa is better for their situation.

 

K-1    
    More expensive than CR-1    
    Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork)    
    Spouse can not leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 6-8 months)    
    Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 6-8 months)    
    Some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period    
    Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed.
    A denied K-1 is sent back to USCIS to expire
  

CR-1   

    Less expensive than K-1    
    No Adjustment of Status(I-485, I-131, I-765) required.    
    Spouse can immediately travel outside the US    
    Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival.    
    Spouse can receive Social Security Card and Green Card within 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US    
    Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport.

    Spouse has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US.
  �

 

Definitely makes sense to consider CR-1 in this case. 

Can anyone share their experiences with India timelines? Also worried about presenting evidence of relationship if we haven't lived together? How accepting is Indian consulate of a mutiracial relationship, mostly LDR with some in-person time esp because of COVID? Also, is there anything we can do to expedite the approval time? 

[Crazy Cat 41,978]

7 minutes ago, p53 said:

Also worried about presenting evidence of relationship if we haven't lived together? How accepting is Indian consulate of a mutiracial relationship, mostly LDR with some in-person time esp because of COVID? Also, is there anything we can do to expedite the approval time? 

The best evidence you can provide is your marriage certificate and that of time actually spent together.  Of course, for a CR-1, you must marry before starting the process.  USCIS has a process for expediting cases which meet certain criteria.  Otherwise, you cannot speed up the process.  

Edited March 11, 2021 by Lucky Cat

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

2 hours ago, p53 said:

Definitely makes sense to consider CR-1 in this case. 

Can anyone share their experiences with India timelines? Also worried about presenting evidence of relationship if we haven't lived together? How accepting is Indian consulate of a mutiracial relationship, mostly LDR with some in-person time esp because of COVID? Also, is there anything we can do to expedite the approval time? 

Many, many, if not most, spousal visa cases at embassies are necessarily an outcome of LDRs. A multiracial relationship isn’t a red flag. Red flags are things like marrying quickly after meeting the first time, no family present at wedding, a significant age difference (especially if the man is younger), previous attempts by beneficiary to immigrate, etc. A difference in race or religion if all other factors are “mostly normal” for a relationship is not a red flag.

 

There is nothing you can do to expedite the CR1 case unfortunately. If H1B is a nearer term option then you can use that as a pathway to adjustment of status, H1B being a dual intent visa means (1) it isn’t a problem having intent to stay and adjust and (2) as long as the conditions of the visa continue to be met and H1 status is maintained, then the person can travel and work without needing to wait for AP and EAD as is usually the case when adjusting. Adjusting from a J visa would be more problematic in these senses: J is non immigrant and intent to adjust can lead to denial of entry, if allowed to enter AP would be required for travel, and depending on the sponsor organization for J (from prior posts on VJ) it seems marriage to USC can violate terms of contract and terminate the employer/employee relationship & therefore the work authorization it brings. Even if the latter is not the case there is not a guaranteed unbroken path to employment authorization adjusting from a J given timelines of both J and AOS.

 

 

Edited March 11, 2021 by SusieQQQ

[kaylahm23 16]

Hey we are doing a CR1 and we are a multiracial couple. We sent our I-30 January 17th 2020. We were approved Aug 2020 by Potomac. We were DQ'd October 2020. And we just recieved our interview letter on Wednesday. We sent our car insurance card with both of our names. Life insurance policy with him a a beneficiary and 4 affidavits from our friends and family. There are various groups you can join like on telegram with our timeframes and updates!

[Darlinda 0]

On 3/12/2021 at 12:11 AM, kaylahm23 said:

Hey we are doing a CR1 and we are a multiracial couple. We sent our I-30 January 17th 2020. We were approved Aug 2020 by Potomac. We were DQ'd October 2020. And we just recieved our interview letter on Wednesday. We sent our car insurance card with both of our names. Life insurance policy with him a a beneficiary and 4 affidavits from our friends and family. There are various groups you can join like on telegram with our timeframes and updates!

Wow I sent i130 in October 2019,got approved in june 2020, DQed september 2 nd 2020 and I am still waiting for interview

 

[kaylahm23 16]

9 hours ago, Darlinda said:

Wow I sent i130 in October 2019,got approved in june 2020, DQed september 2 nd 2020 and I am still waiting for 

Yeah I heard Pakistan is going at a different pace. Hopefully you'll hear soon!

[Darlinda 0]

17 hours ago, kaylahm23 said:

Yeah I heard Pakistan is going at a different pace. Hopefully you'll hear soon!

In shaa Allah, thank you