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Posted

I decided to work with a visa agency that specializes in the Philippines for my fiance currently living in PH.  They told me a K-1 would take 14 months and a CR-1 would take 16 months until shes here with me. 

 

I went onto the USCIS website and it said 8.5-30 months based on field office location for a K-1.  I am in Massachusetts so would mine go through the Vermont field office?  The Vermont field office said 30 months on the USCIS website.  The California office said 8.5 months. Then correct me if wrong it could be months more to get through NVC?

 

On the USCIS website it says 17 months for a CR-1 for service centers if its only an IR (immediate relative) and 66 months for all field offices if not an IR.  Is a spouse an IR immediate relative?

 

Then it would have to go through the embassy in Manila for who knows how long?

 

Can this be right?  is the wait that long?

 

Shes in her mid 30's I'm in my early 40's.  We both really want to start a family as soon as possible due to our age...whats the best thing to do and what are the actual wait times.  Thanks so much.

Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Philippines
Timeline
Posted (edited)

Most K-1s are processed at the California Service center (There are exceptions) If you get married, your then wife would be considered an immediate relative (This visa would be classed an IR-1/CR-1.) Your wife would get an IR-1 stamp at the Port of Entry if you had been married for 2 years at the time of her entry into the US. That means she would get a 10 year green card shortly after arrival. If you are married less than 2 years at the time of her entry in =to the US she would be stamped as a CR-1, which is a 2 year conditional green card. 90 days before her 2 year expiry date, you both would have to file for removal of conditions, which if approved would then have her issued the 10 year green card. The application to do the spousal visa (Form I-130) is currently taking approximately 15-18 months to be approved by USCIS and then it is sent to the Department of State's National Visa Center to gather required documents, visa application (DS-260) and the required fees before being sent to the embassy for the medical exam and interview process. That can take a 1 -3 months before being sent to the embassy.

Edited by Edward and Jaycel

Adjustment of Status

CIS Office: Denver CO

Date Filed: 2024-11-18

NOA Date: 2024-11-21

RFE(s) :

Bio. Appt.: 2024-12-26

 

Employment Authorization Document

Event/Date

CIS Office: NBC

Date Filed: 2024-11-18

Bio. Appt.: 2024-12-26

Approved Date: 2025-01-08

Date Card Received: 2025-01-18

Comments: Card Produced 2025-01-15
Estimates/Stats: Your EAD was approved in 51 days.

 

Comments : Phoenix, AZ LockBox - NOA1 Received in mail 12/02/24 - Biometrics completed 12/26/24 - I-765 Approved 01/08/2025 - EAD Card Received 01/18/2025

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Morocco
Timeline
Posted

K1 goes thru the California office unless there are issues

The office wait time is only the 1st step in process

CR1 and IR1 are both spouse visas 

CR1 means person came to US before 2 anniversary  (2 year green card issued) and IR1 is for after (10 year green card)

Posted

So going by the USCIS website then a KR-1 processed through california could take a year before shes here and a CR-1(we will have been married less than 2 years) would take 2 plus years?   I'm concerned about wait times because as I said we are getting up there in age, and want to start trying for kids right away after marriage, plus due to religious reasons we wanted to abstain from relations until marriage.  I can wait a year for a K1 but if a K1 is 2 years plus it might be better to go CR-1 and I'll go live with her on and off in PH.

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted

Thread is moved from the K-1 Process forum to the "What Visa?" forum.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline
Posted
2 hours ago, Jason F83 said:

I decided to work with a visa agency that specializes in the Philippines for my fiance currently living in PH.  They told me a K-1 would take 14 months and a CR-1 would take 16 months until shes here with me. 

 

I went onto the USCIS website and it said 8.5-30 months based on field office location for a K-1.  I am in Massachusetts so would mine go through the Vermont field office?  The Vermont field office said 30 months on the USCIS website.  The California office said 8.5 months. Then correct me if wrong it could be months more to get through NVC?

 

On the USCIS website it says 17 months for a CR-1 for service centers if its only an IR (immediate relative) and 66 months for all field offices if not an IR.  Is a spouse an IR immediate relative?

 

Then it would have to go through the embassy in Manila for who knows how long?

 

Can this be right?  is the wait that long?

 

Shes in her mid 30's I'm in my early 40's.  We both really want to start a family as soon as possible due to our age...whats the best thing to do and what are the actual wait times.  Thanks so much.

Why are you using an agency ? The forms are fairly easy to fill out.

 

 

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
Timeline
Posted

I always get worried when I see Agency mentioned.

K1 seems to be very popular in PI for Country specific reasons?, CR1 is the better bet usually.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline
Posted

I am in Massachusetts too. You probably used the same agency that specializes in Filipino k1/cr1 visas that I used since I know of only one. They are very good and know what they are talking about.  They do these every day and know how long the wait is.  If they say 14 months, then that means the ones they did 14 months ago are now coming to the USA.  But this is very dynamic. The wait for K1 or CR1 visas that are being submitted now could be longer or shorter than the ones submitted over a year ago. If I was betting, it may slow down even more with the current administration.

 

By the way, that agency was invaluable for me.  They saved me a huge amount of time, and cleared up a lot of misinformation and wrong info about various subtle issues that you will read about.  They even corrected bad  advice that my immigration lawyer gave me (admittedly a free benefit from work).  Without the agency's help my K1 would probably been denied.  But mine was a complicated.  For a standard case, its not that bad if you are good at research. It was worth every penny (only $600).

 

Its a difficult decision to apply for a K1, abstain, and risk delaying your family.  Or get married, start a family while waiting for the VISA.  The answer depends on very complex set of variables.  Keep in mind, if you decide to get married in the Philippines  that will add a lot of time beyond the 16 months they gave you, unless you do a Utah proxy wedding.  The agency can explain why.  if money is any  issue, if you marry this year, you can file taxes jointly which will also save a huge amount of money if you have a high income and she has none.

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Morocco
Timeline
Posted
15 hours ago, Jason F83 said:

So going by the USCIS website then a KR-1 processed through california could take a year before shes here and a CR-1(we will have been married less than 2 years) would take 2 plus years?   I'm concerned about wait times because as I said we are getting up there in age, and want to start trying for kids right away after marriage, plus due to religious reasons we wanted to abstain from relations until marriage.  I can wait a year for a K1 but if a K1 is 2 years plus it might be better to go CR-1 and I'll go live with her on and off in PH.

both visas will take anywhere from 18 months to longer as the wait time in Manilla for interview is long

many do go and live while waiting the process 

If they can maintain income and a US residency and file tax returns as required

the best to u both

 

if you do have a child while waiting , you will file CBRA for the child to have US citizenship so you don't have to do a separate petition to bring child here

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted
11 minutes ago, Jason F83 said:

Filipino Visa

I've never heard of them, but I've had no reason to have heard of them.

The one with stellar results is one of our VJ Partners (and I have no conflict of interest in making this recommendation):

 

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline
Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, Jason F83 said:

The agency I will be using is Filipino Visa, are they reputable?

Yup, that's the one I use as well, and I know others have too.  My case was very complicated and they handled it better than my immigration lawyer tried to. The thing that I really liked too is you can call or email them any time, all the way through the interview or even afterwards for anything especially Philippines specific topics and will dispel various myths you will hear about the Manila embassies. They know all the very subtle details of dealing with Manila that a general purpose agency that handles all Countries might not know.  And even helped with issues after she arrived here such as the correct process to get the SSN .. very helpful .... 

 

When I almost got denied, got a RFE for something in my past that I forgot about, they guided me the best way to respond, which was different from how I was going to do it.  In about 4 days after USCIS got my response, the K1 was approved. So needless to say I am extremely happy. Likewise they did the AOS for me, and the speed at which my Wife got her AP/EAD, and greencard was shockingly fast. 

 

At least that was my experience ...

Edited by W199
Posted
On 5/17/2025 at 7:03 PM, W199 said:

I am in Massachusetts too. You probably used the same agency that specializes in Filipino k1/cr1 visas that I used since I know of only one. They are very good and know what they are talking about.  They do these every day and know how long the wait is.  If they say 14 months, then that means the ones they did 14 months ago are now coming to the USA.  But this is very dynamic. The wait for K1 or CR1 visas that are being submitted now could be longer or shorter than the ones submitted over a year ago. If I was betting, it may slow down even more with the current administration.

 

By the way, that agency was invaluable for me.  They saved me a huge amount of time, and cleared up a lot of misinformation and wrong info about various subtle issues that you will read about.  They even corrected bad  advice that my immigration lawyer gave me (admittedly a free benefit from work).  Without the agency's help my K1 would probably been denied.  But mine was a complicated.  For a standard case, its not that bad if you are good at research. It was worth every penny (only $600).

I contacted Filipino Visa today and they quoted me a cost of $2,580 for their standard package and $4,280 for their VIP package. How did get their service for $600? Have I contacted the wrong agency? Their web address is https://www.filipinovisa.com.

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

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