US Immigration from New Zealand

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for all the help on my initial post. We ve decided to choose the CR1 visa instead of K1. We do have a few questions

We are about to be engaged and then will do a small ceremony right afterwards - Is there any length of time we need to be married for the CR1? Or I guess will it look bad if we re only married for a week and then file the application?

Obviously a lot of our friends/family cannot attend due to NZ being on lockdown and we want to plan a large ceremony when we get back to the USA. We have already lived together for a year in NZ and then another year in the USA when I was on H1B so proving the relationship is no big deal just didn t know if the length of time married is an issue Ideally we want to do the official marriage in NZ because if we don t then no choice but to do K1 which we want to avoid

Also if anybody has an idea of how long CR1s are taking and if it depends on country? We re applying from NZ.

Thanks!!

Hi all,

Another question from me today, maybe jumping the gun with this one as we are still a ways away from receiving an interview date... but this has been weighing on my mind given the current strict border restrictions to get into NZ because of Covid.

I'm currently based in NZ with my husband but planning on moving back to the U.S. sometime after our I-130 is approved and our case is transferred to NVC & I'm wondering if it's recommended for me (US citizen/ Petitioner) to fly back to NZ to attend the interview with my husband? From my understanding it's not a requirement that I attend with him but is it recommended or preferable to be together for the interview?

Any input from anyone (especially kiwis) who attended the interview either alone or with their spouse is much appreciated.

Cheers

Hi VJ people,

Sooo initially my husband (beneficiary) and I (petitioner) - currently residing in NZ - we were going to wait until his visa was approved and then both move to the US together. Due to the proof of domicile requirement as well as some important upcoming family events, we've decided I should go back before him to start re-establishing. We are currently still waiting for I-130 approval (submitted early Feb 2021) & want to try to minimize our time apart so I wasn't going to move back until after we have submitted everything to the National Visa Center and are waiting to be DQ'd. That being said - I'm wondering what evidence I should be planning on providing and what is or isn't necessary if I plan to move before him.

I know the basic suggestions for evidence of reestablishing domicile ; bank accounts, rental lease/ house offer, job offers, license, auto insurance, etc.

I guess I'm just wondering if this requirement changes if I go back ahead of him? Would changing my physical address (intending to move back in with my parents until my husband arrives and then we will look for houses to rent or buy together) / providing proof of travel & re-entry back to the U.S. & proof of resignation from my current overseas job suffice or is that not enough? If this evidence isn't enough and further evidence for domicile is recommended, is it needed before we submit to NVC or can we provide at the interview after I've had a bit more time to actually get settled back in the U.S.? - hope this makes sense...

Really just trying to gauge our timeline and minimize our time apart given the little information we have to go off of.

Thanks in advance for your input!

Cheers

I filed 751 in November 2019.

July 2nd 2021 they sent a request for more evidence, which I provided and more.

July 30 2021 they sent me a message saying they have received my evidence.

August 25th they sent a message saying it was transferred to my local office (no idea which one) to have an interview scheduled.

I never recieved the notice for an interview, and on September 25th I submitted the "Missing notice" form as instructed. They said they would get back to me by 10/15, which is today, I have heard nothing.

I submitted the "Case outside normal processing time" form as according to the USCIS website it is now outside the normal processing time. No response there either.

I don't know what else I am meant to do at this point. I don't even know which office it was transferred to.

Can anyone share some advice or words of wisdom? The stress of having this over me is really starting to take it's toll mentally and physically.

Hi everyone. My girlfriend (US citizen) and I (NZ citizen) are currently living together in NZ. We want to return back to the USA, ideally in mid-2022 and are weighing the benefits of the K-1 vs CR1 route

Background Info:

• I attended high school and university in the states then worked on an H-1B from 2015 - 2020
• I have a SSN, and the total time I was in the USA was 2007 - 2020
• We met in the US early 2019 and have been living in NZ for the past year (I sponsored her partnership visa)
• Keen to return to the US to be near our friends and her family
• Neither of us have US based jobs currently but have sufficient funds to support ourselves upon our return
• We are planning to be engaged within the next few months

Based off processing times, it looks like the K-1 route would allow us to enter the USA quicker. However, I wouldn't be able to work for a number of months upon our arrival, whereas if we went the CR1 route, it would take longer to get back to the states, but I could start working immediately.

I have a few questions:

1. If we choose the K-1 route, can we start the process prior to being engaged?
2. Should we be aware of any issues that can pop up when filing for AOS?
3. Will my girlfriend need to secure a US based job before we move back?
4. Would you recommend K-1 or CR1?

Also shoutout @kiwipete for the format help

Thanks and any help is appreciated!