G & V

Congrats to you. That is very mixed news for a lot of VJers..especially those who have been waiting for months. My husband will be filing in January so we haven't joined the pool yet. But I have to wonder; why can't USCIS and NVC just process the applications as they come in? Why is it that someone who ask for an expedition of the case, (not singling out you Marie) gets propelled over the backlog. What if all applicants were to get expedited? wouldn't that be great...but then that would again cause a bottle-neck at the expedition que.
It pains my heart when I read the sad stories of families that are separated for months - even years - only to know that those responsible for handling the applications CAN do better.

My wife just had her interview in Manila and was approved!!!
From her account, things went pretty smoothly and they were friendly and hardly asked her any questions and did not ask to see any additional evidence or documents. However, when they returned birth cert, marriage cert and nbi clearance, they returned the photocopies instead of the originals. They were color photocopies so they might have been thinking they were the originals (even though I wrote "PHOTOCOPY" on them).
We have several extra BC and MC so I'm not concerned about that, but will not having the NBI Clearance original cause us any problems later on? She does have the original bottom half ('personal copy').
Also, she will be picking up the passport/visa. Is there anything she can do to reduce the wait time?
I'm so happy we'll be together soon. Thanks to everyone here for the invaluable information along the way!

It took slightly over 1 month between the time we submitted the DS-261 and the IV fee becoming available (submitted DS-261 on 9/8, IV fee was available on 10/11). That was with checking the site every day and calling several times over the course of the month. No one on the phone took any action until after the 30 day mark at which point the rep on the phone submitted the issue (that it was taking so long) for review. A few days after that the fee was available.
When I called within 10 days of submitting the 261, they said it would take 10 business days. When I called after 10 business days, they said it would take 20 business days. Maybe 20 days or more is the norm now, I don't know, but if you hit the 20 business day mark and still have not been invoiced, I suggest calling often - maybe eventually you'll get a rep that actually does his job like the one that helped me.

Yes, that wait is normal. Pay the fee then mail the IV package because, yes, you do need the cover sheet. The only 'speedy' thing you can do is once you pay the fee and you see the money has been withdrawn from your bank, you can mail your package without having to wait for it to say 'paid'. hope this helps a little.

NVC is a whole new world of frustration.
The current trend you may notice in the NVC threads is that documents are taking about 15 business days or so to be processed. So that could be 15-days for the case number, +15 to process AoS +15 to process IV +extra for any RFE or checklists you get.
Nothing gets priority from what I can tell (responses to RFE seem to take just as long as the initial filings) and there's nothing you can do to speed it up. Just be patient.
It is a fact that the phone CAN have more up to data information. For example, we got a checklist on our AoS form and was informed over the phone. The actual email took the rest of the weekend + monday to arrive in my email box. But until they actually review the documents, the best they can tell you is "we received something in the mail on xx/xx/13 please wait 20 business days (M-F) for us to process them.
It has been a very long road for all of us. Just stay patient and the only thing YOU can do to speed up your process is to act fast when you get requests and overnight everything by mail.

The 20 business days is the standard response, it may be inputted into the system sooner than that, it may not be. There is nothing you can do to speed it up and calling them everyday will not help.
Remember, you have to pay the bills first and the bills have to indicate PAID in the payment portal before you can send the AOS and IV packages.
You don't need to wait for the NVC to send you anything, just ensure the forms are filled out correctly and the appropriate documentation accompanies the forms.

Don't wait on the NVC to mail you anything and don't expect to receive anything in the mail from the NVC. Call as often as you feel you need to, if that's every other day, so be it (just prepare yourself to hear the 20 business days line each time).

Go to the NVC Filers thread and read Post #1 and #2.
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/445228-nvc-filers-august-2013/
The DS-3032 doesn't need to be mailed in. You want it there the fastest follow the email template. Soon as you get case# send it off. No mailing.
So for your long wait it has happened numerous times this year with people. Go to that thread many just like you just waiting.

well read up on all the documents you will need for NVC stage. You still will have to wait until u r at NVC than she can get her police certificate.
Go read the Post #1 and Post #2 of the NVC filers so you can at least have all that. http://www.visajourn...s-january-2013/
She should also have a copy of your petition you are sending in.

Hi G & V, I was in your situation a year ago, when I had to leave the PI due to high risk pregnancy (I am US Citizen). After my husband and I were married October 2011, we decided we'd try for our first baby...we did not expect to conceive right away, but alas, God has his timing and we were pregnant!
For USCIS, sending the I-130 and its supporting documents is fairly simple, compared to the NVC stage. The instructions provided in the I-130 are simple and straight forward. Follow them closely though. I did and our petition was approved in normal processing time.
I would send in a copy of the NSO certified Marriage Certificate if I were you. That is what I did, because apparently, anything else is not considered a real marriage certificate (even the originally signed one).
NVC however... prepare yourself brother. Make sure you have these things ready, or they WILL delay you guys:
1. NSO Marriage Certificate: Order a few copies, so you can take 2 and leave one with your wife
2. NSO Certificate of Live Birth: Your wife should order a few copies of this too, so you have 2 couple and she has one.
3. Police Certificates: For ALL places she lived more than 6 months in the PI and anywhere abroad. THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!
4. Passport: Make a few copies of your wife's passport
5. Passport Photos: You know this one already...
6. Adoption Decrees: If this applies to your wife, you will need the original documents for NVC.
7. DS-230: She can fill this out ahead of time, but you will still need to wait for the NVC barcode page to send it to NVC.
8. NBI Clearance: This is more needed at the time of interview. Make sure any aliases are stated on the NBI clearance and states for traveling abroad, or for US Visa. She can work on this after you already sent in your I-130 to USCIS.
I don't have all my paperwork nearby me at the moment, but these are the ones I remember very clearly! The things like applications are useful to be filled out ahead of time, in lieu of no expected changes in the upcoming 9 months. I am sure you and your wife have no issues with filling out applications carefully, thoroughly and accurately, but I cannot stress it enough!! READ CAREFULLY AND ACCURATELY. In the midst of anxiety and excitement, it is easy to overlook and misread different things. A mistake my husband and I both made during our process, which resulted in waiting an extra 2-3 months!! But yeah, as long as you have civil docs, things to prove that you're in a relationship and income to support your wife (including joint-sponsors if needed), you're home free buddy.
Good luck and remember...You can never be TOO prepared! And lastly, don't forget that this process takes TIME, PATIENCE AND RESILIENCE. It is all worth it when it is for the person you love.

In my personal opinion, I highly recommend filing the CR-1 Visa rather than the K-1 Fiance Visa. My husband and I looked into both options and found that getting married first, then filing, is the easiest (and sometimes quicker) way of getting your loved one to the U.S. Look into both processes and I think you'll see what I mean.
For a K-1, you file for the Fiance Visa, wait 5-7 months for approval (often longer), pay fees, then your Fiance comes to the US, you marry within 90 days, file an Adjustment of Status (from a Fiance to Spouse), pay more application fees, file an Employment Authorization application so she can work (which takes around 3 more months, I think) and pay more fees again! Many K-1 filers end up waiting the same amount of time, or longer, than many CR-1 filers (K-1 visas used to be faster approval)
For a CR-1, you get married and then your foreign spouse has to go back to his/her own country while you file (small sacrifice in the long run and you can still travel and make visits while your CR-1 is in process) and pay one application fee. Once you complete the entire visa process (if you look at my timeline, my husband and I are at almost 6 months exactly since the start of our visa journey), your spouse enters the US as a Lawful Permanent Resident...no more paperwork to file. They get their Green Card in the mail automatically, can immediately get their SSN, and have the right to work in the US from the moment they arrive.
My husband and I have been at this less than 6 months and when he comes to the US at the end of the month, we are done! No more paperwork, fees, nothing! And we made a few visiting trips to see each other in between and didn't have a single issue traveling on a tourist visa while our CR-1 was in process. That's just my two cents...hopefully it gives you something to consider. Good luck on whichever path you choose!

I believe that Celeste's responses are correct as it relates toCR-1. However, since each interviewing embassy/consulate can have varying requirements, it is recommended to check their specific website (google for the site address), AND check-in at the Philippine regional forum for specific info.
Good luck on your visa journey.

No, the only thing that would change is the possibility to use a co-sponsor (if needed) because they accept them for CR-1s.

Congratulations on your engagement! If you haven't, please read this comparison chart http://www.visajourn...content/compare (disregard the K3 option, as it is an obsolete visa).

I don't have a birth certificate (or I do and my parents just can't find it). The says I can submit copies of my entire passport in place of this. Has anyone done this, and have you had any problems not having a birth certificate? Yes, copies of all pages of your passport will be enough to prove citizenship. As I said above, I quit my job. I'm lucky enough to be in a location and industry where I'm confident I can find another well paying job soon after I return to the US. I also have substantial savings where I could support myself and my (soon to be) wife for many years with no help from the government in the unlikely case that neither of us are able to find work. Will I still need a co-sponsor for the I-134? If you find a job when you come back to the US, with a salary that would be enough to support yourself and your fiancee, you won't need a co-sponsor. For USEM Manila, accepting co sponsors, it's more the exception to the rule rather than the norm. So, just in case, I wouldn't count on it. They care about current income. We'll be applying from the Philippines, using my parents' address in the US where appropriate. I read other posts indicating that this is not a problem, but please correct me if I'm wrong. Not a problem Given my situation, would anyone recommend going the CR1 route and getting married in the Philippines, rather than doing a K1? I'm reading conflicting information as to which process is faster. I want to get her over to the US quickly, however, one or two months difference won't matter so much in the grand scheme of things if one route is easier than the other. I would DEFINITELY consider the CR-1 route. USEM Manila ACCEPTS co-sponsors for this type of visa. Read the chart and see the differences. You might save some money, it may (or may not) take a little longer than a K1, but you'll save yourself money and paperwork. Your spouse will be able to work as soon as she comes into the US and have her Green Card.