Sockmonkey

This is going to sound crazy, but please give it your honest and most objective advice.

My husband *just* arrived April 29th with his CR-1. In short, circumstances have arisen that he is considering going back for a couple of years. He has a crack at going to nursing school in the UK for free starting this Autumn, which would qualify him for a much better paying job upon his return to the USA. The timing of this offer is incredibly frustrating considering the money and time we've spent getting him here to begin with, but though we are sad at the prospect of being apart, it's a much better deal than the long waiting list for nursing school and the tuition costs here in the US. He has a place to stay in the UK for free, can get his old job back on a part-time basis, and could be saving £££ the whole time he is there, so we can buy a house straight away when he graduates. If it's not going to jeopardize his return to the US, in the end it will be well worth the separation.

So now we're looking for the downside.

On the financial side: His social security number has already been assigned, but he hasn't started work yet so he will have no US income to report. Will he have to pay US tax on the income he earns while he is back in England?

On the Immigrations side: This prospect must have dizzying ramifications.

- Will we have to report it to Immigrations that he has gone back right away, or can we use his CR-1 status for him to visit back and forth freely for the first year or so?

- What will happen to his status once it is reported that he has gone back/is technically not living here? Will we have to apply for a CR-1/IR-1 visa all over again when he's ready to return to the US?

- Since our circumstances will be legitimate and well-documented, and by then we will have been married for well over 2 years, do you think we'll have a lot of trouble getting him back here?

I know we should probably speak to an attorney (and an Immigrations officer) as well, but your comments will be excellent food for thought.

I only wish this had come up before he got here!

Thank you,

JenM

Did he pay SMS extra for a faster delivery? My husband called them a few weeks ago to ask about delivery options, and they said they had a special service that was a bit more expensive. We're thinking of going with that if it's actually an option because he's already booked his flight and would like to avoid having to change it.

All I know is that it came via DHL. Whether they offer different levels of service through that courier I'm not sure, but he had been told it would take 3 to 5 business days, so whatever that option is ... take it! How long after the interview is the flight booked for? We gave it some extra time just in case something went wrong, so he isn't flying until April 29. Visa in hand on April 13, he doesn't feel that was a mistake. The closer it gets to his departure date, the more he realizes he wants to/has to do to before he leaves.

You can plan all you want, but be prepared ... there's still a million things you won't think of until crunch time!

So he's in York is he? So are we, at least until we close on the house. York's not a big place; it wouldn't be the weirdest thing in the world if we knew some of the same people. We're in Huntington near Monks Cross.

Richard lives in New Earswick, as do his parents, and his 23 year old son Daniel. Last name Messruther. I probably shouldn't post the last name, but at this point, what the heck!

I love York, and the original plan was that after we married I would move to live with him there, but after he spent more time in the States and compared the relative cost of living/housing, he felt our life would be better in America. A pity, in some respects. There are things in York that are simply unmatched here. One example I'm almost ashamed to admit my affection for: Berwick Kaler in the annual Panto!

Yesterday I posted about my husband's CR-1 interview, just after he called me to let me know it was complete. His interview was at 10.30 AM.

Today, at just before 1.30 PM, his visa arrived at his home in York! I thought he was joking when he told me, but he scanned me the proof. A 24 hour turnaround?

INCREDIBLE JOB!

Hopefully this is exactly what the rest of you have to look forward to. I'm so impressed with the treatment and service he got from the embassy. Amazing.

Jen

For those about to interview for a CR-1 visa, my husband had his interview this morning and said he was in and out in half an hour. The only question they asked him was "What do you plan to do for work in the US?", and the rest was just paper shuffling. They didn't ask to see anything at all pertaining to our relationship - just the official stuff from their basic list.

He said the staff was polite and helpful and the process was organized and efficient. They didn't have his file from his medical last week, but they allowed him to go pick it up after the interview. When he returned, they said he'd have his visa within a week. No sweat!

Good luck to everybody whose turn is coming up soon!

Jen

Thank you, Yodrak and Homesick, for your answers.

My husband just called to tell me about the interview. Our little premonition was correct - the medical forms weren't there. They allowed him to go pick them up immediately after the interview was finished. He said the staff was polite and helpful, and the process was efficient and organized. Aside from having to run back with the file from the doctor, he was in and out in half an hour.

Nearly done!

Jen,

Nothing happens. Consular officers cannot read x-rays - they read the doctor's report of the x-ray, which is one of the medical forms they fill out and send in.

Yodrak

Okay. But wouldn't the report have been sent with the x-rays? Yodrak, it's pretty evident what I'm asking. If items from the medical exam are not sent to the embassy, what happens? Does the interview proceed as scheduled? Does the interviewee have to go to the medical office and pick up the missing documentation him/herself before the interview can take place?

Jen

This question is born of sheer paranoia, and for this I apologize in advance - though I do hope somebody answers.

My husband's CR-1 interview (London embassy) is Thursday morning, and he is suddenly quite worried about the fact that his chest x-ray from his medical (last Tuesday) was supposed to be sent to the embassy "automatically".

In short: What happens if his x-ray isn't there when he arrives for his interview?

Jen

Is there anyone here who has recently had a CR-1 interview in London? What sort of questions were you asked?

What personal documentation (letters, e-mails, photos, etc.) were you asked to provide? We were surprised to find that the packet my husband received made no mention of bringing any of this sort of thing to the interview. He's a little nervous that he won't be adequately prepared.

Your insights would be very helpful indeed. Thanks in advance.

Jen

I'm sorry if this has been asked recently. If it was, I missed it.

My husband will have his CR-1 interview in London on April 12, and will of course be bringing along a copy of the I-864 I've sent the NVC.

I filled out the I-864 before I had received my W-2 for 2006, so the tax information included on the form was for 2005 and prior. Since my husband's interview is taking place now, should he bring along a copy of my 2006 W-2?

Thanks,

Jen

Today my husband called me at work to tell me he received Packet 3 for our CR-1, and was given an interview date of April 12, which will be just a few days short of exactly 8 months since we began our Visa Journey (August 17, 2006). It feels great ... like we can finally get excited about being so near the end.

I also got some news in the mail today ... it seems our I-129F finally arrived at the NVC. Puh-leeeese! I wrote USCIS ages ago to cancel it, first of all, and second of all ... nah, I won't bother with a tirade.

So do I call them to tell them to scrap it, or do I just let the Embassy cancel it out when they see we have an interview set for the CR-1?

Hope others here can enjoy this feeling soon.

Well, with the assignment of an interview date looming large on the horizon, we're making final financial plans. As I recall, the cost of the medical in London is somewhere around £200. Are there any other fees that must be paid in the Embassy phase? Do we pay the DHL fee to have the visa sent to my husband after his interview?

Thanks in advance for your answers!

JenM

Thanks. And to you as well!

The NVC sent my paperwork mid November to the Embassy. I got a letter from the Embassy dated Jan 17th stating that my interview will be held on Feb 28th.

Hope this helps.

It does, thanks. Did you try to contact them at all before you first heard from them, or did you just hang out and wait? What was the first contact they made with you?

I've been trying to take this process one step at a time, so I haven't retained much of what I've read about this stage. Would you mind giving me a basic outline of what has happened in your Embassy phase so far?

Good luck with your interview - it must feel great to be so close to the finish line!

JenM

Hi, Everybody. I've been away from the forum for a couple of months - a lot going on at home. I'm sure I've missed a lot of posts, and though I am trying to catch up I'm sure I'll still miss some things.

Our CR-1 case was just sent off to London from the NVC last week. By current estimates, about how long before we are likely to get into the system and get rolling there? Can someone with recent experience give me an idea of about how long is it taking to get an interview these days?

I just found out that an English grocery opened here in Columbia, SC a couple of months ago. Yay! Big help! It has a surprisingly good selection.

Thanks,

JenM

Hi, Everybody. It's been a very rough couple of months at home, and I haven't been keeping up here. Hope the new year is treating everyone well, and that your cases are moving along nicely.

I called the NVC yesterday, and received confirmation that our case is complete as of Feb 7th and has now physically left for London. Wow. I don't know why, but I was expecting it to take at least a couple of weeks longer, but hey - no complaints!

JenM

Hi. Life has been crazy and I haven't been able to log on here for a while - hope everybody is well and your VJ's are moving along smoothly.

All of our papers are in at NVC, and we are awaiting completion and transfer to the embassy in London. I am the USC, and have been the Agent for the NVC process. When the case moves on to the embassy, will I still be the one to receive the packets/mailings, or will London mail the packets directly to my UK husband? Of course logically it would make much more sense for the mailings to start going to him, but well, I know this system isn't always logical!

Thanks,

JenM

Andy-summer, I got a shiver when I read your post. Love each other and never give up. I wish you both the very best for a much brighter 2007.

JenM

Last week I posted that I was expected to receve the IV Bill while I am in England visiting my husband. I planned to have a friend mail it in for me in my absence, and Aussiewench's advice was very helpful, as usual.

To my surprise, this morning I found the IV Bill in my mailbox, so I rushed to the post office before work to send it right back to them (I leave for the airport later this afternoon).

So now I have a new scenario. It may be the DS-230 itself that must be mailed in my absence.

My husband is a UKC, so all he will need to send back with his DS-230 is a copy of the biographic page of his passport. I am the Agent and have the signed DS-230 and bio page all set, and have already generated the DS-230 barcoded coversheet.

Other than the DS-230 itself, the Bio Page and the coversheet, what needs to go back to the NVC with this package? Do you think it would be safe to have a trusted individual send it back for us while I'm gone?

Thanks again. Sorry I jumped the gun before, but I never thought the IV Bill would come so quickly!

JenM

I just wanted to vent this and see what others may have to say. In short - I'm really pissed about our I-129F/K-3.

The K-3 was designed to reunite couples sooner than the more involved CR-1 process would allow, so a lot of us who would naturally prefer the immigrant visa option go ahead and send in our $170 more as a safeguard than a preference.

In our case, our I-130 and I-129F forms apparently met up in California (see my signature) and the I-130 was pushed ahead, while over 30 days later as our CR-1 is rolling along nicely, the I-129F is still sitting untouched at USCIS. Money completely wasted.

It seems to be a full-on racket on the part of USCIS, to squeeze an extra $170 from nearly everybody who applies for a CR-1. If the K-3 isn't fulfilling it's intended purpose, fix the problem or eliminate the visa!

Jen,

The IV Bill does come with a return addressed envelope. If you have a friend you can trust to place the IV Bill payment slip and money order together in that envelope then that would be the way to go. That friend would also need to put the amount enclosed ($380) on the IV Bill slip when it arrives.

Ah! That'll do it!

Thanks a million, as always.

JenM

I am going to visit my husband in England next Tuesday, and the NVC informs me that my IV BIll should be in my mailbox just after I leave town.

Aussiewench answered most of my questions about this already: I will leave my money order with a trusted friend, who will mail out the IV Bill in my absence. Here's the catch.....mail it to where? Aussie wasn't 100% sure of the current address when I asked on the CR-1 forum, so I'm expanding my search to another relevant forum to increase my chance of getting the answer I need. I want to have the envelope ready to go so my friend can simply take it to the post office.

What is the correct address for sending in the IV Bill?

Please answer only if you are sure your info is up-to-date.

Thanks!

JenM

I called NVC this morning and spoke to a live rep. She told me the IV Bill was generated yesterday, and should be in my mailbox (I'm the agent) at the end of next week. This is great, since Richard's DS-230 is on my desk all ready to go, but the trouble is I'll be on a plane to England for the Holidays next Tuesday evening!

We really don't want to lose these precious days (I'll be gone for three weeks), so I have some questions. Please only respond to this if you are absolutely positive of your answer.

1. What actually comes in the IV Bill packet?

2. Is there anything in the IV Bill packet that I personally need to fill out or sign, or can I just have the money order for $380 all ready to go and have a trustworthy friend mail it for me in my absence?

3. Who do I make the money order out to for the IV Bill? Do I write that it's from me, or from my husband?

4. What is the address to which the IV Bill must be sent?

Thanks for this information. It will be a huge load off my mind to know what we're facing if I'm gone when this arrives!

My I-864 was generated yesterday, so I'll be mailing it out tomorrow using the Shortcuts. Things are moving along very nicely!

JenM

What is this James shortcut?? Someone else mentioned it the other day and this is the only post ive seen it on.

Hi, Janice. I absolutely recommend the use of the Shortcuts. They aren't complicated, and learning/using them has made my husband and I feel much more in control of our own Visa Journey. This week we saw results from the first step, saving us ten precious days. Every little bit helps!

Good luck to you,

JenM

I've just got my barcode sheets printed (for I-864, DS-230, and Tax Data), and I have only three easy questions about this stage. I'm very pleased with how easy it is to use James' Shortcuts!

1) There are some asterisks at the top right of the Tax Data form. Are they on the form that gets mailed in the packet, or should I delete them?

2) I read a thread about this, but can't find it now. The barcode instructions for the DS-230 coversheet make a bigger barcode than the one on the example form. It's okay to use the bigger barcode, right?

3) Is the I-864EZ on one-sided or two-sided pages when it comes in the packet?

Other than that, I'm good to go. We have everything all set for the NVC phase.

Yay!

JenM