Binna

Click on the link below it has all the info to guide you for the NVC process including NVC numbers and when to call , all you need to do is read then read again until you become a master degree holder on it.
http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_Process
 
Additionally, read through the official NVC site as a guide as well - https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/after-petition-approved/begin-nat-visa-center.html
 
All the info is in the links above, you just have to read and follow the steps from what you read. Good luck!

K-3 is obsolete. There were 29 issued all last fiscal year.
K-3 also takes as long as a K-1 to obtain (I-129F -> NVC for a case number -> embassy). A K-3 entrant still has to be petitioned, do the medical, etc. as a normal immigrant, so it's not faster than a K-1 at all and I canb't foresee that process changing (even if they had the will to change the laws).

Sorry there is no shortcut to it. it takes about ~ 10 to 12 months if you have no RFE that could result to delay with your application. But good thing is that he can visit you while the application is pending. We all went through same process.

@Dimsa there you go with all the answer you need. Now you and only you can decide on whether you qualify for 3 years rule or not. If I am to adjudicate on this case, I personally don't think you qualify though. Based on one of the factors that will be used to determine if your informal separation status (if Informal is your case).
 
•Whether the spouses intend to separate permanently
 
You mentioned that you guys intend to get divorce after you obtain your citizenship, this intent means you don't qualify, sorry you may have to wait additional 2 years.
 

Let me act as a devil's advocate for a bit here... So the OP didn't say the type of separation - legal or informal. Looking at the policy you posted, statement on (2) (ii) (B), if their separation is informal then the OP could still stand a chance for further scrutiny to determine if their marital union is dissolved or not (meaning OP could still stand a chance of going for 3 years rule ).  Perhaps OP should assess their separation to determine if it is legal or informal. If informal then look to see if it falls into the basis of dissolution of their marriage or not then take it from there.
 
@Dimsachanging of last name shouldn't be a problem if your separation issue as mentioned above is in the clear.

Is this topic closed for good? I thought I check on everyone to see if all Jan 2017 fillers in this forum is all good and now migrated to the US and living the dream. It would be nice to hear your experiences and what have you
 

USCIS's policy manual for officers further explains how they a person informally separated shall be adjudicated...if he is still living in the SAME HOUSEHOLD as his wife, he stands a chance...if it can be proven by USCIS that he is NOT, then he's not eligible for approval under the 3-year rule:
 
Informal Separation 
 
In many instances, spouses will separate without obtaining a judicial order altering the marital relationship or formalizing the separation. An applicant who is no longer actually residing with his or her U.S. citizen spouse following an informal separation is not living in marital union with the U.S. citizen spouse.
 
However, if the U.S. citizen spouse and the applicant continue to reside in the same household, an officer must determine on a case-by-case basis whether an informal separation before the filing of the naturalization application renders an applicant ineligible for naturalization as the spouse of a U.S. citizen. [30] Under these circumstances, an applicant is not living in marital union with a U.S. citizen spouse during any period of time in which the spouses are informally separated if such separation suggests the possibility of marital disunity.
 
Factors to consider in making this determination may include:
 
•The length of separation;
•Whether the applicant and his or her spouse continue to support each other and their children (if any) during the separation;
•Whether the spouses intend to separate permanently; and
•Whether either spouse becomes involved in a relationship with others during the separation. [31] 
 
https://www.uscis.gov/policymanual/HTML/PolicyManual-Volume12-PartG-Chapter2.html

sorry, but it doesn't work that way
 
now that you are separated, you will have to wait until you have 5 years of residency. 90 days before your 5th year, you can apply for citizenship
 
under the 3 year rule, you will have to prove once more that you have a bona fide marriage, which you don't, you aren't living together,
 
so she can do what she wants, even divorce since you can't apply for citizenship right now. Divorce and move on with your life and in a few years you can apply for citizenship. Plus in some states the citizenship can take a year or more to process. so best do things now if you can't work things out.
 
so sorry it didn't work out
 
 

Is this topic closed for good? I thought I check on everyone to see if all Jan 2017 fillers in this forum is all good and now migrated to the US and living the dream. It would be nice to hear your experiences and what have you
 

Since your wife’s total annual household income (adjusted gross income on IRS form 1040) now meets the minimum requirement when compared to the federal poverty guideline for your wife’s household size, you don’t need a joint sponsor anymore.
 
Take only your wife’s updated form I-864 and the copy of her 2017 tax returns or transcript with you to the interview. At the interview let the CO know that you have a new I-864 for your wife and you no longer need your joint sponsor. The CO will collect the new documents from you and check to confirm. If all is good, then the CO will return your joint sponsor documents back to you.

Thanks for the detailed response. 

The whole process for me took 1 month, but I know it all depends on the demand, and availability of the local offices.
 
1- The first step is to submit all the document so they can do a background check (This processes shouldn't take long, unless you have name similarity with people on the watch lists) 
2- If you got approved you have to schedule an interview, some regions have multiple different offices you could choose from, you could select from the available slots (This could be the lengthiest part, it could even be months before they have slots available)
3- You go to meet with the officer who'll do the interview, they're very good at reading people, especially since they have all your records in front of them, if there is no red flag, you should get your card within 2 weeks. The interview was very brief in my experience. 

You will be surprised to see all your entry and departure there. Check and let us know
 

OP already stated that status on USCIS changed to "case was sent to the department of state" from first posting and that is the end of USCIS status changes as far as the petition is concerned.
 
4 weeks is way too long. Since case was sent to department of state on Feb 27, OP can start calling NVC after 1 week (to give NVC enough time call on  March 9) and once a week subsequently. My Case Number and Invoice ID was ready 8 days after my USCIS status changed to "case was sent to the department of state"

You definitely can start NVC process as soon as you have your credentials and able to login into your NVC account page - https://ceac.state.gov/IV/Login.aspx

If you are going to have your 2017 tax returns documents at the interview, I would suggest that you update your Form I-864s to reflect your finances/income as seen in the 2017 tax returns or tax transcripts.

All your questions can be answered by reading through the following links:
 
From Official NVC's websites click here
From Visa Journey Wiki click here 
 
Once you're done, read them one or two more times to really understand it. By doing so you will become a master of the entire process 
 
Use the Document Finder tool here for U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country and select the country that issued your civil document.

No problems whatsoever, my passport with the endorsed visa worked just fine. 

Finally, I have my IR1 visa in hand. It's been a long process and I am glad it is now over. Next is POE.
 
I wish you all with cases still pending all the best in your journey. 

Hi there!  I see that we are at the exact same point (or almost) ;-)
 
My POE was Jan 4th, SSN arrived in 12 days (shockingly good surprise) and still waiting on the physical Green Card.
 
First few days were about getting a phone number, health insurance linked to my husband's company, etc.
 
Still have to get some bank stuff fixed... which is surprisingly very slow (you would think that AMEX would be delighted to send you a new CC asap, so you can spend and owe them interests? Apparently not!), and got "a bit" frustrated with the leasing office of the high-rise we live in... expensive service doesn't always mean fast and good service!
 
Other than that, I studied and passed (first try!) the DL written test. Behind the wheel test is on March 6th. It is so weird having to study and pass that stuff after having driven hundred thousands of miles for years, it's a bit insulting! Hopefully, I'll forget about the bad habits and drive like a fresh and well educated young driver would drive :-)
 
Life im California is definitely pretty laid-back, quite the change for me... It's also a big change not having a job after 2 decades of working non-stop. Can't say I'm not enjoying myself, but I can already feel the need to get busy again soon (that guilt of sitting at home while my husband is at the office!). At least, I have more time to explore this beautiful city by myself and trying to figure out better the public transportation.
 
Also, it's quite funny to hear friends and people asking about what my status is... Some seem a bit confused : So, you are American now? Me : Nope, not at least for another 3 years! Or, asking if we have any concerns about the current administration regarding immigration, or apologizing on behalf of America for the current situation :-)
 
BTW, Is anyone going to get TSA pre-check?
 
So yeah... next step is getting the updated resume and portfolio together and start the job hunting process, soon!
 
 
 
Welcome everyone in this big country and enjoy being reunited with your spouse, love is all!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Hi, 
So here is my story, Sorry if it is a bit long.
I am a Muslim, single mom of two children, divorced ,  met online( doing a project) with this man. He showed me interest but I rejected as he was a Hindu, and 10 years younger than me. Time passed by, we decided to meet. But because of my Pakistani origin I couldn't get Indian Visa and he couldn't get US visa,  so we met in another country. Neither my parents were happy with all this nor his, he being the only child of his parents. After first meeting we decided to marry. To marry him he had to convert to my religion so he became a Muslim. We got married after a year in another country, being a destination wedding on the beach with no family members, Our witnesses were hotel manager and one of my now husband's friend.  Before filing for I130, I was very upset so I collected courage and posted my first post here on VJ, telling this story and asked for an advice. I got so many negative comments and everyone was just coming up with one answer that this is a difficult case and be ready to stay away from him for many years. I cried and became disheartened. My husband told me to ask admins to delete that thread because it was making me more sad and discouraging me to even apply for CR1.
So the thread was deleted, I applied for Cr1, but I put daily one hour reading Visa Journey, I read almost all cases, do's, dont's, prepared evidence. made trips. I did everything that I could, and case moved on, my case was very well presented and front loaded, so I didn't get a checklist or rfe. Now it was the time of the interview, for that also, I talked about everything possible to him. But he got so many tricky questions. when he was in interview, all those comments on VJ were still in my head so I was quiet sure that he is not getting visa this time and I even made him prepared for that. When he came back I was shocked to know that he got the visa, Wooohooooo. I am still in disbelief. This is the happiest news of our life. we both cried before and after the interview.
I would like to thank you all for support that you guys provided the whole year. specially @Yeonin in our January 2017 filers made it a lil funner for all of us January filers, who kept group and discussions active. I love you all. I am just posting my story and interview questions here so that if there is another genuine couple in the same scnario, they can get benefit out of it and always listen to negative comments and precautionary comments as they make you prepare for the worst.

Here are his interview questions in Bombay US Consulate:

* Who is calling you?
* How did you guys got to know each other?
* What type was that software project that you did for her?
* Where does her parents live currently?
* Where is her mother from?
* Where is her Father from?
* No. Her Father is from India. He was born in India?
* Why did you marry her?
* Describe your wedding ceremony.
* What is common between you guys?
* How you share the same culture, she is from different country?
* In your Nepal trip you only stayed at hotel, Why did'nt you go anywhere outside?
* Show me Nepal trip pics.
* Describe your wedding in Srilanka?
* Does she have kids?
* Which grades are they in?
* Age of kids?
* Which school do they go to?
* Public or Private?
* If you do not know then how are you planning to pay the fees for kids education?
* What is "Jo dekhna hay dekho aur niklo yahan se" means. (It was in our Skype chat records after this statement we both had a big fight).
* What do you do for living?
* Did your father attended your wedding on Skype?
* If he was not in favor of it why he even attended it on Skype?
* How did you convince your parents after the wedding?
* Are they happy with the marriage now?
* What do you mean by easy marriage laws in Srilanka. In your statement?
* What are disagreements between you?
* What are you going to do in USA?
 
We got the stamped passport on VFS pickup location in two days. We both are luckiest people on the face of this earth and we thank our God to find the love of life. I pray all of you guys who are genuinely in love to be together as soon as possible. Please send us positive prayers so that we both love each other and respect each other even more in coming years.
God bless you.

Seeing that almost all Jan filers are through the I-130 Petition approval phase and for all that their Petitions are still pending approval, I am so sorry and I can only imagine what you are going through - stay strong and remain positive.
 
For all those that have gone through POE, how is your new life in the US? Anything interesting to share?
 
I did POE on Jan 6, I got my SSC in hand some 15 days after my POE (although the date on the SSC is 4 days after my POE). I am still waiting for GC and DL (studying the Florida driving license handbook)
 
Has anyone received their physical GC (Green Card) in hand yet? How long did it take to arrive from your POE date? (assuming you paid immigrant fee before POE).
 
All the best to everyone!
 

Well, fellow January 2017 filers it is now 12 months later! 
Today, at 11:00 AM, the NVC received the final info they requested on the checklist. (Thanks to the IRS, it took 4.5 months to get my 2016 Tax Transcripts)
I am so anxious for this to be over and I am praying the review of the checklist items won't take all of the 11 possible weeks!
I feel like if it goes well he could be here as soon as March. I'm trying not to think about it so much that I start to stress out, but I'm so ready for this long-distance marriage to be over, and our "normal" married life to begin. LDR's are so stressful when you already had a life together before the decision to immigrate. That separation is just unbearable, as you all know, too well!   
 
This kind of agony just takes the life right out of a relationship!
 

A BIG CONGRATS to those who have been granted their visas!
 

visa cr1 approved mumbai 

I am very happy and excited to announce that FINALLY after 391 days my visa petition was approved