Devon&Sandra

Hello to you all,
 
I just wanted to give you some updates on our journey. So after my CR1 visa got approved on January 22nd, I travelled to the US on Feb 25th. 
As we got married on Feb 13th 2018, at the time I entered the US, we were married more then 2 years and I had the right to ask the POE officer to qualify my visa as IR1. 
This i how it went. 
POE - Atlanta / I had a nonstop flight from Paris (and 3 hours before my connecting flight)
Arrival to Atlanta border control went super quickly, we were the only plane at that time so I went through primary control in 5 minutes. Then I was put in a side part of the airport arrival for secondary control (they took my passport). I waited for good 45 min/ 1hour. There was 15/20 people in front of me, both for spousal and finacé visas, but also for Global Entry control..). 
When they finally called my name, they only asked me about my US address. I then raised the question about changing my visa to IR1. Officer in charge didn't know anything about it and said there was nothing he could do. I insisted a bit and he called his supervisor who then said I was right to ask them that and did all necessary to qualify my visa as IR1 (10 year green card). 
That was it
 
I still didn't receive my SSN so there is not much I can do for now. Waiting on it to be able to open my bank account and pass driving licence (in New Mexico I have to do both theoretical and driving test). 
In a meanwhile, I was able to be added on a lease despite not having SSN
 
Good luck to you all!
 
 

Hello to you all,
 
I just wanted to give you some updates on our journey. So after my CR1 visa got approved on January 22nd, I travelled to the US on Feb 25th. 
As we got married on Feb 13th 2018, at the time I entered the US, we were married more then 2 years and I had the right to ask the POE officer to qualify my visa as IR1. 
This i how it went. 
POE - Atlanta / I had a nonstop flight from Paris (and 3 hours before my connecting flight)
Arrival to Atlanta border control went super quickly, we were the only plane at that time so I went through primary control in 5 minutes. Then I was put in a side part of the airport arrival for secondary control (they took my passport). I waited for good 45 min/ 1hour. There was 15/20 people in front of me, both for spousal and finacé visas, but also for Global Entry control..). 
When they finally called my name, they only asked me about my US address. I then raised the question about changing my visa to IR1. Officer in charge didn't know anything about it and said there was nothing he could do. I insisted a bit and he called his supervisor who then said I was right to ask them that and did all necessary to qualify my visa as IR1 (10 year green card). 
That was it
 
I still didn't receive my SSN so there is not much I can do for now. Waiting on it to be able to open my bank account and pass driving licence (in New Mexico I have to do both theoretical and driving test). 
In a meanwhile, I was able to be added on a lease despite not having SSN
 
Good luck to you all!
 
 

Yep, I have some news. The CR2 visa for stepson is ISSUED (ironically, he won't be using it). For husband CR1 is still REFUSED. 

Hi @portorusa
 
thank you very much !!!! 
My AP last 2 days , They issued my visa today afternoon 🎉🎉
we gonna fly to USA next month , finally 🙏
 
what about you ? Any news? 

My dear VJ family , 
 
it’s with a lot of pleasure that I announce I have been APPROVED !!!!!!!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉
visa  interview this morning in Paris embassy 🙂
Everything  went smooth 
a lot of questions , and they let  my husband come in as he is usc and asked him questions . 
No  questions about DS540 but officer told that it can happen at the POE and to bring proof  of health insurance during the travel just in case if the officer at the POE ask for it . 
 
finally , it happened !!

Hello Alix,
I had tones of documents - originals and photocopies. 
Here is the list of what they actually looked at. 
ONLY originals of : 
- Birth certificate 
- Medical exam
- Marriage certificate
- Divorce decree
- Police record
- Passport pictures (2)
 
So, I would say your list is good enough

Thank you so much to take time to answer me I really appreciate 😊
 
ok now I understand . I was a little bit confused with the payment of the fees . Now , thanks to you it’s clear 😀
 
waouuu !!! 10 days and you will be there ! I am really happy for you !! 
 
i wish you all the best in this new adventure and thank you again for your help 🙏

220$ is actually Green Card fees, not visa. 
So the visa is delivered without paying it. 
You are supposed to pay 220$ between the moment you receive your visa and the moment you travel, but it is also possible to pay it once in the US. 
I payed it a week after receiving my visa and I will be traveling on 25th of Feb. 
When you receive your passport with visa in it, they also give you some papers explaining how to pay that fee. 
Glad to help - don't hesitate if you have other questions 

They didn't ask for any translation. I had everything in French (birth certificate, divorce decree and police certificate). 
I did upload on NVC site english translation for birth certificate and divorce decree but only because I got married in the US and I had them translated before. Also the translation was of an old birth certificate and I brought the new one to the interview. 
So I strongly believe you don't need any translation. 

220$ is actually Green Card fees, not visa. 
So the visa is delivered without paying it. 
You are supposed to pay 220$ between the moment you receive your visa and the moment you travel, but it is also possible to pay it once in the US. 
I payed it a week after receiving my visa and I will be traveling on 25th of Feb. 
When you receive your passport with visa in it, they also give you some papers explaining how to pay that fee. 
Glad to help - don't hesitate if you have other questions 

They didn't ask for any translation. I had everything in French (birth certificate, divorce decree and police certificate). 
I did upload on NVC site english translation for birth certificate and divorce decree but only because I got married in the US and I had them translated before. Also the translation was of an old birth certificate and I brought the new one to the interview. 
So I strongly believe you don't need any translation. 

I received my physical green card today! US entry : 3rd of October. I wrote to USCIS at the beginning of the month because the 120 days of waiting time passed, they never responded but I got the green card in the mail today. 
 
 
I had only french paperwork during the whole process, I have never translated anything. 

And today Wed 29th passport arrived with visa inside. 
They also sent my original documents back and leaflet on how to pay USCIS visa fee. 
No sealed enveloppe so I suppose it is sent electronicaly. 

Hi,
I received tracking number for my passport by email 6 days after my interiew (and 5 days after it was said "issued" on CAEC website)
It was deposit in the mailbox. 
 

Hi,
I received tracking number for my passport by email 6 days after my interiew (and 5 days after it was said "issued" on CAEC website)
It was deposit in the mailbox. 
 

And today Wed 29th passport arrived with visa inside. 
They also sent my original documents back and leaflet on how to pay USCIS visa fee. 
No sealed enveloppe so I suppose it is sent electronicaly. 

Congratulations! You guys are very lucky, a smooth process along the way, and now it's almost over! Very happy for you, good luck!

Congratulations 🎉 
and thank you for these informations 

Some timeline details for the upcoming interviews. 
My interview was on January 22nd and visa was approved on the spot. 
On CAEC website it showed "Issued" next day (Jan 23rd). The AP time lasted only for few hours. 
Today January 28th we got notification that the passport has been sent via courier service. I will let you know as soon as I have passport on hand. 

Some timeline details for the upcoming interviews. 
My interview was on January 22nd and visa was approved on the spot. 
On CAEC website it showed "Issued" next day (Jan 23rd). The AP time lasted only for few hours. 
Today January 28th we got notification that the passport has been sent via courier service. I will let you know as soon as I have passport on hand. 

Yes you are right !! ✅ 😊
And today I called the town hall to have recent birth certificate and marriage certificate ✅just waiting now for IL lol 

Hi Everyone,
 
My husband and stepson had their interview yesterday January 22nd at 9:30 am.
We showed up at 9 am, passed security and my husband wiated on line to speak to an officer. It took about 45 minutes.
The first officer asked for all the required documents and told us to wait in the waiting room until they called our name. We waited for about 30 min.
They called their names, I went with them to the window, the officer let me stay for the interview.
They asked us how we met? They asked a trick question about one of our sponsors? if we had other kids?
We had brought a pile of photos and two photobooks, the officer didn't ask to see them.
He first announced my husband was approved, then he checked some documents for my step son and about 5 min later told us his visa was also approved.
The officer told us their visas would arrive in a week... I checked today and CEAC says one of them is issued and the other being processed.
 
We left the embassy at about noon.
 
:) :) :)
 
 

Congratulations!!! Very happy for you

Hello fellow March 2019 filers!
 
I just wanted to share I had my interview today and my visa got approved. 
Country : France / IR1/CR1 visa
 
Here is our timeline : 
 
February 13 2015: Started dating (met in New Orleans)
February 13 2018: Married in New Orleans
March 29 2019: PD for 1-130 (Spouse) - Nebraska Service Center
May 20 2019 : PD for 129F (K3 spouse visa)
June 21 2019 : I129F denial
June 22 2019 : I130 APPROVAL (only 85 days after submission) 😀 
July 17 2019 : sent to NVC by NSC
September 03 2019 : received case number (72 days after approval - it was a long 10 weeks waiting time  😶)
September 06 2019 : payed fees 
September 11 2019 : uploaded documents (Financial & civil) + submit DS-260
October 17 2019 : documents reviewed by NVC - one document missing / others approved (first review after 35 days / 5 weeks)
October 21 2019 : missing document submitted (police certificate from another country I lived in - this country is requiring 2 different police certificates and I only had one...stupid mistake)
November 22 2019 Documentary Qualified email  
December 10 2019 Medical done 
December 16 2019 Interview Letter
January 22 2020 Interview - APPROVED 😍
 
Good luck to you all

Hello fellow Nebraska filers. 
 
Just wanted to share - I had my interview today in France and got approved. IR1/CR1 visa. 299 days after our NOA1
 
Here is our detailed timeline : 
March 29 2019: PD for 1-130 (Spouse) - Nebraska Service Center (LIN number)
May 20 2019 : PD for 129F (K3 spouse visa) - also Nebraska
June 21 2019 : I129F denial
June 22 2019 : I130 APPROVAL (only 85 days after submission) 😀 
July 17 2019 : sent to NVC by NSC
September 03 2019 : received case number 
September 06 2019 : payed fees 
September 11 2019 : uploaded documents (Financial & civil) + submit DS-260
October 17 2019 : documents reviewed by NVC - one document missing / others approved (first review after 35 days / 5 weeks)
October 21 2019 : missing document submitted (police certificate from another country I lived in - this country is requiring 2 different police certificates and I only had one...stupid mistake)
November 22 2019 Documentary Qualified email  
December 10 2019 Medical done 
December 16 2019 Interview Letter
January 22 2020 Interview - APPROVED 😍
 
We filed I129f for K3 route just after we received our NOA1, this speed up our process. 
 
Good luck to you all in this journey