ninjarocket

If you've already updated your passport then the name and signature on the DS-230 will need to match it to avoid complications.

Make sure you provide your maiden names when asked on any forms and include both maiden and married names on police clearances etc...

The signature that appears in my G-325a and marriage certificate is my maiden name signature, i'm thinking of changing it to my married name for my DS 230 and updated passport. Will that be a problem?

Should my G325a signature match my DS230? If it's necessary to match then I will just use my maiden name signature in the DS230 and new passport.

PLEASE SHARE WHAT YOU DID, THANKS

Normally the upgrade request should be sufficient enough. The fact that your petition was approved suggests to me that the upgrade was processed successfully. You should not have anything to worry about.

Your case should be transferred to NVC, if not already. Just to make absolutely sure of this, you should call NVC and ask whether an IR visa # is immediately available for your relative and whether they will start processing. The first things that need to be done by NVC are the DS-3032 generation and the AOS payment. If these are generated then everything should be OK.

If NVC don't start processing your application soon or tell you that an IR visa number is not available then you have to remind them that you became a US citizen. If they require proof, then you will need to send them a letter (make sure to include all details: case #, names and DOB of petitioner and beneficiary, copy of naturalization certificate). Make sure you request attention by a supervisor at NVC in order to be sure that a silly mistake isn't made by an inexperienced person at NVC.

Congratulations!!!!!!

I need your help!

I became Citizen Sept 26th and I called CSC Sept 28 to upgrade my petition to my husband. When i called CSC they said to wait for 45 days and they will send me a letter regarding the upgrade. Then they also said to send a letter to NVC with the copy of the certificate and petition receipt. But as i was browsing this forum, i've seen that I should have sent the copy to CSC not to NVC now i am confuse. Please help. Should i send the letter and copies to CSC, wont they get tired of my requests because i called and they said that the request was already entered?

So sorry for being hard headed but i know you understnad how i feel.

Thanks in advance.

I think you only need to wait a couple of working days for them to finish processing. There shouldn't be anything to worry about.

Ok i've asked in my normal thread but wanted to see if anyone had any other take on the statement the operator said.

background, called last week found out my ds230 question 20 got an RFE instead of waiting for the rfe paperwork i sent in a new ds230 with the corrections.

thursday it was in the system and i called friday and the operator "dee" stated my case was under "final review" I asked her if my rfe was accepted and she said yes if my case was in "final review" I asked did that mean a case closed? she said to call back next week for more information on that.

how obsure can you be? but at the same time she did offer more information than most.... I am betting it's good news anyone else have feed back?

~Rajaa

Not sure what the blue card is, but normally they wouldn't bother with DV if your interview wasn't passed.

Did you have to fill out the visa delivery form?

Sorry to be so ignorant. I've searched for several hours through the forums for the meaning of the color coded cards or slips and only become more confused.

My fiancee had her interview at the Manila embassy on 15 October 2008. The CO was polite and professional as nearly as I can tell from our subsequent IM chats. He reviewed all our documents and photos and asked only a few questions. He asked our respective ages (there is a big difference) If I had been married before? (yes) How many children I had? (2 adult) If my fiancee had any children? (no) If I sent money (yes) How much?

Then he told her that he had all the info he needed and to go wait until her name was called. When called she went to window 37 where they asked if she had paid Delbros for document verification (yes, about two weeks before) Then she went to the Delbros window and paid the document delivery fee for which she received a receipt

She said that at window 37 they put a blue card with a stamp on it on our documents. What, if anything does that mean? No card of any color was given to her and no request was made for further information?

Any clarification would be appreciated.

Just arrived home in Santa Fe with my wife after being reunited in LA yesterday evening!!!!!!

The POE was uneventful... only queuing for 30 minutes. The officer wondered what the CFO stickers and stamps were about in her passport and was surprised that she was already married at a young age.

Glad we got the CR visa. Now we can forget about USCIS for 2 years.

Just arrived home in Santa Fe with my wife after being reunited in LA yesterday evening!!!!!!

The POE was uneventful... only queuing for 30 minutes. The officer wondered what the CFO stickers and stamps were about in her passport and was surprised that she was already married at a young age.

Congratulations to both of you! She really looks young, how old is she?

19

Just arrived home in Santa Fe with my wife after being reunited in LA yesterday evening!!!!!!

The POE was uneventful... only queuing for 30 minutes. The officer wondered what the CFO stickers and stamps were about in her passport and was surprised that she was already married at a young age.

The interviews for IR/CR visas and k3 visas are essentially the same. If the I-130 paperwork is at or on it's way to the consulate, the CO will usually agree to grant a IR/CR visa rather than a k3.

Officially, they don't "convert interviews from k3 to CR/IR" so to speak. This causes some confusion I think, which is why some people have been told "no" by the consulate or NVC. You still need to prepare everything that's required for the k3 interview (e.g. pay visa fee, prepare I-134), even if the CO will agree to grant a CR/IR visa in the end.

We're in the K3/CR1 situation. Both our interviews have already been scheduled, and as far as I can tell Moscow has already received our CR1 paperwork.

The K3 interview is on Oct 29th. I've been trying to convert that to a CR1 interview. Unfortunately, I seem to be running into a brick wall. The NVC says they do not deal with expedite interviews once an interview date has been set, so I have to deal with the embassy. The embassy operator told me that they only do expedites due to medical reasons.

So is there a magic trick/word/password I have to say when dealing with the embassy to get them to convert my K3 interview into a CR1? How were you able to do it?

Thanks,

Andrei

The interviews for IR/CR visas and k3 visas are essentially the same. If the I-130 paperwork is at or on it's way to the consulate, the CO will usually agree to grant a IR/CR visa rather than a k3.

Officially, they don't "convert interviews from k3 to CR/IR" so to speak. This causes some confusion I think, which is why some people have been told "no" by the consulate or NVC. You still need to prepare everything that's required for the k3 interview (e.g. pay visa fee, prepare I-134), even if the CO will agree to grant a CR/IR visa in the end.

We're in the K3/CR1 situation. Both our interviews have already been scheduled, and as far as I can tell Moscow has already received our CR1 paperwork.

The K3 interview is on Oct 29th. I've been trying to convert that to a CR1 interview. Unfortunately, I seem to be running into a brick wall. The NVC says they do not deal with expedite interviews once an interview date has been set, so I have to deal with the embassy. The embassy operator told me that they only do expedites due to medical reasons.

So is there a magic trick/word/password I have to say when dealing with the embassy to get them to convert my K3 interview into a CR1? How were you able to do it?

Thanks,

Andrei

ninjarocket

How did the consulate notify NVC to forward the 130 paperwork? Did you contact the consulate first?

They responded to an email request that was sent from the NVC after my expedited request was received. This takes about a week.

I did exactly this.

You need to send an expedite request email to NVC for your I-130 because the k3 interview is already scheduled. Give the case numbers, names, dates of birth in the email. Put the case number and attention supervisor in the subject line. You need to state that the consulate have agreed to do this provided NVC sends the I-130 documents.

Once done, ask to speak to a supervisor at NVC so that your email gets immediate attention (otherwise it will sit there in their inbox unread for 2 weeks). The standard operators might be reluctant to pass you to a supervisor (just as I have heard they are reluctant to let you have the convenience of paying fees online), but do insist. Only a supervisor can authorize an expedite request. Layla was the person who helped me.

Before NVC send the I-130 to the consulate, the NVC has to contact the consulate so that they can agree on an official interview data for the CR/IR visa. This takes time.

Once you arrive at the consulate for your k3 visa, you need to tell them that the I-130 paperwork is on its way, if this is the case. Then the CO might allow your you to switch visas, even after the interview if the k3 is not by that time already approved. Switching visas just requires the DS-230 to be signed in front of a CO.

Good luck!!!!

Since I'm about to hit the road, please check out some of my earlier threads on this matter.

Our I-130 case was completed at NVC but is waiting for a Nov interview date. Chennai consulate has assigned a K3 interview date in Oct already. They are willing to convert that to a CR1 interview if they receive the docs. But NVC won't send the docs until they schedule an interview and consulate won't request the docs!

Sent emails to consulate, spoken to an operator at the consulate...but they say they can't request it. NVC can't do anything about it nor can the state dept. Tried to get an email from NVC stating that the consulate could do it but no replies from NVC. I guess we are just stuck waiting for a Nov interview date now.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=153615

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=152923

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=152640

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=152599

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=153358

How have people been able to get the consulate to request documents from NVC? Has it worked with the Chennai consulate?

sorry, here are the threads: good luck!!!!

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=153615

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=152923

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=152640

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=152599

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=153358

The EAD renewal ought to be free if filed with a I-485.

On the positive side, since you waited so long, your wife will qualify for a 10 year green card rather than a 2 year conditional one. The I-485 application plus accompanying forms should then be the last time you ever have to deal with USCIS!

yes, file the I-485 pronto!!!!

will it be too late now since she only has less than 2 months to go?

No.... she still has status as a K-3. File it while the status is curent... all is still OK... It is not a problem if her status expires after filing....

THANKS A MILLION FOR THE REPLIES>>>

Since she works, should I apply for EAD extension too? or will the NOA allow her to work too?

EAD card is totally separate issue... If it will expire, you can and should file for a renewal ....

At least you got a response from your service request. I never got a response to any of mine, in spite of the fact that my petitions were eventually approved.

Applying for the k3 after becoming Naturalized shouldn't confuse USCIS. It's a legitimate procedure that worked for me, although it took 12 months for my petitions to be approved.

You still have no approval?

Did you apply for K3 visa afterward? If you didn't then just make sure you won't do it because that causes some confusion....

Your original date doesn't change and priority stays same, you should be able to call them by now and let them know that your case is outside of normal processing time.

thanks for the reply. Yes i did applied for K3 visa too on augest , what is the confusion that may cause? i called the many time and made a service request and they sent me a letter to say my case still pending that's all .

tell me what's your experiance in this setuation?

I was in the same situation. I heard that USCIS consider the relevant date to be that of the upgrade as regards your I-130 processing. If this is true, it makes the process of submitting an I-130 while a LPR a waste of time.

However, that doesn't stop you from calling USCIS because the petition is far outside the processing time.

The time it takes depends on luck more than anything else: whether your adjudicator is efficient or not and their level of experience with immigration matters. If you're lucky it could take a month to be approved. If you're unlucky it could take over a year. Be prepared!

Hello Everyone,

I applied in September for I-130 and I-129F for my wife. I called USCIS today and spoke with an immigration officer. He told me that my case has not been assigned to an officer. I asked him how long before it is assigned and he would not give me a clear answer or an estimate. But he did say once it is assigned to an officer, then it moves pretty quickly after that.

Does anyone have any idea how long does it take USCIS to assign K3 applications to officers?

I'd appreciate your answer.

Thanks,

Joee

You can always file the I-129F after the I-130 and delay your decision on which visa to take depending on how long the approvals take. Someone with a k3 visa can work and drive a car, but in order to do this they have to apply for employment authorization which takes about 3 months.

As for your tax return, don't send it now unless it is a joint return and therefore constitutes evidence of a bonafide relationship. The more stuff that you send in early, the more stuff the adjudicator will have to read through before approving your petition.

Only a tiny fraction of I-130 applications are denied. Don't believe what unscrupulous lawyers tell you. Applications are usually turned down at the interview stage, if anything, at which point the lawyers are of little help. You and your spouse just need to be well prepared for the interview when it eventually comes around. VJ members who have been through this can give you plenty of advice that lawyers can't.

If official translations are required, best to do them ASAP.

Someone mentioned to me in an e-mail about doing a CR1. I looked up in the terms section of the site and also did a search and didn't find anything. What is it?

I'm getting close to sending the papers in. I'm just really frightened as I've heard that most of the applications are turned down and you have to pay and start over again. I'm about to translate the papers into English, do they need to be notarized? Also should I turn in ALL the papers even if they are not required until later? I know my taxes aren't due at the beginning but should I send that anyways?

Here's my timeline, in case it helps

imeline

July 14: I-130 and I29F approved

July 26: NVC acknowledges receipt of both I-130 and I-129F

July 28: DS-3032 and AOS fee bill generated (although dated 2 days earlier when I received the snail mail)

July 29: mailed off $70 AOS fee

July 29: email forwarded DS-3032 from wife (snail mail got there first!)

July 30: spouse mailed off DS-3032 by express mail (UPS) from Philippines

August 4: DS-3032 hard copy received at NVC from Philippines

August 4: AOS fee bill received by NVC (although wrong date was on James' short cut generated bill!)

August 6: AOS generated

August 6: IV bill generated

August 6: send off AOS (I-864EZ) lets hope they accept a non-notarized version with IRS tax transcripts for last 3 years rather than actual tax returns! (there's not even any space to notarize an I-864EZ, so it makes no sense to me)

August 6: paid IV bill online with invoice # obtained from NVC operator (who also told me the online system doesn't work, so I'll just have to see what happens)

August 7: IV bill status is now "paid" and deducted from my bank account

August 7: mail off DS-230 + pile of documents + IV payment receipt + bank statement showing deduction

August 8: AVR says IV bill generated? (online status changed to "unpaid" although paid receipt is right there online. duh!)

August 11: finally they accepted email DS-3032 (hard copy got there one week earlier)

August 13: IV received at NVC (they need to be informed again to reconcile online payment with visa application, grrrrrr)

August 13: online payment system status changed back to "paid" yippee!!!

August 13: receive snail mail IV bill

August 14: AVR says IV payment received August 6

August 14: AOS instructions received by email

August 19: medical appointment (using k3-visa # already at consulate)

August 22: case complete according to operator several days later

August 27: k3-visa interview scheduled for September 16

August 27: expedite request emailed to send I-130 docs to k3-visa interview so that it can be changed to a CR-visa interview

August 27: also mail in expedite request

September 3: still no news on expedite request so ask to speak to supervisor who then has email tracked down and worked on within a couple of hours

September 3: request sent from NVC to embassy to find whether k3 interview can be changed to CR

September 9: MNL accepts expedite request and I-130 package mailed to embassy (I think)

September 16: k3 interview date (I traveled to MNL to be there at the USEM)

September 16:I-130 arrives at embassy on day of interview but after interview

September 16: embassy calls wife who somehow misses calls (delay of CR visa caused by my wife's stupid cell phone)

September 29: wife returns to embassy to sign DS-230 in front of CO (same one as at interview, giggle)

October 3: CR visa received

October 17: flight scheduled!

I had an equally horrendous wait. It turned out there was absolutely nothing wrong with my case. No RFEs or anything. My wife had an easy interview and got her visa with no problems. I think I was just unlucky to get a dimwit adjudicator at USCIS. You should definitely contact your congressman just to find out what is happening with your case.

Depends whether or not you were married in 2007. If so you should either file jointly or separately. You should call the IRS help line. If your spouse earns much less than you in her foreign country, you could get a big refund by filing jointly, with or without an ITIN.

Immigrant Visa (Conditional Resident)

Someone mentioned to me in an e-mail about doing a CR1. I looked up in the terms section of the site and also did a search and didn't find anything. What is it?

I'm getting close to sending the papers in. I'm just really frightened as I've heard that most of the applications are turned down and you have to pay and start over again. I'm about to translate the papers into English, do they need to be notarized? Also should I turn in ALL the papers even if they are not required until later? I know my taxes aren't due at the beginning but should I send that anyways?

If you've already done the medical and your k3 interview is less than 2 weeks away, that doesn't give much time to process the I-130 through NVC, which can only be done if the I-130 paperwork was sent from USCIS to NVC.

NVC processing takes at least about a month if you follow all of the shortcuts diligently without making mistakes on any of the forms, after which it takes maybe 2 weeks for NVC to forward it to the embassy (even if they agree to an expedite request).

If you really want a CR visa and not k3, then you should first check to see whether the I-130 was forwarded to NVC and then postpone the k3 interview by 6 to 8 weeks to give time for the NVC processing, but it will be a close call.

It's advisable to pay the DV well in advance. The DV process will begin if the fee is paid and the visa paperwork is at the embassy. At the time of the interview, it is up to the CO or other processing officials whether or not they will wait for the result of the DV. In may case my wife paid the DV on Sept. 3 for an interview on Sept. 16. For sure the DV had not been processed by the NSO when she contacted delbros after the interview. In spite of this she received her visa anyway, so it seems they don't consistently wait for the DV to be done. It seems to be a random process. Others paid their DV well in advance and are still waiting for their visa.

Columbus Day

They day they invaded the USA and raped the woman and spread disease to the Native American.

A day I don't recognize......

Columbus' arrival in the Americas

Columbus celebrations commemorate the Genoese explorer's first expedition across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492. Columbus, on commission by the Spanish monarchy, was hoping to find a new naval route to India and the other nations of the East, but instead found the American continent which was virtually unknown to Europeans at the time. Columbus's sailor Rodrigo de Triana was the first on the voyage to spot land in the New World; he found the island the natives called Guanahani at approximately 2:00 AM on October 12, 1492. The exact location of this island is unknown, though it was somewhere in the Bahamas. Columbus's expedition launched the first large-scale European colonization of the Americas.

The birth certificate of the beneficiary is normally sent to NVC along with the DS-230 after the I-130 has been approved. It doesn't need to be submitted with the I-130 application.

Goodluck kath. God will be always be in our way to lead us with our journey.

Go ahead. Me and My husband will be next. Still filling out forms and checking it 4 and more times before we will file it.

thanks cathy. i was tryin to be firm at my husband at this time coz he might miss something. i was the one who fill up the form and print it out, i also fill out and print the affidavits as well and send it to my husband so that his parents will just sign it and notarize it.

Unfortunately the naturalization certificate number is not on the passport. You can ask if the USEM will accept a copy of the passport biographical page instead. Otherwise your cosponsor will have to apply for a replacement certificate at the local USCIS office. There is a standard application form and fee for doing this. I don't know whether she would have reasonable grounds for expediting the application. She should make an infopass appointment as soon as possible if she wants to explore this possibility.

Hi I have a co-sponsor and she does not have a copy of her naturalization certificate. Does the naturalization number appear on the passport and how many digits is the naturalization number. What other documents she can attach aside from naturalization certificate? Thanks for your answers in advance