Alli and Léo

Most likely the ticket will have no effect. However, it depends on the amount of the fine. If the fine was less than $500 then you do not need to report it. Most likely a single ticket will be less than that amount but I have found that in certain places a ticket can be more than that amount. Also, there can not be any other penalties associated with the ticket other than points added to your license and a fine less than $500. So, if there were no criminal charges or a probation associated with the ticket, you should be good to go. Hope this info is useful. Does anyone know what happens if the fine for a ticket is over $500 and has to be reported on I-751?

Well, I know that several certified copies for brazilian documents (some are the same as notarized but not all) have been rejected by NVC. When a phone call was made or a letter sent stating that the proper documentation had already been sent and received, the cases were then reviewed again and approved.

Speaking to NVC would definitely help. Also, for anyone else at this step of the process I would recommend submitting a cover letter stating the proper order of documents and which are originals and which are certified. Sometimes this can prevent an RFE.

Good Luck!

Happy to hear that. Congrats!!!

Thank you everyone! I really appreciate the info.

My spouse has an interview for his CR-1 visa on January 16th. So, I have just a few other questions about some of the things that we need to do after he arrives. I'm not sure if I am posting this in the right forum but any advise and help would be greatly appreciated.

I already know that after 2 years of conditional residency we must apply to remove conditions. So does this mean that another green card will be issued for permanent residency for 10 years? We have applied for his SSN on his visa application. I know that he will also need to get a US driver's license. Also, am I to assume that because he will be considered a resident with a CR-1 visa that he does not need to apply for EAD?

Is there anything else that needs to be done with immigrations?

Thanks everyone!

For the I-129F petition (K-1 and K-3) it took about a month to receive something from the Consulate in Rio de Janeiro. For the I-130 petition, I received documentation in about 1 week for the appointment letter but 2 weeks to say that our file was complete (weird). Anyways the info was pointless because my spouse received the info from the consulate very quickly so I already knew what was happening.

Since you already sent NVC all of your original documents all you need to take to your interview is copies and your passport. Also policies for the Consulate in Rio de Janeiro have changed and you can no longer pick up your visa from the Consulate due to backlogs so it must be mailed out. The Consulate says that your visa will arrive 3-10 days after your interview. You also need to have a medical exam which involves blood work and x-rays. You will need to take 2-3 passport-style photos with you for the medical. You can get a list of civil sergeons online on the Consulate's website. That's really all of the info that is contained in the packet that NVC sends you. They also say that you should take your appointment letter with you. If you don't have this it might cause a delay for your interview but I seriously doubt that it would cause you to miss your interview. Good Luck!

I had my husband take the photos with his digital camera and then email them to me which I then had printed at the machine in Walmart. They print ID photos that meet the size requirement (2"x2"). As long as the ears are showing and head is not tilted or turned and against a white or off white background then everything is good to go. See the NVC website for more details. Hope this helps but as long as you meet the above requirements there will not be a problem.

Congrats!

There is no point is making a checklist as it is already on the NVC website. The checklist is there so you will know which documents to send NVC. You must send originals or certified copies. I would also recommend using the example cover letters posted on wiki and editting as needed so the NVC can quickly see what documents you are sending and in what order. This helps prevent RFEs. Good Luck!

CJ...if you are unable to acquire the IIN...I would not worry because you will get it in a few days in the mail. If you have overnighted the DS-3032 then by the time you get your IIN in the mail you will be able to pay both the AOS and IV fee bills. So technically...it won't slow the whole process down a great deal. This is what I did and them maile the AOS and DS-230 packages in together and approval came 2-3 days after that.

Still...can't help with the IIN. I wasn't able to get it from the operators...sorry. Just wanted to give you hope if you can't obtain it over the phone.

It is normal to have both petitions approved at the same time but the I-129F petition is only touched and forwarded to the embassy so the AVR is generally not updated for this petition...it is only passing through.

I overnighted my DS-230 packet and once received by NVC it took only 2-3 days to complete. But NVC says at least 2 weeks.

You must file both the I-130 and I-129F petitions so if you do have a preference it will not be evident until after approvals as far as time goes. I would recommend filing both at the same time. When the I-129F priority date comes current the I-130 should also be processed at the same time thus getting approvals at the same time from USCIS. Using the shortcuts in wiki you can have your I-130 out of NVC in a few weeks which would not be far behind the I-129F. Saving money...the I-130 would be your best bet and possibly only a few weeks longer.

Yeah, most operators are like that but don't let them blow you off. I would still call everyday. I think the thing is that they might track the calls that come in and possibly keep a log of how many times you call...or at least some agencies do this. Still you have a right to know what is happening with you case. I would not be offended by the operators and at times I take everything they say with a grain of salt because usually the time frames they give are not the "normal" time frames...they just don't want to be bothered. If you call once a day then you will know exactly when the AOS fee bill and DS-3032 are generated and will be able to send the DS-3032 off immediately if you have already prepared this. This will save a lot of time. Don't worry...shouldn't be long for NVC to generate these.

Also, the only reason why I would recommend speaking to an operator every time is because the AVR only updates twice a week I think and sometimes it does not update at all for some cases. It is not very reliable.

Congrats ARALB!

If the police reports are only 6 months old then I think you have enough time to get through NVC and an interview at the embassy before they expire. Police Certificates are considered to be good for 1 year. The police certificates that my spouse got from Brazil say valid for 90 days but for immigration purposes I was told 1 year even if it is past the 90 day mark.

USCIS can also sometimes hold or lose petitions. Or someone had state in another thread that there is another place where the petitions are processed in between USCIS and the NVC...don't know if this is true but it was posted. I would not worry until it gets to the 2 week mark since approval.

For some the AVR never updates furthermore it only updates at certain times so will more than likely not be up to date. I would recommend always speaking to an operator. I have the number on speed dial. After you dial the number, press 1 for english and then 5 to speak to an operator.

You may wish to consult an attorney then...sorry but I have not been through this and can not help. You may need a waiver though because of the overstay. I would recommend an attorney.

Need more info. Are you in the US already and adjusting status or are you seeking a CR-1/IR-1 visa?

If the later then check out the shortcuts on wiki. Your approved petition will now be forewarded to the NVC. Wait to get a case number and start collecting the required documents. Good Luck!

It could be the same day a case number is issued or it could be a week after. I would recommend calling once a day...and always speak to an operator. If it goes for more than a week then I would ask to speak to a supervisor.

Hey guys...I have an opinion about the NVC process and some suggestions. I got through NVC in just a few weeks even with 2 holidays. NVC does not take long if you have all of your police reports, marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc. If you already have all of the necessary documents then I would recommend going with the CR-1/IR-1 visa. It will usually only take 1/2 month to 1 month more than K-3 if you assertive with the process at NVC. Do not use the AVR...it generally is not current. You really need to speak to an operator and I would recommend only calling once a day. Once you have your case number you still need to wait for NVC to generate AOS and DS-3032. Once these are generated, I would recommend overnighting DS-3032 to NVC. This must be signed by the beneficiary and you need to generate a barcode for it using the Ling Ling shortcuts. Sending this without the barcode may possible delay the process. You can call NVC for the IIN but most operators will not give you this info, yet some will. However, in may not speed up the process but by only a few days...you see you will need to pay bothe the AOS and IV fee bills online. The NVC must accept and process the DS-3032 before the IV fee bill will show online. Both bills must be paid to complete the process. Once you get the IIN pay both bills and wait 1-3 days until the bills show as paid. Then print the cover sheets for both AOS and IV packets through the online payment system. These cover sheets will have the necessary barcodes. Then you can overnight All documents (AOS & DS-230 packets) to NVC and case complete if you send all of the correct documents. Should only take a few weeks. Also, I would recommend send a Cover letter under the cover sheet for both packets. Cover letter examples are on wiki for AOD and DS-230 packets. Revise to suit your case. These will help prevent any RFEs since sometimes the NVC assumes that certified copies are only notarized (big problem with Brazil and other 3rd world contries). The letters will explain exactly what is in the packets. My packets were processed in only a few days...2-3 days I think. I believe they were processed quickly because of these letters. Also I would recommend signing in blue ink to show original signiture as others have had a problem with this. I got through NVC without any RFEs. Hope someone finds these suggestions useful. Good Luck everyone!

you can email DS-3032 if you want...NVC suggests making an attachment because the beneficiary's signiture is required...but mailing the DS-3032 is quicker.

Just called the NVC today...our case was completed December 2nd. Yeah! I was told that they schedule interviews with the consulate the second week of every month for interviews the following month and I feel certain that we will be able to get an interview date in January so our interview will probably be scheduled next week. I am really excited!

Foreign civil marriages are recognized by the US. There is not need to marry again in the US or to get a US marriage certificate. If you desire, you can have your marriage certificate certified by the courts, but I do not see the reason for this when the US already recognizes your marriage...it's just an option.