4Toms

Hello caeremonarius,

How did you finally deal with the error ( missing last letter in last name )? Did you have to submit another I-90 to make the correction.

I am in a similar plight as yours. My spouse has a long last name (XXXX YYYY) with total 28 chars. When my spouse's initial green card came in, full name was there in the green card, but they incorrectly issued a 2 year GC with CR1 instead of IR1.

We filed an I-90 to correct the error and received the new 10 year green card after almost 9 months of waiting. The new card is missing last letter of the last name. I-797 notice, biometrics notice as well as the letter along with the green card all have full name without any missing letter. Computer and human readable signature at the bottom of the card (back) also has the full last name.

I am confused as to whether this was a system limitation on the number or characters or a USCIS error. Hard to believe that the 2 year card did not encounter that limitation and the 10 year card hit ( maybe a change in process?)

Any insights and guidance will be appreciated.

Hello iwuvcheshert - In which Service Center was your I-90 for replacement GC processed and how long did it take? Did you have a Biometrics appointment for the I-90?

thanks freetv and cino.. i already carefully prepared the i90 and will be mailing it in a bit.. i am willing to wait till the new and corrected card gets to me.. i just hope this wouldnt have been an issue, but reading thru vj and diff forums, i really know now that i'm not the only one this has happened, so i still have hope

my temp i551 stamp on the pp will expire feb 2013.. should i have it extended as early as now? or wait like 6 months before it may expire?

Just received my spouse's GC and we are exactly in the same boat as yours. Received a CR1 card, inspite of the officer guaranteeing that an IR1 status will be granted.

Curious to know how you went about it. Would appreciate your guidance / inputs.

Bump !

Thank You!.

When you say you had no problem at SS Office, does it mean that they just accepted the Visa + Admission stamp as proof of permanent residence and granted SSN before the green card arrived.

Just trying to figure out if going to the SSN office with just the Visa + admission stamp makes sense.

I had the same question when my step daughter arrived on her immigration visa. I tracked down someone at the airport that pointed out to me some small print on her visa that said this visa along with an entry stamp serves as an I-551. Seems to be the way they are doing it these days. We had no problem at the SS office. Green card arrived in about three weeks if I remember correctly.

Thankyou Ryan. That certainly helps to know that I am not the lone rider who has faced this dilemma.

This is now the standard, if you look at the bottom of the visa itself, you will see something that says "Upon Endorsement, acts as Temporary I-551 Valid for 1 Year." The 'endorsement' is the admission stamp with the information handwritten in. This is what CBP did when my wife arrived here.

I don't know what will happen when you go to the SSA office to apply for a number. Unfortunately, many states are likely behind on the new standard and have either not updated their regulations or adequately trained their employees. Case in point, we tried to get my wife a state ID card, I tried to explain to the DOL agent the new standard and the agent's reply to me was "we don't care about that."

My spouse recently made her entry through JFK. All that she got stamped in her passport is the standard arrival stamp with date of entry and handwritten IR1 and A#. No I-551 stamps or whatsoever. I was little bewildered to see that there were no temporary I-551 stamps in the passport, as against what I had read

• Is this the standard procedure these days?
• How do we go about applying for SSN at the local office w/o a I-551 stamp or I-94 ?
• How much time does it take for the card to arrive these days?

Would appreciate any inputs/ guidance who has recently been there / done this.

Thanks Ryan for your response.

I am little confused reading multiple opinions regarding which line CR1/IR1 holder should go in at Passport Control. Lots of folks seem to favor LPR/Citizen line with some well read members suggesting Visitors lane is the right place to be. Would love to hear some anecdotes from folks who have gone through either of those.

Also, what did you all fill up in Customs declaration for Q15 ( value of goods brought to the country)

I-94 is not filled out by a CR-1 visa holder; your wife will not be filling out that form.

She should go to the "visa holders" line.

Few questions related to POE for IR1/CR1 holder. JFK will be the POE for my spouse. Would appreciate any help / guidance from folks who have been there / done that .

I -94 :-

• Is an I-94 required to be filled by the beneficiary at POE? - Has heard about few IOs asking for the I-94, any experiences here?
• Which Counter does she go to? For US Citizen/ Permanent resident or for Visa holders?

Customs Declaration :-

• For Q 15, the total value of all goods bringing in to the country. Provided my spouse is bringing in only personal effects and no gifts/ commercial merchandise, this should be $0 , right?
  • What have you guys been filling in there and what has been the experience.

Any other guidance/ help with dealing with IO at the POE will be appreciated.

Thanks for your inputs. I just went through the reviews for JFK in POE section and thanks for your reassurance.

Read about JFK in the POE section at the top of this page--it is a piece of cake. There is ABSOLUTELY no reason to have the x-ray at POE.

Thanks for your response.

My wife speaks English well and communication should not be a problem except for the nervousness/ anxiety factor. Intended POE is JFK and we have been married for 2+ years. Is X-ray a requirement at POE ? When we did the medicals, hospital did not hand over the x-ray, only the sealed medical report and we did not take them to the consulate either.

How well does your wife speak English? What is the intended POE? Would you anticipate her having a problem communicating with the border officer? This might be the biggest issue.

Make sure she carries on the plane her brown envelope and X-Rays. They likely won't take the X-Rays but bring them anyway. They will keep the brown envelope. Does the immigration paperwork have you current address where you want the green card mailed? If yes, no worries. If not, she needs to have the updated address. All paperwork she needs should be in the brown envelope. She shouldn't need any updated info on your employment.

Typically, they will ask where she is going? Plans?, etc. but my impressing this is typically more chit-chat than a true interview. However, it is possible the officer could deny entry but the only scenario where this might happen is if the officer suspected your wife was attempting to do something illegal (drug smuggling, etc.).

How long have you been married? If over two years you need to make sure your wife has a copy of your marriage certificate to make sure she gets an IR-1 visa and doesn't have to remove conditions in two years.

I would go to the reviews on this web site for your intended POE as that may also help you prepare your wife.

She does not need a transit visa as she will not be going outside the airport with a 4 hour layover. She will just be getting out of her DXB bound flight and moving to the gate for her JFK flight and will not be passing through any immigration.

Hi,

My wife recently got the IR1/CR1 visa for USA and i am trying to book her tickets via Emirates airlines. She is flying from Ahmedabad to Dubai and Dubai to JFK and then JFK to florida. My question is will she require a transit visa in dubai? Her stay at the dubai airport is around 4 hours..please let me know where i can find more info on this. thanks

All,

My spouse will be entering US on her IR1/CR1 in Jan 2011. Unfortunately, I ( USC sponsor) will not be able to accompany her on the trip and she'd be traveling for the first time to US on any visa.

What is the nature of questions she should expect at the POE ? She received her immigrant visa in Sep. Would there be any questions related to spouse's current employment ? Are there any additional/ more recent proofs she'd be expected to produce.

Would appreciate any guidance/ help / experiences you could provide.

salraf86 -

Was shocked to hear that Chennai is now going in for AP for lots of candidates. My spouse will be going for visa interview next week. Was wondering if this has anything to do with religion/ gender? Any possibility they are targeting muslim males for this AP.

My sister in law got blue slip 221(g) administrative processing and she got her passport in 4 weeks.

Our case is scheduled at Chennai for Sep 1st week as well.

Has either of you got the instructions for making VFS payments from the consulate or any other communication other than interview letter from NVC?

Congratulations! We too got our case completed and interview date which is Sept 29. Our case got completed on 25th July. So we have to wait another 2 months..I think Chennai consulate is taking more time to schedule interviews now-a-days..

Did you have your medical done at Amrita. I am in the same boat and looking forward to see how it all played out

I went to Chennai, U.S. consulate's website Chennai, consulate, and it says we can do medical at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in Kochin. I thought only Appolo hospitals was authorized. We're from Kerala, so it would be really easier and cheaper if we do our medical at Amrita hospital. Just want to make sure it's ok to go to Amrita.

Thank you,

Tony

Please keep me posted once you receive the email and I'll do the same.

Do you know the case file will be sent to the consulate ? or if the AVR message change once the file sent ?

We got our interview date from an NVC operator last Wednesday.... but still haven't gotten the email.

How long did it take everyone else to get theirs?

Can anyone confirm that this is always the case and that the AVR message changes to say that the file has been sent to consulate.. My initial thinking was that the case is transferred to embassy as soon as case is complete.

Came to know from NVC operator that my spouse's interview is scheduled within the next 2 weeks, but has not received the email notification and the AVR still says case complete at NVC.

No that is not correct... ur package sits with NVC for awhile before being shipped out... once ur case is shipped our the AVR message will change something like "your file is with embassy now so u need to contact them"...

hope it helps...

All -

I am looking for guidance from folks who have recently rescheduled their IV interviews at Chennai Consulate, India or know the specific process and the timelines involved.

Context :

My spouse has been waiting for interview at Chennai since case got completed at NVC late June. Had called NVC couple of times within the last two weeks with no success - received standard response that you will receive notification. Called in this afternoon and was told that interview is scheduled for Aug 1st. We have not received any notification including emails / pkt 4 and I am now worried that my spouse will not have enough time to complete the medicals and other process. Wasn't expecting anything earlier than late august and had made travel plans accordingly.

I am just trying to figure out how easy it'd be to reschedule, the process and the what would generally be the impact to schedule dates.

Any inputs from who have recently been there, done it would certainly help....

Thanks everyone for the responses !

fazmo -

Looks like your suggestion might be the logical one for me . I would not even have a new address until after my spouse's interview is complete. Just curious if you have gone through this ? and I can put my mind to rest assuming that an AR-11 at POE is all that's required. Also, in the case of an IV, is there a physical visa stamped in the passport which will have the registration number?

It is very simple and painless. Download the form AR-11 from the USCIS website. Send it to your spouse and he/she should complete it and sign it. The visa will have the beneficiary's Alien Number printed on it (It says Registration Number). Make sure that number is written on the form. The beneficiary then should submit the form to the POE officer and verbally inform the officer of your address change. The officer will place the form with the other immigration documents and done!

Note: If you tell the POE officer that you have changed address without submitting the form, they will provide the form for you to fill out. To save time, it is better if you fill it out and take it with you.

For the SSN, I suggest that you go to the local Social Security Administration and apply for a number (you don't have to wait for the USCIS to transfer your data to SSA). In the application form, write your new address.

Hello All --

My spouse's case was completed at NVC late June and just got the interview scheduled. When DS-230 was filed, my current address was provided as the address where the beneficiary will stay and to which GC and SSN needs to be sent. Unexpectedly and totally unplanned for, my address is going to change between now and the time beneficiary enters US. There is no way I can avoid this change as my current residence is getting sold by the landlord.

What are the implications to this for me and how do I got about the address change without having any adverse impacts. I think I'd definitely need to change the address as GC/ SSN needs to be delivered to the new address. How do I go about this ? at the consulate during interview? at POE ?

Appreciate any guidance/ help...

My spouse's case was completed on June 27th as well and when I called NVC today, I was told that interview is scheduled for Aug 1st week. Last time I called on wednesday ( 07/13) and there were no updates since case completion and we have not received the interview letter / email yet. NVC Operator mentioned that email should go out in a couple of days.

It might be worthwhile to call NVC and speak to an operator to check on the status.

Hi my case was completed on June 27 and I am waiting for Interview date. Did any one in Chennai got the Interview date whose case was completed after June 26, 2011

I am waiting for Chennai Consulate. Just check it out this link for visa process for CR1. NVC case completed on 07/27.

Is anyone on VJ who got interview date on Aug and case completed between 7/25 . DO let me now. I am her for Chennai Consulate in India

Thanks

All -

I am looking for guidance from folks who have recently rescheduled their IV interviews at Chennai Consulate, India or know the specific process and the timelines involved.

Context : My spouse has been waiting for interview at Chennai since case was completed at NVC late June. Had called NVC couple of times within the last two weeks with no success - received standard response that you will receive notification. Called in this afternoon and was told that interview is scheduled for Aug 1st. We have not received any notification including emails / pkt 4 and I am now worried that my spouse will not have enough time to complete the medicals and other process. Wasn't expecting anything earlier than late august and had made travel plans accordingly.

I am just trying to figure out how easy it'd be to reschedule, the process and the what would generally be the impact to schedule dates. Any inputs from who have recently been there, done it would certainly help...

Nope .. No updates yet

We got the interview date for aug 29 th,anything from your side.

GCDI.. Thanks for your inputs.

I am following your track as well.. F2A and upgrade to CR1 at the NVC stage. Only difference is I hadn't sent in my DS-230 until after the upgrade. I am counting on an August interview date.. Let's keep in touch and share any updates. BTW, do you know if NVC sends any email updates once the case processing is complete?

Hi 4 Toms

I called NVC last week some times, I don't remember the day Thursday or Friday. Actually I filed F2A and first week of June I upgraded it to CR1, that is why we didn't make it for July and waiting on august. I also do not understand about the VFS stuff, loto knows lot of information about that and hopefully he can answer this, it is confusing at this stage but with all his links I did everything with out one RFE, I am hoping that p 4 should gives us more info on VFS and courier charge if not, after the visa dates is schedule we can contact the Chennai consulate, but at this time I don't think they have our info yet.

GCDI -----When did you call NVC ?

Looking at your timeline, I see that your case was completed in May. Surpised that you did not get a July date in spite of that.

Hi 4Toms,

Our case got completed and we are also waiting for Chennai interview, I called NVC and they told me the JULY dates are already done, probably the august that we hope for.NVC person asked me to call back in second week of JULY so to know the dates. Let us share any progress, since we are almost in the similar line and same consulate.

Thanks, good luck

Thank You ! Appreciate your inputs..

I can't answer your questions about VFS as I have no idea, but here's some answers for your other questions.

First off, call NVC and make sure your case is closed. SIF does not guarantee CC all the time.

I'm not sure the wait time at your consulate, but an interview date will be scheduled either in a few days or in a few weeks. Once it is scheduled, if you gave both email addresses to NVC at the beginning, then packet 4 (the interview letter) will be emailed to you from NVC. You don't get any correspondence from the consulate about your interview (unless expedited or doing DCF). Then within a few days of the interview date being scheduled, your case will be shipped to the consulate abroad.

For the interview, it's suggested to bring a copy of ALL packages submitted (I-130, I-864, DS-230) just in case. Because the interview takes place at a US Consulate, then of course the petitioner (USC) is allowed in! You might not be allowed to be in the same room as the interview, but you're certainly allowed in the building. Just make sure you bring your US passport with you to the interview.

For the medical, make sure the beneficiary has all necessary vaccines done, preferably ahead of time to save money as it's usually more expensive to get vaccines done by a panel physician.

Thanks Navyk for your response. Greatly appreciate your inputs. Are you sure that there is no VFS submission step involved in CR1/IRI process ?

Thought I had read multiple threads about making payment at VFS.

Chennai Consulate doesn't allow petitioners.

There is no courier payment for CR-1 applicants as it is included in the payment made for IV to NVC - it is only for DCF applicants.

The Visa can be collected at VFS on the date informed at interview. VFS will not wait beyond that date and will mail it to the address given in DS-230.

You spouse must take copies of I-130, DS-230, I-864 - please keep those in separate folders for easy referencing, if asked for.

Ther is generally no preparation for Medical - however you will need to call the physician from the panel, who will schedule appointment and will let you know of any preparation, if applicable. Take all the immunization records from childhood, which can eliminate some immunizations during medical.

You spouse must take the marraige, honeymoon and other albums and additional proofs like mixing of finances, joint lease agreement....

There are out there (in the forum) some general interview question - check those out. The bottom line is that your spouse must know about you and your parents, their jobs, places of stay.....

Hope this helps. all the best.

By the way we just received NOA2 and will soon be at Chennai Consulate - will get our medical done at hyderabad.