CR-1 questions

[david'sgirl 134]

We are getting married in Scotland UK in July. We plan to apply for CR1 and we will live in USA.

Most of the sample interview questions and requests for evidence seem to presume the couple is already living together.

We need the visa in order to be able to live together so none of this will apply to our situation. Will this be a problem?

We can definitely prove we have been a couple for over a year but we will be appling for CR1 as newlyeds so how do we prove bona fide marriage?

We need the visa so we can begin our life together.

How long should we reasonably expect to be kept apart while we are waiting? I understand there is a significant backlog at the Vermont service center.

I understand we should be able to visit each other but all it takes is some person at entry having a bad day and then he wouldnt be able to come in. I worry about being kept apart for unreasonable lengths of time. I see timelines taking as long as two years. Does that mean you are not allowed to see each other at all during the waiting period?

We have been trying to see each other roughly every 6-8 weeks since we met. If we can keep doing that it would still be hard but tolerable. if we had to be apart for 6 months or more it would be unbearable.

Is it permissable or even recommended for me to attend the interview even if I am not specifically requested to do so? I would like to fly to London and attend with my husband when the time comes.

Thank you for any assistance you folks who have survived this ordeal can provide.

[payxibka 10,047]

We are getting married in Scotland UK in July. We plan to apply for CR1 and we will live in USA.

Most of the sample interview questions and requests for evidence seem to presume the couple is already living together.

We need the visa in order to be able to live together so none of this will apply to our situation. Will this be a problem? No

We can definitely prove we have been a couple for over a year but we will be appling for CR1 as newlyeds so how do we prove bona fide marriage? How have you comingled your lives, how do you communicate, how often do you communicate, how often do you see each other

We need the visa so we can begin our life together.

How long should we reasonably expect to be kept apart while we are waiting? Probably 6 mos to 1 year I understand there is a significant backlog at the Vermont service center.

I understand we should be able to visit each other but all it takes is some person at entry having a bad day and then he wouldnt be able to come in. I worry about being kept apart for unreasonable lengths of time. I see timelines taking as long as two years. Does that mean you are not allowed to see each other at all during the waiting period? The USC can always go visit

We have been trying to see each other roughly every 6-8 weeks since we met. If we can keep doing that it would still be hard but tolerable. if we had to be apart for 6 months or more it would be unbearable.

Is it permissable or even recommended for me to attend the interview even if I am not specifically requested to do so? I would like to fly to London and attend with my husband when the time comes. Consulate specific .... Some consulates do some do not

Thank you for any assistance you folks who have survived this ordeal can provide.

[imaisha 1]

with newlyweds they understand that most haven't had the chance to live together yet. you can prove a bona fide relationship in other ways though. aside from the marriage certificate you should gather photos from throughout the relationship as well as the wedding, ticket stubs from trips to visit each other and maybe a snippet of your correspondence- if you don't have phone bills that show calls to each other maybe include some email print outs or chat logs.

at the I-130 stage i only sent in around 20 photos from the wedding and trips we've taken together and that seemed to be enough for them. i'm planning on more evidence for the interview, though it seems london usually doesn't ask for it.

as for the timeline, you should prepare for about a year apart. you may get lucky and it goes a little quicker, or you may be one of the people who get stuck at VSC for more than 6 months. it's pretty random. use that time though to go through this site and learn the tricks to get through the rest of the process after VSC a bit quicker (i.e. the NVC shortcuts).

you can always go there to visit, if you have the ability to. your husband can also try to come here for visits, but there is always the possibility that he will be turned away. if he can provide the immigration officer at the port of entry enough proof of ties to Scotland (i.e. a job he must return to, a home he owns, etc.), he'll probably be ok. it's never a sure thing though. my husband has been here for visits twice and he's never been given any trouble. others haven't been as lucky though.

and yes, you can attend the interview if you'd like, but it's not as important in london as it is in high fraud countries.

i think that was it. good luck!

Edited May 17, 2009 by imaisha

[Dean Cain 0]

We are getting married in Scotland UK in July. We plan to apply for CR1 and we will live in USA.

Most of the sample interview questions and requests for evidence seem to presume the couple is already living together.

We need the visa in order to be able to live together so none of this will apply to our situation. Will this be a problem?

We can definitely prove we have been a couple for over a year but we will be appling for CR1 as newlyeds so how do we prove bona fide marriage?

We need the visa so we can begin our life together.

How long should we reasonably expect to be kept apart while we are waiting? I understand there is a significant backlog at the Vermont service center.

I understand we should be able to visit each other but all it takes is some person at entry having a bad day and then he wouldnt be able to come in. I worry about being kept apart for unreasonable lengths of time. I see timelines taking as long as two years. Does that mean you are not allowed to see each other at all during the waiting period?

We have been trying to see each other roughly every 6-8 weeks since we met. If we can keep doing that it would still be hard but tolerable. if we had to be apart for 6 months or more it would be unbearable.

Is it permissable or even recommended for me to attend the interview even if I am not specifically requested to do so? I would like to fly to London and attend with my husband when the time comes.

Thank you for any assistance you folks who have survived this ordeal can provide.

The CR1 visa is your best bet...I know exactly how you feel being away from your spouse. I try to go home to my wife 3-6 months twice a year. We need to sacrifice sometimes, but the ordeal doesn't last forever. I petitioned my wife the beginning of the year. Now we are waiting for our case at NVC to be completed,, if everything goes to God's will... My wife will join me here in the states by July-Aug... Have faith! Good luck and safe journey!!

[Giskat09 2]

it depends.. there are some couples who just filed last jan or feb and their case is now completed... we can't tell... as long as your documents is complete - thats fine.. RFE is the enemy coz it will delay your process... this happened to us once supposedly my interview is this month grrr! i should be in USA now but its ok i think there's a purpose..

GOD bless on your visa journey..

[chinese_mutt 11]

bonafide relationship can be proved by how many visits you made, pics, emails, snail mails, etc.

reasonably around 6months to 1 year time is needed to file a visa. depends... like March, April, and May filers have suffered a delay compared to Feb Filers of this year due to USCIS working on work visas. depends on your timing.

the petitioner can always go out of the country to visit... this will increase the level of bonafide relationship too.

As for the interview, some consulate allow you to be with the beneficiary during interview.. some don't. see specific regional forum to guide you on this.

Good luck!!

[david'sgirl 134]

Thank you all for your input. This is very difficult but it helps to see that other couples have sucessfully navigated through it and are finally together.

We have waited this long to find each other and it will all be worth it in the end but who knew waiting would be so hard!

Edited May 18, 2009 by david'sgirl

[Svadharma 11]

I was only able to live with my husband for a few months after we got married and then I had to come back to the states so that I could get a job and start preparing our lives here. To show proof of a relationship we started a bank account together in El Salvador. Also, we had someone who had rented us a room for several months write an affidavit talking about all of the couple things he saw us do together. We also sent in about 12 photos that showed us doing various things together. With just these things our I-130 was approved.

It took almost 7 months for our I-130 to be approved. (We submitted it at the beginning of August 2008 and it was approved at the end of February.) This was hard because USCIS gave no updates. Just one day, out of the blue, I got an email saying that it was approved....

I sent proof our relationship with the DS-230 to the NVC as well. This isn't required, but I don't think it hurt. I sent 14 photos, copies of emails and cards, the bank account info and the affidavit I submitted with the I-130, and a document showing that he is on one of my credit card accounts.

It took two months for my approval with the NVC. This could have gone faster but we had trouble getting some of the documents. Also, it was hard for my husband to remember where he had worked for the past 10 years, as this is not something important in his country.

Now, his interview is on June 28th and his embassy requires two embassy visits.... and often mails the visa rather than giving it right there. So, I am assuming he will be here sometime late July.

So, almost a year from start to finish.... We have been apart since the end of September and have not been able to visit at all......

It is hard, but I think it has made our relationship stronger.... We have had to learn to work together to put the applications together while in different countries. We have had to find alternate ways of communicating.

It is hard, but I know it is worth it.

Good luck.

[david'sgirl 134]

I was only able to live with my husband for a few months after we got married and then I had to come back to the states so that I could get a job and start preparing our lives here. To show proof of a relationship we started a bank account together in El Salvador. Also, we had someone who had rented us a room for several months write an affidavit talking about all of the couple things he saw us do together. We also sent in about 12 photos that showed us doing various things together. With just these things our I-130 was approved.

It took almost 7 months for our I-130 to be approved. (We submitted it at the beginning of August 2008 and it was approved at the end of February.) This was hard because USCIS gave no updates. Just one day, out of the blue, I got an email saying that it was approved....

I sent proof our relationship with the DS-230 to the NVC as well. This isn't required, but I don't think it hurt. I sent 14 photos, copies of emails and cards, the bank account info and the affidavit I submitted with the I-130, and a document showing that he is on one of my credit card accounts.

It took two months for my approval with the NVC. This could have gone faster but we had trouble getting some of the documents. Also, it was hard for my husband to remember where he had worked for the past 10 years, as this is not something important in his country.

Now, his interview is on June 28th and his embassy requires two embassy visits.... and often mails the visa rather than giving it right there. So, I am assuming he will be here sometime late July.

So, almost a year from start to finish.... We have been apart since the end of September and have not been able to visit at all......

It is hard, but I think it has made our relationship stronger.... We have had to learn to work together to put the applications together while in different countries. We have had to find alternate ways of communicating.

It is hard, but I know it is worth it.

Good luck.

We talk either by phone,email or Im (sometimes all of three) several times a day. I dont know how people can tolerate being separated so long. We were together for a week in April and will see each other for a week again Friday and then be apart until the wedding in July. I know I could o there during the time we are waiting but I simply dont have that sort of time off available with my job. I was granted a visa for the wedding which would have allowed me to remain for six months but I have children,a job and a home here so I couldnt make use of it. I do believe all of us must have strong relationships. No one in thier right mind would put themselves through all of this and not be head over heels in love! It does make me feel better to know we are not alone in this. I just wish it wasnt such a long process. Good luck to you as well. Thank you for your input.

[carslo 0]

I understand your apprehension and worry. We never lived together either and I am cutting and pasting our cover letter so you can see how much we send with the initial application for the CR-1. We did not have to produce anything else at the NVC stage and my interview is next month. I will take a sampling of boarding passes, photos, cards, and phone records (sparse we use MSN chat to talk.)

Good luck,

Janet

Nature of Submission: I-130 Application

Dear Sir or Madam:

Enclosed please find my Form I-130, Petition for Alien Spouse for Janet Elizabeth Wingfield and supporting documents. Contents include:

1.Check in the amount of $355.00, made out to Department of Homeland Security for the processing fee

2.Form I – 130: Petition for Alien Relative

3.A copy of Carnell birth certificate

4.A copy of Janet nee birth certificate

5.A copy of our marriage certificate

6.A copy of Carnell’s divorce - certified

7.Copies of Janet’s previous divorces – certified (including all paperwork connected with Canadian marriages and divorces)

8.Copy of G-325A complied by Carnell with attached photo

9.Copy of G-325A complied by Janet with attached photo

10.Evidence of a bona fide marriage include:

2 – photos – one of ceremony and one casual

2 – notarized affidavits (one from family and one from friend)

Copies of documents submitted are exact photocopies of unaltered documents, and I understand that I may be required to submit original documents to an Immigration or Consular officer at a later date.

Thank you for assistance in this matter,

Sincerely,

[pushbrk 13,166]

We are getting married in Scotland UK in July. We plan to apply for CR1 and we will live in USA.

Most of the sample interview questions and requests for evidence seem to presume the couple is already living together.

We need the visa in order to be able to live together so none of this will apply to our situation. Will this be a problem?

We can definitely prove we have been a couple for over a year but we will be appling for CR1 as newlyeds so how do we prove bona fide marriage?

We need the visa so we can begin our life together.

How long should we reasonably expect to be kept apart while we are waiting? I understand there is a significant backlog at the Vermont service center.

I understand we should be able to visit each other but all it takes is some person at entry having a bad day and then he wouldnt be able to come in. I worry about being kept apart for unreasonable lengths of time. I see timelines taking as long as two years. Does that mean you are not allowed to see each other at all during the waiting period?

We have been trying to see each other roughly every 6-8 weeks since we met. If we can keep doing that it would still be hard but tolerable. if we had to be apart for 6 months or more it would be unbearable.

Is it permissable or even recommended for me to attend the interview even if I am not specifically requested to do so? I would like to fly to London and attend with my husband when the time comes.

Thank you for any assistance you folks who have survived this ordeal can provide.

Always read carefully and interpret literally. Literally, anything listed following the words, "in addition to the required...." is simply NOT required.

[david'sgirl 134]

I understand your apprehension and worry. We never lived together either and I am cutting and pasting our cover letter so you can see how much we send with the initial application for the CR-1. We did not have to produce anything else at the NVC stage and my interview is next month. I will take a sampling of boarding passes, photos, cards, and phone records (sparse we use MSN chat to talk.)

Good luck,

Janet

Nature of Submission: I-130 Application

Dear Sir or Madam:

Enclosed please find my Form I-130, Petition for Alien Spouse for Janet Elizabeth Wingfield and supporting documents. Contents include:

1.Check in the amount of $355.00, made out to Department of Homeland Security for the processing fee

2.Form I – 130: Petition for Alien Relative

3.A copy of Carnell birth certificate

4.A copy of Janet nee birth certificate

5.A copy of our marriage certificate

6.A copy of Carnell’s divorce - certified

7.Copies of Janet’s previous divorces – certified (including all paperwork connected with Canadian marriages and divorces)

8.Copy of G-325A complied by Carnell with attached photo

9.Copy of G-325A complied by Janet with attached photo

10.Evidence of a bona fide marriage include:

2 – photos – one of ceremony and one casual

2 – notarized affidavits (one from family and one from friend)

Copies of documents submitted are exact photocopies of unaltered documents, and I understand that I may be required to submit original documents to an Immigration or Consular officer at a later date.

Thank you for assistance in this matter,

Sincerely,

Thanks for the advice. It looks like you aremoving through to interview pretty quikcly. I'm hoping we will be that lucky!

[david'sgirl 134]

We are getting married in Scotland UK in July. We plan to apply for CR1 and we will live in USA.

Most of the sample interview questions and requests for evidence seem to presume the couple is already living together.

We need the visa in order to be able to live together so none of this will apply to our situation. Will this be a problem?

We can definitely prove we have been a couple for over a year but we will be appling for CR1 as newlyeds so how do we prove bona fide marriage?

We need the visa so we can begin our life together.

How long should we reasonably expect to be kept apart while we are waiting? I understand there is a significant backlog at the Vermont service center.

I understand we should be able to visit each other but all it takes is some person at entry having a bad day and then he wouldnt be able to come in. I worry about being kept apart for unreasonable lengths of time. I see timelines taking as long as two years. Does that mean you are not allowed to see each other at all during the waiting period?

We have been trying to see each other roughly every 6-8 weeks since we met. If we can keep doing that it would still be hard but tolerable. if we had to be apart for 6 months or more it would be unbearable.

Is it permissable or even recommended for me to attend the interview even if I am not specifically requested to do so? I would like to fly to London and attend with my husband when the time comes.

Thank you for any assistance you folks who have survived this ordeal can provide.

Always read carefully and interpret literally. Literally, anything listed following the words, "in addition to the required...." is simply NOT required.

If I understand you correctly you are saying not to provide more than what is specifically requested. Wouldn't more proof than required be helpful?

[marie620 0]

My suggestion: get married in the US and then adjust.....

I wish we had.

Good luck with your journey. I hope it goes quickly for you.

[pushbrk 13,166]

I understand your apprehension and worry. We never lived together either and I am cutting and pasting our cover letter so you can see how much we send with the initial application for the CR-1. We did not have to produce anything else at the NVC stage and my interview is next month. I will take a sampling of boarding passes, photos, cards, and phone records (sparse we use MSN chat to talk.)

Good luck,

Janet

Nature of Submission: I-130 Application

Dear Sir or Madam:

Enclosed please find my Form I-130, Petition for Alien Spouse for Janet Elizabeth Wingfield and supporting documents. Contents include:

1.Check in the amount of $355.00, made out to Department of Homeland Security for the processing fee

2.Form I – 130: Petition for Alien Relative

3.A copy of Carnell birth certificate

4.A copy of Janet nee birth certificate

5.A copy of our marriage certificate

6.A copy of Carnell’s divorce - certified

7.Copies of Janet’s previous divorces – certified (including all paperwork connected with Canadian marriages and divorces)

8.Copy of G-325A complied by Carnell with attached photo

9.Copy of G-325A complied by Janet with attached photo

10.Evidence of a bona fide marriage include:

2 – photos – one of ceremony and one casual

2 – notarized affidavits (one from family and one from friend)

Copies of documents submitted are exact photocopies of unaltered documents, and I understand that I may be required to submit original documents to an Immigration or Consular officer at a later date.

Thank you for assistance in this matter,

Sincerely,

Thanks for the advice. It looks like you aremoving through to interview pretty quikcly. I'm hoping we will be that lucky!

No, I'm not saying that. I said exactly what I meant. Newlyweds in a spouse visa process don't need to wait until they have anything on the "in addition to the required...." list in order to have a successful visa process. If there are red flags to address, sure, add some evidence of bona fides but the best evidence is documented time together, followed by evidence of regular communication. You won't find either mentioned in the I-130 instructions though.