Visa Journey Summary IR/CR

[Mark&Gladys 0]

Hi All,

Thought you might appreciate a summary of our USA IR/CR visa journey. For us there were no serious issues and only one mistake! Overall I think we did well and completed the process in good time. Here is a summary.

We were married on January. This was our first wait. I did not file our I130 until we had our "certified" marriage certificate which we did not get until March. So we filed with US Immigration then. We received our Noa1 promptly.

I was expected to then not receive the Noa2 until September, but actually received it in July. Then on to the National Visa Center. This process was a bit confusing and the VJ interaction was very helpful. But this process went pretty well with both fees paid online, forms downloaded, scanned and returned. Remember to keep copies of all forms submitted. I did not save a copy our I864 form and then sent it without a signature. So I had to start over. I am sure this mistake cost us 2-3 weeks, but it was easily corrected - just more time and hassle than it should have been.

Once we were finished at the NVC, we received our visa appointment date in about 2 weeks. At that point Gladys went to Manila for her medical exam. She did not want to try to complete the med exam and interview on the same trip and I was more worried about something being an issue in the medical exam. But no worries. It went well. See the NinJones summary for an excellent discussion of the med exam process.

Then on to the visa interview December 3. Gladys had general questions about me and her - name, age, address, etc. Nothing difficult. Then a few specific questions about my divorce, employment and background. Again more specific but not too difficult. The consular did look at her packet - which was detailed and very well organized - but had only a few comments. Again nothing difficult and she was finished by 9am. Total time in the embassy was 2 1/2 hours. She was approved and actually received her visa in Cebu on Saturday after interviewing at 6:30am on Thursday. Total time from our first submittal of the I130 to visa was about 260 days.

Lessons Learned:

1. You do not need a lawyer. In fact I am sure that will add time and significant expense. There is plenty of good help on this site and your questions do get answered.

2. There IS a difference between an IR/CR visa (married) and a K (fiance). The most confusing issue online are the fees due before the interview. For the IR/CR your fees are ALL PAID to the National Visa Center (at least in the USA), so the only fee due locally at or before your interview is the visa shipment fee, paid at the embassy after your interview. You do have to pay for your medical exam on the day of your appointment. K1 visa applicants pay a fee in the Philippines prior to the interview and must have the receipt at the interview. Be careful getting advice for a K visa from someone getting a IR/CR and vice versa in this regard.

3. Pay attention to details on all forms. Make sure everything is completed accurately and CONSISTENTLY from form to form. Much information is re-entered on multiple forms. Make sure it is always the same. Remember to save copies of all forms submitted and DO NOT FORGET to sign them! HA! Once your National Visa Center application forms are completed and the fees are paid submit the I864 and DS 230 forms together and as soon as you are notified by the NVC. This is a bit confusing, but both are needed and can be sent together once your fees are paid and confirmed - you will receive an email.

4. At the med exam and interview be prepared. Be very polite, patient and professional. Dress accordingly - clean and conservative - no skin, no extra makeup - look professional. During your interview be calm, collected and professional (everyone is nervous). Answer all questions politely, respectfully, and accurately, but do not provide any additional information unless asked specifically. Address each question succinctly and directly and do not over talk or provide extra information. Less is much better as long as your questions are answered. You will be asked about your spouses USA address, history, work, etc.

5. Before your interview we recommend reviewing all "information" forms submitted especially the DS230 which you will be required to sign after your interview - the consular will have it there for you at your interview. Remember you will need the I864 form also at your interview.

6. Your "proof of relationship" packet for your interview is important and will determine your success. It should be clean and well organized. For our interview we included the following:

Copies of all important documents - CENOMAR, birth cert, marriage cert, etc.

Examples of letters, cards and emails - both physical and virtual-electronic - covering the span of the relationship.

Proof of visits to the Philippines - receipts for airlines, hotels etc, photocopy of passport stamps, etc.

Copies of Yahoo chat logs for each month.

Bank and money transfer receipts.

Phone records.

Photos from every visit - various locations, times, with friends and family etc.

I am arriving in the Philippines on the 9th and we will be home in Maryland by Christmas. We would love to hear from all of you especially on the East Coast and in Idaho where we also will spend a lot of time.

Hope this helps! Enjoy the ride and Best of Luck to you all! Happy Holidays!!

[Mark&Gladys 0]

Hi All,

Thought you might appreciate a summary of our USA IR/CR visa journey. For us there were no serious issues and only one mistake! Overall I think we did well and completed the process in good time. Here is a summary.

We were married on January. This was our first wait. I did not file our I130 until we had our "certified" marriage certificate which we did not get until March. So we filed with US Immigration then. We received our Noa1 promptly.

I was expected to then not receive the Noa2 until September, but actually received it in July. Then on to the National Visa Center. This process was a bit confusing and the VJ interaction was very helpful. But this process went pretty well with both fees paid online, forms downloaded, scanned and returned. Remember to keep copies of all forms submitted. I did not save a copy our I864 form and then sent it without a signature. So I had to start over. I am sure this mistake cost us 2-3 weeks, but it was easily corrected - just more time and hassle than it should have been.

Once we were finished at the NVC, we received our visa appointment date in about 2 weeks. At that point Gladys went to Manila for her medical exam. She did not want to try to complete the med exam and interview on the same trip and I was more worried about something being an issue in the medical exam. But no worries. It went well. See the NinJones summary for an excellent discussion of the med exam process.

Then on to the visa interview December 3. Gladys had general questions about me and her - name, age, address, etc. Nothing difficult. Then a few specific questions about my divorce, employment and background. Again more specific but not too difficult. The consular did look at her packet - which was detailed and very well organized - but had only a few comments. Again nothing difficult and she was finished by 9am. Total time in the embassy was 2 1/2 hours. She was approved and actually received her visa in Cebu on Saturday after interviewing at 6:30am on Thursday. Total time from our first submittal of the I130 to visa was about 260 days.

Lessons Learned:

1. You do not need a lawyer. In fact I am sure that will add time and significant expense. There is plenty of good help on this site and your questions do get answered.

2. There IS a difference between an IR/CR visa (married) and a K (fiance). The most confusing issue online are the fees due before the interview. For the IR/CR your fees are ALL PAID to the National Visa Center (at least in the USA), so the only fee due locally at or before your interview is the visa shipment fee, paid at the embassy after your interview. You do have to pay for your medical exam on the day of your appointment. K1 visa applicants pay a fee in the Philippines prior to the interview and must have the receipt at the interview. Be careful getting advice for a K visa from someone getting a IR/CR and vice versa in this regard.

3. Pay attention to details on all forms. Make sure everything is completed accurately and CONSISTENTLY from form to form. Much information is re-entered on multiple forms. Make sure it is always the same. Remember to save copies of all forms submitted and DO NOT FORGET to sign them! HA! Once your National Visa Center application forms are completed and the fees are paid submit the I864 and DS 230 forms together and as soon as you are notified by the NVC. This is a bit confusing, but both are needed and can be sent together once your fees are paid and confirmed - you will receive an email.

4. At the med exam and interview be prepared. Be very polite, patient and professional. Dress accordingly - clean and conservative - no skin, no extra makeup - look professional. During your interview be calm, collected and professional (everyone is nervous). Answer all questions politely, respectfully, and accurately, but do not provide any additional information unless asked specifically. Address each question succinctly and directly and do not over talk or provide extra information. Less is much better as long as your questions are answered. You will be asked about your spouses USA address, history, work, etc.

5. Before your interview we recommend reviewing all "information" forms submitted especially the DS230 which you will be required to sign after your interview - the consular will have it there for you at your interview. Remember you will need the I864 form also at your interview.

6. Your "proof of relationship" packet for your interview is important and will determine your success. It should be clean and well organized. For our interview we included the following:

Copies of all important documents - CENOMAR, birth cert, marriage cert, etc.

Examples of letters, cards and emails - both physical and virtual-electronic - covering the span of the relationship.

Proof of visits to the Philippines - receipts for airlines, hotels etc, photocopy of passport stamps, etc.

Copies of Yahoo chat logs for each month.

Bank and money transfer receipts.

Phone records.

Photos from every visit - various locations, times, with friends and family etc.

I am arriving in the Philippines on the 9th and we will be home in Maryland by Christmas. We would love to hear from all of you especially on the East Coast and in Idaho where we also will spend a lot of time.

Hope this helps! Enjoy the ride and Best of Luck to you all! Happy Holidays!!

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

duplicate topics merged.