Process CR-1 in different country

[explicitillicit 0]

This forum has been a great source of info so far. At this point I do have an expert question myself.

Later this year me and my wife would like to kick-off the CR-1 procedure. During the process I do expect to land a temp contract job in New Zealand, which is not my country of origin. I am eligible to live and work there though.

My question is, as the US Embassy of NZ is located in Auckland, whether I am able to process the CR-1 procedure (medicals, interview etc.) there, even though I have lived in other countries most of my life.

Will there be any challenges along the way? Do I need to bring specific documents from my country of origin to show in NZ?

Thanks for your advice!

Edited July 7, 2011 by explicitillicit

[tooduhri 0]

this link explains pretty well: http://newzealand.usembassy.gov/qualify.html

If you are moving to NZ after August 14 this year, it seems like you are out of luck.

See below:

I-130 Petitions – filing for immediate relatives:

After August 14, 2011 Consular posts abroad are no longer authorized to accept I-130 petitions for spouses / immediate relatives, for immigrant visa classification, from American citizens residing abroad. ALL Petitions must be filed in the U.S. at the USCIS Chicago Lock Box. Please check the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service website at www.uscis.gov for full instructions.

Consular Processing

Up until August 14, U.S. citizens residing in New Zealand may still file the I-130 petition in person, accompanied by spouse, at the Consulate General in Auckland. You can request forms and instructions for by calling U.S. Visa Information Service 0900USVISA (0900 878 472), or emailing the Consulate General in Auckland at AucklandIV@state.gov.

NOTE: To demonstrate residency in a consular district the American Citizen petitioners must be able to show that they have permission to reside in the consular district and that they have been doing so continuously for at least six months before filing the petition. Individuals who are in the country on a temporary status such as student would NOT be considered to meet the residency standard.

[Saylin 1,605]

This forum has been a great source of info so far. At this point I do have an expert question myself.

Later this year me and my wife would like to kick-off the CR-1 procedure. During the process I do expect to land a temp contract job in New Zealand, which is not my country of origin. I am eligible to live and work there though.

My question is, as the US Embassy of NZ is located in Auckland, whether I am able to process the CR-1 procedure (medicals, interview etc.) there, even though I have lived in other countries most of my life.

Will there be any challenges along the way? Do I need to bring specific documents from my country of origin to show in NZ?

Thanks for your advice!

I found this under the FAQ section on the US Embassy for New Zealand: http://newzealand.us.../iv_faq.html#30

So, you'd be able to interview in NZ if you have a valid visa and have been residing there for 6 months.

I would suggest calling or emailing the Embassy, detail your circumstances, and verify if you can or cannot get your visa processed through their embassy.

EDIT: Are you the beneficiary or the petitioner? If you're the beneficiary, then what I said applies. But if you're the petitioner, then what the person said above is correct. You'd only be able to do DCF until August 14 and you'd need to have been living there for 6 months to apply.

Edited July 7, 2011 by Saylin

[explicitillicit 0]

Hi, thanks for these golden replies.

To clear things up a little, I am an NZ permanent resident and my wife resides in the US. But I am originally not from NZ.

My wife will file the I-130 in the US, while I await interviews in NZ.

Does this make a difference?

Edited July 7, 2011 by explicitillicit

[pushbrk 12,908]

Both the above replies address issues in the context of Direct Consular Filing. They do not apply to stateside filed petitions. Consular processing of visa applications submitted to the National Visa Center is a separate issue. Consular processing of such applications can be in the country of citizenship or the country of current residence.

[explicitillicit 0]

Both the above replies address issues in the context of Direct Consular Filing. They do not apply to stateside filed petitions. Consular processing of visa applications submitted to the National Visa Center is a separate issue. Consular processing of such applications can be in the country of citizenship or the country of current residence.

Yes, that's what I thought. Basically my wife files the I-130 in the US. The NVC then has to forward the package plus interview date to NZ. I was wondering if this would cause issues because I am originally not from NZ and I would assume the US Embassy in NZ would require all my records?

[Saylin 1,605]

Hi, thanks for these golden replies.

To clear things up a little, I am an NZ permanent resident and my wife resides in the US. But I am originally not from NZ.

My wife will file the I-130 in the US, while I await interviews in NZ.

Does this make a difference?

If you're a permanent resident of NZ, then yes, you can have your interview in NZ!

When you get to NVC, you're just going to have to get police certificates from all the places you've lived, NZ included. Also, make sure all documents are translated in English, if they're not already.

Also, depending on your country of origin, you might have to go through additional processing at the interview (background checks and such).

Edited July 7, 2011 by Saylin

[explicitillicit 0]

If you're a permanent resident of NZ, then yes, you can have your interview in NZ!

When you get to NVC, you're just going to have to get police certificates from all the places you've lived, NZ included. Also, make sure all documents are translated in English, if they're not already.

Also, depending on your country of origin, you might have to go through additional processing at the interview (background checks and such).

Sounds good! I've heard that if my stay in NZ will not exceed five months (assuming the CR-1 will be done by then) that NZ police certificates are not required. Do you know if that's true? I mean, I'll provide any certificate if needed, but it might save me a little on the hassle.

[Saylin 1,605]

Sounds good! I've heard that if my stay in NZ will not exceed five months (assuming the CR-1 will be done by then) that NZ police certificates are not required. Do you know if that's true? I mean, I'll provide any certificate if needed, but it might save me a little on the hassle.

Here's a link to NVC's page on police certificates: http://travel.state....195.html#police Scroll just a little bit and there's a table.

Remember, it'll take about 5 months just to get your I-130 approved.

When did you move to NZ?

Edited July 7, 2011 by Saylin

[explicitillicit 0]

Here's a link to NVC's page on police certificates: http://travel.state....195.html#police Scroll just a little bit and there's a table.

Remember, it'll take about 5 months just to get your I-130 approved.

When did you move to NZ?

I am not there yet. Our total timeline will be about 8-9 months in which we can process this.

So yeah it's a bit of a challenge to move to a different country and then run the CR-1. But obviously we will mention my temporary address in the CR-1 forms from the get-go.

[pushbrk 12,908]

Yes, that's what I thought. Basically my wife files the I-130 in the US. The NVC then has to forward the package plus interview date to NZ. I was wondering if this would cause issues because I am originally not from NZ and I would assume the US Embassy in NZ would require all my records?

The only issue I see is that you'll need more than one police report.

[explicitillicit 0]

The only issue I see is that you'll need more than one police report.

Thanks. And how about during the interview? I mean we can provide loads and loads of evidence about our marital status. But I'm just wondering how they'll see it when we're kind of all over the place.

Any ideas on that? Will that temporary NZ stay make things more complicated to proof?

[pushbrk 12,908]

Thanks. And how about during the interview? I mean we can provide loads and loads of evidence about our marital status. But I'm just wondering how they'll see it when we're kind of all over the place.

Any ideas on that? Will that temporary NZ stay make things more complicated to proof?

A long distance relationship is a long distance relationship. Respectively, you live where you live. It's not an issue.

[Darnell 8,478]

focus on the 6 types of evidence listed in the I-130 instructions for initial I-130 submittal.

Good Luck !