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ruderc2

Consular Processing vs. AoS?

By ruderc2 in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures

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ruderc2 Newbie

ruderc2   0

Posted
Filed: F-1 Visa Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

My new spouse and I are trying to decide whether to apply for her green card through Consular Processing or AoS I-485. Consular Processing might be advantageous for us because 1) we want to take an extended honeymoon in her country (Ecuador, for several months so there is no rush or jobs to get back to in the States) in about 5-6 month's anyways, and 2) it seems about $500 cheaper.

We are both in the US right now (she came 4 years ago on an F1 visa, still valid), I am a USC. Any opinions?

Thank you!!!

Matt & Rocio Collaborator

Matt & Rocio   28

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Chile
 Timeline
Posted

My new spouse and I are trying to decide whether to apply for her green card through Consular Processing or AoS I-485. Consular Processing might be advantageous for us because 1) we want to take an extended honeymoon in her country (Ecuador, for several months so there is no rush or jobs to get back to in the States) in about 5-6 month's anyways, and 2) it seems about $500 cheaper.

We are both in the US right now (she came 4 years ago on an F1 visa, still valid), I am a USC. Any opinions?

Thank you!!!

According to this link direct consular filing is no longer offered in Ecuador (as of 8/15/11).

http://ecuador.usembassy.gov/iv-2011.html

06/10/11 - Married

USCIS: (224 days)

07/22/11 - Mailed I-130 petitions for wife and step-daughter

07/28/11 - NOA1 for both

02/21/12 - RFE for both (received hardcopy on 2/25)

02/28/12 - Responded to RFE for both(received by CSC on 2/29)

03/02/12 - NOA2 for both(received hardcopy on 3/8)

NVC: (37 days)

03/12/12 - NVC Received both

03/21/12 - NVC case number and IIN received for both & Emailed Choice of Agent for both

03/23/12 - AOS bill invoiced & paid for both

03/26/12 - AOS bill shows paid & AOS Packets mailed for both

03/27/12 - Choice of Agent accepted for wife (sent another for step-daughter via email and express mail)

03/28/12 - Choice of Agent accepted for step-daughter & IV bill invoiced & paid for wife

03/29/12 - IV bill shows paid for wife & IV bill invoiced & paid for step-daughter

03/30/12 - IV bill shows paid for step-daughter & IV Packets mailed for both

04/04/12 - IV Packets reviewed. Checklist issued for Divorce Decree for my wife. Step-daughter's was accepted and her case closed

04/10/12 - Divorce Decree accepted after supervisor review & wife's case closed

04/16/12 - Expedite requested for both cases due to NVC error

04/18/12 - Expedite request approved for both cases and sent to Santiago Embassy

Embassy: (15 days)

04/24/12 - Embassy received both cases from NVC

04/25/12 - Wife went to Embassy for document review. Interview date assigned for both cases.

04/26/12 - Medical Exam for both. Result - approved.

05/07/12 - Interview date for both. Result - approved!

05/09/12 - Received both Visas

05/16/12 - POE Atlanta

TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   46,120

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted
direct consular filing is no longer offered in Ecuador
That's correct. And, dude, forget the idea of interviewing in Ecu. Absolutely forget it.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

 
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