bring my wife to the US

[jacabatic 5]

Hi everyone, I just filed my wife. We got married in the philippines in Dec of 2011. I am a US Citizen born in Hawaii. I filed in late January 2012 Form I-130 and form G-325a including all documents needed. I sent them to the Chicago Lockbox, they have received the paperworks a couple days after, I received form I-797c (notice of action) through mail.

Case type : I-130, Petition for Alien Relative

Priority date: Feb 6, 2012

Preference classification: 201 B INA SPOUSE OF USC

I believe its been rerouted to the California Service Center for approval. I have been checking my "case status" online everyday and its been almost 2 months now that nothing has been updated. As of today (march 24, 2012) case status is under "initial review" followed by "Decision" & "Post Decision activity".

I just want to know how long the process will take or should I say how long more (aproxx) until my wife should be here. thank you in advance.

[Mark&Fatima 14]

Hi everyone, I just filed my wife. We got married in the philippines in Dec of 2011. I am a US Citizen born in Hawaii. I filed in late January 2012 Form I-130 and form G-325a including all documents needed. I sent them to the Chicago Lockbox, they have received the paperworks a couple days after, I received form I-797c (notice of action) through mail.

Case type : I-130, Petition for Alien Relative

Priority date: Feb 6, 2012

Preference classification: 201 B INA SPOUSE OF USC

I believe its been rerouted to the California Service Center for approval. I have been checking my "case status" online everyday and its been almost 2 months now that nothing has been updated. As of today (march 24, 2012) case status is under "initial review" followed by "Decision" & "Post Decision activity".

I just want to know how long the process will take or should I say how long more (aproxx) until my wife should be here. thank you in advance.

You're waiting for the NOA2, which is the longest part of the Visa process. CSC (California Service Center) is supposed to finish processing I-130's in less than 5 months, but lately it's been taking between 6-7 months. Be sure to read the very helpful guides here on VJ (mainly these links) and be prepared for the next steps. Double, and triple check everything you do, so you can avoid a dreaded RFE (Request for Further Evidence) to minimize the time. Ask as many questions as you need here and you'll get plenty of help. Be glad you found VJ, this site has helped me immensely! Realistically a CR-1 Visa (which I'm assuming you are trying to get) takes between 6-12 months before your wife will have her Visa in hand and ready to fly to the U.S.

Good luck on your journey!

(also, please fill out your timeline here on VJ. It helps keep time estimates accurate for everyone who uses this site)

Edited March 25, 2012 by Mark&Fatima

[jacabatic 5]

So I been reading around, I am being confused if I should have also filed form K-3 ? or did I file correctly?

I have sent I-130 , G325a forms for ME and HER, Evidences that were married, pictures, letters, etc.. thanks

[Mark&Fatima 14]

So I been reading around, I am being confused if I should have also filed form K-3 ? or did I file correctly?

I have sent I-130 , G325a forms for ME and HER, Evidences that were married, pictures, letters, etc.. thanks

The K3 is (from what I know) administratively closed and no longer beneficial (K3 used to be faster but this is no longer the case). You sent in the I-130 and G325a, which will give your wife a CR-1 visa (would be an IR-1 visa had you been married more than 2 years). Sounds like you did everything right This link shows the differences between the visas.

Edited March 25, 2012 by Mark&Fatima

[jacabatic 5]

So after Approval from the USCIS, Do you think I would have to wait another 6 months til she is here? or is it total of within 12 months she is here? Do you think she will be here by Dec. 2012? just a thought =/

[Mark&Fatima 14]

So after Approval from the USCIS, Do you think I would have to wait another 6 months til she is here? or is it total of within 12 months she is here? Do you think she will be here by Dec. 2012? just a thought =/

Assuming you get no RFE's, are prepared in advance for each step, and the medical exam/interview go well, she will most likely have her visa before December.

[jacabatic 5]

Im hoping for No RFEs, I have sent almost all evidence asks on the "I-130 instructions sheet".

My wife will be applying for her "Passport" within April, Is there any more documents she should be aware/ready of?

[Mark&Fatima 14]

Im hoping for No RFEs, I have sent almost all evidence asks on the "I-130 instructions sheet".

My wife will be applying for her "Passport" within April, Is there any more documents she should be aware/ready of?

As the next step gets close, and before you get the NOA2, have her get her NBI (police clearance certificate), original birth certificate, original marriage license, 2 more passport-style pics, copy of her bio/photo page from her passport, and 1 set of photocopies of all those original documents. There are a few things you'll need too: your IRS transcripts for the last 3 years (you can get them for free - Call IRS at 800-908-9946, takes a couple of weeks to get them), pay stubs for the last few months, and a letter of employment from your work. Having all that before you get the NOA2 will prevent any delays.

This link is a great help to me (I'm currently waiting for my NOA2 as well and getting ready for the next step).

Edited March 25, 2012 by Mark&Fatima

[jacabatic 5]

She had already gotten her NBI Clearance in Late Feb 2012, also she has the original marriage certificate from the NSO ( I have it as well ), she also has original birth certificate. All others should be a breeze to get =) . Would you know if she is able to take her "medical exam" now or does she need to wait until its been approved?

Also , would you know if she is considered an "immediate relative"?

[Mark&Fatima 14]

She had already gotten her NBI Clearance in Late Feb 2012, also she has the original marriage certificate from the NSO ( I have it as well ), she also has original birth certificate. All others should be a breeze to get =) . Would you know if she is able to take her "medical exam" now or does she need to wait until its been approved?

Also , would you know if she is considered an "immediate relative"?

I'm sure others can answer this better than I can but I *think* her visa will only be valid for as long as her medical exam is valid (and sorry, I'm not sure how long the med exam is valid)...so it's probably best to wait until a month or two before her interview date before getting the med exam.

Yes, your wife is an immediate relative.

[jacabatic 5]

thank you =) I will have an update on this when something shows.

[Mark&Fatima 14]

thank you =) I will have an update on this when something shows.

You're welcome and good luck to you and your wife!

[jacabatic 5]

thank you, also good luck to you both !

[Leatherneck 693]

Read this, specifically the first 2 post.

[varDUppaluri 2]

Quick reply to your situation.

It typically takes 6 - 12 months to get the NOA2. California Service Center is the fastest in processing. You are still looking at a typical processing time of at least 3-5 months.

K-3 visas(applicable for any kids you and your wife have or kids your wife already had from previous marriage(s)) are a completely different stream and they don't apply to your case as you are already married. K visas are for fiance and any involving kids.

Regarding the medical exam, she can't get one until the visa is approved, in other words NOA2 is issued. The reason for this is, in order to get an appointment for medical exam at the authorized doctors, they would ask her to provide her visa number and a confirmation letter from the consulate. The visa number is generated after NOA2 is issued and the case sent to her local consulate. Again every individual consulate has slightly different rules and procedures, so the best course of action would be to call the consulate and clarify it.