My CR1 VISA Experience

[dragonshw 0]

VJ has been a great help to me for my wife's CR1 VISA process. I'll share my experience here. Hopefully it'll be helpful.

Service center: CSC

I mailed the I-130 package via USPS on 2011-10-07 and received the NOA1 on 2011-10-13.

I called USCIS after 5 months after I received the NOA1 (CSC approximate processing time is 5 months). I received my NOA2(2012-03-30) email 2 days after I called. I am not sure if that's a timing issue or because my called helped.

I called NVC on 2012-04-18; about 2 weeks after I received my NOA2. They said that they received my files, but I'll have to wait for the next step (case number and DS-3032/AOS fee notice). I called back about another week and a half later. They have me my GUZ case number and said that the DS-3032/AOS fee notice will be sent out shortly. I gave them both of our email address's on that call to get notifications by email.

I got the DS-3032/AOS fee notice email on 2012-05-02. On the same day, I sent my OPTIN email along with the DS-3032. Logged on to the payment portal with the GUZ case number and paid the AOS fee ($88). I got the OPTIN successul email in about 2.5 hrs with my new GZO case number.

I logged in to the payment portal using my GZO case number. AOS fee showed PAID on 2012-05-03.

NOTE: You can send the AOS and IV packages right after you pay them because you can get the document cover letter right away.

I sent in my AOS package on 2012-05-04.

Email subject line: GZOxxxxxxxxxx AOS package

Email body:

Case number: GZOxxxxxxxxxx

Petitioner Email: <email address>

Beneficiary Email: <email address>

Petitioner Name: <full name>

Petitioner DOB: <dob>

Beneficiary Name: <full name>

Beneficiary DOB: <dob>

NOTE: I included the above on all my emails to NVCElectronic. They are required information when you email.

AOS package contents:

1. Document cover sheet - from the payment site

2. I-864 form, completed and signed

3. Employer letter with full name, start date, position, current pay.

4. 2011 W2 and 1040EZ

5. 2010 and 2009 Tax transcripts

6. Pay stubs for the last 3 months

Received AOS package receipt confirmation from NVC on 2012-05-07.

Received IV fee notice email on 2012-05-08, I paid and sent IV package right after on the same day. .

I sent 3 different emails for the IV package due to large attachment size.

Email 1:

application_for_immigrant_visa_package.zip contents:

1. IV document cover sheet

2. DS-230 form, completed and signed

3. DS-230 attachment for Part I 32, 33

4. IV packet 3 supplemental form, completed and signed

5. Marriage certificate

6. Applicant Birth certificate

7. Applicant Police certificate

8. Applicant photocopy of valid passport biographic data page

9. Applicant passport photo x 2

10. Petitioner photocopy of natualization certificate

11. Petitioner photocopy of valid passport biographic data page

12. Affidavit affirmed by friend (support document)

13. Evolution of relationship (support document)

14. Wedding ring receipts (support document)

Email 2:

supporting_document_pictures.zip contents:

1. Pictures (support document)

Email 3:

additional_support_documents.zip contents:

1. Chat log

2. Webcam screenshots

3. Phone record notes

4. Petitioner's phone records

5. Beneficiary's phone records

2012-05-09: IV fee showed PAID

2012-05-11: Received the NVC received all documentation confirmation email.

2012-05-17: Received the NVC case completed email and packet 4 appointment letter.

The interview is scheduled for 2012-06-13.

I'll go to China and accompany my wife to the interview. Hope that'll go smoothly.

I suggest everyone to prepare all NVC docuemnts ahead of time, send as much support docs as you see fit, and be proactive.

Some stats:

- NOA1 (2011-10-13) to NOA2 (2012-03-30): 169 days

- NOA2 (2012-03-30) to DS-3032/AOS fee notice (2012-05-02): 33 days

- DS-3032/AOS fee notice (2012-05-02) to NVC case complete (2012-05-17): 15 days

- NVC case complete (2012-05-17) to Interview date (2012-06-13): 27 days

- DS-3032/AOS fee notice (2012-05-02) to Interview date (2012-06-13): 42 days

- NOA1 (2011-10-13) to interview date (2012-06-13): 244 days. .

Good luck everyone.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Welcome to the forum.

Thanks for posting your review in this, the K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process and Procedures forum. You may want to consider asking the mods to move your CR-1 Visa experience to the CR-1/IR-1 Spouse Visa Process and Procedures forum.

Good luck on your immigration journey.

[Darnell 8,479]

dragon - thanks so much for posting this !!!

Good Luck with the interview !!!

I wonder if was any hassle on the zip file attachments, or no?

[dragonshw 0]

I wonder if was any hassle on the zip file attachments, or no?

No hassle at all, they did not complain about the zip file.

[seifetag 0]

VJ has been a great help to me for my wife's CR1 VISA process. I'll share my experience here. Hopefully it'll be helpful.

Service center: CSC

I mailed the I-130 package via USPS on 2011-10-07 and received the NOA1 on 2011-10-13.

I called USCIS after 5 months after I received the NOA1 (CSC approximate processing time is 5 months). I received my NOA2(2012-03-30) email 2 days after I called. I am not sure if that's a timing issue or because my called helped.

I called NVC on 2012-04-18; about 2 weeks after I received my NOA2. They said that they received my files, but I'll have to wait for the next step (case number and DS-3032/AOS fee notice). I called back about another week and a half later. They have me my GUZ case number and said that the DS-3032/AOS fee notice will be sent out shortly. I gave them both of our email address's on that call to get notifications by email.

I got the DS-3032/AOS fee notice email on 2012-05-02. On the same day, I sent my OPTIN email along with the DS-3032. Logged on to the payment portal with the GUZ case number and paid the AOS fee ($88). I got the OPTIN successul email in about 2.5 hrs with my new GZO case number.

I logged in to the payment portal using my GZO case number. AOS fee showed PAID on 2012-05-03.

NOTE: You can send the AOS and IV packages right after you pay them because you can get the document cover letter right away.

I sent in my AOS package on 2012-05-04.

Email subject line: GZOxxxxxxxxxx AOS package

Email body:

Case number: GZOxxxxxxxxxx

Petitioner Email: <email address>

Beneficiary Email: <email address>

Petitioner Name: <full name>

Petitioner DOB: <dob>

Beneficiary Name: <full name>

Beneficiary DOB: <dob>

NOTE: I included the above on all my emails to NVCElectronic. They are required information when you email.

AOS package contents:

1. Document cover sheet - from the payment site

2. I-864 form, completed and signed

3. Employer letter with full name, start date, position, current pay.

4. 2011 W2 and 1040EZ

5. 2010 and 2009 Tax transcripts

6. Pay stubs for the last 3 months

Received AOS package receipt confirmation from NVC on 2012-05-07.

Received IV fee notice email on 2012-05-08, I paid and sent IV package right after on the same day. .

I sent 3 different emails for the IV package due to large attachment size.

Email 1:

application_for_immigrant_visa_package.zip contents:

1. IV document cover sheet

2. DS-230 form, completed and signed

3. DS-230 attachment for Part I 32, 33

4. IV packet 3 supplemental form, completed and signed

5. Marriage certificate

6. Applicant Birth certificate

7. Applicant Police certificate

8. Applicant photocopy of valid passport biographic data page

9. Applicant passport photo x 2

10. Petitioner photocopy of natualization certificate

11. Petitioner photocopy of valid passport biographic data page

12. Affidavit affirmed by friend (support document)

13. Evolution of relationship (support document)

14. Wedding ring receipts (support document)

Email 2:

supporting_document_pictures.zip contents:

1. Pictures (support document)

Email 3:

additional_support_documents.zip contents:

1. Chat log

2. Webcam screenshots

3. Phone record notes

4. Petitioner's phone records

5. Beneficiary's phone records

2012-05-09: IV fee showed PAID

2012-05-11: Received the NVC received all documentation confirmation email.

2012-05-17: Received the NVC case completed email and packet 4 appointment letter.

The interview is scheduled for 2012-06-13.

I'll go to China and accompany my wife to the interview. Hope that'll go smoothly.

I suggest everyone to prepare all NVC docuemnts ahead of time, send as much support docs as you see fit, and be proactive.

Some stats:

- NOA1 (2011-10-13) to NOA2 (2012-03-30): 169 days

- NOA2 (2012-03-30) to DS-3032/AOS fee notice (2012-05-02): 33 days

- DS-3032/AOS fee notice (2012-05-02) to NVC case complete (2012-05-17): 15 days

- NVC case complete (2012-05-17) to Interview date (2012-06-13): 27 days

- DS-3032/AOS fee notice (2012-05-02) to Interview date (2012-06-13): 42 days

- NOA1 (2011-10-13) to interview date (2012-06-13): 244 days. .

Good luck everyone.

Wow..good to know, thanks...so you sent all this via email? does this apply to everyone? as far as emailing all docs? thanks

[dragonshw 0]

Wow..good to know, thanks...so you sent all this via email? does this apply to everyone? as far as emailing all docs? thanks

Yes, if your beneficiary's country supports electronic processing and after you OPTIN.

Paperless processes is limited to certain selected U.S. Embassies and Consulates. See link below.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_5165.html

Edited May 18, 2012 by dragonshw

[dragonshw 0]

Good Luck with the interview !!!

Thank you Darnell.

I think VISA approval is pretty much decided before the interview and is based on all the information/documents provided to the NVC. If they see holes in the docs or missing information to support the case, then you'll be denied in the interview. But if all the information submitted looks good and complete, then the interview will be used as a final check base on the applicant responses to the questions.

My case is solid, all requirements are met, and I think I have good supporting docs. I hope all will go well on the interview and get approved.

I want to thank you (EP post) and everyone for all the valuable information and instructions, which made my processing smooth and fast.

Cheers!

[Ryan H 3,834]

Wow..good to know, thanks...so you sent all this via email? does this apply to everyone? as far as emailing all docs? thanks

Electronic Processing is not available for Ethiopia.