Any South Africans able to give advice?

[Liza E P 0]

Hi to any South Africans who may be able to share their CR-1 visa experiences with me.

I am at the initial review stage of my visa application, which was initiated on May 21st 2012 and has been transferred to the California Service Centre.

I would very much like to visit my husband in September of this year, and then travel back for the interview at the Johannesburg consulate when they let me know it is time, but am not sure how much notice they give you for your interview and medical exam. Can anyone tell me how much notice they got for the interview? Did they set the final date, or could you?

How long did it take for others out there from the time of submitting their I-130 until their actual interview? I am not sure if going to America in September is cutting it a bit fine...it seems there is a 6 month processing time, but I would like to hear others' experiences.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Mrs Sterling 5]

Hi to any South Africans who may be able to share their CR-1 visa experiences with me.

I am at the initial review stage of my visa application, which was initiated on May 21st 2012 and has been transferred to the California Service Centre.

I would very much like to visit my husband in September of this year, and then travel back for the interview at the Johannesburg consulate when they let me know it is time, but am not sure how much notice they give you for your interview and medical exam. Can anyone tell me how much notice they got for the interview? Did they set the final date, or could you?

How long did it take for others out there from the time of submitting their I-130 until their actual interview? I am not sure if going to America in September is cutting it a bit fine...it seems there is a 6 month processing time, but I would like to hear others' experiences.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hi. I also just sent my I-130 for CR1 in April so cant speak from experience but rather from what I’ve picked up on researching this process. Firstly, apparently you'll probably have issues entering the US as you’re an intending immigrant. You will need to show strong ties to SA proving you will come back. Secondly, in regards to the interview date, it would depend on how busy the JHB embassy is at the time your case is complete at NVC. I would say, if you’re successful in entering the US, you could probably stay until you reach NVC stage as this should be rather fast, depending on how proactive you are and how fast you send the fees, forms, and docs. This should be a safe time to come back to prep for your interview. Hope this helped somewhat.

Keep well.

[Liza E P 0]

Thanks for your reply Mrs. Sterling

I think I will be fine entering the U.S as I have visited many times before, and have plenty of evidence to show my ties to S.A. I have decided to just play it by ear, and make sure my ticket is very flexible in case I need to hurry home for the interview and medical. I am currently organising my police certificates etc, and understand that the process may take some time, depending on other factors of course...

How is your application going?

~ I would be happy to share any experiences along the way with you, and thanks again for your response

[Miss M 54]

Liza

Before you confirm your travel plans, just check with USCIS in Jo'burg because I had planned to travel to the US during our CR1 process and they said that because I was an intending immigrant, they could not guarantee that the immigration officer at the port of entry would let me through. Like you, I had strong ties to home, had been to the US several times before but they said during the actual immigration process, it is not recommended that I travel to the US. I was obviously annoyed, but we cancelled the trip anyway.

Our circumstances might be different but I'd check all the same.

To answer your other questions, I was given 2 weeks notice for my interview, and they asked me what dates would suit me. Once that was confirmed, I then went and did my medicals almost immediately.

Our process took about 6 months in total - see my timeline.

Good luck with your visa journey. In my opinion, USCIS Johannesburg were really helpful and easy going, compared to what I've read on here.

[Liza E P 0]

Thank you MNyarai for your great reply!

It seems like you had a pretty smooth processing experience with the Johannesburg Consulate, which gives me a lot of hope.

I have booked an appointment to get my B1 / B2 visitor visa, and will just see how that goes, if I get it I do realise that at the POA I could still be turned away. It is worth a try, though, as I have plenty of evidence to show that my intentions are to return home while my petition is being processed.

I am quite amazed that your process took only 6 months to complete, that is most encouraging!

I am doing everything I can to organise all my information such as police certificates, vaccinations, and my husband's tax return information but what I am confused about now is what exactly happens after we recieved the NOA 1? Will I received further instructions in the mail? Or will he as the Petitioner?

The NOA1 letter he received in the mail simply said the petition had been received by them and was being processed...

Thank you so much again!

[richardkorea2010 15]

I received my B2 visa after my wife and I got married. We are both teaching in South Korea. We visited the US last summer, and I applied for my B2 visa. at the embassy they didn't look at my employment letters, etc. They just asked me when I was returning to Korea. I was approved and issued a 10 year B2 visa.

Also, we have always travelled together, so on entering the US, we used the US citizen line, as an immediate relative, and from my experience, they treat you better, if you are with your spouse, and are allowed in the US line.

If you fly alone, you must use the Foreigners line, and that could be a mission to get through customs. That is why I was happy that my wife and I flew together,

This year April, we filed for my IR/CR visa through DCF in Seoul. The petition was approved after only 12 days, and I had my interview last Friday, and it was approved, and I received my IR/CR visa, that makes me a permanent resident on arrival in the US.

They do cancel your B2 visa, once they put the IR/CR visa in your passport, and they stamp your B2 visa.

But then again, it all depends on how well you can convince the embassy that you are there to stay as a tourist, and not as an immigrant.

[Liza E P 0]

Thank you very much for your feedback Richard, and congratulations on receiving your CR1 visa!

Hopefully it will not take too long for my process, as I have decided against travelling to see my husband before hand lest it jeopardise our petition.