Just a few questions about our Cr-1 application

[a1188323 0]

Just a little background...Im in the military ,was visiting the UK on some training and met my now wife, Amelia. After a couple months together in her country, then a couple of months of chatting through skype and emails, she came over on the visa waiver program. We then decided to get married. We filed her application while she was still here, but she is now back in the UK. We received a receipt for our application, but still nothing other than that as of yet. Says they received it on the 19th of Dec. It looks like right now were waiting on a notice of action. Anyone with any recent experience tell me how long this takes?

Another question...I will be taking a short trip over seas(realm of 2 months) and was wondering if anyone has had any experience getting an expedited case for something like that? Any advice on how to go that route?

Also, I will be leaving for this trip very soon...what do I need to put together on my end(for the next phase of the process) before i leave so she already has the paperwork? Once I get there, for that 2 months, I will have no access to any additional paperwork that might be needed, so I need to make sure that is taken care of before I take off.

Also, has anyone had experience using the visa waiver to visit while the visa application is processing? When she came over before(when we got married) she stayed for 2.5 months...would she be able to stay for a month or two while the application is processing if she showed the border officials the paperwork was in process? Also, say her visa came through while she was over on the visa waiver, would she have to leave and then return again(seems like a stupid question..but you never know with this stuff) or would she just be allowed to stay since she now had a valid visa?

Any help or advice anyone can give is greatly appreciated. Ive been using the step by step guide, but sometimes getting a little first hand experience is priceless.

[Kazulie 132]

your NOA1 (notice of action) should take anywhere from a few days to a month to recieve. Your NOA2 should take between 3-6 months. average is 5 months. If you would fill out your timeline, we could see where your case is and give you a better idea of how long that service center is taking to approve I-130s.

Expedited cases are very hard to get. What is your reasoning to expedite? Most likely not going to happen.

Read the links for the NVC stage to find out what forms you should bring for her to sign. DS-3032 and DS-230 to start. You should get copies of her birth certificate and the other documents that the NVC link will tell you you need for that stage.

As far as visiting on the VWP while you have a case pending, it's a ####### shoot. Sometimes they make it, sometimes they get turned away at the POE and get sent back to their country.

If you file the forms before she's in the country, and she does manage to make it to the States while it is being processed, she will have to go back to her country to go to the interview for her Visa.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

If your 2 months trip abroad is because you are active duty military, you could get an expedite, But even with an expedite, it'll take a couple of months at least to get the visa so if your trip is soon, it will not be worth it.

Did you realise that getting a CR-1 spousal visa usually takes 9+ months from filing to interview?

Edited January 3, 2013 by Penguin_ie

[The Mean Lady 604]

If you were to leave w/in the next 2-4 weeks for your trip, be gone for 2 months, then come back, there's a very good chance your application would still be pending decision, but I don't know when you're actually leaving.

Leaving "very soon" for this trip will probably automatically make your request for expedite not possible as they aren't done THAT fast.

But again, I don't know when you're actually leaving.

[a1188323 0]

Ok, so I gather that the expedition is a loss. Mark that off. On further inspection, I see the form I received Was actually a first Notice of Action dated dec 19th.

So to further expand on my questinos...what exactly is going to happen next..particularly over the next couple of months? Is there paperwork I can fill out now before I leave that might be required over the next couple of months? Id like to get anything that I might have to sign filled out and ready to be mailed if necessary.

Thanks again

Also...filled out the timeline.

Edited January 3, 2013 by a1188323

[a1188323 0]

Ok, so I gather that the expedition is a loss. Mark that off. On further inspection, I see the form I received Was actually a first Notice of Action dated dec 19th.

So to further expand on my questinos...what exactly is going to happen next..particularly over the next couple of months? Is there paperwork I can fill out now before I leave that might be required over the next couple of months? Id like to get anything that I might have to sign filled out and ready to be mailed if necessary.

Thanks again

Also...filled out the timeline.

Also, more about visiting on the visa waiver...does anyone have any first hand experience? It just seems ridiculous that she couldnt come visit for a couple of weeks or a month while the visa is processing. Plus were talking a $1000 ticket...and theres no way I can guarantee she will be admitted?

[a1188323 0]

Just logged into the case status on the USCIS website and saw something about biometrics...is that for both of us, or just the person trying to get the visa? Also, will they mail the scheduling of this to me or her?

Edited January 3, 2013 by a1188323

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

Our Guide gives you a good idea what happens when: http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

[SelinaWill 5]

Just logged into the case status on the USCIS website and saw something about biometrics...is that for both of us, or just the person trying to get the visa? Also, will they mail the scheduling of this to me or her?

Sounds to me like something went slightly wrong here. She shouldn't have to do the biometrics, that's only is she would already live with u in the states and file for adjustment of status. I'm not 100% sure so I hope the true experts will answer on that one too.

[a1188323 0]

Sounds to me like something went slightly wrong here. She shouldn't have to do the biometrics, that's only is she would already live with u in the states and file for adjustment of status. I'm not 100% sure so I hope the true experts will answer on that one too.

Yea, after re-reading that, I misread what it said. So I think that part of it has been clarified.

Thanks

[The Mean Lady 604]

So, if you're lucky, in about 3 months, you'll get approval and then you file the next steps.

If you're not so lucky, in about 4 or 5 months you get approval and then file next steps.

If you're really unlucky (hopefully none of us recent filers are!) then you get approval in more than 5 months and file next steps.

You will need to prepare the Affidavit of Support and DS230 sheets.

I can't see what country your from to delve into that further, however, because you could be required to do the 260 online.

[SelinaWill 5]

So, if you're lucky, in about 3 months, you'll get approval and then you file the next steps.

If you're not so lucky, in about 4 or 5 months you get approval and then file next steps.

If you're really unlucky (hopefully none of us recent filers are!) then you get approval in more than 5 months and file next steps.

You will need to prepare the Affidavit of Support and DS230 sheets.

I can't see what country your from to delve into that further, however, because you could be required to do the 260 online.

And if he's real lucky it will take 4 weeks :-P

I think he said his wife is from the uk

[caly 48]

Your next step is where your I-130 will be adjudicated and after approval, sent to the NVC. You can prepare the forms and documents needed at the NVC stage now (or at least familiarize yourself with the NVC process!)

Here's a brief outline of the whole CR-1/IR-1 process (including NVC steps and beyond): http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/EZGuideSpouse

For extremely helpful and comprehensive coverage about what to expect at NVC, go here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/406819-nvc-filers-january-2013/page__view__findpost__p__5896693

Happy reading and good luck!

[a1188323 0]

And if he's real lucky it will take 4 weeks :-P

I think he said his wife is from the uk

Yes, she is from the UK and I am a full US citizen

[jkelly07 120]

you can get a lot of help since your military, call this number,1-877-247-4645 or militaryinfo.nsc@dhs.gov---good luck.