IR-1 in Brazil...How long?

[markcbarta 0]

Hi guys the name's Mark and I'm a USC living Brazil for almost 8 years...

I am married am ready to start filing for my spouse but people at an agency are saying that it could take anywhere from 2-3 years for the process to go through....is that true. Should I just file the papers myself? I guess the I130 is easy enough but the proof of domicile and financial responsibility might be tricky since I have been living here for almost 8yrs. How long do people wait to receive an interview after sending in all the documentation? Any help or advice would be great. We would love to move in like a year or a year and a half......maybe that's not possible

Mark

[Ms Hogan 295]

How long have you been married? If less than 2 years at the time you do your POE it will be a CR1 that your spouse is granted which is a conditional green card, valid for 2 years. There is a second step to the process when we hit 90 days prior to the green card expiring where we (those of us with CR1 status) must apply to remove conditions and then receive a 10 year green card. If you have been married 2 years or more at the time of entry then they would receive the IR1.

Everyone's cases take different amounts of time. Some are very lucky, some get drawn out, some seem to get lost in the shuffle. It is very hard right now to gauge how long anything will take as there have been so many changes over the past year or so contributing to different delays for some or fast movement for others. It seems pretty random and is heartbreaking for many. I was EXTREMELY fortunate to get through quickly but I have watched many friends here on the message boards take a long time for no apparent reason other than landing on the wrong desk at the wrong time it seems.

Most of us have spent time away from our spouses during the process. You may need to consider moving back ahead of your spouse in order to set up shop here in the U.S.

Rather than making long-term timeline goals it is my suggestion to prepare yourself as well as possible to be ready to go with all the steps along the way. That way if you are pleasantly surprised to find you're moving along quickly, you're ready for it. Having stuff prepared will also hopefully let you continue to enjoy other parts of your life while you wait out this process.

Good luck!