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Preparing to file

By shhamada in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures

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shhamada Contributor

shhamada   5

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Morocco
 Timeline
Posted

I recently returned from Morocco, following a five week visit. We were married during this visit, which was my second time over there.

I'm looking for advice on "frontloading" my visa application.

I'm waiting for my marriage license to be translated.

I plan on sending a cover letter, all requested papers, details of trips.

We have no joint bank accounts, and I can't add him to my insurance without a social security number. This also applies to life insurance.

Any suggestions on what to send?

We didn't have a "wedding" per se, so no pictures.

Thanks for any suggestions

2far Enthusiast

2far   185

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Timeline
Posted

For Casablanca, front loading is important. They may question the lack of wedding photos, but you might be able to overcome that with lots of pictures with his family.

Make sure to send photocopies of your entry and exit passport stamps.

Most people that file don't have joint bank accounts or insurance while the beneficiary is still living overseas, so that shouldn't be a big deal.

Ryan H Grand Master

Ryan H   3,834

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: China
 Timeline
Posted

It's the marriage certificate that you need to have translated, because it is a photocopy of that document along with the translation that is actually required.

Our journey:

Spoiler

September 2007: Met online via social networking site (MySpace); began exchanging messages.
March 26, 2009: We become a couple!
September 10, 2009: Arrived for first meeting in-person!
June 17, 2010: Arrived for second in-person meeting and start of travel together to other areas of China!
June 21, 2010: Engaged!!!
September 1, 2010: Switched course from K1 to CR-1
December 8, 2010: Wedding date set; it will be on February 18, 2011!
February 9, 2011: Depart for China
February 11, 2011: Registered for marriage in Wuhan, officially married!!!
February 18, 2011: Wedding ceremony in Shiyan!!!
April 22, 2011: Mailed I-130 to Chicago
April 28, 2011: Received NOA1 via text/email, file routed to CSC (priority date April 25th)
April 29, 2011: Updated
May 3, 2011: Received NOA1 hardcopy in mail
July 26, 2011: Received NOA2 via text/email!!!
July 30, 2011: Received NOA2 hardcopy in mail
August 8, 2011: NVC received file
September 1, 2011: NVC case number assigned
September 2, 2011: AOS invoice received, OPTIN email for EP sent
September 7, 2011: Paid AOS bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 9, 2011)
September 8, 2011: OPTIN email accepted, GZO number assigned
September 10, 2011: Emailed AOS package
September 12, 2011: IV bill invoiced
September 13, 2011: Paid IV bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 14, 2011)
September 14, 2011: Emailed IV package
October 3, 2011: Emailed checklist response (checklist generated due to typo on Form DS-230)
October 6, 2011: Case complete at NVC
November 10, 2011: Interview - APPROVED!!!
December 7, 2011: POE - Sea-Tac Airport

September 17, 2013: Mailed I-751 to CSC

September 23, 2013: Received NOA1 in mail (receipt date September 19th)

October 16, 2013: Biometrics Appointment

January 28, 2014: Production of new Green Card ordered

February 3, 2014: New Green Card received; done with USCIS until fall of 2023*

December 18, 2023:  Filed I-90 to renew Green Card

December 21, 2023:  Production of new Green Card ordered - will be seeing USCIS again every 10 years for renewal

 

HettyandSaid Collaborator

HettyandSaid   18

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Morocco
 Timeline
Posted

Casablanca is a tough consulate. Do you have any receipts from traveling? Any time in a hotel together? Anything extra along with the plane tickets, passport stamps, Marriage Certificate translation... anything online.. chats, messages, etc.. proof of phone calls.. things like that to add to show ongoing length of relationship? no wedding photos? you may want to write a memo and enclose it as to why there were no photos. (understand you completely with the time!! took me 3 out of my 4 week visit to get my marriage papers!! ) They want the proof. If you can't show them, maybe an explanation why will help. (stressing again... Casa is a touch consulate!) Best of luck! :star:

Story of Us: NVC:
November 5, 2011 we met online March 5, 2014 Nvc received case
November 9, 2011 became a couple April 7, 2014 Receive I 864bill/pay I864 bill Complete DS261 online
February 6, 2012 met in person in Morocco April 9, 2014 Receive/pay IV bill
June 22, 2012 second trip to Morocco April 14, 2014 Complete DS260 online
July 13, 2012 Wedding in Morocco May 8, 2014 Receive checklist from NVC in email
March 6, 2013 Third trip to Morocco May 8, 2014 Mail completed packet to NVC
November 4,2013 Fourth trip to Morocco <3 May 12, 2014 NVC receives packet (now we wait.)
USCIS: June 10, 2014 RFE checklist for I864. June 11 call to NVC.. fixed errors.
May 1, 2013 Mail packet to USCIS to start K3 June 12, 2014 Resend packet to NVC
May 3, 2013 UPS delivery confirmation June 16, 2014 NVC receives corrected papers. (now we wait...again.. )
May 6, 2013 Email Confirmation Case Accepted and routed to USCIS for processing July 10, 2014 Called NVC. due to backlog I have to wait until 8/1 to call
May 10,2013 Check Cashed by DHS July 28, 2014 Called NVC. I was told they still have not reviewed my case.
May 10, 2013 Form I-797c NOA received by mail August 1, 2014 Called NVC due to checklist. was told my black ink was "navy". have to
May 13, 2013 Mail packet to USCIS for I - 129f reprint, resign, resend, and wait 60 days now. in NVC hell!!
May 14, 2013 Confirmed delivery of Packet for I - 129f August 2, 2014 Resend papers to NVC overnight. Due at NVC on 8/4/2014
May 21, 2013 NOA1 for I - 129f text and email August 4, 2014 NVC signs/receives papers (now the long wait begins
May 25, 2013 Form I-797c NOA received by mail August 22,2014 Receive letter from NVC that hubbys email is undeliverable
May 31, 2013 Alien Registration Number changed August 22, 2014 Called NVC to verify information..all was correct?! Not sure why?
July 12, 2013 Case updated with change of address on uscis September 22, 2014 Called NVC to check on things. 2 more weeks of backlog left.
December 4, 2013 Text and email and updated uscis website: case moved to another office for processing When they verify my black ink signature, I should have CC!
December 6, 2013 Text and email and updated uscis website saying case moved to A uscis office September 29, 2014 CASE COMPLETE!!!!
December 10, 2013 Received Hard copy by mail that it was transferred to Nebraska.
January 28, 2014 Called USCIS for update. Told I have to wait 180 days from date of transfer to call about my case. EMBASSY in Casablanca Morocco:
February 16, 2014 Service Request per USCIS website. Was told I should have an answer by March 10 on my request. Medical: October 28, 2014
February 18, 2014 Text and email and updated uscis that alien registration number changed (again) Interview: November 7, 2014 (APPROVED!!)
February 19, 2014 Text and email and update uscis NOA2 for I 130 .. k3 is now a CR1 Visa in hand: November 13, 2014
February 19, 2014 Text email and update uscis Case is shipped to nvc!! POE: JFK November 21 2014 (home at last!)
February 22, 2014 NOA2 Hardcopy received by mail Green card in hand January 2, 2015
February 28, 2014 Follow up email responding to service request confirming case shipped to NVC on February 25, 2014 Social security card in hand January 9, 2015
Living happily ever after <3

HettyandSaid Collaborator

HettyandSaid   18

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Morocco
 Timeline
Posted

I meant to say at the end that Casablanca is a *tough* consulate, not touch... sorry! :bonk:

Story of Us: NVC:
November 5, 2011 we met online March 5, 2014 Nvc received case
November 9, 2011 became a couple April 7, 2014 Receive I 864bill/pay I864 bill Complete DS261 online
February 6, 2012 met in person in Morocco April 9, 2014 Receive/pay IV bill
June 22, 2012 second trip to Morocco April 14, 2014 Complete DS260 online
July 13, 2012 Wedding in Morocco May 8, 2014 Receive checklist from NVC in email
March 6, 2013 Third trip to Morocco May 8, 2014 Mail completed packet to NVC
November 4,2013 Fourth trip to Morocco <3 May 12, 2014 NVC receives packet (now we wait.)
USCIS: June 10, 2014 RFE checklist for I864. June 11 call to NVC.. fixed errors.
May 1, 2013 Mail packet to USCIS to start K3 June 12, 2014 Resend packet to NVC
May 3, 2013 UPS delivery confirmation June 16, 2014 NVC receives corrected papers. (now we wait...again.. )
May 6, 2013 Email Confirmation Case Accepted and routed to USCIS for processing July 10, 2014 Called NVC. due to backlog I have to wait until 8/1 to call
May 10,2013 Check Cashed by DHS July 28, 2014 Called NVC. I was told they still have not reviewed my case.
May 10, 2013 Form I-797c NOA received by mail August 1, 2014 Called NVC due to checklist. was told my black ink was "navy". have to
May 13, 2013 Mail packet to USCIS for I - 129f reprint, resign, resend, and wait 60 days now. in NVC hell!!
May 14, 2013 Confirmed delivery of Packet for I - 129f August 2, 2014 Resend papers to NVC overnight. Due at NVC on 8/4/2014
May 21, 2013 NOA1 for I - 129f text and email August 4, 2014 NVC signs/receives papers (now the long wait begins
May 25, 2013 Form I-797c NOA received by mail August 22,2014 Receive letter from NVC that hubbys email is undeliverable
May 31, 2013 Alien Registration Number changed August 22, 2014 Called NVC to verify information..all was correct?! Not sure why?
July 12, 2013 Case updated with change of address on uscis September 22, 2014 Called NVC to check on things. 2 more weeks of backlog left.
December 4, 2013 Text and email and updated uscis website: case moved to another office for processing When they verify my black ink signature, I should have CC!
December 6, 2013 Text and email and updated uscis website saying case moved to A uscis office September 29, 2014 CASE COMPLETE!!!!
December 10, 2013 Received Hard copy by mail that it was transferred to Nebraska.
January 28, 2014 Called USCIS for update. Told I have to wait 180 days from date of transfer to call about my case. EMBASSY in Casablanca Morocco:
February 16, 2014 Service Request per USCIS website. Was told I should have an answer by March 10 on my request. Medical: October 28, 2014
February 18, 2014 Text and email and updated uscis that alien registration number changed (again) Interview: November 7, 2014 (APPROVED!!)
February 19, 2014 Text and email and update uscis NOA2 for I 130 .. k3 is now a CR1 Visa in hand: November 13, 2014
February 19, 2014 Text email and update uscis Case is shipped to nvc!! POE: JFK November 21 2014 (home at last!)
February 22, 2014 NOA2 Hardcopy received by mail Green card in hand January 2, 2015
February 28, 2014 Follow up email responding to service request confirming case shipped to NVC on February 25, 2014 Social security card in hand January 9, 2015
Living happily ever after <3

Shoot Em Straight Experienced

Shoot Em Straight   385

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Morocco
 Timeline
Posted

Did he buy your ring? maybe a receipt from the jewelry store? Train tickets from rides you took together? I stayed longer stays so I included our shopping receipts from Acima the large local

food market.

Copying your passport stamps might be redundant...cuz somewhere down the line...cant remember when, you are required to send photo copies of everypage of your passport.

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Ryan H Grand Master

Ryan H   3,834

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: China
 Timeline
Posted

Copying your passport stamps might be redundant...cuz somewhere down the line...cant remember when, you are required to send photo copies of everypage of your passport.

Incorrect, the only time it is ever necessary to send a photocopy of every page of a passport is with the I-130 and it's only necessary if a petitioner chooses this method to establish their US Citizenship.

Our journey:

Spoiler

September 2007: Met online via social networking site (MySpace); began exchanging messages.
March 26, 2009: We become a couple!
September 10, 2009: Arrived for first meeting in-person!
June 17, 2010: Arrived for second in-person meeting and start of travel together to other areas of China!
June 21, 2010: Engaged!!!
September 1, 2010: Switched course from K1 to CR-1
December 8, 2010: Wedding date set; it will be on February 18, 2011!
February 9, 2011: Depart for China
February 11, 2011: Registered for marriage in Wuhan, officially married!!!
February 18, 2011: Wedding ceremony in Shiyan!!!
April 22, 2011: Mailed I-130 to Chicago
April 28, 2011: Received NOA1 via text/email, file routed to CSC (priority date April 25th)
April 29, 2011: Updated
May 3, 2011: Received NOA1 hardcopy in mail
July 26, 2011: Received NOA2 via text/email!!!
July 30, 2011: Received NOA2 hardcopy in mail
August 8, 2011: NVC received file
September 1, 2011: NVC case number assigned
September 2, 2011: AOS invoice received, OPTIN email for EP sent
September 7, 2011: Paid AOS bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 9, 2011)
September 8, 2011: OPTIN email accepted, GZO number assigned
September 10, 2011: Emailed AOS package
September 12, 2011: IV bill invoiced
September 13, 2011: Paid IV bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 14, 2011)
September 14, 2011: Emailed IV package
October 3, 2011: Emailed checklist response (checklist generated due to typo on Form DS-230)
October 6, 2011: Case complete at NVC
November 10, 2011: Interview - APPROVED!!!
December 7, 2011: POE - Sea-Tac Airport

September 17, 2013: Mailed I-751 to CSC

September 23, 2013: Received NOA1 in mail (receipt date September 19th)

October 16, 2013: Biometrics Appointment

January 28, 2014: Production of new Green Card ordered

February 3, 2014: New Green Card received; done with USCIS until fall of 2023*

December 18, 2023:  Filed I-90 to renew Green Card

December 21, 2023:  Production of new Green Card ordered - will be seeing USCIS again every 10 years for renewal

 

Shoot Em Straight Experienced

Shoot Em Straight   385

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Morocco
 Timeline
Posted

Incorrect, the only time it is ever necessary to send a photocopy of every page of a passport is with the I-130 and it's only necessary if a petitioner chooses this method to establish their US Citizenship.

Ummm with all respect what part of this is incorrect? This is the necessary time I am indicating one needs to copy passport pages including her entry stamps...when she files so we are saying the same thing????? No matter I understood hope she did too. Ouch first time on here I was told incorrect... :crying:

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event.png

shhamada Contributor

shhamada   5

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Morocco
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

It's the certificate that we have. Signed and notorized by a judge.

The only thing we really don't have on that list is a hotel receipt. We married one day before I left, the very end of a five week stay, it took for forever! The lady we rented from refused to give us a receipt because we didn't have a marriage license. I have numerous receipts from train rides etc, that we took, and all the receipts from the consulate for notorizing documents.

I think I have everything together, I'd rather send them too much and avoid checklists than not enough, especially when ultimately dealing with Casablanca.

I just hope some of the back log has cleared, and it takes a little less than 12 months...probably wishful thinking, but who knows.

Thanks everyone

 
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