February 2015 IR-1 / CR-1 Filers

[BHSMama 4]

Thank you @BRlove ! I was also thinking the same but being so scared about this whole process, I just went ahead and got it translated as @BHSMama said...better to be safe than sorry!

@BHSMama .. No point on calling the NVC honestly. Plus, i'm always calling them from Romania and it aint really cheap :/ Trying not to get a heart attack when getting the phone bill, lol !

Trying getting the magic jack app. Its free calling over wifi its awesome. Bin using it for about 5 years no problems! Best of luck to you on the rest of your journey!

[Flaco 0]

Thank you @BRlove ! I was also thinking the same but being so scared about this whole process, I just went ahead and got it translated as @BHSMama said...better to be safe than sorry!

@BHSMama .. No point on calling the NVC honestly. Plus, i'm always calling them from Romania and it aint really cheap :/ Trying not to get a heart attack when getting the phone bill, lol !

Hi. I know calling internationally to the US is really expensive. I have been using Google hangouts. You can download it from google playstore in your smarphone and also you can download it in you laptop.

I hope this is useful for you.

Good day.

[IonelaC. 32]

Hi. I know calling internationally to the US is really expensive. I have been using Google hangouts. You can download it from google playstore in your smarphone and also you can download it in you laptop.

I hope this is useful for you.

Good day.

Thank you @Flaco and @BHSMama! Will definitely give them a try! Planning to call again tomorrow and see if I can get them to "unlock" our case and review the DS-261. Fingers crossed!

Wish you guys a great day! Bed time for me

[rutabaga 209]

Hi. I know calling internationally to the US is really expensive. I have been using Google hangouts. You can download it from google playstore in your smarphone and also you can download it in you laptop.

I hope this is useful for you.

Good day.

Skype also has good rates on their subscriptions to the US (e.g., 60 mins / month for $1.04 and so on).

[kamw 93]

Thank you @Flaco and @BHSMama! Will definitely give them a try! Planning to call again tomorrow and see if I can get them to "unlock" our case and review the DS-261. Fingers crossed!

Wish you guys a great day! Bed time for me

I see we filled it out the same day. I feel so sad today cause I called again and it's still locked. Hopefully it works for you tomorrow.

The google hangout is an awesome idea for real I use it to call for free.

[24KGEM 1]

I enjoy reading all the post in this group, you guys are so supportive. I am still waiting on my NOA2 (PD Feb 27). My case was transferred from Vermont to California on Aug 20. I did not receive the letter in the mail yet, but I was able to call and the automated system indicated the office of transfer. Does anyone know if I will need start the processing time of 5 months over again in the new office?

[FabtheFab 67]

Hi 24KGEM,

From what I've read here at VisaJourney, when a case changes offices, the approval usually comes faster. However, I would recommend you open an inquiry about your case with USCIS, because it's beyond the 5 month approval processing period.

USCIS might be dismissive when they respond to it and say it's within their deadline, but usually when somebody complains officially, the approval comes very soon (even in the same week sometimes).

Another thing you can do is to ask your spouse in the US to write their congressman asking for help, since it's beyond USCIS normal processing times - I've read that usually speeds up things as well.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[Danielhenson 3]

Hi Daniel,

Don't worry. Two weeks ago I was doing exactly the same things as you just did and I just felt as helpless. It will be fine! Here's what I suggest you can do:

1) Yes, you can start preparing your package and send it immediately. The earlier they receive it, the earlier they're supposed to look at your case. You can use your AOS cover sheet on it that will be released after your status shows as PAID (2-3 days). Go look at the NVC site ( check if you're available for EP (Electronic Processing) - if you are, you can send all your documents via email.

2) Your case is probably locked right now, but I would call again in 4-5 days to see if they can review your DS-261 on the phone with you. When they do so, your IV fee will be invoiced in 1 day - after you pay that, you can fill in your DS-260.

So I think your game plan should be: prepare and send packages / call NVC to review DS-261 / pay IV fee.

Good luck! Keep us posted!

Thank you so much for your help and tips!

I probably sound really dumb now. But will my husband have to fill out the AOS form and print it to send with the packet?

So far I've got: police clearance, birth certificate, marriage certificate (I think), two recent 2x2 photos of me and passport copy. Do I need proof of relationship things? Like photos and chat logs?

Does my husband need all those same things as well?

What am I missing here, it seems like I am missing tons of things. I've read the NVC required documents over and over, but I still feel unsure..

[IonelaC. 32]

Thank you so much for your help and tips!

I probably sound really dumb now. But will my husband have to fill out the AOS form and print it to send with the packet?

So far I've got: police clearance, birth certificate, marriage certificate (I think), two recent 2x2 photos of me and passport copy. Do I need proof of relationship things? Like photos and chat logs?

Does my husband need all those same things as well?

What am I missing here, it seems like I am missing tons of things. I've read the NVC required documents over and over, but I still feel unsure..

Hi there! I'm not sure if you read this wiki: http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_Process but it is really useful and explains exactly what documents you should gather. There are 2 packages that you will need to send: the AOS package and IV package (this last one is all about the beneficiary, which I assume is you??).

First of all, you need to submit the DS-261 (Choice of agent). Then you pay the AOS fee, which is $120 and at the end you print out that receipt. That receipt, the confirmation of AOS fee payment, you are going to add it in the package, on top of the documents. After few days (they say 15 days), they will reviev the DS-261 and invoice you for IV fee. After you guys pay the IV fee you will have to submit DS-260 online.

Anyways, until then just try and gather all the documents. I really recommend reading the NVC Process wiki, cause it'll tell you exactly what documents you need and for which package.

If someone else wants to add something to what I have just wrote, please feel free to do it. I'm still waiting to pay the IV fee (and also waiting for police certificate from the UK), so I'm not that "advanced" into this process But i hope it is helpful for you @Danielhenson

[Danielhenson 3]

Hi there! I'm not sure if you read this wiki: http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_Process but it is really useful and explains exactly what documents you should gather. There are 2 packages that you will need to send: the AOS package and IV package (this last one is all about the beneficiary, which I assume is you??).

First of all, you need to submit the DS-261 (Choice of agent). Then you pay the AOS fee, which is $120 and at the end you print out that receipt. That receipt, the confirmation of AOS fee payment, you are going to add it in the package, on top of the documents. After few days (they say 15 days), they will reviev the DS-261 and invoice you for IV fee. After you guys pay the IV fee you will have to submit DS-260 online.

Anyways, until then just try and gather all the documents. I really recommend reading the NVC Process wiki, cause it'll tell you exactly what documents you need and for which package.

If someone else wants to add something to what I have just wrote, please feel free to do it. I'm still waiting to pay the IV fee (and also waiting for police certificate from the UK), so I'm not that "advanced" into this process But i hope it is helpful for you @Danielhenson

Okay, thank you! I have read the guide but i still feel Clueless, lol, it's easier to get help from someone who responds... Yes, I am the beneficiary

I've understood the packages need to be sent together?

So I can't send the packages until the DS-260 is filled out and paid anyway?

[FabtheFab 67]

Okay, thank you! I have read the guide but i still feel Clueless, lol, it's easier to get help from someone who responds... Yes, I am the beneficiary

I've understood the packages need to be sent together?

So I can't send the packages until the DS-260 is filled out and paid anyway?

Hi Daniel,

No, you can send them now. The earlier they get them, the earlier they are supposed to approve it.

Do you already have your husband's tax transcripts, letter of employment, and pay stubs for the AOS?

[FabtheFab 67]

By the way, you ask about proof of relationship. They ask you for it in the AOS part, but they only mean it as the Marriage Certificate. You don't need to send pictures together, letters, pay bills, and the rest. I think you'll only need that again for the interview.

[Danielhenson 3]

Hi Daniel,

No, you can send them now. The earlier they get them, the earlier they are supposed to approve it.

Do you already have your husband's tax transcripts, letter of employment, and pay stubs for the AOS?

By the way, you ask about proof of relationship. They ask you for it in the AOS part, but they only mean it as the Marriage Certificate. You don't need to send pictures together, letters, pay bills, and the rest. I think you'll only need that again for the interview.

Okay, I Think I've got it now, I must sound like a complete moron. Thank you so much for being patient and giving me some clarification.

He has his tax transcripts ready, I told him to order them as soon as we got NOA2. I will tell him to collect pay stubs and get a letter of emplyment from work!

And good about the proof of relationship. I don't want to irritate the NVC people with too much "unnecessary" information, lol. I am sending all my papers (police certificate, birth certificate etc) to my husband today, so he can send all of his and my papers together. I Just want Everything to be sent away so I can stop obsessing, lol.

Thanks again, much love!

[IonelaC. 32]

Update: Got off the phone with NVC and they just reviewed my DS-261!!! Yayyy! Happy again!

[hya_aviles 1]

Hello guys.. Nextweek will be my medical.. I know all is well.. God is with us..