First time questions

[TeamHurricane 0]

Hi there,

My wife and I applied for a CR-1 type visa and received our NOA1 on 23rd January 2015. We applied via the Phoenix lockbox (where she lives) and I believe that it will be sent to the Texas servicing centre once approved. We are first timers here on Visa Journey and have a few questions - please be gentle!

1. Our Visa Journey timeline says that we should hear something from USCIS by May 6 or thereabouts and that, if we don't, we should ring them directly. Would this sort our problem out sooner or should we expect to wait even longer?

2. I am from Northern Ireland and hold both British and Irish passports. However, because I technically live in the UK (but consider myself Irish) will I have to go to London for my medical and interview (on two costly separate occasions) or will it be referred to Dublin?

3. Can I travel to the US while the petition is being processed?

4. Probably something other forum members don't talk about a lot is the actual emotional and financial toll that this places on the lives of those petitioning. How do you guys get by? Some people have had to wait nearly 400 days to get from petition to visa. It's crazy!

Thank you for reading our questions and we look forward to hearing your responses

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hi there,

My wife and I applied for a CR-1 type visa and received our NOA1 on 23rd January 2015. We applied via the Phoenix lockbox (where she lives) and I believe that it will be sent to the Texas servicing centre once approved. We are first timers here on Visa Journey and have a few questions - please be gentle!

1. Our Visa Journey timeline says that we should hear something from USCIS by May 6 or thereabouts and that, if we don't, we should ring them directly. Would this sort our problem out sooner or should we expect to wait even longer?

2. I am from Northern Ireland and hold both British and Irish passports. However, because I technically live in the UK (but consider myself Irish) will I have to go to London for my medical and interview (on two costly separate occasions) or will it be referred to Dublin?

3. Can I travel to the US while the petition is being processed?

4. Probably something other forum members don't talk about a lot is the actual emotional and financial toll that this places on the lives of those petitioning. How do you guys get by? Some people have had to wait nearly 400 days to get from petition to visa. It's crazy!

Thank you for reading our questions and we look forward to hearing your responses

1. Can't answer because I don't keep up with timelines

2. Yes. London medical. London interview.

3. Yes.

4. They talk about it all the time. Find your group in this forum. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/134-ir-1-cr-1-spouse-visa-case-filing-and-progress-reports/

Edited April 25, 2015 by Nich-Nick

[shippingforecast 126]

To answer #1: USCIS aims to approve petitions within five months. If it has been over five months, calling won't slow it down any further.

Another point - if you have NOA1 that should tell you which service center has your petition. The Phoenix lockbox doesn't process petitions. As far as I know it's literally a mail drop location and that's it.

[Kastrs 723]

1 I would recommend keeping an eye on igors list to see what petitions uscis is currently processing, additionally on the uscis website there is information for all the service centers. If it says a date that means petitions filed before that date are being processed. If it says 5 months that means it can take anywhere up to 5 month (keep in mind uscis starts at month 0) to process your petition.

2 what location did you specify on your i130 form? That is where your petition will be processed.

3 of course you can travel to the us, just make sure to bring some proof that you will return to the uk

4 lots of people have had to wait 400 days or more, how to handle it we try to support each other, and talk to your spouse as often as possible

[Kastrs 723]

One past thing I forgot to add, the lockbox is a mail drop only and has nothing to do with where your petition will be processed

Check the first 3 letters on your boat

If they art tsc you are being processed at Texas

If they are vsc you are being processed at Vermont

Nsc is Nebraska

Csc is California

And wac is the national service Center

Currently most i130 are being processed through Nebraska, and as far as I can tell for the i130 there is no correlation between the location of the petitioner and the service Center

Good luck!