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Caleb J

Auto Expedite. U.S citizen living abroad.

By Caleb J in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

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Caleb J Contributor

Caleb J   1

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

Hey guys. I've heard for quite sometime that petitioners living abroad with their spouses are approved quicker in the USCIS stages than usual. I sent my I-130 form last week from abroad. It will reach a relative's house but it has my foreign address on it as well as utility bills with my name and my spouses name on that serves as proof of residency abroad and more importantly, a shared domicile with spouse. I also sent plenty of photos of when we started our relationship before we dated up to post-marriage photos.

But my question is do they still have his expedited thing going on? I realize it is unofficial but it still happens from time to time. I've heard they used it to makeup for the lack of DCF in foreign countries.

I currently live in Brazil for two years and a half years now. I got married four months ago. I believe it is time for me to go home. But on the I-130 package I wrote a letter that showed the evolution of our relationship(included foreign address), as well as marriage invitation(has foreign address), with utility bills and etc that provided evidence of a bona-fide relationship.

The I-130 and G-325A form also has the same address. Even on the U.S address where we plan to live I put "To be Determined."

Do I have a chance of being expedited on fast-track or is this a thing in the past that no longer exists? Has anyone here this year in the I-130 process have been approved quickly and live abroad? Thanks!

Pre Immigration:

Oct, 2010: Met my spouse!

May, 05/04/2014: Began dating!

Jan 01/01/2015: Engaged.

Jul 07/17/2015: Married!

USCIS CR-1/IR-1:
Dec 12/28/2015: Mailed I-130 (Chicago Lockbox)
Jan 01/04/2016: NOA 1 (California)
Jan 01/26/2016: NOA 2 (USCIS)
Feb: Sent to NVC.
TOTAL DAYS IN USCIS: 22 days.
NVC Stage
Feb 02/14/2016: NVC received case.
Feb 02/23/2016: NVC issued Case and Invoice #.
Feb 02/25/2016: Received Case & Invoice Number from NVC.
Feb 02/25/2016: Filled out and completed DS-261.
Feb 02/27/2016: Invoice fee to pay Affidavit of Support.
Mar 03/15/2016: Paid Affidavit of Support fee.
Mar 03/18/2016: Affidavit of Support fee paid status.
Mar 03/18/2016: Invoice to pay IV fee, Paid IV fee,
Mar 03/23/2016: Completed DS-260.
Mar 05/11/2016: Ceac Case shows ready and expedited to Rio(unknowingly)
May 05/31/2016: Sent in AOS & IV package.
May 05/31/2016: Case complete. Received Medical Letter and Interview scheduled for June 17th, 2016.
June 06/01/2016: Medical exam schedule for 06/15/2016.
June 06/17/2016: VISA APPROVED!!!

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Ryan H Grand Master

Ryan H   3,812

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

Moved from Process & Procedures to Progress Reports.

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

 

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Hypnos Grand Master

Hypnos   6,576

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: United Kingdom
 Timeline
Posted

It seems to be hit and miss; happens sometimes, and not others.

Widow/er AoS Guide | Have AoS questions? Read (some) answers here

 

AoS

Day 0 (4/23/12) Petitions mailed (I-360, I-485, I-765)
2 (4/25/12) Petitions delivered to Chicago Lockbox
11 (5/3/12) Received 3 paper NOAs
13 (5/5/12) Received biometrics appointment for 5/23
15 (5/7/12) Did an unpleasant walk-in biometrics in Fort Worth, TX
45 (6/7/12) Received email & text notification of an interview on 7/10
67 (6/29/12) EAD production ordered
77 (7/9/12) Received EAD
78 (7/10/12) Interview
100 (8/1/12) I-485 transferred to Vermont Service Centre
143 (9/13/12) Contacted DHS Ombudsman
268 (1/16/13) I-360, I-485 consolidated and transferred to Dallas
299 (2/16/13) Received second interview letter for 3/8
319 (3/8/13) Approved at interview
345 (4/3/13) I-360, I-485 formally approved; green card production ordered
353 (4/11/13) Received green card

 

Naturalisation

Day 0 (1/3/18) N-400 filed online

Day 6 (1/9/18) Walk-in biometrics in Fort Worth, TX

Day 341 (12/10/18) Interview was scheduled for 1/14/19

Day 376 (1/14/19) Interview

Day 385 (1/23/19) Denied

Day 400 (2/7/19) Denial revoked; N-400 approved; oath ceremony set for 2/14/19

Day 407 (2/14/19) Oath ceremony in Dallas, TX

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Caleb J Contributor

Caleb J   1

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

Interesting. So I have a chance of being expedited and I also risk waiting a whole year to get off this country? It's 50/50?

Pre Immigration:

Oct, 2010: Met my spouse!

May, 05/04/2014: Began dating!

Jan 01/01/2015: Engaged.

Jul 07/17/2015: Married!

USCIS CR-1/IR-1:
Dec 12/28/2015: Mailed I-130 (Chicago Lockbox)
Jan 01/04/2016: NOA 1 (California)
Jan 01/26/2016: NOA 2 (USCIS)
Feb: Sent to NVC.
TOTAL DAYS IN USCIS: 22 days.
NVC Stage
Feb 02/14/2016: NVC received case.
Feb 02/23/2016: NVC issued Case and Invoice #.
Feb 02/25/2016: Received Case & Invoice Number from NVC.
Feb 02/25/2016: Filled out and completed DS-261.
Feb 02/27/2016: Invoice fee to pay Affidavit of Support.
Mar 03/15/2016: Paid Affidavit of Support fee.
Mar 03/18/2016: Affidavit of Support fee paid status.
Mar 03/18/2016: Invoice to pay IV fee, Paid IV fee,
Mar 03/23/2016: Completed DS-260.
Mar 05/11/2016: Ceac Case shows ready and expedited to Rio(unknowingly)
May 05/31/2016: Sent in AOS & IV package.
May 05/31/2016: Case complete. Received Medical Letter and Interview scheduled for June 17th, 2016.
June 06/01/2016: Medical exam schedule for 06/15/2016.
June 06/17/2016: VISA APPROVED!!!

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Penguin_ie Grand Master

Penguin_ie   5,993

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

Probably more like 30/70 for expedite but yes, don't count on it.

Bye: Penguin

Me: Irish/ Swiss citizen, and now naturalised US citizen. Husband: USC; twin babies born Feb 08 in Ireland and a daughter in Feb 2010 in Arkansas who are all joint Irish/ USC. Did DCF (IR1) in 6 weeks via the Dublin, Ireland embassy and now living in Arkansas.

mod penguin.jpg

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Rilakkumas Newbie

Rilakkumas   0

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

My husband and I filed I-130 from abroad this year and got RFE within about a month after NOA1 and got approved about 5 days after our response to RFE was received by USCIS.

It is just my guess but I personally don't think this "auto-expedite" thing exists. Having said that, it seems that a case of a couple living abroad together has a high chance to be sent to California Service Center where petitions are processed a lot more quickly than in other USCIS service centers - usually from 2 weeks to 2 months at most. So, after all, I guess it's kind of auto-expedited if you two live abroad together.

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kdc0224 Contributor

kdc0224   7

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

My US citizen husband and I filed the I-130 from abroad. It didn't help. We still got stuck at the Nebraska Service Center for nearly 6 months! I'm doubtful such a thing exists.

Hey guys. I've heard for quite sometime that petitioners living abroad with their spouses are approved quicker in the USCIS stages than usual. I sent my I-130 form last week from abroad. It will reach a relative's house but it has my foreign address on it as well as utility bills with my name and my spouses name on that serves as proof of residency abroad and more importantly, a shared domicile with spouse. I also sent plenty of photos of when we started our relationship before we dated up to post-marriage photos.

But my question is do they still have his expedited thing going on? I realize it is unofficial but it still happens from time to time. I've heard they used it to makeup for the lack of DCF in foreign countries.

I currently live in Brazil for two years and a half years now. I got married four months ago. I believe it is time for me to go home. But on the I-130 package I wrote a letter that showed the evolution of our relationship(included foreign address), as well as marriage invitation(has foreign address), with utility bills and etc that provided evidence of a bona-fide relationship.

The I-130 and G-325A form also has the same address. Even on the U.S address where we plan to live I put "To be Determined."

Do I have a chance of being expedited on fast-track or is this a thing in the past that no longer exists? Has anyone here this year in the I-130 process have been approved quickly and live abroad? Thanks!

USCIS Stage (at Nebraska Service Center) (5 months, 21 days):
October 5, 2014 - Filed I-130
October 9, 2014 – NOA 1
March 25, 2015 – NOA 2 – Approved!

NVC STAGE (5 months, 28 days, including transit time):

April 17, 2015 - Received Case NVC Welcome Letter and AOS Invoice
April 22, 2015- Paid AOS Bill Online

April 23, 2015 – Completed DS-261
April 26, 2015 – Sent AOS Package via Electronic Processing
May 1, 2015 – Sent IV Package via Electronic Processing

July 20, 2015 – Received IV Invoice

July 27, 2015 – Paid IV Invoice

August 1, 2015 - DS-260 Completed
September 8, 2015 - Case Complete
September 18, 2015 - Interview Date Assigned -->>>>(October 26, 2015 @ 8:30am)

September 22, 2015 – Packet 4 Received (via Email)

Medical/Consulate/POE (42 days):
September 28, 2015 - Medical at Dr. Lyndon's in Toronto
October 26, 2015 – Interview in Montreal: VISA APPROVED!!!!

October 27, 2015 - CEAC status changes to Issued
October 30, 2015 - Passport in hand (Picked up from Brampton)
November 8, 2015 - POE (Peace Bridge, Canada-US Border)

 

In the United States:

November 18, 2015 - Received SSN in mail (I ticked the box on the DS-260 for it to be delivered)

December 5, 2015 - Received Conditional Green Card in mail

 

Removal of Conditions:

August 28, 2017 - Mailed I-751 package with USPS to VSC

August 30, 2017 - Per USPS tracking, package was delivered to St. Albans, VT

September 7, 2017 - VSC cashed check

September 11, 2017 - Received NOA (receipt date of Aug 31)

September 23, 2017 - I-797C Received (receipt date of Sept 15)

October 6, 2017 - Biometrics Appointment

August 13, 2018 - I-797 Received (receipt date of August 6) extending status for 18 months

November 13, 2018 - I-751 Approval

November 21, 2018 - New 10-Year Green Card In Hand

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Caleb J Contributor

Caleb J   1

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

Wow. Quite some time. It is unfortunate you weren't placed in the auto expedite queue. I will send mine this Friday to the USCIS. It's already in the U.S

Pre Immigration:

Oct, 2010: Met my spouse!

May, 05/04/2014: Began dating!

Jan 01/01/2015: Engaged.

Jul 07/17/2015: Married!

USCIS CR-1/IR-1:
Dec 12/28/2015: Mailed I-130 (Chicago Lockbox)
Jan 01/04/2016: NOA 1 (California)
Jan 01/26/2016: NOA 2 (USCIS)
Feb: Sent to NVC.
TOTAL DAYS IN USCIS: 22 days.
NVC Stage
Feb 02/14/2016: NVC received case.
Feb 02/23/2016: NVC issued Case and Invoice #.
Feb 02/25/2016: Received Case & Invoice Number from NVC.
Feb 02/25/2016: Filled out and completed DS-261.
Feb 02/27/2016: Invoice fee to pay Affidavit of Support.
Mar 03/15/2016: Paid Affidavit of Support fee.
Mar 03/18/2016: Affidavit of Support fee paid status.
Mar 03/18/2016: Invoice to pay IV fee, Paid IV fee,
Mar 03/23/2016: Completed DS-260.
Mar 05/11/2016: Ceac Case shows ready and expedited to Rio(unknowingly)
May 05/31/2016: Sent in AOS & IV package.
May 05/31/2016: Case complete. Received Medical Letter and Interview scheduled for June 17th, 2016.
June 06/01/2016: Medical exam schedule for 06/15/2016.
June 06/17/2016: VISA APPROVED!!!

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kdc0224 Contributor

kdc0224   7

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

Good luck!

Wow. Quite some time. It is unfortunate you weren't placed in the auto expedite queue. I will send mine this Friday to the USCIS. It's already in the U.S

USCIS Stage (at Nebraska Service Center) (5 months, 21 days):
October 5, 2014 - Filed I-130
October 9, 2014 – NOA 1
March 25, 2015 – NOA 2 – Approved!

NVC STAGE (5 months, 28 days, including transit time):

April 17, 2015 - Received Case NVC Welcome Letter and AOS Invoice
April 22, 2015- Paid AOS Bill Online

April 23, 2015 – Completed DS-261
April 26, 2015 – Sent AOS Package via Electronic Processing
May 1, 2015 – Sent IV Package via Electronic Processing

July 20, 2015 – Received IV Invoice

July 27, 2015 – Paid IV Invoice

August 1, 2015 - DS-260 Completed
September 8, 2015 - Case Complete
September 18, 2015 - Interview Date Assigned -->>>>(October 26, 2015 @ 8:30am)

September 22, 2015 – Packet 4 Received (via Email)

Medical/Consulate/POE (42 days):
September 28, 2015 - Medical at Dr. Lyndon's in Toronto
October 26, 2015 – Interview in Montreal: VISA APPROVED!!!!

October 27, 2015 - CEAC status changes to Issued
October 30, 2015 - Passport in hand (Picked up from Brampton)
November 8, 2015 - POE (Peace Bridge, Canada-US Border)

 

In the United States:

November 18, 2015 - Received SSN in mail (I ticked the box on the DS-260 for it to be delivered)

December 5, 2015 - Received Conditional Green Card in mail

 

Removal of Conditions:

August 28, 2017 - Mailed I-751 package with USPS to VSC

August 30, 2017 - Per USPS tracking, package was delivered to St. Albans, VT

September 7, 2017 - VSC cashed check

September 11, 2017 - Received NOA (receipt date of Aug 31)

September 23, 2017 - I-797C Received (receipt date of Sept 15)

October 6, 2017 - Biometrics Appointment

August 13, 2018 - I-797 Received (receipt date of August 6) extending status for 18 months

November 13, 2018 - I-751 Approval

November 21, 2018 - New 10-Year Green Card In Hand

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oncefuturealien Community Regular

oncefuturealien   45

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

People are still contributing to this thread http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/357465-usc-petitioner-living-abroad/page-45

You can judge some of the recent experiences there. As kdc0224 says, though, it mostly seems to depend on which USCIS centre your petition goes to.

Good luck on your journey!

2009/09/30 Married
IR-1 begins: 2015/07/07 Courier I-130 petition to Chicago

 

 

 

2015/07/08 Petition delivered | NOA1 date
2015/07/10 Received emailed NOA1 (California) 2015/07/20 Received snail mail NOA1
2015/08/25 NOA2 by email/USCIS site (48 days) 2015/09/02 Received snail mail NOA2

2015/09/15 Received by NVC (21 days)

2015/09/27 Case number assigned (12 days) 2015/09/28 Got case number and IIN over the phone
2015/09/28 Submitted DS-261 2015/09/29 Paid AOS fee (IN PROCESS) 2015/10/01 AOS fee PAID
2015/10/13 Received NVC Welcome Letter hard copy
2015/10/15 Reviewed DS-261 (17 days)
2015/10/16 Received IV Invoice 2015/10/16 Paid IV fee (IN PROCESS)

2015/10/17 Submitted AOS package & IV package 2015/10/19 IV fee PAID 2015/10/19 Submitted DS-260 (scan date)

2015/10/20 Re-sent files (new scan date) 2015/10/29 CASE COMPLETE!

2015/11/13 Heard about interview date (phone) (15 days) 2015/12/07 Medical

2015/12/18 INTERVIEW! 221(g) request for additional sponsor. Otherwise good to go!

2016/01/07 Additional information and passport sent back to Mtl Consulate.

2016/01/12 Passport & 221g delivered to Consulate

2016/01/14 Status updated on CEAC; no update yet on ais.usvisa-info.com

2016/01/28 Status updated to READY 2016/01/29 Status updated to ISSUED

2016/02/01 Received Canada Post info 2016/02/03 Got it!

2016/02/04 POE YVR

2016/03/18 Received green card

2018/11/08 Submitted N-400 online

2018/11/09 Estimated wait time: 31 Days  2018/11/09 Estimated case completion time: 11 months

2018/11/10 Biometrics appt scheduled 2018/11/13 Appointment letter received online

2018/11/27 Biometrics appt

2019/02/25 Interview scheduled

2019/04/01 Interview: APPROVED

2019/04/23 Oath Ceremony

2020/04/03 Elected to local office

 

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Caleb J Contributor

Caleb J   1

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Brazil
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Thanks you guys! I contributed to that thread! Sent mine at the end of December. Was approved in the 26th of this month. On to NVC :)

Edited by Caleb Joshua

Pre Immigration:

Oct, 2010: Met my spouse!

May, 05/04/2014: Began dating!

Jan 01/01/2015: Engaged.

Jul 07/17/2015: Married!

USCIS CR-1/IR-1:
Dec 12/28/2015: Mailed I-130 (Chicago Lockbox)
Jan 01/04/2016: NOA 1 (California)
Jan 01/26/2016: NOA 2 (USCIS)
Feb: Sent to NVC.
TOTAL DAYS IN USCIS: 22 days.
NVC Stage
Feb 02/14/2016: NVC received case.
Feb 02/23/2016: NVC issued Case and Invoice #.
Feb 02/25/2016: Received Case & Invoice Number from NVC.
Feb 02/25/2016: Filled out and completed DS-261.
Feb 02/27/2016: Invoice fee to pay Affidavit of Support.
Mar 03/15/2016: Paid Affidavit of Support fee.
Mar 03/18/2016: Affidavit of Support fee paid status.
Mar 03/18/2016: Invoice to pay IV fee, Paid IV fee,
Mar 03/23/2016: Completed DS-260.
Mar 05/11/2016: Ceac Case shows ready and expedited to Rio(unknowingly)
May 05/31/2016: Sent in AOS & IV package.
May 05/31/2016: Case complete. Received Medical Letter and Interview scheduled for June 17th, 2016.
June 06/01/2016: Medical exam schedule for 06/15/2016.
June 06/17/2016: VISA APPROVED!!!

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