Spousal visa processing timeline and requirements

[Meghann 0]

Hi, I'd like to ask if how long the process would usually be if we hire an agency and if we can expedite our marriage certificate. Thanks in advance

[geowrian 22,338]

Hiring an agency cannot make it go any faster. The specifics depend on where you will interview and a bit of luck, but generally expect 12-14 months at this time.

 

The ability to expedite your marriage certificate is a question for whoever issues your marriage certificate (varies by country or US state).

[Meghann 0]

In any country, it usually has the same timeline for the processing? And for the marriage certificate here in the Philippines, I'm not sure if we can expedite it.

[Crazy Cat 42,738]

I hired an attorney, and he actually caused a 3 month delay.  No attorney can speed up the process.... as @geowriansaid, 12-14 months.

[geowrian 22,338]

14 minutes ago, Meghann said:

In any country, it usually has the same timeline for the processing? And for the marriage certificate here in the Philippines, I'm not sure if we can expedite it.

Fundamentally, yes.

The first step is filing the I-130. This will take 6-9+ months, and will not vary based on the country of the beneficiary.

Then it gets sent to NVC for processing and additional documents are sent. This also will not vary based on country. This will likely take a few months.

Once NVC has the case completed, they will work with the embassy to schedule the consulate interview. From this point forward, the timeline varies from country to country. Some could be 1 month, some could be 4+ months to get an interview. Manila (USEM) is usually pretty good.

Edited March 29, 2018 by geowrian

[Meghann 0]

I see. So it really depends on how the agency will handle most of the stuff and also the embassy on the other things needed. Thanks for the info

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

26 minutes ago, Meghann said:

Hi, I'd like to ask if how long the process would usually be if we hire an agency and if we can expedite our marriage certificate. Thanks in advance

It would be the same time frame as if you did not hire an agency which is right now about 12-14 months for a CR-1.

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

1 minute ago, Meghann said:

I see. So it really depends on how the agency will handle most of the stuff and also the embassy on the other things needed. Thanks for the info

The agency doesn't do anything but collect the paperwork from you and then send it in.

[Meghann 0]

8 minutes ago, cyberfx1024 said:

The agency doesn't do anything but collect the paperwork from you and then send it in.

So it would kinda help us in a way to hire an agency since I'm kinda far from manila and it's gonna be a little costly to go back and forth for the other requirements I'll be needing.

[Crazy Cat 42,738]

Just now, Meghann said:

So it would kinda help us in a way to hire an agency since I'm kinda far from manila and it's gonna be a little costly to go back and forth for the other requirements I'll be needing.

You have to provide all the information and all the documents.  Visa agencies and attorneys simply fill in the blank forms and mail them.  You have to do the legwork.

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

4 minutes ago, Meghann said:

So it would kinda help us in a way to hire an agency since I'm kinda far from manila and it's gonna be a little costly to go back and forth for the other requirements I'll be needing.

How would an agency help with you anything to do with the USEM? The fact of the matter is that they won't help you in that regard at all. What requirements are you talking about that is hard to get being out in the provinces? My wife is from Compostela Valley Province in Mindanao and yes it was a pain to go to Cebu or Manila for something like the CFO, Medical, and the Interview but it is what has to be done.

 

What requirements do you mean? There is no agency that will provide any of the documents for you as evidence, you have to provide everything to them. They compile the documents and send them in, that is what they do and nothing else.

[Crazy Cat 42,738]

Like i said, i hired an attorney.  They sent me an initial list which had about 17 things that I had to either obtain or create....i could have spent that $2000 attorney fee on another trip to Taiwan during the process.

When we had an issue with NVC,  the attorney was able to get no more information about it than I wss able to get.

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

Are you doing a standard CR-1 or a DCF CR-1?

[Meghann 0]

9 minutes ago, cyberfx1024 said:

Are you doing a standard CR-1 or a DCF CR-1?

Standard CR-1

Edited March 29, 2018 by Meghann

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

5 minutes ago, Meghann said:

Standard CR-1

What requirements do you need if you don't mind me asking and what province is your asawa living in?