Sequence of Steps for CR-1 Visa Using DCF

[SonofBaraka 1]

It would help many of us if someone knowledgeable about the hoops we must jump could put up a timeline or checklist, showing  what is needed in the order needed.

For example, going to DCF to apply for CR-1 visa, when to file Form I-864,Form I-130,Form DS-260, Police Clearance Application, Packets 3 and 4, Medical Examination, Schedule Appointment,Appointment, Obtain Visa. Under each event, what documents needed. 

For example, I had to do a lot of Googling to track down what is needed when she applies for a Police Clearance Certificate:

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR THAI POLICE CLEARANCE APPLICATION APPLICANT RESIDING IN THAILAND

The applicant can contact Police Clearance Service Center in person with the following documents:

NON THAI APPLICANT

Passport with one photocopy

Document(s) certify that the applicant is working, used to work or residing in Thailand.

Thai working permit (if available) with one photocopy

Requesting letter from the embassy of the country to which the applicant plans to travel. A notice from the US Embassy regarding your case (i.e. a packet 3 cover letter) can be used for this purpose.

A photocopied passport of your American petitioner

Working permit (if available) with one photocopy

Requesting letter from the embassy of the country to whichthe applicant plans to travel. A notice from the US Embassy regarding your case (i.e. a packet 3 cover letter) can be used for this purpose.•

A photocopied passport of your American petitioner

 

 

 

[Just Paul 4,595]

To start,  I setup an Infopass appointment with the consulate and took my front loaded I130/I130a and g1145 along with copies that proved my domicile in the country.   I took my Mexican permanent residence card, Mexican drivers license and car insurance documents , copy of water and power bill with me.  I had my passport, birth certificate and divorce decrees and copies.  They kept the copies.

 

They gave me a receipt for the payment and that is your NOA1.  The next business day I received the NOA2 by email.

 

Then you wait for the Packet 3 and fill out the I864 while you are waiting.

 

Depending on the Embassy / Consulate your wife can come with you.   If so take her documents to.

[millefleur 5,047]

The exact requirements for DCF will vary depending on each Embassy. Whenever I had questions about specific things that were unclear, I just called the USCIS Field Office in Moscow directly and asked.

 

How are along are you in the process? Your timeline isn't filled out.

 

Edited January 23, 2019 by millefleur

[SonofBaraka 1]

9 hours ago, Paul & Mary said:

To start,  I setup an Infopass appointment with the consulate and took my front loaded I130/I130a and g1145 along with copies that proved my domicile in the country.   I took my Mexican permanent residence card, Mexican drivers license and car insurance documents , copy of water and power bill with me.  I had my passport, birth certificate and divorce decrees and copies.  They kept the copies.

 

They gave me a receipt for the payment and that is your NOA1.  The next business day I received the NOA2 by email.

  

Then you wait for the Packet 3 and fill out the I864 while you are waiting.

  

Depending on the Embassy / Consulate your wife can come with you.   If so take her documents to. 

Finally! Now you've given me the help I need. Can you explain about Infopass, the meaning of front loaded I130/I130a and G1145?

Second, you're saying  we're wasting our time going to DHS(for DCF), that we need to set up the Infopass appointment first, when the process begins..

Finally! Now you've given me the help I need. Can you explain about Infopass, the meaning of front loaded I130/I130a and G1145?

Second, you're saying  we're wasting our time going to DHS(for DCF), that we need to set up the Infopass appointment first, when the process begins.

[Just Paul 4,595]

3 hours ago, SonofBaraka said:

DHS

USCIS is part of DHS.

https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-uscis-office/international-offices/thailand-uscis-bangkok-field-office  Read about the I-130

It looks like they don't book appointments online.  Just walkin.

 

For frontloading ideas just enter "frontload cr1" or "frontload I130" in the search bar above.   Do what you can to make a strong initial petition.

 

[SonofBaraka 1]

4 hours ago, SonofBaraka said:

Finally! Now you've given me the help I need. Can you explain about Infopass, the meaning of front loaded I130/I130a and G1145?

Second, you're saying  we're wasting our time going to DHS(for DCF), that we need to set up the Infopass appointment first, when the process begins..

Finally! Now you've given me the help I need. Can you explain about Infopass, the meaning of front loaded I130/I130a and G1145?

Second, you're saying  we're wasting our time going to DHS(for DCF), that we need to set up the Infopass appointment first, when the process begins.

Obviously, you cleared up the uscis/dhs/dcf confusion. Same place, more letter combos. Since th police clearance application involves a document from Packet 3, how long can I expect to wait to get it following the initial visit to uscis? Finally, how necessary is it for my wife, who works every weekday in Pattaya, to appear at that initial visit if she gives me all the documents, her passport and forms to present at that time?

[milimelo 4,513]

Both me and my husband (USC) had to show up in person at the embassy when we did our DCF (2006 before DCF went away in 2007 for most places). 

[millefleur 5,047]

41 minutes ago, SonofBaraka said:

Finally, how necessary is it for my wife, who works every weekday in Pattaya, to appear at that initial visit if she gives me all the documents, her passport and forms to present at that time?

That's a good question. I was present for my husband's interview when we did DCF, for the filing of the I-130. They (USCIS/DHS) interviewed us both, together, in the same room. Honestly, for us, the I-130 interview was much more difficult than the second interview with the Embassy in terms of the questions we were asked. In Russia, I'm pretty sure both the petitioner and the beneficiary have to be present in person when filing the I-130.

[SonofBaraka 1]

5 hours ago, millefleur said:

That's a good question. I was present for my husband's interview when we did DCF, for the filing of the I-130. They (USCIS/DHS) interviewed us both, together, in the same room. Honestly, for us, the I-130 interview was much more difficult than the second interview with the Embassy in terms of the questions we were asked. In Russia, I'm pretty sure both the petitioner and the beneficiary have to be present in person when filing the I-130.

O.k. We'll both go together. What made this interview so difficult?

[Just Paul 4,595]

8 hours ago, SonofBaraka said:

Since th police clearance application involves a document from Packet 3, how long can I expect to wait to get it following the initial visit to uscis?

It just depends on the Embassy.  The file goes from the USCIS to the Department of State for the Consular Process.  Our time took 6 weeks to move from one building in the Consulate in Juarez to another.  Think of it as similar to the NVC time in the states.

 

8 hours ago, SonofBaraka said:

Finally, how necessary is it for my wife, who works every weekday in Pattaya

It doesn't look like is required for USCIS but I would advise it if at all possible.

 

 

Do a little work now to see if you can get her added now to a credit card / bank account etc.  Search for commingling assets.

[millefleur 5,047]

7 hours ago, SonofBaraka said:

What made this interview so difficult? 

Our case was a little complicated (divorces, etc) and we have an age difference and we also married after knowing each other a very short time. They asked for a lot of evidence (everything from the wedding, basically any evidence you can imagine, they asked "Do you have a copy of this?") and they also asked my husband all the questions, I mostly just sat there and was instructed not to answer, my husband had to answer. It was stressful and felt a little bit like an interrogation, heh. 😓

 

I wrote about my experience a while ago. You can check it out but keep in mind, everyone's experience is different and Thailand might be different:

 

 

Edited January 24, 2019 by millefleur

[Just Paul 4,595]

12 minutes ago, millefleur said:

stressful and felt a little bit like an interrogation

Mine too.  I left not knowing if we were going to be approved.  Smooth sailing from there until I got called into the embassy interview at the end.  Had everything we needed and got approved.

[millefleur 5,047]

1 minute ago, Paul & Mary said:

Mine too.  I left not knowing if we were going to be approved.

Same! I was mega nervous, the I-130 interview was the hardest and most stressful part of DCF for us. We had to wait about a week before getting notification of approval.

[SonofBaraka 1]

12 hours ago, Paul & Mary said:

It just depends on the Embassy.  The file goes from the USCIS to the Department of State for the Consular Process.  Our time took 6 weeks to move from one building in the Consulate in Juarez to another.  Think of it as similar to the NVC time in the states.

 

It doesn't look like is required for USCIS but I would advise it if at all possible.

 

 

Do a little work now to see if you can get her added now to a credit card / bank account etc.  Search for commingling assets.

My understanding is that no credit card company will issue a joint or second credit card without the spouse's SSN.

 

[Jorge V 195]

1 hour ago, SonofBaraka said:

My understanding is that no credit card company will issue a joint or second credit card without the spouse's SSN.

 

Chase will allow you to add an authorized user with just a name and nothing else. Many years before we got married and moved to the US, I added my non US citizen wife as an authorized user on my Chase Sapphire. It really helped for travel, especially in the US.

 

This had the added benefit of Chase later matching up her previous credit history with her new SSN once we moved. She's only had an SSN for 1.5 years, but she has 6 years of credit history and an 750+ credit score.