Questions regarding IR-1/CR-1 applications

[sidmando 15]

Another question. What is the timeframe within which an IR-1/CR-1 visa needs to be used? We are in the middle of the application process but may want to pursue a work opportunity in a different country for a year. If we get approved for the visa, is there a time limit within which we need to move back to the US?

[Adventine 3,196]

54 minutes ago, sidmando said:

Another question. What is the timeframe within which an IR-1/CR-1 visa needs to be used? We are in the middle of the application process but may want to pursue a work opportunity in a different country for a year. If we get approved for the visa, is there a time limit within which we need to move back to the US?

 

Yes, the visa expiration date is tied to the medical exam (NOT the interview date). So from the day of the medical, count 6 months. The exact expiration date will also be printed on the visa sticker.

[sidmando 15]

5 minutes ago, Adventine said:

 

Yes, the visa expiration date is tied to the medical exam (NOT the interview date). So from the day of the medical, count 6 months. The exact expiration date will also be printed on the visa sticker.

Thanks for the info! One more question. Once the visa is used to enter the US, what, if any, restrictions are there for leaving the country after that? If I accept a job in another country and we need to use the visa within 6 months of the medical exam, could we use it to travel to the US and then leave the country again for an extended period?

[Adventine 3,196]

Once your wife enters the US with her spousal visa, she could, theoretically, turn right around and depart the US again.

 

However, a spousal visa is for living in the US. If you are seriously considering a year-long residency in another country for work, then it defeats the purpose of a spousal visa.

 

You'll have to decide which option is better - delaying the spousal visa process until you're ready to relocate to the US, or forego the job opportunity in that third country.

[sidmando 15]

1 minute ago, Adventine said:

Once your wife enters the US with her spousal visa, she could, theoretically, turn right around and depart the US again.

 

However, a spousal visa is for living in the US. If you are seriously considering a year-long residency in another country for work, then it defeats the purpose of a spousal visa.

 

You'll have to decide which option is better - delaying the spousal visa process until you're ready to relocate to the US, or forego the job opportunity in that third country.

Cool. Great info! If we wanted to delay the visa process, what would be the procedure for doing that, and what would be involved in resuming it once we're ready to move back?

[Adventine 3,196]

It isn't clear exactly where you are in the process, but when your case gets to NVC, you can just leave it there and contact NVC once a year to keep your case alive, until you're ready to proceed.

[sidmando 15]

Just now, Adventine said:

It isn't clear exactly where you are in the process, but when your case gets to NVC, you can just leave it there and contact NVC once a year to keep your case alive, until you're ready to proceed.

Thanks so much! You've been super helpful.

[Ontarkie 14,226]

~~Hijack thread removed. Please start your own thread for question on your own case~~

[sidmando 15]

Question regarding for I-864/Affidavit of Support

 

One month ago I sent physical copies of my two Affidavits of Support to the USCIS via DHL (from Peru). When I log into the State Dept. website it shows these documents are missing. I'm wondering if I made a mistake by sending physical copies and was supposed to do it digitally, or whether it just takes time for the documents to be processed. Is there any way to confirm whether those documents were received? Or should I just start from scratch and complete those documents online?

[Just Paul 4,595]

On 8/12/2021 at 5:08 PM, sidmando said:

Another question. What is the timeframe within which an IR-1/CR-1 visa needs to be used? We are in the middle of the application process but may want to pursue a work opportunity in a different country for a year. If we get approved for the visa, is there a time limit within which we need to move back to the US?

Uploading is always faster.  It is probably sitting someplace waiting to be scanned.

[sidmando 15]

3 minutes ago, Paul & Mary said:

Uploading is always faster.  It is probably sitting someplace waiting to be scanned.

Would I be creating additional problems for myself by starting over and filing the I-864 online? What if they receive and process the physical document I sent in the meantime?

[Just Paul 4,595]

36 minutes ago, sidmando said:

Would I be creating additional problems for myself by starting over and filing the I-864 online? What if they receive and process the physical document I sent in the meantime?

They could Documentaily Qualify you and move you on to the consulate if you do the upload.

[Troy B 223]

8 hours ago, sidmando said:

Question regarding for I-864/Affidavit of Support

 

One month ago I sent physical copies of my two Affidavits of Support to the USCIS via DHL (from Peru). When I log into the State Dept. website it shows these documents are missing. I'm wondering if I made a mistake by sending physical copies and was supposed to do it digitally, or whether it just takes time for the documents to be processed. Is there any way to confirm whether those documents were received? Or should I just start from scratch and complete those documents online?

Wait, to USCIS?   for CR1/IR1 (non-DCF) I was under the impression that is in the NVC stage, not USCIS.

And also afaik all communication with NVC should be online, these days.

[sidmando 15]

10 hours ago, Troy B said:

Wait, to USCIS?   for CR1/IR1 (non-DCF) I was under the impression that is in the NVC stage, not USCIS.

And also afaik all communication with NVC should be online, these days.

Unfortunately, I think you're right and I mailed the documents to the wrong place. So now I am starting over with the I-864, and I just remembered why I chose to fill the document out by hand in the first place. When I get to section 4 of the I-864, which asks for my physical address (which is different from my mailing address), the PDF form doesn't allow me to enter anything into fields 4a - 4f. I remember running into this problem the first time, so I just printed out the document, filled it out by hand and mailed it. So, since I can't input the required information, if I want to file electronically, it seems like my only option is to print the document out, fill it out by hand, and then scan it and upload it. Does anyone have any other advice about how to complete this form without mailing a physical copy?

[Troy B 223]

1 minute ago, sidmando said:

Unfortunately, I think you're right and I mailed the documents to the wrong place. So now I am starting over with the I-864, and I just remembered why I chose to fill the document out by hand in the first place. When I get to section 4 of the I-864, which asks for my physical address (which is different from my mailing address), the PDF form doesn't allow me to enter anything into fields 4a - 4f. I remember running into this problem the first time, so I just printed out the document, filled it out by hand and mailed it. So, since I can't input the required information, if I want to file electronically, it seems like my only option is to print the document out, fill it out by hand, and then scan it and upload it. Does anyone have any other advice about how to complete this form without mailing a physical copy?

 

I like JotNot Pro on my iPhone to scan multi-page documents (and email me the results).   I have read recently of someone liking Adobe Scan.