Do you have to stay in US after filing for CR1? and current wait time in India?

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Do you have to stay in US after filing for CR1?

Can you file for this visa abroad?

Does anyone know the current wait time for CR1 in India?

 

Thanks

[Dashinka 24,846]

If you mean does the US Citizen have to stay in the US, no, there is no requirement, but when it comes time for the immigrating spouse to actually interview for the CR1/IR1 visa, the USC will have to show domicile or intent to re-establish domicile back in the US.  The I130 can be completed online (recommended especially if outside the US), and also can be sent via mail from overseas, but the address may be different.  Not really sure how long India is taking specifically, but in general, spousal visas are taking 12-24 months.

 

Good Luck!

[JeanneAdil 6,677]

No way for us to know how long this will take

 

Embassy site says this

 

As of June 7, 2021, the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai is reopening Immigrant Visa Unit appointments of all types:

• Rescheduling of cancelled appointments
• SB-1 status and visa applications
• LPR services (boarding foil)
• Reissuance of expired visas
• K applications

We will continue to contact those whose appointments were cancelled in April-May 2021 and Spring 2020, in chronological order, by visa category, with instructions to continue processing their cases.  We are also resuming 221(g) submission in all categories and the scheduling of routine cases through the National Visa Center, by visa category, as public health conditions allow.  We cannot predict when you might be contacted for an appointment.

 

 

but the USC needs to have US residency and US income to support the CR1 so visit,  if possible, remembering there are travel restrictions in many states in India (also stated on US embassy site)

 

https://in.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/