Jump to content
Budapest

Confused by contradictory info. How long does the IR-1/CR-1 take really?!??

 Share

14 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Online I've seen current processing times reported as 14-15 months, 7-10 months, 12-46 months (?), etc. Wildly varying estimates. Visajourney's own info says ~500 days, but is that the average for both green card petitioners and US citizen petitioners? I am a US citizen.

What is the ACTUAL current wait time, from start to finish, for a US citizen married to a foreign spouse?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Mexico
Timeline

the official time from UCSIS for IR/CR1 is 13 months.. we filed January 2023 and are waiting for I-130 approval still (I am a US Citizen)   based on trends it looks like we may get ours in December which would be 11 months

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Ghana
Timeline

Op. Yes, estimates will vary; I'm not sure what you are expecting. Estimates vary at USCIS, estimates vary at consulates 

There many variables involved. Like service center, background checks, embassies, documents, etc etc. Just for USCIS alone estimates will also vary. Check here.

https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
Timeline
1 hour ago, AdamG said:

the official time from UCSIS for IR/CR1 is 13 months.. we filed January 2023 and are waiting for I-130 approval still (I am a US Citizen)   based on trends it looks like we may get ours in December which would be 11 months

But that is just part of the process, I know CDJ has loooong waits and Hungary will most likely be quicker.

 

None of us are prescient, well if I was I would be doing the Lottery or heading for Las Vegas, so my guess is 18 months for simple cases at 'normal' Consulates up to 24 months elsewhere.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The reason that estimates vary wildly without any obvious rhyme or reason is because actual outcome times vary wildly without any obvious rhyme or reason.  It is completely true that there are normal cases that have finished in just 9 months or less and it is also completely true that there are normal cases have taken 3 years or more.  Sometimes with no outwardly obvious difference in the cases.  Anyone claiming they can make an accurate prediction in advance is not being truthful.  You could make guesses based on the experience of others but that is no guarantee your case would be the same.

Wife and Stepdaughter                                                                            

  • December 17, 2020:  Married in Costa Rica
  • March 08, 2021: Filed l-130s Online
  • March 09, 2021: NOA1
  • April 26, 2021: NOA2, I-130s Approved
  • April 30, 2021: NVC Received
  • May 01, 2021: Pay AOS and IV Bills
  • May 06, 2021: Submit AOS, Financial Docs and DS-260s
  • May 14, 2021: Submit Civil Docs for Stepdaughter
  • May 21, 2021: Submit Civil Docs for Wife
  • June 25, 2021: NVC review for Stepdaughter, RFE submit additional Doc
  • July 08, 2021: Wife Documentarily Qualified by NVC
  • August 31, 2021: Stepdaughter Documentarily Qualified by NVC
  • September 15, 2021: Received Interview Date from NVC, October 05, 2021
  • September 22, 2021: Passed physicals at Saint Luke's Extension Clinic
  • October 05, 2021: Interview at US Embassy Manila. Verbally approved by US Consul. Positive interview experience.
  • October 05, 2021: CEAC status changed to "Issued"
  • October 07, 2021: Passports tracking for delivery on 2GO Courier website
  • October 08, 2021: Passports with visas delivered.  "Visas on hand"
  • October 08, 2021: Paid Immigrant Fee
  • October 12, 2021: Temporary CFO Certificates Received
  • October 26, 2021 POE arrival at LAX
  • November 02, 2021 Social Security Cards arrive in mail
  • January 31, 2022: USCIS Status changed to "Card Is Being Produced"
  • February 04, 2022: USCIS Status changed to "Card Was Mailed To Me"
  • February 07, 2022: Green cards received. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
Timeline
21 minutes ago, top_secret said:

It is completely true that there are normal cases that have finished in just 9 months

Outside of a DCF, I haven't seen that in a long time......

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Thailand
Timeline
4 hours ago, Budapest said:

Online I've seen current processing times reported as 14-15 months, 7-10 months, 12-46 months (?), etc. Wildly varying estimates. Visajourney's own info says ~500 days, but is that the average for both green card petitioners and US citizen petitioners? I am a US citizen.

What is the ACTUAL current wait time, from start to finish, for a US citizen married to a foreign spouse?

CR-1 (spouse) time (Thailand)

It varies from country to country and how long it takes you to get the paperwork complete. I am an experienced IT guy and I was able to negotiate the websites and complete my paperwork quickly.  My income is well with the requirements and there are no legal issues.  I am a naturalized US citizen petitioning for my Thai wife. In my case since married for less than 2 years I will  be receiving a CR-1 and converting to an IR-1 4 months after that.

I-130 process was 335 days.

Visa interview will be 1/18/2024 which is  127 days from when the I-130 was approved. 

Total time from beginning I-130 until Visa interview will be 462 days.

It should be 1-2 weeks more after the interview (if successful) to get my wife's passport returned to her with the visa attached to it.

 

So, in summary for me total time will be about a year and 5 months if the interview goes well this January. 

Edited by guyintex

Married July 2022 (Thailand)

Visa to USA granted (CR-1) in January 2024

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Brazil
Timeline
3 minutes ago, guyintex said:

CR-1 (spouse) time (Thailand)

It varies from country to country and how long it takes you to get the paperwork complete. I am an experienced IT guy and I was able to negotiate the websites and complete my paperwork quickly.  My income is well with the requirements and there are no legal issues.  I am an naturalized US citizen petitioning for my Thai wife. In my case since married for less than 2 years I will  be receiving a CR-1 and converting to an IR-1 4 months after that.

I-130 process was 335 days.

Visa interview will be 1/18/2024 which is another 127 days from when the I-130 was approved. 

Total time until interview will be 462 days.

It should be 1-2 weeks more to get my wife's passport returned to her with the IR-1 visa attached to it if all goes well. 

So, in summary for me total time will be about a year and 5 months if the interview goes well this January. 

Based on what I have read here, i would suggest (if you aren't already thinking it) waiting until you have been married for 2 years before she comes to the US would save a bunch of headache later on when changing from CR to IR.

 

For reference the case for my wife's i-130 took 350 days to be approved (originally submitted 2021/08/31).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Thailand
Timeline

Yeah, I considered waiting 6 months or so, but was errr.. over-ruled. :D

Married July 2022 (Thailand)

Visa to USA granted (CR-1) in January 2024

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline
46 minutes ago, guyintex said:

Yeah, I considered waiting 6 months or so, but was errr.. over-ruled. :D

Work harder to push to enter 1 day after that 2 year anniversary...it will REALLY simplify your life and save you guys some time and money.  4mo after this long - a blip in time!  

Montreal IR-1/CR-1 FAQ

 

Montreal IR-1/CR-1 Visa spreadsheet: follow directions at top of page for data to be added

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...