Nigeria CR1 Interview wait time

[Divine Mercy 0]

Things don't look good if you have a CR1 in Nigeria huh? The wait time is about 10 months or so it seems. Am I way off about this? From VJ stats and Zee's wonderful chart, that's the way it seems. Someone please tell me I'm wrong. PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Also, are CR1's more likely to go into administrative processing? What is the scoop on that??? How on earth can anyone avoid that or get out of it once stuck in it?

Why is the Lagos consulate so horrible?

[Zee Bee 61]

Things don't look good if you have a CR1 in Nigeria huh? The wait time is about 10 months or so it seems. Am I way off about this? From VJ stats and Zee's wonderful chart, that's the way it seems. Someone please tell me I'm wrong. PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Hey Kathryn. I think the wait time for the CR-1 is a combination of NVC and the embassy. Once the I-130 is approved you have this AOS and other correspondence with them (which can take a few months ) and then you have to wait for them to send the case to the embassy. I know that there are VJers that have used some timesavers at the NVC level in this thread so you may want to take a look at that. From what I have seen it is not only the Lagos consulate but others as well.

Also, are CR1's more likely to go into administrative processing? What is the scoop on that??? How on earth can anyone avoid that or get out of it once stuck in it?

There is no way to avoid AP. Everyone goes through it but the length of time depends on how quickly security checks, etc are done. Once in it, you have to stick it out until the end. There is no limit and they really don't tell you anything except that you are stuck in AP. And AP does not discriminate by visa

Why is the Lagos consulate so horrible?

At least they work faster than the one in Accra

[Divine Mercy 0]

Things don't look good if you have a CR1 in Nigeria huh? The wait time is about 10 months or so it seems. Am I way off about this? From VJ stats and Zee's wonderful chart, that's the way it seems. Someone please tell me I'm wrong. PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Hey Kathryn. I think the wait time for the CR-1 is a combination of NVC and the embassy. Once the I-130 is approved you have this AOS and other correspondence with them (which can take a few months ) and then you have to wait for them to send the case to the embassy. I know that there are VJers that have used some timesavers at the NVC level in this thread so you may want to take a look at that. From what I have seen it is not only the Lagos consulate but others as well.

Also, are CR1's more likely to go into administrative processing? What is the scoop on that??? How on earth can anyone avoid that or get out of it once stuck in it?

There is no way to avoid AP. Everyone goes through it but the length of time depends on how quickly security checks, etc are done. Once in it, you have to stick it out until the end. There is no limit and they really don't tell you anything except that you are stuck in AP. And AP does not discriminate by visa

Why is the Lagos consulate so horrible?

At least they work faster than the one in Accra

Thank you for your reply Zee. I did read the shortcuts. It still takes about 10 months from NVC approval to interview in Nigeria. My husband was just told that the co. he works for is closing in January. If we still had the K3 that wouldn't have been such a big deal. He could have waited for the interview. Now he has to struggle to get something going to survive the next year or so. Life just keeps getting better.

[myangel2 0]

Hi, I saw on this post a while back someone who had studied how long it takes for interview's roughly..... I can't remember the person"s name but it was real close to 10 months total from the beginning of filing the I-130 till interview in Nigeria. I am still waiting I see some people who's cases have been completed in 8 mos. others 10-12 months it just depends. My I-130 was filed in Oct, 2006 and Sent to NVC in January my case was completed by NVC in June of 2007 and we are still waiting. They say it takes about 6 months from the time NVC complete's the case until the interview It seems as though most of the VJ members have gotten there interview within this time frame, i have met (online) one other person waiting who's date is 1 week earlier than mine on an interview, Look at Zee's timeline we are the only one's with a case completed in January (scary). And as far as AP I think it depends if your spouse has lived in another country besides Nigeria, Not everyone's timeline has an AP. Keep your head-up If I have survived this anyone can. I lost both of my parents during this ordeal. The bible says that God will never give you more than you can bear.... That is so very true. Keep trusting in God. And know that he loves you..... My husband always tells me he loves me but God loves me so much more... God bless.

[myangel2 0]

I read your timeline and it only took 52 ? days for your I-130 approval, that was really fast.... It took 92 days for mine to be approved so it looks like your moving in half the time...... Wow.....

[Enlighten one :) 5]

Hello Devin,

I am not a CR 1 filer too. As we already had assumed. I am calling lawyer on monday to see if we are still pending 129f approval as I see you are too. I will letyou know Monday night what he said.

Have a great Sunday everybody.

Missy

[Divine Mercy 0]

Hi, I saw on this post a while back someone who had studied how long it takes for interview's roughly..... I can't remember the person"s name but it was real close to 10 months total from the beginning of filing the I-130 till interview in Nigeria. I am still waiting I see some people who's cases have been completed in 8 mos. others 10-12 months it just depends. My I-130 was filed in Oct, 2006 and Sent to NVC in January my case was completed by NVC in June of 2007 and we are still waiting. They say it takes about 6 months from the time NVC complete's the case until the interview It seems as though most of the VJ members have gotten there interview within this time frame, i have met (online) one other person waiting who's date is 1 week earlier than mine on an interview, Look at Zee's timeline we are the only one's with a case completed in January (scary). And as far as AP I think it depends if your spouse has lived in another country besides Nigeria, Not everyone's timeline has an AP. Keep your head-up If I have survived this anyone can. I lost both of my parents during this ordeal. The bible says that God will never give you more than you can bear.... That is so very true. Keep trusting in God. And know that he loves you..... My husband always tells me he loves me but God loves me so much more... God bless.

Thank you so much, this post led me on a hunt that ended in comforting information. I was totally reading the timelines wrong. I was reading from the NOA2 of the I130 to interview and thinking it was NVC completed to interview. That makes all the difference. So I was adding an additional few months because of frantic stupidity. Thank you so much for posting this. It's always great to post helpful information, you just never know how much impact you have. Before I read this I was severely depressed. You added hope back into my mind. Thank you thank you thank you!

Also you stated: "And as far as AP I think it depends if your spouse has lived in another country besides Nigeria" are you saying it's bad that they lived abroad or good? My husband, and his friends, have the idea that if you lived elsewhere you are more likely to get the visa. My husband has never left Nigeria, not even to Togo, Benin or Ghana. I'd really like to know what you have to say about the effects of leaving nigeria or not.

I am so sorry about your parents. You really are a strong individual. That alone is an inspiration to so many. You remind me of Job. God bless you. I hope the rest of your journey goes smoothly!

I read your timeline and it only took 52 ? days for your I-130 approval, that was really fast.... It took 92 days for mine to be approved so it looks like your moving in half the time...... Wow.....

It was the quick approval that put me in this mess in the first place. If I had actually set out for a CR1 I would have been thrilled though. I should count my blessings, I know.

I did post this in the CR1 room but no one really answered... I called the NVC to reinstate the case and they said I should NOT send the AOS bill that I have had for months. They told me to wait until they generate another one and send that after it comes. Does this sound like total horse ####### or what?

Hello Devin,

I am not a CR 1 filer too. As we already had assumed. I am calling lawyer on monday to see if we are still pending 129f approval as I see you are too. I will letyou know Monday night what he said.

Have a great Sunday everybody.

Missy

I am also anxious to know what your lawyer has to say about that. I am totally amazed that you are actually using a lawyer though. You are such an intelligent person and you deserve to be kept informed on every step of this process. I personally think that you could have done all of this without the help of an attorney. That's just my opinion.

[Enlighten one :) 5]

You are just too sweet. It is more like I do not know anything because I have not had to think about anything. I didn't have to figure out what forms to use, where to sen them, or how to fill them out. The send me a software question are that asked a quetion then it filled out the form using the answers. Kinda like doing your taxes online. Then I hated to bother the lawyer knowing that everybody else is calling them. just the thoughtful person that i am. since my 130 was approved so quickly i trusted that the process was going well. i believe that it still is though. I am going to call tomorrow though. I am not afraid to call to find out what the heck happened to my 129f. LOL

Missy

I am also anxious to know what your lawyer has to say about that. I am totally amazed that you are actually using a lawyer though. You are such an intelligent person and you deserve to be kept informed on every step of this process. I personally think that you could have done all of this without the help of an attorney. That's just my opinion.

[Divine Mercy 0]

You are just too sweet. It is more like I do not know anything because I have not had to think about anything. I didn't have to figure out what forms to use, where to sen them, or how to fill them out. The send me a software question are that asked a quetion then it filled out the form using the answers. Kinda like doing your taxes online. Then I hated to bother the lawyer knowing that everybody else is calling them. just the thoughtful person that i am. since my 130 was approved so quickly i trusted that the process was going well. i believe that it still is though. I am going to call tomorrow though. I am not afraid to call to find out what the heck happened to my 129f. LOL

NOOOO don't ever be afraid to call them, you pay them! I'm so confused though. Sometimes I think you are going for the K3, sometimes the CR1. Can you clarify that?

I work for lawyers (eeek I know, they're horrible) and my one attorney/boss told me he wouldn't touch immigration with a ten foot pole. He said it is way too complex and they change the rules daily. No one can keep up with it, even the USCIS workers can't keep up with it! He is always telling me stories about how people are let down all the time by their immigration lawyers because they lawyers themselves have an overwhelming case load and insufficient current knowledge. I have noticed that most attorneys will have multiple "specialties" like divorce, family law AND accident cases. But criminal and immigration attorneys usually don't stray from their own fields because its too much for one person to handle.

And also, I have noticed that (not just in respect to immigration law) I would venture to guess that 90% of the people in VJ are more intelligent than my own attorneys. (my personal lawyer AND my bosses). We put them on a pedestal because they want to law school eons ago. You are one of those people that can do it yourself.

My grandfather used to say, if you can read, you can do anything. VJers prove that beyond a reasonable doubt!

[Enlighten one :) 5]

You are absolutely right! My friend from Nigeria said i didn't need a lawyer either. I didn't pay for it, so it was insisted upon to make sure it didn't stress me out. too sweet. VJers never cease to amaze me. This site is so interesting and the people are wonderful. I filed for the K3 right after the 130. I did not expect to get approved so quickly. we are supposed to use the k3 to get in while the 130 is pending. no offense to the k1, but i thought it was backward that they would get in so much quicker then us married people.

Saturday night I asked someone in a room to look at my timeline. when i told him that i paid those bills to the nvc, he stated that i was on the cr1 route. You do not pay those fees for the K3. Now i am still curious to know, why my 129f was not approved, at the same time and then going forward with the k3.

After i talk with my lawyer, i will discuss the pros and cons with my husband to see what he wants to do. I am thinking i am lookingat a feb cr1 approval. we have a simple case. i have never been married. he has never been married. he was a pastor at canaan land church for 4 years.

Do you think you are going to have to do the DNA test? why even tell the you have a child if that is the case? it shouldnt even matter to boot. I wish i got pregnant when I was there. I will have a baby as soon as possible. i am so excited to plan this time. Elijah (son& profit) was not planned, but never regreted. *wink

[LonelyforLagos 0]

I strongly feel that the K-3 is more likely thna not to go into administrative processing or administrative review unless you have 500 emails and tons of phone bills. Letters from you friends and family, and any other creative thing you can think of to get past Satan.

[Enlighten one :) 5]

Thanks for the heads up. That would be a horrible thought. I have been patient, but as it get past the expectation date i am sure i will start getting anxious.

I am sure my husband will want what ever is faster. When was the last time you were in Lagos? Devine and I were there at the same time and got married 2 days from each other. How wild is that?

I strongly feel that the K-3 is more likely thna not to go into administrative processing or administrative review unless you have 500 emails and tons of phone bills. Letters from you friends and family, and any other creative thing you can think of to get past Satan.

[Zee Bee 61]

Just to clarify, AP/AR happens irrespective of what kind of visa you are getting. No one visa has a higher chance of going through AP/AR. It all depends on security and name checks that are done.

Administrative Review: Is when your case is being looked at more closely for accuracy and to make sure all security name and fingerprint checks have cleared and your visa can be adjudicated.

Administrative Processing: Means once you have interviewed it is in security checks for any of these situations: you have had a name hit in one of the many data bases, background checks for fraud, or has missing and incomplete information that must be submitted and the rechecked. Processing is more in depth and than the review process and there is no time limit for this processing to complete. Administrative processing can last a few days or months and in some cases it has endured for years.

[Divine Mercy 0]

Just to clarify, AP/AR happens irrespective of what kind of visa you are getting. No one visa has a higher chance of going through AP/AR. It all depends on security and name checks that are done.

Administrative Review: Is when your case is being looked at more closely for accuracy and to make sure all security name and fingerprint checks have cleared and your visa can be adjudicated.

Administrative Processing: Means once you have interviewed it is in security checks for any of these situations: you have had a name hit in one of the many data bases, background checks for fraud, or has missing and incomplete information that must be submitted and the rechecked. Processing is more in depth and than the review process and there is no time limit for this processing to complete. Administrative processing can last a few days or months and in some cases it has endured for years.

That is good to know but scary as all heck! Thanks Zee.

[Divine Mercy 0]

You are absolutely right! My friend from Nigeria said i didn't need a lawyer either. I didn't pay for it, so it was insisted upon to make sure it didn't stress me out. too sweet. VJers never cease to amaze me. This site is so interesting and the people are wonderful. I filed for the K3 right after the 130. I did not expect to get approved so quickly. we are supposed to use the k3 to get in while the 130 is pending. no offense to the k1, but i thought it was backward that they would get in so much quicker then us married people.

Saturday night I asked someone in a room to look at my timeline. when i told him that i paid those bills to the nvc, he stated that i was on the cr1 route. You do not pay those fees for the K3. Now i am still curious to know, why my 129f was not approved, at the same time and then going forward with the k3.

After i talk with my lawyer, i will discuss the pros and cons with my husband to see what he wants to do. I am thinking i am lookingat a feb cr1 approval. we have a simple case. i have never been married. he has never been married. he was a pastor at canaan land church for 4 years.

Do you think you are going to have to do the DNA test? why even tell the you have a child if that is the case? it shouldnt even matter to boot. I wish i got pregnant when I was there. I will have a baby as soon as possible. i am so excited to plan this time. Elijah (son& profit) was not planned, but never regreted. *wink

Thats why I was confused because you paid the CR1 fees to the NVC. Clearly they approved your I130 and sent it onto the NVC and began the CR1 processing. It would be interesting to find out if they "terminate" your I129F as they did to mine. Your lawyer should have discussed that with you already. Your lawyer may be trying to run both petitions to see which one will win out at the embassy. If your I-129F gets to the embassy first they will schedule an interview for your husband and then if the CR1 gets there before the K3 interview, they will toss the K3 and replace the interview TIME with the K3.. that is how I understood it anyway. I was going to do that and got nervous that if I pursued the CR1 they would kill my K3 so I didnt and look what happened, they killed my K3 anyway. Urgh.

I have no idea if they will try to make the baby have a DNA test, I have seen it happen in VJ before. We are prepared in that event. The baby will be in Nigeria for the interview (and me too of course). I did tell them about the baby because I see him as proof of bona fide marriage. What else do we have really? I added him to my insurance and made him my benefitiary for my pension but thats all we have.

I have tax issues that I worry will send us into AP. I quit my job in 2005 because they wouldnt let me go to nigeria for two weeks (and they were fond of cursing out the employees) and I planned on getting another job when I got back from Nigeria but when I got home I found out I was pregnant. I tried looking for a job before I started to show with no luck. So I just waited until the baby was born (May 2006). The baby had health issues... he is fine now... and I ended up not finding a job till Feb 2007. Also, my rotten evil divorce wasnt final until Jan 2007 so the baby was born during my marriage to my ex (although we had been seperated for a few years). That might raise some red flags. Although my ex is white and the baby clearly isnt 100% white lol. These people practically want a video tape of the conception it seems sometimes.

NONE of my kids were planned by me or their fathers.. God plans them all though I am going back to Nigeria in January and if another little unplanned something happens I wont be sad I have three boys, two from the first marriage. I told the kids if Lanre and I have another boy I will divorce him and try to find a girl making daddy.. two boys per husband is my limit!

That is amazing we were both there at the same time, I wonder if we bumped into eachother and never knew.