Tracking visa @ 2GO

Shipment Details
CN No. ===========
Status IN-TRANSIT
Pick-Up Date 6/29/2011
Origin MANILA
Destination LUCENA
Shipper Name VFS SERVICES PHILS. PRIVATE INC.(US)- IV
Shipper Address UNIT 606 6/F, 2305 ECOPLAZA BLDG., CHINO ROCES EXT
Consignee Name ==========
Consignee Address =============
Cargo Type DOCUMENT
Type of Package VFSDD
Delivery Category Serviceable Area
Leadtime (Days) 1
Service Type DOOR TO DOOR
Pay Mode COLLECT SHIPPER


Scanning Details
Date/Time Scan Activity
6/29/2011 10:01:25 AM LOADED RBM
6/29/2011 8:49:47 PM ACCEPTED SHIPMENT FROM CUSTOMER
6/29/2011 11:00:14 PM IN-TRANSIT
6/30/2011 12:17:03 AM LOADED ALLUC

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* sometimes MNL no. is not the tracking no. that's why sometimes when u check it online says invalid, so better call them and ask your real tracking no.

My K1 Interview Experience- June 16, 2011

Here is my K1 Interview Experience at the US Embassy, Manila.

I am from Quezon Province so i went to Manila the day before my interview, my mom and my son come with me in Manila to accompany me. We stayed at Gran Prix Hotel, the US Embassy has a new building now and the hotels very near to this new building is the one where we stayed, Lotus Hotel, and City State..

June 16, 2011 is my "BIG DAY" so i woke up early at about quarter to 3am, i prayed to GOD and asked Him to guide me and touch the heart and mind of the pre-screener and CO who will gonna interview me, and txted Rayza, my PL friend who will have her K1 interview too on that same day... and told her i am awake and i started to prepare myself, ate, bath, and fixed my self..

at about 4:15 am we went out of the hotel building and we just walked goin to the US Embassy... we arrived at Bayview at around 4:30am and once i txted Rayza again asking where she is... my friend arrived and we talked for a while sitting at Bayview. At exactly 5am the guard called us all and he told us to line up, he first called all the IM applicant to fall in line and that included us K1 Visa Applicants.. then all the Tourist, Seafarers, etc... then we are all line up near the US Embassy gate, then waited maybe 30 mins. again standing.. before we enter to the US Embassy building they told us to prepare for our DS forms, ID, and Appointment Letter.. they checked all those forms, stapled and instructed us to give it inside where we will get our no., i got 7014 and my friend got 7015, when we entered to the embassy building our bags and all our docs. passed to the x-ray machine... then proceed now to the new building and we ...

dropped our DS-forms appointment letter at window 39 i think...

this is it..

me and my friend was just sitting and attentively waiting for our nos. to flash at the queuing board, oh my this is funny to me bcoz i want to chat with rayza much but we cant bcoz our nos. might flash that we didnt notice it.. and soon my friend's no. flashed and she went to her finger scanning.. and me still waiting for my no. and told rayza that my no. taking so long to flash at the queuing board , but later on it flashed too .. and went to the window no. i was assigned.. and when i got there she told me to prepare now my docs. and i didnt know that it was my preliminary interview already, bcoz i thought i will gonna do first my finger scanning ... and i left all my things at my sit... .. said sorry of course to the pre-screener and told her i will just get all my things at my sit but she told me that's ok... u get it first and comeback here, so i ran with my 2 inches hills and got all my things

the pre-screener i had is a woman, i am on 50's window i just forgot the window no., really she looks strict but then bcoz my docs. are complete and maybe she is satisfied with it she didnt gave me a hard time.. i remembered she asked me only personal questions like what is my name, who is my petitioner?, what's his work, do he owns a house?, if me and my fiance has a previous marriage, do we have kids from our previous marriages, did i went to other country before, did i apply for any visa before, how many kids he have, how many kids i have, will my son come with me, how many times me and honey married before, how much is my annulment? which i dont think its a visa related question.. , and she asked me to give her my BC, CENMAR, my 2 NBI with AKA, my annulment docs., honey's I-134 (w/c is scan, this is the newer version), w2, and ITR, she didnt ask for honey's LES (pay stubs) and ERB (his employment record) but still i included it to the docs. she asked,she told me to put the name of my fiance and sign the lower part of the ds-56k then she said ok... go back to your sit and wait again for ur no. to flash at the queuing board for your finger scanning.. and i said thank u of course and she replied me GOODLUCK!!!

waiting for my finger scanning really took so long for my no. to flash on the queuing board, i even told to rayza oh my they might overlooked my papers... and i am thinking lots on my head what's the problem with my papers?... or maybe they already shoot it on the trash bin...(i am bad) guess what? my friend rayza and josephine already done with their interview with the CO and to the last window that will tell if the case is ok.. and u can to go home and i am still at my sit waiting for my no. , its 8:30am and they're done and me still waiting, waiting, waiting... rayza still waited for me for several minutes but still my no. is not flashing on the queuing board, so told her u go home and eat bcoz she is hungry too that time.. and i know someone is waiting for her too.. and she is excited to tell her fiance that she got approved... at long last my no. flash on the queuing board for finger scanning on window 40 i think... and i thought he is the CO who will gonna interview me.. i raised my right hand... and he said no.. your left hands that was funny but that's ok bcoz that is all new to me.. so its natural sometimes to get mistakes and maybe bcoz i am really excited, then i asked him am i done? and he said yes ok u can go back to ur sit and wait for ur no. to flash on the queuing board...

praying and waiting but now it didnt take that long...

then finally my no. flashed on the queuing board for my FINAL INTERVIEW on window 64.. the CO who was assigned to me is a woman too.. she looks nice.. and intelligent.. and smart of course... she greeted me hi good morning.. how are u? and i said also good morning maam, i am fine, thank u... then she asked me to raise my hand and promise blah..blahh.. and i said yes maam.... then the interview started...

she is looking on the blue sheet that the pre-screener wrote down all the informations that were asked from me... then looking at my docs., she asked several personal questions too.. about my fiance and me.. like where we met?.. when?.. how many times did he visited me?.. how do we communicate... how many kids does my fiance have.. his work.. do he owns a house.. what are the names of my fiance kids.. what is my name, when i was born.. what is honey's name.. do i promise to marry honey within 90 days.. well honestly i had a hard time to explain to her about my annulment.. bcoz she is asking what part or page where is written that my X husband went to Canada.. and i cant tell her what page.. but then i told her he story goes we married and we been together as husband and wife only for 2 wks then he left me went to canada and he didnt comeback for us.. before we have a communication but until such time that he really didnt communicate with us.. and she said oh that's fine.. and i think she is surprised too based on her expression and eyes that i waited for 10 yrs she said but only almost 7 yrs. i waited for my X husband... then she asked me again ok do u promise u will marry within 90 days and i said yes maam... and she FINALLY SAY, OK MARIA YOUR VISA IS APPROVED!!! when i heard it from her i was so happy and i said to her thank u very much maam... and she said ok go back to ur sit and wait for ur name to be called.. and i said thank u again... and she replied me ok Good luck!!!

when i am returning to my sit really i am teary eyes and my chin is trembling.. i am so happy and i thought of my honey bunny and the LDR that we have and now finally God heard us.. and this is it... maybe its only 2 mins. then i heard again my name called by window 72, and the pinay girl there told me ok maam ur done and ur ok.. u can go home... but she returned my appointment letter and my eligible letter and my queu no. 7014... , my appointment letter has a stamp says, BIO F/S DONE, JUNE 16, 2011, IM VISA... I DONT KNOW WHAT IT MEANS

then i went back to the hotel, smiling and when i arrived at the hotel room i picked up my mobile and call honey babe ko at once, honey babe ko is waiting bcoz he know i will call and cant wait to tell him my good news and told him what happened to me on that day... I GOT APPROVED!!!!

THANK U TO GOD, TO OUR FAMILY, AND TO OUR FRIENDS, OLD AND NEW WHO ALWAYS GIVE US SUPPORT, LOVE AND CARE...

How i arranged my documents and evidences for my K1 visa interview...

Folder A:

Appointment Letter

BPI Receipt

Eligible Letter

NOA2

NVC Letter

DS- Forms:

DS- 156

DS- 156K

DS- 157

Withdrawal Letter (previous K1 Yr. 2009)

Folder B:

Birth Certificate

Annotated Marriage Contract

CENMAR

NBI

Certified True Copy of Court Decision ( Annulment- Tina )

Certified True Copy of Finality ( Annulment- Tina )

Mark's Copy of Divorce Decree

Affidavit of Name Discrepancy

Folder C:

Western Union Receipts

Package Receipts

I- 134 Form

Salary Pay Stub

ITR

W2

Certification from Employment

Folder D:

Printscreen/ snapshots visa YM and Skype

Used IDD Calls ( Tina to Mark )

Txt Messages Print Outs

Folder E:

Photos

Folder F:

Itinerary

Hotel Receipt

Passport Stamp ( Mark )

Folder G:

E-mails

Chat Logs

Cards and E- cards

Timeline of Our 2nd K1 Petition....

Re-file Date of I-129F to USCIS (Lewisville, TX): Oct. 18,2010
E- notification Recieved: Oct. 26, 2010 at 12:52 am, routed to the Vermont Service Center
NOA1 Received: Oct. 29, 2010, but USCIS received and mailed dated on Oct. 22, 2010
NOA2 Received: Mar. 28, 2011
NVC Letter Received:
NVC Left: Apr. 4, 2011
US Embassy Received: Apr. 13, 2011
Medical at SLEC: April 13-15, 2011 (long medical due to annulment)
PEPS Result: Apr. 25, 2011
Eligible Letter Received: Apr. 27, 2011
Vaccination:May 2, 2011-MEDICAL PASSED!!!
Interview Date: June 16, 2011
Date Visa Received: June 27, 2011
CFO: April 14,2011
Flight and POE: July 12, 2011- DETROIT
HOME: July 12, 2011

Wedding: July 12, 2011- Civil Wedding, Lawton, OK City Hall
Dec. 2011- Simple Ceremony with family and friends, Bradenton, Florida

I-129F re-filed...

Today, Oct. 18, 2010 honey sent our packet to Lewisville, Texas and tomorrow for sure they will gonna receive our packet. Were happy that finally we did it... it took us long to re-file our packet but now we will start our count down and wait for our NOAs. I am happy bcoz days that will pass by is the day i am getting near to see my honey again. i love him so much, that i am really looking forward to be with him and start our new life. Yesterday i checked my previous case online in USCIS and it appeared that our case is already formally withdrawn and we are free to file again together with a new fees and our evidences. I want to thank God for all the blessings, and the happiness that awaits for us. Our only prayer is to have a smooth process and that we get approve so we can be together for good. I love u honey and i wanna thank u for all the goodness and love u are giving to us (me and miguel).

Fact Sheet: After Public Comment, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Announces Final Rule Adjusting Fees for Immigration Benefits

Introduction

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced a final rule adjusting fees for immigration applications and petitions. The final rule follows a period of public comment on a proposed version of the rule, which USCIS published in the Federal Register on June 11, 2010. After encouraging stakeholders to share their input, USCIS considered all 225 comments received. The final rule will increase overall fees by a weighted average of about 10 percent but will not increase the fee for the naturalization application. The rule will also reduce fees for six individual applications and petitions and will expand the availability of fee waivers to new categories. The final rule will be published in the Federal Register September 24, and the adjusted fees will go into effect on November 23, 2010.

USCIS is a primarily fee-based organization with about 90 percent of its budget coming from fees paid by applicants and petitioners for immigration benefits. The law requires USCIS to conduct fee reviews every two years to determine whether it is recovering its costs to administer the nation’s immigration laws, process applications, and provide the infrastructure needed to support those activities. Remaining funds come from appropriations provided annually by Congress. The final fee rule concludes a comprehensive fee review begun in 2009.

USCIS’s Fee-based Budget

Fees account for approximately $2.4 billion of USCIS’s $2.8 billion budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2011. More than two-thirds of the budget supports the adjudication of applications and petitions for immigration benefits at USCIS field offices, service centers, customer service call centers and records facilities. The remainder supports USCIS business transformation efforts and the funding of headquarters program offices.

The adjudication areas supported by fees include the following:

• Family-based petitions - facilitating the process for close relatives to immigrate, gain permanent residency, travel and work;
• Employment-based petitions - facilitating the process for current and prospective employees to immigrate to or stay in the U.S. temporarily;
• Asylum and refugee processing - adjudicating asylum and processing refugees;
• Naturalization - adjudicating eligibility for U.S. citizenship;
• Special status programs - adjudicating eligibility for U.S. immigration status as a form of humanitarian aid to foreign nationals; and
• Document issuance and renewal - verifying eligibility for, producing and issuing immigration documents.

USCIS’s fee revenue in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 was much lower than projected, and fee revenue in fiscal year 2010 remains low. While USCIS did receive appropriations from Congress and made budget cuts of approximately $160 million, this has not bridged the remaining gap between costs and anticipated revenue. A fee adjustment, as detailed in the final rule, is necessary to ensure USCIS recovers the costs of its operations while also meeting the application processing goals identified in the 2007 fee rule.

Highlights of the 2010 Final Fee Rule

The final fee rule will increase the average application and petition fees by approximately 10 percent. In recognition of the unique importance of naturalization, the final fee rule contains no increase in the naturalization application fee.

The final fee rule establishes three new fees for:

• Regional center designation under the Immigrant Investor Pilot Program (EB-5);
• Individuals seeking civil surgeon designation (with an exemption for certain physicians who examine service members, veterans, and their families at U.S. government facilities); and
• Recovery of the USCIS cost of processing immigrant visas granted by the Department of State.

The final fee rule adjusts fees for the premium processing service. This adjustment will ensure that USCIS can continue to modernize as an efficient and effective organization.

The final fee rule reduces fees for six individual applications and petitions:

• Petition for Alien Fiancé (Form I-129F);
• Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (Form I-539);
• Application to Adjust Status from Temporary to Permanent Resident (Form I-698);
• Application for Family Unity Benefits (Form I-817);
• Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document (Form N-565); and
• Application for Travel Document (Form I-131), when filed for Refugee Travel Document.

The final fee rule eliminates two citizenship-related fees for those service members and veterans of the U.S. armed forces who are eligible to file an Application for Naturalization (Form N-400) with no fee:

• Request for Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings (Form N-336); and
• Application for Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-600).

Lastly, the final fee rule expands the availability of fee waivers to new categories, including:

• Individuals seeking humanitarian parole under an Application for Travel Document (Form I-131);
• Individuals with any benefit request under the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008; and
• Individuals filing a Notice of Appeal or Motion (Form I-290B) following a denial of any application or petition that did not initially require a fee.

Final Rule: Schedule of Fees

The following schedule lists the adjusted fees that will take effect on November 23, 2010, alongside the existing fees in effect until that date:

Form No.	Application/Petition Description	Existing Fees (effective through Nov. 22, 2010	Adjusted Fees (effective beginning Nov. 23, 2010)
I-90	Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card	$290	$365
I-102	Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document	$320	$330
I-129/129CW	Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker	$320	$325
I-129F	Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)	$455	$340
I-130	Petition for Alien Relative	$355	$420
I-131	Application for Travel Document	$305	$360
I-140	Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker	$475	$580
I-191	Application for Advance Permission to Return to Unrelinquished Domicile	$545	$585
I-192	Application for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant	$545	$585
I-193	Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa	$545	$585
I-212	Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the U.S. after Deportation or Removal	$545	$585
I-290B	Notice of Appeal or Motion	$585	$630
I-360	Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant	$375	$405
I-485	Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status	$930	$985
I-526	Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur	$1,435	$1,500
I-539	Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status	$300	$290
I-600/600A I-800/800A	Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative/Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition	$670	$720
I-601	Application for Waiver of Ground of Excludability	$545	$585
I-612	Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement	$545	$585
I-687	Application for Status as a Temporary Resident under Sections 245A or 210 of the Immigration and Nationality Act	$710	$1,130
I-690	Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility	$185	$200
I-694	Notice of Appeal of Decision under Sections 245A or 210 of the Immigration and Nationality Act	$545	$755
I-698	Application to Adjust Status from Temporary to Permanent Resident (Under Section 245A of Public Law 99-603)	$1,370	$1,020
I-751	Petition to Remove the Conditions of Residence	$465	$505
I-765	Application for Employment Authorization	$340	$380
I-817	Application for Family Unity Benefits	$440	$435
I-824	Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition	$340	$405
I-829	Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions	$2,850	$3,750
I-881	Application for Suspension of Deportation or Special Rule Cancellation of Removal (Pursuant to Section 203 of Public Law 105–110)	$285	$285
I-907	Request for Premium Processing Service	$1,000	$1,225
	Civil Surgeon Designation	$0	$615
I-924	Application for Regional Center under the Immigrant Investor Pilot Program	$0	$6,230
N-300	Application to File Declaration of Intention	$235	$250
N-336	Request for Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings	$605	$650
N-400	Application for Naturalization	$595	$595
N-470	Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes	$305	$330
N-565	Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document	$380	$345
N-600/600K	Application for Certification of Citizenship/ Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate under Section 322	$460	$600
	Immigrant	$0	$165
Biometrics	Capturing, Processing, and Storing Biometric Information	$80	$85

Change of Filing Location for Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)

WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced a change in filing location instructions and addresses for the Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) (Form I-129F). The new instructions, dated 6/14/10, are part of an overall effort to transition the intake of forms from Service Centers to USCIS Lockbox facilities. Centralizing form and fee intake to a Lockbox environment allows USCIS to provide customers with more efficient and effective initial processing of applications/petitions and fees.

Beginning Aug. 3, 2010 all Form I-129F petitions being filed by a U.S. citizen on behalf of a fiancé(e) or spouse must be submitted to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox facility.

For U.S. Postal Service:

USCIS
PO Box 660151
Dallas, TX 75266

For Express mail and courier deliveries:

USCIS
Attn: I-129F
2501 South State Highway 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067

Detailed guidance can be found in the updated Form I-129F instructions online at www.uscis.gov (click on the Forms tab).

The Vermont and California Service Centers will forward incorrectly filed petitions to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox for a period of 45 days until Sept. 17, 2010. After Sept. 17, 2010, petitions and fees submitted at the Service Centers will be returned to the applicant, with a note advising them of the correct filing location.

Applicants filing a form at a USCIS Lockbox facility may elect to receive an e-mail and/or text message notifying them that their petition has been accepted by completing Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance, and attaching it to the first page of their application.

For more information on USCIS programs, visit www.uscis.gov or call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

which is better....? K1 or IR1/CR1... ur choice...

Marriage Based Visa Comparison Table

Visa Type:
K-1 or IR- 1/ CR- 1

Marital Status:
Engaged/ Married

Approximate Time to get Visa:
6 Months/ 7 months

Requires Adjustment of Status?:
Yes/ No

Requires EAD to Work (with valid Visa and before AOS approved)?:
Yes/ No ( see notes )

Requires AP to Travel Outside the US (with valid Visa and before AOS approved)?:
Yes/ No ( see notes )

Approximate Total Time to become Legal Permanent Resident:
12 Months / 7 months

Approximate Total Cost (USCIS Petition, Medical, Visa, AOS if required):
USD $1805 / USD $945

Extra Notes:
K1- Must be married and file for AOS within 90 days of entering the US (as to not accrue unlawful status).

IR-1/CR-1 Visa holder automatically becomes a Legal Permanent Resident after entering the US. Can work and travel freely.
====================
Fiancé(e) Visa (K1)
In General

A K-1 Visa allows a Non-US Citizen Fiancé(e) to a US Citizen to legally enter the US and Adjust Status to become a Legal Permanent Resident. The process of obtaining a K-1 Visa starts by the U.S. citizen filing a form "I-129F: Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)" with the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services). The USCIS is responsible for processing this petition and if approved will forward (via the National Visa Center) the petition to the consulate serving the location of the Non-US Citizen Fiancé(e).

Upon receiving the approved I-129F petition, the US Consulate will contact the Non-US Citizen Fiancé(e) and request certain information be gathered and provided to the US Consulate. Additionally there will be an actual "visa interview" in person (at the consulate) for the K-1 Visa. If the embassy approves the K-1 Visa, they will issue the visa typically within two to three days after the interview.

Once the Non-US Citizen Fiancé(e) receives the K-1 Visa they may enter the US any time within six months of the visa being issued. Arriving in the US it is important to note that they must get married to the US Citizen who petitioned their K-1 Visa within 90 days and file for Adjustment of Status (AOS) to become a Legal Permanent Resident. If they fail to do this within 90 days of entry into the US they may accrue unlawful status inside the US as defined by the USCIS. This may potentially affect future immigration benefits they file for. Total time estimated: Roughly 6 months. You may view the K-1 current and historical processing time trends to get a better idea of the time the process may take at various stages. Unless an engaged couple decides to get married, this is their main visa option. If they decide to get married they will need to file for a K-3 or IR-1 / CR-1 Visa instead.

Pluses

"Relatively" fast process. As fast or quicker than K-3 and/or IR1 / CR-1 Visas (which are only available to married couples).

Once in the US and married, the K-1 Visa Holder may obtain a social security card, Employment Authorization Document (EAD), and seek employment legally within the US. As a note, typically an EAD is applied for at the same time as the K-1 Visa Holder files for AOS (after marriage). Generally an EAD is issued within 90 days of the application being received.

The K-1 Visa allows for a "get to know your fiance better" period before marriage, since the visa is good for 90 days. The Non-US Citizen Fiancé(e) must marry the US Citizen and apply for AOS to remain in the US. If they do not marry there are no other methods to remain in the US and they must return home.

Minuses

The K-1 Visa Holder will need to apply for Advance Parole (AP) if they wish to travel outside of the US while their AOS application is being processed and not yet approved. Leaving without an approved (and in hand) AP will result in abandoning the pending AOS application and require filing for a new visa (either K-3 or IR-1/CR-1) to re-enter the US.

In nearly all cases, if the marriage fails prior to the K-1 Visa Holder's AOS application being approved there are no other options for legally remaining inside the United States; the K-1 Visa Holder will be required to leave the US.

A K-1 Visa Holder only has "valid status" for 90 days after they enter the US (and must be married and apply for AOS by that time to not accrue "unlawful status". This 90 day window may not be extended.

Only U.S. citizens can file for a fiance visa.
===================

Spousal Visa (IR1 / CR1)
In General

A IR-1 / CR-1 Visa allows a Non-US Citizen (spouse) married to a US Citizen (see note at end) to legally enter the US, immediately becoming a Legal Permanent Resident upon entry. This option may take longer than obtaining a K-3 Visa. If a couple wishes to pursue this visa they must be legally married (or get married before starting the process). The couple may have previously been married either outside or within the US (the location does not matter as long as the marriage was officially recognized in the location in which it occurred).

The process of obtaining a IR-1 / CR-1 Visa starts by the U.S. citizen filing a form "I-130: Petition for Alien Relative" with the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services). This form is also filed if a couple intends to obtain a K-3 Visa (see above section). The USCIS is responsible for processing the I-130 and if approved will forward the petition to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC may request certain information be provided to them (initial case processing) prior to forwarding the completed package to the consulate serving the location of the Non-US Citizen Spouse.

The visa processing at the US Consulate is similar to other family visas such as the K-1 and K-3 however the IR-1 / CR-1 Visa is an "Immigrant Visa", which means the Non-US Citizen Spouse will upon receiving their visa and entering the US immediately become a Legal Permanent Resident. Their "green card" will be mailed to them shortly after their arrival. As a Legal Permanent Resident they may work and travel to and from the US freely using their "green card" and status as a Legal Permanent Resident.

Total time estimated: Roughly 7 months. You may view the IR-1 / CR-1 Visa current and historical processing time trends to get a better idea of the time the process may take at various stages. A married couple may also file for a K-3 Visa while waiting for their I-130 to be approved. This is done by filing an I-129F after the I-130 has been received by the USCIS. See the above section for details.

Note: Technically, a US Legal Permanent Resident can apply for this visa for their Non-US Citizen Spouse however the waiting time is up to five years. They can file and wait for a visa number to become available (again up to five years) or wait until they themselves become a US Citizen -- whichever comes first will allow the visa process to move forward immediately.

Pluses

This is an "Immigrant" Visa and will as such allow the applicant to arrive in the US as a Legal Permanent Resident.

After entry into the US, as a Permanent Resident they may seek employment without restrictions. No Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is required.

After entry into the US, as a Permanent Resident they will not require special permission to leave the US for travel. No Advance Parole (AP) document is required.

IR1/CR1 Visas often do not take much longer than the K-3 Visa option. The benefit of entering the US and immediately becoming a US Legal Permanent Resident (Green Card Holder) to many people is worth the additional small wait in time.


Minuses

Separation from family may be longer than if filing for a K-3 Visa (or K-1 visa for a non-married fiance). The applicant will most likely not be able to enter the US while their IR1-CR-1 Visa is being processed.

Sample Questions on a K1 visa interview...

1.When and how did you meet your fiancé?
2.When did you met in person?
3.How long have you known each other?
4.When and where was the last time you met your fiancé? Where?
5.When did your fiancé propose?
6.What do you love about fiance?
7.When are you goin to travel to the USA?
8.Have you ever been to the USA?
9.When is your b-day and where you are born?
10.When is your fiancé b-day and where was your fiancé born?
11.What does your fiancé do for a living?
12.Where does your fiancé work?
13.What is your fiancé designation at work?
14.Does your fiancé have any brothers and sisters?
15.What are the names of your fiancé’s parents?
16.Where do your fiancé live?
17.Where do your fiance’s parents live?
18.Do you have any brothers and sisters?
19.When did your fiancé divorce?
20.What do your parents think about this engagement? Do they approve of it?
21.Why did your fiance’s first marriage didn’t work out?
22.Does your fiancé have any children?, How many? How old? And do they live with your fiancé?
23.Are you willing to take care of your fiance’s children if they live with him?
24.When and where are you goin to have the wedding?
25.How much time have you spent together?/ how many visit did your fiancé made?
26.Did you have any engagement party?
27.Did you make a formal announcement of your engagement to family and friends?
28.How do your families feel about your plans to get married?
29.Do you know his landline phone number? Mobile number?

I- 129F Cover Letter..

I-129F Cover Letter

[PETITIONER ADDRESS]

United States Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
[ADDRESS OF YOUR SERVICE CENTER]

[DATE]

Nature of the submission: I-129F ORIGINAL SUBMISSION
To Whom It May Concern:
Enclosed please find my Form I-129F, Petition for K-1 Fiancé[e] Visa for [BENEFICIARY NAME], and supporting documents.

Contents include:
- Payment in the amount of $ [PUT IN CORRECT FEE].
- I-129F
- I-129F Supplement: Part B, Question 18, explanation of meeting in person
- G-325A and passport style photo (Petitioner)
- G-325A and passport style photo (Beneficiary)
- Birth certificate/US Passport (Petitioner)
- Letter certifying intent to marry (Petitioner and Beneficiary)
- Proof of having met in person in the past two years
- Proof of ongoing relationship

Copies of documents submitted are exact photocopies of unaltered documents and I understand that I may be required to submit original documents to an Immigration or Consular officer at a later date.

Signed,
[PETITIONERS SIGNATURE]