Shadowman

Hi Joe, I am CR1. Just completed NVC phase on 5/19. Interview isn't scheduled yet, but will let you know when I'll be in GUZ. Does anyone know if I should expect the 3-4 month wait (ie., Customs / GUZ "Black Hole") for the interview? Or does it go a faster for CR1 since P3 docs were already processed at NVC?

I've been lurking... following your posts and pictures... thought I'd come out from the "shadows" and thank you for your contributions and more importantly... CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Unless of course you can DCF file for CR-1... then just ignore my suggestion. Apologies... I'm easily confused.

Hi Sebastian, Thanks for clearing this up... I've been wondering about this for a while. As for Duke, he started another thread "Evolution of Relationship Letter" where he says he's "applying for a CR-1 Visa". So, Duke... if you're CR-1, I'm thinking you should send your I-864 to NVC.

I'm not sure what the process is for DCF, but I have seen it mentioned here and elsewhere that the I-864 needs to be taken to the interview. Maybe it's different for DCF, but unless I'm missing something, the NVC Website states: 9. Mail the form and any required supporting documents to the NVC. Be sure to include the bar code sheet for the applicant¡¯s case. I'm hoping I didn't screw up since I already sent mine in... but with that being said... I'll also be sure to bring a copy to the interview. Also, FWIW, I have not yet sent in my SO's DS-230 (pt.1 & 2) or Police Report. My understanding is that there are two separate paths, one for your I-864 and another for your SO's documents... and that yours and hers are submitted independently. Again, I am CR-1... maybe it's different for DCF. Hopefully someone can clarify this... thanks!

This whole issue of submitting affidavits has had me worried since I submitted my I-130. I had asked several people to write a statement for me, but only one came through for me. I didn't want to hold up my submission, so I sent it in with only one sworn affidavit. My I-130 was approved, but now I'm worried about only having one affidavit on file when the case gets to GUZ. So... I guess my question now is... should I get my butt in gear and try to get a few more of these statements before the interview? My mother and daughter are traveling to China next month to attend our wedding ceremony, so that will give them first-hand knowledge of my relationship as well as provide the opportunity to take many family photos. I'm still in the NVC stage, so there's time... but when is the best time to "add" these statements? At the interview... Or will that be too late? And would they only be able to be presented if they are asked for by the VO? Thanks. Hey, good to hear from you again !! IMHO, your one affidavit will be sufficient. I had two, but I don¡¯t think one vs. two will matter much when they look at the entire picture (profile). You have nine visits under your belt and a tenth on deck for later this month!!! I had eight visits to my Lao Po, and I think this really shows a lot to them when they tally up their ¡®check list¡¯ and look at the ¡®stereotypes¡¯ for the [profile] of who is for real and who may be a fraud. Knowing you and how bright you are; coupled with all your visits, I would say you will move forward and be successful regardless of one or two or three affidavits in your file. I would have the newer photos, including those with your mom and daughter and you guys all together in China, ready to present by her at interview time. They will add much to the total. Also, if you can slip on in to an ACH on one of your trips, I think that would be a real plus too. You will do just fine. Nice avatar photo of your and yours!!! Best wishes always, Rog Hi Roger, As always, thanks for the kind and reassuring words... hearing from you is a good confidence builder as the big day inches closer. My many visits are a combination of work and personal time... but GUZ doesn't need to know that, right?! I will take heed of your (and many other's) recommendation to attend ACH and get an updated Evolution of Relationship letter notarized. Thanks again... all the best, Shadowman PS... used a little photoshop magic on my avatar!!

This whole issue of submitting affidavits has had me worried since I submitted my I-130. I had asked several people to write a statement for me, but only one came through for me. I didn't want to hold up my submission, so I sent it in with only one sworn affidavit. My I-130 was approved, but now I'm worried about only having one affidavit on file when the case gets to GUZ. So... I guess my question now is... should I get my butt in gear and try to get a few more of these statements before the interview? My mother and daughter are traveling to China next month to attend our wedding ceremony, so that will give them first-hand knowledge of my relationship as well as provide the opportunity to take many family photos. I'm still in the NVC stage, so there's time... but when is the best time to "add" these statements? At the interview... Or will that be too late? And would they only be able to be presented if they are asked for by the VO? Thanks.

Hi HaoRan, My I-130 spent 6 months in VSC before being transferred to CSC. Approved in just under a month after being transferred. I received my NOA1 about a month before you... so hopefully you're next. Keep your fingers crossed for that transfer notice out of the VSC "black hole". Good luck!

I got the same notice on 11/05/2008 after my case had been at VSC for approximately 6 months. I think the hard copy of the I-797 (NOA) that you will receive in the mail will indicate CSC as the new processing center for your case. Somebody informed me that the case is usually approved within the same month that the transfer took place. This was true in my case as I received an e-mail confirmation on 12/02/2008 that my I-130 was approved. So you're probably in the home stretch... at least as far as this stage is concerned.

Approaching 7 months.

Thanks everyone for the info... best news I've heard in while.

Hi Amanda, Thank you for posting those graphs. I share your frustration with the VSC. I received my NOA-1 from VSC on May 7, 2008 and I still have not received approval of my I-130 for CR-1. As you can see from my timeline, it has been over 6 months. Yesterday, I received a letter from USCIS... thinking it was finally my NOA-2... I was so excited and my heart was racing! But I opened it only to find out that it was just a notice that they have transferred my case to CSC. So now I'm not sure if that is good news or bad news. The processing time for I-130's at CSC is 6 months... but did my petition go to the end of the line at CSC or will it be processed according to date of submission? I have to think that it must be processed according to submission date and that it might get done sooner now that it is out of VSC... otherwise, why transfer it, right? If anyone can enlighten me as to what it means to have your case transferred... please let me know. Thanks!

Hi HaoRan, I received my NOA1 (for CR-1) on May 7, 2008 (also at VSC) and have not yet received my NOA2. I'm rapidly approaching 6 months. Like you, I was also beginning to be concerned... and also had a difficult time understanding the "processing timeframe" chart. Thanks to those who cleared this up. For what it's worth, as recently as a week ago, they were processing November 2007 petitions, so it appears that it can suddenly jump ahead a couple of months. It now reads February 2008, so there's hope.

My wife just renewed her passport and yes, she needed to return to her home town/province to do it. Not sure about the cost.

The cost for one notarized translation was 380 RMB. Lao Po wisely had three copies made. The cost for each additional copy was 40 RMB. I don't know if I'll need all three, but I would recommend getting at least two as the additional cost is nominal. Also, FYI... we originally tried to get the translation done in Guangzhou (where Lao Po now lives), but we were told that in order to get a notarized translation, it had to be done in the Province where the marriage was registered (Hunan). We were able to send the Marriage Certificate (Wife's copy only) to Changsha and have it mailed back to her (for an additional 40 RMB). Lao Po then mailed the documents to me in USA. I had the docs in hand about a week and a half after she submitted them for translation.

I am also in the final stages of preparing my I-130 for submission. Regarding the English translation of our Chinese marriage certificate... Should I include the actual translation booklet (white cover, red stamps, embossed seal) or submit copies? I have more than one of the booklets, so I could include one of the originals. Also, the translation is on A4 sized paper... would it be better to copy it onto LTR size? Thanks in advance.

Glad to see this posted here as this whole "Evidence of Bona Fide Marital Relationship" thing has me puzzled as well... According to the USCIS, Form I-130 requires (among other things): "Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties having personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marital relationship (Each affidavit must contain the full name and address, date and place of birth of the person making the affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner of beneficiary, if any, and complete information and details explaining how the person acquired his or her knowledge of your marriage)" It's fairly straightforward right up to the part where they ask for "complete information and details explaining how the person acquired his or her knowledge of your marriage". What exactly would be considered "complete information" and how would the person acquire knowledge of my marriage other than by my telling them? And would my telling them be evidence enough? Should it be someone who was present during the marriage registration in China? Is it okay to use a family member? Is it better to use a family member? How about an American boss giving time off to travel to China to get married? As you can tell, I'm really struggling to find a "third party" with "first hand" knowledge of my marriage. Hopefully "second hand" knowledge will suffice. Am I over-thinking this one? And yes... I agree with Roger... when I figure this whole thing out, I'll definitely get it notarized.

This comment really cracked me up! Thanks for putting a smile on my face! Without getting into an off-topic rant about how the good old USA maybe isn't so "good" these days... I'll just mention the fact that my wife also has no real interest in coming to the USA. She wants to be with me... wherever I am. And these days... I would much rather be in China for many, many reasons.

Here's another dictionary site I use frequently: http://www.clearchinese.com/ Theres also an option to add the dictionary to your toolbar search engines... very convenient!

Correct. I found a pretty clear explanation of this on another website: "Also, if your relative is your wife or husband and you have been married for less than 2 years at the time of his/her arrival at a port of entry, then he/she will receive a temporary I-551 Stamp and then later a Green Card by mail good for only 2 years. Ninety days before the green card expires you will have to file an I-751 form to remove it's conditional status."

Thanks CBS... I just finished reading your posts in the Interview Results section... Congratulations! I'm glad everything worked out for you. I have to admit, reading the interview results has me really scared. But since I haven't even filed yet, I have plenty of time to get it all figured out... and work on that "evolution of relationship" statement.

Congratulations on your engagement! I got married in China almost three weeks ago and I can relate to much of what you said in your post... it is indeed amazing where the love of a lifetime can show up. Now it seems clear to me that my whole life has been leading me in the right direction to meet my wife... and at last, I know what it is to feel complete. It seems we are on a very similar time line, although I decided to get married first. I'm still trying to figure out the Visa process (I feel lost in a sea of acronyms!), so I can't help you there. But if you decide to marry in China, I'd be happy to share my experience with you.

Thanks... I like the sound of "unconditional 10 year LPR - green card straight off the bat"... along with the other benefits you mentioned. And... fewer acronyms!

Hi Roger... if I'm not mistaken, you were married in China, right? And you got your "Little Red Book". Is this "Little Red Book" considered your "marriage certificate". I hope so, since it was all that my wife and I were given. It seems as though we should have gotten something a little more "official" looking. I was expecting a laminated passport-like document. Our photos were literally stuck into the book using a "glue stick"... if the photo falls out, am I divorced?? And is this the document that I will need translated to English as "proof of marriage" when I file my I-130?

I'm new to this forum, so I apologize in advance if my questions have been addressed in previous threads... First question... I was married in China in January. I had assumed I would be filing for a K-3 Visa, but I've recently seen references to a IR-1/CR-1 Visa (which seems to be a more streamlined process). I haven't been able to find much info on the IR-1/CR-1. And what exactly is the difference between the IR-1 and CR-1? I've tried to decipher this info from VisaJourney.com ( http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=compare ): This is basically the 1st half of the K-3 process. If you file for a K-3 you are filing to get an IR-1 / CR-1 by default (filing an I-130) as well as for the K-3. The K-3 was designed to allow the foreign spouse to enter the US even if the I-130 has not been approved. In most cases this works out well since the I-130 takes so long to approve and the K-3 is relatively fast. In some cases the I-130 is approved fast enough though that this option is better than a K-3 (or if the applicant applied for a K-3 -- i.e. filed an I-129f -- then they can abandon the K-3 and pursue the IR-1 / CR-1 instead). Am I the only one who finds that paragraph confusing? I travel to China frequently for work, so I'm not too concerned with one being slightly quicker than the other. I just want to take the easiest route (from a paperwork/bureaucracy standpoint... don't we all!) In any case... they both seem to start with filing the I-130... is this the correct "first step". Second question... I'm giving serious consideration to living/working in China... assuming, of course, that I can transfer with my current company or find a comparable salary there (yeah, right). If I do start down the Visa path while here in the USA, what happens 6 months from now, if I have found work and moved to China? Thanks!