- 1). Review the immigrant visa application process that takes place in the NVC.
Refer to the unofficial immigrant visa application flow chart in the "Resources" below this article. The flow chart will help you understand the CR-1 / IR-1 Visa process better. Then review the guide through the National Visa Center so you know what to expect. - 2). Get your criminal record clearance early.
Do this while still waiting for the second I-797 Notice of Action from the USCIS. Many countries take a long time to process police clearance applications. Some can take weeks, others longer. If yours is the latter kind and/or you have lived in several countries, apply now. You will need a criminal record clearance for country you have lived. - 3). Get other required documents as soon as possible.
Once your visa petition is approved by the USCIS and sent to the NVC, things start to move fast. So try to have all documents ready by then to avoid delays. (NVC has been known to complete cases in two weeks or less.) When you get your birth certificate, check for an expiry date since some have this. Make sure all your documents are originals or certified copies, with the exception of your passport's bio data page. - 4). Fill out the DS-3032 and DS-230 forms.
The DS-3032 or Choice of Agent is a simple form where you tell the NVC who will receive communication from them. This is almost always the petitioner in the U.S. or the couple's immigration lawyer. You can download the form, fill it out and mail it. You can also send the information via e-mail, which is faster (and cheaper).
The DS-230 form is the actual immigrant visa application form. Sign part 1 of the form and leave part 2 unsigned. - 5). Have the petitioner obtian proof of financial support for you.
The petitioner must fill out and sign form I-864 Affidavit of Support. He or she must also submit tax return records and proofs of income along with this form. (See article "How to File an I-864 Affidavit of Support.") - 6). Receive the second I-797 Notice of Action.
The petitioner would have sent an I-130 petition to the USCIS several months ago. They would've sent him or her a notice of receipt called the I-797 Notice of Action or NOA1. Now there will be a second one nicknamed NOA2 that tells him or her that the visa petition has been approved. Once your petitioner receives this notice, you must now deal with the NVC. - 7). Call the National Visa Center to track your package and get your NVC case number.
Use your USCIS case number to track your package. You may get either an automated voice recording but the NVC is known for not updating its AVR on time. Get an operator on the line if you can. He or she will tell you if your package has arrived there. If it has, you will be given your NVC case number. - 8). Send the DS-3032 form once it is generated.
During one of your calls to the NVC, an operator will tell you when you can send the DS-3032. Once this is generated by the NVC, you can send it by either e-mail or postal mail. If you choose to send it via postal mail, you will need to print out a barcode for it and glue it on the printed form. - 9). Pay the I-864 Affidavit of Support fee once the fee bill is generated and sent to the petitioner.
The petitioner will receive this bill in the mail along with what is called an Invoice Identification Number. With the IIN and the NVC case number, he or she will be able to pay for the I-864 online. A confirmation of the payment will be sent via e-mail. Save the barcode sheet and print it. - 10
Mail off the I-864 Affidavit of Support package ot the National Visa Center.
This package contains all the information necessary to prove that someone can and will support you financially once you are in the US. It must include the barcode sheet. Send the package to the address indicated by NVC in the form or as you are instructed. - 11
Pay the DS-230 Immigrant Visa Application once its fee bill is generated.
You can't pay for the DS-230 until the DS-3032 has been loaded into the NVC system. Check online with your NVC case number and IIN. It will show when the DS-230 is available for payment. Then the petitioner will be able to pay for your application, as with the I-864. Save the barcode sheet and print it. - 12
Mail off the DS-230 Immigrant Visa Application package to the National Visa Center.
Put your entire immigrant visa package in one envelope. Don't forget to include the barcode sheeet you got after paying the bill. Mail the package via special delivery.
Send package to the address specified in the form, or as you are instructed. (See "Resources" for a guide.) - 13
Keep calling the NVC until you hear the words "Case complete."
When your CR-1 / IR-1 Visa case is completed, the NVC will schedule an interview between you and the US embassy having jurisdiction over your case. You must get a medical exam at an approved facility before that date. Meanwhile the NVC will send your entire visa package to said embassy. Afterward, the NVC no longer has a say on your visa applicaiton. It is entirely in the hands of the U.S. embassy and the consul officer who will do the interview.
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