What is the next step and @ how long?

[Ola]

Our I129f and I130 have been approved. It has been sent to the NVC. I have paid the $70.00 for the Affadavit of Support fee bill. We have also submitted the change of address and agent form back to NVC in Portsmouth, NH.(no changes) We do not have a interview date yet. The fee was sent in around 8/14/08. Approximately how much longer is the wait? Are we close? Any steps I need to take? Thanks for any help. Trinidad y Tobago is the country.

[nichole]

It sounds like you chose to go with the CR1/IR1 visa where you remain in your country until the green card is issued rather than getting a K3 visa and adjusting after in the US. This page talks about that.

http://immihelp.com/gc/consular/

[Ola]

what is the next step and @ how long?

Thanks for responding Nichole. I stated that our I-129f and I-130 had been approved. I thought that would allow him to come into the U.S. It is a CR1 because we have been married less than two years. Right now I am waiting for the package for medical, finger printing, police affidavit, interview date, etc. Do you know the NVC website to check case status using the NVC
case number?

[nichole]

Yes, I know you said both were approved but you don't go forward with both. You basically abandon one of them.

If I understand correctlly when both are approved, you pick one of the two and finish with it. Normally the I-129F gets through the process first and people go with it to get the K3. You have picked to proceed with the I-130 by paying the fees, naming an agent, and doing the NVC processing. He stays in his country longer but gets a green card to enter the US.

The other way, the I-129F petition stays at NVC about 2 days and goes on to the foreign embassy where he interviews for a K3 visa. He gets a visa and can come immediately to the US. Then you file for adjustment of status (green card) and he waits on the processing while united with you in the US. He doesn't have to go home, no matter how long the processing takes.

Your case status at the NVC can be checked by calling the NVC automated system.
603-334-0700
I believe the CR1 cases are entered into the system and you just punch in your number when prompted.

People checking on a I-129F (K1 or K3) have to press 1, then 5 to speak to a person because those aren't logged into the automated system. They are just passing through on the way to the Embassy. The person can tell the caller their new case number and if they have sent the petition to the Embassy. They are open late.

Sorry, but I don't know how long CR1 processing takes.