Cr1 Direct File Visa Process

Nice to meet everyone. My name is Zack and I am an expat living in Manila working on getting my Filipino wife to the USA. Here is our story so far.

We got married nearly a year ago and once I was here in the Philippines for over 6 months I was eligible to direct file at the embassy for our CR1 visa. The very first step is to file the I130 petition. You need to gather a ton of documents and then file it at the embassy. You can make an appointment online and then stay at the Boulevard Mansion Hotel right across the street from the US embassy in Manila. I got there very early and was the second person there in front of the window. I was out very quickly.

After that you wait for an email from the embassy. Ours did not go through and we were delayed by about a month.Once you get the email saying your petition has been approved immediately sign up for your medical exam at St Lukes and your CFO Counseling. Well your wife I mean, the beneficiary. Before that though make your appointment online for your interview at the embassy!

We just had our interview recently but we got a 221G which means we needed to supply more documents which we did. We are now waiting to hear from the embassy if our documents were enough.

I will try to add more detail when I have time.

Wish us luck!