ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresi864 Help Please everyone help me
assets on a 401K, retirement fund, can be used - but
must take the 'evaluation' at a lesser amount -
so ask yer wife to dig out her portfolio documents

then
find out the 'cash out penalty' percentage - run the math, then
with the new computation, subtract the tax (could be as high as 35 percent)
then the answer
is
the amount that can be put in as a cash asset.

alternatively -
hey !

she will have about 6 to 8 months, after filing, before the I-864 is even asked for - can she do something else to either make more w-2 income or increase her cash assets? Also, you mentioned some dollar amount - and since the I-864 won't be submitted THIS YEAR, you really need to evaluate TY2010 w-2 income, at the end of the year, even if it's a projection - what's THAT number look like?

Good Luck !

Edited by Darnell, 24 September 2010 - 11:53 AM.

DarnellMaleChina2010-09-24 11:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresK-3 -i130 got approved and at NVC
NVC? AOS?

*** not a K-3 visa topic, moving to IR-1/CR-1 forum ***
DarnellMaleChina2010-10-28 06:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHow long does I-130 take?
*** moving to IR-1/CR-1 forum ***
DarnellMaleChina2010-10-10 14:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresJust joining in : )

OK I already have a question, heh ; ) I was just looking over the I-130 filing checklist, and our lawyer has almost all of this ready to go, but I am just now seeing this:

11. Evidence of a bonafide marriage (see note below for what to include)

Note: Evidence of a Bonifide Marriage
The USCIS now requires that when filing an I-130 for a spouse that you include evidence of a bonifide marriage. They list examples of acceptable evidence as: 1. Documentation showing joint ownership or property; or 2. A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence; or 3. Documentation showing co-mingling of financialresources; or 4. Birth certificate(s) of child(ren) born to you, thepetitioner, and your spouse together; or 5. Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties havingpersonal knowledge of the bona fides of the maritalrelationship (Each affidavit must contain the full nameand address, date and place of birth of the person makingthe affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner ofbeneficiary, if any, and complete information and detailsexplaining how the person acquired his or herknowledge of your marriage); or 6. Any other relevant documentation to establish that thereis an ongoing marital union.

We've only been married for 11 days...although our relationship began well back into last year...but how come our lawyer hasn't asked for any of this? He has been really thorough in getting all the documents ready so we can file, but never has asked for anything evidence related....should I put my husband's name on my house? Is all this evidence really needed right now? I am stressing. I just want this FILED so I can hunker down and settle in for the wait.....:blush:


Lawyers don't read the instructions - that's why the web portal VisaJourney exists.

You can 'go nuts', as I had to, after you review http://www.visajourn...c


*** not a K-3 visa topic, moving to IR-1/CR-1 forum ***
DarnellMaleChina2010-10-23 01:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC Electronic Process
things changed up a bit -
Suggest you WAIT until the AOS FEE BILL is received via email (to the petitioner)
and then have the beneficiary send in the OPT IN EMAIL.

time between timeticks/steps have slowed down a lot at NVC these last 3 months -
it used to be that it was OK to send it in as soon as you have the GUZ # -
but

these days? NVC isn't 'listening' for the OPT IN EMAIL until AFTER they send out the AOS fee bill via email.

NO AOS FEE BILL VIA EMAIL, you say? !
Hay ! Have the USCitizen Petitioner call into NVC and ask for it !
DarnellMaleChina2010-11-04 19:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresstill waiting for noa2 (i-130)
anyone calling USCIS ?

suggest you talk with ISO, today-ish -
see http://www.dhs.gov/x...37986181.shtm#5

I know it'll make you feel better, and
you'll have this big chance to speak with a trained professional, not a shaved monkey.

No No, I'm not being rude -
it's useful, at least once,
to talk to an ISO, ask pointed questions about case status, always.

Edited by Darnell, 08 October 2010 - 02:48 PM.

DarnellMaleChina2010-10-08 14:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresColor Code for the CO slips
Oh - one more thing -
WHITE sometimes is the colour of the 'call in letter' which can be issued in lieu of the blue slip.

a Call in Letter is better than a blue slip, IMO, as it gives the respondent a 'get in free' pass to show up at the IV unit, letter and evidence in hand, to give over, face to face.

Usually the 'turn around time' with a call in letter is 'faster' than any blue-slip evidence response.

Usually.
DarnellMaleChina2010-11-04 20:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresis local police clearance needed for spousal visa?
OP not chasing a K-3 visa, K-3 visa 'hopefuls' not submit police clearances into NVC.

*** moving to IR-1/CR-1 forum ***
DarnellMaleChina2010-11-04 20:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhat is the expected wait time for a NOA1?
*** not a K-3 visa topic, moving to IR-1/CR-1 forum ***
DarnellMaleChina2010-11-04 21:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhat is the expected wait time for a NOA1?
*** not a K-3 visa topic, moving to IR-1/CR-1 forum ***
DarnellMaleChina2010-11-04 21:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIn GUZ what is ASH or ACH
Other Stuff -

ACH = American Citizens Hour - done once a week, need appointment to get in. Usually ask about case status there, if any problem after the interview, or if you do indeed have red flags to discuss prior to the interview. ACH, supposedly, is going away after 15 NOV 2010, but I'll vette this after I read the bulletin again - for now, it's just a rumour.

American Citizens Services - held several times during the week - usually go in to get an Evolution of Relationship Letter Notarized, prior to the Interview Day.


I'll post some ACH/ACS links when I have time, but I doubt if I can get to it until the weekend.
DarnellMaleChina2010-11-04 22:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIn GUZ what is ASH or ACH
The EOR Letter 'came about' because someone got blue slipped on the concept of 'is this a valid relationship? ' Then to rebut and submit 'evidence' for a 'blue-slip overcome', or the wonderful 221(G) response, then it grew into 'Write up this thing and sign it and prove it ! '

That was about 4 -5 years ago, and some ppl at CFL decided that including the EOR was a good idea, a good thing to do, but from initial I-130 submittal timetick forward, all the way up to the interview day itself (submit the updated version)

and then

it became a concept of having the EOR letter notarized at Guangzhou , prior to the interview, during ACS (American Citizen Services) and usually the ppl doing the notary work there are also the ones handling the Consular Interviews (Same place, really, just different time of day) so then it became a concept of -
HEY ! If you get there prior to the interview, is some chance to actually talk to the guy that's gonna do the interview on yer lass.

So, ya get the EOR letter Notarized (yes, you - the USCitize) at GUZ Consulate, then on interview day -
SHE hands it over to the VO folded LENGTHWISE inside of your USA Passport, early on in the interview.

Is it useful? Many, myself included, say it is.

Some 'fodder' for what's in the EOR, and my sample - http://www.visajourn...dpost&p=3995116

USUALLY - the EOR can cover other issues and red flags, as well (which was really the initial reason for a VO requesting one, ages past, as part of the blue-slip process at GUZ IV) - here's some red flags for you to review - http://www.visajourn...hl__appointment (ya, these are for K-1, but many are similar with the CR-1/IR-1 )

If you feel you need to 'squeeze in' more relationship evidence after initial I-130 submittal, well, there's a way - have a look at http://www.visajourn...ost__p__4100571


Good Luck !
DarnellMaleChina2010-11-04 20:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresBad Choice in Picture Proof with I-130

Thanks guys for the good comment and the much needed ones. To late now, so I will see. The picture of us was me with my arm around her neck and me taking a picture with the other hand, and yes fully cloths. But yeah, so I guess as of now, I will have to make all my evidence in the interview a little more solid. Don't need to provide our love to people, just the CO.

D- I read the link, very intense, my next trip to China is November 12th. and plan for our honeymoon, since we didn't have the time to do it properly. I will plan to collect as much evidence when I am there.

What do you think of my plan:
1. Open a Chinese bank account with my wife over there
2. As much family and group friends pictures as much as possible
3. As much honeymoon picture and yes I will keep the images Rate G very G
4. Put her name on as my beneficiary

Anything else anyone can think of for me to do over there, it will be about 1month trip?

Thanks guy...for the jokers, harsh comments are needed, but lets be real and help with better comments :unsure:


1. impossible - is no concept of 'joint bank account ' in China at Regular Chinese Banks. Can get it done at HSBC, but is Premium Account, minimum of 500,000 RMB to open (with fees) or 1,000,000 RMB to open (without fees). Better to get a joint account in USA with HER still living in China - do search here on VJ for 'State Farm Bank' - is a division of 'State Farm Insurance' - you'll need a special form, and a copy of her ID, but with that form, is dead easy - but IMO, is a bit late for evidence submittal. read other notes below, after the numbered answers.

2. Great !
3. Great !
4. SuperGreat ! But don't worry about any health insurance for her, just yet - instead - focus on Beneficiary for all things that have 'Payable on Death' Instructions - like bank accounts, annuities, financial instruments, etc., and redo yer life insurance policy. Do this in USA after you return.

Now, there IS a way to slip in more relationship evidence into NVC, after I-130 approval, see http://www.visajourn...ost__p__4100571

Good Luck !!
DarnellMaleChina2010-11-04 22:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresBad Choice in Picture Proof with I-130
Hey !
Welcome to China !

IF you are 'prepping all' for the I-130 submittal, because you wanted to 'front load'
then
any photos you might submit with the intitial I-130 submittal,
should really be
those of you and her together with her family, in various settings, showing some 'family life' together.

GUZ IV is one ice-cold hard place for interviews.

Will they care that she's showing 'pregnant' in a wedding dress? Hard to say, but it will raise some eyebrows at GUZ IV, good bad or indifferent.

Front Loading is important, IMO, for GUZ IV, as GUZ IV is really hard.
Here's what I prepped, for our I-130 submittal, ages past: http://www.visajourn...c

Let me know what you think, after reading the contents of that link?

For now, don't sweat the photos, you already 'sent it in' and there's no turning back.

Don't forget, later, after I-130 Approval - you are candidate to OPT IN for NVC Electronic Processing , shave much time for GUZ IV case timeticks.
DarnellMaleChina2010-10-28 04:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAny Bad Interview?

From what I have seen during the last year, many couples who have a bad experience tend not to post much if they are denied at interview. This is not always the case, but often will happen. I was helping a guy all of the way up to his interview and then he fell off of the radar, however I could see that he was still logging on, just not talking to anyone. SO, I assume that they hit a bump at their interview and his wounded pride kept him from letting us know what really happened.


Yup, this is the same pattern that I run across. It's sad, really, as any GUZ IV 'activity' , reported on here at VJ, is worth it's weight in gold, IMO, for future filers.

Now, going forward, here's some 'heavy reading material' for 'knowledge by osmosis' -

EOR - http://www.visajourn...dpost&p=3995116
GUZ IV red flags - http://www.visajourn...hl__appointment
Slipping things into NVC - http://www.visajourn...ost__p__4100571
NVC EP conversation - http://www.visajourn...1451-uscis-nvc/

Good Luck ! GUZ IV can be hard, but if yer prepped and ready, you'll be OK !
DarnellMaleChina2010-10-28 05:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureswhere is my point of entry?
your port of entry is the first US City in yer airline ticket iternary.

Based on what you wrote, I assume it to be JFK.

Good Luck !
DarnellMaleChina2010-11-04 23:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHusband came here illegally, got married to me, had a baby, What are the steps to citizenship PLEASE HELP
*** not a K-3 visa topic, moving to IR-1/CR-1 forum, for now ***
DarnellMaleChina2010-11-04 20:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS3032 NEED GUIDANCE
Fees? DS-3032?

Sorry, not a K-3 visa question.

*** moving to IR-1/CR-1 visa forum ***
DarnellMaleChina2010-11-04 20:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMy wife is a US Citizen, I'm a Bangladeshi and living in Bangladesh. Can she apply for me from Bangladesh
sorry, not a K-3 visa question -
*** moving to IR-1/CR-1 visa forum, for now ***
DarnellMaleChina2010-11-06 14:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhat Is LingChe NVC Shortcut?
Dante - if you are truly filing the I-130 via DCF, then utilizing the STEPS in the LingChe Shortcut will be useless to you.
However, the PAPERWORK gathered up at NVC is the same PAPERWORK that you must submit to Guangzhou, AFTER the I-130 is approved in BeiJing. It is good to study Ling Che, if you are confused about paperwork for GUZ IV Packet 3 - as for an immigration Visa, this is analogous to the paperwork 'done' at NVC. Same forms (sans DS-3032) but totally different submittal process, different submittal location.
DarnellMaleChina2010-09-22 10:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 Visa petitioner staying in Philippines

He needs to do the right thing and get legal

He already has. No issue about it, either.


In fact, he's ALWAYS been legal.
DarnellMaleChina2010-03-10 16:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 Visa petitioner staying in Philippines
Mal - you must admit, though - not maintaining a domicile in USA whilst you were in Canada, puts you in different category, yes?
DarnellMaleChina2010-03-03 12:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 Visa petitioner staying in Philippines

You should have been able to prove your domicile during the process unless you didnt tell the full truth on the I-864 :whistle: . You do have domicile in the US though...your father's house (I am assuming he did a co-sponsor?) You should have no problems though. A letter or affidavit from your dad might help if the question ever arises and he didnt fill out a I-864A (i am assuming you will live with your dad for a little while once getting back to the US)


'domicile' isn't evaluated except on Interview Day at the Embassy/Consulate, and 'during the process' - any data is gathered by NVC , to pass along with the casefile - not 'evaluated' for pass/fail at NVC. Sorry.
DarnellMaleChina2010-03-03 12:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 Visa petitioner staying in Philippines
Think about all of this from the I-864 standpoint, ya?

if you (plus a co-sponser) meet the financial guidelines, and this is noticed on interview day, then you should be ok.

re: domicile requirements - you've maintained that through your father - but you might want to cover your domicile stuff in an updated evolution of relationship letter.

yer situation is a bit unique, but others have done the same (to wait in foreign country whilst the visa paperwork winds it way through).

suggest you do a search here, in the CR-1 forum, using 'domicile' as the search term, using the 'big search' thingie -you'll find others's experiences about what they did.

Good Luck !
DarnellMaleChina2010-03-03 12:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFastest NVC Process!

Send one page letter to USCIS, NVC and EMBASSY. No notarization required. (No matter what the "experts" say here). :blink:

If you want to search for a new girl soon, then include a sentence such as, "Please interpret this letter as a request for an IMBRA waiver should such a waiver be needed for a future petition application."

Good luck in future endeavors!


:star:


IMBRA Waivers are great when filing the I-129F for a K-1 visa - but not so useful on I-130 petitions for CR-1 visas. What were you thinking about, when you wrote this? IMBRA doesn't apply, for I-130 petitions.
DarnellMaleChina2010-11-04 22:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresquestions regarding Police certificate aka character certificate issues for Pakistani beneficiary
It won't matter - as this is a 'national report' and
you'll be providing her addresses on the DS-230 .

So, get the Character Report thingie, asap, you'll need it in a week to three weeks (if in fact, you are wanting some speed)

Good Luck !
DarnellMaleChina2010-04-13 14:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAOS bill problems?
fee bills? K-3 visa hopefuls do not pay fee bills at NVC

*** not a K-3 visa topic - moving to IR-1/CR-1 forum ***
DarnellMaleChina2010-11-10 08:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNeed help for i-864
*** not a K-3 visa question, moving to IR-1/CR-1 forum ***

Edited by Darnell, 10 November 2010 - 07:56 PM.

DarnellMaleChina2010-11-10 19:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIV packet on passport style photos
*** not a K-3 visa topic, moving to IR-1/CR-1 forum ***
DarnellMaleChina2010-11-10 20:00:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-230
My apologies, friend - it's a verra old joke from Monty Python movie...
DarnellMaleChina2010-11-11 20:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-230
Dear Loto -
can you help me ?

I need to ascertain what the airspeed velocity is, of an unladen swallow .

Thanks so much, in advance !!
DarnellMaleChina2010-11-11 18:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-230
Assume OP has an I-130 in play -
*** moving to IR-1/CR-1 forum ***
DarnellMaleChina2010-11-10 19:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNOA2

Congradulations!!

April date? I don't think you should delay at all. NVC usually gets the approved Visa applicaations to the Consulate with in 5-7 business days. The Consulate send out packet #3 quickly. Then it's all up to your fiance and how long they take to acquire the documents and send them back. Then another 30 days before the interview, then if immediately approved they will have 6 months to enter.

Good luck!


FWIW, CR-1/IR-1 hopefuls (with exception of DCF folk)
never
ever
have a Packet 3 sent out from the GUZ IV to an address in China.

'Packet 3 Ops' that yer used to, for a K-1 visa, roughly translates to 'NVC Ops' for an IR-1 / CR-1 visa.
DarnellMaleChina2010-11-11 22:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNOA2
ya, suggest you handle at at NVC via EP -
but

delay that DS-230 filing until February - if you want an April Interview.

NVC sets the appointment for GUZ IV for GZO casefiles, usually it's within 30 days of final case review -

so -
submit the ds-230 - the clock starts.
about 2 weeks later - 'case complete' timetick, which is really 'documents complete' - they don't need anything else from you - then
3 weeks go by for the 'final review'
then
the scheduling occurs - is some hidden queue at NVC - is NOTHING you can do to find out about it -
but
within 72 hours of 'final review complete' - the interview is scheduled.

see http://www.visajourn...onic_Processing
for the EP steps.


Heck - I'd say - just pay the fee bills, wait for the conversion to GZO case number,
then file the I-864 and DS-230 on same day, via EP, when YOUR CALENDAR is perfect..

Good Luck !
DarnellMaleChina2010-11-11 21:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresApplying again after the denial ??
*** Not a K-3 visa topic - moving to IR-1/CR-1 forum ***
DarnellMaleChina2010-11-13 07:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWe got a CR1 visa in less than 2 months!!! Can we enter the USA for one week and come back 6 months later?
@####### - ok - still - redo yer plan. Sure, pregnancy will be an issue for flight , but 'less time outside o USA' is better, always.
DarnellMaleChina2010-07-17 13:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWe got a CR1 visa in less than 2 months!!! Can we enter the USA for one week and come back 6 months later?

Thanks Darnell and tokyo.lovers. The second time we hit the USA with green card in hand, our details will look like this:

Inside USA: less than a week
Outside USA: almost 6 months

You don't think this will be a problem? Granted, the second time we land in the USA, we will have a newborn baby with an American passport and I will be traveling with her. The second time is a permanent move and we have no plans to leave again, but I think the timelines above are going to look bad to the immigration officer.


Sorry - that's smells like a problem.

Remember - she has 6 months from VISA ISSUANCE DATE to come into the USA. Check the visa stamp, look at the dates, redo yer calendar for that 'first jump to Guam'. Redo yer vacation plans, as well.

IMO, 3 months is 'better' than 6, always.

Edited by Darnell, 17 July 2010 - 12:58 PM.

DarnellMaleChina2010-07-17 12:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWe got a CR1 visa in less than 2 months!!! Can we enter the USA for one week and come back 6 months later?
Whoa. wait a mo .

Actually - she can come into USA, leave within a week - NO PROBLEM -

Her passport will be stamped with some thing (used to be called an I-551 stamp) that VALIDATES HER VISA to be used as a temporary green card, with one year validity from the POE date. So - she can come and go, as she pleases, for up to a year, on just the passport/visa, without green card in hand.

Pay attention to any longer durations out of the USA, though.

Also - once she crosses into USA via some POE, a 'trigger' will be sent, to produce the green card and send it to the USA address (on file). Make sure you've got the right address - the green card is GOING THERE - USPS does not forward mail from USCIS, at all.

Address Change Issues in USA ? Can fix at POE, but must TELL THE CBP goonie to change the USA address.

IMO, no need to contact the Embassy about this, at all.

Good Luck with the Baby !
DarnellMaleChina2010-07-15 13:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIV Fee Invoice
also - remember - when you call NVC -

it's extrememly rare to get an NVC Tele-Operator who actually knows anything about EP.
and that's OK.

You'll need to remind them, each time, that yer an EP case.

Currently, it's about 3 weeks from 'OPT IN EMAIL SENT' timetick , to 'EP Enrollment Accepted'.
then
about 1 to 2 days after you get accepted for EP and NVC enrolls you as an EP participant - you'll see the IV fee bill show up.
DarnellMaleChina2010-11-14 20:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIV Fee Invoice
ya - don't fret not being able to pay the IV yet -
just wait until OPT IN is finished, new GZO number issued.

Be patient, it'll happen, la .

currently, is about 3 weeks between 'opt in' and 'EP program acceptance'.

i suggest you use this time to prep yer files, practice making 200 dpi pdf files.

Good Luck !
DarnellMaleChina2010-11-13 06:12:00