ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 Questions
1) we sent in actual pictures with full captions (date, location, people) on the back - although I can't see why photos printed on paper would be any issue



3) VJ has a great cover letter thread.....lots of examples there. It's rarely necessary, except in some DCF cases, but we did it (we're DCF'ers that aren't required to send a cover letter) because it explained everything, in the right order, etc. Plus, we made a 2nd copy for ourselves so we could remember what all we sent in!
Even if it's unnecessary I thought I'd rather spend 10 minutes typing upa letter than get a stupid RFE because something was unclear!
ljandjlFemaleGermany2012-04-24 17:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPetitioning I-130 from Abroad
yachachiq12, I might have misread. You're right about establishing domicile etc. Since chilegringa is planning to go to the US first it shouldn't matter.....but the beneficiary can't enter first, so if the USC is abroad (like me) then we either have to go together or me first.
Sorry to post wrong & confusing info!
Best of luck chilegringa!
ljandjlFemaleGermany2012-04-26 10:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPetitioning I-130 from Abroad
You're right that the NOAs etc will go to whichever address you provide.
Why don't you receive mail at your current residence? If you are going to put down one mailing address and one residential address I would definitely include a sentence or two about that in the I-130 cover letter, to avoid confusion.

After the NOA1 you'll both have to send in documents (assuming you are his sponsor & filling out an I-864); what about his interview - won't you have to be there for that?
I realize you're not filing DCF (I am) but when my husband finally gets his papers I'm required to enter the same POE that he does - otherwise his paperwork is invalid. So if you move to the US, beware that you ight have to fly to Chile so that you can fly back with your husband! I might have to do this too, for work reasons.....fingers crossed the visa comes before the job starts :)

Good luck!
ljandjlFemaleGermany2012-04-24 17:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurespolice certificate for year in us?
OK great - that's what I thought, but what a dumb mistake to make if I was wrong!

Thanks!
ljandjlFemaleGermany2012-05-09 05:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurespolice certificate for year in us?
I'm not sure if this is a silly question or not....
My German husband did his social year in New Hampshire in 2004. I believe it was about 10 months he spent there, volunteering in a home for handicapped people. Will we need to try to obtain a police certificate from Nashua? Or are the police certificates only required for everywhere he's lived outside of the US?

Thanks in advance!
ljandjlFemaleGermany2012-05-08 10:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresG-325a Applicant's Addresses and Employment
No, since you each fill out a G-325a then each form should have individual information (your G-325a lists your residences for the past 5 years, his G-32a lists his, etc)
ljandjlFemaleGermany2012-05-15 11:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 and G325A questions
Q17: yes & yes. It's redundant, but better than not doing it & finding out 3+ months later that you have to do it over again!

Q22: don't know, sorry! We're DCF...

G-325a: most people don't have these numbers... but instead of leaving blank I recommend "NONE" or "N/A" to cover your bases!!

Good luck - it's a relief mailing out that packet!
Cyprus is lovely, we were just there :)
ljandjlFemaleGermany2012-05-15 11:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresthis is our cover letter is it ok???
You won't regret including more evidence....
Pictures are helpful, but they can be fake :)

Examples include (as applicable to you):
Joint accounts (bank accounts, car insurance, lease agreement, etc)
Copies of phone bills / skype logs / chat transcripts
Joint property ownership
Affidavits of others testifying to your marriage
Ticket stubs/evidence of travel to visit each other
ljandjlFemaleGermany2012-05-17 04:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresProof of Domicile
Caribbean Pirate (or anyone else) - do you have a current US drivers license? Do you still vote (albeit absentee?) Do you have a US-based bank account? - those are 3 pieces of evidence we are using (DCF Frankfurt) for establishing our domicile. Hope this helps!
ljandjlFemaleGermany2012-05-30 02:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresG-1145 Form
If it makes you feel better, I did send the G-1145 & never got any text messages....and I'm not the only one.
ljandjlFemaleGermany2012-05-22 17:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTravel to the States after interview but before the official move
Why wouldn't you do the POE in August (providing you can)? Get it over with! They aren't going to be checking in on you during those 2-3 months between when you visit & when you officially move to your new place, and this would probably save you a lot of headache in advance :)
ljandjlFemaleGermany2012-06-07 06:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMarrying in UK on student visa, then bringing husband to US?

I think you're mistaken. UK marriage laws are different than Germany's, and UK is known for imposing more requirements on getting married than other countries. But yes, it shouldn't be a problem as long as OP figures out what the requirements are.


I'm mistaken about my experience?! :) I didn't say she was set & there wouldn't be any problems - I'm well aware there are differences between Germany & the UK....or any other 2 countries in the world. But the student visa bride club is a rather small one, just sharing my experience. As it turns out, it looks like everything will work out nicely for her!
ljandjlFemaleGermany2012-07-01 09:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMarrying in UK on student visa, then bringing husband to US?
I got married in Germany on a student visa...it's not the UK, but it's the same idea. Absolutely no problems. they just need evidence that I'm in the country legally. Also, I had to travel to a consulate to get a sworn affidavit that I am 1) not in the military 2) free to marry and 3) free from STDs. Seriously. This might be unique to Germany though :)

Good luck & congrats!
ljandjlFemaleGermany2012-06-26 06:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSocial Sevurity number (Is that he same as...)
I'm not familiar with the card you're talking about, so take this with a grain of salt - however, if it's not a social security number, the you've kind of answered your own question, haven't you?
ljandjlFemaleGermany2012-07-10 04:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTranslation of civil documents - yes/no?
"All documents not written in English or in the official language of the country in which the interview takes place MUST be accompanied by a translation in English"

So, as long as the interview is in Poland & they'll accept the documents in Polish. However, if you're going crazy with worry than you can just have them translted & give yourself peace of mind :)We're DCF in Germany & we can submit either German or English civil documents.
ljandjlFemaleGermany2012-07-10 05:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresG-325a questions
Don't check both.....

We:
- checked "other" and entered SPOUSE I-130 as the reason on the USC G-325a
- checked "status as permanent resident" on the benefic. G-325a

So far no problems :)
ljandjlFemaleGermany2012-05-14 10:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUSC petitioner living abroad
1. Country USC resides in: Germany
2. Is there a USCIS field office in this country / Is DCF still possible? Yes
3. When did you file the I-130: April 2012
4. How long had you been living abroad: 19 months
5. Do you reside in the country legally? Yes
6. What is the reason for your residence: First student, now marriage!
7. Did you list your foreign address on all forms in I-130 package? Yes
8. Did you send I-130 package from abroad? Yes
9. Did you include evidence of your residence abroad in the I-130 package? Yes - City registration, German greencard, student visa, copy of utility bills, copy of rental contract, etc
10. Did you mention the fact you reside abroad in the cover letter or write a letter describing your current situation and the evolution of your relationship with your spouse (mentioning your residence abroad)? Yes, briefly
11. Has your case been "auto-expedited"? How long between NOA1 and NOA2? Too soon to say, but I'm hoping that some of that "German efficiency" infiltrates the USCIS in Frankfurt :)
ljandjlFemaleGermany2012-04-16 04:21:00