biggish data

Hello all,

I talked to Joe tonight and its not looking good for us. We are going to talk again tomorrow but he is feeling like he doesn't know who he is anymore and he just wants us to do our own things right now. I want to be able to do that, its just so hard to go from being involved in someones life and loving them so much to just letting go and trying not to care.

This is soooo hard! I don't know if I should keep putting my life on hold for this or if I should move on. I wish I could move on but I LOVE HIM SOOO MUCH!

I dont' want this to end!

:crying:

Chrystal and Joe

Not Telling

Canada

2006-01-31 03:21:00

Thank you all...this is the hardest thing that I've ever had to do...Its tearing me apart! I hope that we find a way to make it.

Hopefully I'll have better news next time I post. I talk to Joe tonight but I don't know what to say or how to go about the situation anymore. I just don't know what to do!!

I feel lost...

Chrystal and Joe

Not Telling

Canada

2006-01-30 19:18:00

Thanks for all your advice...I just hate living my life in limbo...I feel like I need a plan.

We really do love each other still so I find it hard to just give up on this relationship. We were in a long distance relationship for 4 months to start and it was working out great but Joe was still in Illinois so we were able to travel back and forth every couple of weekends. I then went to stay with him and was there for 4 months and things were going well. Then we moved down to Florida so we are no longer driving distance. We came back to Canada for the holidays at Christmas and I was denied entry back into the US so I had to stay in Canada. We decided we were going to go through the process a couple of months later and filed for K-1 and received our first NOA in May of 2005. After all the stress of everything and our process being delayed we didn't handle it well. I feel like our relationship just hasn't had a fair chance.

What are the proceedures if we were to get married and things didnt' work our for us? Does anybody know that?

Chrystal and Joe

Not Telling

Canada

2006-01-30 19:00:00

Hello all,

I haven't wrote in a while because Joe and I are having some major problems. Our petition was supposed to be approved back in August or September and was delayed. We found out that there was going to be additonal adjudication on our case and that it could take up to 6 months longer.

At that point we had been apart for 10 months and having a long distance relationship was really starting to cause trouble with us. The problems have now been going on for about 4 months and a lot of hard feelings have been built up because of them. Its hard to solve problems over the phone when you are not able to be there in person. I went to stay a while with him after Christmas and things would go well but when something ventured from perfect it turned into desaster. So I decided to come home again and we were going to work on ourselves and then try and get that warm fuzzy feeling back again. But 2 days after I got home in the middle of January, we received information that was supposed to be good news but instead was tiring....our K-1 petiton had been approved.

So, now we feel stuck. What should we do. I don't want to give up on this relationship but we both feel like we need more time.

Today I got thinking about our options. What if we were to go through with it and just go to the court house...its pretty much just a legal paper that we need for mariage....try not to think of it as marriage and try to live a normal life with a normal relationship like people who live in the same countries do. I could then get a job and gain my own dependence and if all is well then we can have our meaningful wedding at a later date.

My concern is what if it doesn't work out. What do we do then? What do I do then being that I'm from Canada and I'll be in the States? Do I have to file for a divorce or is this situation different? What paperwork is there?

Please if anyone could help me out that would be greatly appreciated. I really don't want our relationship to end right now but we dont' want to think of marriage yet even though I technically know that we have to.

Thanks!
Chrystal (Canadian)

Chrystal and Joe

Not Telling

Canada

2006-01-30 18:22:00

Done and Over

Joe did put in a formal request to end the petition. We went through a lawyer and so he dealt with it all with him. I made him end it all formally because if he didn't that little ounce of hope was still in my head for us to work things out and be together and in fact I had to face reality. So my name will be cleared with in the next month or so. Thanks to all for the help and info!

Chrystal and Joe

Not Telling

Canada

2006-04-05 05:46:00

Done and Over

Thanks for all the kind words...it is hard right now. Some days are better then others. Its hard to keep my head up sometimes but I've gotta believe that things happen for a reason. My problem is that I'm a planner by nature and so I'm always trying to picture my future and how I can have it with Joe in it. I need to learn to live in the moment a little more. But I am like with a lot of things, bills, life in general...it just so happens that I want him to be apart of my life...my future.

Chrystal and Joe

Not Telling

Canada

2006-04-05 03:27:00

Done and Over

Hello all,

I have some very sad news. After continuously hard times between myself and Joe we have decided to end our petition. We finally received our NOA2 in January and I just had to do my part here in Canada and Joe decided that we are not going to follow through with it.

He doesn't see himself getting married anytime in the near future and so he just wanted to end it. He was unsure, unsure and I really wanted to work it out and give it our best try and drag the process out as long as we could and then if things didn't work out we could decide not to marry then but he just wanted to end it all now.

He blames that on me because I kept pressuring him but I couldn't keep sitting around waiting for the man that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with tell me if he wanted to spend his with me. So I pressured him, telling him that he can't keep putting my life on hold, while I'm waiting around for him to decided if he loved me enough...I was starting to get angry and very hurt. So in the end he couldn't take the pressure any more and told me its done...we are not getting married.

This all happened over a month ago now but its just been way too painful for me to share my story yet. And it still is painful. I still cry for him...he is the love of my life and I miss him dearly.

For those of you who don't recognize my story, Joe and I orginally started the process way back last year...I received my first NOA in May. We were expecting a reply by latest mid September but it never came. There was a delay on our case and as time went by the distant and some other issues starting affecting our relationship and trouble started in October of last year. It accelerated because its so difficult to deal with problems long distance...you just don't get to see or touch the other person or feel their pain the same. So after a couple of visits and arguing and discussions we decided that I would go down there and stay a while with him...no time...just see how things were going. So we went and spent time with his family over Christmas, went skiiing, had some great fun...we always had great fun. Our good times were really good but our bad times were becoming really bad. We had tested each other to all points and now everytime an argument happened we were testing each other with the threat of it being over. So we had the first big fight when I was down there and I almost left...but we decided to work through it. Then the second came and I was done with begging so I left for home and I thought that would be the last of ever seeing him ( and it may be) but he called me appologizing while I was driving home. He didn't want to ever picture his life without me. That we would work it out. So when I got home I thought that was the plan but he started to back off again and so thats when I started pressuring. Lets also make note that 2 days after I got home I received my NOA2 which should have been a happy event but it was sad. So it dragged on for a little over a month after that and then it was decided we would end it.

And that brings me to now. I've only talked to him about 3 times in 6 weeks. Its killing me... I miss him so much and I haven't seen him for almost 3 months...thats the longest yet. God I miss him! I'm trying to give him his space as much as possible. There are a lot of things he did that were mean and they make me angry to think about them but my underlying love for him prevails and I could forgive it all.

I like to think that there could be a possibility for us to be together again in the future but then I think the the reality of it is not probable...maybe if we lived in the same country. Sucks to have our situations!

So I need to get away...I've very restless. Everthing reminds me of him and how much I love him and miss him. I've applied for cruise ship jobs. I'll be gone for long periods of time. But maybe time will help. Does anyone have any advice...should I be hopeful for the future. He says that he still wants to be good friends. Can we develop that again or should I just give up on it all.

If we were to get back together...how would the process be? Would they question us more for petitioning a second time or would it be a quicker process?

Thanks for listening...or reading in this case. I miss him so much.

Take care all, and good luck with all of your petitions.

Chrystal and Joe

Not Telling

Canada

2006-04-05 01:59:00

ha they found my case

yayyy sara! im happy for you... keep us posted of what will happen next... goodluck! God speed

sungki/panget

Female

Canada

2009-02-13 11:58:00

Affidavit of Support

Okay, I get it now. Thank you both

Avel

Female

2008-04-15 17:07:00

Affidavit of Support

QUOTE (fwaguy @ Apr 15 2008, 04:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Avel @ Apr 15 2008, 03:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I read somewhere that each person has to submit their own affidavit of support. My fiance in the states has just completed his copy and is mailing it to me. But on my copy, will I have to put my own employment/financial information on it? Or should I put my fiance's? I am really confused.

Sorry if this is a dumb question.
Thanks in advance.

If you put your fiance's information would that not simply be a repeat? The typical scenario is that the affidavit (only) comes from the USC.

Yeah, that's what I thought. Maybe I just need to bring 2 copies to my interview?

Avel

Female

2008-04-15 15:53:00

Affidavit of Support

Avel

Female

2008-04-15 15:37:00

About processing/waiting times.

QUOTE (YuAndDan @ May 8 2008, 05:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Depends on consulate.

Have you looked at the timelines? http://www.visajourn...t...da&dfile=No

http://www.visajourn...le.php?id=46915

Oh wow, thank you so much! I guess I missed that while looking through them

Avel

Female

2008-05-08 16:49:00

About processing/waiting times.

How long does it usually take to get your interview date after sending in your checklist to the consulate? I've been waiting for about 3.5 weeks now... After that, how long is it usually until the interview? I have been looking for this information but I can't seem to find it anywhere, strangely.

Thanks in advance

Avel

Female

2008-05-08 16:38:00

Photocopies?

Hey everyone,
My interview is on June 11th (So excited!!!) and I am just finishing getting all of my papers together in a folder. The letter they sent me with my appointment date says that I should have all of the required documents and a photocopy of each. So does this mean I should make photocopies of my birth certificate, affidavit of support, DS156-K, and police records? Or should I also have copies of EVERYTHING, meaning receipts, pictures and other evidence.

I just want to double check before my interview to make sure I am not forgetting something

.

thanks

Avel

Female

2008-06-06 17:09:00

Tampa attorneys?

My SO called an Immigration Attorney in Tampa. He informed him that I did NOT have to go to Montreal for the interview that I could go to Toronto. I figured if he wasn't even aware that they don't do K-1 visa's there yet was telling us how he has done HUNDREDS of k-1 visa's from Canada. Forget it. We did it ourselves. When my SO was living here we used an immigration attorney. He is back in the USA as his temp work visa was denied and he was going to be deported if he stayed. lol So much for the wonderful attorney. If we had done it ourselves he would still be here. Oh and that cost us thousands and thousands....I don't even want to go do the math and see how much we paid him. I'd throw up.

LiLMermaid

Female

Canada

2009-05-03 10:34:00

WWYD - kids in school?

I'm interested to know how this worked out ......did they say it was alright to enroll the kids in school as long as there is no overstay?

LiLMermaid

Female

Canada

2009-08-17 12:47:00

Question for the pro's

^^ Agree with above posters. Unsolicited documents sent to USCIS are difficult to match up with the original submission.

Do you have any family members or friends that could help you with the date of your first marriage?

I do believe that you will need documentation indicating the father of your stepchild allows the child to move to the US permanently. I have read that a notarized letter from the non-custodial parent was sufficient but perhaps others with more personal experience can answer that for you. Good luck.

It depends on the country and consulate. Canada required only a notarized letter but some require that AND proof of sole custody. In Canada the letter was enough they never even asked me a thing about custody. My ex-husband could have had sole custody for all they knew. I suggest the OP look on the US embassy page of his particular country. Usually country specific information like that can easily be found there.

LiLMermaid

Female

Canada

2010-07-21 09:22:00

Question for the pro's

When I filed my I-130 on my G-325 I did not know what the date was of my first marriage it was a long time ago so I left that blank I did include the date of the divorce and the divorce decree. I have an attorney but he did not include any evidence of an ongoing relationship. My question is should I send in an updated G-325 and evidence now to try and avoid an RFE. Also there are two stepchildren that I have submitted seperate I-130's would I duplicate these documents and send in for all three apps or just on my wife file. The cases are married and are being processed together.

Next question is what if any documents will be needed for the children when it comes to custody or being able to travel. One child's birth cert has no father listed so I dont think that will be a problem. The other we have obtained a document that he can travel with the mother or father from the court but it doesnt state he can immigrate permanantly. Any thoughts would help. Thank you and god bless.

Not sure about the child with no father listed but the other one will require a notarized letter from the father stating that he gives his permission for the child to permanently relocate to the USA.

Don't send it updated forms now, unfortunately you will have to wait until you receive an RFE before you can send in new documents.

LiLMermaid

Female

Canada

2010-07-21 07:44:00

I-130 Approved in 66 Days

Wow that's quick .. and wonderful news .. congrats!

lynamon

Female

Canada

2006-10-26 21:56:00

Instructions for filing taxes with spouse outside of the country

I'm going over the w-7 now, and I have a question about my husband using my passport as my ID.

I would not send my original, so a notarized copy is my option. I would do this when applying for my new passport in my married name this coming week (or at least find out how to get copies notarized by them) - SO. my question: do I need to copy ALL pages of my passport, or just biographic data page?

Gervl

Female

Canada

2011-02-06 20:46:00

Scanned copys

This works for supporting documents but not for the I-130 or the US Citizen's G325a. It does not work for the foreign spouse's passport photo. You can submit an unsigned G325a for the foreign spouse. Just print "Will sign at Consulate" in the signature space. No need for anything signed by the foreign spouse, so no need for anything original from them except the passport photo. That too could be scanned, emailed and reprinted on photo paper if done in the correct dimensions.

Correct, good point, I forgot to make that distinction :thumbs:

Gervl

Female

Canada

2012-02-17 07:11:00

Scanned copys

I just had my I-130 approved today and I used scans in full colour for everything. On my cover letter I wrote, for example "- Unaltered scan of certified marriage certificate"

You could also add this to your cover letter: Scanned copies of documents submitted are exact copies of unaltered documents and I understand that I will be required to submit original documents to an Immigration or Consular officer at a later date.

Gervl

Female

Canada

2012-02-17 01:23:00

Some quick DS-230 I/II & I-864EZ Questions

Hey everyone, just wanted some clarifications on a couple of questions:

- On the DS-230 I, in Line 11 it asks for the address (and phone number) in the United States where I want my Permanent Residence Card mailed to, if different from address in item #10. I know not to leave it blank, so should I write in, "Same as item #10" ?

- On DS-230 II, on line 39, it asks for Petitioner's name and adress, and then Telephone Number and E-mail Address. Just to confirm, they are asking for the Petitioner's phone number and e-mail, correct?

- On I-864EZ, for line 9, it asks for the Beneficiary's Place of Residence (if different from mailing address.) My mailing address is the same as my residence, so should I fill in "Same" into all the lines?

- For the Affidavit of Support/I-864EZ, we will be using only my husband's Tax Transcripts. Is there any harm in showing the last three years, or should we just stick to the most recent tax year? I told him to order the last three years just because, hey, they're free, but I would also like to know if there's any reason why it's beneficial to show the last three years versus just the most recent.

Thanks guys! :star:

Gervl

Female

Canada

2012-02-21 01:42:00

Why do you need a guarantor for your birth certificate? You can't just order it online or go in person somewhere?

I used the I-864EZ. If you're eligible (there's 3 criteria), then I'd suggest using it. It's a much shorter form than the I-864.

For tax information, it's either tax transcripts OR 1040s, W2s, and any other schedules if applicable. NVC (and most consulates/embassies) prefer the tax transcript.

And yes, you obviously can't optin to EP until you have a case number.

We're eligible for the EZ thankfully. I've already prepped all the paperwork... months ago, haha. Just needs to be updated. And yeah, apparently Mr. Husband ordered his tax transcripts already, I didn't even know - no nagging required

Gervl

Female

Canada

2012-02-28 22:39:00

Yeah, if you got it on the 16th, then you should be getting the case number either this week or next.

And you should still have time for that stuff. You still have to optin to EP (if you wish), and send the DS-261, then pay the two fees and wait for that to process. You still have another week or so before it's the earliest you can send in packages.

Have you already requested the missing documents? Or are you still procrastinating? And have you gotten the police certificate(s) yet?

I got my police check done, and just got my photos done today. Need to get a hold of my dentist to be my guarantor for my birth certificate, and I'll be on my dear husband's #### to get his transcript ready.

Question for you, did you guys use the I-864EZ? I know when I read on the forms that we can just use tax transcripts it sinks in, but I want to double check if that's right or not. We're not using any other assets as all his income is from work (so can therefore be shown on his W-2 and previous tax returns.)

And yeah, we'll be doing EP. Going to wait until NVC is ready to cough up some identification numbers before I send in my Opt-in though.

Edited by Gervl, 28 February 2012 - 07:34 PM.

Gervl

Female

Canada

2012-02-28 19:33:00

Got my NOA2 on the 16th. Kind of glad it's taking some time... still need to get my long form birth certificate, and he needs his tax transcript :blush:

Gervl

Female

Canada

2012-02-28 01:11:00

Really? Wow. Can you tell me where you got that info from? Thanks!

A quick search on here will turn up results. I've been reading about it here since I started posting. I took a look for actual news articles, but it appears visa drama doesn't quite make it to the press, ha.

This also explains it:
http://travel.state....types_2993.html

Important Notice: Effective February 1st, 2010, when both petitions have been approved by USCIS and sent to the NVC or when USCIS approves the I-130 before the I-129F, the availability of, as well as the need for, a nonimmigrant K-3 visa ends. If the NVC receives both an approved I-130 petition and an approved I-129F petition:

The nonimmigrant K-3 visa case will be administratively closed.

Edited by Gervl, 27 February 2012 - 08:57 PM.

Gervl

Female

Canada

2012-02-27 20:56:00

Saylin pretty much covered it.

At the border, she should always be honest but not give up any information that isn't asked for - that just tends to lead to more confusion. Border officers at primary aren't always the most knowledgeable when it comes to immigration matters, so make sure she's confident of the basics (B-2 visas, overstay, how the CR-1 process works, etc.)

My I-130 took about six and a half months to process out of the California Service Center (we got approved a couple weeks ago.) It's always best to assume this whole process will take longer than planned. For Montreal interviews, Canadians have the option of using electronic processing. It's faster than the snail-mail method. A guide for it can be found in Saylin's signature. I'll be following it once NVC gets around to assigning me a case number :angry:

If you have any other questions, don't feel shy about asking or sounding paranoid. There's also a Canada sub-forum where she can find more specific information about her OHIP (assuming she's in Ontario), Employment Insurance, taxes, bank accounts, and so on and how to deal with them upon moving to the States.

** Just called NVC operator about my case. They received it on the 20th, but nothing has been updated yet on their system :no:

She said to try back 10-20 business days from that date. Brace yourselves for my phonecalls, NVC :devil:

You guys can also look at the K3 visa. The whole purpose of the K3 visa is to let the spouse wait for the green card in the US instead of in the foreign country. Once she gets here, you can then file for Adjustment of Status (I think I-487) to complete the process.
K3 is quicker than IR1/CR1, but it involves some more paperwork when the foreign spouse gets to the US.

K-3s are being wiped out. Safest route is CR-1.

Edited by Gervl, 27 February 2012 - 07:40 PM.

Gervl

Female

Canada

2012-02-27 19:33:00

why are there I 130 applications getting approved so quickly?

Mine took about 7 months. Don't get bent out of shape.

Edited by Gervl, 11 March 2012 - 05:34 PM.

Gervl

Female

Canada

2012-03-11 17:33:00

Have you had an AOS or IV fee Rejected?

I've just learned our AOS payment was Rejected, even though it showed as PAID for two days following the In Processing message and the e-mail information package was sent to me.

Our IV bill will probably also come up Rejected.

Anyone had to deal with this? Did you figure out what went wrong? NVC operator was abysmally useless.

Edited by Gervl, 12 March 2012 - 07:34 PM.

Gervl

Female

Canada

2012-03-12 19:34:00

My CR-1 visa interview is next week I NEED HELP!!!

OP, don't be stupid. Seriously. Immigration to the U.S. isn't a game. Get your sh*t straight and stop trying to weasel your way in. Be an honest, noble man and file a divorce for your wife, and do away with the interview. You're making a mockery of all of us and what we're going through. Sickening.

Edited by Gervl, 07 April 2012 - 03:12 PM.

Gervl

Female

Canada

2012-04-07 15:11:00

Recently Married By Proxy.......

What do you mean by Touched, please??? Have you heard from the NVC office yet? I got approved for my husband's petition on July 18th and still haven't received a letter from the NVC office.
Thank you!

I am still in the USCIS phase with an I-130. When I log in to check my case status on their website, it shows a date in which my file was last looked at/last updated, or "touched". If you're confused about your situation I'd suggest giving someone a call who can answer your questions.

Gervl

Female

Canada

2011-08-07 01:07:00

Recently Married By Proxy.......

Hi OP. I'm just curious about proxy marriage - I didn't even know it was possible. Not here to judge, but I'm just wondering why you had to do it? Was your wife unable to travel at the time? Again, no malicious intention, just curious

Gervl

Female

Canada

2011-08-06 08:04:00

Biggest Mistake of My Life?

So sorry you got bad advice

Happens all too often.

CR-1 is sounding like your best route. It can take awhile (mine was 11 months) but it is the most secure way to cross the border. Have your girl come to Canada, have an amazing wedding. Take lots of pictures, forget your worries and have an amazing time. Once she goes back and things settle, she can file for the CR-1. You can travel to the U.S. during the process, but you need some solid proof that you will be returning to Canada (letter from work, return ticket, lease agreement, etc.) Personally, I didn't go to the U.S. at all, and my husband came to Canada to visit me because I didn't want to risk anything.

Good on you for being honest with CBP, they're scary and some people resort to lying out of fear.

There's also a Canada specific sub-forum which can come in very handy for us Canucks. Good luck!

Gervl

Female

Canada

2012-11-30 04:43:00

Income taxes with spouse abroad

We did "married filing separately" for two years of returns. When I moved to the US and got my SSN, we amended our returns. That worked out quite well for us.

Gervl

Female

Canada

2013-09-20 16:49:00

i-130 alone or with document

Glittersam, you will not make it through the process without slowing down and READING everything. Every. Thing. Every fine print, every website, every guide, and every form from top to bottom. This process will take approximately a year and that's IF you do not have issues.

Everyone is telling you those things, and I will too, because it is true and an absolute reality.

Best of luck to you.

Gervl

Female

Canada

2013-11-09 08:27:00

Newlyweds--How much frontloading? (Canadian)

Wow, I hadn't put two and two together that the DOMA decision would finally allow for same sex immigration! Congratulations! :luv:

I'm also from Toronto, and in my I-130 package I included screenshots from my e-mail inbox showing how long we'd been e-mailing for, an assortment of photos from visits including us with friends and family (with a little who, what, when blurb for each), receipts from gifts/rings/vacations, cards from each other, some selections from MSN conversations, airline boarding passes, overview of my tax return showing me as married, his name and income, his life insurance showing me as the primary beneficiary, his tax transcripts showing him as married filing separate (as I didn't have a SSN/ITIN)... that's all I can remember. It was probably overkill, but I did have a lot of evidence on hand because I'm a nostalgic, wishy-washy #######. Some people don't send much or anything at all.

Definitely keep collecting evidence for future applications (like removal of conditions, which I'm in right now). They'll be interested in seeing what's been going on with you guys since you got your visa, e.g. joint lease, joint tax returns, joint bank accounts, phone plan, new photos, health/life insurance, etc. Buy a big fat folder and toss it all in there. You'll feel way better once it's time to deal with USCIS again knowing that you have lots to work with... especially if it corresponds, for example, boarding passes for a vacation you guys take + photos from that trip.

All the best to you guys, I don't see you having any issues

If you haven't found it yet, checking out the Canada subforum. Tons of specifics for us: http://www.visajourn...orum/93-canada/

Edited by Gervl, 02 April 2014 - 01:48 AM.

Gervl

Female

Canada

2014-04-02 01:47:00

Best ways to stay in touch

I have always used MSN for IM and any video chatting (with or without voice).

Besides that - a lot of texting. I added an international texting package to my plan with Rogers, $15 for 500 outgoing with free incoming.

Gervl

Female

Canada

2010-11-27 05:06:00

Package formats

Here it is - http://www.visajourn...tent/i130guide1

How come I post the first for you?

Loto

Because you're very helpful!

So, the first large table - that's everything in the proper order for the package? I've printed out that guide already so I have it on hand.

Ah ha! This is also very useful: http://www.visajourn...ontent/assembly - I'll have to print that one out too.

Gervl

Female

Canada

2010-11-28 20:33:00