biggish data

Wow! That must have been a lot. We also met online, through a dating site. I guess I can just print out emails from when we first started talking. And whew, glad I was such a sentimental girlfriend and I kept a lot of my boarding passes when we flew all over Asia to see each other. haha!

Thank you so much for your input!

We actually didn't submit a lot of stuff quantity-wise. For the communication bit, I only ended up sending 8 pages of chat history spanning 4 years (or one page every 6 months :hehe:

) and 5 emails just to show that we have been in touch over the years.

I'm quite a pack-rat so had 4 years of chat history backed up and still hadn't thrown out the later travel related stuff. I even had my luggage tags from when I came to visit him in NY. :rofl:

But as leszeku1 said, don't sweat it too much. People have been approved with a lot less. :thumbs:

Edited by caly, 04 January 2013 - 07:58 AM.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-01-04 07:52:00

Thank you! Did you put any proof or documentation of how you first met and sustained your relationship? Or were your proof for the I-130 petition mostly about a marriage that had taken place?

Our evidence was a mix of both kinds. But we didn't have proof of how we first met because we met each other on an online game and had known each other for almost 7 years at that point.

In presenting what we had, I divided our evidence into 6 categories:

co-mingling of finances (copies of a couple of credit cards in both our names, insurance paperwork etc..)
affidavits from people
wedding related stuff (photos, receipts etc..)
3 pages of photos
travel related stuff (boarding passes, entry stamps, trip itinerary etc..)
evidence of continued communication spanning the years we'd known each other as well as after the marriage(chat logs, phone logs, emails etc..)

We had to prove that we were communicating regularly since we weren't living together at the time. This is probably not as important in your case though!

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-01-03 20:26:00

Thank you for those great ideas! As for insurance, I should definitely be on there as well.

Re: evolution letter, did you have the US citizen write and sign it? Does it need to be notarized?

Yup. My husband (the USC) wrote and signed the evolution letter. It does not need to be notarized.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-01-03 19:59:00

Yey! Thanks for this great idea. So, no photos? Or will it be better if we just photocopy all our passport pages and highlight stamps which show that we were in the same country as the photos (with photos appended)? Or will that be too much? Hahaha... I'm also afraid to come off as defensive.

As for the letter, is that how a cover letter works? Or should that be separate? Thank you sooo much!

If I were you, I would just photocopy the relevant entry/exit stamps. Instead of highlighting, write on the top right hand corner of each page a very brief description such as "[Beneficiary]/[Petitioner]'s entry stamp to [Country], [Date]". I've read that USCIS scans everything you submit into a black and white format so highlighting could potentially obscure the important information you want them to see.

You can group the passport stamps and photos (maybe one page per country; 2-3 photos + captions per page) by country or present them separately. It's really up to you.

We did our evolution letter separately from the cover letter. Our cover letter basically highlighted our names and the visa we were applying for and gave a list of items we were submitting in the package, in the order presented.

One more piece of evidence to consider adding to your list: if you are listed as the beneficiary on each other's insurance policies do include that too.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-01-03 09:02:00

Questions:

We are already married and living together. Do I have to send proof of how we met? Like maybe his receipt from the dating site where we met? Or pictures from when we first saw each other in person? Or does that not matter since we are already living together?

Should I ask for affidavits attesting to our relationship? Like from our best man (who's his best friend) or from my mother-in-law (who was at the wedding)? Or we don't really need it anymore?

Really hope to get more info... We don't wanna get an RFE.

You do not need to send proof of how you met but you can include a letter that outlines the evolution of your relationship if you wish to. Just have your husband type it up and sign it.

It's great that you are living together. If you have a lease that shows you live together in Japan or bills that have both your names on them do include them in your package. Proof of financial co-mingling seems to have a lot of weight in proving a bonafide relationship.

You can include affidavits if you want to but they are not considered primary evidence and if you already have a strong case, you generally don't need them.

Also, include photocopies of the entry/exit stamps in both your passports of the countries you have visited together. Photos are good, but entry and exits stamps are usually dated and can prove that you were in the same place at the same time.

Good luck!

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-01-02 20:30:00

F2A upgrade to CR1

Is IR same as CR1?

The difference between the CR-1 and IR-1 is the amount of time a couple has been married.

If married less than 2 years, a CR-1 visa is issued. Upon entering the US on a CR-1, the foreign spouse receives a conditional 2-year green card. Within the 90 days before the expiration of the conditional green card, the green card holder must submit a I-751 Removal of Conditions (ROC) application. If the ROC is approved, then the foreign spouse will receive a 10-year green card.

If married for over 2 years, a IR-1 visa is issued. Upon entering the US on an IR-1, the foreign spouse receives a 10-year green card.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-01-22 09:45:00

I-130 Visa Denied

Sounds like they now want your wife to tell her side of the story. It's not a court letter. Just a letter that she needs write/type, sign and get notarized.

You will have to comply with their request before your case can be decided upon.

This is not a visa denial, they are simply asking for more information.

Don't lose hope. Sounds like your interview went smoothly. I wish you the best of luck! :thumbs:

Edited by caly, 22 January 2013 - 10:30 AM.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-01-22 10:29:00

helppppppppp pls.

Nope, not needed. Only the beneficiary's passport photos are needed at the interview.

Good luck!

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-01-22 09:58:00

Just a few questions about our Cr-1 application

Not sure if this answers your question.

If not, try asking in the UK specific forum. You'll probably get quicker and more accurate answers there.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-01-08 11:33:00

Just a few questions about our Cr-1 application

Your next step is where your I-130 will be adjudicated and after approval, sent to the NVC. You can prepare the forms and documents needed at the NVC stage now (or at least familiarize yourself with the NVC process!)

Here's a brief outline of the whole CR-1/IR-1 process (including NVC steps and beyond): http://www.visajourn...p/EZGuideSpouse

For extremely helpful and comprehensive coverage about what to expect at NVC, go here: http://www.visajourn...ost__p__5896693

Happy reading and good luck!

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-01-03 19:42:00

Health Insurance Requirement?

I have never heard of this being asked for before. :blink:

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-01-03 13:33:00

Information about your Relative

This does not make since to me I am the petitioner of the I-130 and it say list spouse which is my wife it does not ask for my spouse relation to me which is husband thank you for the help but I was asking about the children relation to my spouse or me I think you are not correct in telling me to list my self as husband ,I am the petitioner and so it ask for me to list my spouse which is my wife .Pleas can someone tell me if they want me to say child as my spouse relation to the child or step child as to the child relation to me the petitioner can someone that has been here for more time please advise me .Also if my wife is my spouse it is obvious that I am her husband. Thank you if someone can help me here

R and J was actually correct.

Page 2, Section C. of the I-130 is asking for information about the BENEFICIARY. In this section, you need to list the spouse and all children of the BENEFICIARY. This includes yourself as you are the husband (thus spouse) of the alien relative you are petitioning.

In your case, you list your own name and the name(s) of all your wife's children (including any from a previous marriage if applicable).

I hope this helps clear up your confusion.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-04-29 09:10:00

Conditional relative of a spouse of a u s citizen

It won't be a problem at all. If the date of your 2nd wedding anniversary has passed before your visa is issued, I believe it will be automatically upgraded to a IR-1 (non-conditional) visa.

Also, if the 2nd anniversary of your marriage has passed when you enter the US, you can ask the immigration officer to upgrade your visa status to the IR-1 visa. You just need to show him/her your marriage certificate, so be sure to pack it in your carry-on if you'll need it.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-04-30 13:53:00

Hoping Someone Can Answer This

It's always a "co-sponsor" (or joint sponsor) because even though you don't made enough (or don't make any money at all in some cases), the petitioner is the primary sponsor.

You only need tax documents for 1 year, but you can submit tax information for the past 3 years if you think it will help you qualify. That being said, they seem to only care about current income. As long as your co-sponsor(s) make enough to cover their household and your wife, it shouldn't matter that you don't currently work.

You have 3 options available to you at this point:

You can move back to the US and get a job and then provide paystubs when the time comes to file your I-864
Sponsor on assets (you would need the equivalent of 3 times the income requirements for your household)
Find a co-sponsor/joint sponsor who qualifies

Anyone can be the joint sponsor as long as they are an LPR/US Citizen and meet the income requirements based on the poverty guidelines.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-05-02 10:17:00

DS-3032 Question

Just a thought: Doesn't the DS-3032 email have to be sent from the beneficiary's email address on file at NVC?

Technically, the physical DS3032 form is filled up and signed by the beneficiary.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-05-02 10:36:00

No Sponcer! HELP

Sorry to hear about your situation. Just wanted to add that your joint sponsor can be anyone as long as they are a US Citizen or an LPR (in case you didn't already know this), so no need to limit your possibilities to just family or USCs.

Hope you find a way to be together soon, be it in Mexico or the US!

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-05-04 13:48:00

No Sponcer help! UPDATE

Just re-read the I-864a instructions a couple of times.

It states that "a relative who shares the same principal residence as the sponsor and is related to the sponsor as a spouse, adult child, parent or sibling" is considered a "household member" for the purposes of the I-864a.

So it seems as long as the OP shares the same principal residence as her father, he can combine his income with hers in order to qualify.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-05-08 10:39:00

No Sponcer help! UPDATE

Your joint sponsor has to meet the 125% income requirement alone -- you can't combine your income with his to meet the requirement.

But if you and your daughter are USCs and aren't currently your father's dependents, he'd only have to add your husband to the number for his household size. So it would be 125% of the FPL for household consisting of your father + his dependents + your husband.

Hopefully someone else more knowledgeable than me will chime in..

While the above is true, assuming the OP lives in the same household as her father (ie as a dependent or some such thing), he CAN use the I-864a to combine his income with hers in order to meet the income requirements.

Information about the I-864a from USCIS here: http://www.uscis.gov...00048f3d6a1RCRD

Edited by caly, 08 May 2013 - 10:27 AM.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-05-08 10:22:00

Spousal Visa Journey began in January

Hi everybody !

I need help and i didn't knew where else to ask ..So here is the thing .

Me and my husband applied for a CR1 visa since we are less then 2 years in a marriage .

we have sent I 130 in April 2013 .. But the thing is that as i see it , It is better to apply for a IR 1 visa cause then you get permanent residence.. and with CR 1 visa you need to wait 2 years more after your entering in the States..

So my question is , if we have sent the I 130 in April this year for how long can we delay it ? cause it is better to pass 2 years of the marriage and then get IR 1 visa..

Please if somebody knows something please do write ,it is very important for us .

Just to clarify, both the CR-1 and the IR-1 results in Legal Permanent Residence (LPR) Status for the alien spouse.

CR-1 = 2 year conditional green card, the LPR will have to petition for the conditions on the green card to be removed (you file the paperwork up to 90 days before the green card expires, the combined filing fee is currently $590... then wait a few months to hear back from USCIS. From what I've seen, legitimate couples rarely have major problems with this stage. When approved, a 10 year green card will be issued)

IR-1 = 10 unconditional green card, don't have to file to remove conditions

As long as you are married for at least 2 years prior to your arrival in the US, you are entitled to the IR-1, regardless of whether or not it was issued at the interview.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-05-07 13:46:00

Process once in the US

Do you know if there is a webpage I can bookmark for paying that fee online? Just so I'm prepared the second we get our visa in hand =)

You can pay the fee online here: https://www.pay.gov/...FormId=40850201

The information you'll need to provide when you pay the fee online is listed here: http://www.uscis.gov...00045f3d6a1RCRD

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-05-10 15:21:00

Process once in the US

This is the new(ish) $165 fee that came into effect Feb 1st, 2013.

You can read about it here: http://www.uscis.gov...00045f3d6a1RCRD

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-05-09 07:23:00

I submitted AOS, and paid IV fee ... yet I received this email

I got this too. But I already post the DS-230 since I got the IV cover sheet. It makes me confused.

I guess I just ignore it and waiting for the next direction. isn't is?

Yup, just ignore it if you have already sent them what they are asking for.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-05-02 06:28:00

Civil Documents with DS 230?

quick question on check off sheet. You state you have marriage certificate. I take it that you are married to spouse in USA. If you are filing under K1, can not be married.

This IS the spousal visa thread.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-05-07 13:51:00

Going back

I disagree with this part of the answer. If I am right, to be able to file abroad while together, the petitioner and the beneficiary must have both legal residence on the OP's home country (for at least 6 months prior to the filing).

Incorrect - there are many US embassies that don't process Direct Consular Filings (DCF). However, this does not mean that the US citizen cannot go and live with the foreign spouse or start the visa process in the countries which have these non-DCF embassies.

The USC simply would send off the I-130 to the Chicago lockbox like the rest of us.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-10-10 12:02:00

Going back

I don't think she will be able to enter the USA on the tourist visa again now that she has married a USC either. However I disagree with the remainder of what you say.

The USC can now file the immigration based petition no matter where he is including outside the USA. He doesn't have to return to the USA. Its best if he has domicile in the USA or can show how he will do that upon return.

Once the immigrant has entered the USA on a CR 1` they can do the AOS with no problem.

I doubt it would take anywhere near 24 months to be approved for a CR 1 unless she is in a Mena country. Again we see a case where they don't realize its important to indicate the country so its hard to discuss the timeline.

I think what Blueberry Pancake meant was that they could face scrutiny and problems if the OP was allowed to re-enter the US on her tourist visa and then adjusted status from it. As mentioned above, this would be immigration fraud

Also, the CR-1 is a immigrant visa, you don't need to file AOS when you enter on a CR-1 visa.

The way I see it, OP has 3 legal options right now:

Try to re-enter on her tourist visa (but there's a high chance that she will be turned away at the Port of Entry if CBP is made aware of the "newly-wed" situation, also doesn't sound like OP has a job back home at this point). Assuming she makes it into the country, they can file the I-130 to start the CR-1 process.. She stays in the US with her husband as long as her tourist visa will allow and then returns home when the time comes.
They stay abroad together and start the CR-1 paperwork.
She stays abroad and her hubby returns to the US while they petition and apply for the CR-1 visa. There's nothing to say that she can't visit him on the tourist visa later on while waiting for the visa, especially if she can show strong ties to home.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-10-10 08:17:00

Going back

Are you planning on adjusting status within the US or would you be filing for a spousal visa while "visiting" him with the intention of returning home when your time is up? In case you were not aware, entering the US with the intent to adjust status is considered immigration fraud.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-10-09 19:19:00

This information is false.

K-3 processing times are posted as 5 months at the TSC. I was advised yesterday to go ahead and file a K-3. The I-130's are taking longer than expected....posted at an average of 16.6 months.

The K-3 is free and it does NOT slow down the process of the files as they are both adjudicated at different service centers....

Information was given to me yesterday by my immigration attorney ..( who is filing K-3's for all his I-130 clients, by the way )

Hum... I suppose with the recent reshuffling of service centers, the newly operational Kansas facility plus the backlog of I-130s, who knows what could happen?

But it's my understanding that since 2006, it is USCIS' procedure to pull I-130s from its place in the queue so they can be joined up with the I-129F. It has also been the procedure for NVC to administratively close the I-129F petition when they receive both the I-130 and I-129F at the same time (which they should because USCIS joins the petitions).

If I-130s are taking as long as your lawyer claims, then there's certainly a chance the new I-129F (and most likely the I-130) could be looked at first compared to if it had stayed at NBC.

FYI the add-on I-129F petition may cost nothing, but the K-3 will be much more expensive in the long run, that is if you even get a K-3 visa out of it.

It will be interesting to see what becomes of this.

Edited by caly, 09 October 2013 - 06:52 PM.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-10-09 18:43:00

http://www.visajourn..._live_in_the_US

Hey, no worries.. Read and digest the guide and by all means, come back and ask any questions you may have. Being able to communicate with, get help and learn from other who are currently (or who have been) in your situation is what makes VJ such a wonderful site!

I also found this wiki page to be invaluable in my understanding of the whole spousal visa process:

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-10-09 12:34:00

http://www.visajourn...tent/i130guide1

He is currently abroad...

Then you only need the I-130.

Reading this will help you understand what you'll need to submit with the form:

Good luck!

Oh, and don't bother with the K3, the process has sped up enough that they are very rarely ever granted anymore and may actually slow down the processing of your case these days.

Edited by caly, 09 October 2013 - 12:25 PM.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-10-09 12:23:00

Is the foreign spouse currently in the US or abroad? The I-485 is only used if the foreign spouse is adjusting status within the US.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-10-09 12:15:00

Can I add my daughter to an approved I-130

NO. Children do not submit g-325 at all.

In correct. This is only for spouse.

Oops. My bad. I did a quick search and found a couple threads from last year that said to have the parent sign the form. Thanks for picking that up and correcting.

I just did more searching.. It seems that for a minor child, no G-325a but a birth certificate is required (as opposed to beneficiary birth cert only required at NVC for spousal petitions)?

Do I have it right this time? :blush:

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-01-15 15:10:00

Can I add my daughter to an approved I-130

do i need to submit g325a with i-130, or is it just for if you are filing for a spouse

Yes. The parent (you) signs it in this case.

Good luck and I hope you are able to get it expedited!

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-01-15 14:21:00

Police Clearance - proof that certificate is required

Hi!

Great suggestions and I will definitely try it.

The other thing though is that according to the reciprocity table on the NVC website, the singapore police certificate will be sent directly to the requesting/processing office. I should probably try to time it so that it gets to the NVC around the same time as the DS-230 right? Or does it not matter as long as the NVC has contacted the USC that they have received the petition?

How far in advance do you guys think I should try to obtain the certificate (eg. when my husband pays the IV fee or when we mail in the DS-230)?

The processing time for each application is approximately 10 days.

Thanks for your thoughts and advice.

caly

Female

Singapore

2011-02-14 00:37:00

Police Clearance - proof that certificate is required

Hi, I'm preparing docs for my NVC journey and one of the prerequisite of NVC is Police Clearance. As per Singapore Police Force, they will not issue Police Clearance until proof of document from relevant consulate/immigration authority/government bodies particular certificate is required by such authority.

Can someone advise me where can I get or request this document without waiting for the NVC letter that they required it?Should I just wait for the NVC letter? <img src="http://www.visajourn..._DIR#>/sad.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="sad.gif" />..I don't want to add this clearance in my waiting period. Btw, singapore police clearance is two weeks process. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/whistling.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="whistling.gif" />

I've also been wondering about this. Doesn't look like the OP has been back in awhile, but does anyone else have any idea?

Thanks.

caly

Female

Singapore

2011-02-13 05:26:00

I-864 income requirements

Thank you both.

caly

Female

Singapore

2011-02-14 20:29:00

I-864 income requirements

Another quick question for everyone here, After doing much research on the topic, I have been unable to find an answer for if the income requirements to be 125% above the poverty level are considered to be pre or post tax and deductions? My spouse's income is over the limit in either case but we are very curious to know.

Thank you to anyone who has input on this topic.

caly

Female

Singapore

2011-02-14 12:40:00

IV documents lost??

Is it mandatory that all original documents needs to be sent to NVC? Getting replacements for original documents from certain countries, ( eg. India) can be a nightmare. Does everyone who has been thru this always send in the originals ?

Any known adverse impacts in not sending the originals to NVC ( sending the copies to NVC and taking originals to interview) or bad experiences with lost docs?

I am not trying to be cynical or re-invent the wheel, but trying to understand the possibilities / risks.

Thanks in advance.

Hi,

I believe they accept certified copies (someone correct me if I'm mistaken)!

From the NVC website:

Photocopy Requirements

You and each family member immigrating with you must also submit to the NVC a photocopy of the original documents or certified copies of the documents.

More information here: http://travel.state..../info_3195.html

Hope this helps.

caly

Female

Singapore

2011-02-16 09:55:00

NVC STAGE

Certified copies are copies or extracts that can only be issued and certified by the issuing authority.

For example, a certified true copy of your birth certificate would only be available from the registry of births and deaths (that's what they call it here, may be different in your country).

Similarly, a certified copy of your marriage certificate would come from the registry of marriages.

As Amy and Nick said, a certified copy is NOT a photocopy or a notarized photocopy.

caly

Female

Singapore

2011-02-16 22:40:00

I-130 and G325A: Name in native alphabet

Hi everyone,

Question about the "Name in native language" question on the I-130 and G-325A forms. Would love to hear all advice/suggestions.

A couple of weeks ago, I mistakenly filled in my chinese name in the name in the native language field on the G-325A, signed the form and sent it to my husband.

Now, as we are reviewing our forms, we realize that I shouldn't have filled out that question because:

In Singapore, all official communication is conducted in English
I do not consider Mandarin to be my native language

The only reason I filled it in was because I saw "name... non-roman alphabet" and my Chinese name is reflected on my birth certificate and Singapore ID card, so I wrote it down because I figured I should give them all the information.. Also possibly because I didn't really think about the implications of the question. I am kicking myself now!

Now, I wonder if it could cause potential problems at USCIS.. I don't want them to think my native language is Chinese because I am quite terrible at it!

My husband and I are planning on leaving the G-325A as it is but submitting the I-130 with "See attachment" in the Native non-roman name field. We will explain the descrepancy and my husband will sign on the attachment.

Do you think this will be acceptable to USCIS/NVC?

Thanks!

caly

Female

Singapore

2011-02-18 23:09:00