ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTime related question - Married to an American abroad
OP said that they plan on living in Israel for another 2 more years so I think it's still too early to DCF. I would suggest trying to apply for a non-immigrant tourist visa now if you are planning a short visit, or wait until you are closer to moving back before starting the DCF process
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-11-30 16:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTime related question - Married to an American abroad
Do you actually plan on returning to the US with your husband to live? If so then take a look at DCF: http://jerusalem.usc...-_petition.html

But if you only want to travel there for a visit then there is no point to filing for an immigrant visa (green card, spousal visa). It would simply be a waste of time and money.

QUOTE (rmncm @ Dec 1 2008, 05:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Well being your married already, it will be hard to convince the immigration officers at your point of entry that you do plan on leaving and not staying.


Not true. I entered the US on VWP twice after I had married my US citizen husband and didn't run into any trouble either time. I simply showed them proof of my on-ward/return ticket and they didn't ask any further questions
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-11-30 15:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPassport for Cr-1 interview
QUOTE (waithatter @ Dec 9 2008, 03:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Janet,
You have to get new passport with your married name on it.


Not necessarily. My passport is still in my maiden name (have difficulties with changing it and I explained it to them) but the US Consulate was able to issue my visa in my married name, with an annotation to my maiden name.

I had no problems at POE and now my green card, SSN, bank accounts, drivers license are all in my married name (based off my visa)
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-12-08 14:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR-1 AND IR-1....
CR1 = 2 year green card which you later have to file to remove conditions from in order to obtain a 10 yr green card
IR1 = 10 year green card
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-12-08 19:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTold by lawyer to do IR-1 instead of K-3, questionable?
I'm quite sure that the residency has to be continuous also
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-12-08 20:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTold by lawyer to do IR-1 instead of K-3, questionable?
Sure DCF is faster but if he has to fulfill the 6 month residency requirement first, then file.. depending on how quickly the process is there (say 3-4 months) wouldnt that still take about 9-10 months total...

Isnt that about the same as doing a regular CR1?
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-12-08 19:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTold by lawyer to do IR-1 instead of K-3, questionable?
QUOTE (trinket @ Dec 9 2008, 07:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE
2) He says that I don't need any proof of a bone fide marriage until my wife goes for her interview in Japan. However, I usually see that evidence of a bone fide marriage is turned in with the I-130. Is he making a mistake?


Isn't it kind of correct though? A lot of people who have applied didn't give out any proof other than marriage certificate?


This was the case for us.. we filed for CR1 and only had to show our marriage certificate.. nothing else

I think it might have been because we did DCF and Australia is considered a 'low fraud' country
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-12-08 16:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 or K3?
QUOTE (dreamcircus @ Dec 13 2008, 06:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
BTW your case is almost identical as ours... as in the AUS/Seattle connection. I might message you if you don't mind..


sure go ahead smile.gif

Is there any way you could go back to Australia with him, reside there for 6 months then do DCF (another 2 months)? If it were possible I think it would be quicker than doing the usual CR1 route through USCIS
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-12-12 16:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 or K3?
Sorry I don't know but I was wondering is your husband technically allowed to remain in the US while his visa is being processed once his visitor visa (3 month VWP I assume) has expired? Or does he have to return to Australia to wait?
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-12-12 11:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNO SSN YET...
Go to your local SSA with your passport (and I-551 stamp inside). Ask them to look you up on their system to see if you have firstly made it into their system, and secondly if you have been assigned a number yet.

1. If you are in the system and have been assigned a number ask them to give you a print out of the number and confirm with them the mailing address the card will be sent to. It should usually arrive within a week
2. If you are in the system but haven't been assigned a number, fill in form SS-5 and turn it in on the spot
3. If you aren't in the system then POE/USCIS is simply being slow and you'll just have to wait a bit longer
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-12-16 20:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSpouse here on CR-1 Visa
Yes, if your spouse wants to remain here they do. The immigration officer should have stuck a slip of paper with information about Removing of conditions inside your spouse's passport when they came through POE
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-12-18 11:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSpouse here on CR-1 Visa
in 2 years

See: http://www.visajourn...p;page=751guide
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-12-18 11:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCHANGING MY ADDRESS IN U.S?
At POE you can confirm/change the mailing address you want everything sent to.

The sponsor has to complete a I-865 Sponsor's Notice of Change of Address and send it into USCIS
Link to list of forms: http://www.uscis.gov...00045f3d6a1RCRD
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-12-18 20:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIs asset enough for sponsor?
QUOTE
Q: May the petitioner/sponsor count assets to meet the 125 percent minimum income requirement?

A: Yes. The sponsor counts his/her U.S. income first, not foreign income. Next he/she counts the personal assets and/or the income and assets of household members who have signed an I-864A. If, using all of those sources, the minimum income requirement is met; the affidavit would be "sufficient."

To be counted, the cash value of assets must equal five times the difference between the sponsor's income and 125 percent of the poverty line for the household size.

(For spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of U.S. citizens, only three times the difference between the applicable income threshold and actual household income is required). For example, a petitioner/sponsor with a household size of four and an income of $18,000 would need assets equal to five (or three) times the difference between his/her income and the income required for a family of four at the current federal poverty guidelines level. He/she would also need to show evidence of mortgages, liens, and liabilities against the assets.


Source: http://canberra.usem.../affidavit.html
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-12-18 20:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPOE Question - X-Ray needed?
I'd roll it up and place it inside a mailing tube and pack it with your carry on. It's not really needed (my Consulate told me I could just place it in my checked luggage, and when I went through POE they didn't ask for my x-rays) but I've read on here about someone who ran into trouble when POE asked for their X-ray so I figured I'd pack it anyway
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-11-10 00:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSSN--Who to call?
She can't apply for an SSN until her brown envelope has been "processed" and her details are in the system

Give USCIS a call
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-12-19 22:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresis Passport Stamp for CR1 at POE same as I-551
Don't worry crazysamurai, you have the right stamp and your SSN and Green Card will come. The stamp Karin & otto posted looks different to mine (in fact it looks like it says 1999 so it's probably an outdated/older version)
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-12-24 13:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAfter POE- Wanting to Prepare
He can apply for work once he has the I-551 stamp but in order to be hired most employers will require his SSN too as he'll have to fill out an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-12-24 14:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresafter CR1 visa approved time limit to enter us?
yes, 6 months
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-12-28 22:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresopening bank account
Just use your Columbian joint account. My husband didn't add me to his US account as a joint holder until after I completed my visa process & moved here. All we showed them was our Aussie joint account and we were fine (not that they even looked at any of the stuff)
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-12-31 09:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130
Are you the petitioner or beneficiary?

We didn't present my US petitioner husband's birth certificate, only a copy of his passport and it was fine
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-01-03 21:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurespls help with SSN.
Try first thing in the morning and avoid midday
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-12-18 17:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshow to get social security card
QUOTE (crazysamurai @ Jan 12 2009, 04:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Does anyone know if it's sufficient to apply for Social security card?


I'd take along a few other bits of ID such as her birth certificate, marriage certificate or home country issued driver license just incase they ask to see extra
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-01-12 00:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshow to get social security card
QUOTE (Haole @ Jan 12 2009, 04:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
She will need her GC to get her SSN!


This is incorrect. All you need is your passport with the visa and stamp inside. Take it to your local social security office. Explain that she came through POE on such and such a date and that she hasn't received her SSN yet. Ask them to look her up in their system to see if her details have been updated into the system and whether she has been assigned a SSN yet.

If she is in the system and has been assigned a SSN ask them to give you a print out. Verify the mailing address and the card should arrive a week or so later.
If she is in the system but hasn't been assigned a SSN complete a S-5 application form to get an SSN.

kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-01-12 00:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresGREEN CARD arrived in mail but....no SS card yet
QUOTE (crazysamurai @ Jan 15 2009, 01:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Her name is correct on the card. But her middle name was abbreviated to a letter (which is first character of my first name).


I believe this is standard
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-01-14 21:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSocial Security card an
Go to the office about 10 days after POE and ask for your number.

If you have been assigned one they will give you a print out
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-01-22 19:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 Visa Valid for how long?
6 months validity is correct
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-01-23 21:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR-1 Address Change
yes, submit an I-865 for yourself

and your husband should file an AR-11
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-01-26 19:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresneed to translate wedding certificate from spanish to english can anyone help me
QUOTE (BringSp @ Jan 29 2009, 12:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am in the US. I live in NJ .. so its gonna be a problem to go to one of those translators ... is there any other way


You don't need to visit them in person. Translations can easily be done through email

Edited by kaffy, 28 January 2009 - 08:49 PM.

kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-01-28 20:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMoving soon, should I apply for CR-1 Now??
Don't apply for it now, if you did it would be a waste of your money & the government's time.

If you plan on remaining there 2-3 years I would suggest filing DCF (direct consular filing, which you should be eligible for once you have been a UK resident for more than 6 months) with the embassy there about 8-10 months before you plan on moving back to the US. DCF is quicker than going the usual USCIS route and giving yourself a year should be more than enough time for you to finish the process without any rush.

Edited by kaffy, 29 January 2009 - 10:18 AM.

kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-01-29 10:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDivorce and returning green card before it arrives/Japan
I too think you are being a little too hasty. Your wife has only been here less than a month - are you really ready to end it so soon? There are options.... marriage counseling, taking some time apart, etc

kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-01-03 15:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresGetting Married in US on Tourist Visa and coming back to Canada
QUOTE (cmnb @ Feb 3 2009, 04:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
by you coming in for 4-5 days, getting married and then returning to canada clearly raises the flag that you were in the US intentionally to get married.


Does this mean tourists who visit the States to get married in Hawaii, Vegas, etc are committing visa fraud?

I don't see anything wrong with the OPs plan to enter the US, marry then return to Canada to file his/her I-130.

Edited by kaffy, 02 February 2009 - 01:56 PM.

kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-02-02 13:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMoved
^ What she said.
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-02-04 19:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVisa issuance during interview?
In Australia they are supposed to issue it within 2 working days of your interview

but since every embassy is different you might have better luck asking in the Philippines forum?

Edited by kaffy, 05 February 2009 - 06:59 PM.

kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-02-05 18:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresExpedited visa! WOW
COngrats!!


but DCF is still quicker tongue.gif
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-02-06 22:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHello to CR1/IR1 Filers who are waiting for their interview
I don't think this is a DCF question because DCF doesn't go through NVC
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-02-03 09:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresStamp after POE with IR1
I received the same stamp and it is the right one. I opened a bank account, found a job, etc all before I received my actual green card

And the link to the I-551 stamp says it's from 1999... bit outdated I think
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-02-09 20:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAfter US entry once IR1 is approved can I go back to my home country?
QUOTE (Shimool @ Feb 11 2009, 11:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
This is what I know, but double check if possible -
Once you get your green card (should be in a couple of weeks after you get to US), you can go back to your country. However, you will need to fill out naturalization forms and stuff within 2 years of getting green card. You can work at home because you still will have a passport from your home country


You are at risk of losing your PR status if you decide to simply move back to your home country for an indefinite period of time.

Edited by kaffy, 10 February 2009 - 07:12 PM.

kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-02-10 19:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAfter US entry once IR1 is approved can I go back to my home country?
Why are you applying for an immigrant visa if you don't intend on immigrating?

edit- nevermind, just read your second message.

After your visa approved you have 6 months in which to enter the US. Shouldn't that be enough time for your company to hire and train a replacement?

Edited by kaffy, 10 February 2009 - 07:09 PM.

kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-02-10 19:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresConditional resident status: How do they determine?
^Yeah, what they said
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-02-27 11:30:00