ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC - Court records for speeding ticket

Hi guys,

 

We're in the process of gathering documents for the NVC stage, and I just received my police certificate in the mail. To my surprise I had a speeding ticket from 2005 mentioned on the certificate, but after a few minutes I remembered why it was there. I appealed the cased in order to try to lower my fine, cause it was a ridiculous amount, and for me who was a student at the time, it was too much. I went to court and asked if I could get some slack, but it was a no go and I had to pay the fine. It was either pay the fine or alternatively spend a few weeks in prison, and I did not want to go to prison.

 

Now my question is, and I can already guess the answer, would I need to acquire the court documents for this specific case since its on my police certificate?

 

And also, I know that on the DS-260 it asks about convictions and criminal records, I guess I would have to answer yes to this question due to it being on my record?

 

 

 

Thanks,

TJ

 

 

Edit: Typos


Edited by TJandKC, 01 May 2014 - 01:30 PM.

TJandKCMaleNorway2014-05-01 13:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-260 and convictions, answered "No" on DS-160 (B2-application)

Hi! No interview date yet, still waiting for our NOA2 :/ I'll post an update once we're done with the whole ordeal.


TJandKCMaleNorway2014-06-08 19:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-260 and convictions, answered "No" on DS-160 (B2-application)

Okay, thank you for some reassuring words. This whole process is nerve-wrecking and anxiety ridden as it is.

I will indeed have an explanation ready if it is brought up during an interview.

 

Thanks,

TJ


Edited by TJandKC, 02 May 2014 - 10:24 PM.

TJandKCMaleNorway2014-05-02 22:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-260 and convictions, answered "No" on DS-160 (B2-application)

Could this discrepancy lead to a denial of our CR1-visa?

I guess we'll just have to wait and see and try to explain the discrepancy if it is brought up during the interview.

 

Thanks,

TJ


TJandKCMaleNorway2014-05-02 20:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-260 and convictions, answered "No" on DS-160 (B2-application)

Hi guys,

 

As I was recently gathering documents for the NVC stage of our petition in hope of an approval soon, and I acquired my police certificate.

To my surprise there was a conviction on my criminal record for a speeding ticket that I contested, were I was sentenced to pay the original fine.

I had completely forgotten about even going to court for that, it was in 2005. 

 

Now, on my B2-visa application, I answered "No" to the question; "Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime, even though the subject of a pardon, amnesty or similar action?". I answered it in good faith as I had completely forgotten about the speeding ticket, let alone going to court for it.

The B2-visa got rejected due to lack of ties to home country, so I was never issued any B2-visa.

 

My question is, will this come back to haunt me when I know fill in my DS-260, in which I will answer "Yes" to that very same question, now that I'm aware that the speeding ticket is on my criminal record. Do they do some kind of cross check to other applications you've had and compare answers?

 

This is really keeping me up at night these days....

 

Appreciate any input!

 

Thanks,

TJ


TJandKCMaleNorway2014-05-02 19:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureswe have been waiting for a long time

I have sent all my docs such as aos, civil docs a month ago and it still say N/A... so just track that it got delivered. I overnighted mine through FedEx, I've heard that USPS losses documents all the time so I didn't want to risk it. And as soon as your tracker says it is delivered, call NVC to make sure they have it. Then they take 30 business to review your civil docs before they will update anything.


Edited by suhailsaish, 26 June 2014 - 02:05 PM.

suhailsaishMaleIndia2014-06-26 14:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMaking 125% of poverty level, do I need a co-sponsor?

 

 

 

Guys this was back in January... how did it all work out?

 

Best

 

UnaMexicana

Hi!

 

He got here today, I just picked him up from the airport!  They accepted my earnings without question.  I made sure to include 6 months worth of pay stubs (that's all I had at the time of his interview), and a note from my manager stating my start date, the fact that it was a permanent post, and how much I was expecting to make this year.


Becky and LesFemaleUnited Kingdom2014-09-03 17:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMaking 125% of poverty level, do I need a co-sponsor?

Thanks for your thoughts!  I just wanted to make sure it wasn't too good to be true :).


Becky and LesFemaleUnited Kingdom2014-01-05 21:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMaking 125% of poverty level, do I need a co-sponsor?

Hi All.

 

I began a job December 2013.  It's full time, permanent, and makes more than 125% of the poverty level.  However, before this, I had not been employed in roughly 4 years.  I've been doing my taxes every year even though they say that I made nothing.  I called the NVC and asked if I would need a co-sponsor since my first pay check wouldn't be until January 1, 2014.  The person I spoke to said that I would 'likely not need a co-sponsor if I was currently making above 125% of the poverty level.'  I'd like to believe this, I really would, but I'm still jaded by the USCIS reps and am having trouble believing that I won't need a co-sponsor.  So, I thought I'd ask you, my friends, cohorts, and general mischief makers at VJ what you thought.  My parents are willing to be co-sponsors, but I don't really want to make them submit tax transcripts if it's not necessary.  So, do you think that my tax transcripts stating that I've made nothing in the past 3 years, a pay stub (or two depending on how quickly I can submit my stuff to the NVC), and a letter from my employer stating that I am indeed making what I say I'm making and that it's a permanent position, will be enough?  Or should I get a co-sponsor just in case?

 

Thanks for your thoughts,

Becky


Becky and LesFemaleUnited Kingdom2014-01-04 23:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR-1 issued but no greencard.

Hi all,

I arrived in the USA on July 8th on a CR-1 visa.

I have received a social security number but no greencard.
It's been around 5 weeks... need I be concerned?
Can anyone indicate how long I should wait before pursuing the issue?

Secondly, my visa 'issue date' is June 18 2014, and it says my visa 'expires on' Nov 20th 2014.
The stamp on the follow page has a stamped 'July 8 2014'... and underneath, handwritten 'Cr-1 - July 7th 2016'.

Can anyone tell me what the deal is with the Nov 20th 2014 date on the visa? Do I need to be concerned?
Or is it simply the last day I could have used my CR-1 visa to enter.

Finally... I set up a bank account the other day but they've just called me back telling me they have to change it to a temporary account that'll expire after six months. Something to do with not have a greencard.... Can anything in my passport/on the visa, give them the information they need for the time being?

Thanks!!
















wilk0164Not TellingAustralia2014-08-19 08:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMedical in Vancouver? (split topic)
Can I have the medical for a cr1 done in Vancouver? I know the interview is in Montreal, but can Dr Cheema still do the medical and then I bring it all, sealed of course, with me to Montreal?
nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2013-12-23 00:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVISA JOURNEY STARTED
It's good if you're hearing anything; a lot of us aren't. You say you have responded to the request for information, that's good too. Seems like they're processing your application, and things will move ahead for you once they've received the things you sent. Have you checked on the uscis website? It should tell you where they are in the processing.
nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-01-02 05:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIR1 versus CR1
Either way it's not an "adjustment of status." After 2 years of the "conditional permanent resident" status, you would have had to apply for lifting of conditions, which is a different form.

But if you get the IR-1 then you get a green card right away, and you can choose whether to stick with that and get it renewed in 10 years, or apply for citizenship after 3.

Yay!




nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-01-15 03:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInformal-looking Wedding - no white dress, suit or rings. Does it look bad on the application?

I wouldn't imagine it would raise too many eyebrows. Lots of people get married without a lot of hoopla. Hopefully the photos of the "informal but official" wedding will show how excited you are to spend the rest of your lives together. That's what matters.

 

Good luck, congratulations, and much love to you! (Oh, and given the hints in your post, Mazel tov!)


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-01-20 15:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresApplying for another visa (To another country) during the CR-1 process?

Is your wife living with you in the UK now? Or is she in the US?

 

If she's in the UK now, Did you do the I-130 petition from the UK as DCF (direct consular filing)? If so, it might cause problems. DCF is extremely quick compared to regular filing. In fact, if you didn't (and are eligible to do so) it would actually be worth your while to cancel the regular filing and do DCF. 

 

If she's in the US now, and the two of you decide to go to Korea to wait, I think the only issues would be with getting the updates that USCIS will (eventually) send, and potentially having to leave Korea abruptly to go back to the UK and have your interview and whatnot. 

 

I don't think the act of getting a different visa, for a different purpose, from a different government, in and of itself, would cause any problems. 


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-01-23 16:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPassport Photos - US or Canada?
So far all the passport size photos that they talk about are us style. I'd vote with hubby on this one!
nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-01-11 19:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresExpedite Request
If you're going to get an expedite based on Phillipines typhoon relief, you'll just get it... You don't need to apply for it. Besides, if you did apply (for an expedite you didn't deserve, because your area was not affected by the typhoon) you'd be lying.

Most likely you'll still get the fast track. Just don't brag too much about it. Those of us who are waiting and waiting are tired of hearing about Phillipines approvals that say "I have no idea why I was approved so fast... I'm nowhere near where the typhoon was! It must be a miracle."

It's not a miracle.

That said, good luck and I hope all goes well for you.






nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-01-28 02:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1/IR-1 Visa or K3 Visa - we are both living out of USA

Foreign income doesn't count, but if it turns out she owes money in the US for taxes, you could have issues as soon as you move. Besides, filing US taxes will (I would imagine) help to establish what they call "a good-faith effort" to maintain or reestablish residency in the US, when it comes time for her to fill in her portion of the sponsorship form. 

 

It's one of the things they look for when adjudicating that part of the application, when your spouse has not maintained a residence in the US. 

 

My husband has been living in Canada since University, and we're looking at the same problem now that we want to relocate to the US.


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2013-12-11 18:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNot being able to visit the USA during the I-13O process?

I've never heard that it influenced the i-130 process at all. Of course, you may be refused permission to visit - that's in the hands of the Customs person to whom you speak, and sometimes they refuse. But that refusal doesn't affect your process, unless you lied or misrepresented yourself and the purpose of your trip. Which you wouldn't do, right?


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-01-23 16:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130/1-129F HELP!!!

At this point, there's no real possibility that the i129 will go through before your approval. You're probably pretty close to approval (within 2 months from now). The i129 supposedly has a 5 month processing time, but that would start from when they accept it, (ie: a couple of weeks from now). You will have been approved on the i-130 by the time they even got your i129 near the top of the stack.

 


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-01-28 16:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresStarting the process again
No experience with this, but from the information in your post, you'll need a good lawyer if you have any chance.
nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-03 01:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresG-325A headache (yes, already searched)

If it were me, I would definitely include your residence in Argentina. Then, since all the pay was in cash, I'd write that you were "self employed" as an ESL teacher, for all of that time. It avoids gaps, and is technically true, since you weren't on a traditional employee payroll. I'm a musician and singing teacher, and all of my jobs doing that are technically "self-employment," like a subcontractor. 

 

It's the truth, (you were teaching all that time) and avoids trying to remember exact dates and names of companies.


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-04 01:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhen can one go for the medical exam?

My case is on its way to the NVC. Can my husband go get his medical exam done now?  Or is the exam only valid for a few days / weeks?


The medical is good for 6 months to a year, depending on the rules for your type of visa. The sticky issue here is that sometimes NVC takes a long time, sometimes there's a long wait before an interview can be scheduled, and sometimes there's a delay or even AP before the visa is issued, and your husband may not be able to hop on a plane immediately after getting the visa. All of those things have to happen within the time your medical is valid.

I assume you want to get the medical done in plenty of time to get the results before your interview, but I think your best bet is still to wait until your interview is booked.



nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-07 02:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNew Passport since filing !-130

Thanks! :)


Yes, thanks from me, too! I've just filed for a new married name passport. I have been a little worried, but I figured that changing over my ID will help as evidence of a bonafide marriage, and I didn't want to wait to take my new name. I put all possible versions of my name in the "other names used" section of the form, so I figured I'd be covered.

nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-08 21:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-864 Questions.

How will I know if I met the guidelines?


Google i864ez and the instruction form should come up. All the guidelines to be met are on the instruction sheet. Without knowing too much about your situation it looks like you'd probably qualify to file the "ez" form.

nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-10 23:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI130 status

It does not always mean that it is being worked on, or that approval is around the corner. The number was changed on my case in May and we are still waiting for noa2. It just means they assigned the case a number.

The A number would be for the benificiary, not the petitioner.  You are a US citizen, but the person you are petitioning for is not, that is why they give the case an Alien Registration Number. 

Who knows? Maybe you are one of the lucky ones that means you are about to get noa2? Good luck! Fingers crossed for you! 

 

You're right, it doesn't always mean that an approval is around the corner. But I've noticed that being assigned an alien registration number seems to be the last thing that happens on a stand alone I-130 before approval. So if the petitioner in question did not file the additional I-129f to chase after a K3, then it usually means approval. 

 

For those of us who filed both petitions, the assignation of an alien registration number usually applies first to the I-129f, and it does happen much sooner in the process, but then, since they actually have no intention of processing the I-129f before the I-130, the change of status doesn't predict anything, except that someone scanned the file's barcode.

 

Hey, maybe that notification for a K3 visa petition means that they've matched up the 2 files. Still doesn't mean anything, but I'll buy it as a theory!


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-12 00:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresJoint Sponsor Question
When I read up on the sponsorship rules it looked as though the spouse has to fill out a sponsorship form 864 whether or not they had enough money.

Your uncle should fill in the 864 not the 864a... He's a joint sponsor, not a member of the household.


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-14 01:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTricky question about salary

<p>I have several jobs during the year and they occur at different times. At this moment, I am currently a graduate student and work as a teaching / research assistant. I work at this job from August until May.  Then, from May until August, I work at another company (company #2).  During the entire year, I also do contract work (self employed) and have 1099s from previous years to prove the salary.Here are my questions.

  • So, can I submit all of this to the NVC as proof of salary? I read that they won't accept letters of future employment.
  • Every year, company #2 sends me a letter saying that I will be working starting in May.  It's only Feb so I'm guessing that the NVC won't want to count this as salary?
  • As far as my contract work, I can send in the 1099 for 2013 to prove my current salary?
and finally, 
  • In case I can only submit my current salary (no 1099s from previous years or future letter of employment beginning in May), I make $13,500 annually as a teaching / research assistant and I am petitioning for my husband, only.  Does this mean that I have to show that I have an $11,774 amount in the bank (or in assets), which is calculated by taking $19,387 - $13,500 = $5,887, multiplying by 2 (for myself and my spouse)?

Do you have any tax returns (from this year or previous years) that show you make over the 125% poverty threshold? If yes, submit those. Then you won't need to use savings.

If you do need to use savings, you need to multiply by a factor of 3, not 2.



nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-13 14:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 denied due to stupid USCIS office mistake

No, I did not send any additional documentation in as I was told not to by the USCIS workers I spoke to (the second said it was too late to do anything when I called). They had the document already with the initial filing. I feel it's not appropriate that I have to re-file (or pay the large fee to re-open) because they are incompetent.

the only thing, is can this be done in the 30 day window they give? Looking at the wait times with USCIS, it would be weeks at the least to see them in person. They don't even seem willing to let me talk to the local field office (on USCIS worker simply hung up on me).


I think that if you make an info pass appt, that stops the clock on the 30 days. After all, you HAVE done something within the window! Good luck!

nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-13 14:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 denied due to stupid USCIS office mistake

We received a denial notice Feb 8, 2014 stating that we abandoned the petition since we did not submit a document they asked for Dec 10, 2013. Now let me explain, on Dec 10th, I get a letter asking for a divorce decree/death certificate to proof that I am not married to an imaginary person. The had my previous married name (first marriage-ended back in 2007) noted to be married to a man that was made from the first and middle name of my current husband (beneficiary) and the last name of my ex husband. I called them the moment I opened the letter and reported the insane error. The say they noted it and I will get a letter in about a week notifying me that they had been made aware of the error. A month passed and I got nothing. I called in and asked again and was told that  a typo was noted, but that it had gone on to adjucation already. Then about a month later,  we get the letter from the local field office and I'm optimistic until I'm hit with the worst. They say that they have denied us because we abandoned the petition by not submitting the document...I was livid...and that is putting it lightly. I am scheduling to meet with an immigration attorney asap. I am baffled as to how they can choose to ignore the multiple corrections and just push it through anyhow. We started this Dec 2012...I really, really do not want to start over because of their error.  Anyone had this happen before or anything similar?


I assume that you sent (another copy of) your divorce decree in addition to just informing them of the typo, in response to the RFE, right?

I hope they'll just reopen your case. Sorry this happened to you.



nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-13 14:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNaturalization Certificate not received

I sent my I-130 application May 12. I already got my approval and everything but I just notice that they haven't sent back my naturalization certificate?? I sent the original copy I was going through my files and I just notice I am missing it and I just realized I sent it to them. Last time my mom filed for my dad she sent her original copy too but they sent it back to her? What should I do?


From your timeline, it looks like you've just gone to NVC. I think you get your originals back at the interview. They still need them at NVC stage.

nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-13 01:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTourist visa denied, will this have any affect of I-130?

No - there are tons of versions of this same story... and it kind of makes sense: You can't get a tourist visa if you intend to immigrage. The I130 proves you intend to immigrate. Therefore, you can't get a tourist visa. If only we could have gone and told our past selves "Hey, you should get a tourist visa now, while they have no reason to decline it!"

 

Oh well. It's a pain that you can't visit now, but it won't affect your immigration.

 

 


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-14 20:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUS Citizen living abroad with spouse during I-130 processing

Hi everyone, 

 

I am in a somewhat unusual scenario - at least I think I am - and if someone else is in the same or similar situation, perhaps they can help me out.   

 

My husband is a New Zealand citizen and I am an American citizen. He and I met in New York, where he was working on a J-1 (one year work) visa. Close to the time of the expiration of his visa he had to head back to New Zealand. We decided to get married around this time. We got married in Queenstown, where his family lives, and then he had to head off to Auckland a week after our wedding to complete his final semester at university. So we flew from Queenstown to Auckland, and in Auckland, I got on a connecting flight back to New York. Upon arriving back in New York, however, I was miserable so we came up with the following solution:

 

I remained in New York for two weeks and during this time, I filed his I-130 petition. At the same time I applied for a working holiday visa to go to New Zealand; this visa allows a US citizen under a certain age (under the age of 30, I think) to travel and work in New Zealand for a year. So immediately after filing that I-130, I moved to Auckland to wait out the processing time with him.

 

We both remained there until December, when we decided to spend some time with his parents, who live in Dunedin. We spent close to a month in Dunedin, and then decided to spend some time in Australia, since New Zealand citizens are eligible to live and work in Australia for as long as they like without undergoing any immigration process. I simply applied for another work and holiday visa to travel to Australia, where I currently am.

 

Our only incentive for doing this, was to avoid having to spend a year living in different countries. I do not intend to live anywhere but the US and I maintain a domicile in the US where all correspondence is sent to - my parent's house, where I'd been living before moving to Auckland.

 

I hadn't informed the USCIS of any of my address changes, since we were moving around so much (hadn't originally intended to, but we ended up doing so because I quickly grew sick of Auckland and felt homesick if I remained in one place too long). Regarding the next step, which is sending an affidavit of sponsorship to the NVC, my dad and I are going to file a joint sponsorship, since I am not currently earning income in the United States.

 

A few days ago I was informed via email that my petition had finally been approved (yay!). It took just a few days over 6 months from the date our petition was received. I realized, my husband's mailing address needs to be changed to Dunedin, where his parents can receive documentation that is sent to him. I don't know if our Australian address is valid as a mailing address, since he is a New Zealand citizen, so I don't want to create confusion as to why we are in Australia. Also, do we need to inform the NVC of all the addresses he has lived at in between? AND most importantly, do I need to report my move out of the country to the NVC? The reason I hadn't done this, again, was to avoid confusion, because the USCIS does not correspond outside the country - because my mailing address in the US was still good for receiving correspondence (my parents just scanned all documents they received and scanned and sent them to me), and I didn't want to create confusion regarding my mailing address in the United States.

 

However, I have worked for 3 months, while I was in Auckland, so my most recent tax return (which my dad is currently doing for me for the past year) will display income earned in New Zealand. So I don't want this information to create confusion as well if I don't report that I have been living outside the US.

 

Any advice on this situation is much appreciated.

 

There are quite a few people on the forums who are living abroad with their spouses for whatever reason. Don't worry about it.  Obviously, the most important thing is to be honest if anyone asks anything. No need to stress about things that they don't ask though.

 

Now that you're headed to NVC, you just need to provide an address where your husband can have things mailed to. It doesn't really matter where it is; there are also a number of people who are living in a third country altogether, working or what have you. There's usually a place on the forms to differentiate between current and permanent addresses if you want. I think, assuming that your husband wants to do his interview in NZ as opposed to OZ he'll want to put his parents' address down as his mailing address.

 

Keep track of any and all addresses he's lived at, though, since they will be required (along with dates) on the new DS-260 (or whatever the name of that form is)... and if he's been in Australia for more than 6 mo, he will need a police report from there as well as NZ.

 

Your tax return with Australian income is no big deal, given that you're applying with a joint sponsor anyway.  Just make sure that you have proof (by interview time) of your "good faith effort" to re-establish domicile in the US (the fact that you have active bank accounts, a place to live, updated voter registry, your tax returns, etc etc).

 

My husband (dual USC and Canadian citizen) has been living in Canada since before I met him - he came here to go to university and has stayed 10years(ish). We got married last summer and he wants to move back to the US and bring me with him.  So we're facing many of the same issues. 

 

You'll be fine - good luck on your journey!


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-15 20:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAos problem...Not enough income.

How much is immigration lawyer will cost? Is it cheaper than $18k? We really desperate now. Don't know how to proceed.

 

An immigration lawyer will not help with this. Not at all. Lawyers just file forms for you. They cannot get around the need for a sponsor with sufficient money to support you. All a lawyer will do in this case is take the money that you need to be saving to come up with enough to qualify on the AOS!

 

And I say this as a lawyer's kid. I have nothing against lawyers. But in this case, do not hire one. It won't help.


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-16 19:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures$420 or $425

http://www.visajourn...tent/i130guide2

I read on that link that the fee for I130 is $425 but in instruction it said $420. Im confuaed. We are about to file it tomorrow. Pls help

 

Pretty sure it's still $420. I looked on that link and didn't see any dollar value in the i-130 info. But when in doubt, follow the instructions direct from USCIS.


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-16 19:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresApplication Error

If there's some kind of glitch in the system, it probably won't be fixed till tomorrow - today's a federal holiday. Hold tight until then.


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-17 17:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresChange of Address at POE

It couldn't hurt to have the form and see if the POE officer can accept it. I'd put it in an unsealed envelope, addressed and ready to be mailed. Then if they won't take it at POE, put a stamp on it and drop it into the next mailbox you see!


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-17 17:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFiling I-130 fees from Canada, and (form I-864) of a none working petitioner
Since the USC is also living in Canada, can't she pretty much move the household stuff whenever she wants? In fact, moving the household stuff back to the states certainly shows that she's reestablishing domicile, which helps at the support stage. I don't think OP has to wait to move their stuff if he doesn't want to.

My hubby is planning on starting to move some of our heavier possessions (books, LP collection) slowly over the next few months, as long as I'm not traveling with him.


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-09 03:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAbout to file the I-130, some questions (split topic)

As far as opening a US dollar bank account in a Canadian bank, YES! This is a really good idea. You won't have quite as many problems as some of us because you probably have some kind of US credit rating. But the only way most of us will qualify for our own credit upon arriving in the US is through a bank that will access our Canadian credit history.

 

TD and Royal Bank (that I know of, there are probably others) have equivalent US banks. 

 

TD Canada Trust in Canada and TD Bank in US

Royal Bank in Canada and RBC in US

 

I bank with TD, and at some point during this process I will open an account with the US version of the bank (which I can do without a GC or SSN, since it's a sister bank). Then I will be able to bank online with TD once I enter the US (there isn't a TD branch in the city I intend to move to) and will qualify to get a credit card in my name, because they will use my Canadian credit history. 

 

I will also be able to do transfers back and forth and only have to pay the conversion rate once per transaction. I think the transfers themselves are free at TD. I will still have some Canadian debt to pay off, so it's extremely important that I'm able to easily transfer money from the US to Canada to pay my bills.

 

You may have fewer problems establishing credit in the US since you've lived there before, but it will definitely make cross-border transfers much easier and for those of us who are going from having excellent credit in Canada to suddenly having none at all in the US, it's even more important. US banks will not check into my Canadian credit history, so it's like I never existed at all and am a 40-year-old who's never had credit!


nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-21 16:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHAITI NEW BIRTH CERTIFICATE!
I just reread the I-130 instruction form and it doesn't technically require the beneficiary's birth certificate, but a lot of people seem to get RFEs asking for it. So I'd order the new one, and submit now with a copy of the old one. Just be prepared for possibly having to send in the new one. In the meantime, at least you're in line!
nightingalejulesFemaleCanada2014-02-19 03:00:00