Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Middle East and North Africa	Walked out empty handed	Hi Paris.... I hope you're working things out with HIM too... not just allowing the petition to resolve itself and then go to him with what you've got. Are you working it out with him? talking to him? And when you talk to him do you sense that you're both at a place of understanding and trust? I think that this is a key thing... it should NEVER just be about the petition and whether or not it is approved. I hope you're keeping yourself well... I find now is the time to lean on your friends a bit and talk to them about what's going on. Guide yourself always but let your friends be there for you. All the best, LGG	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2009-11-09 15:57:00
Middle East and North Africa	Walked out empty handed	Beth? would you be able to tell us WHAT is holding you up then? I never for a second thought it was 'bigamy' on your part but for information/education's sake -- can you tell us what the hold up is? QUOTE (Paris Heart @ Nov 5 2009, 12:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (LOLAs @ Nov 5 2009, 11:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> o.k beth, seems like everything is falling in line now. if he won't need passport to go back to Algeria then let him go and leave the passport at USEM in France and If he the VISA is issued then he will pick up in Algeria where he would be legal. If he stayed back in France I don't think anyone knows that his stay is expired now except it is illegal and may create problem if found out. As an immigrant from the third world, going back is often a tough choice, if he leaves and the VISA is not issued that will not be pretty if he has nothing to fall back on at home, if he stayed till the end maybe he will find another way to reknew his stay in france and be legal. If they are still looking for any bigamy on you that may make him inelligible so it may be a combination of checking on you and doubting him, and if they found nothing which they won't then their guts feelings has no proof and they will approve maybe next week since not this week. Keep calling your senator and DOS, you may get an answer I do know one thing, it is not my past problem holding us up, that was confirmed to me a few minutes ago.	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2009-11-05 13:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Travel while Visa pending...	I'm just wondering... I'm in Canada and my boy is in the US, while our case is pending and whatnot, am I allowed to travel to the US to see him? is he allowed to come to Canada to see me? Thanks so much. From a list of many questions sure to come.	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2008-08-02 10:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	COST	Can anyone tell me what the average cost of processing ir-1/CR-1 costs? i'm just curious. I just mean the actual paper work and stuff, no lawyers, not including the cost of visiting and such. Thanks a lot, guys.	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2008-08-03 14:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Where does the interview...	Hi there... I realize I sound pretty ignorant, but I am. I'm a Canadian and my buy American... When we get granted our interview, will I go down to the US to be interviewed? Will I do it in Canada? Will be both be interviewed? I'm new here and just started researching and I'm sure I'll catch on soon enough but I just wanted a few questions I've been fixating on cleared up first. Thanks a lot for your patience.	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2008-08-03 13:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	OMG I130 Approved VSC is working!!	QUOTE (Mystique @ Jul 29 2008, 08:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (sasha414 @ Jul 29 2008, 09:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> congratulations! we hope vsc moves their asses now, we are far behind csc approvals btw, they you get a touch before they approved you? No touches at all. I guess if paper work is proper no need to keep touching the application and leaving it alone w/o approving it.. my 2 cents.. I have to ask, what do you all mean when you say 'touch'..... What does that mean??? Thanks..	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2008-08-03 14:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Crazy Question...	Thanks everyone for your responses, much appreciated. I'd only be looking to go down to visit while the paper work was pending -- I'd be sure to bring all documents proving that with me. I was just wondering. Thanks a lot.	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2008-08-07 17:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Crazy Question...	QUOTE (Shpat @ Aug 7 2008, 01:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> File your papers first then go down there. Really? Hmmm, that's interesting. If you don't mind, can you direct me to a link or somewhere on this board that'll give me more information? Yes,I require a bit of spoonfeeding as this is all new to me as of yet. Thanks a lot for your reply.	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2008-08-07 13:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Crazy Question...	I'm just wondering, as I've just started this process... But, let's say we're married, I'm Canadienne and he's american... Is it possible for me to go down to the US and then file for our papers? OR File for our papers and then move down there before they've been approved? We're going the IR-1/CR-1 route. Just wondering. Has anyone done it? is it acceptable? I know I wouldn't be able to work for a little bit, but that's okay. We just don't want to do anything illegal. I'd search the forums but how does one type that in?? Thanks all...	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2008-08-07 12:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	OF-169	Does it take a shorter time with the IR-1 visa to get a green card or a shorter time with the K visa... I read that as the Ir-1 being faster.	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2008-08-07 17:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	OF-169	QUOTE (vbtbmrt @ Aug 7 2008, 04:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ok if your going the ir-1 dont worry. the of -169 is not needed by you the OF-230 is actually the ds-230 this the immigrant application is what your spouse will need to fill out and you will need to fill out I-864 also if your going the ir-1 route you WILL NOT need to adjust status that is only for k visa and the takes alot longer to recieve the green card. ir-1 your spouse will enter usa with green card and be able to work it is alot less expensive and alot better visa good luck in your journey Thanks so much for your response, very helpful. So yeah, it seems that IR-1 is the way to go, mainly for the green card and stuff like that. Thanks a lot.	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2008-08-07 17:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	OF-169	OH man... Can someone please point me in the direction of this form... This and the OF-230... I'm in the middle of researching everything and I can't find these two forms anywhere in order to educate myself or figure out cost. I've even looked here http://www.uscis.gov and they're not listed. Thanks so much. Also. Little confusing We're going the IR-1 route, I can't seem to figure out how this is different from the K-3??? I do want to do an adjustment of status at some point, when it's time, so... that seems to play a factor. Again... Thanks for all your help.	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2008-08-07 16:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	The Main difference is???	Okay. I just found this link: http://www.puravidat...e_process.shtml It really explained quickly what the main difference is. I thought I'd post for other people having a hard time digesting what this all means. IT helped. I get it now. Thanks all. You're great for helping. and yes, i'll haul myself over to the Canada site toute de suite!!!	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2008-08-07 17:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	The Main difference is???	OH, and on that note... this may be a stupid question but when applying... How does CIS know that you're applying for the IR-1 visa and not just the K3??? OH... and while I'm at at, what would the approximate time difference be? I know, I know... but you were ALL like this when you started this procedure. I just find there's so much i nformation out there and it's really hard to round it all up to make perfect sense. Like rounding up cats, really. and I'd also like us to be able to enact this process well, calmly and with little error as that appears to be the main reason for delays. YOur answers and patience are really appreciated.	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2008-08-07 17:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	The Main difference is???	I have been reading this site laboriously for the past few days... In terms of paper work and such what's the difference between these two visas? When you go to the IR-1 link, it says it's the same forms as the K3 visa. What's the difference in forms to fill out? And thusly... what is the difference in what you'll actually obtain with each Visa? I'm a Canadian and my is American, we want to get married and then file for the IR-1, i'm just trying to research it really well so that I know what's going on and what we can expect. Thank you SO much, Deanna	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2008-08-07 17:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	What does this mean?	Ah.... Gotcha. So, we can file at anytime, they're just crazy behind schedule . Awesome! Thanks a lot.	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2008-08-18 12:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	What does this mean?	In checking the Vermont Service Center, I see the date as September, 2007. Does that mean that they're not processing any more applications? How can one find out if a date is necessary or what/when it is? And I see that the California Service center says January 17, 2008. So, just wondering what this all means. ~sigh~ So confusing.	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2008-08-18 12:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	What does this mean?	I clicked on the link and saw a bunch of dates, the 1 130 was listed as Jan 2006? past due as in there's a date we have to submit by? I'm sorry for all the questions but the more I learn, the more questions I have. Things aren't at all consistent so... Thanks for your help As always you should check the USCIS processing times to see if your application is past due.	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2008-08-18 12:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	DS 3032 When you're not using a lawyer!	So, looking at the flow chart, I see that both my spouse and I get this form to fill out. We're not using a lawyer so whose address to we put down to receive correspondence? Does he put down his address for his form and me for mine? Do we use just his? Thanks, I'm getting to k now how this works a lot better now it's just the tiny questions. Thanks a lot, lgg	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2008-11-16 12:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Questions about taxes	QUOTE (ohmy @ Nov 17 2008, 02:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well my confusion is that when you check "head of household" that means that you are the one earning the income for the household!!! So that does not exclude that you are married, does it????? As a Canadian, that is not an option! My taxes do state that we are married and I had to show the amount he made. Hey there... so I have a question then, if we get married end of December for this year and then he's still in the US and I"m here in Canada and I file my CDN taxes, I have to claim him and his income??? Even though we don't live together nor his he part of the Canadian system and I"m just starting my Visa process? There must be a way to amend this, no? I"ve posted this everywhere but am not getting a lot of answers, I'm sure some of you guys must have gone through this, any help would be appreciated.	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2008-11-19 09:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	I 864 Question -- DS 230	So, getting ready to get all this stuff done and one stumbling block I've come too. After th I 130 is filed, we'll get a package for the I 864 and then for he ov or DS 230, I'm confused if all this stuff has to be sent in. I'm sure the i 864 stuff does for sure but for the DS 230, it lists a whole bunch of originals and such that are also going to be needed for the interview. Can someone please explain how this process works? I can't quite figure it out. Do they want you to send some of the stuff? Keep it all aside and prepare it for the interview? Will I send it and then they'll have it ready for me when I get to the interview? Thanks, it's not very clear in the CS1 section at all. Also... for the interview, is it just me, the person being petitioned for, that has to go? I'm confused because if they ask questions like, what kind of underwear does he wear and things like that, how will they verify that I'm right if he doesn't even have to be at the interview. Thanks a lot for your h elp, it's appreciated a lot.	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2008-11-16 11:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	G325A Question	QUOTE (payxibka @ Dec 1 2008, 10:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> NONE Thanks a lot!	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2008-12-01 10:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	G325A Question	Hi... we're finally going to be filing for our CR1 visa and are just starting. So, we're filing the I 130 and along with that the G325A forms. He's a US citizen, I'm a Canadian, and as it stands, we do not yet have an alien registration number so... when filing t he G325A form what number, if any, do I use? Thanks a lot, LGG	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2008-12-01 10:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	For I-130, benificiary birth cert?	Thanks guys... have ordered my long form BC and will send in copy of short form and my bio page from my passport... too much is better htan not enough, right? I hope. Thanks guys...	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2008-12-01 12:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	For I-130, benificiary birth cert?	compiling all info for I-130, in regard to getting a cr-1 visa... in the list on this site, it doesn't say that the beneficiary needs to enclose a copy of a birth certificate or passport? is this correct? it asks for that from the petitioner so... I'm going to paste the exact verbiage from this site for verification. Thanks for your clarification... lgg 1. Payment as required by USCIS. Use a personal check if allowed by the Service Center (as of 4/2005 they do allow this). If not, use a money order so you can track the payment. 2. Cover Letter. Should include a description of what your are petitioning for (I-130), a table of contents (list everything in the packet). If you need additional room to explain your case, attach a separate sheet (list the attachment on the cover sheet). Make sure to sign and date the cover sheet. 3. Form I-130: Petition for Alien Relative 4. Copy of the full Birth certificate (front and back) for the US Citizen or a copy of ALL pages of the US Citizen's passport. This is used to establish citizenship. 5. A copy of petitioner's proof of naturalization. (If applicable) 6. A copy of petitioner's proof of permanent residency. (If applicable) 7. A copy of the intending immigrant's birth certificate and/or passport along with English translation. (If in any language other than English) (no longer needed) 8. A copy of your marriage certificate (If not inEnglish then again get a translation) 9. If either you or your spouse were previously married, submit copies of documents showing that all prior marriages were legally terminated (court certified copies of the petitioner's and/or intending immigrant's divorce documents). 10. A copy of a prior spouse's death certificate. (If one or both of you were married before, and the prior spouse died) 11. G-325A (all four pages) filled out by the US Citizen signed and dated 12. One passport-type photo (see specification) of the petitioner. Write the full name on the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the bag "Photo of <Insert Name>". Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding G-325a. 13. G-325A (all four pages) filled out by the non-US Citzen spouse signed and dated 14. One passport-type photo (see specification) of the non-US Citzen spouse. Write the full name of the beneficiary on the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the bag "Photo of (insert name) ". Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding G-325a. 15. Evidence of a bonafide marriage (see note below for what to include)	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2008-12-01 12:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	How do 'they' know if it's a CR-1??	I realize that this is probably a totally silly question, but I really want to know so you're allowed to mock me just a little for my naivety but your answer and my gratitude will counterbalance that!	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2008-12-01 17:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	How do 'they' know if it's a CR-1??	So, we're going the CR-1 route, onboard with the I-130 and all but my question is this... How does the Visa center ultimately know that you're applying for a CR-1 visa when all t he visa processes start with the I 130? Is it based on the steps you take? Do you tell t hem at some point which Visa you want? Do they figure it about by the steps you complete or the steps you don't? In our I-130 cover letter, should we tell t hem that the Cr-1 is ultimate visa goal? Thanks... just wondering... LGG	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2008-12-01 17:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Merry Christmas!	Still waiting for marriage certificate and thus, can't really process anything yet but I am going to see Mr. LGG tomorrow for a couple of weeks. Anyway, just wanted to pop in and say Merry Holidays to everyone and to thank you for all the help that you've given us so far -- seriously, if it weren't for this site and people willing to answer questions this would be a way harder task to accomplish. Happy Holidays. LGG.	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2008-12-22 07:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Divorce Decree	QUOTE (OBX @ Feb 11 2009, 10:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (lgg @ Feb 11 2009, 08:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Do we have to send them the court certified copy of the divorce or can a copy of that copy do for our I-130 package I know we'll need it for later on but I was just wondering. THanks a lot! We sent only copies of ours (both petitioner's and beneficiary's) with the I-130 and had no problem. You will, however, need an original or certified copy of the beneficiary's for the DS-230. Good luck on your journey. Thanks to all that answered! That's what we'll do, we'll get the court certified copy. Good luck to you all as well. LGG	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2009-02-13 08:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Divorce Decree	Do we have to send them the court certified copy of the divorce or can a copy of that copy do for our I-130 package I know we'll need it for later on but I was just wondering. THanks a lot!	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2009-02-11 20:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	What's a I-485 form?	QUOTE (jasman0717 @ Feb 13 2009, 09:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Here is a link to the USCIS forms site: http://www.uscis.gov...00045f3d6a1RCRD Actually, upon further inspection, I realize it's a form that goes along with the 1-130 when both spouses live in the US. Gotcha... Thanks all. Thought maybe they'd changed the procedure while I wasn't looking.	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2009-02-13 09:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	What's a I-485 form?	worry about it this early in the game? We're filing for a cr-1 visa and I read something about an I-485 (register permanent residence or adjust status)... I was just going to go about the regular cr-1 route and wondered did they change something? Thanks all. I hope not like it's not enough work and fact gathering as it is. Good luck and thanks. LGG	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2009-02-13 08:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Proof of Bonifide Marriage...	QUOTE (queuedup @ Feb 15 2009, 11:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I sent a notorized copy of the marriage certificate, and a affadavit from a family friend about the relationship. Most of the other evidence I plan on taking to the interview. Is there another way other than getting affidavits? I mean we could but is it necessary? Thanks so much...	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2009-02-15 12:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Proof of Bonifide Marriage...	What exactly do we need? I don't want to send too much but I'd prefer to send the exact right item so that we have no issues with this? We dont' live together yet or own a home together but I am on his credit card account and on a bank account. Is this okay? Will they accept that? OR do we really need to put in pics of us together and chat logs? I know that we'll need this for the later interview but for this first I-130, what document is best to show a bonifide marriage? I find this part so odd, as frankly? Why the hell would ANYONE go through all this trouble and paperwork and cost and stuff for a sham? Seriously? Never have run around so much in my entire life for anything. Your help is appreciated. Thanks, LGG	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2009-02-15 11:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Updating time line.	I can get into the top area and see the update options but I can't seem to make them live so I can add information. Thanks, LGG	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2009-02-15 11:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Filed I-130	Thanks all! But wouldn't it be great if you could just send in one comprehensive package of EVERYTHING for one type of Visa? Yeah, I live in la-la land. Best to all and thanks to everyone who takes the time to answer my abundant and sometimes inane questions. LGG	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2009-02-22 11:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Filed I-130	I'm sure this question's been asked a million times, we have filed our I-130 and I'm curious, how do they know that we're eventually aspiring toward a CR-1 Visa? In the cover letter, we said: Enclosed are the contents for a I-130, resulting in the eventual obtaining of a CR-1 visa. So, assuming they read that, or whatever, how else do they know? Just by how we follow procedure? By what kind of documents we submit and in what order? Just curious. Also, would be nice if it were all in one conclusive package labelled CR-1 Visa stuff! Thanks for your answers.	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2009-02-19 14:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Passport OR Birth cert.??	Thanks all. that's good, then his PP and all its pages'll suffice.	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2009-03-03 22:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Passport OR Birth cert.??	Um correct me if I'm wrong, but my US h usband only needs to send in a photocopy of all his passport pages right? Not a copy of his birth certificate as well? Just checking... Am starting to second guess the package as I'm sure everyone does! Thanks, LGG	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2009-03-03 21:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Interview Question...	now that the ball is rolling... let's say we get our interview date, we BOTH have to be at the interview in montreal, right? I was confused about this as someone had said that only the intending beneficiary is to be there -- that made no sense otherwise how will they know I'm right when I tell them what kind of underwear he wears? Any links about the process would be appreciated, just so I can prepare. But I assume we both have to be there. Thanks a lot... LGG	lgg	Not Telling	Canada	2009-03-03 22:23:00