Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	I-130 sent to U.S. While still with wife in Philippines	I still had some things to take care of here in Philippines. I'm planning to go back by February 2011. is this ok? Yes, it is okay. It sounds like you are NOT residing in the Philippines, but rather visiting for a few months. Is that right? It should NOT be a problem. However, if you are residing in the Philippines, you should file the I-130 at the U.S. Embassy in Manila. Good luck with your journey!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-16 23:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Send both I-864 and IV package together?	This is the main reason why I asked this question. I'll admit I wish I had asked it earlier "doh" but I wasn't able to find anything in my research. So now at least others will know I'm sure it'll be fine. Yeah, there really is a learning curve to all this. Good luck with your journey!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-15 10:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Send both I-864 and IV package together?	I Just express mailed AOS and IV together and a little anxious about it, as a precaution I wrote in a thick black marker "Contains: AOS and IV Documents" on the front and back of the envelope so hopefully they'll take note of it, it's guaranteed to be there by Monday before 3pm so I hope it'll all go well. Nice! I'm sure it'll be fine, Jen. But I can imagine and understand your anxiety.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-13 12:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	got the visa	Hey congratulations!!! Excellent news! Glad to hear your interview went smoothly.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-16 23:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Is it really okay to have an early medical exam?	Are they really accepting NOA2 even without the appointment letter yet from the NVC? I wonder if it is really a good idea to have an early medical exam. I got sick yesterday and I'm still feeling sick today. I'm planning my medical on Monday. I need your opinion. Thanks! That is what many are saying. A copy of your NOA2 notice and NVC letter/email with case number is accepted. Have you read St. Luke's Medical Exam Walkthrough? Good luck with your journey!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-18 09:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Time until beneficiary can work>?	A read - http://www.visajourn...p/EZGuideSpouse Loto Thanks Loto!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-19 00:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Time until beneficiary can work>?	Checked the box? Is that somewhere on a form I haven't seen or had to fill out yet? I think Inky was referring to form DS-230, question 43a. "Do you want the Social Security Administration to assign you a SSN and issue a card?"	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-19 00:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	IV Bill	If the IV Bill is posted for payment, can I pay it now or do I have to wait for the email to get through? Will it hurt, I mean I want to pay it now so I don't have to wait a long time for the receipt... please let me know. Once you're able to pay, pay it. Don't wait for any NVC emails.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-18 09:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	American Wife + Canadian Husband	Good morning everyone, I was hoping someone could give me some possible direction on this issue. My wife who is American is moving up to be with me, who is in Canadian, in Canada for two - three years as we spend time together after two years of a long distance relationship and she will be going for her MBA as well. However, my wife and I are planning to go back to her home in Chicago after those two/three years so we can live there and in turn go to Law School and fulfill my dream. My question is what steps we have to take in order for me to go home with her at that time? Also, can she file any paperwork she needs to up here? The residence where she is living now (Chicago)is the same residence where we will be living when we are back in Chicago. Thanks, AmeriCan Hello and welcome to VJ! Since your wife (petitioner) is moving to Canada to be with you (beneficiary), she can petition you via Direct Consular Filing. This link will give an overview of the DCF process, as well as what forms to file. I hope this helps you! Edited by Markieboy, 19 November 2010 - 08:33 AM.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-19 08:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Happy Friday All...	Congratulations! Best wishes for the interview!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-19 15:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	We're getting an RFE	I'm sorry to hear you're getting an RFE. It could be as simple as forgetting a signature. You'll be in our thoughts and prayers. You'll be on track soon enough.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-16 23:00:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	passport question	If I decide not to have my wife get a new passport with my lastname will it be a problem that all of the forms we have filled out during the cr1 process be considered invalid or wrong because we have filled everything out like first name, maiden name then my last name. would this cause problems? Or does it not matter?, at this point I will still try to get her the new passport but it looks like she might receive her visa before she would get a new passport. (I was told the passport renewal process is really slow now and we were married out of the country) .... and her coming to me asap is the most important thing right now anyways. Is her passport expiring? Or is your concern amending her valid passport? IMO, if you filed all the USCIS forms in one name (First, Maiden, Last), the name on the passport should be the same. But that's just me. To answer your question: No, it will not necessarily be a problem. If she does travel and the name on visa and passport do not match, she can show her marriage certificate. This show her maiden name as well as her husband's last name (now her last name). The passport renewal is somewhat slow (~6 weeks), but if she renews in the Philippines, I'm sure there are ways to expedite it. Good luck with whatever you decide!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-20 16:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Sign In Failed Question	Congratulations on your SIF! Good luck with your interview!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-19 18:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	i recieved by mail today noa2	Congratulations!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-21 16:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Labeling I-864 package	Happy Sunday everyone! I know this question/answer has probably appeared in a forum somewhere, but I can't find it. I am ready to send in the I-864, but I was wondering if I need to label all the pages of our AOS package with the NVC Case number? I know I need to do that with the DS-230, but wasn't sure about the AOS. Thanks in advance! Need to, no. Recommended, yes. I did that will all the forms and documents. Printed the NVC case number at the upper right hand of all the pages. With my original documents, I wrote the NVC case number in pencil.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-21 16:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Please help	I wish we knew all this before. We hired a lawyer to file the papers and he said all we needed was a visit within two years, enough income and proof of marriage. He garanteed success. I feel so stupid now. I wish we could do this all over again. Our relationship is real. We love each other. I'm sorry to hear your situation. I see that it is difficult to provide financial evidence, especially if it requires that the beneficiary be here in the U.S. and/or have an SSN number. No lawyer should ever guarantee success...ever. Would it be possible for you to open a joint bank account (U.S. dollar) where she is? I have done this in the past. You can have her contact the bank, and secure the necessary documents. They/she can fax you the applications. You would need to sign and send copies of your I.D. Having a joint bank account, whether here or abroad, can show pooling of financial resources. Other ways would be to have your name on some utility bills there. Can she add you to their landline/cell phone account? If they have a car there, can they add your name to its title?	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-22 21:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	GOT OUR NOA2!!!!!!!!	Hey congratulations!!! This is excellent news!!! Now on to NVC!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-22 16:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Help RFE	Folks, Mission accomplished! Just landed back yesterday and hoping to hear a good news soon! Awesome! Congratulations, newbie!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-22 22:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	I-864 Question	An explanation/cover letter is always good. When you write the letter, explain why you were not required to file the tax. Loto Excellent advice! We did this for my wife's AOS. There was no problem.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-20 12:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	visa approved!!!	Congratulations! Great news!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-22 23:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Waiting for NOA 2	Do you do this on the Visa Journey website or the USCIS website!? On USCIS website. Click on the underlined links, and it will redirect you to their page.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-22 13:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Waiting for NOA 2	You must sign up, to make an account in the upper link , after that to add your NOA1. This is essential, if you like to see your updates. My advise is to contact your congressman and your senator to ask for their help. Good luck in your journey. Sorry for the late reply, Cip. This is how you know you were touched: First, you'll have to Sign-in to My Account. If you don't have an account, you'll need to create one. Second, you'll have to Add a Case to Your Portfolio. The highlighted column "Last Updated" shows the date when your case was touched. Hope this helps you.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-21 23:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	NVC Case Number FINALLY	Congrats and welcome to NVC. Follow this guide http://www.visajourn...p/EZGuideSpouse Another vote for the guide! Congratulations on your NVC progress!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-23 13:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Need help contacting congressman	I think this is what you're looking for PS: I have heard its better to contact them one at a time	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-23 17:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	3032 Email Template Worked	Congratulations guys! Glad it worked!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-15 20:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	I-130 Approved	Congratulations!!! Good luck with NVC journey!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-23 10:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	need help about i-130 cheque	our cheque is cashed and they send n email dat our pettition is approve but on the back of check deres written i-130 reject and den some code like i-130 rejects 103049 whats dat?>???? kindly reply me thanks I really would not worry what is stamped on the back of your check. If it is cashed by USCIS, that is what matters. If USCIS rejected your payment and/or your petition, they would not take your money. Good luck with your journey!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-24 16:33:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Interview Scheduled!!!	Hey Loto, how were you notified of the interview? Did you call them about it or what? Just want to know for future reference I was wondering the same.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-15 21:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Interview Scheduled!!!	Markieboy, Hope this name change wouldn't affect my boarding at JFK Loto You should be fine. You have many signed affidavits here on VJ, if ever they won't let you on the plane!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-12 16:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Interview Scheduled!!!	PatiencePaidOff, the artist formerly known as LotofPatience.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-12 16:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Interview Scheduled!!!	Congratulations, Loto! And on the 1st week of December! Wishing you and your family best of luck! You really deserve it!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-12 11:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Signatures on Forms for Back Up Copies of Packets	Hello VJ! Stupid question, but I'd rather ask: When making a photocopy of all forms in my packets, do you recommend I: a) Photocopy the signed forms so I have a copy of the exact same document I filed, with signature and all? b) Photocopy the forms before signing them so I have the copies ready for a fresh signature if I ever need to use the back up copies? Tx! I would recommend choice a. Just my opinion.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-22 16:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Port Of Entry	Congratulations! Happy to hear you didn't have problems at POE. More happy to hear you are with your loved ones!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-26 14:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Here's a song we wrote and performed....	It's really sweet of you to compose a song for your wife. Nice voice and melody, too! Did you play the instruments as well?	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-26 20:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Updated I-864 Posted by USCIS	Thanks for posting this, cherriesss! I am so relieved they are still accepting the previous editions. Again, thanks for the update!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-26 20:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Best ways to stay in touch	Another vote for Skype! Scott, thanks for the Rebtel suggestion! We've been using that for about a year now, and have saved quite a bit.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-26 20:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Evidences of Bona-Fide Marriage Relationship	Awesome job, Loto! Thanks for this post!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-24 11:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Worth filing an expedition request?	I'm considering filing an expedition request with the NVC. Su and I (Matt) are both in Brazil. I've been here for about 18 months (it's too hard to be apart). I walked away from a career and a huge promotion to be with here - but I doubt that's considered a financial hardship as far as an expedition request. However, Su just got fired from her job, so neither of us is working at the moment, though she is looking for other jobs. I'm wondering if both of us being out of work might fulfill the 'financial hardship' qualifier for an expedition request. And - do we need to send documents to back up an expedition request, or will they actually consider it carefully just based on an e-mail? I asked an NVC rep about it over the phone and she was very wishy-washy ("You can do what you want, it might help."). I'm getting depressed about the whole thing. I feel like our case is in the doldrums. One of Su's friends had her interview scheduled for early January. We'd figured or hoped we'd have a December interview - but looks like that won't happen. I have a flight back on January 26th because I figured 'another 3 months will do it'; looks like the process has kicked me in the teeth again. I have job offers in the Austin area and I have people just waiting for me to arrive to get me into a position. Ugh...anyway. I'm sorry you're getting depressed. Yes, this whole process can be very taxing. But eventually, the end makes it worth it all. In my opinion, I do not believe your situation meets USCIS expedite criteria. I agree, walking away from a career and a promotion does not necessarily qualify as severe financial loss to company or individual. If you do decide to file an expedite request, you would need to send proof. Most people here send via mail or fax, IIRC. Good luck with whatever you decide. Best wishes to both of you!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-24 13:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Fees after USCIS	If you have paid everything at NVC, there is no fee at the Consulate. NVC AOS - $88 IV fee - $404 Medical cost varies (Typically $50 to $400) Plus some misc. cost for photocopies, mailings, courier etc. Loto Here's a checklist for IV applicants that was issued by USEM Manila. Presently, the medical exam costs $213.35 for adults and $185.35 for children. As Loto mentioned, there will be additional miscellaneous costs...	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-28 14:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Is hiring a legal agent worth it?	I don't know about the site you mentioned. Others will answer. Generally an attorney is needed, if: You cannot handle the paper work You are not familiar with the process You have complex situation in the immigration Just to name a few. However, if you have normal case (assuming filing IR1/CR1 for spouse) and wish to do it yourself, it will be worth to read this - http://www.visajourn...p/EZGuideSpouse Loto	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-26 00:23:00