Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	June I-130 filers?	Welcome to VJ! And good luck with your I-130 application!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-06-23 13:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	First Step Preparation of Paper I-130	A new filier I have been going crazy in collecting paper work for my wife in China. Quesiton:How shouw I organize/staple or 2 hole punch or bind the secondary proof(tickets-chats-photos)? I want to make this easy for the person who is going to review my case. I would recommend avoid stapling or punching holes in any documents. I would use ideal clamps to hold large amounts of documents together. In my case, I just stapled the check to the I-130 application. How do I mailed this through UPS or Fedex or USPS? I live in CA Do I ship it in a small letter size box? What is the average size of the first packet, it looks like mine is pretty big in paper height. Is more better or simpler better? I mailed my I-130 package via USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate. The cost was less than $6, including signature confirmation. It seems to be the most affordable of the options. However, if you're more time sensitive, you may want to try FedEx or UPS. Please help, I like to get I-130 process going soon. Good luck with your journey! There is much information and help here.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-11 15:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Filling I-130: I am US citizen, Wife is non us citizen	What other supporting documents can we subbmit? Any documented travel together? Airline tickets? Do you have any children together? A child's birth certificate may also be submitted. Do I have to subbmit this documents along with I 130? No, you do not need these documents when submitting I-130. Gather and organize these documents for the interview. What other supporting documents are concidered proof of ongoing relationship? The strongest evidence would be showing pooling of financial resources. This does not necessarily mean a joint bank account or property. It could mean: utility bill, phone bill, car loan, memberships. I'm not sure how's the setup in India. But basically any document that has both your names on it may help. Congratulations on your marriage! Edited by Markieboy, 13 October 2010 - 10:16 AM.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-13 10:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Are there any june 2010 filers approval	hi vj, i want to know if any june filers have received a no2. i'am still waiting for its 122 days now Some VSC June filers have received their NOA2. No CSC have received theirs yet...unless it was expedited. We just have to keep on waiting. There are CSC filers from May, April and March who haven't received theirs yet.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-15 08:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Yay... recieved a text today !!	Congratulations! This is great news!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-13 23:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Received IIN & AOS Package	Congratulations! You're moving along pretty quickly. Good luck with the rest of your journey!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-16 08:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Case Complete	Congratulations! Wonderful news!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-16 22:00:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	case completed!!!	Congratulations! Good luck with the interview! God bless!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-18 12:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Green card late!	Congratulations! Just when you weren't expecting it...it shows.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-18 20:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Filing for Stepdaughter	I'm filing for my stepdaughter and I was wondering on the forms does my husband need to sign them as she is a minor? Yes, if she's a minor, your husband will sign. I'm in the same situation as you, btw. Good luck with your journey!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-19 22:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Sign in Failed	Congratulations!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-20 07:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Approved!!!!!	Congratulations on your approval! Time to celebrate indeed! Good luck with the rest of your journey!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-19 20:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	questions regarding travel	Congratulations!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-20 11:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	conditional GC to citizen	If you remain married to your US spouse you are eligible for marriage-based citizenship 3 years after the start date on your first green card. You may file form N-400 within the 90-day period before your eligibility date. If you do not remain married you need to wait 5 years.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-20 09:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Mailing the I-130 (Poll Included for fun!)	Almost ready to mail in the I-130 and curious as to what method most people in the US use to send that sucker off! USPS Priority flat rate.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-21 11:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Passport photo help Hubby sent me Euro dimensions	Message sent.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-20 15:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Signed forms from wife,fastest way to receive?	I am just starting the I-130 and need a few things from my wife signed,as in the G-325A form.Also need her divorce papers.Is there any quicker way to receive her papers than sending in the mail?I know she can download and fill out the G-325A,sounds like I will have to wait to receive via mail due to the signature. The quickest way would be to scan and email or fax the forms to you. Unfortunately, USCIS requires their forms to have original signatures. You can always do Express mail or Overnight. However, the costs add up quickly. Good luck with whatever you decide!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-22 17:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	address of office, which will send to it i-130 from Missouri	hi everybody My wife is from Missouri I want to know the address of office, which will send to it i-130 What are the specifications within the transmitter and the instructions to be followed Petitioners filing only Form I-130 use this address: USCIS P.O. Box 804625 Chicago, IL. 60680-4107 For courier/express deliveries: USCIS Attn: I-130 131 South Dearborn - 3rd Floor Chicago, IL. 60603-5517 Please read through the instructions for Form I-130. Good luck with your journey!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-23 08:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	more bonafide details	Yes, photos are required during interview but are they required with I-130 application? Also, if the "court marriage" was only done in the US, do they still suspect/question as much as if the marriage took place outside of the US? Sorry to capture the OP's question but did not want to start a new thread for it. The photos are not required initially when you submit an I-130 application. During the interview, they may be requested...so bring them. A marriage performed in the U.S. seems to be less suspicious than one that is performed outside the U.S. I believe USCIS may suspect or question a marriage abroad simply because it it more difficult to verify the authenticity of one. Here in the U.S., a verification is simply a phone call away.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-25 17:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	more bonafide details	1. Are we to submit photos or color print-outs ... or does it matter? I don't believe it matters. In our case, we had photos. Either, I think, would be fine. 2. Can we send in a photo copy of the notarized afidavits from friends and relatives instead of the originals? I only have a single copy of some and will need to use them for Consulate interview packet too. Copies of affidavits are fine. If ever you have an interview, make sure you bring the originals. 3. Also, if the afidavits are in a foreign language, will they need to be translated? Definitely. USCIS will not translate them for you. 4. And for the copies of chats and such, I was thinking to only send excerpts showing the start and end of each conversation, but by the very fact that it could be editted might make the reader sceptical ... so should I send the complete contents? Yeah, I tend to agree that an edited conversation does look fishy. Keep it in its original content. If there is sensitive topics, you can always use a black marker. Thanks again for any help You are very welcome. Hope this helps. Good luck with you journey!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-25 15:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	expedited petittions	I think being on this site I do understand, and therefore I respect that there are how many other thousands of people ahead of me in the process who feel the exact same way missing the one they love and that it would be selfish to try push ahead because I seem to think my relationship is somehow more important than theirs. +1000! Very good thinking to have during this process. Thats not strictly true, Ive read of cases - i believe on here where pregnancy was a factor. Granted i dont think it was a stright forward pregnancy though. That's correct. Usually, those pregnancies that get expedited are high-risk pregnancies. The patient may have other comorbidities, such as hypertension or diabetes. In such cases, the patient (beneficiary) may request that her case be expedited. Her reason would be the fact that her condition cannot be adequately and properly treated in the country she is residing. And that prenatal and perinatal care in the U.S. would be more beneficial to the unborn baby.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-26 12:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	please help. very new in this site.please	Markieboy, that's a detailed good one Loto Thanks, Loto! Just trying to pitch in where I can. You give much detailed advice to others in need. I'm surprised Admin hasn't made you a Mod.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-25 17:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	please help. very new in this site.please	your information is so clear. thank you so much.. now my mind is at peace. i was reading some informations here on VJ. and i want to ask these questions.. please feel free to answer and give suggestions.. Great! I'm glad it helped. my questions are: 1. is it possible for her to put me on her bills? shes renting an apartment, currently the water bills is free so she got no bills for water. she has electric bills under her name. now, is that possible for her to add my name into that after our marriage? even if i have no SSN and i am not yet there?. It is possible to have your name on the apt lease. I believe you can be added also on her utility bills (electric, water, sewer and garbage). However, I'm pretty sure you have to be here in the U.S. You may want to have your fiancee verify that. 2. can she open a bank there in the US under both our name after our marriage even if i am not yet there and i have no SSN? is that possible? From what I understand, banks require a SSN card to open or add your name to a joint account. My wife was able to open a U.S. bank account without an SSN card. She originally came to U.S. on an H1-B, a work visa. Her employer contacted the bank and made it possible. 3. for those filipinos who are here, is it possible for me to open a joint bank account under both our name? knowing that shes a USC? Absolutely! My father opened joint accounts, and had my name on it. I was not a Filipino citizen, but a USC. So, you shouldn't have any problems with that. 4. what are other possible evidences of joint tenancy? Property leases, car titles/loans. You can include evidence of pooling of financial resources. This would include joint bank accounts, credit cards, memberships. The joint bank accounts would be the most feasible in the Philippines, though. 5. should the affidavit be written by the person attesting or typewritten? should it be notarized by a lawyer? Typewritten would be the most appropriate, IMO. Yes, it should be notarized by a lawyer or notary public. 6. can you please give me more possible documents to establish that there is an ongoing marital union? other than mentioned above.. thank you so much.. Basically anything that has both of your names on it would support your case. Joint bank account statements (are the best, IMO), credit cards statements, property leases, rental leases, utility bills, phone/internet bills, video memberships. Other documents would be affidavits, receipts of travel. to all who replied to my message. i just want to say thank you so much for the help.... really really thank you Edited by Markieboy, 25 October 2010 - 04:57 PM.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-25 16:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	please help. very new in this site.please	NOW, I WANT TO ASK YOU .WHOEVER YOU ARE, IS THIS A BAD THING? THAT WE LACK EVIDENCES? ARE WE STILL ALLOWED TO MARRY EACH OTHER EVEN IF WE HAVE NO ENOUGH PROOF OF OUR RELATIONSHIP ON PAPERS. BUT TO BE HONEST. WE LOVE EACH OTHER. MY FAMILY MET HER ALREADY ONLINE. MY MOM , DAD, MY SIBLINGS AND MY AUNT.. MY MOM AND HER ARE EVEN CHATTING ON FACEBOOK. First of all, welcome to VisaJourney! Okay, chat record and emails are good evidence, but they are not the strongest evidence. You are free to marry whoever you like. However, the U.S. Embassy may not approve your immigrant visa IF they feel your relationship evidence is insufficient. I AM JUST CONFUSED. WHY SHOULD I NEED THOSE EVIDENCES FOR ME TO MARRY MY FIANCEE. I MEAN. HAD I KNOWN THAT I NEED EVIDENCES FOR ME TO MARRY HER, I WOULD HAVE SAVED EVERY CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE. .. WE ARE PLANNING TO GET MARRY THIS FEBRUARY SINCE ITS LOVE MONTH. WE HAVE DISCUSSED THE FINANCES AS WELL. I AND MY FAMILY WILL TAKE CARE OF THE WEDDING FINANCES..AND SHE WILL SHOULDER HER TICKETS. SHE IS COMING WITH HER BROTHER OR WITH ANOTHER FRIEND WHO IS ALSO MY FRIEND ONLINE. Again, you do not need evidence to marry your fiancee. I, too, married in the Philippines. As a USC, I needed to show an Affidavit in Lieu of Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage. No proof of relationship was required at this point. I WAS TERRIBLE WORRIED WHEN MY FRIEND TOLD ME THAT FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO MARRY HER, I SHOULD HAVE PROOF THAT WE HAVE A GENUINE RELATIONSHIP. WE ARE GOING TO MARRY HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES AND NOT IN THE USA BECAUSE SHE WANTED A BEACH WEDDING AND I ALSO LOVE IT TOO. AND I WANT MY FAMILY TO BE THERE TO WITNESS US.. This is the time to start collecting evidence of a genuine relationship. Emails are nice, but actual letters (I believe) are better. Copies of airline tickets (hers) to the Philippines. Any hotel receipts, or trips you two took together. Pictures, pictures, pictures together. These really strengthen your case. When you do have your wedding, get photos...many photos...before, during and after. All these help. And if you feel that this is not enough, get notarized affidavits from family and friends who attended your wedding. I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION: IS THERE A PHONE NUMBER FOR YAHOO COMPANY AND ASKED THEM IF THEY CAN RETRIEVED OUR CONVERSATION FROM JULY2009 UP TO PRESENT? I BADLY NEED YOUR ADVICE GUYS.. I WAS TERRIFIED, ME AND MY FIANCEE WHEN WE LEARNED THAT WE CANNOT MARRY EACH OTHER IN THE PHILIPPINES BECAUSE WE LACK PROOF OF OUR RELATIONSHIP.. Sorry, I cannot help you with Yahoo contacts. Be very careful of information (hearsay) from other people. Sometimes, it is best to contact a more reliable source of information. The U.S. Embassy in Manila provides some very useful information regarding U.S. citizens and marriage in the Philippines. PLEASE DO HELP ME WITH THIS. I AM VERY NEW IN THIS FORUM. AND I HAVENT READ INFO IN THIS FORUM.. ANYBODY, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GIVE ADVICE AND COMMENTS. THANKS.. GODBLESS YOU ALL.. ROBERT I hope this helps you some. If ever you need more help, just ask. We'll do our best. BTW, take your caps off. It is viewed as shouting. Edited by Markieboy, 25 October 2010 - 03:12 PM.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-25 15:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	whats next?	Congratulations on your approval! Great, great news!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-26 17:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Question I-130	Well I didn't know if USCIS consider step children as "his" children. Years ago I filed for my ex husband and lawyers did actually list my daughter in that particular area so now I'm torn as to if I should or shouldnt list the children. I've got documents that had been submitted 10 years ago that were approved that have it on there but to me I wouldnt think I should put it on cuz they aren't technically his children? "For immigration purposes, a child can be...a step-child, as long as the marriage creating the step-relationship occurred before the child turned 18." - USCIS	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-27 10:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Letter from Employer for National Visa Center	I am hoping (fingers crossed) that we will have out NOA2 approval within the next 4-6 weeks I am getting all of our paperwork ready to send off for the next phase and I would like to know what should be included in the letter from my employer that I will be submitting to the National Visa Center. Also, to whom should the letter be addressed to? AND...is it o.k. to have it prepared this early? Thank you!! When my wife had her Adjustment of Status, she was required to submit a letter from her employer. The letter stated what position she held in the company, her salary, her job description and responsibilities. Furthermore, the letter stated any comments from her supervisor regarding my wife's performance on the job. And finally, the letter stated that they will continue to employ her after she receives her permanent resident status. We are planning to use this same letter for the NVC stage. In our case, nothing has changed. My wife still holds the same job position and salary. So, I believe this will be sufficient. I would have the letter addressed, "To Whom It May Concern" We had her letter addressed this way, and had no problems. Yes, I believe it is fine to have the letter prepared early. That way, you'll have most if not all your requirements ready to send! I hope this helped some. Good luck with your journey! Edited by Markieboy, 27 October 2010 - 11:40 AM.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-27 11:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	YESSSSS Finally we approved	Congratulations! Wonderful news! Good luck with the rest of your journey!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-27 09:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	got my visa!!! (Alham dullillah)...	Congratulations! Really great news!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-15 14:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	APPROVED	Congratulations! What wonderful news!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-20 10:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	After a LONG AND PAINFUL JOURNEY....Visa Approved!	Congratulations!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-20 06:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Visa Approved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!	Congratulations on your approval! Good luck with the rest of your journey!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-28 14:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	APPROVED!! JUNE Filer at CSC!!!!	Congratulations! This is great news! Good luck with NVC!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-30 22:33:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	G-325a for stepchild	Don't leave blank in the form, write N/A if not applicable. Also, there is a signature column in the G-325A form. Loto Excellent advice!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-01 12:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Expedition response...is it approved?	It sure sounds like an approval. Congratulations in advance! We'll be keeping you in our thought and prayers.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-27 09:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	APROVED!!!!! YAY!!!!	Congratulations! Excellent news indeed! Good luck with NVC!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-01 16:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Labelling DS-230 original documents	Very nice advice, IndigoSkies!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-03 17:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Visa Approved; ISL, Pakistan	Congratulations! Have a safe trip!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-03 10:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Expedite and Congressional assistance	Two percent of of 2.5 million is 500,000(!) VJ probably doesn't even represent 0.003% of that. Actually, it's 50,000. Twenty percent (20%) of 2.5 million is 500,000. But I get your point. Edited by Markieboy, 13 October 2010 - 12:08 PM.	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-10-13 12:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	I-864 Expires 10/31/10	Okay. Thanks for your advice!	Markieboy	Male	Philippines	2010-11-04 10:43:00