Finally got married last week on Valentines Day We are now working on getting our I-130 package out in the mail tomorrow. Read all the guides and I hope we have done everything right including the paper work. I do and will worry about this whole process a lot.

I have to be back at work in Canada tomorrow so the vacation is also over I am going to really hate leaving especially knowing that trying to visit my wife from now on could be a challenge.

Anybody else have any additional tips please let us know.

Thanks
Steve

Just follow the I-130 guide.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...page=i130guide1

Congrats!

Congratulations to you and your wife Steve!

I see from your timeline that you are doing the CR1 - so the only thing I would suggest is that you have a look at the DS-230 instructions and start to get any civil documents together, if you haven't already - perhaps a tad early for the police certificate(s), however you can get the rest now if you haven't already: link

Birth Certificate
Court and Prison Records
Deportation Documentation
Marriage Certificate
Marriage Termination Documentation
Military Records
Photocopy of Valid Passport Biographic Data Page
Police Certificate(s)

Also, the DS-230 is filled out by the beneficiary, so you may want to fill it out now or at the very least sign part 1 (part 2 is signed at the interview) and leave it with your wife to fill out later - as it does require your signature.

For the DS-3032 - Choice of Agent, which will be issued from NVC, this also requires your signature if you are going to mail it in (as opposed to emailing your choice of agent) link

Congrats and best wishes for a speedy approval.

When you visit just make sure you have plent of evidence of ties to Canada and be honest with the border officer about your reason for visiting the U.S.

Thanks for your comments. We just got finished with the package so its ready to mail first thing tomorrow.

I just want to double check ... the package should be mailed to the Chicago lockbox rather than our USCIS center... correct?


Steve

Oh forgot to also ask .... I assume that I would send original affidavits?


Steve

Congratulations on your wedding! You'll be fine at the POE when visiting. The CBP officers seem to be understanding when they know you're going through the legal immigration process. Here's a handy link: Visitation FAQ's.

my advice when going to USA:
1) Always tell the TRUTH. never lie to the POE officer
2) Be confident in ur replies
3)keep ur response short and to the point, dont tell ur life story!!
4) look the POE officer in the eye when speaking to them. They are looking for people lieing and have been trained to find them!
5)pack light! No job resumes with you
6) Bring ties to Canada (letter from employer when ur expected back at work, lease, etc etc)
7) Always be polite, being rude isnt going to get ya anywhere, and could make things worse!!
8) have a plan in case u do get denied (be polite) It wont harm ur visa application if ur denied,that is if ur polite and didnt lie! Refer to #1

Don't have any experience with this as when we filed in March last year it wasn't a requirement to send proof of relationship. Generally USCIS only requires photocopies, however I would be tempted to send an original.

As for the mailing address:

Petitioners who reside in AK, AZ, CA, CO, Guam, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MS, MT, Nebraska, NV, ND, OH, OR, SD, UT, WA, WI, or WY are encouraged to file their stand-alone Form I-130s with the Lockbox using the following address:
USCIS
P.O. Box 804625
Chicago, IL 60680-1029

Petitioners who reside in AL, AR, CT, DL, FL, GA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OK, PA, Puerto Rico, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, U.S. Virgin Islands, WV, or District of Columbia are encouraged to file their stand-alone Form I-130 with the Lockbox using the following address:
USCIS
P.O. Box 804616
Chicago, IL 60680-1029 link

Just wanted to say congrats!!!!

Thanks folks! The I-130 is in the mail. Now comes the painful waiting and hopefully no RFE's

Steve

Congratulations