FILLING FORMS OUT and I'm going LOCO please help?

[curiousgeorgina 52]

Hi,

I might sound a bit dumb with silly questions, but this is my first time to actually file/apply for a CR-1 visa.. I've been reading threads these past few weeks and it makes me nervous seeing how tedious and intense the filing can be. I would appreciate if I get some answers form you guys..

First of all, I am a filipina in the US on a tourist visa, and my bf asked me to marry him.. which of course I said yes, but as we looked at our options, K-1 won't do, his income is below 125% and since the Manila Embassy is strict with co-sponsors, we are opting to get married before I leave in October (some told me to file for AOS rather than go home, as much as I'd love to do that I'm quite scared that that is very risky plus, I have to get my affairs in order before actually living here in the US). I'm just starting to read the forms needed to file the petition and here are my questions:

1. In the I-I30 forms, there are some sections do not apply to us (for example, previous marriages, as we were never married before), do we leave it blank, or put NONE or N/A? I am filling out the form using a computer.

2. In the G-325a form, it is asking for my employer for the last 5 years, which I actually don't have as I am a freelance graphic designer, my clients varies a lot. Can I just put self employed?

3. We are a couple who doesn't like to take pictures.. my soon to be husband is not fond of pictures and me too, we do have some of course, will that be a problem? We do have skype/facebook history that would show that even if we are living together or away from each other, we talk every single day.

4. Will written affidavits from my sister and her wife, his parents and our friends (all living in the US) suffice too to prove we have a bonafide relationship? We will be married less than 2 months so we don't have any joint accounts or anything.

5. What is the most common cause for an I-I30 delays/denials?

Thank you so much in advance, would really love to hear from you guys!

[NikLR 13,220]

1) for example if neither of you have been previously married, where it says "name of prior spouse" you would write NONE and then put N/A in the spot where marriage date ended. The asking of the name is applicable to you, but since there is no previous marriage then the date is not applicable. Answering the first question, then makes the second applicable or not.

2) yes

3) You include the evidence that works for you. Quality over quantity. http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/EZGuideSpouse at the bottom of this wiki is a large example list of evidence.

4) affidavits are the lowest type of evidence, but you can include them if you want.

5) most common issue for I-130s is not filling out all the forms and not having enough evidence.

[curiousgeorgina 52]

1) for example if neither of you have been previously married, where it says "name of prior spouse" you would write NONE and then put N/A in the spot where marriage date ended. The asking of the name is applicable to you, but since there is no previous marriage then the date is not applicable. Answering the first question, then makes the second applicable or not.

2) yes

3) You include the evidence that works for you. Quality over quantity. http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/EZGuideSpouse at the bottom of this wiki is a large example list of evidence.

4) affidavits are the lowest type of evidence, but you can include them if you want.

5) most common issue for I-130s is not filling out all the forms and not having enough evidence.

Thank you very much for the fast repsonse. And also for the link. Will be reviewing this.

[NikLR 13,220]

You're welcome.

Be aware that some of the fees are changing for the visas, I haven't updated the wiki yet.

Edited September 12, 2014 by NLR

[Ian H. 207]

Also I would like to add that since you already have a tourist visa you will be able to visit your then husband while the petition is pending. You will have to prove to the satisfaction of the CBPO that you will return after your trip so you need to have proof of ties to your country if you will be traveling here after your marriage.

[curiousgeorgina 52]

You're welcome.

Be aware that some of the fees are changing for the visas, I haven't updated the wiki yet.

Thank you very much again. And another newbie question, sorry I have been reading threads over and over and I guess my panicky mind seems to be not helping me.. who receives the NOA1 and NOA2? Is it the beneficiary or the petitioner? If it's the petitioner, we have a slight problem as he sends his mails to his parents' address as he does not trust his condo's mailbox... he had several mails missing when he was using his own address. Is that possible?

Also I would like to add that since you already have a tourist visa you will be able to visit your then husband while the petition is pending. You will have to prove to the satisfaction of the CBPO that you will return after your trip so you need to have proof of ties to your country if you will be traveling here after your marriage.

Oh I would love to use my tourist visa to visit him again but I remember the POE giving me a hard time the last time since I indicated to him I was a freelancer and the house I live in is still under my parent's name. So I doubt they'd let me in. But thank you fro the info.

[NikLR 13,220]

Thank you very much again. And another newbie question, sorry I have been reading threads over and over and I guess my panicky mind seems to be not helping me.. who receives the NOA1 and NOA2? Is it the beneficiary or the petitioner? If it's the petitioner, we have a slight problem as he sends his mails to his parents' address as he does not trust his condo's mailbox... he had several mails missing when he was using his own address. Is that possible?

Oh I would love to use my tourist visa to visit him again but I remember the POE giving me a hard time the last time since I indicated to him I was a freelancer and the house I live in is still under my parent's name. So I doubt they'd let me in. But thank you fro the info.

The petitioner recieves the NOA1 and NOA2 because those are based on the petition. The USCIS won't even talk to the beneficiary. NOA1 and NOA2 can both be emailed with the use of a G-1145 and then signing up on the USCIS website. He should not put down an address other than his own IMHO. They do background checks on both of you and part of that is checking addresses.

[curiousgeorgina 52]

The petitioner recieves the NOA1 and NOA2 because those are based on the petition. The USCIS won't even talk to the beneficiary. NOA1 and NOA2 can both be emailed with the use of a G-1145 and then signing up on the USCIS website. He should not put down an address other than his own IMHO. They do background checks on both of you and part of that is checking addresses.

I see Thank you very much again!

[curiousgeorgina 52]

1) for example if neither of you have been previously married, where it says "name of prior spouse" you would write NONE and then put N/A in the spot where marriage date ended. The asking of the name is applicable to you, but since there is no previous marriage then the date is not applicable. Answering the first question, then makes the second applicable or not.

2) yes

3) You include the evidence that works for you. Quality over quantity. http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/EZGuideSpouse at the bottom of this wiki is a large example list of evidence.

4) affidavits are the lowest type of evidence, but you can include them if you want.

5) most common issue for I-130s is not filling out all the forms and not having enough evidence.

Hi Again! I came across another section where I am a bit confused if I am to fill it out or not for the I-I30 form, there's a section where it's asked if the beneficiary is currently in the US... Should I indicate I am as I am here til the 22nd of October and was hoping to complete the forms and requirements and send the I-I30 forms before I leave, or should I just not send the forms yet and wait til I go home?

I am thinking I might confuse the USCIS that I will be staying here to adjust my status if ever I do indicate I am currently in the US?

[Ian H. 207]

You could fill this part out if you are currently in the US and will still be here when you actually send the petition, since everything on it has to be true on the day you send it in.

This will not make them think that you will do AOS. There is another section further down that asks if you will be doing AOS.