A few questions

[Angela. 0]

Originally me and my boyfriend were going to do the k-1 visa, but now I'm starting to think the cr-1 will be better since it is less money and he will be able to work right away. I have a question, it asks for evidence of a bonified marriage, we have never lived together so we don't have joint leases, property, or anything else it lists. Is this stuff really needed and could we get denied because we don't have any of that? Also, with the k1 visa the U.S citizen needs to make a certain amount of money, with the cr-1 is that the same? Also, can you use a co sponsor if needed?

Sorry for all the questions, I've spent months reading about k-1 visas, I haven't researched much about cr-1 yet.

Thanks

[milimelo 4,196]

Originally me and my boyfriend were going to do the k-1 visa, but now I'm starting to think the cr-1 will be better since it is less money and he will be able to work right away. I have a question, it asks for evidence of a bonified marriage, we have never lived together so we don't have joint leases, property, or anything else it lists. Is this stuff really needed and could we get denied because we don't have any of that? Also, with the k1 visa the U.S citizen needs to make a certain amount of money, with the cr-1 is that the same? Also, can you use a co sponsor if needed?

Sorry for all the questions, I've spent months reading about k-1 visas, I haven't researched much about cr-1 yet.

Thanks

For CR-1 and filing as a newly wed couple all you need is the marriage certificate and maybe couple of pics from the wedding - that's it.

Yes, you can use the co-sponsor if needed. Main sponsor still fills out the I-864 with the tax returns and same for the co-sponsor.

Good luck on your visa journey, I'd say you're making the right switch in visa decision!

[yohino 22]

One thing to keep in mind is the current back-log at the Montreal (I think it's Montreal)consulate, which is the only consulate in Candada that's processing CR-1 visas.

Choosing a CR-1 instead of a K-1 could add some time to you waiting.

Just a heads up!

[Darnell 8,478]

ya - the 'bonafide marriage evidence' is difficult to collect when yer first married, or if the spouses live apart.

There's 6 types of evidence that you can gather, as well, per the I-130 instructions .

Here's what I did, ages past - see http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=218775&st=0&p=3324240&hl=Rusticentry3324240 butkeep in mind, I went a bit overboard, as this casefile is going to Guangzhou, China, one of the top 'immigration visa fraud' sites in the world.

Remember though - to treat this documentation collection as a 'living document', as you'll be able to add to it, over time. Sure - start with initial submittal, then show it again on interview day, then again when doing Removal of Conditions.

The financial guidelines are referenced in the I-864W or I-864P document (can't remember which) .

re: co-sponser - sure ! absolutely ! can use !

[HeatDeath 430]

Vancouver handles K-1 visas for applicants west of the Manitoba/Ontario border. Montreal handles all the other fiance or spousal visas. Vancouver are quite quick. Montreal have a serveal month backlog between when you send in your Packet 3 forms and when you get your interview. If you are in Western Canada, switching from a K-1 to the CR-1 track will cost significantly less (no AOS fee, plus you can work right away when you enter the US) but will likely add 3-5 months of waiting time to get the visa.

The other issue is that the Cr-1 track has that enforced period of separation (exacerbated by Montreal's backlog delay) after you get married. For some people (my wife among them) being seperated from a spouse is much harder, and even that much less appealing than being forced to wait (for the K-1 visa approval) to be reunited and married.

That's the complete set of tradeoffs. You and your SO have to decide what you two want to have to deal with. Everybody's different.

Edited August 4, 2010 by HeatDeath

[KBcrand1 1]

For CR-1 and filing as a newly wed couple all you need is the marriage certificate and maybe couple of pics from the wedding - that's it.

Yes, you can use the co-sponsor if needed. Main sponsor still fills out the I-864 with the tax returns and same for the co-sponsor.

Good luck on your visa journey, I'd say you're making the right switch in visa decision!

I second that! That is all I sent, and not even the pics...... But, I will say when I went for a "Infopass appt." the caseworker told me it would be a good idea to send a few pics.... but don't worry about the joint accounts and all that......

Good luck on your journey.

[Angela. 0]

I don't see it mentioned in the guide, but with the first package are you suppose to send proof of being in a relationship?[e-mails, chats, pictures]

[thekfc 26]

I don't see it mentioned in the guide, but with the first package are you suppose to send proof of being in a relationship?[e-mails, chats, pictures]

It would be wise to include as much proof as possible.

In my package I included the following evidence:

Marriage Certificate.

5 pages of text messages.

About 100 pages of chat messages.

Chat archive(chat log) showing all the dates/times we chatted.

Telephone call records.

About 60 pics of us together (including together with her family).

About 15 wedding pictures.

Copy of our boarding pass to our honeymoon.

Copy of the hotel bills where we stayed at our honeymoon.

USPS receipt of all items I mailed her.

Receipt of all the gifts I sent her online.

Receipt of money I sent her.

She is an authorize user on one of my credit cards - I send in a statement page showing her as an authorize user.

You can never have too much info.

[Darnell 8,478]

I don't see it mentioned in the guide, but with the first package are you suppose to send proof of being in a relationship?[e-mails, chats, pictures]

For a K-1, you won't. (see it mentioned in the guide)

For a CR-1, you will. (see it mentioned in the guide)

Which Guide are you reviewing ?

[Angela. 0]

Thanks everyone!

I asked a few of these questions here before in another section, but I'd like more opinions.

With our chat logs, I always just copy and pasted them to wordpad and saved them that way for the past two years, I'm worried this might be a problem, the date shows in the file, but not on the page. Do you think it would be a big deal or seem 'fake' if I put the date on there myself?

Two more things I'm a little worried about. In the beginning when him and I started talking I used a fake name, so there is about over 600 conversations there with me using that name. I didn't expect to ever meet anyone on the internet, so I didn't think it would matter using a fake name, of course I wish I didn't now! Should I write something explaining this to them? I'm kinda thinking about going through all the chats I plan to send and just change the name, but that will be a lot of work. I have never had to file taxes, so I have no tax returns to send. I have been on my dads taxes. Would they need his or would a letter saying that I've never had to filed taxes before be ok?

Darnell- I was looking here, maybe I missed it.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

We still haven't decided which to do, but we seem to be leaning towards the CR-1. Although whenever I feel 100% sure with this decision,I see a timeline that has taken over 1 year+ it makes me worried and want to rethink things.

[OBX 51]

I don't see it mentioned in the guide, but with the first package are you suppose to send proof of being in a relationship?[e-mails, chats, pictures]

It's there, It is near the bottom of the page. Good luck!

Note: Evidence of a Bonifide Marriage

The USCIS now requires that when filing an I-130 for a spouse that you include evidence of a bonifide marriage. They list examples of acceptable evidence as:

1. Documentation showing joint ownership or property; or

2. A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence; or

3. Documentation showing co-mingling of financialresources; or

4. Birth certificate(s) of child(ren) born to you, thepetitioner, and your spouse together; or

5. Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties havingpersonal knowledge of the bona fides of the maritalrelationship (Each affidavit must contain the full nameand address, date and place of birth of the person makingthe affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner ofbeneficiary, if any, and complete information and detailsexplaining how the person acquired his or herknowledge of your marriage); or

6. Any other relevant documentation to establish that thereis an ongoing marital union.

[canadian_wife 1,791]

OP you don't really need ALL 600 conversations, that is excessive. Pick a few that you feel salute your relationship and move on.

Good luck

[lovesherhubby 3]

Originally me and my boyfriend were going to do the k-1 visa, but now I'm starting to think the cr-1 will be better since it is less money and he will be able to work right away. I have a question, it asks for evidence of a bonified marriage, we have never lived together so we don't have joint leases, property, or anything else it lists. Is this stuff really needed and could we get denied because we don't have any of that? Also, with the k1 visa the U.S citizen needs to make a certain amount of money, with the cr-1 is that the same? Also, can you use a co sponsor if needed?

Sorry for all the questions, I've spent months reading about k-1 visas, I haven't researched much about cr-1 yet.

Thanks

I would agree that the CR-1 visa is so much better than he k-1 visa,in terms of spending less on the long run and being able to work as soon as you get to US!

And well as for evidence for the CR-1 you could get your marriage certificate,a few pictures of both of you in your wedding or as you went out, or with eachother's family members, with friends, chat logs, emails, passport stamps, bording passes, hotel receipts, etc.. i would assume not all people would have joint leases, or property together (i know we don't) since most of them don't live with eachother yet!

And yes you can have a co-sponsor if your husband is not eligible to sponsor you, he would still need to file an I-864 though,and if the co-sponsor is from the same household they can file an I-864A ,if not then they would file an I-864 too!

Goodluck with your journey