Before I mail I-130...

[Aussie MarineWife 0]

@ Harpa

OK, I will use normal postal mail so address is correct. Thanks!

@ pushbrk

I will change my cover letter and application assembly according to your suggestions. I will also NOT include a CD but print the pictures accordingly. Thank you!

I still need to make sure I input my wife's Swiss address correctly... that's on me.

Now, I AM a Newb. I was using an immigration lawyer but I found him to be incompetent and wanting to overcharge. So, I have a couple more questions I'd really appreciate confirmation on.

1. I petition for the I-130 only, right? I don't petition for anything else until the I-130 gets approved? (doesn't matter if I went K-3 or CR1?)

2. Any estimate as to how long it will take for an I-130 to get approved?

Thank you all!

Yep your petition for I-130 is correct because you are already married right?

As for how long it takes.. I sent in my I-130 Back in the beginning of April. I received my NOA2 on the 28th of Sept.. so Thats a little over 5 months processing time.. I think the most recent timeline is about 5-6 months.. I kept checking online around the 4 month mark.. and found out the case was approved a month before the notice arrived in the mail.. which has definitely helped speed things up when you get to the NVC stage. Once you send in your I-130 and get your NOA1 you can use the receipt number to sign up at the USCIS for email updates and to check the status of your case. Good luck

[piglett 16]

hello all i am in the same boat

getting ready to send off my I-130 & G325a's

i hope i don't screw it up too bad

should i send any wedding pictures along with my forms , if so what size?

also is it best to go with a moneyorder for the $355 ?

thanks

piglett

[piglett 16]

hello all i am in the same boat

getting ready to send off my I-130 & G325a's

i hope i don't screw it up too bad

should i send any wedding pictures along with my forms , if so what size?

also is it best to go with a moneyorder for the $355 ?

thanks

piglett

Edit: oh also do i just make the moneyorder out to the USCIS???

[acoban 0]

@ Aussie

Thank you.

More newb questions:

1. After the I-130 is approved, how long can my wife stay in the country for? Does she still come in as a tourist?

2. What about while the K-3 (or CR1) is pending? Can she stay here for an extended period of time?

Edited November 12, 2010 by acoban

[acoban 0]

Edit: oh also do i just make the moneyorder out to the USCIS???

No.

Make the check or money order payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security, unless:

A. If you live in Guam and are filing your petition there, make it payable to Treasurer, Guam.

B. If you live in the U.S. Virgin Islands and are filing your petition there, make it payable to Commissioner of Finance of the Virgin Islands.

C. If you live outside the United States, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate for instructions on the method of payment.

[pushbrk 12,095]

Edit: oh also do i just make the moneyorder out to the USCIS???

No. This question indicates you failed to carefully study the I-130 instructions. This is a critical mistake. Study them now, so you'll avoid other issues you don't know you don't know about.

[Darnell 8,478]

@ Aussie

Thank you.

More newb questions:

1. After the I-130 is approved, how long can my wife stay in the country for? Does she still come in as a tourist?

2. What about while the K-3 (or CR1) is pending? Can she stay here for an extended period of time?

1. not related, I-130 approval and stay in country.

2. no.

some light reading?

Comparison on K-3 vs CR-1 - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/204324-wondering-if-i-made-a-mistake-marrying-in-us/page__view__findpost__p__3060767

K-3 administratively closed - http://www.visajourney.com/news/2010/02/07/department-of-state-to-close-k-3-visas-if-i-129f-and-i-130-petitions-approved-and-received-together/

[piglett 16]

No. This question indicates you failed to carefully study the I-130 instructions. This is a critical mistake. Study them now, so you'll avoid other issues you don't know you don't know about.

how was i to know that i just didn't know,

thanks

piglett

[pushbrk 12,095]

how was i to know that i just didn't know,

thanks

piglett

You know by carefully reading all form instructions.

[acoban 0]

@ Darnell

Thank you

A "final" question... (I think). Is it okay if my passport-style photo has an off white background? My wife's looks perfect. Mine, however, is... off white. Has anyone ever heard of an application being rejected for an off white solid background on the passport-style photo?

Edited November 14, 2010 by acoban

[acoban 0]

Also, under Alien Registration Number on both the I-130 and the G-325A Forms, would I put None or N/A for my wife? Which is more appropriate?

[pushbrk 12,095]

Also, under Alien Registration Number on both the I-130 and the G-325A Forms, would I put None or N/A for my wife? Which is more appropriate?

You put "none" (if she has none, because the question is definitely applicable. Read the instructions for the passport style photo again for the answer to your question about that.

[acoban 0]

@ pushbrk

Thanks so much. I really appreciate your help, Sir!

I thank the rest of you as well. Will be mailing this bad-boy this week!

[acoban 0]

Ack, and another paranoid question. Before I had decided to fill this stuff out on my own, I was using a paralegal to assist me.

Under "This form is submitted in connection with an application for" ...On my wife's (the Beneficiary's) G-325A Form, he checked off "Other (Specify)" and wrote "I-130 by my husband, NAME". Is this correct? Or, should I check off "Status as Permanent Resident"?

[acoban 0]

Ack, and another paranoid question. Before I had decided to fill this stuff out on my own, I was using a paralegal to assist me.

Under "This form is submitted in connection with an application for" ...On my wife's (the Beneficiary's) G-325A Form, he checked off "Other (Specify)" and wrote "I-130 by my husband, NAME". Is this correct? Or, should I check off "Status as Permanent Resident"?

And for that matter, should I check off the same for MY (Petitioner) G-325a?