CR-1 Process - TIPS to begin

[JoLingcm 0]

Hi there everyone,

Im hoping to get a few tips/guidelines/steps/suggestions on how to begin the CR-1 process. My husband is USC (lives in NYC) and I'm NRA (Cayman Islands).

Is the I-129F Petition still required as part of the CR-1 application?

As Im currently living and working overseas, should my husband submit the I-130 as a stand alone petiton or jointly with the I-485 form?.

Would appreciate any helpful suggestions/steps.

Thanks

Jolingcm

[jkelly07 120]

if your married then you file 1-130 cr-1, the 1-129f is for fiance,e not married yet k-1 visa

[jkelly07 120]

if you update your timeline we all can help you better,

[JoLingcm 0]

if you update your timeline we all can help you better,

Hi Jkelly07, I've updated my timeline with what information I have now.

Is there a cover letter needed to accompany the I-130 petition? or just submit with the relevant I-485?. Would my hubby need to file the petition at the Chicago Lockbox location or send to the Jamaican US Embassy which is the consulate for the Cayman Islands?

Now that we're ready to begin I have all these questions floating around

I appreciate your assistance.

Thanks.

[JoLingcm 0]

if you update your timeline we all can help you better,

One more question, can my husband file at the local office in Long Island New York?

Thanks again.

[CanadaLove 16]

You can send a cover letter detailing the contents of the package (I-130, payment, G325 for you, G325 for him, passport pictures of you both, bonafide marriage proofs). I don't understand what you're sending the I485 for, that's not a form that is involved in a CR-1 petition. (Or if it is, it's not for a while yet. Not a form I'm familiar with.) And he must send it to the lockbox; local offices don't handle these.

[Done--Really 331]

Giving up the Caymans for NYC--I've been thinking of doing just the opposite !!!!

Edited June 2, 2011 by magical

[tehans 52]

Just make sure to start collecting proof of bonafide marriage now

[JoLingcm 0]

You can send a cover letter detailing the contents of the package (I-130, payment, G325 for you, G325 for him, passport pictures of you both, bonafide marriage proofs). I don't understand what you're sending the I485 for, that's not a form that is involved in a CR-1 petition. (Or if it is, it's not for a while yet. Not a form I'm familiar with.) And he must send it to the lockbox; local offices don't handle these.

Hi CanadaLove,

Thanks for your response. I will make a note of it.

Just make sure to start collecting proof of bonafide marriage now

Hi Tehans,

I have a copy of the marriage certificate but will get a "certified" copy and also affidavits from my friends and family who attended the ceremony. Is there a draft wording for the Affidavit here on VJ?

Thanks again.

[JoLingcm 0]

Giving up the Caymans for NYC--I've been thinking of doing just the opposite !!!!

Hey Magical,

Change is always good and the experience is definitely needed. I'll always come back to Cayman as it's my home (born and raised here).

I hope you'll enjoy your time when you're here and nice meeting you.

[pushbrk 13,072]

Hi there everyone,

Im hoping to get a few tips/guidelines/steps/suggestions on how to begin the CR-1 process. My husband is USC (lives in NYC) and I'm NRA (Cayman Islands).

Is the I-129F Petition still required as part of the CR-1 application?

As Im currently living and working overseas, should my husband submit the I-130 as a stand alone petiton or jointly with the I-485 form?.

Would appreciate any helpful suggestions/steps.

Thanks

Jolingcm

You're getting convoluted answers to little pieces of the puzzle. My "tip" is to start by carefully studying the CR1 visa Guide by clicking on the word Guides at the top of any page here, then carefully study the I-130 instructions. (You download those separately) Doing both those things will be critical to your success.

No, the I-129F has nothing to do with a CR1 visa and neither does the I-485. Your questions about those forms was the indicator you had not yet studied the guide and instructions. Best place to start.

[JoLingcm 0]

You're getting convoluted answers to little pieces of the puzzle. My "tip" is to start by carefully studying the CR1 visa Guide by clicking on the word Guides at the top of any page here, then carefully study the I-130 instructions. (You download those separately) Doing both those things will be critical to your success.

No, the I-129F has nothing to do with a CR1 visa and neither does the I-485. Your questions about those forms was the indicator you had not yet studied the guide and instructions. Best place to start.

Hi Pushbrk, thanks for your tip. I had read the guide and the I-130 instructions but the confusion came in when looking that the USCIS website link - http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=10093e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=10093e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD.

I'll now carefully review the word Guide and instructions and use those as my reference/guiding point.

One question though under "evidence of a bonifide marriage"; can the 3rd party affidavits come from friends/family members of MINE (as the beneficiary) or it has to come my spouse's friends/family?

Thanks.

[pushbrk 13,072]

Hi Pushbrk, thanks for your tip. I had read the guide and the I-130 instructions but the confusion came in when looking that the USCIS website link - http://www.uscis.gov...000082ca60aRCRD.

I'll now carefully review the word Guide and instructions and use those as my reference/guiding point.

One question though under "evidence of a bonifide marriage"; can the 3rd party affidavits come from friends/family members of MINE (as the beneficiary) or it has to come my spouse's friends/family?

Thanks.

My advice to skip any affidavits. They aren't needed, particularly if all they affirm is that somebody attended a ceremony and/or party. When you read the I-130 instructions, consider anything that comes after the words, "In addition to the required....." as not required. Most newlyweds concentrate on the last item on that list which would be "any other...." and send some photos together and examples of how they communicate along with evidence of any and all trips to visit each other, like passport stamps or boarding passes.

[Done--Really 331]

We went with a relatively short list--no muss, no fuss:

1) Marriage certificate, of course !!

2) Statement from joint bank account

3) Statement from joint credit card account

4) Half a dozen pictures

5) One month's phone call log

6) One month's email log--just headers--not the actual emails

7) Visa stamps in each of our passports

And was approved without an RFE

[JoLingcm 0]

We went with a relatively short list--no muss, no fuss:

1) Marriage certificate, of course !!

2) Statement from joint bank account

3) Statement from joint credit card account

4) Half a dozen pictures

5) One month's phone call log

6) One month's email log--just headers--not the actual emails

7) Visa stamps in each of our passports

And was approved without an RFE

thanks