Starting on the I-130

[Basbosa 4]

Hello everyone.

I am new to this website and forum, but I really appreciate all of the support that I see!

I was wondering if I can get some feedback. I am about to start the I-130 process for my Egyptian husband, and I am so worried about making avoidable mistakes.

First, let me give some background info. I am a naturalized American citizen (born in Cairo, Egypt), and I am a Muslim. I speak Arabic, and I first met what would be my future husband when I was visiting my family in Alexandria in 2007. He asked for my hand in 2008, and we recently got married in August 2012 (we did the Kitb kitab on 8/23 and we had our wedding on 8/24). Unfortunately, after a short honeymoon, I had to return to the US, and he is still in Alexandria.

And, now we are in the middle of preparing all of the documents needed for the I-130.

I understand that we need a copy of the marriage certificate to go with the application. Since we are both Muslim Egyptians, we decided to do the regular kitb kitab (like any normal Egyptian couple). My husband got the marriage certificate from the marriage official, unfortunately, after I left for the US. Now, we know that we have to translate the certificate, and my husband did so at a certified translation office in Alexandria (the packet obtained from the office contained a copy of the marriage certificate, certificate of translation, and the translation itself). Is there anything else we need to be able to use this packet? Do we need to show it to the Embassy in Cairo or the Consulate in Alexandria? I guess what I am asking is, do we need to get it authenticated?

Do I need to make a certified copy of my naturalization certificate? Or would a regular copy suffice? Same question goes for my American passport.

I know that each of us need to complete the G325A. On that specific form, it asks for "Applicant's" residence, employment, etc. When they say "Applicant", do they mean mean the person filling out the form? For example, when I am filling the form, of course the "Applicant" is me. But when he fills the form, is the "Applicant" me (i.e. put my information in) or his? Just want to be sure! Also, since my husband lived all his life in Egypt, his G325A will be basically full of Arabic addresses. Do we need to put the addresses in Arabic script, along with the English transliteration? Or is the English enough?

Finally, the evidence of a bonafide marriage. We really do not have any of the documents that they list on the application. I was concerned about this, but a work colleague (Sudanese who went through the process to bring his Sudanese wife) told me to provide pictures. Of course we have plenty of pictures of everything! My husband and I chose some pictures for the application, but how many is enough? We have pictures of our kitb kitab ceremony (separate picture for each witness, dad, and of us signing the contract; a picture of us with his family and one with my parents) and our wedding (the hall provided us with a dated one; us cutting the cake; various pics during the zaffa and the wedding with family members). I have about 20 pictures. Would I need more?

One last thing, when I tell people that I am about to start the I-130 process, they suggest that we do the K-Visa/Fiancé route instead. I know the K-Visa can save us a lot of time, but I am just worried about the possibility of its rejection (especially since now we are married). Can we do them at the same time? I am really worried about turning in too many applications, because I want to avoid any possible confusion that could happen.

Thank you again for all of your help!

Edited September 10, 2012 by Basbosa

[Boiler 43,622]

You posted in the wrong forum, but yes applying for a Fiancée Visa when you are already married is not a good idea!

[Sarsoor 8]

Hi Basbosa Cool name by the way!

I just finished my I-130 and I am filing from Egypt as well. For my case, I had a contract also for the "Katb-El-Ketaab" and then we had to go to the ministry of Justice to make a new contract and then we translated it in "Shahr El 3akarry" and that took us a lot of time For you, I am not sure If you could just translate el-3akkd (katb-el kitab contract) ... But I think the certificate of translation, and the translation itself are enough

For my American Passport, I just made back and white regular copies. that works fine.

For the G-325A, you fill one for "yourself" and another one with "HIS" information. My husband also lived all his life in Egypt and I just wrote things in English. For example: El-nozha, Faysal, Masr El Gdida! NO ARABIC here!

As for the evidence, me and my husband went to the bank and he made me a power of attorney (TAWKEEL) on his account. I will submit that along with money transfers that he sent me when I was in the US (Western Union, NSGB transfers, etc.) Some people never sent pictures and they are fine. I just sent some from katb-kitab and wedding and some with his family. Just don't overload cause you will need them in the interview!!!! and use pictures from different occasions. Like a day out, at a cafe, etc.!

As for the K-visa, I would just stick to one visa type only. I would recommend the CR1!!

I hope I helped you can private message me as well, I would love to help

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hello everyone.

I am new to this website and forum, but I really appreciate all of the support that I see!

I was wondering if I can get some feedback. I am about to start the I-130 process for my Egyptian husband, and I am so worried about making avoidable mistakes.

First, let me give some background info. I am a naturalized American citizen (born in Cairo, Egypt), and I am a Muslim. I speak Arabic, and I first met what would be my future husband when I was visiting my family in Alexandria in 2007. He asked for my hand in 2008, and we recently got married in August 2012 (we did the Kitb kitab on 8/23 and we had our wedding on 8/24). Unfortunately, after a short honeymoon, I had to return to the US, and he is still in Alexandria.

And, now we are in the middle of preparing all of the documents needed for the I-130.

I understand that we need a copy of the marriage certificate to go with the application. Since we are both Muslim Egyptians, we decided to do the regular kitb kitab (like any normal Egyptian couple). My husband got the marriage certificate from the marriage official, unfortunately, after I left for the US. Now, we know that we have to translate the certificate, and my husband did so at a certified translation office in Alexandria (the packet obtained from the office contained a copy of the marriage certificate, certificate of translation, and the translation itself). Is there anything else we need to be able to use this packet? Do we need to show it to the Embassy in Cairo or the Consulate in Alexandria? I guess what I am asking is, do we need to get it authenticated?

Do I need to make a certified copy of my naturalization certificate? Or would a regular copy suffice? Same question goes for my American passport.

I know that each of us need to complete the G325A. On that specific form, it asks for "Applicant's" residence, employment, etc. When they say "Applicant", do they mean mean the person filling out the form? For example, when I am filling the form, of course the "Applicant" is me. But when he fills the form, is the "Applicant" me (i.e. put my information in) or his? Just want to be sure! Also, since my husband lived all his life in Egypt, his G325A will be basically full of Arabic addresses. Do we need to put the addresses in Arabic script, along with the English transliteration? Or is the English enough?

Finally, the evidence of a bonafide marriage. We really do not have any of the documents that they list on the application. I was concerned about this, but a work colleague (Sudanese who went through the process to bring his Sudanese wife) told me to provide pictures. Of course we have plenty of pictures of everything! My husband and I chose some pictures for the application, but how many is enough? We have pictures of our kitb kitab ceremony (separate picture for each witness, dad, and of us signing the contract; a picture of us with his family and one with my parents) and our wedding (the hall provided us with a dated one; us cutting the cake; various pics during the zaffa and the wedding with family members). I have about 20 pictures. Would I need more?

One last thing, when I tell people that I am about to start the I-130 process, they suggest that we do the K-Visa/Fiancé route instead. I know the K-Visa can save us a lot of time, but I am just worried about the possibility of its rejection (especially since now we are married). Can we do them at the same time? I am really worried about turning in too many applications, because I want to avoid any possible confusion that could happen.

Thank you again for all of your help!

In order to file for a k-1, both the petitioner and beneficiary must be single and free to marry. You and your husband do not qualify to file for a k-1 because you both are not single and you both are not free to marry.

The I-130 spousal visa path is the correct path for you and your husband.

If you file the I-129f for the k-1 visa, the case will be rejected and you will lose your fee. A married man cannot get a k-1 fiancé visa.

[C-ma'am 684]

In order to file for a k-1, both the petitioner and beneficiary must be single and free to marry. You and your husband do not qualify to file for a k-1 because you both are not single and you both are not free to marry.

The I-130 spousal visa path is the correct path for you and your husband.

If you file the I-129f for the k-1 visa, the case will be rejected and you will lose your fee. A married man cannot get a k-1 fiancé visa.

** Post moved from Work Visas forum to the MENA Regional forum; as the other questions can best be answered in this forum.

Edited September 13, 2012 by Celeste & C

[Basbosa 4]

Thank you so much everyone for your feedback. Sarsoor I really really really appreciate all of the detailed answers! I wish you the best as you're finishing up with preparing the application! I am seriously praying that the current events in Egypt (and the Middle East in general) do not affect this process in any way. It's already long enough!

Thanks Boiler and Celeste & C for moving the post. I really appreciate your help with posting my question in the right forum. I really didn't know what I was doing (and I think I actually ended up posting my question twice! *Sigh* Should have read the guide first)!

Thanks again for all of your help everyone!!

[Basbosa 4]

And aaron2020 thanks for claryfing the K1 visa process for me. I knew, strictly speaking, I was not eligible for it, but I guess I just wanted to know all my options before I actually committed to the I-130 process. Thanks again for all of your help!