IR-1/ CR-1 steps for beneficary abroad

[hopeful_canadian 2]

Hi All!

My husband is a US citizen currently living in the US and I am a Canadian citizen currently living in Canada.

We have filed an i-130 and it is still in the initial stages of review. I am still in Canada so I can continue to work while we are going through the immigration process. Since I am not in the states and do not have a current visa, do I need to prepare an I- 485?

What documents do I need to prepare seeing as I will continue to stay in Canada until I am granted access and able to work in the US?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!!!!!

[mtlguy 59]

no need to prepare an I-485 because you're staying in Canada during this process.

[hopeful_canadian 2]

^{Great! Thanks!}

^{A few more things (conditional on i-130 approval), what other forms with i need to submit??}

^{I-864 Affidavit of Support}

^{I-765 employment authorization??}

^{DS- 230}

^{DS- 2001??}

^{anything I am missing? Are there any short cuts or things I can do in advanced to get the ball rolling?}

^Thanks!

[mtlguy 59]

you don't need to file anything now. not before the I-130 gets approved.

once it is approved, the process splits into 2 tracks. One for your husband, the US citizen, and one for you (the immigrant). both tracks will eventually lead to each other.

first track: your husband will need to file an i-864 (affidavit of support) and send that to the NVC (National Visa Center)

second track: you will be contacted by the NVC and asked to fill out a couple of forms (probably the new electronic forms DS 260 & DS 261).

if all is good with NVC, they will eventually schedule an interview with he Consulate.

meanwhile, you just have to wait.

[Terry J 50]

^{Great! Thanks!}

^{A few more things (conditional on i-130 approval), what other forms with i need to submit??}

^{I-864 Affidavit of Support}

^{I-765 employment authorization??}

^{DS- 230}

^{DS- 2001??}

^{anything I am missing? Are there any short cuts or things I can do in advanced to get the ball rolling?}

^Thanks!

Definitely take some time and read up on the NVC guides and wiki links on VJ

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_for_Montreal_Beneficiaries_%E2%80%93_Electronic_Processing_and_New_Online_Forms

To answer your questions:

The I-864 is required when your I-130 is approved and has been forwarded to the NVC for processing. This is referred to as AOS package.

Your USC husband is the one who will be required to complete the I-864 and submit the required supporting documents.

I-765 is not required for you as you will going the consular processing route like myself.

DS-230 has been replaced by the DS-260. This is submitted online and you can only access the form once the NVC gives you a case number and an Invoice I.D. number.

DS-261 is the Choice of Address & Agent form which replaced the DS-3032.

Optin for EP - Electronic Processing which us Canucks will use since we will be processing via the Montreal US Consulate.