Duration of filing process for a spouse and things to submit to USCIS exactly?

[Davemoody 0]

Ok so I'm an American born citizen and I filled out the form I-130 and the form 325A. My wife filled out her 325A as well.

Right now I have :

1.) My money order of $420 filing fee (for form I-130)

2.) Passport Style Photo of myself

3.) Passport style photo of my wife

4.) Form I-130

5.) Form G-325A (for myself)

6.) Form G-325A (for my wife)

7.) Copy of my birth certificate

8.) Copy of biographical page of my American passport

9.) Copy of biographical page of my wife's Nigerian passport.

I was just told by someone that my wife needs to bring a copy of her own birth certificate as well. I was also told I needed to produce photos of our marriage and things of that nature.

So my questions are:

1.) How do I present the photos to USCIS? Do they have to be in a photo album style? How many photos of my marriage are necessary to submit to USCIS?

2.) Is there a standard checklist for knowing exactly what to submit to USCIS? Or is this knowledge just something that people picked up on along the way after failing a few times?

3.) If I have everything right, how long will it take for my wife's visa to process?

[Penguin_ie 6,000]

****** Moving from General Immigration to CR-1 spousal visa forum ******

1. Don't do an album, it is bulky and hard to keep with the rest of your file. Ideally, print 4-6 photos on a normal paper page, with a short caption underneath each. Alternatively, put the photos in a zip lock bag, with explanation what they are of and date on the back. Keep it to under 20, you can bring more to interview.

2. Yes, read our Guide here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

3. About a year from filing to interview. she then has 6 months to enter the USA.

[mallafri76 1,012]

Don't forget a copy of your marriage certificate.

You don't need to include a copy of your wife's passport, unless you're using US stamps in it as bona fida proof?!

Other bona fida proof to include are photos, phone records, chat/email logs etc. Since you're interviewing in Nigeria, you're gonna want to front load your petition, so lots and lots of bona fida proof.

Good luck on your visa journey.

Edited December 3, 2015 by mallafri76

[Davemoody 0]

Ok so from the time USCIS receives all the right documents from me, are you saying it will take a year before they call us for an interview? And are you saying it will take 6 months after the interview before my wife gets approved?

[JFH 12,195]

It's likely to take a year to get to interview stage. Most interviewees are given an answer on the spot as to whether they have been approved or not. Once approved, she will be issued with a visa and she must enter within the next 6 months or the visa will be cancelled. So, if she is approved January 1st she must enter before June 30. Although she could get on the very next plane after she is approved.

Edited December 3, 2015 by JFH

[NikLR 13,234]

Please take some time to go over this basic guide for the whole process: http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/EZGuideSpouse