So naive about the CR1 Visa process

[Sarah1261 3]

I thought I would just start a chat, as I am feeling so deflated. My husband and I, (love saying it) were so naive. We have been together since 2019 and only got married in September 2023. Neither of us has masses of friends, we focus on work and then just enjoy being together and travelling, so we didn't really have anyone to advise us or know anyone that has been through all of this. We just assumed that there would be a few forms, a visa interview for me and then Bob's your uncle, all sorted in a matter of weeks. I am lucky enough that I have a B2 visa so I have been able to spend a great deal of time out in the states, and a recent divorce meant I had the funds to take some time off of work. After the wedding, we decided that we should travel back to the UK so I could see my family and tell them, we are private people and did not want the wedding being about anything other than me and N making our vows to each other. Once back in the UK, we made the decision that I would stay and then apply for the visa from the UK rather than adjustment of status, I hadn't worked in a year and obviously I couldn't work out in the US. Again, we were so naive, with getting my old job back, and in the lead up to christmas and New Year, we didn't even look at what needed to be done until January. Again, we weren't in any huge rush, we survived most of covid apart, a few weeks would be easy! After submitting the I-130 and the I-130A and seeing a comment on Reddit, did it dawn on us how stupidly in love we had become, someone once said love will make you stupid! We are both professionals, I would say we are both smart, we certainly were not smart about this. We submitted evidence of our relationship, mainly photos, boarding passes. Who knew that we should of opened a joint account, or that we even could if I didn't live there, that I could of been added to the bills, the mortgage, to help strengthen our case. I really wish I had come across all of this information before, not that it would of stopped us doing the process at all, we will wait as long as it takes. It just would of been nice to know that it's going to take more than a few weeks, that we could of strengthened our case to prove that we are in a legitimate relationship, that we may have to spend a long time apart, wasting money as we are paying for 2 houses, we own, well he owns a house, and I rent in the UK. We are paying double everything! It is so heartbreaking. How do people cope, I feel like I am checking our case every day, I know it's not going to have changed but I can't help it. Praying to God we get to be together soon and can start living our best lives. Anyone else feeling this way, made the same silly assumption that it would be an easy process? Would love to chat with anyone in the same position, maybe this is God way of pulling people together, I have to believe that this is part of his grand plan, I shall not lose hope!

[Timona 3,943]

You can add more stuff under the documents section of your online account, if that's what's worrying you. 

[Troy B 223]

Time spent together is most important.    You aren't expected to have joint things if your spouse lives in another country.

[Sarah1261 3]

1 minute ago, Troy B said:

Time spent together is most important.    You aren't expected to have joint things if your spouse lives in another country.

I hope not. But seeing everyone say, they had this and that, makes me think we have probably delayed our case by basically being stupid and not checking it all out first. It’s a minefield and we weren’t prepared for it at all :(

[top_secret 2,063]

12 minutes ago, Sarah1261 said:

I hope not. But seeing everyone say, they had this and that, makes me think we have probably delayed our case by basically being stupid and not checking it all out first. It’s a minefield and we weren’t prepared for it at all

 

Probably most long distance couple do not have combined finances.  USCIS isn't looking for you to open accounts just to check an item off a list.  If you do think of additional evidence that you feel may make your case stronger you can always submit at any time in your USCIS online account under the unsolicited evidence tab.

[Sarah1261 3]

Just now, top_secret said:

 

Probably most long distance couple do not have combined finances.  USCIS isn't looking for you to open accounts just to check an item off a list.  If you do think of additional evidence that you feel may make your case stronger you can always submit at any time in your USCIS online account under the unsolicited evidence tab.

Thank you. Really did think it would take a matter of weeks, not months, possibly years. I see why people just apply for adjustment of status now.

[Boiler 43,464]

Seems to take 18 months

 

Not sure what you have been reading but you do not need joint accounts etc

[Sarah1261 3]

3 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Seems to take 18 months

 

Not sure what you have been reading but you do not need joint accounts etc

Here and on Reddit. Thank you though, you are all making feel a bit better about it  think I just needed reassurance that we haven’t completely messed it up

[Redro 4,600]

18 minutes ago, Sarah1261 said:

Thank you. Really did think it would take a matter of weeks, not months, possibly years. I see why people just apply for adjustment of status now.

You can’t enter the US with the intention of adjusting status. 
You are following the correct procedures. 
If you stick around long enough you’ll realize 1.) USCIS marriage evidence is based on people adjusting status 

2.) People who go through the consulate generally just submit marriage certificate and proof of living together 

3.) If you enter the U.S. with the intent of adjusting status or CBP thinks you intend to stay- you can be sent back to your home country (and face a ban)

4.) You can visit while the I130 is pending

5.) London is one of the faster consulates and they don’t require a lot of evidence. 

Poster posted about getting denied entry earlier today…

ETA: How would you have joint bank accounts and all the other stuff adjusting status? You can’t obtain that evidence as a tourist… you would have more than likely submitted a similar packet if you had applied for AOS.  
Then you would be stressing about denial and deportation for not having a strong case? 

Edited March 20 by Redro

[Daphne . 1,681]

41 minutes ago, Sarah1261 said:

I hope not. But seeing everyone say, they had this and that, makes me think we have probably delayed our case by basically being stupid and not checking it all out first. It’s a minefield and we weren’t prepared for it at all

We had no joint bank account (still don’t), I was not added to any insurance or utility bill, we had nothing of that sort because I was still living in my home country and everything turned out okay. USCIS understands that couples who live in separate countries don’t have that type of evidence.

[Sarah1261 3]

1 minute ago, Daphne . said:

We had no joint bank account (still don’t), I was not added to any insurance or utility bill, we had nothing of that sort because I was still living in my home country and everything turned out okay. USCIS understands that couples who live in separate countries don’t have that type of evidence.

Thank you so much. I really needed to hear this 💓 

[Daphne . 1,681]

22 minutes ago, Sarah1261 said:

Thank you. Really did think it would take a matter of weeks, not months, possibly years. I see why people just apply for adjustment of status now.

People who intentionally do this are not cool people, way too many of those on Reddit… 

[Sarah1261 3]

1 minute ago, Daphne . said:

People who intentionally do this are not cool people, way too many of those on Reddit… 

I’m seeing that! I’m so glad I found Visa Journey.

[TexasRafael 103]

Well, now that you know what is really going to happen, the last thing you want to do is getting stressed out by looking at the case frequently.  If you added an email to the account then when they update they will email or text you that there is an update to go see.  It's frustrating and time consuming but in the end it will all be ok.  Good luck.

[*Snowdrop* 603]

You are going through one of the easier consulates, and you clearly have already spent a lot of time together. We didn't have any joint finances, although I think we had named each other as pension beneficiaries but I don't think we even mentioned it on the forms.

 

It's not great that you have to spend your married life living in two separate countries - I got married in July 2007 and didn't move to the USA until December 2008 so I know how it feels. 

 

However there are loads of things you can do in the mean time to both take your mind of the wait, and to really set yourselves up for the best situation when you do finally get over there. 

 

It's great that you got your job back because the best thing you can do is work and save as much money as you possibly can -it will give you a good buffer for all the expenses of the visa, the move, setting up a new home together, having some fun travelling and exploring your new country, and covering any employment gaps if it takes you a while to get a new job. 

 

Your US spouse now has plenty of time to really declutter and sort out your future home together. And to prep info for all the things which will help you settle in when you first move over.