Finally Married & Our First Questions As We Start Our CR-1 Application

[AtomicUK 0]

Our first post here so please forgive any transgressions. 🙏

Some background.
After dating for 6 ½ years, my wife (American born) and myself (British born) were finally able to marry recently. 🥰

 

We are both late 50s / early 60s and had desperately wanted to reach the marriage stage sooner but endured so many personal obstacles (extreme business commitments, family death, and health related) which all prevented it sooner.

I currently have a US P-1 work visa (as I travel the world related to the entertainment business) and visit America often with my work.
This is third American P-1 related work visa issued to me in the last 10 years.

We jointly rented a US property in TX last December, where my wife has been living since and plan to live at the property one our application has been approved.
For now, I naturally retain  and live at my UK property, but when possible, have stayed with my (now) wife at the US address when a US base is needed for my work. 

Naturally, we will have many questions along our CR-1 application, but these are the first basics.

1) How UpToDate and active is the information contained here?

2) Are there other recommended accurate sources of discussion for the CR-1 application?

3) As times have changed, is filing on-line the recommended application process via  http://www.uscis.gov/?

4) We don’t believe we have any reasons that could prevent an application being approved, however, as I hold the P-1 entertainment visa, not as a musician, but as essential supporting staff, would anyone here have any experience via a similar situation with a P-1 visa, and would you in this case advise the use of a specialist attorney?

5) Although the US property is in registered in both our names and we both financially contribute to monthly payments including utilities, we don't yet hold a joint US bank account. Would that be recommended / required for CR-1 application?

Thank you in advance for any replies.

[OldUser 10,490]

11 minutes ago, AtomicUK said:

After dating for 6 ½ years, my wife (American born) and myself (British born) were finally able to marry recently. 🥰

Congratulations!

 

1) Not very up to date, but core things remain the same

3) Online filing is more convenient

4) P-1 should not affect immigrant petition

5) Not required. You need proof of ongoing relationship. Property in both names is a good evidence of bonafide marriage.

Edited 21 hours ago by OldUser

[Crazy Cat 45,342]

44 minutes ago, AtomicUK said:

2) Are there other recommended accurate sources of discussion for the CR-1 application?

I'd say Visa Journey and official government sites are the best.

Welcome to the forums.  Your experience and input will be valuable to those who journey with you and after you.

[Boiler 48,004]

London is pretty easy and nothing you have said suggests an issue.

 

i take it she meets the I 864 requirements 

[appleblossom 4,951]

8 hours ago, AtomicUK said:

Are there other recommended accurate sources of discussion for the CR-1 application?

 

Really the only one you need is the official step by step guide - https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-1-submit-a-petition.html

 

And then VJ for any questions along the way.

 

Best of luck. 

[S2N 447]

Also worth noting P-1 is dual intent. Meaning that if you wanted to you are allowed to hop on a plane tomorrow, land in the U.S., and file for AOS. You have to establish that you have a foreign residence that you plan to maintain when you get the visa, but you are permitted to enter the United States with immigrant intent.

 

There are disadvantages to that route (it costs more and you can’t leave the country until they give you advanced parole or a green card), but you’re both at the age where people change plans on work, retirement, etc. and you might want to get a green card more quickly (AOS usually processes faster if you’re already in the U.S.; main advantage if you just want to get the green card done and over.)

 

CR-1/IR-1 is cheaper and less paperwork overall, but takes longer. End of the day depends on what your priorities are. P-1 doesn’t make anything more difficult. Just gives you more options than most have.

Edited 4 hours ago by S2N

[Boiler 48,004]

He is support staff

[S2N 447]

5 minutes ago, Boiler said:

He is support staff

The one exception to the dual intent rule. Of course