socalgal

OK! Thanks for the feedback. Wish us luck

Sooo…hurrah! The CR1 visa interview for my husband is scheduled for 10-May-2013 at 09:00 at the American Embassy/Consulate in London!!!

Of course we've got jitters and are going through everything and then going through them again. Some questions:

1) Evidence to support a bona fide relationship
We didn't have any documentation to show joint ownership/property, lease of tenancy, or co-mingling of financial resources as per the instructions on the I-130. The only item I included (I'm the USC) was an 'Affidavit LetterRegarding Sincere Relationship' which told of our "story" and referenced included photo collages showing our travels together, along with Skype chat logs and email/instant messages. Will this be a problem as there was not a follow up RFE? The only other items I can think of sending to my husband before the interview is a copy of my life insurance showing him as the beneficiary or credit cards showing him as an authorized user? Anything else?

2) No wedding or wedding photos

We've looked over the interview questions from the UK consulate reviews and did a trial run through some of the questions. My husband is a bit concerned over the lack of traditional wedding ceremony and wedding pictures. Per Colorado Statute, the marriage can be solemnized by the parties to the marriage so our wedding was very simple: just signed papers at the kitchen table! As this is out of the ordinary, what can we do if asked for additional 'proof'? We've only got a picture snapped right after signing the marriage license. Our thought process was that the visa application would take a lot of time and money and we'd rather have a Big Wedding/Celebration Ceremony after the stresses of the visa process. So include anything related to this wedding/celebration: invitations, bookings, reservations, etc.

3) Passport style photos:

The NVC letter lists that 2 passport style photos were received but then there's a reminder to bring passport style photos? Does this mean take extra just in case?

4) UK embassy airport style security and lugging huge binder of supporting evidence

Because of #1 and #2, there is a full binder showing how we spent our time together. But as backpacks or suitcases are on the 'Do Not Bring' list, can he hand carry the binder through to the consulate?

5) SSN

Fingers crossed husband is approved - The DS-230 part II questions 43a and 43b was completed. Does this mean that my husband doesn't have to resend an application for a SSN?

Thank for the time in reading this long list!

Hi - I linked to this thread from a separate posting. I'm trying for the filing comparison of joint vs separate. TurboTax Deluxe suggests the same as well. The thing is, TurboTax is asking for information on Community Property as I'm in the state of California. So I'm confused on top of confused. Hubby has been in the UK since Feb-2012 so technically, all his property has not been in the state of California and wouldn't count?

Also, for either option joint or separate, hubby will be asked for SSN / ITIN. New rules went into place dealing with the W7 where the IRS will only accept original documents or certified copies of documents (like passport to prove identity) and the processing time is 8-10 weeks. With payment for NVC fees just posted to my bank account, I'm hoping there will be a request for all original documents soon. So go with certified copies of the passport for the ITIN? Or would that be just creating unnecessary paperwork? My timing with everything is since I waited until filing taxes to think of the SSN/ITIN?

Many thanks for the feedback and helpful info on filing!

Hi everyone -

After getting the NOA back in January, today I received a letter indicating the NVC case number and notice to pay the Processing Fees before the I-130 petition can move on.

In preparing for the next phase, I have copies of my 2011 tax return, 2011 Tax Transcript as well as the most recent pay stubs and pay stubs going back to 3 months (in lieu of an employment letter). My question goes to the pay stubs because toward the top, there's a box reading FW and ST for Federal Withholding and State Withholding and both indicate 'S 01' which I'm guessing is SINGLE and the allowance taken from the W-4. I'm aware that the pay stubs are to show income at or above 125% of the Federal poverty level, but will the 'S 01' designation put things in jeopardy? I'm really hoping that's not the case as the 'S 01' is a clerical error. I'll have to check with Payroll tomorrow AM to see that they do have my updated W-4 and if they can make adjustments.

Thoughts?

Oh, and also a tax filing question: I am the US citizen and hubby is the foreigner (Non-Resident Alien sounds so sci-fi). Is there a good rule of thumb on how to file taxes with a foreign spouse without diving too deeply into Publication 54? Just 'married, filing separately'? I have no worldwide earned income and he has no US earned income to report and is without a SSN or ITIN (waiting on that visa interview).

Thanks.

That was for an I-130, not I-129F

Yes, it's for I-130. Sorry for the confusion.

Hey guys, don't give up!!! I just moved pass the "initial review" onto "DECISION" on the USCIS website. I didn't check for a couple days but I just got the USCIS text alert. YAHOO!

I received the NOA1 on July 25 (CSC) so I'm joining those waiting for the coveted NOA2. I called the USCIS today and got word that they are processing July 12 applications. I thought this was good news but then I read on VJ that others called in back around mid December and they were getting July 16 processing dates. Hoping my application will be reviewed soon but until then, more waiting!

I called the CSC today and was told they are behind in processing. They are reviewing July 12 applications. Conflicting reports as another VJ member mentioned July 16 processing 10 days ago? Either way, still waiting!

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/408153-july-filers-from-csc/

Hi guys -

I know it is difficult being separated from your loved one(s) and waiting is a trial. But hang in there!!!

Also - I just called the USCIS (800) 375-5283. I had no luck after trying to go through the automated system prompts (press 1 for X press 2 for XX and so on). When entering the 10-digit receipt code, the recording kept repeating I did not enter enough digits?! So I called back and did not push any buttons and ended up speaking to a live person (get the name and the ID # for your records). I was told that for my case--received July 25, 2012 at California Service Center -- they are slightly behind in processing. They are currently processing July 12, 2012 applications.

So hope this information helps. It's progress, however incremental

Good day to you all.

Hi

I am from the UK, and came to California 3 months ago. I needed to get a California drivers licence to have car insurance, and so spent 4 hours in the DMV. I had to take the written test, and on the second go managed to luckily pass.

I was then issued with the temporary drivers licence which you can use until you pass your behind the wheel driving test.

I took the first test and failed, on something which in my view was not a "dangerous manoeuvre", and was rather upset, but came back for another go.

Today I retook the test and I really screwed it up. I went to turn left on a flashing yellow arrow and it turned red just at that moment. The examiner told me to stop, and I failed as he felt (justifiably) that he had to intervene. I can't believe that I did it, I was just a nervous wreck, and can drive around just fine normally!

I now have a new date for my 3rd go at the driving test which is in early December at Fullerton DMV (the site of the previous 2 failings).

I am so worried about not passing, but can't seem to find any information about what happens to someone on a temporary licence if they fail the third time. Can anyone help?

Thanks

Robodave -

First: welcome to Southern California, land of urban sprawl! Second: I feel your pain. I failed the behind the wheel driving test THREE times. And I grew up in California!!!

According to the California DMV website here and here, to apply for a Class C Driver's License, one of the items includes:

Pay a nonrefundable application fee. The fee is good for 12 months and allows you to take the appropriate law test(s) three times. If you fail the law test and/or driving test three times your application will be void, and a new application and fee are required. This fee pays for both the instruction permit and driver license, if you qualify for both documents within the 12-month period. If the application expires, you must resubmit documents, repay the application fee, and retake the required tests.

Since I was under 21 when I failed my behind the wheel driving test the 3rd time, I had to retake the permit test and WAIT A FULL YEAR before I could retake the written exam and the behind-the-wheel exam. In retrospect, the 1 year delay was good for me and others since it allowed me to gain more maturity behind the wheel. I understand that with you being in SoCal from the UK, having a car to get from place to place is a necessity and the extra wait time is not an option. I don't know if this one year wait even applies to adults over 21 so it may be worthwhile to call the DMV, though wait times for speaking with a live operator will be loooong.

My suggestion would be: take a deep breath and try to relax behind the wheel. You may be freaking yourself out more than need be! It's a cliche but you do have to sort of put on a "show" for the examiner so go slow but steady.

Best of luck to you.

Hi fellow visa applicants!

I hope and pray all our papers are running smoothly.. My husband in Las Vegas filed my I-130 in July 18 2012 and received byUSCIS with priority date 7/23/12.. We received the I-797c NOA on 7/28/12.. Since then my case status have not showed any progress yet and still under "Initial Review".. Any July 2012 filer who already have passed that stage so far? By the way, Im currently in Singapore.. When do u expect to receive the NOA2?

Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences! Goodluck to all of us!

Hi Leizz -

Like you, I have been waiting, waiting, waiting. The I-130 for my husband in the UK was filed with the CSC on July 12, 2012. We received the I-797C NOA on July 25 (with priority date of July 25, 2012). Since then, no updates on USCIS website other than "Initial Review" and USCIS national goal of 5 months processing time. Guess there's a bit more waiting for us here and I'm trying not to get too impatient, especially since I've read others with longer times. Best wishes to you and everyone else also waiting!

Go to "Advance Search" at the top right of every screen. If you want to just search the topic titles, you can click the little "Search Titles Only" button.

Ah-ha! I KNEW I was missing something. Thank you!

Hi. I am a Filipina and my American hubby filed a CR1. He hired an immigrant lawyer. Hubby signed a contract with him April 26 but due to issues on both our names and the delay in the issuance of our Marriage Cert, our docs were only sent to the USCIS Aug 18, 2012 and got our NOA1 Aug 21. Lawyer said we might get the petition approval in 2-3 months but USCIS seems to be slowing down these days accordint to him. But! We got an RFE (requesting for my birth cert) last Nov 8. Lawyer said this is something strange as birth cert should be provided only during the process of visa (NVC). Well, he said he will handle this asap. We are expecting NOA2 anytime between now and last week of December. Waiting is tough, but God's timing is perfect.

Hi MIRICK02 - I provided a copy of my husband's birth certificate with the forms, but understand that the original would be required at NVC level. Curious why the RFE was for your birth certificate? But I'm glad to hear things are moving well for you & your lawyer is on top of things since the waiting is so tough! Hang in there.

Hey everyone,

Am I totally missing it or is there not a "search" feature for the Forum Topics?

Best.

Hi all -

I'm just curious to see how everyone is progressing with their Visa Journey. I am in California and filed for the IR-1/CR-1 Spouse Visa for my husband in the UK on 12-July-2012 and got a NOA on 26-Jul-2012. I'm almost four months into what is an average five (to seven?) month wait, so I'm hoping that the NOA2 is going to follow soon.

Anyone else in the same or similar boat of nearly getting that coveted NOA2 in November/December?

I've been reading A LOT on the forum and have been gathering documents for the next step, which I find keeps me focused. Thanks for sharing so much on this site.

Best.

Hi All,

Thought I'll add this so someone else can benefit from it in the future.

I was looking around to get a copy of the form IV18a (US Medical Questionnaire) which I can actually use for the medical. Since I just recieved the NVC letter for an interview and havent recived any paperwork I was trying to get hold of this form so I can get my medical completed asap. I saw few threads in here where people were asking where they can get it and since I found it I thought I'll post it

Use the link below to download or I have attached the pdf (see last page for the form).

http://travel.state.gov/pdf/medical/LND-MED-ENGL-0001-1203.pdf

Hope this helps someone

Cheers.

Hi there Rooky,

Thanks in advance for the information provided. I just checked with USCIS on our application status (IR1/CR1/K3 NOA received 25-Jul-2012) and fingers crossed we'll get notified in Dec/Jan with request for this information. Just going to share that PDF with the medical details to the hubby to provide a heads up on what to expect.

Best

Okay, so I'm sticking with using the address as it appears on all my other documents. I figure the USPS has been delivering mail to that address for so long...hope they'll continue to do so even after the change. Just out of curiosity, I mailed two postcards to myself with the 2 addresses to see if I'll get both of them back! Thanks for the help.

Hi folks -I'm having problem with basics of completing the I-129F.

My city just recently incorporated and so my address will change to list a new city name. This new city name isn't on any of my official documents (passport, drivers license). For consistency purposes, I should just use the old city name on the forms, right? If I used the new city name, it may cause confusion with USCIS, but if I don't, I'm afraid of missing out on important communication from them or the NVC.

I'm being a bit too paranoid, but this paperwork stuff is important and I don't want to mess it up!

Hi -

I'm starting to look over the first of many papers to get the fiance over; already confused

The I-129F instructions I have are dated 14-June-2010 and list the filing fee at USD455. The USCIS website lists the I-129F filing fee at USD340 (for 23-Nov-2010 edition but 14-June-2010 edition is also accepted).

Which is correct?

By the way, it is perfectly OK to drive in the US with a foreign driver's license.

All good to know! Seem there's SO many things to consider!

Welcome to Visa Journey! I am a US citizen who has a fiance in the UK. There is also a website called britishexpats.com that may also be helpful. This site was recommended to me and the later.

Jen & Barry

Appreciate the welcome and the helpful link. Cheers!

If money is a concern, why don't you have a very close look at the CR-1?

You can get married either in the US, or in the Ukay, have a nice honeymoon afterward. The CR-1 visa takes only a month longer to process than the K-1. Advantage: hubby enters the U.S. as a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) and can work immediately, get a California Driver License immediately and, best of all, does not have to file for Adjustment of Status (AOS), but gets his Green Card in the mail shortly after setting foot on US soil. That's $1,070 saved right then and there, more than a flight to the US would cost him. Hawaii is calling!

I feel like there has to be a catch or that the CR-1 sounds too good to be true!

Forgive me, I've not read too much about the CR-1 so I've got some reading to do and to talk things over with fiance.

Very quickly though - on K-1 Visa, would fiance be able to get a California Driver License right away?

Welcome! Like your fiancé, I'm from the UK and moved to California.

I don't have answers for all of your questions, but here are some:

1. This is more of a tip than an answer: Don't just count the filing fees themselves but the cost of postage, travelling to and staying in London, any printing costs, etc... especially important if you are on a tight budget

2. As others have said, 6 months.

As for shipping, personally I had really good experience with Excess Baggage - http://www.excess-baggage.com/ They provided me with all the boxes, I packed, and then they did door-to-door delivery (picked it up and dropped it off in the US 12 weeks later) for around $500 for 12 boxes. I had no problems with customs, except for having to provide $50 for an x-ray. There are many recommendations in the UK forum, but that's my personal recommendation It was so easy!

3. You will have to wait for AP - this can still take a month or two after you file for AOS, so there's really no way to leave immediately for a foreign honeymoon. You'll have to delay, unfortunately.

4. Yes. It's really not rocket science! It sounds as if you already understand quite a lot. As long as your case isn't complex (criminal backgrounds, your sixth marriage, etc.) it's really just a case of following the instructions and telling the truth, like Damian&Kelly says. Keep a copy of everything you send and receive!

Good luck!

Thanks for the feedback!

1) Good tip - I'll keep an eye out for the 'miscellaneous' costs. When it comes time for the fiancé to have his interview - I'll be able to go to London and accompany him? (I'm accumulating lots of air miles so fingers crossed I can redeem those points!)

2) 2nd time I've been recommended Excess Baggage; will investigate more as fiancé may want to have items insured, which may bump up the fees

3) Plenty of places to honeymoon in the US, just have to pick where! We did enjoy a trip along the CA-1

4) KISS theory: Keep it simple and sweet! And make copies of EVERYTHING

Hope California is treating you well. I'm curious as to how you're adjusting but will save that question for another time/thread.

As you are obviously trying to get a view of the big picture and plan for your AOS already (a good idea!), do some research on the DS-3025 from the overseas medical exam. The instructions on the form say that the applicant should receive a copy, but that's not always the case. Make sure the Panel Physician provides you with a copy. It will save you frustration and money later on. It's something I wish I had known about earlier.

I think we'll be so nervous and ask for copies of everything anyway, but thanks for this tip.