Olives24

Hi VJer's

Sorry if this might be a silly question but I thought I'd post it anyway. I received an email from the USCIS Chicago Lockbox letting me know that my case has been accepted and that it's been routed to the California Service Center for processing. I also got my receipt number in the email.

They also mentioned I should be getting my official receipt notice in the mail in 7-10 days. I'm guessing it might be longer since I'm filing from abroad, right?

My question is, what stage in the process is this?

Also, how is the California Service Center in terms of processing?

Thanks for all of your responses! This is excellent information and I feel much more prepared than before.

I'm in a similar boat, filing from Colombia. I wish those of us filing from abroad had a subforum! You, like me, will file for a CR-1, the visa when a couple has been married for fewer than two years. My dad is going to be the co-sponsor because even though I have Colombian residency, I haven't been able to find a job yet. Post #4 is right about proving income. Your location is not what would directly cause you to need a co-sponsor. Just saw your newest post--pay your taxes ASAP!! Even if you have a co-sponsor, you will have to submit that documentation later on.

Register the birth before sending your I-130 packet. Your child is proof of a bonafide marital relationship. (Congratulations, by the way!)

As for the wait being a concern, just be glad you're not an early 2013 filer--their wait times have been horrendous. Things have picked up a bit since then. This forum is great for staying up to date on processing times.

What is different for us...Oh, the payment. Has to be in dollars from an American account. Do you have the checkbook from your account back home with you in Australia? That would make your life easier. If not, it can come from someone else who's willing to do you the favor. Money orders are also accepted, but I don't know how that works. Search the forum for those specifics.

Definitely needs to be a subforum for abroad filers!

I'll work to file my taxes asap. I don't think I owe the government money, it would likely be for record purposes.

That is so sad to hear that the 2013 wait time has been bad. Fingers crossed 2014 is better.

I do still have my checkbook from my US account, so I can make the payment that way. Glad that will make things easier.

Hi there!

I am also filing from abroad.....I am still in the beginning of the process (waiting for NOA2) but from what I understand you will only need a co-sponsor if you don´t prove income 125% above the poverty line (this can be proved by your US tax transcripts). I live in Brazil, and my salary is so low that I wasn´t even required to file taxes in the US, so I am definitely going to need a co-sponsor, luckily my dad has a good salary and is happy to help out. The other things you mentioned will just be needed to show domicile in the US, in addition to what you mentioned a current drivers license and voters registration could be helpful good luck!

Hi Kaelabelle,

Thanks for your response! I've been living overseas for 2 1/2 years and must admit, I have not filed my 2012 or 2013 US taxes. I've only filed my Australian taxes. I found it difficult to file my OZ taxes in the US since the tax cycles are different. Is this something I should do asap? April is the deadline so I presume I can try and get them done.

I do have some savings in the US that can show I have fund above the US poverty line. Do you think showing a bank statement of this would help?

Also for domicile, I have a mortgage in the US under my name and my US voting registration in NY is still active. Would these be helpful?

Oh sorry! I didn't realize I had it in the wrong subforum. Thanks for moving.

Hi Everyone,

Im a USC currently living in Australia with my fiance (who is an Australian citizen). In a few weeks we plan to get married. We also recently gave birth to our son who is nearly a month old. The plan is for us to move our little family to the US were we can be closer to my relatives and begin building our lives there.

We plan on applying for a Spouse Visa (IR-1/CR-1 I believe) after we marry then will register a birth abroad to get our little one a SSN and US passport.

My biggest concern is the wait time (6 months - 12 months I believe?) and the fact that I'm living in Australia. Do I need a co-sponsor because of this? I have some active bank accounts in the US and have sent mail to my US address which is under my name via a mortgage.

Any other tips and personal experience stories would be helpful.

Thanks and wish us luck!

I know how you feel. I'm raising my son alone because my husband is currently deployed. I don't know what sleep is.

The guides will show what you need to do for I-130. It's very thorough.

I also did crba for my baby 2 months ago. It's super easy. Passport came in the mail a week later then social security card a month and a half later

Good luck

Thanks! How far along are you in the application process? Did you file a CR1?

Don't you mean get married then file for I-130? The k3 is non existent

Yes it would apply to you. Go on the us embassy website and gather all the documents listed for crba then book an appointment

Sorry yes! I meant I-130. Sleepless nights with a new baby can do silly things to the brain. Thanks for your response.

Hey All,

I had previously posted that I planned on getting a k1 visa for my Aussie fiance to come to US. I'm currently living in Australia with him. Well after much debate and comments from forum members in a previous thread we decided to get married in Australia first then file for K3 visa.

The only other question I have is concerning our 3 week old baby boy. I want to get him set up with an American passport and social security number asap. I believe this would apply for us? http://canberra.usembassy.gov/report-birth-abroad.html%C2'>

Has anyone had the experience of registering a birth abroad? I'm a USC so this should work in my case.

Anyone here apply for k3 have any advice? Looking forward to hearing from you!

Reviving this thread from the depths of the forum! OP here with some recent updates and seriously planning on beginning the process in JAN or FEB. The question still remains which visa suites my situation better?

Some info:

Fiance (Australian citizen) and I (USC) have been happily living together in Australia for 2 years. I'm on a temp permanent visa. We are also expecting a baby in a few months and are so excited.

On our list of things to do in the new year is have the baby, apply for dual citizenship for our baby, and begin the visa process for my fiance for us to end up in the big apple. We're really looking forward to moving since we'll have tons of family support in the states and new opportunities.

I also have some aunt and uncles who can serve as co-sponsors for my fiance as I don't think I'll have a job lined up during the application process.

I guess after doing further research, I really don't know which route is better K1, K3, or CR-1. We're planning on doing a ceremony wedding in 2015 but are flexible on when we get married.

Any advice, suggestions, or even questions to get a better understanding is welcomed.

Also if you have experience or are in a similar situation please share. Would love you help.

Thank you.

My Fiance is here with me in Australia also, I guess we are in a fairly similar situation, she has a job to go back to in the US and her family will go as co-sponsors for me so hopefully that all works out with out any issues, I've also lived and worked in the US and have a job to go to once my visa and everything is approved and i have employment authorization, don't know if that will effect anything though.

We had no issues so far filing from Australia, USCIS will send all letters here no problem, you just have to wait about 7 days longer for the post. Do you guys have a co-sponsor available? By the sounds of it very few Australians get rejected for US visas, unless there is a criminal record of you lie on forms... Anyway good luck, will be interesting to see how we go through the process.

Thanks for the reply! We haven't discussed co-sponsor yet but I have family and friends who could do so. I don't have work lined up in the US but I'm sure I can find something when I get there. We plan on staying with my mother since she has room until we find a place of our own and figure out work situation.

How far along in the process are you? I keep hearing the process takes about 3-4 months.

Hi, my process was straightforward and easy, USC was employed and living in America though. The only difficulty I could see for you is the lack of employment for you, the USC. Have you a co-sponsor? Or do you have work? Have you consider a spousal visa instead? You may find the benefits of that will suit you better than K1. Read the guides and follow the helps and pre-filled forms, putting the package together is easy enough.

Good luck

Hi Chippy girl,

I'm currently working here in Australia. Hoping that will help me. I haven't looked into the spousal visa. Do you reckon it might be better? I'll have a look at the guides.

Great to hear that your process was easy!

You say 'partner' is this a same sex partnership?

Click on the 'guides' in the tab and follow the instructions for the fiance visa

good luck

Hi Canadian_wife! Partner is an Aussie term that people use all the time when referring to their significant other. Guess it's something I picked up along the way. We're an opposite sex couple.

Also looking for some insight or stories from other Aussie/American couples who have gone through the process.

Hi All,

I'm an American citizen living in Australia with my partner who is Australian. We've been living here together for over a year and and recently applied for a partner visa which would allow me to stay. Recently after several emotional chats about where we'd like to be, we've decided to make plans for the US. Especially since we plan on settling down close to my family and getting married.

I wanted to hear about your experiences in filing for the K1 visa. Also are there any issues with me filing from overseas?

I want to do all my homework (which I've began) before filing.

Fingers crossed I'll be in NYC sometime this year with my Aussie partner.

Thanks for hearing me out!

Come on over to the Aussie chat thread listed in my signature and say hi!

As you're presently together I would think AOS is probably the best bet depending on personal factors. AOS is presently taking around 3-5 months. It can be longer. From your OP it appears that he has no present reason to return home immediately (like a job or apartment) so that adds to the draw of AOS. The only ISSUE with AOS is the amount of money you'll need to lay out to get it started.

You will need to file the I-130 ($420) for him, and he completes the I-485 ($1070) which are filed together. He will also need a complete medical and depending on the CS (civil surgeon) in your area that could be anywhere from $200-$600+. He will need to obtain his birth certificate (get someone to send them or whatever) and his immunisation records for the medical (or have a blood titre done). That's $2K so far...

You're better off filing before his i-94 expires but once you start the process he CANNOT leave without AP or a GC or his process is abandoned and you wasted all that money.

Thank you so much for your reply, very informative! I'll definitely hit up the Aussie chat thread.

The third option is Adjustment of Status. If he can stay here without going home for a few months and you are ready to get married, then that might work for you.

B1/B2 is a visitor visa... but R is a religious visa. Which is it?

It's a B1/B2 visa.

No no no...the easiest option if he can stay through completion is to get married and file for adjustment of status...if you go down that path everything is done here, and he doesn't have to return home--ever !!

But he will have to return home with either CR-1 or K-1

How long on average does the adjustment of status take? Thanks for your help!

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the replies! We just looked at his visa and it's a R B-1/B-2 visa.

Just to clarify he can stay here till January 21st 2012 then he has to leave and can return/stay till May 2012. [ Good thing you guys asked cuz now we looked and know haha!]

Does this mean we now only have two options? CR-1 or K-1?

Hi ya'll,

Needed some advice on my situation so I figured this would be the perfect place to ask!

Last July I met my Boyfriend in San Diego while he was on holiday in SoCal. We literally bumped into each other at a bar and hit it off. I was in SoCal for business and had to leave but he said he was going to be going my way in a few weeks so he'd give me a ring. After that we got on so well and when he went back to Australia we bascially began Skyping every day. I lost a lot of sleep staying up late to talk to him but it was definitely worth it!

We eventually decided to see each other several times afterwards. He came to see me then I went to see him etc. Finally he decided to come over on a visa that he had forgot he had which latest him till March 2012. He arrived in July on our anniversary and he has been here ever since.

We've been taking the time to get to know eachother and see how well we get along, just to be sure. Things have been amazing! We are prepared to take the next steps for our relationship but are lost on deciding where to go!

We want to give California a try and are prepared to take the plunge! But do we get married and apply for the Spouse visa or do we have to do the Fiance visa? He is allowed to be here legally till March 2012.

Any advice work be helpful. Thanks for listening.