PaulandHelen

I know what you're getting at. Post 9/11 G.I. Bill along with unemployment. Long story short, I highly, highly doubt the U.S. Embassey is going to approve anything because this whole process is to prevent fraud, people commit fraud to exploit public benefits, your husband is on public benefits. Plain and simple.

Now I know that the G.I. bill plus unemployment would just put you over the poverty line, but it's getting you there by doing what this whole process is trying to prevent. Now in reality, the G.I. Bill could help you if he's actively enrolled and shows the income from it, but he needs a job to go along with it. Now to be honest, the G.I. Bill per month is sitting already at around $1,300 a month. All he needs is a job, not even a great one and you two should be fine. Needs to get it now though, to establish time in employment.

My husband and I just got married at the beginning of the month and are finalizing our application package. They ask for evidence of an "ongoing marital union" - since we're just married there isn't much to include, but we have plenty from when we were dating which we plan to include (25,000+ text messages and Facebook chat messages). Is it appropriate to include emails talking about wedding planning with third parties (the florist, for example), or is that unwanted minutia?

Also, how did you package your application? Just a bunch of lose sheets, or something like sheet protectors in a binder? We don't want to go overboard, but we also don't want any of our information to be lost or overlooked. I appreciate any advice

I was in a similar boat when we got married. Not a lot of evidence to back it up, but a lot of stuff prior to the marriage. We included some correspondance of our talks back in forth, spread those out my friend. Send some printed emails from the beginning, middle, and prior to your marriage. We also send wedding photos. I think about seven or so we did. It sure cannot hurt by throwing some extra bits in there, if you think it could help, why not? Now what I did, I went out and bought individual document protectors and put relevant stuff together. For example, I had my coversheet(in it's own docuement protector) and gave a list of contents of the rest of the document protectors. So I had about seven or eight in all. One had the cover, one had the payment, the others had the relevant forms, and inside the evidence ones, I put all the evidence and on top of it I put a coversheet of it's own explaining what's inside.

For example:

Enclosed is evidence of our ongoign relationship prior to our marriage including emails, printed text messages, yadda yadda yadda.

Also included is our wedding invitations(both of your names should be on it, then again you may not have had it), and pictures from our wedding day.

We also threw in some pictures of us on holiday together in Wales and whatnot. I say it's never too much, just label what's in there. Nobody wants to open up a I-130 application and just see random emails and a few pictures fall out. Be organized.

If you live abroad and have a permanent address there use that address. Your petition will be appoved in couple of weeks. If u file using a us address itll take 5-6 months

Correct you are.

Mine was two weeks, have to have the money to support yourself though, but it's quick.

1. Country USC resides in: England.

2. Is there a USCIS field office in this country / Is DCF still possible? Yes.

3. When did you file the I-130: October 4th, 2011

4. How long had you been living abroad: Four months, at the time.

5. Do you reside in the country legally? Yes.

6. What is the reason for your residence: work permit/student/tourist/other - Spouse Visa.

7. Did you list your foreign address on all forms in I-130 package? Yes.

8. Did you send I-130 package from abroad? Yes.

9. Did you include evidence of your residence abroad in the I-130 package? Yes, my spouse permit and joint bank statement.

10. Did you mention the fact you reside abroad in the cover letter or write a letter describing your current situation and the evolution of your relationship with your spouse (mentioning your residence abroad)? Yes, very in-depth.

11. Has your case been "auto-expedited"? How long between NOA1 and NOA2? Yes, Mine was granted in two weeks.

There isnt one of those in New York at all. Ill have to start eating ketchup in my sandwiches instead of salad cream

Ranch Dressing is outstanding on sandwiches.

Nice one Holly. Refreshing to see people in similar situations. Wish you both the best during your process.

P.S. They sell PG Tips at Wal-Mart. Ha.

First off, we are kind of a unique case full stop. So with that in mind, what has worked for us may or may not work for you. I for one do not live in the United States but in the United Kingdom but still filed for the CR-1 visa to bring my wife back with me. Long story short, we met when I was in Iraq back in 2009 and I had to fly back and forth from Fort. Bragg to the U.K. over the course of two years for our relationship to work. When I was still in the service, I filed for a fiance visa to move to the U.K. and been here ever since. Let's put it this way, moving to the U.K. on this visa is easier, but oh my god is it expensive.

Well, due to the fact there is nothing in England for me and it is hard to advance myself and I simply cannot afford to live here. The cost of living do not reflect on the wages in short, I dare anyone to tell me otherwise. Not to mention Veterans in the states are treated in an entirely different way with no down payments for mortgages, job preference, college, ect.

So we filed the I-130 back in October for us to be in the states together. Double checked the packet and sent it to the Chicago Lockbox. We got back the NOA1 within a week, and no sooner had I recieved that we checked the online case checker thing and we had our petition approved. From date received to petition approved, around seventeen days.

Not too long after, we got the NVC sending us emails regarding sending off DS-3032(Choice of Agent), DS-230 (Biometric, Statement and Oath), and the I-864(Affid. Of Support).

We sent those off and we got another email regarding their need for another birth certificate and marriage certificate. Long story short ladies and gentleman, just suck it up and order a certified copy of the birth certificate(both parents names on the certificate). If you have the opportunity, just go on and ask your vicar or whomever for an original copy of your marriage certifcate. This will save you a minor headache. Just due to the fact that it has to be certified from a goverment body. You do that, you'll thank me in the long run.

So I called the NVC about twice a week for an update and after I sent then an RFE(birth and marriage certificate) they said case complete. Nice one.

Got my wife's interview date a short time later and so we started booking time off work for it.

Obviously before the interview, you have to knock out the medical at Knightsbridge. This is just a waiting game for the most part. Check in, sit down and basically play musical chairs with everyone. One person get's up to knock out their portion of the medical, they come back and sit down to wait for the next phase. A little hint, if any of you are going to travel to London, get the medical, and travel back the same day like we did, it pays to check in really early. We came around two hours early, as soon as we got off the train, and checked in. She offered an earlier appointment, earlier appointment means more time to relax afterwards in my mind. Not saying they will, but they did for us.

So we booked off three days for the interview at the Embassey. Our appointment was for 0800. You'll see people standing around roughly about 7:15, I was. There are two seperate standing points. One is in front of the security booth, and the other is about twenty feet away towards the park. You will see a standing sign that says have you payment letter and appointment letter out and ready. STAND THERE. Ha, we did. Everyone else went to the one next to the booth and all had to be moved to behind us. It's two stages. One is checking you're supposed to be there, the other is security, only a few at a time. We went from I think fifteeth in line to second in a flash.

Now there were some documents they asked for when we checked our paperwork at the first booth, we just showed them the appointment letter and were let through. Not sure what they were on about when it came to payment sheet. Guess those are other visas. Not sure.

It truly is first come first serve. So once you enter there is a lady at the desk. She literally according to your visa type issues a number. Obiously visitor visas will go first. We saw I swear forty people jumping up and going to the windows, even though we were second in line. But these are very quick. They are there for no longer than five minutes, and there are a lot of windows. We got called up and went to our window. Guy looks through your packet very quickly and is basically a check the box guy. THIS IS NOT YOUR INTERVIEW. He is just checking stuff. That letter you receive from the NVC about documents to bring, that is what they want. Throw in some updated financial paperwork and pay stubs from both of you, we handed those over. But offered them due to our situation:

They told me I would need a Co-Sponsor (No, not the NVC, or anyone else, the check-the-box guy). My stomach literally fell out my A*&. After all this. Remember what I said, this guy doesn't know you from Adam. He picks up your packet and skims through it. I wrote a long letter to the NVC regarding why I didn't need a Co-Sponsor. Due primarily that I am a Disabled Veteran from my tours in the middle east and I pull in enough from disability. He said well, the American fellow has the final say. So we sat down and waited for our number to be called again. This is your interview. Guy was on point. Pretty understanding. Told him my situation and included my Veterans Affairs documents. The man checked through my documents, had a The offocer had a little chat with his supervisor regarding my financial stability. Gave me the thumbs up and asked me and my wife how we met yadda yadda yadda. Nonchalantly he said her visa was approved. I almost didn't catch it. Told him thank you and I swear I meant it more than anything.

We went to the DX Courier service desk and had our address ready for the shipping of her visa. She emphasizes to open the package but repeated several times do not open your case file. Just bring it with you to your port of entry. Guess they have issues with folks opening them up.

That's it.

Time entered Embassey, 0800, time left embassey with approval 0900. One hour, Be early guys.

Any questions anyone might have if your from the U.K. going to the U.S.A I'll do my best to put my input in.

Thank you all from this website for helping us through this, and we will do our best to help out others.

-Paul and Helen

xxxx

Got all the stuff in the list, but I filed my taxes recently and only have ny W 2 from 2011. Is this a problem?

Any extras I need?

I have my appointment letter, but what is this paid fee letter I keep hearing about to get in?

Thanks everyone.

I came to the U.K. on a fiance visa and married my wife. We married then applied for a CR-1 from the states. It took two weeks for the petition to be approved, then we did the other happy stuff with the NVC. Most take a while, ours was a bit quick due to I'm an army vet, but at least we are together.

Paid all the fees and whatnot.

Am I waiting for more letters and guidance from the NVC?

Where can I get my wife's background check from?

Just received my NOA2 in the mail. Guess I'm just waiting for the next packet in the mail?

Brilliant. So we should be getting two letters then? One is NOA2 and a packet I'm assuming. We will knock out the needed shots and whatnot. Police report is no biggie. Well on our way. Thanks again for everything.

God I'm full of questions:

Should we be filing anything as of now, or should we wait for NOA2 or case number?

What future fees can we look forward to?

Realistically when can I expect my wife to have her interview?

What is a LDN number? How do I get one? What id this case number from the VSC I keep hearing about? I hope everything is straight forward after we send this.

Okay, I'm getting mixed answers here. We are both living in the U.K., therefore we filed at the chicago lockbox, which was forwarded to the VSC. My understanding was waiting for a packet from them through the post to fill out and submit. Is thus not correct?

Some of you did your homework. I am a USC living in the U.K., but under six months. Therefore I had to file in Chicago instead of the local embassy. I live here as a resident, that way we could be together as soon as my army contract was over. Quick question though, if we got our NOA2 via case update through the USCIS website, when do you guys think my wife will get her interview at the consulate?

Being prepared had nothing to do with it. Getting sent to VSC instead of the ultra-slow CSC had everything to do with it. Congrats.

Question is, why do some go to Cali and others to Vermont?

Seems Vermont is moving quickly like you said. And yes, I am a USC living in the U.K.

As the topic title states, we just got our notification via looking at the USCIS website and checking our case status. We understand that we are to receive a packet in the coming weeks. What can we expect and how can we prepare for what is to come? Thank you all for your time.

-Paul and Helen

P.S.

I honestly didn't think in under a month from start to finish on the petition. Guess preparation is key in these matters huh? Thanks again everyone.

What's the number for Vermont?

Fair enough,

I'll get my statements and she'll get the police report. Now on my cover letter for the I-130 I wrote about wanting to move to the USA with my wife from Britain. Are they going to know it's a CR-1 visa? It won't be processed as a K-1 or whatever will it? I didn't know we fell into a couple categories.

My I-130 is bring forwarded to this location as of today. I checked online and it says five months on average. Where are you looking at? Could I really have my petition approved before Christmas?

Dear Applicant/Petitioner:

Your USCIS application/petition has been received and routed to the Vermont Service Center for processing. Within 7-10 days by standard mail you will receive your official Receipt Notice (Form I-797) with your Receipt Number EAC*********** With the official Receipt Notice (Form I-797) you may visit www.uscis.gov where you can check the status of your application using My Case Status. We suggest you wait until you have received your Form I-797 before checking My Case Status.

Just got this e-mail a couple hours ago. What should I expect now? What documents should I be gathering? I read something about police reports/ background checks and IRS statements. Thank you everyone.

-Paul

Brilliant, thank you everyone for the replies. Guess this is the waiting game now. I am ordering my tax stuff from the last three years now(heard I'll need it). I realize this is lengthy in time for all this. But is the longest wait for the notice of approval from Chicago? Then after that it kinda falls together?

Cheers mate.

A little bit of a breather. But one thing I'm not getting thus far. You see, I'm living in the U.K. with my wife. Is this going to be an issue? Everyone else seems to be living in the U.S. and waiting for their better halfs. Stressful stuff.