saddlepatch

They really wont care about the invitation, more so than the marriage certificate itself. I wouldn't add the invitation as it might add confusion. Here is a list of what I've sent and I'm now awaiting review, but this has been approved by a few experienced members on here

Evidence of marriage:
Copy of Marriage Certificate

Photos from the years we have know eachother, if no dates on them, write when they were taken and who is all in them and where they are taken

Cards sent and made to and from one another
Copy of all the saved flight itineraries that we managed to salvage.
Screencaps of skype conversations/call times from spand of relationship (And we just printed them out using MSword, same with the photos)
Copies of scrap book pages with photos.
Copies of Hotel itineraries

And of course the petition, the passport like photos, etc

If they need more they will ask for it But honestly, I think so far you got some good supporting stuff I wish we had a joint bank account but neither country will allow us too unless one of us has a green card for that country so it kinda sucks that way...but all they want to see is that it's not a fraudulent marriage.

About shortening the Skype logs, I think I only sent in 20ish, if they really want more they will request it or will tell you to bring it to the interview. It's debatable whether to have a lot of evidence or a healthy amount. Honestly I would go with between a lot and a few, cause they will be asking for stuff to bring to the interview and you want to have something still left handy. I really don't think they expect you to send your whole life story in, just enough to prove to them that this is legit and serious. I went with my gut feeling. We set up the package until we both felt it was enough evidence and sent it in

Good luck in your journey!

Sounds like the name was not written correctly or was left blank or the full name was not used properly

Example:

Your name is John Doe, but all your documents state (passport, birth certificate) that you are, legally know as Johnathan Doe. Put the name that is on all you legal documents. So you wouldn't put John Doe, you would put Johnathan Doe, as that is what you documentation states on your passport, birth certificate etc.

Like for me, I have to put my first, my middle and my last name because its on all my legal documents.

Also this doesn't need to be presented again till the interview from what I'm reading, so just go over the checklist, bring the forms they want and just make sure you triple read through it, and make sure everything is filled out and nothing left blank. (if something doesn't apply for example: Previous marriages...if you have none, state so...so put NONE or N/A)

It sounds like it was a typo, something was left blank or a misspelling of a name...but I'm sure...the wording on this is a little confusing. IF you're really not sure, call the USCIS and find out what they're missing

They don't want proof of citizenship they want more so proof of your father's employment. So a letter from his work stating that he is indeed employed there from such and such date to present from his manager/supervisor on a proper letter head (That has the works emails, phone numbers, address and name of the company) should do. I would call them back and ask if they would like any other information added to the letter. Keep calling, you will get someone more helpful

As long as you bring return ticket, proof of employment in your home country, proof of bill payments that are on going, you will be fine...

Think about it, why does it make sense for your husband/wife to visit you in your country but not in theirs...it makes no sense. Don't worry I thought the same thing.

Really in the end, it's up to the BCO at the time of entry to decide if you can visit the US. They can deny you for anything now a days. I was denied back in 2009 (the first time I went to see my wife actually as her best friend originally) cause I didn't have a job and I wasn't going to school, regardless of my flawless entry record before hand.

Whether the US Boarder patrol can actually SEE that you have applied for residence in the US is debatable. Some say, yes, the USCIS puts a big red flag on your passport and others say no, they don't even know unless you bring it up....which they usually do because you're more than likely gonna say "I'm visiting my spouse" and I know I always get asked. "When do you plan to live together, if you're not already? And where?"

I would just be honest, answer only the questions they asked, have proof that you're returning and that you're not gonna stay and be polite They BCO's bark is worse than their bite, really!

Both Montreal and Vancouver allow for joint sponsors for K1 visas.

Do they accept join sponsors for CR-1 too in Montreal or Canada? D: Figured I'd ask since we're on the topic, cause I have to go that route as well.

Hi, saddlepatch. I'm also at the NSC, I was wondering the same as you, I can't find any info about it. Nice to know we're not alone!! I got my NOA1 email on the 26th November, still waiting on hard copy. Hope some info comes up for us soon! Goodluck on your journey!

I think, I could be wrong, it's a newer service center? I'm not sure though, but yay! We're not alone thank god!

Excited but nervous, I hope everything works out smoothly! Now it's just a matter of waiting!

Good luck to you as well!

Feb. 12, 2013.

Where can I find that information and yikes...quite the backlog huh? Oh well, Im braced for a 16 month wait anyways Just knowing that this is only temporary makes me feel better. Long Distance sucks, especially when you're married!! Seems kinda silly.

Do you know what month they're processing I-130 for right now?

(Posted in wrong cat, this is the right one, sorry admins)

Just got our NOA1 today (yay!) but I'm a little weirded out that I can't find any info on here about the Nebraska Service Center...it was apparently sent their from Phoenix.....but no info on VJ for a timeline for them??

Anyone experience this before?

I'm the beneficiary and I'm getting laid off work in April as my place of work is closing it's doors. I'm going to go on Unemployment right afterwords....will that effect anything and when should I notify the USCIS about my lay off and do they need to know I'm going on Unemployment Insurance?

I know its more so the petitioner who needs to not be on any sort of handout from the government, but will it effect anything if I am? (I'm Canadian) It wont be for long but I do want to take a little break from working once the lay off happens since I'm moving back in with my mother until or application is approved, I get my interview and I can get the green card to go over to be with my wife.

It might be a silly question, but just figured I'd ask

Okay, yeah I didn't think that made sense that you couldn't visit you spouse since this whole thing is about proving the bonafideness of the marriage, so that's kinda silly that you're automatically denied no questions asked right when you try to enter.

So yeah we always have our return tickets and I always bring work paystubs with me to the boarder.

Thanks so much for the clarification! My wife and I want to go on vacation sometime in the new year so we just needed to know how we could go about doing it, whether we could save money and fly from the US or if we would have to both fly out of Canada haha!

I'm getting very mixed answers for this one so figured I'd start a thread about it.

I'm Canadian, I'm the Beneficiary. Is it true that I cannot visit my wife in the states while the CR-1 is processing or visit the states at all? (I live on a boarder community and it would be great if I could go over and start shopping over there to save some money on top being able to visit my wife :/ ) I keep reading that they put a big warning thing on your file at the boarder that says you're showing intent to move and you are denied right away, even if you've never done anything wrong illegally or anything, but then I see people on here that have visited to the states during this time, so I'm a little confused. And the fact that my wife can come see me without issue though just confuses me more. Can anyone for sure clarify on this?

Again I'm Canadian so I don't need a visa to visit the US, just a passport.

My understanding is unless you get a visitors visa that allows her to stay for 6 months at a time, you can't be together while you wait. My wife and I can't be together while our forms are processing :S And I can't travel to the US apparently because I'm showing intent to move there? But she can come visit me in Canada.

I'm a little confused about these answers to this post's questions.....if someone can clarify, that would be great. We already sent in our form though, so I guess it's too late and I have to wait here till everything is done.

Good morning! If the I-864 is being filled in the US there is a fee. If filing abroad, there is no fee. ;-) The fee applies to the petitioner so if you are petitioning only your wife, there is only one fee.

No its being filed from the US, not by me, since that would make no sense, cause its my wife and her parents who are sponsoring me right? And we sent the paperwork from the states as well already.

Do you happen to know how much this filling fee is? I think I read its 350? And its only a one time fee for all sponsors or does each sponsor have to pay that fee?

I keep seeing on some peoples timelines that there is a fee for the I-864 forms...is that true and if so, how much? And in that matter what other fees and how much will be needed from submission of the I-130 (which we paid for already) to the end of the interview? Im so confused by that.

My other question is if you're having co-sponsors, do you need to pay for each individual form (So does my wife and my co-sponsors who are my mother and father in law have to pay for each form? Or is it a one time fee?)

Thanks!

I don't believe it matters what cell you use unless it would be an international phone # on an unsupported US carrier

So they won't care if its a Canadian cell phone number?

Is it okay to put the beneficiaries phone number down to receive the text alert or does it have to be the petitioners? I have a cell phone and my wife does not and I'm the beneficiary, its why I'm asking

My wife and I are doing the petition and according to the website (its being send from Florida) we send the petition to the Phoenix Lockbox address right?

Also is this the fastest way? I hear that sending it to the beneficiary's consulate in their country is faster? Well for Canada anyways...is that true? And if so where do we send that too?

Package is COMPLETE I'm being told by the wifey! So I just want to make sure before she sends that everything looks okay to your experienced folk:

Here is the Cover Letter that includes a list of everything in the package:

To the Officer-In-Charge


Attached is the petition for, I _______________, to bring my wife, ______________, a Canadian Citizen, to live with me in the United States of America. The following is a summary of all that is included in this petition package.

Contents Include:
-Payment for the filling fee in the amount of $420 USD
-Completed form G-1145

-Completed and signed from I-130

-Copy of full birth Certificate of US Citizen
-Copy of marriage certificate and license
-G-325a filled out by US Citizen, signed and dated
-G-325a filled out by beneficiary, signed and dated

-1 passport type photo of petitioner
-1 passport type photo of beneficiary
-Brief Overview of relationship (See attached)
-Evidence of bona fide marriage that includes the following:

- Copies of various cards made for/sent to one another, including receipt for engagement ring

- Copies of flight and hotel confirmations over period of relationship
- Copies of various photos and scrapbook pages from trips between the US and Canada
- Screen captures of Skype call/chat logs

Thank you for your kind consideration and review of this application

Sincerely,


_______________________

You think we will run into trouble since we only have saved confirmations from 2010-2012 and same with our skype logs? We really have nothing saved afterwards. So I just hope that wont be a red flag. We do however have photos from 2013, just not with actually physical dates on them (but we put a brief description and dates on them.)

We do not have boarding passes because we just never thought to save them and we don't have stamps in our passports because they are not required for travel between the US and Canada.

Just don't wanna send this out if it seems really incomplete. It is just the first part after all.

Thanks so much for any advice in advance!

I dont think they want the I-485.....are you suppose to submit that too with the payment for it? <__<; We're only sending the I-130 with the check of 420 for the filling fee.....


Oh wait, the I-485 is for adjustment of status...so he/she is already on a visitors visa I take it?

Other than that, you have awesome evidence I think!! Good luck!! Sure you will be approved

Im sorry u guys lost ur friends im sure u will gain new friends and regain old ones in time do u also have like call logs, emails or chat conversations from way back til present? U dont have to send all but at least send 3-4 from each year..something like that..just to show that u have constant communication.. U dont have to worry about ur evidence being too much or not enough coz there are some who sent like a 4-inch thick packet full of evidence, while others didnt send much and still got approved. If uscis thinks they need more proof, they will request for more evidence. So for now, just give them what u have in hand. Good luck!

Yeah it sucks we both have nothing recent saved really. We really, for the longest time, had no idea what to do in terms of who was going where....since at the time when we were talking, DOMA was still in effect and my only option to go to states was either a student or work VISA and since I don't have a GED, that was gonna be another couple months. And don't get me started on the Canadian immigration process. That is confusing as heck!! You think people on here can't get straight answers....welll let me tell you a thing XD

So once DOMA was struck down, and I found this site a few weeks ago....It seemed pretty straight forward....

Just hoping it wont be an issue with just stuff from 2012...but we have stuff from 2010-2012 and photos from 2009-2013. Just no saved confirmation emails or chat logs....>__<;

But thanks for your advice! I think what we have should be okay, aside from nothing in the last year except photos but they can question me about that at he interview If it gets that far.

We don't have any receipt of engagement ring at all or any bank account together or properties because he is in the states and Im here in the Bahamas. What we sent were just our documents like marriage certificate, birth, divorce decree, pictures before we got married and pictures during our marriage. No family around, was just two close friends as our witness. We got approved Sept.24 and Got our NVC case number yesterday. Goodluck!

Hope it will be okay without marriage images as we have none...just so many selfies kinda...taken though with a great digital SLR. We never were big on photos just cause we have always been kinda disgusted with out bodies, but the weight differences from 2010 til now in these photos I would assume would show time.....lots of time has passed....I used to be 140 now I'm 210....so that says a lot!

Thanks though for the best wishes. Our fingers our crossed!

I think those are enough, you guys are good to go? for photos, dont forget to include wedding pics and pics with family/friends..better if the photos have dates on them but if none i think it's still fine. And of course, the most important proof of all, marriage certificate.

The marriage was done civilly (just us and two witnesses), so there were no photos taken >__< And we dont have any photos of us all together with family/friends...we have like separate ones from one occasion if you will. When people found out that we were lesbians....we lost most if not all our friends.... Thats why Im a little worried....So do you think we will be okay with that or do you think it will cause issue? Just recently have her parents opened up to everything in the last year but we've hadn't the chance to visit often due to me working full time and her unemployed for the past year.

No dates on them, but you can see weight changes...(As we both gained weight over time)

Anyone? Really need to make sure its not too much or too little.....I cant find a straight answer on here....>__<; I also need to make sure the stuff we are sending will be good enough.....really worried it wont be as it seems everyone on here has joint bank accounts or had the chance to live together Sorry if Im over thinking...can't hurt to be too careful..

This process is so confusing and stressful, so sorry for all the spam on these fourms!

We're about to send in our I-130 package...the following we have included. I just wanna know if its too much or too little..


1) Flight Confirmation emails (No boarding passes sadly). There are 11 of these, and they have multiple pages (with baggage info etc, just to show they are genuine)
2) Receipt for Engagement ring
3) Screencaps of some of our skype calls throughout the time we have known eachother (but nothing recent as we stopped saving chat logs prior to the whole DOMA thing. The last stuff we have saved is 2012...Hope that won't be a problem :S but they show 23-48 hour calls...even longer in some cases.)
4) Photos from various trips (Copies, but genuine copies, colored. Scrapbook copies...and my wife is gonna print out some photos from facebook from Walmart before sending off the package.)
5) Marriage Certificate and License (copies)
6) Various cards send to eachother (handmade...there are about 5?)

We dont really have any accounts together or anything since we live in separate countries and never lived together (Since thats the point of the petition)

I just wanna know if its too much, and if it is, what would you all recommend we just send for the first part? Cause i know they will ask for more at the interview, but we really won't have much left to bring after we send this, expect getting letters from friends (from what I understand has little to no weight anyways) and maybe more photos?

Thanks for all the help and advice you can give!