GringoMan

Received NOA1 via text/email. File has been routed to USCIS National Benefits Center.

Mailed my package out on September 8th. Still waiting on a confirmation.

Thanks. Got it all sorted out.

If the instructions don't say to copy her entire passport, you need not.

I'm filing for the adjustment of status for my wife today.

I have all my documentation together, I've reviewed it multiple times, and I've made copies of everything.

I just have two quick questions.

I've decided to also submit the 1-131 Travel Document as we might visit Brazil later this year.

Do I need to add anything else to the package (like an extra set of passport copies or photos)?

And one more question. She's a Brazilian and I've added a copy of her passport and entry stamp. Unlike for mine, it specifically said to make a copy every single page of my U.S. passport. Should I also do the same for hers?

Thanks.

As a US citizen you do not need to justify why you are ever in the US. As the spouse of a US citizen the AOS process is understood. There is no need to mention the kickstarter campaign. Good luck!

My wife and I have been married for nearly 7 years. We have a child together was well. We usually visit the U.S. for a few months every year. However, this time we're filing for an adjustment of status.

I (U.S. citizen) launched a kickstarter campaign that did extremely well so I need to spend several months in Silicon Valley. So that's the reason why we're going to stay here this time and not return to Brazil. Should I include this information and link to the kickstarter campaign will supporting details about the project that I need to stay here to work on?

LOL! Yeah. I won't send 100s of pages. Thanks for much for the response!

I mean, within reason. Don't send them hundreds of pages lol. We had to prove an ongoing relationship for our K-1(he had been living in Canada with me for 6 years) so we sent in trips, passport stamps, a lease stating both names, copies showing we filed taxes together(common law in Canada) and cars in both names. We didn't get an RFE the entire time.

Adjustment of Status. We're already here in the U.S. So I'm going to file for the AOS next week.

Are you going to go through the visa process or the Adjustment of Status process?

Thanks. On the document it said one of 5 things was sufficient and it had the child's birth certificate as an option. Someone in another thread said it would be easier for us since we've been married for nearly 7 years. However, it's great to get this feedback. I'll add more things. I was just worried because I was reading in another thread where someone said don't send more than asked.

A child's birth certificate is not much. Anyone can have a child. Raising a child together shows more about the relationship. With a baby show a few photos with relatives, any birth announcement. don't go overboard.

Show the depth and breadth of your relationship. That will pave the way for an easy visa process. Comingling of finances is strong evidence of a bona fide marital relationship. House deeds and/or rental agreements. Your wife being listed on your US tax returns, joint bank and credit accounts, etc. Wills/insurance showing each other as beneficiary.

The marriage certificate needs to be there so that is already there. However, they don't ask for all those other things. Is that standard to include all of that.?Most people have been saying don't include more than what's asked for. Or is that something more for people who haven't been married for a long period of time. We've been married for nearly 7 years.

Marriage certificate, photos of wedding, photos of party after wedding, photos of honeymoon

photos with family, shared accounts like banking, rent, utilities, cards and letters for either/and both of you with same address, son's birth certificate with both your signatures

Really? Ok. I've been seeing in other threads to not provide more than what's asked. I'm glad I've asked here again.

I think I'll include copies of our visa stamps and pics from some of our travels.

It's better to give them more than asked for instead of getting an RFE.

Let me give a summation of my situation.

I'm American. My wife is Brazilian. We met in Brazil almost a decade ago and we've been married for almost 7 years (living in Brazil). We got married in Brazil. We also have a 1-year-old son who has dual citizenship. We've been spending more time in the U.S over the last 2-3 years and this year I think we're going to move to the U.S. (currently here visiting now).

In the I-130 document, it mentions "evidence of a bona fide Marriage". One of the options is a birth certificate of a child together. I plan on just using our son's birth certificate. Is that really enough? Should we consider adding anything else or is it just enough to supply the one thing?

I thought about making copies of our old passports where we have identical visa entry stamps on all the international trips we took over the years.

Applying from within the U.S.

USC....mails may not be that efficient in the foreign country

Yes. It's this one.

G-1145 ? most folk put the USCitizens info there.

Thanks

Petitioner - US citizen

Beneficiary - foreign citizen

who is the applicant/petitioner on the E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance? I'm an U.S. citizen and applying on behalf of my wife who is a Brazilian citizen.. It's not clear to me who I should be putting on this document

Hello,

I'm getting all my paperwork together for the I-130 Package. My wife and I were married in Brazil nearly 6 years ago. I'm American and she is Brazilian. The marriage certificate was translated when we got married. We're in the U.S. now and just plan on applying for a chance of status.

In the visajourney guide, it says we need a "certified copy of the certified marriage certificate". I'm not sure of what to do here. My original Brazilian marriage certificate is definitely certified. Do I just need to make a copy of that? Or do I need to take that somewhere and get it "certified" in the U.S and send the original? I'm a bit confused on that.

Ok. That's great to know. I'll definitely do it myself then.

All RapidVisa and VisaNow do is fill up the forms -with info you have to provide; literally, they will save you very little time and happily take your money.

How much extra did it cost you to use them instead of just filing yourself?

We used Rapidvisa for K-1 and AOS. Excellent service IMO. They make it very difficult to make a mistake. Probably could have done it on our own but it was nice to have someone review the forms before submission.

We were considering September, but it's not really a trip we need to make. So we might just skip it and get this green card process started

When is your wife plan on leaving the U.S. on this trip?

Thanks. I'm on it. I think I am definitely overthinking it.

You're overthinking this...

If you are intent on moving to the US start the process now and use your parents' address until you're settled in your own place. A change of address won't hurt you in the future.

Awesome. I need to read more as I thought the interview was mandatory. Yes. We've been married for nearly 7 years. Would be nice if that helped our case. Maybe I'm more nervous than I should be.

If your marriage is for real - and after years it will be hardly to doubt that - you should have no issues. Your process should not be complicated at all. The AP (advance parole) should take 3-4 months and the greencard should follow in a couple of months. After these many years I doubt your wife would be called for an interview.

One more quick question. Should I start the process here and use my parents address? Or should I wait until I get out to California? I'm not sure if a change of address would cause an issue. I promise to read more on this forum as not to ask silly questions that have already been answered in one of the guides.

Is it really risky applying for the visa from the U.S.? We visit here for a few months per year. This time I have business that really demands that I be here. My book is being published so I need to stay in the U.S. to complete it.

Thanks. I'm going to look into this below. We've been spending several months per year in the U.S. over the last few years. I'm not sure if I just want to start the process now or later. I'll look for posts here on "filing to adjust her status to a green card".

It's illegal to enter the U.S. on a tourist visa with the intent to immigrate. A brief trip to Brazil may end up being a long trip.

Since she is in the U.S. right now, she can file to adjust her status for a green card. If she leaves the U.S. without Advance Parole (AP) or a green card, she will be deemed to have abandoned the process. It takes approximately 90 days to get AP. Once she gets AP, she can go to Brazil and come back. You will not be separated. This would be my choice.

Thanks for the feedback. You guys rock! I didn't expect to get feedback so quickly.

If you're both in the US at this moment, get her greencard before you leave for Brazil. It should take no more than a few months for her to get her greencard, after which she will be able to travel internationally. If she leaves the US you'll need to apply for a spouse visa - IR - which may take up to a year, during which she will be able to visit but not stay. If you're intent on moving to the US and if she can spend a few more months stateside, AOS is the fastest and easiest way to get her permanent residence.

If you're internet savvy you won't need external help. All the forms are free of charge and you can get tons of free advise in this site.

Check out the guide here --> http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2

Good luck!

Hello,

Thanks for taking the time to assist me. I've been reading here a lot and I'm still a bit unsure of what to do here.

Let me give a summation of my situation.

I'm American. My wife is Brazilian. We met in Brazil almost a decade ago and we've been married for almost 7 years (living in Brazil). We got married in Brazil. We also have a 1 year old son who has dual citizenship. We've been spending more time in the U.S over the last 2-3 years and this year I think we're going to move to the U.S. (currently here visiting now).

I think we want to return to Brazil one more time for a couple of weeks and then come back to the U.S. We'll move to the SF Bay Area (as I work in tech).

1. I've been reading about RapidVisa and VisaNow. Supposedly they both have a really high rate of approvals. Has anyone here used them and does the community here generally think such services are worth the money. I'm willing to do all the legwork myself, but this is a very important process. Thus, I'm willing to pay the extra amount if that's what it takes to make sure things are done correctly.

2. I'm doing a startup from savings so my income isn't strong right now. Though I'll likely raise funds for my startup in Silicon Valley. Should I get my parents to sponsor me just to make sure things are fine.

3. How much should I expect to spend?

4. Which visa should we apply for?