mozplay

It is gonna take you 6 months and 4 days! 

*** duplicate post in Tourist visa forum removed *****
As the others have said, using the visa waiver to get married and stay is visa fraud.
You CAN get married on the visa waiver, if all you want to do is be married asap. But you would need to leave within the 90 days the visa waiver allowes; you could continue using the visa waiver to visit during the process.

for all of you that are in the process or will be in the process of petitioning your parents to come to the United States, this is my I-130 journey - you can also find this in my "about me" page in my profile
I-130 for Parents Journey:
February 06, 2012 - mailed the petitions for my parents
*** after 17 days
Febuary 23, 2012 - the petitions has been received by USCIS
*** after 1 day
February 24, 2012 - the checks that were issued $420(each) has been cleared in our checking account
*** after 115 days (almost 4 months)
June 18, 2012 - petitions were approved and that it has been forwarded to National Visa Center for visa processing
*** after 37 days
July 25, 2012 - received an email from NVC Inquiry (NVCInquiry@state.gov): addressed to parents (applicants)
- that the petition is now eligible for visa processing (both parents)
- email assigned a case number: MNL****** (diff case number for each parent)
- Form DS-3032 - Choice of Address and Agent needs to be filled out and mailed
*** same day
July 25, 2012 - received an email from NVC:
- need to pay Affidavit of Support(AOS) processing fee
- with AOS processing fee invoice that contains the invoice number - $88(both parents)
- copy of Form DS-3032 - Choice of Address & Agent - for petitioner's reference
*** after 6 days
July 31, 2012 - emailed DS-3032 to parents for them to print then fill out - assigning me(petitioner) as their agent.
This was done because I found out that in some countries, it could take as long as 1-2 months before the actual mail containing the DS-3032 from National Visa Center to arrive in the applicants(parents) address.
*** after 2 days
August 02, 2012 - parents mailed the already filled out DS-3230 for each of them to:
National Visa Center
Attention ACL
31 Rochester Ave., Suite 200
Portsmouth, NH 03801
*** same day
August 02, 2012 - I paid the $88 AOS processing fee online (for both parents) and was able to generate a cover sheet with barcode for each of my parents
*** after 6 days
August 08, 2012 - I finally was able to complete I-864 and I-864A for each of them with the following supporting documents:
- I-864 Coversheet (with barcode)
- Form I-864 (Signed and dated)
- Letter of Employment of the sponsor(petitioner-ME)
- Pay stubs from the most recent six months of the sponsor
- I-864A from the spouse(household member)
- Letter of Employment of the spouse(household member)
- Pay stubs from the most recent six months of the spouse(household member)
- 2011 Tax Transcript of sponsor and household member (joint)
- 2010 Tax Transcript of sponsor and household member (joint)
- 2009 Tax Transcript of sponsor and household member (joint)
Note: Separate copies attached to each of the I-864 and I-864A for each parent
*** after 1 day
August 09, 2012 - mailed the document through express mail (overnight delivery)to:
National Visa Center
Attn: CMR AOS
31 Rochester Avenue Suite 100
Portsmouth, NH 03801-2914
*****waiting

Application (Filing fee) - $420 http://www.uscis.gov...00045f3d6a1RCRD
Affidavit of Support (AOS) Processing Fee - $ 88 http://travel.state..../info_3178.html
Visa Fee - $230 http://manila.usemba...v/wwwh3023.html
Medical Fee - $233 or PHP 9,589 http://www.slec.ph/u...ml#medical-fees

Nobody has mentioned yet (I don't think) that it is fully possible to apply for your 10-year GC after being divorced. Perhaps this OP should consider starting divorce proceedings and then applying ... if that's what she's thinking anyway.
To me, it would be easier to explain lack of evidence if you are actually going through a divorce, rather than pretending to have a happy happy marriage.

Tell them at your interview. They will ask you how you want your name to appear on the certificate and you will give your signature using that name (your new name). So practice your signature and don't forget to tell them, that's all. And at the ceremony, double check that it's all right. If not, ask them to fix it while you are there. If you leave with an incorrect certificate, it can cost you money and time to fix it later on.

1500. is not fair when the assets gross over 200,000. a year. I have mortage,medical dental vision insurance for the kids , they have to eat have clothing and I should be able to make thier lives as normal as possible. It would require me to spend more time with them than working so the absent of thier father will not be so difficult of an adjustment for them. Taking care of your own children I did not know this was generosity. Never was this about him wanting a divorce but how he went by it. If this was about his up bringing why even marry and have children outside of it. Even if that is the case, no one forced him to marry and have children. Im in the State of Alabama which is an equitable state. I want fair that is all, plus my savings is why we have the assets. Im requesting only whats fair for me and the children. Anyway thanks for your comment. Barbara

Citizenship and ROC are apples and oranges. Since your filing under the 5 year rule, you wont have any issues regarding your marriage. You can file the N-400 4 years and 9 months from the date on you original green card which would be April 2013. You can file the N-400 now.
ETA: You wont need a lawyer based on the information you have provided here. It would be a waste of money.

Just a reminder, that what they want are all passports or travel docs since becoming a PR. So if your current one does not go all the way back, take the one before too. What they want them for is to check that the dates you listed as being out of the country on your N-400 match up with your travel stamps. They won't (can't) keep them. The IO will review them and give them back at the interview.

Since you are divorced, you will be able to apply for citizenship 5 years minus 90 days after the 'permanent resident since' date on the front of your green cards. Don't sent it in prior to this period ... even by a day ... or it will be rejected.

Jim, I'm glad you have joined VisaJourney in your efforts to figure out your options, but be very careful how you respond to people. Know that some of the folks on this thread have been giving good, solid, valuable advice for free for many many years. If you want to learn all that you can, you may want to put yourself in a place of humility and just take it all in. Good and bad, criticism and kudos.
I am Canadian and my husband is the USC. When we first decided that I'd be making the move to the US, I naively thought that the process would maybe take a month or so to complete. In my mind, that was reasonable, right? I can't tell you how surprised I was when I started doing the research. But here is what we finally decided to do.

I gave up my apartment and changed my permanent address to my aunt's address whom I had lived with before especially during transition periods. I packed up everything I wanted to keep and put it all in storage. At the end of the school year (I was a teacher) I put my dog and 1 suitcase in the trunk of my USC's car and we crossed the border. I had a history of crossing back and forth for a while, but they still pulled us into secondary mostly because I was not in my own car. After a short stay there, we were allowed to cross. At that point, I intended to stay for the summer and then go back to work in September. But getting pulled into secondary at the border crossing frightened the ####### out of me and we changed our plans. As a Canadian, I can VISIT the US for up to six months during a 12 month period. And that's what I did. We filed for a K-1 Visa while in the US and I stayed the six months living off of my fiance's savings. At the end of those six months, I returned to Canada for about 3 weeks while I attended the interview in Montreal, got the medical done, said my final goodbyes, rented a one-way Uhaul and loaded up my stuff. Crossing the border this time was a breeze, because I had all my paperwork in order.
So all in all, we were apart for under a month and at that point, it was like a little vacation.
Now, much of this will be different for you as you plan to get married first. When I filed, there were advantages to the K-1 route that I don't think exist anymore. But as a Canadian, she can VISIT the US for most of the waiting period. And regardless of what you say, there must be someone she can stay with if the six months are up and she needs to go back. Canadians aren't heartless people - someone will let her couch surf.
It's just a matter of timing though. I agree with others ... she shouldn't be in the truck with you with all your worldly possessions. Can she cross before that? Is there someone for her to stay with in Buffalo? How long between your marriage on Monday and the date of your move? Regardless, good luck and take comfort in knowing that though the process is the same for Canadians as everyone else, at least you are closer to her than those who have their spouses and fiancees halfway across the world. What's a few months when you will have the rest of your lives together.

Jim, I'm glad you have joined VisaJourney in your efforts to figure out your options, but be very careful how you respond to people. Know that some of the folks on this thread have been giving good, solid, valuable advice for free for many many years. If you want to learn all that you can, you may want to put yourself in a place of humility and just take it all in. Good and bad, criticism and kudos.
I am Canadian and my husband is the USC. When we first decided that I'd be making the move to the US, I naively thought that the process would maybe take a month or so to complete. In my mind, that was reasonable, right? I can't tell you how surprised I was when I started doing the research. But here is what we finally decided to do.

I gave up my apartment and changed my permanent address to my aunt's address whom I had lived with before especially during transition periods. I packed up everything I wanted to keep and put it all in storage. At the end of the school year (I was a teacher) I put my dog and 1 suitcase in the trunk of my USC's car and we crossed the border. I had a history of crossing back and forth for a while, but they still pulled us into secondary mostly because I was not in my own car. After a short stay there, we were allowed to cross. At that point, I intended to stay for the summer and then go back to work in September. But getting pulled into secondary at the border crossing frightened the ####### out of me and we changed our plans. As a Canadian, I can VISIT the US for up to six months during a 12 month period. And that's what I did. We filed for a K-1 Visa while in the US and I stayed the six months living off of my fiance's savings. At the end of those six months, I returned to Canada for about 3 weeks while I attended the interview in Montreal, got the medical done, said my final goodbyes, rented a one-way Uhaul and loaded up my stuff. Crossing the border this time was a breeze, because I had all my paperwork in order.
So all in all, we were apart for under a month and at that point, it was like a little vacation.
Now, much of this will be different for you as you plan to get married first. When I filed, there were advantages to the K-1 route that I don't think exist anymore. But as a Canadian, she can VISIT the US for most of the waiting period. And regardless of what you say, there must be someone she can stay with if the six months are up and she needs to go back. Canadians aren't heartless people - someone will let her couch surf.
It's just a matter of timing though. I agree with others ... she shouldn't be in the truck with you with all your worldly possessions. Can she cross before that? Is there someone for her to stay with in Buffalo? How long between your marriage on Monday and the date of your move? Regardless, good luck and take comfort in knowing that though the process is the same for Canadians as everyone else, at least you are closer to her than those who have their spouses and fiancees halfway across the world. What's a few months when you will have the rest of your lives together.

Jim, I'm glad you have joined VisaJourney in your efforts to figure out your options, but be very careful how you respond to people. Know that some of the folks on this thread have been giving good, solid, valuable advice for free for many many years. If you want to learn all that you can, you may want to put yourself in a place of humility and just take it all in. Good and bad, criticism and kudos.
I am Canadian and my husband is the USC. When we first decided that I'd be making the move to the US, I naively thought that the process would maybe take a month or so to complete. In my mind, that was reasonable, right? I can't tell you how surprised I was when I started doing the research. But here is what we finally decided to do.

I gave up my apartment and changed my permanent address to my aunt's address whom I had lived with before especially during transition periods. I packed up everything I wanted to keep and put it all in storage. At the end of the school year (I was a teacher) I put my dog and 1 suitcase in the trunk of my USC's car and we crossed the border. I had a history of crossing back and forth for a while, but they still pulled us into secondary mostly because I was not in my own car. After a short stay there, we were allowed to cross. At that point, I intended to stay for the summer and then go back to work in September. But getting pulled into secondary at the border crossing frightened the ####### out of me and we changed our plans. As a Canadian, I can VISIT the US for up to six months during a 12 month period. And that's what I did. We filed for a K-1 Visa while in the US and I stayed the six months living off of my fiance's savings. At the end of those six months, I returned to Canada for about 3 weeks while I attended the interview in Montreal, got the medical done, said my final goodbyes, rented a one-way Uhaul and loaded up my stuff. Crossing the border this time was a breeze, because I had all my paperwork in order.
So all in all, we were apart for under a month and at that point, it was like a little vacation.
Now, much of this will be different for you as you plan to get married first. When I filed, there were advantages to the K-1 route that I don't think exist anymore. But as a Canadian, she can VISIT the US for most of the waiting period. And regardless of what you say, there must be someone she can stay with if the six months are up and she needs to go back. Canadians aren't heartless people - someone will let her couch surf.
It's just a matter of timing though. I agree with others ... she shouldn't be in the truck with you with all your worldly possessions. Can she cross before that? Is there someone for her to stay with in Buffalo? How long between your marriage on Monday and the date of your move? Regardless, good luck and take comfort in knowing that though the process is the same for Canadians as everyone else, at least you are closer to her than those who have their spouses and fiancees halfway across the world. What's a few months when you will have the rest of your lives together.

You should read through the monthly filers threads. You'll read many reports there.

The OP sounds young - not only the language used but also the information given in her first post leads me to believe this.
So assuming that I'm right, I'm going to be a little gentler with you. Yes, I agree, do not lie to the US government and US immigration ever. Okay, so now that we know that, let's look at your options and situation.
If you want to minimize time spent apart, then I would get married earlier than later, and then do as ValerieA suggested and BE SURE not to over stay your visa. Go home when you are supposed to. If it ends up being a lengthy process then you can visit again or your husband can visit you.
You mentioned in your original post that one of the reason that you didn't go the K-1 route was because of the financial support issues. This is going to be an issue whether you choose the fiance route or the spouse route. Your husband will need to find a someone who is willing to co-sponsor you.
You should also know that it is perfectly legal to visit the US with the intent of marrying here. What is not legal is the intent to STAY in the US on a visitor's visa. You could have done this right in the first place. If you fill in some more information about yourself, like where you are from, people may be able to give you more specific advice.
And here I have a question for you, and for some of the experienced folks on here (I don't have any visitor visa experience) - if your address changes while you are in the US from the one you listed on your visa application, is there someplace that you can go to change it? Now, I ask this from the standpoint of someone who actually meant to stay at their stated address, but if the OP could change her address now, then that might be something to look into.
And my last little bit of advice is this ... there are people on this site who have so much information to give that it is unbelievable. And they give this info for free. Regardless of what response you get, you need to stand with your hat in hand and humbly accept the criticisms, because with them will be advice worth their weight in gold. Many of us spent years wrapped up in immigration. It is not a fast process -- ever. But we also know that regardless of how long it takes, the reward is that we have the rest of our lives to enjoy with our spouses. This is just an exercise in patience. Patience that is also needed in a marriage, by the way.

The OP sounds young - not only the language used but also the information given in her first post leads me to believe this.
So assuming that I'm right, I'm going to be a little gentler with you. Yes, I agree, do not lie to the US government and US immigration ever. Okay, so now that we know that, let's look at your options and situation.
If you want to minimize time spent apart, then I would get married earlier than later, and then do as ValerieA suggested and BE SURE not to over stay your visa. Go home when you are supposed to. If it ends up being a lengthy process then you can visit again or your husband can visit you.
You mentioned in your original post that one of the reason that you didn't go the K-1 route was because of the financial support issues. This is going to be an issue whether you choose the fiance route or the spouse route. Your husband will need to find a someone who is willing to co-sponsor you.
You should also know that it is perfectly legal to visit the US with the intent of marrying here. What is not legal is the intent to STAY in the US on a visitor's visa. You could have done this right in the first place. If you fill in some more information about yourself, like where you are from, people may be able to give you more specific advice.
And here I have a question for you, and for some of the experienced folks on here (I don't have any visitor visa experience) - if your address changes while you are in the US from the one you listed on your visa application, is there someplace that you can go to change it? Now, I ask this from the standpoint of someone who actually meant to stay at their stated address, but if the OP could change her address now, then that might be something to look into.
And my last little bit of advice is this ... there are people on this site who have so much information to give that it is unbelievable. And they give this info for free. Regardless of what response you get, you need to stand with your hat in hand and humbly accept the criticisms, because with them will be advice worth their weight in gold. Many of us spent years wrapped up in immigration. It is not a fast process -- ever. But we also know that regardless of how long it takes, the reward is that we have the rest of our lives to enjoy with our spouses. This is just an exercise in patience. Patience that is also needed in a marriage, by the way.

The OP sounds young - not only the language used but also the information given in her first post leads me to believe this.
So assuming that I'm right, I'm going to be a little gentler with you. Yes, I agree, do not lie to the US government and US immigration ever. Okay, so now that we know that, let's look at your options and situation.
If you want to minimize time spent apart, then I would get married earlier than later, and then do as ValerieA suggested and BE SURE not to over stay your visa. Go home when you are supposed to. If it ends up being a lengthy process then you can visit again or your husband can visit you.
You mentioned in your original post that one of the reason that you didn't go the K-1 route was because of the financial support issues. This is going to be an issue whether you choose the fiance route or the spouse route. Your husband will need to find a someone who is willing to co-sponsor you.
You should also know that it is perfectly legal to visit the US with the intent of marrying here. What is not legal is the intent to STAY in the US on a visitor's visa. You could have done this right in the first place. If you fill in some more information about yourself, like where you are from, people may be able to give you more specific advice.
And here I have a question for you, and for some of the experienced folks on here (I don't have any visitor visa experience) - if your address changes while you are in the US from the one you listed on your visa application, is there someplace that you can go to change it? Now, I ask this from the standpoint of someone who actually meant to stay at their stated address, but if the OP could change her address now, then that might be something to look into.
And my last little bit of advice is this ... there are people on this site who have so much information to give that it is unbelievable. And they give this info for free. Regardless of what response you get, you need to stand with your hat in hand and humbly accept the criticisms, because with them will be advice worth their weight in gold. Many of us spent years wrapped up in immigration. It is not a fast process -- ever. But we also know that regardless of how long it takes, the reward is that we have the rest of our lives to enjoy with our spouses. This is just an exercise in patience. Patience that is also needed in a marriage, by the way.

Walk with your travel documents or even travel dates and just ask to be scheduled for the oath outside of that period. If you are traveling within the US then you can do the oath even the day before you travel.
But if you are traveling internationally, once you take the oath you'll need a US passport to reenter the country. Lots of people ask to be scheduled after planned travel if their travel period is close to the interview date because they don't want to risk not getting a passport in time to make the flight.

VenusAngel, I'm very sorry to hear about your experience and hope that it gets sorted out soon. It is within the bounds of the IO to request further evidence, especially in the light of not filing joint returns which is apparently the holy grail of immigration. Hopefully you'll either get an oath update or a RFE soon and can move on to the next step - whichever it is. For now, at least you know that nothing has changed, and your permanent residency is still valid. That's the one saving grace of the citizenship process.
Wilerao .. sorry, but you are wrong. Yes, I can fully expect that EVERY USCIS officer and in fact EVERY PERSON should be kind, professional and humble. I refuse to expect or accept rudeness and crassness in anyone. I don't read where VenusAngel made "so many statements" which would lead anyone to believe her marriage to be false, and it is not up to you to define the terms of their marriage or relationship with family.

VenusAngel, I'm very sorry to hear about your experience and hope that it gets sorted out soon. It is within the bounds of the IO to request further evidence, especially in the light of not filing joint returns which is apparently the holy grail of immigration. Hopefully you'll either get an oath update or a RFE soon and can move on to the next step - whichever it is. For now, at least you know that nothing has changed, and your permanent residency is still valid. That's the one saving grace of the citizenship process.
Wilerao .. sorry, but you are wrong. Yes, I can fully expect that EVERY USCIS officer and in fact EVERY PERSON should be kind, professional and humble. I refuse to expect or accept rudeness and crassness in anyone. I don't read where VenusAngel made "so many statements" which would lead anyone to believe her marriage to be false, and it is not up to you to define the terms of their marriage or relationship with family.

VenusAngel, I'm very sorry to hear about your experience and hope that it gets sorted out soon. It is within the bounds of the IO to request further evidence, especially in the light of not filing joint returns which is apparently the holy grail of immigration. Hopefully you'll either get an oath update or a RFE soon and can move on to the next step - whichever it is. For now, at least you know that nothing has changed, and your permanent residency is still valid. That's the one saving grace of the citizenship process.
Wilerao .. sorry, but you are wrong. Yes, I can fully expect that EVERY USCIS officer and in fact EVERY PERSON should be kind, professional and humble. I refuse to expect or accept rudeness and crassness in anyone. I don't read where VenusAngel made "so many statements" which would lead anyone to believe her marriage to be false, and it is not up to you to define the terms of their marriage or relationship with family.

VenusAngel, I'm very sorry to hear about your experience and hope that it gets sorted out soon. It is within the bounds of the IO to request further evidence, especially in the light of not filing joint returns which is apparently the holy grail of immigration. Hopefully you'll either get an oath update or a RFE soon and can move on to the next step - whichever it is. For now, at least you know that nothing has changed, and your permanent residency is still valid. That's the one saving grace of the citizenship process.
Wilerao .. sorry, but you are wrong. Yes, I can fully expect that EVERY USCIS officer and in fact EVERY PERSON should be kind, professional and humble. I refuse to expect or accept rudeness and crassness in anyone. I don't read where VenusAngel made "so many statements" which would lead anyone to believe her marriage to be false, and it is not up to you to define the terms of their marriage or relationship with family.

VenusAngel, I'm very sorry to hear about your experience and hope that it gets sorted out soon. It is within the bounds of the IO to request further evidence, especially in the light of not filing joint returns which is apparently the holy grail of immigration. Hopefully you'll either get an oath update or a RFE soon and can move on to the next step - whichever it is. For now, at least you know that nothing has changed, and your permanent residency is still valid. That's the one saving grace of the citizenship process.
Wilerao .. sorry, but you are wrong. Yes, I can fully expect that EVERY USCIS officer and in fact EVERY PERSON should be kind, professional and humble. I refuse to expect or accept rudeness and crassness in anyone. I don't read where VenusAngel made "so many statements" which would lead anyone to believe her marriage to be false, and it is not up to you to define the terms of their marriage or relationship with family.

It doesn't matter what you think really. All that matters in this case is how USCIS sees it. And regardless of what they failed to do, you also failed to follow the letter of the law. It's a mess. Get a lawyer.

In your case, I would strongly suggest that you hire a COMPETENT lawyer. Not only should it be appealed but you may have to put stuff in place now to ensure that you aren't deported. I don't mean to scare you but if what they are saying is you are not holding a valid green card then you could have some work ahead of you. Hire a lawyer and check his/her references.