Jerrod

Thanks for the responces. I guess what I really should have asked is, will my wife be able to enter and leave the united states at will with just her Russian travel passport, Machine readable visa that has been endorsed?

Worst comes to worst, I could always send her greencard to her via DHL and have her reenter on that. The thing is I really want to see my wife. We have been apart for almost 4 months. She can't come till March for good and that will mean we will be apart for 8 months. We did this once before (but we did get to see each other) and I don't want to do it again.

Are there any lawyers around? Should I contact an immigration lawyer?

Thanks.

As usual no one knows what is going on.

My wife has received an IR-1/CR-1 immigrant visa. She wants to travel to the USA for the holidays (in December) and leave 3 weeks later. She will then enter for good in March. Her visa is valid till April, and on the visa it states that when endorsed it acts as the I-551. So, when she enters the country, the visa will be processed and stamped? This then gives her I-551 status and she should be able to travel and enter the USA at will (with exceptions like leaving for 6 months etc..)?

I know this has been asked before. I however called USCIS and they do not know the answer (how is that????). They told me to call the National Visa Center, but the line is either ALWAYS busy or if I do get through, there are no operators to speak to me. I even e-mailed them two days ago! I called USCIS and they told me to call a local office, but guess what? You can't just call a local office you have to have something called infopass and make an appointment!!

Sorry to vent.

So, has anyone entered on the IR-1/CR-1 and left before receiving their greencard? Then returned back within a few months?

Thanks,

Jerrod

Number one should read:

1.

During the interview it will likely come up that the document is missing. According to the official website, if you have lived abroad for ONLY more than a year, you need a police certificate. Here is what the website states: "Applicants are required to submit police certificates (original and translation) in all names as well as all dates of birth that they have used. The police certificate must contain references to each place (subject to the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation) in which the applicant lives or has lived for more than six months since reaching the age of 16. This includes localities where applicants have lived during university studies. If the applicant was on military service, he/she should bring the certificate from the local draft board. If an applicant has lived abroad for more than one year, a police certificate must also be submitted from the country in which he/she lived. "

Does this fit our situation? If so, the diploma should be considered official stating she lived there.

If this does not, should I have her state the US dept. of state law that says do not request them?

What is the best course of action during the interview if this does come up.

HI All,

I am going crazy here and need some advice. If any lawyers are here please give me advice, others please chime in as well.

Background:

My wife is Russian but was born in Tajikistan. At the age of 16 and 10 months she moved to Russia to study. Do to a registration error, she was only registered from the age of 17 and 8 months. This is the age her police certificate states. I asked Vicky if she has any documents stating she lived in Russia and she found her official university diploma which states she started at the age of 16 and 10 months.

I called Moscow and told them this, and also that the US Dept. of State website states that this document is unavailable from Tajikistan (and 38 other countries). The operator stated, if she were born there she does not need a police certificate. She sounded confident but she was not an American and I can only assume someone trained at the low level.

It turns out that what she told me about another question was wrong, so I wrote the consulate to confirm about the police certificate (I failed to include the US dept. law). She said if they do not issue police certificates they would need a letter stating that.

Vicky told me it would be impossible to get this document a long time ago and so after finding that US dept. of state law, I let it go, only double checking things did I realize this may be wrong. Anyway, I had Vicky call the Tajikistan embassy and it turns out they do in fact offer police certificates!!! If you can get it is another thing, but they do offer them. The time line is about 3 months!! Vicky's interview is Oct. 2.

So I have two questions, the interview and if the visa requires additional documents.

1.

During the interview it will likely come up that the document is missing. According to the official website, if you have lived abroad for ONLY more than a year, you need a police certificate. Here is what the website states: "

Does this fit our situation? If so, the diploma should be considered official stating she lived there.

If this does not, should I have her state the US dept. of state law that says do not request them?

What is the best course of action during the interview if this does come up.

2. I assume if they want the police certificate, that we will have a certain amount of time to get it to them and reschedule the interview, right? Last time I was given 30 days to get the documents to them (which is quite unfair for international documents). What is the typical time line?

If this is the case, how should I proceed? Is it possible to get a lawyer that could tie the case up for the additional 4-6 months it will likely take to receive this document?

I am going mad here worrying about this and so is my wife. We just want to be together and are so tired of all of this.

Thanks,

Jerrod

Hi Xstranger,

I am applying for the CR-1 visa. Here is what Moscow wrote:

2/ You as a sponsor should fill out the I-864 form. If you have a joint income with your parents and your taxes reflect it, one of them should file the I-864A as well. If your income is not enough to support your family in the US, one of your parent can be arranged as a joint sponsor. He/she should fill out the form I-864. In this case, another parent should fill out the I-864A.

I get different answers every where I call. I am going with what Moscow says though.

Did you include evidence of savings and checking accounts?

On line 13A you put the person's name (the immigrant).

I am coming to the conclusion that not many people understand the I-864 or the I-864A including USCIS DHS or the consulates.

If you do not share a joint income with the person, you must have them fill out an I-864.

So let's say that you live with your parents but do not share an income (NOTE: this is not mentioned on any of the forms, i.e you need to be on their 1040 or other tax records), then the other person must file out an I-864.

To recap, I now must fill out I-864. My dad will fill out I-864 and attached to his I-864, my mom's I-864A.

Now I have another questions about the I-864. In the section about assets, if you do not meet the minimum requirements do you have to fill out this section? It states that if you meet the requirements you do not need to fill it out. Moreover, it does say optional.

If I do put my assets on their, must I prove them with documents?

Thanks.

Jerrod

Please, do any of you know the answers to these questions? I am worried because I must send my documents to Russia this week.

Thanks,

Jerrod

Hi folks, I am a bit confused on the directions for the I-864A. I have seen on this site, people quote some official document that states you must be a resident with the household member for at least 6 months. However, the official documents do not mention this 6 month issue. What is the truth?

Would it be OK to have my father fill out both the I-864 and the I-864A and then write a small letter that is noterized as well that states he will be bound to whatever document the consulate deems correct? Is this "odd"?

Should I write a small cover letter for my documents? So far I have the following for my part of my wifes visa:

I-864

Official 2006 tax return

I864(A?) Dad

Proof of his US citizenship

Tax returns for 2006,2005,2004

Maybe the letter from him.

Should my mom sign the I864(a) as well, or should I just subtract her income from the document and just my dad will sign it?

Sorry for all the questions. Sorry for any misspellings as well. My computer is messing up at the moment.

Thanks,

Jerrod

Hello VJ! I first want to thank everyone on this forum for such a great job. Without everyone's help here, I would have gone mad.

I did DCF for the CR-1 visa on June 26 in SPB Russia. On July 15 (sent July 9, so you can see how fast DCF is) I received a request for additional info. I sent that information in and about 9 days later (the letter was dated the next day after arrival in Moscow), we are now approved and have our interview for Oct. 2 (VJ predicted the Oct. 13). I have received two documents, the I-864 and the I-864A.

My first questions are about these documents.

1. I do not make enough money, so I need a co-sponsor. This co-sponsor is to be my father. I live with my mom and dad since returning from Russia and I believe this makes my dad able to file the I-864A. Is this correct?

2. My mom and dad filed a joint tax return. If they are able to file the I-864A, can they file it together or do they each need to fill out a seperate I-864A?

3. These documents do not state, and do not have an area for a notary, but I have heard of some people having them notarized. Is this recommended? If not, should I have them write up small testaments and have that notarized?

Questions regarding different name usage.

1. My wife's invitation used her last married name. Her documents, the I-130, all use our new married name. She now has her passports in our new married name. Could this cause a problem at the consulate?

2. Also our last name was transliterated differently than what I use in the USA, has anyone had this problem and did it cause any additional problems?

Police certificate

We have a unique situation in that Vicky was born in the USSR in Tajikastan and moved to St. Petersburg at the age of 16. The US Consulate says they want a police certificate going back to age 16. The problem is, Russia does not have records of when she arrived in the country only that she has no arrest record. She lived in Tajikistan for about 4 months during the age of 16 and she has documents proving she matriculated into a university at that age. How should we approach such a problem?

Thanks in advance.

Yours,

Jerrod

I filed the I-130 in Russia and it appears they want the second divorce certificate from my wife. She was married to the same guy twice and I only sent in the last divorce certificate. The bad things are as follows: It states I have only 30 days to get it to Moscow, with the letter that just arrived. I am in the USA right now, and Russia being Russia, I doubt my wife can get the official certificate. What in the hell do I do? Is there a way to get a postponement? Please someone help, I can't afford spending all this money and having to wait even longer. Is a lawyer in the house?

Thanks,

Jerrod

After looking at your time line, I think the process at this consulate is a bit different. I have already received packet 3 and 4. I was told in 4 weeks Moscow (SPB only takes the application, checks it, and forwards it to Moscow) will contact Vicky and give her a date for a physical and an interview. I suspect that this is at least 3 months away. That is not a big deal since she needs four months here in Russia to complete somethings. I leave Russia in 1 week, so that is 3 months 3 weeks apart. I guess I can't complain. I see some people here are taking 8 months to get approved

Thanks

Here is my experiance with the consulate.

I got there and the consulate general (CG) was in the American Citizens Services Section helping another person. I asked to file the I-130. The intern (at least I think that was what she was) had no idea what it was. So the lady in the next window came over and the CG heard this and also came over and I spoke with him. I asked him if he could look at the application. He asked me, "How long have you known her?", "Where did you meet?" (In the USA), "Why was she in the USA?"

So he looks at my pictures and notices one from Finland (from a vacation while we were apart). He said, "I bet you I know where that is." I said where, and he gave the place. He then said it looks fine and that this lady will look it over and if it fine we will process it.

They were really busy there. So it took forever. She then comes out and says "it is perfect, just a few more minutes." But she kept going to the other area where the GC had left to, so I was worried. It turns out they both come back and the GC says to the woman, "He is either going to jail or the hospital. I am not working on this case all day." I got really worried because if I have to speak with him he is not going to be in a good mood.

After 10 more minutes she comes out and says pay 190USD. I do, wait 10 more minutes, and she comes out and says that's it, we are sending it to Moscow.

Then she says, oh yes could I see the original documents and your passport. I give them to her and she doesn't even look at them!! She checks my name in my passport and that was it.

It only took 1 hour, but if you get there on a good day I bet you would be in and out in 15 minutes.

Thanks,

Jerrod

SUCCESS!!!!

Sorry for using the incorrect terms. I just petitioned and it was soo easy. The lady said my application was perfect. I did not include the affidavits.

Thanks for the help. I plan to do a lot more reading now that I got this emergency situation out of the way. Now for packet 3 and 4.

Jerrod

I am so sorry for the cross post. I posted this in the DCF area but no one answered. I am to go tomorrow to apply. Please look over this and make sure everything looks fine.

1. I-130 Petition for Alien Relative

2. G-325A Bio Form: Jerrod L. *

3. 2 Photographs of Jerrod L. *

4. G-325A Bio Form: Victoria B. *

5. 2 Photographs of Victoria B. *

6. Photocopy: Passport Identification Page - Jerrod L. *

7. Photocopy: Visa. Proof of Residence - Jerrod L. *

8. Photocopy: International Passport Identification Page – Victoria B. *

9. Photocopy: Internal Passport Identification Page (Russian) – Victoria B. *

10. Photocopy: Internal Passport Identification Page (English) – Victoria B. *

11. Photocopy: Birth Certificate (Russian) – Victoria B. *

12. Photocopy: Birth Certificate (English) – Victoria B. *

13. Photocopy: Marriage Certificate (Russian) – Jerrod and Victoria *

14. Photocopy: Marriage Certificate (English) – Jerrod and Victoria *

15. Proof of a Bonafide Marriage and Relationship

A. Biography of the Relationship of Jerrod and Victoria

B. Our relationship in the USA

B. 1. Victoria's Birthday Party; Friends September 9 2005

B. 2. Around the first date; Russian Club Party 10/20

B. 3. On a date 11/05

B. 4. Vacation 11/24/05 Memphis (Graceland)

B. 5. Photocopy: Hotel Receipt from Memphis

B. 6. Photocopy: Victoria's US visa

C. Jan. 2006-August 2006, our time apart

C. 1. Finnish National Opera House 3/06

C. 2. Stockholm City Hall 3/06

C. 3. Finnish Island Base, In a boat 5/06

C. 4. Photocopy: Entrance and Exit stamps – Victoria B. *

C. 5. Photocopy: Entrance and Exit stamps – Jerrod L. *

D. August 2006-June 2007 Russia

D. 1. Saint Petersburg 9/06

D. 2. Novgorod Kremlin family vacation 2/07

D. 3. Moscow Kremlin 4/07

D. 4. Rostov the Great 4/07

D. 5. Wedding Picture 6/18/07

D. 6. Wedding Picture 6/18/07

D. 7. Wedding Picture 6/18/07

E. Affidavite from Jerry J. * (Father of Jerrod) attesting to the relationship

Does the proof of a valid marriage look OK?

I am so nervous. I was told we will have an interview. Then we will get something known as packet 3 and 4 to be filled out later. I assume that filing directly means the I-130 is approved right then and there (since we get the packet 3 and 4)?

Again I am sorry for cross posting. I posted this here since the I-130 process is the same.

Thanks for the help,

Jerrod and Vicky

Hi All,

I will be filling the I-130 in SPB, Russia Monday. This is a bit different than the I-130 documents listed here (by consulate request).

Here is my checklist:

1. Cover Letter with itemized list (should this be seperate?)

2. The I-130 form

3. Two G325A forms filled out completly. We will be using her old name with new name in () since she hasn't changed it yet.

4. 2 photos of each of us

5. Copy of data page of US passport

6. Vicky's divorce decree in Russian and in English

7. International Passport data copy page (this is in both English and Russian so there should be no reason to have it translated, right?)

8. Internal Passport data copy page

9. Vicky's birth certificate

10. Marriage certificate

*important* please look carefully. Is this sufficient?

11. Proof of a real marriage

A. A biography of our relationship

B. A set of pictures from the USA in the following order

B. 1. Picture from September 2005 when we were only friends

B. 2. Picture from when we first started dating 10/05

B. 2. Family vacation 11/24/05 Memphis Tennesse Elvis's home (with sign)

C. A set of pictures from us meeting two different times in Finland (should I include visa stamps?)

C. 1. Finnish National Opera House 3/9/06

C. 2. Stockholm City Hall 3/7/06

Second Meeting

C. 4. Finnish island base 5/7/06

D. A set of pictures from Russia (all with landmarks like famous churches, kremlins, etc..)

D. 1. September 06 SPB

D. 2. Feb. 07 Novgorod Kremlin family vacation

April Pictures of Honeymoon

D. 3. Moscow Kremlin

D. 4. Rostov the Great, us dressed up like Tsars with the kremlin in the background

June Pictures of Wedding

(our professional pictures are not ready yet, so I will be using non-professional, but in the pictures you can clearly see the film maker and the official camera woman, is this OK?)

D. 5. Picture from Wedding

D. 6. Picture from after wedding

D. 7. Professional picture from our second photoshoot

D. 8. Professional picture from our second photoshoot

E. A non-sworn affidavite from my father attesting to the relationship

F. A sworn affidavite from my bestman who has known me as long as I have lived in Russia (this may not happen, he is out of town)

That is it for the checklist. Does it look sound?

What is the interview like? The consulate says that after we submit the documents we will be given something known as packet 3 and 4 (I know what this is). Then to contact the Moscow Embassy in 4 weeks. Now, wouldn't they give us this ONLY if the I-130 is approved? Thus, we should know right then and there if the application is approved?

Thanks for your time,

Jerrod

Hi all,

I am trying to fill out the I-130 and have a question about my wife's last name. We were just married Monday, and so she hasn't had time to change any info (which takes 2 months; time I don't have). Should we proceed and explain to the consulate that her name will be changing? This is Russia and she needs to do it soon. Has anyone else done this? Could she do everything on her old name and then in the USA have everything changed (this will cause problems later where she must stay in Russia 2 months, but that is of no concern now). Please advice.

I love this site. It is the only thing stopping me from having a nervous breakdown.

Jerrod

Hello All,

To make a long story short, I met a Russian woman in the USA, we dated for 4 months, she moved to Russia, we visited each other twice during that time (8 months), and then I moved to Russia to live for the last 10 months. Monday we got married Yay ! So now comes this awful visa thing.

I understand I have two options, file in the USA or file here. The main problem is I do not have a job. I do have sponsors in the USA, my mom and dad (60K+$) and sister/husband 50k$ per year. Both have said they will co-sponsor us.

Is it possible to start the process here in Russia and then finish in the USA. I am moving back in 3 weeks. How does sponsorship work in this case? I want to do whatever would be faster.

As far as proof a real marriage, I don't meet any of the criteria set out in the K3 guideline. I do however have people who will say this is a valid relationship. I also have photos, e-mails, etc.. from day1 (2 years now we have been together). I am only worried about money. My marriage is real and any consulate will see that based on the evidence.

Please advice. The US government websites are hard to navigate.

Thanks for your time,

Jerrod