james&adry

I know its very difficult to the OP but realize that this process actually protects the US citizen and the US Government more than anything. While most spouse/fiancee visas are legit you can never truly know a person's intent and thus they have to protect you from yourself in a sense. The wait game is extremely taxing and the process stressful, but if your relationship doesn't survive this than whats it to say it can survive the years in the future. Also we still are actively looking for those that wish to do us harm and unfortunately we have to scrutinize people's applications (although some countries should be looked more at than others IMO as well as gender and profiling.)

I was just thinking I had to wait before I submitted an ITIN application. About 4 years ago I was able to get an ITIN and claim my wife even before she stepped foot inside the country but I had her I130 application in hand and used the case number as my ref. Her mother will be immigrating up here from Colombia (thank God for my wife's great job) but its a pain in the butt not being able to claim her as a dependent since she supports her fully. The tax system amazingly supports Mexican parent dependents whereas other foreign nationals seem to be out of luck. It said that it doesn't matter if they live abroad they can be claimed by kin as long as they are resident or USCs living in USA. I will have to remember where I read it exactly but it was quite biased to other foreigners but to Mexicans it was like they were are family from another time lol.

Hello all,

My wife just filed for her Mother's I130 package early last week through express service and small bit later she received a message saying that the USCIS received it. At what point can my wife's mother file for an ITIN during the I130 process? I was thinking we had to wait until they assign her a case number on a NOA-1 or something so we could use that as a reference that she wishes to be processed as a resident immigrating to the US for tax purposes. We just really want to claim her as a dependent so we can start saving money but this waiting game really makes our skin crawl. The message they sent us was "Your case was received receipt #MSC 1390821066. Official Receipt Notice (Form I-797) to follow in mail." I am thinking we can use the I-797 for our basis... What do you guys think?

Ok thank you all.

Hey all, my wife finally got her citizenship last friday, HOOORAH! Now with her mother in possession of a 10 year visa can she still visit while she processes her IR1 paperwork??? I am curious if she actually has to wait outside the country while this happens so just asking on here.

To the OP,

Illegally or not, you came and decided to make the most of your situation. You pay taxes, earned a RN license, and clearly done your HW which most foreigners don't even contribute a qtr of what you did and end up becoming a burden to their spouses and the US Government. I for one admire your spirit and hopefully there is a way. As with the Government there can be a waiver for just about anything so don't give up. These naysayers are being a bit too harsh IMO so GL and prove people wrong. You never know but the dream ACT might help your situation!

:bonk:So many posting that appear to ask and obtain helpful information which appear to me are asking how to commit fraud, irk me also. Glad a fellow LE guy speaks up.

Also when I meant waivers I meant on the military side you can get a waiver for just about anything but I am positive Uncle SAM works the same way judging from my experience!

To the OP,

Illegally or not, you came and decided to make the most of your situation. You pay taxes, earned a RN license, and clearly done your HW which most foreigners don't even contribute a qtr of what you did and end up becoming a burden to their spouses and the US Government. I for one admire your spirit and hopefully there is a way. As with the Government there can be a waiver for just about anything so don't give up. These naysayers are being a bit too harsh IMO so GL and prove people wrong. You never know but the dream ACT might help your situation!

I had time on my hands so I just called IRS... Apparently my suspicions were sadly correct.. I am going to have to file that IR130 a lot sooner before we can claim her.

My wife and I want to claim her mother as our dependent since she relies heavily on her daughter's financial support so we are wondering what the best course of action is. I looked on the IRS but its so mumbo jumbo that I am afraid to misintrepet important rules. Can someone help clarify? My wife is due to be a US Citizen on the 22nd of February but according the the IRS Pub 501 i can claim her myself since shes falls under and meets all the qualifying relative tests, however she doesnt fall under the "You cannot claim a person as a dependent unless that person is a U.S. citizen, U.S. resident alien, U.S. national, or a resident of Canada or Mexico" section. I am at a loss here.. We are thinking of starting her IR130 but not sure if this helps since eventually shes going to move with us but that could take awhile.... Anyone have any ideas?

Hey everyone, we had recent success with my wife's path to citizenship and now we are thinking about getting her mom over to a path of residency. My wife has been supporting her mother since as far back as she could and now with her being over here the constant drain from our resources to pay for her living expenses abroad coupled with if we all live under the same roof would actually save us money just makes too much sense. Better yet since we have a little one on the way we will have her mother with us for support indefinately. Problem is I am not quite sure how we start this up. I looked at the guides for a US citizen bringing the mother in but since her mom already has a tourist visa (the 10 year one) does she file a I130 or a I485. She is currently visiting us until April than she flies back. So if we can do anything while shes here with us that would be great.

When she does fly back and she has to do things that must be done with the local consular than we will have her do so there. Still, we are wanting to fly her back here when the baby is due in July so she can help alleviate the load but I want to do this the most efficient way possible. Hence, take care of the matters at home if they are needed to be done. Even better if we can claim her as a dependend for last years tax refund since she was with us last year from June - September and came back Nov-Dec, practically 6 months being here, just not sure how to do it. Also that I remember claiming my wife with EID number before she even stepped foot inside the country, is that even possible with her mother as a dependent? The paperwork exlaimed in the guide is much easier to get than the marriage so I am not worried there but I just wanted to know what route I must help my wife go in regards to her mother. Thanks everyone ahead of time.

My wife is going to petition her mother soon and we will likely follow the guides on here. But goodluck to you!

My link

My link

I forgot to add ours as well but we are moving just about at the same rate as you all.

N400 Submission 10-10-2012

Biometrics 11-02-2012

Schedule in line for interview 11-28-2012

Interview ??

Test and Oath ??.

Hello,

First off I am sorry you went through this the hard way. Its an unfortunate thing with the immigration system being it can be such a pain in the butt to get through. The reality is that we live in a world where nations have to protect their borders and interests when you have terrorists and illegal immigration running rampant. I am not saying you are either one of those by no means but the laws of the land are put forth to protect its citizens for a reason.

The best thing to do in your case is to marry the girl in your country as I have done with my wife in Colombia. We filed a simultaneous K3 (when that existed) and a CR1 but believe me, we were much happier with the CR1 visa route than the other way around. It has saved us much money and heartache. Also read and heed the advice given on here and in the forums relating particularly to the type of visa your after. I believe you even have a forum dedicated to your home country regarding visa issues so Id check into it. Goodluck man, Canada is much cheaper/friendlier place to get to than what some of the other couples on here have endured.

You can re-use what you already have. The USCIS only needs copies of the original documents and copies of the translations. No need to send originals, no need to get anything notarized nor apostilled.

Diana

Diana just looked at your timeline, did USCIS schedule your husband's interview and Oath ceremony together or it was a coincedence? That would be beneficial to us since our service center is so far to be able to do both at the same time. Just curious if you planned it out that way.

Yeah kinda figured. Thanks Diana and everyone else. I cannot believe how much each of these applicant forms cost. CR1 Visa + I751 + Biometrics + Visa Interview fly out + N400x all the other thousands or hundreds of thousands of applicants each year and the US government is still in debt.. Gotta love it!

Hi all, long time since I posted on here and its been such a smooth ride sailing through the entire immigration process (albeit pretty damn expensive too!) However we are happy and we are looking forward to life's next challenges for us and the next obstacle will commence soon in October. As a Future October N400 filer, I wanted to know since the requirements are for a copy of our marriage certificate to be sent, since its in espanol was there some kind of requirement for the translations done in Colombia (as well as the apostilles) to be updated as well or has anyone had any success in just reusing what we already have from when we first submitted this for the CR1 visa? Please let me know! Thanks!

James

Best of luck to you, 2 questions though if I may, what part of Korea you heading to and what kind of business did you venture in here or prior? Curious because I used to live in S. Korea near Osan for my one year remote and it was one of my most memorable experiences. What a wonderful country!

Viva Colombia Club! I have returned after a crazy dry spell trying to get my account back with a bit of help from the admin folks. I have missed so much since I last logged in so I may not know whats the latest on everything. For those that do not know me I was just like you trying to find a way to get my wife into the states with all the heartache that the US Immigration system will try to throw at you. I just have to say have no fear. I am sure the Colombia Clubs record of 100% base hits and zero strike outs still holds. I will try to help answer some questions if I can, but memory only serves me correctly on the actual interview preparation.

Anyway an update on us; we took a trip outta Key West Fl to Orlando to visit Disneyworld in February. From then on it was a blur, after my training, we went on a cross country road trip making stops in Omaha Nebraska (to see my brother), Alberqueque New Mexico (to visit), Grand Canyon West at the Hualabi Tribe, Hoover Dam, Las Vegas, and finally to visit with my family in S. Cal. We were privelaged enough to get a chance to visit with Colombia Club's very own, Ken and Leidys in April before we had to head out for S. Korea for my next duty assignment. So pretty much been living in Korea until we can get back to the States. Despite the huge changes for Adriana since moving to the US and to Korea she says she couldnt be happier because she gets to spend it with me. Well thats whats been going on, I hope all of you guys are doing fine and hope to hear from some of the oldcomers and see how you guys are doing as well.

you can file head of household since your wife did not live in the country for 6 or more months in 2009 you do not need to include her on your return(that's the year you are filing for not 2010) next year you would file married filing joint or married filing separate

So I will still get a nice return right by filing with her Social Security Card when it arrives and going to a professional tax adviser?

James

Yep, its that wonderful time and being in the crosshairs of a very busy and hectic schedule here I am only briefly understanding how to file for my wife and I for taxes for last year. My wife and I married in April 30th 2009 and she finally got inside the country on January 8th 2010. She is supposed to recieve her Social Security card before the end of this month, i want to clarify something with all of you professionals out there. Can i include her social security number for my taxes for last year or do I have to file to get a tax payer identification number for her even though shes getting a Social. My logic intuitively tells me that I should be fine with her social security and just file as normal - married filing jointly and online. But i just do not want to get dinged and hit with an error that says I left out the part that her social security only applies for 2010 and i need a tax ident # for last year.. Please let me know.

James

Hey everyone,

Hhahha, Ken that is a very funny picture that you found on facebook. Yes we partied but on a limited basis since EVERYTHING in SouthBeach is pretty expensive! So yes as I am writing this Adriana is enjoying the family life and my apartment here in Key West. From friday on we have been doing so many things and catching up despite being separated for less than 2 months. However Miami International Airport can scratch one point for being extremely tardy. They took forever to interview Adriana because they only had one agent conducting interviews despite having numerous offices in the vicinity. I had waited 3 hours since her plane touched down at the airport so I naturally got extremely worried and was doubting even the location where I was waiting at that Adry might be exiting elsewhere. Whew but finally she came out and all worries washed away and we hit up SoBeach and all of Miami. Got a nice hotel and ate a nice dinner there too, then the next day went to see Avatar . great movie btw. Anyway guys just have hope at the POE and be extremely patient is all i can say. Now on to her residency and to S. Korea hahah.

James y Adriana

posting pics later...

We go to a wire transfer service here in Denver, it's called AFEX and you can find it in most Latino stores in the country. They charge $4 for every $100 and pay a lot more than Xoom. Last week I checked out Xoom's site because it's more convenient but noticed that they were paying like $1900 and something pesos per dollar when AFEX was giving $2040 pesos.

Diana

Jesh that sounds like AFEX would be the way to go but unfortunately I don't think we can use AFEX in S. Korea so might have to go with Xoom for the internet convenience. Anyway guys its only 2 days away!

woot woot

James

JOE finally awesome man. I truly believe that you will get it this time so hang in there!

James

PS:

Im looking into XOOM as maybe the preferred method to sending money back to Colombia right now.

Hello allllll. 4 MAS DIAS!!! Finally lol! Does anyone know if any US Banks have connections with any Colombian banks that do wire transfers for the lowest price. My bank, albeit a very good one, unfortunately charges 35 dollars for international wire transfers. We need a bank that does wire transfers for a small nominal fee. Or a bank that can easily transfer money to Colombia.. Any ideas Colombia Club ?

I can for one say I watched it live! Congradulations bro, how was vegas by the way, we sooooooooo want to go over there in March.

My wife flew in October 14th and as of yet still has not recieved anything. Called USCIS last week and they told me that nothing has been lost in the mail---he reconfirmed that nothing was sent and for me not to worry. Whaen I asked how long he said call back in 30 days if it still hasn't arrived.

I'm hoping her visa acts as a I-551 temp green card as it is written (and immigration told us) because all she has is an entrance stamp with the date of entry and CR-1 written as the status. We are in Costa Rica at the moment and I'm a little worried when we return to the US---though customs and immigration at Miami confirmed it was OK to travel. She did not recieve a I-551 stamp. More worried on her being given a boarding pass to leave C.R. then being admitted in the U.S.

Original port of entry was Miami.

Wow wayn, Let me know how this goes, I will try to see about this too!

James