bootslacky

Revisiting this thread.  Thanks again for all of the advice.  We had renewed her passport and they did not want to update her last name.  I think we may try to start this process again though.

Removal of condition - Got it! Yeah, that has already happened. She's permanent resident now and they wouldn't let her use my last name because of the name on the passport.

Oh well, what's another $485 to reduce the complexity of having two names.

correction - $450 dollars

Also - This is the first time I've seen the term "ROC". What is that? She's already made it very clear she isn't going to go for citizenship.

Removal of condition - Got it! Yeah, that has already happened. She's permanent resident now and they wouldn't let her use my last name because of the name on the passport.

Oh well, what's another $485 to reduce the complexity of having two names.

She will need to either update the green card now with the fee, or wait for ROC or citizenship to change the name.

She will need to carry a copy of marriage certificate to link the ID names.

Also - This is the first time I've seen the term "ROC". What is that? She's already made it very clear she isn't going to go for citizenship.

She will need to either update the green card now with the fee, or wait for ROC or citizenship to change the name.

She will need to carry a copy of marriage certificate to link the ID names.

Yeah - I think that is what I was just reading. To me it sounds like the order would go something like this:

1. Renew passport, but reflecting her new name - using marriage certificate as proof

2. Fill out an I-90 form to replace her current green card based off of her new passport and our marriage certificate

3. Live life successfully having my last name for the rest of her life.

Does that seem right to everyone else?

Hello,

So a few years ago when my wife successfully completed her immigration they refused to let her use her married name (my last name) during her immigration because it didn't match the name that was on her passport. Now her passport (Canadian) is about to expire which means it is time for a new one and we'd like to get her married name on there.

Will this screw up anything with her name on her green card or will there be more forms we have to fill out to make it happen? I'm having a hard time finding any examples of this on this site.

Sorry if this is a repeat question.

Just as an update - We were approved on 10/15/2012 and received our green card on 10/19/2012.

Thanks again!

We got approved!!!! I hadn't checked the mail in about 5 days (apartment living) and when I got it today, it was waiting for us!

So excited and so glad that step is over.

Thank you everyone and just hold on because I'm sure yours is coming soon!

Can I get added to the list as well?

Date of I-751 01-03-12

NOA1 Date 01-09-12

Biometrics 02-13-12

Part of the Vermont Service Center.

I also noticed on the NOA I received that it says to "PLEASE INCLUDE A COPY OF THIS RECEIPT NOTICE WITH ANY SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS YOU SUBMIT", but all of my support was sent with the application. Am I supposed to send it all in again with a copy of the receipt? I hope Vermont picks up the pace.

Can you define 'cancelling residency'? If she's a Canadian citizen she will continue to be one.

Have a read on the Canada revenue Agency's site about leaving Canada and your tax responsibilties - you will need to file her last tax return, sometimes referred to as an 'exit return'

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/nnrsdnts/ndvdls/lvng-eng.html

Thanks for the link! I was just wondering if there was anything else, beyond filing the CR-1, that I or my wife needed to do to let the Canadian government know that my wife no longer lives in Canada. OHIP has already been canceled as well.

Thanks again!

Hi guys,

We filed a CR-1 a while ago and my wife successfully immigrated to the states on March 29, 2010 and we got her green card and a SSN. Is there anything else we need to do to let Canada know that she now lives in the United States?

Additionally, is there anything else we need to do for tax purposes?

Sorry if these questions don't make sense.

Thanks guys!

Hi there,

Turbotax isn't being very helpful with helping me file as married filing jointy with my nonresident spouse. Immigration is still underway (should have the interview soon), she (Canadian) worked solely in Canada for 2009, and I stuck to working in the USA for all of 2009.

1. Will we be able to file as married filing jointly?

Does anyone have any hints with how to do this on Turbotax? I might just have to go to H&R Block or something this year to ensure it all gets done right.

I found some great advice on the forum:

"1. Get w-2's in mail

2. File as "married filing jointly" using 1040 form * we both sign docs. ( This will have to be on paper, no e-filing)

3. Copy of Marriage certificate to show I am legally married to my husband

4. A letter will be written to the IRS asking that my "none alien spouse" be treated as a "resident alien" for tax purposes* we both sign this letter.

5. Also send a w-7 form (which he fills out and signs) to ask for an ITIN #.

6. Make copies of what I am sending IRS."

But I am not certain whether I have done this right. I guess I could just try to do it all myself, manually filling out the forms. I only read the first 4 pages of this thread, so maybe there is some more information I could use. We've got to do the married filing jointly or I'm going to end up owing some money.

Assuming your fiance does not have an exceptional ability or is of national interest, no. H1B visas are filed for once a year, in April, for work starting in October. You should be well on your way or done with this process by then.

It is what it is. Thanks for the info!

Hi Guys,

So, we are going the route of the IR-1 and have filed our I-130 and it has been received. While we are going through this process, is it possible for my fiance (who lives in Canada) try to come to the States by getting a job? Is it possible for her to get a full time job down here and be able to reside in the USA on a work visa, while we wait for the IR-1 to do it's thing?

Thanks for all advice.

Thanks ziggy. I will do so.

I'm just wondering how I should fill out my W-4 form now that I'm married. My wife and I got married at the end of March 2009. We're beggining the process for an IR-1. It will be amazing if it finishes within the year. So, do I claim an excemption point for her not making income, since she isn't here?

How important is it to get the W-4 right at this stage in the game? I just attempted to fill it out and it confused me.

We were shooting for filing in March, but the timing just isn't going to happen. Heading up there next weekend to get married and all that (just signing papers, couple vows, and some witnesses) so we can start the entire process. Hopefully we can squeeze it into March!

Good luck to you guys!

Is it true that after I mail out the applications and forms for the CR-1/IR-1 that my fiancee can no longer enter the United States or go back and forth between Canada and the US?

Trying to decide if we need to plan one more "Rush Trip" down here before we start the process.

As always, I'm grateful for any advice provided.

Is it true that after I mail out the applications and forms for the CR-1/IR-1 that my fiancee can no longer enter the United States or go back and forth between Canada and the US?

Trying to decide if we need to plan one more "Rush Trip" down here before we start the process.

As always, I'm grateful for any advice provided.

Thanks again everyone. I can't tell you how grateful I am for all of the advice and information that everyone has given me.

Isn't it easier to get a work permit and a Green Card and SSN while filing a CR-1 instead of a K-3? As in, don't you receive all of these items sooner, after the Visa is approved?

Actually, I probably can't use a K-3 Visa like that. Dang it!

Hi all.

I have read the guides.

I have read the pluses/minuses to the K3 vs CR1 visas

I have also read some people in these forums saying that they thought the K3 was a waste of time.

or that the 129F and the 130 were combined in one file and approved together.

Yes I read the K3 faster in the Pluses section for visa comparison but it apperas that K3 approvals are not really that fast anymore.

comments welcome

Thanks in advance

John

Yes, the "pluses" for it being faster are at the consulate stage(unless you file at CSC), not so much the adjudication at uscis.

Although, some people are just as sucessful in getting their CR1 interviews as fast by using the shortcuts through NVC that are out there.

There are shortcuts you can take?

Met with the lawyer today and we all reached an agreement that the CR-1 would be the way to go. HOWEVER, I'm going to fly up there in about 3 weeks and marry her so we can start the paperwork now, and then in September, we'll still have a ceremony, maybe calling it something where we're recommitting our vows, and then hopefully all the paperwork will be processed by December or so and then she can come down.

*sigh* That's still a long time without her visiting here and visiting up there is lame. no offense to Canadians. She just still lives with her parents and it's a really small town. I sure do love her though, so it's a blessing.

Anyway, that will give the CR-1 9 months for it all to go down. Hopefully it won't take much longer than that if it has to.

I think you have made a very wise choice. At least you will still be able to go up and visit as often as you can, and yeh she still lives with parents but I am sure you will think of interesting ways to "be together" if you know what I mean!!

Just thought of this, how about filing for a K-3 visa as soon as I mail in my CR-1 (I-30 or 130 or something)? That way, we can try to get her down here even sooner after the "celebration" in September, and just hope that the CR-1 finishes up prior to May 2010 when her sister will be having a wedding.

I think this plan just got even better.

I will be filling out a CR-1 pretty soon here after I get on up to Canada and marry the girl! Do I have to tell the border guards that I'm entering to marry my fiance, or does it matter? I'm going to be bringing her down here after the CR-1 is finished up.