Heather&Matt

Hey, the VJ timelime keeps changing - and not in our favor! Pffff!

I noticed that too last night

When I tell my friend in Canada I'm having Mac and Cheese for dinner, she always goes oh KD. I'm like who? She says Kraft Dinner, and I'm like no, Kraft Mac and Cheese. Guess the box titles are different and theirs actually say Kraft Dinner on the box, so now I refer to having KMC or VMC if it's Valveeta brand. She hates me now for that.

My husband actually makes fun of that fact that Canadians use the brand name of many items instead of the actual product...such as Kraft Dinner for Mac and Cheese or saying Kleenex when asking for a tissue.

He notices the little things while in Canada...like Mr. Christie products are Nabisco in the States but with the exact same logo. Or his biggest pet peeve...the fact that our peanut butter cups say Reese on the package, not Reese's.

Courtesy - the common 'please', 'thank you' and 'you're welcome' are not generally part of the daily conversation. I say 'thank you' to someone and I get an 'uh unh' . In the stores I hear people say 'gimme so and so' and when they get what they want they don't bother to say 'thanks'. It is either nothing or something like a 'grunt'.

I completely agree. When I first started dating my husband and going over to Buffalo to see him, I noticed this immediately. I know the stereotyype of Canadians is that we are too polite, which I don't think is a bad mold to fit into at all, but I like when someone acknowledges my thank you or my politeness opposed to just shrugging it off with an 'uh huh.'

U.S department of homeland security

We made our cashier's cheque out to USCIS and it was cashed.

You guys live only 40min apart? Oh, I am jealous!

Seems like most cases get touched 2-5 days after the NOA1 date, I wonder why?

Yeah, about 40 minutes...depending on border traffic. I count myself a little lucky that we can see each other at least 4 times a week even though its such a pain to cross the border and deal with the ####### we go through sometimes. It must be so tough to go months without seeing the person you love.

Do they typically 'touch' the case many times before the NOA2?

New around here...nice to see some other St. Cats and Buffalo/WNY folks. We're just starting this whole visa journey and people on here have been great with advice and tips.

Bingo! Correct.

Excellent! Is it bad that I already know our receipt number by heart? haha

I'm sure I'll become more obsessive (than I already am) with all these dates.

Took me awhile to figure that out also. When you login into your USCIS account to check status, it will show you last updated date. All that means is they looked at your account for whatever reason. VJ calls that a touch.

So our NOA1 is dated April 6th, our account says last updated April 9th...is that a 'touch'?

Thanks for your reply.

So what forms are you guys getting ready before getting your NOA2?

Guess i am not too sure what to do next.

Most of the paperwork that we need for this next step (NOA2) we already have in order. The one thing I have to get is a long form birth cerificate, which will take about 6-8 weeks to come in. I have been saving all cards, notes, emails etc for 5 years now, so those have all been put away. It's weird for us to save emails, chats and stuff considering that we talk everyday and see each other almost everyday, since we only live about 40 min apart.

Also, what exactly is this 'touched' thing? Do you find this out just by login onto USCIS.gov and checking the status of our case?

Dated April 6th, we received our NOA1 yesterday!

Question: Our envelope arrived unsealed and didnt even appear to be sealed at any point (clean envelope). Does the NOA1 just come with one piece of paper in it? Should we call our service centre to inform them of this?

Hey everybody,

my husband and I have been getting ready to file and we are sending in the papers this week!

We wonder how many other people are filinf at the same time and thought it would be fun to take the visa journey together online.

Mr&MrsK

Hi!

Our I-130 package was delivered on the 29th. I think we are still March filers right? haha

Good luck to you two!

What are BOTH addresses for the USCIS? Also, am I correct in thinking that you know the service centre once the NOA has been received?

Thanks for your reply!

Hi all,

So we are just about to send in our I-130 form to start the CR-1 process and I wanted to check and double check that we have everything before sending it out.

1. Cover Letter with package contents listed.

2. Cheque (attached to I-130)

3. I-130 form

4. G-325a for petitioner with bag and photo attached(4 copies)

5. G-325a for beneficiary with bag and photo attached (4 copies)

6. Copy of Petitioner's birth certificate

7. Copy of Marriage certificate

8. Evidence of bonafide marriage

-2 signed affidavits (one from a close friend, one from beneficiary's father)

- copy of life insuarance policy indicating petitioner as trustee

-copy of will and testament indicating petitioner as executor

-copies of pictures from events in our 4 year relationship, 12 pictures with dates and descriptions

So here are my questions:

1. The cover letter should just include the USCIS address on top (P.O. box in Chicago)?

2. The photo bag should be attached to a blank piece of paper THEN attached to the corresponding G-325a? And am I right in assuming that 4 copies of the G-325a is needed?

3. We don't need to include the beneficiary's birth certificate/passport?

4. Are we providing enough evidence of our marriage, as we don't have joint assets yet? And are all the pictures necessary at this point? I have read that some people include them and some don't....

5. 2 hole punching? necessary?

Sorry for the lengthty post, but just trying to get everything as perfect as possible.....thanks in advance.

You'll put Montreal for the 2nd part of the question in 22. You may leave the first part of 22 blank (or you can put N/A) but question 22 should say "montreal'

Good luck.

Thanks again

Another question...on my husband's G-325A, for citizenship, what exactly should he write? American, United States, or USA?

It seems like a simple thing however we got into a discussion on how technically I'm American (North American, that is) so he said to put USA. Then when he crossed the border to come visit me, they said "American?"

Ah... thanks CanW....

Feels like it's been so long since those forms were filled -- I read it as something else...

Does it really matter if I put N/A or none? I was reading in the assembly instructions that I should be using which ever is appropriate. If one is used over another, are they that ####### about the usage?

You're profile says Cr-1 so you'll put Montreal in quesiton 22. Only Montreal does interviews for CR-1

Good luck.

And I'll be writing this in the second part of that question, right? I feel like I am going to become OCD with checking and rechecking everything on these forms.

Hi Heather and Matt!

Welcome, this place is awesome for help and such along the way..

22.Put N/A for that as you're not adjusting status right? Use N/A for anything not applicable to you, btw

Already we are finding out about how great this forum is and how wonderfully helpful everyone is.

22. I forgot to add the second part to that question....If your relative is not eligible for adjustment of status, he or she will apply for a visa abroad at the American consular post in??

Should I put N/A for this as well, or do I have to put the American Consular post in Canada? Which is?

Hi,

Looking for some help with a couple of questions in section C. of the I-130 for my husband to fill out.

Question 15. Name and address of employer: I am self-employed as a therapist, should he just list self-employed and my address? Should we list my occupation?

Question 17. List husband/wife: I assume this is to have my husband's information (just double checking)

Question 21. Give last address you lived together: N/A? As we have never lived together...

Question 22.

Complete the information below if your relative is in the United States and will apply for adjustment of status...etc.:

I am kinda clueless as to what to write here...

Thank you. I'm sure there will be many other questions along the way.

another question: we are filing for the CR-1, on the section where it states:

"This form is submitted in connection with..."

I should be writing I-130 petition??

Yes, you would answer the question as stated

Put your last address outside of the US that was more than one year .

It doesn't matter if it is "present time" - they just want the last address.

After you print the form out, write in 'to present' or 'present time' - never leave a field blank

Excellent! Thanks

Hi all,

I am in the midst of filling out the G-325A for myself (spouse of US citizen) and it asked for the applicant's residences over the past 5 years. As I am currently living in Canada, I listed my current address (which I have been at for 5 years). Now, the next section asked for 'applicant's last address outside of the US of more than a year," do I just list my current address again? The form doesnt allow me to type 'present time' for the period living from-to. Should I be leaving this blank as I indicated in the previous section that I am still and will be living at my address in Canada until my Visa is approved?

Thanks in advance.