The Beginning before the beginning

[the rock 0]

Hi Everyone

I am planning to go to my country (India) at the middle of december to get married. I will be back in mid-january. I am a US citizen. I have many questions regarding what to do and how to get my spouse in US:

1) Do I have to file the I-130 in India or in US?

2) What documents should I take it to India, if I am filing there? OR What documents should I bring from India, if I am filing in the US?

3) Although the girl I am marrying has a psssport, do I need to get a new one for her since she will be changing her name and marital status?

4) Apporoximately, how long does the process take for her to come to US?

5) Besides I-130, what other forms would I be filing?

I think that's about it (for now!). Thanks in advance!!!

[marriedtomrg 141]

Congratulations!

You may want to consult the VisaJourney guides for CR1 applicants (conditional permanent resident visa for spouse of U.S. Citizens; this is issued to spouses of US citizens who have been married less than 2 years): http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

Hi Everyone

I am planning to go to my country (India) at the middle of december to get married. I will be back in mid-january. I am a US citizen. I have many questions regarding what to do and how to get my spouse in US:

1) Do I have to file the I-130 in India or in US?

No, you have to file the I-130 in the US when you return

2) What documents should I take it to India, if I am filing there? OR What documents should I bring from India, if I am filing in the US?

The documents are listed in the Guide

3) Although the girl I am marrying has a psssport, do I need to get a new one for her since she will be changing her name and marital status?

That would be prudent; she doesn't need to amend it when you file the I-130. She will need it later at the National Visa Center (NVC) stage.

4) Approximately, how long does the process take for her to come to US?

For the I-130 to be approved, it takes 5 months on the average, assuming there are no delays.

The NVC stage, maybe 1 to 3 months...but there are shortcuts you can use through certain parts of the process to save you some waiting time.

You can view the LingChe NVC shortcuts here: http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/LingChe_NVC_ShortCut

The Embassy stage, depends on the non-USC spouse's county of origin. Am sure some of the VJ members from your soon-to-be-wife's home country will be able to share some inputs.

5) Besides I-130, what other forms would I be filing?

The forms are listed in the Guide

I think that's about it (for now!). Thanks in advance!!!

Edited October 23, 2010 by marriedtomrg

[digital82 3]

Hi Everyone

I am planning to go to my country (India) at the middle of December to get married. I will be back in mid-January. I am a US citizen. I have many questions regarding what to do and how to get my spouse in US:

1) Do I have to file the I-130 in India or in US?

2) What documents should I take it to India, if I am filing there? OR What documents should I bring from India, if I am filing in the US?

3) Although the girl I am marrying has a passport, do I need to get a new one for her since she will be changing her name and marital status?

4) Approximately, how long does the process take for her to come to US?

5) Besides I-130, what other forms would I be filing?

I think that's about it (for now!). Thanks in advance!!!

hey buddy... let see if i can answer few of them...

for me I also got married in India last December... so

FIRST :- you cannot File for your spouse in India... Since you are not staying/working there...

SECOND :- * Documents wise... get a Marriage Certificate(A MUST),

* See if you can open a joint Bank Account(i suggest an NRI or an NRE account) and get a letter from Bank Manager stating that you and your

spouse has an active joint account and get couple of statements.

* Once you are back from India... Ask your parents/bro/sis/friends who were present at your wedding for an Affidavit letter that they were

present at the wedding and they know about your nuptials...

* Regarding her passport, Check to see if it is expiring soon... if it is then ask her to get a new one with name change... here is where

it will help if you have your marriage certificate.

* Process wise 5-6 Months for your I-130 to get approved 1-2 Months at NVC and 1-2 Months for Medical and Visa Interview....

take care

JP

[JoannaV 174]

Hi Everyone

I am planning to go to my country (India) at the middle of december to get married. I will be back in mid-january. I am a US citizen. I have many questions regarding what to do and how to get my spouse in US:

1) Do I have to file the I-130 in India or in US?

2) What documents should I take it to India, if I am filing there? OR What documents should I bring from India, if I am filing in the US?

3) Although the girl I am marrying has a psssport, do I need to get a new one for her since she will be changing her name and marital status?

4) Apporoximately, how long does the process take for her to come to US?

5) Besides I-130, what other forms would I be filing?

I think that's about it (for now!). Thanks in advance!!!

You will be filing in the US.

With the I-130 you will need to send a cheque for the fee, proof of your citizenship (so your birth certificate or copy of your passport), your marriage certificate, proof of any divorces either of you have had, US style passport photos of both of you, any other proof of your relationship (such as affidavits), and a copy of form G-325a for both of you. So you will need your marriage certificate from India, obviously. You should also sort out the correct photo of her whilst there and it would probably be a good idea to fill out her G-325a whilst there as well, so that she can easily tell you all the information needed. You could also get an affidavit from her family about the relationship, but affidavits from US citizens are better.

Yes you should get her a new passport.

The process can take from 4 months (for very lucky people!) to a year, or longer if there is additional processing or other complications. I don't know anything about the Indian Embassy, although checking the recent historical trends on this site I would say 8 months would be a good estimate.

You will submit the G-325a with the I-130. Read the Guides on this site if you want to read about the later forms.

[LotofPatience 65]

Plus follow this guide - http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/EZGuideSpouse

Loto

[LotofPatience 65]

Congratulations!

You may want to consult the VisaJourney guides for CR1 applicants (conditional permanent resident visa for spouse of U.S. Citizens; this is issued to spouses of US citizens who have been married less than 2 years): http://www.visajourn...tent/i130guide1

OP, Which Consulate your beneficiary goes for interview? Typically, Indian Consulates will assign the interview in 1.5 to 3 months time after NVC Case Completion.

If you need a high level overview of this process, here it is - http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/EZGuideSpouse

Loto