DCF from Italy - Another question

[T and M 1]

Hi, so you say we won't have any problem even if we don't live much together as long as we document that she (the us pet) has a good reason for stay outside the us and we keep records of our chats, conversations, etc, right?

I mean, that's tough. From what you said...your wife will be studying in Italy (I assume this will last from September to May roughly), and maybe you will be visiting each other during holidays. My wife and I were apart for the first three months of our marriage...and we kept track of all of our phone conversations. We explained that I had teaching engagements and she had classes and as SOON as my engagements were over I was on the first plane to see my wife.

If you don't live with your wife, I would say the burden of proof is DEFINITELY on you. I would not expect the officer to "understand" if you fly to the Italy during X-mas holidays and your wife flies to the US...that would look very very bad.

You have to use common sense here. You are not forced to live with your wife all the time....life involves travelling. But if you don't live together, be prepared to answer a lot of questions. We were asked and we were prepared. In the end, we had to go through a few extra interviews.

Bottom line....you will not get in 'TROUBLE,' but you will be given a lot of trouble....so be prepared.

[Erthwhile 0]

Hi, so you say we won't have any problem even if we don't live much together as long as we document that she (the us pet) has a good reason for stay outside the us and we keep records of our chats, conversations, etc, right?

I mean, that's tough. From what you said...your wife will be studying in Italy (I assume this will last from September to May roughly), and maybe you will be visiting each other during holidays. My wife and I were apart for the first three months of our marriage...and we kept track of all of our phone conversations. We explained that I had teaching engagements and she had classes and as SOON as my engagements were over I was on the first plane to see my wife.

If you don't live with your wife, I would say the burden of proof is DEFINITELY on you. I would not expect the officer to "understand" if you fly to the Italy during X-mas holidays and your wife flies to the US...that would look very very bad.

You have to use common sense here. You are not forced to live with your wife all the time....life involves travelling. But if you don't live together, be prepared to answer a lot of questions. We were asked and we were prepared. In the end, we had to go through a few extra interviews.

Bottom line....you will not get in 'TROUBLE,' but you will be given a lot of trouble....so be prepared.

We would:

1. enter the US together in May

2. Live together May-august

3. She would attend school again in Europe Sep 2009-Sep 2010

4.She comes back to the US and we live together.

5. We visit each other during holidays and as much as possible anyway!

Work?

[T and M 1]

Hi, so you say we won't have any problem even if we don't live much together as long as we document that she (the us pet) has a good reason for stay outside the us and we keep records of our chats, conversations, etc, right?

I mean, that's tough. From what you said...your wife will be studying in Italy (I assume this will last from September to May roughly), and maybe you will be visiting each other during holidays. My wife and I were apart for the first three months of our marriage...and we kept track of all of our phone conversations. We explained that I had teaching engagements and she had classes and as SOON as my engagements were over I was on the first plane to see my wife.

If you don't live with your wife, I would say the burden of proof is DEFINITELY on you. I would not expect the officer to "understand" if you fly to the Italy during X-mas holidays and your wife flies to the US...that would look very very bad.

You have to use common sense here. You are not forced to live with your wife all the time....life involves travelling. But if you don't live together, be prepared to answer a lot of questions. We were asked and we were prepared. In the end, we had to go through a few extra interviews.

Bottom line....you will not get in 'TROUBLE,' but you will be given a lot of trouble....so be prepared.

We would:

1. enter the US together in May

2. Live together May-august

3. She would attend school again in Europe Sep 2009-Sep 2010

4.She comes back to the US and we live together.

5. We visit each other during holidays and as much as possible anyway!

Work?

Sounds fine. And I'm not meaning to be coy, but your immigration experience will just be a bit more complicated, as ours were. I can predict that, when you are applying to remove the conditions on your Green Card, or applying for citizenship, or re-entering the US after a long period of time (say, 5-12 months), the immigration officer may ask for more information. Why didn't you go with her to Italy? How often to you talk? Phone, email, chat? Do you have records of these conversations? What did you do during your holidays? What did she do? Do you have family in Italy that she visits? Do you visit her US family? Who pays the bills? Where does the money come from? What are your plans for children?

We were asked all of these questions and more in London, each of us separately, alone, when we applied for my wife's CR-1 visa...which is a much more involved process. Maybe you have no issues in the future, but you might. Again, you can't exactly be DENIED the removal of conditions or citizenship just because you guys lived in different countries for a year. Just be prepared for these types of questions, keep records of your conversations and conjugal travel (I love that word), and hope that you aren't hassled.

We were, but I suppose they have to be careful about people who do this to game the system. We all know that there are a lot of sham marriages out there and the officers take this very seriously and ask very personal questions in the event of doubt. Your situation, unfortunately, might raise that doubt. Ours did.

By the way, do you have a long history of dating? That might help calm the officers' nerves. We got married 8 weeks after meeting one another.

[Erthwhile 0]

Hi, so you say we won't have any problem even if we don't live much together as long as we document that she (the us pet) has a good reason for stay outside the us and we keep records of our chats, conversations, etc, right?

I mean, that's tough. From what you said...your wife will be studying in Italy (I assume this will last from September to May roughly), and maybe you will be visiting each other during holidays. My wife and I were apart for the first three months of our marriage...and we kept track of all of our phone conversations. We explained that I had teaching engagements and she had classes and as SOON as my engagements were over I was on the first plane to see my wife.

If you don't live with your wife, I would say the burden of proof is DEFINITELY on you. I would not expect the officer to "understand" if you fly to the Italy during X-mas holidays and your wife flies to the US...that would look very very bad.

You have to use common sense here. You are not forced to live with your wife all the time....life involves travelling. But if you don't live together, be prepared to answer a lot of questions. We were asked and we were prepared. In the end, we had to go through a few extra interviews.

Bottom line....you will not get in 'TROUBLE,' but you will be given a lot of trouble....so be prepared.

We would:

1. enter the US together in May

2. Live together May-august

3. She would attend school again in Europe Sep 2009-Sep 2010

4.She comes back to the US and we live together.

5. We visit each other during holidays and as much as possible anyway!

Work?

Sounds fine. And I'm not meaning to be coy, but your immigration experience will just be a bit more complicated, as ours were. I can predict that, when you are applying to remove the conditions on your Green Card, or applying for citizenship, or re-entering the US after a long period of time (say, 5-12 months), the immigration officer may ask for more information. Why didn't you go with her to Italy? How often to you talk? Phone, email, chat? Do you have records of these conversations? What did you do during your holidays? What did she do? Do you have family in Italy that she visits? Do you visit her US family? Who pays the bills? Where does the money come from? What are your plans for children?

We were asked all of these questions and more in London, each of us separately, alone, when we applied for my wife's CR-1 visa...which is a much more involved process. Maybe you have no issues in the future, but you might. Again, you can't exactly be DENIED the removal of conditions or citizenship just because you guys lived in different countries for a year. Just be prepared for these types of questions, keep records of your conversations and conjugal travel (I love that word), and hope that you aren't hassled.

We were, but I suppose they have to be careful about people who do this to game the system. We all know that there are a lot of sham marriages out there and the officers take this very seriously and ask very personal questions in the event of doubt. Your situation, unfortunately, might raise that doubt. Ours did.

By the way, do you have a long history of dating? That might help calm the officers' nerves. We got married 8 weeks after meeting one another.

Thanks again!! Very reassuring!!

yes, we met one year before getting married while I was studying in the US. We have recordings of all of our skype chats and emails! Tons of them! Furthermore, we visited each other, I have pics with her at my graduation and we have (online) track of her flights (and my flights) to/from the US! I may still have the boarding passes, but I'm not sure about that. We have pictures together when I visited her family in Japan too (they live there!).

[Erthwhile 0]

Hi, so you say we won't have any problem even if we don't live much together as long as we document that she (the us pet) has a good reason for stay outside the us and we keep records of our chats, conversations, etc, right?

I mean, that's tough. From what you said...your wife will be studying in Italy (I assume this will last from September to May roughly), and maybe you will be visiting each other during holidays. My wife and I were apart for the first three months of our marriage...and we kept track of all of our phone conversations. We explained that I had teaching engagements and she had classes and as SOON as my engagements were over I was on the first plane to see my wife.

If you don't live with your wife, I would say the burden of proof is DEFINITELY on you. I would not expect the officer to "understand" if you fly to the Italy during X-mas holidays and your wife flies to the US...that would look very very bad.

You have to use common sense here. You are not forced to live with your wife all the time....life involves travelling. But if you don't live together, be prepared to answer a lot of questions. We were asked and we were prepared. In the end, we had to go through a few extra interviews.

Bottom line....you will not get in 'TROUBLE,' but you will be given a lot of trouble....so be prepared.

We would:

1. enter the US together in May

2. Live together May-august

3. She would attend school again in Europe Sep 2009-Sep 2010

4.She comes back to the US and we live together.

5. We visit each other during holidays and as much as possible anyway!

Work?

Sounds fine. And I'm not meaning to be coy, but your immigration experience will just be a bit more complicated, as ours were. I can predict that, when you are applying to remove the conditions on your Green Card, or applying for citizenship, or re-entering the US after a long period of time (say, 5-12 months), the immigration officer may ask for more information. Why didn't you go with her to Italy? How often to you talk? Phone, email, chat? Do you have records of these conversations? What did you do during your holidays? What did she do? Do you have family in Italy that she visits? Do you visit her US family? Who pays the bills? Where does the money come from? What are your plans for children?

We were asked all of these questions and more in London, each of us separately, alone, when we applied for my wife's CR-1 visa...which is a much more involved process. Maybe you have no issues in the future, but you might. Again, you can't exactly be DENIED the removal of conditions or citizenship just because you guys lived in different countries for a year. Just be prepared for these types of questions, keep records of your conversations and conjugal travel (I love that word), and hope that you aren't hassled.

We were, but I suppose they have to be careful about people who do this to game the system. We all know that there are a lot of sham marriages out there and the officers take this very seriously and ask very personal questions in the event of doubt. Your situation, unfortunately, might raise that doubt. Ours did.

By the way, do you have a long history of dating? That might help calm the officers' nerves. We got married 8 weeks after meeting one another.

Another thing: we didn't keep track of our journeys to see each other during the one year before the marriage, but receipt of the tickets are available online, we have pics together during the time, I can find a reservation with pics together where I asked her to marry me while in Chicago, etc.

[T and M 1]

Hi, so you say we won't have any problem even if we don't live much together as long as we document that she (the us pet) has a good reason for stay outside the us and we keep records of our chats, conversations, etc, right?

I mean, that's tough. From what you said...your wife will be studying in Italy (I assume this will last from September to May roughly), and maybe you will be visiting each other during holidays. My wife and I were apart for the first three months of our marriage...and we kept track of all of our phone conversations. We explained that I had teaching engagements and she had classes and as SOON as my engagements were over I was on the first plane to see my wife.

If you don't live with your wife, I would say the burden of proof is DEFINITELY on you. I would not expect the officer to "understand" if you fly to the Italy during X-mas holidays and your wife flies to the US...that would look very very bad.

You have to use common sense here. You are not forced to live with your wife all the time....life involves travelling. But if you don't live together, be prepared to answer a lot of questions. We were asked and we were prepared. In the end, we had to go through a few extra interviews.

Bottom line....you will not get in 'TROUBLE,' but you will be given a lot of trouble....so be prepared.

We would:

1. enter the US together in May

2. Live together May-august

3. She would attend school again in Europe Sep 2009-Sep 2010

4.She comes back to the US and we live together.

5. We visit each other during holidays and as much as possible anyway!

Work?

Sounds fine. And I'm not meaning to be coy, but your immigration experience will just be a bit more complicated, as ours were. I can predict that, when you are applying to remove the conditions on your Green Card, or applying for citizenship, or re-entering the US after a long period of time (say, 5-12 months), the immigration officer may ask for more information. Why didn't you go with her to Italy? How often to you talk? Phone, email, chat? Do you have records of these conversations? What did you do during your holidays? What did she do? Do you have family in Italy that she visits? Do you visit her US family? Who pays the bills? Where does the money come from? What are your plans for children?

We were asked all of these questions and more in London, each of us separately, alone, when we applied for my wife's CR-1 visa...which is a much more involved process. Maybe you have no issues in the future, but you might. Again, you can't exactly be DENIED the removal of conditions or citizenship just because you guys lived in different countries for a year. Just be prepared for these types of questions, keep records of your conversations and conjugal travel (I love that word), and hope that you aren't hassled.

We were, but I suppose they have to be careful about people who do this to game the system. We all know that there are a lot of sham marriages out there and the officers take this very seriously and ask very personal questions in the event of doubt. Your situation, unfortunately, might raise that doubt. Ours did.

By the way, do you have a long history of dating? That might help calm the officers' nerves. We got married 8 weeks after meeting one another.

Another thing: we didn't keep track of our journeys to see each other during the one year before the marriage, but receipt of the tickets are available online, we have pics together during the time, I can find a reservation with pics together where I asked her to marry me while in Chicago, etc.

You will be fine. Just start now keeping records of everything.

By the way, I have read that unifying all your financial dealings helps. We unified our bank accounts, credit cards and property, keeping records of all that. You might never have to show it. But having it will certainly give you peace of mind!

Pictures with your families definitely helps. Our officer in London specifically asked for pictures of my family with my wife and vice versa. Something tells me the fakers do it without their families' knowledge...

Seriously, don't worry. Just keep records, and don't get upset if they ask lots of questions! Patience and willingness to show records will help get you through any roadblocks that your separation may cause.

The good thing is that you will have your permanent residence already...that's the most difficult step. And it is also good that you will be living in the US. Your wife (a US citizen) can live wherever she wants. You (a US permanent resident) can lose your Green Card if you live abroad for a long period of time without getting permission first. (Long period of time being 12 months, but they can start asking questions after 6 months.)

[frali 2]

Hi, so you say we won't have any problem even if we don't live much together as long as we document that she (the us pet) has a good reason for stay outside the us and we keep records of our chats, conversations, etc, right?

I mean, that's tough. From what you said...your wife will be studying in Italy (I assume this will last from September to May roughly), and maybe you will be visiting each other during holidays. My wife and I were apart for the first three months of our marriage...and we kept track of all of our phone conversations. We explained that I had teaching engagements and she had classes and as SOON as my engagements were over I was on the first plane to see my wife.

If you don't live with your wife, I would say the burden of proof is DEFINITELY on you. I would not expect the officer to "understand" if you fly to the Italy during X-mas holidays and your wife flies to the US...that would look very very bad.

You have to use common sense here. You are not forced to live with your wife all the time....life involves travelling. But if you don't live together, be prepared to answer a lot of questions. We were asked and we were prepared. In the end, we had to go through a few extra interviews.

Bottom line....you will not get in 'TROUBLE,' but you will be given a lot of trouble....so be prepared.

We would:

1. enter the US together in May

2. Live together May-august

3. She would attend school again in Europe Sep 2009-Sep 2010

4.She comes back to the US and we live together.

5. We visit each other during holidays and as much as possible anyway!

Work?

Sounds fine. And I'm not meaning to be coy, but your immigration experience will just be a bit more complicated, as ours were. I can predict that, when you are applying to remove the conditions on your Green Card, or applying for citizenship, or re-entering the US after a long period of time (say, 5-12 months), the immigration officer may ask for more information. Why didn't you go with her to Italy? How often to you talk? Phone, email, chat? Do you have records of these conversations? What did you do during your holidays? What did she do? Do you have family in Italy that she visits? Do you visit her US family? Who pays the bills? Where does the money come from? What are your plans for children?

We were asked all of these questions and more in London, each of us separately, alone, when we applied for my wife's CR-1 visa...which is a much more involved process. Maybe you have no issues in the future, but you might. Again, you can't exactly be DENIED the removal of conditions or citizenship just because you guys lived in different countries for a year. Just be prepared for these types of questions, keep records of your conversations and conjugal travel (I love that word), and hope that you aren't hassled.

We were, but I suppose they have to be careful about people who do this to game the system. We all know that there are a lot of sham marriages out there and the officers take this very seriously and ask very personal questions in the event of doubt. Your situation, unfortunately, might raise that doubt. Ours did.

By the way, do you have a long history of dating? That might help calm the officers' nerves. We got married 8 weeks after meeting one another.

Another thing: we didn't keep track of our journeys to see each other during the one year before the marriage, but receipt of the tickets are available online, we have pics together during the time, I can find a reservation with pics together where I asked her to marry me while in Chicago, etc.

You will be fine. Just start now keeping records of everything.

By the way, I have read that unifying all your financial dealings helps. We unified our bank accounts, credit cards and property, keeping records of all that. You might never have to show it. But having it will certainly give you peace of mind!

Pictures with your families definitely helps. Our officer in London specifically asked for pictures of my family with my wife and vice versa. Something tells me the fakers do it without their families' knowledge...

Seriously, don't worry. Just keep records, and don't get upset if they ask lots of questions! Patience and willingness to show records will help get you through any roadblocks that your separation may cause.

The good thing is that you will have your permanent residence already...that's the most difficult step. And it is also good that you will be living in the US. Your wife (a US citizen) can live wherever she wants. You (a US permanent resident) can lose your Green Card if you live abroad for a long period of time without getting permission first. (Long period of time being 12 months, but they can start asking questions after 6 months.)

Rob one other thing that you must make sure is that your wife will have to prove Domicile in US.

Just out of curiosity why doesn't your wife do her masters in the US?

Also, one point that Thomas raised was that, who is sponsoring your wife's masters in Italy? If its a US entity then that would work to your benefit.

Good luck

[T and M 1]

Hi, so you say we won't have any problem even if we don't live much together as long as we document that she (the us pet) has a good reason for stay outside the us and we keep records of our chats, conversations, etc, right?

I mean, that's tough. From what you said...your wife will be studying in Italy (I assume this will last from September to May roughly), and maybe you will be visiting each other during holidays. My wife and I were apart for the first three months of our marriage...and we kept track of all of our phone conversations. We explained that I had teaching engagements and she had classes and as SOON as my engagements were over I was on the first plane to see my wife.

If you don't live with your wife, I would say the burden of proof is DEFINITELY on you. I would not expect the officer to "understand" if you fly to the Italy during X-mas holidays and your wife flies to the US...that would look very very bad.

You have to use common sense here. You are not forced to live with your wife all the time....life involves travelling. But if you don't live together, be prepared to answer a lot of questions. We were asked and we were prepared. In the end, we had to go through a few extra interviews.

Bottom line....you will not get in 'TROUBLE,' but you will be given a lot of trouble....so be prepared.

We would:

1. enter the US together in May

2. Live together May-august

3. She would attend school again in Europe Sep 2009-Sep 2010

4.She comes back to the US and we live together.

5. We visit each other during holidays and as much as possible anyway!

Work?

Sounds fine. And I'm not meaning to be coy, but your immigration experience will just be a bit more complicated, as ours were. I can predict that, when you are applying to remove the conditions on your Green Card, or applying for citizenship, or re-entering the US after a long period of time (say, 5-12 months), the immigration officer may ask for more information. Why didn't you go with her to Italy? How often to you talk? Phone, email, chat? Do you have records of these conversations? What did you do during your holidays? What did she do? Do you have family in Italy that she visits? Do you visit her US family? Who pays the bills? Where does the money come from? What are your plans for children?

We were asked all of these questions and more in London, each of us separately, alone, when we applied for my wife's CR-1 visa...which is a much more involved process. Maybe you have no issues in the future, but you might. Again, you can't exactly be DENIED the removal of conditions or citizenship just because you guys lived in different countries for a year. Just be prepared for these types of questions, keep records of your conversations and conjugal travel (I love that word), and hope that you aren't hassled.

We were, but I suppose they have to be careful about people who do this to game the system. We all know that there are a lot of sham marriages out there and the officers take this very seriously and ask very personal questions in the event of doubt. Your situation, unfortunately, might raise that doubt. Ours did.

By the way, do you have a long history of dating? That might help calm the officers' nerves. We got married 8 weeks after meeting one another.

Another thing: we didn't keep track of our journeys to see each other during the one year before the marriage, but receipt of the tickets are available online, we have pics together during the time, I can find a reservation with pics together where I asked her to marry me while in Chicago, etc.

You will be fine. Just start now keeping records of everything.

By the way, I have read that unifying all your financial dealings helps. We unified our bank accounts, credit cards and property, keeping records of all that. You might never have to show it. But having it will certainly give you peace of mind!

Pictures with your families definitely helps. Our officer in London specifically asked for pictures of my family with my wife and vice versa. Something tells me the fakers do it without their families' knowledge...

Seriously, don't worry. Just keep records, and don't get upset if they ask lots of questions! Patience and willingness to show records will help get you through any roadblocks that your separation may cause.

The good thing is that you will have your permanent residence already...that's the most difficult step. And it is also good that you will be living in the US. Your wife (a US citizen) can live wherever she wants. You (a US permanent resident) can lose your Green Card if you live abroad for a long period of time without getting permission first. (Long period of time being 12 months, but they can start asking questions after 6 months.)

Rob one other thing that you must make sure is that your wife will have to prove Domicile in US.

Just out of curiosity why doesn't your wife do her masters in the US?

Also, one point that Thomas raised was that, who is sponsoring your wife's masters in Italy? If its a US entity then that would work to your benefit.

Good luck

Ditto. I would go with her to Italy for her masters and then go to the US for yours. Or vice versa. Won't one of your programs give a one-year delay. You should be able to merely cite "family reasons."

Anyway, frali's question regarding who is sponsoring your wife's masters is very important if you decide to join her in Italy, but only if you decide to join her in Italy.

[Erthwhile 0]

Hi, so you say we won't have any problem even if we don't live much together as long as we document that she (the us pet) has a good reason for stay outside the us and we keep records of our chats, conversations, etc, right?

I mean, that's tough. From what you said...your wife will be studying in Italy (I assume this will last from September to May roughly), and maybe you will be visiting each other during holidays. My wife and I were apart for the first three months of our marriage...and we kept track of all of our phone conversations. We explained that I had teaching engagements and she had classes and as SOON as my engagements were over I was on the first plane to see my wife.

If you don't live with your wife, I would say the burden of proof is DEFINITELY on you. I would not expect the officer to "understand" if you fly to the Italy during X-mas holidays and your wife flies to the US...that would look very very bad.

You have to use common sense here. You are not forced to live with your wife all the time....life involves travelling. But if you don't live together, be prepared to answer a lot of questions. We were asked and we were prepared. In the end, we had to go through a few extra interviews.

Bottom line....you will not get in 'TROUBLE,' but you will be given a lot of trouble....so be prepared.

We would:

1. enter the US together in May

2. Live together May-august

3. She would attend school again in Europe Sep 2009-Sep 2010

4.She comes back to the US and we live together.

5. We visit each other during holidays and as much as possible anyway!

Work?

Sounds fine. And I'm not meaning to be coy, but your immigration experience will just be a bit more complicated, as ours were. I can predict that, when you are applying to remove the conditions on your Green Card, or applying for citizenship, or re-entering the US after a long period of time (say, 5-12 months), the immigration officer may ask for more information. Why didn't you go with her to Italy? How often to you talk? Phone, email, chat? Do you have records of these conversations? What did you do during your holidays? What did she do? Do you have family in Italy that she visits? Do you visit her US family? Who pays the bills? Where does the money come from? What are your plans for children?

We were asked all of these questions and more in London, each of us separately, alone, when we applied for my wife's CR-1 visa...which is a much more involved process. Maybe you have no issues in the future, but you might. Again, you can't exactly be DENIED the removal of conditions or citizenship just because you guys lived in different countries for a year. Just be prepared for these types of questions, keep records of your conversations and conjugal travel (I love that word), and hope that you aren't hassled.

We were, but I suppose they have to be careful about people who do this to game the system. We all know that there are a lot of sham marriages out there and the officers take this very seriously and ask very personal questions in the event of doubt. Your situation, unfortunately, might raise that doubt. Ours did.

By the way, do you have a long history of dating? That might help calm the officers' nerves. We got married 8 weeks after meeting one another.

Another thing: we didn't keep track of our journeys to see each other during the one year before the marriage, but receipt of the tickets are available online, we have pics together during the time, I can find a reservation with pics together where I asked her to marry me while in Chicago, etc.

You will be fine. Just start now keeping records of everything.

By the way, I have read that unifying all your financial dealings helps. We unified our bank accounts, credit cards and property, keeping records of all that. You might never have to show it. But having it will certainly give you peace of mind!

Pictures with your families definitely helps. Our officer in London specifically asked for pictures of my family with my wife and vice versa. Something tells me the fakers do it without their families' knowledge...

Seriously, don't worry. Just keep records, and don't get upset if they ask lots of questions! Patience and willingness to show records will help get you through any roadblocks that your separation may cause.

The good thing is that you will have your permanent residence already...that's the most difficult step. And it is also good that you will be living in the US. Your wife (a US citizen) can live wherever she wants. You (a US permanent resident) can lose your Green Card if you live abroad for a long period of time without getting permission first. (Long period of time being 12 months, but they can start asking questions after 6 months.)

Rob one other thing that you must make sure is that your wife will have to prove Domicile in US.

Just out of curiosity why doesn't your wife do her masters in the US?

Also, one point that Thomas raised was that, who is sponsoring your wife's masters in Italy? If its a US entity then that would work to your benefit.

Good luck

Ditto. I would go with her to Italy for her masters and then go to the US for yours. Or vice versa. Won't one of your programs give a one-year delay. You should be able to merely cite "family reasons."

Anyway, frali's question regarding who is sponsoring your wife's masters is very important if you decide to join her in Italy, but only if you decide to join her in Italy.

Delaying would be a problem. For both of us.

She wants to attend her master in Italy because she found a very nice program at Bocconi University that she couldn't find in the US (besides, it's a very international program). But no US universities will sponsor her, I and her family will.

[Erthwhile 0]

Another questions folks!

I will be travelling for 5 days to the US leaving this saturday. I will travel alone, that is my wife will remain in Italy. I'm going to visit three business schools I think I will apply to.

As I'm italian, I usually go to the US with my passport under the visa waiver program but, since we're married now, do you think I will have any problem? I have a roundtrip ticket of course. Do I need anything else?

Also, does my wife have to register the marriage with the Italian consulate in Milan?

[frali 2]

You should not have any problems going to US using your VWP. Once the Immig officer asks you the reason for your visit tell them the truth that you are there to visit some business schools.

BTW I wouldn't do an MBA next year. With the economy in such bad condition you might as well wait it out till things calm down in the financial market. What are your potential B-schools you looking at?

[Erthwhile 0]

You should not have any problems going to US using your VWP. Once the Immig officer asks you the reason for your visit tell them the truth that you are there to visit some business schools.

BTW I wouldn't do an MBA next year. With the economy in such bad condition you might as well wait it out till things calm down in the financial market. What are your potential B-schools you looking at?

Hi! I will be applying to UCLA, Northwestern, Duke, Emory, Vanderbilt.

Wish me luck!

[frali 2]

good luck. Keep UCLA and north western on you top list. Depending how much you scored in GMAT and ur work experience I would look into Chicago as well. It is an awesome school :-)

[Erthwhile 0]

Hi, so you say we won't have any problem even if we don't live much together as long as we document that she (the us pet) has a good reason for stay outside the us and we keep records of our chats, conversations, etc, right?

I mean, that's tough. From what you said...your wife will be studying in Italy (I assume this will last from September to May roughly), and maybe you will be visiting each other during holidays. My wife and I were apart for the first three months of our marriage...and we kept track of all of our phone conversations. We explained that I had teaching engagements and she had classes and as SOON as my engagements were over I was on the first plane to see my wife.

If you don't live with your wife, I would say the burden of proof is DEFINITELY on you. I would not expect the officer to "understand" if you fly to the Italy during X-mas holidays and your wife flies to the US...that would look very very bad.

You have to use common sense here. You are not forced to live with your wife all the time....life involves travelling. But if you don't live together, be prepared to answer a lot of questions. We were asked and we were prepared. In the end, we had to go through a few extra interviews.

Bottom line....you will not get in 'TROUBLE,' but you will be given a lot of trouble....so be prepared.

We would:

1. enter the US together in May

2. Live together May-august

3. She would attend school again in Europe Sep 2009-Sep 2010

4.She comes back to the US and we live together.

5. We visit each other during holidays and as much as possible anyway!

Work?

Sounds fine. And I'm not meaning to be coy, but your immigration experience will just be a bit more complicated, as ours were. I can predict that, when you are applying to remove the conditions on your Green Card, or applying for citizenship, or re-entering the US after a long period of time (say, 5-12 months), the immigration officer may ask for more information. Why didn't you go with her to Italy? How often to you talk? Phone, email, chat? Do you have records of these conversations? What did you do during your holidays? What did she do? Do you have family in Italy that she visits? Do you visit her US family? Who pays the bills? Where does the money come from? What are your plans for children?

We were asked all of these questions and more in London, each of us separately, alone, when we applied for my wife's CR-1 visa...which is a much more involved process. Maybe you have no issues in the future, but you might. Again, you can't exactly be DENIED the removal of conditions or citizenship just because you guys lived in different countries for a year. Just be prepared for these types of questions, keep records of your conversations and conjugal travel (I love that word), and hope that you aren't hassled.

We were, but I suppose they have to be careful about people who do this to game the system. We all know that there are a lot of sham marriages out there and the officers take this very seriously and ask very personal questions in the event of doubt. Your situation, unfortunately, might raise that doubt. Ours did.

By the way, do you have a long history of dating? That might help calm the officers' nerves. We got married 8 weeks after meeting one another.

Another thing: we didn't keep track of our journeys to see each other during the one year before the marriage, but receipt of the tickets are available online, we have pics together during the time, I can find a reservation with pics together where I asked her to marry me while in Chicago, etc.

You will be fine. Just start now keeping records of everything.

By the way, I have read that unifying all your financial dealings helps. We unified our bank accounts, credit cards and property, keeping records of all that. You might never have to show it. But having it will certainly give you peace of mind!

Pictures with your families definitely helps. Our officer in London specifically asked for pictures of my family with my wife and vice versa. Something tells me the fakers do it without their families' knowledge...

Seriously, don't worry. Just keep records, and don't get upset if they ask lots of questions! Patience and willingness to show records will help get you through any roadblocks that your separation may cause.

The good thing is that you will have your permanent residence already...that's the most difficult step. And it is also good that you will be living in the US. Your wife (a US citizen) can live wherever she wants. You (a US permanent resident) can lose your Green Card if you live abroad for a long period of time without getting permission first. (Long period of time being 12 months, but they can start asking questions after 6 months.)

Rob one other thing that you must make sure is that your wife will have to prove Domicile in US.

Just out of curiosity why doesn't your wife do her masters in the US?

Also, one point that Thomas raised was that, who is sponsoring your wife's masters in Italy? If its a US entity then that would work to your benefit.

Good luck

Ditto. I would go with her to Italy for her masters and then go to the US for yours. Or vice versa. Won't one of your programs give a one-year delay. You should be able to merely cite "family reasons."

Anyway, frali's question regarding who is sponsoring your wife's masters is very important if you decide to join her in Italy, but only if you decide to join her in Italy.

Sorry, another question guys: how and why can a I-130 be denied?

[Erthwhile 0]

It's like they can deny it if there is a filing error or if the filer is not entitled to file for it?