please advise

[zimushka 0]

Hi everyone! ...

we have been in a long-distance relationship for 4 years - 11 months of which we lived together in Armenia (we're both Armenians). I was a GC holder at the time, when I came back and applied for citizenship - it was rejected since I interrupted continuity of my residence in US by working in Armenia (which the interviewer for citizenship, assured me was NOT a problem). I couldn't cumulate another $600 to appeal the decision.

this last January we got married in Armenia (w/o a wedding because I don't want to leave him after the wedding), and I've been trying to save for $3000 for the lawyers to start his I-130 until I get my citizenship in 2013 and can expedite his case. We've been unsuccessful at saving up for the lawyers so, I need your guys's advise how to start this thing and how long it'll take and what to include in the visa package.

I'm going to include - I130, G325, all our pictured together and w/ family w/ notes on the back (some of them have the wrong dates like 2012 - the camera wasn't set correctly), I'll be gathering statements and testimonies from our friends and family, from my supervisor at work stating that my productivity increases as I go and visit him, also my psychologists to state that my depression and borderline bipolar disorder is from this distance... our phone bills...

I don't know what else should I include a personal statement with our story?

I live in Sacramento, California - am I looking at the California processing times?

also, I just heard that if I play the lottery for him and apply for residence for him, he'll be blacklisted? when the lawyer has told me to keep playing for him even if I start his case.

any advise will be appreciated! Thank you so~ much!

by the way - what does NOA stand for and what it means?

[zimushka 0]

I'm reposting my topic from IR-1 just in case if that one was int he wrong place. Sorry, I'm just really desperate

Hi everyone! ...

we have been in a long-distance relationship for 4 years - 11 months of which we lived together in Armenia (we're both Armenians). I was a GC holder at the time, when I came back and applied for citizenship - it was rejected since I interrupted continuity of my residence in US by working in Armenia (which the interviewer for citizenship, assured me was NOT a problem). I couldn't cumulate another $600 to appeal the decision.

this last January we got married in Armenia (w/o a wedding because I don't want to leave him after the wedding), and I've been trying to save for $3000 for the lawyers to start his I-130 until I get my citizenship in 2013 and can expedite his case. We've been unsuccessful at saving up for the lawyers so, I need your guys's advise how to start this thing and how long it'll take and what to include in the visa package.

I'm going to include - I130, G325, all our pictured together and w/ family w/ notes on the back (some of them have the wrong dates like 2012 - the camera wasn't set correctly), I'll be gathering statements and testimonies from our friends and family, from my supervisor at work stating that my productivity increases as I go and visit him, also my psychologists to state that my depression and borderline bipolar disorder is from this distance... our phone bills...

I don't know what else should I include a personal statement with our story?

I live in Sacramento, California - am I looking at the California processing times?

also, I just heard that if I play the lottery for him and apply for residence for him, he'll be blacklisted? when the lawyer has told me to keep playing for him even if I start his case.

any advise will be appreciated! Thank you so~ much!

by the way - what does NOA stand for and what it means?

[Ryan H 3,812]

Hi everyone! ...

we have been in a long-distance relationship for 4 years - 11 months of which we lived together in Armenia (we're both Armenians). I was a GC holder at the time, when I came back and applied for citizenship - it was rejected since I interrupted continuity of my residence in US by working in Armenia (which the interviewer for citizenship, assured me was NOT a problem). I couldn't cumulate another $600 to appeal the decision.

this last January we got married in Armenia (w/o a wedding because I don't want to leave him after the wedding), and I've been trying to save for $3000 for the lawyers to start his I-130 until I get my citizenship in 2013 and can expedite his case. We've been unsuccessful at saving up for the lawyers

Is your GC still valid? If so, you can file an I-130 for your spouse. Any complications with your case that would create red flags when reviewed (e.g. overstaying a visa, criminal convictions)? If your case is straightforward, you really don't need a lawyer. Despite claims of some lawyers, they cannot really expedite your case.

so, I need your guys's advise how to start this thing and how long it'll take and what to include in the visa package.

I'm going to include - I130, G325, all our pictured together and w/ family w/ notes on the back (some of them have the wrong dates like 2012 - the camera wasn't set correctly),

Good. Since the camera was not set correctly, see if you can print the pictures without the embedded time stamp. Write all the information (including the date) on the back.

I'll be gathering statements and testimonies from our friends and family, from my supervisor at work stating that my productivity increases as I go and visit him, also my psychologists to state that my depression and borderline bipolar disorder is from this distance... our phone bills...

I don't know what else should I include a personal statement with our story?

I think that you shouldn't include notes from you psychologist, may create a bad or wrong impression with USCIS adjudicators and consular officials. Same goes with the supervisor writing a statement about how your productivity increases when you go visit him as that could imply you are a bad worker otherwise. You don't want to make a bad impression.

\I just heard that if I play the lottery for him and apply for residence for him, he'll be blacklisted? when the lawyer has told me to keep playing for him even if I start his case.

Why would you be applying residence? I must admit I'm confused? I would just start start the I-130 process.

by the way - what does NOA stand for and what it means?

Notice of Action.

[zimushka 0]

thank you!!! ))

to help w/ the confusion - should I not play the lottery for him while the I130 is processing? some say 130 takes 7 years or more....

and should I send them the updated info every time I go meet him? - like new pictures, new phone bills, etc.

how will I update his case's status when I get my citizenship in 2013? although, I'm praying he'll be here by then

also, does having a child really help? (no, we don't have one yet!)

thanks so much ...

[Ryan H 3,812]

to help w/ the confusion - should I not play the lottery for him while the I130 is processing? some say 130 takes 7 years or more....

Are you talking about the diversity visa lottery? That's something I don't really know much about so I'm not really qualified to say much as far as that is concerned. With that being said, if there is an active I-130, trying to enter the lottery could undermine it. I would guesstimate that from the time you submit an I-130 to the time your husband gets an interview at the embassy is 8 months.

and should I send them the updated info every time I go meet him? - like new pictures, new phone bills, etc.

No, they would never make it to the file. Continue to save items though because anything that you have after you submit the I-130 because if you are sent an RFE (request for evidence) by USCIS, you can include the additional items. Also, the additional items can be given to the VO at the interview. No guarantee the VO would ask for or accept them.

Here is another scenario:

You submit your I-130 with supporting evidence

You visit between the time of submission of and approval of I-130

Once the I-130 is received by the NVC (National Visa Center), the NVC will ask for forms. At that time you can submit your original and additional evidence to the NVC. Once NVC processing is complete, everything that have given them will go to the embassy

how will I update his case's status when I get my citizenship in 2013? although, I'm praying he'll be here by then

An LPR (Lawful Permanent Resident) petitioning for a spouse is treated no differently than a citizen petitioning for a spouse. Chances are he will be here by 2013. In the event that he's not, have him bring a copy of your naturalization certificate to his embassy interview should it come up.

also, does having a child really help? (no, we don't have one yet!)

In my opinion, since having a child is evidence of a bonafide marriage, it would not hinder. Although, watch the income requirements as you have to be 125% above the poverty line.

[RightClicK 17]

I'm reposting my topic from IR-1 just in case if that one was int he wrong place. Sorry, I'm just really desperate

Hi everyone! ...

we have been in a long-distance relationship for 4 years - 11 months of which we lived together in Armenia (we're both Armenians). I was a GC holder at the time, when I came back and applied for citizenship - it was rejected since I interrupted continuity of my residence in US by working in Armenia (which the interviewer for citizenship, assured me was NOT a problem). I couldn't cumulate another $600 to appeal the decision.

this last January we got married in Armenia (w/o a wedding because I don't want to leave him after the wedding), and I've been trying to save for $3000 for the lawyers to start his I-130 until I get my citizenship in 2013 and can expedite his case. We've been unsuccessful at saving up for the lawyers so, I need your guys's advise how to start this thing and how long it'll take and what to include in the visa package.

I'm going to include - I130, G325, all our pictured together and w/ family w/ notes on the back (some of them have the wrong dates like 2012 - the camera wasn't set correctly), I'll be gathering statements and testimonies from our friends and family, from my supervisor at work stating that my productivity increases as I go and visit him, also my psychologists to state that my depression and borderline bipolar disorder is from this distance... our phone bills...

I don't know what else should I include a personal statement with our story?

I live in Sacramento, California - am I looking at the California processing times?

also, I just heard that if I play the lottery for him and apply for residence for him, he'll be blacklisted? when the lawyer has told me to keep playing for him even if I start his case.

any advise will be appreciated! Thank you so~ much!

by the way - what does NOA stand for and what it means?

Yes you can write your story in a paper but be really very careful in writing it , don't let them hold anything against you , or use it to trick you at the interview , you will send it to the lockbox and the address is in www.uscis.gov , by the way , you don't need an attorney , i have one and there is no need for em , believe me they screwed me , they even made mistakes in my forms and iam the one whom had to fix it , NOA stands for Notice Of Action.

by the way , i have applied for the Lottery before i apply for a k3 visa , but i don't think they would blacklist someone if he applied for lottery lol, so why did they even make it if it would blacklist us , i don't believe that , sorry , No offense.

Sam

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

He can apply for the DV lottery assuming he is from the right country and has the required education. Marc Ellis said it was fine when Joseph and I were applying. You should be able to follow the guides here and put together a good package.

[Otto 83]

** Duplicate/Parallel topics merged (may appear out of sync for this reason).

[zimushka 0]

thanks you guys!!! I truly appreciate the advise and encouragement I'm not scared anymore! if I have more questions, I'll post them here ... Thanks again!

[zimushka 0]

thanks you guys!!! I truly appreciate the advise and encouragement I'm not scared anymore! if I have more questions, I'll post them here ... Thanks again!

Hi everyone! have a few questions.

I'm going through our pictures and some of them have the wrong date (crappy camera), but pictures are great, I should write the correct date on the back of the picture and who's in it, right?

are kissing pictures OK? how many pictures is too much? so far - 160 of them.

Also, I gained my status (green card holder) through my mother marrying a US citizen when I was 17 - does that mean I answer yes to question 14b on I-130 "did you gain permanent resident status through marriage to a us citizen?"

should I also send our phone bills ? we are lawfully married since January, but we lived together in 2007-2008, don't own property, and only had a civil wedding (that actual big wedding is being planned for summer 2011 in hopes of him being approved by then), should I explain that on a personal statement?

what format should the "sworn statements" of people who know us be? e.g. my co-worker wrote a 2 sentence letter stating that she sees us on the phone on lunch all the time and knows that we love each other and she's like us to be together and be happy. is this ok?

who else should write letters like that? his parents? my parents? our friends?

should the pictures be of us mostly or of us with our families and friends?

I am very sorry for all the questions, but this is so~ nerve wracking, my fingers are ice-cold i am extra nervous.

Thank you !

[zimushka 0]

oh, I also forgot, since I've changed my last name to his after the marriage, do I HAVE TO change that on my green card? I've changed my overseas passport to the new name (i'll send copies of it w/ the application). do I HAVE TO change that on my green card for re-entry to USA since I'm planning on leaving in summer-fall for our wedding and coming back? I'm going to apply for US citizenship (again!) in 2013.

[zimushka 0]

also, he's holding a cigarette in almost every single one of the pictures, but those are our best shots... it that very bad?

[Anh map 2,098]

In my opinion, since having a child is evidence of a bonafide marriage, it would not hinder. Although, watch the income requirements as you have to be 125% above the poverty line.

I must strongly disagree.

Having a child is not proof of a bona fide relationship or marriage. It would be proof of meeting.

[Ryan H 3,812]

My answers in bold.

Hi everyone! have a few questions.

I'm going through our pictures and some of them have the wrong date (crappy camera), but pictures are great, I should write the correct date on the back of the picture and who's in it, right? Yes, write the correct date and who is in them on the back. Would recommend you address the wrong date issue in a cover letter

are kissing pictures OK? how many pictures is too much? so far - 160 of them. I've seen differing opinions on kissing pictures, my 2 cents is that if they are G rated and just a few, then it should be ok. Others may beg to differ one way or the other. As for your picture total picture count, 160 seems excessive, consider reducing.

Also, I gained my status (green card holder) through my mother marrying a US citizen when I was 17 - does that mean I answer yes to question 14b on I-130 "did you gain permanent resident status through marriage to a us citizen?" The way I read that question, it asks if you gained your status if you personally married a US Citizen, however, I'm going to defer to someone else who is more knowledgable on this issue (you need a concrete answer here, not a guess).

should I also send our phone bills ? we are lawfully married since January, but we lived together in 2007-2008, don't own property, and only had a civil wedding (that actual big wedding is being planned for summer 2011 in hopes of him being approved by then), should I explain that on a personal statement? Yes

what format should the "sworn statements" of people who know us be? e.g. my co-worker wrote a 2 sentence letter stating that she sees us on the phone on lunch all the time and knows that we love each other and she's like us to be together and be happy. is this ok? You might want to Google "sworn statement format" for things that would need to be included in such a statement. Furthermore, your co-worker may want to write how they knew of your relationship prior to writing that they see you and your SO talk on the phone at lunch everyday

who else should write letters like that? his parents? my parents? our friends? yes, yes, and yes

should the pictures be of us mostly or of us with our families and friends? I've heard that it should be a little of both, I'm going to defer to someone else who has more knowledge on this.

I am very sorry for all the questions, but this is so~ nerve wracking, my fingers are ice-cold i am extra nervous.

Thank you !

You're welcome and continued best wishes to you.

[zimushka 0]

oh, I also forgot, since I've changed my last name to his after the marriage, do I HAVE TO change that on my green card? I've changed my overseas passport to the new name (i'll send copies of it w/ the application). do I HAVE TO change that on my green card for re-entry to USA since I'm planning on leaving in summer-fall for our wedding and coming back? I'm going to apply for US citizenship (again!) in 2013.

I really~ need an answer for this one