ir-1/cr-1

[stanimir 1]

im just wondering if these topics are made mostly by citizen or those intending immigrants such as myself i see people getting on this website cause they try to find more information about the process and everything and i just need to know is that done by petitioner or the benefitiary

[hellraiser 42]

I guess most of the people are either petitioner or beneficiary looking for information from others experience. But there is no way to restrict average users or verify information one is putting. If someone wants to increase their knowledge on various immigration problems people from various country may face, I doubt this site will put any restriction or check for that. Question is; who may have time for that ?

[stanimir 1]

I guess most of the people are either petitioner or beneficiary looking for information from others experience. But there is no way to restrict average users or verify information one is putting. If someone wants to increase their knowledge on various immigration problems people from various country may face, I doubt this site will put any restriction or check for that. Question is; who may have time for that ?

the only reason why i put this topic on the 1st place was to pursuave my wife not to hire a lawyer because it only takes one special skill and thats knowing how to READ, AND FOLLOW ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS but she'd rather get a lawyer who sais that initial package DOES NOT NEED TO HAVE PROOFS OF BONAFIDE MARRIAGE...

[Done--Really 331]

The lawyer is an idiot, although he is correct that there is no LEGAL requirement to provide proof up front, but why wouldn't you do it since it generally eases the whole process--you don't need to overdo it, but just read the directions here as well as the instructions for the I-130, and come to your own conclusions.

[Done--Really 331]

The wording from the I-130 instructions is that you SHOULD provide information showing the bonefides of you marriage, not that you MUST provide it. You and your wife can interpret that any way you want, but if the USCIS says you SHOULD do something to make your life easier, you should certainly think hard before not doing it, and you should also question rather your lawyer is fully competent or has some other agenda.

Edited June 24, 2011 by magical

[Ryan H 3,812]

OP: The best chance for a CO to see any evidence of the legitimacy of your marriage is to submit that evidence with the initial petition. Anything that is in the initial submission becomes part of the file that will ultimately be sent to the Embassy or Consulate. I have read many instances of people bringing heaps of evidence to the interview only to have a CO not ask for any of it or to have it given right back without a glance when someone tries to give it to a CO.

[Darnell 8,478]

yup, give as much evidence as possible, with initial I-130 submittal.

might be a good time to review the instructions, review the 6 types of evidence that one can put in.

here's what i prepped, but note frontloading is almost a given at GUZ IV, perhaps not for your Embassy?

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=218775&st=0&p=3324240&hl=Rusticentry3324240

[EAbbas 213]

the only reason why i put this topic on the 1st place was to pursuave my wife not to hire a lawyer because it only takes one special skill and thats knowing how to READ, AND FOLLOW ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS but she'd rather get a lawyer who sais that initial package DOES NOT NEED TO HAVE PROOFS OF BONAFIDE MARRIAGE...

I think most of us on here are without lawyers...those that do have them within half of their filing stage are ready to get rid of them once they read and see how easy it is to do the work yourself...the only ones that probably truly need an attorney are those that have some legal issues to overcome for the filing process....

*disclaimer: I dont know exactly how many have attorneys but by reading the posts it doesnt seem to be the majority....

[M in CA 9]

the only reason why i put this topic on the 1st place was to pursuave my wife not to hire a lawyer because it only takes one special skill and thats knowing how to READ, AND FOLLOW ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS but she'd rather get a lawyer who sais that initial package DOES NOT NEED TO HAVE PROOFS OF BONAFIDE MARRIAGE...

The whole point of the 1st phase I-130 is to prove you are who you say you are, and that you are in a bona fide marraige.

You can fill in your own forms.

Read the "stupid-RFE" forum here to make sure you don't miss something obvious.

The lawyer cannot prove your marriage. Only family and friends can do that. Get a few to write simple letters to that effect (there are examples here on VJ), and then they go get them notarized. UPS shipping stores often have a notary guy who is working the cash register. He will check their passport or driver's licence, have them sign their name, and pay a small fee. done! Make sure you keep copies of everything you send in.

Save you money. You will need it for the big move!

best of luck!

[saraio 1]

Lawyers are not updated, we had a lawyer when we filed the I-130 but then after it was approved she didn't know that our case was a required electronic processing so we ended up wasting 3 whole months. So I say to not use a lawyer, just follow the instructions and if you have any doubt just ask but at the same time just be aware that the full responsibility is for you and not at any forum member.

This process is very simple actually and most members know more than lawyers do.

About sending evidence with the I-130 I'd say just go ahead and do it unless you have a very strong case. Like you've been married for several years, you have kids together, no criminal records, no immigration violations and you have lived together for a long time before applying for your VISA. You must fulfill all them if not you better send evidence. If I were to do this process again then I would send the evidence with the I-130 but our lawyer didn't do it though, thank God our case was pretty strong and no evidence was requested at my interview and my VISA was approved.

[LiveLaughLove 2]

the only reason why i put this topic on the 1st place was to pursuave my wife not to hire a lawyer because it only takes one special skill and thats knowing how to READ, AND FOLLOW ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS but she'd rather get a lawyer who sais that initial package DOES NOT NEED TO HAVE PROOFS OF BONAFIDE MARRIAGE...

I would have to disagree with the lawyer advising her that proof of bonafide marriage is NOT needed during initial filing.

Have your wife read the "Instructions for I130, Petition for Alien Relative" form found on USCIS website http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-130instr.pdf scroll down to page 3 and read the section titled "What Documents Do You Need to Prove Family Relationship." Hopefully this will help in your decision. Again, this information is from USCIS.

Prior to submitting my I130 petition for my husband, I read through the VJ guides, flow charts, how to prep the packet, whether to staple or not to staple, how to attach the 2x2 pictures with petition (plastic ziplock bag), cover letter (what to include in cover letter, attaching the check to the cover letter, etc), labeling documents with Post-It flags, album with approx 10 to 15 pictures with another letter with a brief synopsis of how we met, how we lost contact, etc. We also included notarized affidavits (as described on the Instructions for I130) from the reverend and 2 other parties that were present during our civil wedding ceremony.

Yeah, I may have gone overboard with my packet. I wanted to make sure the possibility of an RFE from USCIS would be minimal to none. Thereby, avoiding additional days/months of waiting because of something I could have front loaded to begin with or as listed on the I130 Instruction Form.

Good luck to you

[american Girl 2]

Will u be submitting the I129 form when u receive the i797c?

[Done--Really 331]

Most folks are using the CR-1/IR-1 approach rather than the K-3 which until very recently was slowing down the process rather than speeding it up--there is some evidence, although scant, that K-3 might be helping a little, but it's not conclusive.

Even if you continue down the K-3 path, you MIGHT get to the US a month or two sooner, but you then have to start the AOS process which takes more time and more $$ than you would have spent on the CR-1 before you get your green card and are able to work...your call, but quicker and cheaper says CR-1 is generally the better approach.