Supporting documents for I-130

[tired of waiting 0]

Hi I am new to this, but any input would be appreciated. I am a canadian citizen and my husband is a LPR. We are about to file the I-130 and I am not sure what I can send in to prove that our relationship is real. He has been here for 5 1/2 years and just recently got his green card. We only got married this summer as California does not recognise "common-law marriage". I have come to see him once a year and am wondering if I can put all of the dates on a separate paper and include this. Does anyone know if I will be able to give further evidence when we are called for an interview. Thanks in advance.

[kamhoe 5]

When we filed for I-130 last time, we front loaded with some wedding pics, invitation card, wedding rings receipt, a couple of "new marriage" card from people and other docs that can show the marriage is not for immigration purpose!

For the interview steps, you want to show docs that can proof on-going relationship like phone records, Skype logs, mails, etc.

[pocheros 101]

Any travel documentation is excellent- photocopies of stamps in passport, itineraries, plane tickets, hotel receipts. Also life insurance statements showing one of you as the beneficiary, joint taxes, any "document showing co-mingling of finances" as suggested by the instructions for the I-130., photos, wedding stuff, etc. Fortunately Montreal (the consulate you will be interviewing at) usually doesn't request evidence during the interview, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be prepared. Skype logs and emails alone are not very good evidence- you can certainly include them but they probably won't care for them much.

I haven't looked at the I-130 form but some of the forms throughout this process ask for the dates you've travelled to the US. if there's not enough room on the form you can add a supplement. If the forms don't ask for this you may include a simply statement saying that you have a valid relationship with your husband and you've travelled to see him many times, such as on X and Y dates, etc.

Edited January 20, 2012 by pocheros

[tired of waiting 0]

When we filed for I-130 last time, we front loaded with some wedding pics, invitation card, wedding rings receipt, a couple of "new marriage" card from people and other docs that can show the marriage is not for immigration purpose!

For the interview steps, you want to show docs that can proof on-going relationship like phone records, Skype logs, mails, etc.

Thanks. If I can take the information to the interview we should have no problem. We have been together for 22 years and have a 21 year old daughter.

The timeline in the reply...is it real? Did it only take 1 year?

[pocheros 101]

1 year is standarrd for Canadian spouses and fiances. Also, I forgot to mention this, but some of the evidence you intially send may just be photocopis, not originals. Unfortunately I'm not 100% on what's exactly required for the I-130 as I filed an 129 and they have slightly different requirements, but when I filled out my petition it was stressed that you only send them photocopies and they see the originals on the day of the interview. Not entirely sure about the CR1s though.

[Doug & Pam 3]

1 year is standarrd for Canadian spouses and fiances. Also, I forgot to mention this, but some of the evidence you intially send may just be photocopis, not originals. Unfortunately I'm not 100% on what's exactly required for the I-130 as I filed an 129 and they have slightly different requirements, but when I filled out my petition it was stressed that you only send them photocopies and they see the originals on the day of the interview. Not entirely sure about the CR1s though.

If your spouse is an LPR (Green Card) and not a US Citizen then you will have to wait for the visa number (priority date) to come up once the I130 is approved (can be a long wait). USC sponsors do not have to wait (as there is no limit for them). I am guessing since he only just received his LPR that he has some wait still before he can become a USC eh?

[pocheros 101]

If your spouse is an LPR (Green Card) and not a US Citizen then you will have to wait for the visa number (priority date) to come up once the I130 is approved (can be a long wait). USC sponsors do not have to wait (as there is no limit for them). I am guessing since he only just received his LPR that he has some wait still before he can become a USC eh?

Oh, that's true, thanks for catching that It's a little odd that someone could live in the US for 5 1/2 years without a green card. That said the financial aspect of the I-130 is probably going to be important if the US LPR hasn't been working that whole time. Actually LPRs in general probably have to provide more evidence and are grilled a little more thoroughly than USCs...

What options does the LPR have for applying for citizenship? They only count the amount of time you spend in the states after obtaining a green card, right? If he were a citizen it would make this a lot easier but that probably wouldn't be an option for several years I'm guessing...

[tired of waiting 0]

Oh, that's true, thanks for catching that It's a little odd that someone could live in the US for 5 1/2 years without a green card. That said the financial aspect of the I-130 is probably going to be important if the US LPR hasn't been working that whole time. Actually LPRs in general probably have to provide more evidence and are grilled a little more thoroughly than USCs...

What options does the LPR have for applying for citizenship? They only count the amount of time you spend in the states after obtaining a green card, right? If he were a citizen it would make this a lot easier but that probably wouldn't be an option for several years I'm guessing...

A LPR has to wait 5 yrs before applying for citizenship. I thought this forum was basically for LPR's and their spouses. Some of the replies are giving mixed information. One says the wait for Canadian spouses id typically 1 year. Another says it is a long wait. I realise that it is so easy for the spouse or fiance of a citizen. Thanks again.

[pocheros 101]

A LPR has to wait 5 yrs before applying for citizenship. I thought this forum was basically for LPR's and their spouses. Some of the replies are giving mixed information. One says the wait for Canadian spouses id typically 1 year. Another says it is a long wait. I realise that it is so easy for the spouse or fiance of a citizen. Thanks again.

Yeah, that was my fault for forgetting this was the LPR forum, sorry

[Darnell 8,479]

I am confused. where is 'here' referenced in post #1 ?

[tired of waiting 0]

I am confused. where is 'here' referenced in post #1 ?

Sorry about that. Here means the united states. Right now I am visiting my husband, but I have to go back to Canada in a week. We have no idea when I can come again. Just stressed.

[Darnell 8,479]

LPR's filing an I-130 have longer wait times, they must wait till a Visa number is avaiable , then NVC document intake on the Visa application will occur.

How long has he been an LPR? If he's past the 5 year mark - he should apply to be a USCitizen - then there is no waiting on a visa number for you - so what might have been a 4 to 5 year wait now crumbles into 8 to 9 months.

OTOH - Canada is mondo cool for everything - surely it'd be better if he moved up there, immigrated there, as a spouse of a Canadien Citizen?? Life is simply better in Canada.

[Darnell 8,479]

We are about to file the I-130 and I am not sure what I can send in to prove that our relationship is real.

If'n you study the I-130 instructions - you'll find 6 different types of bonafide marriage evidence that he can submit on the two of you.

One of the great ones, my personal favorite, is utility bills in both names.

Since yer there for another week - suggest the two of you try, really hard, to get that done.

Good Luck!