What do I do paying the fees

[bandits wife 0]

Good Morning everyone. I need some advice and was told to start a new thread to ask my quesition. Im an American Citizen, living in Canada for almost 12 years now, Im a permanent resident of Canada. My husband is a Canadian Citizen and we have been married for almost 9 years. We want to move back to my home town in California. We are applying for an IR-1 visa and have most of the documents ready and the I-130 filled out, still need to get our passport style photos done. So here is my question, problem, dilemma!! I understand all of the fees for the I-130 and all other forms and fees have to be paid in American dollars and drawn off of an American bank located in the United States. We don't have any American accounts. We do have several Canadian accounts that I could get a money order made out in American dollars from but I don't that would fly with the USCIS as the bank is not American or located in the United States. My Mother and Step father will be co-sponsors as I have not worked in the U.S. for about 20 years. I just don't know how to go about paying for all of this? HELP!!

One other question on the I-130 question #15 it states name and address of present employer (if any)

Does this pertain to me (the petitioner) or my husband (the beneficary)?

Thank you all how respond....it is greatly appreciated!!

[Ryan H 3,812]

Wire the money to your mother and stepfather. They can then write a check from their US based account.

[bandits wife 0]

Hi Ryan, and thanks for your response. If I do that would I need to send them all the paperwork(I-130) and documents I have filled out to send along with check?

[Ryan H 3,812]

If I do that would I need to send them all the paperwork(I-130) and documents I have filled out to send along with check?

That would probably be the easiest course of action, prepare your package and send it to them. They can drop the check into the package and send it to the Chicago lockbox.

[pushbrk 12,812]

That would probably be the easiest course of action, prepare your package and send it to them. They can drop the check into the package and send it to the Chicago lockbox.

Or have them mail you the check and you take control of mailing the package. Either way works.

For your other question, the right side of the I-130 page 1 is about the foreigner but unless they are currently working in the USA, the answer is simply N/A. That section is about foreigners currently in the USA.

[bandits wife 0]

Thank you both from the bottom of my heart.....hope you both have a wonderful day!!

[bandits wife 0]

Hi Ryan and Pushbrk, Just a quick question, would this be another option I should look into. I could go over the border to Buffalo New York and open an account at an American bank just to use for all of the fees we are going to have to shell out. Maybe a checking account? I can pay by personal check correct? Just wondering if this would be a better route instead of sending documents and such thru the mail from Ontario Canada to California which usually takes about 7 days or more. Thank you both for your timely responses. I really appreciate it.

[pushbrk 12,812]

Hi Ryan and Pushbrk, Just a quick question, would this be another option I should look into. I could go over the border to Buffalo New York and open an account at an American bank just to use for all of the fees we are going to have to shell out. Maybe a checking account? I can pay by personal check correct? Just wondering if this would be a better route instead of sending documents and such thru the mail from Ontario Canada to California which usually takes about 7 days or more. Thank you both for your timely responses. I really appreciate it.

If you can accomplish that, sure, it's an option. If they won't open an account for you, you can at least buy a money order.

Edited May 20, 2012 by pushbrk

[Ryan H 3,812]

Hi Ryan and Pushbrk, Just a quick question, would this be another option I should look into. I could go over the border to Buffalo New York and open an account at an American bank just to use for all of the fees we are going to have to shell out. Maybe a checking account? I can pay by personal check correct? Just wondering if this would be a better route instead of sending documents and such thru the mail from Ontario Canada to California which usually takes about 7 days or more. Thank you both for your timely responses. I really appreciate it.

Ditto what Pushbrk said. Another place to buy a money order if you cannot open an account with the bank is a US Post Office.

[bandits wife 0]

Thank you both again. But if I buy money orders from either a bank or U.S. post office wouldn't I then have to keep doing that every time I have to pay the USCIS from something. I don't believe I just pay for the I-130 fees but there's other fees along the way, am I correct? I was thinking if I open an acct (provided I can) I could just deposit enough money to cover this journey and just write out checks?

[Ryan H 3,812]

You only pay USCIS when you file the petition.

The bills that would have to be paid to the NVC can be paid online (the NVC is a State Department Agency). If you are able to open an account with a US Bank, you could use it to pay the NVC bills when that time comes. If you are not able to open an account, then I'll suggest again what I suggested earlier, wire the money to someone in the US who would be willing to log into the payment portal and pay the bills from the money you gave them. You would also be able to log into the payment portal yourself and print the necessary cover sheets. You don't need to worry about NVC bills right now. The NVC has to receive an approved petition from USCIS and assign a case number before any bills are generated and you are already aware that you are a ways off from that.

Edited May 20, 2012 by Ryan H

[bandits wife 0]

ok thanks again, you cleared so much up for me, send me a bill........ha ha ha!! No dont really dont!! Hope your having a great day, I'm sure i'll be asking a million more questions. I'll try calling a bank in Buffalo New York to see If I can infact open an account!!