About to file I-130

[sophielas 2]

Hello VJ people. After much research and document compilation I think we are about ready to submit our I-130 petition.

A few questions of you:

1. Do you think this is enough evidence of a bona fide relationship? (see packet contents list below)

I have looked into getting phone records, but it's slightly problematic to obtain a simple report, as with our skype history, so I have not included anything like that - do you think it will be ok without it?

2. Any ideas on what's happening at the moment with petitioners based abroad? I had read a few months ago that there seemed to be a phenomenon of occasionally fast-tracking filers from outside US.

The reason I ask is that we had a small wedding in NZ, but would like to have another celebration in the US in October where our families can attend. We would like to set a date, but I am afraid it might be tempting fate not knowing how long this process will take...

Thank you in advance!

Contents include:

Personal check in the amount of $420.00

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative

Copy of current U.S. passport (Petitioner)

G-325A and passport style photo (Petitioner)

G-325A and passport style photo (Beneficiary)

Copy of order dissolving marriage (Beneficiary)

Copy of birth certificate (Beneficiary)

Evidence of Bona Fide Relationship:

A. Letter outlining our relationship history

B. Copy of Marriage Certificate from New Zealand

C. Photographs from our wedding

D. Affidavit from X, witness to our marriage

E. Affidavit from Y, witness to our marriage

F. Excerpts from conference handbook <<<---this is where we met, evidence that USC was presenting a paper in NZ

G. Copy of passport stamps showing travel to NZ (Petitioner)

H. Copy of joint travel itinerary in USA (plane)

I. Copy of joint travel itinerary in USA (train)

J. Copy of passport stamps showing travel to USA (Beneficiary)

K. Copy of New Zealand 9-month visitors visa (Petitioner)

L. Copy of joint property lease for our house in New Zealand

M. Copy of joint bond lodgment receipt for our house in New Zealand

N. Copy of joint utility bills for our house in New Zealand

O. Copy of account details showing joint New Zealand bank accounts

[I & K 9]

My advice is add your skype record 5 or 10 pages should be enough add phone recods as much as possible add chat records too

[NikLR 13,232]

I don't think you need the handbook excerpts... I'm not sure how its proves you have an ongoing relationship? You probably also do not need a letter outlining your relationship either as that is what the other evidence is for. You have plenty of evidence showing you are co-mingling your lives which many people don't have as newly weds. I can't imagine NZ being a high fraud place either so you will not need the amount of evidence someone from other countries would need.

Otherwise it looks good to me. I don't think anyone is being expedited at this time. My hubs filed for us on Oct 15, NOA1 is Oct 17 but I know there are approvals from after us in both October and November that aren't expedited. It's a bit of a guessing game ATM.

[Roosha 51]

Filing from abroad is no longer auto expedited like it was before

Your evidence is more than enough, I'd send the petition in asap so that you can try to take advantage of maybe getting fast processing from NBC!

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

You have tons of evidence there. I'd bring the Sype stuff to interview, not send it with submission.

October should be ok if you file now and be sure everything is correct so no RFEs- if you want to be on the safe side, I'd give it a year, so maybe plan for an early 2014 wedding. Some cases still get expedited, others not, so yeah, it's all up in the air.

[N-o-l-a 7,168]

I haven't heard of any filers from abroad getting expedited since mid August, who knows if that will change, though?

You have more than enough evidence, certainly more than we submitted. I also agree that the Skype chats and logs are not really important, especially with a low fraud country.

[pushbrk 13,167]

Evidence of time spent together and how and how frequently you communicate are the two most important kinds of relationship evidence. Affidavits from people who attended a ceremony and/or party are not useful unless they attest to their observations about how your relationship has developed over time. If you've been living together abroad, that tends to carry the day.

[sophielas 2]

Hello,

Thank you for all the information and advice. It's all useful. I think I will save logs for the interview. Yes, I am fairly sure NZ is low-fraud, so that is at least a help for us.

Shame about no more expedite. I am really hoping we can get through before husband (USC) NZ visa expires next year! And have our October celebration in US. Loathe to push it back, as aging relatives are involved. We can but hope, I suppose.

Will submit I-130 as described this weekend, so hopefully arrives in the USA to greet USCIS staff after their holiday break.

Fingers crossed!