Procedure for spouse visa

[atastar 0]

Hi,
My F-1/OPT visa expired on September 7, 2013. I am still in the US because I was reassured by a few immigration lawyers that I have a 60-days grace period from September 7 to leave the country, hence I am utilizing the grace period to stay on.

My fiancee/wife, a US citizen, and I were legally married last week and we are in the process of filing the I-130 and I-485 on our own.

1) Should we file for the I-130 and I-485 together, or do we have to file the I-130 first and wait for this to be approved before submitting the I-485?

2) Bona fide marriage - I moved in with my wife beginning of the year and we have lived together since, but all the utility bills are under her name and the she owns the apartment. We do not have joint bank accounts or car/insurance policies. We do have plenty of emails exchanges over the year, phone conversations on bill payment, text messages on the cell phone, photos of trips/dinner/parties together, and marriage photos with family, engagement ring for her and wedding band for me (receipts). Will these suffice?

3) Is the average wait time for the approved green card 5-6 months from filing/receipt of our application? Are there other forms besides I-130, I-485, I-765, I-131?

4) I have to apply for work permit and advance parole/travel abroad (I-765, I-131) immediately. What is the wait time to get these visas approved while my adjustment of status remains pending?

Can you help confirm that we are following the right procedure?

Thanks.

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Duplicate posting removed~

[atastar 0]

I'm sorry for the duplicate post. Can you please answer the following?

1) DOCUMENTS SUFFICE? Bona fide marriage - I moved in with my wife beginning of the year and we have lived together since, but all the utility bills are under her name and the she owns the apartment. We do not have joint bank accounts or car/insurance policies. We do have plenty of emails exchanges over the year, phone conversations on bill payment, text messages on the cell phone, photos of trips/dinner/parties together, and marriage photos with family, engagement ring for her and wedding band for me (receipts).

2) We hope to travel abroad to see my parents for Christmas. Can I request expedite for the advance parole by December, while my I-130 and I-485 are still pending?

Thanks.

[Ryan H 3,819]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Adjustment of Status from Work, Student, & Tourist Visas forum; OP has filed to adjust status, not for a visa.

[Penguin_ie 5,995]

First of all, you are adjusting status, not filing for a spousal visa (visas are used to enter countries). Our Guide here should give you most of your answers: http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2

So you have no co-mingling of assets at all? That is a bit odd for the USA. At the very least, you shopuld get on her bank accounts, be listed a snext-of-kin on her life insurance at work etc.

December is cutting it close, for AP, but it's possible if you file now.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

They understand newlyweds don't have too much evidence of financial co-mingling yet. Read the guide and come back with questions. There are more forms than the ones you list.

Edited September 20, 2013 by Harpa Timsah