Need info to file for a CR-1 for my beautiful and loving Filipina wife

[David & Diana R 1,005]

I met the love of my life last May of 2013 and I went back to the state on July 14, 2013. I decided to go back and not waste any time. This is the one. I have never been married before. So, on Aug. 4 i went back to the Philippines to marry the love of my life. Now, we are both miserable not being with each other specialy, we were together for 40 days, day and night.. We got married on Aug. 22. I went back to the US on Sept 14th which is probably the worst day of my life. Now, I decided to seek help here. I want to file a I-130 visa soon. Please give me some input. Im 51 and she is 24. We truly love each other. Do you see any problem with the age difference? I am Filipino but have been living in the states since I was 15.I speak Tagalog (Philippines language) fluently. Please, give me any warnings or roadblocks that we might encounter. Also, Any past experiences that you might want to give me. I desperatly want to have my wife next to me once again soon

Jesse

Jesse, Congratulations! I am very happy for you. FYI: I am 56, my Filipina wife is 20. At time of interview in Manila I was with my wife was 19. The US Concular Officer asked me a really big question. She said, "So your oldest son is nearly twice the age of your new wife?" (MY oldest son is 34) I replied in the affirmitive. After a few tense seconds the CO looked up at my wife and said, "Congratulations maam, your VISA is approved." Now I have to say that I am not sure the result would have been the same had I not been present. IMHO it would be best for you to attend the interview with her. Some people on here might suggest that marrying and being present at the interview makes no difference but I would disagree, at least if the relationship is real it surely can't hurt.

One thing very important is the CFO class your wife will have to attend. They can be real fussy about things. They actually made my wife return a total of three times asking for more papers each time. Just have your wife complete this process before the interview...the earlier the better. Then when she completes the class she will have to return to the CFO to have a sticker affixed to her passport or she will not be allowed to leave the country, even with her visa in hand.

Good luck and I hope the two of you live happily ever after.

P.S. My beautiful Filipina wife is here with me in Hawaii for a little over two months. Last week we celebrated our first wedding anniversary. I never would have predicted these events in my life. I have to give GOD the credit because I would have never guessed that this would happen to me. Check out our videos on youtube. You can see the CEBU engagement surprise, the Lapu Lapu wedding and more. Just Search David Olsten on youtube.

GOD BLESS both of you,

David

Aloha Ke Akua

[David & Diana R 1,005]

How long do you think it will take to bring my wife here. I mean the whole process from filing to her receiving the visa. Thanks to everyone who responded. Thank you in advance for those who will answer my question.

Jesse

Jessee,

It took my wife and I eight months from initial filing to complete the process. If it had not been for VJ it would have taken much longer. If your wife does not have a passport yet have her get started on that right away. Darnell gives good advice...read the guides and follow the instructions to a T.

Aloha Ke Akua

[David & Diana R 1,005]

Sorry im new here whats a CO. since I dont live long enough in the philippines, I can not provide a document like apt or lease. I did live at her parents house for 40 days and i am sure i am able to get them to testify in paper that I lived in ther house for 40 days with their daughter. The bank account I dont have her in it but I have docs that I have been sending her money for support. I have tons of picture and I catogerized it as Pre wedding, Wedding and post Wedding. I heard 8-12 months on a CR-1 petition. I am in a process in gather all the necessary paper work. For I-130. can I send copies of everything

Jesse

You got married overseas. You can't really be expected to have your wifes name on a lease, insurance, etc... I did open a joint bank account at Bank Of Philippines in both of our names. Other than that is was marriage certificate, receipt for engagement/wedding ring set, plane tickets, passport, etc... follow the guides.

[slvrfx576 15]

Sorry im new here whats a CO. since I dont live long enough in the philippines, I can not provide a document like apt or lease. I did live at her parents house for 40 days and i am sure i am able to get them to testify in paper that I lived in ther house for 40 days with their daughter. The bank account I dont have her in it but I have docs that I have been sending her money for support. I have tons of picture and I catogerized it as Pre wedding, Wedding and post Wedding. I heard 8-12 months on a CR-1 petition. I am in a process in gather all the necessary paper work. For I-130. can I send copies of everything

Jesse

Don't worry about joint apartment leases and bank accounts at this time. That will come 2 years down the road, when you two have been together in the US, to apply to remove the conditions of your wife's green card. Right now, since you live in 2 separate countries such evidence is not expected.

I did stay with my wife at her mother's house for a month after we were married in Bulgaria. I just listed this as the last place where we lived together on one of the forms (sorry...I forget now which it was). But the point is that you don't need your wife's parents to testify to this fact.

My wife just went for her interview at the US Embassy in Sofia today (Yes, she was approved !) and they did ask about financial support that I had supplied to her. She presented statements from a bank account of mine which show withdrawals made in Bulgaria, and my actual debit card (in my name) which I had allowed her to use to make the withdrawals. They seemed to have been impressed by this (her opinion). So I think that it is good that you have documentation that you have sent her money. But this is something that will come later, at the interview, and need not be included in your I-130 filing, but keep good records for later use at the interview.

With the USCIS I-130 petition I included pictures like you have suggested doing...pre-wedding, wedding, and post wedding. I think it helps if your pictures have a date stamp and if they are taken with an easily recognizable landmark in the background. (like the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia or the Chicago skyline in our case) I submitted the pictures with the I-130 as part of the "bona fides of marriage" evidence. I used a computer photo application to print out the pictures, 4 or 5 to page, on plain computer paper, each photo labeled with who was in them, where taken, etc. No need to submit actual photos or on photo quality paper.

CO is the Consular Officer, the guy/gal who eventually decides to approve/deny your wife's visa application at the eventual interview at the US Consulate/Embassy.

Good Luck !

[jcalleja 4]

what is the primary evidence?

[David & Diana R 1,005]

what is the primary evidence?

Read the guides...all the answers are there.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

[AnF 0]

Hello,

Most of your questions have been answered but I just wanted to say that you guys can do it. As hard as it seems, try not to focus on being apart but focus on the future and the fact that you will be together after this process. Also, I believe you can visit your wife so use that to your advantage. Visiting will serve as evidence in the form of itineraries and it will give you a chance to be with her again for a short while. Good luck with beginning the process!!

Kind regards

[Darrell&AnA 2]

I met the love of my life last May of 2013 and I went back to the state on July 14, 2013. I decided to go back and not waste any time. This is the one. I have never been married before. So, on Aug. 4 i went back to the Philippines to marry the love of my life. Now, we are both miserable not being with each other specialy, we were together for 40 days, day and night.. We got married on Aug. 22. I went back to the US on Sept 14th which is probably the worst day of my life. Now, I decided to seek help here. I want to file a I-130 visa soon. Please give me some input. Im 51 and she is 24. We truly love each other. Do you see any problem with the age difference? I am Filipino but have been living in the states since I was 15.I speak Tagalog (Philippines language) fluently. Please, give me any warnings or roadblocks that we might encounter. Also, Any past experiences that you might want to give me. I desperatly want to have my wife next to me once again soon

Jesse

Jesse,

I understand so I am not giving you exactly what to do, but this is what I understand to be very useful.

First off Congratulation on the marriage. I wish you all the best in everything. Now the fun starts.

Since you will be filing a I-130 You need to get used to what is required with it. Find the following links useful.

*****Some of this information will be covering Manila, However, All of this information is useful and supportive to all that is filing the 130.*****

Step 1: If you are filing on your own ( must of us are, including myself, and Disclaimer I am not or do am I affiliated with any Lawyers, or Law firms. ) Learn the process in and out, and have your wife learn it too.

1. http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

2. http://www.visajourney.com/content/examples (K-3 & IR-1/CR-1 Visa Example Forms)

3. http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/IR1_and_CR1_Immigrant_Visas

4. http://www.visajourney.com/examples/NVC_Process_Flowchart_v1-2.pdf

Step 2: Proving its a real marriage

80-90% of everyone that marries with the righteous reason of love and happiness. However, there are still some out there that marries for the wrong reason. ( not saying this is your case) but when you understand this, The main job of the Interviewing officer and process is to catch FRAUD. It will make things a lot better and more Simple.

Three rules I been told and seem to be working out true.

1. Too Much Evidence is just enough

2. Just Enough is too little

3. Too little is not enough

You can break this down however you like.

Here are some parts you can include:

1. NSO Marriage Cert ( or your Spouse local legal registry)

2. Province Marriage Cert (legal with the witness Singture)

3. Paperwork to apply for the marriage Cert ( Process paper work and Pre-Marriage Classes)

4. Relationship Development: Passport Stamps, Airline Tickets (Both Trips) Letter Issued from US Emy Manila for marriage eligibility (One You paid US 50 for)

5. Affidavit from verifying the marriage ( From you and your Spouse)

6. Affidavit from witnesses to the relationship/marriage (parents, siblings, other relatives, close friends)

7. Joint bank account letter ( This will be Ideal to have, not everyone can get a joint one, if not, set up Money Transfers from bank to bank. These will connect the two)

8.Evidence of joint life and cohabitation: During the 40 Days you was married and living together, You should have some proof of this.

9. A lease agreement with both of your names on the lease: Since you lived with her parents, you should have them make a notarized letter with a lawyer.

10. Passed and Ongoing Communication: Social Media and Apps like Skype and everything

11. Future Plans of visiting and everything and Pictures.

For a more detail set up visit here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/272323009467474/doc/623700460996392/

Darrell

This is to help you get started and everything. Anyone can use this setup for their I-130. Much love to everyone and wishing ya all the best.

Edited October 4, 2013 by Darrell&AnA

[mounir412 101]

http://www.visajourn...tent/i130guide1

Best luck on your journey

[jcalleja 4]

What does the CO proof that we have a marriage out of love. What are the main documents that I need to bring to prove it/?

[Greg&Set 3]

yes its a printable record for Vonage. Should I send both printable records and my snapshot of the printable record I am just afraid that they might not take the printable and downloadable records because it can be altered by using Microsoft word

Hi Jesse. I read about your story. My brother was the beneficiary for CR-1 and it took them about 12 mos considering they already have children ( twin daughter, 2 years old ), also from the phils and california service center.

About vonage, try to check if it could give you a pdf file instead of excel. We are on K1 application and already had approval though I am using magic jack instead of vonage. (We used cordia before however Magic Jack plus is better since I do not have to open my PC or laptop to use it and its cheaper). Cordia and Magic Jack provides pdf files and excel for call logs so I was thinking probably vonage also offers the same. We included the magic jack call logs as one of iur conversation evidence. We made sure to include the subscription/payment information so this supplements the claim of conversing via magic jack in your case via vonage.

Edited October 4, 2013 by Greg&Set

[Darnell 8,478]

what is the primary evidence?

items 1,2,3 from the list of 6 types of evidence, in the I-130 instructions.

[jcalleja 4]

OMG I read someplace that now CR-1 for a Filipina wife takes 11-16 months is that true or Should I believe Rapid Visas time estimate of 6-7 month time to get the visa in hand

[canadian_wife 1,818]

No, you shouldn't

Plan on it being 8-12 months. Be joyful if it is sooner. You'll drive yourself crazy if you set expectations.

good luck

[Darnell 8,478]

OMG I read someplace that now CR-1 for a Filipina wife takes 11-16 months is that true or Should I believe Rapid Visas time estimate of 6-7 month time to get the visa in hand

Duration varies based on queues at the 5 major queue intake points. CURRENTLY (except for China paper-files) is about 11 months, trending to 13 months. This could change, as the Overland Park Service Center is 'turned on' and the 'people' there are 'trained'.

As to 'Rapid Visa' - no - no need to believe them. Instead, study Igor's List here at VJ, and make your own interpretation of the raw data.