Filing I-130 fees from Canada, and (form I-864) of a none working petitioner

[Homer Simpson 7]

Hi. this is my first post, My wife is a US citizen and I am a Canadian, we live in Toronto, Canada and we've a 10 year old child. we are thinking about moving to live in the U S A, since all her family are there and I have (none) here

we have all the forms and the documents ready for mailing to Chicago L. Box.

I have 2 questions to start with for now.

First, about the Fees:

Today I went to western union to issue the $420 fee money order but was told that they don't issue checks in US$, they wire only. and since the I-130 form states that "the check or money order must be drawn on a bank or financial institution located in the U S A, and must be payable in US$."

please advice about the best way to issue the fees money order from Toronto, Canada.

Second, affidavit of support:

I am the only source of income here in Toronto since I have my own renovation business and my wife doesn't work, and this is the way its gonna be for us in the states once we move until my wife starts working there in a couple of months after moving. therefore she cant issue the affidavit of support (form I-864) in her name. Can my brother in law issue it instead.

thanks

Edited February 8, 2014 by Homer Simpson

[ManCharsey 254]

1. Regarding the fees, I would suggest if the option you're trying isn't working, make your brother in law do it for you. Perhaps send him the money and let him send you the check. Attach it to your application and mail it. It doesn't matter in whose name the check is, USCIS will accept it.

2. Yes, your brother in law can be your joint sponsor as long as he meets the requirements regarding the federal poverty limits.

[mtlguy 59]

I'm in the same boat as you. My wife is American & she's a permanent resident of Canada.

When we filed the I-130 we just got an international money order drawn on a US bank. I deal with BMO, and they can do it. so can all other Canadian banks.

As for the I-864, your brother in law can be your co-sponsor; or, you can use your assets in Canada in lieu of her income. What remains, is the fact that she needs to prove that she's willing to re-locate to the States and establish residency there.

Don't worry about the I-864 just yet. That's ll come after the I-130 is approved, which is taking about 9 months these days (US immigration is not as efficient as Canadian one)

[Ryan H 3,834]

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.

[Homer Simpson 7]

thanks to you guys, appreciate your advice and help. i think I'll take a trip across the border to Niagara falls USA and issue the money order from the western union at the 7/11. after all its just an hour trip from Toronto. also at the same time I can ask the U S border and customs about entering our household belongings and my truck when we finalize the immigration thing.

thanks again. and wish you all and your families best of luck

[NikLR 13,232]

You can move any and all of your things once the Canadian citizen has the visa. You also have up to 10 years to move your things duty free. We used a 14' uhaul (as a family of 3 with a full house of stuff you'd likely need something bigger.) Just write a manifest of whatever is moving with you (box 1 = books, box 2 = kitchen appliances etc...) or you have the option of having a moving company move your items and then there is a special form required by the CBP which is available on their website.

keep in mind the USC will have to still sign a completed I-864 and your joint sponsor will also sign a compeleted I-864. Also as a Canadian you can claim EI when you move. There is a Canadian forum with questions like this and the domicile issue which WILL come up for you two to look through.

[nightingalejules 678]

Since the USC is also living in Canada, can't she pretty much move the household stuff whenever she wants? In fact, moving the household stuff back to the states certainly shows that she's reestablishing domicile, which helps at the support stage. I don't think OP has to wait to move their stuff if he doesn't want to.

My hubby is planning on starting to move some of our heavier possessions (books, LP collection) slowly over the next few months, as long as I'm not traveling with him.

[Kate52 5]

FYI the Royal Bank of Canada has a new US account for all of us who regularly spend time across the border (traveling, shopping). You can fill out the application at any Royal Bank and the account is actually issued out of Atlanta Georgia (everything is mailed to your canadian address). They will issue you a US debit/visa card. You can transfer money from your canadian account to your us account online and the money is deposited instantly. You save a lot of money on fees. You get cheques and you can actually pay all your US bills from the online account (including USCIS). It's just really easy for us canadians. My family is in the US and I am still here in Canada and it's just been so much easier to get money to the US.

Do not mix up this account with the Cdn/US debit card (out of Canada). It is fairly new and we actually had to explain it to the account executive at our branch.

[NikLR 13,232]

Since the USC is also living in Canada, can't she pretty much move the household stuff whenever she wants? In fact, moving the household stuff back to the states certainly shows that she's reestablishing domicile, which helps at the support stage. I don't think OP has to wait to move their stuff if he doesn't want to.

My hubby is planning on starting to move some of our heavier possessions (books, LP collection) slowly over the next few months, as long as I'm not traveling with him.

You can try but people have had issues with this. Another lady on the board was moving some of her OWN possessions across the border in her car and was stopped and made to leave everything until she had proof they were her possessions. It's possible she had the issue because she wasn't a Canadian LPR but was just visiting and people who are visiting don't need boxes of things. Probably because the OP is a Canadian LPR she shouldn't have any issues moving anything but you still need a manifest to declare what you are taking. If they look at it or not is moot, you should have it. Also the point still stands, no matter what, you have up to 10 years to move your items. But you are correct that they probably don't have to wait for the Canadian citizen to have a visa, just the Canadian would have to wait to move THEIR things until then.

Edited February 11, 2014 by NLR

[Homer Simpson 7]

Hi. this is my first post, My wife is a US citizen and I am a Canadian, we live in Toronto, Canada and we've a 10 year old child. we are thinking about moving to live in the U S A, since all her family are there and I have (none) here

we have all the forms and the documents ready for mailing to Chicago L. Box.

I have 2 questions to start with for now.

First, about the Fees:

Today I went to western union to issue the $420 fee money order but was told that they don't issue checks in US$, they wire only. and since the I-130 form states that "the check or money order must be drawn on a bank or financial institution located in the U S A, and must be payable in US$."

please advice about the best way to issue the fees money order from Toronto, Canada.

Second, affidavit of support:

I am the only source of income here in Toronto since I have my own renovation business and my wife doesn't work, and this is the way its gonna be for us in the states once we move until my wife starts working there in a couple of months after moving. therefore she cant issue the affidavit of support (form I-864) in her name. Can my brother in law issue it instead.

thanks

[Homer Simpson 7]

OK!, here we go, yesterday I took trip across the border to Niagara Falls (USA) and issued a money order for $420 U$ from Rite Aid Pharmacy (western union) for 0.89 cents and enclosed it with the application. All were sent to Chicago L Box about 2 hours ago express.

lets set and wait!!

[NikLR 13,232]

That should work just fine. I think my husband didn't have checks at the time and got his done at a 7-11.

[Homer Simpson 7]

Just got the NOA1 email 45 minutes ago. Case accepted and forwarded to Nebraska centre. Provided with a case ID number to track case online.

[Boggy1974 124]

Now the wait begins (about 8 to 12months). But lets hope your moves quicker.

In the meantime, you read up on the next steps of the process to get yourself familiar with what docs you will. See up the to of the page. Good luck!