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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

Hello,

We have been trying to find some information about similar cases to ours and haven't been able to find too much. I'm the petitioner USC and my wife is from Canada. We both currently live and work in Canada. We sent in our I-130 on January 6th and already have an approval on it, as of yesterday January 26th. We know that things will now be forwarded to the NVC and all that but it seems everything we find is for the petitioner living in the US and the spouse being out of country. Looking at some of the forms and what they are asking for is worrying us a bit as I don't live in the US. I can provide docs such as US tax returns, since I still had to file those even being out of country and we can show proof of support as well from what we have saved. Do we still follow the same exact process even though we are both outside of the US?

Anyway, we are just trying to get prepared for the NVC portion of things and are confused as to some stuff we are seeing, any info would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

P.S. I'm also worried about the DS-260, no idea how I'm going to find some of my old addresses and the dates that correspond with them lol...

June 22: CR-1 Interview at Montreal Consulate = Approved

July 6: E-mailed Consulate as status has been 'Ready" since Interview with same date

July 7: Case Status as "Ready" and Date Updated

July 13: E-mailed, no update again

July 13: Case Status as "Ready" and Date Updated

July 24: E-mailed again, no update

July 24: Case Status as "Ready" and Date Updated

July 27: Date Updates by itself still "Ready"

July 28: Get Email from Montreal US Consulate requesting to go back and redo fingerprints

July 28: Drive halfway to Montreal

July 29: Get to Montreal

July 30 (8am): Redo fingerprints, consular officer apologizes for having us comeback for fingerprints, issues us the Visa on the spot

July 30 (3pm): VISA in HAND!

August 3: Florida move!

Posted (edited)

It seems that you've read over the NVC process wiki, so instead I'll link you to the Montreal process, as it had some helpful info in it that will pertain to you if you've filed for a IR1/CR1. http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_for_Montreal_Beneficiaries_%E2%80%93_Electronic_Processing_and_New_Online_Forms

Filing from abroad is not necessarily an issue, you'll just have to show proof of US domicile in the AOS package. The process is the same unless you've done direct consular filing (DCF), which you have not. This link talks about it (scroll down to Domicile): http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/immigrant-process/documents/support/i-864-series-forms-faqs.html

Some other ways people provide proof are maintaining voter registration card, US bank accounts, home/residence you'll be living at, cars owned by you (even if in the care of someone else), memberships in the US, etc.

What you'll mainly need is in that link above, from the NVC website.

Also, the DS-260 is the beneficiary/immigrant's application at NVC. There isn't a whole lot of info about you on it, it's going to be all of your wife's past addresses and jobs, among lots of other things haha. :star:

Edited by TwoChickies
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03-13-2017: sent I-751 via USPS to Vermont Service Center, 156 pages in total 
03-14-2017: I-751 arrived and signed for

03-23-2017: NOA1 received, dated 03-16-2017

04-07-2017: biometrics appointment letter received 
04-18-2017: biometrics appointment 

02-05-2018: I-751 approval received!, dated 02-01-2018

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted
  On 1/28/2015 at 2:05 AM, TwoChickies said:

It seems that you've read over the NVC process wiki, so instead I'll link you to the Montreal process, as it had some helpful info in it that will pertain to you if you've filed for a IR1/CR1. http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_for_Montreal_Beneficiaries_%E2%80%93_Electronic_Processing_and_New_Online_Forms

Filing from abroad is not necessarily an issue, you'll just have to show proof of US domicile in the AOS package. The process is the same unless you've done direct consular filing (DCF), which you have not. This link talks about it (scroll down to Domicile): http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/immigrant-process/documents/support/i-864-series-forms-faqs.html

Some other ways people provide proof are maintaining voter registration card, US bank accounts, home/residence you'll be living at, cars owned by you (even if in the care of someone else), memberships in the US, etc.

What you'll mainly need is in that link above, from the NVC website.

Also, the DS-260 is the beneficiary/immigrant's application at NVC. There isn't a whole lot of info about you on it, it's going to be all of your wife's past addresses and jobs, among lots of other things haha. :star:

This is great, thanks for the links! If only Canada still had DCF, that would have been so much easier as you know lol. The domicile thing should be easy, we live in a border town and even though I live and work in Canada I still have many ties to the US in various forms that would qualify. I guess that's the biggest thing for us is the domicile thing. Thanks for helping, everything else seems pretty straight forward, we just weren't sure as most of everything talks about the petitioner being in the US and the spouse being outside.

It's funny when we were putting together our I130 packet we thought we were overdoing it, but I guess it paid off as it was approved in less than 3 weeks. Now onto the next part!

June 22: CR-1 Interview at Montreal Consulate = Approved

July 6: E-mailed Consulate as status has been 'Ready" since Interview with same date

July 7: Case Status as "Ready" and Date Updated

July 13: E-mailed, no update again

July 13: Case Status as "Ready" and Date Updated

July 24: E-mailed again, no update

July 24: Case Status as "Ready" and Date Updated

July 27: Date Updates by itself still "Ready"

July 28: Get Email from Montreal US Consulate requesting to go back and redo fingerprints

July 28: Drive halfway to Montreal

July 29: Get to Montreal

July 30 (8am): Redo fingerprints, consular officer apologizes for having us comeback for fingerprints, issues us the Visa on the spot

July 30 (3pm): VISA in HAND!

August 3: Florida move!

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted
  On 1/28/2015 at 2:33 AM, Shanelle said:

I too am dreading the 260 as I've lived in many places since I was 16 years old, oy vey!! Oh well, it's worth the stress and headache, but this immigration journey sure isn't for the faint-hearted, weak-kneed, or unorganized peeps!!

Yeah, I think the hardest part is the waiting. We were looking at the processing times and were dreading them! Hopefully things go quick and smooth for us, and for you as well!

June 22: CR-1 Interview at Montreal Consulate = Approved

July 6: E-mailed Consulate as status has been 'Ready" since Interview with same date

July 7: Case Status as "Ready" and Date Updated

July 13: E-mailed, no update again

July 13: Case Status as "Ready" and Date Updated

July 24: E-mailed again, no update

July 24: Case Status as "Ready" and Date Updated

July 27: Date Updates by itself still "Ready"

July 28: Get Email from Montreal US Consulate requesting to go back and redo fingerprints

July 28: Drive halfway to Montreal

July 29: Get to Montreal

July 30 (8am): Redo fingerprints, consular officer apologizes for having us comeback for fingerprints, issues us the Visa on the spot

July 30 (3pm): VISA in HAND!

August 3: Florida move!

  • 4 weeks later...
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted
  On 1/28/2015 at 2:05 AM, TwoChickies said:

It seems that you've read over the NVC process wiki, so instead I'll link you to the Montreal process, as it had some helpful info in it that will pertain to you if you've filed for a IR1/CR1. http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_for_Montreal_Beneficiaries_%E2%80%93_Electronic_Processing_and_New_Online_Forms

Filing from abroad is not necessarily an issue, you'll just have to show proof of US domicile in the AOS package. The process is the same unless you've done direct consular filing (DCF), which you have not. This link talks about it (scroll down to Domicile): http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/immigrant-process/documents/support/i-864-series-forms-faqs.html

Some other ways people provide proof are maintaining voter registration card, US bank accounts, home/residence you'll be living at, cars owned by you (even if in the care of someone else), memberships in the US, etc.

What you'll mainly need is in that link above, from the NVC website.

Also, the DS-260 is the beneficiary/immigrant's application at NVC. There isn't a whole lot of info about you on it, it's going to be all of your wife's past addresses and jobs, among lots of other things haha. :star:

One thing my wife and I have been trying to figure out and we were hoping you or someone else would have advice for this...For the assignment of Agent, we are supposed to list a US Address. I'm the USC and the agent in this case, however we both live and work in Canada. What should we do for that? Since we are living in a border town I still do have a US Address but it's a PO Box so I doubt that is what they are looking for...

Thanks!

June 22: CR-1 Interview at Montreal Consulate = Approved

July 6: E-mailed Consulate as status has been 'Ready" since Interview with same date

July 7: Case Status as "Ready" and Date Updated

July 13: E-mailed, no update again

July 13: Case Status as "Ready" and Date Updated

July 24: E-mailed again, no update

July 24: Case Status as "Ready" and Date Updated

July 27: Date Updates by itself still "Ready"

July 28: Get Email from Montreal US Consulate requesting to go back and redo fingerprints

July 28: Drive halfway to Montreal

July 29: Get to Montreal

July 30 (8am): Redo fingerprints, consular officer apologizes for having us comeback for fingerprints, issues us the Visa on the spot

July 30 (3pm): VISA in HAND!

August 3: Florida move!

Posted

I've seen some people say they didn't even choose an agent, so I'm wondering if the PO box would actually be just fine.

NVC corresponds through email and sends things to the beneficiary, if at all. So nothing should be sent to the address.

Where are you two planning to live? Ideally you could use that address.

  Reveal hidden contents


03-13-2017: sent I-751 via USPS to Vermont Service Center, 156 pages in total 
03-14-2017: I-751 arrived and signed for

03-23-2017: NOA1 received, dated 03-16-2017

04-07-2017: biometrics appointment letter received 
04-18-2017: biometrics appointment 

02-05-2018: I-751 approval received!, dated 02-01-2018

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted
  On 2/25/2015 at 4:05 AM, TwoChickies said:

I've seen some people say they didn't even choose an agent, so I'm wondering if the PO box would actually be just fine.

NVC corresponds through email and sends things to the beneficiary, if at all. So nothing should be sent to the address.

Where are you two planning to live? Ideally you could use that address.

We will be moving to Florida, so no where close to us now lol...People haven't chosen an agent? Interesting, didn't think that was possible...

June 22: CR-1 Interview at Montreal Consulate = Approved

July 6: E-mailed Consulate as status has been 'Ready" since Interview with same date

July 7: Case Status as "Ready" and Date Updated

July 13: E-mailed, no update again

July 13: Case Status as "Ready" and Date Updated

July 24: E-mailed again, no update

July 24: Case Status as "Ready" and Date Updated

July 27: Date Updates by itself still "Ready"

July 28: Get Email from Montreal US Consulate requesting to go back and redo fingerprints

July 28: Drive halfway to Montreal

July 29: Get to Montreal

July 30 (8am): Redo fingerprints, consular officer apologizes for having us comeback for fingerprints, issues us the Visa on the spot

July 30 (3pm): VISA in HAND!

August 3: Florida move!

Posted

I didn't think so either, and I certainly wouldn't advise it personally, but I've seen people lately saying that it really is only necessary if you have a lawyer. Both the petitioner and beneficiary are able to call and ask about the case no matter what anyway. Seems odd to me though.

Hopefully someone else can tell you definitively if the PO box is fine or not. I would assume it is, but wouldn't want you to act on my word alone. :)

  Reveal hidden contents


03-13-2017: sent I-751 via USPS to Vermont Service Center, 156 pages in total 
03-14-2017: I-751 arrived and signed for

03-23-2017: NOA1 received, dated 03-16-2017

04-07-2017: biometrics appointment letter received 
04-18-2017: biometrics appointment 

02-05-2018: I-751 approval received!, dated 02-01-2018

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

Thanks for the reply and that info, i ended up making another thread on the IR1/CR1 main forum here with a question about the Affadavit of support as well.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/538215-a-couple-nvc-related-questions/

All of the info on this site is great but in situations like ours, both outside the U.S., it seems there is a lot of conflicting info or no info. Definitely thanks for your responses so far though :)

June 22: CR-1 Interview at Montreal Consulate = Approved

July 6: E-mailed Consulate as status has been 'Ready" since Interview with same date

July 7: Case Status as "Ready" and Date Updated

July 13: E-mailed, no update again

July 13: Case Status as "Ready" and Date Updated

July 24: E-mailed again, no update

July 24: Case Status as "Ready" and Date Updated

July 27: Date Updates by itself still "Ready"

July 28: Get Email from Montreal US Consulate requesting to go back and redo fingerprints

July 28: Drive halfway to Montreal

July 29: Get to Montreal

July 30 (8am): Redo fingerprints, consular officer apologizes for having us comeback for fingerprints, issues us the Visa on the spot

July 30 (3pm): VISA in HAND!

August 3: Florida move!

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Spain
Timeline
Posted

Hi,

My spouse and I are also both out of the country and filing for a spouse visa. I've started a blog on our process, https://spousevisausa.wordpress.com, which you may find helpful. It has really detailed step-by-step information.

For my proof of U.S. domicile, I provided a letter which included:

Copies of Federal Income Tax Returns for the past 3 years, confirming that I had filed for U.S. taxes;

A letter from my hometown’s Town Clerk’s Office confirming that I continue to vote in state and federal elections, and;

A letter from my local U.S. bank confirming that I have maintained an active account with them since [given year].

That was it!

In regards to the agent, we chose my dad. The only benefit to having a US-based agent (that I've found) was that the NVC called him to tell him our papers had been approved 3 days before they sent us the email. As previous posts have said, I'm pretty sure you don't have to have an agent. You may want to call the NVC to confirm.

Also, regarding your AoS, as long as you've filed taxes in the US for the past 3 years, which it sounds like you have, you won't have any problems. Just a heads up- one of questions on AoS, Part 6, Item 13 will ask for “My total income (adjusted gross income on IRS Form 1040EZ) as reported on my Federal tax returns for the most recent 3 years…”. To answer this question, use Line 22 on Form 1040 which states “Combine the amounts in the far right column for lines 7 through 21. This is your total income“. As I haven’t worked in the US in the last 3 years, line 22 was “0” for me. It may seem a bit scary putting "0" on the total income question but if your income is 100% foreign-earned, that's what you need to do!

I hope that's been helpful. Good luck!

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted
  On 2/25/2015 at 11:57 PM, spousevisaUSA said:

Hi,

My spouse and I are also both out of the country and filing for a spouse visa. I've started a blog on our process, https://spousevisausa.wordpress.com, which you may find helpful. It has really detailed step-by-step information.

For my proof of U.S. domicile, I provided a letter which included:

Copies of Federal Income Tax Returns for the past 3 years, confirming that I had filed for U.S. taxes;

A letter from my hometown’s Town Clerk’s Office confirming that I continue to vote in state and federal elections, and;

A letter from my local U.S. bank confirming that I have maintained an active account with them since [given year].

That was it!

In regards to the agent, we chose my dad. The only benefit to having a US-based agent (that I've found) was that the NVC called him to tell him our papers had been approved 3 days before they sent us the email. As previous posts have said, I'm pretty sure you don't have to have an agent. You may want to call the NVC to confirm.

Also, regarding your AoS, as long as you've filed taxes in the US for the past 3 years, which it sounds like you have, you won't have any problems. Just a heads up- one of questions on AoS, Part 6, Item 13 will ask for “My total income (adjusted gross income on IRS Form 1040EZ) as reported on my Federal tax returns for the most recent 3 years…”. To answer this question, use Line 22 on Form 1040 which states “Combine the amounts in the far right column for lines 7 through 21. This is your total income“. As I haven’t worked in the US in the last 3 years, line 22 was “0” for me. It may seem a bit scary putting "0" on the total income question but if your income is 100% foreign-earned, that's what you need to do!

I hope that's been helpful. Good luck!

Oh wow this is great! This is exactly what we've been trying to find, thanks a lot for replying and linking your blog, there is a lot of great info on there. We can definitely provide those things for domicile and AoS. I'm assuming you didn't use a joint sponser for the AoS and just used your tax returns? Did you also include copies of your bank accounts?

June 22: CR-1 Interview at Montreal Consulate = Approved

July 6: E-mailed Consulate as status has been 'Ready" since Interview with same date

July 7: Case Status as "Ready" and Date Updated

July 13: E-mailed, no update again

July 13: Case Status as "Ready" and Date Updated

July 24: E-mailed again, no update

July 24: Case Status as "Ready" and Date Updated

July 27: Date Updates by itself still "Ready"

July 28: Get Email from Montreal US Consulate requesting to go back and redo fingerprints

July 28: Drive halfway to Montreal

July 29: Get to Montreal

July 30 (8am): Redo fingerprints, consular officer apologizes for having us comeback for fingerprints, issues us the Visa on the spot

July 30 (3pm): VISA in HAND!

August 3: Florida move!

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Spain
Timeline
Posted

Hi,

Glad you found the blog helpful!

I'm assuming you didn't use a joint sponser for the AoS and just used your tax returns? Did you also include copies of your bank accounts?

I didn't need to use a joint sponsor, as my tax returns for 2011-2013 showed that my income was above the poverty line. I also didn't provide copies of bank accounts (mostly because they're in Spanish and I didn't want to get them translated!... even though it turns out I would have had to anyways). What I did provide was pay slips for the last 6 months. Since one of the questions on the AoS asks you for your projected income for the current year (in my case 2014), I used the 6 pay slips as evidence of my 2014 income.

Hope that helps!

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

We haven't done the AoS yet we are still trying to get our case number from NVC so I'm trying to get as much ready as possible. Yesterday was 30 days from our I130 approval and the NVC says they still haven't received our packet from USCIS so I'm getting anxious lol.

I'm going to end up sending the tax returns, since I haven't filed my 2014 taxes yet I'm going to send my 2014 earnings as well, I like your idea about the pay stubs so I will send some of those and I'm going to do the bank accounts. Now that I think of it we included bank documents with our i130 packet to show we held joint accounts and live together, but I'm going to resend them and include my US bank account this time.

We went overboard on proof documents in the I130, sent tons of pictures of us on various trips, wedding pics or just things we did together and we got that approved in less than 3 weeks so I'm going to stick to that mantra lol

June 22: CR-1 Interview at Montreal Consulate = Approved

July 6: E-mailed Consulate as status has been 'Ready" since Interview with same date

July 7: Case Status as "Ready" and Date Updated

July 13: E-mailed, no update again

July 13: Case Status as "Ready" and Date Updated

July 24: E-mailed again, no update

July 24: Case Status as "Ready" and Date Updated

July 27: Date Updates by itself still "Ready"

July 28: Get Email from Montreal US Consulate requesting to go back and redo fingerprints

July 28: Drive halfway to Montreal

July 29: Get to Montreal

July 30 (8am): Redo fingerprints, consular officer apologizes for having us comeback for fingerprints, issues us the Visa on the spot

July 30 (3pm): VISA in HAND!

August 3: Florida move!

 
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