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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Greece
Timeline
Posted

Hello!!!

We just got to the US a month ago.

I am on a CR1 and we already have started building evidence of a joint life, because we figured the sooner we do this the more we will have when it is time to adjust.

So far we have opened joint accounts and we have a house under both our names.

Eventually we will have a car to both our names.

We have also listed each other as emergency contacts and beneficiaries etc. He is listed as the stepfather at school for the boys and in all medical forms (i.e. allowed to take kids to doctor, receive medical info etc)

We will file taxes together of course and he is insuring the kids under his insurance.

We do NOT plan on a loan or a credit card. We do not believe in building debt with a bank.

Anything else we can start on right now to help build evidence?

Thanks for any help!!

Click "spoiler" below for a detailed account of our journey to a CR1 visa via DCF in Athens, Greece.

 

2011 - Met hubby online and became friends
Early 2013 - Confessed our love for each other * Late 2013 - I got pregnant with our daughter
2014 - Our baby was born in Athens, Greece and completed our family. We now have two boys and a girl!! 2013 - 2015 - Looking for jobs in Greece, none were available (due to socioeconomic crisis) 2015 - Decided only way to feed our family was to immigrate and started the process December 2015 - Got married (Greece has a LOT of red tape for foreigners marrying Greeks)
January 2016 - Finished gathering all documents and getting them translated
* * DCF in Athens, Greece * *

28th January 2016 - Finally filed I-130s
29th June - ISSUED!!!!!!1st July - Visa packages and passports delivered to DHL.4th July - Visas in hand! CU in two weeks USA!!
19th July- POE Detroit. All went well!! (excluding our screaming, jet lagged toddler!!)

 

After Arrival in the US

September 2016 - Hubby is diagnosed with congestive heart failure
October - February 2016 - Battle with drug use, overdosing, bringing home a tiny paycheck

March - July 2017 - I am working 80 hr weeks to make ends meet. Discovered hubby's affair. Still overdoses and is hospitalized. Has quit working all together.
July - October 2017 - Marriage counseling. Revealed hubby has "several" mental conditions. Is started on several mental meds.

October 2017 - Got accepted for a college course. Got better job to help raise my kids.

October 2017 - March 2018 - Situation at home is toxic. He files for divorce.

July 2018 - Divorce is final. I have full custody of our daughter.

 

ROC (GC expires July 19th 2018)

July 16th - Package for ROC is delivered to the CA service center (divorce waiver).

August 30th - NOA1 received with 18 month extension (fee waiver approved).

March 28th 2019 - Biometrics

August 8th 2019 - Case Approved No RFE No Interview - 10 year GC in production

N400 (Online - Detroit, MI office)
June 6th 2023 - Applied for naturalization under 5 year rule.
June 7th 2023 - Application received/Biometric will be reused.
June 16th - Interview scheduled.
July 27th - Upcoming interview.



**Our DCF journey to an IV took 5 months and 1 day from turning in the I-130 to getting "Issued"**


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Posted (edited)

As a new immigrant you do need to realize that loans and credit cards build your credit score.

I have a credit card and I pay it off every month. It's a good way to build your credit and not go into debt. ;)

But starting now is a good time to start your ROC collection. Sounds like you've started well.

I hope your husband is doing better and the kids intergrate into school alright. :)

Edited by NLR

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.  - Dr. Seuss

 

Posted (edited)

CR1 have to adjust? I didn't know this.....

Edited by Anitafeliz

:girlwerewolf2xn: Ana (L) Felix :wub:

K1 March Filer 2016

Interview Approved August 19, 2016

POE September 25, 2016

AOS November Filer 2016

DISCLAIMER: Please excuse my ABC & Gramm@r I am not an editor...

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Greece
Timeline
Posted

I meant remove conditions:)

Click "spoiler" below for a detailed account of our journey to a CR1 visa via DCF in Athens, Greece.

 

2011 - Met hubby online and became friends
Early 2013 - Confessed our love for each other * Late 2013 - I got pregnant with our daughter
2014 - Our baby was born in Athens, Greece and completed our family. We now have two boys and a girl!! 2013 - 2015 - Looking for jobs in Greece, none were available (due to socioeconomic crisis) 2015 - Decided only way to feed our family was to immigrate and started the process December 2015 - Got married (Greece has a LOT of red tape for foreigners marrying Greeks)
January 2016 - Finished gathering all documents and getting them translated
* * DCF in Athens, Greece * *

28th January 2016 - Finally filed I-130s
29th June - ISSUED!!!!!!1st July - Visa packages and passports delivered to DHL.4th July - Visas in hand! CU in two weeks USA!!
19th July- POE Detroit. All went well!! (excluding our screaming, jet lagged toddler!!)

 

After Arrival in the US

September 2016 - Hubby is diagnosed with congestive heart failure
October - February 2016 - Battle with drug use, overdosing, bringing home a tiny paycheck

March - July 2017 - I am working 80 hr weeks to make ends meet. Discovered hubby's affair. Still overdoses and is hospitalized. Has quit working all together.
July - October 2017 - Marriage counseling. Revealed hubby has "several" mental conditions. Is started on several mental meds.

October 2017 - Got accepted for a college course. Got better job to help raise my kids.

October 2017 - March 2018 - Situation at home is toxic. He files for divorce.

July 2018 - Divorce is final. I have full custody of our daughter.

 

ROC (GC expires July 19th 2018)

July 16th - Package for ROC is delivered to the CA service center (divorce waiver).

August 30th - NOA1 received with 18 month extension (fee waiver approved).

March 28th 2019 - Biometrics

August 8th 2019 - Case Approved No RFE No Interview - 10 year GC in production

N400 (Online - Detroit, MI office)
June 6th 2023 - Applied for naturalization under 5 year rule.
June 7th 2023 - Application received/Biometric will be reused.
June 16th - Interview scheduled.
July 27th - Upcoming interview.



**Our DCF journey to an IV took 5 months and 1 day from turning in the I-130 to getting "Issued"**


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Posted

No they have to remove conditions

:idea: ahhh ok thanks :yes:

:girlwerewolf2xn: Ana (L) Felix :wub:

K1 March Filer 2016

Interview Approved August 19, 2016

POE September 25, 2016

AOS November Filer 2016

DISCLAIMER: Please excuse my ABC & Gramm@r I am not an editor...

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Greece
Timeline
Posted

But isn't credit score used if you want to buy a home and such?

We already own a house.

They will not give a credit card to an unemployed immigrant and we do not believe in borrowing money. It is our life philosophy.

Will this hurt us? Do we have to have a credit score???

Click "spoiler" below for a detailed account of our journey to a CR1 visa via DCF in Athens, Greece.

 

2011 - Met hubby online and became friends
Early 2013 - Confessed our love for each other * Late 2013 - I got pregnant with our daughter
2014 - Our baby was born in Athens, Greece and completed our family. We now have two boys and a girl!! 2013 - 2015 - Looking for jobs in Greece, none were available (due to socioeconomic crisis) 2015 - Decided only way to feed our family was to immigrate and started the process December 2015 - Got married (Greece has a LOT of red tape for foreigners marrying Greeks)
January 2016 - Finished gathering all documents and getting them translated
* * DCF in Athens, Greece * *

28th January 2016 - Finally filed I-130s
29th June - ISSUED!!!!!!1st July - Visa packages and passports delivered to DHL.4th July - Visas in hand! CU in two weeks USA!!
19th July- POE Detroit. All went well!! (excluding our screaming, jet lagged toddler!!)

 

After Arrival in the US

September 2016 - Hubby is diagnosed with congestive heart failure
October - February 2016 - Battle with drug use, overdosing, bringing home a tiny paycheck

March - July 2017 - I am working 80 hr weeks to make ends meet. Discovered hubby's affair. Still overdoses and is hospitalized. Has quit working all together.
July - October 2017 - Marriage counseling. Revealed hubby has "several" mental conditions. Is started on several mental meds.

October 2017 - Got accepted for a college course. Got better job to help raise my kids.

October 2017 - March 2018 - Situation at home is toxic. He files for divorce.

July 2018 - Divorce is final. I have full custody of our daughter.

 

ROC (GC expires July 19th 2018)

July 16th - Package for ROC is delivered to the CA service center (divorce waiver).

August 30th - NOA1 received with 18 month extension (fee waiver approved).

March 28th 2019 - Biometrics

August 8th 2019 - Case Approved No RFE No Interview - 10 year GC in production

N400 (Online - Detroit, MI office)
June 6th 2023 - Applied for naturalization under 5 year rule.
June 7th 2023 - Application received/Biometric will be reused.
June 16th - Interview scheduled.
July 27th - Upcoming interview.



**Our DCF journey to an IV took 5 months and 1 day from turning in the I-130 to getting "Issued"**


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Posted

But isn't credit score used if you want to buy a home and such?

We already own a house.

They will not give a credit card to an unemployed immigrant and we do not believe in borrowing money. It is our life philosophy.

Will this hurt us? Do we have to have a credit score???

You don't HAVE to have a credit score but you never know when you might need it. Being able to borrow if your life depended on it is a good thing, I think.

You can only get a credit score by "using" credit. You can take out a credit card and then use it but pay off the balance each month, like NLR said. It is sort of gaming the system to get a credit score without going into debt. If you do it that way then you will not pay any interest either.

I think it is very important to do this. If you never use credit, then good for you. But to not be able to use it should something happen is not wise, imo.

AOS for my husband
8/17/10: INTERVIEW DAY (day 123) APPROVED!!

ROC:
5/23/12: Sent out package
2/06/13: APPROVED!

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Australia
Timeline
Posted

Save mail (not junk mail) that comes addressed to both of you - especially things like wedding invitations, party invitations, baby announcements, social events. If you go on a plane or train trip, save boarding passes (itineraries are not as good as the actual boarding passes). When you make hotel reservations, be sure BOTH of your names are on the reservation. If you rent a car, be sure BOTH your names are on the car rental (spouses are supposed to be added for free at most mainstream rental places). Save medical insurance statements (we get a "confirmation of coverage" every year).

Since you own a home, then you should have homeowner's insurance. Make sure BOTH names are listed. This is important not only from a CR1 perspective, but because if something terrible happens to the home, only the people listed on the policy are allowed to make claims. Don't get caught out here.

You don't specifically have "wills" on your list (not sure - you mention beneficiaries). Since there are children and assets (house/car) involved, you both need wills. And medical powers of attorney (Google "Terry Schiavo" to see why).

The pieces of information you are saving are proving that you live together and travel through life together, and have planned for when there might be an emergency. That contributes to a bona fide relationship.

I know you had quite a hard road to get here. Congratulations. Good luck in two years!

Sukie in NY

Spoiler

 

Spoiler

Our Prior Journey

N-400 Naturalization

18-Feb-2018 - submitted N-400 online, credit card charged

18-Feb-2018 - NOA1

12-Mar-2018 - Biometrics 

18-June-2018 - Notice of interview received

26-July-2018 - Interview  - APPROVED!!!

26-July-2018 - Oath Ceremony Scheduled

17-Aug-2018 - Oath Ceremony

 

 

Posted (edited)

I agree with Harpa on the credit issue.

Sukie has also provided some great evidence that you should get done asap. Mostly because you never know what you need in life, and as with credit, it's better to have than have not.

Edited by NLR

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.  - Dr. Seuss

 

Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Morocco
Timeline
Posted

Hubby and I only have one credit card, but my parents have like 15 and they don't even carry debt. Every car has a purpose (airline rewards card, gas rewards car, hotel rewards card, cash back rewards card) and they use they then like cash that gives them some extra perks.

As advice from someone going through it now, if you used the IRS website to print tax transcripts during visa/AOS, make VERY careful notes on your login info. I could not for the life of me figure out how to log back in at ROC and eventually had to send my package with just the return and W2s.

Also, if both of you for some reason go a tax year without any income, you can and should still file taxes (I didn't know this and now we have a year with no joint taxes ?).

9/2011: Met in Morocco

12/2011: Trip to Europe together

1/2012: My trip to his hometown

11/2012: His first trip to USA

1/2014: His second trip to USA

3/2014: Married

Adjusting from a B visa

6/25/2014: Sent AOS package (I-130, I-485, I-765, I-131)

6/28/2014: Package received at Chicago Lockbox

7/2/2014: Text and email notifications

7/2/2014: Checks cashed

7/8/2014: Hard copy NOAs received

7/25/2014: Biometrics appointment

7/25/2014: RFE for foreign birth certificate

7/26/2014: RFE responded to

7/30/2014: RFE response received

8/14/2014: Status changed to "Testing and Interview"

8/29/2014: EAD and AP card production ordered

9/10/2014: EAD and AP card received

9/27/2014: Interview letter received

9/29/2014: SS card applied for

10/4/2014: SS card received

10/28/2014: Interview - approved pending final background check; online status updated that night

11/1/2014: Welcome letter

11/4/2014: GC in hand

ROC

8/13/2016: Sent I-751 Package

8/15/2016: Package received at CSC

8/17/2016: Check cashed

8/19/2016: NOA1

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Greece
Timeline
Posted

Thanks guys for the great tips!!!
The will thing I hadn't thought of, I will look into it!!

Click "spoiler" below for a detailed account of our journey to a CR1 visa via DCF in Athens, Greece.

 

2011 - Met hubby online and became friends
Early 2013 - Confessed our love for each other * Late 2013 - I got pregnant with our daughter
2014 - Our baby was born in Athens, Greece and completed our family. We now have two boys and a girl!! 2013 - 2015 - Looking for jobs in Greece, none were available (due to socioeconomic crisis) 2015 - Decided only way to feed our family was to immigrate and started the process December 2015 - Got married (Greece has a LOT of red tape for foreigners marrying Greeks)
January 2016 - Finished gathering all documents and getting them translated
* * DCF in Athens, Greece * *

28th January 2016 - Finally filed I-130s
29th June - ISSUED!!!!!!1st July - Visa packages and passports delivered to DHL.4th July - Visas in hand! CU in two weeks USA!!
19th July- POE Detroit. All went well!! (excluding our screaming, jet lagged toddler!!)

 

After Arrival in the US

September 2016 - Hubby is diagnosed with congestive heart failure
October - February 2016 - Battle with drug use, overdosing, bringing home a tiny paycheck

March - July 2017 - I am working 80 hr weeks to make ends meet. Discovered hubby's affair. Still overdoses and is hospitalized. Has quit working all together.
July - October 2017 - Marriage counseling. Revealed hubby has "several" mental conditions. Is started on several mental meds.

October 2017 - Got accepted for a college course. Got better job to help raise my kids.

October 2017 - March 2018 - Situation at home is toxic. He files for divorce.

July 2018 - Divorce is final. I have full custody of our daughter.

 

ROC (GC expires July 19th 2018)

July 16th - Package for ROC is delivered to the CA service center (divorce waiver).

August 30th - NOA1 received with 18 month extension (fee waiver approved).

March 28th 2019 - Biometrics

August 8th 2019 - Case Approved No RFE No Interview - 10 year GC in production

N400 (Online - Detroit, MI office)
June 6th 2023 - Applied for naturalization under 5 year rule.
June 7th 2023 - Application received/Biometric will be reused.
June 16th - Interview scheduled.
July 27th - Upcoming interview.



**Our DCF journey to an IV took 5 months and 1 day from turning in the I-130 to getting "Issued"**


.
event.png

event.png
 
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Denmark
Timeline
Posted

You don't HAVE to have a credit score but you never know when you might need it. Being able to borrow if your life depended on it is a good thing, I think.

You can only get a credit score by "using" credit. You can take out a credit card and then use it but pay off the balance each month, like NLR said. It is sort of gaming the system to get a credit score without going into debt. If you do it that way then you will not pay any interest either.

I think it is very important to do this. If you never use credit, then good for you. But to not be able to use it should something happen is not wise, imo.

This. We don't carry a debt on any of our credit cards and I have a score of 820 or 830. I don't have a use for it now, but if something were to come up and we needed to borrow money or an employer were to check it, then it looks positive.

My immigrant husband opened a secured card in his name to start his credit report and then after that was able to piggy back on some of our joint accounts and now also has a very good score.

3/2/18  E-filed N-400 under 5 year rule

3/26/18 Biometrics

7/2019-12/2019 (Yes, 16- 21 months) Estimated time to interview MSP office.

 

Posted

But isn't credit score used if you want to buy a home and such?

We already own a house.

They will not give a credit card to an unemployed immigrant and we do not believe in borrowing money. It is our life philosophy.

Will this hurt us? Do we have to have a credit score???

Credit score is a necessary evil.

Get a secured card at the very least and pay it off every month.

25 January 2010: Concurrent filing of I-130, I-485, EAD and AP - sent via UPS overnight delivery to Chicago Lockbox

26 January 2010: Received by receptionist CHIBA at 8:30 AM/Received date on NOA

02 February 2010: Checked cashed/Notice date

05 February 2010: Received NOA's for I-130,I-485,I-131,I-130

13 February 2010: Received ASC Appointment Notice for Biometrics.

17 February 2010: Date of RFE for Federal Tax 1040/Received Text & Email confirmation

19 February 2010: Received RFE in mail

22 February 2010: Mailed Response to RFE via USPS Express mail

24 February 2010: Package delivered and received at Lee's Summit office

26 February 2010: Biometrics DONE/RFE Received-case processing resumed

17 March 2010: Email approval notifications - EAD & AP.

22 March 2010: Received AP by mail. Received interview schedule notice for 22 April.

22 April 2010: Greencard Approved :)

Removal of Conditions

24 January 2012: Sent I-751 petition via USPS Overnight

25 January 2012: Delivered at CSC, Receipt Date NOA1

27 January 2012: Checked cashed

30 January 2012: Received NOA in mail.

06 February 2012: Received Biometrics notice (dated 03 Feb)

02 March 2012: Biometrics appointment.

 
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