Filing the petition .. I-130

[Alyssamarini 0]

I’m currently starting the I-130 form for my husband. I am currently abroad living with him , and I don’t know why but I am SOOOO nervous about filling out this form wrong or not to their standards. I read the instructions at least 20 times already. I wanted to get a lawyer but we don’t have the money and I know it’s not necessary.

 

one question I have is do I send photos / screenshots now with the petition or is this something i do later ?

 

should I get letters from people ? Do they have to be notarized ? None of his family speaks English !

 

also since I’m staying in his country right now I don’t have a permit or anything .. I can stay here for one year without that ! Should I still try to get a lease or letter from the landlord showing that I’ve been here ?

 

since I am in his country now a lot of people are only able to give him help because they’re not really familiar with my side of it ! 😔 and a lot of people I know in America only know how to file from America so I feel stuck ! 

 

Any advice , or tips that I can use to help me feel calm and confident !!?

 

Thank you in advance.

[geowrian 22,338]

Yes, you can send the screenshots and photos now. It's not strictly required, but may help the case especially at the embassy stage if the CO reads the file first.

 

Affidavits can be included, but carry very little to no weight, really. If you have them, stick them in. If not, I wouldn't go seeking them out (unless maybe if you had very little other relationship evidence).

 

Showing that you live together is good...a lease may help as evidence of living with her.

That said, what country is this? Some countries allow DCF, which will drastically sped up the process (i.e. a few months versus the typical 12-14+ months).

Also, you will need to have US domicile - OR show sufficient evidence of intent to establish US domicile - before the visa can be issued.

 

You will need to fill out an I-864 to show that you can support the intending immigrant after the I-130 is approved. Income must be from a source that will continue after returning to the US. You must also have filed the past 3 years of US tax returns (or provide a reason as to why you were not required to file them...since USCs are taxed on worldwide income).

If you don't meet the requirements to sponsor, you can have a joint sponsor also fill out an I-864. The joint sponsor must be a USC or LPR living in the US.

[Alyssamarini 0]

He is from Albania. And I have an address that we will go back to but it’s different from the legal address I currently have in America. 

[geowrian 22,338]

16 minutes ago, alyssaam95 said:

He is from Albania. And I have an address that we will go back to but it’s different from the legal address I currently have in America. 

Thanks.

DCF is not available for Albania, unfortunately.

When it comes time to show domicile, that housing can be shown as part of the evidence in conjunction with whatever other domicile evidence you have.

[Ryan H 3,834]

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.

[NikLR 13,232]

11 hours ago, alyssaam95 said:

I’m currently starting the I-130 form for my husband. I am currently abroad living with him , and I don’t know why but I am SOOOO nervous about filling out this form wrong or not to their standards. I read the instructions at least 20 times already. I wanted to get a lawyer but we don’t have the money and I know it’s not necessary.

 

1) one question I have is do I send photos / screenshots now with the petition or is this something i do later ?

 

2) should I get letters from people ? Do they have to be notarized ? None of his family speaks English !

 

3) also since I’m staying in his country right now I don’t have a permit or anything .. I can stay here for one year without that ! Should I still try to get a lease or letter from the landlord showing that I’ve been here ?

 

4) since I am in his country now a lot of people are only able to give him help because they’re not really familiar with my side of it ! 😔 and a lot of people I know in America only know how to file from America so I feel stuck ! 

 

Any advice , or tips that I can use to help me feel calm and confident !!?

 

Thank you in advance.

1) Yes send relationship evidence with the I-130

 

2) it's not necessary to include statements, affidavits, or letters from people.  They're weak evidence.  If you do get them, it's your choice to have them notarized or not.  If his family does not speak english you'd have to have them translated, which makes it kinda pointless. 

 

3) It would be a good idea to show that you currently live together.

 

4) The process is the same for filing abroad when there is no DCF available as it is for filing from the USA.  

[NikLR 13,232]

Don't worry about the I-864 until after you've sent the I-130 IMHO.  Once that is out the door, look at sponsorship and domicile so that you are prepared for that in about 6-8 months.  If that means you may need to move back to the USA to be able to sponsor your husband because you don't have a joint sponsor, then you'll want to be prepared for that.