CR-1 Spouse Visa Process if couples never been apart and in the same country

[Chris and Jenn 20]

Good day everyone,

 

I am a newbee here and looking for information for future use.My fiancee and I is set to get married in Seychelles by March this year. To give a brief history, we've been together for 45 months and never been apart that long since we are both working and living in the UAE. Question is, we wanted to move in USA for good and start a family over there. Since our wedding will be in Seychelles, both of our families cant attend the wedding due health issue and distance. Our good friends will be there though. I am getting confused with the documents needed since we never really live apart. We are both in the UAE and finishing our contract until we finish the visa process.

 

I would greatly appreciate all the input. Many thanks in advance.

[Marzena & Stephen 544]

35 minutes ago, Jenn Cruz said:

Good day everyone,

 

I am a newbee here and looking for information for future use.My fiancee and I is set to get married in Seychelles by March this year. To give a brief history, we've been together for 45 months and never been apart that long since we are both working and living in the UAE. Question is, we wanted to move in USA for good and start a family over there. Since our wedding will be in Seychelles, both of our families cant attend the wedding due health issue and distance. Our good friends will be there though. I am getting confused with the documents needed since we never really live apart. We are both in the UAE and finishing our contract until we finish the visa process.

 

I would greatly appreciate all the input. Many thanks in advance.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/petition/submit-a-petition/filing-petitions-outside-the-us.html

 

Are you planning on staying there until your fiances visa is approved? These processes are long. Above is a website with more info on how to apply outside of usa.

Did you file USA taxes in 2016? Was your income over the 125% above poverty line? If not you'll need a cosponsor. 

In regards to documents required. A COUPLE major documents you may want to get  before you move are your marriage certificate (must be translated to english if its in a different language) aswell as police record checks from the country you are currently living in.

 

Other than that you can follow the guidelines on this website by searching in the above right hand box "guidelines" and it should give you a list of info on the process.

 

Or click the link below 

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

 

Edited January 14, 2018 by Marzena & Stephen

[Chris and Jenn 20]

Hi, thank you for the response.  Marriage Certificate would be in English so there will be no need of translation. Him and I both have a year contract remaining in the UAE so we are looking at 10 months after the marriage to sort the visa out. For the taxes, he is filing it regularly and I know he met the 125% poverty line as he is single (never been married). 

[Marzena & Stephen 544]

Just now, Jenn Cruz said:

Hi, thank you for the response.  Marriage Certificate would be in English so there will be no need of translation. Him and I both have a year contract remaining in the UAE so we are looking at 10 months after the marriage to sort the visa out. For the taxes, he is filing it regularly and I know he met the 125% poverty line as he is single (never been married). 

No problem.

That's great !

The only thing I would suggest is not to rely on a specific set timeline.. in the situation you get an rfe or if processing times are long just be prepared. 

 

[Chris and Jenn 20]

we are actually preparing in advance. Research and etc and considered having a lawyer. It's just hard to decide whether we should do Manila or Abu Dhabi, either way would work for her as she can quit her job anytime if needed.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

As long as you have a legal marriage cert, and a couple of pics of the wedding, even without guests, you are fine there.  Also be sure to gather proof of living together for so long, that shows a bonafide relationship. Things like joint lease and bills, drivers licenses with the same address,  being eachother's next-of-kin on insurance, "congrats on the wedding" cards addressed to both of you etc.

 

You might get the CR-1 spousal visa in 10 months, but it can easily take 12- 14 months, so b prepared for that.

[Chris and Jenn 20]

Greatly appreciate all the information. 

[ZnM 8]

19 hours ago, Chris & Jenn said:

we are actually preparing in advance. Research and etc and considered having a lawyer. It's just hard to decide whether we should do Manila or Abu Dhabi, either way would work for her as she can quit her job anytime if needed.

Hi! Do not go with abu dhabi!!! It is taking forever to get an interview date with abu dhabi. They are extremely backed up. You are probably better off going for Manila. 

[pushbrk 12,883]

21 hours ago, Marzena & Stephen said:

 

Was your income over the 125% above poverty line? If not you'll need a cosponsor. 

In regards to documents required. A COUPLE major documents you may want to get  before you move are your marriage certificate (must be translated to english if its in a different language) aswell as police record checks from the country you are currently living in.

 

Income from outside the US that will not continue from the same source is irrelevant to the process.  Regardless of the USC's foreign income, they will need to come back to the US and get a job here or use a "joint sponsor".

 

The guideline is not "125% ABOVE the poverty line".  It's 125% OF the poverty line.  Big difference.  Words mean things.

[Marzena & Stephen 544]

23 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

The guideline is not "125% ABOVE the poverty line".  It's 125% OF the poverty line.  Big difference.  Words mean things.

My apology I meant of the...

And yes joint sponsor 

I guess I never realize cosponsor meant something different until now thank you for the clarification 

Edited January 15, 2018 by Marzena & Stephen

[pushbrk 12,883]

27 minutes ago, Marzena & Stephen said:

My apology I meant of the...

And yes joint sponsor 

I guess I never realize cosponsor meant something different until now thank you for the clarification 

The only way to avoid a joint sponsor is to qualify based on liquid assets.  This can be the combined liquid assets of the couple.  A minimum of USD 60,900 by the 2017 guidelines.