starting the CR-1 process?

[tommieboy999 0]

To sponsor my wife to live in the United States, Do i need to apply for a CR-1 visa for my wife here in the Phliippines?  If yes.. how about my 4 year old son? does he need a visa?  He was already claimed to be an American citizen because i went through the CRBA process at the American Consular Office in the Philippines .Thank you. 

Edited September 27, 2018 by tommieboy999
mistake

[geowrian 22,337]

Your son needs a US passport. They can't get a US visa a US citizen.

Your wife needs a visa as well. A CR-1/IR-1 (<2 year marriage vs >= 2 year marriage) would be the way to go if you intend to live in the US.

Guide: https://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

ETA: ~12-16 months

 

If you both live in the Philippines together for at least 6 months, you may qualify for DCF filing with Manila's USCIS office. This takes only a few months to interview. Basically, you file the I-130 with the embassy instead of doing it in the US. You also bypass NVC this way.

[tommieboy999 0]

9 hours ago, geowrian said:

Your son needs a US passport. They can't get a US visa a US citizen.

Your wife needs a visa as well. A CR-1/IR-1 (<2 year marriage vs >= 2 year marriage) would be the way to go if you intend to live in the US.

Guide: https://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

ETA: ~12-16 months

 

If you both live in the Philippines together for at least 6 months, you may qualify for DCF filing with Manila's USCIS office. This takes only a few months to interview. Basically, you file the I-130 with the embassy instead of doing it in the US. You also bypass NVC this way.

are you sure about dcf filing?  of all the people and 2 lawyers i spoke to, not one of them even mentioned dcf

[tommieboy999 0]

40 minutes ago, tommieboy999 said:

are you sure about dcf filing?  of all the people and 2 lawyers i spoke to, not one of them even mentioned dcf

 

[geowrian 22,337]

47 minutes ago, tommieboy999 said:

are you sure about dcf filing?  of all the people and 2 lawyers i spoke to, not one of them even mentioned dcf

I'm sure DCF is available with Manila if you meet the requirements (living there at least 6 months and have a lease or resident status).

Maybe they weren't aware of Manila's requirements for DCF, or you didn't mention you live there with her, etc.? I can't speak for why others didn't mention it, but DCF is absolutely available with Manila for those that meet the residence requirement. There are many cases on VJ where people have done so.

[tommieboy999 0]

58 minutes ago, tommieboy999 said:

are you sure about dcf filing?  of all the people and 2 lawyers i spoke to, not one of them even mentioned dcf

 

9 minutes ago, geowrian said:

I'm sure DCF is available with Manila if you meet the requirements (living there at least 6 months and have a lease or resident status).

Maybe they weren't aware of Manila's requirements for DCF, or you didn't mention you live there with her, etc.? I can't speak for why others didn't mention it, but DCF is absolutely available with Manila for those that meet the residence requirement. There are many cases on VJ where people have done so.

ohh.. im here for 10 yrs.. married for 2 yrs.. and with my wife for 5 yrs.. but still on a tourist visa..

[geowrian 22,337]

3 minutes ago, tommieboy999 said:

ohh.. im here for 10 yrs.. married for 2 yrs.. and with my wife for 5 yrs.. but still on a tourist visa..

Do you have a lease or other evidence of living there? That's usually sufficient for Manila. If unsure you will met the DCF requirements, contact the embassy to confirm.

[tommieboy999 0]

12 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Do you have a lease or other evidence of living there? That's usually sufficient for Manila. If unsure you will met the DCF requirements, contact the embassy to confirm.

we recently built a home here.. there is a consulars office in cebu city. ill try to contact them unless you think the embassy would be better

[geowrian 22,337]

1 minute ago, tommieboy999 said:

we recently built a home here.. there is a consulars office in cebu city. ill try to contact them unless you think the embassy would be better

You would have to ask Manila. They're the only ones who do immigrant visa interviews. Cebu only does non-immigrant cases.

[tommieboy999 0]

Just now, geowrian said:

You would have to ask Manila. They're the only ones who do immigrant visa interviews. Cebu only does non-immigrant cases.

ok.. so if im unable to do the dcf filing.. what would be my first step? fill out the cr-1 forms and send them to uscis? is that correct? along with a check for 535 dollars? 

[tommieboy999 0]

1 minute ago, tommieboy999 said:

ok.. so if im unable to do the dcf filing.. what would be my first step? fill out the cr-1 forms and send them to uscis? is that correct? along with a check for 535 dollars? 

i appreciate all ur help.. and if you have no time or if you simply cannot be bothered, just let me know.. i will collect information another way.. 

[geowrian 22,337]

1 minute ago, tommieboy999 said:

ok.. so if im unable to do the dcf filing.. what would be my first step? fill out the cr-1 forms and send them to uscis? is that correct? along with a check for 535 dollars? 

In either case you fill out an I-130 packet (I-130, I-130A, G-1145 [optional], cover letter, and $535 payment). The difference is whether you file it with the USCIS Manila office or the US-based lockbox. If filed in Manila, expect days/weeks for I-130 approval. If filed in the US, expect ~6-10 months.

[tommieboy999 0]

1 minute ago, geowrian said:

In either case you fill out an I-130 packet (I-130, I-130A, G-1145 [optional], cover letter, and $535 payment). The difference is whether you file it with the USCIS Manila office or the US-based lockbox. If filed in Manila, expect days/weeks for I-130 approval. If filed in the US, expect ~6-10 months.

wow.. this is more complicated than i thought.. i hope i dont need a lawyer.. this type of stuff is not my forte'

so, its ok if i file all 3? i-130, i-130a and g-1145?  

[tommieboy999 0]

Just now, tommieboy999 said:

wow.. this is more complicated than i thought.. i hope i dont need a lawyer.. this type of stuff is not my forte'

so, its ok if i file all 3? i-130, i-130a and g-1145?  

ok.. so let me ask one other thing. im on social security disability.. my monthly check puts me at about 5,000 usd short of whats required annually.. a free consultation lawyer told me if i have about 25,000 in a u.s. bank, it should be enough to cover my annual shortfall. 

he also said that amount should be in the bank for atleast one year.. are both of these statements correct?

[geowrian 22,337]

16 minutes ago, tommieboy999 said:

wow.. this is more complicated than i thought.. i hope i dont need a lawyer.. this type of stuff is not my forte'

so, its ok if i file all 3? i-130, i-130a and g-1145?  

It's not that bad really...most people here DIY. Unless there are complicating factors involved (criminal histories, inadmissibilities, etc.), an attorney usually isn't needed. Just read the guide above and instructions...it's a little work, but you can do it. Ask questions on VJ as needed.

 

Yes, all those should be filed. And provide a cover letter and payment. The name to use on the payment is in the instructions....they are a little sensitive about making sure you write the name properly (no abbreviations).

 

10 minutes ago, tommieboy999 said:

ok.. so let me ask one other thing. im on social security disability.. my monthly check puts me at about 5,000 usd short of whats required annually.. a free consultation lawyer told me if i have about 25,000 in a u.s. bank, it should be enough to cover my annual shortfall. 

he also said that amount should be in the bank for atleast one year.. are both of these statements correct?

Assets can be used to fill an income gap at a 3:1 ratio for a spouse ($3 of assets = $1 in income). So $25k in a bank account would equal about $8,333 in income.

Having it in the bank for a year is good. Generally, they want to be sure you aren't just holding money from a friend or family member (or loan) just to get the visa then return it all afterwards. There are circumstances where having it in the bank less than a year can be fine as long as there is a reasonable explanation (i.e. an inheritance went through, property was sold, etc.).