We have decided to go with CR-1 & We Have Some More Questions! (merged topics)

[rainbow-skies 130]

In regards to the I-864 Affidavit of Support I have a question regarding Part 5: Sponsor's Household Size.

 

The first question asks to indicate how many persons are being sponsored in this affidavit. 

My partner is only sponsoring 1 person - me, the spouse/intended immigrant.

 

But then #3 states to put down "1" if she is married - which when we fill out and complete these forms, we will be.

 

Also note under "Optional", my partner's mother is also living at the same address.

 

So am I going to be double account for? If so, that would make the total household size 4, when it actually would be 3 when I go there to live with her.

 

Thanks

 

 

[NikLR 13,231]

6 hours ago, rainbow-skies said:

In regards to the I-864 Affidavit of Support I have a question regarding Part 5: Sponsor's Household Size.

 

The first question asks to indicate how many persons are being sponsored in this affidavit. 

My partner is only sponsoring 1 person - me, the spouse/intended immigrant.

 

But then #3 states to put down "1" if she is married - which when we fill out and complete these forms, we will be.

 

Also note under "Optional", my partner's mother is also living at the same address.

 

So am I going to be double account for? If so, that would make the total household size 4, when it actually would be 3 when I go there to live with her.

 

Thanks

 

 

No the first thing says to not count anyone twice. So if you are counted as the immigrant being sponsored, you are not counted again as the spouse.  Also the mom isnt counted unless they are combining income or she claims mom as a dependent on her taxes. 

[rainbow-skies 130]

12 hours ago, NikLR said:

No the first thing says to not count anyone twice. So if you are counted as the immigrant being sponsored, you are not counted again as the spouse.  Also the mom isnt counted unless they are combining income or she claims mom as a dependent on her taxes. 

Awesome! Okay, the spouse thing was throwing me off. Thank you! 

[rainbow-skies 130]

Hello again everyone. I am a very active questioner on here haha, but my partner and I are so very appreciative for all the support we have been getting. We feel so prepared now to begin this journey and the CR-1 process - and it is all thanks to the community on here!

 

As we were reviewing the I-130, we highlighted some areas where we had some uncertainty and would like some clarification or suggestions.

 

1) When it asks for my partner's Address History for the past 5 years --> she has moved quite frequently, but is now settled for a while. I believe she has about 5 residential locations to list. Our main question in this area is What if she does not know the exact unit of the apartment/condo? Also, what if the exact days of her start/end of living there is unknown? (She knows the month/year, but can't recall the day).

 

2) In regards to Employment History for the past 5 years --> she had about 5 employers within this time, some of which were very short and temporary. Should she still list the employers that were short/temporary?

 

3) We have asked this question a few weeks ago, but I will ask it again to see if we receive any different suggestions/answers. My partner is only in contact with her mother. Her parents are separated and she does not know the whereabouts of her father (e.g. Address or contact information) - she has not been in contact with him for several years now. When it asks for the Petitioner to list "Parent 2", what should we put down, given the information I just stated?

 

 

Thank you once again everyone, for your amazing support!😀 - Mel

 

 

[Cndn 98]

1) just put the first of the month for address history. The day is not of much importance. Most people move on the first anyway, so it’s likely to be the day she moved. Be as specific as you can. The month and the year is most important. 
 

2) yes, list all employers. There is extra space at the back of the forms if she needs extra room. 
 

3) if she really doesn’t know anything about her father, I would put NA (not applicable). Don’t leave it blank because they might view the forms as incomplete. NA should communicate that information/whereabouts are unknown. That’s just what I would do though - someone else might have a better way of handling this one.

 

Good luck! 

[Ryan H 3,819]

~~~Posts merged with existing thread; please ask all remaining questions you have about filing the I-130 in this thread instead of starting a new thread for every question you have.~~~

 

On ‎3‎/‎2‎/‎2020 at 9:55 AM, rainbow-skies said:

Hello, I (immigrant spouse) am filling out a draft copy right now of I-I130/a - to determine if I have any outstanding information I need to obtain.

 

 

 

I have a question regarding Part 2 and Part 3.

Part 2 asks for 2 employers - and states that it can be employment history for the last five years, whether inside or outside the US. I being a Canadian citizen have only been employed. So under Part 2 (Employer 1 and Employer 2) - do i leave it blank or put it my most recent Canadian employers?. I am slightly confused because Part 3 then specifically asks "Information about your employmnet outside the US".

 

Part 7: "Additional Information" 

- what type of information would the Beneficiary spouse input here?

 

Thank you in advance.

 

Mel

 

 

 

On ‎3‎/‎2‎/‎2020 at 10:10 AM, arken said:

 

If you are currently employed, start filling with Employer 1. If currently unemployed, put unemployed for Employer 1 and list the employment from Employer 2.

 

If most recent employment is already listed in Part 2, put N/A in Part 3.

 

 

Part 7 is to be used when you do not have enough pages in the form to fill the information. Lets say you have 6 employers in last 5 years, since you cannot list all employers in Part 2, you would use Part 7 to provide the rest of the info.

 

Part 7 is to be used for any of the parts before that and any number of copies can be made as required.

 

On ‎3‎/‎2‎/‎2020 at 10:11 AM, rainbow-skies said:

Awesome. I did exactly that for both areas. Thanks for your clarification and help!

 

On ‎3‎/‎2‎/‎2020 at 10:49 AM, rainbow-skies said:

Last Few Questions and Clarifications as I just read through everything and filled out to best of my ability:

 

1) Yes/No: The US Citizen/Sponsor/Petitioner will file both  the I-130 and I-130a correct? I will most likely be able to sign the I-130a for her as well on my next visit before she files it (if this is allowed).

 

2)In I-130 -- Part 4. asks about the Beneficiary (Me) and where I will apply. Because we are applying for immigrant visa CR1 - I state I will apply for immigrant visa abroad at U.S. Embassy/U.S. Consulate in " Montreal, Quebec, Canada", correct?

 

3) How are evidences submitted with the iniital petition? Do I just scan them into an additional PDF document, or will the online submission form allow me to upload each evidence one-by-one?

 

4) If we choose to file the I-130 online, can we type out all the information in the fields, print to physically ink sign the documents, and then scan and upload everything with our signatures?

 

Thanks again.

 

Mel

 

 

 

On ‎3‎/‎2‎/‎2020 at 11:43 AM, arken said:

1. I130a doesn’t need your signature if you are not in the US, so no need to wait for you to sign and give it to your spouse.
2. Yes

3. May be someone who did the online filing can chime in. I’ll assume it will have several categories/options.

4.online filing i assume will have forms online to type on. Uploading will only be supporting docs. Others with direct experience may tell with more clarity.

 

  

6 hours ago, rainbow-skies said:

Hello again everyone. I am a very active questioner on here haha, but my partner and I are so very appreciative for all the support we have been getting. We feel so prepared now to begin this journey and the CR-1 process - and it is all thanks to the community on here!

 

As we were reviewing the I-130, we highlighted some areas where we had some uncertainty and would like some clarification or suggestions.

 

1) When it asks for my partner's Address History for the past 5 years --> she has moved quite frequently, but is now settled for a while. I believe she has about 5 residential locations to list. Our main question in this area is What if she does not know the exact unit of the apartment/condo? Also, what if the exact days of her start/end of living there is unknown? (She knows the month/year, but can't recall the day).

 

2) In regards to Employment History for the past 5 years --> she had about 5 employers within this time, some of which were very short and temporary. Should she still list the employers that were short/temporary?

 

3) We have asked this question a few weeks ago, but I will ask it again to see if we receive any different suggestions/answers. My partner is only in contact with her mother. Her parents are separated and she does not know the whereabouts of her father (e.g. Address or contact information) - she has not been in contact with him for several years now. When it asks for the Petitioner to list "Parent 2", what should we put down, given the information I just stated?

 

 

Thank you once again everyone, for your amazing support!😀 - Mel

 

 

 

4 hours ago, Cndn said:

1) just put the first of the month for address history. The day is not of much importance. Most people move on the first anyway, so it’s likely to be the day she moved. Be as specific as you can. The month and the year is most important. 
 

2) yes, list all employers. There is extra space at the back of the forms if she needs extra room. 
 

3) if she really doesn’t know anything about her father, I would put NA (not applicable). Don’t leave it blank because they might view the forms as incomplete. NA should communicate that information/whereabouts are unknown. That’s just what I would do though - someone else might have a better way of handling this one.

 

Good luck! 

 

[NikLR 13,231]

7 hours ago, rainbow-skies said:

Hello again everyone. I am a very active questioner on here haha, but my partner and I are so very appreciative for all the support we have been getting. We feel so prepared now to begin this journey and the CR-1 process - and it is all thanks to the community on here!

 

As we were reviewing the I-130, we highlighted some areas where we had some uncertainty and would like some clarification or suggestions.

 

1) When it asks for my partner's Address History for the past 5 years --> she has moved quite frequently, but is now settled for a while. I believe she has about 5 residential locations to list. Our main question in this area is What if she does not know the exact unit of the apartment/condo? Also, what if the exact days of her start/end of living there is unknown? (She knows the month/year, but can't recall the day).

 

2) In regards to Employment History for the past 5 years --> she had about 5 employers within this time, some of which were very short and temporary. Should she still list the employers that were short/temporary?

 

3) We have asked this question a few weeks ago, but I will ask it again to see if we receive any different suggestions/answers. My partner is only in contact with her mother. Her parents are separated and she does not know the whereabouts of her father (e.g. Address or contact information) - she has not been in contact with him for several years now. When it asks for the Petitioner to list "Parent 2", what should we put down, given the information I just stated?

 

 

Thank you once again everyone, for your amazing support!😀 - Mel

 

 

1) to the best of your ability

2) yes to the best of their ability 

3) unknown for address also works.  Unless she really doesnt know his name that should at least be put down. She could also just ask her mother of she knows.  They arent contacting this person, they are collecting biographical data on the petitioner to ensure they are who they say they are and to run a background check to make sure you're able to petition.  Very few instances make a person unable to petition a family member. 

 

[rainbow-skies 130]

On 3/7/2020 at 12:07 PM, Cndn said:

1) just put the first of the month for address history. The day is not of much importance. Most people move on the first anyway, so it’s likely to be the day she moved. Be as specific as you can. The month and the year is most important. 
 

2) yes, list all employers. There is extra space at the back of the forms if she needs extra room. 
 

3) if she really doesn’t know anything about her father, I would put NA (not applicable). Don’t leave it blank because they might view the forms as incomplete. NA should communicate that information/whereabouts are unknown. That’s just what I would do though - someone else might have a better way of handling this one.

 

Good luck! 

Thank you! This is VERY helpful.

 

- Mel

[rainbow-skies 130]

On 3/7/2020 at 5:26 PM, NikLR said:

1) to the best of your ability

2) yes to the best of their ability 

3) unknown for address also works.  Unless she really doesnt know his name that should at least be put down. She could also just ask her mother of she knows.  They arent contacting this person, they are collecting biographical data on the petitioner to ensure they are who they say they are and to run a background check to make sure you're able to petition.  Very few instances make a person unable to petition a family member. 

 

Thank you for all of this, especially in helping with the third topic because that is where we had a lot of worry.

 

- Mel

[rainbow-skies 130]

Hello, I hope all is well with everyone. 

 

I was reviewing a couple forms and questions proposed by other VJ members and began thinking of other things I wanted some advice/answers on.

 

1) How exactly do biometrics work? (I am from Toronto, ON,  applying for CR1 as a Canadian Citizen). Am I going to have to go to the US to get this done or do they do this at the time of the Visa Interview at the Consulate's Office in Montreal? Will my spouse (the petitioner) be required to complete biometrics as well?

 

2) I was reading in someone else's post about health insurance for the immigrant. Is it required that I obtain US health insurance (either independently or under my spouse's plan) prior to attending the interview in Montreal?

 

3) Birth Certificate --> do I need a long-form certificate? I am reading conflicting information on this website and on the USCIS. I just would like some clarification because I have the original birth certificate.

 

4) My spouse (the petitioner) is not required to be present at the interview, correct?

 

5) Is a cover letter mandatory for the I-130 application?

 

6) Lastly, after the interview in Montreal, i heard that it is rare they approve your visa right away and I would have to return to Montreal to obtain it. Is this true? Because I would be travelling from Toronto,ON for the interview and want to be able to anticipate multiple trips. Or can they mail the Visa to you?

 

Thank you all in advance. Sorry for the many questions.

Mel

[DGF 730]

2 hours ago, rainbow-skies said:

Hello, I hope all is well with everyone. 

 

I was reviewing a couple forms and questions proposed by other VJ members and began thinking of other things I wanted some advice/answers on.

 

1) How exactly do biometrics work? (I am from Toronto, ON,  applying for CR1 as a Canadian Citizen). Am I going to have to go to the US to get this done or do they do this at the time of the Visa Interview at the Consulate's Office in Montreal? Will my spouse (the petitioner) be required to complete biometrics as well? Biometrics are taken at the interview in Montreal. The petitioner is not required to complete biometrics. 

 

2) I was reading in someone else's post about health insurance for the immigrant. Is it required that I obtain US health insurance (either independently or under my spouse's plan) prior to attending the interview in Montreal? The requirement is currently blocked so at this moment health insurance is not required. However, the process is long and this could very well change by the time you have your interview. 

 

3) Birth Certificate --> do I need a long-form certificate? I am reading conflicting information on this website and on the USCIS. I just would like some clarification because I have the original birth certificate. Yes, long form is required. You want to make sure that your documents meet the requirements listed here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country/Canada.html

 

4) My spouse (the petitioner) is not required to be present at the interview, correct? Correct. Not only are they not required, they aren't even allowed to attend your interview!

 

5) Is a cover letter mandatory for the I-130 application? I'll let another user answer this since we had a lawyer do ours so I don't know the answer. 

 

6) Lastly, after the interview in Montreal, i heard that it is rare they approve your visa right away and I would have to return to Montreal to obtain it. Is this true? Because I would be travelling from Toronto,ON for the interview and want to be able to anticipate multiple trips. Or can they mail the Visa to you? You are told on the spot if you are approved. Sometimes, people can go into AP after being told that they were approved and be denied from there (though that is super rare in Canada and most people in AP are eventually approved). Montreal will not let you pick up your visa and will only mail it out, so you won't have to travel twice. 

 

Thank you all in advance. Sorry for the many questions.

Mel

 

[rainbow-skies 130]

3 minutes ago, DGF said:

 

Thank you so much for your quick response! This was all very helpful.

 I have the old Ontario Birth certificate that is considered "small" since it was issued in 1996.  I did recently order a "First Certified Copy of Birth Registration" - so I hope this will suffice. If not I will determine the more appropriate one and order that.

 

My partner and I were anticipating to do a court marriage in May 2020, but now with the virus going on there is a bit of uncertainty. We are hoping I can travel there at least before July to get married and then we can start filing!

 

- Mel

[DGF 730]

Just now, rainbow-skies said:

Thank you so much for your quick response! This was all very helpful.

 I have the old Ontario Birth certificate that is considered "small" since it was issued in 1996.  I did recently order a "First Certified Copy of Birth Registration" - so I hope this will suffice. If not I will determine the more appropriate one and order that.

 

My partner and I were anticipating to do a court marriage in May 2020, but now with the virus going on there is a bit of uncertainty. We are hoping I can travel there at least before July to get married and then we can start filing!

 

- Mel

I'm pretty sure you ordered the correct one. I'm from Ontario too and ordered a new one in 2019 because my original was looking a little worn and illegible and if I recall correctly that's the one I ordered. Mine was accepted and says "Certified A True Photostatic Print of a Record" of a "Statement of Live Birth". It's a copy of the form that my parents filled out by hand. 

[rainbow-skies 130]

Just now, DGF said:

I'm pretty sure you ordered the correct one. I'm from Ontario too and ordered a new one in 2019 because my original was looking a little worn and illegible and if I recall correctly that's the one I ordered. Mine was accepted and says "Certified A True Photostatic Print of a Record" of a "Statement of Live Birth". It's a copy of the form that my parents filled out by hand. 

Okay that is good to know! I should get it within a month so hopefully it is sufficient. Also, did you require a Proof of Citizenship certificate or does our passport and birth certificate already suffice in terms of proving Canadian citizenship?

 

Thanks

[DGF 730]

11 minutes ago, rainbow-skies said:

Okay that is good to know! I should get it within a month so hopefully it is sufficient. Also, did you require a Proof of Citizenship certificate or does our passport and birth certificate already suffice in terms of proving Canadian citizenship?

 

Thanks

Passport and birth certificate are all you need!