I-130 Application Questions

[rainbow-skies 130]

Hello everyone. I hope you are all doing well and staying safe. I haven't been on here in a while, I do apologize for my lack of activity.

 

I have some questions as my fiance and I are planning to wed next month and submit the I-130 application.

 

1) Is it okay if we both keep our own last names? She is going to eventually take my last name when we have a bigger wedding with family once I (Canadian) move to the US. I am worried that if she keeps her last name during the time of application, that they may look at it as not bona fide.

 

2) We are likely to file online. In terms of file-formatting, can we compile all the required documents (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate, passport photos, and evidences) all in ONE document (pdf)? or do they need to be in their own separate pdf files? 

 

2a) Also, these documents (Especially the certificates and/or passports) they can simply be scanned electronically onto a computer correct? I don't need to submit them physically in the mail or anything?

 

3) Does anyone have a rough idea how long it would take for the whole CR1 Visa process for immigrant spouse (US spouse petitioning for Canadian spouse) during this time?

 

4) Should these evidences suffice? 

 

      We have many photos together from when I visited in February, plus more that we will take when I return next month. I have photos/proof of letters, gifts, and money i've sent to her. I also added her as an authorized user to my US credit card which she has a copy of (i am trying to get a document showing both our names). I will also include my plane tickets for when I travelled there. We also skype every single day, and keep skype on as we sleep (usually they are 10-18 hour skype calls daily) - so I was thinking of including a log showing a sample of this.

 

4 a) is there a limit on how many evidences or pages of evidences that we can include?

 

Thank you all for your help.

 

Best regards,

 

Mel

 

 

 

[Meg123RD 15]

1 hour ago, rainbow-skies said:

Hello everyone. I hope you are all doing well and staying safe. I haven't been on here in a while, I do apologize for my lack of activity.

 

I have some questions as my fiance and I are planning to wed next month and submit the I-130 application.

 

1) Is it okay if we both keep our own last names? She is going to eventually take my last name when we have a bigger wedding with family once I (Canadian) move to the US. I am worried that if she keeps her last name during the time of application, that they may look at it as not bona fide.

 

2) We are likely to file online. In terms of file-formatting, can we compile all the required documents (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate, passport photos, and evidences) all in ONE document (pdf)? or do they need to be in their own separate pdf files? 

 

2a) Also, these documents (Especially the certificates and/or passports) they can simply be scanned electronically onto a computer correct? I don't need to submit them physically in the mail or anything?

 

3) Does anyone have a rough idea how long it would take for the whole CR1 Visa process for immigrant spouse (US spouse petitioning for Canadian spouse) during this time?

 

4) Should these evidences suffice? 

 

      We have many photos together from when I visited in February, plus more that we will take when I return next month. I have photos/proof of letters, gifts, and money i've sent to her. I also added her as an authorized user to my US credit card which she has a copy of (i am trying to get a document showing both our names). I will also include my plane tickets for when I travelled there. We also skype every single day, and keep skype on as we sleep (usually they are 10-18 hour skype calls daily) - so I was thinking of including a log showing a sample of this.

 

4 a) is there a limit on how many evidences or pages of evidences that we can include?

 

Thank you all for your help.

 

Best regards,

 

Mel

 

 

 

Hello! I’m also Canadian and my husband is the USC. 
I kept my last name when we got married because we wanted to file our paper work ASAP and not wait for all of my information to be changed. I do plan on changing it later but I don’t think that’s anything you need to worry about.

we got married may 2019, filed July 25th 2019 and it’s looking like with everything closed and not sure about reopening, the entire process may take close to a year and a half to two years total. I’ve visited many many times during the process, so although it takes awhile you’re still allowed to visit (obviously once the border is open) 

the only requirement is that you and your spouse have met in person in the last two years at least once for your application. The other proof you have is more for the interview later on.

 

sorry I couldn’t answer all the questions! We had a lawyer submit our papers so I’m not sure exactly how.

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

1) She can keep her last name. It's not a requirement of marriage and she can change it later on if she wants. 

 

2) I'm unsure how the CR1 looks online but for the N400 online we had to upload things separately because they needed marriage certificate in one upload, tax returns in another upload etc. Also- there is a limit in the size of documents. So even if they don't break down the "required" docs- your file may be too big and you may have to separate it anyway. 

 

2a) If you are filing online- file everything online including documents. 

 

3) You can look at the USCIS website for estimated processing times as well as the VJ site for estimated time frame. Please update your timeline once you file as this is how VJ keeps track and helps the wait times be more accurate. Please note things are slower with COVID so I don't think anyone can give you a "good" estimate. Positive is it appears embassys are appearing to slowly reopen soon. 

 

4) Should these evidences suffice? 

Yes- you obviously will need to include the marriage certificate, showing you sent her money isn't really proof and personally I wouldn't send it, photos are good of both of you together and with family/friends, joint credit card is good, don't forget to include your passport stamps that is important along with the plane ticket, it's not necessary to show your Skype log but if you want to include a few pages thats fine (100 pages is way too many and people actually submit that), can you add her to her bank account as well by any chance? You can also both create a will online.

       

 

4 a) No but you don't want to overkill it. Canada is not a high fraud country so you don't need the same evidence as people from other countries may need to prove. 

 

[rainbow-skies 130]

6 minutes ago, Meg123RD said:

Hello! I’m also Canadian and my husband is the USC. 
I kept my last name when we got married because we wanted to file our paper work ASAP and not wait for all of my information to be changed. I do plan on changing it later but I don’t think that’s anything you need to worry about.

we got married may 2019, filed July 25th 2019 and it’s looking like with everything closed and not sure about reopening, the entire process may take close to a year and a half to two years total. I’ve visited many many times during the process, so although it takes awhile you’re still allowed to visit (obviously once the border is open) 

the only requirement is that you and your spouse have met in person in the last two years at least once for your application. The other proof you have is more for the interview later on.

 

sorry I couldn’t answer all the questions! We had a lawyer submit our papers so I’m not sure exactly how.

No worries, I appreciate all of this!

 

I spent almost 2 weeks with my fiance in February, and we are anticipating a reunion in July - which is when we will wed. I also anticipate to visit every two months if my work permits (i'm a nurse so it is hard to get time off). But that is awesome. We were hoping this would all take a year a max but maybe not haha. 

 

 

what is left for you two? just the interview?

 

Thanks,

 

Mel

[rainbow-skies 130]

6 minutes ago, Luckycuds said:

1) She can keep her last name. It's not a requirement of marriage and she can change it later on if she wants. 

 

2) I'm unsure how the CR1 looks online but for the N400 online we had to upload things separately because they needed marriage certificate in one upload, tax returns in another upload etc. Also- there is a limit in the size of documents. So even if they don't break down the "required" docs- your file may be too big and you may have to separate it anyway. 

 

2a) If you are filing online- file everything online including documents. 

 

3) You can look at the USCIS website for estimated processing times as well as the VJ site for estimated time frame. Please update your timeline once you file as this is how VJ keeps track and helps the wait times be more accurate. Please note things are slower with COVID so I don't think anyone can give you a "good" estimate. Positive is it appears embassys are appearing to slowly reopen soon. 

 

4) Should these evidences suffice? 

Yes- you obviously will need to include the marriage certificate, showing you sent her money isn't really proof and personally I wouldn't send it, photos are good of both of you together and with family/friends, joint credit card is good, don't forget to include your passport stamps that is important along with the plane ticket, it's not necessary to show your Skype log but if you want to include a few pages thats fine (100 pages is way too many and people actually submit that), can you add her to her bank account as well by any chance? You can also both create a will online.

       

 

4 a) No but you don't want to overkill it. Canada is not a high fraud country so you don't need the same evidence as people from other countries may need to prove. 

 

Thank you. This is all extremely helpful.

 

The skype log i will probably only include one page, because we skype everyday it'll be lengthy haha.

 

Regarding the bank accounts. Does it matter who adds who? She is the US Citizen/Petitioner, does it make more sense for her to add me to her bank account?

 

Also do you know a safe/accurate site for the online will you can recommend? This is the first I am hearing of this.

 

Thank you!

 

Melissa

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

8 minutes ago, rainbow-skies said:

 

 

10 minutes ago, rainbow-skies said:

Thank you. This is all extremely helpful.

 

The skype log i will probably only include one page, because we skype everyday it'll be lengthy haha.

 

Regarding the bank accounts. Does it matter who adds who? She is the US Citizen/Petitioner, does it make more sense for her to add me to her bank account?

 

Also do you know a safe/accurate site for the online will you can recommend? This is the first I am hearing of this.

 

Thank you!

 

Melissa

The US citizen should add the Canadian to the US account. I'm sorry I'm not sure of any website for a will but it's been brought up a lot on VJ so I would try to search on this site to find one people recommend. Or maybe someone will see this and post

[Meg123RD 15]

11 minutes ago, rainbow-skies said:

No worries, I appreciate all of this!

 

I spent almost 2 weeks with my fiance in February, and we are anticipating a reunion in July - which is when we will wed. I also anticipate to visit every two months if my work permits (i'm a nurse so it is hard to get time off). But that is awesome. We were hoping this would all take a year a max but maybe not haha. 

 

 

what is left for you two? just the interview?

 

Thanks,

 

Mel

If you’re a nurse I think you can go work in the states if you really wanted to rush it. I think they are expediting health care workers to help them with covid.

 

when we first started I said max 9 months lol this July we’ll hit a year and then I’m thinking with all of the backed up interviews at the Montreal embassy, I’ll be waiting till next year for one  

 

we were sent to the NVC end of January 2020, they just looked at our account and told us to fix some stuff may 13th I think. It’s taken a couple weeks to get stuff in the mail (learn from my mistake, get the long new version of your birth certificate, I’m in Ontario and that’s what they required, I originally sent my small original copy, they did not accept.) I also got the wrong background check and they want one that’s under the privacy act and fingerprints. I made this mistake and had to just get it now. Once they review the updated documents I sent, they’ll send to the embassy and then we wait for interview!

 

if you have specific questions with Canada to usa I may be able to help, just shoot me a message

[rainbow-skies 130]

8 minutes ago, Luckycuds said:

 

The US citizen should add the Canadian to the US account. I'm sorry I'm not sure of any website for a will but it's been brought up a lot on VJ so I would try to search on this site to find one people recommend. Or maybe someone will see this and post

awesome thanks so much! 

 

We were considering just opening a joint bank account so we will do one or the other. 

[rainbow-skies 130]

9 minutes ago, Meg123RD said:

If you’re a nurse I think you can go work in the states if you really wanted to rush it. I think they are expediting health care workers to help them with covid.

 

when we first started I said max 9 months lol this July we’ll hit a year and then I’m thinking with all of the backed up interviews at the Montreal embassy, I’ll be waiting till next year for one  

 

we were sent to the NVC end of January 2020, they just looked at our account and told us to fix some stuff may 13th I think. It’s taken a couple weeks to get stuff in the mail (learn from my mistake, get the long new version of your birth certificate, I’m in Ontario and that’s what they required, I originally sent my small original copy, they did not accept.) I also got the wrong background check and they want one that’s under the privacy act and fingerprints. I made this mistake and had to just get it now. Once they review the updated documents I sent, they’ll send to the embassy and then we wait for interview!

 

if you have specific questions with Canada to usa I may be able to help, just shoot me a message

Ah i'm considering the work visa but it's just such a lengthy process, especially with the fees involved. Plus I dont want to rush in working in the US because it'll be a bit different than hospitals here. I'd rather ease into it. I have a good job here though so i'm still paying off some student loans which should be done by August.

I think I have the long-form. I ordered it like 2 months ago, and it is basically the entire document that my parents filled out. Different from the small wallet/card-sized Ontario birth certificate.

 

I think as long as I am able to travel at least every two months to see my partner, then we can survive the wait - as difficult as it is. 

 

 

Awesome thank you so much for your help. I will keep you in mind. Prayers that everything works out sooner for you two!

 

 

 

[rainbow-skies 130]

Do we both have to make a USCIS account? or Can we share the same account?

[Prairiegirl3 67]

13 hours ago, rainbow-skies said:

2) We are likely to file online. In terms of file-formatting, can we compile all the required documents (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate, passport photos, and evidences) all in ONE document (pdf)? or do they need to be in their own separate pdf files? 

 

2a) Also, these documents (Especially the certificates and/or passports) they can simply be scanned electronically onto a computer correct? I don't need to submit them physically in the mail or anything?

 

 

2) I don't believe I saw any firm answers on this yet, but my husband and I also applied online and we were impressed with how easy everything was! We submitted all of our documents separately and it worked perfectly fine. I would tend to agree with others on here because it will be easier for them to navigate, if nothing else. 

 

2a) Yes, all of the documents can be scans on the computer, no mailing necessary! 

 

Also on a side note, I totally appreciate that y'all sleep with Skype on, as my husband and I did that all the time when we were long distant. 

[AMac13 5]

I’m not sure if this has been mentioned yet or not. Is getting married or being able to immigrate faster of more importance to you? If you want to immigrate faster I would hold off on getting married and apply for the k-1 fiancé visa. It is so much faster than the spousal visa. I don’t know the exact time off hand but it might be something to look into.

[rainbow-skies 130]

On 6/2/2020 at 10:55 PM, Prairiegirl3 said:

2) I don't believe I saw any firm answers on this yet, but my husband and I also applied online and we were impressed with how easy everything was! We submitted all of our documents separately and it worked perfectly fine. I would tend to agree with others on here because it will be easier for them to navigate, if nothing else. 

 

2a) Yes, all of the documents can be scans on the computer, no mailing necessary! 

 

Also on a side note, I totally appreciate that y'all sleep with Skype on, as my husband and I did that all the time when we were long distant. 

Awesome! Thanks again for your help.

 

I have a follow-up question regarding the initial I-130 application. We still want to file it online but we were thinking of printing the application, filling it all out by hand, scanning the hand-filled completed copy onto computer via PDF and then submitting it. This should be fine correct? or is it mandatory to be typed out?

 

Thanks

 

Melissa

[Prairiegirl3 67]

33 minutes ago, rainbow-skies said:

Awesome! Thanks again for your help.

 

I have a follow-up question regarding the initial I-130 application. We still want to file it online but we were thinking of printing the application, filling it all out by hand, scanning the hand-filled completed copy onto computer via PDF and then submitting it. This should be fine correct? or is it mandatory to be typed out?

 

Thanks

 

Melissa

No problem!

 

I think you have to fill out the I-130 application online via the online application. Once you make a USCIS account there are five or six options.. maybe more, for online applications. You select the I-130 application and it is completed as an online form. There may be an option to add the scanned forms that you'v'e filled out by hand, but honestly that's just doubling your work. Is there a reason you don't just want to fill the form out online? We found the online application form much more straightforward than the paper form. 

 

Hopefully this helps!

 

[rainbow-skies 130]

5 minutes ago, Prairiegirl3 said:

No problem!

 

I think you have to fill out the I-130 application online via the online application. Once you make a USCIS account there are five or six options.. maybe more, for online applications. You select the I-130 application and it is completed as an online form. There may be an option to add the scanned forms that you'v'e filled out by hand, but honestly that's just doubling your work. Is there a reason you don't just want to fill the form out online? We found the online application form much more straightforward than the paper form. 

 

Hopefully this helps!

 

It is only for the purpose of having my fiance (petitioner spouse) sign her signature. She doesn't have a printer in Florida. So all the scanning to PDF/computer will have to be done by me when I get back. Or I guess we can always use the phone apps that convert photos to PDFs.

 

Thanks