I-130 approved quickly without expedite

[mam521 2,115]

The USCIS part doesn’t seem to take too long. The DOS part wasn’t too bad either. The issue is the DOS DQ and interview. Montréal is slllllooooowwww. 

[TWISTIE 30]

3 hours ago, Steffen & Rafael said:

I’m the sponsor. I live in California and my service center was Nebraska. I filed the I-130 online. I don’t believe we had any red flags. This is both of our first marriage. We’re only 2 years apart. For bonafide proof of marriage I sent 10 pictures, 2-3 flight tickets, Western Union transactions, and also 3 years of tax transcripts to show that we filed jointly. I recommend quality over quantity. Just send enough to satisfy the requirements. I’ve read some people send like 100+ items as proof lol. That’s extraneous.

Sorry but I couldn’t figure it out if you (sponsor) are he or she. I am asking this in the context of western Union transactions...Its my understanding is that when women send money to guys then it could look very odds to officers...Just my perception..could be wrong...As for tax filing then immigrant-spouse must be using ITTN, right? You are right that quality over quantity, but when someone has tons of red-flags/issues then qualities and front-loading supercede anything because then everything becomes a part of the record for future appeal which officers know so well...Thus, they don’t and can’t deny just like that...

[Steffen & Rafael 31]

4 minutes ago, TWISTIE said:

Sorry but I couldn’t figure it out if you (sponsor) are he or she. I am asking this in the context of western Union transactions...Its my understanding is that when women send money to guys then it could look very odds to officers...Just my perception..could be wrong...As for tax filing then immigrant-spouse must be using ITTN, right? You are right that quality over quantity, but when someone has tons of red-flags/issues then qualities and front-loading supercede anything because then everything becomes a part of the record for future appeal which officers know so well...Thus, they don’t and can’t deny just like that...

Well we’re both guys 😅 I used to send money to him but I figured out it’s easier to give it in person. We live just 20 minutes apart even though it’s another country hahaha. I used a CAA to get the ITIN. If you believe you’ll have a lot of red flags I would suggest getting a lawyer… I’m not using one since I think out case is clear cut.

[TWISTIE 30]

2 hours ago, cubanchic said:

Sure thing! I live in Georgia and my service center was California. I submitted the application online. There were not any red flags for our case - its both our 1st marriage, same age group, same culture (Jamaican) etc).  Even though we have not been married very long, we have known each other since we were 14 years old which lots of photos, social media posts and affidavits from family/friends can prove. For us, our relationship started when we were 17 and lasted for 5 years. We then broke up for 4 years and got back together in 2018. We have never lived together, own no properties together and never filed taxes together. At the time of submitting the I-130 we had only been married for 1 year 4 months but we submitted so much evidence to show our relationship was bonafide that I really didn't think there was going to be an issue with the things we didn't have together. I included these things with the application:

• 50 photographs dating from 2007 (the oldest i could find) to present
• A few social media posts (maybe 10) dating back from when Farmville was a thing lol to present
• 17 travel itineraries plus hotel/airbnb receipts from when each of us visited each other since 2018 
• 2 affidavits:1 from my dad talking about our relationship from his perspective and 1 from a friend doing the same 
• A list of receipts showing gifts we have given each other since 2018
• Letters we received from friends/family inviting us as a couple to attend events together
• All invoices related to our destination wedding in Jamaica that was twice postposed due to Covid-19 (venue, dress, suits, rings, wedding planning services, catering, hair, make-up etc.)
• Bank statements (first and most recent) for all our joint accounts plus Paypal/Western union transactions
• Screen shots of text conversations on Whatsapp/Facebook Messanger/iMessage/email etc. dating back to 2007 (maybe 10 total)

In regards to our long break-up I didn't try to hide/camouflage it at all. I was very direct and honest about it and i'm sure thats way better than hiding or lying about anything.

 

Side note: I have seen other posts about a "trick" to speed up applications getting approved is submitting I-129F as well. I still do not know if it is factual or not. However, I did also submit an I-129F so I am really not sure if it is just coincidence that out case was approved quickly or if the I-129F had any impact on the timing of the decision.

 

 

Very impressive and very long history you guys have which I have never seen in many years...this much long relationship history....Good job...very nicely you presented your case...No wonder why it went thru so smoothly. By the way, you didn’t get any notification of denial of I-129F? Because when I-130 is adjudicated first over I-129F then I-129F gets denied. 

 

A few weeks ago, without reading and knowing anything about K-3 visa, I have long and heated debate/arguments with many long-timers on this site as I was telling that I will file I-130 for my future wife but would file I-129f as well for K-3 visa...I didn’t know about any trick ..nor I knew that filing I-129f might force I-130 to get adjudicated. My only reason to file for k-3 visa because I fall into Vermont service center, and its taking 2-3 and half years now to adjudicate only I-130 which is not even included the time dealing with NVC and US consulate..so I thought filing for K-3 visa is better...at least my future wife could be here earlier rather than waiting for 4-5 yrs...So, your case is now with NVC?

[TWISTIE 30]

7 minutes ago, Steffen & Rafael said:

Well we’re both guys 😅 I used to send money to him but I figured out it’s easier to give it in person. We live just 20 minutes apart even though it’s another country hahaha. I used a CAA to get the ITIN. If you believe you’ll have a lot of red flags I would suggest getting a lawyer… I’m not using one since I think out case is clear cut.

Thanks for clarifying everything...-:) What is CAA?

[TWISTIE 30]

1 hour ago, top_secret said:

CR-1 and CR-2  Wife and stepdaughter.

March 08, 2021: Filed l-130 Online
March 09, 2021: NOA1
April 26, 2021: NOA2, I-130 Approved

49 days from filing I-130's to approved NOA2's.

No tricks, No expedite, No special circumstances.

Stuck in NVC hell ever since.

Did you try to find out whats wrong in there at NVC? It shouldn’t take that long, though. Perhaps, its because NVC can not arrange an interview nor can send the file to respective embassy for the interview as the delay in embassy’s side because they were closed or still partially closed for most part...and backlog is substantial now that it would take a while to get the spot for the interview, I guess...unless embassy start picking up cases in clearing them up...

[Steffen & Rafael 31]

6 minutes ago, TWISTIE said:

Thanks for clarifying everything...-:) What is CAA?

CAA is a Certifying Acceptance Agent. I used one at an H&R Block in San Diego.

[TWISTIE 30]

3 hours ago, cubanchic said:

Sure thing! I live in Georgia and my service center was California. I submitted the application online. There were not any red flags for our case - its both our 1st marriage, same age group, same culture (Jamaican) etc).  Even though we have not been married very long, we have known each other since we were 14 years old which lots of photos, social media posts and affidavits from family/friends can prove. For us, our relationship started when we were 17 and lasted for 5 years. We then broke up for 4 years and got back together in 2018. We have never lived together, own no properties together and never filed taxes together. At the time of submitting the I-130 we had only been married for 1 year 4 months but we submitted so much evidence to show our relationship was bonafide that I really didn't think there was going to be an issue with the things we didn't have together. I included these things with the application:

• 50 photographs dating from 2007 (the oldest i could find) to present
• A few social media posts (maybe 10) dating back from when Farmville was a thing lol to present
• 17 travel itineraries plus hotel/airbnb receipts from when each of us visited each other since 2018 
• 2 affidavits:1 from my dad talking about our relationship from his perspective and 1 from a friend doing the same 
• A list of receipts showing gifts we have given each other since 2018
• Letters we received from friends/family inviting us as a couple to attend events together
• All invoices related to our destination wedding in Jamaica that was twice postposed due to Covid-19 (venue, dress, suits, rings, wedding planning services, catering, hair, make-up etc.)
• Bank statements (first and most recent) for all our joint accounts plus Paypal/Western union transactions
• Screen shots of text conversations on Whatsapp/Facebook Messanger/iMessage/email etc. dating back to 2007 (maybe 10 total)

In regards to our long break-up I didn't try to hide/camouflage it at all. I was very direct and honest about it and i'm sure thats way better than hiding or lying about anything.

 

Side note: I have seen other posts about a "trick" to speed up applications getting approved is submitting I-129F as well. I still do not know if it is factual or not. However, I did also submit an I-129F so I am really not sure if it is just coincidence that out case was approved quickly or if the I-129F had any impact on the timing of the decision.

 

By the way, did you submit/file both petitions - I-130 and I-129f together at the same time and online? All the documents that you mentioned about submitting were submitted thru online? One can submit that many documents online? 

[TWISTIE 30]

5 minutes ago, Steffen & Rafael said:

CAA is a Certifying Acceptance Agent. I used one at an H&R Block in San Diego.

And what is the job of this CAA or what this CAA did for you guys to get ITIN ? By the way, did you guys also filed I-129f together with I-130?

Edited August 31, 2021 by TWISTIE

[cubanchic 13]

9 minutes ago, TWISTIE said:

 

Very impressive and very long history you guys have which I have never seen in many years...this much long relationship history....Good job...very nicely you presented your case...No wonder why it went thru so smoothly. By the way, you didn’t get any notification of denial of I-129F? Because when I-130 is adjudicated first over I-129F then I-129F gets denied. 

 

A few weeks ago, without reading and knowing anything about K-3 visa, I have long and heated debate/arguments with many long-timers on this site as I was telling that I will file I-130 for my future wife but would file I-129f as well for K-3 visa...I didn’t know about any trick ..nor I knew that filing I-129f might force I-130 to get adjudicated. My only reason to file for k-3 visa because I fall into Vermont service center, and its taking 2-3 and half years now to adjudicate only I-130 which is not even included the time dealing with NVC and US consulate..so I thought filing for K-3 visa is better...at least my future wife could be here earlier rather than waiting for 4-5 yrs...So, your case is now with NVC?

Thank you! Yes, the same day the I-130 was approved was the same day I got a notification that the I-129F was "terminated since the I-130 was approved". Yes, the case has been sent to the NVC.

[Steffen & Rafael 31]

1 minute ago, TWISTIE said:

And what is the job of this CAA or what this CAA did for you guys to get ITIN ? By the way, did you guys also filed I-129f together with I-130?

The CAA is authorized to certify the documents for getting an ITIN (marriage certificate, passports, etc). You apply with them and you’ll get the number in 6-12 weeks. That way you don’t have to mail all your original documents to the IRS. I didn't file an I-129f. We were already married for nearly 3 years at the time I filed the I-130 in May.

[HRQX 4,145]

24 minutes ago, TWISTIE said:

because I fall into Vermont service center

Service Centers (SC) are assigned after the I-130 is filed. It is not based on where you reside. For example, OP lives in Georgia and the SC happened to be California Service Center. But other petitioners who also live in Georgia may or may not have a different SC.

8 minutes ago, TWISTIE said:

And what is the job of this CAA or what this CAA did for you guys to get ITIN ?

By the Certifying Acceptance Agent signing the W-7 the foreign spouse avoids having to send-in the original passport to the IRS Austin, TX address for processing: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/how-do-i-apply-for-an-itin

Where to apply?

Option 1

Mail your W-7, tax return, proof of identity, and foreign status documents to:

Internal Revenue Service
Austin Service Center
ITIN Operation
P.O. Box 149342
Austin, TX 78714-9342

You will only file a tax return to the address above once, when you file Form W-7 to get an ITIN. In subsequent years, when you have an ITIN, you will file your tax return as directed in the form instructions. If you will need your original documents for any purpose within 60 days of submitting your ITIN application, you may wish to apply in person at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center or CAA. You may also choose to submit certified copies of documents from the issuing agency instead of original documents. Original documents you submit will be returned to you at the mailing address shown on your Form W-7. You don’t need to provide a return envelope.
Applicants are permitted to include a prepaid Express Mail or courier envelope for faster return delivery of their documents. The IRS will then return the documents in the envelope provided by the applicant. If your original documents aren’t returned within 60 days, you can contact the IRS. 

Option 2

Apply for an ITIN in-person using the services of an IRS-authorized Certifying Acceptance Agent. This will prevent you from having to mail your proof of identity and foreign status documents.

Option 3

Make an appointment at a designated IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center. This will also prevent you from having to mail your proof of identity and foreign status document                                                                                                                                                     

After processing, the IRS will issue your ITIN through the mail.

Edited August 31, 2021 by HRQX

[TWISTIE 30]

1 minute ago, Steffen & Rafael said:

The CAA is authorized to certify the documents for getting an ITIN (marriage certificate, passports, etc). You apply with them and you’ll get the number in 6-12 weeks. That way you don’t have to mail all your original documents to the IRS. I didn't file an I-129f. We were already married for nearly 3 years at the time I filed the I-130 in May.

With I-130, people file I-129f too...some people...for k-3 visa (not k-1)...to bring their spouse quicker to US if I-130 is taking long time to adjudicate...Since your spouse is living just 20 minutes away then its not a problem to certify those documents which are needed for ITIN, otherwise its hard for immigrant-spouse who are living far far away and wherein there is no IRS authorized representative for ITIN...

[cubanchic 13]

9 minutes ago, TWISTIE said:

By the way, did you submit/file both petitions - I-130 and I-129f together at the same time and online? All the documents that you mentioned about submitting were submitted thru online? One can submit that many documents online? 

No, first I submitted I-130 online on May 5th. Then May12th I mailed in the I-129F via UPS and they received it on May 14th. 

[TWISTIE 30]

3 minutes ago, cubanchic said:

No, first I submitted I-130 online on May 5th. Then May12th I mailed in the I-129F via UPS and they received it on May 14th. 

Did you submit anything with I-129f or just the receipt for I-130? Why you chose to file I-129f later on, and why not together with I-130? I-129f can not file online??