Advice/Questions Regarding Form I-130

[davidtech 8]

Hello

Please kindly let me know if this post does not belong here (but I believe it does).

I am a U.S. Citizen and married my Honduran spouse in Honduras. I am about to start the process to file a petition for her to eventually come live with me in the U.S.

 

Is it better to file the petition online or on paper (is the time frame different on the way it is filed)? I have read about the required documents needed, when we got married we received a copy of the Certificate of marriage on the spot - however not sure if this is enough or if we should get the finalized copy from the registry office (Act of Marriage as they call it over there).

 

Can someone also let me know about how long has this process been taken to complete? I have heard that once I file a petition and it gets approved I then have to file for her to get a VISA. Once she has a VISA approved she may come to the U.S while the paperwork is being processed. It'd be nice to get a time frame as to when she will hopefully be able to travel to the U.S.

 

I appreciate anyone's input and help in this matter.

 

Thanks

[Boiler 44,855]

May be a few days quicker to file on line rather than by post.

 

Start by reading the guides, see bar above. You are applying  'for a visa to allow her to immigrate, if she has a tourist visa she can visit whilst the process is underway.

 

18 months? Difficult to tell due to COVID.

[Chancy 6,239]

3 hours ago, davidtech said:

Is it better to file the petition online or on paper (is the time frame different on the way it is filed)?

 

No significant difference in petition processing time.  If filing online, you'll get the receipt notice within a day.

 

3 hours ago, davidtech said:

when we got married we received a copy of the Certificate of marriage on the spot - however not sure if this is enough or if we should get the finalized copy from the registry office

 

Required document for marriage done in Honduras, as per https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country/Honduras.html --

 

Document Name:  Copy of Marriage Folio (Copia de Folio del Libro de Matrimonios)

Issuing Authority: Registro Nacional de las Personas (RNP) where the marriage occurred

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Certified copy of folio (original seal and signature from the registrar of the issuance RNP's office)

 

3 hours ago, davidtech said:

Can someone also let me know about how long has this process been taken to complete?

 

Maybe 1 to 2 years, major variable being the wait time at the interviewing consulate.  No way to reliably predict this now, given the COVID-related delays.

 

[pushbrk 12,569]

5 hours ago, davidtech said:

. Once she has a VISA approved she may come to the U.S while the paperwork is being processed. It'd be nice to get a time frame as to when she will hopefully be able to travel to the U.S.

 

 

Some good answers already, so I'll focus on this part.  First, you will file a petition on her behalf (I-130).  When the petition is approved, she'll apply for a visa.  She can enter the US when she actually completes the process and has a visa.  If she already has a tourist visa, she can probably continue to use it to visit, as long as she doesn't overstay.  

 

You may have read some incomplete information about an obsolete K3 visa.  Even when viable, it didn't really work the way people usually interpret the description.

 

Study the guide here then become an A-Student of the I-130 instructions.

[davidtech 8]

Thanks to everyone who has responded. I will keep this all in mind if anyone else has anything else to add or has done this process please feel free to add.

I am confident and hope this process goes smoothly for me, makes me feel a little bit better to know what the process is like. The wait times do stress me a bit but hoping the process won’t take too long. If possible I may find someone to help me fill out paperwork to make sure it gets done correctly - links to the I-130 are helpful in getting what I need put together.

 

thank you @Boiler @Chancy @pushbrk

[TBoneTX 44,671]

David, the process can seem intimidating.  Often, a visa-assistance firm can take a great weight off your shoulders.  One, with a stellar reputation and excellent responsiveness, is:

https://www.visajourney.com/partners/platinum-immigration-services/

 

Contact them.  I have no conflict of interest in making this recommendation.