Applying for IR-1 NEED HELP PLEASE!

[daisylynn 0]

Ok, I'm only in the first steps but already need help! I have posted these questions in some of the threads but haven't gotten a response and really really need to get this stuff mailed out. I'm hoping if I put all the questions here, then maybe I can get them answered I am so beyond stressed right now and I think even the simple things are getting to me and confusing me

1-Can I staple the forms that I send?

2-On the I-130, #22 says "Complete the information below if your relative is in the US and will apply for adjustment of status." Then under that it has two sections. One for applying for Adj. of Status at the USCIS office in:(wherever). I put n/a for that. The second part sayis if relative is not eligible for adj. of status, he will apply for a visa abroad at the American consular post in: (wherever). Am I suppose to fill that second part out or is the WHOLE section ONLY if he is in the US right now?

3-Can I use abbreviations?

3-On the G-325A, it asks for the applicant's last address outside the US of more than 1 year. I know this is stupid that I'm asking because it almost seems to simple. But it is stumping me for some reason. Is this my current address (have been at current address for over a year). I already put in my current address, so I'm wondering if this is the same thing or if I'm reading it wrong.

4-On the G-325A, at the bottom, it says to fill in name and Alien reg. number in the bordered box. We don't have a reg. number. Do we still put in our name or just leave the whole thing blank?

Please forgive me if these questions are dumb. Like I said, I think I'm overreading some of them and am just tired and stressed already from all of it. If there is some place where I can find the info, please link me to it. I have looked on sites and read posts, but haven't found the answers.

Thank you SO much!!

OH, and how did you assemble the package? Did you just still all the paperwork in a manilla envelope and send it? Or do something else? I couldn't find anything about that either.

Thank you!

Tammy

Edited August 9, 2007 by daisylynn

[daisylynn 0]

One more thing...

On the G-325A, near the bottom it says "This form is submitted in connection with an application for:" Do I check the box that says 'Status as Permanent Resident'?

[john_and_marlene 162]

One more thing...

On the G-325A, near the bottom it says "This form is submitted in connection with an application for:" Do I check the box that says 'Status as Permanent Resident'?

Other : IR-1 visa

[Cantwait2gethome 0]

I can understand where you are coming from This is the second immigration packet my husband and I have filled out ( I immigrated to Canada first, now I am petitioning for him to come back to the US ). I will try to help where I can.

#1 :

As far as stapling papers, when I called to the Toronto Consulate to inquire about that, they told me to DO NOT staple the papers together. The lady at the Consulate said that if any questions require more space to complete, to fill it out on another sheet of paper and to put the name that it belongs to on the top right corner along with the question #. (We did DCF filing, so we had 2 G-325A 's to fill out, so they would need to know who the extra information belongs to).

#2:

That section is to be filled out if spouse is in the US right now. If you both are living in Canada (as in my case) you will leave that section alone, but if your living in the States right now , you will have to put in what Consular office you will be applying to.

#3.

I did not put any abbreviations on my application form. Considering that I could fill in the form on the computer, I more than enough space to fill everything out with complete spellings. Again, depends on how you are going to be filling out the form. ( I do know from my personal experience, it was advised to me to type it out, looks more put together and better to read. All in personal preference here)

Now for the address, the answer is yes. Even if its your current address, if that address is the last address outside the States in which he has lived for more than one year. So for example, if you have only been at current residence for 10 months, you can not use that address. You would have to list another address in which he has lived for more than 12 months, but if you have lived there for 13 months, you would just list your current address there. ( Now mind you, this information came from me calling the Consulate. There may be other VJ'ers that have been in similar situations. I am just going by what I was told per my conversation.)

#4

You will fill out the name section, but under alien registration, I just put N/A, and had no problems.

For the bottom, you would check off other, and put IR-1 Visa.

When I assembled my packet, I typed up a cover letter and put a detailed list of forms and necessary documents that were in the packet. I made sure that forms/documents matched the cover sheet and then I put them into a CanadaExpress mailer ( I like to track mail I send, so that is reason I used the mailer--plus it is a lil more durable than just a manilla envelope. ) As how I assembled my packet, I had all my forms/documents first since I was the one petitioning, and then I had all my husbands forms/documents.

I hope this helps clarify your questions. I am only at packet 3 stage myself, but if there is something that needs clarification, I will be more than happy to , if I can.

Good luck to you !!

[daisylynn 0]

Candy-Thank you SOOOOO much!!! Your post was perfect!!! We're in the same situation you guys are. I moved up here to Canada and became a permanent resident 5 years ago. Now, we're doing it all over, but to get my husband to the US this time. But you never would have known with all the questions I have about filling out the forms I do have one more question though (well, for now anyway ) Someone else told me (before I read these responses) to check the box that says 'status for permanent resident' at the bottom. So, I've already checked that box (on the computer) and printed it out. Can I cross through that, initial it, and check the correct box ('other') or do I need to redo the whole thing....AGAIN? LOL

Thank you to everyone who replied!

And THANK YOU Candy, for such an in depth response and for answering so thoroughly!!!

Tammy

[daisylynn 0]

Another question....

On the Guides section of this forum it has an I-130 package checklist. Is this all that I need to send in? What about the stuff under the pre-interview section. Do I need that now too or is that for later? And is this information updated and from a current source or is there somewhere else I can find a checklist? I have looked and not found anything.

Thanks!

[Yodrak 7]

daisylynn,

Read the USCIS instructions for the I-130. Reconcile that with the VJ I-130 checklist. That's what you should submit in your I-130 package.

Interview comes later, after you have an approved I-130 (and after you apply for the visa).

Yodrak

Another question....

On the Guides section of this forum it has an I-130 package checklist. Is this all that I need to send in? What about the stuff under the pre-interview section. Do I need that now too or is that for later? And is this information updated and from a current source or is there somewhere else I can find a checklist? I have looked and not found anything.

Thanks!

[daisylynn 0]

Candy-Also, did you have a copy of your husband's Canadian birth certificate in that package? One place doesn't show it as needed, and one does.

Thanks!

[Cantwait2gethome 0]

Hello Daisy =)

Sorry its been a few days since I have logged into the boards. My parents are here visiting from the States and have been keeping them busy seeing Canada =)

I am glad I that helped you out! I know how it feels to be unsure of how to answer a question, considering your future depends on how it answered.

When it comes to answer the "other" box, I would retype the whole thing. It would definately look like you spent the time to correctly answer the questions verse just initialing and rechecking a box. I know it will take some time to redo, but Im pretty sure it will pay off in the end to have your form presented to an immigration officer clear and concise.

Now, unless your husband has his long form birth certificate, you will have to send in a request to get it. My husband is a British Columbian native, so we had to send ours to Victoria, BC. It took about 2 weeks from the time we sent off here in Ontario, till we recieved his long birth certificate back in hand.

I saw in your other post you were from Ontario, so...I am going as assume he was born in Ontario.

This address is where you can start an online application to get his birth certificate. You will need them when you go to Toronto for the first interview. It must have his parents information on it or they will not accept it.

https://www.orgforms.gov.on.ca/eForms/start.do

If he was NOT born in Ontario, I would suggest Googling <Province he was born in>long form birth certificate.

In my packet Daisy, I had both of our birth certificates, marriage certificate(we married in the States), copy of our passport pages(showing my Visa to live in Canada), proof of divorce from my first marriage, copy of our joint lease, copy of our drivers license, SIN card, and drivers license (NO that is not mentioned on the form, but I wanted to prove that I had all rights to live and work in Canada, no questions asked. When I was there at interview, I was thanked for sending those in ! =) I also sent in copy of my permanent resident card and joint banking statements.

Now how you get your approval for the I-130 is up to you. I personally sent in my application in a Canada Post Express mailer to Toronto. It arrived 2 days later. The Consulate then called me and set up an interview date and time. I am really thankful I did it that way, because on one of the forms, my husband had accidentally filled in an area that should not have been. The lady at the Consulate asked that we refill out a form before we came to Toronto. I am certainly glad we did it that way, before driving all the way to Toronto, then to find out we had made the mistake on the form, and then have to resubmit our application all over again(this came straight from the Consulate, had we not corrected that form, we would have to resubmitt package, and in turn, wait almost another month before we got our first interview)Whew ! I also preferred sending it in because when I set up our interview appointment, I received an email back with interview confirmation. When we showed up at the Consulate, that appointment letter made things a bit quicker for us. Keep in mind, all other non-immigrant Visas also go thru Toronto. What a line that would have been to get through, lol.

Now, I know some have just drove right to Toronto, and turned in application. Again, this is soley up to you.

[daisylynn 0]

Candy-That's ok, I know all about being busy:) Thank you so much for ALL your help! I hope I can help someone else out when I'm all through this as much as you've helped me out. You just have no idea how much!

I did end up redoing the form and checking the right box. I figured it was better than crossing it out too.

Yes, my husband was born here in Ontario. We actually went online last week and filled out the form to get his long form. We even paid the extra $35 to get it here in 5 days. BUT, they sent us a letter saying some of the stuff was missing It wasn't even stuff that was 'required' when you fill out the form so I was pretty upset about that. We're going to fax them the info and hope that they will still honor the 5 day thing. The lady said to send in a note with it and maybe that will help. I did call immigration though and ask them and they said they don't need that form for this first step (even though it's on the checklist.) She said all they are trying to do at this point is verify and confirm our spousal relationship. She said I would need it for the interview in Montreal, but not now. Does that sound right? I'm thinking of just sending in the info I have and then take the birth certificate to the interview in Toronto when we get it.

Thanks for the info on all the documents you sent. I think I'll send more than I was going to originally, just to be on the safe side. As for bank statements, how many did you send? And did you send every page or just one page?

We are just sending in the packet. The site says there are no walk-ins and when I called, they said the same thing. I guess that's changed maybe, from what it used to be.

Tammy

Edited August 13, 2007 by daisylynn

[Cantwait2gethome 0]

Daisy,

In your other post , I linked a website for you. This is what I was told to follow when I applied. I never attempted to give them the short form birth certificate.

Civil documents that are issued under the original seal, stamp or signature of the government office of record. Notarized copies, religious documents and hospital records are unacceptable. A copy now and original to be presented later:

Petitioner's proof of U.S. citizenship, e.g. birth (www.cdc.gov/nchs/howto/w2w/w2welcom.htm) or naturalization certificate, or passport.

Proof of beneficiary's birth (long version showing parents' information) and of all children of the beneficiary, even if not petitioned.

Proof of legal relationship between petitioner and beneficiary, e.g. birth, marriage, divorce, death, adoption and legal name change. For I-130s on behalf of a spouse, official proof of the current marriage AND the termination of both party's prior marriages.

You can try to use the short form, but just be aware they MAY deny it if you dont have long form. I know when I talked to them, they emphasized to have what is requested on the website. I know when we were there for our first interview, there was another couple who was denied. I heard the officer say that they needed the long form birth certificate and needed their marriage certificate from the States. The worst thing is, they paid the fee, then were denied, and now,may have to repay the current amount to resubmit. It pays to have the correct forms, but.....if they said youd be ok, and want to try it, fully your call =)