Filed petition i130, waited months before any updates online or in the mail. Eventually they asked to send proof of our marriage, so I mailed them a ton of proof including photos in color. Eventually mail came saying the petition is approved and what to do next. We were very happy. However, this could have been quicker (probably) if we sent the proof with our petition in the very beginning. I should also inform that the USCIS is very unorganized. If you're sponsering your spouse without an attorney (who wants to pay all that) please be very careful that you correctly fill out everything, and truthfully. Keep proof, such as boarding passes for travel. Be truthful with the US border patrol, they will likely have a heart and allow at least a visit if the spouse is living outside the US..... Oh also, marry before you send the petition! The fiance visa sucks, it takes longer. You don't need the governments permission to marry someone of your choice. My wife was a Canadian citizen and moved from Canada to the US. She shortly after received her PR card and SS number.
