I-130 about to file. A few questions
Apr 21st 2017, 4:42 pm
#1
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 37
I-130 about to file. A few questions
I am UKC and my husband USC.
I'm just about ready to file our I-130, I-130a and the confirmation of receipt form.
Is there any benefit to sending copies of letters/emails between my husband and I to prove our relationship?
I am sending, marriage licence, birth certs, copies of wedding cards, telephone records, stamps from visiting USA in passport, financial records of support, photos of us.( all copies) Is that enough?
I believe I've read it's taking up to 7 months and beyond to process just this initial part, is this still the case?
Then.....could you point me in the direction of a thread that covers....'what's happens next' and rough time frames. And costs associated with each part of the process.
Many thanks
Emma
I'm just about ready to file our I-130, I-130a and the confirmation of receipt form.
Is there any benefit to sending copies of letters/emails between my husband and I to prove our relationship?
I am sending, marriage licence, birth certs, copies of wedding cards, telephone records, stamps from visiting USA in passport, financial records of support, photos of us.( all copies) Is that enough?
I believe I've read it's taking up to 7 months and beyond to process just this initial part, is this still the case?
Then.....could you point me in the direction of a thread that covers....'what's happens next' and rough time frames. And costs associated with each part of the process.
Many thanks
Emma
Last edited by anothercalamity; Apr 21st 2017 at 5:48 pm.
Apr 21st 2017, 4:58 pm
#2
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Joined: Mar 2017
Location: Yorkshire --> Denver
Posts: 157
Re: I-130 about to file. A few questions
Are you both in the UK at the moment? Or is the USC in the USA? That will make a big difference in timescales and next steps.
Also, how long have you been married? That also makes an impact on the onus to prove bona fide marriage. Sounds like you have far more than asked for, but more details will help people give you advice.
Also, how long have you been married? That also makes an impact on the onus to prove bona fide marriage. Sounds like you have far more than asked for, but more details will help people give you advice.
Apr 21st 2017, 5:08 pm
#3
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Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 37
Re: I-130 about to file. A few questions
Are you both in the UK at the moment? Or is the USC in the USA? That will make a big difference in timescales and next steps.
Also, how long have you been married? That also makes an impact on the onus to prove bona fide marriage. Sounds like you have far more than asked for, but more details will help people give you advice.
Also, how long have you been married? That also makes an impact on the onus to prove bona fide marriage. Sounds like you have far more than asked for, but more details will help people give you advice.
I have letters from his mum, sister and 3 of our friends confirming our relationship is genuine as well, though I know this is weak evidence.
Apr 21st 2017, 5:59 pm
#4
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Re: I-130 about to file. A few questions
Hi, anothercalamity!
I'm Kate, and I'm on the exact same journey as you (UK citizen, married to US citizen, I-130 filed October 2016) so just thought I'd come and say hi.
Along with a handful of photographs (including from our wedding day, showing family and friends with us) and evidence of flight travel back and forth, my husband and I also sent letters that his mother and brother kindly wrote up to say they believed our relationship to be sincere and genuine. I wouldn't imagine it's necessary to have those, but it certainly won't hurt you to include them.
Edit: I'm not sure about the ones between your husband and yourself - perhaps the same could be said for those? I would imagine them to be slightly less convincing, though, than letters from other people. I'm basing that on personal assumption, though, not formal knowledge.
USCIS received mine and my husband's I-130 package on the 27th of October. Like yours will be, ours was also sent to the Chicago lockbox, and was then forwarded to the Potomac service centre. We received our NOA1 in the post on the 4th of November, and haven't heard a whisper from them since. In six days, it'll be six months since they received our petition; I don't know where you've read it's taking '7 months and beyond', but from my own current experience I would advise to prepare yourselves for a long wait and hope for a short one! The average suggested processing time for this first bit is 5 months, but of course it varies from month to month and from case to case.
The timescale thing is, again, a bit of a 'how long is a piece of string' situation. The average processing time for a CR-1 visa, from start to finish, is 8-10 months. We recently saw someone on this forum go through the whole thing within that suggested timescale; we also have me here, though, and mine is looking like it could take a little longer. Again, I'd say to prepare for a long ride and hope for a short one!
As for what happens next: once your I-130 petition has been approved, you'll receive your NOA2 (second notice of action), and then you'll be invited to apply for your visa, which is another 3-5 month process on average. It involves some paperwork, a medical and an interview (the latter two elements take place in London). We recently talked another member through the process, which you can read on this thread: http://britishexpats.com/forum/marri...-130-a-894078/
Edit: If you do read that above thread, don't be alarmed by the mention of the G-325a forms in the first message - those are now obsolete, and your I-130a is in its place.
I wish you the very best of luck!
I have found this forum immeasurably helpful and, since joining myself, my advice to others has been to become a regular here, read everything you see in the 'Marriage Based Visas' forum, and you will soon find yourself becoming familiar with the process and it'll start to feel a little less confusing/overwhelming. There are some incredibly knowledgeable people on this website who have been very helpful to me, and who will be very helpful to you, too, if you have any questions throughout the process.
Good luck to you, and congratulations on your recent marriage!
I'm Kate, and I'm on the exact same journey as you (UK citizen, married to US citizen, I-130 filed October 2016) so just thought I'd come and say hi.
Edit: I'm not sure about the ones between your husband and yourself - perhaps the same could be said for those? I would imagine them to be slightly less convincing, though, than letters from other people. I'm basing that on personal assumption, though, not formal knowledge.
As for what happens next: once your I-130 petition has been approved, you'll receive your NOA2 (second notice of action), and then you'll be invited to apply for your visa, which is another 3-5 month process on average. It involves some paperwork, a medical and an interview (the latter two elements take place in London). We recently talked another member through the process, which you can read on this thread: http://britishexpats.com/forum/marri...-130-a-894078/
Edit: If you do read that above thread, don't be alarmed by the mention of the G-325a forms in the first message - those are now obsolete, and your I-130a is in its place.
I wish you the very best of luck!
I have found this forum immeasurably helpful and, since joining myself, my advice to others has been to become a regular here, read everything you see in the 'Marriage Based Visas' forum, and you will soon find yourself becoming familiar with the process and it'll start to feel a little less confusing/overwhelming. There are some incredibly knowledgeable people on this website who have been very helpful to me, and who will be very helpful to you, too, if you have any questions throughout the process.
Good luck to you, and congratulations on your recent marriage!
Last edited by KK85; Apr 21st 2017 at 6:07 pm.
Apr 21st 2017, 7:19 pm
#5
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Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 37
Re: I-130 about to file. A few questions
Hi, anothercalamity!
I'm Kate, and I'm on the exact same journey as you (UK citizen, married to US citizen, I-130 filed October 2016) so just thought I'd come and say hi.
Along with a handful of photographs (including from our wedding day, showing family and friends with us) and evidence of flight travel back and forth, my husband and I also sent letters that his mother and brother kindly wrote up to say they believed our relationship to be sincere and genuine. I wouldn't imagine it's necessary to have those, but it certainly won't hurt you to include them.
Edit: I'm not sure about the ones between your husband and yourself - perhaps the same could be said for those? I would imagine them to be slightly less convincing, though, than letters from other people. I'm basing that on personal assumption, though, not formal knowledge.
USCIS received mine and my husband's I-130 package on the 27th of October. Like yours will be, ours was also sent to the Chicago lockbox, and was then forwarded to the Potomac service centre. We received our NOA1 in the post on the 4th of November, and haven't heard a whisper from them since. In six days, it'll be six months since they received our petition; I don't know where you've read it's taking '7 months and beyond', but from my own current experience I would advise to prepare yourselves for a long wait and hope for a short one! The average suggested processing time for this first bit is 5 months, but of course it varies from month to month and from case to case.
The timescale thing is, again, a bit of a 'how long is a piece of string' situation. The average processing time for a CR-1 visa, from start to finish, is 8-10 months. We recently saw someone on this forum go through the whole thing within that suggested timescale; we also have me here, though, and mine is looking like it could take a little longer. Again, I'd say to prepare for a long ride and hope for a short one!
As for what happens next: once your I-130 petition has been approved, you'll receive your NOA2 (second notice of action), and then you'll be invited to apply for your visa, which is another 3-5 month process on average. It involves some paperwork, a medical and an interview (the latter two elements take place in London). We recently talked another member through the process, which you can read on this thread: http://britishexpats.com/forum/marri...-130-a-894078/
Edit: If you do read that above thread, don't be alarmed by the mention of the G-325a forms in the first message - those are now obsolete, and your I-130a is in its place.
I wish you the very best of luck!
I have found this forum immeasurably helpful and, since joining myself, my advice to others has been to become a regular here, read everything you see in the 'Marriage Based Visas' forum, and you will soon find yourself becoming familiar with the process and it'll start to feel a little less confusing/overwhelming. There are some incredibly knowledgeable people on this website who have been very helpful to me, and who will be very helpful to you, too, if you have any questions throughout the process.
Good luck to you, and congratulations on your recent marriage!
I'm Kate, and I'm on the exact same journey as you (UK citizen, married to US citizen, I-130 filed October 2016) so just thought I'd come and say hi.
Along with a handful of photographs (including from our wedding day, showing family and friends with us) and evidence of flight travel back and forth, my husband and I also sent letters that his mother and brother kindly wrote up to say they believed our relationship to be sincere and genuine. I wouldn't imagine it's necessary to have those, but it certainly won't hurt you to include them.
Edit: I'm not sure about the ones between your husband and yourself - perhaps the same could be said for those? I would imagine them to be slightly less convincing, though, than letters from other people. I'm basing that on personal assumption, though, not formal knowledge.
USCIS received mine and my husband's I-130 package on the 27th of October. Like yours will be, ours was also sent to the Chicago lockbox, and was then forwarded to the Potomac service centre. We received our NOA1 in the post on the 4th of November, and haven't heard a whisper from them since. In six days, it'll be six months since they received our petition; I don't know where you've read it's taking '7 months and beyond', but from my own current experience I would advise to prepare yourselves for a long wait and hope for a short one! The average suggested processing time for this first bit is 5 months, but of course it varies from month to month and from case to case.
The timescale thing is, again, a bit of a 'how long is a piece of string' situation. The average processing time for a CR-1 visa, from start to finish, is 8-10 months. We recently saw someone on this forum go through the whole thing within that suggested timescale; we also have me here, though, and mine is looking like it could take a little longer. Again, I'd say to prepare for a long ride and hope for a short one!
As for what happens next: once your I-130 petition has been approved, you'll receive your NOA2 (second notice of action), and then you'll be invited to apply for your visa, which is another 3-5 month process on average. It involves some paperwork, a medical and an interview (the latter two elements take place in London). We recently talked another member through the process, which you can read on this thread: http://britishexpats.com/forum/marri...-130-a-894078/
Edit: If you do read that above thread, don't be alarmed by the mention of the G-325a forms in the first message - those are now obsolete, and your I-130a is in its place.
I wish you the very best of luck!
I have found this forum immeasurably helpful and, since joining myself, my advice to others has been to become a regular here, read everything you see in the 'Marriage Based Visas' forum, and you will soon find yourself becoming familiar with the process and it'll start to feel a little less confusing/overwhelming. There are some incredibly knowledgeable people on this website who have been very helpful to me, and who will be very helpful to you, too, if you have any questions throughout the process.
Good luck to you, and congratulations on your recent marriage!
Thank you for this. I'm hoping I'm ready to go. Ordered the international bankers draft today from Barclays. It should arrive Monday and then it's in the post!
Apr 21st 2017, 9:06 pm
#6
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Location: Harrisburg, PA (formerly Somerset, UK)
Posts: 538
Apr 21st 2017, 9:55 pm
#7
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Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: I-130 about to file. A few questions
I am sending, marriage licence...
... financial records of support...
I'm just about ready to file our I-130, I-130a and the confirmation of receipt form.
I am in the uk, my husband in the us.
I am in the uk, my husband in the us.
Ian
Apr 22nd 2017, 7:16 am
#8
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2017
Location: UK
Posts: 21
Re: I-130 about to file. A few questions
I am UKC and my husband USC.
I'm just about ready to file our I-130, I-130a and the confirmation of receipt form.
Is there any benefit to sending copies of letters/emails between my husband and I to prove our relationship?
I am sending, marriage licence, birth certs, copies of wedding cards, telephone records, stamps from visiting USA in passport, financial records of support, photos of us.( all copies) Is that enough?
I believe I've read it's taking up to 7 months and beyond to process just this initial part, is this still the case?
Then.....could you point me in the direction of a thread that covers....'what's happens next' and rough time frames. And costs associated with each part of the process.
Many thanks
Emma
I'm just about ready to file our I-130, I-130a and the confirmation of receipt form.
Is there any benefit to sending copies of letters/emails between my husband and I to prove our relationship?
I am sending, marriage licence, birth certs, copies of wedding cards, telephone records, stamps from visiting USA in passport, financial records of support, photos of us.( all copies) Is that enough?
I believe I've read it's taking up to 7 months and beyond to process just this initial part, is this still the case?
Then.....could you point me in the direction of a thread that covers....'what's happens next' and rough time frames. And costs associated with each part of the process.
Many thanks
Emma
I think it's hard to say how long it will take.
We got the NOA1 14/12/2016 and the I-130 was approved on 07/04 at Texas Service Centre, we're currently waiting for a case number from the NVC.
I've seen many variations.
Aside from the other required documents, we just sent the marriage certificate and a piece of correspondence from the bank that had both our names on it.
Good luck on your journey.
