curtlives

Yes, Mike this was more clear. One thing I have learned about living in China is make no assumptions.

Thanks Steve for the reassurance. I haven't been home for the last two years. And my wife Nancy is on the nervous side about coming back to the states. Everything will be different for her. A lot of adjustment as well. Regardless we will take things step by step.

Mike do you mean that at O'hare immigration and customs area is on a different floor level than the US citizen line? curtlives

Hi Folks, Excuse me I found some mistakes in my English. I have been in China too long. . My wife and I are now going back to America. We'll get to Chicago on the 26th of the month. I know that my wife needs to go through immigration line. I don't believe they will let me stand with her. What possible questions could they ask her? She has her visa stamp in her passport. All I can think is "What is the address of where we will be staying in Chicago?" Anyone care to share your experience upon entry to the states? Thanks , Curtlives

Hi Folks, My wife and I are now back to America. We'll get to Chicago on the 26th of the month. I know that my wife needs to go through immigration. What possible questions could they ask her? She has her visa stamp in her passport. All I can think is "What is the address of where we will be staying in Chicago?" Anyone care to share your experience upon entry to the states? Thanks , Curtlives

Hello There, My wife just received her passport back with a temporary I-551. We are now going to apply for Re-entry visa application. However we are still overseas but plan to go to America at the end of this month. Should we send the application to the Guangzhou USCIS office or one of them in the states (Nebraska)? Also if I pay the fee $305 US in China to the embassy what the process of doing this? Our goal is to get back to China as soon as possible so I can continue the work that we are doing here. So anyone who has done this before, I would appreciate your help. Also do I need to include any additional photos? It said that a biometric fee would need to be paid as well ($80) however, I believe this is done afterwards. Thanks again, Curtlives

Hello There, After a long Tuesday morning starting from waking up at 5:30am, we headed to the embassy to wait in line for her appointment at 7:15 am. Nancy some how got to the front (what an eager beaver! However, once they check her information, she was let in. I couldn't join her. The security guy wouldn't let me in. (I remember reading a few of you were allow to be in the room before.) So I need to wait for her. Eventually she called me. Not good news. They needed her to fill out another form that I didn't know about and they wanted the originals of our sponsor paperwork. So she came out and we looked at that. Then she fill in the information and paid some fee. She also told me that they wanted the original documentations of my sponsor application forms. We didn't have this only an "acrobat" copy. Then I didn't hear from her for a long time. I was thinking worse case scenario that we would need to turn in more paperwork before we could receive the visa. Yet, hoping and thinking for God's favor. I started to imagine us both in US and some of the things we could be doing there. Eventually she sent me another text message. "I got the VISA!" My heart leaped inside me. She was one of the last people they called for an interview. She said all the numbers called were in random order. The questions weren't any different than questions posted before. Thank you for all you who have been so helpful in the process. Curtlives

Well, we filled in Guangzhou. We passed the first step and received the paperwork for the DS-230 and I-864 Affidavit of Support. So is this what you were referring to as P3 materials? Curtlives

Hi THere, My wife and I have received the paperwork to begin the 2nd process of her application on November 18, 2008. We haven't finish collected all the data for it. Is there a deadline to turn this back into the embassy? Thanks, Curtlives

Dnoblett and others, If I am the one filed the I-130 and I also have a joint sponsor, do we fill out to separate forms? Is there a way where I don't need to show my income (since it is mostly overseas) on the form?

I also agree. I wasn't able to be there for my wife because of work issues. She was turned down for her tourist visa. It was quite difficult situation for her to deal with. I got on an overnight bus that same day, but it would have been better if I was there in the first place. I will not make the same mistake again. I am surprised that you went with your wife to her interview. However, we learn a lot after our mistakes.

David and others, How long do I have to turn in the DS-230 Part 1 with the OF-169? I called the USCIS office and they told me that they couldn't answer my question. Actually a little rude. I was thinking at least 6 months. We got it on November 20th. Thanks, Curt

Hi There, On the instructions for immigrant visa applicants it states "Do NOT send the actual documents to the Consular office as we will have to destroy them. You will not be scheduled for an appointment until you submit these forms." My question is about what the embassy is asking for? Does Do NOT send the actual documents mean (a)don't send any documents except DS -230 Part 1 or ( send copies of the check listed items and the DS-230 Part 1 completed form. Thanks appreciate those of you who have been around the bend helping others like myself join you. Curtlives

Yes, this is correct after going through all the message options at the USCIS and finally talking to someone. I found that my wife would have to be in the states 18 months of those 3 years. On another blog I was told of another option called form N-470. After my wife has been in the states for one year she can filled out this form and if approved she can work in another country without it affecting her visa application. Have you or do you know anyone who has done this? curtlives My wife and kids were in China the whole summer this year (82 days). And since becoming CR-1 has made 4 or 5 trips back to China. Correct, you need to be resident in the USA more than 18 months over 3 years, with periods out of the USA no more than 6 months to count toward the required residency for citizenship. I think they also count no more than 6 months in any 1 year period, so no out of the country for 5 months the return to USA for a month, then out of country another long period. Your residency requires the majority of time resident in the USA to count toward citizenship. Again you will find the details here: http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/M-476.pdf

Thanks for your reply. Some more questions. can my wife travel outside of United States once she becomes a permanent resident? If so how long? ALso when the government says 3 years does that mean my wife has to live in the country for 3 years without leaving? curtlives Hi There, I have an inquiry which I didn't know how to word in a simple way. I would like to know after my wife coming to the states on an IR-1 Visa, how long until she could become a US citizen? I heard that it was only one 1 year. However, I cannot remember where I read this. When I look up general information from websites they say from 3-5 years. Any assistance on this issue would be a great help, Curt It is 3 years for any spouse of an American Citizen. 5 years for everyone else. This period is counted from the date on the green card. She will be allowed to apply for US citizenship 90 days before the 3 year anniversary on her green card. The one year period applies to anyone who is serving in the United States armed forces. They can file after one year of honorable service. They also have six months after honorable discharge to apply. If they miss this, then they must wait five years, unless married to a USC. This information is all covered in the N-400 instructions.