biggish data

Process from Pakistan

Hello all

I am married for 17 years now and have 3 children, living in Karachi. My wife and kids are all US Citizens. I never applied for US immigration before.
But life in Pakistan is becoming very difficult, with law and order, also economy is a mess.

Last June, my wife went to US Embassy Islamabad to file I-130 for myself. We didnt hear anything for a long while. Calls and emails to US Embassy werent being answered etc. Anyway last week got an email from Islamabad with Family 3.5 packet which asks for submission of DS-230 plus police certificates etc.
US Embassy doesnt entertain phone calls for immigration visas, hence would be grateful for your help.

1) How do I know my case / reference number?

2) Police certificates are taking long as I lived in UAE, Saudi, and UK in the past. Is it possible to submit DS-230 without the police certificates?

3) My wife and kids are here with me in Karachi. I hear that they need to go to US before I start my application process as visas are to unite families so we need to separate first

4) I am the family breadwinner, my wife has no income etc. How do we get around the Affadavit of Support? Is it enough to show assets rather than income?

Thanks for all your help.

Ali1

Male

Pakistan

2013-03-14 00:19:00

Proving Domicile - USC Living Abroad

I am under very similar situation. I have heard that if the US Citizen is in US it quickens the process, hence am planning to send my family there.

After you submitted your DS230, how long did it take to get the interview letter? And how much notice do they give for the actual interview?

Ali1

Male

Pakistan

2013-03-14 00:47:00

Birth Certificate (I-130)

Thats great..

I too dont have my birth certificate. So I just got an affadavit on stamp paper and hope it would work.
Where do you get the FRC from? NADRA?

Thanks again for your help! JazakAllah!

At yesterday's interview, they asked my wife for my birth certificate and she explained to the officer the situation and then gave her the FRC form along with a document that explained its purpose. The officer took it and approved the application. Alhumdullilah!

Ali1

Male

Pakistan

2013-03-15 02:00:00

Passport return after interview

When they took your passport at interview did they say how long will it take?

I just had my interview and they said they will courier the passport in 2 weeks.

But the status on CEAC website still shows it at interview stage.

Now I am a bit worried if it takes longer and they have my passport as well.

Ali1

Male

Pakistan

2013-05-24 15:19:00

How to go about providing chats/sms evidence when you are arguing alot?

I included some of our little squables because no matter how good a relationship is we as humans do tend to disagree sometimes and i dont care what no one says , no relationship is 100 perfect, might be close to it though....

Ok so this is an unrelated question but i need some advice re completing the Affidavit of support I-134, re: Question # 10 . My I-129 has been approvd ny USCIS. The petuition includes my fiance's 6 yr old daughter and i wanted to know if her name has to be included on line 10 on the i-134...Please help. I know mistakes can cause hold ups and i don't wnat that to happen.

Cali-B

Female

Guyana

2012-11-05 10:38:00

i-130 Citizenship through parents

Hey guys,

I'm filing an I-130 for my husband. In question 13, it asks about citizenship. I am a US citizen, but I got citizenship through my parents and don't have a certificate of citizenship in my own name. Do I need to get one before filling out this form?

Thanks!

sb31089

Not Telling

2013-05-30 14:56:00

Here is the list my lawyers sent as proof of relationship:
1) Copy of marriage certificate
2) Copy of invitation of the ceremony attended by both families and about xx (number) of guests
3) Personal statements written by us on how we met and fell in love and chose to marry
4) Pictures capturing wedding ceremony, and other events before and after our marriage
5) A representative sampling of phone record spanning the course of the relationship (dating from xx to present) evidencing the frequency with which we were in contact
6) Copy of her facebook page where she talks about plans I made for her on Valentine's day
7) Copy of Valentine's day card she sent me
8) Evidence of shared address... (Well, this may not be applicable to you) A representative sampling of bills and credit card statements, copy of correspondence from the bank evidencing joint bank account, copy of creadit cards under the same account
9) Evidence that she changed her last name ie. copy of DL and SSC before and after indicating her name change
10) Copy of our plane ticket for our trip ... (we went to India )

Our process went well. No RFE and fairly easy interview. So, I have faith with what my lawyers filed for us.

Thank you! Your lawyer recommended showing that your wife changed her last name. Do you think it'd be recommended that I go ahead and change mine? I was just worried that I wouldn't ba able to get my passport changed before I turn in my paperwork, so I didnt want 2 different last names showing up during the process, confusing anybody. Or do you think it will be fine since they'll have a copy of my marriage certificate? Thanks so much for your advice!

Kellycrowley

Not Telling

Australia

2013-01-17 12:57:00

Sorry, one more question... My affidavit sounds so stiff! When your giving the details of your relationship, do the want it straight to the point, or do they actually want to read about how you fell inlove?

Kellycrowley

Not Telling

Australia

2013-01-17 12:54:00

This is all very helpful! I really appreciate all the feedback and links!

Kellycrowley

Not Telling

Australia

2013-01-16 22:57:00

Thanks so much guys! I looked over that link, and I think I will go ahead and take a stab at this without paying for help.

do you think it will be an issue, though, if I spent all 2011 traveling and living abroad so I don't have a tax return from then, and then 2009 I was a peace corps volunteer, so I have a very small tax return? I have bank accounts to show savings, and can get a letter of employment. I just don't want to run into anything that could slow the process! Thanks again!

Kellycrowley

Not Telling

Australia

2013-01-15 23:06:00

Hi everyone! I'm very new to this whole process. I'm lost when it comes to all the abbreviations and forms, etc. I've just married my partner from Australia, but he's back home now until we get his visa approved, so he can then move here. So, I have many questions, and from what I've been reading, everyone on here sounds so helpful and knowledgeable...
1: I should be petitioning for the cr-1 visa for him to move here and get his green card, right?
2: I definitely think it will be worth it for me to get some help with this process. Would anyone be able to recommend rapidvisa.com vs. a lawyer?
3: what kind of "proof" of relationship would you guys recommend to provide (I've got millions of pictures, emails, Facebook messages...). Is there anything else that has proven very useful to have?
4: when do I need my "proof"? When I send in my petition, or when I go in for my interview?
5: I've been noticing on profiles that the average approval time seems to be about 7 months... Is that about right? Is there ANY way for my husband to be here and be legal to work BEFORE his visa/green card is approved? Seven months is so long to be apart!

Thank you sooooo much for any advice that can be offered! This is already stressing me out like crazy, and I haven't actually begun just yet!

Kellycrowley

Not Telling

Australia

2013-01-15 17:18:00

Advice for bringing UK citizen spouse to the US...

Okay thank you both alot!

peanutbutters

Not Telling

2013-06-01 22:22:00

Advice for bringing UK citizen spouse to the US...

Hi!

I got married to my husband (UKC) 2 years ago this December. We are both over 18. We met in 2010 when he was visiting the states and then when he left we continued our relationship online. We have traveled back and forth to see each other during this time.We were married in the United States in 2011 (we didn't really plan our wedding as it was a surprise really- he was only coming to visit for a couple of weeks during the week before Christmas. He proposed that week and we got married a few days later!)

I am not planning on trying to bring him over to the states to live until next year so I am doing my research now.

Anyway I have a few questions.

1) Which visa is best for filing? I've read about a couple but I'm still very confused. What is the one most people choose to get for their spouse?

2) I currently do not have that great of a job. I was thinking of asking my brother (who makes alot of money at his job) to co-sponor me if I'm unable to get a good enough job.
2a) Building on that, I was away in Europe traveling for a year last year and obviously my tax returns are going to be lacking because of this. I read that I will have to supply 3 years of tax returns when sending things for the visa application...I only started working in 2011 and traveled from 2012-2013. (I was a college student full-time before 2011 and me and my friends all put in for a European trip!).

Those are my main concerns for now. I just want to get an idea of what to be looking for and what direction to go with this. It all seems so complicated.

Any advice would be helpful and if any more information is needed please let me know.

:-)

Edited by peanutbutters, 01 June 2013 - 10:06 PM.

peanutbutters

Not Telling

2013-06-01 22:04:00

US citizen marrying an Italian permanent resident

Hello I am new to V.J hoping to get some advice from this forum,

I am divorced with 2 kids. I have found a suitable match but he lives in Italy. He has just gained a permanent residence from Italy. He is originally from Pakistan. I would like to know if he has to go back to Pakistan so that we could get married and file his

immigration documents. Or- Can I just go to Italy, get married, and then file his papers while he is still in Italy-It would be great If I could do something like that. He does have a stable job in Italy. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

sahaabbasi

Not Telling

Italy

2013-06-29 15:35:00

CSC - NOA2 to NVC Delay

It looks like he put a line there instead of an actual date.

You're right I think. Thanks.

cathy2904

Female

United Kingdom

2011-08-15 11:47:00

CSC - NOA2 to NVC Delay

DARN!!! RFE: ds-230 question 30... hubby put "-----" instead of his 16th bdate. He had lived there his whole life.
Another trip to FedEx... <cha-ching!!!$$$>

Do you mean that he put his date of birth as the 'from' date? I haven't sent my form yet but I know that I have done that.

cathy2904

Female

United Kingdom

2011-08-15 11:39:00

No Case Number!

Our case was also received at NVC on August 8th and we are still waiting for a case number.

cathy2904

Female

United Kingdom

2011-08-28 15:36:00

Vaccinations for Medical

I would suggest to your husband to have them done to be on the safe side. Just my opinion though.

I agree.

cathy2904

Female

United Kingdom

2011-09-02 11:49:00

Vaccinations for Medical

I didn't look up the exact requirements for his age but I do believe he will have to have something to either say he has had chicken pox or the vaccine.

The varicella vaccine is not available in the UK so I understand the doctor at the medical will just ask if you have had chicken pox and take your word for it.

I am too old to have had the MMR vaccine (I don't think it was introduced in the UK until about 1988 as my own sons were amongst the first to be given it as far as I remember) but my doctor's surgery is giving it to me now. I have had the first dose and am going back for the second next week - they have to be given a month apart. They have also given me the Diptheria/Tetanus/Polio booster. They are not charging me.

Edited by cathy2904, 02 September 2011 - 11:30 AM.

cathy2904

Female

United Kingdom

2011-09-02 11:27:00

got noa2 and case number

yes he has all the originals docs with him ..... looks like it will fly in now just a case of getting appointments organised and paying rest of the fees ... where are you going in the US? this has been honestly the longest toughest year i have ever had .. and now it all seems worth every last minute i waited .....

I will be in Georgia, just south of Atlanta. How about you? Yes, I feel like life has been on hold.

cathy2904

Female

United Kingdom

2011-09-12 17:00:00

got noa2 and case number

thank you guys...... to be honest Cathy i am in a bit of a tizz of what to do next... lol i was so organised with it all before and lost a bit of interest with all the waiting to get my case number..... i need to look again at what i do next Any pointers ???? lol so yeah i am posting off for my police check this week and will book my medical ASAP x x Its sooo exciting isnt it )

Very exciting! :dance:

You will need a copy of your police certificate before you go to your medical. You will also need to send the original to your husband because he will need to send it to NVC with the IV package -might even be worth paying the extra for an expedite. Has he got all the other documents he needs to submit with that? - original long birth certificate, divorce decree if applicable, US size passport photos?

cathy2904

Female

United Kingdom

2011-09-12 16:50:00

got noa2 and case number

Congratulation! You are at about the same stage as us because I emailed the DS-3032 this evening and we also got the AOS bill today (hopefully Trevor is paying it as we speak) :innocent:

. Have you booked your medical yet? I called on Friday after we got our case number on Thursday and it is booked for a week today. I am also hoping to be in the US for Christmas.

Edited by cathy2904, 12 September 2011 - 04:27 PM.

cathy2904

Female

United Kingdom

2011-09-12 16:26:00

Evidence of Bonafide Marriage

All we sent with our petition was our marriage certificate and three affidavits from people who knew us as a couple. We were approved with no RFEs. We are now at NVC and since filing the original petition we have been collecting our evidence.

We just asked people to write a few lines about how long they had known us as a couple and how they could tell it was a genuine relationship. We asked a friend who we knew would write something sloppy, another friend who wrote something more formal and Trevor's former boss (also a friend) who wrote something more official sounding.

cathy2904

Female

United Kingdom

2011-09-14 02:41:00

Evidence of Bonafide Marriage

All we sent with our petition was our marriage certificate and three affidavits from people who knew us as a couple. We were approved with no RFEs. We are now at NVC and since filing the original petition we have been collecting our evidence.

cathy2904

Female

United Kingdom

2011-09-14 02:33:00

Help...Documents needed to show Bonafide marria

At USCIS stage all we had was the marriage certificate and three affidavits from people who knew us as a couple. They weren't people who were at the wedding as that was just us and my husband's daughter. We were approved with no RFEs but have been gathering evidence for the interview since we submitted the I-130.

cathy2904

Female

United Kingdom

2011-09-16 03:50:00

nvc payment sign on error

1-2

Yes, our AOS invoice showed paid after less than 24 hours but I guess we are going to have to wait until Monday or Tuesday for the IV to do the same.

cathy2904

Female

United Kingdom

2011-09-17 10:56:00

nvc payment sign on error

I just paid AOS. MY DS-3032 has been accepted. I do see IV bill there but I m unable to select..any idea!!

We had the same thing. I got an email yesterday saying that my DS-3032 had been accepted and they would send instructions for paying the IV fee. We could see the bill but like you, we couldn't pay it. Then this evening we got the email with the invoice and at that point we were able to pay. It took about 36 hours from getting the DS-3032 acceptance.

cathy2904

Female

United Kingdom

2011-09-16 18:26:00

LPR AT MARRIAGE,NOW A USC

My husband had been an LPR for over 20 years. He filed for naturalization in January, we were married in February and we filed the I-130 in March. He became a US citizen in July, our petition was approved by USCIS in August and my interview is on November 8th.

cathy2904

Female

United Kingdom

2011-10-15 15:53:00

port of entry questions on Cr1 visa

I don't know if it is the same at all consulates, but I understand that if you ask for them and take copies of your documents with you, London will give you back your original documents at the interview.

cathy2904

Female

United Kingdom

2011-10-16 11:04:00

Interview scheduled

Ours is November 08.

cathy2904

Female

United Kingdom

2011-10-01 12:13:00

cr-1

Howdy folks!

Just a quick question surrounding an Anglo - American application. As far as we know my details are being sent to London and they already have my medical results so everything is looking good on that front and we are trying to be positive for a December interview date. However I was wondering if I will receive electronic notification of my interview and a paper notification or one or the other. The reason I?m wondering is that I have moved out this month and feel that telling the powers that be will be extra hassle and slow things down. I do have mail redirection in place but I am wondering which mail box to be looking at my electronic one or my real one?

Any help or wisdom would be great!

Thanks

My husband and I both received an email. Nothing has come in the post.

Edited by cathy2904, 27 October 2011 - 05:15 AM.

cathy2904

Female

United Kingdom

2011-10-27 05:14:00

Visa Approved! :)

Congratulations! Very happy for you.

cathy2904

Female

United Kingdom

2011-10-19 15:57:00

Booked flight while awaiting interview...

Thanks Cathy...

Our case should be complete sometime this week.. I pray that I get an early November interview like you!!

Where in Atlanta will you be living?

Sorry, only just seen your question! I'm going to be in Peachtree City, 20 miles south of Atlanta.

How is your case coming along? I see that you had an RFE - that's frustrating! Can't believe that my interview is next week!! Getting very excited and very nervous.

cathy2904

Female

United Kingdom

2011-10-30 03:53:00

Booked flight while awaiting interview...

We are currently waiting on an interview date and I have booked my flight for November 24th... (Yep, I'm always optimistic)!!

My question is this:
How likely do you think it would be that I'm denied entry if I don't get an interview date before November but still want to use the purchased ticket for some time with my husband? What kind of proof (apart from proof of interview) do you think I'd need that I intend to return to the UK?

Praying hard!!
Nadiya & Bryan

Is your case complete at NVC? Ours was completed on 26th September (they only received the IV package one business day earlier) and we called and spoke to an operator last night who told us that my interview is 8th November. You might be lucky.

PS Looks like we will both be flying to Atlanta!

Edited by cathy2904, 01 October 2011 - 12:30 PM.

cathy2904

Female

United Kingdom

2011-10-01 12:29:00

Glad to note that the medical report may reach in time for interview and more glad about your lungs health. All the best and God bless you.

Thank you so much. Will report back on Tuesday.

cathy2904

Female

United Kingdom

2011-11-02 14:01:00

I have just got back from seeing my GP and my lungs are normal. I have emailed the report to the clinic and so with luck and a following wind, the Embassy should have my medical results by the time I go for my interview on Tuesday. What a relief!!

cathy2904

Female

United Kingdom

2011-11-02 11:56:00

Taking your radiology report to the embassy won't really serve a purpose. They will hold your passport if the visa medical results are expected shortly. Even if showed latent TB, it just means your report, at worse, may say you need follow-up in the US. It wouldn't prevent your visa.

Planning ahead is hard. You aren't guaranteed that your case will get looked at the day the medical arrives. It could sit on somebody's desk or in the mail room for a bit. So don't go purchasing plane tickets you can't change.

Thanks Nich-Nick. Don't worry, I'm not booking anything. I spoke to the clinic this morning and they say that they can get the results to the Embassy in 2 days so I have until Thursday, maybe even Friday, to get the report to them. Just have to keep my fingers crossed. Even if the Embassy haven't got the results by Tuesday I'll be happy if I know that they are imminent and they hold on to my passport. I'm not planning to leave until December anyway so I have some time.

cathy2904

Female

United Kingdom

2011-11-01 08:55:00

Thanks again - by the way I went for her interview and we both returned.

Trevor is planning to come over at the end of the month to take me back - and an extra bag!!

cathy2904

Female

United Kingdom

2011-10-31 14:51:00

I am sorry to hear that. The interview will go as usual and your visa will be issued only after they receive your medical report and found everything to be alright (passport will be with them). We pray that you get your reports in time for your interview.

Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. And congratulations again on your wife's arrival in the US. :thumbs:

cathy2904

Female

United Kingdom

2011-10-31 14:31:00