ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionpacket 3/interview photos
Believe me, we've all been there!! So, relax, take a deep breath, .......

Once they've got your forms, things will move along and the interview will come along in no time, although it'll seem like an age!!

Take all supporting documents (originals plus 1 copy) and the photos to the interview. Just get those ducks lined up in a row and things will be fine.

Best of luck,

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-16 23:13:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionpacket 3/interview photos
If my memory serves me well, only 3 photos are needed. And they don't get submitted with the forms of packet 3, they get taken to the embassy on the day of the interview.

Best of luck,

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-15 12:06:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionDS230 PART II
roi_aggie,
I think my statement was clear. I said "not required for K-1s". The OP is going the K-1 route, therefore it is not required.

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-04-24 12:48:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionDS230 PART II
DS-230 Part II is not required for K-1s. That's why it wasn't in your packet 3.

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-04-23 08:50:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionK-1 Questions
1) From what I've been reading recently on VJ, yes it could take 8 weeks or so until his interview date. My suggestion is that he sends the documents back by courier. Once he knows that they have arrived, send an email to the consulate (londonconsular@state.gov) asking for an interview date as soon as possible. Admit your mistake and see if they are sympathetic.

2) This is a difficult one to answer. There is every possibility that he could be denied entry. But, I have heard of it being accomplished. He should have documentary evidence indicating that he has something to go back to the UK for. For example, home ownership documents, a letter from his employer stating that he's expected back at work on whatever date. Also, a good argument to use if denial of entry seems likely is that you've gone this far in the process so why would you jeopardise the granting of the visa now. If he hasn't been interviewed by the time you get to the wedding date, he should certainly have the letter from the consulate with his interview date. Make sure he brings that. Oh, and don't forget to have a return ticket!!

I wish you the best.

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-04-25 06:49:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionK-1 Questions
Unfortunately, you are cutting things rather fine. It is very important that your fiance gets those documents completed as quickly as possible. Note that London expects you to complete the electronic version of the DS-156. Once you do that, it generates a pdf file that has a 3rd page with a complicated barcode. This barcode is then read and it saves the people at the consulate from having to re-type all of your details. You can find the electronic version at this page on the London consulate web site.

Another question that you had that didn't get answered related to how long it takes to get the visa after the interview. My wife got her visa couriered back to her within 2 or 3 days of the interview.

Note that, if anything goes wrong at any stage in this process before your wedding, there is no guarantee that your fiance will be granted entry to the USA. His details are in the USCIS computer system, which the Border Patrol agents will access when he arrives here. In your position, I would seriously look into finding a way to delay your wedding date.

Best of luck,

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-04-24 17:04:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134
If there is no child support involved, then they are partially dependent on you. While they are with you, you pay for them. While they are with your ex, he pays for them.

Seems pretty clear cut to me. I don't think you need to do any more research on this.

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-04-28 16:34:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134
I, too, have 2 daughters from a previous marriage. The way that I figured it out was based on child support. I pay child support for both girls, but then so does their mother (technically speaking). Therefore, I said that both girls were partially dependent on me. Oh, and I claim both girls on my taxes.

Without knowing the specifics of your case, it sounds like you and your ex are both partially responsible for both girls.

G

Edited by gag54611, 28 April 2006 - 12:14 PM.

gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-04-28 12:13:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134- Bank Letter Problem
The I-134 doesn't ask how much you have in the account, it asks how much was deposited in the account over the preceding year.

I see 3 choices for you:
1. Try submitting what you suggest.
2. Create your own letter per the I-134 requirements, and submit it along with a letter from your bank stating that they don't give out the information that the USCIS has requested.
3. If you haven't already, talk to the Manager at your branch and show him the requirements from the USCIS. Perhaps then they might relent.

In your position, I would prioritise these options as 3, 2, 1.

London consulate email address is londonconsular@state.gov

Best of luck,

G

Edited by gag54611, 01 May 2006 - 10:55 AM.

gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-01 10:55:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionFinancial Documentation questions

G,

You read it with respect to the I-864.

You may also have read it with respect to the K visas, but if so it was not necessarily correct. Some consular officers may use it as their own personal rule of thumb, but it is not part of the formal requirements.

Yodrak


The expectation when you file the I-134 is that you show that your income exceeds the poverty level, or that your assets exceed 5 times the poverty level (I hope this latter figure is correct. I'm sure I've read it somewhere.).

The "Supporting Evidence" section of the I-134 is a little confusing, but the final words before the bullet list say "as appropriate". When I read this, I figured that it was up to me to submit whatever I felt necessary. So, as an employed person, I submitted the bank letter and the employer letter. I could have got away with just the employer letter because my salary is good enough. I did not have to submit any tax info or W2.

If your co-sponsor is self-employed, then he/she needs to submit what the 3rd bullet asks for. He can't submit the employer letter. Whether he/she submits the bank letter is going to be dependent on how close he/she is to the poverty level.

Boy, that sounded a bit confusing. I hope you can make sense of it.

G


Yodrak,
In principle, I agree with you. But, in the absence of clear guidelines in the I-134 regarding what is needed to satisfy the CO, it seems logical (is this an unknown word in USCIS :lol: ) to assume that satisfying the financial needs of the I-864 at I-134 submission time is the best way to go. I believe that the immigrant/non-immigrant visa confusion that surrounds the K-1 is a part of the problem here. I believe that the I-134 is used with the K-1 because it is a non-immigrant visa, whereas the I-864 gets used with immigrant visas. Maybe things would be simpler if the I-134 spelled out the same financial needs as the I-864. Until it does, I think the best guidelines to use are those associated with the I-864. Those need to be satisfied at AOS time anyway.

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-06 07:56:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionFinancial Documentation questions
The expectation when you file the I-134 is that you show that your income exceeds the poverty level, or that your assets exceed 5 times the poverty level (I hope this latter figure is correct. I'm sure I've read it somewhere.).

The "Supporting Evidence" section of the I-134 is a little confusing, but the final words before the bullet list say "as appropriate". When I read this, I figured that it was up to me to submit whatever I felt necessary. So, as an employed person, I submitted the bank letter and the employer letter. I could have got away with just the employer letter because my salary is good enough. I did not have to submit any tax info or W2.

If your co-sponsor is self-employed, then he/she needs to submit what the 3rd bullet asks for. He can't submit the employer letter. Whether he/she submits the bank letter is going to be dependent on how close he/she is to the poverty level.

Boy, that sounded a bit confusing. I hope you can make sense of it.

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-05 13:02:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionIs there anything missing? I-134 evidence
You have all the info you need. London doesn't ask for tax returns.

Best of luck,

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-12 06:21:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAnother support question.....
First of all --- :time:

You won't need any tax forms for the consulate interview. If you have started your job by the time you have to send your fiancee the I-134, you can get a letter from your new employer, as directed in the instructions for the I-134. If your slary is good enough, you won't need a co-sponsor. However, just in case the job offers don't work out, it would be good to at least tentatively identify a potential co-sponsor.

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-19 06:22:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionpics for the interview at the consulate
Go to this web page, where you will find the requirements.

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-22 06:27:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionEdinburgh Medical Center
Answered in this topic.

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-23 22:12:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionEdinburgh Medical Center
I do believe it would have been done at:

Nuffield Hospitals Health Screening Centre
6 Lochside Place
Edinburgh, EH12 9DF
Tel: 0131 339 9009


G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-23 22:01:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionvaccinations

Thanks-I told him about the MMR-Tetanus & BCG(whatever that is). I also read here that he will need a ton more for AOS. I told him he will need the "vaccination supplement" form when he files for AOS. I am going to make sure he gets everything he needs BEFORE his medical-trying to save money ya know?



Irishgirl,
Here is a link to the list of vaccinations needed. If your fiance gets them done in Ireland, then no more are required in the USA.

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-30 15:49:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionvaccinations
If your fiance can get the vaccinations done by his own doctor, then that is good, because it costs less. His doctor should be able to provide him with a document that details what vaccinations he has had, and when he had them done. The doctor's signature and credentials should be on the document as well as his signature, to ensure authenticity. Your fiance can then provide this document to the doctor who will perform the consulate medical. Make sure that your fiance keeps a copy of the document for his own records.

This is what my (then) fiancee did.

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-30 09:24:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134 question - is this ok?
My bank gave me exactly what the I-134 asked for.

Have you talked with the manager and shown them the I-134 requirements? Maybe if they saw the form, they would realise that it is a government request. Also, you could put your own letter together, explaining the situation, and backing it up with copies of your statements.

However, are you aware that you may not even need the bank letter? If your salary is good enough, then a letter from your employer will probably be sufficient.

Best of luck,

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-06-05 11:06:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionquick question on I-134
It is a big waste of effort for people going through the UK consulate since the I-134 does not appear to be heavily scritinised. In any case, its the I-864 that gets filed at AOS time that has more of a bearing from a financial perspective. I still say forget about the real estate value.

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-06-11 16:33:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionquick question on I-134
Your joint income is more than adequate to satisfy the requirement, so you don't need to worry about real estate value. Technically she doesn't need to include her asset information either.

Best of luck,

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-06-09 11:56:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAffidavit of Support - I134
The suggestion is most likely advising you to make an extra copy for yourself. I know that my (then) fiancee only provided one original I-134 in London.

It is possible that your consulate has different requirements of course, although from what Packet 3 said, it looks like only 1 original is needed.

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-06-13 10:45:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134
David,
Co-sponsors fill out the I-134.

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-06-16 06:31:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionHELP: Packet 1 from London
Hold onto the documents, just send the forms for now. When you go for your interview, take the originals and a copy. The consulate will inspect the originals and keep the copies.

Be sure to keep a copy of your completed forms for your own records.

Best of luck,

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2007-05-29 06:15:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134 Tax returns neccessary?
TomTom,
I didn't include tax returns with my I-134, only with the I-864 that was sent for AOS. If your employer letter and bank letter are sufficient to meet the poverty guidelines, that should be sufficient. I interpreted the I-134 instructions in the same way as you did.

Not sure about the IRS fax, sorry.

Best of luck,

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2007-06-08 06:49:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionBringing petitioners birth certificate, etc. to interview?
My fiancee didn't have mine. The job of the USCIS is to validate the petitioner, while the consulate has to validate the recipient. On looking at our copy of the packet 3 checklist, it doesn't call for the petitioner's documents - neither original nor copy.

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2007-06-12 10:05:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionWhat do I need to mail to SO?
Unless the embassy in London has changed its rules, the I-134 is what they will be looking for. The I-864 gets filed with his adjustment of status after marriage.

Regarding your birth certificate, I don't believe that London requires that, but if you send anything, a copy will probably be enough. The task of the USCIS in the US is to determine your eligibility for I-129F petition, including validating your citizenship. The primary job of the London embassy is to validate your fiance, including his citizenship, birth details, etc..

best of luck,

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2008-02-25 22:27:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDual citizenship - Moroccan & American
meauxna,
The links in your pinned post are superb. Thank you!!

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-01 13:18:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDual citizenship - Moroccan & American
I have dual citizenship with the UK and USA. It has been suggested that I always use my US passport when entering other countries, including the UK, and that is what I generally do. I know other naturalized US citizens, however, who use their British passports when entering the UK.

It seems to me that, if checks were performed, it is possible that a US border patrol agent could take issue if your husband did not have a Morroccan entry stamp in his US passport and this could have ramifications for his US citizenship. But this is pure speculation on my part. Do US citizens require a visa to enter Morrocco?

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-02-27 13:25:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDual irish/american citizenship
The baby will require a US passport to re-enter the country, therefore it is a given that you must get her a US passport. The only question left open is whether or or not you also get her an Irish passport.

For yourself, note that you cannot apply for US citizenship until 3 years after your green card is granted.

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-14 13:03:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCitizenship Eligibility
cloe,
Best not to be overly concerned about this case right now. Since he went back to finish college, it seems that he has a real reason to be there. So, maybe he could have something from his university that shows that he attended while he was in Phil for the last 11 months. I know that he doesn't have much time, but that might be a sensible option.

Best of luck,

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-28 17:49:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCitizenship Eligibility

Domicile Defined

4. The new regulations define domicile as follows:
'Domicile means the place where a sponsor has a residence, as defined in section 101(a)(33) of the Act in the United States, with the intention to maintain that residence for the foreseeable future, provided, that a permanent resident who is living abroad temporarily shall be considered to be domiciled in the United States if the permanent resident has applied for and obtained the preservation of residence benefit under section 316(B) or section 217 of the Act and provided further, that a citizen who is living abroad temporarily shall be considered to be domiciled in the United States if the citizen's employment abroad meets the requirements of section 319(B)(1) of the Act." (Note: "The Act' refers to the INA.)


I found that definition at this web page.

When he comes back to the USA, where does he live? Does he own or rent a home?

If he has none of these, then domicile might be tough to prove.

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-27 13:17:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCitizenship Eligibility

was just wondering if it is ok to file the petition even if he is still an LPR and i am also worried that he may not be eliglbe for citizenship if he would come back here in the phil every 6 mos to visit me..

also thinking not to file it yet bcoz maybe i may be eliglbe to enter us using non immigrant visas... coz hubby's parents are planning to sponsor me... btw hubby's parents are both US citizen...



Let's try to clarify:

Yes, he can file the I-130 as an LPR.

Yes, he is eligible for citizenship even if he visits you every 6 months, BUT he may only stay in the Phillipines for less than 6 months at a time.

If your husband's parents sponsor you to get a green card, you will wait even longer than all of the suggestions that have been made previously.

My recommendations are:
1. Get your husband to file the I-130 ASAP.
2. Ensure that your husband returns to the USA before his current visit with you exceeds 1 year.
3. Since your husband became a permanent resident in April 05, but then left for the Phillipines 1 month later, and he still isn't back here, he has only accrued 1 month of the 30 months needed to be able to apply for citizenship after 5 years of green card holding. Therefore, he has to accrue the remaining 29 months over the next 4 years. So, if he visits you every 6 months, then each visit with you should be limited to 2 months at the most. This means that you'll see him for 4 months of the year, and the other 8 months he'll be in the USA. Hence, 4 years * 8 months = 32 months. This means that he'll slightly exceed the 30 month requirement.
4. I do not recommend that you try to circumvent the process by entering on any other type of visa. Your chances of getting such a visa anyway are slim, given that your application will show that you are married to a US permanent resident.

Its your choice, of course.

Best of luck,

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-27 12:08:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCitizenship Eligibility

hubby has been an LPR since April 2005. But was in the Phil since May 2005 - April 2006


2)has resided continuously as a lawful permanent resident in the U.S. for at least 5 years prior to filing with no single absence from the United States of more than one year;



Item 2) will be an issue if he doesn't make it back here in April. Since he has been in the Phillipines since May last year. Make sure that he doesn't exceed the year!!

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-27 11:49:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionApplying for Citizenship (N-400)
Hmm, I don't believe that a translator is permitted. At the naturalization interview, the candidate is expected to read and write English as part of the test. In addition, all of the questions are in English, and the interviewer goes through the application form one question at a time, again in English.

I think that mdyoung's exception list is your only option, other than to teach your mother English.

Best of luck,

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-06-05 11:36:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDual Citizenship Netherlands/USA
I am a dual US/UK citizen. No problems, so long as you use your US passport to enter and leave the USA. You can use your Dutch passport to enter and leave The Netherlands.

There are lots of opinions on the good and bad of dual citizenship. Personally I don't see any bad issues. Good issues include having the ability to vote, the ability to be employed by government agencies. One less known benefit concerns inheritance tax. If your US spouse was to die and you inherited all of her assets, as a permanent resident you would not be allowed to take the married persons deduction (I think that is what it is called). The consequence is that the government would take a very large slice of those assets.

There is a way around this, called a Qualified Domestic Trust, and it might be worth your while looking into for the short term.

Beste wensen (Is that good ABN? I still remember a little bit of my Dutch from my 6 years in Antwerpen in the 80s),

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-25 22:47:00
US Citizenship General Discussiondual citizenship
There is another reason that I haven't seen mentioned so far. I have heard (haven't managed to confirm it, and haven't experienced it personally) that non-US Citizens are not entitled to inheritance tax relief. Therefore, if you are, for example, a UK Citizen (and green card holder) married to a US Citizen, living in the USA, and the US Citizen spouse died, then the UK Citizen would pay tax on the full inheritance amount. Whereas, US Citizens only pay tax over a certain (very large) amount. I don't recall what the threshold is.

This would be a good enough reason for me to take dual citizenship.

Anyone else heard about this?

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2007-05-05 07:36:00
CanadaCANADIAN Criminal Records, HELP!!
You can see details of what is required at this web page. It looks like you have to get the fingerprint type done. Hopefully it won't take as long as you have observed.

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-05-18 06:36:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionmove to a different state before I-751 application
I doubt that it will affect you in any way. I suggest that you file an AR-11 change of address form when you move. Then, when you lift conditions, you would use the new address.

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-21 17:10:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionTravelling with 2 year Green Card
Yes to the first paragraph.

You use the "US Citizens and Perm Residents" line.

When you talk about a "green or white customs form", I think you are referring to the I-94. Correct? This is not a Customs form, it is your entry record. You fill out neither of these, because you are a permanent resident. However, there is another white form that you must fill out, and that one really is for Customs.

G
gag54611Not TellingUnited Kingdom2006-03-25 11:31:00