ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Woohoo! It made it! Now we wait biggrin.gif
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-05-22 15:27:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
So, apparently getting a shipment from NY to VT is complicated and requires you to go WEST to TN before moving NORTH... haha... come on FedUp! I want my petition to get to the service centre sometime this year!

QUOTE
May 21, 2009 2:25 PM In transit MEMPHIS, TN
May 21, 2009 8:50 AM Arrived at FedEx location MEMPHIS, TN
May 21, 2009 7:10 AM Departed FedEx location NEWARK, NJ
May 20, 2009 8:35 PM Left FedEx origin facility STATEN ISLAND, NY
May 20, 2009 5:16 PM Picked up STATEN ISLAND, NY
May 20, 2009 12:07 PM Shipment information sent to FedEx

SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-05-21 22:36:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
QUOTE (mingus_drake @ May 19 2009, 12:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
good luck!

all went smoothly with my medical, just have to go to my GP tomorrow and get some booster vaccination shots.


Ahaha, thank you for reminding me! My GP told me I needed to get booster shots almost a year ago - apparently my rubella vaccination wore off - I'm going to get that done asap so I won't have to bother later on =D

My I-129F will be in the mail in a matter of hours, I can't wait! Jesse has stayed up all night getting it all ready, he doesn't have work today so he's just waiting the night out so that he can go get photocopies first thing in the morning and then stop by the post office happy.gif
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-05-19 05:54:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Yay! I can't wait to tell Jess he's allowed to the interview - maybe that will concrete his decision to come down (if only tickets weren't so much money...!)
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-05-14 16:16:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Hmm... Jesse is thinking about coming Down Under for Christmas. I'm wondering if I should tell him to wait or time his trip so that he'll be here the same time as my interview? (Hard to say when that will be as we haven't filed just yet!). Does the Sydney Consulate allow your fiance in to the interview with you? They wouldn't allow my mum in with my for my J-1 but I assume that's because she had nothing to do with it...
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-05-13 06:51:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
QUOTE (MzMo1102 @ May 12 2009, 04:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
(XX) FEES: This fee can be paid at any Australia Post outlet. You will need to advise the counter assistant that you would like to pay the U.S. non-immigration visa application fee. Ensure you bring the original receipt for this payment with you to the interview.
1AUD$196.50


Hmm, I wonder if this has gone up... I don't remember paying that much for my J-1, and I'm pretty sure it's the same fee.

...Just dug up my old passport and it says I paid $130.00 At Australia Post for "American Embassy US Non Immigrant Visa", then an additional $136.50 (US $105.00) at the Consulate for "J1 NIV ISSUANCE".

Oh well, money can't compare with what we're in this whole process for =) At least it's good to know I'll need to have a few hundred saved up in a few months to pay for police checks, medical, fees etc. How handy this forum is!
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-05-12 06:21:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
QUOTE (mingus_drake @ May 6 2009, 03:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
can anyone tell me what the deal is with the following:

"1. processing fee receipt: AU$130 for each applicant. Go to any post office , pay the fee, and obtain one receipt for each applicant, attached to the outside cover of each passport. Valid passport (and any expired passports bearing United states visas)"

i don't remember reading about this anywhere else?


I think that's a standard for all visas. I had to get it for my J-1 (same price). As far as I remember I didn't attach the receipt anywhere, I just took it along to the interview with me and gave it to them when they asked for it.
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-05-06 05:57:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Whew, so we got everything just about sorted and are sending off our packet as soon as Jesse gets paid, yay!

Rather specific question, because I think someone else here was an au pair - I lived in the US for 12 months (technically 13 since we get a 30 day "grace period" to leave), would I need a police certificate from Connecticut? I would assume so but I asked my dad and he doesn't even think they'd have me on file anywhere to run a check. I thought I'd just call the Greenwich PD to find out but I figured I'd check here first just in case =D
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-05-05 05:45:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Ugh... this gets more and more frustrating! So, we've established that he does earn over $18,212 a year... but only about $14,000 of it is in wages. The extra few thousand is earned through tips (which he does claim on his tax return).

I don't know if this is acceptable or not. His employer has just transitioned him from part time to full time, so he gets paid differently now, and my assumption is that we will have nothing to prove the few thousand he earns in tips per year and therefore can't add that to the $14,000 a year he earns. Don't suppose anyone knows about this?

It really sucks because that's the nature of the beast when you're a barber, waitor, etc... so much of your income is from tips, and is therefore variable, and even when claimed on tax returns it can still be hard to prove. I wish my parents could co-sponsor, they'd do it in a heartbeat sad.gif
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-04-30 23:47:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
QUOTE (MzMo1102 @ May 1 2009, 09:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Jesse will only have to make $18,212 which is 125% of poverty line for 2009. It seems to increase every year...You can also see if any of Jesse's friends who make the poverty line will be willing to co-sponsor?


If that's the case than it's good news - for some reason we had a figure of around $25,000 floating in our heads and he only makes about $20,000...

I had looked at the 2008 poverty threshold ($11,212 or something) this morning and thought 'excellent!' because we were clear of 125% of that. Figures that it would go up >_<. I will confirm with him what he makes and as long as it clears $18,212... looks like we can file with confidence biggrin.gif That makes me happy. Then I can go back to having a great relationship with his mother, lol.

Edited by SCFsnoopy, 30 April 2009 - 10:45 PM.

SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-04-30 22:44:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
QUOTE (Cham @ May 1 2009, 01:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Have you told her there is no obligation for the 1-134? people ALWAYS have an issue with it


Yup, I've tried to. She seems certain something will go drastically wrong though and she'll end up repaying the government for my welfare checks or something though.

She just sent me an email saying that Jesse only has to earn 10% above the poverty level. I thought it was 25% above? That's what everyone here has been saying. I don't know if she got that figure off the immigration lawyer she said she's seeing or if that's a result of her own research...

SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-04-30 15:37:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Phew... soo... finally got around to reading the whole thread =) I'm really stressed out about the interview but it sounds like you guys had it easy! I should know better, it was ridiculously easy when I got my J-1 visa from the consulate...

I'm just really stressed about the interview because we're having issues getting a co-sponsor for our I-134 and Jesse only just doesn't earn enough to qualify by himself. His parents are taking the stance of "we don't want to be responsible if Sophie gets hit by a bus, you should figure this out on your own." Real nice. I've been emailing his mum back and forth over the last few days assuring her that if something did happen to me, my family would back me up financially, and I would have my own personal health insurance anyway (holy ####### you would be stupid not to have health insurance in the US!) No luck so far though... sigh. I feel like there's no point sending our I-129F off until we can get this sorted because it's a waste of money and effort when we can almost guarantee a denial at the interview...
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-04-30 06:36:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
QUOTE (MzMo1102 @ Apr 29 2009, 01:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (SCFsnoopy @ Apr 29 2009, 07:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Also, with the co-sponsor... anyone know if it has any 'consequences' I suppose for the co-sponsor? I assume that they aren't *actually* ever held financially responsible for anything, ever, but some confirmation on that would be good smile.gif


With the sponsor and/or co-sponsor, they are liable if the person they are sponsoring become a public charge. In addition to that, their income/asset information is taken into consideration to determine whether the beneficiary is eligible any benefits such as food stamp, temporary benefits for needy family, suplemental income, etc...


Cool, thanks for the info. Turns out his parents aren't as willing to co-sponsor as I thought... they are going to see an immigration lawyer to get advice, who knows, maybe they will help us out in the end. Jesse's looking into getting his pay fixed up properly so that he will have at least 6 months worth of pay stubs to show but I'm stressing (probably rightly so) that they're going to turn it down because we don't have a tax return to prove his income.

The issue at the moment is that he's not technically employed full time - so it messes with how he has to file for his taxes (I don't really understand the details, any sentence containing the word 'tax' goes right over my head). He's going to try and come to an agreement with his boss and get a contract drawn up that will properly show his working hours and get paid a real salary. One of the pitfalls of working for a small private business, I guess wacko.gif But like I said, he won't have a tax return to prove his 'new' salary, just the pay stubs and a copy of his contract/letter of employment. Ugh.
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-04-29 07:05:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
QUOTE (Chris & Mara @ Apr 28 2009, 11:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
heh 6months.... that would be sweet.... Im up to 9 months and counting just for the NOA2 *sigh* I honestly thought this part of the journey would have been well and truly over by March at the latest.


Hey Chris and Mara... I notice you guys met on WoW? That's cool, Jesse and I both play WoW (although we didn't meet there... actually... Jesse was a friend of a friend I met on WoW so in a roundabout way we did, haha). I have a good friend who lives in Canada now, she met her husband on WoW as well.

Is it just taking so long for you because USCIS lost your case?

Also, with the co-sponsor... anyone know if it has any 'consequences' I suppose for the co-sponsor? I assume that they aren't *actually* ever held financially responsible for anything, ever, but some confirmation on that would be good smile.gif
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-04-28 16:16:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
QUOTE (MzMo1102 @ Apr 28 2009, 03:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (SCFsnoopy @ Apr 28 2009, 01:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey guys, I'm nowhere near this stage yet but wanted to get some info -

During the interview at the consulate, how serious are they about the I-134 Affidavit of Support? Has anyone had any issues with having a co-sponsor? I've read that some consulates are more concerned about it than others.


Welcome to the thread!! If I remember correctly, you're moving to Staten Island, NY? Woohoo if so, great- another one moving to NY area!

It shouldnt be a problem - im having a co-sponsor as well.


Thanks for the welcome! Sorry my post was so short, was rushing it in quiet moment at work. Should I introduce myself? laughing.gif

Good to see that a couple of others are going with co-sponsors. I don't actually think we need it but it's peace of mind =)

And yes, I am moving to Staten Island happy.gif Say, I don't suppose you and your fiance have room for a pug...? Haha. My fiance's apartment doesn't allow pets and I'm heartbroken to be leaving my dog behind, even temporarily...

Anyway, I'm sure I'll have plenty more questions soon enough. We'll be filing our I-129F in the next couple of weeks. It's good to see that it's only taking about six months for a lot of Aussies at the moment, six months is an easy wait biggrin.gif
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-04-28 04:09:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Hey guys, I'm nowhere near this stage yet but wanted to get some info -

During the interview at the consulate, how serious are they about the I-134 Affidavit of Support? Has anyone had any issues with having a co-sponsor? I've read that some consulates are more concerned about it than others.
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-04-27 22:44:00
Mexico, Latin & South AmericaSending important documents to Mexico
QUOTE (tallcoolone @ Apr 27 2009, 09:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Fed Ex

I think DHL no longer is in USA

I have seen many of their Vans and trucks at Wholesale Car Lots in Dallas.....


DHL is still in the USA, they just don't offer domestic services anymore. They're still #1 for international shipments though, they can move pretty much anything anywhere in 3-5 days.
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-04-26 19:04:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPolice Checks for former Au Pairs
Beautiful, thanks guys. One less thing to worry about =)
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-05-05 06:24:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPolice Checks for former Au Pairs
Was chatting about this with my dad today and he seems to think I wouldn't be able to get a police check for the 12 months I lived in Connecticut working as an au pair (nanny). I was wondering if anyone else was an au pair and could shed some light on this? I would assume that since I spent 12 months there, I'd need the police check, but my dad seems to think I wouldn't even be on file there so they wouldn't be able to do it for me.

I was hired through Cultural Care Au Pair, they organized everything from my visa (J-1) to my flights to placing me with a host family in the US.

If nobody here is too sure, I'll give the local police department in CT a call to see if it's possible for them to do a police check for me.
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-05-05 05:51:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionhelp me i'm so depressed, so urgent
QUOTE (dento-10000 @ May 21 2009, 08:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
i don't have receipts of purchased cards i just have some of the cards i used, and i don't have letters. we didn't thought these letters can help because we chat every day and sendinig letters overseas really makes no sense. huh.gif


Sending letters is romantic, if nothing else innocent.gif

But you chat every day - what program do you use to chat? Most chat programs (MSN, Yahoo, AIM, Skype...) allows you to save chat logs. Start saving them every day if you can. My fiance and I use Skype and without any input from me, the program has saved chatlogs from December 28th of last year when I installed a new version of it. I'm sure I could've had chat logs from over a year ago if I hadn't bought a new computer and reinstalled everything laughing.gif
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-05-24 01:52:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionWhat did you bring to your Consulate interview as proof of engagement?
I have a couple of engagement cards from both my grandmothers and an email from my future mother-in-law that basically says how happy she is her son *finally* got his act together, lol... I don't think the Sydney consulate is a tough one but I'm taking those along just in case. I don't know if Jesse will let me see the ring receipt but I will definitely be wearing the ring at the interview smile.gif We aren't planning on having an engagement party because we're saving money for the wedding so we're relying on other proofs.
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-08-16 06:05:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionWhat is the name of that tax form?
QUOTE (Stephen + Elisha @ Sep 24 2009, 12:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Tax transcripts are FREE. Tax return COPIES are expensive, because they have to actually dig up the form you filed out of the archives. The transcript can be printed out from their systems in a matter of seconds. You can order over the phone (1-800-829-1040 and follow the prompts) and they'll mail them the same day, generally arriving within a week; or, if you need them faster, you can talk to an operator and get them faxed while you wait, or request them in person at a local IRS office. Whichever way you go, they are absolutely FREE.


That's good to know! And my co-sponsor can use those transcripts in place of the W-2, right?
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-09-23 15:55:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionWhat is the name of that tax form?
QUOTE (Miss Natalie @ Sep 23 2009, 05:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (SCFsnoopy @ Sep 23 2009, 03:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey there,

My fiance and his co-sponsor are filling out the I-134's for my interview at the moment. My co-sponsor is having a little trouble locating her W-2's, and I remember there being mention of some sort of tax receipt you can get from IRS to show your last year's tax return... not a W-2, something else. Can anyone shed light on this? I'm completely clueless about the US tax system wacko.gif


Your sponsor can get her IRS Transcripts - just get her to call 800 829 3676 and order them over the phone. That's what I asked my fiance to do. We are waiting on them now, hopefully it's not that long of a wait!
They are quite expensive though (around $50 each), so let her know that. I asked my fiance to get the last 3 years done because there are some threads here that say it is safe to have extra. Not sure if that is still the case with a co-sponsor though.

Check out www.irs.gov too

Good Luck!


You're a champ smile.gif I'll just pay her back if it costs her anything (beer's on me! laughing.gif)

SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-09-23 02:27:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionWhat is the name of that tax form?
Hey there,

My fiance and his co-sponsor are filling out the I-134's for my interview at the moment. My co-sponsor is having a little trouble locating her W-2's, and I remember there being mention of some sort of tax receipt you can get from IRS to show your last year's tax return... not a W-2, something else. Can anyone shed light on this? I'm completely clueless about the US tax system wacko.gif
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-09-23 02:13:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPacket 3 Questions... Affidavit of Support Forms, and Interview Scheduling?
QUOTE (BitingMyNails2 @ Sep 23 2009, 02:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
THANK YOU ALL SOOO MUCH FOR YOUR SPEEDY RESPONSES! It is appreciated beyond words. I am sorry if I am perhaps as thick skulled as they come, but just to clarify: I can't submit anyone elses finances but mine to sponsor him? The sponsor has to be the petitioner then? Or is it that I COULD submit my fathers I-134 rather than mine (Which I will send for my fiance to have anyway just in case they try to trip him up) as long as it comes with a copy of his passport, a paystub and a tax return from 2008? Would he need to write a letter or anything explaining why it is his information being submitted rather than mine? More or less, I wanna know what you would submit if we swapped places. lol. I assume that since I am still claimed on his taxes as a dependent that is all the verification of relation that I would need right?...Damn. This is so F'in retarded! SORRY I'm so concerned, just wanna make sure everything will go as planned.


To my understanding, the I-134 has to be submitted by the petitioner no matter what - co-sponsors are an addition, not a replacement.

SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-09-23 02:21:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAffidavit of Support - most of his pay is "off the books"
QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Apr 27 2009, 09:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The process of having a co-sponsor is for another person to also submit an I-134 and supporting documents on your behalf. He/she prepares an I-134 exactly like that of your fiance and submits it to you to take to the interview. The other person must be a US citizen and have a US address.


Thank you, that's easy enough =) His stepfather is more than willing to co-sponsor for us.

SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-04-27 09:17:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAffidavit of Support - most of his pay is "off the books"
QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Apr 27 2009, 02:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ah, the first lesson on the USA. Taxes are one of those hot potato subjects. You post that your fiance is a "tax cheat". Some people laugh and say "good for him" others get really angry about it. Hey, I have been around a while and made my share of black money and knew exactly what it was and what I was doing. The reason so many self employed people have problems with the I-134 is because they are "writing off" all their income as business expense and show no "income", which is not the same as not claiming it at all, but I am just saying.

Then you post he didn't know what he was doing, which he most certainly does, even if unorganized. The only ones that get away with that are people nominated by the President for top governemnt jobs, such as the head of the department collecting taxes who forgot to pay some $163,000 in back taxes. So I make no judgements about your fiance reagarding taxes though it concerns me he would lie to you about that (and that is really none of my business) So I hope I didn't offend you or seem hateful or something.

The reason our stores have so many things "made in China" is exactly for the purpose of legal tax evasion. The tax codes do nothing but run off business and jobs, far more than are ever taken by illegal immigrants, and they were good paying jobs. That puts more on the rest of us and some people get really irritated about that and I don't blame them either. I have owned a business and the tax burden and the burden of compliance is terrible, almost to the point that it is difficult to do anything but spend your time to comply with tax law, so I understand why his boss does this. He wants to serve his clients, not do bookwork for the IRS.

Fair warning....you will get similar reactions discussing politics and religion and NONE of those topics were ever allowed at my mother's dinner table, if you get the drift! Don't take it personal, merely fallout from the freedom of speech that we all use liberally.


I appreciate the explanation and I do get it - I lived in the USA for 16 months, long enough to learn what subjects are controversial - but I still feel that people flew off the handle about the whole thing. All I wanted was an answer to a fairly specific question and I got this completely unexpected response, so you could understand why I might be a little upset, the accusations of a deceitful fiance aside (and really, if he told me right up that he thinks he only claims his checks, why would you think he's lying to me? Wouldn't it be a lie if he told me he did it flawlessly but it turns out he didn't?)

Like I said, I talked to him again about it and he said that he used the tax professional last year, and the year before he used H&R Block to help with his taxes. If professionals were involved on at least two tax returns and he's only been a barber for the last 2.5 years it makes me hopeful that everything was claimed properly and he hasn't done any tax evasion at all, intentional or otherwise. We will find out - he is calling the professional tomorrow and I've emailed his mother to get her to check his records for me.

It might help to understand that I myself have only submitted one tax return in my life, so I'm pretty new to the whole process too (my last tax return was an absolute no-brainer - I only worked two months of the financial year so I didn't earn enough to pay tax). It's hard for me to explain something like this while having no real idea of how it all works.

Anyway, if people had been reading my posts all the way through rather than flaming me, they would see that this is what I was asking:

My question now is whether somebody could please explain to me the process of having a co-sponsor, or could provide a link that explains it.

SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-04-27 02:28:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAffidavit of Support - most of his pay is "off the books"
Wow. I came to this forum for help and I get flames? This isn't typical of the attitude I usually see on the K-1 forums. Shame on all of you.

Now that we're all done jumping to conclusions, let me clarify things a little. My fiance is not lying to me about his financial situation, he is genuinely unsure of what he's claimed on his taxes (if you know him, you know he can't remember what he did last week, let alone last financial year). Last year he used a tax professional to help him file his taxes, I know that in previous years his mother has usually helped. He's not the most organized person in the world. He is going to contact the professional and ask him for details since he's been moving around a lot and so all of his papers are at his mother's house. He's also going to speak with his boss and clarify what his boss is doing in regards to declaring the pay.

I am really disgusted by the attitude most of you have displayed in this thread. Regardless of whether he has done something wrong or not, this is not the place to air your opinions about it.

I still appreciate the helpful comments that some of you have made and I assure you that I will be pressuring him to check all of this out and make sure it is well and truly sorted before we go any further.
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-04-26 18:58:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAffidavit of Support - most of his pay is "off the books"
QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Apr 26 2009, 12:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
His income tax return will show his correct income, yes? Oops. Forgot to claim it and pay taxes on it? Well this is just one of the benefits of tax evasion. His boss has no record either as he would be in even more trouble for not withholding payroll taxes. Your fiance doesn't have an interview about income, YOU do. He has to give you the documents and YOU have to explain it. You are correct it does not actually say you have to prove income. You can go with that.

Better line up a co-sponsor


I think we will line up a co-sponsor.

I asked him if he claims taxes on everything he earns or just the checks, and his response was something along the lines of "only the checks, I thought that was all I needed to since that's all I get on the books." It's not deliberate tax evasion on his part, just ignorance about the tax system and no thanks to his boss for doing things a bit dodgy.

So now I'm wondering how much he should claim to earn on the I-134... what he actually earns, or what is declared on his tax return (I'm going to guess it's the latter). Does anyone have a link to, or could explain, the process of having a co-sponsor?

Thanks again for the advice.
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-04-26 03:18:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAffidavit of Support - most of his pay is "off the books"
QUOTE (Karin und Otto @ Apr 26 2009, 10:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Is it safe to assume your fiancé doesn't declare this under-the-table income on his income taxes? If so - it will be difficult, if not impossible, to show proof of it for the I-134. Yes - you must show supporting documents/evidence for income claimed on the I-134. good.gif


#######, that's what I thought.

If his employer does have some kind of record of what he's *actually* being paid (his boss owns the babershop and it's likely he has his own personal records) could we use those? Or in our case would it be smart to have a co-sponser? (we can do that easily enough).
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-04-25 21:13:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAffidavit of Support - most of his pay is "off the books"
My fiance just raised a very interesting question about showing his financial income.

He's legally employed as a barber and makes a decent amount of money. However, for some reason, he is only paid $88.41 a week on record, when in reality he receives between $400-$800 a week (depending on how many haircuts he does and how much he makes in tips). He receives the $88.41 as a check and the rest of his pay is cash in an envelope.

I just looked at the I-134 form and as far as I can see it doesn't ask for you to submit actual proof of income, however, will they ask him to submit proof at his interview?

He doesn't get payslips, he just gets the envelope with his check and cash in it with what he earned each day of that week written on it. I've asked him if he can ask his boss if he has any sort of personal record of what the barbers are earning so that we could provide that if needed.

Thanks for any help =)
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-04-25 19:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsInterview, Approval, K-1 Visa Received, Entry, Marriage and Birth - WOW!!!!
What a beautiful story! Congratulations to you, your wife and your two daughters. It's always nice to hear when authorities will help someone out when they really need it, as in your case =)
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-04-19 04:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsIt is not fair
QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Jun 10 2009, 02:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Danu @ Jun 9 2009, 11:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
<-- she biggrin.gif. Also I was just looking Gary because I didnt think Canada allows fiance(e)s. Common Law and same sex partners yes, but eitherwise its work/study visa's or spouses/children/family...and for common law you have to have lived together a certain length of time. Its why we didn't try to get Wes up here, cuz we would have had to get married first and it just adds to the length. Not sure about the other countries but I did find it odd and amazing that the US would let me come down as a fiancee to get married, I'm so glad they will.


So my list of four countries is cut by one.

Well my information is a bit dated on Canada and from reading the rules from 2006 it did not appear to be a quick process but I remember they did allow for domestic partners (common law). I do know that Canadians were actively marketed to by marriage agencies in Ukraine at that time (2004-2006) as my landlord there also had a marriage agency. This is where I learned about the various country's policies. Many citizens from other countries would actually have to get married in Ukraine and apply for spouse visas. But it is true that fiancee visas are a very rare commodity. I would invite the OP to list the countries to HER knowledge that have fiancee visas. My list is down to 3. (Belgium was wavering on it, it may be down to 2)

Daboyz, does that time for spouse visas in EU apply to other countries or just between EU members? Just curious.


I'm pretty sure you're right about Australia having a fiance visa (I believe ours is valid a little longer than the K-1 and you are actually allowed to leave Australia to honeymoon, within the conditions, of course). We were considering having Jesse move over here but we weren't engaged at the time and were looking more actively at a working visa... I only briefly checked out the Aussie fiance visa because I was daydreaming smile.gif

I do wholeheartedly support the opinion that when you fall in love with a foreigner, that in itself presents hurdles and you MUST be prepared either to jump them or walk away from that relationship. Yes, the time apart sucks, but I'm getting through every day with the gratitude that I have this special person in my life who loves me and who wants to share his future with me... and isn't that a reward in itself?
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-06-10 04:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsLooking on the positive side to the K-1 process
QUOTE (Stephen + Elisha @ Jul 17 2009, 11:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (SCFsnoopy @ Jul 17 2009, 03:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I don't think it's unfair that others get processed faster - rather, it's all luck of the draw. It would only be unfair if USCIS were actually discriminating between cases, purposely approving some faster than others, but from what I've read it seems it's just a matter of who gets their hands on what stack of paper first.

At any rate, all that any of us can do is just hang in there and wait it out - knowing that in the end it's all worth it for a lifetime with the one you love.

I'm afraid I disagree.

First in, first out would be fair. I don't even mind expedites for special circumstances—upcoming military deployment of the US citizen, for example.

But when VSC has already approved two MAY filers with no special circumstances*, while not a single March filer has been approved? No, that's not fair. That's not reasonable. It's arbitrary and capricious, and it's not acceptable.

Mind you, I don't begrudge those two couples their good fortune, but I am insanely jealous and fed up with USCIS and their utter lack of transparency, accountability, and just plain common sense.

* VSC has approved a total of 6 May filers per VisaJourney timelines. 4 were military expedites, but two had no special circumstances—I personally confirmed the latter with the members in question.


Oh, me too, I'm crazy jealous of the two May petitions that have been approved already!!

Think about it though, if it was first in first out we would be waiting a hell of a lot longer... we'd have to wait while RFE's get returned, while the more extensive checks are done on some petitions, etc etc. I would much rather have them work on and hopefully approve other cases while they are waiting for returned RFE's and so on, then have them sit there doing nothing for up to 30 days for the sake of doing the petitions in order.

But I do completely agree that their transparency is hopeless - if nothing else, I wish they could at least get their online tracking to be reliable. There are so many beneficiaries who are in the States, married, applying for AOS and whatnot that according to the USCIS tracking are still "case received and pending."
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-07-17 16:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsLooking on the positive side to the K-1 process
QUOTE (Starlight95 @ Jul 17 2009, 12:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello folks,

I am in the same boat as Shivali, and go through the same scenario everyday. But, as looking on Igor's list and I know they are only estimates. It seems based on Feb 09 applicants for CSC, they approved most everybody. Yes, some of us might get an RFE, but it is not bad becasue eventually they will approve it. The chancers of denial are slim, but if you take immediate action to resolve issues maybe you would not have to wait as long as a year. The whole reason for the K-1 process its suppossed to be faster. Now that CSC has indicated on their website that their processing time is 5 months, we have every reason to contact them to let them know regarding the status. I do agree it might be best to contact your congressman or representative if they do not get on top of your petition. Everybody please just hang in there, and lets continue to give each other support. I don't think its fair that some get approved faster than others. especially within the same month. I know it may be too soon for me to write to my congresman or senator, but I just wanted to write for all of us in regards to the unfairness. What do you guys think?


I don't think it's unfair that others get processed faster - rather, it's all luck of the draw. It would only be unfair if USCIS were actually discriminating between cases, purposely approving some faster than others, but from what I've read it seems it's just a matter of who gets their hands on what stack of paper first.

At any rate, all that any of us can do is just hang in there and wait it out - knowing that in the end it's all worth it for a lifetime with the one you love.
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-07-17 02:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsBig jump on Igor's List?
I noticed the jump too, made me happy - even if it is just a bunch of old petitions being cleaned out smile.gif Now I have something to look forward to on the 1st of September!
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-08-02 01:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 2009 VSC K-1 Fillers
QUOTE (2big @ Sep 10 2009, 10:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (SCFsnoopy @ Sep 9 2009, 04:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I got touched today smile.gif



I,M MAY 19TH AND I HOPE MINE COME THIS WEEK..IF NOT I WILL GO CRAZY..JUST KIDDINNNNG...CONGRATS TO THOSE THAT ARE APPROVED.

I KEEP WAITING AND PRAYING TO GOD


That touch turned out to be an approval - I'm May 22nd, so hang in there, yours may be coming soon!
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-09-10 05:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 2009 VSC K-1 Fillers
I got touched today smile.gif
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-09-09 15:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 2009 VSC K-1 Fillers
QUOTE (Leo&Farah @ Jul 31 2009, 04:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Just checked Igor's list and there's so many updates. A lot of March filers seemingly got approved overnight (or they updated their time lines accordingly). Looks hopeful.


Yup yup, I'm finally heading up the list smile.gif Jumped about 5 spots today!
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-07-31 05:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMay 2009 VSC K-1 Fillers
Heh, yeah, I was hoping to go over before all the good ticket prices end on Dec. 9th... that's not going to happen, and ticket prices spike up to $2700 in January. Even if I get the visa in December I'll have to wait till March for planes to be affordable again sad.gif Oh well, I suppose it gives us time for my wedding dress to be ordered in and the invitation design finalized...
SCFsnoopyFemaleAustralia2009-07-29 15:23:00