ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsstill waiting for NOA2

Actually its kinda slow,my fiancee filed on last year December she only recieved NOA1,yet still to recived any info from USCIS.Maybe we are on the same page... : :yes: :yes:


December 2011 or 2012?

You should fill in your timeline.
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-03-05 12:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsK1 September 2012 Filers

Hi! I'm sorry but I don't know what Igor's list is. Can you tell me about it?



http://www.visajourn...filers.php?cfl=


According to Igor's list, 4 septembers approved from CSC, also 3 octobers, 4 novembers, 4 decembers, and even a January, 2013 approved.

Edited by Love's JAA, 02 March 2013 - 01:18 AM.

Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-03-02 01:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsUSCIS announced today 1 year timeline for K-1 Apps

Is this one year from NOA1 to NOA2 or from NOA1 to visa in hand?


It must be to NOA2 because USCIS doesn't handle the rest. That's the State Dept.
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-03-29 06:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsCSC - K 1 APPROVED
Congratulations!

It's crazy, all these recent are approved in 3-5 months, while the 6 months and beyond seems to remain untouched.
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-04-12 11:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsK1 visa approved

Approved, visa approved, my hubby visa approved. Thank you Jesus, thank you Lord. I am so happy thanks VJ for the big help. :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:


How did you get k-1 if you're already married?
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-04-17 06:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsigor list

Last night the site was down, as they were making improvements.  Yeah, I just tried to go to Igor's List and it ain't there.  I also tried to View New Content, and nothing there either.***OH, now I have to choose from a side menu on this new format for which new content I want to view.***


Edited by Love's JAA, 27 April 2013 - 07:53 AM.

Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-04-27 07:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAny Approvals at CSC today (Friday 4/26)???

I got approved late last night also. Big surprise because I had already checked earlier in the evening.  Today would be our 7 month anniversary from NOA1.

 

I can't update my timeline either. The VJ site was down last night and now it's really weird and difficult to use.


Edited by Love's JAA, 27 April 2013 - 10:18 AM.

Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-04-27 10:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWho Got Approved April 26th (I-129F)?

We too got approved late night on the 26th.  A big relief! ClockWatch2.gif ...................kicking.gif

 

Congratulations to all the other recent approvals!


Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-04-28 08:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWE ARE APPROVED!

Hip, Hip, Hooray!!!  On May 2, 2013, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E).  We are soooooo happy!

 

 

 


Congratulations!


Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-05-02 18:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSo, wager a guess as to what date CSC is going to claim they are working on?

I cans across a very nice man over the phone the tier 2 and he put service request for me but today I got the letter that we are backed up and you might consider waiting at least 120 days and if you didn't hear from us then put another service request which really messed up my night and I couldn't eat dinner. All I did was sit and cry :( I just hate the fact that they are really not being helpful. And imbrefering to those immigration officers that don't do their jobs well and just waste their time. :((


You already are at 7 months and they say to wait another 4??? #######!
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-03-16 14:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSo, wager a guess as to what date CSC is going to claim they are working on?

Don't worry they will update the DACA stuff tomorrow. Further proof of their priorities.


New DACA #s are out. Hardly any progress made in the last month. Average requests/day have gone up the last two months. Sure hope they shipped a lot of this stuff to Texas.


http://www.uscis.gov...aca-13-3-15.pdf
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-03-15 16:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSo, wager a guess as to what date CSC is going to claim they are working on?

i think they will not update it by march 5 because of this...

USCIS ELIS Maintenance Outage Scheduled on March 10

The USCIS Electronic Immigration System (USCIS ELIS) will be temporarily off line on Sunday, March 10 from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. EST as we update the system.

We regret any inconvenience and encourage customers to try again later in the day.


i am just guessing... but i am still hoping too that they will have a better update. :)


February is a short month, so have to add three days to the update date. Therefore I predict the new monthly figures to be released on March 8th.

As far as K-1 processing date, I'll go with July 24th. Since around 1900 were received in July, and based on December figures, less than 500 were completed. So adding 4 days (plus weekend) seems conservatively reasonable, since the processing rate is in a downtrend.

Edited by Love's JAA, 05 March 2013 - 12:19 PM.

Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-03-05 12:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSeptember 2012 filers
First we got DACA, now we got sequestration. :wacko: :crying:
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-03-12 09:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSeptember 2012 filers

Isn't it odd how much timelines vary?? Scott65, your estimate of NOA2 says between jan 13 and feb 28...which is a huge gap! Whereas mine is just march 28 to April 4 (as of today) - a gap of just 6 days. I'm at VSC not CSC, but still it's so weird! I wonder what causes that??



Mine says Feb. 5 to March 24. Lately it hasn't even given an estimate for lack of data. I don't even look to this number anymore. Briefly it gave me a date already past. It really jumps around.
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-01-16 19:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSeptember 2012 filers

Hey everyone I wanted to post this here, but feel free to pass along to other threads.

After hearing all of the "hub-bub" about Dream Act petitions getting preference, adjudication officers being "pulled" from other areas for processing, CSC not processing anything, etc., etc., etc.. Even my own failed attempts to call the CSC and receiving conflicting and nonsense information. One sweet girl, obviously misunderstanding something, told me that the service centers count the first month of the process as zero month.. :bonk: Huh??? I asked her if the IRS would let me have a zero month.. :rofl: So I wrote both my Senator and Congressman. Wanted to "get it from the horses mouth" so to speak. Anyway, today I received a call and received what I would call reliable information (my Senators Immigration Specialist). So.. here it is.. :thumbs:

1) CSC and VSC are processing as quickly as possible. No adjudication officers were "pulled" from processing K1 or other areas to process Dream Act petitions. Rather more adjudication officers were "brought in" from other resources.
2) Expect 5 to 7 months in the processing time. Typically no less and "hopefully" no longer. But at the end of a "full" 5 months contact someone to find out your status.. (i.e., CSC, VSC, Senator, Congressman, God.. LOL)
3) This puts Sept K1's at Mid February or March for NOA2. So we should be expecting notifications sometime around that time.
4) As always read everything thoroughly and "with a grain of salt".. even what I am telling you... check it out thoroughly and for everyone's benefit don't push propaganda or false information.

I sure hope this helps OR at minimum puts minds to rest knowing that the machine - be it slower than anyone wants - is still functioning.

As always... GOOD LUCK!! Let everyone know when you get your NOA2.


Sorry for the redundancy. I pressed a combination of buttons writing the first and everything disappeared.. If able please delete the first. Thanks!



It would make for a nice Valentine's Day to receive that NOA2.
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-01-15 20:22:00
Middle East and North AfricaNOA2 to Embassy Interview Timeline for Abu Dhabi

Anyone know what the typical waiting period between NOA2 and interview date is for the embassy in Abu Dhabi?



if you go to this page you can see peoples reported dates:

http://www.visajourn...,23,25,26,27,28
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2012-10-02 11:00:00
Middle East and North AfricaQuestion for overseas Filipinos regarding CFO requirement

You might have some more luck posting on the Philippine board since this is a requirement specific to the Philippines...


Thanks. I thought that since my fiancee is living in Dubai and I know a lot of Filipinos are living there that someone might be familiar with that. I will try posting to the Philippine board.
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2012-12-03 23:22:00
Middle East and North AfricaQuestion for overseas Filipinos regarding CFO requirement
I don't know if anyone can answer this question:

My fiancee is filipina residing in Dubai. I believe that since she's applying for fiancee visa at Abu Dhabi that she is not required to do the CFO seminar. However, my fiancee after she obtains (hopefully) her fiancee visa in Abu Dhabi, but before she comes to the U.S.A., she wants to take her company vacation time and company paid plane ticket to fly back to Philippines to see her family one more time. She will then fly back to Dubai and then to the U.S.A. My question is, if when she goes to Phiiipines and the Philippines officials sees the US visa in her passport, will she have trouble because they will be looking for the CFO stamp even though she's going back to Dubai first.

I know this sounds confusing, let me know if you want more clarification of my question. I just want to know if it is safe for my fiancee to travel back to Philippines once she gets K-1 visa and before she come here because of that CFO thing. I thought some other overseas Filipinas might understand my question and have some information.

Thank you!
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2012-12-02 19:19:00
Middle East and North AfricaNeed help from experienced UAE VJers

My fiancee is filipino and I am the US citizen. I am about to file the I-129f petition for my fiancee to apply for the K1 visa. However, her friends in the UAE have told her that they have failed twice at the US embassy in Abu Dhabi for the same thing. Now she is concerned that the same thing might happen to her. Since I haven't filed yet, we still have some options.

If money and time weren't an issue, I would file the I-129f anyway and hope for the best. If she got denied (which I don't think would happen, but anything is possible), we would then get married and file the I-130 petition for her to apply for a CR1 visa. That just takes too much time. Not to mention the added expense.

Another option is for us to get married in the Philippines and then apply for the spousal visa. The only problem with that is she won't go back there until October or november for her annual leave. The good thing about that is that we can have the wedding we both want, and all of the paperwork will be mostly completed before then, we will just be waiting on the marriage certificate after the wedding. She could go back to the Philippines early and we could get started early, but she would have to leave her job and go back to live with family.

The reason I posted in this forum is I am looking for someone with K1 experience in the UAE. If I am the sole sponsor (I make more than 125% of the poverty level for my situation), and all of our paperwork is in order, we should be ok, right? I know this sounds pretty straight forward, but her friend tried for the fiancee visa and failed twice. From my limited knowledge of what happened, I take it they were trying to use a co-sponsor.

Any help will be appreciated. Really this decision is going to come down to what my fiancee and I think is best for us, but I'd like to make an informed decision.



Did her friends say why they failed - what the reason(s) was/were?
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-04-02 19:21:00
Middle East and North AfricaGot letter I-129F left NVC on its way to Abu Dhabi - what's next?

Hi! we just got our date for interview in Abu Dhabi - July 23...SOOO far ..lol

you will be automatically scheduled, and a letter will be sent to both partys via email. from what I am understanding, you dont send in anything at this point. Fill out all your DS forms, have pet and bene sign, originals, and all the other paperwork as listed on the appointment letter. he/she will pay all visa fee's at the appointment (240.00 USD - she MUST have U.S DOLLARS CASH, NOT Dirhams, NOT CREDIT CARD

 

let me know if you want me to send you mine, so you know what to expect...

 

it seems the embassy is in the square between 2nd Street, 30th Street, 29th Street and 33rd Street. As far as I know, there aren't too many hotels around there. You could try the Al Raha Beach Resort - WHICH IS very expensive or, for a cheaper option, maybe "the village" by onetoone hotels. The latter is off Salam Street. Anything on Al Salam Street will do - I personally LOVE the Royal International Hotel - 5 star and about 100/night cheaper on HOTELS.COM

 

Either way, you will have to take a taxi to the embassy in the morning. Traffic is Abu Dhabi is generally much better than in Dubai, but from either hotel I would allow at least an hour just to be on the safe side. I always get held up in Abu Dhabi traffic.

 

Also, Any taxi Driver will know where the embassys are.

 

Contact me for anything! GOOD LUCK!

 

 

Thanks for your reply!

 


Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-05-15 18:43:00
Middle East and North AfricaGot letter I-129F left NVC on its way to Abu Dhabi - what's next?

Also, can you tell me what are the good hotels to spend the night near the Abu Dhabi US Embassy?


Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-05-14 15:24:00
Middle East and North AfricaGot letter I-129F left NVC on its way to Abu Dhabi - what's next?

Can anyone give me a run down on what to anticipate from the US Embassy at Abu Dhabi in regards to/  K-1 visa procedures?

 

They are supposed to email me the petitioner, rather than emailing/mailing beneficiary?  

How long after NVC should I hear from the embassy?

Is it true, you just bring everything on interview day?

 

 

Can any of you who have completed the K-1 visa process kind of summarize the whole experience and give some tips on the best way to proceed and give tips on the aspects you thought confusing, ambiguous, or the most efficient way to complete it.

 

One thing, my fiancee don't have medical or vaccination records. Is this a problem?

 

My fiancee is from Philippines residing in Dubai.

 

Thanks for your help.  After all the time spent on the petition, suddenly feel confused and anxious about the rest of the visa steps.


Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-05-14 14:44:00
Middle East and North Africahow do you know when embassy gets the petition file?

Hello! I received NOA2 last June 7th but until now I dint receive anything from NVC re: case number. How do they inform you about case number? Did NVC sent petitioner an email or mail by post?

 

About packet 3 and 4 from abu dhabi consulate was sent thru email also? These are the forms you have to submit during the interview, appointment letter and instructions right?

 

Thank you very much!

 

 

 

I called NVC and got my number, but it was just a matter of timing.  They will send a letter in the mail. Anyway, you could try calling them.

 

When Abu Dhabi US Embassy gets the file, they will send you an email with two Word document files attached.  One shows your appointment date with all the required documents to bring with, and the fees.  The other is a list of authorized medical facilities for taking the medical exam.   The email came from "Abu Dhabi, IV", with no subject description. 


Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-06-24 09:48:00
Middle East and North Africahow do you know when embassy gets the petition file?

 

If you have your NVC case number, click the link below to select immigrant type in your case number to check the status. It's possible your petition hasn't left the NVC yet. Sometimes they can hold it a little longer for background checks etc. But nonetheless check out the link. Or, if you prefer to talk to a live person call the NVC 603-334-0700.

 

https://ceac.state.g...ker/Status.aspx

 

 

Thanks for the link.  It says my case is ready and to wait to be notified of our appointment.   Last status update is May 13th.  That's four days after the guy on the phone said that it was sent.


Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-05-23 21:58:00
Middle East and North Africahow do you know when embassy gets the petition file?

How do you find out if the us embassy at abu dhabi has your file yet?  I tried to send email and it just got kicked back. They have an interface that only allows for specific types of inquiry and says that the interview date will come from NVC.  I saw some people seem to find out just a few days after it left NVC that the embassy has received it. How do I find that out?  I'm waiting two weeks now.  Thanks.


Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-05-23 12:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFillable forms issue (I-130/G325A)

I use FOXIT Reader to update and print PDF files. It is free and very lightweight compare to Adobe PDF.

You can download it from <a href="http://www.foxitsoft...f/rd_intro.php" target="_blank">http://www.foxitsoft...d_intro.php</a>

-Divyesh

I don't see where you can change font size on foxit either. can you tell me how?
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2012-02-12 23:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHas ANYONE filed single on 2011 tax returns and gone to the interview?

Wrong. There are plenty of tax professionals at the IRS they just don't necessarily work in the division that handles telephone inquiries.


Ok, hence you can't find them.
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2012-03-29 22:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHas ANYONE filed single on 2011 tax returns and gone to the interview?

I see. Which is why I gave my advice for them to call the IRS and get the professional tell them what to do.


Yes, get a tax professional, but you don't find them at the IRS.
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2012-03-29 21:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHas ANYONE filed single on 2011 tax returns and gone to the interview?

I filed Head of Household. I followed the IRS, and said he is non-resident alien, never been here, no income. Per the IRS, I was fine filing head of household. However, I do have children I claim as dependents. Donno if that makes a difference. And from what I understand, Head of Household is not necessarily filing single. I would not have checked the single box. Go online, or talk to the irs. We can all give you advice, but that is all it is. Ask a professional.


Yes, having dependents makes all the difference. Without them, you cannot file head of household. Head of household is not the same as single.
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2012-03-29 21:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHas ANYONE filed single on 2011 tax returns and gone to the interview?

Calling the IRS for tax advice is like calling USCIS for immigration advice

:rofl:

You will be fine filing single even married and the spouse is abroad it doesn't matter because my wife file single after our marriage and i still use it to the embassy no problem.


Don't give irresponsible advice, please.
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2012-03-29 21:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHas ANYONE filed single on 2011 tax returns and gone to the interview?

I worried and worried over this, I just filed taxes and this is how I did it:

I filed married filing jointly, we filled out a W-7 for an ITIN Number, my husband's income was listed on the return but then it was excluded for not being in the USA. We sent the W7 that was filled out by my husband to the tax return and sent it to Austin, Texas.

I haven't received my refund yet so not sure it worked but it made sense to me and a professional did it.

Good Luck!


If you file a joint return, you are supposed to include your worldwide income, where ever it was earned.
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2012-03-29 19:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHas ANYONE filed single on 2011 tax returns and gone to the interview?

WhenI completed my W4, I did married but filing single but when I went to do my taxes I had to revert to filing single because he doesnt have a SSn nor ITIN, we have only been married dec of last year.

All this now is scaring the daylights outta me...


You should amend your return and put the correct filing status. As far as when you got married, your filing status is determined by your marital status as of the last day of the year. If you are married on 12/31, then you should file as married (whether jointly or separately is another question). I would say if you file married-filing-separately, you can get away with not having an itin for him. Just add nonresident alien after his name. You can't claim a spousal exemption without an ITIN or SSN, however.
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2012-03-29 16:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHas ANYONE filed single on 2011 tax returns and gone to the interview?

if you call an irs specialist and answer some questions, they tell you were you fall with the status, i fall in the married filing separately, so thanks to the mistake of another IRS agent (not specialist) i have to ammend status. this takes 8-12 weeks. i may suggest you call irs and give them your specs.


You would think calling the irs would make sense. But in surveys, their ability to answer tax questions correctly is way below average. Find yourself the related IRS instructions, IRS publications, and maybe a reliable off the shelf tax guide from your book store to answer your questions. Also, relying on IRS advice has no weight under audit.
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2012-03-29 11:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHas ANYONE filed single on 2011 tax returns and gone to the interview?

If so, was there a problem? Would you suggest writing a letter and sending it to my spouse abroad explaining why I filed single? (because i was advised by irs.gov, irs agent, nvc and tax attourney and professor that if your spouse doesn't live with you for the past 6 months you file as single)

please answer if you have been through this and have filed single yourself. i don't need to hear how i'm lying and cheating the irs one more time, so please save your breath. i'm following the rules set forth BY the irs. any constructive help would really be appreciated.

thank you everyone.


Is your spouse's absence other than temporary? If the absence is temporary (even if it is six months or more), then you should be filing married. You can only be considered unmarried under this six month rule if you can file as head of household. Do you have a dependent other than your spouse? If not, it seems you should be filing as either married filing jointly, but more likely married filing separately. As far as your interview goes, it would probably look a whole lot better if you had filed some kind of married return.
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2012-03-29 11:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTax Filing - filing status?
You coud file as married-filing-separately now, and if you choose amend to a married-filing-jointly up to three years after the initial return was filed.

As far as being considered unmarried, I believe that is only if you would otherwise qualify for head of household status, not as single.
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2012-12-26 06:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshow to claim on taxes

Im gettting ready to file my taxes for 2012 here in the US. My husband and I were married in March 2012, but not lived together since, due to me coming back here to the US to work and start his visa process. I have heard that because we were married in Morrocco, the marriage isn't recognized here in the US till his visa is complete and he arrives. Does anyone know if this is true???? I do not know how to file my taxes... married, filing seperate... or single, since he is not here yet (will be soon though :) ) Thanks in advance for any help!!



Election to File Joint Return
If, at the end of your tax year, you are married and one spouse is a U.S. citizen or a resident alien and the other is a nonresident alien, you can choose to treat the nonresident as a U.S. resident. This includes situations in which one of you is a nonresident alien at the beginning of the tax year, but a resident alien at the end of the year, and the other is a nonresident alien at the end of the year.
If you make this choice, the following rules apply:
You and your spouse are treated, for income tax purposes, as residents for all tax years that the choice is in effect,
You must file a joint income tax return for the year you make the choice, and
Each spouse must report his or her entire worldwide income on the joint income tax return
If you make this choice, you and your spouse are treated as residents for your entire tax year for the purpose of your federal individual income tax return, and for the purpose of withholding U.S. federal income tax from your wages.

Example:
Pat Smith has been a US citizen for many years. She is married to Norman, a nonresident alien. Pat and Norman make the choice to treat Norman as a resident alien by attaching a statement to their joint return. Pat and Norman must report their worldwide income for the year they make the choice and for all later years unless, the choice is ended or suspended. Although Pat and Norman must file a joint return for the year they make the choice, as long as one spouse is a US citizen or resident, they can file either joint or separate returns for later years.
How to Make the Choice
Attach a statement, signed by both spouses, to your joint return for the first tax year for which the choice applies. It should contain the following:
A declaration that one spouse was a nonresident alien and the other spouse a U.S. citizen or resident alien on the last day of your tax year, and that you choose to be treated as US residents for the entire tax year, and
The name, address, and social security number (or individual taxpayer identification number) of each spouse. (If one spouse died, include the name and address of the person making the choice for the deceased spouse.)
You generally make this choice when you file your joint return. However, you can also make the choice by filing a joint amended return on Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return (PDF). If you make the choice with an amended return, you and your spouse must also amend any returns that you may have filed after the year for which you made the choice.
You generally must file the amended joint return within 3 years from the date you filed your original US income tax return or 2 years from the date you paid your income tax for that year, whichever is later.

Social Security Number
If your spouse is a nonresident alien and you file a joint or separate return, your spouse must have either a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). To get an SSN for your spouse, apply at a social security office or US consulate. You must complete Form SS-5. You must also provide original or certified copies of documents to verify your spouse's age, identity, and citizenship. If your spouse is not eligible to get an SSN, he or she can file Form W-7 with the IRS to apply for an ITIN.

ITIN
An ITIN, or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, is a tax processing number only available for certain nonresident and resident aliens, their spouses, and dependents who cannot get a Social Security Number (SSN). It is a 9-digit number, beginning with the number "9", formatted like an SSN (NNN-NN-NNNN).
To obtain an ITIN, you must complete IRS Form W-7, IRS Application for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (PDF) . The Form W-7 requires documentation substantiating foreign/alien status and true identity for each individual. You may either mail the documentation, along with the Form W-7, to the address shown in the Form W-7 Instructions, present it at IRS walk-in offices, or process your application through an Acceptance Agent authorized by the IRS. Form W-7(SP), Solicitud de Número de Identificación Personal del Contribuyente del Servicio de Impuestos Internos (PDF) is available for use by Spanish speakers.
Acceptance Agents are entities (colleges, financial institutions, accounting firms, etc.) who are authorized by the IRS to assist applicants in obtaining ITINs. They review the applicant's documentation and forward the completed Form W-7 to IRS for processing.
NOTE: You cannot claim the earned income credit using an ITIN.
Foreign persons who are individuals should apply for a social security number (SSN, if permitted) on Form SS-5 with the Social Security Administration, or should apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) on Form W-7. Effective immediately, each ITIN applicant must now:
Apply using the revised Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number; and
Attach a federal income tax return to the Form W-7.


All of the above from: http://www.irs.gov/I...nt-Alien-Spouse
and related link.
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-01-03 11:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshow to claim on taxes
If you file as married filing jointly, then your overseas spouse has to include his income on the return. Basically you both have to include your "worldwide income" on the return. So if by chance, your nonresident spouse has significant income, maybe you don't want to file joint. If you file a joint return, he is electing to be treated as a resident for tax purposes. If he does have significant income, he would not have an obligation to file a US return until he becomes a tax resident or elects to be such. If he has little or no income, then it might be advantageous to file a joint return.
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-01-03 00:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIRS / ITIN question tax extension

is there any downside to filing "married filing separately" then amending to "married filing jointly" months later (other than delaying your refund)?


why would you want to file twice? getting an extension is easier.
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-01-16 16:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIRS / ITIN question tax extension

Need advice from tax experts. My local H&R block was clueless. Anyhow, i'm having difficult attaining a "Certified" copy of the passport from the issuing office. My wife went to several passport offices in our state in India and they stated that they are no longer authorized to validate / certify a passport. Thus, getting a ITIN is virtually impossible. If I file married + Joint, i get a $1700+ refund as opposed to filing solely married + separate. My currently thinking is to file for a tax filing extension with the IRS until October 15. I'm currently in Month 2 of my journey and hope my wife will be with me by October. By then, she should have her SSN and I can file married + Joint. Will this work? Essentially delay filing taxes legally and getting more back?



yes you can file for an extension, though you have to have paid in what you think you will owe (if any). If your situation is still unsettled in October you can file as married-filing-separately. When you have it resolved you can then file 1040X, an amended return for that year with your status as married-filing-jointly, if you so choose. Be sure to amend your state return as well if you file a state income tax return. You have up to three years from your filing date to amend. So if you file for an extension, you have until October 15, 2016 to amend the 2012 return.
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-01-15 17:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWe're both in tears over this. Please help. I can't be without her.

We literally have nowhere else for her to stay.

@Harpa Timsah:



How can this be the case? I pay our bills. I sustain US. If she can't come with me, she's homeless. Is there NO way to work around this?



Send her a check every month to maintain your home in Canada for her until she can come. There's no reason why you can't pay the bills from Texas.
Love's JAAMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-03-13 11:00:00