ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
National Visa Center (Dept of State)DECEMBER INTERVIEWS

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/302190-dhl-tracking-from-nvc-to-us-embassy/page__pid__5807695__st__585#entry5807695

This link was mentioned on the November NVC thread, others may have been aware of it already but I wasn't so I thought I'd share for any other clueless counterparts. :blush:



could someone enlighten me on the tracking thing....is that mainly for people waiting for interview dates, so they might have an idea as to when they can start expecting their interview to be scheduled? idk, i guess having gotten my interview, the tracking seems less relevant. am i missing something?
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-11-13 15:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresmaking payments
bradnstefy, what did you end up doing for chile embassy?
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-03-04 21:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresdo i have to file i-130 and g-325a ?

can somone answer m please ?

I think you should really take some time to review the information that mayarz posted for you, as well as the I-130 instructions...It can be tedious but the answers really are there. Are you the US citizen or is your spouse?

If you read the VJ guide and the USCIS instructions carefully, you will see that YES, you need to send the birth certificate of the US citizen if that is how they acquired citizenship in the US (i.e. - born on US soil). If they were naturalized or gained citizenship through some other way, then review the other ways to show that you are a u.s. citizen. The birth certificate or other documentation of citizenship goes in the packet with the appliaction I-130 and g-325a (and everything else on the VJ list) to the lockbox.


Loveturtle - I think Divs was referring to evidence of a bonafide marriage (needed with the I-130) and you are referring to evidence for the affidavit of support I-864 which comes later.
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-03-15 02:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIR1/CR1 or Fiance Visa?

The catch is is you need to watch the 6 month out of country issues that apply for citizenship etc on the Conditional GC.


Hey bigdog...could you be more specific with what you mean by "6 month out of country issues"?
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-03-31 22:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIR1/CR1 or Fiance Visa?
Mingling assets....always a trick. I am lucky enough to have a bank account at BCI nova that my employer was able to open for me. While we can not get a joint account, what we can get is an "adicional." basically we ordered him a debit card for my account that has both our names on it. Next week we are going to try at his bank (credichile). I will let you know how it goes. If you share money, make sure you transfer it electronically or deposit it with a slip so there is evidence of money moving back and forth between your accounts.

You can get a normal shared account (I think it´s called cuenta bi-titular), but I think you are going to have to apply for your permanent residence to do so (which would be contrary to when you file your I-864 and need to prove intent to return to the US, so I am not going to do it). I am still investigating this in our banks. I will let you know.

We live together but we don´t even have a lease since we live with a friend whose parents rent the place bla bla bla. Typical chilean informalities. I think I am going to ask my friend´s dad to draft us some sort of lease. I am also requesting that our rent receipts be made out in both our names and we will alternate who makes the deposit for rent (one month him, one month me, etc).

Do you guys have a pet? I plan on turning in the vet bill that I paid for for his (soon to our) dog. Do you put $ on his cell phone? Think about any possible way you share your financial lives, and mainly anything that can have a reciept (groceries bought on my card with his lider points number).

For the wedding, I think you need to at least have an asado. If my suegro can´t help us out, I plan on buying a white dress at Falabella, paying the extra 25.000 or whatever it is for the registro civil to come to our house, and having an informal civil ceremony. I have heard that the pictures are important.


As far as your timeline, maybe go the cr-1 route so you can get married nowish, he can spend next chilean summer vacation with you, and then since he will already be a resident he can return to chile to finish up his studies without restriction of travel?? For the visit in July, I don´t know to be honest. My friends I mentioned earlier had her tourist visa denied to visit him, and she had been to the U.S. twice and australia on work visas and never any immigration problems....
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-03-31 20:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIR1/CR1 or Fiance Visa?
Took me so long to draft that, that there were several replies meanwhile.......anyway, I hope it was some help. If you need anything else, message me. I find it helpful to speak with other ppl in your specific country. Also, my friend is applying for a k-1 right now for his polola, so I could let you know how theirs worked out and how long it took (they filed in jan).

and check out the link i sent in my reason #5!!
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-03-31 11:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIR1/CR1 or Fiance Visa?

This leaves me with either a spouse (IR1 / CR1 ) or fiancé visa and I am trying to figure out which one would be better/ easier / cheaper for us. I already figured that if we do get married in Chile it is more practical to apply for the IR1/CR1 opposed to the K-3 spouse visa.. right?

1. With a fiancé visa: once we are married in the US and apply for permanent residency can he work or is there a wait time? I have seen some information about permission to work – how does that work?
2. If we decide to do the spouse visa we would get married in June or July – and he would ideally already have a tourist visa to get into the US for a visit – will this look suspicious when he is entering the US or later when we actually apply for the spouse visa? Or is it okay if we explain that he is just visiting now and we are going to petition for a spouse visa later?
3. I have heard some conflicting information about him being able to leave the country once he is issued his green card. I know that he would be given a conditional green card for two years – but would he be able to visit Chile with this? Or have to stay in the country for two years?



Savanna -

This was the story of my life for the past 2 months.....I also live in chile and was debating the visa options for my pololo and me. here is the thread I wrote regarding that - http://www.visajourn..._1#entry5203798
Also make sure you check out the http://www.visajourn...content/compare page, that gives you more details if you haven´t done so (cost).

I´ve been glued to VJ, the USCIS and the santiago embassy page for the last couple months, and the other week went to the U.S. to visit my fmaily and stopped at a USCIS office to speak with someone. Finally Jacob and I sat down last week and analyzed the k-1 vs the CR-1. We decided to just go ahead and do the CR-1 and here is why -

1)Jacob wants to work/study/travel ASAP. I don´t think it is a good idea for him to be sitting idle for several months (I understand on the k-1, it is 90 days AFTER you marry that you can work. Someone more knowledgeable may correct me on that). orando replied to my thread something of the same. If he is picking up and leaving his country for me, I want him to be able to be a participatory member of our society asap.
2)We are going to have a wedding in Chile regardless (we planned on getting married in both countries). We just didn´t want to do it yet because we are low on cash (saving up for our visa), and we wanted a nice party....but we are currently talking with my suegro to throw us a party :) Do you guys care where you marry?
3)We feel no need to have much of an "engagement period" so getting married here and now is no problem. Maybe that is important for you? Maybe you want the time to plan a big wedding...it wasn´t important for us.
4)It is WAY cheaper (about 1/2 as you have been told).
5)It will hopefully be faster - see Laure and Colins thread about Filing the CR-1 from abroad - http://www.visajourn..._1#entry5245246 Will you be staying stateside or will you be here in chile?
5)As I have learned, and as the lady at the USCIS office in my town said - the k-1 is basically the double paperwork of the CR-1. You do all the k-1 business, then have to turn around and file for him as your spouse (ca-ching, ca-ching, ca-ching goes the cash register) in order to adjust his status, lift conditions, bla bla bla. I am a teacher and I do enough daily paperwork, I don´t want the extra hassle.
6)We are currently living together and sharing money. this will come into play later when you have to prove a bonafide marriage (mingling of assests, shared lease, etc). If you plan on staying stateside, with him here, this might be difficult. It might be easier for you to prove your actual relation with a k-1.

I hope our decisions may offer you some insight into your decisions. It is not as easy as pushbrk says, just deciding when and where you want to marry, if you are trying to make future plans as well.

Keep in mind that as afoyoswa says, you can´t really start in the future and plan back. You have to be flexible and do not make concrete plans, or you will most likely be sorely dissapointed. If you want him in the US by next year, start now! Is there a certain date he can not enter the US before (ie- his work contract goes untill march 2013). Because I do know that upon issuance, the k-1 visa gives you a certain number of weeks to get stateside, and you can´t let this date pass. Maybe someone else knows?
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-03-31 11:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresChange in Visa Fee
OK, so VJ also has a page about this change (http://www.visajourn...-april-13-2012/), and here is the press release - http://www.state.gov...2/03/187114.htm

However, I have gotten a little confused. It lists the change as $330-230, but as far as I know, the filing fee was $420, not 330 (according to uscis - http://www.uscis.gov...00045f3d6a1RCRD).

Is it a different part in the process where one had to pay $330 before and now $230?

This table http://travel.state....types_1263.html from Dept. of State gives me the impression that the I-130 app (filing) is 420, and then at another point ("processing," not sure what that means exactly)we must pay 230. At what point is the $230 paid?

Edited by jessicaruizw, 17 April 2012 - 07:07 PM.

jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-04-17 19:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresChange in Visa Fee
Friends -

The U.S. embassy in Chile has published this article about the change in Visa fees. Has anyone else seen something like this on another gov website??

http://chile.usembas...ees_change.html

Short Story -
k-1 will go from $350-240 and CR-1 from $330-230.

Any other info about this?

Edited by jessicaruizw, 16 April 2012 - 08:21 PM.

jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-04-16 20:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresBad mail service- what address to use?

So I have a question about the bad mail services.


I think your question would be best posted in another topic or perhaps search and I bet the answer is already out there in the VJ world. We are using this topic to track the expedited/non-expedited cases of USC´s abroad.

Good luck!
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-06-06 10:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPreparing I-130 package, lots of questions

Hello Leana,

I hope everything is going well for you. I'm currently filing the I-130 visa from Chile. Where did you obtain your marriage certificate and English translation

thank you,
Jonathan

Your marriage cert (assuming you married in chile) can be obtained at the civil registry (registro civil). The translation can be done by anyone you know, or you can send it to a company/professional. there are a lot of online translators, I know a chilean-US couple that used Fox translation.

Edited by jessicaruizw, 26 June 2012 - 08:48 PM.

jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-06-26 20:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTranslation
thanks, it seemed the most logical :)
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-07-15 13:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTranslation
assembly question - original doc, translation, and translation certification....does it matter what order I place them in?
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-07-14 23:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTranslation
Hey VJers, so I have all my paperwork gathered for the i-130, and I am now going through the ardous process of translating and creating the package. Below are my questions -

1)I have read that it is ok to highlight, but is it also appropriate to write on documents to make things more clear? (i.e. my cellphone records don´t say "cellphone records" at the top, I feel it needs a title).
2)Do I need a seperate translation sheet for EVERY document?? or can I make one certified translation statement and name all the docs it covers?
3)I read a comment on a different post that while civil docs (birth certs, marrige certs, etc) must be in English, relationship evidence such as emails etc can be in another language.....thoughts on this? THe link - http://www.visajourn..._1#entry5478294
4)When translating....how did you guys handle non alphanumeric characters such as seals,signatures, and images? I thought about just placing them in brackets [signature of Suzy Q], but for example the government seal of Chile I could cut and paste from the internet...bad idea?
5)Do the translations HAVE TO be complete? For example I a) turn in my entire health insurance policy only translating the part where it shows pertinent information listing my husband as beneficiary or b) I turn in only the page with the info I need, but I translate the whole page. Is either option allowed?


Thanks so much!!
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-06-29 23:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresg-325a employment order
hey guys! i am crossing my t´s and dotting my i´s to file i-130 on tuesday. for the g-325a, I had a question.


I currently have 3 jobs -
university professor sicne march 2011
private lessons since march 2012
online english teacher. since feb 2012

1)do I have to include my private lessons? I have no documentation of them (contract, etc) However, they are my principal source of income.

I listed my university position as my current Job because I consider it more important/I spend more time on it than my online job, but when looking at my employment history and it looks sthg like this (i´ve omitted addresses).-

Full Name and address of Employer Occupation From To
Universidad de Las Americas English Pedagogy Professor Mar 2011 Present

Open English LLC Online English Teacher Feb 2012 Present

Unemployed/vacation None - vacations Jan 2011 Feb 2011

Thomas Jefferson School English Teacher Feb 2009 Dec 2010

2) Is it a problem that technically my employment is not listed in reverse chronological order? Do I need to change it on my G-325a, and consequently my i-130?

Thanks!
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-07-15 16:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuite A Few Questions

The USC will not even be allowed into the embassy.

Karee....I was under the impression that as a USC you can not be denied the right to enter a US embassy?? I accompanied my husband for an interview for a previous non-immigrant visa (I wasn´t allowed to attend the interview, but I could be with him in the waiting room)and the guard told me if I was chilean, he would not have let me pass, but as a USC I had the right to go in regardless of the motive (obviously not a crazy terrorist motive lol).
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-07-29 17:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduressample affidavits for proof of bona fide marriage

We drive our own cars to see each other and we don't have any joint bills. Any other ideas?



what about your phone records? I sent mine in....do you pay any tolls along the way when you drive? do you have any sort of scrapbook material (play tickets, etc)? do you send each other gifts? money? snailmail cards?
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-08-06 23:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduressample affidavits for proof of bona fide marriage

I have been wondering about these joint accounts you mention. How does one do that when you and your spouse live in different countries? He's not here to sign anything, has never been to the USA, has no SS number to open a joint account. Am I missing something?


Remember that each person´s situation is different. Some couples live together stateside (bc the spouse has some other sort of visa), some live seperate, and some of us live together abroad....those that live both stateside or abroad can open accounts together. For those of you who are seperate, maybe someone in that situation can comment.
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-08-05 23:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduressample affidavits for proof of bona fide marriage
how do you travel? car/bus/train? do you have tickets? do you guys do to the movies together? eat out? do anything else that generates receipts? I imagine you can get a record of your phone bill? If you private message me, I can send you a copy of the affidavit we used. there are also examples in the VJ wiki
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-08-05 21:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresImmunizations and Medical

She can confirm to the doc all my childhood shots are up to date. After all, she was there. Her word is good as gold.


I don´t want to rain on your parade, but I don´t think the U.S. government is really interested in what you mother says. Can you imagine the mayhem if the visa and entry process was influenced by what all of our mother´s said?

If it´s not a certified doc, generally they don´t care.

Edited by jessicaruizw, 08 August 2012 - 10:14 PM.

jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-08-08 22:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTranslation of evidences such as bills, tax returns
I think the loophole is in the fact that most of the evidence (emails, skype logs, etc) is not technically documents (in the official sense of the word).
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-08-08 22:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTranslation of evidences such as bills, tax returns
I did all the translations myself for our I-130 and had no problems (we were approved yesterday!!) ... tons of other people did the same. If you are not bilingual, maybe you have a friend who would charge you less??

We are wondering if we really have to translate all these documents into english.

I asked this question too, and supposedly (Ryan H, a very experienced VJer here) says that no...only actual documents (marriage cert, etc) need to be translated. Phone bills and other evidence, no. In my paranoidness I translated most evidence, but the real pain in the neck ones I didn´t (phone bill, emails, etc). I however had the luxury of translating them myself for free.

If it is an option for you, to do it yourself or by a friend, check out the USCIS website about translation requirements which says this -



Please submit certified translations for all foreign language documents. The translator must certify that s/he is competent to translate and that the translation is accurate.

The certification format should include the certifier's name, signature, address, and date of certification. A suggested format is:

Certification by Translator

I [typed name], certify that I am fluent (conversant) in the English and ________ languages, and that the above/attached document is an accurate translation of the document attached entitled ______________________________.

Signature_________________________________
Date Typed Name
Address

Edited by jessicaruizw, 08 August 2012 - 10:43 PM.

jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-08-08 22:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHow to fill out the I-134 if using a Joint Sponsor
Ryan and pushbrk...always on it :) we truly appreciate your help!
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-08-10 16:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-864, I-864A confusion
Thanks penguin....your answers are always short and sweet.

Now I have a subquestion.....is there a USCIS or NVC agreed upon definition of "financially dependant"?

In my case, we will live with my mom when we get there, and more than likely she will be helping us out for a while untill we both can get jobs. Woudl that be dependant, or does "dependant" mean like filed as a dependant on her tax return?

Edited by jessicaruizw, 06 August 2012 - 10:54 AM.

jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-08-06 10:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-864, I-864A confusion
Anh Map - She fills out an I-864 and NOT an I-864a because household (or principal residence) is determined in the "now"...or should I say- even though their intended household is with mother-in-law, since their household/principal residence at THIS MOMENT is not shared with her it is simply I-864?

Is that correct?
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-08-05 22:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1-chat log
I didn´t translate our emails and I was approved no problem.
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-08-23 20:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresForm DS 230
does your countrys police (or FBI) keep travel records?? In chile you can go to the chilean version of the FBI and request a travel cetificate which lists all your entries and exits.
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-08-24 12:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresJust a few questions on my I-130
I went crazy with N/A and none...i figured better to be neurotic than get an RFE (and for the i-130, i was approved no problems).
...so YES, i would put N/A on that section becuase it does not apply to your husband.

Edited by jessicaruizw, 24 August 2012 - 03:04 PM.

jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-08-24 15:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR-1 Guide
USCIS asks for A LOT of "optional" things.....for example the list of optional items to prove bonafide relationship. Tons of people get RFE´s later asking for those "optional" items (like previous years tax transcripts for example).

For the court docs...no not everyone needs court docs. Why? because not all of us have been to court. It´s like a divorce...all divorcees must include divorce paperwork period. but those of us who haven´t been divorced don´t need that. Depending on your local police, sometimes the police record serves as a court record (or lack of one for example if you don´t have antecedentes). Maybe in Peru it is different?


Check out this reciprocity page from the Dept. of State..scroll down for further info on the docs - http://travel.state....5.html?cid=9718
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-08-25 14:00:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresBonafide marriage
as far as the birthay cards go, remember to send in copies, bc most likely you won´t get the originals back!
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-08-28 10:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-3032

She is the beneficiary of the I130 but petitioner of the non-immigrant visa,


Not to split hairs, but she would be the applicant of the visa, not the petitioner. I-130 is a petition. DS- 230 is an application. It´s easy to get bogged down in jargon.

And I think you mean immigrant visa, but as long as the Op understands that´s what counts. :)
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-08-30 11:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCase # along with INN #
thanks for saving me a post....i got my case # and INN yesterday but when I log in to pay....nuthin. more time to get my i-864 docs in order i suppose :) I wanted to update my timeline, but didn´t know what to put for NVC received....should I wait to get the paper reciept to update?

Edited by jessicaruizw, 29 August 2012 - 08:16 PM.

jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-08-29 20:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresStarting out IR-1/CR-1 process

IMHO amend your taxes and include the income you received while in Turkey


I assume the OP didn´t file while in turkey?? if correct, it wouldn´t be amending bc he doesnt have taxes for that year. It would be what i think they call backfiling.

When you file the foreign income exclusion there is a part where you say you do not have w-2s or anything like that.
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-08-31 19:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresabout Aff. of support
http://www.visajourn...rs-august-2012/

check out the thread for August NVC filers...it has instructions for EVERY STEP. read it closely.
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-08-31 19:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC and packet sending

When you pay there will be an option to send the cover sheet to multiple email addresses so you can print it out later.
You can also log in as many times as you want after you pay and the same information and options will still be there.


Just to add, you probably wouldn't be able to print right away if you wanted to as you need to wait until it updates as PAID


GOT IT!!! you guys are the best! :thumbs:
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-09-01 13:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC and packet sending
thanks! when i printed all the i-130 docs, the barcodes were worthless. but my work has a laser printer, so no prob here :).
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-08-30 12:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC and packet sending
Related question - I don´t have an invoice yet, but I am wondering when I do and I pay it....will I be able to pay one day and return another to print it? My printer doesn´t do barcodes...but I would like to make the payment from a home computer not a public one.
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-08-29 21:00:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTranslate Documents into English
for those reading this later on....i simply formatted my word doc as close as possible to the original, and for the non-alphanumeric items i simply did this [Republic of Chile´s coat of arms] for example
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-09-01 19:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTranslate Documents into English
question for those who did their own translations....how did you handle stamps, barcodes, signatures, and other non alphanumeric items in your documents? (for example, the notary´s stamp, or the country´s seal on the marriage cert).
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-06-24 19:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTranslate Documents into English
I know I can do the translations myself....but does anyone know If I need to write out the certification for EVERY document, or can I mention them all as documentS in one certification? (ALL the evidence of my husband and I is in spanish, it would kill a lot of trees to print out that little certification so many times).
jessicaruizwFemaleChile2012-06-17 17:36:00