biggish data

Sockmonkey,

I'm pretty sure Aussiewench is saying that the DS-2001 form no longer needs to be completed at all.

I'm a little wary of the forms on the Embassy site. The version of the DS-230 they link to is formatted a little differently than the one on the State Dept pages, and has an expiration date of May 2004. The DS-230 on the State Dept site expires July 2007. Unless someone tells me otherwise, I'm going to go with the form on the State Dept site.

Alice

Thanks for that information, and congratulations on your first "touch"!

JenM

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2006-09-12 10:14:00

Oops. One more thing. I see the DS-2001 form is still listed on the UK Embassy website. Aussie, is it that they haven't removed it yet, or does the form still come with the packet /have to be filled in regardless?

Thanks again for your patience.

JenM

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2006-09-12 08:01:00

Thanks, YuAndDan and Aussie. I'm sorry my question was answered in another post the same day. I try not to do that, but apparently I missed exactly the wrong thread yesterday. This is what I needed. Much appreciated.

JenM

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2006-09-12 07:37:00

Hi. I was just reading the CR-1 Guide and noticed a form Of-169. I don't see that on the State Department web page. What exactly is that form and how do I go about obtaining one?

Also, a question from something I saw on another thread....is the UK one of the places that requires that DS-230 part II be brought to the interview unsigned, or do we send it to the NVC with Part I?

Sorry so many questions today. I lay off for a while and then cover a topic all at once as I get ready to do something with it!

Thanks,

JenM

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2006-09-11 15:26:00

passport photos for I-130 packet

My husband's photo, taken in the UK, was also smaller than the standard US 2x2. The instructions on the form said it had to be "passport style" but the description that followed referenced only the white background, the glossy finish, and the dimensions for the subject's head. As the photo Richard sent me fit these requirements, we thought it would be okay.

I was under the impression that the only time the 2x2 was absolutely required was for the visa itself, which comes later. Am I wrong? Now I'm a bit worried, but I don't want to send another photo if it isn't required and will only confuse things. I sent a smaller photo for the I-129F as well.

So I guess these are my questions: who else here used a smaller photo that met the other requirements and has already moved through to the NVC? Anyone here had an RFE for a small photo? Once the I-130 moves onwards, could the photo still present a problem (ie, the NVC has a problem with it but USCIS didn't mind)?

I really thought I had sent a perfect packet. *sigh*

JenM

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2006-10-05 07:50:00

About the photos

Think of it like a scab Jen, and quit picking at it.
A little burst will come thru and petitions will fly, you'll see.

I believe the photos that "count" will be the visa application ones.

More wise words, and great imagery!

Since I just got back from a visit, I guess I'm feeling a bit intense. *breathe*

I trust the advice I get here.

JenM

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2006-10-10 11:40:00

About the photos

Thanks, Aussie, for your response and reassurance. You're right, I stress easily. We've been feeling so confident these last few weeks that I was surprised to find a potential glitch. Apparently not a big deal. Good to have your input.

Alice, our NOA-1 date is the same for the I-129F. Race you to the interview?!
JenM

Edited by Sockmonkey, 08 October 2006 - 08:30 PM.

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2006-10-08 20:25:00

About the photos

Yodrak, Aussie, Meauxna & Friends: :help:

I tacked a question to the bottom of what was more or less a finished thread, so I guess it was my fault that nobody answered - but this is actually a pretty important question for me, and perhaps others, so I would appreciate a weigh-in from the veterans here, and anybody else with relevant experience. Please, as my own I-130 is now over 50 days and thus getting close to the earliest recorded approval date, your answers could save me or cost me the time it takes to respond to an RFE!

The official instructions for the I-130 includes the following for the petitioner/beneficiary photographs:

"A passport-style color photo of yourself and a passport-style color photo of your husband or wife, taken within 30 days of the date of this petition. The photos must have a white background and be glossy, unretouched, and not mounted. The dimensions of the full frontal facial image should be about I inch from the chin to the top of the hair. Using a pencil or felt pen, lightly print the name (and the Alien Registration number, if known) on the back of each photograph."

My husband's photos, taken in England, are smaller than the American standard 2x2 (they are 1 1/2" x 1 7/8"), but the requirements stated in the instructions are all met. We checked the updates on the USCIS download page, and the only one listed was about the change from the 3/4 frontal angle, so I sent off what he had given me. It seems that the only time a 2x2 is specifically required by the instructions on a form is when it comes down to the actual visa application.

1. Has anybody here sent in photos approximately this size and made it through without an RFE?

2. Would it confuse things if I sent new photos to the Service Center (and to the Lockbox for our I-129F) without having received an RFE?

3. Since my case was forwarded to California, should I send the new photo (if advised) to California directly, at the address listed on our NOA1?

4. I would probably label the envelope as follows:

For I-130 (or I129-F) currently in process
Case Number XXXXXXXXX
Addition to file

Is this correct? Suggestions?

5. What if I get an RFE about this after I have mailed the photo on my own? If I call the Service Center before mailing, can they tell me if an RFE has been sent, or are they too unreliable? There is nothing on the website to tell me that an RFE has been issued so far, just some generic Touch dates.

I would include a brief cover letter with our case number and names, simply explaining why the new photo is being sent.

Your help in this matter is invaluable to me. Thank you in advance for your reponses.

JenM

PS - Sorry about the length.

Edited by Sockmonkey, 08 October 2006 - 11:12 AM.

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2006-10-08 11:09:00

Documents for DS-230 apart from that?

If the beneficiary is in the UK then you dont need to send the police certificate..

But according to this posting by Aussiewench, all you need to send with the DS-230 to the UK is the Biographics Page of the passport. Is this not so?

http://www.visajourn...showtopic=33765

JenM :unsure:

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2006-10-11 07:43:00

Flowchart for CR-1/IR-1

I do think that James Shortcuts are very valuable, and more people might feel confident to use them and use them properly if they saw exactly how the flow works.

I'd vote for two flowcharts, one with and one without JS. Thanks, Guest123, for starting all of this. Thanks, Slithytoves, for pushing for a CR-1/IR-1 version.

JMHO,

JenM

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2006-10-11 07:36:00

I-130 Approved in 66 Days

That's fantastic, Alice!

You beat me to the NOA-2. I sent our I-130 on August 17, a few days before you. No touches/approval thus far. :whistle:

Hopefully I can catch up to you soon, but in the meantime I'm very happy for you!

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2006-10-26 13:56:00

I-130 Approved !

To refer back to a post I made here last night in the K-3 forum, I got the same five e-mails that were reported by other members yesterday afternoon, and at that time my online status showed a Touch on my I-129F. Then last night before I went to bed I was browsing the new USCIS site so I checked again just out of habit, and found that my I-130 had also been Touched (that's when I posted here). Then I woke up this morning to find three e-mails, all with a time signature of 2:31am, notifying me that our I-130 was approved yesterday!!!

:dance:

Now my online status says that both petitions were also touched today. Hmmmm, could an I-129F approval be on the way as well?

So, CSC members whose I-129F's were recently transferred in have a reason to be encouraged! Let's hope a flood of new approvals is about to begin!

76 days. Not too shabby! :star:

Thrilled to BITS!

JenM

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2006-11-02 15:43:00

E-mailing Choice of Agent

Thanks, guys! :thumbs:

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2006-11-21 14:14:00

E-mailing Choice of Agent

Hi, Everybody. I just called NVC and they have assigned our case number as of yesterday and generated the DS-3032. Richard is ready to send the e-mail today, and I want to make sure that the NVC address Aussiewench posted on February 4th in the James' Shortcuts thread is still the right one to send it to:

NVCINQUIRY@state.gov

Is this the right address for the Choice of Agent?

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

JenM

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2006-11-21 12:52:00

James' Shortcuts - Forms

What is this James shortcut?? Someone else mentioned it the other day and this is the only post ive seen it on.

Hi, Janice. I absolutely recommend the use of the Shortcuts. They aren't complicated, and learning/using them has made my husband and I feel much more in control of our own Visa Journey. This week we saw results from the first step, saving us ten precious days. Every little bit helps!

Good luck to you,

JenM

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2006-12-01 16:43:00

James' Shortcuts - Forms

I've just got my barcode sheets printed (for I-864, DS-230, and Tax Data), and I have only three easy questions about this stage. I'm very pleased with how easy it is to use James' Shortcuts! :thumbs:

1) There are some asterisks at the top right of the Tax Data form. Are they on the form that gets mailed in the packet, or should I delete them?

2) I read a thread about this, but can't find it now. The barcode instructions for the DS-230 coversheet make a bigger barcode than the one on the example form. It's okay to use the bigger barcode, right?

3) Is the I-864EZ on one-sided or two-sided pages when it comes in the packet?

Other than that, I'm good to go. We have everything all set for the NVC phase.

Yay!

JenM

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2006-12-01 10:49:00

Help! IV Bill may come when I'm out of town

I called NVC this morning and spoke to a live rep. She told me the IV Bill was generated yesterday, and should be in my mailbox (I'm the agent) at the end of next week. This is great, since Richard's DS-230 is on my desk all ready to go, but the trouble is I'll be on a plane to England for the Holidays next Tuesday evening!

We really don't want to lose these precious days (I'll be gone for three weeks), so I have some questions. Please only respond to this if you are absolutely positive of your answer.

1. What actually comes in the IV Bill packet?

2. Is there anything in the IV Bill packet that I personally need to fill out or sign, or can I just have the money order for $380 all ready to go and have a trustworthy friend mail it for me in my absence?

3. Who do I make the money order out to for the IV Bill? Do I write that it's from me, or from my husband?

4. What is the address to which the IV Bill must be sent?

Thanks for this information. It will be a huge load off my mind to know what we're facing if I'm gone when this arrives!

My I-864 was generated yesterday, so I'll be mailing it out tomorrow using the Shortcuts. Things are moving along very nicely! :dance:

JenM

Edited by Sockmonkey, 05 December 2006 - 03:00 PM.

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2006-12-05 14:59:00

...denied

Andy-summer, I got a shiver when I read your post. Love each other and never give up. I wish you both the very best for a much brighter 2007.

JenM (F)

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2006-12-12 09:20:00

DS-230 Scenario Reversed

Last week I posted that I was expected to receve the IV Bill while I am in England visiting my husband. I planned to have a friend mail it in for me in my absence, and Aussiewench's advice was very helpful, as usual.

To my surprise, this morning I found the IV Bill in my mailbox, so I rushed to the post office before work to send it right back to them (I leave for the airport later this afternoon).

So now I have a new scenario. It may be the DS-230 itself that must be mailed in my absence.

My husband is a UKC, so all he will need to send back with his DS-230 is a copy of the biographic page of his passport. I am the Agent and have the signed DS-230 and bio page all set, and have already generated the DS-230 barcoded coversheet.

Other than the DS-230 itself, the Bio Page and the coversheet, what needs to go back to the NVC with this package? Do you think it would be safe to have a trusted individual send it back for us while I'm gone?

Thanks again. Sorry I jumped the gun before, but I never thought the IV Bill would come so quickly!

JenM

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2006-12-12 09:11:00

Who gets the packets?

Hi. Life has been crazy and I haven't been able to log on here for a while - hope everybody is well and your VJ's are moving along smoothly.

All of our papers are in at NVC, and we are awaiting completion and transfer to the embassy in London. I am the USC, and have been the Agent for the NVC process. When the case moves on to the embassy, will I still be the one to receive the packets/mailings, or will London mail the packets directly to my UK husband? Of course logically it would make much more sense for the mailings to start going to him, but well, I know this system isn't always logical! :no:

Thanks,

JenM

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2007-01-18 15:56:00

Case Complete!

Hi, Everybody. It's been a very rough couple of months at home, and I haven't been keeping up here. Hope the new year is treating everyone well, and that your cases are moving along nicely.

I called the NVC yesterday, and received confirmation that our case is complete as of Feb 7th and has now physically left for London. Wow. I don't know why, but I was expecting it to take at least a couple of weeks longer, but hey - no complaints!

:dance:

JenM

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2007-02-14 12:13:00

CR-1 Interview date set, and the I-129F just got to NVC!

Today my husband called me at work to tell me he received Packet 3 for our CR-1, and was given an interview date of April 12, which will be just a few days short of exactly 8 months since we began our Visa Journey (August 17, 2006). It feels great ... like we can finally get excited about being so near the end. :dance:

I also got some news in the mail today ... it seems our I-129F finally arrived at the NVC. Puh-leeeese! I wrote USCIS ages ago to cancel it, first of all, and second of all ... nah, I won't bother with a tirade. :innocent:

So do I call them to tell them to scrap it, or do I just let the Embassy cancel it out when they see we have an interview set for the CR-1?

Hope others here can enjoy this feeling soon.

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2007-03-06 16:17:00

2006 W-2 and Interview

I'm sorry if this has been asked recently. If it was, I missed it.

My husband will have his CR-1 interview in London on April 12, and will of course be bringing along a copy of the I-864 I've sent the NVC.

I filled out the I-864 before I had received my W-2 for 2006, so the tax information included on the form was for 2005 and prior. Since my husband's interview is taking place now, should he bring along a copy of my 2006 W-2?

Thanks,

Jen

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2007-03-20 11:29:00

X-rays and Interview

Thank you, Yodrak and Homesick, for your answers.

My husband just called to tell me about the interview. Our little premonition was correct - the medical forms weren't there. They allowed him to go pick them up immediately after the interview was finished. He said the staff was polite and helpful, and the process was efficient and organized. Aside from having to run back with the file from the doctor, he was in and out in half an hour.

Nearly done! :dance:

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2007-04-12 07:50:00

X-rays and Interview

Jen,

Nothing happens. Consular officers cannot read x-rays - they read the doctor's report of the x-ray, which is one of the medical forms they fill out and send in.

Yodrak

Okay. But wouldn't the report have been sent with the x-rays? Yodrak, it's pretty evident what I'm asking. If items from the medical exam are not sent to the embassy, what happens? Does the interview proceed as scheduled? Does the interviewee have to go to the medical office and pick up the missing documentation him/herself before the interview can take place?

Jen

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2007-04-10 08:12:00

X-rays and Interview

This question is born of sheer paranoia, and for this I apologize in advance - though I do hope somebody answers.

My husband's CR-1 interview (London embassy) is Thursday morning, and he is suddenly quite worried about the fact that his chest x-ray from his medical (last Tuesday) was supposed to be sent to the embassy "automatically".

In short: What happens if his x-ray isn't there when he arrives for his interview?

Jen

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2007-04-09 16:04:00

Very tricky question regarding status

This is going to sound crazy, but please give it your honest and most objective advice.

My husband *just* arrived April 29th with his CR-1. In short, circumstances have arisen that he is considering going back for a couple of years. He has a crack at going to nursing school in the UK for free starting this Autumn, which would qualify him for a much better paying job upon his return to the USA. The timing of this offer is incredibly frustrating considering the money and time we've spent getting him here to begin with, but though we are sad at the prospect of being apart, it's a much better deal than the long waiting list for nursing school and the tuition costs here in the US. He has a place to stay in the UK for free, can get his old job back on a part-time basis, and could be saving £££ the whole time he is there, so we can buy a house straight away when he graduates. If it's not going to jeopardize his return to the US, in the end it will be well worth the separation.

So now we're looking for the downside.

On the financial side: His social security number has already been assigned, but he hasn't started work yet so he will have no US income to report. Will he have to pay US tax on the income he earns while he is back in England?

On the Immigrations side: This prospect must have dizzying ramifications.

- Will we have to report it to Immigrations that he has gone back right away, or can we use his CR-1 status for him to visit back and forth freely for the first year or so?

- What will happen to his status once it is reported that he has gone back/is technically not living here? Will we have to apply for a CR-1/IR-1 visa all over again when he's ready to return to the US?

- Since our circumstances will be legitimate and well-documented, and by then we will have been married for well over 2 years, do you think we'll have a lot of trouble getting him back here?

I know we should probably speak to an attorney (and an Immigrations officer) as well, but your comments will be excellent food for thought.

I only wish this had come up before he got here!

Thank you,

JenM

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2007-05-28 19:35:00

Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)

Whats moral turpitude?

From USLEGAL.com - I hope this helps!

Moral turpitude refers generally to conduct that shocks the public conscience. Offenses such as murder, voluntary manslaughter, kidnaping, robbery, and aggravated assaults involve moral turpitude. However, assaults not involving dangerous weapons or evil intent have been held not to involve moral turpitude.

Moral turpitude may be a reason for deporting an alien.The alien must be convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude committed within five years after the date of entry, and sentenced to confinement or confined therefor for one year or longer. Although the conviction must occur within five years of entry, any entry into the United States may be used to support the charge of deportability. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a crime of moral turpitude is inherently base, vile, or depraved, contrary to social standards of morality and done with a reckless, malicious, or evil intent. It is a broad and subjective term that can be used for any crime that USCIS considers offensive.

Conviction of crimes of moral turpitude may also disqualify someone from an employment opportunity. The precise definition of a crime that involves moral turpitude isn't always precise, but the following crimes are always considered crimes of moral turpitude:

murder
voluntary manslaughter
rape
statutory rape
domestic violence
prostitution
fraud and crimes where fraud is an element
all theft offenses (but see receipt of stolen property below)
blackmail
malicious destruction of property
arson
alien smuggling
harboring a fugitive
bribery
perjury

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2006-08-15 07:21:00

Married to UKC and going to visit the UK

Last year, I did the same. All they asked for was my plane reservation number for my return and proof that we were in the process of him immigrating to the US. It was really easy.

Thanks, MrsWhizz. I will bring the NOA-1, a copy of my round-trip itinerary, and a letter from my employer just for gtood measure. It's good to know they don't make it too tough!

JenM

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2006-09-11 13:53:00

Married to UKC and going to visit the UK

Hi. I am leaving Wednesday to see my husband in England. I was thinking about the fact that if he were visiting me, he would have to show his ties to the UK to prove he did not intend to immigrate. It only just occurred to me that I might have to do the same thing to visit him!

Do I have to bring paperwork with me to prove I will return to the US? Would the NOA-1 for our I-130 suffice, to show that we are working on moving him, not me?

JenM

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2006-09-11 12:37:00

Bringing food items into the UK

I am flying home to the UK on Friday... I have in one suitcase a 10lbs bag of pancake mix, 4lbs bag of gummybears, 2lbs hershies kisses, 2 jars of Peach salsa and a 10lbs bag of mixed candy...

I have taken this sort of thing in the past and I have never been asked about it.... even when I had the case searched at customs.... all the guy said was oh Gummybears they are my fav too...

Have a good trip

Kezzie

Yay! That's exactly what I needed to hear! Have a safe journey, Kezzie. I hope we're able to enjoy good weather on our stays. There's a bit of a late-season heatwave in York this week, so I'm hoping it will hold up until I'm on my way home. My last visit in early May was brutal!

JenM

Sockmonkey

Not Telling

England

2006-09-11 15:33:00