biggish data

Thank you all for the help. My wife finally got her interview date on the 22nd of January. We already have done her medical yesterday. Again thank you very much.

Will thier be any we have to take with us to the interview? We recived only Y, O and F leter codes for the paper work. Reading the instruction it says that the consulate has recived the paperwork we sent.

Again thank you very much!!!!

Typically, all you need to bring to the interview is the passport, interview letter, passport photos (2 in Canada, not sure about Japan), medical results (if not sent directly by the panel physician), and proof of relationship. And this varies by consulate/embassy, but you may need to sign up for courier services either before or at the interview.

Although not required, it'd be a really good idea to bring copies of everything you've submitted so far (I-130 package, AOS package, IV package, etc) in case it may be needed.

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-01-15 22:50:00

good morning,

Well it seems I ran in to an issue, maybe I just need to be patient. But I have recieved notification from the NVC as of today that the NVC did recived my DS-230 but they did not recived my Affidavit of Support form.

The issue is that I sent both packets the DS-230 and AOS on the same day. I am asking if I should be fast to react or should I be patient because maybe they havent looked for my other packet yet?

Below is the message they sent me

INSTRUCTIONS FOR: "MY WIFE"

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

______F - FINANCIAL EVIDENCE:______________________________________

The NVC has received the requested Immigrant Visa Application (DS-230). However, we are still
waiting for the Affidavit of Support form. Please submit the Affidavit of Support form according to the
instructions on the Department of State website at the following address:
wwwdotImmigrantVisasdotstatedotgov.

From there, you can fill out an Affidavit of Support form online, then print the completed form and mail
it to NVC.

When responding to the National Visa Center, please include the bar code sheet that came with this
letter. Failure to include the bar code sheet may cause a delay in the processing of your case. The bar
code sheet should be placed on top of all documents being submitted for this case and mailed to the
address provided.

Thank you

That's just a false checklist. It means they reviewed your IV package and accepted it. They'll get to the AOS package soon. Call to confirm!

Saylin

Female

Canada

2012-12-05 20:11:00

To Gracenp2 and Darnell

Could I just e-mail the coversheets? Or do I really have to mail it?

You have to mail the packages. Only those from eligible countries can do electronic processing and Japan is NOT one of those eligible countries.

Saylin

Female

Canada

2012-09-03 22:01:00

Thanks for all the help!!!

I am wondering though I do have the DS-3032 sighned by my wife and planning on sending the email with that attachment. Im having concernes sending the email using my mail address and through my typing rather than my wife. I understand my wife has to send it but my wife doesnt really know whats going on with the visa. I have been taking care of most of the process. I was thinking that having proof of the DS-3032 sighned by her would be ok and I can send the email my self.

Im just wondering if I should do it this way or not.

Thank you.

Just sign into your wife's email address, and send the email yourself, acting as her.

And again, if you follow the email template, you do NOT need to attach a DS-3032. Just the email will suffice.

Saylin

Female

Canada

2012-08-12 21:00:00

You should scan the signed DS3032 and attach it in your email to NVC. Remember the form has to be signed by the beneficiary Good Luck

Not at all needed. If you follow the template that YuAndDan linked to, there is NO printing, NO signing, NO scanning, and NO attaching. Just one simple email.

Saylin

Female

Canada

2012-08-12 10:26:00

DS-3032 when both Petitioner and Beneficiary are abroad

So my husband and I got our NVC case number today and we gave our email addresses to the NVC operator. We have the DS-3032 ready to email according to the format given on this website for emailing the form. We have a few things that we are not sure about.

1)I (petitioner) live with my husband in Colombia. Should my husband (beneficiary) even put our Colombian address since we don't want anything sent there from the NVC?

2)Should we put our Colombian address or our expected US address once we get there? Will they try to send the green card to our Colombian address?

Thanks!

If one gives both email addresses to an operator at NVC, then all correspondence from NVC is sent through email, not snail mail, thus making the DS-3032 a moot form. But, it's still a formality. So, since you said you gave both email addresses already, it honestly doesn't matter what you put on the DS-3032 as all correspondence will be sent to you by email.

The green card is sent to the address listed on the DS-230. The question asks at which address you want your green card mailed. And at POE, the officers will confirm with you which address the green card will be mailed to.

One more thing....

Should I get the Invoice Identification Number before or after we send the DS-3032 via email?

Doesn't matter as the IIN has nothing to do with the DS-3032. Most people ask for it at the same time when they get their case number. Call NVC back up and request for it. It's needed to sign onto the payment portal and pay bills.

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-01-18 11:32:00

Little confused on IV bill, and checklists (EP)

Oh I just got the e-mail that it has been accepted! Yay! Thanks!

Grats!

The IV bill should be invoiced shortly then, probably early next week Posted Image

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-01-18 16:44:00

Little confused on IV bill, and checklists (EP)

Hi guys!
I am doing EP and my AOS bill appeared as paid a week ago. However, my IV bill still hasn't even been invoiced?? I did the choice of agent form a week ago as well.
Is this common? I figured the 2 bills would become available at relatively the same time!

The IV bill is only invoiced after the acceptance of the Choice of Agent form. Have you called NVC yet to see if they've accepted your DS-261?

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-01-17 23:05:00

Filing for 2012 Tax Without Spouse Social Secuirty Number

Are you sure about option 1? I am doing "Married Filing Separately" through TurboTax and it's showing me missing spouse SS as an error.

You'd need to file MFS by paper and in the SSN section write NRA (Non-Resident Spouse).

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-01-19 18:45:00

Filing for 2012 Tax Without Spouse Social Secuirty Number

I got married in 2012 and my wife is still abroad, so she does not have a social security number, but it seems like I need this number to file my 2012 taxes. What do I do?

She can apply for an ITIN. Read up on form W7 on IRS's site.

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-01-19 18:35:00

Waiting for the NVC?

My wife and I started the visa process in September, the I-130 has been approved, and now we're trying to get through the National Visa Center.

We paid both fees (AOS and IV) and sent in both packages. I tracked the shipping every couple hours because I'm obsessive like that, and both packages have been signed for and received (AOS on January 18, IV on January 22).

My question is what happens now? I called them last night and they told me to allow 20 business days from the day I sent them, and they made it sound like they hadn't been entered into the system yet. I realize there's "no pattern," but what should I expect? Am I allowed to expect anything?

Thanks in advance

The packages won't show up in the operators' systems until after the review has begun on each package. More than likely, you'll hear about the AOS first as that was received earlier. Keep calling once a day and inquire about the status of your package. But you probably won't hear anything until next week. But I always found it was helpful to call every day since I felt like I was doing something Posted Image

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-01-23 21:16:00

Now married but what tax do you file when spouse is in visa provess

Not yet. The status is, a child of USC/I130, and according "the child act...law" my child will be a USC as soon as make it to USA.

I'm not 100% on this as I don't have any children, nor have I done the research (perhaps you should), but I believe that yes, the child will need an ITIN as well if you file MFJ.

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-01-20 19:23:00

Now married but what tax do you file when spouse is in visa provess

Saylin, sorry for my ignorance, but is it possible to claim my child as dependent without social security or I need to apply for "ITIN" even for my child as well in place of social security number? Once again, sorry for my ignorance.

Is your child a USC?

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-01-20 18:35:00

Now married but what tax do you file when spouse is in visa provess

The first attempt at an ITIN took 3 months and was finally denied in the end (for stupid reasons)
The second time was about 10 weeks and was approved.

Ouch... I'm glad mine didn't take long at all and had no problems...

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-01-20 18:18:00

Now married but what tax do you file when spouse is in visa provess

Thank you, Saylin. Thanks to you I come to learn what "ITIN" is all about. I think you are right, I might need to file "married filing jointly", but I wonder how long does it take to get "ITIN" though? I have to have the IRS transcript by the end of April or early May, if possible, in hand in case the co ask for it during interview?

If you can file relatively soon, then you should have everything by the interview. My husband filed a joint tax return with the W7 mid-March. And he had his tax transcript by the end of April, just in time for my interview at the beginning of May. So, it took less than 2 months for our case.

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-01-20 18:06:00

Now married but what tax do you file when spouse is in visa provess

Well, I am a USC and I am at NVC stage to be reunited with my spouse and my child, but the new question is now, how do you file your 2013 tax status in this sort of situation? I am expecting the interview to take place sometime on April, 2013. But the fact that my child and my alien spouse live overseas, and yet to have social security number just make me think to file married separately? But I don't know if it is even possible? Moreover, I sent my 2010, and 2009 IRS tax transcripts in early January 2013. Moreover, I wanted to file my 2012 tax soon in order to have my transcript ready in case the CO asks for it during the interview since I have yet to file my 2013 tax return? I just want to be proactive and my spouse to have my 2012 IRS tax transcript in hand before the interview? I just wonder if anyone knows or have gone through this route before?

You can either file 'Married Filing Separately' and just write NRA (Non-Resident Alien) in the SSN field for the spouse or you can file 'Married Filing Jointly' and apply for an ITIN. In 2011, my husband and I did the latter.

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-01-20 17:19:00

So confused- when I call NVC operator I can't tell if they received my IV pacakge?

great! Thanks! I am really hoping for a case complete this week!

It's very possible it can be! Just keep calling once a day and keep your fingers crossed

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-01-28 12:04:00

So confused- when I call NVC operator I can't tell if they received my IV pacakge?

Whoops...fixed.

Ok great, and then once it is reviewed (assuming its all good) the case should be complete right? They told me that my AOS package was all good.

Yup, once the DS-260 and the IV package have both been reviewed and accepted, they'll close your case. You should receive an email of case complete (since you're in EP) and then your case will be put in the queue for an interview date to be scheduled.

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-01-28 11:44:00

So confused- when I call NVC operator I can't tell if they received my IV pacakge?

Ok, so I am doing EP and I sent in my AOS package 2 ish weeks ago and they have received that. I e-mailed my IV package in about a week ago and did the DS-220 online. I got the e-mail 2 days after saying that they had received the supporting documents for my DS-220. But, when I call the operator they say it looks like they are just waiting to receive them? Since I did get the email that they had in fact received them, should I be worried? Do I need to re-send them? Or is it just because they haven't been reviewed yet that they are not showing up for the operator?

Thanks!

*DS-260

And it won't show up in their system until the review has begun (both on the package as well as the DS-260). Keep calling once a day and asking. It should be reviewed this week, if not, early next week.

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-01-28 11:05:00

DS-3020

Hello,

How long should I wait before email DS-3020? I was just approved today.

Do you mean DS-3032? Your case needs to get to NVC first and you need a case number to be assigned before you can do anything. I suggest you click on the last two links in my signature and do some reading...

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-01-24 21:19:00

More Dumb Questions

More dumb questions:

What are the IV and AOS Packages? AOS stands for "Adjustment of Status", is that what a new immigrant has to send to Homeland Security USCIS after they arrive in the US with a visa to be approved for legal work and the famous green card?

IV Package? Does this have something to do with what is required before a beneficiary is interviewed at the Embassy?

AOS actually has two meanings on this site. The AOS package, sent to NVC after I-130 approval, stands for Affidavit of Support. This package includes the I-864 form as well as tax information.

IV package stands for Immigrant Visa package. This includes the DS-230 form, passport photos, as well as civil documents.

Please read the guides available on this site to learn more.

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-01-30 16:35:00

If got the same checklist for all 3 of us. Our cases are all complete. The checklist actually existed before the case was closed but the timing of the emails is not very good! It is just as Saylin said, if you read the wording of it the instructions are to provide the photos at the interview.

You were the person I was thinking of when I replied before

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-01-31 21:50:00

Oh man I thought they closed like 3 hours ago! Thank you! I'm on the phone now!

Nope, NVC is open till midnight through the week!

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-01-31 20:53:00

Yep, I sent the scanned photos! So, it sounds like I shouldn't worry eh? I mean, I will definitely call NVC tomorrow morning....but now I will be stressing out all night!

Nope, if you sent them, then you're good to go! Call to confirm when you have the chance just to be 100% sure though. They're still open for another 3 hours, don't forget

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-01-31 20:46:00

So I called NVC today and they told me my case was closed and in line for an interview! So I was so excited!! But I just got an email (I'm in EP) that is a checklist requesting my photos for the DS-260 supporting documents. What do I do? Is my case not closed suddenly? Do i need to respond to this?? Thanks!

First off, did you send them the scanned photos in the IV package?

I know lately that NVC has been issuing checklists for photos for EP cases, but it's just a reminder to bring the photos to the interview.

And as with any checklists, there's always a delay between them being generated and you receiving them. That checklist you received was probably generated yesterday or even earlier, some time before your case was closed.

If in doubt, call up NVC and ask them. They're the best source to help you out with your case.

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-01-31 20:28:00

I originally bought them for decorations on our wedding invites
It's all I had!

Hey, if it works, it works!

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-02-04 12:50:00

In that case, I should make mine extra happy.
Because they are orange and look like this:

That should count for instant approval upon viewing.

Wow, never seen paper clips like that before! Posted Image

Heres what i use, pretty colours, oops i mean colors:)

No no, it's colours

Don't ever forget the u!

And wow, colourful clips by the way! Use the red and blue ones... American colours Posted Image

(Guess British colours too, lol!)

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-02-04 12:43:00

The adjudicator sounds like a lazy pos.

I wouldn't say lazy. It's more like do you want to tick the officer off by having him/her take extra time taking your package apart. That's why I always, and only, recommend paperclips. You can pull those off in a second. Using fasteners or staples require a lot more time. So do plastic protectors and binders. But no matter what you use, you won't get denied for using it, like KDH said. It's just you'd made the officer happier in a way if you use something that requires little time to remove.

That's how I see it anyways...

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-02-04 12:28:00

Thanks for posting that. I also didn't get an AOS package, i sent already and didn't write the number in the corner. I hope it will be ok. We haven't sent the IV packet yet, as we are waiting on ds-3032, so for that one I will write my case number in the corner. Thanks.

Writing the case number isn't MANDATORY, but like Ryan said, if documents are misplaced, having the case number written on the top will make it much easier to connect it back with your case.

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-02-04 11:19:00

Everyone here is saying to write your case number on the corner of each page... I don't see that in the instructions anywhere... Am I missing something?

I never got package information about the AOS package, but for the IV package, in the instructions, it states to write the case number on the top right. Here's a link to mine if you don't have it: http://s128.beta.pho...html?sort=6&o=1

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-02-04 09:21:00

So we all know that it's advisable to use acco fasteners and not staples when putting together your packets for immigration. Thing is, with the IV packet, there are original documents (birth and marriage cert, police clearance) that I'd rather not punch holes through! So I was going to use a transparent sheet protector thingy, like this: http://i01.i.aliimg....White_strip.jpg but then I read a lot of people saying that's a no-no too! So how am I supposed to put together this packet without damaging those oh-so-important originals? Ideas? Suggestions? Thanks!

Paper clips! They're easy to take off for the officers who are reviewing your packages.

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-02-01 13:32:00

an EP false checklist from NVC

I am the foreign spouse and my hubby is the USC.
We opt-ined for EP. Our AOS and VI packages were sent to NVC on January 16th. Three days later we received a NVC letter stating:

And then we waited patiently until January 29th when we received another NVC letter titled "xxx2013xxxxxxxx - checklist cover letter.pdf". The instruction part is as follows:

I thought the NVC was asking for my scanned visa photos again but my hubby said this seemed to be a false checklist because we have already included two of my scanned visa photos in our sent IV package. and the instruction says NVC doesn't collect scanned image of visa photos for EP but only asks for two photos at the time of the interview. We decided to do nothing about the email.Two days later we got our scheduled interview day.

So one of my friends (also applying for CR1) received the same photo checklist on Jan 28th and I told them just to stay put, ignore the email and they might get their interview day within one or two days. Now it has been almost a week and they still get nothing...They start worrying and so do I. Perhaps they should send in the scanned visa photos AGAIN?

Does anyone choosing EP also get such an email from NVC?

Like ndu said, there have been other members getting this "checklist". It's just a reminder saying to bring the photos with you to the interview. It's not an actual checklist. Although your friend can certainly call up and confirm.

Remember, just because you got your interview scheduled two days later, does not mean EVERYONE gets scheduled two days later. It's all about the backlog at the consulate/embassy.

Sounds great, Ndu.
I was surprised when someone told me only a few people use EP since it is available in only Guangzhou Consulate, China and Mortreal Consulate, Canada so far.

There are a LOT more place than just China and Canada that do EP now. Around 10 or so.

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-02-04 10:06:00

i-864 & i-864a - Completely Confused

Got it, makes sense now. Thanks for your help !

Glad I helped Posted Image

You're welcome ^_^

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-02-07 16:03:00

i-864 & i-864a - Completely Confused

Thanks for the reply Saylin...all of that makes sense, except that i'm told that there would need to be a i-864a files since we both live at the same address and our incomes are being combined. Is that not true?

Nope. He can submit an I-864. An I-864A is typically done by the spouse of a joint sponsor, who's also contributing their income. For the I-864, it doesn't matter if you're in the same household or not.

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-02-07 16:02:00

i-864 & i-864a - Completely Confused

I read the guides for CR-1 and the i-864 and everything made sense. Now that i'm filling out the documents, i'm totally confused.

Situation:

I am the primary sponsor, living with parents but i'm not their dependent. My taxes show I make less than the poverty line.
Father is the joint sponsor but has filed taxes jointly with spouse and have no dependents. He makes 90% of the money.

I thought I would file a i-864, my father would file an i-864 as joint sponsor (since I only need to use his income and not his spouse's) and he would file the i-864a since we both live in the same house.

Questions

1.) Does his spouse also need to file i-864 since they are filed jointly?
2.) Does she also need to file an i-864a?
3.) Will he need to also send in his W-2 to show that he does in-fact make 90% of the amount listed on the Tax Transcript?
4.) Is my assumption on the forms even correct? Me: i-864 , Father: i-864, Father: i-864a

Any help in the right direction would be appreciated since this is totally confusing.

1. Only if she's going to contribute her income. If she's not, then she doesn't need to file a form.
2. Dependent on if she's going to contribute. If she does, then yes it would be an I-864A.
3. If he's going to send tax transcripts as tax information, then yes, he'll also need to include his W2s to show his portion of the income on the transcript.
4. No, that's wrong. Each person only fills out ONE form. You would fill out your own I-864 and your father would fill out his own I-864. The only I-864A that would be included is if your father's spouse files as well.

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-02-07 15:50:00

IV Fee..how do I get it invoiced?

Thank you so much Saylin!! As always you have a super complete answer for everything!
I understand now why I didn't get AOS and IV invoiced at the same time, I thought I made a mistake when I sent the OPTIN message since I didn't attach the DS-3032 (even though I read how to OPTIN at NVC website and it never says attach Ds-3032), because like you say it would be redundant.

And I will call NVC and ask about the DS-261! My husband and I got busy with the AOS email and we kinda forgot about the DS-261 Since he is busy at work, I am "in charge" to find out what step comes next

Once again Saylin, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

You're welcome! ^_^

I'm guessing your IV bill will be invoiced sometime this week. But still call to find out the status on your DS-261.

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-02-11 13:48:00

IV Fee..how do I get it invoiced?

Hi!!
I am a little confused about the IV fee. I think the AOS and IV fee are parallel processes,but right now I have doubts if what I did was correct or not.
We are doing EP for Mexico.

I sent the OPTIN email, but I didn't attach the DS-3032 template or anything, I just sent the email with the case # etc etc
But the DS-261is the same as DS-3032 right? So I don't need to send any DS-3032...am I right?

We emailed OPTIN message, then filed DS-261 online, paid the AOS bill and sent the AOS package through email. But when does IV fee gets invoiced?
I know it might be a silly question, but I need your help please!!! Thank you!!

Yes, the DS-261 is the same as the DS-3032, just that's it's online and only available for a few eligible countries (like yours). So, no need to send the DS-3032, that'd just be redundant.

Keep in mind: the AOS is invoiced a few days after the case number is assigned and is done independently of you sending them anything. The IV fee on the other hand is completely dependent upon you sending them the Choice of Agent form. They first need to review the form, accept it, add it to the casefile, then put it into a queue for the IV to be invoiced. It takes longer to invoice the IV fee than the AOS fee.

Have you been calling NVC and inquiring if they accepted your DS-261? Once it's been accepted, then it would just be a couple more days till the bill is invoiced.

Yes it is there, the IV fee still says "Not invoiced".
I have seen some people's posts saying that they paid both fees in 1 single payment, thats why I wonder why mine isn't available,if I did something wrong or if it's just delayed.
We just paid the AOS bill last thursday, on friday it showed "PAID" and we emailed the AOS package over the weekend, Is it because of that?

The people who pay both fees at once have lawyers. Having a lawyer attached to your case means they've automatically been selected as agent, thus no need to send the DS-3032/DS-261. Because of that, both bills are invoiced at the same time. Since you don't have a lawyer, there will be a space of time between both of your bills.

And it has NOTHING to do with your AOS track as both are completely separate tracks that have nothing to do with one another (except both are required to be done before the case can be completed).

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-02-11 11:41:00

Question about next step after receiving NVC case #

Thank you for the reply. I am calling them now!

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-02-11 12:40:00

Question about next step after receiving NVC case #

Hey everyone!

I hope everyone is moving along smoothly in their immigration journey.

I had a question: I received the NVC case #, invoice #, DS-3032 form, and AOS fee invoice a few weeks after receiving the NOA2 from USCIS. I received all this via email.

However, I never gave NVC my email address. I think they might have gotten it off the I-130?

Anyways, my question is: my husband (beneficiary) wants to submit the DS-3032 via email. Is it too late for me to call the NVC and give them my husband's email address? I never called them to give them our email addresses.

Or can he just send them the DS-3032 form via email? Will they accept it without me even having called them?

Thanks in advance for any help!

07/16/12 Sent I-130
07/20/12 Priority Date
07/25/12 NOA1
01/07/13 Approval of I-130
01/30/13 Receipt of NVC case #, invoice #, DS-3032, and i-864 fee invoice via petitioner's email
02/01/13 Paid i-864 fee

If you sent a G-1145 with your I-130 package, then they could have gotten your email address from that.

Yes, call up asap and give NVC the beneficiary's email address. Once that's done, then they can email the DS-3032.

Saylin

Female

Canada

2013-02-11 12:05:00