biggish data

Declaration of translation competence

What is the US office or desk that can give feedback on this question?

flybird

Not Telling

2013-02-28 21:57:00

Declaration of translation competence

My wife and I are in the process of doing CR1 and the I-130.

The translations of our marriage certificate do not have the special standard statement by the translator along the lines of, "I certify that I am competent to translate from x to y and I declare that the translation is accurate to the best of my whatever, etc, whatever (paraphraphasing)".

Instead it has a big standardized stamp showing the name of the translation company, their address, phone, email, and a graphic.

Since books seems to saw that translations must have the formal statement word for word, why would they not provide it? What don't I know? This is a professional translator that I feel probably must have helped lots of marriage visa customers. Could they be so sloppy to not provide the declaration in a form that is famously required?

flybird

Not Telling

2013-02-21 20:33:00

US offices for answering questions / CR1

What US offices answer questions from applicants going through the application process. Is it generally hard to have questions answered or are there offices whose job it is to really help with the process?

flybird

Not Telling

2013-02-28 22:09:00

names on paypal tranfers

How "analytical" does one need to be regarding the fact that some documents don't have both of our names on every page, but sometimes only on a related or subsequent page?

Consider evidence of comingling of financial resources as paypal transfers. A key paypal history page does not list each of our names; it lists one name and of our email addresses. Another "summary" page includes just email address. We can each print our "settings" page that lists are names with our email address, for that to be used to allow them to match the email to the name, but this would require them that extra analytical step. Since the pages are not to be stapled (and the order of pages might be altered), and since (I presume) one can provide only very limited "instructions" for how the logic works, how do I know they will see what we see? If this is deemed messy or burdensome for them, should we consider just dropping this transfer, though it was a significant event in our comingling, and go with the several other transfers that were made by bank (not by paypal)?

flybird

Not Telling

2013-03-08 00:41:00

Try not to overthink the affidavits. There should be template used in the locality where you plan to have that notarized. We just went a court house, explained what we planned to do and they showed a sample. We used that, inputing relevant family member's name . They then had the apprpriate court official stamp and date it.

Use a local sample instead of the template online here? Our application has no special connection to local courthouse services and going to a local courthouse sounds arbitrary. Why would that would that be better than the sample here?

flybird

Not Telling

2013-03-12 20:46:00

I appreciate that advice. And let me double check. Does "do not overthink them" mean that special legal language (eg duly sworn at the top) is not what makes these documents what they are (affidavits)?

In other words, is it not special legal jargon that makes these letters official?

flybird

Not Telling

2013-03-12 20:41:00

Thanks, here is another question:

Is this line important?

*********************************************
[NAME], being duly sworn, deposes and says:
*********************************************

I notice some "example" affidavits do not have that line. In addition, is it sensibly included? I don't know in what sense my family member "deposes" and whether that is the case for such a letter, and what that means.

flybird

Not Telling

2013-03-11 20:57:00

My wife and I are asking people to prepare third party affidavits. What is the purpose of the final item in it (I refer to the template sample here in VJ), as follows?

**************
Sworn before me this _______ day of _______, [year]
_______________________
**************

Who is the "me"? Is the last line a signature line for the notary?

flybird

Not Telling

2013-03-09 21:53:00

Another Tax Question

hi Dave,

I decided to go the simple route and just file married filing separate. My wife didn't have an ssn so I had to mail in the return with an itin app attached. Of course since your wife has her ssn you can skip that part.

So you do have a few options but only a tax pro can give the best advice based on your individual situation.

But just remember if you do elect to treat her as an ra for tax purposes for 2011 you do have to report the worldwide income for you and your wife.
hope that helps and good luck
Dan

Is the ITIN required when filing separate? Or only if applying join?

flybird

Not Telling

2013-04-12 19:43:00

I-864 Taxes for NVC Red Flag

If filing married separate, I understand that no ITIN or SSN is needed for the foreign spouse. My question is about writing NRA (nonresident alien).
Put that for the foreign spouse's SSN?
Put that for foreign spouses NAME?
Put that for both?

flybird

Not Telling

2013-04-12 20:42:00

immigrant spouse being asked by US husband's accountant to file taxes US??

We filed Married filing Jointly and at the same time I applied for my INIT. I submitted a W-7 form together with a photocopy of my passport (the page with the ID, not all pages) that was verified by the US Embassy in my country to be identical to the original. The Embassy calls this "notarial services" and they charged me $50 for that. We entered our taxes online, then printed out the forms (we could not e-file, it kept asking for my SSN) and sent it all together via snail mail. We expect our return in 7-8 weeks.

Is the W7 asking for documentation related to the foreign spouse or the US citizen. Sorry I know I can look it up, but could use the help.

flybird

Not Telling

2013-04-12 19:29:00

immigrant spouse being asked by US husband's accountant to file taxes US??

I understand that if filing taxes jointly and submitting a W7, one must include certified copies of documents (eg passport or national id card) from the issuing agency. My question is, What is a certified copy of those documents? Are government offices able to generate copies of the official documents that they will also certify? What is the process?

flybird

Not Telling

2013-04-11 21:43:00

Visitor Visa while I-130 is pending

I have a question guys.. I submitted an i-130 and i-129f for my wife back in January. I was wondering if she would be able to visit me with a tourist visa while the other applications are pending?

Also if she was able to visit me what happens if she is approved while she is visiting. Does she have to go back immediately for the interview or can she schedule her interview date. We fear that if she comes and visits and after a week she gets approved she would have to go back right away for her interview, thus making it sort of a waste of money. Is the interview date chosen for you or can you schedule it and push it back like 4 months. We don't want to purchase a ticket to visit and then she can only stay for like a couple weeks. Does that make sense ?

Thanks in advance.

visa999

Male

Gambia

2013-06-15 14:15:00

Spouse visa process

Since she's not a resident in the UK you won't be able to do the DCF route so your only choices are K1 or CR1. I'd do CR1, it will take about 6-8 months from filing the petition to completion but you'll have a green card immediately on entering the US and you'll be able to work immediately. K1 you'll need to file more paperwork and life conditions and whatnot.

BUT, and this is where I'm not sure, I think you can enter the states through the Visa Waiver Program during the petition process and be able to be with her. There are restrictions to that though, you'll have to look them on the state dept website.

Edited by Roosha, 27 November 2012 - 01:29 PM.

Roosha

Female

Qatar

2012-11-27 13:27:00

Spouse visa process

Thank you for your time. So the DCF route is the CR1 visa route? This doesnt allow us to wait together like the K3 though, is that correct?

Link to the guides on VJ: http://www.visajourn.../content/guides

Comparison of Marriage based Immigrant Visas: http://www.visajourn...content/compare

The K3 was made years ago b/c the CR1 was taking years to process so people would apply for the K3 in order to have their loved one enter the country while the CR1 was still being processed. Now, CR1 are not taking as long and so the K3 has become obsolete. There is no reason to file the K3 unless you just want to waste your time and risk your case taking longer to process.

DCF means Direct Consular Filing, it means that you will be able to file your papers with the USCIS office in your country and it takes a LOT less time than if you're one of us and have to file in states

From what I've seen it might take you all together about 3 months (depending on the consulate of course) while the rest of us toil for minimum 6. And that's if we use all the NVC shortcuts and stay one step ahead of the process to make sure that whatever might be required is provided!

You'll be able to wait together no matter what route you take, as long as you can satisfy the domicile requirement (or intent to re-establish domicile) when it comes time to file the affidavit of support. But that's later, after you get your I-130 approval.

So again, your fastest course would be to get married and file with your consulate. It will be faster and it will be better for the non-us citizen when they arrive in the states since they'll immediately have their green card on arrival and be able to work and everything. Contact your embassy for more details as I don't think you'll be able to get more from here

Good Luck!

Roosha

Female

Qatar

2012-11-26 16:31:00

hmmmm...i don't think i'm that jealous anymore.... :rofl:

Roosha

Female

Qatar

2012-11-28 05:55:00

On the downside, I see we have to fill out the D-260 form online which doesn't look like fun to me.
I rather enjoy filling out the acrobat forms.

Crazy! Filling out forms is never fun. Being organized and neat and less clutter is always better! B-)

Roosha

Female

Qatar

2012-11-27 16:00:00

Omg. I'm actually jealous. You could conceivably have the whole package ready and waiting in a prepared email before you even got transferred to NVC. NOT fair! :crying:

Roosha

Female

Qatar

2012-11-27 15:13:00

Required:

-interview letter
-passport
-DHL/Loomis confirmation
-original AOS package
-original/certified copy birth certificate
-original/certified copy marriage certificate
-original police certificate
-medical results
-2 passport pictures

isn't the stuff in bold supposed to be sent to NVC? How would you have it to bring to the interview if you'd already sent to NVC for their processing?

Roosha

Female

Qatar

2012-11-27 13:33:00

Quick Question about DS-230 and Certification...

You send the originals of all three of the documents you mention. No, there is no way around this. Take regular photocopies to the interview to exchange for your originals and they will return them. Satisfy your concerns the best you can by using a reliable courier service.

Are you sure? Why does it say Original or certified copy then? I thought that meant you had a choice between the two and that the copy should be certified by the issuing agency. The problem isn't just papers getting lost in the mail it's also if they get lost by NVC for some reason...

Roosha

Female

Qatar

2012-11-26 12:33:00

Quick Question about DS-230 and Certification...

I'll be watching this thread too as I don't feel comfortable with sending original document in the mail to NVC when it comes time for it...and was wondering what they mean by certification.

Roosha

Female

Qatar

2012-11-26 11:37:00

NEWBIE with Spousal immigration questions!!!

So a bit of a back story...
my husband is Canadian. I am American and am petitioning for him to come down to the states and get his green card.
On MAY 31, 2012, we received the receipt that the Vermont Service Center had received our I-130. We are just about to hit the 6 month mark of the waiting game. I HATE the waiting game! :-/ We are young newlyweds and he is currently living in Canada when I am living in America. We are both working and trying to do it the most LEGAL way possible. So I have a few questions that I'd love to get feedback from your experience on in hopes to calm my nerves a bit!

1- do we HAVE to be apart at this time? like I said it has been almost 6 months and as newlyweds, it's really hard :-/ I am wondering if he could just live with me until he gets his green card? I am working, but I am wondering if he does come down and stay with me (without working in America, of course) if that would mess up our process. I don't want anything delayed any longer!! He can visit you, you can visit him. It would be easier for you to go to him as he might be refused entry based on the fact that he's applying for a CR1 visa. He'll have to have proof of intent to return with him when he attempts to cross, stuff like lease on an apt, statement from work saying that he has vacation for a certain number of days. I'm not sure what else, look up the Visa Waiver Program to get more information. Also, there are lots of Canadians here, they'll be able to give you more specifics.

2- From your experience, how long did the ENTIRE process take? Like I said we haven't even gotten the I-130 approval and I'm already going nutty! I cannot wait for the day when this is all over! Yea, sucks, I know but don't worry, you should be done with the first stage soon, Vermont has been taking a REALLY long time with petitions, usually around 6 months to approve. Look at the timelines (link at the top of the page) to see where Vermont is at approving petitions. It'll give you a better idea of how long it'll take you to get approval. After approval you'll get sent to NVC, and how long you take at NVC is entirely up to you and how prepared you are. Then everything gets transferred to US consulate for your husband's interview.

3- Is there anything we can be doing to prepare ourselves at this point? Any paperwork to complete ahead of time? Take a look at the first two posts in this thread: http://www.visajourn...-november-2012/ they'll tell you everything you need to know about NVC and what papers to get ready and how to speed through the process there.

4- last but not least- when it comes to financial support- I do believe I am making enough to be his 'sponsor', but my concern is for the entire longevity of last year I had NO EMPLOYMENT. I was a student in college then got married. So I did not file my taxes because I had no income whatsoever that entire year. Will that be a concern for whoever is processing that part? Am I better off just getting a co sponsor? My parents are willing but I would rather just have it be done the quickest way Having a joint/co sponsor won't make the process go any slower since you provide the paperwork at the same time. Better to be way over so that the CO at the consulate won't have an excuse to deny you rather than getting sent back to get another sponsor, therefore taking more time.

any other advice or encouragement would be very appreciated! This website is really useful! Thank you very much for taking time to read all of this!

Like I said, there are lots of Canadians here, I'm sure they'll be jumping in soon to offer their own advice

Roosha

Female

Qatar

2012-11-28 06:13:00

Steps after i-130 approved

From what I've been able to tell the NVC will take as long as you let it. If you're prepared and know the short cuts you can speed through there in as little as a month, some people have even done it in less. http://www.visajourn...he_NVC_ShortCut one of the guides to how to speed through NVC. There are others, search the site.

Roosha

Female

Qatar

2012-12-04 18:32:00

CASE NO, AVAILABLE AT NVC

I'm sure you'll get a lot more help if you'll please take of the CAPS LOCK.

Roosha

Female

Qatar

2012-12-05 07:12:00

documents for the interview

we want to avoid the possibility of AP since it seems to happen a lot in Jordan thank u any tips would be greatly appreciated

Even if you bring everything and follow all the instructions to the letter it doesn't mean that you will avoid AP. AP doesn't have to do with the petition itself, ie proving your relationship, it's extra background checks and security.

Roosha

Female

Qatar

2012-12-04 13:32:00

I-797 Received, where from here

4-6 months until you receive NOA2, not until you receive visa. 8-10 months for the visa. read these for more info on next steps and etc:

http://www.visajourn...tent/i130guide1

http://www.visajourn..._live_in_the_US

NOA2 is not a packet or anything, NOA means notice of action, it's just a letter from USCIS stating that they have taken a certain action with your petition. Most people get two, the first one stating that your case has been accepted (which is what you've received) and the second one stating that your case has been approved and is being transferred to NVC.

Read the guides, everything you need to know about the next year of your life is in there

Roosha

Female

Qatar

2012-12-05 08:21:00

If you want to go early then that's what you should do. Especially if you feel being in the US will make the pregnancy easier. Do what works best for you

Oh it would, but that would mean hubby wouldn't meet his child until the child was 3 or 4 months, minimum. I couldn't do that to him since we're already going to have to be separated from August to October, maybe longer. :no:

Immigration sucks.

Roosha

Female

Qatar

2012-12-05 14:59:00

So basically the consensus is that I could do both. I could go early in April or I could just wait and go in August (or earlier if he gets his visa before then...haha yea right).

Well my husband will be happy at least since now I can't use the domicile requirement as an excuse to go early and spoil myself with a birth near my mommy :lol:

Thanks everyone for all the advice, I knew VJ'ers would come through. (F)

Roosha

Female

Qatar

2012-12-04 17:14:00

I would do a lease from your parents. There are simple blank lease ones online that you can modify to fit your needs.

Also have you maintained an American driver's license and voter registration?

Is your American checking account still open?

...

The medicaid shouldn't be a problem, especially since you have a joint sponsor (right?).

The blank lease is a good idea I guess, although I'm not sure what the difference between a lease and a simple affidavit stating that we're living with my parents except to make it a little more official. Yes I have a drivers license and my voter registration is valid, although I missed the deadline for absentee voting :bonk:

so therefore didn't vote. My checking account is not open, I guess I could open one, although if there is no movement in the account I don't know what that will show. It'll just be an account with some money sitting in it.

Yes my father will be joint sponsor so no worries on that front. The only worry is that me using medicaid for the birth will affect the way they look at my father's commitment to being a sponsor for my husband, if that makes sense. Am I worrying too much about it?

This can be consular specific. Canada is usually very tough on proving domicile but for other consulates it may not be brought up beyond the fact that you most likely will need a cosponsor.

I went through Abu Dhabi and was not asked any questions about proving domicile. We knew where we were going to live (with family) but neither of us had jobs lined up beforehand. Because of this we did need a co-sponsor as my foreign income did not count. We were not asked any direct questions about proving domicile.

You might want to check the reviews for the embassy you will be going through to see what others experiences have been as far as proving domicile.

We're in Qatar, so it might be similar to Abu Dhabi, unfortunately there aren't that many reviews on here about the Qatar consulate! We def have a joint sponsor so we're covered on that front. When you submitted the affidavit of support how did you prove that you were re-establishing domicile or that you had domicile in the states? I think it does have to show somewhere on the paperwork, yes? So what did you submit?

Roosha

Female

Qatar

2012-12-04 07:43:00

bump. no opinions or advice, anyone?

Roosha

Female

Qatar

2012-12-04 06:07:00

Ok this will be a pretty long post b/c I have two questions intertwined and it all depends on the timelines, so please bear with me!

I'm worried that I won't be able to meet the requirement for re-establishing domicile. I left the states a bride so I wasn't exactly on my own yet, meaning no place of my own and barely a checking account. (Yes, I was def a daddy's girl :blush:

) So I didn't have a domicile to keep up, which means I will have to prove that I will be re-establishing domicile. Problem is that I won't be able to do that very well either since we will be staying with my family in the beginning and I won't be working (due to the pregnancy). I don't have a job right now that I can resign from nor do I have any accounts I can close etc. to show that I am leaving this country. So basically the only proof I will be able to provide that I will be re-establishing domicile is (1) to have a letter from my parents stating that they will be housing us as well as (2) any correspondence with the elementary school my son will be attending regarding his registration. I'm still checking to see if I can get him registered before we actually arrive but I think we have to prove residency to the school in order to register. I could also buy our air tickets and show those I guess...

So if I can't prove domicile that means that I will have to move back to the states before him but then we run into the issue of Medicaid. I don't have health insurance since government health care here is very cheap and we never needed insurance. If I do have to move back to the states before him I will be going back in April so that the immigration process is not delayed by the birth. If I go back after the baby is born I won't be able to move back until Mid July or early August meaning I won't be able to submit the AOS until August, and I'm sure we would have had NOA2 by then! My worry is that I will have to avail use of Medicaid if I do give birth in the states and I don't want that to effect our petition. My father will be joint sponsor for finances, I don't even know how they'd find out that I'm using government assistance but I thought I'd ask here and see if the good people of VJ know anything about this!

So, after knowing all this information I have two questions:
1) Do you think I can prove that I will re-establish domicile with the scant proof I can provide?
2) If, in your opinion, it would be better for me to move back first, do you think me using medicaid will affect the petition?

Thanks so much for reading, I appreciate your help!

Roosha

Female

Qatar

2012-12-03 19:47:00

proof for bona fide marriage

Your children's birth certificate is good, as long as both your names are on it. And it's not required but I'd send your wife's birth certificate as well, a lot of people are getting requests for it. Make sure you translate it if it's not in english and attach a certification signed by the translator. When you're sending stuff for the I-130 send copies, don't send originals. Originals are only required for the NVC stage.

Roosha

Female

Qatar

2012-12-06 23:41:00

proof for bona fide marriage

Yes, everything you listed, as long as both your names are on those bills/statements/certificates, is good. Also include a cover letter listing everything you're sending and how it shows that you're in a relationship (ie state that your wife's number is such and such and how they can see the number highlighted on your cell phone bill).

What did you send the first time? If you're sending all of this now it seems that you didn't send anything when you sent in the I-130 form?

Edited by Roosha, 04 December 2012 - 05:51 PM.

Roosha

Female

Qatar

2012-12-04 17:49:00

last question...I promise I 130 form

Um I def understood it as being the beneficiary's employer. The question is on the right side, the side where all the information is about the person who is immigrating. If there's any confusion all employers are also listed on the G-325A form, right? I mean I hope they'll connect the dots...

But I really don't think they mean the petitioner's employment.

Roosha

Female

Qatar

2012-12-06 15:30:00

I-130, Should I Be Worried?

Wait, you're in the UK, why didn't you file directly with the embassy? http://www.uscis.gov...000082ca60aRCRD

It will go a LOT faster if you did it that way. I'm not sure if you can still do it that way, I'd contact the embassy to see if you still have that option.

Also, if you're both living overseas, you should have sent it to the Chicago lock box, NOT to Texas. That might be why they re-routed to Vermont. If your file is going to stay in Vermont you're looking at around 6 months just for approval from USCIS, then you're still going to have to go through NVC and all the other steps.

You probably won't make the June deadline if you're at Vermont, but if you've been routed to NBC you probably will. I'd call and talk to a tier 2 person, they'll be able to tell you exactly where your file is, then you'll be able to get a better idea about your timeline.

Roosha

Female

Qatar

2012-12-06 17:26:00

I-130, Should I Be Worried?

Are you sure you're at the Texas Service Center and you weren't routed to the National Benefits Center? Check your number, does it start with MSC?

Roosha

Female

Qatar

2012-12-06 16:32:00

CR1 Visa post interview question

Try emailing the embassy, they don't usually take kindly to calls, at least mine doesn't. Also, try posting on the region specific forum. You'll get more specific answers that way.

Roosha

Female

Qatar

2012-12-07 17:59:00

I-864 question

No, they won't ask for tax info for 2012 until after the deadline in April to actually file 2012 taxes. You can submit them, but it shouldn't be a requirement.

Roosha

Female

Qatar

2012-12-06 16:36:00

i need help and advice bad..... :( :(

I'd definitely apply to try to get it expedited. I'm not sure how you'd do that since you've already sent in the petition. Try posting on the MENA forums also, you might get some specific info from Egyptians there. Good Luck!

Roosha

Female

Qatar

2012-12-06 15:35:00