biggish data

Still no NOA1 Notification received...

Hi Kirsty,

My fiancee and I are in the same boat as you. We managed to get in touch with the USCIS and they advised us to wait until 30days are up and then get back in contact with them and they will look in to it and chase the lockbox up for us. We filed last month and they have cashed the check but we have had no notification despite filling in the I-1145 for e-mail and text etc. So my advice is to wait 30days before chasing up your NOA1.

Kind regards and best of look John and Wendy

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-05 00:39:00

A BIG CONFUSION

I was just going to say I have been obsessively researching various immigration topics to pass the time while waiting for ours to go through plus it comes in handy in my line of work. I just read something that makes me think what Jojo says is correct. You definitely need an attorney because one wrong move that appears to be fraud can permanently bar someone from the US (which would need a lawyer to overcome anyway if it was even possible). Remember in immigration courts you are guilty until proven innocent.

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-04 21:25:00

NOA1 received...now what?

You can check to see if your immunzations are up to date. John needed some and has to go back in 3 months. Much cheaper to deal with it here and now vs. at med exam or over here. The police record takes about 3 weeks to get and is good for 12 months. There is other documentation needed for the next stage but yes, you will have about 5 months to do it in. I just like to research and work on it to keep from driving everyone nuts with my obsessing about it.

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-05 10:38:00

Need Advice Please.

I know in UK Embassy does not send out the packet 3 so listen to Inky. UK Embassy does it the same way.

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-05 14:13:00

US Passport style photos

Try this: http://travel.state....toreq_5333.html

It has a function that helps you take your own as well as all the specifications required.

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-03 08:23:00

how do we get married?

In Colorado you can solemnize your own marriage PLUS you need no social security number. Consider Colorado if they will allow you to solemnize out of the state or solemnize it in Colorado before you go to Indiana.

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-06 12:25:00

Affidavit of Support

I thought a letter from employer was needed but I could be wrong. Recent paystubs and bank records are good to have. My understanding is only the most current tax return is needed ( 2010 for this years interview) but if you already have the extra returns it can't hurt to have them with you. Jim.

I thought you needed 3 years tax returns-recommended to have 5 just in case. I also thought it was recommended to have an employment verification letter to prove this is an ongoing job of regular hours not a short-term arrangement.

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-06 22:57:00

Well, I have children so my income has to be higher. I think the whole don't worry about it is a good plan but easier said than done. Having a job lined up for you here already is great. Huge relief I am sure. I know we are kind of worried about how his credentials and all will translate here. Considering he is UK he should be ok versus some folks.

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-06 17:24:00

i personally think drinking only makes it worse! but that's just me. i always go to bed thinking of reasons why we would get denied but i also know i have done nothing bad/ broken any immigration laws while in the US. i actually schooled and did my OPT in the US all lasting about 61/2 years. and i currently also have a 5yrs multiple entry visa. in spite of all of that, i still worry about getting denied. its looks like things are moving at the CSC; where we applied. i just cant wait!!!! haaaaaa i going insane with this crazy thinking and waiting.

I don't drink often but I am so wound about this process. I have been frustrated because I saw everyone was getting NOA1's in 2-7 days and it has been 22 days for us with no text, no email, no anything at all. I think the date everyone is entering must occur before they are actually hearing anything? Then I read somewhere that some people never get the NOA1 at all. So I have relaxed a bit. I still wish I had a receipt number to obsessively check the USCIS site with. I just miss him so badly. I guess I am going to have to go get a life for sanity's sake! hehehe

What is OPT? I have read MOST k1 visas are approved-like 90% or more-so you should definitely be fine. The approval process doesn't worry me so much as the AOS. I make enough but still worry that it is just enough so they will find some little issue to deny. I am trying to just not worry about it. It is mostly those days where I really miss him that make me nuts. It does make me mad that this process has to be such a process because some people want to use it fraudulently.

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-06 14:19:00

i wish i can just fall asleep and wake up when my NOA 2 is approved! i hate this waiting, and checking of my computer every 2mins to see if i have gotten something from USCIS. and it has only been about 46 days since i got my NOA1!! mannn i have a long way to go. its driving me insane! God help me.

I hear you there!!! I am driving him, my friends and family, other VJ'ers,AND ME nuts with questions and nerves. I am trying to just relax and focus on other things I need to do to prepare for his arrival. Like clean out my storage and my closet and locate a driver's manual, etc. I think I am gonna take Widsy's approach this weekend and have me a big old apple martini!

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-06 12:21:00

Come on over and I'll join you!

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-05 10:40:00

A question, I need help please....someone :X

The I-864 is not used by the consulate and the instructions do not apply to the consulate. What you are referring to is the I-864a which is when a member of the same household is a joint sponsor for the AOS, it is not in reference to the visa.

What I was reading was the I864 not the I864a.

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-07 12:17:00

A question, I need help please....someone :X

Hey, I was reading the instructions for the I864 and it appears you do need the co-sponsor at that time to be an immediate family member just FYI in case you don't find work. Hopefully, this won't be an issue. Plus I have got other items wrong so you might want to check those instructions out for yourself.

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-06 22:49:00

Thanks!

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-09 13:39:00

I thought I had saw on here that they wanted I134 for k1 then I864 for AOS? Do I have it right now? On the I134 they do not ask about dependents, I don't think but the I864 they do and yes, even if not on your tax return if you are legally obligated to support them is how I am reading it.

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-05 10:43:00

I just found a set of instructions that further clarifies this: married children are not dependents, age of majority children who are under 21 but not listed on my tax return do not count. I would have to claim the 16 year old on several criteria: I am legally obligated to support her. She is listed on my tax return. It says anyone listed on your tax return even if you are not legally obligated to support them does count. Just a little FYI if anyone else encounters this question.

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-05 10:09:00

I just read over the London Embassy info and for interview they require I864 (not I134). So in filling this out... I read the instructions and household members are "any dependent children under 21" no matter where they live. Here is my situation: I have a child who turns 21 in December in the military, married with children. I also have an 18 year old who is supporting himself and going through school. I also have a 16 yr old who lives with her dad as of last year and I pay no support for because he's rarely ever paid child support. So technically I am not supporting any of those family members. Which counts towards my household? I would assume the oldest would not be considered "dependent". The 18 year old maybe and the 16 yr old probably counts since I claimed her last year on my taxes. Any advice on this?

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-05 09:56:00

Money...

Also how much would be considered enough for them to let me in?

I have read somewhere (so please check this because I am a newbie and still get things wrong) that if your source of income will remain a source of income after you are here and continue to be here (not like a last paycheck type of situation) it counts at least when you go to adjust status. So it may well count at the I-134 portion of the process as well. Having a large sum of money transferred for the purpose of appearing wealthy would be a mistake as they will conduct a background check and probably realize what you were doing. And playing games with immigration isn't smart. They always catch you. Any US Citizen can co-sponsor you or so I have been told on this site.

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-09 13:29:00

Zing! Found the Missouri state law. If the person does not have a SSN, it is not required. They will have to make a sworn statement that they do not have a SSN.

http://law.justia.co...4510000040.html

"Each application for a license shall contain the Social Security number of the applicant, provided that the applicant in fact has a Social Security number, or the applicant shall sign a statement provided by the recorder that the applicant does not have a Social Security number."

Just to update you, Harpa, I just called the county clerk and, my goodness, she did not want to look that law up!!! I insisted and we will see when she gets back to me what she says.

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-11 10:00:00

Thanks, Harpa! I am going to double-check every place I said such a thing and correct with what you said so others will have accurate info. Appreciate your legwork on this! I spent alot of time and frustration trying to figure out how to do this and thought I hit brick walls!

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-06 17:36:00

Thanks, Tahoma!

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-06 13:47:00

Just a warning many states require a social security number. Missouri, where I live currently, does and the social security office said my fiance would not be eligible for a social security number until a government entity says one is required for their purposes-not terribly helpful. I have heard on here that other people are able to get social security numbers for their fiance(e)s.

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-06 12:33:00

K1 petition-where does it go after lockbox

Thanks, Chuward. I have just found another place where it talks about the lockbox acting as the gatekeeper for apps but this article was written 8/2010. I know I saw somewhere on USCIS website the same info and will keep ttrying to find it with a date-might be outdated at this point. Either way I am Missouri so I hope you are right! Where did you find your info?

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-12 09:59:00

K1 petition-where does it go after lockbox

Does anyone know-as I read conflicting things... After you send your K1 petition to the lock box does it go to a specific service center based on which service center services your geographic location? Or does the lock box send it to which ever service center is requesting more work first?

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-12 09:47:00

Starting off Badly... sent I-129F to Lockbox

Welcome to VJ

Since you send the petition with a certified mail and the Dallas Lockbox do not sign any certification from USPS. It is a mail box so that there is no one to sign and accept the mail. In a week time you will receive a text and email from USCIS. However the message from the USPS will be still the same. My petition was approved mid June but still the message on the USPS online said “attempt to deliver”. There is nothing to worry; your petition will be delivered.

Good luck with your long Journey.

I thought I would chime in on this in case anyone researches past topics like I do... I sent mine certified and I did get the certified notice back. They don't sign it but do stamp it. I did see where someone else got a name to sign it but they may have couriered it.

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-12 09:53:00

no noa1

Just to update, I did call USCIS and at least got a receipt number and they will be sending the NOA1 out again. There was an issue with not sending it to my post office box-it got returned.

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-12 09:12:00

no noa1

Hi, Just saw this post... Yes, we are in the same situation. USCIS told us to call back after 30 days. I noticed last night in the instructions for the G-1145 I was to have clipped it to the I-129F but I put it behind the G325A's I am sure. Ours may have not been noticed. Our check was cashed and I have heard many people say if your check is cashed they are processing it. I have found many other posts of folks with no NOA1 and evenutally getting their NOA2 so I am trying not to worry about it as every says. Did you send the petition package certified? I also use a mail box not my residence. I rent the upper story of a home and they have not set up separate mail for my apartment. I don't want to take any chances of anything getting lost in the process. So I was concerned it got lost because of this. Is this a possibility for you, too?

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-12 08:49:00

embassy email- wrong fiance...

my fiance has the copy of the petition sent to USCIS, i have the copy of noa2 and the nvc email with all the info correct. i never talked to anyone from the embassy's call center. they send me emails with steps, info and question like "what would i prefer". they always replied very fast (just few hours). it seems ill get my packet 3 on thuesday but i wish i got no "Kevin" in any of my documents cause that would delay me. the embassy really feels like a matchmaking program right now LOL

I bet someone just got in a hurry to get to the golf course or family picnic or whatever that had planned later. Probably not a paperwork mix up at all.

Sure hope they don't switch us all around. I am pretty attached to the one I got!

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-13 11:02:00

embassy email- wrong fiance...

Just be sweet and pleasant about it. They got my address info all mixed up. I have a post office box I get mail at. Worst case scenario I could get mail at my home address but they mixed that up, too. The lady I talked to was a little rude but I just apologized and all was fine.

You have copies of your petition and other paperwork, too, right?

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-13 09:52:00

Girlfriend visits

You should be fine just make sure you bring evidence that you intend to return home. A return ticket may not be enough if you guys file for the K1 or whatever. John came to visit me and told them he was here to visit his girlfriend and they didn't really hassle him at all.

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-14 16:34:00

WELCOME TO THE US!!!!

Congrats!!!

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-14 16:43:00

Did you do the I-129F packet yourself or through a lawyer?

We are doing ours by ourselves with visa journey and some books I bought.

PS like vj advice better so far

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-17 08:26:00

POE - who picks it?

HEHEHE Dan and Jenni

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-18 19:36:00

Employment letter

Aoifemc: Thanks. I know they won't write a letter saying I won't be unemployed anytime soon as I am under a probationary period for a year since I am classified as a rehire. (I left my position to do something else for a year and half and now I am back.) I planned on asking if I could use their letterhead to write my own letter of employment and show that I was employed for a year and a half in the same capacity prior to this rehire (so therefore I will pass my probationary period just fine.) I would include instructions on how to access the system to check on my employment and since I am given a pamphlet regarding the verification system with the State of Missouri written all over it, include that as well. I can't see asking my supervisor to break the rules as something to take so lightly. I have all my pay stubs from previous employment as well. John is from England, which I would assume is a low-risk country as well. If it weren't for the custody situation with my son, believe me I would be looking into immigrating there versus him coming here. I can prove the heck out of my job including separate identification to get into court and the secured location of my office. I just can't get a letter according to the administration.

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-20 10:49:00

Employment letter

Let me clarify (since John wrote the original post): I just started a new job working for the state I live in. Their policy is that under no circumstances will they waste admin time on verifying employment. I asked and was told this is policy. period. I received a copy of the policy. They have a verification service that will verify I am employed and what my salary is. I can put this information on letterhead myself-I think (I need to check)- and submit it with my pay stubs. Has anyone else had this come up? I might be able to get my super to bend the rules for me under the circumstances but I do not want to ask-especially since I am new-unless I absolutely HAVE TO. I would think they would call to verify employment. I could be fired, layed off, etc. since the letter was written not to mention the potential for fraud (how do they know someone didn't just write the letter themselves?). This is a US Government agency even if it is based in the immigrant's country so I would think they would absolutely check even if it is only to go on Department of Labor's database the same way Child Support Enforcement does to verify someone is employed and where. I was more curious if anyone else had to document this in a roundabout way.

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-19 19:25:00

Employment letter

My Fiancee in the US works for a firm that has a no confirmation of employment policy. Instead they have to give out a telephone no. and whoever inquires has to call this no. Wendy is thinking of using a letter headed paper with a note saying that they need to contact the employer.
Would this be accepted by the USCIS or has anyone had to deal with this same situation?

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-19 16:59:00

K1 Visa financial Support evidence

I am not an expert on this but I believe in order for any of your income to count, you have to have either income that will continue once you are in the US long-long-term-such as investment income, etc. You could use assets such as a savings account. I think the amount for a US citizen is 300%. So for example if your fiance had to come up with another 10,000$ of income, she would need 30,000$ worth of assets. I am not sure if this is correct, though because I did not have this issue and I was reading as the US Citizen. As the beneficiary, the answer might be very different. Just be patient. Other people will read this and respond if they know the answer.

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-18 19:31:00

Fiance Visa Proof

You know if people's comments on the age difference bothers you now... Wait until you get to America.

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-21 12:57:00

Will it be an issue if my fiancé buys a two-way ticket?

I think the rationale is, if you call up and cancel they may charge your credit card for the higher price of a one-way ticket. If you simply don't show up, they may not notice that you didn't use the second half and thus they won't charge you.

I'm not doing the airline any favors by being polite to them. My fiancé's visit was cut in half last month because the goddamn airlines stranded him in Phoenix. If someone else needs his seat, it's a pity but I'm not going to pay an extra $300 so someone else can have his seat on the return.

I think they overbook flights anyway in case someone misses their flight. Also airline employees can use the unused seats. I know for a fact there is NEVER an empty seat going to the UK-only coming back to the US. I think you guys are safe in not calling to cancel and not making someone else miss out. Airlines rake people over the coals all the time. I am in total agreement on this! Believe me, we are planning on doing the same thing!

JohnandWendyB

Female

England

2011-08-25 22:23:00