ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionIncome Requirements
If you're worried, try to find a co-sponsor anyway. My current salary is well above 125% of the poverty guideline, but my past years show jack squat because I was a student. I know that what should matter is my current salary, but I'll just feel better with someone agreeing to be a co-sponsor just in case. What we'll do is I'll send my fiance the paperwork for the co-sponsor BUT he won't offer it up unless the interviewer says that I'm not an adequate sponsor and he needs someone else, THEN he'll pull out the co-sponsor's paperwork. So most likely, we won't need one, but I'll feel better knowing that, should the interviewer have PMS and decide I'm not good enough, we have a back up.

Edited by Angilla, 17 December 2006 - 09:47 AM.

RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2006-12-17 09:44:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPlease help Me before I Die
We all need a good laugh once in a while. ;)
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2006-12-17 18:34:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPlease help Me before I Die

What?


what?huh?huh?

Eeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhh? I FORGOT TO PUT MY HEARING AIDE IN!!

Edited by Angilla, 17 December 2006 - 06:14 PM.

RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2006-12-17 18:14:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPlease help Me before I Die
It may depend on the consulate/embassy. All the I-134 instructions say is, "As the sponsor, you must show you have sufficient income and/or financial resources to assure that the alien you are sponsoring will not become a public charge while in the United States."

However, after you and your fiance(e) are married you'll file for Adjustment of Status (AOS). At that point the sponsor will definately be required to prove 125% of the poverty guidelines. So while it may or may not be 100% at the interview, it'll definately be 125% later. Basically, if the sponsor is only making 100% of the poverty guidelines at the time of the interview and that's accepted, they'll only have a few months to step it up to 125% to fill the requirements for AOS.

I know you didn't want a paragraph... and I just gave you two... but... I couldn't figure out how to shorten that. :blush: Sometimes, with this crazy visa process, there just isn't a short answer.

Edited by Angilla, 17 December 2006 - 05:54 PM.

RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2006-12-17 17:53:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionParis Embassy: I-134 or I-864?
Now that just sucks... there's no way I'd get a co-sponsor to sign the I-864 with all it talks about sueing and stuff. I'd be lucky to find a co-sponsor to sign the safer I-134! I wasn't planning on having a co-sponsor at AOS, just at the interview to make us both feel better knowing that we had one just in case. (We shouldn't need one, I make over 125% of the poverty guideline.)

I guess I'll fill out both to be safe... and... if I get any interested co-sponsors I'll have them fill out the I-134, cuz there's no way in heck anyone I know would read through the I-864 instructions and fill it out for me.

The I-864 specifically asks for the last 3 years tax returns. Will there be a problem that I don't HAVE past tax returns because I was a student and not working? I'll file for my 2006 tax returns ASAP but I just started working in October so they won't show over $16,500 even though I'm making well over that.
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2006-12-18 07:02:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionParis Embassy: I-134 or I-864?
Thanks!

Hmm, this review from 12/7/06 says:

He went to the first window where they inspected his documents. It really helped that I was there. They asked me for my financial papers. I told them I had the I-864 and the I-134 and which did she prefer. (My fiance's appointment letter requested the 864, which was different from others who had gone through Paris). I gave her the I-134.


I guess I'm best off filling out both when the time comes. :huh: This is confusing.

Edited by Angilla, 17 December 2006 - 10:41 AM.

RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2006-12-17 10:40:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionParis Embassy: I-134 or I-864?

Somebody else better clear this up before any editing is done.

Oh, I'll go edit it back to I-864 then. :blush:
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2006-12-17 10:35:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionParis Embassy: I-134 or I-864?
Thanks, I just edited the VJ Paris embassy info page so future French couples won't get confused. :thumbs:
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2006-12-17 10:09:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionParis Embassy: I-134 or I-864?
On the embassy info page here on VJ, when I click on US Embassy Paris, France Information, under packet 3 it says that the I-864 is included. Is that an error, or do they really send out the I-864 instead of the I-134? I'm trying to navigate around the embassy's official website to find this information but don't see where I can find specifics for K1 visas.

Edited by Angilla, 17 December 2006 - 09:58 AM.

RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2006-12-17 09:58:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionMedical question
Wow! I guess your fiance could consider it to be his last grand tour of Brasil before he moves. ;)
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2006-12-18 19:57:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionMedical question
Oh, ok. So even though the offices for the physical, bloodwork, and xray are in 3 different parts of Paris (now doesn't that make sense) he'll most likely still be required to take a whole day to bounce all over the place since there are approved doctors in that city. <_< Great. Well, this whole process is inconvenient so I shouldn't have expected the medical to be any more convenient than the rest of it lol. Thanks!

Edited by Angilla, 18 December 2006 - 07:09 PM.

RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2006-12-18 19:07:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionMedical question
I know the physical has to be done by the civil surgeon. I'm just asking if the xray and bloodwork portions can be done by the family doctor and bring the results to the civil surgeon. :)

Edited by Angilla, 17 December 2006 - 01:15 PM.

RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2006-12-17 13:15:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionMedical question
Can my fiance get the blood work and chest xray done by his own doctor and then bring the results with him when he gets his physical by the civil surgeon in Paris? Or do the blood work and chest xray have to be done by the specified Paris doctors, too?

Thanks! :blush:
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2006-12-17 11:15:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionVisa Approved in Mumbai!!
Congrats! :D
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2006-12-18 20:02:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionTimes in Paris?
I'm curious about that too - my French fiance and I are still waiting for NOA2. It's good to see another French/American couple here! Come join our thread! :)
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2006-12-18 18:53:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionJast Finished My Interview
Congrats! :D
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2006-12-20 20:02:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionDS-230: School's old or new address?
Thanks guys! :thumbs:
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2006-12-20 20:50:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionDS-230: School's old or new address?
One of the schools my fiance attended in the past has moved to another city. Should he put the address of the school when he went to it, or the address where the school is presently located?

And by the way, he only has to list high schools and colleges/trade schools/technical schools, right?

Thanks! :blush:

Edited by Angilla, 19 December 2006 - 09:03 PM.

RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2006-12-19 21:03:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionUSC's Certified copy of birth certificate
Like I said, I guess I'll just have to wait til Monday and call rather than filling out that form and mailing it today. Thank you anyway.

Edited by Angilla, 06 January 2007 - 11:34 AM.

RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2007-01-06 11:33:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionUSC's Certified copy of birth certificate
Aaah, like saying I lost it and need a new one for my records. :) Good idea.

I'll just wait and call them Monday. I'll see if I can get some sort of priority handling/shipping/something. Thanks anyway guys. :)

Edit: Oh, and congrats on the NOA2, Thingee! :D

Edited by Angilla, 06 January 2007 - 11:27 AM.

RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2007-01-06 11:27:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionUSC's Certified copy of birth certificate
I'm not sending my original 22 year old birth certificate over to France. And can't they request the originals of anything I sent in photocopies in the I-129F? I sent copies of my birth certificate proving my US citizenship, so doesn't that mean I have to send a certified copy of my birth certificate to France?

Edited by Angilla, 06 January 2007 - 11:18 AM.

RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2007-01-06 11:17:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionUSC's Certified copy of birth certificate
So I left calling the town clerk about the certified copy of my birth certificate (I'm the USC) for my fiance's interview for a Saturday since I work 45 hours during the week... and they're only open Monday - Friday 9am - 4:30pm, I work 8 - 5 in a town about 30 minutes away from this town hall. I have an hour off for lunch and am not allowed to take time off even for things like this during my first 90 days of employment. Wonderful! I had a similar problem with DMV, don't these idiots realize that the people they serve WORK?!

Anyway.

The debate is... do I need to get in touch with the town hall of the town where I was BORN, or the town hall of the town where I'm now a RESIDENT? I was born in a hospital one town over but have lived in a different town my whole life. I have a request form online that I could print and mail out with a copy of my driver's license and their $10 fee, they just need proof that I need it (great) so I'll have to figure out how to prove it. I don't want to mail this form out to the town I'm a RESIDENT in today just to find out I need to request it from the town I was BORN in. Is this something that'll differ from town to town and I have to wait til I can call on my lunch break Monday, or is there a general rule that you guys can help me with?

I'm also a little worried that, if I mail this form, it'd take 4 weeks for me to get like my driver's license did. I'm not waiting 4 weeks to mail my affidavit of support and stuff over to France, but I don't want to get hit with shipping costs twice. I would imagine that this is something my parents can't do for me cuz I'm over 18? I wonder if they'd at least let my parents pick it up if I mail the application. Hmm.
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2007-01-06 11:01:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPacket 3 from Paris!

That is great! :dance: Hope he get's his interview fast :dance:

P.S.: I wonder if Angilla's fiancé also got his...


I know, I was wondering the same thing. I just can't believe it took so long to go within the city!

:lol: Yes, my fiance got his today too!
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2007-01-11 19:29:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionOF-230 = DS-230, or something different? (Paris)
Oh I see what you mean. That's not crossed out on mine, but the one below it has something crossed out, and DS-156 is scribbled in with French writing below it. They need to get their act together and reprint these forms, LOL.
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2007-01-13 12:44:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionOF-230 = DS-230, or something different? (Paris)
Is that on the checklist the second paragraph down where it says "FIRST: Complete and return immediately to this office the enclosed Form OF-230 Part 1..."? If so, I guess they forgot to cross that out on mine lol, thanks!
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2007-01-13 11:31:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionOF-230 = DS-230, or something different? (Paris)
The embassy page here on VJ says my fiance will need to send form DS-230 part 1 back to the embassy. The checklist he recieved in the packet 3 from Paris says he has to send back form OF-230 part 1. I looked through his whole packet, I see OF-156 and DS-230... but nothing labelled OF-230. Are the DS-230 and OF-230 the same thing? Or are we missing something?
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2007-01-13 11:18:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-864 Help (yes Paris does require it *sigh*)
Yeah... I had my employer sign 3 copies of the letter, so I'll put one with the I-134, one with the I-864, and keep the 3rd in case something happens to the first 2. I'll put my paystubs into a packet and tell my fiance to pair them up with whichever affidavit they ask for at his interview. I'll write that letter explaining that I was a student and missionary, but I'm not anymore and am now employed full-time making x amount per year.

But leave it to me to imagine the worst and worry about something I can't change. I'm just worried they're going to take the I-864 and then deny me as a sponsor and nobody will be willing to be our co-sponsor using that insane form and... the end. :(

Yeah, chin up, I'm trying.
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2007-01-14 16:57:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-864 Help (yes Paris does require it *sigh*)

It was suggested by another member and I think it makes the most sense ,that since it is not required by US law that taxes be filed before the April deadline, then the most recent income tax form/transcript would be the most recent legally required year for filing. I would think that if it is possible and your 2006 taxes would show the most accurate information regarding your ability as a sponsor , then you might try really hard to have that available. Current income is what is supposed to hold the most evidentiary weight.

I'm going to ask my boss about the W2 tomorrow, but I'm not sure if she'll be able to get it to me for me to file in a reasonable amount of time. My 2006 taxes will show an income of about 3 months - not really showing much on my ability as a sponsor. Do you think it's significant enough for us to delay sending back the forms so we'll be apart for 15 months instead of 14, or will the fact that I'm making over the poverty guidelines be enough? Good point about the April deadline, I didn't think of that. So in essence the tax year ends in April - and by the form saying I'm required to submit my tax return from the most recent tax year that means 2006 if I have it but 2005 should be fine if I don't. I hope. I'm just not sure what difference my 2006 tax return would make in my favor though, since it'll only show 3 months of income anyway.

You need a joint sponsor who is willing to use form I-864. If your consulate will not accept the I-134 from you then they will not accept it from a joint sponsor.

My consulate is a bit confused at the moment. They appear to be requesting the I-864 and taking the I-134. There's not enough people on VJ who have gone through Paris for a K1 for me to put together an educated guess of what they'll take when my fiance goes. If they take the I-864 and require a co-sponsor we're screwed because nobody I know will sign the I-864 because of all the scary terms in it. It's a miracle someone even offered to sign the I-134, after half a year of everyone we both knew saying no. So... the I-134 is all we've got co-sponsor wise. Hopefully, because I've been making sufficient income over the last 3 months, they won't require a co-sponsor... and if they do, hopefully they'll take the I-134 like they have in the past. I know, a lot of hopefully's... I'm not a very happy camper right now.

The immigration lawyer I spoke with said I'd be fine as long as I held my job from the filing of the petition til the interview. But I was looking at the I-134 then, I didn't expect all this emphasis on tax returns... :wacko: There's something to be afraid of failing at every point in this process, isn't there?

The I-864 is not required to be notorized.

Thank you. :)
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2007-01-14 16:09:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-864 Help (yes Paris does require it *sigh*)
My fiance's checklist with his packet 3 does say I-864, and it's circled. :wacko: I filled out the I-134 anyway so he can bring both completed forms to his interview and ask which one they want (I've read one Paris interview story from last month where they took the I-134 even though the checklist stated I-864), that form was a breeze. I have questions about the I-864 though.

- The most recent year's tax return is required. Is that considered to be 2005 or 2006? I only have 1 of the 3 W2s I need to file my 2006 tax return... so I don't think I'll be able to tackle that before his interview. I'd rather not delay the interview for something that's not absolutely necessary - we've been apart for 13 months, that's enough! But of course, if it's necessary, we'll hold off on sending back the required forms to the embassy til I've gotten all 3 of my W2s.

In 2005 I didn't file a tax return because my W2 showed, like, $90 for the year. Of course I can't find that W2, my parents and I have torn through the whole house. Should I call that employer and see if they can send me another copy of that W2? Or should I just write a letter explaining that I only had ~$90 income in 2005 and $0 income in 2004 as I was a full-time student/missionary so that's why I didn't file? I've got tax returns from the $150 I made in 2003 though (I graduated high school in 2003, to put it in perspective). :blush:

Of course, that 2006 tax return would finally show some work history. I was employed for a month over the summer, that's the W2 I currently have. I've been employed since the end of October in a full-time job that makes well over the poverty guideline. I've also been self-employed online part time at CafePress.com, I've made like $400 from that since September... speaking of which... because I'm filing tax returns for that $400 I made online, do I have to include it on my I-134/I-864 as self-employment, even though I haven't made enough from it for it to be considered a substantial amount when considering my income compared to the poverty guidelines?

My thing is... if they take the I-864, how on earth do I prove myself to be a worthy sponsor? Even my 2006 tax return won't show over the poverty guidelines because I just started my full-time job in October. I have a friend who's volunteered to be our co-sponsor should they deny me as the sponsor, but she's only filling out the I-134 - the I-864 is too scary. So if they take the I-864 and decide they don't like me as the sponsor we're screwed. I have a spare letter from my employer, and tons of paystubs, but it doesn't ask for that anywhere in the I-864 instructions. It seems to only want the tax returns... and the tax returns are my weak point. :( But I do earn well over 125% of the poverty guideline for our household size now, and have for nearly 3 months...

Yes I know I need to stop worrying. One more thing though...

- The I-864 is supposed to be notarized, isn't it? There's no place for the notary to do anything, so I guess it's only the I-134 that needs to be notarized... but I thought it was both.

Edited by Angilla, 14 January 2007 - 01:02 PM.

RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2007-01-14 12:59:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionW2's are these necessary with tax transcripts?

For some reason the consulate in South Africa has made us use I-864 for the support forms. Is this common or could it just be a new thing for this particular consulate?

I've been wondering how common it is for consulates to require the I-864, too. Paris embassy says they require the I-864 in the checklist sent with packet 3... but they've been taking the I-134 at the interview instead. :blink:
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2007-01-14 21:21:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionDS 230 - help needed here
I'm not sure, but my fiance just mailed back the DS-230 and I had him write the unemployed to fill in the gaps. I figured that couldn't hurt, while leaving gaps could. This post will probably be moved over to the foreign embassy forum when a moderator spots it, and I think you'll get good answers there. :)
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2007-01-19 06:59:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPlanning ahead
I don't know if it's do-able or not, someone else will come along with an answer to that. All I have to offer is... another medical will be required for AOS. The medical in London will be valid for one year, so if you file for AOS within a year after the London medical there's no need for a 2nd medical in the States. Because of this, I personally suggest waiting the extra time to get the medical done when scheduled so you have that extra time that it'll be valid to include with the AOS packet. You never know what delays could come up between now and filing for AOS. Hopefully none, but this visa process is unpredictable. My fiance and I both hate doctors, particularly physicals, so any way to avoid having to do a 2nd one... we'll do! :lol:

Edited by Angilla, 28 January 2007 - 12:10 PM.

RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2007-01-28 12:10:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionWe got our interview date!
My fiance's Paris interview is February 28th! He has to call to schedule the medical. Oh my goodness we are SO EXCITED and FREAKING OUT at the same time! :lol: AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!! I just had to let that out to people who would understand, LOL! :dance:
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2007-02-09 19:35:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionOriginals to be sent to fiance(e)?
I personally am sending a certified copy of my birth certificate over to my fiance, it's the only proof of citizenship I sent with the I-129F. Definately don't send the originals! If you really want to send a copy of your passport then go ahead, certified or notarized like YuAndDan suggested.
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2007-02-16 22:52:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionQuick I-134 question
Aaaaah ok... that makes sense. :thumbs: I'll leave that line blank and just send the bank letter over to my fiance in case they ask for it. Thanks!
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2007-02-17 11:42:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionQuick I-134 question
:blush: Sorry for all the questions today.

On the I-134, question 7:

I have on deposit in savings banks in the United States:

Do I put how much is in my checking account there? I'm wondering what the point of having my bank letter is if I don't put how much is in my checking account on the I-134 somewhere. :blink:
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2007-02-17 11:26:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCould ya proofread this for me?

I wouldn't have your fiance submit this though unless the consular asked for it.

Definately agreed. ;) It's just an if-the-officer-asks-bout-my-work-history-since-I-won't-be-at-the-interview sort of thing. :thumbs:
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2007-02-18 01:37:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCould ya proofread this for me?

OK.

The Sponsor does NOT need to meet the 125% of PG for the preceeding 3 years.
Current income carries the most weight, and must be 125%+ or use a combination of income/assets or then default to a Joint Sponsor.

Thank you for clearing that up for us. :)
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2007-02-17 15:06:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCould ya proofread this for me?

Maybe I'm way off base here, but I thought that a co-sponsor needed to be involved if the USC did not exceed 125% of the poverty guidlines for the preceeding 3 years? Please correct me if I'm wrong...

Is there a co-sponsor involved, and I missed that part?

In any event, good luck with your Visa Journey...

Not from what I've read... it's just you need a co-sponsor if you're not making over 125% of the poverty guidelines now. The immigration attorney I spoke with before filing (Laurel Scott) told me I'd be fine as long as I held my job for at least 3 months to prove my dependability - and it's been 4 months.

Is there a co-sponsor... well... I'm a bit raw on this subject at the moment because there WAS a co-sponsor involved but... I'll just tell you the story. Ok, my fiance and I spent months asking everyone we could think of. We just wanted the comfort of knowing that, should they decide I'm not a good sponsor, we have a back up. Nobody would do it, not even my parents. In December one of my friends came along and volunteered. I showed her the I-134, explained things, told her what was involved, told her to take her time and think about it. She decided yes she'd do it and she'd start gathering her stuff ASAP.

Last week she still hadn't gotten her supporting documents together and I started to get worried, but I didn't want to push her and make her feel like I was breathing down her throat while she was doing me a favor. So I just sent her a hi how are you kind of e-mail with an oh by the way my fiance got his interview date, it's the 28th, I'm so excited, blahblahblah. She sent me an e-mail back saying sorry but I don't think I'll be able to get my stuff together in time. (She had nearly TWO MONTHS to fill out the I-134, dig up some pay stubs, get a letter from her bank and employer, dig up her tax returns, and mail them a few states south.) I e-mailed her back asking what was wrong and maybe I could help her gather the stuff she needed last minute. She never responded. I still haven't heard from her. I'm really, really trying not to be upset with her because I considered her to be a very good friend... but... ok, I'm not one to speak because here I am doing everything at the last minute myself, but 2 months is ample time to gather that stuff, if she changed her mind she should've been honest with me, and there's no reason for her to stop responding to my e-mails and cut off contact with me completely! :(
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2007-02-17 14:49:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCould ya proofread this for me?

Do you also have a letter from your employer to add to this stating your start date, salary, position and that you are permanent full-time? Maybe ask them to elaborate on how great an asset you are, etc., etc. :)

Oh yeah, I've got the other stuff. Letter from employer, bank letter, tax return, blahblahblah. I've just read here that it's a good idea to include a letter explaining your cruddy work history just in case the consular officer questions it. I can't be at the interview with him to explain myself. Thanks! :)
RosaMystica7FemaleFrance2007-02-17 12:07:00