ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionVISA APPROVED!!!
Congratulations and best of luck from here on!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-08-15 12:27:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionVisa APPROVED
You made it, John! Now, everything that happens will bring you closer to the day you're reunited, and that will be soon, soon, very soon!

Edited by Jersey Girl, 11 August 2006 - 02:50 PM.

Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-08-11 14:48:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134 help
Savanphil, I don't know if this is advisable, but I intend to gather statements and have them notarized. Some of my savings are in a vitural bank (ING Direct), where I can't walk in and get a letter. But I can gather all my own evidence, document deposits and balances, and have it notarized.
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-08-25 10:17:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionembassy tell to call back in two months for K-3 packet
Don't panic, khattak. Check the detailed timelines of other peoople going through your embassy. It probably gives a truer picture of what to expect.
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-08-30 10:24:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionQuestions re Montreal I-134 for K3.
Thanks, Yodrak.

2. You are looking only at the I-134, and appear to have the common misperception that I-134 is the only documentation that one needs to meet the public charge provisions of the law.

So what else is needed? Do you mean evidence?

I plan to sponsor and hope my new job and assets will be enough. But to play safe, I've got my brother as co-sponsor. His taxes are mingled with his wife's, which is why I keep asking about her role. Looks like we can use my brother's income and leave her out of it.

I'd like to document savings/assets because my 2005 income doesn't meet poverty lines. I figured notarized statements would add weight to my case. Many people have reported that bank won't write the kind of letter asked for as evidence. Hence, the notary.

Freehold? Home of The Boss? I have a sister in Belmar, and neice in Neptune. I'll let you know the next time I'm "down da shore."
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-09-06 18:33:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionQuestions re Montreal I-134 for K3.
1. My husband in Toronto received Package 3 from Montreal. It contained an I-134 Afffidfavit of Support. Is this normal? I thought they mailed that separately to me, the sponsor, in the States.

2. Nowhere does it ask for tax returns unless you're self employed. Why do people generally get transcripts of them anyway?

3. I'm a dual citizen who resided in Canada until last year. Should I be photocopying both Canadian and U.S. returns and having them notarized? (Canadian returns have details.)

4. Last year was a sabbatical year that showed my below the poverty line. Should I collect Canadian and U.S. returns going back 3 years to show a better picture?

5. I'll start a good, full-time job about 2 months before the interview. I'll get a letter from HR and any pay stubs. Would you buy me a beer to celebrate?

6. My brother will co-sponsor. He's married and files jointly. Should both husband and wife fill out separate I-134s?

7. The brother makes the most money and has yearly income slips. But the wife makes very little with a home-based business and income slips from part-time work. What happens if the wife does not make over the poverty line as an individual? Do they submit one I-134 as a couple?

8. My savings are with ING, a virtual bank, and all statements are online. Will it be enough to print monthly statements and have them notarized?

9. I have a checking account with a bricks-and-mortar bank. Can I simply collect monthly statement, give a summary of deposits for the year, show the balance, and have this information notarized? (Most banks don't collect this information or put it in a letter.)

10. I still have retirement savings in Canada. Can these be listed as assets? Or will only U.S.-based assets be considered as evidence?
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-09-06 15:17:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAffidavit of Support form
Question: Do they fill out one I-134 as a couple? Or do they each need one?

Also, what is notarized? The I-134? Or every piece of evidence they wish to provide?
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-09-09 06:46:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134 question (life insurance)
The value when you die is called the "death benefit."

Some types of policies have a cash surrender value, that is, an amount you get back if you discontinue the policy. These types are usually whole life, or universal life, but not term life. Do you know which type of policy you have?
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-09-16 12:17:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionDS-230 Form - Doubt!
Right, but the question is for the visa applicant, and asks which occupation he/she intends to pursue. It's not binding, but it's an indication that they plan to contribute to their own upkeep. Of course, you're free to answer "none," which can be interpreted as: "I have no plans to work and will let the sponsor carry the load."
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-09-16 12:24:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionDS-230 Form - Doubt!
If you answer "none," it might raise questions about you becoming a public charge. Better to say something broad, such as "retail industry," which could be a job at a supermarket, mall, gas station, etc. Or, "service industry," which might be childcare, cab driver, landscaper, etc.
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-09-16 12:12:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionVisa approved....I can't believe it !!!!!
Nice to see you going nutty again. Only this time, for a great reason!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-09-20 22:28:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionVISA Approved -- WooHoo!!!!
Wow, very happy to hear your good news, kpathak. As for the cleaning, I'm married to a Portuguese fellow who's very particular. If he saw the way I've been living almost 6 months, he'd be horrified. But you and I are excused, because of all the preoccupation and stress. We may need professional cleaners at this point!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-09-20 22:21:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134 affidavit of support
P.S. If you started the visa journey recently, there's always the possibility that you'll be waiting for your interview early next year. You might be able to file your 2006 tax return as early as possible, since it will show you making a good income.
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-09-23 07:45:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134 affidavit of support
I believe they make a determination, based on a number of factors, about the sponsor's ability to support the immigrant, so the government won't have to!

A letter from your employer will state that your position is "full-time, permanent." It will show your gross annual salary, which is how they begin to decide if you're above the poverty line. Your pay stubs show your net, but are not a factor. Stubs simply show that you're a reliable wage earner.

If you have a bond, it can count as assets. Your car will not count.

If you filed a tax return, get a free transcipt of it by calling the IRS. If that return was not for 2005, be prepared to explain why you were not required to file last year.

The I-134 has been referred to as a "moral obligation" to suport the immigrant. It's the I-864 that will be more than just a promise. It will be legally binding, for many years, whether you stay married or not.

Nevertheless, you'll need to swear before a notary that your I-134 information is true. And you'll need photocopies of everything, since you might need the originals when it's time to complete the greencard processs.

I'm not an expert, but suggest you get a co-sponsor. If they raise an eyebrow about your abiliity to sponsor, you'll have back-up. If you're lucky, the co-sponsor's I-134 will never have to come out of your bag.

One last thing. Embassies differ, so check with folks who've already gone through yours.
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-09-23 07:37:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionJust 3 more weeks!
Tracy, we are all delighted for you!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-10-01 12:30:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134 form - reporting annual income
Gross. (Two people making the same annual salary will have different nets depending on taxes and other deductions.)
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-10-12 17:59:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionHow many I-134s when the co-sponsor is a couple?
I've decided to have a co-sponsor to be on the safe side, so let's leave that aside. My question is: how many I-134s are needed? It's prompted by this sentence "If the sponsor is married, the affidavit should be signed jointly by both husband and wife." It appears in a Captain Ewok post I-134 brief details of requirements

Common sense says one form, filed out by the brother (who is the co-sponsor), but signed by both. But I could be wrong. The next question is: if it's signed by both husband and wife, do they each have to swear before a notary?
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-10-22 07:50:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionHow many I-134s when the co-sponsor is a couple?
Sorry if this has been asked a thousand times before, but. My brother will be a K-3 co-sponsor. His income tax filing status is Married Filing Jointly. He and his wife have assets together and there are some they hold separately.

Do they fill out one I-134 and add a sheet of paper to list all assets? Or do they each have to fill out a form? (The wife's salary is below poverty line and she would not, on her own, qualify as a co-sponsor.)
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-10-22 07:15:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI have my interview date!! :)
Good stuff!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-10-22 17:30:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion1-134
Billsgirl, there's probably someone in the bank who can notarize the letter, and that's most likely more important than having it on letterhead. My bank had a form, nothing special, but I had 2 originals filled out and notarized.
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-10-24 18:44:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionHelp me make a case to my parents...
If you can, couch everything in these terms: I intend to marry and start a family. You will be ensuring the next generation, i.e., your own grandchildren. Do it for them!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-10-22 07:06:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionVaccinations
A word of caution. If there's no record of having Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR), get a titre test, if possible, to see if that shot was given in the past. Otherwise, if an adult gets the shot now, it can lead to painful joints for two weeks or more.
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-10-26 19:36:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionK-3 INTERVIEW!!!!
Sounds lovely! Congratulations and best of luck on everything!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-10-28 06:18:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionMontreal, when I send my package in, how long til appointment?
We sent the checklist to Montreal Sept. 8 and are still waiting for Package 4.
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-10-29 11:19:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionBAD News!!!
Hmmm ... this is interesting, and may explain why we keep getting touched but no interview. My husband is also from another country (Azores, Portugal) and lived in Canada since he was 6 years old. He became a citizen about 10 years ago when he was 28 ... if I have my dates correct ...

Darkchild, where is your husband from? How old is he? If he lived in another country from the time he was 16, I believe you need a police certificate from there. That's standard. But the school report is a new one. Maybe they're trying to verify his biography.
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-11-20 20:50:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionBAD News!!!
Was there something in the 325 bio forms about schools attended? Could this be something they check at the NVC stage?
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-11-20 18:36:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionIMBRA strikes again at Interview!!
Andy, hang in there. You've come this far, overcoming all sorts of obstacles. You are meant to have the visa. Be patient. I'll bet the new proceedure is to give the financee a badly translated brochure!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-11-23 10:24:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAffidavit of support question
Which type of visa are you pursuing? Where is your fiancee?
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-11-28 08:48:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion4 months to get a Montreal interview!
We were approved for K3 on July 27 and it will be 6 months before we have visa in hand. This has been the longest phase in the process, doubling our initial estimates.

So while you're popping corks because you got your NOA2, take a look at the actual timelines for your embassy. If you're not going through Montreal, give thanks!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-11-23 10:15:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionImportant i-134 questions, please help.

The US fiance is ALWAYS the primary sponsor, but may have a co-sponsor. If there is a co-sponsor, both the US fiance and the co-sponsor will EACH have to fill out the affidavit I-134 or I-864 and EACH will have to provide supporting documentation.

This is from tips on affidavit of support
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-12-02 09:33:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionImportant i-134 questions, please help.
:time:

Uhhh ... I was under the impression that the USC (your finacee?) is the sponsor and can have a co-sponsor. But the sponsor DOES fill out their own I-134, which is notarized. Your own income is not a factor.

Is this wrong? Can the immigrant have anyone for a sponsor?

Edited by Jersey Girl, 02 December 2006 - 08:47 AM.

Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-12-02 08:45:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAnalysis of final affidavit-of-support rule and forms
Good information on new rules (and surprisingly readable). Thank you.
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-12-03 09:30:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionFingerprinting
If you fill in your timeline, people here could give better answers. We're curious:

Which country are you from? What is your citizenship?

When you "came to Canada for a visit," were you denied re-entry to the States? What was the reason?

Where were you married in June?

Where does your husband live?

When was your petition approved?

I'm going to guess you're a Canadian, going for the CR-1 visa (permanent immigrant) and you're waiting for an interview. If so, the average number of days between having your petition approved and going for the interview is 263.

see here

Edited by Jersey Girl, 03 December 2006 - 08:51 AM.

Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-12-03 08:47:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionFingerprinting
Which type of visa is it? Are you a fiancee or a spouse? If your case is at the NVC, you should be getting Package 3.
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-12-02 14:35:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionFingerprinting
Where are you in the process? Have any forms been submittted yet?

Generally, a background/name check from the RCMP is required at the interview stage. If you're just starting, that could be 6 months to a year from now. A fingerprint check, on the other hand, is only required if you have convictions in your past.

Police certificates are probably good for one year. Hope you didn't get something too soon.

There's a new digital machine, in Toronto, I believe, that speeds up the fingerprint check. But you never needed fingerprints anyway.It's better to take this whole process step by step.
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-12-02 09:00:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAffd. of Support Evidence - Benefit information?
Cass, why ARE you fishing? Isn't it better to find a co-sponsor? Has your case been transerred yet to Vancouver? There may be Consulate reviews that could help.

(If I were fishing, I'd mention jewelery or a valuable stamp collection. These are tangible assets that can easily be turned into cash.)
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-12-02 09:23:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAffd. of Support Evidence - Benefit information?
I agree with brucejg, and add that employer-sponsored life insurance is generally a term policy with no cash surrender value. The only way it can create a cash flow is if you're dead.

Also, many employment agreements these days are "at will," which means they can walk you to the door at any moment. This puts your benefits at risk, another reason not to present them as evidence you can keep an alien off the dole.

While I wouldn't want to wear "the vision-narrowing blinders that so many VJers seem to wear," I'd also like to take the path of least resistence and just follow the damn rules as we know them.
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-11-29 21:33:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAffd. of Support Evidence - Benefit information?
:thumbs:
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-11-29 08:14:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAffd. of Support Evidence - Benefit information?
Okay, Yodrak, I bow to your higher wisdom. It's only an amateurish opinion of mine to suggest one try to follow the instructions as exactly as possible. If one's income/assets are questionable, the next step is a co-sponsor. Right?

I'd hate to have to make a case that if I (the sponsor) got sick, I might receive disability benefits but only if an insurance company agreed. They generally have an agenda to get you back to work -- any work -- asap. Point is, this sort of "income" is iffy and hard to predict. A savings bond, on the other hand, is as good as cash.
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-11-28 21:21:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAffd. of Support Evidence - Benefit information?
Benefits from an employer, and life insurance, are not considered part of the mix, no matter what kind of picture you'd like to paint. They're not liquid assets, that is, money you could get your hands on easily to support the alien on a day-to-day basis.

They ask for income and liquifiable assets such as savings and bonds. So pony up. Because that's the only picture you must paint. If you appear with a different kind of rationale, the officer could deny you based on the fact that you didn't follow instructions and he/she has no way to compute the assets you think are so relevant.

Stick with the program!
Jersey GirlFemaleCanada2006-11-28 08:43:00