ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Citizenship General DiscussionAfter Naturalization
The advice about how to sign isn't consistent between USCIS offices. While some offices require it to be signed as stated on that web site, just as many if not more, tell you the signature on the certificate must match the signature on the photographs you signed at the interview, one of which is stuck onto the certificate. The signature on my certificate only has my middle initial and it is totally acceptable to do it that way.
LansburyMaleEngland2010-11-26 18:41:00
US Citizenship General Discussionn400: decision can not made

___________________________________________________________________________

Thanks for your answer.

I did bring my final divorce decree, but IO required Petition of divorce that didn't tell me to bring in the instruction so I didn't know that.


That's it then. Get the paperwork they want and you should get a decision.
LansburyMaleEngland2010-12-21 15:21:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionVery Complicated Situation (for me)
You are living outside the US, so you will not be able to gain citizenship until you return and complete the required period of residency. Likewise moving to Canada to study could well mean you are no longer considered a LPR. Just coming back once every 6 months is a myth and in itself will not keep your status. However a CBP officer cannot deny you entry into the US, or revoke your status, but could require you to go before an immigration judge for a determination. A quick one time consultation with a lawyer experience in abandonment cases might well prove useful.
LansburyMaleEngland2011-09-06 17:50:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCAPS or not?
It says type using capital letters, that is what you should do.
LansburyMaleEngland2012-01-29 20:54:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWhen to file?

Hey guys I'm a newbie here and I'm hoping to get some insight about my citizenship. Here's my simple but need to be right question. I went to calculate my early filing for my citizenship papers and it said that March 15 is my early filing date. Does it mean that my papers needs to be at the office by the 15 or I need to send my papers on the 15? Thank you!


Do not post it before the 15th, if that date is 90 days before the three or five years, whichever way you qualify. If it is post marked before the 90th day I have known them to be sent back, as the person applied to early.
LansburyMaleEngland2012-02-07 01:02:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionIRS Form 1722

I got my interview notice today. One of the document they asked is IRS Form 1722, is IRS Form 1722 is the same as the Tax Return Transcript?

Thanks!


Yes they are asking for the tax return transcripts
LansburyMaleEngland2012-04-14 19:40:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCitizenship Denied

his fault being lying to an immigration officer in the process of obtaining citizenship.



Lying to a Federal Official is a criminal offense in the USA. Making false statements (18 U.S.C. § 1001) is the common name for the United States federal crime laid out in Section 1001 of Title 18 of the United States Code, which generally prohibits lying to or concealing (information) from a federal official by oral affirmation, written statement or mere denial.

I doubt a lawyer can straighten that out.

Edited by Lansbury, 07 August 2012 - 05:45 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2012-08-07 17:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPossible Interview Question
The only answer to give is the actual reason why he is filing at this time. Never give a made up answer to any of these questions, it has a horrible habit of coming back to haunt you at a later date.

Edited by Lansbury, 26 August 2011 - 01:57 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2011-08-26 13:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMakes NO SENSE!!
Do you have a copy of the form.

My guess would be 1) you accidentally put a tick in the wrong box or 2) you haven't put a tick in a box or 3) it isn't clear which box a tick is meant to be in.

Edited by Lansbury, 12 September 2011 - 03:13 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2011-09-12 15:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNeed suggestion for the interview
You tell the truth. The answer to the first question, they will be able to see what the CBP officer entered on the system. So you were denied because of suspected immigrant intent. The second question you met online. They will have heard that many times before. Do not try and put a spin on it. They have heard it all and can spot a fabrication coming before you have even said it.
LansburyMaleEngland2011-09-18 17:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureswhat is the cheapest airlines from Manila to Los Angeles month of October?
Take a look at www.kayak.com and run a search
LansburyMaleEngland2008-10-08 15:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 or K3?
QUOTE (dreamcircus @ Dec 12 2008, 03:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
However, I wasn't being condescending to you lansbury, how could I be when you were the one making the assumptions and not me... although the advice was perhaps well-intended.


I can assure you I wasn't making assumptions hence the reason why I said it sounded like that was what had happened as indeed it was how it sounded.

LansburyMaleEngland2008-12-12 18:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 or K3?
QUOTE (dreamcircus @ Dec 12 2008, 12:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Lansbury @ Dec 13 2008, 05:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So after you were married and with the intention of remaining in the US permanently your husband entered using the VWP.

Sounds very much like he entered the US illegally and a visit to an immigration lawyer is highly recommended before you do something which might cause you serious problems.


Alright, how about someone actually answer my very simple question instead of making ridiculous assumptions?

He entered the country legally, and is still here legally, and is not seeking to adjust status.

I asked CR1 vs K3 which is better/faster/advantages/disadvantages.... it is quite pathetic quite frankly, that someone who has received his/her visa would go ahead and make such a post above accusing us of doing anything illegal. If you can't be of help then don't post at all.


I was neither being insulting or unhelpful, which if you had read properly what I posted you might have understood. I said it sounded like something had been done, not that is what had been done. If that was the case it was a misuse of the VWP and the entry into the US was illegal. Further if that was the case urgent professional legal advice was needed not amateurish if well meaning advice from unqualified people on the forum. If that is not the case then the advice I posted is not relevant and could just have been ignored instead of your rather condescending and ignorant comment being posted.



QUOTE (canadian_wife @ Dec 12 2008, 01:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
'we now live in the US' made me think he was going to stay.


Exactly how I read it as well and fore saw some horrible problems ahead if they didn't get proper advice.

Edited by Lansbury, 12 December 2008 - 06:09 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2008-12-12 18:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 or K3?
So after you were married and with the intention of remaining in the US permanently your husband entered using the VWP.

Sounds very much like he entered the US illegally and a visit to an immigration lawyer is highly recommended before you do something which might cause you serious problems.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-12-12 13:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNO SSN YET...
I ticked the box on the visa application form to have the SSN number issued automatically when I got here but it wasn't done. Had to go along to the SS office to request one, got it a week after that.
LansburyMaleEngland2008-12-16 16:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresABANDONMENT
That is a bit of an opened ended question.

Strictly speaking if you are not residing permanently in the US you are not a permanent resident and could be considered to have abandoned that status.

Elsewhere it is suggested do not stay out longer that 12 months but even then on your return you might be questioned about having abandoned your status. So others will say don't stay out longer than 6 months.

You can file before you leave for up to a 2 year stay outside the US and that might be your best bet if you think you will return within that time.

Abandonment is a very tricky subject and some immigration lawyers make a living just dealing with those cases.
LansburyMaleEngland2009-03-31 16:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-864 - how to enter assets
We showed all of our assets and didn't divide them in half.

All amounts should be shown in US dollars. Interestedly when we filled out our form and did this no-one questioned us about what conversion rate we had used.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-06 15:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSpouse visa from US vs. DCF in London?
You cannot do a DCF at the London Embassy until your wife has her Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, or whatever it is called these days, visa.

Have you looked at the Immigration Timelines there is a link above this thread to give you an idea of how long the total process takes, and each stage takes, at the Service Centre you applied to.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-07 13:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresJust curious, what will be your occupation?
If you mean the question concerning what you intend to do in the USA.

I put I am retiring and will have a pension, but will considered any employment opportunities that are of interest to me.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-13 16:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresShouldn't I have my green card by now?
Mine took just over 3 weeks to arrive.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-07-22 01:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresJFK POE
Fingerprints certainly, I don't remember having a photograph taken again. Mind that wasn't at JFK
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-02 16:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLong time gone criminal record

sorry FORGET all that - I have now read that the good old UK government has changed it so records are NOT deleted until you are 100! Yet another policy of 'big brother' to watch us all!



Like I said in an earlier post, and the government hasn't changed the policy that has been the policy since the first Criminal Records Office came into being and the records were on paper, then on micro-fiche and then since the advent of the PNC.

What did change was the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act which introduced the concept of spent convictions, unfortunately for the purposes of us all being on this board the Americans don't subscribe to that idea.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-03 10:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLong time gone criminal record

Hi

I may be worrying unneccesarily about this but..... over 12 years ago I did something stupid and got a minor conviction. About a year ago I did some searching including contacting the court AND the stenographers (who take all minutes of the proceedings). I was told they could find NOTHING on record regarding my case and after 10 years (without further offences) criminal records for minor offences are SHREDDED and then burnt. However there MIGHT still be my fingerprints on file.

My question is - as I have been told several places, just wing it and HOPE they dont find anything or declare with a long and complicated explanation that no records exist of the offence. :innocent:

2 years ago I had a Police search carried out on me as I work at Heathrow in a security area, this came back NOTHING KNOWN.

Whats best here? I will get the defintive answer in 40 days as I have just filed my Scotland Yard search form - if THEY dont have me on the green telly no one will! :jest:

I am an honest person and I feel I should declare the old offence - but it could complicate an already hectic process for no reason. When I get to the interview the man/woman will proabably sit there looking over their glasses at me saying nothing thinking - who is this guy? :whistle:


Several things come to mind here, as I used to work at Heathrow myself.

You don't say how old you were when the conviction was received.

Firstly when you were convicted the result of the case was never forwarded to the Criminal Records Office but your CRO file who still show an outstanding conviction.

Who ever was meant to do the checks on you for your employment at Heathrow lied about doing them and they were not done properly. That wouldn't surprise me as I have found many instances of that happening.

The conviction wasn't for a recordable offence, where you photographed and fingerprinted when you were charged with the offence.

The Court records may be destroyed the Police National Computer recorded is only destroyed if a police officer reports your death of the file is so old you can no longer be alive.

The visa application requires you to declare all arrests and being caught out withholding information is a sure way to get major grief and possibly not get a visa. If the conviction was indeed something minor 12 years ago declaring it shouldn't be a problem.

The overwhelming advice when dealing with immigration officers anywhere is never lie.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-02 14:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresImmigration Lawyers
You might find this page on their web site interesting in view of another post your made.

http://www.usvisalaw...uk/article7.htm
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-03 10:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresImmigration Lawyers
I've not used these but heard good things about them. As far as I'm aware all the principal lawyers are American.

GUDEON & McFADDEN
42 BROOK STREET
LONDON W1K 5DB
TEL: +44 20 7958 9067
FAX: +44 20 7958 9282

I doubt any good immigration lawyer will be cheap. There are a lot of useless ones about.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-03 10:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 Approved !
No she doesn't need to be there.

That report above seems to be the exception. I landed at Portland and was treated with great courtesy and was through immigration and at the baggage carousel before the bags had got there.

People on this board who have come through JFK do not seem to have an especially long delay. But you could always arrive at a very busy time, so allow plenty of time to get to your onward flight.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-03 15:00:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLooking for the best calling card
Alternatives to calling cards can be cheaper if you don't mind setting things up. VOIP is a good alternative, of which Vonage is one such provider but not the cheapest. I use BroadVoice but there are plenty of others, but if you want a solution out of the box then Vonage or BroadVocie are good starting points.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-05 14:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresGetting a Social security number?
Like you I ticked the box for the SSN to be issued when I arrived. At the POE the immigration officer told me to apply directly for a SSN.

I waited 2 weeks for it to arrive and then went to the office. While I was in their system no request had been made to issue a SSN and they put the wheels in motion then.

You need to wait at least 14 days after you arrived for your details to get into the Social Security system. Even though you ticked the box on the form for the SSN number to be issued some of us have experienced this not happening and have had to apply.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-08 09:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresgetting a holiday visa while waiting for IR1
You can apply for a holiday visa, you would need to prove to the Embassy that you are indeed going to return to SA.

Check the Embassy web site http://pretoria.usem...s_nivguide.html for details and you could contact them by e-mail, is says you can on the web site, to ask questions. So ask what they would accept as proof. Quite often an employers letter and details of a mortgage or rental agreement and/or bank details that show you would indeed have to return are ok.

Just because you have applied for an immigrant visa doesn't stop you applying for a holiday visa, it just makes the Embassy a little more cautious about your intent.

Edited by Lansbury, 14 August 2007 - 02:03 PM.

LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-14 14:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 petition case file recept NOA1?
If it's the same as filing at the London Embassy all the NOA1 is, is acknowledge of the receipt of the I-130 and file date.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-15 22:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHelp with DS-230
Then put the length of time in or as suggested print out the form and write in what you deem appropriate.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-16 21:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhen will I get Green Card?
My mailbox only has the house number on it, no problem. Most only have the house number around here.

My green card wasn't quite 4 weeks, but the guy at my POE said anything up to 6 months. Most arrive around 4 weeks but if they said 2 months give it at least until then. It will almost certainly be before that.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-18 12:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresfiling DCF in London- can we travel while waiting?
QUOTE (bunsk2007 @ Aug 19 2007, 11:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thank you so much for replying again....I'm not certain that he has filed US taxes at all since he's been living here, which has been 16 years. Can't clarify that with him as he's away but will be finding out.
If he hasn't filed at all, what happens next? How might that affect the application?
Help:(


It will not effect filing the I-130 if my memory serves me correctly, I think the tax returns are only need when you come to apply for the visa.

However the problem is going to be getting the tax returns filed. If he has been earning more than $80,000 in some years I would guess he may owe back tax as well.

As has been said elsewhere, contact the IRS at the US Embassy in London. It is going to have to be sorted and they can help and advise and just what has to be done. He needs to ascertain just how many years they would want filed and if he can just get away with the last three.


This should help http://london.usembassy.gov/irs/
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-19 14:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresfiling DCF in London- can we travel while waiting?
QUOTE (bunsk2007 @ Aug 19 2007, 07:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks for the reply, you guys are great here. Glad you mentioned the taxes.....no, he hasn't been filing US tax returns, and yes, he has been earning more than $80,000 -although not in the last 3 years. How many years is he meant to have been filing for? He was definitely under this amount in the last 3. He's going to be contacting the embassy about this on Monday, I'll make sure of it!


The Embassy will want to see the last 3 years. The problem will be the IRS might want to know why there is a gap between when he last filed and the first of those 3. He should have filed every year he has been out of the US, if he should have filed if he had been in the US. (Hope that makes sense)
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-19 12:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresfiling DCF in London- can we travel while waiting?
Most US States have this information online. It can take a bit of finding but once you find the details you can normally order copies of the documents. Try a google for birth certificate, state, county

We needed a copy of my wife's birth certificate and once we found out where to order it from, we contacted them and paid by credit card. It did entail sending a fax of her Oregon driving licence and the credit card we were using but we had the copy in the UK in 5 days. The people in the US couldn't have been more helpful.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-19 12:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresfiling DCF in London- can we travel while waiting?
You can send in the I-130 before you renew your passport. The Embassy will only keep your passport for a few days after you have your visa interview. That is around 5 months away from when you file the i-130. The Embassy will not need any passport until then.

We DCF through London last year. My wife sent copies of her US passport with the I-130. We had lived in London for 10 years and also had a house in the US. He can put his address as the London address and for where you will live in the US show his parents address. His US bank account etc show he is still maintaining his "residence" in the US.

When you return packet 3 to indicate you are ready for interview, if you do that before you visit the US, include with that a note to say you are visiting the US and the dates you will not be in the UK for interview. But I very much doubt even if you send the I-130 this week you will be ready for interview by October. Getting the I-130 approved is about 10 -12 weeks and then for apply for the visa and the interview is about 6 to 10 weeks after that.

You can travel to the US during this process but it is very prudent to be able to show the immigration officer at the airport that you are returning to the UK. Especially as the whole family will be with you.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-17 20:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresgreen card
The stamped visa in his passports acts as his green card until the real one turns up. Normally about 3 - 4 weeks.

As to SSN, did you tick the box on the DS 230 for it to be issued. If apply for it, if you did check that it is being processed it isn't a foolproof system.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-20 18:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresRFE :they want me to send the death caertificate and divorce decree
I don't think it does expire as such providing you keep them advised of what is happening.

If it is going to take some time to obtain the documents, reply to the request stating it has been received and the expected time frame to comply. Keep them appraised of progress so they realise you are dealing with it not just given up.

You will only have problems if it takes a long time and you haven't let them know you are dealing with it and your application is current.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-22 12:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresBlue Sheeted! What Next?
QUOTE (one2one @ Aug 22 2007, 01:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Interview 1) called to a window, handed over all documents including spotless police certs from the Met and NPF. Asked by the polite English CO about pending Medical results and likely departure date.

Interview 2) called to a window manned by a female CO the interview proper. Got frazzled by some trick questions. CO said fingerprints for NPF P.C. is flawed. Said superior needs to decide a much too complex case for her person, and said "go sit and wait to be called over for interview 3, this time by the Super", and issue a bluesheet with a check against the required docs.

Interview 3) 3 hrs later (hungry, fuming, and felt like wringing someones neck.lol!). Got called up to same window. CO said nothin other than "You are free to go, call them (them being the embassy courier) and send us a fresh NPF P.C with fingerprints by the new scotland yard". Tossed back passport, circled tel. number on bluesheet for courier service., and i asked wha what ?? said nothing but "you free to go, you are free to go." I was so vexed i had to walk away before starting drama, albeit with loads of questions in my head unanswered.


Unless it is me what you are saying doesn't make a lot of sense. If you have only lived in the UK there is only one police certificate. You apply to the force you live in but the certificate is sent out by the Subject Access Office at New Scotland Yard. The UK police certificate doesn't have fingerprints on it and none are required to obtain it. I'm not sure what you mean by NPF P.C. but if you are in someway referring to the UK Police National Computer printout that is what the subject access office sent you, or to be more precise a statement of what the PNC record on you is.

It sounds from what you saying you were not told that the visa would be issued when they had received the documents they are requesting, in fact in sounds no decision was communicated to you at all. In that case I would obtain the documents and have the courier pick them up. Make sure with them you clearly give a contact phone number and e-mail so if they were expecting your passport as well they can quickly ask for it. It will cost you extra courier fees but if it were me I think that is better than including your passport when you send the documents and it sitting around the Embassy.

The other thing you could do is ring the US phone number 202 663 1225. Follow the voice prompts it is one of those press number games. They can access your file you will need your case number the one which starts LND and hopefully tell you if you should send your passport back with the documents or not. I think I have the right phone number if not hopefully someone will pipe up with the correct one.
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-22 16:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresBlue Sheeted! What Next?
QUOTE (one2one @ Aug 22 2007, 11:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The CO was the most annoying bloody yank i have ever had to deal with. After going through the 1st interview, said i needed a 2nd, sat me down for 3hrs after which i was tossed the bluesheet and told "send that -police cert- in and you free to go." Tried to ask her politely and simply said you are free to to go again and again as though on a timer of some sort. No explaination whatsoever. I think CO got beef with a brother. Haha! the bloody yanks! i got nothin but love for them anyways!

Thanks Lansbury for showing concern!


By second interview I take it you were called to a window and handed over all your documents, and then some time later called up again for a second interview. If so that is how everyone is done.

Without a police certificate they are not going to issue a visa or by the sound of it even make a decision. If they were a bit off hand it might have had something to do with you sending the check list back to say you were ready for the interview and had all the documents when you didn't.

What is the blue sheet you refer to, not seen anyone else mention that way on here, and what does it say. Is it a RFE?
LansburyMaleEngland2007-08-22 14:35:00