biggish data

Congrats Owl, and congrats Bork! Nola - glad you got to have a real Scandinavian Christmas!

My wife and I both missed it tremendously, and it did not make it any better when skyping my family in Norway during their Christmas eve ribbe and pinnekjøtt dinner.

Mele kalikimaka as they say in Hawaiian is not how we plan to spend the next Christmases lol. It just simply does not satisfy my Viking soul.

In a wonderful play of irony however, I received my green card in the mail yesterday, on Christmas eve!

Congrats on your Green card ! :thumbs:

Seems like Christmas is turning out to be good for a lot of us. I'm just happy I got my EAD and SSN to be able to work and feel human again . This is the longest I haven't been able to work in my entire life lol

MR193

Female

Sweden

2012-12-26 22:57:00

Just wanted to let yinz know I'm now safely in Pittsburgh. Everything has gone extremely smooth - way above my expectations. My Christmas Eve today (which is when we start celebrating back home) has been nothing like Christmas in Sweden... but that's how I wanted it to be anyway. Mullin's diner for breakfast (the Hungry Man breakfast made me a very un-hungry man lol), we got julmust at IKEA, nice lil visit with the in-laws... Now drinking the julmust with choc chip cookies and WWE raw wrestling - Xmas eve in America!

God Jul - Merry Christmas everyone. Seriously, I love you guys. <3

I'm happy everything went smooth and you can now settle into your new wonderful life :thumbs:

God Jul & Gott Nytt Ar

MR193

Female

Sweden

2012-12-26 22:51:00

Plane leaves in 11 hours and 30ish minutes.

Arrival: T-minus 24 hours and 35 minutes.

That is all.

Good luck on your trip and Welcome to USA... You are going to have the best Christmas ever ..Don't forget to bring the Swedish Christmas treats .

God Jul!!!

MR193

Female

Sweden

2012-12-22 23:52:00

Which line should I stand in at Newark on Sunday?

I'm not sure really, I know that they always ask us to go in the Citizens line if I'm with my husband and if I travel by myself it's visitors line as I don't have my Green card yet !!! And as far as I remember it says Citizens and cardholders in the same line!!!
Take it easy on your last week in Sweden... Enjoy the snow as there hasn't been a lot of it over here!! B-)

Edited by MR193, 17 December 2012 - 07:10 AM.

MR193

Female

Sweden

2012-12-17 07:04:00

Mr. Borkstrom, get your license ASAP! It's not scary driving in Pittsburgh, honestly, outside of rush hour. The roads are wide, and once you get familiar with the area, it's np. I'm working on getting mine these days. But I am... an island without it. The bus system is AWFUL HORRIFIC TERRIBAD. I'd say a license is your #1 priority once you're here.

I agree . Its fun driving over here ... I feel much more relaxed driving over here than I did when we lived in England as at least we drive on the right side of the road in the US!!! Last trip I did was from Ithaca NY to Newark NJ when I had to give my sis in law a lift. I drove back in the pitch dark without a sat nav just following the cars compass lol. I got back in just under 5 hours,,,

MR193

Female

Sweden

2012-12-16 20:25:00

I-864 - HELP PLSS ...urgent

Lol reminds me of the last time my wife and I entered at LAX. We both had to go through the visitors line since I was on the VWP. We got there right after two jumbo jets from China. Citizens line was cleared in 20 minutes. Visitors line had moved maybe about two inches since then.. After 45 minutes and no closer to the immigration booth, my wife stormed up to one of the CBP officers "excuse me. I have been on a 12 hour plane ride and have been waiting in this line forever. I need an iphone charger. I'm a US citizen if that helps."

CBP officer looked at her in disbelief, went through her own private purse and said "here, there's an outlet in the back..."

Sorry about the long wait missk, at least now you're here!!

We were always told to go through citizens line....

MR193

Female

Sweden

2012-12-16 20:19:00

Philippines

hi ..I would like to know if the I-864 is needed for the interview and must be original?. It was filed and the NVC sent us the notice of receipt and all that is left now is the interview on March 5. Since the process of petitioning my mother, the status of our income has changed and I want to know if a new I-864 has to be filed. The income will stay the same but will be payed differently than before. As of October last year, the status changed from active duty military to medically retired. There is no one employed at this time, however with the army pension, disability compensation, and also a check from VA, the income is about the same. Will they ask about this and if so,will that change the outcome of the interview? Even as a retiree, our current income places us above 125% of the poverty line. We still haven't filed 2012 taxes yet and want to know if that will be a problem also. In regards to our home and bank accounts, should we provide documentation about that also? thanks

I would Phone the number on your receipt and ask for advice. I would also file your taxes before you go so you can show your current circumstances when you arrive at the interview. They might ask why you didn't notify them of your changed circumstances earlier . Then you can also refer to any advice that you have been given when you made your phone-call. Have you got any legal representation? . Bring as much evidence as you can as they added all the extra evidence I gave them at the interview.
:thumbs:

I wish you luck! 'Thank you for your Service' :star:

MR193

Female

Sweden

2013-02-25 00:07:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Approved

Thank you all again. This has been a life changing news. I feel like inviting all of you to my wedding. It is a good feeling and I know that you all waiting are going to have the same feeling. Don't loose your hopes and be patient. Believe me, it is well worth it.

Congrats . What a wonderful Christmas present! I wish you all the best !

MR193

Female

Sweden

2012-12-26 22:41:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

He used me!!

What is important is to look after yourself and your baby. Your life is blessed as you got a little life growing inside you. It seems like your ex was much too immature to cope with parenthood but he still need to be responsible and help you financially to bring up your son. I don't know what the laws are in Pakistan in regards to child-support but if he stays in the UK he has to abide by the International Child support laws.
Here are some links where you can get some help:
http://www.acf.hhs.g...s/international
http://www.ncsea.org...LDIRECTORY1.pdf
You might feel you don't want the father in your sons life but you are entitled to child-support and medical cover for your son when he is born. If you do want to pursue this you must list your Ex as the father on the Birth certificate.
Try to take it easy and concentrate on staying strong for your son. Your ex wasn't the right person for you as he doesn't appreciate you. You will find a man who will love you and cherish you . It might not be this year but you will have your son in a few months time to enjoy. I wish you the best for the future . If you need anyone to talk to please message me .. I live in Upstate NY. (F)

MR193

Female

Sweden

2013-01-04 19:11:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

NOA2 Approved

Congrats and Happy Birthday :thumbs:

MR193

Female

Sweden

2013-01-04 17:14:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

The first Gay K-1 Fiance Visa Progress with DOMA repeal on the Horizon (Tim & Keno)

Love conquers all (L)

Stay strong and good luck on your journey. (F)

MR193

Female

Sweden

2013-01-07 14:06:00

Need Help with Name Change

It's not a recent color photo.
It's (2) passport style photos.

Yes you are right . This was just an example . This will be clarified when the instructions are read and the forms are being completed . Information change constantly on a lot of the forms.. Thats why I wrote to phone them for clarifications and advice. Thanks for pointing it out

MR193

Female

Sweden

2013-01-17 12:57:00

Need Help with Name Change

My husband and I married in his country and received our marriage certificate which only states my maiden name as there was no place on the form to write the bride's new married name. Later I came back to the US and changed my name using this marriage certificate at the Social Security Administration and on my driver's license and bank accounts. I sent a letter to NVC as they told me to do saying that I changed my last name to my married name and that my address is now in the US. Today I received an email from NVC saying they received the documents that I submitted. I sent proof of my old and new social security card and driver's license. Well, they didn't seem to have read my letter well because I called NVC and found out that my husband's address in Pakistan had been deleted and that they wrote my US address for him instead. My last name was also not updated. The person on the phone told me that social security cards are not evidence of name change and that they only accept a marriage certificate with both the maiden and married name written or a passport. Now I'm really confused how anyone with a foreign marriage certificate that does not follow this format is supposed to update their name change with NVC. I really am stressing out about this and I'm at a lost as to what to do. How do you change your name on your passport if it does not say both maiden and married name on the marriage certificate? Has anyone who married abroad had this problem? We already mailed in our choice of agent form using my married name, since I thought that was legally changed, now what are we supposed to do? Am I supposed to keep using my maiden name when so many of my legal documents are showing my married name? I wanted to send more evidences of our bonafide relationship but those all contain my married name now (joint bank account, checks, phone records, etc.) Please someone help with this

You need to change your name on you passport aswell. Write down exactly in which order everything happened and on what date . (in format 1. 2. 3. ) I was married previously so my name had changed twice . Luckily I had also worked in Hospitals in England where you had to undertake a Criminal records bureu background check which I got a print out from . This showed all name changes. They were very pleased at my interview when I gave them a copy of this as it gave them a lot of the information they needed. My husband is the USC. My name was changed automatically in my native country Sweden where we got married . But in your case, first address your Passport: you will need to change your surname with the U.S. Department of State by mail or in person. I recommend an expedited passport . Contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 with questions. Mail these documents:
* Your current passport
* Certified copy of marriage certificate showing your name change (Phone number above in regards for clarification)
* Form DS-554 (mailing address is on the form)
* A recent, color photo

Your passport is your ultimate proof of identity so it should always be addressed first , especially if your marriage was in another country. Good Luck

MR193

Female

Sweden

2013-01-17 12:05:00

I-184: Working long term abroad for company that only paid cash -- no taxes deducted

THIS is a HUGE help!!!! Thank you so much. I've been staring at the 2555EZ form and 1040 form wondering how to approach this and your explanation really makes sense. i can get a "certificate of employment" from my current company for 2012, but won't be able to get any evidence from my previous employers (all are out of business) for the previous years.

I'm glad that I can be of help . If you estimate the income for the other years and clip each year to the relevant forms . Write what ,where , when and keep that formula for each year. Good luck.

MR193

Female

Sweden

2013-01-19 17:04:00

I-184: Working long term abroad for company that only paid cash -- no taxes deducted

File for the last 3 years complete 2555EZ first.The final sum you get on this you enter on form 1040 under the income section #7 . You then go to #21 (other income.List type and amount. (Write 'Form 2555EZ' here, then you write you write the yearly income again in brackets ( 10.000) line below that Total comes to -0- , put -0- on line 37 aswell. Then if you dont have anything to declare or claim you do the same (-0-)on 38.41.42.46.54.60.71.75. Sign and date at the bottom.
At the beginning of the form you enter your details.If you are not filing joint you don't have to enter your wifes name here and for her SSN just put N/A.( As I assume she hasn't got this). As we were married but I was filing my own taxes in UK we ticked 'Married filing seperately' under filing status.
I got help with all this from an official Tax expert plus confirmed with the IRS legal dept.
My husband did the same for three years back tax returns, took 2 extra copies of each one ( 9 copies in total) For each year add any proof you got of income. If your previous employer can write three seperate statements of income to go with each Tax return. You need to have some kind of record even if its estimated. you need 3 copies for each year to clip to the taxreturns.
You then take this to your local IRS office where you get all 9 copies date stamped . They will file 1 copy for each year. ( IRS Done)
Submit stamped copies 1 for each year together with your I-864. Dont forget evidence of your current earnings.
The last set of copies you keep for yourself as evidence that you filed your taxes.

This Format is only applicable if you qualify for FOREIGN EARNED INCOME Exclusion Form 2555EZ and did not have any claims,taxes or credits
You can phone the IRS legal dept or get advice from an official Tax Adviser if you aren't sure about something. Good Luck

MR193

Female

Sweden

2013-01-17 12:47:00

I-134 - Incomplete Name in Name Field

Look up the form I messaged you as it appears I can't post the link here. On the sample form they write the First and last name in #1 and you put the whole name with middle name in #3 . I think he has just followed these instructions so you don't have to amend anything as long as his middle name appears in #3
I don't think you have to worry

Please ignore this comment !!! I can't remove it !!!

MR193

Female

Sweden

2012-12-14 08:37:00

I-134 - Incomplete Name in Name Field

Disregard/remove my first comment. Too early in the morning .... #1 My husband did the same (he put one line through in black ink.. initialized and rewrote the name with the middle name next to it and when I phoned the USCIS they said it was ok as long as it looked clear.

MR193

Female

Sweden

2012-12-14 08:33:00

I-134 - Incomplete Name in Name Field

Look up the form I messaged you as it appears I can't post the link here. On the sample form they write the First and last name in #1 and you put the whole name with middle name in #3 . I think he has just followed these instructions so you don't have to amend anything as long as his middle name appears in #3
I don't think you have to worry

Edited by MR193, 14 December 2012 - 07:45 AM.

MR193

Female

Sweden

2012-12-14 07:40:00