biggish data

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

NVC just re confirmed via e-mail that they have recived my file and it should take 4-6 weeks to get into the system....BOLLOCKS!

I'm calling tonight as I usually do everyday...lol

When did they receive your file? I'm a week behind you as far as I-130 approvals go but I hear that NVC is sent in batches so maybe they have mine too.

Why would it take 4-6 weeks? :huh:

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-07-26 11:53:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Wow, is NVC taking forever or what? I was so excited to get my NOA2 earlier than expected but I was under the impression that NVC would have received my case by now. Some people are waiting close to 30 days.

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-07-14 07:04:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

At the interview.

Does this mean my husband doesn't need to take originals to the interview?

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-07-08 11:04:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Congrats guys!

Thanks.

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-06-27 21:28:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

So I have a picture and timeline, how do I link them to my post, any ideas?

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-06-27 19:40:00

Well guys, I don't think I have posted on this topic yet, but I follow it constantly.

34 minutes ago I received a text message that led me find out that my husband and I are moving on to NVC, NOA2 mailed out today ! :dance:

Dave gave me hope last week when his was approved since we were both at CSC with the same priority date. I only started preparing for NVC this past weekend, so much to do.

Anyone know when I can expect to be able to do the next step? I've read the guides (although I need to now have a closer look).. just didn't know if NVC is averaging a certian amount of days to load the cases into the system of if its random.

Its going to happen for everyone soon, I'm sure, make sure you jump up and down like i did. :thumbs:

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-06-27 19:37:00

G-325a not signed, annoyed

Thank you for all of your information.

I have one more question. I just realized my husbands passport photos are a different size then mine. They are the UK smaller size. Is this ok? I'm finding mixed results online. Something called epassportphoto comes up where you can upload the photo and resize.. has anyone does this?

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-03-11 19:45:00

G-325a not signed, annoyed

That is all I needed to hear about that! Two days waiting is not worth an RFE. Thanks!.. I'm just ready to send this thing out. :blush:

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-03-11 19:03:00

G-325a not signed, annoyed

I've been patiently waiting for my wonderful husband (UK) to mal me the stuff to add to our I-130 packet. I hoped to send it Monday. Today I received his stuff and he did not sign the G-325a form. I looked it up online and found a referenced memo stating the form could be signed at the consulate however after browsing many forums - no one suggested it. Any ideas? He will send me the stuff overnight again so its not that big of a deal to wait an extra day or two..

Also, we have many affidavits as we do not have any property, money or children together. I noticed that his affidavits (which would take a lot longer to edit) are 2 pages and only the last page is signed by the friend/family member. Is this ok? We are still waiting on one from his parents and if it doesn't get here quick then I won't send it.. is that ok also?

I know it says to fill out all spaces, do we need to put N/A for the blank address lines that are unneeded?

Also for his employment - he continued the address onto the next line under the one designated to start the address.. is this ok or do I need to attach a sheet for the extra stuff (it is only the UK zipcode)

Thanks for reading. Any quick answers would be lovely.

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-03-11 18:49:00

Yeah. For anyone else whos interested - I guess it depends on the type of highlighter cause mine work both fine in color and blank and white. I used the same one for all pages but one so Ill recheck that other page when I get to it.. weird.

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-04-03 14:25:00

That makes a lot more sense. Haven't gotten to the highlighted documents in my scanning process but thanks so much. I (like everyone) am really trying to avoid an RFE so thanks! I'll see if they are readable in black and white and color.

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-04-03 14:10:00

Oh ok. Thanks for the info. I've already highlighted some documents and am scanning everything now so if its blurry I will know and reprint it all.

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-04-03 13:56:00

Tabs are a total waste of time, as are the indices. The tabs will be summarily removed so that each page can be scanned, and then USCIS will reassemble your package they way they want it, so it makes little difference the order in which you put it together, although it is good to have it organized so you can be sure you haven't overlooked anything.

Scanning has changed everything--no tabs, NO HIGHLIGHTING--repeat--NO HIGHLIGHTING, no staples, no anything that makes disassembling the packing difficult.

Ah.. really? I already highlighted some things on our lengthy flight receipts. Can you point me in the direction of where you got this information? Thanks

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-04-03 13:44:00

hi may I ask how many photos are you submitting for the I-130? Did you scan it? thanks

Hi.

I am sending about 50 photos but they are 4 per page.. so 12 pages. I got those file labels and typed a description of each one and placed that on an unimportant area of each picture. My photos were already on my computer so I just printed the selected ones in order of 4 per page. I then put the labels on each photo and now I am rescanning each page of my visa document (including the photo pages) to have an exact replica of what I am sending. I hope this answers your question.. let me know if it doesn't.

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-04-03 13:41:00

Everything looks good! Good luck! On the same stage as you are!

Thanks, Good Luck to you too!

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-04-03 13:21:00

Thank you. I was actually including a full copy of my Husbands passport to show that we were in Barcelona at the same time and that he has visited Atlanta a few times as I don't have all of those flight records. Should I include the full passport for this or just the pages with the stamps..or is this not needed at all?

Great info, thanks again.

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-04-03 13:18:00

Hey Everyone!

I am finally ready to send out our I-130 package and I am so excited about it. I've put my cover letter below and was hoping a few of you could look at it and tell me if it sounds ok and if I am missing anything.

Also, do I just mail this USPS and would do you recommend next day or anything like that?
I am going to put tabs at the bottom and just put one big clip on everything, is that alright?
Should I put a mini table of contents in front of each section or is the one in the front ok?

Thanks so much for all your help you guys!

April 3rd, 2011

USCIS
P.O. Box 804625
Chicago, IL 60680-4107

To Whom It May Concern:

Please find enclosed my Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative on behalf of my U.K citizen husband, Ben Nicholas Lastname.

Included are the following documents:

? Required Documentation (Red Tabs)
• Personal Check in the amount of $420
• G-1145 Form
• I-130 Petition for Alien Relative
• Full Copy of Petitioner’s American passport
• Copy of Petitioner and Beneficiary’s Marriage Certificate
• Petitioner’s G-325A
• Petitioner’s Passport Style Photo
• Beneficiary’s G-325A
• Beneficiary’s Passport Style Photo

• Supplemental Documentation (Yellow Tabs)
• Explanation of Name Change Document
• Name Change Court Order
• Relationship History Statement

? Evidence of Bonafide Marriage (Green Tabs)
• Pictures of Petitioner and Beneficiary - (November 2007 – December 2010)
• City of New York Parks & Recreation Marriage Event Permit
• New York Wedding Week Hotel Receipt
• Club A Steakhouse (Reception Dinner Venue) Contract
• Club A Steakhouse Reception Dinner Menu
• Various Flight Records (2008 - 2011)
• Full Copy of Beneficiary’s Passport
• Relationship Affidavits from U.S.A. & U.K. Citizens

Thank you very much for your prompt attention to this matter.

Respectfully,

Date:

Katie Middlename Lastname
My address
My Phone Number
My Email

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-04-03 12:28:00

NYC Marriage Certificate

Thank you so much for your responses. This is why I am concerned:

http://www.cityclerk...e/records.shtml

The fee for a Marriage Record for foreign use (extended certificate) is $35 for the first copy and $30 for each additional copy.
This fee includes the search, Certification, and Hand Signature with Raised Seal.
For the certificate to be valid outside the United States, you must complete two additional steps:
Step one: take the document to the nearest County Clerk's Office to authenticate the City Clerk's hand signature, for a fee of $3.
Find the locations of the Offices of the County Clerks
Step two: take the document to the New York State Department of State for the authentication of the County Clerk's signature and the attachment of an "Apostille," for a fee of $10.
The Department of State is located at:

123 William Street
19th Floor
New York, NY 10038

Magical - You didn't get an Apostille or anything of that nature? I assume a certified marriage certificate will be fine at the NVC because that is in America, I guess I am more concerned with my husband showing one at the U.S. embassy in London although maybe that isn't an issue because it is part of the U.S. government.

Monkey426 - So you were in NY when you walked in? I know I can obtain the certificate if I am in New York but I don't have the money to travel there just for the certificate.

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-06-30 09:00:00

NYC Marriage Certificate

you need to get a certified copy of your marriage certificate from the registrar of deeds in new york. I got mine in 10 minutes ( i live in north carolina )..now about the authentication stuff I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will help you out .

Did you order it online. I did a quick search of NY 'register of deeds' and didn't see it but it was again an extremely quick search.

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-06-30 07:25:00

NYC Marriage Certificate

Have to hurry cause I'm at work. I need a certified copy of my marriage certificate for NVC, I also wanted to send one to my husband for the interview and keep the original safe here.

From my research it looks like a marriage record for NYC for visa/international purposes has to be taken to additional locations to have the signature authenticated. Does anyone know anything about this? I am freaking out. How do I get the document if I don't live in New York. My husband and I got married in Central Park as a meeting point for his family from England and mine from Georgia (where I currently am. Oh #######!

The original does not have any offical seals or special signatures so I don't even think that would work.

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-06-30 06:58:00

It's not that cut and dry as to a sponsor--depends a lot on the backup information you have from your employer and pay stubs.

As to the amount, use $20800 so long as your employer will put it in writing--or use whatever amount he WILL put in writing.

If you are forced to use $18850, you are just squeaking by, so the CO may require another sponsor. Even at $20800 unless you have a strong letter from your employer, your recent pay stubs aren't going to support that number looking back, so it is not a done deal.

Ah ok. So I'm going to use the 20,800 figure, as long as he will go with it and go ahead and get my co-sponsor to fill out the paperwork just to be safe. Thank you so much. Your wife has the most beautiful name by the way!

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-07-10 18:05:00

I want to start working 40 hours per week. If I could include in my bosses letter that I am expected to work 40 hours a week from this point forward then I could put down 20800, and not use a sponsor, is this correct? Would I have to wait for a paystub to show this?

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-07-10 17:57:00

Ok let me put it this way to see if I can understand. I now make 10 an hour. I've averaged 36.25 hours a week if I exclude 3 outlier (vacation) weeks. I can work 40 hours of week if I chose to do so. Based on my current weekly average I would make 18,850 in 52 weeks. I would make 20,800 if I worked 40 hours a week, which I could start doing this week.

Would I put one of these amounts down as my current income?

Both of these are over the minimum 2 person 18,387 125% income requirement... so would I need a sponsor with the above information? Is it that cut and dry?

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-07-10 17:42:00

You know I have an idea that what you guys are saying is really simple. I'm just not getting it...

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-07-10 17:36:00

My suggestion--come up with an average number of hours you expect to be working in a week X $10/hr. Then estimate how many weeks in the year you will work.
[Weekly earnings] X [weeks worked] = estimated yearly income. Make sure your employer letter matches. He should say you work an average of ___ hours per week at a wage of $10 per hour. If you would hold off and get a few payslips to also show the $10 figure and as many hours as you estimate, that would bear out what you stated.

It is about your current income translated into a year. It's not about what you made last year or a hybrid figure ($9.50). Because your 2010 taxes won't reflect the raise, you will prove the higher figure with the letter and new payslips. If you think it's enough, send it without the co-sponsor. Have the co-sponsor's I-864, income proofs and proof of citizenship/LPR status all completed so if you get an RFE, you can have the other ready to submit immediately. Take it all to the interview too, to pull out if needed there. That shouldn't delay you very long but would save the co-sponsor from being on the hook for what could be a long, long time, even if you and the spouse ever parted. That's just what I think would be a considerate thing to do if you can pull off the support on your own.

Ok so they aren't asking for a 01/2011 to 12/2011 figure, they are asking for a 52 week figure?

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-07-10 17:22:00

Well, it depends on the circumstances. If you worked full time, had the same hourly wage or salary for the full year, and had no unpaid time off, there are 2080 hours in a work year, but you aren't working full time, so you have to make your best estimate with the facts at hand.

That makes sense. I guess I will include a note describing my calculations and hopefully it wont be too big of an issue since I am using a co-sponsor.

I appreciate your help, thank you.

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-07-10 15:56:00

Ok, so basically this is just a rough estimate because I can't seem to find a formula used - so people just do it as they wish?

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-07-10 15:49:00

Put your current income. If your past income did not meet the requirements it is all the more important to have an employment letter stating your current income...

Thanks, but do I just put 9 dollars an hour or do I try to determine an annual figure, and if so how? My hours per week vary from 30-40 and during the beginning of my employment I had as little as 10 hours some weeks because I went to England for the holidays.

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-07-10 15:20:00

I have searched on this but haven't found out exactly what to do.

I spent most of last year in England with my husband. I got a job once I returned to America (in December) making 9 an hour. My wage just went up to 10 an hour about a week ago. I'm trying to fill out the I864 and am wondering if I should do an average of hours worked x 9.5 (in between my 2 wages) to come up with my annual income ... or what exactly to do. I'm going to be including this information in a letter for my boss to sign as well. Also I took 2-3 weeks off this year so could I do something like average hours worked so far x 9.5 x 49 (weeks, since I took 3 off)? Am I making this too hard?

My current income will put be just above the poverty line but its so close I'm going to keep my co-sponsor, who has no dependents and makes almost 30k a year, smart move?

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-07-10 14:37:00

DS 3032 EMAIL HELP

Mine worked. It took a few days though. NVC sent me and my husband emails saying we needed to fill out the attached choice of agent form. Then they accepted my husbands e-mail only a few hours later and notified him by e-mail to let him know i was appointed as the choice of agent.

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-08-12 22:35:00

I think I really screwed up :(

Now I am worried. I just realized that my tax transcripts show my old name - my completely different name that was changed before I got married.

Example
Birth Name: Jessica Kate McLung
Name Change on 10/2009 (Maiden Name): Katie McHibben (changed to reflect the name I grew up with and my step-fathers last name, not marriage related)
Current Name Changed at Time of Marriage 5/2010: Katie McHibben Williamson

My I-130 package to CSC included my official name change document from the courts. I forgot to send it to the NVC and my 2008 and 2009 tax transcripts show the name Jessica Kate McLung. My SSN number is the same on all transcripts. Is this an issue? Will the NVC browse through the documents sent to the CSC? I have a sponsor if they are needed because my previous yearly incomes were low but I now pass the money requirement as of last month which is evident in pay stubs and an employment letter - meaning that the previous tax transcripts were only sent because I felt it was best to include more than just one years info. Should I just send in the name change document now?

I feel dumb.

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-08-13 11:13:00

That's how we did it as well. Should be right!

Thats what I thought. I guess as long as you cover the date you're fine. It is weird how I can seem so positive in my answers until I read what everyone else has put.

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-08-16 06:22:00

re:ds-230 #30:
the earliest date - at the bottom of that list - on the left (yes the "from" side), is supposed to be your 16th birthdate. Then you work your way up, with no gaps more than 6 months. Instead of writing his bday he put "-----" because he didn't move there on his 16th bday - he had lived there since birth. Oh well. Now we know. That little tidbit should be in the guide... if it's already there, then shame on us. -M

Does the date have to be their 16th birthday? I'm guessing you can put the date they moved in? I think my husband put 01/1991 - 01/2010 and then 01/2010 to present.

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-08-16 05:55:00

Yes, the NVC operators can not give you that answer. It is the supervisor that reviews the packet that will be able to answer that but we can't get him. Here is my take, as I was in school from 08/2009 through 05/2011. However I had good wages both in 2008 and 2009 (as I worked for 7 months) and low income in 2010, as I worked only in summer. I didn't use a co-sponsor, as I have a good current income (also we were not sure how to fill co-sponsor's income when he filed jointly at the time I sent my AOS - now we know).

The current income (future income) plays a big role (almost 90% - 95%), as NVC is looking into the support you can provide your foreign spouse without making her a liability on the Government. Your past income is needed to make judgement on whether you will be able to sustain the current income in future also. In cases like our (meaning students), it is perfectly alright to have low income in 2009 & 2010 and have a good current annual income (it is what you get now calculated to 12 months - say you get a bi-monthly 2,000, then your current annual wages are 48,000, wven though you started working in June 2011). However we need to explain why our past incomes are less.

Now providing a co-sponsor is good if you are barly crossing 125%, because what NVC is interested is some one more to hold responsible to take care of the immigrant, so that the Government is more safe from having to take care of the immigrant. So the co-sponsor is always safe and never a negative additional requirement. However the co-sponsor must provide all the required documents.

So my advise to you is to go ahead and submit co-sponsor, as you have very low incomes in 2010, 2009 & 2008 and your current income is barly crossing 125%. Just make sure that you gather all the required documents for your co-sponsor.

You should not fill anything in part 7, if you plan not to use any assets (it is optional). There was another doubt on using I-864EZ instead of I-864, so I used I-864 as it is safe and left part 7 blank.

Hope this helps.

Yes it really puts things in perspective. Thank you so much!!

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-08-10 10:20:00

Just a few questions for you folks

I have searched for these but found various answers.

I called NVC yesterday to see if sending a possibly unneeded joint sponsor would delay my case. I have a joint sponsor and all forms are ready to be sent but I currently make above the 125% poverty level requirement and am not sure if I will get approved on my own. The requirement is only met when calculating my current wage anually. My tax transcripts show only a yearly income of 2-3K (for the last 3 years) because I was in school. I just got a $1.00 raise at my job which allowed me to meet the requirement - showing you how borderline my pay is. The NVC rep just stated that I "could send what I saw fit".. not a lot of help - what do you guys think?

I also asked about the blanks on the I-864. She stated that everything must be filled in, have N/A, or 0. I don't want to fill out part 7 because my annual income is higher than the requirement but Im not sure if I should because reading the instructions makes me feel as if everyone that has a joint sponsor should be filling out that section. Did you guys leave it blank? I feel like 0 is misleading.

Also, for my husbands IV package - do you all know how much they check into the 10 year job history. My husband has switched jobs a lot (working at 1 job 3 times within a year) and does not remember the exact months that the changes occurred. Is this an issue, are estimates ok?

Under my husbands school history - he has only had the regular required schooling (no college) - did you all put basic schooling here and if so what did you put for your course of study and degree or diploma.

Thanks so much for your help!

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-08-10 06:55:00

It took 41 days to receive my NVC case number.

Just paid my AOS bill!

Fantastic news!

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-08-08 09:37:00

I have not recived anything from NVC yet.

I just got my case number and IIN last night.

AOS fee's will generate first and there is nothing that we can do to accelearate that.

I truly am confused as to when I should send off this DS-3032. I want to use the traditional methods and call NVC to see if they have gernreated it and then send it in, but I also see some others have just sent it in as soon as they got their case number and IIN.

I just don't know yet... still contemplating it.

Alright it's final.

Calling my wife right now to push the send button from India.

I already saved it as a draft to her inbox last night.

Alright - following your lead. Haven't been wrong so far.

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-08-04 09:48:00

On average how long did it take you guys to get your AOS bills invoiced?

Also, whats the verdict on sending out the DS-3032 e-mail? Should I wait a few more days or just send it on through...?

I am wondering the same. I've got the e-mail ready, just not sure when to hit send. What are you going to do Dave?

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-08-04 09:06:00

Just got my case number guys!!! I hope you all gets yours fast! :dance:

Mrs. Wells

Female

United Kingdom

2011-08-03 17:13:00