Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	NVC Filers - June 2014	We're in Brisbane and are in the AOS pending paid stage.   Where did you do the medical? Do you think we should get it done now?       My partner went for her Medical today in Brisbane, Australia.  We were lucky - they scheduled the exam for her even though we don't have our Case Complete email yet, nor our interview date.  Turns out all they wanted was her case number, so we could have gotten her exam done two months ago!   Anyway, I was surprised that they told her it would take seven days for the results, AND, she has to go back to their office to pick it up.  It takes us an hour-and-a-half train ride to get into Brisbane.   The receptionist said we could have it mailed to us for an extra $20, but firmly discouraged this method.   I, myself, think that $475 for an exam is an outrage, and having to go back to pick it up is too.  However, it is the last "tick" of the box prior to our interview, and for that, we are both thankful.   I see LifeOnHold got her CC email on June 9.  That means ours will probably come on June 11.  Sure wish we'd get that interview email, though!   I've not seen any interviews given in the last three working days at NVC...   Sukie	Olives24	Female	Australia	2014-06-10 02:00:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	NVC Filers - June 2014	I used myself for everything. I am overseas in Australia as well   Great, I just added myself and used my US address.    Woohoo! Aussie buddies	Olives24	Female	Australia	2014-06-09 20:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	NVC Filers - June 2014	Hey...I am living abroad with my spouse as well and I filled it out, using my US address for the first address they ask for (for correspondences) and then my Mexican address when they asked for my address.   Ok thats a good idea! Thanks for your reply. Getting the NVC docs was a great way to start my day. I can't wait!	Olives24	Female	Australia	2014-06-09 19:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	NVC Filers - June 2014	Hey Guys,    I'm currently choosing an agent. I live abroad with my husband and the site recommends having an agent that lives in the US. Should I use my mother as an agent or would it be fine if I assign myself with my foreign address.	Olives24	Female	Australia	2014-06-09 18:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	IV fee	I'm still waiting for the IV fee to appear as well. COME ON NVC!	Olives24	Female	Australia	2014-07-13 01:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	NVC Filers - July 2014	ours took 35 days after AOS   Hopefully ours arrives this week. Tomorrow makes it 35 business days...	Olives24	Female	Australia	2014-07-29 06:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	NVC Filers - July 2014	I'm still waiting on the invoice for IV fee. Has anyone been waiting several weeks as well? Le sigh....	Olives24	Female	Australia	2014-07-28 23:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	NVC Filers - July 2014	It's been 23 days since I completed my DS-261 and still no IV fee invoice	Olives24	Female	Australia	2014-07-01 19:00:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	NVC Filers - August 2014	You got it my friend. The clock starts ticking all over again.   That sucks so much! It should not be the case.	Olives24	Female	Australia	2014-08-27 02:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	NVC Filers - August 2014	It does restart the review clock, sadly. Another 60 calendar days.   That can't be! It's so silly for them to do that. Especially since the wait time has increased...	Olives24	Female	Australia	2014-08-26 16:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	NVC Filers - August 2014	Question, does a check list mean you need to wait the standard 30-60 business day review all over again? How much of a delay does it add?	Olives24	Female	Australia	2014-08-26 07:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	NVC Filers - August 2014	Best to email them at customer.services@acro.pnn.police.uk .They are quite good at responding back quickly.   Will do, thanks jsummer!	Olives24	Female	Australia	2014-08-15 06:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	NVC Filers - August 2014	On the ACRO website (http://www.acro.poli...rtificates.aspx) if you look at the english form, it mentions two things you might want to consider:   1- Premium Service (2 business days to print cert) - 80GBP (as opposed to 45GBP for standard 10 biz day service) 2- Optional International Courier Delivery - 48GBP which I assume gets you express delivery to Oz.   Personally, I would send the AOS now and wait until you have a complete package to send the IV.   Thanks! I think I might just send the AOS this week.    Question if I opted for the Premium Service and optional international courier delivery, does that mean it adds up to 128GBP? That's a lot of moolahh!	Olives24	Female	Australia	2014-08-15 03:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	NVC Filers - August 2014	I suspect NVC will issue an IV checklist for your UK PC if you don't send it in. Perhaps you can ask on the Oz forums here to see if anyone has chanced this before. I'm pretty sure you will easily find an Australian beneficiary who had lived in the UK previously.   When we sent in the application for my wife's UK PC, there was an option to pay a fee for express service. Have you looked into that?   I would definitely send in the AOS as soon as it is ready. No need to hold that up for your IV documents.   Good luck.   Thanks Stackeria! You're response has been super helpful. Yes we'll look into express service for the UK PC. I'll also enquire in the Australian/NZ forums about this.    Cheers,	Olives24	Female	Australia	2014-08-15 03:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	NVC Filers - August 2014	Sorry I posted this before but I don't think I got an answer. This thread moves FAST!    I'm currently prepping the AOS and IV packages to send together. We just discovered that we need an additional police certificate from UK since my husband lived there in 2001 - 2003.    The UK police check will take 3 weeks to arrive to us which would set us back.    Should we:  - Wait for the UK police check and send AOS and IV packages all at once?    OR    - Send AOS package now and wait for the additional police check to then send IV package separately?    The reason why we wanted to send both packages together is because mailing docs from Australia (I'm living abroad with my husband) is expensive!    If it's possible to just bring the UK police certificate to the interview when it's time that would be great! Don't know if it works that way....	Olives24	Female	Australia	2014-08-15 00:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	NVC Filers - August 2014	Hey Guys,    Would love your opinion on something:    I'm currently prepping the AOS and IV packages to send together. We just discovered that we need an additional police certificate from UK since my husband lived there in 2001 - 2003.    The UK police check will take 3 weeks to arrive to us which would set us back.    Should we:  - Wait for the UK police check and send AOS and IV packages all at once?    OR    - Send AOS package now and wait for the additional police check to then send IV package separately?    The reason why we wanted to send both packages together is because mailing docs from Australia (I'm living abroad with my husband) is expensive!    Thanks for reading friends. This forums has been a God send!	Olives24	Female	Australia	2014-08-14 18:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	NVC Filers - August 2014	Woohoo! IV Fee updated on our case and I paid it! I can finally complete my AOS and IV package in the next few days and send them to the NVC.   Congratulations! I hope I can pay the fee soon too!       I think they are finally getting through them. I hope you get your soon as well.	Olives24	Female	Australia	2014-08-13 03:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	NVC Filers - August 2014	Woohoo! IV Fee updated on our case and I paid it! I can finally complete my AOS and IV package in the next few days and send them to the NVC.   Woohoo! IV Fee updated on our case and I paid it! I can finally complete my AOS and IV package in the next few days and send them to the NVC.	Olives24	Female	Australia	2014-08-13 02:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	NVC Filers - August 2014	Just woke up to find my IV Fee invoice in my inbox! What a great surprise. Now I'm just waiting for it to update on the website and I'll pay it right away.    So for those who are waiting for their DS-261 to be accepted and for their IV fee invoice, just keep calling them.    Now on to the next phase.	Olives24	Female	Australia	2014-08-12 15:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	NVC Filers - August 2014	Called the NVC and they informed me that my IV Fee should be invoiced either this week or next week. I hope this is right.    Fingers crossed!	Olives24	Female	Australia	2014-08-12 07:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	NVC Filers - August 2014	Just check my IV Fee status and it looks like it's change from not invoiced to "total amount selected" 0.00 and no name or checkbox is featured.   Wondering if this is a site glitch or if they are working on it finally?	Olives24	Female	Australia	2014-08-09 20:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	NVC Filers - August 2014	Wait, have people sent in their IV packages before getting invoiced? Did I miss read that?    I'm still waiting for my IV Fee to be invoiced.....	Olives24	Female	Australia	2014-08-07 23:37:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	Moving to the UK for husband's job	Thank u so much for your replies! First I would appreciate if u guys don't refer to me as she/her. I'm a married male on a same sex marriage, that's why I say "husband" :-) Now that a side LOL Staying here and going to visit my husband back and forward it is not an option for me, I just don't see having that type of life style a be a part (I can't barely go on vacation or deal with been separated for more than 2 weeks) Doesn't work for me. And I didn't marry him just for the sake of immigration purposes. That's why I wouldn't care if it takes longer for me to become a citizen. That is not my priority. I want to be informed and have things taking care of ahead of time so we don't run into the problem of having to be separated because we didn't do things on time (like me not been aloud to come back into the states) I have also been investigating myself and there is this special situations for naturalization ahead of time as a CPR without having to remove conditions if your us citizen spouse works abroad http://www.uscis.gov...G-Chapter5.html (and this is not only for people working for the government or in the military) I think I'm gonna have to go to an attorney anyways and ask more details just to make sure of all the options I may have. If u guys know of anyone in a similar situation or more information it would be gladly appreciate it	Ang3lus	Not Telling	Peru	2014-06-11 15:29:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	Moving to the UK for husband's job	Hi a have a situation coming up and I'm not sure what my options are. I got my "temporary" green card on December 2013 and I will need to remove the conditions around September 2015. The problem that I'm about to have is that my husband got offered an amazing transfer position in London by late 2014, and it will be at least for 2-3 years before we come to the states. This opportunity It is too good to pass, and no way I would let him go without me that is just not an option! Is there anything I can do to remove conditions from abroad? I know I can get advance parole so I can come in and out of the states in case it is need it, only for 2 years and I may expired before we have to return. Should I travel back into the USA every now and then to not be outside for too long? Should I come for a little while (couple months) on the time that I have to remove conditions? Should I just let it expired and reapply to the i485 form process and since we will be married more than 2 years I will just get the green card with no restrictions, and if I do this would it be a problem that I had it before and "abandoned" it? I'm very confused, and honestly don't know what route to take. I'm thinking on asking a lawyer, but we all know that we can all find most answer and do most things without them :-)	Ang3lus	Not Telling	Peru	2014-06-11 10:46:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	Moving States During Process	It shouldn't matter as long as you successfully change your address and they know you have a pending application, so your card doesn't get mailed to the wrong place. The areas are just to balance out the workload. For citizenship , it does matter because there is a requirement that you live in the district of your local office for at least 3 months before you can apply. So say you moved to NY about the time you would be applying for citizenship. You would have to live there 3 months before mailing your application. Good to know, thanks!	gap1	Female	United Kingdom	2013-03-27 15:19:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	Moving States During Process	Hello- My husband and I have just entered the Removal of Conditions phase (our 90 day window has just started), and are submitting our packet next week to the CSC (we currently live in Illinois). We may have to move to New York for a new job opportunity during the time it takes for our application to be processed. Since NY applicants are handled via the VSC and Illinois applicants the CSC, do you think this would cause a problem? I assume it only matters where you live when you file, as long as we submit a change of address form. Does anyone have experience with this?	gap1	Female	United Kingdom	2013-03-27 10:27:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	Forgot W2's with tax returns	I didn't know W2s were a must, it doesn't say anything about them as required on the I-751 instructions. If you provide a bunch of other evidence showing commingled finances, should it matter? I sent about 30 pages worth of stuff...	gap1	Female	United Kingdom	2013-04-15 09:22:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	Forgot W2's with tax returns	#######, I didn't send W2s with mine either....didn't know that was a requirement. I sent it with a bunch of other evidence, will W2s really matter?	gap1	Female	United Kingdom	2013-04-15 06:57:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	To Those Who Got RFEs	You should include more bank statements. The golden rule is one statement for every calendar quarter for the entire period of marriage. Thanks, will do. I forgot to mention I also have 3 affidavits from friends.	gap1	Female	United Kingdom	2013-04-02 07:19:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	To Those Who Got RFEs	We're about ready to send off our packet. I'm including the following evidence of relationship, do you think this is sufficient? -Jointly filed federal and state tax returns for 2011 and 2012 -Apartment leases for 2011-present -Official letter from my workplace showing my husband as my beneficiary -Official letter from my husband's workplace showing me as his medical insurance dependent -Scan of husband's drivers license with current address -Copy of electric bill with my name/address on it, copy of gas bill with his name/address -Copies of joint checking account statements (one in 2011, one in 2012) -Copy of renter's insurance policy in both of our names -Copies of flight itineraries from various vacations taken together since marriage -5-10 photos of vacations together	gap1	Female	United Kingdom	2013-04-01 09:53:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	Affidavit of Friends	#######, I didn't read anything about the affidavits needing to be notarized. I didn't notarize them. Ah well.	gap1	Female	United Kingdom	2013-04-21 19:40:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	RFE: "Commingling of finances" - Not enough bank statements?	Not sure why my formatting did that! Sorry! ^^	gap1	Female	United Kingdom	2013-05-02 19:24:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	RFE: "Commingling of finances" - Not enough bank statements?	Hi Everyone...   I got an RFE today basically telling me that I don't have enough proof that we are financially commingled (silly word). I understand that it may be my fault that I didn't send enough bank statements for the entire length of our marriage, but I honestly didn't think it was necessary to send ALL of them because I thought the rest of what I sent was pretty good.     The only thing I can think to do is send them all of our bank statements and loan statements for the 3 years of our marriage, but it seems like so little that I'm scared it won't be enough! Is there anything else anyone can advise? We don't have kids, own any kind of property, or have any joint credit cards (they're all in individual names).     Please note, this is what I sent them originally: - joint tax return transcripts - apartment lease with both names - two utilities bills, one in his name and one in mine (they won't let us put two names), but with the same address - our car title showing both our names - 3 bank statements for one of our accounts spread out over 2 years - 2 bank statements for our newer bank account spread out over 1 year     They did note twice on their list of what they have that "this statement covers a limited period of time during your marriage."     Thanks for all your help!     Oh man. If they gave you an RFE then we're really screwed. I pretty much gave them exactly what you did, only we don't own a car.   Edited by gap1, 02 May 2013 - 07:24 PM.	gap1	Female	United Kingdom	2013-05-02 19:21:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	ROC with no bills/rental lease in both our names	No offense taken. We did do our research and discussed adding my name to the bills but then decided not to do joint bills for various reasons. I think we do have a fairly well-rounded package of documents, and honestly don't think I would be as worried right now if not for what seems like a recent slew of RFEs for I-751 applications.   We also thought long and hard about the joint bills/accounts issue in relation to credit history. I spent days.. if not weeks, researching and reading everything I could about building credit history. I learnt that having bills in your name actually does nothing to help build credit but can hurt your credit score if you forget to pay something on time. Basically having bills does nothing, paying on time does nothing, however, NOT paying on time will result in a late payment or collection placed on your credit history which will affect your credit score. The easiest and best way to kick start your credit history and score as a recent immigrant or anyone without any credit history is to be added as a joint account holder on someone's credit card (especially helpful if said person has a fairly good credit history and score).   Just like non-international couples, everyone has their reasons for doing things a certain way. Not every decision we make is based solely on immigration procedures.   Regardless, we've made our (proverbial) bed and we'll sleep in it when the time comes.   That's not true at all. While yes, if you pay bills late it hurts your credit, but if you don't have a credit history (nothing in your name) it's almost the same as bad credit. My husband had excellent credit in the  UK, but when he moved here it was wiped clean so they wouldn't accept him on his own for cellphone accounts, electric bills, credit cards, etc. It wasn't until we found a Capital One card that specialized in new immigrants that he was able to build up his credit.   While it would be lovely for every decision to not be based on immigration procedures, we are all immigrant couples that would not be allowed to live our lives if it weren't for said procedures going through. Unfortunately, we have to think about these things in order for the  next chapter in our marriage to be allowed to go on.   Anyway, as you said, every couple makes their decisions for valid reasons, so I really do wish you the best. I'm sure you'll end up perfectly fine and approved. Good luck!	gap1	Female	United Kingdom	2013-05-04 09:45:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	ROC with no bills/rental lease in both our names	I'm sorry, but I find it difficult to understand how people get into this situation. First of all, when you research this whole process, the first thing it tells you is that you should have joint documents. Also, you know you're going to have to do this process a million more times after the wedding from day one.   Even if you're lucky enough to have in-laws that pay for housing, etc, how can your foreign spouse build their credit in America? Your credit gets wiped clean when you move countries. The first thing I did was put my husband's name on as many bills as possible, not only to prove that we were married, but so he could start to build his credit in a new country.   Sorry, not trying to make you feel bad or anything, I'm just genuinely baffled how this situation could happen. Edited by gap1, 02 May 2013 - 07:19 PM.	gap1	Female	United Kingdom	2013-05-02 19:18:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	Forgot to Remove Condition on my Permanent Resident card	I don't think it's panicked board members as much as the I-751 form instructions specifically state they will begin removal proceedings against the applicant immediately if the removal of conditions are not filed in the 90 day window. The instructions themselves are very matter of fact.	gap1	Female	United Kingdom	2013-05-05 13:17:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	Forgot to Remove Condition on my Permanent Resident card	How did this even happen in the first place? I mean, your status is extremely important. Did you just file your temporary green card away somewhere and think "Well, I'm done, I'm a citizen now, no need to take any further action?". Did you not do any research whatsoever on the process?	gap1	Female	United Kingdom	2013-05-05 12:39:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	RFE questions	Now I'm getting worried. I was pretty confident until reading this thread! No idea if they'll accept us on the first submission, but I printed out two bank statements from our joint checking account (one per year of marriage). I then highlighted all of the joint bills coming out of the account per month and wrote down a key (ie name of cell phone provider, name of electric company) so they knew which was which. I also provided utility statements in each of our names showing the same address, renter's insurance policy with our address, leases with both names in the last 2.5 years, etc. That, in addition to insurance beneficiary statements from both workplaces, 2 years of jointly filed state and federal taxes (no W2s though, dammit), 3 sworn affidavits from friends, vacation flight itineraries, and photos from vacations (including ones with each other's families). We don't own a car, property or have kids. Hopefully I don't get an RFE! Edited by gap1, 16 April 2013 - 05:13 PM.	gap1	Female	United Kingdom	2013-04-16 17:12:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	RFE questions	i thought life insurance, 401 k, car loan are enough for to prove finances join, as for share residence, i thought the anddress on our driver lience is the same which show that we live together. ( i was wrong) Well who knows! I submitted a bunch of stuff, but it's just as likely they'll RFE us for something. Maybe I didn't send ENOUGH checking account statements, or maybe I didn't submit enough photos....you just never know with them. It's ridiculous.	gap1	Female	United Kingdom	2013-04-16 12:14:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	RFE questions	Sorry to say this but looks like you guys didn't prepare for this. Having both of your names on the deed is a MUST. Having joint credit cards/ checking accounts is a MUST. Anyhow, at this point, try to gather as much as you can. If you open a joint account now then it will look fake. I would suggest you get a lawyer and see if he/she can suggest something. I think its easy to add ur spouses name to the deed (no need to refinance)but just make sure with a lawyer if its okay to add it now or if it will look bad that u r doing it after getting the RFE. The USCIS wnats to see a lott of inter mingling of assets. They want to see that you trust each other with your money. Otherwise they won't be able to differentiate between a fake or a real marriage. Anyone who is in a fake marriage can get an apartment together (live as roommates) and take trips together and take lot of pictures. The only thing thats going to separate ur real marriage from a fake one is if they see that u trust each other with ur money. Not to pour salt in your wound or anything Bearstory, but I completely agree with usagirl. Did you not research ahead when you started the immigration process? It clearly states that during the ROC process, you will have to show proof of sharing a residence and finances. The first thing I started doing (not only for paperwork reasons, but also to help my husband build up his credit in the States) was add his name to everything the moment he moved here. I totally understand where you're coming from on the shared finances thing, so all we do is have a joint checking account for bills only. We tally up who owes what and deposit our halves into that account, then set up auto bill pay for all bills to come out of it. We still keep all other finances separate. Edited by gap1, 16 April 2013 - 11:09 AM.	gap1	Female	United Kingdom	2013-04-16 11:08:00