biggish data

NVC clarification (US Embassy in New Delhi, India)

Hi everyone -

We are approaching 3 months since we first filed the I-130 through the CSC for a CR-1 visa. While we are getting ready for the NVC, there are a few things we would like to have clarification on. We would be interviewing at the US embassy in New Delhi, India. I am the US citizen.

So I am clear about the DS-3032, the IV fee bill and the AOS. However my confusion is related to the DS-230. Do we need to complete both parts 1 and 2 (part 2 not signed, though still completed) and send them to the NVC? I have checked out the New Delhi US embassy's website and they indicate that they send out packets 3 and 4, which has the DS-230, so does it need to be sent to the NVC as well (if it is going to be sent by embassy to the beneficiary)?

Also, the other documents like PCC, birth certificates, marriage certificates etc - just to so I am understanding this correctly, even though the NVC already has the original marriage certificate, we still to send it another one? And for the PCC, birth certificates, do we need to send them to the NVC, or to the embassy?

I am sorry for all this mess, as you can tell, we are a little confused. I guess the gist of this is - what goes to the NVC and what goes to the embassy?

Many thanks..

Complete both parts of the DS-230, but sign only part 1. You will need to send this to NVC as part of your DS-230 packet after paying the IV fee. All civil documents you send to NVC have to be an original or a certified copy. You did not need to send your original marriage certificate with your I-130 petition, but since you did, they might not need another one at NVC. Not completely sure about this.

Also, if you don't already know about the LingChe NVC shortcut, now is a good time to have a look. We found it very helpful as a quick reference/refresher guide.

Good luck!

caly

Female

Singapore

2011-10-02 22:02:00

I have sponsors

haha "really paranoid" ... I hope i qualify as just slightly, but these forms stress me out! thanks for the help. sure i will have more questions as time goes on.

No problem at all! That's what the VJ community is here for.

I am quite a detail-oriented perfectionist who was "really paranoid" when filling out the paperwork for our CR-1 submission. Drove my husband insane because I made him check and re-check the papers countless times to ensure we didn't miss anything. :whistle:

Good luck on the rest of your journey. :thumbs:

caly

Female

Singapore

2012-12-14 09:15:00

I have sponsors

I would include the current income (converted into USD) if I were you, as the form asks specifically about current income. Whether or not it qualifies is for them to decide.. even though we already know what they will decide. :hehe:

If you are really paranoid, it can't hurt to include a short letter explaining why you fill it out that way.

If you want to go one step further, bring a spare I-864 to the interview in case the IO wants you to fill it out differently.

caly

Female

Singapore

2012-12-14 08:32:00

I have sponsors

You (the USC) are the primary sponsor regardless of whether you are able to meet the requirements or not. You will have to submit a signed I-864 (which will ask about current income) along with the required documents at NVC.

caly

Female

Singapore

2012-12-13 14:27:00

I-864 vs. I-864ez

You seem to meet all 3 of the requirements for using the 864EZ (assuming only one person is listed on each petition) so I believe you can use the I-864EZ.

Edited by caly, 04 January 2013 - 09:22 PM.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-01-04 21:19:00

NVC....IV DS-230 documents

Looks good to me too. Just make sure the passport photos have your NVC case number as well as his full name and date of birth written lightly on the back of them before sending out the package.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-05-02 16:12:00

K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures

The K3 VISA is DEAD? are you sure about that?

Yeah but the definition of "intent" is not as clear as it may seem. A lot of people are successful in adjusting from tourist visa or even VWP. I think for the OP it's worth researching this process. I'm not saying that's what he should do, but he should look into it.

I agree with you that it's good to know all your options. But I also feel it's always best to highlight the potential risks (which, in this case, I personally feel aren't worth it for the short term satisfaction of being together).

Edited by caly, 27 January 2012 - 10:00 AM.

caly

Female

Singapore

2012-01-27 09:59:00

K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures

The K3 VISA is DEAD? are you sure about that?

From my knowledge, coming to the US on a tourist visa with the intent to adjust status is considered immigration fraud and can result in a life-time ban.

Your best bet is the CR-1/IR-1 route.

caly

Female

Singapore

2012-01-27 09:32:00

US Citizenship General Discussion

Tax transcript

You should send it all.

Hello,

I received my tax transcript, but for each year, it's around 8-10 pages, it seems me.
Do i need to send all those papers or can i just send the first pages with my name and husband name, and the notation "joint..."

thank you

caly

Female

Singapore

2011-08-17 15:08:00

US Citizenship General Discussion

When to apply for citizenship

You can use this to figure out the exact date.

Filing Date Calculator from USCIS

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-01-13 15:41:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

90 days window

Yes, you can submit your ROC paperwork.

caly

Female

Singapore

2011-09-06 02:52:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

It is the federal prison in Kansas. I spent 21 years in eastern Kansas and it is hot and humid in the summer. I would end up there after assaulting a federal worker--i.e. the USCIS person doing our ROC interview if we have one. That has been my biggest fear during this whole process--that I would lose my temper because some fedearl work was being a complete jerk.

Hoping for no interview.

Dave

caly

Female

Singapore

2012-12-19 09:56:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

I am the USC so I have been here my entire life. My wife has been here two years next week. We get to file for ROC end of February 2013 and begin the waiting again. I have not heard of any denials, but there have been some people who have had bumps during this process and had to appeal a denial, but it was over turned in the end. My fear is that we have another interview and some youngish person whose own marriage could not stand up to this scrunity tells me that my marriage is not legit. I really hate Leavenworth especially in the summer .

Good luck,

Dave

This, exactly! :angry:

caly

Female

Singapore

2012-12-15 09:44:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

HI Dave,
Thank you for your reply.

Tel me about it, i had to wait a whole year to get the visa in the start, but it was worth it in the end. How long have you been here?

Dave & Caly,
Has anyone ever been denied ?

I've been here a little over a year now (arrived mid Nov 2011). ROC denials are very rare (if they even exist! haven't heard of a case like this yet) in straight forward cases. Some immigrants who have since divorced and had a difficult time proving bonafide marriage have been denied though.

Even though I know this rationally, can't help but worry about it. :wacko:

caly

Female

Singapore

2012-12-14 13:24:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

Gosh im nervouse already

Same here! My husband thinks I'm nuts for even worrying about this now (we can't file till 2013

)! Can't help it, I'm a worrier. :hehe:

We have a very solid marriage, but just thinking about the paperwork and another long wait for them to decide our fate is stressful.

Start here: http://www.visajourn...ontent/751guide

caly

Female

Singapore

2012-12-14 11:54:00

stressin

Happy waiting! I hear it's taking a really long time to adjudicate ROC applications. But at least your wife is already here, right?

Also,

when you've sent off your application!

Good luck!

Edited by caly, 31 December 2012 - 07:53 PM.

caly

Female

Singapore

2012-12-31 19:52:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

stressin

I have to do the Adjustment of status for my wife, and I am stressed and concerned here green card expires in april so I need to get it done. so my concerns are
1. You have to file 90 days before the expiration of the cards OR before the 90 days comes?

2 Affidavits- we just relocated to Georgia from Montana and have no one here that has known us since our marriage the only people that do are from MT, is this an issue?

3. how to make it though this, the other visas almost did me in and im not sure i can handle all the stress again....

I'm guessing you mean removing conditions and not adjusting status since there is a already a green card involved.

1. You have to file within the 90 days before the expiration date. Don't file before your window opens or they will not accept your application.

2. This is not an issue.

3. I have not heard of any denials for removal of condition applications that are based upon a good marriage. Relax!

you have to file before the 90 days comes.

Not true. File WITHIN the 90 day period (earlier is better).

caly

Female

Singapore

2012-12-31 12:30:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

question on ROC

After filing for ROC, you'll receive an extension letter that states that your permanent residency has been extended for the year. You can use this extension letter and your expired green card to travel.

The stamp in question is a temporary I-1551 stamp like the one you get when you enter the US on the spousal visa that proves your legal status before your green card arrives in the mail.

The people talking about the stamp in the passport are worried of issues in the the foreign country pertaining to the acceptance of this extension letter as an official letter enabling the LPR to board a plane to return to the US. Most people would only worry about getting the stamp if their extension letter is about to expire and their ROC case is still pending.

Edited by caly, 04 January 2013 - 12:00 PM.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-01-04 11:58:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

renewal of green card by febraury 2013

If you ARE divorced, you were supposed to file to remove conditions ASAP after divorcing. If you ARE divorced, you need to file the ROC and you should probably call USCIS and explain your mistake and ask for advice. Again...only if you already ARE divorced.

ROC = Removal of conditions. You were a conditional LPR upon adjusting status. You now have to file to remove conditions in order to get your 10-year green card. Since you are divorced, you will have to file your removal of conditions paperwork with a divorce waiver (meaning you will not be filing jointly). You will need your divorce decree as well as evidence that the marriage was entered into in good faith.

USCIS number: 1 (800) 375-5283

Hours of Operation
Customers can access automated information through a menu of automated options 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. During regular business hours, customers who need more information or assistance can be transferred to a customer service representative.

Live assistance is available Monday through Friday as follows:

Customers calling from Alaska: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time;
Customers calling from Hawaii: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM local time;
Customers calling from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM local time;
Customers calling from anywhere else in the United States: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM local time.
In Guam, live assistance is available Tuesday through Saturday, 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM local time.

The best times to call the NCSC for personal assistance are Tuesday through Friday.

Edited by caly, 08 January 2013 - 11:53 AM.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-01-08 11:44:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

Post office hasn't delivered by I751 package

Yes. I plan on giving you screenshot by screenshot update for the next few hours.

Glad it's making its way there. :thumbs:

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-01-16 13:03:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

When Exactly to Apply ROC,

You can apply (no earlier than) 90 days before the 2-year anniversary of the date 'resident since' on your Green Card.
I hope I wrote that correctly
If not, that will be corrected by more experienced (and eloquent) users.

Correct. This is also the 90 days before the 2 year green card expires as GodsGift225 has mentioned above.

Here's the USCIS filing date calculator: http://www.uscis.gov...Calculator.html

Just input your green card expiration date in the space and it will give you the date your ROC window opens.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-01-18 10:25:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

removal of conditions advice

You can legally stay in the US up until your conditional green card expires. If you are sure that your husband's Canadian immigration paperwork will be ready before that date (or you wouldn't mind moving ahead of your husband) then there is no need to file for Removal of Conditions.

As mentioned above, you should surrender your green card when you leave. This will tie up all loose ends.

Good luck with the move back home!

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-01-20 18:14:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

Enough Evidence for my Removal of Conditions?

Part 3 of the new form looks like it's asking about the USC spouse.

You have a lot of documents with both of your names on them.

If you are looking for more stuff to add to your pile, I can think of travel itineraries, passport entry stamps, joint credit cards/membership cards and joint health insurance cards if you have any of those things. Good luck!

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-05-03 16:58:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

Worried we don't ahve enough evidence...

I have money that is stuck in my RRSP's in Canada that I cannot touch until retirement age. I have my husband listed as the sole beneficiary for these. Should I send statements from these accounts as extra evidence? My only worry is that they are Canadian accounts, and have my parents CANADIAN mailing address listed on them. I don't know if this will hurt us or help us.

Don't see how that could be a problem. It may be an overseas account, but it's still your money and your husband is the beneficiary on it.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-05-04 15:59:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

Worried we don't ahve enough evidence...

Humm... Are you able to access your transaction logs for your personal bank accounts? I can view my transaction logs on my ebanking portal going back to when I first opened the account in Feb last year.

If yes, you can print those out and maybe highlight the transactions that show movement of money between each other's accounts. We're planning to include ours as we didn't have a joint bank account until very recently.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-05-04 14:21:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

Thanks for the info, Vishnya! Congrats again on your approval.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-05-07 11:57:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

Thanks everybody!! Just receiver the approval letter!! As I said we did not have any bank accounts, bills or lease agreement! But we had other documents that showed our marriage is real! RFE - send anything that may prove your marriage! not only well known document could work, but gym card,statements, costco membership, any papers where you or your spouse claims as married. Good luck! P.S the cover letter is also very important!!!

Hooray!

Did you explain why you didn't have joint accounts, bills, etc. in your cover letter? Could you perhaps copy your cover letter here?

I drafted a cover letter for our application a couple of days ago. In it, I included a very brief paragraph saying that although we do not have joint utility bills, we have included many other forms of financial (and other) evidence showing we lead joint lives as a happily married couple.

Do you think this will be helpful? Or should I not draw attention to the lack of bills?

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-05-07 10:11:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

We were able to get GEICO to email us a copy of all our past Policy Declaration pages (Thanks, bigdog!)

I've also updated my evidence list slightly based on all the feedback we've gotten. The bolded portions are where I've made changes.

Sorry about the weird formatting. I played with it for a good long time and this was the best I could manage.

Evidence of joint residence/co-mingling:
·         Dave's drivers license and my state ID showing the same address ~~(the address on his DL is handwritten though because he was living at a different address when it was issued and his license isn't up for renewal for another 6 years)~~ [we will be getting his license replaced so they will show the same address]
·         National Fuel Receipt of Advice (Oct 2012) for when we had a gas leak and they had to turn off the gas. Hubby's name is listed as the customer, our landlord is listed as the owner of the house and my name and signature is on it (as his wife) since I was the one who let the National Fuel guy in.
·         Joint bank account statements (from Dec 31st 2012 - present)
·         Print-outs of our transaction history logs for our personal bank accounts with fund transfers to each other highlighted
·         My name listed as the primary beneficiary on his cash deposits, retirement accounts and life insurance policy
·         His name listed as the primary beneficiary on my life insurance policy [I'll be submitting my beneficiary nomination form in the next 2 weeks or so]
·         Our joint credit cards
·         Our health insurance cards with both our names on it
·         Bi-annual dentist bills with both names showing we use the health insurance regularly [For now, I've only been able to find the bill for Sep 2012 and Apr 2013. There should be one more for Feb 2012, but it's either misfiled, or got shredded. Will see if the dentist can print us a copy.]
·         Joint car insurance (march 2011 ? present)
·         Joint Annual renters insurance (June 30 2012 - present... so we'll have two of these as we'll need to renew our policy next month)
·         IRS Tax transcripts for 2011, 2012 filing jointly
·         Mail showing joint address

IRS Tax refund notices for 2011 (one for each of us)
Dave?s Salary notice
3 of my Paychecks
Fingerprint clearance approval notice (Oct 2012) from the NYS Education Department
Letter from our health insurance (feb 2012) informing me that there is a pre-existing condition exclusion for my coverage in effect from Dec 2011 ? Dec 2012
A wedding invitation from a friend of mine addressed to both of us at our address
Cards from his parents addressed to both of us with our address on it

Trips taken together (boarding passes, travel itineraries, passport entry stamps, receipts etc):
·         Singapore - Germany - JFK (Nov 2011)
·         Singapore, Japan & Indonesia (Nov 2012)

Affidavits:
·         Dave's parents who we have dinner with at their house every 3-4 weeks plus holidays like birthdays,christmas, thanksgiving etc.. We also helped them move over a period of 3 days last summer.
·         A colleague of Dave's who we also consider to be a friend.
·         Our landlord

Other stuff:
·         A couple of emails I have exchanged with Dave's sister (dated 14-16 feb 2012)
·         Dec 2012 concert tickets [These have my sister?s name on them as she bought them as a Christmas present for us. I will be including chat logs that cover us needing Dave?s photo ID to pick them up at the box office and our concert experience]

Photographs
·         Family photos taken by Dave's father when we are over at their house on special holidays
·         A couple of photos from a work event we attended together
·         A few photos from our trip in Nov 2012 of us at a temple in Japan and with my friends and family

Feeling better and better about this. We also still have some time to think about and work on other things to include.

Edited by caly, 03 May 2013 - 02:38 PM.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-05-03 14:36:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

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.

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.

Edited by caly, 03 May 2013 - 11:14 AM.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-05-03 11:12:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

You seem to have a good selection of documents, one way my husband and I overcame the address issue on the driver's license was to include the car registration documents from the DMV because they come from a 3rd party source and it shows that we clearly changed our addresses even though it may not show it on the license. I also included other documents that shows that we are sharing the same residence and in my humble opinion, the more official these are the better. For example, I've included our Social Security statements and his jury duty summons to show we're at the same address.

Cheers

The only really official mail that I can think of that has my name on it so far (aside from bank statements and the tax refund document I already listed) are paychecks from occasionally subbing at the school where Dave works and my employment letter from the school after clearing their security checks.

Including the car registration document sounds like a great idea.. I would have never have even thought to do that. Thanks for the idea.

Hi, my husband and I had to do an RFE. I'm not sure exactly why, but I'm thinking it's because I didn't take his last name when we married. I don't know why they wanted more info.

Anyway, we also don't have any bills in both of our names, or any rental agreement. I am the primary "breadwinner" between the two of us, so I also just go ahead and manage all of the bill paying. He could certainly be on the bills if he wanted to, but it's just easier for me to pay them (online banking), so I just do it (though if I had thought more carefully about it I would have added him so that we would have this sort of evidence for the ROC). Also, I owned my - now our - home before we had even met, so we didn't buy it together, and only I am on the title.

So for the RFE this is what I provided:

Joint checking/savings accounts

Evidence from my work that he is my spouse for health insurance

A printout showing that he is the primary beneficiary for my retirement accounts

Tax transcripts AND a photocopy of our tax return for the last 3 years showing we filed jointly

Letters and emails addressed to both of us

The licence for our dog showing that we both own him (no kids!)

Drivers licenses showing our address

Itineraries for trips we took together

Photos of us together w/ family and friends

The immigration officers just want you to make a credible case that you are in a bona fide marriage, with whatever accompanying documentation you have to add weight to it.

We just got the letter today saying he was approved!

Yay! Congratulations! Both of you must be over the moon right now.

I actually didn't take my husband's last name either. Feeling a whole lot better hearing that someone else who lacked the same kinds of evidence we do didn't have too much trouble with ROC. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment!

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-05-02 16:35:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

I did not see any major issues with your evidence and it is well rounded, or you at least can articulate why it is the way it is. You can probably print out a Policy Declaration sheet called a DEC sheet from Geico, how about AAA, and Costco etc. I know VJ mentions the address on the DL, changing the address is good for emergency reasons and trying to get home with LE or FD blocking access to your home. Our addresses are different due to my employment; I made a note of it on my cover sheet. Being out of your home country causes challenges to information and account changing. My wife has not changed anything overseas and we are in the process of finishing up a new trust. Her passport, homes in China are still in her maiden name and will not be changed. Most of the people with issues appear to be lacking supportive information to prove up their cases. I posted a thread about ROC RFE's on this earlier today, glad it was just not me who noticed issues.

.

Thanks for your input. I saw your thread right after I had posted this one and thought it was very sound advice indeed!

After seeing post after post about people getting RFE'd for more proof of financial co-mingling and large majority of responders advising providing joint bank account statements and jointly held bills for the full duration of conditional residence, I couldn't help but start getting a bit nervous since we don't have those items.

We will definitely look into getting the DEC sheet from Geico. We're not AAA members and unfortunately no Costco near us (oh what my husband would give to have a Costco open up here! ) The only membership thing we have is to BJ's and it's a discounted plan from Dave's work that won't issue more than 1 card for each account, so that's not helpful for this.

Changes to my account information back home are thankfully not too impossible.

Once again, I appreciate your taking the time to respond.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-05-01 15:38:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

Have you both made wills with the other as beneficiary?

No, we have not. but we've discussed it following a recent medical emergency. Perhaps we should just get it done. Thanks for the idea!

I know that it takes time to change information, I have been married 4 months, and I still do one change every two weeks. He can change his driver's license, he can submit a change of address and pay a fee to make it the same.

I know, right? It's seems like I'm constantly finding something I forgot to update/or need to update. Especially banking and insurance information back home, which are less easy to do from overseas!

We've talked about it, but hubby is reluctant to spend the $17.50 to replace his driver's license. His rationale is that the handwritten address is a permanent change and he would get into trouble for faking it, so it's not exactly unofficial. And it's not like you can write and erase your amended address at will. But I'm sure if I insist, he will order the replacement. We'll look into it. Thanks.

Edited by caly, 01 May 2013 - 12:46 PM.

caly

Female

Singapore

2013-05-01 12:45:00