biggish data

Filing I-129F while living abroad

Are you using a check or money order?

We filled from abroad, my fiance's mom sent us a check payable to DHS and with the amount of 340$ and we had no problems with the fee.

We are attempting to get a money order drawn in US currency. If it all is supposed to be made out to U.S. Department of Homeland Security, thats fine I just don't know what the instructions are as the embassy didn't tell me when I called.

ams2121

Female

Ireland

2013-05-09 08:37:00

Filing I-129F while living abroad

You need to read the I-129f instructions: http://www.uscis.gov...i-129finstr.pdf

it says there on page 4:

"Make the check or money order payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security"

Do not write "USDHS" or "DHS" !!!!

Thanks cazzers. What I am trying to find out is what the instructions are if filing from abroad. On the instructions it says what I have quoted above with regards to contacting the embassy. They were no help on this matter.

ams2121

Female

Ireland

2013-05-09 08:31:00

Filing I-129F while living abroad

Can anyone tell me who they made their filing fee check out to?

The USCIS website says:

"If you live outside the United States or its territories, and are filing your application or petition where you live, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate for instructions on the method of payment."

Is it just "Department of Homeland Security"?

Thanks in advance.

Sasha

ams2121

Female

Ireland

2013-05-09 06:34:00

Middle Name wrong on initial I129F documents

Hello VJers,

When I initially filed the I129F paperwork, I filed my fiance's child's name incorrectly. I corrected the spelling with the paperwork to the US Embassy. Do you think this is going to cause us any problems? His interview is next month at the Embassy.

Thanks.

What was the outcome of this? I just realized that the I-129f petition I filed has the wrong middle name for my fiance. I thought it was his father's name which is Joseph, but its actually John.

ams2121

Female

Ireland

2013-08-24 05:29:00

Arrgh no wonder it keeps telling me I'm not entering enough digits lol. Thanks for your help! I tried it now and it works

WOW NOA2 in 2 months! Now that was fast Congratulations and best of luck to you and your fiance!

Glad I could help.

Yeah, I was happy it was relatively quick to our approval. Hang in there, yours will come

ams2121

Female

Ireland

2013-09-04 04:14:00

I'm trying to get a hold of a customer service representative right now but all I hear is that automated response. it asks for the receipt number but it always says i didn't enter enough digits. i swear i'm punching in 10 numbers! i just want to make corrections before we even get an RFE

You need to make sure you are using the numbers on your telephone keypad that correspond with the 3 letters in fron of your receipt number for example mine was: WACxxxxxx9949, so I had to type in 922 (WAC) and then my 10 digit receipt number.

Not an issue. Calling to USCIS is useless since they have not means to match your conversation with your petition package.

Send a corrected form IF you get an RFE. Otherwise, send a corrected form to the interview.

Funny enough the same night that I made the phone call to the USCIS I got my NOA2, so like you said we will be correcting this at interview stage since we didn't get a RFE.

ams2121

Female

Ireland

2013-09-04 03:42:00

Just in case anyone needs an answer to my question above.

I called USCIS today and they instructed me to send in a cover letter explaining what needs to be amended, along with a copy of our NOA1 we received as well as a copy of the birth certificate.

ams2121

Female

Ireland

2013-08-26 15:15:00

Hi Everyone. Looking for anyone that can offer advice. I have filed my mine and my fiance's I-129f (as well as G-325 etc) form with the wrong middle name for the beneficiary. I thought all along his middle name was his fathers name (Joseph) but then when we received the full birth certificate its actually John. I am still in initial review waiting for my NOA2 so I am not sure what the best thing to do is?

I have read other threads on VJ about the middle name being spelled incorrectly etc, but the advice has been mixed. Some people say to call the USCIS right away and explain the "typo" and others have said to just wait until the interview stage and have it corrected then.

Any advice?

ams2121

Female

Ireland

2013-08-24 07:24:00

Can you change job ??

Hi Guys,

Just a quick question,

My k1 visa has been approved, I am heading to USA 1st of March.

My fiance wants to change job now though ? is this ok?

will we need to inform the embassy ?

how will this affect us ???

Hi RoeDeVinna.

Our interview is on the 16th. Just wondering how your interview went?

Thanks

ams2121

Female

Ireland

2013-12-06 06:30:00

Maiden name on old passport?

QUOTE (thejoz @ May 2 2008, 09:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just book her plane ticket with her maiden name for now. When she changes her name on her passport, then you can book plane tickets with the married name. That is what I have done when I travel to see my husband out of the US. I have not had ANY problems.

My soon-to-be wife will be moving here finally in about a week or so.

She is curious as to what kind of hassles, if any, will be caused by her only ID (her UK Passport) having her maiden name on it after we get married.

Obviously, we want to get her ID that will reflect her new status, but one thing she did wonder about was because we're planning a honeymoon trip down to Key West, and it'll be essentially right after the wedding, so...the chances of her getting any ID's in her new name prior to that are next to none.

Thanks.

Edited by lena_mourad, 02 May 2008 - 10:51 PM.

lena_mourad

Female

Morocco

2008-05-02 22:49:00

How much time needed to get through customs at the JFK?

QUOTE (BigCityDave @ May 23 2008, 09:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey everyone,

My girl has an already purchased ticket reservation from American Airlines and we are trying to get her a flight on June 2nd. The particular flight she wants is only going to give her 2 hours at the JFk. We would like to know if that is sufficient.

Just wondering who here has been through the JFK on a K1 Visa and how much time they would recommended.

Thanks for the help.

I definetely would allow at LEAST 3 hours, four is better. JFK's immigration lines for citizen and non-citizen are always HUGE. Allowing more time will reduce your stress too of the possibility of missing your connecting flight. I've usually had 2 hours in between connections and I BARELY make it. Plus, you MUST pick up your baggage in JFK because you switched countries, and that takes up more time too. Good luck!

lena_mourad

Female

Morocco

2008-05-23 10:50:00

Adress

Hi everyone,we recieved our case number and invoice id number but my (principal applicant adress) is nigeria but am living and working here in qatar we (me and my wife) are here together and on I 130 we listed qatar as embassy....should we email or call them to change the adress ? or is it fine ?

If you and your wife are temporarily in Qatar there is no need to inform USCIS or NVC of address change. However Qatar is your home for the next 3 mos, 6 mos or longer, then ABSOLUTELY contact USCIS and NVC providing current accurate address, phone #s, and email addresses.

How did you receive your NOA and NVC case number? Mail, phone, email?

chicagorj

Female

Nigeria

2012-10-23 09:44:00

POLICE CLEARANCE

Went to the Interio ministry today for my police clearance today and was issued,i was involved in a fight with someone and was reported to police and then the case was droped and i paid fine.now i asked the police man today how i can get court record for the case and he said i will be fine with the police clearance i was issued that it means i have no charges or criminal record;that if i have any problems that they would not issue me one.

The police clearance states: This is to certify,that no previous criminal conviction has been reported against the above mentioned individual.

My question is should i answer yes question 41 Ds230 ? the police said am fine and from the above statement i seem to be ok too....just confused.

Thanks

Very understandable that you feel hmmm nervous when you know about an incident yet it apparently does not appear in police records. The police certificate states you have NO charges or criminal records so leave it be. This journey is arduous, daunting and stressful enough. Breathe easier for today for one doesn't know what's around the corner.

Good luck, stay strong,
-chicagorj

chicagorj

Female

Nigeria

2012-10-23 12:48:00

DS-3032

emailing the choice of agent works fine. use the template here: http://www.visajourn...l_DS-3032_form. no need to express anything.

The link placed in your post does not work.

-chicagorj

chicagorj

Female

Nigeria

2010-11-25 17:27:00

DS-3032

Hello everyone,

I'm looking for some advice.

My husband failed to write: Attention: ACL on the mailing of DS-3032 this week.

Our options, IMO, are:

1) Wait and see what happens, or

2) Start over. Print out the barcoded DS-3032 again, complete it fully and carefully then send it again express mail with Attention: ACL in address.

What do you think?

-chicagorj

chicagorj

Female

Nigeria

2010-11-25 17:14:00

Sponsoring through stocks, and length needed

Okay, gotcha. Thanks. Serves me right for not paying attention initially, really. >.<

CrawlingChaos

Not Telling

2013-03-14 07:56:00

Sponsoring through stocks, and length needed

Having done a thorough search and not found the answers, I'm gonna go ahead and ask if anyone has answers to the following questions:

1) How many years worth of financial sponsorship do you have to provide under a CR-1/IR-1?

2) Is anyone aware how much stocks in and of themselves "count" toward sponsorship? Between one thing and another I have a substantial enough portfolio to keep the sponsorship up for upwards of 5 years, (provided poverty guidelines don't go up hugely and there aren't any spectacular market crashes, obviously) so I was just wondering if those would be accepted as legitimate funds to draw from for a financial sponsorship or if I would have to sell some of my options in advance.

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

CrawlingChaos

Not Telling

2013-03-14 07:07:00

Freaking out about relationship proof

Awesome. Thank you so much for your advice, everyone.

Edited by CrawlingChaos, 13 February 2013 - 01:20 PM.

CrawlingChaos

Not Telling

2013-02-13 13:20:00

Freaking out about relationship proof

Hi, all. I'm about to start the application process for a K-1 visa and am currently a bit nervous about my capacity to provide proof of the ongoing relationship. I've been living with my fiance in the UK for the past 2 years so I at least have a tenancy agreement with both our names on it, but a) he's a bit camera-shy so there aren't a lot of pictures of us and b) we don't exactly email or MSN message each other a lot seeing as we live in the same house. (The recent MSN logs I do have are rather... personal in nature, so heavy editing might have to be involved if I did send them.) Could I call on someone to sign an official statement? Should I just postpone sending off my I-129F till I've built up a backlog of documentation? Any help would be appreciated.

CrawlingChaos

Not Telling

2013-02-12 09:27:00

Question about filing from fiance's country

#######, guess I'll have to have my dad track my birth certificate down after all, then. Thanks for your advice.

CrawlingChaos

Not Telling

2013-02-18 10:30:00

Question about filing from fiance's country

Ugh. Okay, because I am dumb and slightly impetuous I didn't notice the two other topics on the first subject. Sorry, everyone. (I could still use an answer to the second question, though.) Mods, feel free to delete this if you'd like.

CrawlingChaos

Not Telling

2013-02-18 10:11:00

Question about filing from fiance's country

Hopefully not a stupid question, but I'm currently living in the UK with my fiance and was wondering whether, on all the documents where my address is needed, I should put my current UK address or my family's US address which I'm going to be living at when I move home in September (and where I have all my US mail forwarded through.) I know it's going to be kind of a pain either way but obviously I want to get this stuff sent as soon as possible, on top of which one of my main proofs of meeting/ongoing relationship is the fact that we've lived together for two years so I don't want to put my US address down for fear of misrepresenting that or anything. Has anyone been in a similar situation, and do you have any advice?

Additionally, the step-by-step K1 guide here says that I can submit "a copy of ALL pages of the US Citizen's passport issued with a validity of at least 5 years" as proof of US citizenship which would probably be most convenient for me but just to make sure, does the wording mean that the passport is valid for 5 years from the filing date or that it was issued for a period or five years to begin with? Mine dates from 2004 and so is due to expire in July 2014, so I wanted to just make sure that the expiration date wouldn't come back to bite me in the rear.

CrawlingChaos

Not Telling

2013-02-18 09:57:00

How to pay K1 visa fee.

THANKS OLATUNDE. I'VE GOTTEN THE EMAIL AND PAYMENTS MADE. I'VE ALSO DONE MEDICAL TEST AND POLICE REPORT TODAY. WAITING FOR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS FROM MY FIANCE BEFORE SCHEDULING INTERVIEW. THANKS A LOT.

The embassy will send you an email on how to make the payments and scheduling your interview. but some Hints: You will pay to GTBank $240 (but in naira at 165naira rate), and you will be able to schedule your interview date by yourself.

boluke

Female

Nigeria

2013-06-26 16:47:00

How to pay K1 visa fee.

Hi every one, i have gotten NOA3 and waiting for interview instructions. i want to find out how to pay my interview fee in Lagos Nigeria, also who picks interview date? myself or the embassy? thanks.

boluke

Female

Nigeria

2013-06-25 03:57:00

The RFE Master List

I am not sure this is in the right place, I just registered. I wanted to say thanks all who have posted. I submitted my K-1 forms last month and scoured the posts to make sure I did everything right. I "triple-checked" everything twice

I saw yesterday morning USCIS debited my bank account and I got the email that it had been accepted. Very relieved!! Thanks again!!

Eurotraveler

Not Telling

Hungary

2013-02-05 10:53:00

Affidavit form question

the amount is just under 20K per year with Hawaii and Alaska a little different, if that is not possible a co sponsor is necessary. there are some embassys that will not take a co sponsor with a fiancée petition, but that is rare.
the requirements for a married couple are the same financially although the process is a bit more streamlined for green card status and total cost.
read all the guides here on VJ and you will find your answers

Another question is whether my ability to work and provide for myself counts. If I could show the evidence of my education and the ability to work would it be considered as a plus for our financial situation?

KotshkiRybka

Not Telling

Russia

2013-06-02 16:16:00

Affidavit form question

Hello everyone and good luck with everything that you are going through! Seems like we are ready to join this wonderful team of fighters for the right to be together.
We just started thinking about our options and are currently looking through K1 visa information. Affidavit form notifies that the inviting part needs to earn at least 25000$ a year or something like that. Right now our situation doesn't look like this because he is a student and works part-time. Is there even a possibility to still get a visa and what should we do? Is there any difference for the consulate if we get married and do K3 visa? Where could we read more about that? Is there anyone that dealt with that kind of stuff? Thanks a lot in advance. You are all awesome, guys!

KotshkiRybka

Not Telling

Russia

2013-06-02 15:35:00

Question about K1 I-129F

If you look on the I-129F form, page 4, it tells you to make the check out to U.S. Department of Homeland Security. If you look at the VJ Guides tab, it gives you a very good description of all the things you need. I think it will help you in insuring all you need, is up to par...

Ok, thanks! I guess we are both a little stressed, I have been going through the VJ Guide for the K1 and have everything they are asking, she was just reading some other things saying we needed additional information so I figured I would ask to see what people said.

Does anyone know at what point she will need to have her birth certificate and if this will need to be professionally translated?

KotshkiRybka

Not Telling

Russia

2013-06-28 14:33:00

Question about K1 I-129F

Hi all,

We are finishing up your I-129F packet for our K1 visa! I am hoping to get this mailed off today but had some last minuet questions, sorry if these seem a little trivial but I just don't want to have any delays in this process... Details to know is I am the US citizen and she is Russian living and working in Moscow.

Payment - From looking at the UCIS website it looks like the current application fee is $340. Are there any other fees that I need to include at this time? I am planning on mailing a check, I am assuming that I make this out to the UCIS...

Pasport photo - So my Fiancee was reading on another site that in this first packet the passport photos need to be on glossy paper... hers is on very matte paper and mine is simi matte or standard stuff you get from printing out your photos. Is this really an issue? I want to think it is not but she is worried so I thought I would ask.

Birth Certificate - So I see here that I need to include my birth certificate to establish my US citizenship. As I understand it she would need to provide her birth certificate translated and copy of her Russian passport at a later date however she is reading somewhere else that this needs to be included now in the first packet. From reading here I never saw this included in the packet.

Amount of Evidence - There seams to be lots of question about just how much evidence to provide to establish a true relationship and also prove having met in the last two years. My Fiancee and I have known each other for over three years and have written many letters and have 16 pages of call logs from the phone company alone. We wanted to include personal letters and emails to each other spanning over the last few years. The thing is even after trying to pick the best letters and emails we are still looking at having around 60 pages of letters. Would this just be annoying to the people processing these documents or is this considered a good thing to have such correspondence over the last three years?

Any help with these details would be great! Thanks for the support and we will be posting our VJ timeline soon!

KotshkiRybka

Not Telling

Russia

2013-06-28 13:56:00

Question about US Spouse Visa: I-864 Affidavit of Support

Ok. I just found this:

http://www.uscis.gov...fidavit-support

dakotatp

Not Telling

Thailand

2014-02-13 23:11:00

Question about US Spouse Visa: I-864 Affidavit of Support

I emailed this question to the consular in Bangkok and they didn't acknowledge the 3x's or 5x's the 125% level. They said it's a case-by-case basis. They replied after I started this thread.

I've done a lot of reading and have not read anywhere about the 3x or 5x.

Did you guys personally experience this? or did you hear about this?

dakotatp

Not Telling

Thailand

2014-02-13 22:49:00

Question about US Spouse Visa: I-864 Affidavit of Support

You're going to need a co-sponsor.

You income before you left the US doesn't matter. Promised job doesn't matter. Your current foreign earned income will not count since it will stop once you leave for the US.

Using assets is an option if you have enough (which is seems you don't.) You will need to show 3 x 125% of the federal poverty guidelines in assets that could be liquidated in 1 year. . It will be around $60K assuming you do not have children.

On a side note, are you sure it will be easy to get a job as a police officer when you return? My brother finished a bachelors degree in CJ about 3 years ago and tried to get a job as a Police Officer. He wasn't able to get one because so many departments were downsizing that there were a lot of experienced officers looking for work (might have also been complicated by a few traffic tickets received) He got a job with Border Patrol instead.

Edit: didn't use 125% of poverty guidelines

Thanks for the quick reply. You answered my question.

As far as getting a police officer job.............I'll be traveling to the US in 2 weeks. I have an appt at a police academy to take the National Police Officer Selection Test. The lady I spoke with at the police academy told me the prospects of getting a job are very good. The prospects are better the higher one scores on the test. She directed me to several websites that had listings for police officer positions. A spotless driving record is very important. Stats indicate that police departments are not downsizing. Your brother probably interviewed at several departments. They're seldom going to tell him the reason for not hiring him. Instead, they'll give a false reason. Or there was something on your brother's app someone didn't like. Experienced officers are looking for a job because for some reason they lost or resigned from a job they already had. Depts. like fresh faces. They usually don't like officers from other cities.

dakotatp

Not Telling

Thailand

2014-02-13 05:59:00

Question about US Spouse Visa: I-864 Affidavit of Support

I have a question regarding Form I-864 Affidavit of Support

I?ve been reading and getting familiar with the US Visa application process for my Thai spouse.

I?ve been living and working as an English teacher in Thailand for the past six years. As a result, my annual income ($12,000) has been below the US Federal Poverty Level. I read that if my income is below this level, then assets such as checking/savings accounts, stocks, bonds or property may be considered in determining my financial ability to support my non US Citizen wife.

My annual income was always far above the poverty level prior to me moving to Thailand. My US Social Security Statement proves this.

I?ve saved about $15,000 from teaching during my six years of living here. I have a retirement account (IRA) which I contribute to monthly. I own a small plot of land in the US worth about $5,000.

Are the above listed assets enough to prove my financial ability to support my non US Citizen wife?

I have an Associate?s Degree in Criminal Justice and I?ll be applying to be a police officer prior to and upon returning to the US. Having a degree will make getting hired very easy for me.

Would receiving a 'conditional offer of employment' from a police department help me?

Please share any advice, opinions and/or experiences.

Thank you and kindest regards.

dakotatp

Not Telling

Thailand

2014-02-13 05:12:00

I-864 Affidavit of Support: This might be helpful.

I have a few questions:

You say to be sure to check box 1.d., If we have a joint sponsor, do we still check this box? husbands step-mom is our joint sponsor. So would my husband be the first sponsor or wouldge check box 1.e.?

For mailing address: Can we put down our future address in the states? (we both live together outside US) or do we need to put our current address?

ok PART 5 Confuses me. Does my husband count me twice (box 1, 2 & 3?) So altogether it would add 3 people but I'm counted twice in the "if you are already married, count your spouse but I'm also the intending immigrant?)

Thank you in advance!

Yes, the joint sponsor will check box 1.d. Your husband would be the Petitioner. He would check the top box.

I'm pretty sure the Petitioner and/or joint sponsor should put down their current address. The Immigrant Visa Form, I-130 in my case, has a place to indicate the future address in the states.

No, you or no one is counted twice.

You are welcome!!

also, please note that the form does NOT have to be notarized.

dakotatp

Not Telling

Thailand

2014-04-07 20:09:00

I-864 Affidavit of Support: This might be helpful.

Notarization not required. copy that. thanks.

http://www.immihelp.com/affidavit-of-support/checklist-prepare-i-864.html

dakotatp

Not Telling

Thailand

2014-04-06 23:34:00

I-864 Affidavit of Support: This might be helpful.

I'm in Thailand and I'll soon be applying for a US immigrant visa for my wife. I'll need a "Joint Sponsor" for my wife because my income is below the US poverty level.

In my case, an aunt of mine in the US has agreed to be a joint sponsor. A joint sponsor must complete form I-864 (attached) and then provide supporting documents.

Most of the form is self-explanatory. But because some people are intimidated by government forms, such as my aunt that I put together a sheet (attached) with detailed instructions, necessary info and a checklist of the required supporting documents to be mailed to me.

This sheet could be useful for your joint sponsor, if you need one. Although, you might have to alter it a little to fit your situation.

Feel free to use this and please alert me if I made any mistakes or left anything out. I want this to be as easy as possible for my joint sponsor.

I-864.pdf 482.72KB 16 downloads

Instructions, Info & Checklist.doc 35KB 45 downloads

dakotatp

Not Telling

Thailand

2014-04-06 00:10:00

Can my wife visit me on B2 tourist visa before we

Hmm... Under no circumstances overstay a visa. A B-2 visa is only good for 6 months, right? If so, considering she has already been here, there probably aren't many months left on that visa, right? She would also need to prove again at point of entry that she doesn't have intentions to over-stay, the best thing being a return ticket within your wife's visa valid dates. You could always apply for a new B-2 visa, the fact that she has come to the US before and honored the terms of that visa helps, but being married might throw up some flags, but if you can prove that she doesn't have intentions to overstay that visa, it's always worth a chance. It's kind of up to the border officer at the POE at that point anyway

It's a multiple entry 10 year visa - from what I understand, each time you enter the US on it the POE officer can give you between 3 months and 6 months. So your statement that a B-2 is only good for a total of 6 months is not correct. We do not have intentions to stay more than 3 months.

questionsfromperu

Not Telling

Peru

2013-03-15 07:49:00

Can my wife visit me on B2 tourist visa before we

There is no law that says spouse of a USC"is not "supposed to come on a tourist visa". The challenge is convincing the officer at the POE that she /he has no immigrant intent. As long as her visa is still valid, she can visit but make sure she does not overstay. She should be ready to answer questions as you already know. If she travels alone and they know she is married but you are in Peru, that might help her case better.

Your can prepare the I 130 documents and mail them just few days before your trip or once you are in the US. Be careful how you carry immigration dcouments on you though especially if visiting.

BTW, what you will be doing in Peru is not adjustment of status ( you only do that if you are in the U.S) and came in under another visa category.
You will be doing consular processing in peru after your I-130 is approved and passed through NVC.

Thanks for they response. Well, we definitely have no immigrant intent at this point - we want to do things the right way. I want her to be in the US for a while to learn English while I pursue some other business opportunities. You believe it would make our case better if I stayed behind for a while? I was actually planning on traveling before her, but I could probably change that...

What do you mean by be careful how I carry the documents? You mean that the POE officer shouldn't see my i-130 stuff? They always only look at my passport.

Thanks for the clarification on the adjustment of status - still getting a grasp of this complicated process.

Thanks again

You are allowed to work in Peru on a tourist visa?

Not technically. I work with an American non-profit which pays me at home. You can own a business with a tourist visa and a special permission to sign contracts.. and then earn money from that business but not as an employee.

questionsfromperu

Not Telling

Peru

2013-03-15 07:46:00