biggish data

G-325A Question

Thanks san diego!!

I have one more question for this form concerning the employment section...my husband's cousin "sold" his commercial type truck to my husband. My husband pays monthly payments, but the truck is not actually in my husband's name and will not be until he pays it off. My husband manages the truck, repairs it, and has a driver and workers, so it's as if he is the owner, except on the paperwork. I say all of that to ask if I would put his current job as Owner of the truck. If not, then I will put "None" as his current employment....

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-07-18 15:03:00

G-325A Question

On the G-325A form, concerning the section about the Applicant's residence last 5 years...If my husband spent 4 months in Costa Rica (and worked there) in 2005 and then spent another month there in 2007, does that qualify as needing to be explained in this section of the G-325A? Or would his residence be continually seen as his residence in Nicaragua?

Thanks for your help!

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-07-18 14:43:00

Family Name

For countries like Nicaragua where most people take the family name of their mother and father, is it correct to put both last names as the family name?

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-07-19 12:12:00

Marriage Certificate

For a foreign marriage certificate, can you send the one page (similar to u.s. type) instead of sending the long version certificate? Or do I need to send both?? I ask because the translation of the short version will be much cheaper than translating the long version. But I would rather pay now and save some time down the road if I need to!! Thanks in advance!

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-07-21 14:26:00

Sample Expedite Cover Letter

I've been staring at a blank document screen for a while now and can't figure out how to be compelling in my request for an expedite. :wacko:

I've tried to search around and find example letters, but I'm at a loss. So, I thought I would ask if anyone would be willing to share their letter their used to request an expedite. My expedite will be on the basis of financial hardship, but really any example would be great so I can just get myself started!! :help:

Thanks in advance!

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-07-25 12:00:00

USPS versus UPS

I see on the Guide section for the I-130, it says to send USPS. Is there a reason I should choose USPS over UPS? In my experience I can send it UPS Ground and it still get there overnight, whereas USPS usually takes 2-3 days longer. Any tips?

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-07-25 16:34:00

A few...or several...questions about evidence

Sorry for so many questions, but I'm gearing up to get the package sent off this week so there's a million things running through my head (I'm a perfectionist!!) as to how to actually put it all together and keep it all together, what to include or not include, and in what order. Any tips would be absolutely fabulous!!

As far as evidence goes, I have printed off about 75 pages of emails and chats from the past 3 years. And that was taking maybe three or four email messages per month, as well as some chats. I have also gathered all my phone records as well. But my cell phone bills are totaling around 175 pages. My question is, should I include all of them? Or maybe every other month? Should I just copy the pages where it shows the details of calls?? That would take away around 60 pages if I did that....What is the rule of thumb between sending enough without completely overwhelming them as opposed to just sending everything so that you can show complete evidence???

For plane tickets, can I just make copies of my online receipts/itineraries? Or should I make copies of my boarding passes as well??

For pictures, I don't have that many, maybe 10. Do I just stick them in with all the other evidence? Or should I like glue them to a piece of paper or print on 8.5x11 photo paper so I can give an explanation of each one?

Also, should I include a letter of how we met, got married, etc.? Is that necessary??

Is there any other evidence I'm forgetting that is pretty standard/important to send?? :wacko:

Thanks in advance!!!!! :thumbs:

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-07-26 15:43:00

Expedite Request

Nope you need to wait because of the holiday and also because it was a weekend. No work on weekends you have a week to wait to hear back from them. Basically sat sun and mon didn't count.

Actually I faxed it this past Friday morning which does count, unless of course the officer took a long weekend. :unsure:

But, I will try to wait... :whistle:

after we fax everything we didnt heard anything from them..but after 2 days i just checked our case to our website then thats it i found out we approve..:)juts checked your case to uscis website too you never know sometimes they forgot to send email back..

thanks for the reply! that makes me feel a little more comfortable with just waiting a bit. Now I will check my case every 5 mins hoping for an update!!!

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-09-06 09:37:00

Expedite Request

Last Friday, I faxed in the evidence requested for my expedite request to the attention of the Officer listed in an email that was sent to me. Should I have already received something (text/email) confirming they have received it? Should I call to follow up and make sure it was received? As best I can remember, I should hear back within 5 days as to whether they will approve the expedite or not!(I'm thinking a holiday weekend may not have been the best time to send the evidence in! Here's to hoping the officer isn't on vacation this week!!)

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-09-06 09:23:00

NVC

I just called. They told me my case just got there and to call 10 to 15 days later. How can I register to send everything by email

Was your case expedited at USCIS?? Is that why it arrived at NVC so fast?? If you did expedite, are you gonna try for an expedite again with NVC? It looks like we're somewhat at the same point in the journey!! I hope mine arrives at NVC within a week!!! Good Luck for fast approval at NVC!!! :thumbs:

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-09-15 10:20:00

I-864 Parent Joint Sponsor

Is the poverty line based on your gross pay or your net (take home) pay?

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-09-19 14:25:00

I-864 Parent Joint Sponsor

Actually, after looking over the poverty guidelines, I see that if I am the sole sponsor, I make about $8500 more than the "125% of Poverty Line". So, I should be fine with not using my parents as a joint sponsor or combine my parent's income, right???

The only fear I have is that I expedited at USCIS on the basis of financial hardship. Will that affect my case at NVC??? (Note: Part of the financial hardship was because I'm pregnant & have prenatal bills as well as 3 months without pay after the baby gets here in February.) Now I'm confused on what I should do???? :help:

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-09-19 12:11:00

I-864 Parent Joint Sponsor

I am filling out Form I-864 and came to Part 5 about my household size and read 21(g) where it's optional that I can combine my parent's (joint sponsor) income to mine and then they fill out I-864A instead of my parents filling out a Form I-864. Is this correct? (I still live with my parents!! :whistle:

)

Also, on Part 5, 21-a I enter "1" for the person I am sponsoring in this affidavit, which is also my husband. So, for 21-c do I enter "0" since I've already counted my spouse in 21-a??

Thanks for the help!

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-09-19 11:38:00

Foreign Passport

Send the page with the stamp. The same is true for my wife's Costa Rica passport.

Ok, thank you!!

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-09-22 12:55:00

Foreign Passport

For NVC, I know you send in the beneficiary's biographic page of the passport. But, this page does not necessarily show that the passport is still valid. Unless I misunderstood, my husband said they stamp a page in his passport when he renews with the new expiration date. Do I need to send that page in as well for NVC? Or, does he just need to have plenty of time in his passport to show for at the interview?

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-09-22 11:47:00

G-325A Issues

Wow, I would of not caught that! Thanks for the tip!! It puts me a little more at ease knowing that some have gotten away without signing the continuation sheet. Although it still feels like I'm rolling the dice.

Yeah, my logic for not signing it is, if you have written on the form to see continuation sheet and signed the form, why the need to sign that continuation sheet as well. But, I'd say it all depends on the Officer you get. Good luck with whatever you decide! :thumbs:

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-09-22 10:21:00

G-325A Issues

Hello VJers,

I am kicking myself for not filling out all my forms when my wife was here last week. As soon as she left I realized that she needed to sign the G325-A. I had her FedEx me a blank copy of the form 1) signing and dating it and 2) printing out her name in the box at the bottom of the form. I had planned to fill out the rest for her but there are a few issues.

1) I will have to use a continuation sheet for which I do not have a signature.
2) When she printed the pdf it printed '0000' in all the year fields. so basically I cannot write over it.
3) She printed it on a different size paper (India does not use 8.5x11) so a continuation sheet will look different.

So...

Will any/all of this cause of an RFE?
Should I have her resend or is there an easier way to remedy this?
I've gone through the search history, but has anyone gotten away with not signing the continuation sheets for a G-325A? Any assurance would save my sanity.

Your help is GREATLY appreciated!

We had continuation sheets and didn't sign them. I was a little worried, but went with it and we had no problems!

Also, just another note I messed up on on the G325A for myself (USC)...At the bottom of the form where it says "This Form is Submitted in Connection with an application for", I actually checked "Status As Permanent Resident" and then saw on here I should have checked "Other" and wrote-in "Form I-130". Fortunately, we didn't get an RFE or anything, but just thought I'd pass that along as well.

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-09-22 09:49:00

I told you it will work!

YES YOU DID!!! And I honestly cannot thank you enough for the encouragement to do it! Without that, I don't think I would have attempted it and I would have months of waiting left and my husband probably would not make it for the birth of our child! THANK YOU!!!!! May God bless you greatly for your help!!!

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-09-16 08:26:00

Congrats on your approval!!! Wish you good luck for the rest of the journey. If you can please let me know what is the procedure for requesting expedite I would really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance

Thanks!!

I actually sent my expedite request in with my I-130 packet. Then I called to check the status after a week or so and apparently they didn't pay attention to the request. So the lady I spoke with on the phone took the request down by phone so I had to explain my situation to her (mine was on the grounds of Financial Hardship). A little later that same day I received an email from USCIS requesting a letter from my doctor stating my diagnosis and prognosis. It took two weeks for my doctor to finally do the letter, but I faxed my letters and evidence to the attention of the Officer they told me in the email. I never heard anything back, so I called a week later to verify they had received the fax, but they told me I had to wait 15 days and then call back for the status. Well, I couldn't just wait around, so I found an email address online for the actual CSC and so I emailed them just asking for verification that they received the fax. I got a response from that email about 3-4 days later saying they did receive it and had pulled my case for further review. Then, the next day (yesterday) I received a text saying my case had been updated. So I check online & it said they have approved my I-130!!

Not sure if you actually want the details of my specific expedite, but I don't mind to give them. I think it helps others see if their situation is favorable for an expedite.

I requested it on terms of financial hardship. I have outstanding medical bills from having back problems that total around $1100. And I'm pregnant, so I have prenatal bills coming in (although I did not send any in) and I actually have a condition called placenta previa with my pregnancy that could lead to bedrest if it doesn't correct itself. And also because I'm pregnant, once I have the baby I will have 3 months off from work where I don't get paid. So the evidence I sent in was a letter from my doctor stating my back problem and the medical bills from that, a letter from my ob-gyn stating that I was indeed pregnant and how much their office charges for prenatal care and she mentioned the condition I have, then I printed an article from American Pregnancy that explained the condition, and I also sent in a letter from my employer stating the medical leave policy we have at work (it's without pay) along with the page from our employee manual. I sent all of that along with the email they sent me requesting evidence.

Best of luck if you try for the expedite! I am still in shock (in a good way) that it was approved!! In my opinion, it's worth a shot!!!

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-09-15 12:14:00

The expedite does not transfer, you have to request it at NVC and at the US embassy.

They can choose to keep expediting it or not. It is completely up to them.

I knew the expedite does not transfer. My question was do I send the same exact thing I sent to USCIS to NVC in hopes of getting the expedite.

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-09-15 10:11:00

I received an email last night saying my case had been updated. So I check and I see this message:

Post Decision Activity

On September 14, 2011, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I130 IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

For approved applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include USCIS sending notification of the approved application/petition to the National Visa Center or the Department of State. For denied applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include the processing of an appeal and/or motions to reopen or reconsider and revocations.

I can't believe it!!! God is sooo good!! I almost cry every time I think about it!!!! So Exciting! I wasn't expecting it so fast so I'm not even ready for the NVC, but I'm starting today!!!! Can any other expediters tell me approximately how long it took for their case to get to the NVC? Will it still take the excruciating month to get sent & processed into their system (that seems to be the growing trend) or will it possibly be faster???

Also, do I send the exact same expedite evidence I sent to USCIS to NVC when requesting the expedite??

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-09-15 08:30:00

I-864 & DS-3032 Packages

Er, don't wait for NVC to send you instructions. Just send the AOS and IV packages immediately. Unfortunately, you've just wasted a week. You could have had a case complete by now!

Well, I haven't actually wasted the week...I'm still waiting on getting the signed DS-230 from my husband which should be here by the end of the week and he also renewed his passport which will not be ready til the 20th and I have to wait to get the copy of his biographic page and expiration date. But, I thought I had read somewhere on here that even though I've already printed and filled out the forms, I should wait til I received the packets before I send it in. So, you are saying I don't have to wait? As soon as I have everything, I can go ahead and send it in?

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-10-17 11:24:00

I-864 & DS-3032 Packages

How long does it take to receive the I-864 & DS-3032 packages from NVC? The AOS Payment was marked as PAID last Wednesday or Thursday and the IV Bill was marked as PAID last Thursday or Friday. So it's been a week so far...starting to get antsy... :unsure:

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-10-14 15:27:00

I-864 Confusion

On Form I-864, Part 5, #21 "g", I am combining my dad's income to mine (I still live with my parents :innocent:

) and so I put a "1" to account for him...therefore, on "h", that would add up to 3 for the Household Size (My husband the immigrant, myself, and my dad)...BUT the household size should actually total 4 since my dad's household includes my mom as well?? My mom is currently unemployed so I don't want to use her unemployment income because I don't think that would look so great, but how do I account for her in the household size??

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-10-24 17:52:00

Interview Expedite ---when to request?

So, I'm hopefully sending in the packages to NVC this week. I've been adding up my own "estimated time schedule" in my head and if they get the packets by next week and everything goes perfectly, I should expect to get approved with 2-3 weeks, right? And then, pretty common for Nicaragua, the interview will be about a month after that approval date. If all goes well, I'm assuming that interview date will be inching very close to Christmas, possibly the week before. The problem is I know Nicaragua likes to start celebrating Christmas and often have all kinds of things that they shut down for around holidays. So, my fear is that they will either schedule the interview after the holidays or if they do schedule it for the week before, it could be hard to get the medical and everything else needed from the Central Registry b/c of their holiday schedules. So, would it be wise to request an expedite for the interview? Would that be a reason or does it have to be financial/etc.? And if I can expedite, should I request it now at NVC level or do I wait until they schedule the interview and then request an expedite??

Sorry for the million questions, but any advice is greatly appreciated!!
Thanks!

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-10-24 10:27:00

Marriage Certificate for NVC

Send complete original marriage certificate, not a copy. No need for translation as long as it is in the local language where the Consulate is located.

Do NOT translate the marriage certificate for NVC. English only in the upper forums please. It's in the terms of service.

Thanks so much! I did not know that!! Does the same go for the beneficiary's birth certificate?

Sorry about asking for the translation. Obviously I need to become a little more informed on the terms of service. Thank you!!

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-10-30 11:59:00

Marriage Certificate for NVC

So, for the USCIS I just sent in a copy of the short form marriage certificate because all they wanted was a copy. But, now with the NVC wanting the original, the original has a long form (?) part that is stapled to the actual certificate...Does this need to be translated and sent in as well since it's stapled to it?

And if so, can someone with some spanish skills help me in my effort to translate it myself? Here are the parts I'm having trouble with translating:

"y presenta para su inscripcion el oficio dictado o autorizado por:"

"que en sus partes conducentes dice que:"

"presenciaron el acto como testigos los senores:"

"en dicho matrimonio reconocieron al (los) siguiente(s) hijo(s):"

"matrimonio en el extranjero:" (marriage abroad)??

"Leida que fue la presente acta se encuentra conforme, se aprueba, y ratifica y firman:" (read that this record was form in order, approved, and ratified and signed)???

MUCHAS GRACIAS in advance!!

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-10-29 22:56:00

Omg! You are doing this in record time...tell me the secret! I mean I am at almost 3 months wait just for NOA2 so nowhere near your record! Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks! Honestly, God has blessed us from the beginning. I was blessed to be able to apply for an expedite & was approved...that makes the biggest difference! I hope you get good news soon!!!

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-11-11 09:32:00

You are welcome - hope your case gets completed soon and will get an interview date. All the best.

I just called NVC and the automated system said my case was completed on November 8th!!!! :dance:

...Sorry for all the questions, but can you kinda tell me what happens now!? Next they'll send an email with the interview date and I'll receive the packet for everything we have to do for the interview? Is that right?? Thanks so much for your help!!!!

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-11-11 09:18:00

You will have to rely on the NVC Operator only. Give 5 days from the time NVC received the packets and start calling to find out about the status of the packets. After one of the packets is processed and found alright, you will get a false RFE for the second packet (as it was not yet processed by then), so don't be alarmed. Then after a few more days the second packet gets processed. However if the RFE is real one, the Operator will let you know and also you will get an email (2 - 3 days delay) letting you know the details they want.

Hope for the case to be completed and then waiting starts for the interview date to be scheduled. All the best - patience is the virtue.

I just received an email checklist yesterday for the immigrant visa application. I would have been worried if you hadn't told me that was coming! But I called today & the operator said they are reviewing them separately but everything looks fine. So I just wanted to thank you for the info!!!!

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-11-08 11:50:00

USPS Confirmed Delivery of I-864 & DS-230 this morning at 11:25! I'm so excited to get the ball rolling again! But, now what!? Is there anywhere on the internet to check the status of the packets or do I just wait to hear for approval? Do I need to call in a week or so to check the status?? Praying for a super speedy approval so we can get the interview date asap & hopefully be interviewed & home before Christmas!! I KNOW I'm optimistic, but you gotta be, right!? :yes:

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-11-01 11:09:00

Interview Preparation

Should documents like Tax Returns and Any Boarding Passes I have be the originals or are copies fine?

Also, I'm trying to decide what type of folders to purchase. I know they need to be bendable, but I can't decide whether it would be better to just pass the whole folder to the Officer or if it would be easier to take out whatever documents they want to see and pass that through the glass??? I feel like I'm making it more difficult than it should be, but I just want it to be smooth and easy during the interview because I know I'll be nervous! Any help or ideas are VERY appreciated!!!

16 days til the interview!!!! 10 days til I leave for Nicaragua!!! ahhh!!!! :wacko:

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-12-12 18:55:00

Interview Preparation

hi there, pardon the caps as i just copied these data from my word processor... i just finished my bulk an hour ago, and this is pertaining to USEmbassy in manila, I was advised to use plastic folders since the interview room is separating the consul and interviewee thru a think glass, and folders wud need to fit.. not sure with your embassy though,, maybe there are reviews available.. as to how i organised mine, here goes hope this helps

Thanks so much for the list! That will help alot!!

good luck at your interview!!!!

Thank you!!!

Yep, it's the same way at the Embassy in Managua.

OP, you might want to follow iwuvcheshert's suggestion. I brought a large binder, where I had everything organized in plastic sheet protectors. I had to take the sheets out and pass them under the large glass window to the interviewer.

Good luck!!

So there's a glass between you and the interviewer the whole time?? Anything else you can think to tell me about the embassy in Nicaragua? Does it depend on what time you arrive as to how long you wait before you get interviewed? In other words, if we arrive first will we be the first ones interviewed or is the 8am interview time they gave us our actual interview time?

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-11-17 15:54:00

Interview Preparation

What is the best way to organize everything from the I-130, I-864 & IV packets so that it is easily accessible on the day of the interview when nerves are high and they are possibly asking for any and all evidence??

What was your personal way of organizing everything for the interview??

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-11-16 13:12:00

DS-230 Educational Institutions

Thanks everyone! My husband only has 2 years of high school and no college? Is that bad?

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-09-30 16:19:00

DS-230 Educational Institutions

On the DS-230 Part 1, No. 33 where it asks for all educational institutions attended, does that include elementary schools? Or is it just high school and universities?

Also, on DS-230 Part 2, No. 43a. where it asks if you want the Social Security Administration to assign you a SSN and issue a card, is this just preference? Why would you not want them to go ahead and issue it for you?

nica_chica3

Female

Nicaragua

2011-09-30 08:38:00

QUOTE (rugbydude05 @ Oct 9 2008, 10:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just say no.

My wife had the medical exam/interview in CDJ back in February and she said they didnt even ask her so chances are the question might not even come up. If they do ask him about it and he says no it would be physically impossible to prove he is lying. Saying you did drugs at any point is one of the surefire ways to get denied, especially at that embassy.

Good luck in Juarez and remember just say NO.

Thanks for everyone's responses! I appreciate everyone

ashley&carlos

Female

Mexico

2008-10-10 12:41:00

QUOTE (MrsRowe @ Oct 9 2008, 02:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No question here. Just say now. It's been over 5 years. If he is not using it anymore, even if they press and give him the drug test, his blood will be negative, so what is the issue? There is no test that can prove that he did Marijuana 5 years ago.

thanks that is a relief and what i was hoping to hear!

ashley&carlos

Female

Mexico

2008-10-09 14:18:00

QUOTE (Steve Y Jessica @ Oct 9 2008, 02:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (payxibka @ Oct 9 2008, 11:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Steve Y Jessica @ Oct 9 2008, 01:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There is nothing that can detect 5 years ago. I will go ahead and say it!!!!! It was just trying it!!! SAY NO to any drug use!!! He would be completely stupid to do anything else.

I can't believe this was even asked, or that it has turnned into such a discussion.

but some of us are sensitive to TOS violations, which of course advocating misrepresentation would be such a violation

Well then if someone is actually going to ask this question, here is a good answer.

It would be a safe bet that at least 80% of the people on this board have at least tried some kind of drug in their lifetime. It would also be a safe bet that not one of them mentioned anything about it in the immigration process. After all if all someone does is try it and there is no record of it and it was 5 years ago, there is absolutely no way for anyone to know about it unless you tell thim. Then even after that, there is absolutely no way for anyone to prove it.
If you admit to something like this you will surely be denied a visa!!

Thanks, finally someone who agrees with me and sees my point of it!

There is absolutely no record or anything. Again just a young man following a crowd. Thanks again

ashley&carlos

Female

Mexico

2008-10-09 13:32:00