biggish data

Joan and I never received a packet from the embassy. We DID finally get a hard copy confirmation from NVC...but we were finished ad Joan was in Hawaii with me before we received it! Proceed per Hank's instructions and good luck!

Steve, fantastic!

Congrats to both of you

timk

Not Telling

2013-07-19 19:46:00

Yup...that is exactly what we did and still have no written verification of our Case # from NVC nor that our file has been shipped to Manila and received....

We are moving forward just like Hank indicated.... :-)

Cheers,

cjmc

Hi CJ,

It's interesting how many seem to be going this route.....Have you been able to secure an interview date?

Thanks!

timk

Not Telling

2013-07-19 19:29:00

You do not need to wait for a letter from the embassy to get the show on the road. The embassy does not sent a packet for starting the K-1 visa application per sec... everything is done online. You have your MNL # so its rock 'n' roll time!!

Look in my signature and CLICK!!

HI Hank, thank you so kindly for the fast reply!

So even though the embassy is telling us that they have NOT received our case file, we can proceed anyway with paying the fee, and then calling to schedule the appointment?

Sorry to be beating a dead horse.....just want to be clear. Thank you sir

timk

Not Telling

2013-07-19 18:45:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Hi everyone,

I am thoroughly confused at this point in the journey.......

The NVC online, says that our status is "ready". We have our MNL case number. I called NVC today, and was told that they sent out the notice to the Manila embassy roughly 3 weeks ago. The Embassy, is telling me that they still have not received the "applicants case file". My fiance has not received anything from the Embassy, and 3 weeks seems like a long time for them to not receive anything.

If I am understanding correctly, are some of you saying to hell with waiting for the Embassy to deliver the package for scheduling?

Being that we do indeed have our case number and NVC is in "ready" status, can we just go ahead and pay the fee for the interview date?

Is there any chance that we are screwing ourselves by "bypassing" this instruction package that we are supposedly waiting on?

Please post any experiences, and expert advice. MUCH appreciated.

Tim

timk

Not Telling

2013-07-19 16:49:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

I was asked to Fax proof of our personal meeting, Ie plane or hotel stubs, dated pictures, passport stamps etc. I sent them more than what they asked for just to make sure I was covered. Then 2 days later it was approved.

Also I think it was because the original pictures that I used in my package did not have the date time stamp. I hand written the date that was listed on my computer on the back of the photos . So maybe that was the reason for the RFE

P+B

Male

Ethiopia

2013-03-08 17:49:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Congrats
What your RFE was about and what did you send ?

I was asked to Fax proof of our personal meeting, Ie plane or hotel stubs, dated pictures, passport stamps etc. I sent them more than what they asked for just to make sure I was covered. Then 2 days later it was approved.

P+B

Male

Ethiopia

2013-03-08 17:45:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Thank you everyone again. I am looking forward to the next few steps to completion.

P+B

Male

Ethiopia

2013-03-08 09:12:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Thank you again everyone. *Also figured out how to fill out my timeline.

P+B

Male

Ethiopia

2013-03-08 01:42:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

P+B

Male

Ethiopia

2013-03-08 00:39:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

I hope so too

P+B

Male

Ethiopia

2013-03-08 00:36:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Thanks it was August

P+B

Male

Ethiopia

2013-03-08 00:19:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Thanks I am happy on Skype with fiance right now I just saw this

P+B

Male

Ethiopia

2013-03-08 00:17:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Post Decision Activity

On March 7, 2013, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). 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.

:dance:

Progress

P+B

Male

Ethiopia

2013-03-08 00:12:00

APPROVED!!!!!! NOA2 Today

Congrats

P+B

Male

Ethiopia

2013-03-08 23:27:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Thank you everyone

I say them received it through DHL and they called the Next day

P+B

Male

Ethiopia

2013-05-05 19:41:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Thank you everyone

Congrats !!! :dancing

P+B

Male

Ethiopia

2013-04-24 03:54:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Thank you everyone

The Embassy just called and told my fiance to pick up her visa packet it is official now :dance:

Now she can fly out here. :dance:

I will update my timeline but it is early now but Ijust wanted to get the news out :wow:

P+B

Male

Ethiopia

2013-04-24 03:47:00

Moving AFTER Interview Date Granted?

Hello

My wife has an interview coming up mid January. We had an issue with our apartment lease and while we thought that we had it rented until the end of January, it turns out we will need to move out BEFORE the interview date. The challenge is that we are not moving cross town; we are relocating cross-country. We have family in the area and can easily stay here until the interview and then move, but the issue is that our permanent address will eventually be of state. Any suggestions? This literally just happened with the lease, so this is all just sprung upon us. Would you keep the interview? Call and ask? Any suggestions appreciated!

Hi,
We were in the process of moving before our A.O.S. interview. All we did was to download the change of address form and take it with us. We had no trouble in the interview and gave the I.O. our new address and she updated it for us there and then. We also re-directed our mail at the post office and got all the mail from USCIS without trouble. I know we stayed in the same state not like yourselves, but it shouldn't make a difference.
Good luck.
Dave

Dave H

Male

United Kingdom

2011-12-10 15:58:00

I decided to go for US Citizenship for two reasons:

1. The right to vote (taxation without representation!!!)
2. The ability to return to the UK in the future without losing my right of abode in the United States.

I have to admit that the taxation issue is a tough one to get over (the requirement to submit a tax return each year and pay taxes on any earnings over the foreign income exclusion) but I figured it was worth it due to the two reasons above.

My USC wife does all my finances and taxes, but as I can see there are just a couple of reasons why I should become a citizen. I will obviously look deeper into it and ask some UK friends over here to ask their opinion as well. Sorry I couldn't reply fully earlier, I was at work and using my phone and the writing was really small.
Thanks everyone.
Dave

Dave H

Male

United Kingdom

2012-03-13 18:26:00

You can renew your British passport forever and also have a US passport--a dual nationality so to speak.

As an LPR you are required to report foreign bank accounts if the total of all accounts exceeds $10,000 (when converted to USD.) Your first report for 2011 is due to the US Treasury Dept (not an IRS tax return item) by June 1, 2012. The form for reporting is TD F 90-22.1 and is commonly called the FBAR and has been around for years. Info http://www.irs.gov/b...=210244,00.html
It is not taxable because you have already paid UK income tax at the time you earned the money and put it in the bank. If you earn interest on any UK accounts or pensions, that is reportable as income on your tax return. If you pay UK tax on the interest earned, then a foreign tax credit may apply.

New IRS requirements this year include Form 8938 commonly called FATCA for reporting (as part of your tax return) foreign assets and accounts and the value of your pension seems to fall into that category by most interpretations. Real estate does not unless it is for investment (like renting out the house.) There are threshholds. In general if the value of all accounts together (bank, pensions, shares, etc) exceed $100k if married, then you file Form 8938 as part of your return. FATCA info http://www.irs.gov/b...=255061,00.html

When you start getting monthly pension payouts, that is taxable as income. If UK taxes are taken out, then that may be another story. You can request that no UK tax be levied because you will be paying US tax. It's all to do with tax treaties and we haven't gotten to receiving the UK pension yet so I don't know the details.

Advantage to citizenship: If you get abducted in a foreign country, the US Navy SEALS will blast their way in and load you up in a helicopter, while leaving your captors full of bullet holes...oh nevermind...I watch too much TV.

Wow, that's a lot of info, thanks. I will need to ask my pension provider to find about the taxing issues.

Dave H

Male

United Kingdom

2012-03-13 12:19:00

i think there is a level of safety to know that you can never get deported for some stupid reason down the road and also i think there is something to be said for the ability to vote and have your political voice heard. you pay taxes into the system yet you have no real voice in the political system as a non-citizen.

Voting doesn't botther me, only voted once in UK lol.

Dave H

Male

United Kingdom

2012-03-13 10:28:00

I probably will go for it... eventually. lol No rush.

I think I may do it but not for a while. My UK passport still has 7 years, I will get a 10 year GC so really no rush. I just need to know more, mainly about benefits and my pension as I still have a UK bank account and don't know if this will be taxable even though the U.S won't know about it.

Dave H

Male

United Kingdom

2012-03-13 09:59:00

I have been in America almost a year, I know I cannot take the Citizenship Test for some time yet, but do I really need to become a citizen?
I am 46 years old, a decent job that will take me through to retirement at the age of 55 as I will be taking my company pension from U.K.
I just want to know, if anyone has been here a long time and decided against the Citizenship, what benefits are there.
Thanks for any input you may have.
Dave

Dave H

Male

United Kingdom

2012-03-13 06:45:00

Thanks again Shub,

That saved a lot of work lol

You are a STAR

Dave

Dave H

Male

United Kingdom

2014-01-13 15:03:00

Oooops, one more question.

On the N-400 form in section 7, it asks for dates you were times outside the USA in the last 5 years.

Do I have to calculate all the dates before I came to stay here under my visa. As I have only lived here 3 years (But not traveled outside the USA in this time), so really do I have to put in ALL the days I lived in England before I can me here?

Do I put 0 or do I have to add up all the days I lived in England.

Thanks in anticipation.

Dave

Dave H

Male

United Kingdom

2014-01-13 14:28:00

Thanks Shub

I actually found it while doing a search.

Just saving all the docs needed and making a Word document so I don't miss anything

I cannot apply until the end of June but I like to be ready way in advance

Dave

Dave H

Male

United Kingdom

2014-01-12 13:43:00

Thank you so much for the great advice.

One more thing, does anyone have a list of items that are needed to apply for the citizenship, such as the usual things that I sent off with the previous status updates.

Thanks again

Dave

Dave H

Male

United Kingdom

2014-01-12 12:59:00

Hi everyone, long time no see

Just to clear things up as I have seen and read some conflicting reports towards gaining citizenship in America.

I wanted to know when can I apply?

I have lived here since 2011 (April) and married in May. I got my Green Card (2year one) in September 2011and my new Green Card (10 year one) in June this year.

I just want to know so I can get my items together and I have already learned most of the test answers, more than my wife gets

I work long days at the moment bill will check after work.

Thanks in anticipation everyone

Dave

Dave H

Male

United Kingdom

2014-01-08 07:49:00

http://www.uscis.gov...attachments.pdf

N-400 Fees

Thank you!

Hope this helps. I always check the USCIS website for any updates to forms and fees.

Dave

Dave H

Male

United Kingdom

2014-10-23 09:19:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

First year in US - can I travel internationally?

This was my experience
My passport is in my maiden name and my green card is in my married name.
I therefore booked tickets back to the UK in my passport name (maiden name) as the name on the ticket has to match the name on the passport. So I agree that you shouldnt have your name change done on your passport in the UK after your flight as your return tickets will not match the name on your passport. Coming back through customs I showed my passport in my maiden name and my green card in my married name to the customs officer and I also showed him my wedding certificate (which I had taken as proof of name change) and there was no problems. I will now be sending off my passport to Washington DC to have it changed into my married name for future travel. I didnt have enough time before this journey and even though people assured me that taking my wedding certificate would be fine I was still a little nervous about not getting back into the USA

Thanks, that's what I was thinking. I know I will need my passport for my interview next month, but as soon as the interview is over I will be sending it to Washington, I have already downloaded the form to fill in.
Thanks
Dave

Dave H

Male

United Kingdom

2011-08-27 19:22:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

First year in US - can I travel internationally?

My wife and I decided to have the same surname, nothing strange about that I hear, BUT I changed my name as well so we have both our surnames hyphenated. We have proof of name change, drivers license and SSN, but I have been told that I will need to send my U.K passport off to Washington DC. I was told that I would not be able to travel back to U.K and change it there next year when we visit as my name will be different from the airline tickets.
How much of this is right, I have my A.O.S/E.A.D interview next month and was thinking of sending off my passport straight after as I won't need it for a while.
Thanks
Dave

Dave H

Male

United Kingdom

2011-08-25 16:26:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

tax transcripts from the irs showing filing jointly

We filled separately last year as my wife told me I would be able to claim more back as I only worked from October, but we are filing together for this year and will keep them for the future J and C.
Thanks
Dave

Dave H

Male

United Kingdom

2012-05-16 19:11:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

Begin collecting supporting information as you get it. Financial records, personal records (wills, insurance, etc.), selected letters addressed to both of you, and other evidence of a commingled relationship can be thrown into a box or filed in a folder. By the time you file for ROC, you should have plenty of evidence and not have to go back to dig it up.

Thanks TBoneTX,
I have already started adding items to a file I keep which I used throughout the process. I have joint bank details, joint apartment rent lease, joint vehicle finance info, 401K showing each other as the beneficiary, my pension from U.K. showing my wife as beneficiary, joint medical insurance, vehicle insurance with both names. I will also add some photos of us both at different events too. I think that should be good for now. I have a friend that came over from U.K. and I will send him all the info when he needs it too, he only came here about a month ago but I always keep him informed about the future process.
Thanks
Dave

Dave H

Male

United Kingdom

2012-05-16 06:26:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

Thank you so much for the replies Jay-Kay and cathy2904. Sorry about the mis-wording, I meant to ask do I apply for the 10 year G.C. at the same time as the R.O.C., but now I know lol.
I will save the link and use it when I need to next year.
Thanks
Dave

Dave H

Male

United Kingdom

2012-05-15 18:41:00