ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomTravel Question
what about this scenario:

my jamie has always booked his travel under the name he uses in everyday life (jamie Y) instead of the name that is in his passport (and now subsequently on the visa-related documents). does he need to book his ticket under that official name (jamie Y X)?

i guess the answer is book under the full/official name. right?
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-30 22:26:00
United KingdomName Changes
<absorbing information and being grateful for the input>

im thinking we may go with the VT probate court way. (i know, i cant figure out when he would be able to file for this in a VT court? might call legal aid? not sure yet.) i dont want to complicate things, but i want jamie to be able to be jamie Y if that is what he wants. i know him as jamie Y and it sticks in my craw (i dont know what a craw is? sounds like a very pointy jaw.) that he totes around the bio-dad's name for official purposes only.

anyways, thanks again. very, very, very much appreciated.


mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-30 22:19:00
United KingdomName Changes
wow! im glad i read through old threads. how would i have known ms. magpie's lovely name? and i think its great to pick your own middle name since you will be shedding the family name that you longer want. (good for you. makes a powerful statement, i think.)

but, i clicked on this thread because i am curious about name changes. i think that my name is going to stay the same. but jamie actually has a situation similar to yours, ms. magpie, in that he wants to rid himself of a name that links him to someone he doesnt want to be associated with. but, his is a last name.

i explain it in this AOS thread as follows:

this is an issue for my fiance too. he would like to change his last name (by removing this biological but not-so-nice father's name from his official name. (X) he has always used his mother's maiden name (Y) and goes by jamie Y (rather than the jamie Y X that appears on many of his documents, including passport, birth certificate, etc).


his last name is considered to be a two-name last name (Y X), not a middle name (which he doesnt have at all) and then a last name.

im unclear as to WHEN we should deal with this. or which one is the easiest.

at the POE (I-94 as jamie Y)?
on the marriage license ? (can we just put what we would like, within reason?)
through the VT state probate court? (legal name change)
at the SS office?
when we submit AOS and EAD?
once we get the GC?

jamie has traveled, banked, and lived most of his life as jamie Y. he included a letter of explanation about the usage of different names with the I-129F, we never had any issues come up during that part of the process.

just trying to think ahead in case i can get things started.

(its pretty encouraging that i am 'looking past the interview' to the future because i think that means i am daring to hope that things will turn out just fine. : D good for me. march has been a great month for approvals, hope we round it out with 2 more!)

Edited by mr and mrs, 29 March 2009 - 04:21 PM.

mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-29 16:19:00
United Kingdomfedex
QUOTE (miss g @ Mar 31 2009, 11:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
does anyone know how much it would cost to fedex some papers and how quick it is.. my fiance didnt sign the affirdavit of support.... ideas suggestions.. HELP?

thanks


he can probably find a fedex place near to him thats still open. the one my my little-ish city is open 24 hours. id not. there are a bunch of options. USPS, UPS, etc. i think if he can get it in the mail before the weekend (express mail i mean) then you should get it in time.

edit:

fedex int'l overnight (gives a number you can call for a quote)

Edited by mr and mrs, 31 March 2009 - 06:15 PM.

mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-31 18:12:00
United KingdomReturning Packet 3
give then a little time before you start worrying that something has gone wrong. i calmed myself by calling the DOS and checking for updates.
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-01 07:36:00
United Kingdomadvice/opinions/suggestions needed re: affidavit of support
i went to Fedex this morning. and the gentleman weighed my documents and said it would be $61 for 2 day service. (he also said that was my only option? i feel like he might have been incorrect saying that, but i didnt care.) i told him if all hell broke loose id be back in a week or so to pay the $61 for 2 day service.

i went to the post office and sent it 6-10 days with global priority mail? cant think of the name. $12.95. im just going to chill out and wait about 8 days and then start wondering. : )

im hoping it will be fine. and if not, ill go back to FedEx. : )


and talyss, thanks for that very level-headed response. : ) i have a hard time with alarmist responses 'OMG I HATE DHL THEY LOST MY... whatever.'

Edited by mr and mrs, 01 April 2009 - 07:32 PM.

mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-01 19:30:00
United Kingdomadvice/opinions/suggestions needed re: affidavit of support
thanks, talyss.

in the end i have gone with a little blurb. ive just woken up and i will double check my documents for errors and signatures. feel pretty good.

any quick comments about FedEx vs. USPS? im tempted to go for the cheaper USPS, but then again the tracking function would be nice. ive generally had good luck with with the USPS (esp to the UK).

anyways, thanks for everyone's help. : ) slowing getting there.
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-01 07:40:00
United Kingdomadvice/opinions/suggestions needed re: affidavit of support
QUOTE (mr and mrs @ Apr 1 2009, 04:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
ps. i had tried searching but the forums search was down (did anyone notice it?) anyways, i posted in the 'site forum' and cpt ewok has fixed it now. : ) so ill trawl through some searches a bit as well.
since the search function is back up, here is a helpful thread.

http://www.visajourn...ibutions I-134#

mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-31 23:01:00
United Kingdomadvice/opinions/suggestions needed re: affidavit of support
QUOTE (krystiandjon @ Apr 1 2009, 04:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We haven't had this given the stamp of approval yet, but I went with

"I intend to marry and live with the recipient in the manner of husband and wife, sharing with him my home, food, money, and belongings"

I looked at that N/A answer given in the guides and felt it was inadequate...although its probably perfectly adequate.


i agree. n/a doesnt sit right with me. plus, i talk a lot and rarely use fewer words when i can happily blab on and on.

i quite like your answer! its very 'real/loving' as opposed to very 'financial/stiff', but still answers the question.

thanks for your response.


ps. i had tried searching but the forums search was down (did anyone notice it?) anyways, i posted in the 'site forum' and cpt ewok has fixed it now. : ) so ill trawl through some searches a bit as well.

mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-31 22:30:00
United Kingdomadvice/opinions/suggestions needed re: affidavit of support
hi.

im not frantic. just curious.

i am so torn between answering question 11 (on the I-134) with

a. [do not intend] n/a (k-1 visa process for permanent residence)

and

b. [do intend] i intend to support my fiance in whatever way is needed, including providing room and board, for an indefinite period of time so that he does not become a public charge.



advice?
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-31 21:55:00
United Kingdomadvice/opinions/suggestions needed re: affidavit of support
bless all of you (and the CO who will make the decision) with my atheist . the day after tomorrow is 'send off the documents to jamie and hope for the best day' (i chatted with the lady at the post office. i said (i quote) 'my heart and my life will hinge upon the prompt delivery of this envelope' and she said 'you'll be fine!' (which i think is legally binding!!))

i feel more confidett than i should, but i am prepared, come what may. i think we do have a good shot. (65- 70%?) of qualifying.)


and as a warning, i may have a few last minute fits of anxiety and post some frantic questions. please bear with me. :l and : D.


bless.
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-30 21:44:00
United Kingdomadvice/opinions/suggestions needed re: affidavit of support
think we are down to just self-sponsor and sole sponsor. :l

the co-sponsor option is not out, but my mom doesnt seem too excited about it. so i am not sending her documents to jamie for the interview.

if im honest that scares the hell out of me, but im going to pretend that i think things will be fine anyways.

and if he is asked for more support information during the interview, then we will deal with that when it happens. i think i would be able to find another sponsor, but im more scared to ask now that it freaked my mom out (which i wasnt expecting at all). maybe it will delay him coming, which at this point would break my heart A LOT, but it probably wouldnt be insurmountable.

it's hard not to feel a little abandoned. but i guess im supposed to be a big girl. and it will probably feel good for jamie and i to do this all on our own. if we can do it on our own.


i hope we have enough.

<hope hope hope>
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-29 20:42:00
United Kingdomadvice/opinions/suggestions needed re: affidavit of support
update on the support piece for jamie and i...

i think we are going to try first for self-sponsorship. jamie will bring along his documents and see what the CO says. (elmcitymaven, i did pm weedebz. ill see if she has any words of wisdom. also, boiler, if you have any further comments about self-sponsorship, ive worked through my incredulity and would love to hear them.)

if that fails....

im going to try to be the sole sponsor for jamie. i have all of my evidence and the I-134 (well, thats what im going to try to accomplish tomorrow.)

if that fails....

my mother will be the co-sponsor. which should be more than adequate.



is this an okay plan of attack? or will we fail if what we present at first does not fly? i think of it as a card game where i only need to show enough to let me play, i dont have to show everything.

tell me if i am off-base with this line of thinking. please.


(thanks for people's input. i wouldnt have even entertained the option of self-sponsorship had it not been... well for boiler who INSISTED upon the fact that her (or she? seems like boy to me.) has successfully done it. : ))


mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-28 18:30:00
United Kingdomadvice/opinions/suggestions needed re: affidavit of support
QUOTE (elmcitymaven @ Mar 27 2009, 12:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You might PM weedebz -- she self-sponsored last year on a K1.


great! looks like she hasnt posted in awhile, but ill give it a shot. ill brush up on things first so i understand the situation better.

while looking for her posts on the subject, i can across this thread from sept 2008. http://www.visajourn...hl=self-sponsor
havent read all of it yet, but seems helpful. : )

Edited by mr and mrs, 26 March 2009 - 07:53 PM.

mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-26 19:53:00
United Kingdomadvice/opinions/suggestions needed re: affidavit of support
okay, the picture is coming in to better focus for me now. (merci bien, mes amis.) im gonna look through what i have and decide what else i need and how to frame things in the most positive light.

im now off to get my dinner. vietnamese food. yum! ill check back in later.
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-26 18:34:00
United Kingdomadvice/opinions/suggestions needed re: affidavit of support
here's what the london embassy website states:

Evidence Which May Be Presented to Meet the Public Charge Provisions of the Law

K-1 and K-3 and their derivatives are not required to file an affidavit of support, form I-864 at the time he or she applies for the visa. However, the Immigration and Nationality Act does require the applicant to establish to the satisfaction of the consular officer at the time of the application for a visa, and also to the satisfaction of an officer of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at the time of application for admission to the United States, that he or she is not likely at any time to become a public charge.

An applicant for K-1 or K-3 visa may generally satisfy the requirement of the law by the presentation of documentary evidence establishing that:

1. the applicant has, or will have in the U.S. personal funds sufficient to provide support for the applicant and dependent family members, if any, or sufficient to provide support until suitable employment is located;
2. the applicant has arranged employment in the U.S. that will provide an adequate income for the applicant and dependent family members;
3. relatives or friends in the U.S. will assure the applicant's support; or
4. a combination of the above circumstances


*Applicants Own Funds*

An applicant who expects to be able to meet the public charge provisions of the law through personal financial resources may submit to the consular officer evidence of funds or income from one or more of the following sources:

* bank statement showing present balance of applicant's account, date account was opened, the number and amount of deposits and withdrawals during the past 12 months, and the average balance during the year. If there have been recent unusually large deposits, an explanation thereof should be given;
* proof of ownership of property or real estate, in the form of a title deed or the equivalent and a letter from a lawyer, or real estate agent showing its present valuation (any mortgages or loans against the property must be stated);
* letter or letters verifying ownership of stocks and bonds, with present market value or expected earnings indicated;
* statement from insurance company showing policies held and present case surrender value;
* proof of income from business investments or other sources. n/a for our situation

If the financial resources are derived from a source outside the United States, a statement as to how the funds or income are to be transferred to the U.S. must be provided.


i cut the next part off that talks about the sponsor/co-sponsor situation.




so, there is no real figure, right? hmm.

Edited by mr and mrs, 26 March 2009 - 06:31 PM.

mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-26 18:28:00
United Kingdomadvice/opinions/suggestions needed re: affidavit of support
QUOTE (Boiler @ Mar 26 2009, 11:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I did it.

I am not the only one who did.

I believe they look for enough to cover the 90 days. 10k GBP would be 2 or 3 times that, but I do not know the current figure.

well then. im gonna find that figure! i will report back.

thx.

mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-26 18:21:00
United Kingdomadvice/opinions/suggestions needed re: affidavit of support
QUOTE (Nik+Heather @ Mar 26 2009, 10:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Is this helpful? smile.gif
yes and yes!

i will bring some sort of statement about the Roth IRA but not count on it being very meaningful to the CO, since it seems that i might have enough in regular old savings anc checking accts. and as for personal property, i dont have much of anything that would fetch much and probably isnt considered to be 'easily convertible to cash'. i like reclaimed stuff and recycled things. : ) so i may skip that all together.

thank you. very helpful to have another person chime in with some advice.



mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-26 17:11:00
United Kingdomadvice/opinions/suggestions needed re: affidavit of support
QUOTE (Boiler @ Mar 26 2009, 09:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Please read my first post.

seriously? i dont see how that is possible (for our case) after reading the excerpted tips from vj i posted above, which i dont take as gospel, but seem to generally ring true.

im kinda dumbstruck.
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-26 16:57:00
United Kingdomadvice/opinions/suggestions needed re: affidavit of support
QUOTE (Boiler @ Mar 26 2009, 09:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
a) He self sponsors

OR

cool.gif You get your mother to co-sponsor, if needed.


i didnt think this was an option. he doesnt have an offer of employment here and has only £10,000 in a (UK) HBSC account. i think he falls far short, but only financially and only in the eyes of the government, because im of the opinion than that he is a gem!

i might have been unclear the in original post. thank you for your comments!

mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-26 16:42:00
United Kingdomadvice/opinions/suggestions needed re: affidavit of support
QUOTE (mr and mrs @ Mar 26 2009, 02:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
first, ill ask an easy question that i think i already know the answer to. what role, if any, does the UKC's money play in the affidavit of support? jamie has about £10K in a current account (or maybe its an ISA, i dont really even know what either of those things are, but i think that money is readily accessible if needed.) i was under the impression that the UKC funds didnt figure into the equation unless they had a SIGNIFICANT amount of money, as in enough money to cover them for 5 yrs. or something.
The foreign fiance's income can NOT be counted on either affidavit (except when the foreign fiance has been
living with the fiance, married, and in the US for six months), however the foreign fiance's assets CAN be used if
they are readily convertible into cash. The USCIS is concerned ONLY about the US fiance's income/assets. (Note
that in other situations the foreign spouse's income MAY be counted on I-864 affidavit, such as foreigner in U.S.
on work or student visa who marries and then files for adjustment of status. IF the foreign spouse has LIVED IN
THE HOUSEHOLD of the U.S. spouse for at least 6 months, then his/her income CAN be counted. There are
NO situations involving fiance visa in which foreign spouse's income can be counted, as far as I know, when
interviewing for the fiance visa or when filing adjustment of status within 6 months of arrival in the US.)
from affidavit of support tips

if anyone can demystify this variable for me, id be much obliged.

anyone have a comment about this? i just need to know so i can tell jamie (with VJ authority) how his savings that he has worked hard for will influence the affidavit of support. i think he wants to feel part of supporting himself and standing on his own two feet. (hes such a good boy.)
QUOTE
i have a Roth IRA that has $1500. can get a statement that certifies this

is this essentially just another bank account? i am not clear on how available this money is.
QUOTE
my personal property probably can be valued at $2000-$3000. estimated

is this going to factor in at all? or will i be relying on bank statements, tax information, and a letter of employment instead?
QUOTE
and do you think i should include a letter of explanation about my employment situation to try to make it clearer to the CO?
does anyone think this would be a good idea? or will they just ignore it?



that's 5 new questions (or at least question marks. i have 9 left.)
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-26 13:54:00
United Kingdomadvice/opinions/suggestions needed re: affidavit of support
QUOTE (Nich-Nick @ Mar 26 2009, 04:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
This is the basics of what you need as I understand it. Forget the previous years. The goal is the currently published 2009 poverty levels. The previous tax returns are just to show a stability of employment and income, but they are not required unless you want to show them to help out your case.


im not really certain if my previous years' tax information is going to help or hinder. i suppose it really will just lend itself to supporting the stability of my employment. so i should probably volunteer it.


QUOTE
For family of two:

125% Poverty Guideline.......... $18,212 (2009)
Sponsor’s Income....................$17,698
Difference.............................. $514 (lacking)
Multiply what you lack by 3...... X 3
Minimum Required Net
Value of Assets........................$1542

So you must show cash savings of at least $1542. I believe for a K1 the asset multiplier is 3. For AOS it is
(income/salary lacking) x 5 = assets required.

So even if you use x5, you only need to show assets of $2570


mathS. great. okay. thats pretty much what elmcitymaven said, so that part makes sense. and it's encouraging too.

QUOTE
It's a judgement thing for the officer whether he thinks you can support the beneficiary, but your income and employment look stable and you have saved money. It would be best for you to show your assets with a letter on bank stationary of how long you've had the account and your average balance for the last 12 months. It's kind of a pain to get, especially from a large banking organization. I think the reasoning behind this is they would be able to tell it is your money, saved over a period of time. What would raise a red flag is if all year you had $300 average balance, then on April 1, 2009 you deposited $20,000. It might look like somebody was paying you to get them a visa and green card. Do you follow this thought??


one of the many joys of living here in vermont. we dont really have any huge banks. although my bank is owned by TD Banknorth, i dont seem to get that big bank feel when im there. i walked into my local branch a week or two ago and was able to sit and chat with a nice gal who was more than happy to help me. (i tried to be cute and charm her by showing her a photo of jamie. : ) awww.) she also happily re-did it when i decided that it wasnt quite right. and hopefully she'll just crank out another, because i am realizing that she only confirmed the checking account but not the savings account. (i wasnt being as stringent when i was going for the co-sponsor route, but if im trying for sole sponsorship, ill be more meticulous.


QUOTE
Now on to Mom. I've read many times that the I-134 is not a legally enforceable contract. There is citation of which US states have already ruled that it can't be enforced if that makes her feel better. She's making a statement of support for the alien, but can't be sued to pay if he goes on public assistance. The I-864 for AOS is legally binding.

And a thing Mom might not be saying, but that may be bothering her is divulging all her financial information and Social Security number to a foreigner that she doesn't know that well. It is documented that she can mail her I-134 and supporting documents directly to the Embassy to retain her privacy. She would include both your names, birthdates and case number so her documents match up with your file. Mention that to her as an option..."Mom, would you rather send your things to the Embassy to keep them private?" Then she doesn't have to hurt your feelings by saying, "I don't want him to have copies of all my stuff." Maybe that will ease her mind and diffuse any hurt feelings if that's a little bit of her reluctance. Another variation on that is what a poster called Thai Family did. All the co-sponsor things were sealed in an envelope marked "to be opened by consulate offical only." The plan was to have that as a backup incase the son's income wasn't accepted.


i cant quite figure out why she is balking a little bit. i think this is overwhelming, especially if you are not fully informed about the process. i probably scared her with all the talk of the possible fall out. but im going to prepare myself for her NOT being able to do it. we will see, we still have time. i would be happier to be the sole sponsor, so ill keep my fingers crossed.

QUOTE
Ok, I'm going to bed now so we'll resume class in the morning if you have more questions. rofl.gif Sorry I don't have time to ease your fears, but in brief....it's gonna be fine....he will get a visa....
And I'm not going to proofread this so forgive all mistakes in grammer, speeling, etc. good.gif hahahaha


he will get the visa, yes. yes. i just have massive (lisabette? are we exaggerating a bit? they feel massive sometimes) anxiety issues and need to be as prepared for all possibilities so i can prep for anything.

im suddenly really sleepy, so off to bed for me too.

thanks again. and thanks much.

-lisabette.

mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-26 00:08:00
United Kingdomadvice/opinions/suggestions needed re: affidavit of support
QUOTE (Nich-Nick @ Mar 26 2009, 04:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
big brainy comforting answer


havent even read this but THANK YOU. just feeling like i have support, helps me enormously. ill read digest and then probably have 14 questions.

thanks, lady. <3

mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-25 23:18:00
United Kingdomadvice/opinions/suggestions needed re: affidavit of support
so, i have already talked about this issue regarding the affidavit of support that we will be submitting, but ive gotten stuck/scared. i need your help to get me through this.

elmcitymaven was VERY helpful when i initially posted about this in this thread. but i cant seem to get things settled in my mind.


first, ill ask an easy question that i think i already know the answer to. what role, if any, does the UKC's money play in the affidavit of support? jamie has about £10K in a current account (or maybe its an ISA, i dont really even know what either of those things are, but i think that money is readily accessible if needed.) i was under the impression that the UKC funds didnt figure into the equation unless they had a SIGNIFICANT amount of money, as in enough money to cover them for 5 yrs. or something.

The foreign fiance's income can NOT be counted on either affidavit (except when the foreign fiance has been
living with the fiance, married, and in the US for six months), however the foreign fiance's assets CAN be used if
they are readily convertible into cash. The USCIS is concerned ONLY about the US fiance's income/assets. (Note
that in other situations the foreign spouse's income MAY be counted on I-864 affidavit, such as foreigner in U.S.
on work or student visa who marries and then files for adjustment of status. IF the foreign spouse has LIVED IN
THE HOUSEHOLD of the U.S. spouse for at least 6 months, then his/her income CAN be counted. There are
NO situations involving fiance visa in which foreign spouse's income can be counted, as far as I know, when
interviewing for the fiance visa or when filing adjustment of status within 6 months of arrival in the US.)

from affidavit of support tips


if anyone can demystify this variable for me, id be much obliged.


second, more complicated and it will probably take me a few tries to say what i am trying to say...


i am interested in attempting, if it is possible, to qualify as a sole sponsor. my mother is slightly more anxious about the prospect of being a co-sponsor than i had anticipated. which is fine, i could find someone else, but its simpler with my mother AND i already have 90% of her documents gathered. so, i am curious as to what you guys think my chances are to qualify on my own.

before i list my details, i will say that YES i am planning on having the co-sponsor paperwork all ready too and jamie will bring that to the interview with him in case im not good enough. : p


i dont make tons of money. i work at a garden center as a long-term seasonal. this means i work 10 months a year, but i do not have a regular position. no benefits, no sick days, all that fun stuff. but i do really like my job and for me thats really important. and i can bike to work, which is also important to me. i have been working there for just over three years (got the job when i returned to the states following a year in the UK.) i work pretty much full-time (40ish hrs/week) from april to october, a bit less in the slow times of year. i have good references from work and a letter of employment. for the past three years, according to my w-2's, i hovered just below the 125% of the poverty level mark. (had i known, which i should have, i would have fought for just a few more hours to get me up and over. but instead, i went to see the yankee's play one of the last games at yankee stadium. dammit.)

2006 $16,448 (2007 125% $17,113) have tax transcript
2007 $16,934 (2008 125% $17,500) have tax transcript
2008 $17,698 (2009 125% $18,212) have tax return

so i guess im about $500 short each time. i dont know if that there rules me out, but thats the salary piece.


i do have some money in the bank. $3000 in checking and $3000 in savings. have bank statements to this effect.

i have a Roth IRA that has $1500. can get a statement that certifies this

my personal property probably can be valued at $2000-$3000. estimated


i am wondering what people think about my chances. if it may not work, i need to prepare myself not to be disappointed (i dont deal well with feeling disappointment.)

and do you think i should include a letter of explanation about my employment situation to try to make it clearer to the CO?


many thanks in advance. any sort of feedback would be graciously welcomed.

Edited by mr and mrs, 25 March 2009 - 09:28 PM.

mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-25 21:25:00
United KingdomTax Return Question
QUOTE (laura819 @ Apr 2 2009, 07:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
mr and mrs - sorry for taking your comment the wrong way! people on VJ lately have been a bit (and thats an understatement) jumpy/quick to criticize people, so I guess I have gotten used to that! Believe me, I spend far too much time on here reading through posts, trying to prepare!


i hate those snarky comments too. and i spend too much time too!


mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-02 14:09:00
United KingdomTax Return Question
ack! laura! i wasnt criticising. just telling you how i do things. : )

ive found the embassy website to be out of date for some forms and requirements, which is so not okay!

but, you know, notarization doesnt hurt. so if you feel more comfortable having things notarized, i suppose you could.



i am under the impression that copies will suffice. i have frequently heard people say that essentially, if you prepare for the I-864 (the $ support form for the AOS part of the process, which is more stringent and requires a bit more proof) that you will be in very good shape as far as the I-134 form goes at the interview.

here is a blurb from the instructions for the I-864:

All sponsors must submit the following documentation with their I-864:

* Proof of current employment or self employment
* A photocopy or an Internal Revenue Service-issued transcript of a photocopy or an Internal Revenue Service-issued transcript of your complete Federal income tax return for your most recent tax year, or an explanation if it is not submitted. Your W-2s and/or 1099 forms may also be required, see the I-864 instructions for details.

You may also, at your option, submit a photocopy or an Internal Revenue Service-issued transcript of your complete Federal income tax returns for your second and third most recent tax years if you believe these additional tax returns may help you establish the ability to maintain your household income at the governing threshold set forth in Form I-864P, Poverty Guidelines.


(does anyone else see that it doesnt explicitly say 'a photocopy of a IRS issued transcript'?

i see:

a. photocopy of tax return
b. IRS issued tax return transcript of a photocopy (huh?)
c. IRS issued tax return transcript


just because i have been suggesting that copies of the transcripts would be acceptable. dont want to be spreading lies!)
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-02 12:48:00
United KingdomTax Return Question
i try to scroll through a few pages of the UK threads to see if i see any titles that might answer my question. then a do a search, and then i post a question.

im guilty of frivolous posting at times. : )

ooh look! im now a 'senior member'. that why i've gotten so mouthy lately!
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-02 09:10:00
United KingdomTax Return Question
notarization is no longer required for london for the tax documents. they will accept copies.
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-01 23:49:00
United KingdomChanging surname after moving to the USA
ah. yes. i see. <wink>
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-02 09:06:00
United KingdomChanging surname after moving to the USA
QUOTE (MyUKLove @ Apr 2 2009, 02:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ha ha, but no, he's my fiance and a man. He wants to change his name to my former last name. Has anyone done that?


im sure there is someone on vj that has been in every variant of every immigration situation known to the information superhighway.


can you expand on his desired name change? in my head im thinking 'so, hmm, he wants to take her ex-husband's last name? alrighty, different strokes for different folks..'

though i dont think this is the case...

Edited by mr and mrs, 01 April 2009 - 08:55 PM.

mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-01 20:54:00
United KingdomAffidavite of support
i cant really take credit for that link. someone else (Nich? someone else smart? dont know) suggested it when i was asking similar questions.

but im glad you found it useful.
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-01 21:55:00
United KingdomAffidavite of support
QUOTE (Marty J @ Apr 2 2009, 02:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Talyss @ Apr 2 2009, 01:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
When I had my interview I presented the 2007 tax return and the 2008 W2 along with the employment letter. He asked me for the 2006 and 2005 tax returns even though Charley earned over the guidelines.


Four years worth of tax returns? That seems strange to me. Is he self-employed?

I've definitely seen people successfully only bring the last year with them. The thing that is so annoying about this is that they do have a set of instructions on their website, but the consular officers don't seem to follow the same criteria we're supplied with. It would help a lot if they were clearer.

I wonder how they decide what evidence is appropriate?


they have a fancy manual. http://www.state.gov...zation/86988.pdf (scroll to page 10 and below. discuss of some pertinent guidelines (i think,)

i think it is a combination of all of the factors that they ask us to present. health, finances, police record, relationship, etc.


and they way i read the tax return situation (in london): vj'ers suggest three years, most bring three years, not everyone gets asked for all three years, but it seems safer to have them just in case. worst case scenario? a request for additional documentation if one year isnt enough.

i think if you have any questions about what the embassy wants, you need to contact the embassy because they will give you 'the official line' which is probably the safest course of action. vj'ers report back about their individual experiences at the embassy and we then sort of create an aggregate set of rules thT may differ slightly from 'the official line'.

either way, personally, im doing whatever i can, and i am doing what makes me and my fiance comfortable. which means he is bringing pretty much everything.

Edited by mr and mrs, 01 April 2009 - 08:42 PM.

mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-01 20:40:00
United KingdomBig Day Tomorrow
i see you added a AP tracking timeline to your signature. i like that you made it so positive. i think that attitude will help you flit right through it!
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-02 17:12:00
United KingdomBig Day Tomorrow
even if you're feeling anti-social at the moment (i would be too), you have everyone here. in a whole bunch of different time zones. so whenever you need anyone, just let us know. we can post more pictures of those odd sugar glider things and stuff.

i know that it will get sorted before you were meant to fly to be with knight. there is time for them to do their thing and you keep on track with yours. study, play with your cat, keep getting ready for the big move, be really helpful on vj, cheerleading, cookie-baking, etc.

and like marty (or some other kind soul up above) said, this will soon be a memory. have faith and BE BRAVE. (or at least pretend to be brave.)

but please remember to post if you ever need a chat or a distraction. because we love you in an internet-sort-of-way. honest.

mwah. take care.
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-30 17:54:00
United KingdomBig Day Tomorrow
QUOTE (KnightAndMagpie @ Mar 30 2009, 02:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Been designated to AP limbo so I'm a little depressed. I'm glad yours went well though, ahlpo smile.gif. Thank you for the kind words, all.



Magpie.


we can work with AP. we will get it sorted. and you will be ready to get on that plane in may!

mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-30 10:06:00
United KingdomBig Day Tomorrow
i will be quite upset if they give her a really hard time. i dont think they will, but we know its a possibility.

come on, guys! hope its going well for both of our interviewees this morning.
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-30 04:05:00
United KingdomBig Day Tomorrow
great start to a great day, ms. magpie. you're doing great so far! : D
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-29 23:18:00
United KingdomBig Day Tomorrow
i might be wrong, but i know im not, but ill say it anyways, even if you already knew, 'cause it cant hurt... make sure you have reset your clocks/watches/timepieces/etc to the correct time. BST (my favorite time ever! sounds like a garden party every afternoon in british summer time. : D) started today!


mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-29 17:30:00
United KingdomBig Day Tomorrow
tomorrow is not the 30th of march. it is knight and magpie day!

wishing you the most anti-climactic interview approval ever. : D

i am glad that i got to overlap with you because you are really helpful to others with your optimism and your problem-solving and your general 'you-ness'. <mwah>
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-29 10:27:00
United KingdomPhotocopies for interview
yeah, the original plus one copy of the long-form birth ceritificate.
mr and mrsFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-04 18:47:00