I-864 and information (Russia)

[Serilei 0]

Hello all, my name is Jason, and I am here to receive some help from you kind generous people!

I am more or less looking for information on the whole visa situation.

I am a US citizen, and I am married and living in Russia. Tomorrow makes 1 whole year I've been here and January makes 10 months we've been married.

I have the general idea of the information needed for the filing such as: Cover letter, I-130 forms, Birth Certificates and passport, marriage certificate, g-325a, photos, and I think bonafide marriage.

I am curious to know if any Russians are going through this process or have gone through it already and succeeded or failed etc.

I am looking for information on what to expect, what to do at the interviews, what to say. I've also been told sometimes the (whoever grants you and interviews you) doesn't care how much money you make, or something of that matter, they just want to interview you and get you out.

But if in any case since I work here in Russia, my money saved nor income won't matter when we go to the interview right?! We would have a place to stay and able to go get a vehicle and then search for a job etc.. But I am not sure if that would work for them, and I don't know what to do about a petitioner who makes over 18,000/year who can help us..

Is there a charity site to those who wouldnt mind helping?! All we would need is their information, just for visa requirement purposes. We don't need their money or hospitality, not in a mean way, but you know what I mean, as we would be set with money and a place to stay and such with no problem, mainly my old apartment with my roommate who I've known for 14 years. And I should have no problem going back home and finding a decent job, but it's not enough to meet 18k a year, and even if the roommate moved, which he would t I can hold that apartment up by myself with people living for free as I've done before.

So it is just finding someone who will lend a hand without pulling a cent out of their Pockets, and I am not sure where to start.

Also I hope I have the right place to Apply for the (if I am correct) the K3 visa or is it B3?!

I am looking for some guidance and help of advice from anyone here over the next few months or so about which steps to take and where to start.

Also does she need medical tests?! If so what kind?! Her only problem is she gets kidney stones once a year!

Also we both work at the same job if that helps any.

And she applied for a lottery green card, but I think she may have to wait till the end of 2013 to move there and we don't want to wait that long

If I have more questions I will make sure to update

I look forward to talking with everyone!

[kzielu 1,149]

Is there a charity site to those who wouldnt mind helping?! All we would need is their information, just for visa requirement purposes. We don't need their money or hospitality, not in a mean way, but you know what I mean, as we would be set with money and a place to stay and such with no problem, mainly my old apartment with my roommate who I've known for 14 years. And I should have no problem going back home and finding a decent job, but it's not enough to meet 18k a year, and even if the roommate moved, which he would t I can hold that apartment up by myself with people living for free as I've done before.

So it is just finding someone who will lend a hand without pulling a cent out of their Pockets, and I am not sure where to start.

Are you looking for someone to be your Affidavit of Support sponsor ? Realize that this is contract between that person and US government to repay for any mean tested benefits should beneficiary use them. Because of that, it will be very difficult to find anyone that "will lend a hand" - I would look within family... Without Affidavit of Support you visa petition will be flat out denied.

[together4evr 360]

Sometimes people choose to come back to USA alone and get a good job in order to show the embassy they have enough money to support their family and they have a place to live.

Some americans will use savings (it has to be around 56,000)

Some foreign spouses use their savings or assets (for them they need to show 5 times the poverty line or around 90,000)

Some people get a co-sponser that makes enough or has 5 times the poverty line in assets and savings.

Some people file DCF (direct consular filing) from the foreign county and it gets the couple to USA quickest.

You will need to file CR-1 for your wife. If you file from USA, you can use the K3 but it is more expensive and it does not allow her to work quick. And alot of times they change it to a CR-1 anyway. So it is wasted money and time.

Good Luck

[pushbrk 12,968]

Are you looking for someone to be your Affidavit of Support sponsor ? Realize that this is contract between that person and US government to repay for any mean tested benefits should beneficiary use them. Because of that, it will be very difficult to find anyone that "will lend a hand" - I would look within family... Without Affidavit of Support you visa petition will be flat out denied.

Affidavit of support is part of the visa application process but not part of the petition process, so it is the visa that would be denied without a qualified sponsor, not the petition.

[kzielu 1,149]

Affidavit of support is part of the visa application process but not part of the petition process, so it is the visa that would be denied without a qualified sponsor, not the petition.

True, thanks for correction.

[pushbrk 12,968]

Sometimes people choose to come back to USA alone and get a good job in order to show the embassy they have enough money to support their family and they have a place to live.

Some americans will use savings (it has to be around 56,000)

Some foreign spouses use their savings or assets (for them they need to show 5 times the poverty line or around 90,000)

Some people get a co-sponser that makes enough or has 5 times the poverty line in assets and savings.

Some people file DCF (direct consular filing) from the foreign county and it gets the couple to USA quickest.

You will need to file CR-1 for your wife. If you file from USA, you can use the K3 but it is more expensive and it does not allow her to work quick. And alot of times they change it to a CR-1 anyway. So it is wasted money and time.

Good Luck

We are continually fighting this misinformation about NVC "changing it". They don't change a K3 to a CR1. They administratively close the I-129F petition that was intended to allow the foreigner to apply for a K3 visa. The I-130 simply continues to be processed, to allow the foreigner to apply for a CR1 or IR1 visa. What gets CHANGED, if anything is the couple's understanding of the process.

If they are both living in Russia, then chances are they can file the petition directly with the Embassy in Moscow. However, it sounds like the US Citizen petitioner needs to then return to the USA and get a job. No pool of waiting joint sponsors. The point is for the petitioner or his close family and friends to assure that strangers/tax payers are not left to support the foreigner.

[together4evr 360]

Pushbrk,

With all due respect, I understand your demand for correct terminology in immigration. But, I think you need to start considering the fact that the average American comprehends at a 5th grade level. Some foreigner, I assure you understand at a much lower level. This is a hard fact. Immigration terminology is at a much higher level then most people understand. So the terms like administratively closed....means nothing to a 5th grader. I use terms people can understand. My words will not hurt their progress in anyway. I try to help people understand things to make their journey calmer. I feel a bunch of big words will not help the average American.

Thank you

[pushbrk 12,968]

Pushbrk,

With all due respect, I understand your demand for correct terminology in immigration. But, I think you need to start considering the fact that the average American comprehends at a 5th grade level. Some foreigner, I assure you understand at a much lower level. This is a hard fact. Immigration terminology is at a much higher level then most people understand. So the terms like administratively closed....means nothing to a 5th grader. I use terms people can understand. My words will not hurt their progress in anyway. I try to help people understand things to make their journey calmer. I feel a bunch of big words will not help the average American.

Thank you

I have no problem with simple language. NVC cancels or kills the I-129F or cancels or kills the K3 visa process is simple enough and accurate. They don't change anything to something else.

[Serilei 0]

Well as we both know it will help with the job process, it is hard to find a job in a short amount of time making over 18k a year! Even if my job history is so-so and I am a manager/representative of foreign relations with English speaking countries, not sure how well that will go over in the US.

But should I go back and get a job after we file the I-130?! Before the interview?! After the interview?! When?! I have help getting started back home, I'll fly with about 5 grand, get a vehicle on downpayment and stay with my room and hold myself off till I get a job. But I need to know the best time to prove to them that I am putting forth effort!

I am trying my best to hold on to this job right now, because it is a really great job. I just need a plan date to let it go.

[pushbrk 12,968]

Well as we both know it will help with the job process, it is hard to find a job in a short amount of time making over 18k a year! Even if my job history is so-so and I am a manager/representative of foreign relations with English speaking countries, not sure how well that will go over in the US.

But should I go back and get a job after we file the I-130?! Before the interview?! After the interview?! When?! I have help getting started back home, I'll fly with about 5 grand, get a vehicle on downpayment and stay with my room and hold myself off till I get a job. But I need to know the best time to prove to them that I am putting forth effort!

I am trying my best to hold on to this job right now, because it is a really great job. I just need a plan date to let it go.

Between filing and the interview is when you need a job. If you have an interview without a qualified sponsor, it will not end in an approved visa.

[Darnell 8,478]

Jason - are you thinking to file the I-130 to Moscow or Chicago?

[Serilei 0]

Filing in Moscow!

[Darnell 8,478]

Filing in Moscow!

Alrighty ! Yer not chasing after any K-3 visa; you've posted in the wrong place entirely.

Yer chasing after an immigrant Visa (CR-1 or IR-1) via DCF'd I-130 to Moscow.

[yachachiq12 43]

Well as we both know it will help with the job process, it is hard to find a job in a short amount of time making over 18k a year! Even if my job history is so-so and I am a manager/representative of foreign relations with English speaking countries, not sure how well that will go over in the US.

But should I go back and get a job after we file the I-130?! Before the interview?! After the interview?! When?! I have help getting started back home, I'll fly with about 5 grand, get a vehicle on downpayment and stay with my room and hold myself off till I get a job. But I need to know the best time to prove to them that I am putting forth effort!

I am trying my best to hold on to this job right now, because it is a really great job. I just need a plan date to let it go.

If you do not have a qualified co-sponsor to fill out a second I-864, then you will need a job that earns the 125% of poverty level for the year in which you're interviewing (as pushbrk said). It is not about showing the consular officer that you are putting forth an effort, but rather having demonstrable income. It behooves you to review the I-864 instructions.

That said, if you decide to stay in Russia until after the interview, as you've already gotten a friend or family member to serve as a co-sponsor, then you'll need to prove intent to re-establish domicile in the US. Again, review the I-864 instructions on that. Then, do a VJ search on that topic and see what documentation other people have used to prove re-establishing (or not abandoning) US domicile. This is a key part of filing via DCF and remaining abroad up until the interview.

Edited December 28, 2011 by yachachiq12

[Serilei 0]

I have a question, is a 1099 acceptable for a sponsor? I have a friend who would sponsor us, he works as an independent contractor, and makes over 18k a year, but it isnt a monthly income, it varies up and down.. but still makes the money required