Starting my journey

[pushbrk 12,278]

Would we leave the Alien Registration number blank?

I am also enclosing a photo copy of my visa stamps, my thai work permit, and a letter from my Thai landlord though I am unsure how to get something like that notarized in Thailand and/or if immigration in America would accept such documents. I have business correspondence from various places and my wife has personal correspondence Would a scanned copy of these documents be sufficient?

Jeff

Type NONE in the two places on each form asking for the A number. It may fill in all zeros when you do that. No worries.

Scanned copies are fine but must be translated if not in English. Evidence you live at the same address is not critical enough to pay to get it translated.

[TeacherJeff 0]

Proving up intent to re-establish domicile, would have a sheaf of letters and documents that might (emphasis on might) show:

1. address of a place in USA that you intend to live

2. receipts for deposits paid for utilities on a domicile

3. signed lease of a rental property

4. signed (perhaps sworn also) letter from parents that they intend for you and your wife to live with them when you two return to USA.

4. Offer of Employment letter from a new employer.

What you can show always depends on what you have and how you will live - IMO is huge difference between moving in with your parents vs having a new lease on a rental property, so 'what you can show' will vary based on what path you choose.

DCF filers have had this issue, as well - but one thing that I've learned (on DCF filers) is that

RIGHT AFTER the I-130 is approved, is perfectly fine for the USCitizen Spouse to get into the USA and actually 'get all done' to secure new job and new domicile, then show that proof on interview day. You aren't a DCF casetype, but in the same breath , you have lived overseas all this time, and IMO you are 'safe to travel to USA' after I-130 is approved at USCIS.

Very informative as usual. 5 stars to you. The links that you gave me do in fact work. My internet was apparently acting up earlier today. Would filing to the Chicago lockbox give my wife and I more flexibility when it comes to moving back to America as opposed filing dcf? Would my wife be able to process in Bangkok even though she is not a Thai national?

We have a relative back in the states who will help us get back on our feet though she is not the co-sponsor. Would it be better that I remain in Thailand until this process is finalized or should I move back to the state side as soon as possible?

Again, thank you so much.

Jeff

[chaine1 116]

Would my wife be able to process in Bangkok even though she is not a Thai national?

Yes, provided she is a legal resident of Thailand.

Would it be better that I remain in Thailand until this process is finalized or should I move back to the state side as soon as possible?

My husband and I both resided in Kuwait until the visa was in his passport. Neither the NVC nor the embassy in Kuwait ever asked me to prove intent to re-establish domicile. At the USCIS stage, I provided our addresses in Kuwait, but once we hit the NVC, I had our address changed to my parents in the USA (because they asked me to). I think that is why the NVC did not ask for any proof of domicile (but that was an unintended side effect). However, I did show up for my husband's interview with letters from the university I will attend here in the USA and my USA driver's license. That was it. And it wasn't even asked for.

The whole point of telling you this is to encourage you to relax. You are going to have to make your own decisions, and I would encourage you to make decisions that are in the best interest of your family, and NOT what is best for immigration purposes. If it's best for you to stay in Thailand and you can prove intent with things like a driver's license, canceled Thai work visa, job search efforts, etc then stay in Thailand until everything is finalized.

One thing I learned throughout this process is that it is impossible to be 100% prepared for every little detail. Stop trying to be. Take care of the big stuff, and then everything else will fall into place. It may not fall into place in a way you like it, but it will work itself out. Welcome to the roller coaster ride!

Good Luck!

[TeacherJeff 0]

Yes, provided she is a legal resident of Thailand.

Is there a clear cut definition of legal resident? My wife is legally able to work in Thailand, as I am, but I dont know if we are considered legal residents. She is a Filipina who has lived in Thailand for the past seven or eight years.

My husband and I both resided in Kuwait until the visa was in his passport. Neither the NVC nor the embassy in Kuwait ever asked me to prove intent to re-establish domicile. At the USCIS stage, I provided our addresses in Kuwait, but once we hit the NVC, I had our address changed to my parents in the USA (because they asked me to). I think that is why the NVC did not ask for any proof of domicile (but that was an unintended side effect). However, I did show up for my husband's interview with letters from the university I will attend here in the USA and my USA driver's license. That was it. And it wasn't even asked for.

The whole point of telling you this is to encourage you to relax. You are going to have to make your own decisions, and I would encourage you to make decisions that are in the best interest of your family, and NOT what is best for immigration purposes. If it's best for you to stay in Thailand and you can prove intent with things like a driver's license, canceled Thai work visa, job search efforts, etc then stay in Thailand until everything is finalized.

One thing I learned throughout this process is that it is impossible to be 100% prepared for every little detail. Stop trying to be. Take care of the big stuff, and then everything else will fall into place. It may not fall into place in a way you like it, but it will work itself out. Welcome to the roller coaster ride!

Good Luck!

Aint life one big roller coaster ride. lol. This is perhaps the best advice that I have received in a long long time. I've been trying to plan every possible eventuality. The Thais are always telling me "Mai pen rai". I am officially unemployed due to the fact that I was quite sick last month that required me to stay in the hospital for a week. Would that work in my favor? Did you file DCF?

[TeacherJeff 0]

Is it advisable to send the files in a folder with sub dividers that are clearly labeled? Would a western union money order be an acceptable form of payment? My bank account was closed due to inactivity and I am uncertain if I would be able to get a travelers check

[TeacherJeff 0]

Also I noticed a place on this g25 a form that asks for the last address outside for more than 1 year. What if that address is the one that I am currently at? would write the address down twice?

[TeacherJeff 0]

bump

[Ryan H 3,797]

Is it advisable to send the files in a folder with sub dividers that are clearly labeled?

No. Once your file arrives at USCIS, it will be taken apart and reassembled in a manner to their own liking.

Also I noticed a place on this g25 a form that asks for the last address outside for more than 1 year. What if that address is the one that I am currently at? would write the address down twice?

Yes

[pushbrk 12,278]

Also I noticed a place on this g25 a form that asks for the last address outside for more than 1 year. What if that address is the one that I am currently at? would write the address down twice?

You are over-thinking this. Answer each question as if it stood alone. If two questions have the same answer, they have the same answer. Here's another one that will probably confuse you. On the I-130 C 17, who do you suppose is YOUR alien relative's spouse? That would be YOU. So, you'll be entering your name a date of birth as the answer to two questions on the I-130 too. No worries. Just answer the questions. Read carefully, interpret literally and answer accurately.

[TeacherJeff 0]

Wow i finally took the 12 hour bus ride from Hatyai to Bangkok and submitted the I-130 package. They told me that they will call within 2 weeks if there were any additional requirements and that the processing time is usually 4=6 months. Provided that everything goes well during this interview at the end of the 4-6 months, how long does my wife have to move back to the states? We were thinking about having our first child here in thailand before heading back to the states and finding employment to keep us tied down here would be relatively easy. Thanks again to everyone above who told me to chill out and stop trying to be perfect. Even the embassy personal were clueless for the most part lol.

Jeff

Edited May 3, 2013 by TeacherJeff

[TeacherJeff 0]

Bump: would it be better if I start a new thread with my question?

[Ryan H 3,797]

how long does my wife have to move back to the states?

The visa would need to be used before the expiration date that is printed on it. Typically, that is 6 months from the date that is is issued. However, it may be less than that time (but never more).

[TeacherJeff 0]

Thanks to the people who have assisted me I am nearly ready submit the second package to the embassy. However, there is one minor problem that we completely overlooked whilst I was in Bangkok. Three years ago my wife went to her embassy (She's a Filipino) in Bangkok to get her police clearance from the Philippines which was dated nov 3, 2010. Due to the lack of a co-sponsor at that time we were unable to proceed with her visa but we still kept the police clearance. Is it possible to still use that police clearance that we received 2 1/2 years ago or do we need to get a new one in addition to the Thai police clearance? We have tried emailing visasbkk@gov.state two weeks ago with this question but we have not received a reply from them. The police clearance is relatively easy to get but the 12 hour bus trip is highly inconvenient to us as we are both teaching.

[Ryan H 3,797]

Is it possible to still use that police clearance that we received 2 1/2 years ago or do we need to get a new one in addition to the Thai police clearance?

Need to obtain a new one.

Edited May 26, 2013 by Ryan H

[dwheels76 5,463]

Need to obtain a new one.

So regardless they live in that country or ever wen t back all police reports have to have not expired correct?

I ask because I have a friend who went through K1 in 2011 and they were denied. He left that country and went back to Nigeria where they got married and have filed and he says he doesn't need to get a new police report that expired in 2011. I say yes.

So I wanted to show him this to show him NVC will checklist them or the embassy will request a new one. Correct?