sanctifyer

Wow.. haven't been here in a long time. Glad to see that the VJ forums are still running strong!

Good luck to everyone..

sanc

Do the barcodes on these forms that are generated work?

I can't get the DS-230 coversheet to open

To answer the question about the bar codes, I just compared the ones I got from the NVC to the ones on this site. The Barcodes look the same EXCEPT that the ones from NVC are bigger than what is generated here.

Also, the stars on the Barcode sheets are different. NVC has the 5-star and what we have here is a 6-star. On top of that the two stars at the top right corner are missing on JAME'S Shortcuts.

I sent in all the I-864 package by using the JAME'S Shortcuts but on second thought, I've mailed in all the NVC generated barcodes to avoid complications. Better safe than sorry!

There won't be any complications. The barcode sheet is a simple mechanism to ascertain the case number nothing more. As long as the case number is there bright and bold written on the sheet, there should be no problems.

Remember, The Shortcuts are a tried and tested method over a year old now.

sanc

I've not heard of that - I always thought it was the sign for 'number'.

Jenny

What the sign is for and what the sign is, are two different things.

The hash/pound sign is indeed used to represent 'number'.

sanc

Hi, everyone,

after, we submitted DS-230 form; I realized that there was a mistake/typo on the form. What should I do now?

By the way we have to submit form DS230 I & II again at the time of our interview in embassy. Can we correct the date at that time? Does this really big matter?

Please advise.

If you feel that the error will result in a checklist being generated by the NVC then mail a corrected DS-230 to the NVC with a cover note explaining why you are sending it in again.

Otherwise wait until the interview and get it corrected with the CO then.

sanc

Americans do not call '#' the hash sign as we do in the UK.

It is known as the pound sign.

sanc

I was just woundering if it might be ok with the National Visa Center or if anyone has done it before. But What Im trying to ask is when you mail forms and everything to them they want your case number on the upper right hand corner of everything. There is some things I dont want to write my case number on them cause I will use them later once we get them back (and I dont want every other place we use them at after this to see my immigration number or anything). So I was woundering would it be ok if I made some labels on my computer and just put them on instead?

vonnie&abdel,

If you feel you have to use labels to identify the case number then thats fine. Just make sure it doesn't interfere with adjudication of the documents.

sanc

Hello Aussiewench,

Thank you for your help. No, it does not accept my user id and password, it says that it does not not this user. Any help is more than welcome.

Thank you, this is a great forum here!

Michigan2004

I was afraid of that. I just sent admin an email with the attachments and asked for them to be placed here in this site. Hopefully it will be sorted out shortly. Will keep you posted.

Lorelle

What an ungly flaw.

Hope it gets dealt with soon.

sanc

There is no specific order mentioned by NVC

Yes there is.

See the NVC generated instructions here.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums2/index.p...=post&id=358965

'Documents must be submitted in the following order'

sanc

call again Monday or Tuesday. that's when things happen at NVC I think

Germangel,

The NVC AVRS offers a notification for receipt of packages on any working day of the week. Not just Mondays and Tuesdays.

doodles,

I agree with bears. The oeprators are usually 1 day ahead of the AVRS with latest information.

sanc

I see that the new processing dates for I-130 have been posted for Vermont.. but they are still processing 03 Dec 2005 !!... they have been processing this date for the past 4 weeks....!

Is this normal ?

lquin,

It is quite normal for there to be a backlog or some other delay that induces the freezing of processing dates. The only thing you can do is wait and hope that the dates change next time round.

sanc

germangel,

If you have found out that an RFE is generated, find out exactly what's required from an operator then self generate the response package using this example.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...indpost&p=95208

sanc

Mermaid,

The checklist letter can be self-generated.

See this thread

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...indpost&p=95208

where you will find a post by me containing a full array of PACKAGE SCANS.

sanc

Congrats Lorelle Looks like the NVC are completing cases a lot faster than they did 6 months ago!

Third and last stage now: Embassy!

Good luck,

sanc

Yes we recieved an RFE because of missing W-2's. The directions for the I-864 say.. "If you filed a joint income tax return and are only using your own income to qualify, you must also submit copies of your W-2's for each of the most recent three tax years." Apparantly however they do want them anyway because I never filed joint, but was RFE ed anyway. The instructions sent to me from the NVC say to send the tax returns for the past 3 years "and/or" the W-2's. Unfortunately the instructions are not clear but I would suggest making sure you also have all 3 years w-2's and tax returns. I found it easier to get copies from my former employers than the tax preparer because it is busy tax season.

Yes I remember that now.

But with all due respect, in this process wouldn't it be wise to include it anwyay? It costs nothing to do so and it would have prevented the checklist.

sanc

I never got round to post this on VJ.

(I posted both my medical and interview experience on www.diveintoamerica.com. Copying it to add here.)

Anyway, here goes.

My appointment was at 2:45pm. We were half an hour early so we decided to just go anyway. The Alliance Medical Imaging Centre was in a secluded spot in Bulstrode Place however the map emailed to me was accurate. It's very easy to find it from Bond Street Station.

The main door was open even though there was a sign outside saying press the buzzer to enter.. etc. Just try pushing the right door and you're in.

The lady at reception was giggling with her mate. I told her that I had an appointment for a medical and she asked if its Knightsbridge Doctors I wanted, I said yes.

If your medical is coming up, just ask the main reception for Knightsbridge Doctors.

She gave me some weird directions on where to go (through the double doors, then right on the left)

We found out that she should have said 'Take the lift and go to the second floor'

The lift is on the right just before the double doors.'

Once on the second floor, a girl with an Australian/south African accent checked the schedule to confirm my appointment. She said I was a bit early, I said I know!

Anyway, she took my passport, vaccination history, photo and completed questionnaire. She also asked for the appointment letter from the Embassy. I said I didn't have it. She said it's OK as long as I'm sure the case number on the questionnaire is correct, which was the case.

I sat down in the waiting area and waited for a bit. A lady (Vaccinations nurse) called my name and then asked me if I knew if I've ever had Chicken Pox. I said yes I did. She also gave back my vaccinations booklet telling me I didn't need any vaccinations and that I was up to date. I waited a bit more.

Another chap called my name and then took me to a room for a chest x-ray.

You can see the machine below. It's a simple matter of pressing your chest against a plate near the wall and zap. All done.

He shook my hand(!) and then I went out and waited a bit more.

The receptionist called me and told me to complete a form. It was a medical worksheet issued by DoS. Form number was DS-3026. Very similar to the medical questionnaire sent from the Embassy. I also had to sign a form explaining the consequences of a positive HIV outcome. I signed that and handed it back in to reception. She then told me to go to the 1st floor and wait in another waiting room. She handed back the passport and also gave me my medical 'case' to give to the doctor who was going to perform the medical and blood test. The room was empty. While waiting I took a pic of the 'case' in my hand.

You can clearly see that they have cut the photo down to UK size, even though the Embassy specifies US size for the medical. The photo was stapled to a DS-2053. This is the medical sheet that is used officially as a part of the immigrant case. It's a kind of summary, that was only partly completed.

I was eventually called in and the jolly and humorous chap confirmed the answers I gave in the questionnaire and DS-3026. He also asked if I've had any mental problems or operations etc. He asked me to sign a paper, and to sign across the photograph onto the form using a marker.

The medical was a very quick affair. He took me round behind the blinds and told me to remove my shoes, jeans and top.

He then weighed me and checked my height.

He then told me to lie down on the bed thing.

He then got a phone call telling him that they are no more blood tubes used to send off for checking. They ran out!

He came back round and checked my reflexes by knocking a hammer on my knees and checked my legs and stomach for anything 'diseasey'. He told me to pull down my pants. I did and he said almost immediately OK that's fine, so I pulled 'em back up!

He prepped a needle and then took blood filling the last container they had! There were two people in the room outside waiting that were probably delayed because of this.

Everything was done and he said there were no problems. He asked if I had any questions. I asked how long it would take to get to the Embassy and how it's transported there. He said that it takes 2 days for the blood results to come back and another day for the results to get to the embassy. He said that they are sent using a private courier.

He gave me back my medical 'case' with all the blanks filled in, to take back to reception.

He came in the lift with me to reception to sort out the 'no blood containers' dilemma. Whilst we were going back up to second floor, I asked him how many patients he has daily. He said there are two medical locations and each one gets about 15-20 a day.

Once back at reception, the receptionist was flustered and wandering around aimlessly for a bit. She then got back apologised and asked me to pay the £160 bill. I paid, she gave me a Vaccination sheet and receipt. She also said the results will be sent in 24 hours which was a little different from what doc told me!

Anyway, that's it! All done..

It took 50 mins start to finish. We had a late lunch at Wagamama behind Selfridges and then headed back.

sanc

PS. I got the passport photos done today here http://www.passportphoto.co.uk Its close to the Embassy.

Super service. We got 4 US photos for £11.90. An we were in and out of there in literally 5 minutes.

All,

Which of these methods are safe to transfer around £25,000?

What kind of charges can I expect for this amount?

I'm thinking of just getting an International Bankers' Draft from my Barclays branch and pay it into my wife's US account.

Thanks,

sanc

My question is in regards to the household size section of the I-864. My wife and I have been married for a little over 5 years. I have claimed her and my three stepchildren on my tax returns for the previous 4 years. They are the same people I am sponsoring on the I-864.

Question number 4.B.2 states: "number of persons being sponsored..."; which would be 4. Then in question four, it wants to know how many people are claimed as dependents on my tax return; which would be 3... then including myself, for a total household size of 8.

This is not right because the dependents on my tax return are the same ones who are being sponsored. The total household size should be 4.

Common sense would suggest that maybe the person processing the form at the NVC would notice that the names are the same on my tax returns as the people being sponsored but there is no way to indicate this on the form.

After trying in vain to get ahold of the NVC for many days now, I'm hoping someone here may have already had the same situation arise. Thanks in advance for your replies.

Jim

Jim,

Read Section 4B of the I-864 again.

It states:

Number of persons who are otherwise dependent on you, as claimed in your tax return for the most

"Otherwise dependent on you"

This means that you don't include anyone in this part if you have already mentioned them previously. But you do include anyone else who is dependent on you as claimed in yout tax return.

sanc

Hello, everyone,

I have a question it just seems weird to me. I just paid my $70 fee for the AOS fee and returned my DS-3032. But today I recieved the next fee for $380.00. Shouldnt I receive the I-864 first? Then this? Im not sure but I dont think it makes sense! Did they forget to mail it to me?

Thanks for any help anyone can provide

Vonnie

Vonnie,

The I-864 and IV Bill are not related. There are two independent tracks.

Read the NVC Flowchart

http://www.visajourney.com/examples/NVC_Pr...wchart_v1-2.pdf

Don't expect packages and forms to arrive in a particular order by considering both tracks together. Treat them separately.

sanc

With respect to the original post, I'd also like to emphasise that James's NVC Shortcuts should be used to identify the methods for self generation ONLY.

All other information regarding addresses, fees and documents that should be included are all SUBJECT TO CHANGE and should never be understood as being latest or accurate information.

sanc

As far as I remember we do not have to send W2s.

internetkafe,

What gave you the idea that you did not have to send W2s?

Read the instructions for the I-864 and the instructions provided by the NVC.

sanc

shonjaved, Psoft,

The barcodes used by the NVC are linear barcodes.

The scanners that read these barcodes are very flexible with respect to barcode widths and heights.

Furthermore, if your case number is identified below the barcode, it is more than likely that your package will be matched to your case.

Print out the barcode sheet that is troubling you, take it to a friendly local store with a barcode scanner and ask them to test it. it will work.

Psoft,

in answer to your OP, James Shortcuts have been fully implemented by hundreds of people over the past year, with no problems highlighted to date.

sanc

Hi All,

I am still here in I-864 purgatory...

My joint sponsor (my sister), has a typo on a copy of her birth certifcate that she obtained about 15 years ago. Why she did not correct it back then is anyone's guess...

The original one was lost in a fire when we were kids...

The actual typo is a misspelling of her first name. She ordered a correct one, but it will take about 2 weeks to get here. She does not travel, and hasn't a passport that we could use in it's place to prove citizenship.

IT IS THE ONLY THING IN MY WAY FROM SENDING OUT MY I-864 PACKAGE...Which, as you know from my prior postings, has been a major thorn in my side

My question is, should I send it out with the typo and see if they have a problem, or should I wait for the corrected one?

-Rose

Rose,

This is a delicate situation.

If this is the only proof the joint sponsor can provide for citizenship I would prefer it to be free from errors.

If I were in your place I would hold back sending out the I-864 and consider the options for either

1) getting the birth certificate corrected

2) getting your sister a passport with a corrected name

Warning: Birth certificates with typos have resulted in visa denials in the past. In your situation, it may well lead to the joint sponsorship papers being rejected.

sanc

Hi,

I received our I-864 today and it scares the hell out of me...My income for 2005 did not make the cut, as I lost a business-but thankfully, my sister will be helping us by co-sponsoring.

I am all set with my 3 years of tax transcripts (2003, and 2004) and a copy of 2005's. My sister is almost all ready to go as well, with her 2003 and 2004-although she e-filed today and now has to wait 2 days to get a copy...

I only saw one "tax release authorization" form in the envelope and I am now under the impression that our co-sponsor needs one too. Of course, I realized this after I filled it out and could not make her a copy.

Am I right in assuming she needs one too??

Any advice of getting another one for her?

Should I have the NVC fax one over to her???

I saw one on the 'Shortcuts" page, but do not know how to change the case number...If I were to do that and generate the bar code, how should it be affixed???

Please help !!

Thanks,

Rose

Rose,

The NVC have stated in the past that only one tax authorisation is needed. However, it is a simple matter of photocopying the one you have and completing it for the Joint Sponsor. Doesn't hurt.

sanc

Hi Guys..

Hope everyone is doing well... I was a bit premature and applied for my police certificate early and it arrived today!!..

My understanding is that the UK police certificates are valid for one year. Does anybody know whether the UK certificate just needs to be valid for the interview or must it be valid at the time you enter the US..?

Thanks!!

Lewis,

Valid for the interview.

sanc

Do we have to call NVC? what number to call? How to call real person ?

Read the pinned threads.

sanc