NaCl

It looks like somethings going on with our application. For some reason we didn't receive a Biometrics request until just last month. From looking at the list this seems pretty unusual. No RFE, no notice of intent to deny. I just e-mailed to ask for an update.

VJName............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date.....Biometrics......Approved

NaCl 04/03/2013 04/05/2013 10/17/2013

CA Service center

If I were you I'd get affidavits of support for the I-130 from her family. No where does it specify that the affidavit must be from a USC, just make sure that they are properly notarized and in English. I think theres a template floating around somewhere.

Not sure if there's come weird legal thing in Philippines, but in the USA your name only changes if you request it to change at the time of marriage. Its the same as legally changing your name outside of marriage, but its included on marriage licenses to make things easier.

The crazy thing is that they're arguing over like 2% of the actual budget. Neither party has the balls to really do anything about 75% of the budget because its defence,Medicaid and social security. It really pisses me off what blowhards some politicians are about $1 million here or $2 million there when they could be talking about $10 billion here $50 billion there. ..

Please correct me if I am wrong, but can't a person file an AOS based upon future earnings? That's pretty much what I have done. If you have a letter of support from an employer stating that you are employed and earn X amount in one year and provide recent pay stubs as proof, isn't this sufficient? Even if you are on a probationary period, I would check to see if your annual income at your current level of income would be sufficient to sponsor by yourself. You know how to do this yes? Again, I would read the VJ wiki on I-864 and reread the DOS instructions to make sure you understand clearly what is actually required of you to sponsor someone. Also, you did not say how much longer you had left of your probationary period, but I think pushbrk's advice is spot on if you will be receiving full pay in a short time.

If you are having difficulty with your parents then just try to sponsor by yourself.

I dont understand why everyone feels he is applying for a K1 visa? Did he re-edit his information? It says he's applying for a CR1/IR1.

Myself I would advise that you carefully re-read information regarding AOS. You seem to not understand 100% what is actually required. This may solve some of your worries. Once you have done so please come back and ask any questions that you need clarification on.

I filed an I-864 myself with $0 US income from the past 3 years (my understanding is that you can not use foreign income unless it is continuing, after all if your income is from the Philippines how is this going to continue once you move to the US?). I currently have a job that makes over the minimum amount however. You just may be required to submit additional documentation this way that is not explicitly required.

Hope this helps!

Send it after you receive a case number from NVC. That is all you need. The DS-3032 has almost nothing to do with I-864. They are two independent processes.

Man, its from the Jesus himself. I knew that NVC was all powerful, but didn't know they had thatkind of power.

Just to let folks know a lot has changed in the past year! While at one time almost standard for transatlantic flights, it is getting rarer and rarer to find an airline that will let you check two bags for free. Many airlines are moving to a per piece system with a maximum weight of 23kg/50lbs. As someone else pointed out, while many airlines have always had weight/size limits on carry ons, they seem to be checking and enforcing these limits much more frequently, with some even charging per carry on item (more the budget airlines).

If you research any shipping options you will find that $50 USD is a bargain for shipping 23kg/50lbs and you will have the items right away. Also, in my opinion airlines are more reliable at getting you your possessions than couriers/postal services.

Of course, as many have pointed out, not all airlines have the same policy and it is best to check with your individual airline before departure.

Yah, NOA2 Feb 10th and still waiting

In an odd sort of way Im dreading the 3 day weekend. 1 extra day before people are back in the office working again.

My wife and I are newly married so we had little documentation other than our affidavits. I just did one from my mother and one from my sister (who was our witness and only other person at the wedding). I cant remember if I got the template off of VJ or if I just googled affidavit template. Mine were only about 1/2 page long each, but there wasn't a whole lot of other information I could think to include when I was done. Its not super important what the format is, so long as it contains stuff like "Affidavit in support of I-130 petition on behalf of (beneficiary's name)" Then the person's information (I John Doe, age 28 residing at 123 ABC road wish to provide the following statement...) Then their signature and the date on the bottom and in some way the certifier should note "SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me

this XX day of XX, 2011."

The documents MUST BE CERTIFIED IN SOME WAY. In the US, most banks provide free notary services. You have to have the person making the statement go in with their statement (you can accompany them, though it is not necessary)and a government ID. The notaries we used were a bit confused and one of them completed what she called a "jurat" and the other just provided a statement that she witnessed the document signed by such and such person residing at such and such address as proven by their ID. Each country does it slightly differently, but you should be able to obtain something similar in foreign countries. You may obtain them from friends/family in the states, or your spouse's family/friends abroad, whichever is easier. The person does not necessarily have to have been at your wedding (although it is probably best if at least one was), so long as they have detailed knowledge of your relationship, how it started, how it progressed and what you plan for the future.

At least this is what I did and had no problems with. Others experiences may have differed.

haha, I forgot to add we had our civil ceremony and then went down the street straight after to get my witnesse's statement notarized. We were not wasting any time nosiree.

Regarding RFE proof of baona fides. I wonder if this is because the I-130 specifically states all that evidence listed in the RFE? Maybe noob officer interoperates 1 of those as required because it sayz so on da formz instrucionts (insert lol cat image here) and anything else doesn't carry as much weight because it isn't specifically mentioned in the instructions? I sent nothing but 2 affidavits from family (only one was even at the wedding) and had no problems. Then again that just could be the officer I got or the country my wife's from... who noes?

You have your NVC number yet Wade?

Recv e-mail on the 10th, hardcopy NOA2 on the 14th and still waiting on case #. Probably wont get it this week.

I guess I should just be thankful that I'm out of USCIS....

I seem to recall reading somewhere that NVC no longer requires photocopies and have been slow to update their instructions. I'll tell you though, I'm not going to test this information out.

No, very helpful. Thank you. My wife is German, but living in NL so the official local language is Dutch and her PCC is in German. Obviously she is able to understand English and German and write both as well. We just weren't sure if they would have problems with the applicant themselves furnishing translations as they could potentially knowingly mistranslate lines to hide or change information.

All our other documents are in English.

We just got our txt/email NOA2 notification and requested the PCC, but were told it could take 3-4 weeks. I know a 1-2 week hold up is pretty minor, but as I'm sure you can sympathize with, all I can think of is that every day that we are holding the process up is another day prolonging our reunion. So here's hoping they are on their A game and mail it to us sooner.

Thanks again!

My 2c on the matter if I may. I agree that I knew what I signed up for when I got married. I have had my petition handled expeditiously so and have no cause for complaint. I can see, however, why some people are hopping mad with USCIS.

It seems to me that the frustration and anger directed at USCIS by some doesn't have to do so much with the wait itself as USCIS's inability to respond to mistakes. It seems that the organization is good at making errors on top of errors. The TSC fiasco was a huge mess. Fine, that does not make USCIS evil. Their slow response to the situation as well as their inability to provide people with information (providing misinformation instead in some cases), is what seems to really be setting people off.

Its like imagine that youre sitting in a restaurant and your food takes an hour longer than everyone elses. You're sitting there watching people that sat down 1/2 an hour after you arrived get their meals before you. A good restaurant would pre-empt your anger by coming out, apologizing and seeing if there's anything that they can do to make your wait more enjoyable. A bad restaurant will ignore you when you try and catch someone's attention tell you it will just be 5 minutes when it really is another 1/2 hour and then bring out your meal without so much as I'm sorry for the inconvenience. The latter seems to be the approach that USCIS takes. In the private sector if you get bad service you can always go to a competitor or decide that you can do without the service or product altogether. Because of this, businesses that provide horrible service tend to go out of business. With immigration and other government services we have no such choice. Even worse we often have little or no means of redress to grievances against such agencies and are made to feel powerless and helpless.

I'm not sure what the answer is. Do you just accept that government services will be the way they are and that there's little you can do to change them? Does anyone think that our voting really affects little things like how efficient USCIS or the post office is? Should the heads of such agencies be held more accountable to user/voter satisfaction? I'm also getting business surveys, "Please fill out this quick survey regarding your recent purchase/visit to our office/talk with our representative." Should we demand this of government services as well?

(Long post summary: People mad because USCIS doesn't handle mistakes well. What to do?)

I don't know where I got the idea that you brought the originals with you to the interview... I swear that I read it some place. For some reason I thought I read too on one of the guides that around the time you get you're NOA2 you should apply for PCC...

I hope I haven't screwed us over too bad with this mistake.

Second question: Does anybody know if the visa applicant can provide an English translation of their own PCC provided that it has the magic words on it?

Apologies in advance if this question has been answered several times before, but after reading ds-230 guides, NVC section on USCIS website and other forum posts I'm still not 100% clear on the issue.

What needs to be sent with DS-230? Just original copies, original copies and photocopies, just photocopies, nothing at all???? Also, if copies are sent do they have to be certified or are photocopies sufficient as they will be inspecting the originals at the interview?

Applying for IR1/CR1 and our consulate will be AMS The Netherlands and the beneficiary is German. The documents are all currently in the Netherlands with the beneficiary. She will be bringing 1. Marriage cert 2. Birth cert 3. Police records 4. Copy of my IRS transmittal 5. Her passport (duh).

Thanks in advance for the help!

WE ARE APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had resigned myself to waiting awhile longer and all of the sudden bam. Words can't describe how happy I am right now. I just hope that others, especially those that have been $/&/%(&§§ over by USCIS, get some action tonight as well.

The last processing action taken on your case

Application Type: I130 , IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN

Your Case Status: Post Decision Activity

On February 10, 2011, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I130 IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN. 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.

If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results

listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current

processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.

*Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov under Check Processing Times.

*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.

Sincerely,

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

..

Congrats Wade, I hope that the rest of the process goes much more quickly. I will be really happy to see your name up on Igor's list.

As far as I know you have two options:

OPTION 1 Direct Consular Filing(DCF)

If your wife has resided in Canada for over six months you may be able to file for the visa directly in Canada which could significantly reduce wait times (always check with the consulate as each has different requirements as to who can and can't file). If you decide to go this route then make sure you fully understand the domicile requirement (search the DCF form for this). Your wife will also most likely have to find someone in the states with a US income that can co-sponsor you as well. The advantage to this route besides time is that you can continue to live your daily lives together while you wait provided your wife does not have to leave to re-establish domicile (again search the forums to better understand this).

OPTION 2 NORMAL FILING FROM WITHIN US

If your wife is not eligible for DCF or the domicile issue is a problem then your wife returns to the US and files from there. The GC process can take over a year (though typically it is more like 7-10 months)and during this time you will only be able to visit. If you try and cross the border at the same time as your wife with a trailer full of furniture you are definitely going to have problems.

During this time as has been pointed out you can stay for up to 180 days while waiting, though you will not be able to work during this time and will have to travel back to Canada for physicals and your interview. Crossing the border can be somewhat risky, however, as they will place you under stricter scrutiny due to your wife residing in the states and may require stronger guarantees that you will return to Canada than from other travellers.

Going this option domicile will not be an issue and provided that your wife has secured employment by the time of your interview she should be able to sponsor you without a co-sponsor.

I hope that this information is helpful.

I'm still at the I-130 stage so I may not know the most, but we asked the local consulate about this in the hopes that we could get them early. They said that at this specific consulate they request the police records once an interview has been scheduled and that you then have to sign permission to release the records. Your consulate my differ on the fine points, however, NVCs process surely does not differ depending on the consulate you will interview at.

I have already filled out our DS-230 and did not see anywhere any mention of police records.

Pretty safe to say they aren't necessary till after. Oh and what you might have read is that the CO at the consulate looks over your DS-230 which was forwarded by the NVC along withpolice records etc.

Hope this helps.

Dont think of the graphs or estimated approval dates on Igor's list as the whole picture. It is generated by who chooses to input data into it as well as the number of people. For instance if only 5 people in February have created profiles and one of them mistakenly enters their NOA1 date in the NOA2 box then Igor's graph will look like 20% of Febuary filers have already been approved. Likewise, if one person has a two year wait for a greencard, it will affect your estimated approval date even though chances are the problems that user had will not affect you. The most helpful data is to look at is the NOA1 date for the most recently approved filers and there are several of these from Oct in the past few days.