lucy884

Just wanted to help with anyone who is trying to work out an average wait between the interview waiver letter and a decision. I received the letter in mid-February and saw my green card was in production yesterday, so it's been 5 months for me. I filed in October but had an RFE in November which I couldn't deal with until January so my timeline won't represent the norm but thought I'd try and help out with the numbers anyway

Edit: Because of the RFE, my case was being processed at the National Benefits Center, not my local field office. Thought that's important to note as you can't get a 'current process time' for the NBC, annoyingly.

My K1 visa had an expiry date of 26th June, I went to the social security place and applied for my SSN on 21st June. They made a copy of my marriage certificate (which I took just to prove I had fulfilled the conditions of the K1 visa) and I received the SSN in the mail about a week later. It was all very quick! If I were you I would go down there and try anyway.

My personal approach to all of immigration is minimalistic. Send what is reqired without so much extra stuff they can't find the important things. Many others feel that overload is the only way to go. You have to decide what feels right for your peace of mind.

Don't forget this sentence on page 9 -- "A joint sponsor can be any U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident who is at least 18 years old, domiciled in the United States, or its territories or possessions, and willing to be held jointly liable with the petitioner for the support of the intending immigrant."

You have to prove that bolded part with documentation or they won't look at or consider their I-864. We hadn't discussed that bit is why I said go over the instructions one more time now that you are clearer...just to check for any more details. I had to read the I-864 and I-864a instructions about four times before it began to make sense to me. Information overload at first. Whew! I am like you. I have to print it all out and highlight when I read immigration or IRS instructions.

My new joint sponsor is my husband's cousin and he's a US citizen so I asked him to include a copy of his birth certificate. Thank you for looking out for me with that though!

Have you read through the instructions to the form? (13 pages). On page 6-- "If you believe additional returns may help you to establish your ability to maintain sufficient income, you may submit transcripts or photocopies of your Federal individual income tax returns for the three most recent years." That's your call. Three good years looks good, but if they were up and down, or lots of different employers (on W2s), maybe wouldn't look stable.

Read the instructions to pick up on all the details so you don't mess up again.

I read the instructions a few times, even printed and highlighted bits, I thought I had been really thorough which is why this was a let down. At least I have a chance to set it right though. I have definitely read that part you quoted but just wondered whether it's best to give them everything anyway even if the sponsor's job has been stable, since it's an RFE. Anyway, I'll sort it out, thanks for your help, you really have helped me out a good few times now! Always appreciate it.

Concerning the I-864 Part 6--

#5 is NOT straight off the tax return. It is what he claims he is making right now, today, if you carried it out to a year. Example his tax return could say $50,000 but now he got a new job only making $25,000. That's what goes in #5...current income.

Or last year a sponsor only started working in August for $2,000/month and earned for 5 months so his tax return shows only $10,000. But that's a $24,000/year salary ($2000x12 months). He puts $24,000 for #5. He proves it with an employer letter or recent paystubs since the tax return doesn't prove it. He still submits that tax return, but they consider the other proofs as well.

#13 a, b, c all come exactly from the tax return Form 1040 line 22. He fills in all three years. He only has to submit the actual tax return + W2 for the most recent year (2012). Or he can submit a tax transcript instead with no W2.

Tax return from last years income could be much the same as his current income if nothing has changed. But it might be different too if he got a raise or a better job or didn't earn as much from investments or retired.

I am fairly sure that my new joint sponsor's job has not changed since his most recent tax return, but of course he may have had a pay increase. This explanation makes a great deal of sense and I know Jay Kay mentioned the hourly rate x hours per week x 52 calculation too, I was just unsure which box that figure would go into, but now I know. Thank you!

Since I'm submitting this new joint sponsor in response to an RFE, do you think I should be more thorough and ask him to send me copies of his tax returns from 2011 and 2010 too just to be safe, or should 2012 + W-2s, the employer letter and pay stubs be enough?

Thank you so much Jay Kay and Nich-Nick for your responses, both of which have helped me to understand this a lot better. My mistake was trusting my original joint sponsor's understanding of his own tax returns instead of checking them thoroughly enough myself. Live and learn I suppose :/ I do find it strange though that his not meeting the poverty line was not questioned at the interview I had at the embassy in London before they issued my K1 visa??

Anyway thanks to both of you, I now know that my new joint sponsor won't have used an EZ form as he has dependents so I will ask him to put the income figure of Line 22 of his 1040 form in the boxes for part 6 questions 5 and 13a, rather than Line 37, his adjusted gross income. However, I have checked and his adjusted gross income is more than the minimum required for his household size anyway so either way I should be ok now!

Again, thank you so much

I had a joint sponsor who I thought earned over the poverty line for the household size of 2 as his income was in the 30k range on his tax return. He put this figure on my affidavit for Part 6, Q5 and Q13a. However, I received a horrible pink Request for Initial Evidence letter the other day saying that my joint sponsor doesn't earn enough to meet the poverty line. At first I thought it was a mistake but when I looked at the tax forms again, turns out his adjusted gross income was only 8k. I think it's because he's self-employed and so business expenses really knocked it down, but I thought they made the judgement based on total income not this adjusted gross income?

Anyway I have managed to find a new joint sponsor who has an employer rather than being self-employed, and before I explain to him about the forms, can anyone just confirm to me which figures are supposed to be entered in Part 6, Q5 and 13a and which figure they make the judgement on? Total income, adjusted gross income? I've read the instructions over and over but they only mention adjusted gross income for 1040EZ - what is different about that tax form?

Really appreciate anyone who can shed some light on this. It was a real blow to find this out

If you read the Technical Instructions for Panel Physicians, the part about filling out the results section says what is ticked on yours is what almost every one will have. So Incomplete-blanket waiver is what they all should say. Complete would mean EVERY shot on the list was given.

There are reasons why a certain shot may be waived. Look at the last five columns of the DS-3025. Examples--

Not age appropriate (you don't get baby shots)

Insufficient time interval (Some with multiple doses require spacing out. You don't have to wait)

Medically contraindicated (pregnant, allergic reactions)

Not readily available (Doesn't really work for a K1 because you could get it in the US before AOS)

Not flu season

You should have "Contraindicated" ticked on your MMR line. If they didn't tick that, then your sheet is not properly filled out and you could get an RFE over it. You basically need a shot marked or a reason for waiver ticked.

Thanks Nich-Nick yet again I didn't read the instructions for the physicians but you're right, my form has contraindicated ticked for MMR. Such a relief to know I don't have to deal with a civil surgeon now. Thank you.

My DS-3025 also states "Vaccine History Incomplete" and "Applicant may be eligible for blanket waiver(s) because vaccination(s) not medically appropriate (as Indcated Above)" This was because I only got one MMR shot (two are required) and theMMR is not marked as a completed series.

I did not get a second shot, I just sent in the DS-3025 with my AOS and got approved, didn't get any RFE or questions about this.

That's interesting!! I won't be able to send my forms off just yet so I'll see if anyone else has any more advice, but your experience has eased my mind Thanks!

Hi everyone I hope someone can help me out here. I'm aware that if the DS-3025 is complete, that you do not need to submit form I-693 if filed within a year. However, I have a blood condition that means that it is dangerous for me to have the MMR vaccination. When I went for my medical in London, I took a letter written by my doctor in the UK as to why I shouldn't have the vaccination and the Knightsbridge doctors accepted it, made a copy of it and said I didn't have to have it. However on my DS-3025 it's ticked as 'medical history incomplete -> eligible for blanket waiver'. Because of this, is my DS-3025 'complete' or do I need to get the I-693 form filled out by a civil surgeon here, again having to take my letter and explanation? Even though the civil surgeon here will have to tick the same box as I can't have the vaccination..!

Any advice is much appreciated!

Thank you very much for your responses, greatly appreciated. Things are beginning to fall into place now after this and further research.

Hi, I'm new to this particular board but not the forum - just received my K1 visa and I'm going to be travelling to Puerto Rico this Friday to finally get married My fiance is Puerto Rican and we're going to be living there, so it's not a destination wedding.

I know this board is about AOS but I can't find any information on the actual marriage process. I don't even know the first thing we have to do when I get there to start it all off. How do you get married?? I'm assuming everyone here has already got married and so that's why I thought it's the best place to post, but if not then I hope it's moved to the right place.

I've tried researching this online but not really getting far. The best information I've found is here: http://www.sanjuanweddings.com/wedding/hotels/hotel-information/travel/sjupr-san-juan-marriott-resort-and-stellaris-casino/overview/wedding-policies.php and I'm now worried about the part where it says I need a declaration to be signed before a notary public in the UK stating that I'm not married. I have the K1 visa, I thought that would be enough?? I haven't read this anywhere else on here about K1s and I fly in 5 days!

ANY information would be a great help, even if it's pointing me in the direction of what to do first when I get there. It also states on that link that we need to apply for a marriage licence which takes 2 months? I'm so confused I thought getting married wouldn't take too long. At the risk of looking naive, I'm going to post this because I'm feeling in a real pickle

Lucy

Lucy that sure took a long time! so in just a few weeks, Congratulations and I hope the next few months are nothing but pure joy for you.

Yes, took ages! It was a combination of Vermont being painfully slow last year + me going to visit my fiance for a month so I couldn't return the package 3 when I received it + the UK embassy taking 5 weeks to process it all! So many setbacks, but minor really compared to the setbacks many others have had. I'm just glad it went smoothly and I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel!

I hope AOS has been ok for those of you who have already started that process? Is it less stressful at least??

Hey guys

Just thought I'd let you know that I FINALLY had my interview today and was approved! I think I'll be moving on the 5th April - my fiance is going to come over to the UK for a short visit and then we'll go back together Thank you for all your support these past months, I've really needed it. Can't believe that after 309 looong days, this is almost all over!

Lucy x

Yes, I think that means you're on their radar with some papers logged and 'administrative processing' is just one way to say they're shuffling papers, but seems to be somebody elses papers, huh? And yours are still on the waiting pile.

Some people ask, are all my papers there? Is my medical received? Is the DS-2001 there? They get the answer yes, everything is received and you are just waiting for an interview to be assigned. I think it's that different people answer with different words or terminology. A not there or not logged answer would be "I can't find any record of your case."

Thanks for the reassurance Nich I'm just happy to know I'm in the queue... reeeeally want to be done with this by the end of March

The department of state told my fiance when he rang today that our case is in 'administrative processing' but no interview date has been appointed yet - I am assuming and hoping that means my papers have been logged at least? Anyone know?

It is a US number. There is no charge for them to answer the phone like the embassy. If you don't have a free or inexpensive way to call the US, then have him call. They will want to know LNDxxxxxxx case number and names and maybe birthdates. It's been a long, long time since I actually called them myself.

Thanks for the info My fiance called but my forms have not been processed yet ah well..

Info in this thread about Dept of State

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/350185-london-2012-k1s-from-noa2-to-interview-thread/page__view__findpost__p__5882614

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/350185-london-2012-k1s-from-noa2-to-interview-thread/page__view__findpost__p__5889940

The number of times I've read this thread I was sure I was up to date but obviously not! But thank you so much for the links

Edit: Just a quick one - is this DOS number based in the States? Basically, is it better for my fiance to call?

Ugh, so many stories of people having to chase up the embassy and finding out they had no record of the documents arriving! Makes me worried! Is there any way of finding out whether the paperwork has been logged?

Congrats to those who passed their interviews by the way

After many emails and phone calls i was appointed an interview date, i got an email on thrusday (24th) saying i could have an interview for the next day at 10am, i accepted and to cut a long story short, i was approved by 12:00 the following day !!!

My review can be found here http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/view-dos-cis-reviews.php?entry=11361

Sorry if its a bit long.

I have to say thankyou to everybody on here and of course a special thankyou to LeftCoastLady and Nich-Nick, you guys made this whole thing 10000x times easier, you guys should get paid for the help you give !

Now i can start the next part of my journey, but that will be much easier due to the fact i will be a married man living with the love of my life

Really happy for you Lewis Thanks for writing the review too - I wish there was a way of calming nerves before this thing but I was shaking just waiting in the waiting room at the medical lol I'm going to be a wreck at the interview :/

Anyways, I sent my forms back last week so that they would arrive at the embassy on the same day as my medical results.. now back to the waiting game.. Thanks to everyone in this thread for the invaluable advice and support

You're awesome, Nich-Nick, thanks again

Hi,

I cant help with question one but I asked the same question for question 2. We dont have a National Identification number and no it is not the same as our national insurance numbers. Im sure someone else can clarify if im wrong but I didnt put anything down.

I didn't attach any forms..i think that's for the officer, if not....oops

Thanks for the answers! I'm glad it's not the national insurance number because I already printed the form with 'none' for that question and didn't want to have to go back and change it!

Oh also! The instructions say to include your wedding date in your cover letter, but we don't have a date yet. We haven't felt comfortable planning anything when we've had no idea when I would actually be able to move. Do I just leave out the wedding date in the letter, or do I explain why we don't have one? Should I give a provisional date, or just say 'an undetermined date in April'? What do people recommend?

It's a judgement call by the officer. There are no rules to accurately publish an amount. Which of these might you choose as less likely to become a public charge?

1. A doctor with 5000 cash, marrying a graduating-in-May chemical engineer.
   
2. A 19-year- old who left school at 16, has never worked, but has 5000, who is marrying a part-time college freshman studying psychology.
   

The people I recall self sponsoring showed 40,000 and 52,000. And the one in the pinned thread--he has a source of income that will continue plus 8,000 (?). I forgot the cash part. That's why I said ask the officer...pick his brain a bit.

Very good point! I'll see if I can ask at the interview - if I'm not too nervous! Thanks again for your advice with this, very much appreciated

Hi everyone - I have a few last minute checks with the 'packet 3' forms - planning on mailing these by Friday so they're almost all done!

Firstly, on form DS-230 Part 1: for question 24 it asks for mother's family name at birth. My mother was adopted as a baby so do I put her birth family name or adopted family name? I'm guessing her birth name, but I wrote her maiden name as her adopted name on the G-325a that was sent as part of the original visa petition so hope it's not a problem.

Secondly, on form DS-156: for question 14 it asks for national identification number. Is this my national insurance number that is on my payslips etc? I know the VJ example says to put 'none' but wanted to check in the UK forums specifically as their example is for an Italian.

Lastly, on form DS-156k it says that certain documents such as birth certificate, evidence of financial support etc "must be attached" - I haven't read about anyone sending these documents with the packet 3 but the way the form is worded has confused me. Am I right in thinking that the officer actually attaches the documents at the interview and you don't send them back with these forms.. ?

Thanks for any help sorry if these questions seem silly but the last thing I want to do is make a mistake.