sonder

The poster has done what he believed would work for him. So give him a break & be reasonable before bashing on the poor guy. If he would get in trouble (I hope not) because of uneducated immigration personnel/Airlines crew, none of VJ members or USCIS it self will do anything to help him out. That being said, A lie which makes life better is NOT a lie, it's necessity. period.

Matt Sonders.

Folks, we had our Infopass this morning, USCIS gave us I-551 stamp in the exchange of wife's expired GC & NOA1 letter. I asked why they need the expired GC & they said, it's for security measure & they cannot let anyone has 2 norms of legal status. The I-551 has 6 months validity. After 6 months the I-551 will expire & if we wish to travel out of country again, then we will have to make another appointment to get new I-551. Me & wife decided that I-551 is more useful to us than expired GC since Greece Immegration personell at Athens airport are not too fimiliar with the extension letter. I believe we made the right decision. We hope to get the 10 year GC within 6 more months since we are July 2012 filer.

Thanks

Matt Sonders.

Hey nyc123, even I am on the same boat, I am getting sick of people saying that USCIS has stopped issuing I-551 to those with expired GC & NOA1. I am not sure exactly how true it is. It may be just a rumor & people saying things without any evidence. Good luck to you on getting I-551.

Thanks

Matt Sonders.

You don't need a stamp and they might not give it to you since you have everything you need to travel. Your GC is extended for a year and you are good to go.

Thanks for the reply but in Greece the customs always find a way to harras US bound passengers & I have seen it first hand few years back. I simply do not want to take any risk & Airlines people care less about what we have to say. You think we will be denied of I-551 during Infopass? I mean seriously god forbid if customs at the airport gives us hard time USCIS won't be there to help.

Thanks

Matt Sonders.

Pretty simple, especially if you have your ticket or reservation letter, our ROC 551 stamp was simple the rest was a pain.

Hey thanks for the feedback. Did USCIS ask why you seeking I-551 during Infopass? Also, can you tell me when did you get it (how long ago). Do we need to bring passport size photos for the I-511 stamp?

Thanks

Matt Sonders.

Did any recently got their passport stamped with I-551 via Infopass? How was the experience? Any specific document they ask for ? I am planning to travel to home (Greece) next month with expired GC & the extension letter, but DO NOT want to take any risk of being denied boarding the return flight.

Thanks

Matt Sonder.

Did anyone recently got their passport stamped with I-551 via Infopass? How was the experience? Any specific document they ask for ? I am planning to travel to home (Greece) next month with expired GC & the extension letter, but DO NOT want to take any risk of being denied boarding the return flight. I also read on some recent post here that few of our VisaJourney members were denied of I-551. Can anyone who has been denied of I-551 share your experience?

Thanks

Matt Sonder.

Thanks for the reply everyone. This is for my wife. I guess I am the sponsor (US Citizen). I will take below 2 actions

1) Change address onlline using "No, this change of address is not for a US Citizen" link from page: https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=coa.Prompt.Citizen

2) Fill this form & mail i tto USCIS mentioned below in the form: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/ar-11.pdf

Please let me know if I am doing anything wrong.

P.S:

Also I am wondering why there is a link for "Yes, this change of address is for a US Citizen" in the page I mentioned in step 1. Can someone tell me what is that for? Do I (US Citizen) also need to change address online for myself?

Thanks.

I am sure this have been asked many times in the past but I am in a state with no time to search through the posts. I just bought a house & we will be moving to out new house October 1st. My wife is the conditional resident & she has taken finger prints few months ago. We are just waiting to get update from USCIS. Please let me know the procedures to change address.

Thanks.

They already sent their application today. Not sure why they are asking this after sending it.

My initial post just about credit card statements. It's not like I am unsure of my surroundings or stuck with something. If I needed help I would have said so. This post was just for general dicsuccion about joint credit card statements. IMHO, i get a inner feeling that no one gets joint credit card statements except the letter & copy of cards.

just make a copy of both credit cards togather on the same sheet they have your name an one has her name, just black out the last 4 numbers on the cards.

"Black out the last 4 numbers on the cards" Not sure if you realize who we all are dealing with!! Would you also prefer to black out your social security number!! Trust me, USCIS knows everything about you anyway. Why would you want to do something which looks inappropriate and regret? I have sent everything as it is, credit card numbers, bank letter with account number.

FYI, USCIS has all you financial record from I-864 stage. Didn't we all submitted all the financial records during initial visa process? Why would you want to act in a different way now?

You can trying going to you local branch and having one of the reps. Add here to your account. Also you can log on to your citi account and manage the users. I as well have citi and my husband is on my acct. and my statements come under BOTH our names, It take effect right away and on the next bank statement you should see your wife name on it.

You may want to take poof of address for her, ID, passport etc... This are some document they asked for me. Also you can print the form online to added a someone to your bank acct. or call citi and have them mail it to you.

Hope this helps good luck!

"It take effect right away and on the next bank statement you should see your wife name on it."

This statement is misleading. I just spoke to Citi today during lunch break & according to them, it takes 2 months for the joint statement (having an authorized user). My wife was added to my credit card a month ago & today I got the statement. The statement has all her transaction amounts but not her name. As per Citi, her name will appear on statements from next month. it takes Citi 2 full month cycle for statement with both names.

You haven't filled in your timeline, have you got an RFE? Or are you just checking that you have enough evidence? The list looks good! You should be fine with that.

I sent out I-751 Today itself only.

Do you have any of these?

Drivers licenses/state ID cards showing the same address

Lease/mortgage showing both names

Car title showing both names

Joint Health/dental insurance

Life insurance showing your wife as the beneficiary

Here is exactly what I sent, nothing more or less:

1. Copy of Jointly Filed Federal Income Tax Return Transcript (Year: 2009).
   
2. Copy of Jointly Filed Federal Income Tax Return Transcript (Year: 2010).
   
3. Copy of Jointly Filed Federal Income Tax Return Transcript (Year: 2011).
   
4. Copy of wife's Green Card (front & back side).
   
5. Copy of our state identification card with same address.
   
6. Copy of our joint Citi credit card (Front and back).
   
7. Copy of letter from Citi credit card confirming our joint and active credit card account.
   
8. Copy of bank letter stating joint checking account status. Also stating wife as beneficiary of husband’s checking account in case of husband's demise.
   
9. Copy of our year 2011 joint certificate of health plan coverage
   
10. Copy of our year 2011 health insurance cards showing joint coverage
    
11. Copy of our year 2012 joint certificate of health plan coverage
    
12. Copy of our year 2012 health insurance cards showing joint coverage
    
13. Copy of our joint certificate of dental plan coverage
    
14. Copy of our EyeMed vision care member information benefit details.
    
15. Copy of our EyeMed vision care card (We both use the same card).
    
16. Copy of our prescription-drug benefit provider Express Scripts card.
    
17. Copy of husband's basic life insurance beneficiary designation confirmation letter showing wife as primary beneficiary.
    
18. Copy of husband's employment emergency contact detail showing wife as emergency contact.
    
19. Copies of medical bills mailed to both of us at our residence.
    
20. Letter of affidavit from husband's parents. Attesting to our relationship and marriage.
    
21. Copy of flight email itinerary confirmation for our January 2011 Journey to Greece.
    
22. Few photos of us taken over the last couple of years.
    

Do you have other evidence you can provide like a joint bank account? Banks should have no issue putting both names on your statements.

Unfortunate we created joint bank account too late & our first statement will be available end of this month. However, I have managed to get a letter a bank (reflecting the balance ) mentioning wife as an beneficiary & recipient of my personal checking account balance in case of my demise.

There is a difference between authorized user and joint account holder. No one will let her be the joint account holder (in this case the name is on every bill) unless she has a good credit. Even though you have an account with them. I was an authorized user on all accounts for 1 year and only when my credit got better, they put me as a joint. My husband tried everything but companies just work this way to secure themselves. We have Chase and Boa. Joint account holder means she will be equally responsible for the debt, for this they run credit through social at all agencies. Imo not being a citizen plays its role too.

Actually I pulled this handy document just now which explains things clearly. So, after 1 year when you you a joint account holder with your husband, your monthly statement shows both names?

http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/credit-guy-authorized-user-joint-accounts-1292.php

Get Capitalone/Citi to send you a letter confirming that she is an authorized user on the account. Send copies of both of the cards showing the same numbers with both names.

IMHO, I have already mentioned in my post that the letter & both card copies (front & back) has already been sent !!

She was only trying to help even if she missed the point of your question. This site is about helping others, that's what she was trying to do.

Of course everyone here trying to help each other. I do not think I have crossed the line and went about saying anything inappropriate!!! The BOA thing is just a side note (helping others also).

Also, as tolsab said.. I don't think that it will build any credit for your wife, but as far as "proof of joint accounts" it will most likely benefit you to have her added and get a confirmation letter proving it.

I have got that crappy letter mentioning her as an authorized user to my credit card. Is this is all you get? Why people talk about having joint credit card statement in VJ forum then?

Unfortunately, you are the only one with a credit history, and this card will not really build her credit. She is a user, but the history is attached to your SSN. I've been through the same thing with my husband. Bank of America does allow a small secured card starting at $300 to which your wife could begin using and after 1 year, they will instate a real credit card based on her history and return the $300 deposit. That might be an option if history building is what you are trying to do.

Just a thought.

I am not concerned about building wife's credit history. Please stick to the point & answer only the question been asked (if you know the answer)

FYI: BOA is the worst piece of ####### on this planet. never work with BOA (personal experience)

So I was late to add my wife to my both Capital one & Citi credit card. Today I got the monthly statement for both credit card accounts but it shows only primary account holder (my self) name. I called both credit card & they say only primary account holder's name will appear in the monthly statements. And, this is the fact for not just me, every one who has joint credit card. Now, my question is how do you prove it to USCIS having joint credit account apart from the crappy letter & print out of both users card? I added my wife to my credit card assuming that her name will appear in the monthly statements also. I have come across so many posts in VJ people saying joint credit card issue. How do you get the statement with both names? Is there any specific bank or creditor who does it?

You need to send them the last 3 years of tax transcripts.

Do you have any of the following items:

Medical cards showing you have joint coverage

Driver's licenses showing you both live at the same address (or state ID cards)

Car title

Mortgage or lease agreement with both of your names on

Utility bills/phone bills with both of your names

I agree with first line: You need to send them the last 3 years of tax transcripts.

Why past 3 years? I sent them our tax transcripts for 2011 and 2010, because 2009 was included with our AOS application two years ago. I thought they wanted just *new* evidence, rather than resubmission of what was provided before?

We married in 2009 and I also filed 2009 taxes together using wife's temporary Social security (ITIN) number . We will send 3 years of joint tax return transcript

I have sent them the followings:

1. all medical bills that we got charged for our child delivery and another operation she had after delivery.

2. my medical insurance showing her and my son as beneficiaries.

3. a copy of the credit card we have together (I added her as beneficiary) showing the same account number but different names. What upsets me is that they are now requesting credit card statements with both names on it. I called my credit card company and they told me they don't show both names on the statements!

4. last 2 tax returns filed jointly.

5. our child birth certificate.

6. travel itineraries for a couple trips we did together.

Now the letter is stating that they need the proofs from the date of marriage until the "present" date, not until the end of the 2 year period. This is making me willing to open a shared bank account and credit cards and send them the statements but I am very worried of their decision. That's why I want to send as much proofs as possible.

Having a child is the most powerful proof anyone can ever provide. Not sure what else they need? Did you send them tax return transcripts? if not transcripts are most reliable way to go. You should have sent them past 3 years of tax documents but you sent only 2. I would suggest call IRS and get the tax return transcripts for past 3 years.

For medical records, I would suggest send the joint coverage certificate & card print out both. Also, you might ask the doctor to provide a formal letter stating that you accompanied your wife to doctor's each time & the doctor knows you as a couple.

Copy my employment emergency contact detail showing my wife as emergency contact

-- Found another evidence

Here is my suggestion, changed your cover letter little bit. Good luck!.....

Modified as per your guide line. Attached is the modified version. Kindly have a look and let me know.

Copy of USCIS Vermont Service Center.doc