KyleAndrea

Hello! I hope you guys could help me understand the filing process because the IRA explanation is too confusing for me. I came here in 2012, and became a PR in March. I have a part-time job here and also work as a freelancer for an overseas company.

My questions are:

1. Are all self-employed residents required to file for income tax? Coz I think there are conditions involved? Or did I misinterpret it?

2. Should I file as a single or married filing jointly? The latter was how my husband filed our income without foreign income from me.

I think that's it for now. Anyone who has experience on this? Thank you!

Just send the DS230 and receipt as soon as you think you are ready with the requirements. After you send them, it may take 30 days to schedule your interview. Can take more days or less. It depends on the embassy if they have a lot of appointments.

So if you think you can be ready with the requirements within 30 days or less, send the DS230 back to the embassy already. Good luck!

Hi...! I'm an August 2012 filer and I just got a packet from the US Embassy here in Singapore. I've read the instructions but I'm confused. It says complete the DS 230 I immediately and return it to the US Embassy.

Then towards the end of the instructions it says: As soon as you have obtained all of the documents that applies in your case...mail the checklist...DS 230 and payment receipt.

That does mean,I have to complete all my requirements first (police report, medical, CENOMAR) before I pay the visa at Standard Chartered?

I would love to hear from any one who is/was working in Singapore and is processing/has processed his/her K1 visa.

Thanks a lot.

You can pay for the visa at the SC bank anytime but the earlier the better coz you need to send it with the DS230.

I don't understand what's going on with my EAD and AP results. Applications near my MSCxxxx number have already been approved but mine haven't. I have my green card interview on Apr 4 and it's getting near! I feel like all these weeks are wasted the more it gets closer to Apr. What could be the problem here? Am I the only one waiting here?

Seems most of the January filers got their interview notice. I'm still waiting on mine, hope next week or so I will receive some good news..

Good luck on y'all interview guys!

Hi PinayCajun,

Hope you get yours soon! Which state are you from? I'm in Michigan. Just curious; I'm a Filipino too.

I tried to look for one but the best I could find was the SG post office -- which of course isn't really the best in terms of cost. =/ I ended up just paying for extra baggage at the airport.

Hello and congratulations on your interview notice. When you receive the paper notice, there will be a list of suggested documents to bring. And definitely bring copies of everything you submitted already.

Good luck

Bad thing is we didn't save copies of what we submitted. Ugh. Thanks, Yes We Can. I'm glad they will send a list with the letter. We'll make sure to bring those plus what we can still find!

Hello, fellow Jan filers! Just checked my status and my interview will be on Apr 4! That's more than a month of waiting but at least we have a date to look forward to.

Any suggestions on what to bring besides passport, marriage certificate, bank statements, photos? Should we bring the same docs we sent to them already?

Thanks, all! And good luck to all of us!

Hi, everyone! I had my biometrics in Kentwood, MI yesterday and it was supposed to be smooth but I forgot to bring my marriage certificate so they put in my maiden surname in the computer. Now I'm worried that I'll have to go through more paperwork after I get the green card coz of this.

So don't be like me! Bring your passport, appointment letter and marriage certificate.

We got biometrics for Feb 7 but we'll try for early walk-in on Monday. Crossing fingers* that they'll let us in

:thumbs:

Good luck!

Thanks! Pls let us know how it goes. Their office is an hour away from here so we don't wanna take chances. But it'll be good if we can go earlier since hubby isn't working next week. :/

Hello! January filer here!

NOA - Jan 7

Biometrics - Jan 30

Coming from a wife like me who just sits around at home while hubby is at work, my advice is to appreciate what she does for you. If she says she wants to cook you dinner, tell her yes and what you want to eat. If she wants to do things together, say yes and find time to do them. I guess what I'm saying is make her feel like she is still a participant to the relationship and is much needed in your life.

Yeah, I wish my husband would do these. It is starting to get harder as time goes on and it has only been a month and married just last Saturday.

What vaccines do I need?

And I received my NOA2 on 29th Oct (finally!). NVC sent out my package on 9th Nov, SG embassy received on 14th Nov. My fiance called and they confirmed they had my case. Yesterday, I called and checked if my packet 3 been mailed out and was told they NEVER received my packet. I think they lost it. This embassy is horrible!

NVC also told us they had sent it out but the embassy didn't have it yet. So maybe call the embassy again after a few days.

I forgot the vaccines I had but I went to Tan Tock Seng Travel and I told them I was going to US and gave me the necessary shots

No need to do anything online. They are sending all the papers you will need to fill out in Packet 3.

Thanks!

Quick question. What was needed when paying for the visa fee?

Passport number and case number?

Yeah, I showed them my passport and case number.

Hi,

According to the K1 visa guide, I should already apply for an SSN two weeks after arriving into the US. We are planning to get married next week and I still haven't applied for an SSN.

Here are my questions:

1. Is it better to apply for SSN AFTER we are married so that I won't have to worry about changing the name on the card?

2. How did you go about the SSN in your own experience? What documents did you submit? Did you mail them?

3. Did you have problems in your application, e.g. The staff didn't know that K1 visa holders can apply for an SSN?

Thanks so much in advance for your help!

While waiting on packet 3, what can I do besides putting together the evidence and documents?

You can already go to Tan Tock Seng Travel to get your vaccines. They are much cheaper compared to the US-accredited clinic on Orchard. Unlike the medical exam, vaccines do not need to be administered at that same clinic.

Can i go ahead and schedule my medical with my case number?

I don't think so coz I think I showed a letter from packet 3 to the clinic. Anyway, the medical exam only takes a day and they will send the results directly to the US embassy so it's not really a big time pressure.

Or pay for visa fee and schedule an appt at embassy?

It is the embassy who will schedule your appointment. So after you send packet 3 back to them, they will send you packet 4, which may take up to a month.

ANY way I can speed things up as best as I can in my limited situation?

If you're a SG citizen, maybe you can request for a police certificate already. But I really don't think there's a rush coz packet 4 (or the interview appointment) takes a while to receive. And even if your documents aren't complete yet on the date of your interview, just attend and they will still wait for your documents if you're approved.

What did they ask?

I wrote a review about my POE and I think you can find it in my timeline. Anyway, some of the questions I can still remember are the following?

1. How did you meet?

2. When did you meet in person?

3. How did you decide to get married?

The immigration officer had a friend who joined us (coz he was already done with his queue) and he asked me where my engagement ring was. So I lifted up my hand and showed it to them. They were friendly but at the same time, they gave a vibe that they meant business. I was nervous but not scared coz my fiance was just a few feet away from us waiting at the luggage carousel.

The license form is on the page you linked to in your first post. The link for "Marriage License Applications" goes to a PDF form: http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/clerk_register/cr_marr_app.pdf

Hi LeftCoastLady,

Thanks for your reply. Actually, I was mistaken because that's not the county we are getting married in, so I can't use that application form. I've found the appropriate county's website and it looks like I won't be needing a state-issued ID, just my USC fiance's. To be sure, I've emailed them about it and I hopefully hear from them asap.

Your passport is good enough. You don't have to be a resident of the state of Michigan to get married there. That is what the state i.d. is, is just showing you are a resident of the state of Michigan. Your passport will be enough documentation. Don't worry, I had to go thru the same thing in Idaho

Thanks for the info! Makes me so relieved right now!

Did you have to fill out an application form? Coz clerk told my fiance's mom that we can get this form online but I have yet to find it. Will keep trying though!

Hi!

We are planning to get married here in Michigan, my US fiance's residence. I'm looking online for the requirements to obtain a marriage license and according to this website, http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/clerk_register/cr_vitals_marriage_info.html, we are BOTH required to present a valid driver's license OR state-issued ID.

The problem is I don't have any state-issued ID, of course. Pls give me an advice on how we can get a marriage license based on your experience. What documents do we need to prepare? If I do really need a state-issued ID, where can I get one?

We really need this info asap. Thanks everyone in advance!

Hi guys! It's been a long time since I dropped in this thread. Just wanna tell you the good news that I'm now with my fiance here in Michigan!

When I look back at the stress I felt preparing packet 3 and for the interview, I realize just how much I worried about nothing. So for those still waiting, hang in there and enjoy your hometown while you still can. Meet your family and friends. Eat the food you love as much as you can. Just savor the present!

Good luck, everyone! Stay happy and worry-free!

Don't rush on the COC coz they only clear you from the date you came to SG until the time you applied for the COC. So let's say you applied last June 2012, it would appear that you have no criminal record until June 2012 only. Would be better if it is dated close to the packet 3 receipt.

Congrats on your visa I'm leaving next month...

Hello! I'm already here in the US! The POE was slightly tough coz I was asked a lot of questions but that was it.

Funny when the consul said it was the first time he had heard of a couple meeting through an iphone app. Lol.

Thanks!!! Got your packet 4 already?

Hi fleurg! Sorry for the late update. Have been very busy. We had our interview at the embassy this morning. My fiance came with me but he was asked to sit down. But there was a part where I had to call him to answer questions about his income. The questions were also smooth and merely just verifying the info already stated in the forms. I'm just really thankful to God for making everything go easy on us. How are you? When are you flying to US?