neodragon0l

Also, each state has a different requirements for a foreign graduate. I would check the state where you are in and find out the rules.

There's nothing to worry about. The Consular Officers look at current sustained income. They will be interested in his 2011 income tax return and his current pay.

:thumbs:

When the 2go messenger text me that it will delivered today, I went online to check at the 2go website. I entered the passport# it comes out invalid. Then I entered mnl# (w/o the mnl)just the number also comes out invalid. At least 2go should update their website in real time.

Thanks! 2go has the same problems with online accuracy of delivery. When they texted you, you did get it the same day. right?

Congrats again! You definitely have a happy Christmas!

LBC if you have it in your area. Regular USPS mail is ####### in the PHL, but it is the best for cheap unhurried love letters and post cards.

Congrats!!!

By the way, can you elaborate why the 2Go tracer is useless??

Does anyone know about accessing WiFi for someone that already has Internet at home? My fiancé is using an old laptop at home and the connection has been poor lately. I am bringing him an iPad next month so we can communicate on apps (I have an iPhone). He mentioned he doesn't have WiFi at home and connects the laptop through USB. I'm no techie but I had assumed he used Ethernet and could just hook up a Wireless Router?

The next option would be wifi hotspots I guess.

Thanks!

Call your internet company. The new Ethernet is also a wireless router nowadays. You can ask them about it.

That sucks because my fiance has to do it this week Friday. Going next Wednesday is cutting it too close to the interview date.

that's heavy. lolz! 3.70 lbs is mine for $148.32 Fedex. lolz. By the way, my fiancee's interview is on the 15th of October. lolz. Good times.

@Hank - You may be right about the business expense.

I am actually following up on the other couple who was turned down... I will reserve my comments on that case (for once).

What I meant is that the petitioner has to fill that 8k gap. I don't know for all I know the client has 40k of cash in the bank (8k gap x 5). Like you said, it is a roll of the dice at this point. I have been by my colleagues to always go with a game plan before you meet the judge, or the CO.

I realize you've already chosen your shipping courrier, but I thought I'd add this as reference for others that may come along and read this: I sent my I-134 docs via DHL. It was a package containing about 30 pages, it cost $51, and my fiancee signed for it just 55 hours after I left it at the DHL office (in Kentucky). I consider that pretty darn good service.

Thanks Starflyer 59: I actually tried DHL first but they were charging about $50.00 higher. I am actually told that DHL & Fedex are own by the same parent company. I learned something today.

Yes, always put a value of $1.00 on the package. That way, you will fulfill the shipping rules without incurring a customs fee.

Note: You can put a slightly higher value on the package, but I've forgotten where the cutoff point is before you begin incurring a customs fee.

Yes, that's I did. I put $1.00 lolz. I did not know the threshold so I kept it safe. Thanks Tahoma!

I needed a social security number so that my husband could add me to his bank accounts so we planned to get one right away. We both knew that I wouldn't be able to get a job for a few months since I had to wait for my EAD. So, I had lots of time. Most people would probably think I'm weird but I enjoyed going to the Social Security Office, DMV, banks and Philippine Embassy (amended passport to married name), spent several hours reading the tax code while waiting for my EAD. I felt I was assimilating and getting used to the way things are done here. It was good to have everything taken care of because once I had a job there wasn't any time to do anything else. My credit score was over 700 within 4 months of my arrival. I got my first credit card offer in the mail within 4 months. So, the best time to get a social security number would depend on what the OP is planning to do with it.

Hehe, it's actually not weird at all. That's like knowing how U.S. works and lets you get adjust into the country. I know someone who would walk around the block the first week he arrived the U.S. and then moved towards two blocks. Then taking the bus. Everybody adjusts to their environment differently.

By any chance, are you an accountant? The attorneys I work with say that the U.S. tax code is like a big can of worms once you start analyzing it. I am not so sure who read the tax code for leisure. hehe

@Hank, since the person is self-employed, the USC had to complete a Schedule C (Business Profits and Loss) Line 12 of the 1040. After doing the schedule, the 40k shrank to 15k. I told the person that she is confusing gross revenue of the business from the 1099 to actual gross income of the USC (15k). That's why Tahoma is right that the line 22 is the official gross income.

Now, USC must overcome the financial challenge especThe beneficiary has a child as well. Looking at the I-864, the USC needs to fill in the gap of 8k. I do not know anything about joint sponsorship especially in Manila. There is no guideline that I can research on. The true OP is probably reading this and may want to know what are the do's and don'ts of doing joint sponsorship.

Congrats and thank you for the recount. I like reading these stories. It really helps understand what has changed and what is currently going on at St. Lukes

Was your experience all in one day??? I thought this is a two day event.

I got mine the same day I arrived in US and before I got married. Then, I went back after I got married to change my name. Then, I went back when I got my green card. Then, I went back after I became a citizen. They turned me down as well during my first try but I had printed a page from the Social Security website saying that I only needed an I-94 and a passport so she went to go talked to her supervisor. Five minutes later, she continued processing my social security card. Try printing this, http://www.ssa.gov/immigration/visa.htm and this http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/576/~/request-an-original-social-security-number-with-k-1-status. If it fails, try another social security office.

Non-citizen

Social Security will ask to see evidence of your current immigration status. Acceptable documents include:

• Form I-551 (includes machine-readable immigrant visa) with unexpired foreign passport
• I-94 with unexpired foreign passport
• I-766 work permit from DHS

I worked for a law firm before doing social security claims. The person you spoke to is like the office's first level. She probably did not know anything yet or a new hire. The front desk is usually a training ground. Good call about bring the necessary requirements.

I agree with others, I plan to do after marriage since it is a waste of time to keep going back. It's not like you will need SS immediately. It is best when you are about to look for a job in my opinion.

I found a really cool collapsible file holder with removable color coded poly folders that was probably a good portion of the weight. I did also however enclose over kill on the documents as well. It gives my fiance confidence having everything and confidence goes a long way during the interview.

My fiance has met several girls during cfo and medical who have aleady now had there interview . The general consenus was:

Be confident and know all the info you can about your fiance. If you can answer the questions easily the rest will be very easy.All the girls were also above the 125% poverty guidelines.

1. Appointment Letter

2. 2 DS 156 Forms

3. 2 DS 157 Forms

4. 1 Ds 156K Form

5. NSO Birth Cert

6. Cenomar

7. NBI Clearance

8. I-134 and supporting docs

A. 2011 Tax return or Tax transcipts

B. 2011 W2

C. Employment letter

D. A few recent paycheck stubs

9. Pictures together

10. 3 Visa Photos ( This Im not sure about. Some are telling us to bring and pre attach to DS Forms? Can anyone answer this ?)

Other than that they are reporting that very little secondary evidence is being looked at. They are asked if they have it and most of the time just being told to put it away. If looked at its just glanced through.

It appears if you can answer all questions about your relationship ,your relationship is sincere,your I-134 and supporting docs prove you are above the the 125 % poverty guide line and wont become a public charge that it will be a easy interview .

I think the reason everyone is advised to bring overkill on secondary evidence is in the rare occasion you get red flagged and pulled in the dreaded room. You will want every doc you have to back up your relationship.

I figured this woukd be useful to the OP as he also has his interview coming up. This is the experiences that are being shared with my fiance and I.

Is this similar to what you all are experiencing ?

Thanks Dan! The package pretty much contains the same thing you pointed out except the CENOMAR, NBI, & Birth Certificate. As the saying goes, "Happy Wife (or in this case Fiancee) Happy Life." Knowing her, she will come back, it's not bad. You are just overreacting. lolz. All the hard work that was completed in the background is left unnoticed. lolz.

Tahoma and hubbybunny, I decided to send it via Fedex. It hurts the pocket, but at least I feel at ease.

I agree with Tahoma. Hubbybunny, the philpost tracking system is super slow and inaccurate. Apparently, the carrier person logs the arrival of the package himself/herself. Therefore, there is a practice by carriers to do all the paperwork either before or after the shipment is actually completed. If this is Vegas, I would have rolled the dice and know the results in an instant, but with USPS, we are not really certain. I want to at least sleep comfortably. Package will arrive Tuesday 10/16th U.S. Time.

I read the reviews about shipping USPS to the Philippines via PhilPost. Apparently, if the package comes from abroad, customs holds the package, opens it, etc. If there is money or any valuable, then the money will be stolen. Also, there is a random custom fee if you declare a value to the documents. Some placed $100.00 on the value. As a result, they want a fee equivalent to the value. I tried putting $0.00 as a value, but Fedex person did not let me. This is the retardation of the country's postal office. With that in mind, it is like winning the lotto, even worse Russian roulette.

lolz mine is about the same. 4 lbs. lolz

hunny Bunny. She actually just passed by Cabanatuan right now. . Did your fiance send the package as a box or envelope?

Thanks Dan! LBC has Air Cargo shipping for $5.50 (5 lbs.) but won't arrive until Monday 10/22. What is everybody's experience with LBC?

I am in Southern California. I am trying to send several documents to my fiancee for her interview on 10/25/12 including but not limited to signed I-134 and supporting documents. What is the fastest and most reliable way to get it to her? She lives in San Jose City Nueva Ecija. LBC apparently will take 10 business days. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Dan & Dolly! I have been following your timeline. We filed on the same month. I wish you luck. Let me know your experience on the medical at St. Lukes. My fiancee is about to do that this week.

I think I have an idea who that is

Anyways it's gross income (before tax) and it's Line 22 on 1040

I also figured it out. I think the fiance listed a loss in the farm or business in the 1040. They definitely do not meet the poverty guidelines.