Louza

I figured you knew about the copy of gc and passport, but it doesn't hurt to mention it. Do either of you have a separate credit card besides your bank account? Like a Mastercard, Visa or store card? If so, have the other put on the card as an authorized user or joint applicant if possible. As an authorized user you will receive an identical credit card and can send a copy of both cards showing that you share that account. Depending on your credit rating, you may be able to get added on as a joint applicant, then you are also responsible for paying the bill and your name will appear on the statement along with his.Then you can send copies of the statement as well.

Oh yes! He has one of those I will let him add me to that asap. Thanks Teddy! (Y)

Yes, that is very good. See if you can get a joint credit card too. Don't forget copies of both drivers licenses showing the same address and a copy of the beneficiary's passport and gc (front & back).

You're well on your way. It's so much easier and better for evidence to USCIS if you start to accumulate these things in the beginning of the marriage.

Oh yeah we will include a copy of my GC I was only listing the evidence of co-mingling. Thanks for the DL tip..I missed that one.

For the joint credit card...how do you mean? With the joint bank account we each have our own credit card but the money is taken from the same account..is this the same thing?

Anyone coming to the US on a CR1 visa should know what is required of them and should start accumilating the required evidence from day one and not a month prior to filing ROC.

Because a lot of the time every single shred of evidence that is sent is still not what they're looking for. They mainly want to see financial co-mingling over anything else, because if one is willing to put their money on the line, then the relationship is more than likely legit. That means joint tax returns, joint credit cards, joint ownership of property, joint bank account, etc. It amazes how many people have been married for two years and have accumulated little to none of this evidence. They think they can send a copy of the electric bill with both names on it, a few pics, and copy of a plane ticket from a trip and that will be sufficient.

Ahhh now I understand. I've read on several posts here that that's what's sent in and I assumed that's how it should be done but those same people always get RFE's! We file for ROC next year but we want to have everything ready by June so as to not panic when the time comes to file the paperwork. So far we have:

1. A joint bank account. This is the one we use to pay for everything.

2. The lease expires in March but we will renew with our landlord and my name will be added to it.

3. We own a property together.

4. Joint tax returns.

5. Life insurance policy with me listed as a beneficiary.

6. Pics

7. Travel itenirary

Would this be enough? Or do we need to accumilate more evidence? Also does everyone get interviewed?

I only submitted a handful - I probably submitted a dozen of printed photos between my initial and RFE responses. And then I attached them as the last item in my package - it's one of the those evidences that hold the least weight but it's still worth it to submit.

No CDs unfortunately, they have to be printed.

So it's NOT A MUST to submit photos? So why do people get RFE's if they've sent almost every single shred of paperwork that shows co-mingling with their spouse?!

I guess you have to send photographs as proof as well with the package...2 to 3 years would be generate a lot of photos...do they accept CD's with the pics on them or do you have to send hundreds of printed photos? What a huge load that would be lol!

Thanks for the prompt answer!

Part 4 on the form is the section about children. My husband and I don't have children together but he was previously married and has 2 kids from his ex-wife. So do we put them on the form or not? (They live with their mom).

Thanks in advance.

Hello all,

I came to the US on a CR1 visa so my driver's license shows the same expiry date as my GC. 3 months prior to the expiry date I am supposed to send the I-751 form with the supporting documents to remove the conditions on my GC, correct? It is to my understanding I will receive a letter that extends my legal stay in the US for 1 year, does one take this letter to DMV to renew the driver's license?

I wanted to know how this works..shouldn't the case numbers already be in the system BEFORE an applicant's interview? I just put in my case number from last year and sure enough it showed the date of when my case was created and when my visa was issued, so why does it keep showing "invalid IV case number" for a DV applicant? :s

ETA: The interview was October 28 2013

I did it with zeros and without and I got the same invalid immigrant visa case number message on both occassions. To be honest they could have left the passports (the CO was insisting actually) but they chose not to and I don't know why. I even told them about my experience where I got a travel document from my embassy in Cairo to be able to go back home. Figured by leaving my passport with the CO it would be easier and stress free..they didn't listen to me as usual and now we have to deal with the panic of "why isn't the website working"???

When I asked her that question she told me they get "invalid case number"...I even tried from here and that's the same message I got. So I called her and asked specifically what happened on the day of the interview and after:

1. The CO approved them and gave them letter.

2. They did NOT leave the passports at the embassy after which CO gave them white form indicating on it to send passports when they returned.

3. Idiot agent told them to wait 2 weeks until they receive confirmation to send passports(I guess he meant via the tracker)

4. The 2 weeks mark was 4 days ago and they started checking website to get "invalid case number".

Told her to send the passports because it seems the embassy is waiting on them (as instructed by the CO) and to forget about the stupid agent.

I guess in a couple of days they can check the tracker? It will NOW show updates?

I just wish people give you all the info before dramatizing urgh!

So if they received the Congratulations Letter from the embassy stating their visa's have been approved, why did the CO keep the original documents? For further verification? They still didn't get their passports back even though CO told them "it will take 4 days". (Letter says 2 weeks). Can something go wrong NOW? o.O

I applied for my SSN before receiving my GC. Just make sure you take your passport with you, they need to see the visa. Good luck

Also at the document check the lady asked the spouse if he lived anywhere for a long time, he simply denied it. O.o But it's written on the DS-230 he signed. I don't get it...

And they got the visas! No AP, no co-sponsors needed...they didn't even ask the spouse for his missing PCC

I'm happy things worked out for them just rather surprised the CO didn't ask about the PCC..I thought that was going to be a major issue. I don't know how it is for DV's but they were told to keep checking the website for updates.

I got mine approximately 3 weeks after arriving in the US by regular mail.

Well Susie they're choosing the reality they want to hear, like the DV winners that told them they will get money every month because they have kids. I'm not sure if this thing even exists but it sounds very fishy. Regardless of the mess I wish them the best of luck. I will definitely come back with an update of their interview.

They won't give applicants the visas if they think they will become a public charge. They haven't had their interview yet right? She can easily check that fact with the interviewing officer...though that might raise eyebrows unless they can easily show they won't be public charges.

The interview is next Monday. Her English isn't all that good and she's scared out of her mind, I'm pretty sure she won't ask that question to the CO. My husband and I have stopped telling them what to expect when they come here because they seriously don't like what they're hearing from us. For starter's her husband's PCC is going to be an issue.

The husband is taking proof of assets (they're in his name) that should help them avoid the co-sponsor issue, right?

No. They are very clear that all you get is a visa. There is no financial or other assistance (unless you count a fairly comprehensive guide for new immigrants that they publish).

I don't get it. How do people come up with these stories? A DV winner has my SIL convinced that they will be receiving monthly payments (from somewhere) where it's to my understanding when you sign the DS-230 you're basically swearing you won't be a public charge.

Is it true that DV winners that immigrate to the US get a certain amount of money per month for each of their children? Like if a couple has 2 kids, and each kid is to get $250 they would be getting $500 a month? And if this is true, where is this money coming from? :S

Ok forget me from last year, my brother in law and his wife just got their PC's 2 weeks ago from Sudan. That information is inaccurate. :s

They may ask for a sponsor if proof of assets isn't enough.

As for the police certificate... Well, at least it's early in the fiscal year, so when they send them away telling them they can't get the visa till it's submitted there will be time to organise it and send it in. There are some countries where police certificates are unavailable - Sudan is one - and they will know that and not expect a certificate, but other than those they will want one for all countries resided in 12 months or more since age 16.

Actually Sudan does issue PC's. I was able to get mine last year for my interview.

Thanks for the responses guys. I remember this question on the DS-230 and I assume it's to make it easier for them to determine which PC's are needed from the different countries of residence.

I am asking these questions on the behalf of my SIL who has her interview coming up at the end of the month. She hired an agent to take care of the paperwork and I believe he is a total idiot who has no idea what he's doing. He has convinced her that she is the only one that will be questioned thoroughly on the day of the interview, that may be true but there is no way the CO will overlook her husbands missing PC from a country he resided in for 11 years! When I pushed her to ask him about the matter he told her they will only ask about the PC if he was living there 5 years ago but since he moved from the country 14 years ago then they won't ask him about it.

She's so anxious and freaked out about the interview and I think her agent is doing more harm than good. Just a week ago he told her that they might need a co-sponsor so she asked my husband to fill out the paperwork and he gentley explained to her that he can't sponsor a family of 4 with his current income. Do they even ask DV applicant's for co-sponsors? Would it be better if they show proof of assets on the day of the interview?

Thank you.

Hello all,

I wanted to hear from DV selectee's that had spouses and children immigrating with them to the USA. Was the interview a smooth one? If there were any redflags how were they overcome & did you or did you not get the visa in the end?

I am particularly interested in knowing how CO's deal with the police certificates? Is the selectee's PC the only one of importance? Or do they look at both spouses equally? (I am asking since they only care about the selectee's education and work experience and not the spouse).

There's a reason I'm asking about the PC's and I will go into details if necessary.

Thanks in advance

Hello and thank you for your response. I am asking on the behalf of someone else, and yes he's a DV2014 applicant. Again thanks