Jasontnyc

I'm worried I won't be getting NOAs on time from USCIS.....or I don't need them?

You dont need them if you sign up for email notifications (when the NOAs arrive in the mail, you can just keep them for your records). Even if you didnt have email, the process would still continue, whether you knew it or not.

Also the link you gave says:

"An I-864 form is also included that must be filled out by the petitioner (living in the US)."

This confuses me again. Must I live in US when filing for spouse?

Nope. All the forms are geared towards this situation but you only have to prove intent to live in the US. The more to prove that the better

What happens when the case is denied?

Very rare so there would be a specific reason - more likely you get an RFE in the process which is a request for more info. You just comply with it and after a short delay the process continues

Is bank statement required in I-864? Or just tax returns?

Tax returns and pay stubs to prove your income. A letter from your employer also helps - especially if your employment is continuing in the US. You may need bank statements if you are qualifying on assets rather than income. If you have a US bank account, then a bank statement would go towards intent to live in the US (establish domicile)

Just got off the phone with NVC we have a case number and an IIN, I guess it's time to get to work!

Can you confirm when the NVC received your case? Just doing comparisons to predict when I should get a case number (Looking like next week!)

Thanks,

Jason

Joe,

Someone may give you a specific response but in the meantime you can click on Reviews: Embassy/USCIS in the blue bar near the top to read others experience

Direct Link: http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?cnty=Colombia&cty=&dfilter=5

Thanks

I think you will be ok. I had an issue at Atlanta the last time I visited before we were married. I was taken into secondary processing and questioned but my return ticket seemed to convince the officer and he let me in, although with a warning that I would not be allowed in again on the VWP.

One way to be certain without having to do a transatlantic crossing would be to take a flight via Ireland. You can do POE at Irish airports.

Good advice but not all flights do POE from Ireland anymore. Half of the Boston flights do and half in the US for instance. Aer Lingus can tell you by flight number though.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_1331.html

Here is by age group:

http://www.panelphysicians.com/Pages/Immunizations.htm

Your GP can run a blood test that will show your immunities which can count as a immunization record (You may not need to get them again).

For Chicken Pox - You can verbally state when you had it if you did.

2. Do you know How I can file a US TAX return while I am abroad?!

Actually now I am student and I don't have any income!

You still need to complete tax returns. I wasn't in compliance myself and just sent in mine for the last 4 years (I am 10 years abroad). You use from 1040 (standard tax form) and 2555 (foriegn income exclusion). As long as you made less than $90000 in any given year you should only need those two forms.

You need to search the IRS website for more detailed info but that should give you enough to start your search.

My wife (beneficiary) can't get her immunization records. I see that an antibody titer is an option.

1.) Should we do that before the interview/medical or is that part of it?

2.) Some of the immunizations (Hepatitis B and Meningococcal) on the 18-64 instructions page say 18 and under and 11-18. Does that mean a 39 year old does not need those? Seems so but double checking.

Thanks

Hello All,

Slowly reading through this thread (will now be a daily read once caught up). Just called the NVC as suggested in the second post in this thread.

They confirmed they received the case from USCIS on the 10th August and let me know it is 10-20 business days for it to be entered.

Is there any point calling regularly for the Case Number? (The FAQ says daily from around this time on)

Would it be entered faster than 10 business days?

How early can you get the police certificate? Im just at NOA2 stage and trying to get ahead of the game by getting everything ready.

Does a police cert have to be dated closer to time of request/submission?

Thanks!

Hi everyone.

My husband and I will sending the I-130 next week, We live in Uruguay. So, wish us luck!

I have a question for all that. If my husband (US citizen) live abroad can be the agent for the DS-3032 anyway? That part isn't clear to me.

I have to thanks this post!!! You don't know how much it help me. It was like the light to the end of the road...

Thank you a lot, to all.

Yes (I plan to be as well)

Just got our NOA2 notice (even though I havent recieved the physical NOA1 yet in the post!)

1. Country USC resides in: Ireland

2. USCIS field office or DCF?: USCIS.

3. When did you file I130: Mailed 26th of July - Received by USCIS 28th July 2012. (NOA1)

4. How long has the USC been living abroad: 10 years.

5. Do you reside in the country legally: Yes.

6. What is the reason for your residence: Job

7. Did you list your overseas address on I130? Yes

8. Did you send the package from abroad? No, sent package to family in the US who attched the check and then sent it on our behalf

9. Did you include evidence of your residence abroad in your I130 package? Limited - A random letter from our mortgage company that had both our names on it

10. Did you mention that you reside abroad in your cover letter? No.

11. Has your case been auto expedited? How long between NOA1 and NOA2? Yes. 12 days.

12. Which Service Centre? California

Good morning guys.

my fiancee & I are getting married soon and we want to start the process right after that, so we have a few question,

do we have to send any documents with the I-130, do we have to send any money with it?

thanks in advance.

Yes and Yes - I would suggest taking some time and reading everything you possible can. Its a straight forward process but you need to do some homework to ensure it is done right.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

We seem to be in a similar situation. The family doctor retired and there seems to be no records of vaccinations. I am assuming my spouse will need to get them all again if we are unable to locate the records?

Yes, it does only ask for that information. I read somewhere, on the RFE thread I think, that someone got an RFE to send their child's birth certificate though that is why I was asking.

So, if my child isn't an American citizen at the time I submit the I-130, do you think that matters, since she will be by the time we move to the USA?

I think sending the birth certificate has to do with one of the ways to prove your own relationship. I sent birth certs for both children (both our our names are on it) although if you sent in other proof, it wasn't necessarily required.

My children are US citizens but have an Irish birth cert (they got citizenship a few months after birth by registering them with the embassy) so it doesn't have anything to do with proving the childs citizenship.

so would it be beneficial for us to file as a couple or just him as an individual?

You will have to decide based on your own circumstances. If you want to file jointly, you will need an Individual Taxpayers Identification Number. I don't think filing jointly does anything for the Visa process.

So as I understand it he can use his salary and tax records from the UK to fill out the US tax returns? Are you filing for three years or just for this past year?

I have 10 years to catch up with -- Im doing the last 4 for now though which will give me what i need for the I-864.

My husband is a registered voter in the US for Maryland though he is obviously registered as a postal voter. Is it your postal vote registration that you are using as evidence?

Im not using a voters card but I see some people have. THere is no harm in having more backup than less.

We may not have a contract with a shipping company by the time we submit paperwork, depending on the timescales, but we are already obtaining quotes.

A lot of people seem to be using quotes. Again, that seems to show some intent so it is better than nothing.

Does anyone know if you can sit the DMV test to get a license without being resident in the US? It seems logical to me that you would not be permitted to do so but if you don't ask silly questions ...

You have to be a resident and prove it (Birth Cert or Resident Card) - most states actually require a SSN. You will also have to prove you live in that state so utility bills etc

Thanks again for sharing your experience with me. Since we are approaching this from similar situations, your experience is very useful.

Hoping to give a little back after so many have helped me.

Best wishes

Laura

The previous poster mentioned the London office...There is also a phone number specifically for overseas returns - I saw just that number somewhere but can only find this page now: http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/article/0,,id=101292,00.html

I havent called them myself only because I am a little bit wary before I submit my paperwork. Unfounded worry Im sure but I want to show some progress towards making it right before contacting them. Thats not advice in any way, just my decision.

As he has only ever been in employment in the UK and has been resident here since 1992, he has never filed a US tax return. It never crossed our minds to do so. I have to admit that we are fearful of being walloped with an extortionate tax bill or some sort of fine for not filing. Does anyone know if this is likely to be the case? Would it be a case that he could submit his UK tax returns to the IRS? The whole tax minefield makes me judder.

Its unlikely to be heavily fined if you read the expat forums. As far as having a big tax bill, it depends on how much he makes as there are rpetty generous allowances for tax you have already paid and household expenses. For instance if he makes less than 90K US dollars, you are already covered. The amount of house allowance depends on the standard of living of where you are. The UK should be pretty reasonable (I think Guam was like 29K and Tokyo was a huge number.)

I've had to come to this point myself and you are going to need the tax returns so better to do them know then right before they are required.

Do more reading on the 1040, 1116, and 2555. They are all pretty easy forms and if you are below the allowances, you should be fine (again if you believe what others are saying).

I filed as Married Filing Separately but if you need more allowance, you can file jointly. Its slightly more complicated.

Thanks,

Jason

Sounds like you have all of the bases covered

My daughter is only 18 months so ive not done much as far as enrolling her in anything goes. I will find her a daycare (when i get a job!) and everything once i get there. Its not something i feel comfortable doing without seeing the place so it'll have to wait.

We have a NY State drivers licence (where in NY State will you be? We'll be there too!).

Bank account - we will just print off a few statements since theyre all online.

Job offer letter for open employment.

Voting registration card.

Letter to my landlord giving them notice of us moving.

So you have pretty much the same as we do. I can hopefully come back and give more accurate info about what they need in the next couple of months after my interview!

You are well ahead of us so please do update!! Little Gym isn't a daycare, its like a Gymboree but I see your point. You don't want to sign up for too much sight unseen just to improve your paperwork.

I was born in NY - Albany area (hence the NY driving license) but we are moving outside of Boston.

Reading the forums for a few hours last night and found the following thread which has a lot of guidance on proving domicile (intent):

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/164618-proving-domicile-when-not-living-in-the-us/

Based on that, I am getting ready the following package. Any other suggestions to help my case or is this more than accurate?

Intent for Domicile:

NY State Drivers License

Proof of US Bank Account (Last 2 statements?)

Contract with moving company

Proof we have listed our house for sale in Ireland (I doubt there will be an offer at interview time)

Letter from my sister stating we intend to live with her upon arrival and worked out a payment arrangement - Including her contact details

Letter from my employer stating my employment will continue in the US and date they have for my move

Airline tickets???

Financial Sponsor Info:

My Last 3 years US Tax returns (1040, 2555, 1116)

Letter from my employer stating my continued employment

My kids are under three but we plan to enroll them in Little Gym (since they do it here) - Should I pre-enroll them and provide that as well or does it make no difference as it isn't actually school

Feeling a lot better after reading so many in similar situations - although it would be helpful to have a thread where people list the evidence they provided and whether they got the approval.

Thanks,

Jason

Sorry i cant help on this one. I find US taxes confusing enough at the best of times

If you need help with anything else though, just give me a shout.

Did a few hours of reading and it looks as simple as getting each years forms (1040, 1116, and 2555) here : , using the US dollar equivalent averaged over that year and then sending them in. They can use the Irish equivalent of my W-2 and copies of those forms at their interview.

Crossing fingures for no fines as I shouldn't owe any tax.

Dont mean to hijack my own thread - just wanted to add what I found for the next person that does a Google search.

Thanks,

Jason

You can file your taxes with the IRS for the last 3 years now if you havent already done so.

Yes, this is something I didn't know I needed to do until this thread so I am remedying it right away.

If anyone has any recommendations of tax accountants specializing in this area, feel free to suggest - I would just start filing in 1040's but I am not sure how I handle the fact there is no W-2 abroad, as an example.

Thanks,

Jason

You should not need your sibling to co-sponsor if your employment continues from the same course once you move back top the USA.

How do I show that since my pay is in Euro and the most i can get on the dollar amount is a letter from my employer? Do I fill out the I-864 with my future US Dollar salary or current equivalent and then explain the situation in lieu of a tax return?

The I-864 is good for 1 year. So if you decide to use a joint sponsor, they can do that for you at any point from now really. I believe that has to be mailed to the NVC and costs $88 (somebody correct me if im wrong, its completely different for UK DCF)

Each post is helping more and more. Do you need to be past any particular step for the I-864? So could I submit that even though I am just past NOA1? Would I know in advance if it met the requirement so I had time to come up with another way?

My I-864 would be stronger closer to the move time as I would have proof of a deposit where as now I could only get a letter from my employer. Or could my sponsor (Sibling) state that we will be residing at their residence? (We then plan to buy a house within 3-6 months).

You can get a joint sponsor (anybody who lives in the US and meets the income requirements) to sort out the I-864.

Domicile does not have to be established when you live abroad but you do have to show steps you are taking to re-establish domicile and fully intend to do it. What we have done (my husband the USC and I both live in England), is get a letter from his new employer to show he will be going back to work, show bank statements from the account he still has, show his voting card etc.

You can all fly out together, but your wife cannot fly before you.

This makes a huge difference - I'm doing my best to get everything straight in my head but this forum helps immensely.

How does the timing work for the I-864? We are planning to move over late April 2013 and I applied for the I-130 at this stage because I saw it could possible take that long. Now that we could potentially be fast-tracked (reading other threads), I'm wondering what will happen it it is approved quickly. It was mentioned needing it in 5 months. Can you easily delay that so we provide it in 7 months and still hit our late April date?

Off to read as much as I can!

Thanks,

Jason

If your income is continuing from the same source and it meets the requirement for your household then you ought to be ok. You will be submitting the I-864 affidavit of support and all needed documentation. (US tax returns, proof of current income, "transfer" letter from employer, etc.)

You will also need to establish a US domicile prior to the interview.

The I-864 FAQ link in my signature below may be helpful to you.

thanks for the FAQ, very helpful (and thanks to the other poster for timeline)

1.) Am i reading it right that if I sort out domicile, I can get a co-sponsor for the income requirement (parent or sibling USC?). I have two children under 3 so moving over a month earlier than my wife isn't a desirable option.

2.) As far as domicile, is renting or living with a sibling meet the requirement (My work will be setting us up with a rental for when we arrive but not beforehand)

3.) Can anyone explain this from the FAQ as it seems to contradict itself:

If the sponsor establishes U.S. domicile, it is not necessary for the sponsor to go to the United States before the sponsored family members. However, the sponsor must return to the United States to live before the sponsored immigrant may enter the United States. The sponsored immigrant must enter the U.S. with or after the sponsor.

Can we all fly over together which the end seems to indicate or do i need to fly over first?

Thanks Again!!

Hello,

I have completed an I-130 for my spouse and it has now at Initial Review in the California Processing Center.

I have two questions - I am the US citizen applying for an Irish citizen. We are married 8 years and I have lived in Ireland for the last 10 years (permanent resident), fully employed in the same job. I am continuing to live in Ireland with my spouse and 2 children (both children have US passports and SS numbers by registering their births at the US embassy here) while the paperwork is processed.

We are moving over because of my job and I will have a salary well above the poverty line in the US.

My questions

1.) How will I fill out an I-864 as I have no US income (And havent for 10 years) but am currently in full employment which will continue with the same company in the US? Would they accept a letter from my employer?

2.) I have read a few posts about applications being treated differently when the USC is living abroad - Is the I-130 processed faster? I saw a USC living in India say it took 2-3 weeks. Links to more info would be welcome

Thanks and I appreciate all the great posts I have read to get me this far, even if I havent posted before.

Jason