bgreen19

Hi all! I got the text message we'd been waiting for today. Our I-130 was approved at the NBC and it's now on to the NVC. How long can I expect to wait to hear from them? What things should I do ahead of time to prepare for the next phase at the NVC??

We're so excited!

Can someone clarify this for me...My wife just got her NBI clearance and she says that the expiration date is only for 6 months from now. Everything I've read says they are good from 1 year of the date they are issued for immigration. Does the expiration date on her NBI not matter or is there some kind of mistake???? The US Embassy Manila website even says they are good for 1 year from the date of issuance. So why would it have an expiration date 6 months from the day she got it??

does anyone else have any experience or advice for a situation like mine?

I take it you are the US citizen petitioner and these are all US based crimes? I don't believe it should be a problem if that is the case. The list of crimes for which you are ineligible to sponsor someone are related to child molestation and other gruesome felony sex crimes. And correct me if I am wrong, but you seem to have been arrested for four things but 3 of them were dismissed and you just have a single conviction for a drunken and disorderly conduct which for which you did not jail time. They will certainly bring up the domestic violence issue to your wife and you have to discuss how you will address it. It would help if this was a very long time ago. But it is not bar automatically.

Usually it is the criminal history of the foreign national beneficiary that is the problem.

Yes, sorry for not being specific. I am the USC and all US based crimes. Yes the cases were dismissed after deferred sentencing. I never did any jail time. I work for the Federal government and they did show up on the FBI background check that they did for my current job. Thank you for the response.

I'm just hoping for some advice or shared experience from other VJ members.

Let me preface this by asking to you to please not be judgemental. i'm just seeking advice from those of you with more experience on VJ and possibly who have gone through something similar. Hopefully some of you can give me advice.

In 2005 I was arrested for domestic violence which was later reduced to assault 4 w/ deferred sentencing, and finally dismissed. I also had an obstruction of justice with deferred sentencing that was also later dismissed. and 13 years ago i got 2 different disorderly conducts, one dismissed and one a county/municipality offense that i paid a fine for. My wife knows everything and has copies of the court records. To be upfront and honest I disclosed this with the I-130 petition. I'm a different person than I was then and really regret even having to ask these questions. I have a good job with the Department of Veterans Affairs and love my wife very much. Does anyone have any experience or advice they can share with me?

My questions are:

1. Will this be a cause for denial of our CR1 visa? I know the IMBRA applies to K1 and not CR1.

2. Will they grill my wife about this at the interview or just be sure she is aware of my past?

Thank you all.

Don't worry about last year's income because the Embassy will be looking at your current sustained income.

thanks Tahoma! i think i need to stop stressing so much. i just want my wife here with me. thanks for all the advice guys.

Ok, thanks guys!

Did you show the disability income on the tax return? Do you have evidence of receiving the disability, a letter from the VA? I know I got a letter from the VA when I got my disability, its states my percentage of disability and the amount I will receive each month - bring a copy of that as that income does count.

BTW - all my income is exempt from federal income tax, so I did not present a tax return at all, I did provide proof of income with copies of the letters that awarded me the monthly income, plus I provided copies of my bank statements. I had just as much fun when we did AOS as they wanted more than the letters showing my monthly income they wanted proof that I didn't have to pay income tax (like they are the IRS or something)

There was nowhere to show the disability income on my tax return as it's not taxable. But yes I do have the original award letters, updated percentage letter, bank statements, and an income statement I had prepared by a CPA thats notarized verifying the income. So will I be ok without a co-sponsor? With the VA disability last year alone I was above the 125%. Now with my job and the disability I'm well above the limit. I'm just worried they'll look at last years taxable income and want a co-sponsor.

Has anyone been through an interview in Manila with last years taxes not meeting the 125%, but currently making above the 125% after starting a new job. My situation is a little different because I also have VA disability income. Hopefully somebody can help and give me advice. Here's my situation......

I just completed my 2012 taxes and my taxable income is below the 125% of the poverty limit. I was unemployed most of last year until I got a good job with the Department of Veteran's Affairs last December. Last year I also had about $19k in VA disability income which is not taxable and doesn't show in my tax returns. My question is do you think I'll need a co-sponsor. Between my current annual salary and annual VA disability I will be well above the 125%, but I'm just afraid last years taxes may require me to find a co-sponsor. Does anyone have any advice?? Will they put more weight on last years taxes or current salary? And does my 19k from VA disability last year count? Thanks guys!!

Has she lived in another country for 1 year or more? If not, she does not need a police clearance. If she has then she needs a police clearance from that other country.

Embassy letter for IR/CR-1

HI Hank. She has not lived outside of the Philippines. I ask because I've seen other VJ members have got RFE's because they didn't send in a police clearance along with their NBI. So you're saying she only needs the NBI to send in with the ds230?

Hi VJ. I've been looking around on here and see a lot of different responses. Can someone tell me if my wife will need only her NBI or also a police certificate for filing with the NVC??? Thanks!!!

This is the correct answer. When stating your current income, include that from your job and from your VA disability. The tax return information is only history. You don't qualify based on that section of the affidavit. Document your employment and disability income and you'll be fine.

Please do not send Private Messages to me or others asking for private immigration advise. Just post them in the applicable public forum. That's how VJ works.

Alright then.

Is your current income over the 125%?

My husband also was unemployed for most of last year but he currently is employed at more than the 125%. They really are mostly concerned about current income so include a letter from your boss and pay stubs!

Also I believe you can include your veteran benefits as income but include proof that you receive it.

Yes my current income is well over the 125%. Just worried they may look at last years returns and require a co-sponsor.

I just completed my 2012 taxes and my taxable income is below the 125% of the poverty limit. I was unemployed most of last year until I got a good job with the Department of Veteran's Affairs last December. Last year I also had about $19k in VA disability income which is not taxable and doesn't show in my tax returns. My question is do you think I'll need a co-sponsor. Between my current annual salary and annual VA disability I will be well above the 125%, but I'm just afraid last years taxes may require me to find a co-sponsor. Does anyone have any advice?? Will they put more weight on last years taxes or current salary? And does my 19k from VA disability last year count? Thanks guys!!

Your wife can leave her passport in her maiden name if she chooses to do so. You won't have any problem using her married name on any paperwork because that's exactly what you should do. Your NSO marriage certificate bridges the gap between her maiden name and her married name.

However, it's much easier to amend her passport in the Philippines than it is in the U.S. To amend her passport in the Philippines, she needs her NSO marriage certificate, her CFO cetificate of attendance, and any other DFA requirements.

Also, it might be a good idea to amend her passport now to make sure that her green card will be issued in her married name.

Keep in mind that she is not "renewing" her passport, she's "amending" it. If the DFA clerk gives her any problems, ask to talk to a supervisor. She's allowed to amend her passport.

Thanks Tahoma! That's exactly what we'll do.

anyone?

So does she have to change it since we put her paperwork in her married name? We'd really like to just leave it in her maiden name and worry about the name change later when she gets to the US.

Thanks for the response. I guess I'm more concerned about the fact we used her married name on all of our immigration forms. Can we still keep her passport in her maiden name?

Hi all. Here's our situation. I was unemployed for most of 2012 and just filed my taxes. My only taxable income was from unemployment (about $14K), however I also received about $19k in VA disability and compensation. In December I started a new job with the Dept. of Veteran's Affairs with an annual salary of about $37k and I will receive about $19k again from VA disability. My question is this, with last years taxes below the 125% level (did have $19k in VA disability) and now I have a new job and combined annual income of about $56k, will I need a co-sponsor. My current annual income is well above the poverty level for 2 people, just don't want any problems or delays because of last years taxes. Thank you all!

Hi VJ. I've been through a lot of posts on here regarding changing my wife's passport to her married name and was hoping somebody could help clarify things for us. We are married and have filed our I-130 in her married name but also listed her maiden name in the "other names used" section. My wife's passport is valid until 2016 and we're wondering if she has to change it, or if she can just leave it in her maiden name? I know that if she leaves it in her maiden name everything will be issued in her maiden name. Will it cause a problem that we've used her married name on all of our immigration paperwork or will the NSO marriage certificate justify her married name on the paperwork? Thanks in advance.

Does anyone have any advice on how to attach my personal check with my I-130 petition? I am using an acco fastener folder. I know this is a stupid question but if anyone could help me out I'd appreciate it. Thanks VJ!

yes there will be. what type of report did you make with the military police? for physical abuse? i am former military and have seen wives walk right into the commanders office, and if nothing else works that may be an option for you. if he is court marshalled he could lose his rank, lose pay, be placed on extra duty, given jail time, or if it's severe enough he can be kicked out. read about this...http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/army_board_study_guide_topics/military_justice/lautenberg-amendment.shtml

if he's convicted of physically abusing you he will lose his right to carry a firearm and would almost have to be kicked out of the military.

HI VJ members! I'm looking into hiring an attorney to help me out with my CR-1 visa. I keep hearing Marc Ellis' name brought up as good legal representation. I will be filing through the Manila consulate.

Anyone have any experience with Marc? Thanks VJ!!

Hi VJ members. I have a question. When I was 19 I got in a fight with my brother who was 17 and was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.

We are filing our CR1 visa and I am wondering if this conviction would fall under the Adam Walsh Act???? Thanks for your help.

the waiver is if the beneficiary has a criminal record involving moral turpitude, not the petitioner (USC). usually the petitioners record only comes into play when it is a k-1 in order to protect the "unkowing" fiancee. correct me if I am wrong, higher ups?

that's what I thought but there's so much info out there. my wife knows everything about me and she'll have the paperwork with her at the interview in case it's brought up. i'm just wondering if i just include an affidavit from my lawyer acknowledging these charges or if i just make sure my wife knows for the interview. and i'll be with her at the interview btw. VJ masters please help!

that's what I thought but there's so much info out there. my wife knows everything about me and she'll have the paperwork with her at the interview in case it's brought up. i'm just wondering if i just include an affidavit from my lawyer acknowledging these charges or if i just make sure my wife knows for the interview. and i'll be with her at the interview btw. VJ masters please help!

at least for a cr-1. i know the k-1 is a totally different story with the I-29f.