malamaja

Hi all - my mom's application was approved in March (bad timing with Covid). The Serbian embassy has been closed since then and we haven't received an interview request (but that's not that surprising).

My mom is about to come here (USA) for a few months. What if they schedule the interview during that time? Do I postpone or is there any way of transferring the remainder of the process to happen in USA?

Hi all. I have a quick question for a friend. I've gone through this process and am now a U.S. citizen but our situation is a little different.

She (the U.S. citizen) is living with her husband in Australia (they are both residents there). They have been married for 2.5 years. In a long relationship prior to that (living together in Australia). They have an almost one year old daughter. He is the primary bread-winner, she is a stay-at-home mom. Finances are not an issue (they have savings etc).

They have decided to move to the U.S. and they want to do it quickly (ie months). What do they  need to do? Lodge the IR-1 while he's in the U.S. and apply for change of status? If they apply while they are in Australia, they could be waiting for 12 months I assume? That's how long the visa took for us 5 years ago (but we had the time and were in no rush to relocate).

Any advice would be very welcome!

I plan to apply for my mom's PR later next year. She currently has a 10-year visitor visa (she can come and stay for 6 months in any given year) and comes and visits us 2-3 every year. Will she be able to continue visiting us here while her application is in progress? I can't imagine her not being able to come and see her grandkids for potentially 1 year + while this application is being approved etc. Any advise welcome!

Do we send one check for 590 or two checks (one for 505 and one for 85)?

Thank you all for your input! Making the executive decision to leave them out based on comments... good luck to you all.

Hi All

I arrived in U.S. almost 2 years ago on a spouse visa. I am preparing docs to remove conditions and have attached a lot of supporting evidence (daughter's birth certificate, joint property deed title, joint tax return, multiple bank statements, insurance beneficiary details etc). We have both been gainfully employed since day 1 and our first child was born here. We have a strong tie to community, financially stable, bought a property here almost a year ago in both our names.

I really don't want to have to ask people for affidavits - I did it once when we lodged the initial application and I just want to avoid doing it again (it's time consuming).

Do you think this is necessary in any case? In my case in particular?

Other people's opinion welcome!

Thanks

Hi guys. I had my interview in early November. It was pretty straight-forward. Couple of things to mention:

1) Get there early, 730ish because it's first come, first serve. We were there at 7.45, second in line. Took about 2 hours in total.

2) If your spouse is in the country, bring them with you. The guy before us left his wife outside and they found this strange.

3) Interview is conducted at the counter. No privacy at all. But it quick, about 20min or so.

Good luck! Let me know if you have any specific questions, happy to answer.

Hi there

I can only tell you what we did. We have not received any further checklists in relation to domicile so I'm assuming we're in the clear.

To prove domicile, my husband (USC) has been living in Australia for 7 years, we sent following documents to NVC:

1) a written explanation, how he came here to start a business, how that business has now been closed down, and that he plans to relocate as soon as my visa is approved

2) legal documents showing business has been closed

3) a copy of Australian visa showing the expiry date in December (cannot be renewed)

4) a copy of our apartment lease here in Sydney expiring in September, with no intention of renewal

5) copies of 3 credit card statements and various term deposit and bank accounts (all in USA) - statements show we have been slowly transferring money from Australia to US

6) a copy of a medical receipt showing my husband gets most of his medical/dental work done in the USA (proving he is retaining a "home" there)

7) a number of letters from various institutions (including insurance) that are going to his parents’ house right now in the USA (but are intentioned to him)

8) a copy of travel record that shows that we go to USA at least 2 times a year, and that we maintain very close ties to friends and family

Domicile is a very case specific issue. Hope my list gives you some idea how you could potentially prove domicile in your case.

There a whole lot of posts on here where people list ideas as well, including lease agreenent with parents/family, quotes from shipment companies, emails to/from real estate agents, communiction from potential schools etc

Good luck!

I just want to point out that yes, they do want to see proof of current income, as NikiR indicated. However, do not disregard the importance of filling out all fields as needed by NVC. They are very specific in what needs to go in what field.

My husband and I have sufficient assets and income, yet they rejected our form because of a technicality. They obviously care very much that all details be filled out correctly. I don't think they like drawing conclusions on their own. Save yourselves some time, and fill out the form correctly the first time.

Thank you so much for all your suggestions. We decided, based on most of your comments, to complete the question using "Total Income" from the second page of the transcript (line 8).

Fingers crossed that gets accepted. FedEx just picked it up so there is no going back now!

I will let you all know how it goes. If it gets accepted we will have our answer.

Hi guys

I just received an RFE for this as well.

1) Item 13.a.1. The income you enter must match the total (gross) income reported on your most recent Federal income tax return.

We called 3 times so they could explain what number from the transcript should be filled out. They told us to complete it using the "wages" line. We had already done this and it resulted in the RFE.

Does anyone know which line from the transcript goes in this section?

We're lodging from Australia and it takes a week to deliver the docs each time so I want to make sure it's definitely correct.

Personally, I don't think THEY know what they want. It looks like they've had no training on the new form.

Hi guys

I tried this in the regional section with little success.

The NVC finally processed our AOS and came back with 2 questions:

1) Item 13.a.1. The income you enter must match the total (gross) income reported on your most recent Federal income tax return.

We filled this out using the recommended Tax Return Transcripts. My husband (USC) has been working in Sydney for 7 years so all his income is foreign. We used the "Wages, saralies, tips, etc" line from the transcript. Which in my opinion is the total (gross) income. Both I and my husband called the NVC. They were quite friendly but not overly helpful as they cannot actually see the form we lodged. Both of the staff members we spoke to said that the "Wages, salaries, tips, etc" amounts are what is required. And they suggested we send the SAME form again. With no changes. I really don't want this to come back again. We're paying hefty FedEx charges every time because I don't trust Australia Post.

2) They want a copy of my (non-USC) Aussie tax return. We're using my income as evidence of support as well. My employment with my company will continue post my move to US. This is easy enough. I have a copy of the 2012 on-line tax lodgement and the ATO notice of assessment. I will send them both.

Did anyone else have any experience with something like this? Am I missing something, in particular with item 1.

Hi guys

The NVC finally processed our AOS and came back with 2 questions:

1) Item 13.a.1. The income you enter must match the total (gross) income reported on your most recent Federal income tax return.

We filled this out using the recommended Tax Return Transcripts. My husband (USC) has been working in Sydney for 7 years so all his income is foreign. We used the "Wages, saralies, tips, etc" line from the transcript. Which in my opinion is the total (gross) income. Both I and my husband called the NVC. They were quite friendly but not overly helpful as they cannot actually see the form we lodged. Both of the staff members we spoke to said that the "Wages, salaries, tips, etc" amounts are what is required. And they suggested we send the SAME form again. With no changes. I really don't want this to come back again. We're paying hefty FedEx charges every time because I don't trust Australia Post.

2) They want a copy of my (non-USC) Aussie tax return. We're using my income as evidence of support as well. My employment with my company will continue post my move to US. This is easy enough. I have a copy of the 2012 on-line tax lodgement and the ATO notice of assessment. I will send them both.

Did anyone else have any experience with something like this? Any suggestions? VanessaTony... you always have sound advice. Am I missing something, in particular with item 1.

I tried booking a medical without a case number and was declined. I called back once I had the case number and they booked me in (a 4 week wait, which I didn't think was too bad). They ask you to confirm the booking via an email, and in the email you have to include the case number. The case number arrived 2 weeks after we received the NOA2 email (hard copy, in our mail box here in Sydney). Hope that helps.

Hi guys

After almost 2 months, I have finally received the national police certificate in the mail. They had lost my fingerprints and I had to re-do it about 2 weeks ago.

Anyway, the certificate reads: This is to certify that there are no "disclosable court outcomes" or outstanding matters recorded against the name and/or fingerprints of MARRIED SURNAME, FIRST NAME.

Is this sufficient? Did they need to mention my maiden name (which I definitely requested for, I listed both last names on the form)?

I just want to make sure everything is nice and tidy before final lodgement and hopefully approval.

Thanks

My husband and I got married in early January 2013. I am Australian, and he's an US citizen (he's living in Australia while our documents get processed). We started my visa paperwork in January and are about half way through.

I just returned from a 4 week US holiday. I had absolutely NO problems, at entry or exit. We separated at arrival (he went to US line, and I went to foreign). Since we filled out the forms as travelling with spouse, the customs agent asked me where my husband was. I explained the situation and he laughed and said to go with him in the US line next time. It was a great experience. I was prepared for questions (had a copy of our lease and other documents ready) but was never asked.

Good luck and I'm sure your plans will go as expected.

Hey! Welcome. This site is a great source of information and reassurance.

We went through something similar recently. My husband (the USC) has been living abroad for the last 7 years. We lodged the I-130 at the start of February and we filled all documents with Australia as his residential address. In the cover letter, we indicated that he will be moving back once my visa gets approved as we do not want to get separated.

There is also speculation, that USC that live and lodge from abroad might get a slightly quicker processing treatment. Again, could be speculation, wishful thinking, luck, coincidence. Who knows.

There is a long thread on this so might be worth your while to read it. Since you fall into this bucket.

In any case, good luck!

1. Country USC resides in: Australia

2. Is there a USCIS field office in this country / Is DCF still possible? No

3. When did you file the I-130: 8th February 2013

4. How long had you been living abroad: 6 years

5. Do you reside in the country legally? Yes

6. What is the reason for your residence: work permit (math/finance)

7. Did you list your foreign address on all forms in I-130 package? Yes

8. Did you send I-130 package from abroad? Yes

9. Did you include evidence of your residence abroad in the I-130 package? Yes, all addresses on all forms were in Australia (we said n/a on US address, saying we will decide once we move)

10. Did you mention the fact you reside abroad in the cover letter or write a letter describing your current situation and the evolution of your relationship with your spouse (mentioning your residence abroad)? Yes (cover letter indicated that we were keen to relocate and for the USC to return home).

11. Has your case been "auto-expedited"? How long between NOA1 and NOA2? Yes, received approval on 26th March (46 days)

Thanks Vanessa&Tony!

I'll look into a potential joint sponsor. I'm assuming my future in-laws will qualify.

Hi guys

I've just recently joined this forum out of absolute desperation. There is a lot of information available online and there is no shortage of people sharing their personal stories, however, I can't seem to find anyone with my particular case.

My fiancé and I (got engaged 3 months ago) and we are starting the process for BOTH of us to move to USA. My fiancé, who is a USA citizen (born and grew up in USA), moved to Sydney, Australia 6 years ago. He moved with buddies from college to start a new business. We met 3 years ago and have been living together almost the whole time. Now, we are engaged and wanting to move to USA and start out lives there together. His business is winding up so there is nothing holding us here anymore.

From everything I have read, the K-1 visa seems to be tailored for people who are doing a “long-distance relationship” (they have met their fiancé but are effectively living in different countries). This is not a case for us.

What I am trying to work out is whether my fiancé can apply for the K-1 visa for me even though he is still in Australia but has every intention of moving to USA as soon as my visa gets approved. It might be also important to note that he has been lodging a USA tax return every year, as he is required to do and that will show that he has sufficient income (not earned in USA at this stage) to support me. We are both educations (we both hold masters degrees) and have extensive experience in our industries so I don't feel like USA will think I will be a burden on the society etc.

Any suggestions are welcome, especially from people that may be in a similar situation to ours.

Thanks!!