POA

17 hours ago, little immigrant said:

Ah that's what I meant. Does your state not have post offices where they can renew it? 

Oh I am referring to my Philippine passport. We have to go to the Philippine embassy in person to renew my passport. I can renew my US passport by mail.

If I didn't become a US citizen, I will have to go to the PH embassy every time I need to renew my passport which is in IL. 

11 hours ago, ShanghaiSurfer said:

Double taxation is the biggest issue. I believe US is one of only 3 countries that taxes worldwide income (I believe Philippines & Etrea being the other two).  

I am originally from the Philippines and have not been double taxed. All income earned abroad are not taxed in the Philippines. Luckily.

6 hours ago, little immigrant said:

Why did you have to go to a different state to renew your GC? 

I didn't have to. I had to go to another state to renew my passport.

21 hours ago, inneedofhelp said:

Hello all,

 

Long story short,

 

I entered the US on a K1 Visa from England back in 2009. The relationship didn't go so well but I did end up staying in the States and received my Green Card. I am now happily remarried and I was hoping to receive some useful information from all you wonderful members on this site who have gone through the process of becoming a US Citizen over renewing your Green Card every 10 years.

 

I would really like to understand the pros and cons on becoming a US Citizen from peoples experiences who have gone through the same process. My biggest concerns/questions would be about - 

 

Social Security - If I were not to become a US Citizen, would there be an issue later in life to claim the SS that I would have been paying for decades? I've heard different answers/opinions on this subject.

 

Passports - If I were to become a US Citizen, would I be able to have dual Citizen? Meaning would I have a UK passport as well as a US passport?

 

Thank You all in advance for your input/answers, it is greatly appreciated.

 

 

Aside from the other information provided below, you don't have to carry your gc all the time and don't need to renew it every 10 years or pay for losing your gc. I personally opted to become USC for a few reasons including the convenience of renewing my passport without having to go to a different state and does not have to carry a gc or pay for fee every 10 years or if I lose it.

21 hours ago, mojo89 said:

It's that time again... time for endless sleepless nights and anxiety overload. So to give you a brief summary - came to the US in 2012, got my CPR in July 2013. Got LPR in November 2015. During the process for removal of conditions my ex and I already started having issues, and we did marriage counseling and all. However, things didn't work out and we got divorced in February 2017. So based on the 5 year rule, I can apply for citizenship in late April this year. It's February and I'm falling apart from anxiety. The main reason is because him and his family have threatened to get me deported after we divorced, so your guess is as good as mine when it comes to not knowing if they contacted USCIS. Anyways, in the meantime I graduated and moved to a different state and have a job of my dreams. The stress about citizenship interview is making me to almost not apply for it and just renew my GC in 2025. I do however have a meeting with a lawyer on the 20th of this month for a consultation (I guess I just need affirmation) but I found in the past that this forum has had some valid information. 

 

I don't know, maybe I'm panicking and overreacting for no reason, but current president and my ex husband both have me on edge. I have a massive dilemma and not enough Xanax to push me through this stress. 

 

I welcome all thoughts, opinions, and advice. 

Lol, don't worry, they won't be able to do anything to get you deported.  Stay calm and file your N-400 whenever you can.

20 hours ago, nica1309 said:

 

Im From the Philippines currently in a Refugee Visa (G1 -visa)  in South Korea,and my Fiancee is a US army man from United states of America. We are both in South Korea right now and we want to get married, Because his in military,marriage in korea is a long process.we dont like to do the lengthy Process. 

He told me that the best option he see is the Proxy Marriage. 

 

My concern is 

• After we get the Marriage License can i process it in the US embassy in South Korea? Or do i need to go home and do the process of my IR1 or CR1 in the Philippines.
• Does Doing Proxy marriage and having official Marriage License might cancel my Refugee visa in South Korea? Because I'm hoping i can stay while processing my CR1 or IR1 in south Korea and while waiting for it i can still do part time jobs and save a little before going to US.
• Does a Proxy Marriage License will be recognize by the Philippine Law? Because i need to Register our Marriage License in the Philippines as my Fiancee want to have Dual  Citizenship and own some property in the Philippines.
• How long is the process of CR1 or IR1 for me to be able to fly to US? 
• What are the other problem or conflict that we need to consider and be prepared of? 
•  

I can only answer the dual citizenship one, unfortunately, only natural born Filipino citizens are eligible for dual citizenship. Unless your husband has at least one Filipino parent when he was born, he won't be eligible for dual citizenship.

You can own the property and he can have rights.  Own a land and he can own the building. 

10 minutes ago, matte5299 said:

Hello,

 

I have few questions,

1.  I am the citizen and I am the petitioner  and i am wondering how to fill out DS-260 form

2. Is it necessary  for the immigrant to fill out the form?

3. The immigrants understand zero English, does this give me the authority to fill out the form?

4. Do they need to physically type each letter themselves or can someone fill out or help them fill out on their behave?

5. Is there any information that will be very helpful to me from this pint forward?

Visa Journey is the best and I really appreciate all the support and help.

 

Thank you,

 

 

You can fill it out for the beneficiary just put your name as the preparer.

11 minutes ago, Adjao said:

Hi,  

I filled for my children in 2014 when they were both minors.( 14 and 19).

Both cases were approved by uscis in January 2015.

The younger has been granted visa since June 22nd 2016 and she is here and the other one is  still in  Africa.

Please may l know  what has cost this and l need help.

Thank  you 

Because the 19 year old is no longer minor?  Are you already a citizen or LPR? 

12 hours ago, AlexKissley said:

Thank you for replying all the time. 2016 and 2017 forms would be ok? For both years I didn't work that much. In 2016, I was in the Philippines for 9 months. And for 2017, I only worked for 3 months. I dont think they would be interested with my previous tax returns as that would not help about sponsoring either, right. That's why Im including a joint sponsor.

It will not hurt to include those just so they know that you actually file taxes.  Anytime!

3 minutes ago, AlexKissley said:

If i have an joint sponsor, can I only submit the most recent tax return? 

You can although I would personally give more than the most recent one if it will help. 

Check this out https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-864instr.pdf

5 hours ago, AlexKissley said:

I have to submit my tax forms too as well even if I have joint sponsor?

Yes, each of you will be submitting I-864.

2 minutes ago, AlexKissley said:

Great! Thank you! ans sorry for misunderstanding. I thought co sponsor and joint sponsor are the same. So what I am getting I wont get any red flags because I dont have work and claimed I cant afford the health insurance as long as I have a joint sponsor?

 

That is correct. Be mindful though that when they count the number of household, you will be included in the count. 

1 minute ago, AlexKissley said:

Oh, I guess it should be joint sponsor then. My badddd. Yeah, so I have a joint sponsor which is my husband's mom but she reside in California. Would she be ok as my joint sponsor?

Yes! She can be your joint sponsor as long as she meets the poverty guidelines.  

Just now, AlexKissley said:

huh? Actually I dont think its like that. My aunt was a co sponsor of her brother. They don't live in the same house nor my uncle claim her in her tax return. Im confused. Im sorry If I misinterpreting what youre trying to say.

 You can either use a co-sponsor or joint sponsor. They may have been joint sponsor and not co-sponsor. I know it can be confusing and I am probably not as clear as I should be. But the USCIS website should give you a better idea on what I was talking about.

7 minutes ago, AlexKissley said:

The Co-sponsor has to live with me? I have a co sponsor but she is in California.

They should be living with your or they are your dependents in your tax return.

If she meets the poverty guideline though, she can just be your joint sponsor instead of co-sponsor.

3 minutes ago, AlexKissley said:

The Co-sponsor has to live with me? I have a co sponsor but she is in California.

Check this out https://www.uscis.gov/greencard/affidavit-support

A joint sponsor is someone who is willing to accept legal responsibility for supporting your family member with you. A joint sponsor must meet all the same requirements as you, except the joint sponsor does not need to be related to the immigrant. The joint sponsor (or the joint sponsor and his or her household) must reach the 125% income requirement alone. You cannot combine your income with that of a joint sponsor to meet the income requirement.

This one is for co-sponsor https://www.uscis.gov/i-864a

If you cannot meet the minimum income requirements using your earned income, you have various options:

• You may add the cash value of your assets. This includes money in savings accounts, stocks, bonds, and property. To determine the amount of assets required to qualify, subtract your household income from the minimum income requirement (125% of the poverty level for your family size). You must prove the cash value of your assets is worth five times this difference (the amount left over).
  • Exceptions:
    • If the person being sponsored is a spouse, or son/daughter (who is 18 years or older) of a U.S. citizen: The minimum cash value of assets must be three times the difference between the sponsor’s household income and 125% of the federal poverty guide line for the household.
    • If the person being sponsored is an orphan coming to the United States for adoption: The adoptive parents’ assets need to equal or exceed the difference between the household income and 125% of the federal poverty line for the household size.
• You may count the income and assets of members of your household who are related to you by birth, marriage, or adoption. To use their income you must have listed them as dependents on your most recent federal tax return or they must have lived with you for the last 6 months. They must also complete a Form I-864A, Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member . If the relative you are sponsoring meets these criteria you may include the value of their income and assets, but the immigrant does not need to complete Form I-864A unless he or she has accompanying family members.
• You may count the assets of the relatives you are sponsoring.

3 minutes ago, AlexKissley said:

Hi, Thank you for your reply. Im a US Citizen and Im here in US. I am filed for my husband and dad. My mom is helping me financially.

Yes it will affect your petition. Whoever is going to help you financially can be your joint sponsor but they would have to meet the poverty guidelines. They can be your co-sponsor if they all live with you.

Hi,

My apologies, I see that you are looking to get insurance. Let's wait for others with experience.

My friend's mom got a tourist visa. She is 60+  and never worked. She has 8 grandkids and 3 children. She doesn't have any money either. My friend filled in the DS-160 and put that she is paying for the trip. She works and make around $45k a year.

My cousin and her husband works, no properties and no big money in the bank,  they were in their early 30s when they got their visa. One works at a restaurant and her husband was a bartender.

There is always no chance of getting a visa if you don't apply. Getting it though really depends on how the consul will feel about the person applying for one. If they see any sign of any possibility of not coming back, then they won't get it.

15 minutes ago, Conditional2018 said:

Hello Everyone,

 

We filed I-751 in April and never got NOA. He forwarded the USPS POstal  Mail address for over 5 months now. Greencard expired over 3 months.

he got a ticket for driving with expired license and Drivers license  renewed again using same address.

Documents sent along with the I-751were:

JOint Tax documents for last year only

Bank statements with joint bank accounts which was used very minimally for few months

car insurance of both names for just couple months

pictures

wedding certificate which took place out of US

no other proof of comingling of accounts

 

*  Biometrics is done. 

How do we know whether we will get interview or RFE? or since the Biometrics is done do we get the approval?

since the postal mail address is forwarded for long time, if there is a background check will it show in that and cause problem?

Please advise...Thank You all in advance...

Did you change address with USCIS? USPS do not forward mail from USCIS. If you haven't filed change of address in USCIS, do so then call USCIS CS to ask for update.

23 hours ago, weakheart said:

Is it good to use as evidence if i send money to my gf for whom i am applying k1? And send reciepts with visa application. This is petitioner sending money to benificary

I would say it depends. My husband used to send me money once in a while. Not a regular thing, just when I need it when my earnings aren't enough to cover unexpected bill. He included the receipts when he sent the I-130 form and it didn't hurt our petition.

7 hours ago, KC & SC said:

Good morning,

 

I am trying to gather paperworks to present to USCIS as they requested more evidence.

I know having joint account in bank can be very important proof that our marrige is in good shape.

However, if we print out statement from the time I joined my husband's account, the amount of

papers needed will be huge! I don't really want to print out everything.

Requirement for RFE is "Copies of bank statement that reflect joint/savings and /or checking

accounts to include the transaction pages for each bank statement period".

 

You think will it be ok not to provide banking information, but we will provide joint tax return

transcrips and copies of lease of apartments we lived in the past?

I can probably ask bank a document stating my name is on my husband's account. But

USCIS may not see as a proof.

I would provide those if they requested for the statement. This will save you time eventually and stressed. One thing we did, we bought a printer to ensure we don't spend too much for print outs. We provided almost pounds of paperwork. They keep those and you will see them again on your Naturalization interview. So just to be safe, provide as many as you can just to prevent the hassle of delaying your petition. 

15 minutes ago, pm5k said:

We wanted to invite my MIL to visit us in the US for a few weeks. My wife has not filed an I-130 for her yet.

 

My MIL is a widow and and she has six children in Pakistan (a few of which are still in school) as well as elderly parents she cares for (basically she is the sole caretaker for all of these people)

 

Would these be enough ties to her home country to reduce the probability of rejection?

 

If my wife does decide to file an I-130 for her, would a visit visa rejection have a negative impact on the I-130?

 

Also, would a letter of invitation help?  The visitor visa page says they are not taken into consideration but many people swear by such letters. 

Strong tie really depends on how the CO will view her ties. I know 1 person who's the only tie in the country she lives at is her job but got a 3 year multi- entry. One other person I personally know doesn't have a penny in her name but have 6 grand kids and also got a visa. All she can do is apply and give every proof she has regarding her strong tie. The worst that can happen is she lose $160 and not getting a visitors visa.

11 hours ago, Boiler said:

How would they know, would the CO tell them that the letter was the deciding factor?

That's a very good question that I don't have the answer. Obviously, a letter is not sufficient to get a tourist visa.

9 hours ago, NuestraUnion said:

A graduation letter proves that there is truly an event taking place that they claim as a reason to visit the US. But what are the reasons for them to return home? This is why we always advice not to put too much stock in these types of evidence. There are plenty of reason to want to visit the US. Marriages, births, graduations, Times Square, etc. But they will get a 10 year visa. A lot can happen in 10 years.

 

What proof do they have that 2 years from now if things turn sour with their living or job situation in their country, they will not use the visitor visa to come and live and work in the US?

 

If the schools is willing to produce such letter then you can provide it. But obviously the applicants should have most of their evidence focusing on strong ties to their home country.

I am well aware about all the reasons for people not returning  home as I've heard/read a lot of these.  It was total inquiry if anyone actually used one of these letters and actually helped them get a tourist visa to attend a family member's graduation.  Thanks for the comment though.