Paz_Tranquilidade

I864 question

OK I am freaking out, I did not send tax trancripts, i sent whatever we print from Turbo tax with 6 months worth of Paystubs... what should I do? Just sit and wait for the RFE? or should i gather the info and mail to them? I am afraid if i do that will be lost? unless i prepare another I864 aplication and send ?

That's OK. You can send either or. See the I-864 instructions.

If you want to have a peace of mind and not worry, you can also email your spouse the tax transcripts and have him bring them to the interview. Do a Google search for IRS tax transcripts for the link.

SparklePony, my husband and I love Sical coffee. Our old land lady was from Portugal and she brought us some when she returned from a visit to Portugal. Hmmmmm!!! Will you have a cup of that for us before your interview?

(We like it without a shot of "bagaço" )

Any ideas/comments on how I prove I have seen him in the last two years and we have an ongoing relationship? Its pretty obvious since we both live in Brazil, but for that reason I don´t have the usual proofs (airplane tickets, hotel receipts, etc..)

Pictures should be enough. If you want to submit your diploma and his job contract as proof that you both live(d) in Brazil, then that should be good, too. I think that writing an "intent to marry / relationship history" letter should be evidence, too. Anything that shows you lived in Brazil for a period of time (visto ou residencia permanente, se tiver) would be fine, too.

I think they're clearly here just to stir the pot. That's always going to happen on the internet. Best to just leave them be and let them get it out of their system. If we ignore it, they'll venture to another thread and stir the pot there.

You are right... this whole process also has been difficult for me and while normally I'd ignore people who stir the pot, it is easy to get irritated due to insensitive comments made by people on such a sore topic.

Sometimes I feel like I need a break from VJ..

+100.

While I agree that the USCIS is not the easiest agency to deal with, I find it ludicrous that some should presume to blame the US government for their bad or hurried decisions.

People don't realize that the immigration service of any country - not the US alone - will not cater to their designs or desires. That is the nature of the beast and something to be considered before entering into a long distance relationship.

Because the point of this was to let people vent and tell their stories. I find it ludicrous that people like you expect others to bottle their feelings up inside - even on the internet.

Why isn't it OK for people to come on here and share their stories and frustrations?

You don't have a timeline. Were you a K-1 / CR-1 / IR-1 filer or a status adjuster? Was your spouse with you in Monaco? I am asking because it makes a big difference. If you can't relate to others on here and have nothing constructive to say, then it is better not to say anything. That was why many got angry at the other poster. It is not about catering to desires. Yes, many of us enter into long distance relationships but none of us knew what the immigration process entailed. Some take the distance better than others. Some have children who suffer. Who are you (or anyone else) to try and tell people what to feel?

Know the feeling. Really missed my husband during Christmas and New Year. Other than that I have succeeded in trying to stay positive until today when I checked our case status at USCIS and found out they sent us an RFE. After more than 7 months of nothing they ask for an RFE and that probably means it will add a month or two (or more if we are really unlucky) to this progress. I know we sent them everything they ask for in a petition so I really want to know what more they want from us. Feels like this will never end, especially when reading about people who have waited a lot longer than us. It is impossible to plan anything. When can I tell the landlord I won't be living here anymore, when can I tell my boss to look for another employee, and so on... People who haven't done this hardly believe me when I tell them about this wait. They seem to think there must be a problem with a criminal record or the financial support rather than this wait being normal. Everything feels so frustrating and today was the first day I shed tears over this, but I will make sure I become positive about this again. I think most people here truthfully just want to be and live with their spouse/fiance(e). Even if the USCIS told me you won't be ready to travel until next autumn that would be a better answer than not knowing, just waiting. Wish you luck in having a decision soon!

I'm so sorry. *hug* I've shed many tears ,too. If only we'd have an inkling as to when we'd potentially be with our loved ones again would help immensely, I agree.

Unfortunately, Brazil is turning into a high fraud country. (Unfortunately, I have heard of many stories about Brazilians in the US who obtained their green cards through marriage... and it wasn't the "right way" either! I think that the consulate is starting to catch on to this. People come over on tourist visas or on visitor exchange visas as nannies and change their statuses to student in order to avoid going back until they find an American victim boyfriend who marries them, or pay someone to marry them.)

It appears the consulate is catching on.

This is my worry, too, even though I am an IR-1 filer. I am debating whether or not to fly down for the interview (which I have a feeling will fall during the world cup). Unfortunately, we who have real relationships must pay for ####### that others do.

The Law Office of Raymond D'Uva in Newark (located near Broad Street and Market) is pretty good if you need a suggestion. He gives a free 1st time consultation.

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/immigrant-process/documents/submit/documents-to-submit-to-nvc.html

Scroll down to "Police Certificate" and click on the link to expand it.

"Note: Present and former residents of the United States need NOT obtain any U.S. police certificates"

HI there!

With my application (albeit it was an I-130), I sent in the following as bona fide proof:

• photos (I put them together in a PowerPoint presentation where there were 4 pictures / slide and printed out the slides. 7 pages total, 28 pictures)
• joint credit card statements (if you have that in Brazil , print that out and translate it)
• a letter explaining our relationship (2 pages long - how we met, events that happened, etc.) Since you don't have a marriage cert, maybe a letter with the intent to marry and something explaining your relationship.
• photocopy of my Brazilian tourist visa with some stamps showing I entered and left Brazil to visit him
• photocopy of my husband's US tourist visa with some stamps showing he entered and left the US to visit me
• Do you own a home in Brazil or do you rent? Maybe something proving that you two live together?
• If you've texted each other using whatsapp or perhaps a screen shot of your text messages to each other? (since I doubt that you both Skype...)

You don't need proof of employment and diplomas unless it proves your relationship.

They will ask you about your jobs on the biographical form (G-325a) that you send in with the I-129F and about degrees and jobs again at the DS-230 / DS-160 form at the NVC stage.

Just keep in mind that after this is approved, you will have to have proof of income that you can support your fiancé. A TA/RAship doesn't make enough money to do that as per the rules about 125% above the line of poverty. (I know this since I'm a grad student, too.) So, keep in mind someone who can be a joint sponsor when you get to the NVC.

boa sorte!

I agree with Zedayn and a few other posters. Just wait in Brazil and have your wedding in December. Afterwards, apply for a CR-1 visa. You can have a better peace of mind that way.

Just out of curiosity how many people here applied for a tourist visa for their spouse? I applied for the wife and she was approved. We had a baby so maybe that helped. At least she can hang out in the US until were past the NVC.

Even so, the spouse can only stay 90 days at the most. Also, I believe that you can't stay in the US more than 180 calendar days in a year.

Sometimes my husband comes and stays 30 days but then has to return because of work. Also, at the POE, they would give him a hard time about coming in with a B1/B2 with a pending I-130. Back in July, they almost didn't let him through because they kept asking him if he planned on staying and that he can't stay here during immigration proceedings.

Um I don't like moaning about illegals or getting political but you should know your facts because the precise reason we have all waited so long is that illegals "took our place" at USCIS. For some reason known only to USCIS and Obama they sat on our files and ignored them while prioritising DACA filers. Yes we did all make a choice to have a relationship with someone from another country and we are all paying a decent sum of money to have our petitions worked on. Other countries work on this a lot faster and with the amount of money we pay for the service we have every right to be frustrated at waiting over a year to be with our families.

If you don't have anything positive or constructive to contribute then please leave the thread to those of us that do.

Oh yes, I agree. The reason why they pushed DACA is because of the potential millions of votes that this would bring in to the politicians. It makes no other sense to put them in the front of the line, otherwise.

I don't think anyone here knew that the immigration process would take soooo long. Most of us here who are in the US who knew of people marrying foreign spouses probably thought it would be quick because of people who only need to adjust their statuses rather than bring a relative from abroad. If I knew ahead of time that it would take over a year, I probably would have planned differently. I think most of us think this way! It is crazy that a lot of countries work a lot faster. I wonder if this is done on purpose, too, or if it's just the sheer volume of people applying to immigrate to the US versus other places.

I know it is always a risk, of course!

In my case, my husband (the USC) is a Spanish teacher and left his work in San Francisco and came to live in Madrid to my house (now, our house). He looked for jobs here before his arrival. Fortunately, he got several jobs as English teacher here and started to work soon. Now, he is looking up new openings at schools in Cafornia as Spanish teacher again, and scheduling phone/skype job interviews. Hopefully, he will be able to get any position soon; it seems this year in Spain is very highly rated and valued for schools there. If so, by July/August he will be com¡ing back to the US. If my visa stuff is still pending, that it is likely, I will go to the US with him to spend my summer holidays taking advantage of my VWP status, and come back to Madrid to wait for my visa to be issued. I am planning to look for jobs once I get my visa stamped in my passport, accompanying it in my cover letter when applying to job positions. Luckily, I will be entering to the US by the end of this year and, therefore, I will be leaving my job here then.....

In the meantime, we are saving as much money as we can to start our new life there and during my summer holidays we will be searching house in San Francisco as well as arranging all utilities stuff...

What a great story! I do encourage people who can live with their spouses to do that. In your case, your husband will be gaining valuable skills that will help his career as a Spanish teacher. I have a few friends who are Spanish teachers and many of them have lived abroad for a few months in Spain or other Spanish speaking countries. It was definitely helpful! In fact, have you ever thought of teaching? Being a native speaker of Spanish from Spain would be a great asset. Best of luck to you both!

This thread was a good "suck it up and count your blessings" wake up call for me. I'm frustrated because we thought we were being SO proactive, filing in October when we planned to move in June. Obviously, that's not going to happen, and it feels like our lives are on hold.

But because my husband is a dual citizen, he has been able to be with me in Canada this whole time, and will stay here with me until we both move to the US, no matter when that is.

Hubby has been in the US this weekend to see his mom, and being without him even for a few days was no fun. I can't imagine how rotten it would be for months or years!

Anyway, I wish you strength and speedy approvals, and a wonderful reunion with your spouses. And thanks for reminding me of how lucky I am.

Oh, in no way are people telling each other to "suck it up". That was definitely not what I was trying to convey. In fact, I hate when people say that to me. (Sorry if anything I said came off that way! That wasn't what I intended.) No one had any clue that the immigration process would take this long. Before finding all of this out, I thought that if I filed in July, my husband would be here in January and I thought even that was long. I'm glad that your husband is able to be with you in Canada. Definitely makes things easier.

Sorry but I have to be honest here, 90% per cent of you here made a decision to get in a foreign web site and find someone abroad,or had arranged marriage with people living abroad or by "accident" met the guy/girl online, whatever? others met their partners when travelling abroad or studying here,then why all this complain come from?. We are our choices, you made a choice to have a long distance relationship or started a relationship when living here and not being a GC holder yet, and USCIS has anything to do with that, they have to scrutinize everyone entering in this Country t's their job. Let's stop with the bs about talking of illegal people, they are here over 20 years without status and any amnesty, then they are not taking your place with USCIS.

aaaahhh!! I knew it! It was only a matter of time before *that* one person has to come and rain on everyone's parade! You HAD to come on here just to ruin the mood.

Of course, what do you care? You're already getting your naturalization so you don't have to go through what the rest of us are going through. And if you did, you've long forgotten.

"What does the complain come from?" Well, we're all just telling our stories, that's all. This is a safe place for us to come and bond with each other... don't like it and don't want to read others' stories? Then go elsewhere and keep your negativity to yourself.

(Let me guess, since you're from "NJ" I will guess that you're a Brazilian living in the Newark area surrounded by the thousands of others who come here illegally from Valadares, if you're not one yourself and so you feel the need to jump on the "illegal" comment... I know all about you people. I worked in Newark for 7 years helping the Portuguese and Brazilian immigrants who spoke no English. I have heard every immigration, welfare, frivolous lawsuit, construction, you-name-it-it-happened scam in the book that you could think of. And YES, we K1 and CR-1/IR-1 are paying partly because of the immigration bit. But you brought that up, not us.)

We are October filers and new to this waiting game, everyday I think about packing my bags and heading off to live with my husband. The only thing that keeps me going on my bad days is listening to him sing to me. Thank God for whatsapp recordings "tell me this tell me that, why should I give all my love to you"? I love him so so much!!! I ask God everyday for a Quick journey for us all.

I would suggest staying with him if you had the opportunity. This will take a long time. If you filed in October, you won't hear from USCIS until at least April or May...

That's so romantic that he sings to you. Awwww.. that made me a little emotional awwwww

...get the cats micro-chipped and vaccinated and go to him.

I forgot to mention.. one of my cats is a 13 year old Himalayan. Recently, she was gravely ill and is under a lot of antibiotics. The vet suspects cancer and will do the biopsy next week after the antibiotics treat the infection she has in her bones. This cat was so close to my husband and he forged a special bond with her. It's heartbreaking that I may have to put her down and he can't see her or be there to hold her. Pets become our families too.

We filed back in September, still waiting for at least a transfer to give us some glimmer of hope. Things got really bad around the holidays for us. I think it was largely due to us realizing that we were in for a much longer delay than we originally anticipated. We're both very upset with the system, the bureaucratic and public apathy, and seemingly no way out. I got to see my husband as Christmas, but for a very short time and naturally did the family circuit and managed to squeak a few days alone. I feel so weird typing this, but you all are the only people who would remotely understand, but I felt so envious hearing his family members talk about things they all do together, or will do together. The simplest things, too. Everyone gets to spend time with my husband but me.

We've started to discuss me moving to England. When we're feeling whimsical we talk about settling in a 3rd country - as unrealistic as it sounds, those dreams do help. We're in a dark place with no map, but we still make plans together. My husband and I are learning how to 'be married' which is impossible 4,000 miles away. We make do with what we can and remember this distance is only temporary. Should this wait extend too long and I will sell the house, get the cats micro-chipped and vaccinated and go to him.

I get angry every time I think about this process. We're all being punished for following the letter of the law. It's not right. I'm hopeful that my petition will get transferred this week, but I feel like I'm setting myself up to get punched in the gut.

In December, I almost quit school and stayed in Brazil because I could not stomach coming back to the US alone and suffering again.

We almost pulled our I-130 petition and thought about going to Canada instead because we thought the process would be quicker and have many friends who moved there.

I know how you feel.... I get really angry, too. We ARE being punished for following the laws... and meanwhile, I hear about all these status adjusters (people who come on tourist visas because their friends promised them American husbands and cars and homes) and they get their GCs in 3 months. It sucks but I believe in karma.... if we get through this, there will be nothing but tons of blessings!!!

Sorry I am editing my post because I am not sure if I understood you correctly.

You want to have a wedding in the US, first? (Civil ceremony) and then return to Brazil to have the religious wedding?

Yes, K-1 visa is the way to go. File for it now.

You can ask for Advanced Parole to be able to leave the country before the Green card arrives and while the process is taking place.

Do what I've been doing.. just keep calling back every day. 20, 30 days is a standard answer.

Two days ago, they told me to wait 8 weeks before calling back to see if my case was received. I thanked them and hung up. I called back yesterday. Case received! Called back today for a number. They told me to wait 20 - 30 days. I plan to call back tonight and definitely again on Monday.

Just call back on Monday.... don't despair! Keep hounding them!