JE57

Crazy Cat, Excellent,  IV status tool says they are scheduling Hong Kong Interviews for cases DQed in July so I went ahead and sent an Inquiry just to be sure that we are 'in process' as we got the DQ email but CEAC shows two documents as missing even though those exact documents are later in the list as accepted (just with a different label)  We'll wait and see if we get an Email or the the inquiry turns up something... We've been patient but I don't want to be patient if NVC thinks we still have a TO-DO 

Issue,  we were DQ June 30,  We are away from home at DQ and have not been home since,  Have not seen email of interview schedule won't be home for anouther 1.5 weeks?  Should we expect an Email or perhaps just have something in our post office box? 

   Thanks 

An update... The expedite was, as expected, denied but the I-130 was approved in early May 3rd the case was created at NVC.  We are working thru getting documents uploaded now we are delayed a bit in getting the police certificates required as we didn't expect that she's need as many as she does.  We are hopeful that by Mid-June we'll be able to submit all documents for review which perhaps puts us on the timeframe needed to get the interview before my relocation at the end of Sept.

On 5/13/2025 at 9:05 AM, JE57 said:

My wife and I live in Hong Kong,  She's resided in several places in the distant past.  She just completed and submitted the DS260 and immediately a document list was created on the CEAC portal.  The issue is to proceed with obtaining documents especially the police certificates from Hong Kong she is required to submit the 'NVC documents' letter with an address to mail the certificate to.  The list on the CEAC portal is printable but the document list is in a scroll box and not all the documents come out.   Should we expect an 'email' or 'letter' from NVC?   The HONG KONG counsulate says the document will be mailed directly to them and they will Laise with the NVC.  How does that work in terms of submission of the remaining documents to the CEAC do we simply upload a print out of that to the NVC once we have uploaded all the other documents?

 

We submitted the request to the HONG KONG POLICE yesterday we printed out the NOA2 letter and also a screen print of the NVC datapage request that showed her list of documents. That was sufficient for the Hong Kong Police. 

My wife and I live in Hong Kong,  She's resided in several places in the distant past.  She just completed and submitted the DS260 and immediately a document list was created on the CEAC portal.  The issue is to proceed with obtaining documents especially the police certificates from Hong Kong she is required to submit the 'NVC documents' letter with an address to mail the certificate to.  The list on the CEAC portal is printable but the document list is in a scroll box and not all the documents come out.   Should we expect an 'email' or 'letter' from NVC?   The HONG KONG counsulate says the document will be mailed directly to them and they will Laise with the NVC.  How does that work in terms of submission of the remaining documents to the CEAC do we simply upload a print out of that to the NVC once we have uploaded all the other documents?

On 4/30/2025 at 2:13 AM, Neon Strelitzia said:

 

Congratulations!  That is great news Are you prepared for the next stages?

 

We got notification the NVC had received our case already.  That was a pleasant surprise!

Got approval notice on April 28th,  Waiting on notice that NVC received the case but really mostly waiting on NVC case number.  How did you get notification that NVC received case via Petitioners Email?

3 hours ago, Boiler said:

Is this a DCF case?

No... Just got NOA2 on the I-130 Yesterday

1 minute ago, Crazy Cat said:

Using the appropriate average conversion rate, I assume.   Just convert your current annual income (expected over the next 12 months) to USD on the I-864.  You should be fine.

THANK YOU!!!!

Thank you everyone for the responses so far.   The income I'm making from the local wholly owned subsidiary and is in the local currency and taxable in the foreign location.  I've filed US tax returns on the foreign earned income.  As indicated I'll continue with the same company but the income is not in $US currently but will be when moving to the US.   I've worked for the same company for 30+ years so hopefully all will be fine.

  I'll pray for the best but feel re-assured with the responses so far.  

   Thank you,

I the petitioner have a stable in our residence country making comfortably above the poverty levels.  I work for a wholly owned subsidiary of a US company.  My company is transferring me back to the US company and my current position will continue in the USA (with a higher salary).   I have letters from my employer stating this but at the time filling out the I-864 that the transfer will not have occurred.   I am applying for an IR-1 Visa for my wife.   Tax returns have been filed consistently.   I do not have a joint sponsor or a good candidate for one.   Can I get past the I-864 and get my wife an interview with this situation.   Anything thoughts or hints would be appreciated.

   Thanks in advance

Hello All,

   I, USC, living in Hong Kong with my Wife, Nationality (Philippines), both of us HK Permanent Residents.  I have Mandatory Retirement Dec 31st, 2025, and a Job offer to relocate back to the USA with my current multi-national company with a start date of 1 Sept. 2025.  

  Filed I-130 in early Feb of 2024, VJ says latest approval estimate June 4, 2025.  With NVC processing that makes the timing tight at best.  

My wife has a valid B1 visa that expires Nov. 2025 and has traveled many times on her B1 with no issues.

-

Opinions on what I should do? Possible thoughts:

1) Just wait and hope it all gets done on time.

2) Request to Expedite the I-130 

3) Wait for I-130 approval and request Expedite at NVC stage

4) Have my wife apply for a B1 visa as a backstop in case spousal visa not approved in time

     For option 4, I suppose we'd have to maintain a residence address of some form in Hong Kong along with living in the USA and she'd (We) would have to fly back to Hong Kong for the interview?  I suppose we also risk her not getting approved for the B1 or if approved being denied entry on the false presumption that she'd adjust status in the USA (we wouldn't, of course).  She has entered the USA twice since I applied for the I-130 for her with absolutely zip, zero questions or issues.

DCF is no longer an option as I-130 has been filed.

-

Opinions/Suggestions/sage wisdom or even just kindly advising patience and faith are all welcome.

My start date might be flexible to push back if visa is not complete but can not under any circumstances be pushed into 2026

Thanks in advance.

Joe

Thanks in advance.

Good luck with you application and process..  I also applied recently for my wife using the online form.  I found that it helped to have a copy of the printed form and the instructions for that form while I filled in the online form as some things were not as clear in the online questions as in the context of the online form.  I also found that reviewing the 'generated' form before submission was a valuable activity some things like addresses and such had to be adjusted to fit properly. 

4 hours ago, D3vilD0g6582 said:

How long is the typical wait time for interview after receiving the NOA2? Also, my wife is Filipina and works in Hong Kong. Would she go to the US Consulate there in Hong Kong for her interview? Thank you 

After visa approval as per NOA2 then the case get's sent to NVC which has it's own process that can take 6 months before they send it to the embassy.  It's at that stage when your wife will start the process in Hong to get all the documents required by the US Embassy Hong Kong for her interview.  Yes, so long as she is resident in Hong Kong (so long as she has a HKID card she qualified even as a FDH) she'll do her interview there. But unfortunately if you don't yet have NOA2 her interview is likely much further away than either of you might prefer.   

The good news is that with due diligence and meeting the requirements of the embassy was not that bad once you get the letter but will likely require her to make at least one trip to the Philippine Consulate in Admiralty.  Or at least it did for us back in 2015 maybe things have changes we'll find out in about 18 months. And no you can't really do anything in advance.  It's about waiting sadly.

Just filed I-130 for my wife back on Feb 10th.  Current estimates on VJ for approval of I-130 is 12 months.  Then NVC another 6 months or likely more.   As others have said spousal visa is a significantly better visa especially depending on the length of your Marriage as that depends on rather she will be required to go thru removal of conditions on her green card or not.   Since you are already married K-1 isn't an option anyway.  Keep your head-up.  Try to make arrangements to go see her whenever you can.  Also, as I previously also filed for a K-1 for my wife now wife I found that VJ timelines are a little funky.  As you go thru this journey it will be better that your timeline reflects your current one rather than the previous K-1.  The only way I could figure out how to do that was to extensively edit my timeline to remove all the prior K-1 information you may want to do the same. 

There are many wonderful people here who will support you and offer you assistance on your Visa Journey including my wife and myself.  Suggest that you keep an eye on your application and check your NOA1 and see what service center you are at and get some estimates of times based on your service center.  I don't see any indication that any of them would be 3 years so perhaps that was a typo as well.   Would further suggest that you read thru the Philippines forums and try to anticipate any issues or different requirements.  Good luck to you and your wife.  Finally as it seems you previously brought your finance to the US from Armenia and she became a citizen you should be open and honest with your Philippines wife about what caused that relationship to go south as eventually in her interview she may face questions about that. Good Luck and God Bless you and your wife.

This was a bit confusing and I hope to offer others the benefit of my experience.

The online questions and answers are not as obvious as filling out the form directly.  I suggest to print or have the offline form available when filling out the questions to generate the online form.  Things line space for address information on the online questions may truncate that information when populated into the generated form.  As such I also suggest that once you think you have filled it out completely to review the submission where a 'sample' of the online form will be generated.  Check that and modify your answers as required.

The other gotcha was that after submission I waited for a week for the NOA1 but later when I logged into my USCIS online account I realized that my receipt was generated the same day as submission and that the information about the service center was at the bottom of the PDF receipt viewable from the online account.

Finally,  when paying for the application I did ACH transfer from a US Bank account which I'm lucky to have considering I live overseas.  Not sure how a international Credit card would have worked out.   ACH was quick, efficient and free.  

I agree with others that the chances of approval are extremely low but so long as the OP is completely honest there is no harm in trying.  I'll also point out that even if the visa is approved that the OP would likely face rather extensive questioning on exit from the Philippines and potentially be off-boarded as Philippine Immigration may see this as a risk of trafficking.  I strongly, suggest that the OP consider traveling to meet BF someplace else that also requires a VISA that is far easier to get for which a 700,000 Peso job and bank information would make approval of that Visa much more likely and which would raise less suspicions outbound with Philippine immigration.  Consider Japan or S. Korea perhaps?  

Bear in mind that 700,000 Peso a year is a good salary in the Philippines but not even meeting minimum wage in the USA.  Of course, it's unlikely that the US Embassy will even ask about salary. 

As others have said..  Be honest. but be prepared with alternate plans.

3 hours ago, Vermyndax said:

My wife's parents are about to interview for B1/B2 visas at the Philippines embassy in Manila. We can't really decide if they need NBI clearance, police clearance and barangay clearance for the interview process. Does anyone know?

Thanks in advance.

No such clearances should be necessary to interview for a tourist visa. The stated requirements would be required for some immigrant visa's but not a tourist Visa.  Generally speaking they should be prepared to present any ties to the Philippines but only produce those if specifically asked.  Odds are they will not be asked. 

Thanks.  I'll have to go back and see if we can find her A-Number.   And no we are not filing Adjustment of status.  We have lived overseas for 8 years since her K1 was approved in 2015, she used it.  We stayed in the USA... got married there total time in USA less than 90 days.  We thought we'd be staying but then I got a job offer back in current county.  Since leaving the US in 2015 she got a B1 visa and we've been in and out of the USA several times since then but we still live overseas.  I will be forced to retire locally because of my age but will be able to continue working for the company in the USA and will use the 'job offer/transfer' to accomplish the financials to enable me to petition for her.   We did the same thing with the affidavit of support for the K1.

Good Day,

   On I130 application there are sections that talk about rather I've ever previously filed a petition for this applicant.   The answer is I previously filed a I129F which resulted in a K1 visa that was used.  We got Married in the US in 90 days and then left the US and moved back overseas before submission of adjustment of status.  I assume that the K1 visa doesn't count and that only the adjustment of status would have counted.  Am I correct, or should I somehow mention the previous approved I129F.   As a K1 visa isn't technically an immigrant visa rather a visa with Immigrant intent I suspect it doesn't count as a previous petition.   Thoughts?

   Thanks,

    Joe

Confused.  I-130 (online) asks if Petitioner has ever filed for Beneficiary -  Yes.  Filled a I129F for current spouse (I am petitioner and US Citizen), was granted she entered we married we did NOT adjust status and both moved back overseas.  She applied for and was granted a tourist Visa and we've been to the USA several times since.  After getting married she applied for and was granted a US SSN.  We are still living abroad and I'll work with my international employer to get a job offer from the US division of the company I now work for so once I130 is approved will have information and support from current employer (US Division) to show intent to establish domicile and should be able to get by without a co-sponsor.   So to the question... Clearly the answer to the has the beneficiary been in the USA is YES.   Can look up I94 information for last visit but don't believe she has a class of entry as she never got a green card.   The authorized stay on the most recent I94 would have passed (but she did leave before that date).  How do I find detailed instructions for this section of the form ? 

Payxibka has been on this forum at least as long as I have probably longer and perhaps has a better handle on this than I.    I agree that revenue does not equal income.  The devil here is in the details..   you've got your own business, as part of that business you have revenue and expenses and the result of revenue less expenses is income report able to the IRS.   Clearly you have some legal ability to manipulate the amount of expenses to some extent.  From my understanding though once you subtract your expenses from your revenue what you have left over is what you report on your tax forms as income to the US Gov.  That amount you report to the Gov. is the amount of INCOME you have for the year.   If that number is 80K you should be fine.   If you then are able to find 60K plus in deductions that makes your Adjusted gross income lower good for you.   But I am NOT a tax accountant, a immigration attorney or even an attorney of any kind.   I do believe that what the Government is looking for is rather you can legitimately support your new family.   So if your deductions are for example 15% or more of your home being used for your business than that part of your income is still available for support of your new family assuming you have sufficient space left in your house for them to live in.   Likewise with driving your own car.  Apparently you can deduct 58 Cents per mile driven for business. That will wear your car out sooner and you may need to replace it sooner but that money isn't really completely gone.    

Based on your statement for the sake of discussion with 80K income you are not going to have a problem.    Granted I'm basing my opinion on an Individual return but the point is the INCOME you are declaring BEFORE deductions.   So assuming the 80K is listed on your taxes as your income than the deductions shouldn't matter.   Legal deductions to income for tax purposes should be fine.   Although I suppose if those deductions represent real expenses so that your 80K income is actually ONLY in the 20K range then perhaps that might get a 2nd look but it seems like you are doing fine income wise.   Rather you need 1 year or 3 years I would suggest you have 3 years ready.  Over prepared is better than under.  

Perhaps I'm mis-understanding your concern....  Your income would be the amount of income you make BEFORE any deductions.  Your deductions affect your Adjusted income which determines your tax but would not reflect your ability to support yourself and your family.  Therefore you should be able to maximize your deductions without affecting your eligibility to sponsor.     As for the baby.....  The help section of the I-864 says that anyone immigrating or planning to immigrate within 6 months must be included.   Considering you seem to be able to get to 28K pretty easy AFTER deductions I'd say you are probably over thinking this. 

Good Luck,  God Bless and Happy Easter.

15 hours ago, Gregory&Dyn said:

My wife is currently in the Philippines visiting family and is scheduled to return to the U.S on 07 March. She has a five hour layover along the way and it just happens to be in Inchon, S. Korea. 

Can anybody confirm whether or not travel bans apply to transient flyers as well? In the articles I've read, the ban covers tourists with some exceptions for students studying in SK, but nothing that clarifies those just passing through.

 

Many thanks in advance for your answers.

Based on your timeline I would assume your wife is traveling on a Philippine passport which means she should get to the airport super early.  The restriction on travel is in the Philippines and she is traveling to S. Korea with a connection onward to the USA.  This was not specifically mentioned as an exception for Philippine Citizens being allowed to travel to S. Korea.  I believe it should be OK but she may need to sign a declaration.  Again this is yet another example of the Philippines not letting their citizens leave their own country 'for their own good'.  Your wife should check out the facebook group #StrandedPH for more information and could ask the question about her transit in S. Korea there.  When they did this to Hong Kong, Macau and China I believe they also tried to prevent Philippine Citizens traveling on a PH passport from transiting in HK or China.  Seems like PH may have 'learned their lesson' regarding how horrible their treatment of their own OFWs and foreign residents was RE: HK, China, Macau, and Taiwan.   So I hope and suspect that your wife will be fine but based on the article she's in a gray area. 

Well this is an immigration forum so the people here are best versed in providing information as it relates to immigration.  Does she have any thoughts or plans to immigrate to the USA?  If not then this is probably not the best forum for the question..    I have also PMed you