J&S - Michigan
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Posts posted by J&S - Michigan
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Hi everyone,
Thank you for the information provided.
Any have an update or know how to get updates on Oath ceremonies being held at Grand Rapids/Grand Haven MI?
Thanks.
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Hi everyone, I had a successful interview for my N-400 application on November 13th and was approved. After it was complete, I was advised that because I live in Northern Michigan that my Oath Ceremony will be in Grand Rapids but I don’t see any ceremonies being held there, I see them in Grand Haven. Does anyone know which one location it is, is it at both locations?
Also, has anyone got any official Oath Ceremony dates for a successful recent N-400 application in these offices?
Any help you can provide would be appreciated!! Thank you, I am really looking forward to completing the last step :)
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Your CEAC will say at NVC untIL it's in transit and at the consulate. Then it says in transit and ready. The NVC will notify you of your interview before they send the case.
Thanks for your help. I've been persistent with them and finally have my interview date!
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I received a check list to recently, and I was sure I had enclosed everything that they said was missing. I rang them up and spoke to a manager. She said she would review the file.
It took awhile for her to get the file, and to actually review it. We called back a few times to see if it had been reviewed yet. I think it took about 2 weeks overall. But the good news is that she did review it, and we then received an email instructing us to disregard the checklist. So if you keep calling back and asking them to review it, and insisting that you have filled it out properly, there is a good chance they will help you.
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Hi everyone,
I'm a bit confused as to whether my case is complete at NVC or not. I called them the other day and they confirmed the affidavit of support stage is complete and that all they needed was the police report.
I explained that for Sydney the police report is sent directly to the consulate, and the consulate has sent me an email confirming they already have it. The lady said she would put a note about this on my file and request for it to be reviewed.
In the meantime I emailed the consulate again, this email (support-australia@ustraveldocs.com ) and asked them if they can communicate to the NVC that they have the police report.
I received an email back and all it said was that my case has been updated and I should log in to view it. The subject line of the email also said that my case "has been closed".
But When I log into the ceac.state.gov website and click on visa status check, it still says "at NVC".
I logged into the cgifederal.secure. website (which is for visas from Australia). It has a dashboard with all these links on the side such as "visa information" but when I click on those links nothing happens (eg it doesn't take me to a new page or anything).
So I'm not sure where I was supposed to log into? Is this cgifederal website used to schedule interviews? Thanks for any advice!
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After reading a lot on this forum I would advise that given you are/have only earned foreign income, you should put your earnings as $0. I also have only worked in AU, so do not have any W2's- so best to use a transcript rather than a return like I did. They are easy to download off the IRS website or have them mailed to you. Your joint sponsors and savings assets should be more than sufficient once you explain to a supervisor...
Did they have any issue with your domicile?
They didn't say anything about domicile yet. There shouldn't be any problem with that. I gave a lot to back myself up there.
My fingers are crossed the lady I spoke with can help me out.
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I received a checklist around 1am last night. We both jumped out of bed only to realize that our plans for the following year are shattered. I don't quite undertsand what went wrong but will need to thoroughly go through the pdf file once Im done with work today.
I definitely did not get any sleep because of this.
I feel your pain! It is just so upsetting
I received the email when I was starting to recover from gastro--me, hubby and baby had all been sick. It definitely hasn't been a good week!Yes, if you have an issue and you need to resubmit documents for the AOS, I would just go here -
http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript
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Did you call last night? Did you get anywhere? I got a checklist too, which set us back another 60 days. So frustrating. However now we are just waiting for our interview date so there is light at the end of this dark, never-ending tunnel!
I did call I spoke to someone who is going to look at my file and call me back. So I am just praying she will decide to let me go on to the interview. Now I'm worried my taxes could have been the problem as I filed an amended return. I can explain all of it and show all the docs...I just don't want to be set back 60+ days! Thanks for your advice.
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To simplify this even further, you don't NEED to submit W2's. Being a USC you still filed your US taxes based on your overseas income right? As USC's we are taxed on all income earned worldwide but we have a Foreign Earned Income Exclusion for some countries and are not subject to double taxation so the filing is merely a paperwork formality at minimum. So you should have 3 years worth of tax transcripts available. If you did not file then you have technically broken the law and will get called on that later.
If you are on Maternity leave then you are currently employed. That is your status and there is no reason to go any further into it unless queried.
Yes, I've filed taxes every year and included my 2013 return.
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Hi!
First of all, deep breath!! This process is so frustrating and mind-boggling but you are almost to the end!
Secondly, I would call and tell them your story. If you don't get anywhere, kindly ask for a supervisor. They know a lot more and should be able to help you sort this out. Maybe you need to send in a bank statement from your savings account...you might want to suggest this to them and see what they think.
Good luck!
Thanks FH - I appreciate the advice. I know I just need to calm to down...it's so hard being so close to the end! I was so sure I'd hear about my interview any day and then heard this instead! It really helps hearing from people who have been through it though, so thanks
I did include a copy of my bank statement. I don't even know if they looked at everything though. I'll definitely ask to speak to a supervisor.
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Can someone please help me? I've been waiting to hear back from the NVC following submission of my Affidavit of Support and IV supporting documents. I finally received an email from them today but it is a dreaded CHECKLIST! They said I need to include my W2s and proof of current employment. BUT that just proves they haven't read the information I sent at all!
So my question is-is there any advice as to how to get them to LISTEN to me when I call them tonight so as not to delay this process further? My situation, as briefly as I can explain it:
1) I have been living and working overseas (Australia) for 8 years, so I have no W2s! They should be able to clearly see that.
2) I am on maternity leave and included a special attachment to explain this, AND a letter from my employer to explain this. The letter from my employer stated the income level I earned there. It was signed by my employer and on company letterhead. I wanted to take the trouble of explaining about being on maternity leave, as I didn't like the tick boxes offered - "employed, unemployed, etc", I mean, being on maternity leave is not the same as being unemployed. Anyway, the job is here in Australia anyway, so the letter from my employer and attachment from me both state that as I am planning to relocate to the US as soon as possible and that I have already notified my boss that it is unlikely I will be returning to the job when my leave is up.
3) I can't understand why anything about my employment here (overseas) matters since I will be leaving that job to come to the US as soon as my husbands visa is approved anyway?
4) I got my parents to sign as joint sponsors and they make well above the poverty threshold. (I was advised to get them as sponsors when I told a lady at the NVC that I haven't worked in the US in over 8 years). Also my husband and I have saved a lot to facilitate the move, and have enough in savings to where we shouldn't have even needed a joint sponsor!Is there any trick to getting them to listen? I feel like the person who answers my call at the NVC holds my whole future in their hands! I'm sorry if thus sounds dramatic, but I am just so upset by this whole process and am just SO over it. Will they make a big deal about me being on maternity leave and not working right now? Why should I go back to work and put my child in day care when we plan to relocate the whole family to the US as soon as possible? Any advice is very appreciated! At this point I just feel like this process is never going to end!
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Hi Everyone,
I recently submitted my affidavit of support documents, and my husband submitted the IV supporting documents.
We received emails stating that the affidavit of support docs and IV docs have been received, but both emails say that it will take at least 60 days to process them.
Just wondering--is that their standard response? Is it really going to take that long? I'm sure many of you can relate, I'm just so frustrated by all the delays. I just want to know WHEN we will be able to move to the states. Originally we wanted to go in October, but obviously that's not going to happen. Now we're hoping we can go in February. So my fingers are crossed that we will get to the interview before the end of the year.
Cheers everyone, Sarah
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Hi Sarah,
I feel your pain. This seems to have caused so many people confusion and frustrations. The US Consulate in Canberra specifically states "You only need to apply for 1 Australian police certificate and it can be based on a name or fingerprint check. A police check based on name check only must contain all aliases previously and presently used. Failure to provide a name check certificate with all aliases may result in the consular officer refusing your application for a police certificate based on a fingerprint check".
http://canberra.usembassy.gov/iv_faqs.html#police
I did a search and there were just a few Aussies asked to get fingerprints done but others who didn't have to. Frustratingly, we are unable to call the US consulate in Sydney to get clarificate as they only communicate via email. Ugh! I sent them an email asking:
"Dear Visa Information services,I am applying for a marriage based Immigrant Visa and am in the process of putting all the supporting documentation together.I currently live in Queensland, Australia and I need to obtain a police certificate. My question is, does the police certificate search have to be name and fingerprints or just name only search?"
Their response was:
"Thank you for your inquiry.
To obtain the police certificate you must list All Aliases used during or prior to your residing in Australia. Please be sure to note that your request is for the purpose of immigration".
So just today I decided that I will submit a name only search police certificate and go down the fingerprint road if they specifically request it. I understand the problems arrise from the rules changing at the US consulate here in Australia but the information at the NVC remain unchanged.
Hope this helped.
Stephen.
Thanks Stephen, we also decided to go with name check only,. Hopefully that's what they want. I received an email saying my Affidavit of support documents were received a few days ago and that it would be 60 days to review that. I'm hoping I can get an interview before the end of the year! Cheers, Sarah
Hi I was interviewed at Sydney office in July and I just took my original police certificate with me and they made the photocopy nd gave me original back they didn't ask for any paper wrk before interview I took all my orugionl paperwork on the day of interview which they requested in the letter .i got approved and I moved to usa nd got married I was from Melbourne .
Thanks for your response! It's great to hear from people who have been improved! It gives me hope that this process will eventually end--it sure takes forever!
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I am at the same stage are you... I've just orgnaised my police certificate... and also that I'm frustrated at how slow this process is hahaha.
With the police certificate, it depends on where you are currently living. If you are in NSW and QLD, the state police will send your record directly to the consulate. The offices at the NVC will know this is the case. I suspect they won't schedule an appointment until the consulate acknowledges receipt of the certificate. It is also important to know that there is mass confusion and ambiguity around getting a name check only or fingerprints and name check search done. I have found that a lot of people have been asked to get a fingerprint search done... so I decided to get a fingerprint and name search done up front so as not to delay this process any further. I just included a copy of the receipt with my IV application document pack to show that it has been organised.
You need to send originals of the documents which were asked for as originals - Birth certificate, Marriage certificate etc. You need to also include a photocopy of these. It is an idea to also have a 3rd copy to take to the interview.
Good luck.
S
Hi Stephen,
I've been trying to call the NVC last night and this morning to ask about the whole finger prints thing and I can't get through. I didn't realise it was like $100 more with fingerprints.
I can't find anywhere online where it says you need fingerprints. Did you see some Aussies on here saying that they needed the fingerprints done?
Cheers,
Sarah
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I got mine tested at my local GP before the medical. When I got the results I sent them to the medical centre doing my medical when I made the appointment. They were fine with it.
Ok, good to know! I'll get my husband's appointment set up asap then. He's going to have a busy week with getting the photos done, police certificate, marriage cert and everything else they need!
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I am at the same stage are you... I've just orgnaised my police certificate... and also that I'm frustrated at how slow this process is hahaha.
With the police certificate, it depends on where you are currently living. If you are in NSW and QLD, the state police will send your record directly to the consulate. The offices at the NVC will know this is the case. I suspect they won't schedule an appointment until the consulate acknowledges receipt of the certificate. It is also important to know that there is mass confusion and ambiguity around getting a name check only or fingerprints and name check search done. I have found that a lot of people have been asked to get a fingerprint search done... so I decided to get a fingerprint and name search done up front so as not to delay this process any further. I just included a copy of the receipt with my IV application document pack to show that it has been organised.
You need to send originals of the documents which were asked for as originals - Birth certificate, Marriage certificate etc. You need to also include a photocopy of these. It is an idea to also have a 3rd copy to take to the interview.
Good luck.
S
Stephen, are you in NSW? When you fill out the request for the police cert online, does it ask the address where you want it sent? Did you put this address?
U.S. Consulate General
ATTN: Visa unit *
Level 10, MLC Centre
19-29 Martin Place
Sydney, NSW 2000
Cheers, Sarah
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All documents have to be originals. You need to submit the original of everything except the passport, plus one legible photocopy of each doc.
As for the police certificate this varies greatly by country. It looks like, from the other post, that it in some parts of Australia they send it directly to the consulate. If they don't you would send it to the NVC.
Also you have to be aware of any specific consulate requirements. For example, in the embassy here in DR, they require an updated police certificate for the day of the interview.
Please check this link and select from the list of consulates, the one where you will go, to see if they have any specific requirements in addition to the regular process.
http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/immigrant-process/interview/prepare.html
Thanks Ian! Appreciate the help!
From the reciprocity page of the NVC website:
Police Certificates - All AustraliaPolice certificates are required for each visa applicant aged 16 years and older. Applicants are required to apply for a Police certificate ensuring that the certificate addresses all known names and/or aliases.
For information on how and where to apply, please refer to the table below according to your current place of residence.
If you are applying through the New South Wales or Queensland police, your police record will be sent directly to the U.S. Consulate in Sydney. The Criminal Records Section of their offices will notify you that this has been done. If you do not receive this notification within 4 weeks of your application, we strongly recommend that you ascertain the status of your records by checking at the police station where you initially made your request.
Where I currently reside
Where to look for information
Overseas
Australian Federal Police website
New South Wales
New South Wales Police website
Queensland
ACT
Australian Federal Police website
Western Australia
Western Australia Police website
Victoria
Tasmania
Northern Territory
Northern Territory Police website
South Australia
Thanks NLR!
I am at the same stage are you... I've just orgnaised my police certificate... and also that I'm frustrated at how slow this process is hahaha.
With the police certificate, it depends on where you are currently living. If you are in NSW and QLD, the state police will send your record directly to the consulate. The offices at the NVC will know this is the case. I suspect they won't schedule an appointment until the consulate acknowledges receipt of the certificate. It is also important to know that there is mass confusion and ambiguity around getting a name check only or fingerprints and name check search done. I have found that a lot of people have been asked to get a fingerprint search done... so I decided to get a fingerprint and name search done up front so as not to delay this process any further. I just included a copy of the receipt with my IV application document pack to show that it has been organised.
You need to send originals of the documents which were asked for as originals - Birth certificate, Marriage certificate etc. You need to also include a photocopy of these. It is an idea to also have a 3rd copy to take to the interview.
Good luck.
S
Thanks for the tip Stephen! I'm in Sydney. Great tip to send the receipt to the NVC, I'll do that. Thanks heaps!
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I got my blood tested for immunity and it was fine
Hi KatieandAleks--thanks so much! Where did you get tested--do you know if they can do that at any health clinic?
Did you get tested after your medical was scheduled? Or before?
Thanks everyone I really appreciate the advice on this!
They sure don't make this process easy do they!
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Hi everyone,
Can anyone give me some advice about the police certificates?
We are at the stage where I have just mailed in my affidavit of support documents, and my husband just filed out the IV form online. Now he needs to send in the supporting documents.
I am confused though-does he need to send a police certificate to the NVC? I thought that the police certificate needs to be sent to the consulate in Sydney? Does he need to get two?
Also I'm a bit confused by the wording on the state department website. Do we need to send in original documents PLUS a photocopy of the original documents?
I hope I don't have to send a police certificate to the NVC--this whole process is so slow, I hope I don't have to get the police cert and then mail it to them
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
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Hi everyone,
This is my first posting! We are at the stage where I have just sent in my affidavit of support documents, and my husband just completed the IV form online. The form asked the question about vaccinations. We put down that he doesn't have his records at the moment but will get them for the medical appointment.
My problem--we can't find his vaccination records! He received all vaccines required as a child, but the medical centre he attended as a child isn't there anymore, and Australia didn't have a vaccination register until the 90s (at least that is what I think based on the call I made to the vaccination register today). So does anyone know what will happen? Can they just give him the vaccines at the medical appointment? And how is the medical appointment scheduled? I haven't received any information on that yet. Any advice is greatly appreciated!
N-400 NOVEMBER 2018 FILERS
in US Citizenship Case Filing and Progress Reports
Posted
Thank you for this, I really appreciate it. Is there a way for me to keep track on upcoming Grand Rapids/Grand Haven Oath Ceremony? Not sure how you obtained the information provided. Any guidance you can provide would be appreciated. Excited to complete my Oath