Amena14

On 9/23/2020 at 4:14 PM, MrsBlan said:

I’m in the same situation too with the Norfolk office. I passed everything but the officer said a decision couldn’t be made because they are still waiting for my files to review them. Weird! It’s been over 20 days already. I’m still waiting to hear back. 

Just following up to see if you ever got approved?  Every time I check the website, they push it another month.  We are now 8 months past the interview and still nothing.  How about you?

On 9/23/2020 at 10:58 PM, Fr8dog said:

I got "recommended for approval" on the N400 straight away. The IO conducting that interview was also the supervisor and she told me she would start with the final part after I left (I was the last interview that day).

Now the ROC part was different. That was approved about an hour after my N400 interview. That is 6 months after my ROC interview. I also received an "decision cannot be made" piece of paper stating they had 120 days to respond after the ROC interview, they never did.

I found out that my file had a bunch of stuff gone missing since the AOS and that the orginal I-129F envelope never made it into my file until the week of my N400 interview. (that's why the original ROC IO could not recommend me).

 

Any luck?  We are still waiting

Filed: 12/15/2019
Interview/Test: 9/22/2020
Norfolk, Virginia

Husband went for his interview in September.  The field officer told him that all his documentation looked good and he passed the test, but he couldn't approve him that day. (No explanation as to why). He told him that in the next 3-4 months he would get a notice of approval or request for additional information.  We haven't heard a thing.  I've been checking the USCIS website regularly for updates.  For months it has said the estimated approval date was May 2021...now it says nothing.   I just filed a request for review online hoping to get some answers. 

It seems there are a lot of us still waiting for interviews or approvals so maybe this is "normal'?  Does anyone have any other advice? or do we just wait it out?

Norfolk, Virginia

My husband attended his Naturalization Interview today.  He applied based on marriage and the 3 year-rule in December 2019.  Interview was scheduled for 09/22/2020.

He arrived at his interview and was asked questions directly from his application.  He was then asked to read a sentence in English and write the response.  Next he was ask a few government/history questions:

1) Who is the governor of your state?

2) Who was the first President?

3) What are the two major political parties in the U.S.?

4) Name one of the writers of the Federalist Papers.

5) What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

The process took 45 minutes. He passed all without any issues; however, he was told that a decision couldn’t be made at this time.  The interviewer told him he should hear something in 3 to 4 months, but with COVID it might be longer.  If he didn’t hear anything within 6 months, to contact them.  He was told he would either be asked for additional documentation or receive notice that his naturalization was approved. 

It was a bit disappointing, as we had hoped we were finally done with this process, but it looks as if it’s another waiting game.  In the last five years, he has made 2 trips to his home country of Afghanistan to visit his family. I am wondering if that had anything to do with it or if this is a common thing?

For those that weren’t approved immediately, how long did you have to wait for your naturalization?

Hi everyone!  I am new to this group, but I filed my husbands I-751 in September of 2017.  After 18 months of letters of extensions and one RFE in January, I checked the status today and I saw that a "new card is being processed."  I am assuming this an approval?   There was no interview or biometrics requested.  Does this mean we should expect a 10 year Green Card in the mail?  

I'm afraid to get too excited.  lol  
 

I want thank everyone for their advice and suggestions!!  It took some time, but I ended up sending a very large package.  One ream of paper and two ink cartridges later, this is what I sent:

1) Two life insurance forms showing he is my beneficiary
2) Four years of tax returns, IRS transcripts and W-2’s to prove we file together
3) An automobile contract, auto insurance policies, two utility bills and 39 months of credit card statements proving we share expenses
4) 39 copies of monthly bank statements showing we combine our income. 
5) Two complete lease agreements showing we share property
6) Three third party affidavits from friends and co-workers stating they know us, know we live together and know we are in a legitimate marriage 
7) Photos of us together on vacations and with family after our wedding
😎Copies of both our drivers licenses, health and dental insurance cards, and a veterinarian statement proving we share a DOG!

I guess it worked because according to "Case Status Online" they ordered his new card on April 9th.     

You all rock! Thank you again!

3 hours ago, Motongever said:

Hello, I hope you see this question. But I just want to inquire because I am somewhat in the same boat as your situation years ago. I was just wondering if you put in your expected income for the year (because what you have is only a job offer) under the current individual income or if you left it blank and just explained your situation via the explanation letter you submitted along with it? Thank you in advance.

Hello!   Yes, I originally put my offer letter in the package to NVC and estimated my expected income.  NVC did forward it to the Embassy without asking for additional information.   At the time of my husband's interview ( 2 months later), he had in his hand proof of my income.  I sent paycheck stubs, bank statements, etc to take with him.   HOWEVER, they took his passport and told him to come back when he had a joint sponsor.

It was quite confusing as my income was well over the minimum and I had almost $200k in assets, but it wasn't enough for some reason.  I ended up asking my father if he would volunteer.  So, I sent another I-864  with my father as the joint sponsor and it was finally accepted.  All of that ended up delaying us another month. All in all it was one year from start to finish. 

I think all Embassy's are different, but in my experience, every time I have applied for any type of VISA it was NEVER accepted the first time.  There was always some reason to add more.  I even had an attorney, whom I hired, tell me he was shocked as my package couldn't have been more thorough.  But unfortunately, we are all at their mercy. 

I think it's worth sending the offer of employment, but just to be safe and avoid any further delay, you might want to have a joint sponsor as well.  It certainly cannot hurt. 

Good luck to you!!!!!

Hello All!  I have searched for 30 minutes now and I just can't seem to find a clear answer.  We received a Request for Evidence for my husband's (the permanent resident) I-75 , Petition of Remove the Conditions of Residence.  This is the second letter, as they stated our first package contained "insufficient evidence."   The first package contained:

*Joint Bank Statement

*Joint Property Tax Bill

*Joint Federal Income Tax Return

*Joint Lease

*Photographs

At this point, I am running out of things to send to them.  As requested, I'll send copies of both our driver's licenses, a credit card statement, and Third Party Affidavit's.  These are the only other things they have listed that I am in possession of.   I established our residence before he arrived in the U.S., so the utility bills are all in my name.

I downloaded the letter template for the Third Party Affidavit and I just need to know....which one of us is the APPLICANT and which is the BENEFICIARY?  

Also, if you have any recommendations of anything else I can send to them, it would be most appreciated.  

Thank you!!!!  

They have specifically asked forThird Party Affidavit's.

Hello NeHAZ16, 

When our package finally arrived at the Embassy, it was about six weeks before my husband had his interview.  After his interview, we went into administrative processing as they wanted more information.  However, the embassy was pretty quick to get back with us and my husband had his VISA in-hand three weeks after his interview.  Of course, this was 3 years ago (prior to President Trump and his administration).  As Kush_Omaded stated, there isn't much to do except to wait.  Writing to your Senator may call attention to your file, but there is no telling.  They get hundreds of letters and call per day asking about VISA status.   

Just curious...did they take your fiancees passport during the interview?  If so, that is a good sign that they are prepared to issue the VISA, but they just are waiting on something....but who knows what. 

When my husband was awaiting his visa from Kabul, they kept his passport as well.  I want to say they kept it a good 2-3 weeks, but that was a good sign. The next notification was to come pick up his passport with his visa.  Good luck!

He said there was nothing on the envelope except "DO NOT OPEN". He handed it in at the POE anyway.

HOWEVER…after a few google images I found what I was looking for. (Still haven't gotten a reply on my email to USCIS) I had to drop the "01" at the end of the case number and add "A0" to the registration number. That finally worked and I was able to pay his Immigration Fee.

Thank you!

My husband arrived in the US last week. Today he just received a notice to pay his Immigration Fee so that he can receive his Permanent Resident (Green) Card. The instructions say to enter the "Alien Registration Number and DOS Case ID provided on the handout given to you by the consulate." He received a handout, but they failed to put ANY numbers on it. Is there another way to locate these numbers. I reviewed his actual VISA thinking maybe they would be on there but none of the numbers there seem to be working.

Any ideas on how and where to get these numbers? I have not tried to call USCIS as I know it's impossible to reach a human…so I thought I would ask the experts here first.

Thank you!

Got notification from Embassy….PICKING UP VISA ON SUNDAY!!!!!!

That is odd. We have similar employment history. I worked there as a contractor as well and haven't worked since October 2014. Like you I have other assets which will get me through this employment hiatus. Unlike you, I don't have any recent employment.

Because of this I killed them with paperwork. Neither of my banks could provide a summary of my year-to-date deposits (which were few, the only ones were from some inheritance after my parents' passing last year), so I just provided all the monthly statements. My mortgage is low so I provided that statement (small liability and high-value asset, plus it's a rental). Additionally, I wrote a personal letter stating, in short, that I am currently unemployed but I saved a lot, have some valuable assets, own some liquid assets like stocks, and have plenty of cash on hand to get me through another year or so. According to my fiance, they didn't even look at my Affadavit of Support or the supporting documents.

I agree…it is odd. I loaded them with paperwork too. Seriously, between investments and my bank account it was well over $200k. I think it's just who you get at the time. So my joint-sponsor documents are on their way to him now. I resubmitted my I-864 too with all my recent stubs just in case there is something wrong with the joint-sponsor. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Thank you all so much for your advice. I agree that maybe they think my new job is too "new". I am afraid his file will go to the bottom of the pile if I question the decision and make the process longer. I hated to ask him but my father agreed to be a joint sponsor. He's self-employed so it's going to take a while to get his documents in order…but we will get it.

Just going to have to wait a while longer. Maybe months, but I guess it's better than a "no".

Again, thank you so much.

So when you sent in your i-864, you were unemployed or what did you write under current job/salary? Even though you've had a good pay in the last few years, US immigrations are more concerned with your current salary and job. They wanna make sure you have enough income/assets to support your husband once he immigrates to the US.

I had an "Offer of Employment" so I went ahead and sent that to NVC with my I-864 as I knew by the time my husband had his interview, I would be employed by then. I even sent a letter stating so and that I would provide him with pay stubs when he went to the interview. NVC approved it and sent everything on to the embassy. I've been working at my new job for over a month now, so when he went for his interview this morning he brought my pay stubs for the last month with him. He tried to show them to her but she didn't want to see them. She stated "I know she is working but you will have to wait until the end of the year or get a co-sponsor".

She also stated that I didn't "pay taxes last year because I was working in Afghanistan" however she had my 2014 Tax return in front of her showing that I filed and paid a great deal of taxes.

See why I am confused?

Regardless, I guess we are at their mercy at this point. I am going to have to find a co-sponsor. *sigh*

I wish i could help you out. but if they need a joint sponsor then you should find one without any WHY or question mark, without any further delay. cz its useless and time wasting. Best of luck

Yeah I agree. When you are their mercy there is no need explaining that they are mistaken. *sigh*

Interview tomorrow! Please wish us luck!!!

Well….no VISA

I posted this in the Forums to get some advice but this is what happened today…...

Need some advice please!

My husband just left the US Embassy in Kabul where he had his VISA interview today. Although they took his passport, they told him that they would not issue a VISA until we provided them with a joint sponsor.

This is what I provided them with;

1) 2014 Tax return with income of $125,464

2) 2013 Tax return with income of $150,133

3) Two recent paycheck stubs showing yearly income of $36,000

4) 401k with a value of $148,000

From 2011-2014 I was working for an American company as a contractor in Afghanistan. I was not working from January until May of this year while I was living with him as a citizen in Afghanistan. I returned to the US in May to obtain our domicile and being a new job which started a month ago.

Does anyone have any idea WHY they would tell him we need a joint sponsor? Is it because I was not employed for 9 months of this year and they don’t consider that “stable’?? It the only time in my life I have never not worked and it was only because I was living with him in his country.

He said the lady stated “Because she was working in Afghanistan and didn’t pay taxes, you will need a joint sponsor or wait until the end of this year when she files her tax returns.”

None of this makes any sense as I paid taxes for 2014 as clearly stated on my tax return. He offered to show her my pay check stubs for my current job but she did not want to see them.

This doesn’t at all seem right and I am SO confused. Why would this require a joint sponsor? I am not even sure if I can find one. Is it acceptable to contact the embassy for more information?

Need some advice please!

My husband just left the US Embassy in Kabul where he had his VISA interview today. Although they took his passport, they told him that they would not issue a VISA until we provided them with a joint sponsor.

This is what I provided them with;

1) 2014 Tax return with income of $125,464

2) 2013 Tax return with income of $150,133

3) Two recent paycheck stubs showing yearly income of $36,000

4) 401k with a value of $148,000

From 2011-2014 I was working for an American company as a contractor in Afghanistan. I was not working from January until May of this year while I was living with him as a citizen in Afghanistan. I returned to the US in May to obtain our domicile and being a new job which started a month ago.

Does anyone have any idea WHY they would tell him we need a joint sponsor? Is it because I was not employed for 9 months of this year and they don’t consider that “stable’?? It the only time in my life I have never not worked and it was only because I was living with him in his country.

He said the lady stated “Because she was working in Afghanistan and didn’t pay taxes, you will need a joint sponsor or wait until the end of this year when she files her tax returns.”

None of this makes any sense as I paid taxes for 2014 as clearly stated on my tax return. He offered to show her my pay check stubs for my current job but she did not want to see them.

This doesn’t at all seem right and I am SO confused. Why would this require a joint sponsor? I am not even sure if I can find one. Is it acceptable to contact the embassy for more information?

Interview tomorrow! Please wish us luck!!!

Wanted to give you an update on my question and the result...

I did send the offer letter with the I-864. I included a letter explaining that I had returned to obtain our domicile and that I had been negotiating employment as well. I noted that I would start my employment well before my husbands interview and that I would send verification (paycheck stubs) with him to his interview as additional documentation. Apparently NVC accepted this because they forwarded our package to the Embassy on 9/11/15 and his interview is scheduled for 10/20/15. I did, in fact, start my job this week so everything is good. I am SOOOOO glad I didn't wait another two months until I had a pay stub in hand.

Can't say this will happen for everyone, but it worked for us!

Thank you again for all your advice!

Hey filers!!! So good news! I just returned from visiting with my husband for two weeks. It's been three months since we've seen each other but I had some time before I started my new job so we planned a trip to meet overseas. Our last day was very sad however, the morning we were departing, we got notification that NVC had sent our package to the Embassy and also got an interview date!!

NVC is moving everyone! Just hang in there!!!!

Hey Filers! How is everyone's cases coming along?

I finally FedEx'd our AOS/IV package this morning. I was held up because I only just returned to the states and have been looking for employment. We didn't have a co-sponsor either. I have been going through a lengthy hiring process with a company that FINALLY, this week, offered me a job. Although I took a risk and used my "letter of employment" as proof of income (and an additional $200k worth of assets), I sent it anyway. There's a chance we will get an RFE and a chance they will send it on and the Embassy will ask for actual pay stubs at his interview. I really have no idea. Wish us luck!

OH..and since I don't start my job until next month, I am making a trip out to see my husband! So excited!!!!

Thank you for your responses. After carefully reading the I-864 instructions for the 10th time, I came across this….

"You may include evidence supporting your claim about your expected income for the current year if you believe that

submitting this evidence will help you establish ability to maintain sufficient income. You are not required to submit this

evidence, however, unless specifically instructed to do so by a U.S. Government official. For example, you may include

a recent letter from your employer, showing your employer’s address and telephone number, and indicating your annual

salary."

I decided to go ahead and take Darnell's advice and "chance it." I FedEx'd the entire package today. The worst that will happen is they will send an RFE asking for pay stubs…which I won't have for 60 more days anyway. So, if NVC reviews and sends the RFE in the next 60 days, I really haven't lost any time. I think it's better than waiting 60 days when I didn't need to. I"m a gambler!

I did attach a detailed letter stating that my husband would bring further documentation to his interview and I included additional assets totaling almost $200k. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Thank you again for your help!

I filed for my husbands IR-1/CR-1 Visa in December 2014 while still living in Afghanistan. I returned to the U.S. three months ago to set up our domicile and obtain employment at the same time NVC approved our application. Everything has been going according to schedule with no problems….thankfully.

However, our packet is still sitting at NVC waiting for my Affidavit of Support (I-864). Without a job or a co-sponsor, we have just been waiting for me to get a job so I can complete the I-864. Today, I finally received, and accepted, a job offer with the company I have been negotiating with the past two months!!

My question is, will an offer letter of employment be good enough to submit the I-864? I can show the last three years of employment with income of over $150,000 per year. In addition, I have $125,000 in a 401k. What I can’t submit now are two paycheck stubs. The job doesn’t actually start for another 30 days, which means I won’t be able to send two pay stubs until about mid-October. However, I will have them by the time he actually goes for his interview….if NVC accepts the AOS (as is) and forwards it on. I don't want to delay NVC processing in anyway but I also don't want to wait 60 more days to submit the last of the paperwork if I don't have to.

I know an offer of employment for the applicant is not sufficient, but what about the sponsor? Has anyone tried this before and what was the result?

HI Dec Filers

I have some questions, please help me out...

1. Petitioner has a low income, do i need a joint sponsor ?

2. If yes, then what type of forms do one need to fill out ? i.e. i-864xxxx

3. For example, if i-864 EZ is the form , so both of them i.e. petitioner and the joint sponsor, need to fill out the same type of i-864 forms?

Please guide me.

Special thanks to Karn !!!

This is what I read from the US Embassy webpage:

• If the petitioner's income is not sufficient to meet income requirements, the income of a relative residing in the same household can be combined with the petitioner's income by signing an "Agreement of Household Member" Form I-864A (PDF 646 KB). The household member must submit all supporting documents as well.
• A person residing outside of the petitioner's household may also act as a financial joint sponsor by completing a separate I-864.
• All I-864 and I-864A forms must be accompanied by the most recent year’s income tax return (such as form 1040) or tax transcript from the Internal Revenue Service. The sponsor should also submit any W2 forms for that year. If the sponsor is using business income as proof of income, please make sure to submit all the income tax returns for that business as well as proof of the sponsor’s relationship to the business.

  http://islamabad.usembassy.gov/mistakes.html