lostinpaperwork

On the name change, I was told by Social Security that the name for socail security needs to be the same as the name on the EAD (new name with 32 cahracters) and the USCIS approval notices (32 characters)

The crazy part is that SS told me that the name needs to be a maximum of 26 characters, including hypens, spaces, etc), and that they can't put the name in the system for a socail security since if they put in anything other than what is on the EAD or USCIS approval notices, then it will be "flagged" by the USCIS. She turned her computer monitor to me and showed me that she could not enter more than 26 characters

Follow-up question on the I-130. even if the I-130 was approved, if we want to do the final interview here, we can still file the AOS assocaited with the I-129F?

My wife has a K3 Visa issued in December of 2006, and she joined me in the states shortly thereafter. The K-3 visa was through the I-129F, although I filed the I-130 initially

QUESTION #1

Our I-130 just got approved before I sent the AOS application for the I-129F. Does that mean we need to move forward with the I-130. Does that mean she needs to return to Brazil for the final interview. Can someone point me int he direction of our next steps in this journey to complete the I-130, or let me know if I still have the option of moving with the I-129F, as I prefer the final interview to be in the USA

QUESTION #2 - I have not filed for AOS yet, but we did file for and received the EAD. Then we went to Social Security and they advised us that since we are using (changed name after marriage) is too long for their system, which only permits 26 characters. Also, the name has to be exactly as it is on the EAD and NOA Approvals. So now, to get a SS#, we need to change her name on her passport (Brasil), her Visa (USCIS) and I imagine it is important to do this is the correct sequence. Any ideas what that sequence is? I tried to call USCIS and got into a never-ending phone message and direction loop. Does anyone know the right number to ask them the question?

thanks,

jed

I have a K-3, and filed for EAD (but not AOS yet) on 1/19/07

I had my biometric on 2/8/07

I received a letter dated 2/6/08 that my application for EAD was approved and the EAD document (I-688B) was sent under seperate cover, and the notice, in conjunciton with an acceptable document listed on List B of Form I-9 can be evidence of employment authorization until the card is received, but no more than 30 days from notice date (2/6)

TWO QUESTIONS

- From peoples timelines (although many people file AOS and EAD togehter, I did not, but I will be filing for AOS shortly), it looks like this process takes a few months...............from the note, I should have it in a few days, only 25 days after it was received. So, once you receive this approval notice, does the card always come a few days later?........or is there another step in this process?

- How can they send an approval notice two days BEFORE the biometric exam? I figured biometrics clearance was a necessity in getting approval

thanks for your help!!!!

RB

My wife's interview went well last week and she has finally joined me in the US. Upon entry at JFK, I inquired about her working. As I have read on VJ, I am under the impression that the K-1 can work immediately if they receive a temporary EAD, but K-3's need to file for EAD. Well, I figured I would ask teh nice gentleman at JFK immigration for the hell of it, and he said "She is the wife of a US citizen, she can work". Now, I just want to make sure that he was mis-informed, and an EAD is necessary. Can someone confirm?

Also, I think my choice now is file for EAD, or file for AOS, or both. Can someone please point me to the page on this website which offers a comparison of the options available?

I owe a tremendous thank you to everyone here and I also owe a writeup to the community about the entire experience, as, every case is unique, and if I can help anyone through the writeup, I will have "Paid it forward". Coming soon.....

jed

Thanks for the response.

Regarding the sealed medical envelope, you say "I won't have access to it anymore". Does the consulate keep it?

I will try talking to the doctor tommorow, after the interview, since he is accross the street from the consulate.

1. Make a copy and bring the original, they might want to keep the copy.

2. You need to 5x7 frontal photos, white backgroud, both ears showing, no glasses. I think the one photo was the one sent in packet 3.

3. You won't need to x-ray anymore, all the results are inside the sealed envelope given at the medical.

4. You were supposed to ask the doctor during the medical to make a copy of the record for you. Now the record is inside the sealed envelope and you won't have access to it anymore. You can try contacting the doctor to see if he's got the record still, although they usually don't keep that.

5. You do need DS-156K filled out and brought to the interview. Remember the forms your bring to interview are not to be signed, as you'll be doing that in front of the consular. If you signed any, fill them out again.

You should have the interview letter from packet 4 with you but you can explain that it was never delivered and they should let you in.

Good luck tomorrow and don't worry, if you have all documents in order, have been honest and have a bonafide relationship, the interview will be a piece of cake!

Finally, we are so close. The interview in tommorow morning and I just have a last few questions

1) Do I need to make a copy of my tax return and W-2, or will the original be OK?

2) I read something about needing "one photo"....I remember reading that besides the TWO 5X5 or 5X7 (CM) and the evidence of relationship photos that I need "one photo"...The post said something about "Polaroid is OK". Any idea if I need this, and if yes, what the requirement is?

3) Do we need to bring the X-ray with us to the interview? I imagine the doctor looks at this and provides an analysis to the consulate in the sealed medical packet, but I don't know if I need it for the Interview itself

4) I kow I will need the vaccination records (193???) for AOS, but where are they? Are they in the sealed medical envelope? Do I need to request something before we leave Brazil? Does the medical package get returned to us after the interview?

5) I never received Packet 3 or 4, and the only item I received from the consulate (at my request) was the list of necessary documents. I-156K was not on that list, but I thought I needed it for some reason

I really cannot find the words to thank everyone here for all of your help and support throughout this process. I love you guys.

jed

Yodrak,

My current work is freelance (due to extensive traveling) and is not as predictable as FT or PT employment. My work is prject work and hourly rate X 2080 is well above the requirement, but wheather I have an assignment next month is not predictable.

I think it would be a good addition to provide letter from employer for the c-sponsor, but the word "may" in your statement has me thinking the consulate may ask for a letter from the bank for my co-sponsor as well.

jed

jed,

Does your current hourly rate of pay x 2080 exceed the requirement? And is there any reason to expect that your current income will be interrupted going forward?

If the proposed sponsor's income is well above the requirement, and is sustainable, then asset information may not be necessary. A letter from the employer describing the employment status is a good idea, as it can often give an indication of sustainability or lack thereof.

Yodrak

Yodrak,

On question 2, I probably don't need a co-sposor as I am only a few thousand below and have more than 20X the difference. But, the co-sponsor is really a just-in-case measure.

So, my question on the co-sponsor is "if the co-sponsors salary is 60K, and i have a notarized I-134 and 2005 tax return, 2005 W-2 and recent paystubs from the co-sponsor, then it is not necessary for the co-sponsor to provide any asset information, since they are well above the poverty guidelines"........Is this correct? If not I will need my co-sponsor to run to the bank and get a letter

jed

Yodrak,

On question 2, I probably don't need a co-sposor as I am only a few thousand below and have more than 20X the difference. But, the co-sponsor is really a just-in-case measure.

So, my question on the co-sponsor is "if the co-sponsors salary is 60K, and i have a notarized I-134 and 2005 tax return, 2005 W-2 and recent paystubs from the co-sponsor, then it is not necessary for the co-sponsor to provide any asset information, since they are well above the poverty guidelines"........Is this correct? If not I will need my co-sponsor to run to the bank and get a letter

jed

jed,

1) Current income on an annualized basis.

2) You provide enough information to suggest that you may not need someone else to be the sponsor, but not enough information to hazard a reasonable guess. In any event, whoever will be the sponsor needs to document whatever information thay provide on their I-134. Information that is not supported with appropriate documentation will be ignored.

Yodrak

Interview is coming up in 10 days and just making sure the last ducks are in line. So, two questions;

1) Question # 7 of "I derive an annual income of _______" - Do I put my gross income from 2005 here? or current income based on 2006 earnings.

2) This year I have not worked too much and dont meet the (poverty) requirement. However, the prior 10 years I did. I do have more than enought assets to cover the difference. So, for my I-134 I will be supplying; Bank letter, letter from employer, recent paystubs, 2005 Return with W-2's, and 401K statement. Even though my assets should cover me fine, I am bringing a co-sponsor I-134 just in case it is needed. Since co-sponsor is well above the poverty guidelines and has noone dependent on her, do I need to bring anything other that the notarized I-134 from the co-sponsor. I am under the impression that if the co-sponsor meets the income requirement, they do NOT need to prove assets. Can someone confirm this for me?

thanks for your help. How someone can survive this process without this group is beyond my imagination.

jed

Interview is coming up in 10 days and just making sure the last ducks are in line. So, two questions;

1) Question # 7 of "I derive an annual income of _______" - Do I put my gross income from 2005 here? or current income based on 2006 earnings.

2) This year I have not worked too much and dont meet the (poverty) requirement. However, the prior 10 years I did. I do have more than enought assets to cover the difference. So, for my I-134 I will be supplying; Bank letter, letter from employer, recent paystubs, 2005 Return with W-2's, and 401K statement. Even though my assets should cover me fine, I am bringing a co-sponsor I-134 just in case it is needed. Since co-sponsor is well above the poverty guidelines and has noone dependent on her, do I need to bring anything other that the notarized I-134 from the co-sponsor. I am under the impression that if the co-sponsor meets the income requirement, they do NOT need to prove assets. Can someone confirm this for me?

thanks for your help. How someone can survive this process without this group is beyond my imagination.

jed

Nope, it is not a colored copy, it is B/W eith two B/W stamps from the Cartorio and one colred stamp and signature from "Oficio De Notas", dated about 10 years after her birth

I think I will scan and email to the consulate to get their opinion, before I go for a new one.

Well, the intereview is on the 19th of December, so that might be cutting it close.

I have found that there is nothing I can do to speed up any process in Brazil. If we have a very old version with a Cartorio stamp (in color) and signature with no raised seal, would that suffice?

When marriage takes place at the Cartorio, they take away the birth certificate.

So, I think to fulfill this requirement, I would need;

- Letter from local cartorio explaining why the document is not available

- Sworn statement from Mom

Has anyone had experience with doing this? Any tips?

thanks,

jed

Alix,

Thanks for the response. The thing is, I need to buy the plane ticket in the next few days, and the plane ticket needs to have the same name as the passport. With so much to do before the Interview, I really don't want to add anything else to her plate. I also thought that to get the visa the passport needed to be at least 6 months old.

Anyway, so what happens if she doesnt have my last name (on her passport) right away?

jed

Let me try this from a different andgle -

1) Does the Visa that is issued at the consulate contain the name of the person?

2) Does it matter that the name on the passport may be slightly different? (without my family name attached at end)

So, the marriage certificate officially changed her name in Brasil to include my last name at the end.

We did not have her name on her passport changed.

So, the interview is in a few weeks and I am buying the plane ticket and I know that it is importnat that the name on the ticket matches her identification (passport)

So, does the VISA she will receive include her new name? All petitions included her new name

jed

Great news, but I am confused for a change.

I don't have my dates handy, but I started by sending an 1-130 around June, got an NOA, sent in my 1-129F, got another NOA, then the I-129F was sent to NVC, and NVC shipped it to Brasil in late October, and Brasil received on October 30th.

So, I was expecting the consulate to send my wife Package 3, and then I was expecting her to send that information back to the consulate and then I was expecting the consulate to set an Interview date. Since I sort of understood the Brasilian consulates timing, I was trying to time it so the Interview was going to be mid-January.

I got a note today from the brasilian consulate, via email, in response to my question of whether they received the petition and if they sent out package 3, and then email said;

Dear Sir or Madam:

Her interview is scheduled to December 19, 2006 at 08:00 am.

Regards,

IV Unit

NOW, I really have no problem with the fact that the interview will be ealier than expected. Actually, it feels great, but I am wondering......WHY? According to this process flowchart (http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?autocom=custom&page=k3flow)

the consulate should have sent and received package 3 before scheduling the Interview.

So, my question - Am I confused? Is the consulate confused? IS anything wrong? Do I need to do anything besides finish my preparation for the Interview?

THANKS,

jed

Adriana,

i think your case is a little different since your 1-130 was approved only a few weeks after you sent your I-129. My I-130 has been sitting in Vermont since So, in this does the I-130 supercede the I-129?

Also, I was told by the consulate that I need to use the I-134 support form, when in fact, I think I need to use the I-864, especially if my I-129 keeps moving and the I-130 stands still. Which one are you using?

thanks (everyone for your help)

jed

"may this convulated process provide more safety for Americans than the pain we all bear

NVC sent my petition to the Brasilian consulate (Rio) on 10/26 (23 days after NOA2 was approved). YAY

What I expected to happen at this point wwas;

1) Brasil consulate recevies I-129F

2)Brasil consulate send Package 3 to Renata

3) Renata sends to the consulate DS-230, DS 2001, a copy of her passport and a photo (after she is in possesion of the necesary police certificates

4) Consualte schedules interview

The RJ consulate just repsonsed to a few questions I had, and told me that the consulate will schedule the Interview once they receive the petition from the NVC

"AS SOON AS WE RECEIVE THE CASE HERE, WE WILL SCHEDULE THE INTERVIEW."

So, now I am wondering why I thought what I thought above (I can't go back to find the source, but from my reading of the guides, messages and other peoples timelines over the past year, this is what I thought was correct). Regardless my questions are:

- Will the consulate schedule my interview upon receipt of the petition?

- How long should I expect for the consulate to receive it

Thanks,

jed

I filed for a I-130 for my wife, and just receieved the NOA for that package today from VSC.

Upon preparing the package for the I-129F, I noticed an error on *one* of the G-325A's.....the marriage date was incorrect (duh).

Before I send the I-129F, do I need to send a corrected G-325A to VSC? If yes, does anyone know the process to do this?

thanks,

jed

I understand that, and I am filling out two (one for me and one for my wife)

On the bottom part of the form...the last question in fact is "Applicatn, be sure to put your name and Alien Registration number in the box outlined by the heavy border"

Now, my question is..."In the box for my wifes G-325A, I put her name in this box outline by the heavy border....When I am filling out MY G-325A, whose name goes in the box outline by the heavy border??? Am I the applicant? or is it my wife?

thanks

Filling out my 1_130 and G-325A.........On the bottom of the G-325A, there is a box which requests Family Name, Given Name, Middle Name and Alien Registration # for APPLICANT.

Now, on the G-325A for my wife (brasilian), I have entered her information there, without an ALien Regstration #, since she doesn't have one

For my G-325A, who is the applicant, and whose information goes in this box??? I am thinking it is my wife, but I am very unsure.

Sorry if this question has been asked and answered before, but I could not find it in the forums

thanks,

jed