Alexistara

I emailed the embassy yesterday to find out status of his visa.  I received an email this morning that his visa arrived at Aramex on January 5th!  My husband went and picked it up today.

The embassy told me they called my husband and he had already picked up the visa but that he didn't tell me.  Aramex told my husband when we arrived it was a system error.

WARNING: I read that if you do not pick up your visa within 2 weeks it is returned to Embassy and has to be reissued; so be proactive on tracking its progress.

5 hours ago, paki2 said:

Ceac site is showing ISSUED status since 11th jan but still i didn't get my passport. and still SMSA courier doesn't have any information about it. how many days usually it takes for passport to be received??? in RIYADH KSA  

How long did the embassy say it was going to take?  My husbands was approved on December 28, 2016 and CEAC has been as ISSUED since December 29, 2016.  The embassy told us it would take 2 to 3 weeks.  At 2 weeks my husband has started to call Aramex to check if his Visa has arrived.  Today, I sent an email to the embassy asking for an update.  I expect they will tell me to wait until the 3 weeks are up and then contact them again.

Good Luck and Congratulations!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Today is two weeks, since our interview. No news on Abdo's visa. Still shows that it hasn't been processed.  We were told two to three weeks.  You were told two weeks, hopefully that means they are catching up and we should hear any day.

Congrats again...my heart exploded when I read you were approved.

I haven't been on for awhile, since we are waiting for our interview next week. (Applying for CR-1) I see you updated your timeline today! Congrats on moving to the next step. I believe your document list is one of the more detailed I've seen. Which should prove to expedite your case along. Alexis

Hi VJ members

Checking on the IV they are issued and that was about 2 weeks ago , but haven't received the passports yet

Why it takes all that time to send the passports Only today Aramex sent a msg informing me that my son's passport is there , but neither mine nor my other son , is that normal or am I rushing things ?

Each applicant has to go through screening, so unfortunately the passports will come back at different times. I know of one other family that has been waiting just over two weeks for their passports. Not enough to determine if it is normal. I was told that if you do not have to go through AP, passports are typically returned within 30 days. If any of you are required to go through AP typical rate of return is 60 days.

Good Luck!

Alexis

1- Can the petitioner send by hand the packet 3 by himself if he is present in the country of beneficiary instead of sending it by Aramex ---- All document interaction goes through Aramex, they will not accept them at the embassy.

2- about how to Schedule interview,when does the beneficiary do an account on http://www.ustraveldocs.com/eg ?----- I registered on traveldocs as soon as I had our case number. Afterwards, we waited until Cairo Embassy recognized our case then we could proceed to the next step. It doesn't hurt to register early, one thing less to do later. Note, we had to log on to traveldocs to find out our information was received and we could proceed. Traveldocs does not notify you that steps are complete.

Is this after 3 weeks of delivering packet 3 to embassy or this immediately after delivering packet 3 documents back to embassy then he log in again to schedule appointment after 3 weeks of delivering documents to embassy? ---- I kept checking traveldocs for updates, once they process your documents they will update the site and then you can schedule an interview online. For us, this took one week after they received our documents from the NVC (note...we are applying for CR-1 so everything comes from NVC, which is different from K-1) After you are registered you can see when the upcoming open interview dates are. I believe the 3 weeks is a benchmark of when to contact them regarding this step.

3- what do they mean by printed confirmation of address registration ? ---- I don't know what this is, we did not have to do this step. My thought is either on traveldocs you will be prompted to register the fiance's address, which then you can print the confirmation page or they mean the address registration of the Aramex site that you selected. If this doesn't become clear as you register on the site I would email the consulate, which can be done through traveldocs with your question. They responded to our question within one week.

Good Luck!

Alexis

I got issued last Tuesday, 29th November. Till now, I have not received my passport back. Any idea on how long it takes to get the passport back in Cairo after getting issued ? average numbers ?

Thanks!

Did you get your Visa yet? I have a friend who has been waiting for two weeks now for his. Our interview is next Wednesday, hoping to have Abdo's visa in hand by January 15th.

You will not have another interview. They should contact you with the information via email within a few weeks. I would send an email to the embassy asking them for instructions to get the instructions faster. Good Luck

We did a mistake in G-325A of beneficiary five years history of the employment, we put wrong dates , how can we fix this with knowing that our petition got approved on 16/011/ 2016

and on its way to NVC?

Fill out a new G-325A for him showing the correct information as you now know it and write a letter explaining the error. They are looking for fraud not innocent mistakes. E-mail these to your husband and have him bring these with him. If they ask him about the errors, he can then give them the information, otherwise he shouldn't mention it.

My understanding is that the NVC has made a determination on your case already (approved, denied or need more review). The interview is more of a formality to turn in the ORIGINAL SIGNED BY THE SPONSOR Form I-864 and to give you a list of additional information the NVC needs, if any.

Good Luck

In Ds_ 160: in home and address section

It is as following:

Street address( line1):

Street address( line 2) optional:

city:

province:

there is no place for district,

for example if My finance lives in 22 ashraf street in a district called doma in town called nadora

how will he put the district in this form?

which is correct to do like:

Street address: 22 ashraf - doma district

city: nadora

Or he put the district in city section like

street address : 22 ashraf

city: doma-nadora

Please , which is the correct?

Does it make any difference if it is done both ways?

There is not a correct way to fill out the address...I filled out the DS-260 using your second examaple, however I think your first example is clearer. What I have read the most is to be consistent. I did send in an explanation with the documents I sent to NVC. I filled a CR-1 so I am not sure if you send information in. In the documents I submitted I sent an excessive amount of information to ensure they had all of their questions answered, though I used short concise information not overly narrative.

Good Luck!

So my wife just got out of the interview , in less than two hours she called me, saying she was missing a document!!!! My heart sunk instantly she says " just kidding " we passed and will have our passports and visas back within three days . So I'm thinking when she gets to her P.O.E. i might just wait for her to call and say i thought she was flying in next week

Congratulations!! I love hearing wonderful news!!

we got CC on 22 Nov, confirmed via phone too

any one have clue about scheduling interviews in Cairo , i checked the spread sheet some gets it within few days , others with in 4 months from CC

hope everyone having great thanksgiving ...

I believe you will have a good chance of getting an interview in January. Our CC was at the beginning of November and my husbands interview date is for December 28th. So, I am assuming they are scheduling into January now. I recommend calling the NVC as often as possible to find out when your interview is and when your documents are shipped to Cairo.

Good Luck!

You'll be approved! ?

That's great news! I need to find a job right away too but seems like I won't be able to get one until I get my SSN. Will be flying next week and I just hope will receive my SSN within the next couple of weeks.

Mine is SEA-TAC and I'm kinda worried with my 2.5 hrs layover.

I live in Seattle and have flown through SEA-TAC many times. It's a nice airport with lots of shops, restaurants and sitting areas with nice windows overlooking the area. Hopefully its a clear day and you can see the mountains. Most likely once you get through immigration and locate your boarding gate you'll be just about ready to board. Safe Travels!!

My husbands CR-1 interview is scheduled for December 28th; Yeah! I am planning on accompanying him to the interview in Cairo. Does anyone know if I can join him in the embassy? I see instances in Egypt where couples are allowed in but they are all for K-1 Visas? The US Embassy Cairo website says I can join him on one page and I can't join him on another? Totally confused.

There aren't many countries to pick from unfortunately. Dubai is a great idea, it can be a bit expensive so be prepared. I did a similar thing and traveled to Cairo to meet my husband the first time. I booked an Airbnb for my stay in a fairly westernized part of Cairo. I have been numerous times since and have felt safe most of the time. I believe it is important for you to see what it is really like versus what the media says. Stick to tourist areas, keep a scarf with you in case the situation warrants you cover, do some research on the customs and traditions of the area you visit, and trust your instincts. Best of luck!

We finally made it to the US! POE was insanely easy - my wife just came up with me and the officer checked the docs and stamped her passport. No questions, no secondary review, etc. I will submit an offical review once I sleep. We can finally breath a short sigh of relief!

That's awesome!!!! I am so happy for you.

And also what about this website

http://www.ustraveldocs.com/eg/

Am I supposed to create an account on it ?

And how to have an aramex paper

Hi ~ You need to sign up on this website. It will direct you to another website where you enter the information you would give the NVC when you call in. LIke case number, name, birthdate of applicant. As you are filling out this information, it will ask you which Aramax site in Egypt you want to use. After you select it will give you the option to print it off...Make sure you do this. This is what you bring to your interview.

Good Luck

Hi Everyone ~ I went on to traveldocs to sign up for our document delivery registration per the US Embassy Cairo website. While signing up it gave me the ability to select an appointment time; which I did not do since I am not 100% positive we are suppose to be able to do this and do not want to lose our interview appointment on December 28th. So, I sent the following inquiry on the site.

"Hello, our case number is CR**********; this is for a CR1 Visa. We have received verbal confirmation from the National Visa Center that our interview is scheduled for December 28th, 2016.

Are we able to schedule an earlier appointment using this website once you receive our documentation from the NVC? My husband has his medical exam scheduled for next week and we have all the other necessary documents ready to go.

Thanks for your assistance.

Abdo & Alexis"

This is the response I received....

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your inquiry.

Please note that we didn't receive your case from NVC, so we cannot expedite the appointment.

For more information, please visit our website www.ustraveldocs.com

Sincerely,

U.S. Visa Service Desk.

They did not answer my question, I implied in my original email that I knew they hadn't received the paperwork yet. Are they saying that if they had our paperwork then they could expedite our interview? I am wondering if I should resubmit to CLARIFY my question or wait until after they receive our paperwork. My hopes was to make an appointment at the end of this month.

Has anyone run across this yet? or have any suggestions?

Thanks

edited to removed case number

Folks who changed their addresses with USCIS after receiving their Visas and before their entry to the US. Is okay to not change my wife's address to the new one I just moved in, knowing that I have full access to the old mailbox. Or do I have to change it to the new one. I just moved in and I don't want USCIS to take too long to change it in their system or that it get lost. Please advise.

Thanks

I can't remember how long it is expected to take to get a greencard, but my gut is saying change the address. I needed to change mine toward the beginning of this process and it updated within 24hrs. I am pretty sure they will not forward this document so there is a good chance that it will be returned.

Hi everyone,

I just became a member of VJ, but I've been reading these forums and got a lot of help for getting ready for my CR-1 visa interview docs.

My husband and I have been preparing the documents for the interview all by ourselves, and the affidavit of support i-864 and evidence of income part is very confusing....I tried to search questions and answers for my case, but everyone's case is different, I couldn't find the answers that fit my case.. and my interview is on Thursday this week!!!! Apologies in advance for asking so many questions, but I need to know these answers ASAP..

Here's my situation:

I'm a Korean citizen and my husband is a U.S. citizen and we met in China while working in an international school in Beijing. My husband has been working at this school since 2013, and our school has organization in the U.S. and China, and teacher's salary is paid partially from the organization in U.S. and partially from China, but both deposits go into his bank account in U.S.

He has done his tax returns for last 3 years(2013, 2014, 2015), and for 2015 tax return, he filed the foreign income as well, which in his 1040 form on line 21 for other income, it states "See Line 21 statement" with the amount of "-21,792", and at the back of the document it shows his "Form 2555-Foreign earned Inc/Housing Excl" and the amount is "-50,000", and below that, it shows "Foreign Income" with amount of "28, 208", and so, the total amount is "-21,792." And then, On Line 22, for the total income amount is stated as "0".

Here are my questions -

1. For i-864, Part 6, Question #2 for "My current individual annual income is", do I put the amount from his current year's contract? As you may guess, teacher's contract doesn't quite align with the tax year, which goes from September to June, the following year. The letter of employment he got from his principal states this current "school year's" annual salary amount, and his salary got raised since June this year. I'm not sure if I should put the amount from his contract of this school year, or total amount that's added up from January til December of 2016. Another confusing part is that his tax return was done until 2015, is the answer on question #2 relevant to the answers on question #19a-c on Part 6?

2. For his evidence of income, we've prepared 1) Income tax returns 2013~2015, 2) Letter of employment with current employment contract, 3) paystubs for last 6 months, 4) proof of domicile - copy of his passport, copy of his driver's license, and his bank statement with his current US address. Are these good enough??

3. For question on Part 6, #19a.~c.: I put tax year 2015, 2014, 2013. And the amount for tax year 2015, the total income amount that shows on 1040 form, line 22 is "0" like I stated above. Is it right that I put down "0" for this total income amount? If yes, is there gonna be any problem without any joint sponsor even though his actual annual salary amount is above the amount on poverty guidelines?

4. In addition to question 2, if my husband cannot be the only sponsor, which way is it easy&safe? To add my assets from my savings account from Korea or have his mother be a joint sponsor? we've already collected her tax return information just in case. If having his mother as a joint sponsor, what other information do we need to prepare other than i-864A, her tax return forms? are there any other documents need for a joint sponsor?

5. If I need my assets to support with this affidavit, are my bank statements enough? How much assets do I need to show to support his situation?

If you guys know answers to any of these questions I have, It'll be a HUGE help!

Hopefully I can work it out among the documents that we have prepared, I'll have time to get stuff ready, and have some kind of peace in mind to have answers before going into the interview.. This has to work at one shot!!

Please HELP.

Thank you all in advance!

Hi ~ I am a bit confused by how your husband could end up with negative income on his income tax return. But I am not very familiar with foreign income tax. My understanding of the intent of the I-864 is to ensure that once in the U.S. you will not become a financial burden to the country. Thus, a US Citizen is guaranteeing to support you for 5 years, this is normally shown by having a job in the U.S. which you are paid above the 125% threshold or have significant U.S. liquid assets.

1. It doesn't matter what the length of the employment contract is. This question wants to know how much U.S. income the sponsor has made year-to-date, January to November. I believe you can only use the U.S. portion of his income you mentioned prior. #2 is in reference to year-to-date 2016 income #19 is in reference to the 3 previous years.

2. This is more than enough to verify your claims of #2 & #19

3. $0 is correct based on your explanation of his 1040. This will be a red flag and may mean you need a co-sponsor. It will depend of whether your husband is expecting to meet the threshold this year, and can show that last year was a glitch. Or if he has enough liquid assets. Having a U.S. job lined up for 2017 for both of you would help your case. If he has consistently met the threshold throughout his working life a copy of his social security statement can also show that 2015 was not a normal return for him.

4. I'm not sure on the specifics of using your assets, I have heard they won't always take this into account. I recommend having everything together to have his mom be the co-sponsor; for the interview they want the original signed copy in most countries. If you do not have this for your mother-in-law; I believe you can give them a copy and they will hold your case until you can get a signed copy sent. I didn't need a I-864A but would imagine the instructions would say what information they need. Definitely her tax returns and possibly bank statements, if she is using her assets also.

5. If they conclude that his income is $0, your liquid assets will need to be 125% of the poverty guidelines times 5 years.

If you are unable to accomplish all of this prior to Thursday, submit everything you have. They most likely will put you on AP and wait for you to provide the necessary information for them to complete your case.

Also, I am assuming that you are planning on moving to the U.S. next summer...I am pretty sure your visa expires after 6 months.

Good Luck! I hope I was of some help.

My boyfriend and I've recently started gathering information to apply for k1 visa by end of December. Visajourney has been such a great help/resource for us, but

we stumbled on this major issue with finance. I'm a 22 year old US citizen and I'm currently enrolled in a college as a full-time student. I have a part time job which is no near

to meet financial requirement for K-1visa and my major source of living is from my mom. My boyfriend is Korean and he is currently unemployed.

I understand that the best thing to do in this situation is to have my mom as a joint sponsor, but unfortunately, she disapproves of our relationship and my plan to

get married at this age. What would I be able to do in this situation? I read on other websites and from here that bank account balance could be used to meet the

financial requirement (125% of federal poverty line). If my boyfriend transfers me at least 125% of FPL to my bank of america checking account, could that be used to meet

financial requirement? From my part time job last year, I'm earned about $8000 and I have W2 form for that, but I'm not sure if the combination of the w2 form and

my bank balance would be sufficient.

Does anyone have information about this or advise me on this? I've been doing a lot of research, but couldn't find the answer that applies specifically to my situation.

Thank you in advance and good luck to everyone!

The sponsors income needs to meet the threshold and you also have to show that you will continue to meet this for 5 years. (Somehow it was determined that your most current 3 tax returns are proof that your next 5 tax returns should be able to meet this criteria.)

This is my understanding how it works.

If for three years you exceed the threshold you meet the test.

If not, let's say 125% of FPL is $20,000, you have showed that you can meet $8,000 of this annually. This leaves a difference of $12,000 x 5 years = $60,000 in liquid assets you will need or a sponsor who can meet this amount. Your sponsor must be a US Citizen; I don't think they will take the savings your fiance sent to you in to consideration because these type of transfers are generally seen as a payment for marriage.

I hope that helps...Good Luck

Hello!

I asked a question about my Egyptian fiance completing his military time before the K1 Visa paperwork gets to him in Egypt....now I have another question....

He has studied and filled out paperwork to be a judge in Egypt. Supposedly, this is a pretty high position there, and he is doing all this while I am getting ready to start the fiance paperwork. Will this cause problems with the screening process? I ask because he had to pay money to file the paperwork for the position as a judge. He says he is doing this so his family will not be upset with him leaving Egypt to come here after all his hard work and studies, and to me, it would raise a red flag to the process......because, why would he bother to file that paperwork and apply to be a judge if he is filing a K1 fiance visa? Thanks in advance!

We are already married and are filing for a CR1 Visa, which for Egypt typically takes 6 - 12 months. I am unaware of the normal wait time for a K1 Visa; but I advise to take a two-pronged approach considering the big unknown as to what President Elect Trump will do in regards to immigration once he takes office on January 20th.

1. Continue to plan your future in the U.S.

2. He should go forward with his career in Egypt as long as he doesn't have to commit to a specific length of time for employment. This can only improve his employment chances once he is in the U.S.

Overall, I always go with my gut. If you feel this is going to hurt your chances you may want to speak to a lawyer on this particular topic.

I hope others will chime in on their experiences for you also....Good Luck!

Hey guys , while im waiting on the 6 weeks for NVC to review my package, they sent me an email today saying that i didnt complete and submit DS260, which i did already and i have confirmation number and document..is it normal they sent me this or just some sort of mistake ? Need your help please .should i ignore it or give them call ?

Call ASAP and give them your confirmation number...

How did you find out the interview date? Did you call or you get an email? My case was completed Nov 4th confirmed on the phone. I haven't received any email yet.

I called today to confirm that ours was complete and was told our interview date was scheduled. I believe the timeline on the interview schedule is different for each embassy. You should receive a letter once the interview is scheduled along with any extra information they require from you. I recommend calling as often as you can to find out if your interview has been scheduled since there seems to be a delay between when their systems update and when we get notified.

So, I believe we will need 6 photos. 4 for the medical and 2 to carry to the interview. Any thoughts? Thanks

According to the US Embassy - Cairo site you need 5, 3 for medical and 2 for interview. My husband is planning on having 10 on hand; such a small expense compared to not having enough. The embassy you are interviewing at should have their requirements posted. I am less nervous when I am over-prepared.