Slithytoves

One last angle. It seems to me that if we attend our scheduled InfoPass appointment about this issue, we will probably be told there is nothing to do but wait for the permanent greencard. It seems unlikely that the problem described in my original post can be "fixed" without USCIS somehow sending John's passport away, which as I said before is his only photo ID at the moment.

Can anybody think of a scenario where the corrected date in the passport/visa will be a problem after the "real" greencard arrives?

The "real" greencard bears a photo, doesn't it? So we won't really even need to use the one in his passport once the other one is in hand, right? Does anyone think we just cancel the InfoPass appointment and use the visa/passport for whatever we can until the "real" greencard comes?

Sorry I keep coming back with more questions. After reading all of your kind responses, we are doubting the trouble and expense required to drive to Charlotte ... .

Alice

He should get his Greencard in the mail in the next few weeks.... so what is stamped in his passport wount be an issue.... once he has the Greencard it is good for travel and work.... he can use this to get his drivers licence ans SSN....

Kez

Thanks, all of you, for you replies. This does explain some things ... very helpful indeed.

How many weeks does the greencard usually take? Is there a way to check up on it, to make sure at this point that it will be issued properly/in the right amount of time? After finding out that the SSA never got word that he wanted to be assigned a SSN, I'm becoming distrustful and feel the need to do what I can to follow up on things ... .

Alice

Hello, everyone. My husband arrived last week with a CR-1 from the UK, but we have a bit of a problem. On the page opposite the actual visa, the following message is stamped in red:

"Applicant advised of the provisions of Section 216 and of the procedures for having the conditional basis of his/her status removed"

Next to that stamp, the officer at the Port of Entry handwrote 5/14/08, then wrote a 9 over the 8, as the visa is supposed to be good for two years. My husband was buzzing from the experience at the time, and didn't notice this had occurred. The officer didn't initial the change or write his ID number or anything. Just a hand-corrected date.

You can imagine what is happening. The DMV won't give him a driver's license because his visa looks tampered with, and the Social Security office (who were never informed that he had requested a SSN to be issued although he did all the right things to have this done for him) won't process a card for him, thus he can't apply for work until this is resolved.

We have an Info Pass appointment for next Tuesday (Charlotte, NC), and will bring the troublesome visa for their review. I have tried to get some idea via telephone of what will likely have to happen to resolve this, but have had no luck. I assume they'll need to keep the visa to correct it ... but for how long? John really needs to start working. At least he can drive for 90 days on his UK license here, but if the immigrations people take his visa he'll have no photo ID whatsoever.

An aside: we noticed a line on the visa page itself, in small black letters near the bottom, that says "Upon endorsement serves as temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residence for 1 year". Isn't the CR-1 a 2-year visa? So far both the Social Security office and the DMV have misinterpreted this to mean his visa is a 1-year deal. I'm concerned that a prospective employer who hasn't seen a CR-1 before will think the same.

Please lend me your expertise. This is getting a little stressful.

Alice

When I received my I-864 packet in the mail the first week of December, there were no I-864 forms in the packet at all, of any variety. There were simply instructions with a web address, requesting that I download the forms myself.

It was a bit of a surprise to me, honestly since I hadn't read any posts from members who had mentioned this apparently new development.

It certainly made my use of James' Shortcuts feel all that much more secure. And FYI to anyone just getting around to this part of the process, the barcode sheet I had self-generated matched the one from the NVC exactly except for the little asterisks on top, which as VJers know is perfectly okay.

Hope everybody here who celebrates Christmas, Hanukkah, or any other timely holiday has had a safe and happy festive season. I have been lucky to spend Christmas/New Year's in England with my husband, and our heartfelt good wishes go out to VJ couples everywhere, especially those who have been apart for the holidays.

Peace to All,

Alice and John

I'm kind of curious about this one, myself. I'm off to see my Sweetheart next Monday through the first of the year, and it's conceivable our DS-230 packet may come when I'm gone, too. I'm also pretty sure that all we need to mail back is the form, the bio page and the barcode page ... but is there someone who has just done this who can confirm? I could bring the things I have ready on my trip, and mail them to the NVC from there ... .

Alice

I got our I-864 packet a few days ago and the Tax Data form wasn't in mine, either. I had already sent out the Shortcuts version of the packet to the NVC, so I'll just have to cross my fingers that it's okay that I sent the self-generated Tax Data form. Since some people are still getting it, I doubt the NVC folks will notice.

I was surprised that the packet didn't actually contain any forms at all, but instead directed me to the DoS website to download and print the forms myself. When did that change? I clearly must have missed a memo ... but I do consider that a step in the right direction for the process as a whole.

Alice

I need to update my CR-1 time line, but I am using the shortcuts and I don't want to screw up any statistical information the webmaster gathers here. For "received" dates on the AOS Fee Bill and the I-864 package, do I put the dates the forms were generated, or the dates when I got them in the mail? If I use the dates when the materials hit my mailbox, the dates when I sent the forms in will be out of sequence. Just want to be accurate.

Thanks!

Alice

Good morning!

I have seen references on these forums to the Tax Data Release Form that must be sent with the I-864. I have looked around VJ and can't find a link. Sorry if I'm missing something - can someone point me in the right direction?

Also, a similar situation with the cover sheet for DS-230. I have seen a post or two referring to a downloadable version here on this site, but again, I can't find it. Link? Is the one here a clean copy that just needs to be personalized, or do I need to know some additional info to make it suitable for use?

I checked the guides, the downloads area, and example forms. It bugs me to ask unnecessary questions. Where else should I look when I do these searches?

Thanks!

Alice

Thanks, guys.

Alice

Hello, All. Hope everybody had a great holiday weekend. Looks like there was a little burst of NOA2's over the last few days - congratulations to you!

I am making a pile of things to send with my I-864EZ. Before you say anything, I know I am about to mention items that aren't required with this form, but I'd rather be on the safe side. I already have the 6 months' worth of paystubs and three years' worth of tax transcripts. Here are my questions:

1. Photocopies are okay for all of this stuff, right? Is there any supporting documentation that needs to be sent as originals?

2. When sending bank statements, should I black out the account numbers (also relates to #3, below)?

3. I am going to get a letter from my bank: stating that my accounts are joint with my husband (only the primary account holder is listed on the statements), stating how long they have been open and how long he has been on them, and giving the average monthly balance for the last 12 months. Is there anything else I might want to include? Should the account numbers appear in this letter, if I have multiple checking and savings accounts and he is only on some of them?

4. What does a letter from my employer need to include beyond current salary, date of hire and position?

5. Can anybody think of a reason why I shouldn't send any of these things?

Thanks, as always.

Alice

Thanks for your answers. Happy Thanksgiving!

Alice

I sent our DS-3032 e-mail on November 14th. Today is one week, and I have yet to receive a reply. How long does it usually take for the NVC to respond to this?

Thanks,

Alice

I'm re-reading this, and it looks so silly to expect anything related to this process to be done in one week! But since it's an e-mail thing rather than a snail mail thing, I thought I'd ask just to see what the deal is.

Hope that helps.

Thanks, Meauxna. Your posts always do.

Alice

Thanks to all three of you for taking the time to reply. I got some great information, and am now very confident in what I should send.

Yodrak, in answer to your comment on item #3, I've found from spending a few months at VJ that there are a lot of things not adequately covered in the instructions. We've avoided a lot of little pitfalls already just by reading experienced answers to thoughtful questions here. Better to ask, no?

Alice

The 'last filing year' will be 2006 if I submit the I-864 after January 1. Please read my post again ... if one of the options I am asking about involves sending them my 2006 W-2, then we're talking about a scenario where my I-864 isn't sent until 2007. That's why I asked.

Yodrak? Aussie? Meauxna? Can any of you support or clarify any of YuandDan's answers?

No offense, YuandDan, but since you didn't read my post very thoroughly I feel the need for a second opinion. If that second opinion supports yours completely, then I apologize in advance for doubting your answer.

Alice

Great idea.

Name ------------------ NOA1 --------------- NOA2 ------------ Case Complete --------- Interview

The_dip_sticks ----- 06/15/06 ----------- Pending

BradyVicky ---------- 06/22/06 ----------- 8/29/06 -------------- Pending

MarocAmer ---------- 07/17/06 ---------- Pending

Our mao ------------- 07/27/06 ---------- Pending

rizthomson ---------- 08/21/06 ---------- 10/03/06 ------------- Pending

knowledge ---------- 08/28/06 ---------- Pending

Slithytoves ---------- 08/30/06 ---------- 10/26/06 ------------- Pending

Natty Bumppo ------ 09/08/06 ---------- Pending

Heina ---------------- 09/11/06 ----------- Pending

dougyceci ----------- 09/13/06 ----------- Pending

Arpita & Deven------ 09/19/06 ---------- Pending

Dennis & Ezgi-------- 09/21/06 ---------- Pending

TongandWei -------- 09/25/06 ---------- Pending

StarProg ------------ 10/18/06 ----------- Pending

Hi, all. I'm gathering documentation in support of my I-864, and I have three questions.

1. I have an official letter from my employer that states my exact gross salary (not something I requested for this process ... I get them annually anyway), but the total income from my W-2 never matches this number due to pre-tax deductions for health/dental insurance. I feel like I should send the employer letter with my I-864 because my gross salary is higher than the W-2 reflects, but since I also have to send tax returns I feel like it might create a problem when the adjudicator sees that the numbers don't match. What should I do?

2. If the time comes to submit my I-864 before I have prepared my 2006 tax return, do I:

a ) Send NVC the returns for 2003-2005 instead?

b ) Send the 2004 and 2005 returns plus my W-2 for 2006?

c ) Send the 2004 and 2005 returns plus a "rough draft" of my 1040 for 2006?

d ) Other? (please advise)

3. If I owed taxes on my last three returns, should I send proof that the tax was (eventually) paid in full, or won't they care about that? A related concern that may be answered by your response to part one of this question ... I will owe tax this year as well, which is why I would be inclined to file closer to April. If I have to send the I-864 before I can pay this new tax bill, will it matter?

I'm sorry these questions are rather boring and complicated, but I didn't find these issues in the archives.

Thanks for your help & advice,

Alice

Our NOA-2 date for our I-130 was October 26, and on November 10 it was in the NVC system. I don't know if we got lucky and made it into a CSC>>NVC shipment right at the cutoff, or what the story was, but I started calling on the very first week after the NOA-2 and I'd say there's no harm in your doing the same. Worked out very well for us!

I hope you get your case number soon.

Alice

Is there something significant about October 26? The CSC sent ours to the NVC after that date too.

Love your avatar, and your screen name!

The only reason why I singled out that date is because it's the date of our NOA-2. People have been posting about how slow the transfers from CSC to NVC have been, so I wanted to note for those with a similar time line that my I-130, approved on Oct 26, is already in the NVC system.

Best of luck to you in the next phase!

Alice

I'm probably too late to be of help, Andie, but I've seen this property mentioned here before as being a good and cheap stay. I recommended it to a friend of mine who needed very inexpensive lodgings on short notice. She said her room was very small but clean and quiet, and the staff was pleasant. It is my understanding that it's quite close to the consulate.

http://www.justlondonhotels.com/marblearch_hotel.htm

Good luck at the interview!

Alice

This is really meant for "girl 37", but I'd be equally curious to hear from others.

Girl 37, what was the RFE on your I-864 for? I'm getting mine together right now, and I'm curious to find out about potential stumbling blocks. Since you were very efficient in your process, I assume you were also pretty well prepared ... or at least thought you were!

Thanks,

Alice

Oh, and I called and got a case number from NVC today. Wednesday they didn't have me in the system yet, but today they did. For those of you with similar I-130 approval dates to mine, make note that CSC therefore apparently forwarded some cases after Oct 26. Fingers crossed for all of us!

It has been over 100 days since we filed our I-130 (July 26, 06)

Do you think I should contact USCIS? Me and my husband were thinking of contacting the congressman to see if he can do something for us if we dont hear anything by the end of the month.

There's no harm in calling USCIS, but be prepared that CSC's current timeline states they are processing I-130's from May 2, so your case does not fall outside the acceptable time frame yet and that's probably what you'll be told. Of course we all know that people who applied well after that are already seeing approvals, but USCIS leaves themselves a full six months of wiggle room before they can be effectively brought to task. Because of this, your congressman almost certainly won't intervene until you're at the six month mark.

Even though I applied after you and was approved before you, I don't think it's right or fair. I honestly do feel petitions should be approved on a first come, first served basis, and in I would have had no problem waiting my turn. I'm sorry you feel so helpless. I hope to see you post about an approval soon.

Alice

Thanks, everybody. Will be waiting to hear good news from each one of you in the days and weeks to come!

Alice

I woke up to an approval e-mail for my I-129F from CSC. We have more or less decided that the CR-1 is the way we're going to go, but I am still very glad to feel that both options are alive and well!

Wishing the best for those who are still waiting,

Alice

Congratulations, JenT. I wish you a lifetime of love and happiness together. Never forget what you've gone through to get this far and you'll be A-OK.

Alice