MRSW1709

2 hours ago, Teemo said:

Yup. My idea was sort of a middle ground of kicking the can down the road 2-4 years before they make a decision. Not a long-term solution. 

Thank you, everyone. It’s a tough decision to make and one I didn’t realize was eating away at me for so long. 

6 minutes ago, Roel said:

Your visa won't be valid that long. 

 

If the visa Is already issued simply don't use it. It will expire in few months. 

If it wasn't issued yet, have the petitiner cancel the petition. 

I realize that we just let it run out. It expires in October. I am wondering for the future, if they allow for a modified visa application or how the process would change? 

Does anyone have any experience with NOT actually moving to the US after CR1 Visa is approved? 

I know it’s short notice, but we are two months away from moving and I just cannot face the US anymore and wish to stay in Germany. 

Does anyone know how this works if we want to leave in the future, say another 5-10 years?

13 hours ago, Mark88 said:

If you're lucky, you'll get someone on the phone. Usually no one that can help you though. You are better off writing them an email and hope for a response within a week or two. Don't count on getting anything fast.

I had luck! I emailed already on Monday and received a response this afternoon (yesterday was a national holiday). Plus I called, albeit 15 times to finally get through, and who I spoke with was actually extremely helpful. All we need to do is fill out a form to apply for a passport, go to the appointment, it will be denied, and the no-claim letter will be issued. I hope it’s so uncomplicated. 

7 hours ago, jan22 said:

Talk with the American Citizen Services unit at the consulate and ask them their process for this..

I’m trying to. I already sent an email on Monday.  It was a holiday yesterday and it was eating at me. Called this morning already and everyone is busy but I can “try” back in the afternoon. 

Just now, Mark88 said:

I misunderstood your case, I thought it is concerning a child under 18. All what I wrote above won't help you in this case, you will have to clear it directly with the consulate or another member might have the info for you.

Thank you though for taking the time to write and help!

Just to note, if we can’t prove he isn’t able to receive citizenship through his father, the entire process is denied and done. They cannot issue an immigrant visa to him. 

6 minutes ago, Mark88 said:

Yes, and if you need detailed information on how to continue after its denial, you can find it here:

 

 

They don't charge extra for the letter, but you will have to pay the CRBA application fee. Just make sure not to pay the passport application fee at the same time, since you would not get the money back.

Thank you for the extra details and links. Your story is extraordinary! 

One question though, we told the immigration officer that his father never lived longer than 5 years in the US. He was born there and after 5 years, moved back to Germany indefinitely. Also, my husband is obviously over 18. Doesn’t that disqualify him immediately? I’m just confused by all of this as they should have said something before the final step and all the time and $$$ invested. 

Do you file the CRBA at the office? Just hoping we don’t need to involve his parents. 

6 minutes ago, Boiler said:

I have seen it a few times, but with young children, basically they applied for a CRBA refused and carried on.

The consular gave us the info we need, that another office needs to provide. A Letter of No-Claim. They made it sound like all we needed to do was make an appointment, describe how he doesn’t meet the citizenship requirement, and then they’ll issue the no claim letter. Then we just send a photocopy to them and it’s approved. 

But I’ve found no info on this or how much this might cost...? 

We just had our interview at the Frankfurt office and were unfortunately, put on HOLD. Well, it wasn’t approved because of an unusual case. But thankfully, the unsual case can be resolved. Just wondering everyone’s thoughts and/or if someone else has had to go this route. The consular office was very supportive and helpful, so we feel positive about it. Here’s what’s putting our case on hold: 

My husband’s father was born in the US, but only lived there until the age of 5. Born to German parents who were living in the US at the time. Since my father-in-law has US and German citizenship, we need to prove that my husband is not able to receive citizenship through him. We need a No-Claim to Citizenship letter/notorization from the Consular. He has no claim as his father doesn’t meet requirements to pass it on. But my knowledge isn’t 100% on how this is determined, US gov websites basically tell me no though. 

Has as anyone else needed to prove they can’t receive citizenship? 

In the heat of the moment, I never thought to ask, but I have no idea how much this “letter” will cost. And I can’t find any info. Anyone know? 

Thank you 😊 

On 4/14/2018 at 2:39 PM, TootsieTails said:

Our package tracker isn't working either, our package of required documents was sent but just says the same thing every day on tracking (??? a bit weird we both are experiencing this) but it seems they work on the honor system with this and trust you are sending it. We received an e-mail from Frankfurt telling us we were approved for scheduling (is this what you are meaning about the CEAC ready?). In our experience the Frankfurt consulate is very responsive to e-mails, if you have any questions make sure to include your case number (if you have it) and just ask them if you can schedule your appointment, explain you received the approval to schedule already. Best wishes! 

We never did receive the letter to schedule an appointment. They sent it per email, but that was it. And yes, the Frankfurt office is extremely responsive and helpful. 

6 minutes ago, Jorge V said:

Maybe I'm a bit confused as to how DCF works in Germany. What are you referring to when you say Packet 3? For other countries (including Mexico), packet 3 is just the letter telling you how to schedule your interview and what to bring. Did you get NOA1 and NOA2? If so, when? Filling out your timeline might give us better insight and allow us to help you better.

 

When you say "I'm not sure how they could have sent the appointment letter the same day if they reviewed the paperwork. I expected they need a few months to review as it goes into financial, background histories." that's actually not the case. If you're talking about the I-130 many people in DCF countries get it approved the same day or within only 1-2 days. They don't really dig into your background all that much at this stage, they just check that you're eligible to apply for the I-130 and CR1/IR1. If you're talking about the I-864 it's been my experience that they don't really check it. For mine they didn't even look at the evidence. They just flipped through it, made sure it had all the signatures, and approved us right then and there, after about 5 minutes at looking at our things.

 

Again, this may be because I'm not familiar with how DCF works in Germany. It would help if you could provide some context and/or your timeline.

Thanks Jorge.

We already received approval on our I-130 documents.

When I say packet 3 I mean the the documents such as I-864, police records, etc. I guess I expected that they really dig into the financials and the joint-sponsor's data. 

My question is if we receive the letter stating we can schedule the visa interview and medical exam, does that mean they've already vetted the documents we've sent, or do they do that at the interview?

Example: If for some reason the financials don't mean the poverty line, wouldn't they see that before the interview and request more info?

Thanks again!

Our interview/medical letter for Packet 3 also did not arrive in our mailbox  interesting. I e-mailed the consulate after two months of waiting to find out they sent it literally the same day they received the package.

We filed DCF Frankfurt. Phase 1 (I-130) we sent everything in English with translations of German documents. When we began Phase 2 (Packet 3) the checklist said that documents can be provided in English and German. When in doubt, English is probably the best option unless it explicitly says German is acceptable. 

We are DCF Frankfurt too. Phase 1 took two months until we received the acceptance (May 2017). It was really quick. 

Hi Everyone,

We had something strange happen with our Packet 3 docs that we sent to Frankfurt. We sent all the documents on January 29th and have been waiting ever since to receive the letter stating we can schedule interview and medical exam. Today, I decided to e-mail the consular office to double check that the package arrived (we were silly and forgot to send with tracking). 

The consular responded immediately and said they received the packet and they send a letter the same day for us to schedule appointment / medical exam. We NEVER received this letter. 

So my question is, is the packet and its documents approved? Or do they check the packet at the interview? 

I'm not sure how they could have sent the appointment letter the same day if they reviewed the paperwork. I expected they need a few months to review as it goes into financial, background histories.

Thank you for any insight.

Thanks so much, Dee Elle!

On 31.12.2017 at 10:58 AM, Beanwish said:

I understand, that after we file i-130, if it's approved, we'll be receiving interview time, request for the medical and list of other needed papers.

 

My question concerning the Police Certificates is: If person has previously been permanent resident and lived in the US, does he/she need to have police certificate from the states of the time lived there? And if so, can it be handled through the channeler or is that slow 14-16 weeks of FBI route the only way?  Any ideas? 

 

What else the process includes? Is the first interview together/ alone etc. and what kind of timelines there might be?

Just want to clarify one thing, once the I-130 is approved, you receive a packet/letter  with Phase 2 steps (called packet 3), which include more forms and documents to be completed by you. It instructs not to begin until you plan to move within 6 months (as visa is only valid with current medical). Only upon submitting Phase 2 docs can you receive an interview/need medical. 

We are filing DCF in Frankfurt too.

On 5.1.2018 at 7:08 PM, Dee elle said:

Yes. Both 864 and 864a 

Hi Dee Elle,

My father is a hobby farmer, therefore claims no income. As my mom files the I-864 with her income, so do my dad's income areas also include her tax income total as the JOINT taxes do not differentiate between the two? We listed his annual income on I-864A as zero, but the tax income years include her income. Does this sound correct?

Thank you!

Hi everyone. 

Hoping for some insight here. We are DCF in Frankfurt and filling out the Affidavit of Support, my mother will also be filing one as a joint sponsor. The question came up under household size and taxes, for my mom. My parents are married and file their taxes jointly. Does this mean that my father needs to file an I-864A as technically his income/assets are being used and he's part of the "household size"?

How I envision filing now:

Me: I-864

Mom: I-864 JOINT

Dad: I-864A (contract between sponsor, my mom, and household member)

Is this correct?

Thank you in advance!

Hi Everyone,

I am a US Citizen and my German husband and I are planning on moving back June 2018. We've already been approved through phase 1 and need to start phase 2 soon. 

HOWEVER, my biggest concern with moving back to the US is bridging the time to make sure I am always medically insured. I have a chronic condition that requires extensive 24/7/365 medication. 

Does anyone have any resources, etc, that may help me make sure I am immediately insured in the US?

I'm sure this topic isn't new for those moving back to the US...*sarcastic undertone included.

Thank you in advance, 

Mrs.W

Thanks for your post! I've only been in Germany for 1.5 years, so I still have a bank account that is active and being used (student loans). There is so much uncertainty on moving dates, as we have only submitted the I-130, how can you possibly show that type of correspondence? It's probably unrealistic to live anywhere besides with my parents for the first few months....unless we learn ahead of time when we can actually move to start applying for jobs and housing. We'd be moving back to Minnesota, so we even have seasonality hardships to consider, winters are brutal.

Hello Everyone, 

We submitted our I-130 about 6 weeks ago in Frankfurt, Germany. I am just wondering if there are other forms or paperwork gathering that I can start before we receive note if it's approved? 

Thank you!

1 hour ago, Backtocali said:

hi

They have standarized answers, most likely they do not even know what you asked, sad but true.

I just went through the same process, just send everything needed for the i-130 and add a normal envelope with the postage (check Deutshce Post if you are in Germany) But 1 Briefmark is enough, they will use this to send you the "receipt" right away (which is a stupid copy of another standarized letter about the process.

 

Then from there you only wait and wait, aprox 45 days later you will have the approval letter, if they do not need any more info.

 

Good luck

Thanks so much. I freak out about the smallest things and worry I'll be denied because I don't have correct postage, for example. 

We live in Karlsruhe, so are filing with Frankfurt. 

On 1/23/2017 at 8:55 PM, Backtocali said:

Great, Thanks for sharing the script.

 

I actually just checked our Credit Card account and they did deduct the $535 USD on my Credit Card Meaning that they did accept my application for DCF, so it was accepted with the documents I sent out.

Once we get the approval of I-130 and receive the IV Packet,  we will start to collect the documents needed and will apply online until August or so, so we can fly into US early next year

Thank you! I will continue to update my Timeline once I receive an approval

Do they only deduct the $535 if they approve the package, or how did you come to that conclusion?