RamirezUSA

For my husband on his DS-260, we stated that we would like the SS Card. We did not do any separate applications for it. Do we need to go to the local SS Office to check this or should we just wait for it in the mail? How long does it take? Would it be a good idea to confirm this with the USCIS Officer when he comes at the Port-of-Entry?

Thank you. 

Nice to see you in the forums, again @Jorge V ! Thanks for your response. We will hope for the best.

Thank you for your response, @ItsSunny2Day and reference to previous post. Right, obviously I need the joint sponsor to quickly fill out the new form. The problem is it is impossible to see her before the visa appointment on Monday, July 2 (in 2 days). I am having her send me a scanned, signed copy - but I have a feeling this is not acceptable. 

Would they accept a scanned copy of I-864?

What does "suspend the approval pending" mean exactly and what happens in these cases?

Hi,

Yes, the new form is acceptable, but will old form be accepted?

The USCIS Website states as follows:

Edition Date: 03/06/18. Starting 05/16/2018, we will only accept the 03/06/18 edition. Until then, you can use previous editions. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.Updated similarly are Forms I-864A, I-864EZ and I-864W

https://www.uscis.gov/forms-updates?topic_id=0&ftopics_tid=0&page=1

Hi, I am the Petitioner and had my joint sponsor for my husband fill out the Affidavit of Support in February. This form was still in use although the expiration was 07/31/2017.

Now that I am filling mine out (Visa appoint in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico on Monday, July 2nd) I see that there is a new form! I have no way to get the joint sponsor to fill out and sign a new form - unless it were scanned and sent digitally. 

Will they accept an expired form? This worries me! When was the new form issued?

Thank you @fdhs That's what I was thinking. Yes, we received the instruction page from the Consulate. I think the best bet is to just follow the instructions on that page.

We are preparing for our interview and have everything scheduled and ready to go. Upon finishing the DS 260 application it states the following:

Next Step
Your Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application (Form DS-260) was sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) for review. However, NVC will not review your Form DS-260 until they have received the required financial and civil documents that you must also submit. If you have not sent NVC those items, please do so now. Visit http://nvc.state.gov (English) or http://nvc.state.gov/espanol (Spanish) and review Steps 4-6 for instructions. 

NVC will review your DS-260 IV application, financial, and civil documents upon receipt of all documents. If the documents you submitted are insufficient or incomplete, NVC will send instructions on how to correct your submission. NVC cannot schedule your visa interview until your supporting documentation is complete.

So, now we are confused. Do DCF filers need to send additional documents to the NVC? I thought the Consulate already has our document copies and I understand that we just need to bring everything to the interview on that day - correct?

So, I have attempted to call Juarez several times. I have found four numbers that get me in touch with the consulate. The problem is that either a) the messaging service hangs up on me or b) someone answers but then hangs up after I ask for a case number. I wonder, what is the right way to go about calling Juarez? How did you do it @mexicoAmigo? How can I get through to someone who can help? A worthless effort?

Our timeline is as follows: April 3: Submit I-130 / April 10: I-130 Approval / April 12: NOA2 notification e-mail / May 4: NOA2 received via snail mail - six weeks since approval and nothing from Juarez

and to add to this...Jorge V clarified this in another post (quoting you, Jorge!)

"Having the USC return to the US before approval actually makes it a bit easier as the I864 (submitted during the interview) requires that the spouse either reestablishes, or intends to reestablish domicile in the US. Intent can be tricky to prove sometimes as you have to gather evidence that you intend to return to the US. So actually returning to the US makes it that much easier."

So, my only last question would be: do I need to report a change in address? (Since my US address changes from the original foreign address I posted on the I-130)

Thank you.

Great topic. Thanks for this. We are in the same boat. I am planning to go back to the US next month to look for a job. We have already been approved from the embassy (NOA approved) and just waiting on papers to make the interview appointment. So, I will just put my US address on my I-864 and claim that I have established domicile (which is what I was going to do anyways) and if I have to do DS-260 from the US for my husband, then so be it. 

Thanks to all of you! I love this forum. 

Hi Jorge and Jolson, I am following all DCF Mexico cases. We just received our NOA2 via e-mail and were approved, so we are waiting on some mail to arrive from Juarez (our location is Mexico City). My doubt is: What is the benefit to calling to "pester" Juarez? Am I able to schedule to appointment if I call and obtain the case number before the packet arrives?

Thanks, just wanted to clarify. 

Great Teresa! I will be following you. I have my appointment to turn in the packet on April 3rd here at USCIS in Mexico City. We also have a child, so I am interested in seeing how petitioners with children submit evidence. I am a bit nervous, but confident due to the information from this site. I will be following your story!

I am very confused about the Domicile Requirement for the I-864. My current residence is Mexico City and I have a residence card. I will petition my husband through the US Embassy via DCF. I work in Mexico AND have a job online in the US (University of Missouri - not on list of approved universities in I-864 instructions) AND am in Grad school online through a US Institution. 

I have a joint sponsor (mom) who resides where I currently consider my permanent home US address. But, on the I-130 Petition forms and all forms I intend to put my Mexico address (it is also my tax home). 

I wonder - which address should I put on the forms? If I put my US address, this will show that I am domiciled in the US - but could possibly not be considered able to file DCF? If I put the Mexico address, I will have to show through I-864 that I intend to reestablish domicile, even though I have bank account, voting records, school and work, etc?

Also, do I need to file a I-864A? This is new to me. Very confused! Thank you in advance. 

And, hi Jorge if you read this. 

Hi NoelleB: Thanks for your detailed response and for sharing your experience. We had a successful visit at the embassy and I will add to your post above. 

1. I also went ahead and translation the important documents (birth certificate and marriage certificate) but not the ultrasounds. We did not need them. Yes, it is always good practice to check though!

2. Yes, after looking at different embassy websites in Mexico, some of the instructions are different. I think the best course is to do your best to bring the required documents. I requested a copy of the certificado de alumbramiento from the local civil registry and it was a signed copy, but not with the official seal. In the end, just a regular copy was sufficient. 

3. True, they requested it in a certain order but the official didn't ask for it that way (see list). This list was the order that we had to put it in outside the embassy while waiting in line. So, one tip is if you come early in the am have everything organized and you can be the first to get in!

Favor de tener los siguientes documentos en orden:

• confirmación de cita
• Forma DS-2029 (solicitud de CRBA)
• Acta de nacimiento original del niño(a)
• Acta(s) de nacimiento o naturalización de papá y/o mamá americano(s)
• Acta de matrimonio si están casados
• Identificación de ambos padres
• SI TRAE COPIAS adjunte una cada una

Same as you, the most important part was establishing physical presence. He asked me questions like, 'How long have you lived in the US?' I used my high school transcript and college transcript for this. I went ahead and brought many other documents like a social security statement , tax filings and W2s. He also took copies of pictures of us together before, during and after the pregnancy , including in the hospital. Although, it may not be necessary to make copies of everything (he made copies of some things), it is a good idea to bring your own. 

It was an overall, lovely experience. Looking back I would have been more relaxed about it. But I am glad I was over prepared and not under prepared! We got her passport and CRBA roughly three weeks after.

Two questions for anyone who has done the CRBA in Mexico City:

A. I'm filing for the CRBA in the coming weeks and have the 1. Birth Certificate and 2. Marriage Certificate translated into English. What other documents are necessary to be translated? For example, do I need to translate ultrasound reports, etc.? Do any copies need to be notified?

B. From the Embassy's website, I understand that since I turned in the certificado de alumbramiento at the Civil Registry, I can bring a copy. Do I need to bring an official copy requested from the Civil Registry? and translate it?

Hoping to share my experience afterwards. Thank you!

Yes, Office Field Director! That's what I meant 

OK, so going with the e-mail notifications will help. Great. Thanks!

Dear mexicoAmigo:

So grateful for your posts and additional information. The PDF is helpful. I didn't think about translating my resident card, but will get on that!

Wonderful about the appointment. How do you schedule an appointment at the embassy? Also, I understand that for DCF the petitioner must get approval from the head of the USCIS branch - did you do this?

Another question for both of you, what about postage? For the initial documents submission, I will drop the documents off at the USCIS office. Afterwards, I am worried about receiving the answer by mail, since here in Mexico mail is sometimes unreliable and could get lost. Do you know if it is possible to open some type of P.O. Box? Or, how did you do it? 

Hi Jorge: Thanks again for your useful information. This is great. I am reading through the Wiki guide again and I was curious about some of the requirements. 

It seems there was more emphasis on proving Mexican residency than proving intent to reestablish in the US. I assume you had to prove intent to establish domicile in the US, correct?

This is the one aspect that is having me question whether to file through DCF or another route. 

Hi Jorge: I am just starting out on this journey. My husband and I both reside in CDMX and I'll be petitioning for him soon. We are looking at the DCF option since it seems the most fitting for us. I came across this thread and just want to thank you for the Wiki guide. It looks extremely helpful - great to come across when looking at this daunting process. 

I've noticed it's possible to contact USCIS in Mexico City about your specific case in order to see which documents are necessary. Would you recommend calling them for general questions and advice? - or better once your ready to start the process? Do you happen to know any other good resources to call for specific questions (beside VisaJourney of course) - like legal aid, etc.?

Also, I was curious about pictures for proof of "bonafide marriage". Did you time stamp photos? This seems impossible to do with camera phones. Thanks.

Thanks again. Saludos