ChrisJay11

8 minutes ago, Mo Schmid said:

Hi all,

 

I have a couple of questions if you don't mind and will be super happy if you could help out! I'm starting off with a general question for the NVC process and then 2 specific question regarding my wife's situation.

 

A few weeks ago the NVC received our CR1 (early April) case and I was told that it would take a few more weeks until they would send out the packages to us where we will see what to do next.

 

So, in general I would like to ask what guide I should follow for the NVC stage. As in, is this one up to date? http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php?title=NVC_Process and can I follow it without getting into trouble?

 

But there are many other sources and I am a bit overwhelmed: E.g., different shortcuts, time savers etc http://www.visajourney.com/content/nvc-case-status

 

If that NVC Process link (http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php?title=NVC_Process) is the proper to follow it says to call and ask them for the case number until they have it assigned/give it out. With that number I should then go ahead and file form DS-261 (also following https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/after-petition-approved/step-1-choose-an-agent.html).

 

So, since the lady on the telephone said I shouldn't worry and wait for them to get back to me, or similar. Is that the way to go?  I also read in multiple places that I should call them like twice per week and ask for the case number (which I then use to file Ds-261 and then pay IV and AOS fees, correct?). 

I would follow this advice and call twice per week asking for the case number.

8 minutes ago, Mo Schmid said:

 

 

Again, for some conflicting statements. Here it says I should submit my complete tax return with W2s (http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/James's_Shortcuts; see federal tax returns), while other wikis said to only submit  tax transcripts (last years, or 3). Am I OK, only submitting the last years tax transcript? The ones from before are also kind of useless since I was a student without income, but now I'm good).

You can get away with JUST the tax transcript per instructions for the I-864 AOS. Tax returns plus W2's is a substitute if you're not able to get complete tax returns. You might consider six months of pay stubs to bolster your case as you've only had enough income for the past year.

8 minutes ago, Mo Schmid said:

 

_________

As per my title, one of the main question actually is regarding my wife's police records. She is Mexican but lives in Canada at the moment. She lived in 2 Mexican states where she lived for significant time 1 year +  (this link).

 

For one of the MEX states she has a police record from the State Police (Fiscalía General del Estado); dated: August 2017. But she wasn't in Mexico since January 2016, so we believe that will be fine. 

 

But for the other state, they just stopped producing the police records letters early this year. She read in the newspaper that information can be available online for Consulates or Embassies, but it is totally unclear how to get to this point. She tried to call several times to ask since a couple of months ago, but nobody picks up the phone. So that seems to be a dead end.

 

But the link also says: "Alternate Documents: If the state police record is unavailable, visa applicants must provide a federal record called a “Carta de No Antecedentes Penales” from the Dirección General de Ejecución de Sanciones, Comisión Nacional de Seguridad”. This office doesn’t exist anymore since 2012. Now the equivalent is called “constancia de datos registrales”. 

However, to get that letter from Quebec/Canada is a huge pain involving 2 sets of fingerprints from the police in Quebec, proof of residency in Quebec, translation of these documents into Spanish, pictures, birth certificate issued less than 5 years ago, then she has to go to a far MEX consulate with that stuff, wait 3 days, and hope they are okay sending a confirmation letter back to her home address. That letter she then has to send to that Mexican institution with some more documents, and in the end a friend would have to drive 5 h to that city in order to pick up the police certificate and send it back with the post. So, all in all a totally insane process. And we wouldn't even know who to ask to go there and pick it up....

 

Now, we explained that process to the NVC lady, and she said, no worries. Just explain in your documents why you were not able to provide that police record. My question is, can we really do it this way? Provide the police record from the one state that she has (dated August 2017), explain why she can't get the other MEX police record (as per above), and also hand in the Quebecois/Canadian police record. So, basically submit 2 police record + 1 excuse. Did anybody else here go through this?

 

In fact, at this link  (this link) it also says: A police record from every state in Mex is generally not required for an IV application. But that statement stands there without context and I guess could be interpreted in several ways. Maybe it is exactly what we are looking for!? One MEX  state record is enough? 

This was taken from travel.state.gov, so I would follow that you don't need certificates from every state that your wife lived in. If you're really uncomfortable with this, you can contact the Consulate in Ciudad Juarez directly to see if they would require it. However, it sounds like you might want your wife to interview in Canada? Then, contact that consulate as it says a case by case basis. I'd bet they'd likely follow whatever practice Juarez does for its nationals however. I think the news article reflecting that those letters were discontinued in the state should probably cover you...

8 minutes ago, Mo Schmid said:

 

Thanks for your insights!

_____

 

Last but not least.... regarding  Vaccination requirements for immigrants:

 

My wife doesn't have vaccination records, but she got plenty of vaccinations and could get titer tests to prove it. Likely she also needs some refreshers though....

 

I guess my question is how we should go about this. I think waiting until the medical exam before the interview would be bad timing and take long. How do we find out what vaccinations and documentation she can get now? And where can she do those vaccinations/what documentation from the physicians is needed? Should we already call the Montreal Embassy approved physician?

I sponsored my Mexican stepmother. She went to her local public hospital to get the titer exams that she needed. She was also able to get vaccinated for the things that she knew she wasn't vaccinated for. She later took all of these documents to the panel physician (in Juarez in her case) and he was able to fill the documents accordingly. It also saved her money at the panel physician as they tend to charge a lot for the vaccinations they administer.

1 hour ago, Hans Martin said:

Thank you for your insight! I agree with you for 23.a.

 

Do you think it’s necessary to check 25? The way I read this question it relates to those who can not file tax returns for any of the years... Would you say that is the wrong assumption?

 

And do I need to add photocopies for the tax returns other than last year? I only got a hold of 2017 for the Sponsor and Joint sponsor, but if necessary I can of course get the other years as well 

I think it's necessary to check 25 because it says "a tax return," not "any tax returns."

I would add as many tax returns (up to three previous years) as you have for the Sponsor and Joint Sponsor. It's not strictly necessary, but this way you can be sure there won't be an RFE further down the line. You will have already submitted what they might ask for. Don't forget that for tax returns you ALSO have to submit the corresponding W2's and 1099s.

On 5/10/2018 at 9:40 AM, LILI&FERRA said:

I want to know which are the vaccinations that are required for the Dominican Republic embassy. I want to make sure so that my husband can have them done before his medical exam. 

The vaccinations do not depend on which Embassy you are applying at. The same standards apply to people independent of nationality. As the other reply said, age also has a factor which vaccines are needed.

At the bottom of this web page, you'll find a panel describing which vaccinations are necessary depending on the age and past vaccination hisotry of the beneficiary.

https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/exams/ti/panel/vaccination-panel-technical-instructions.html

Hi Peter,

While in theory that seems the fastest way, entering as a tourist with the intention to marry and become a permanent resident is a clear abuse of immigration law. If you tried this, you're going to have difficulty proving you did all of this with the intention of complying with the law. It might risk her getting a visa ineligibility.

The "proper" options are to apply for the K1 visa if you don't want to get married before she arrives... This way she doesn't have to leave the U.S. I think fiancé visas are processed marginally faster than CR-1's but you'd have to do the research on that.

Or she can come as a tourist to get married, then go back to the UK and you can start the CR-1 process.

Or you get married in the UK and start the CR-1 process.

On 5/11/2018 at 12:03 AM, Pberry06 said:

Same thing happened to us. Just update it, it's the same number. The most important thing is to have a current one at the time of your interview. 

My job entails reviewing a lot of passports. For the majority of countries, a renewed passport never has the same number as the previous passport. Still, the number is irrelevant. You could show up with a new passport and passport the day of your immigrant visa interview and it wouldn't matter.

23 hours ago, mrandmrslee said:

My wife got approved today, Thank you!

Congratulations!

You actually can expedite at the NVC Stage. There's lot of threads on this topic on here.

Some general info:

Expedite requests at NVC are sent by email to nvcexpedite@state.gov.

For this purpose, include the following information to NVC as part of your NVC expedite request:

• NVC case numer in the subject line and body of the email.
• “Request for NVC Expedite” in the subject line and body of the email.
• Applicant’s (beneficiaries) full name and date of birth.
• Two telephone numbers in which to contact the beneficiary. Many times, NVC usually asks for these numbers as part of the request process. Save time by providing them as part of the initial request.
• Petitioner’s full name and date of birth.
• Summarize the reasons for the NVC expedite request.
• Provide as attachments any evidence supporting the NVC expedite request. For example, evidence may include a doctor’s letter or other evidence that supports the reason for the request.

Send the NVC expedite request anytime during the NVC phase process. However, you do need the NVC case number.

1 hour ago, Hans Martin said:

Thank you! I've changed 23.b now. 

 

Do you believe I need to write something for 24.b and 24.c even if I just wish to send them a copy of the latest tax return (2017)? Or should I leave them blank, or even write N/A?

i can see your predicament.

I would say no to 23a.

I would check 23b and include the tax transcripts or returns and W2s for 2017 and 2016.

I would fill in the corresponding information for 24a and 24b.

I would put None for 24 c

I would check 25 c and attach a statement to the whole package explaining that she didn't work in 2015, which is why she didn't file a tax return.

I think with all of that there won't be any questions from the NVC side.

Good luck!

On 4/21/2018 at 4:29 PM, Biabarida said:

Thank you. I am aware of how long it is going to take. I'm more asking what to have ready or what to do once the NOA2 arrives.

I like you wanted to get a head start on everything. This list isn't exhaustive but should keep you busy. I've got almost everything ready. 

One set of documents are the financials for the affidavit of support I-864. don't know if you'll need a joint sponsor but they'll have to collect documents to if that's the case. You'll fill out the version of I-864 that best applies to your case

I am collecting everything they possibly could ask for as the petitioner and sole sponsor. Some are optional. This is the overkill approach.

-Tax transcripts from three most recent years (got these online, they should be enough on their own assuming you have enough income)

-Copies of federal tax returns from three most recent years (substitute for tax transcripts if you also have W2s)

-Copies of W2, 1099s from three most recent years (substitute for transcripts if you also have tax returns)

-When I get the NOA2, I'll submit six months of pay stubs (optional)

-I'll also get an employment letter (optional)

Second set of documents to be submitted at NVC and interview stages

Civil documents for beneficiary

-birth certificate, translation to English if necessary, copies

-passport biographic page copies, make sure it's valid 6 months beyond intended date of entry

-police certificate from beneficiary's country of origin, any other countries where they've lived for more than 12 months after turning 16 years old, police certificate from country in which they currently reside (don't need it for U.S.)

-you'll submit a copy of marriage certificate again and beneficiary will present the original at the interview

-vaccination records for beneficiary to be used at medical exam

-any applicable divorce certificates for both beneficiary and petitioner

-plan for beneficiary to have extra copy of petitioner's proof of U.S. citizenship or domicile just in case

-proof of bona fide relationship, photos, emails, letters, messages, etc.

-at a later date, you're going to need at least 7 passport style photos of the beneficiary. I'd wait until the NVC stage. I'm going to have my benificary take ten and that should be more than enough

On 7/27/2017 at 6:59 PM, dunebuggy said:

We received a RFE for i-693 (Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination record) because our medical apparently expired. They are asking for a new i-693 by August 23. We are in month 15 of a i-485 application.

 

The problem is we are in Spain for an extended period of time (using advance parole). Is it possible to get the medical exam done in Madrid, for example, to avoid a trip back to the USA? Thanks! 

I wonder if you could do this with the panel physician in MAdrid who does IV exams. Might be worth calling and asking.

All immigrant visa applicants, regardless of age, require a medical examination prior to the issuance of a visa. Only a physician accredited by the U.S. Embassy can perform this exam. It is your responsibility to schedule a medical exam at the clinic listed below before your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy. Medical examination results from other physicians will not be accepted. Approved physician Unidad Médica Angloamericana Conde de Aranda, 1 28001-Madrid Phone: 914 351 823

On 4/26/2018 at 3:32 PM, Leavingmtl said:

Thank you. Can you tell me what the best # is to call?

NVC number is 603-334-0700

On 4/11/2018 at 6:57 PM, Biabarida said:

Just wanted to report that my wife, from Spain, entered into the US yesterday for 85 days without any problem. She came prepared with all the documents and they didn't ask her even a single question. POE was Denver International.

Thanks! Planning on my Spanish spouse to visit me in the U.S. for an extended period. Good to know your process went smoothly.

On 5/4/2018 at 8:04 PM, umalik91 said:

I was reading the thread for OCT 2017 filers and noticed a couple of people received RFE for not submitting i130a.

 

Did everyone here submit an i130 + 130a?

We submitted both the I-130 and I-130A, but the beneficiary didn't sign the I-130A as he is outside the U.S. We also haven't submitted photos of him yet for the same reason. Fingers crossed for no RFE.

On 5/6/2018 at 10:15 PM, msrainyj said:

April filer...I'm USC my husband is in the Dominican Republic...wishing you all well. Peace and blessings!

Good luck!

On 4/24/2018 at 8:59 PM, ChrisJay11 said:

I, petitioner, live abroad in Paraguay. My husband, the petitioner, lives in Spain.

I mailed the the I-130 petition to the Chicago lockbox on April 11.

It was delivered on April 19.

My check was cashed and I got my e-notification on April 24, saying forwarded to Nebraska Service Center

Now waiting for NOA1 letter in the mail. According o uscis case status website, they mailed that to me on April 19. Given how long it takes me to get mail down here, I'm hoping to get their letter in two weeks max.

 

I see people are hoping the data on VJ is right and saying 6-7 month processing. Still, on USCIS's processing times website it says 9-11.5 months at the Nebraska service center for IR1/CR1.

 

https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/#mainContent

My husband is Spain is the beneficiary.. The dangers of posting late at night.

Consular officers know a lot of people didn't turn in their I-94s for various reasons, lost it etc. You'll be fine. It's not really relevant to this CRBA adjudication anyways.

Did the petitioner put that the beneficiary's current address is in the U.S.? That's the only thing I can think of. You can also have the petitioner write her congressperson saying that USCIS has made a mistake. They might transfer it to the NVC quicker?

It indeed does depend on the Embassy but usually they won't let the spouse in. I can't say for Islamabad specifically though.

I, petitioner, live abroad in Paraguay. My husband, the petitioner, lives in Spain.

I mailed the the I-130 petition to the Chicago lockbox on April 11.

It was delivered on April 19.

My check was cashed and I got my e-notification on April 24, saying forwarded to Nebraska Service Center

Now waiting for NOA1 letter in the mail. According o uscis case status website, they mailed that to me on April 19. Given how long it takes me to get mail down here, I'm hoping to get their letter in two weeks max.

I see people are hoping the data on VJ is right and saying 6-7 month processing. Still, on USCIS's processing times website it says 9-11.5 months at the Nebraska service center for IR1/CR1.

https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/#mainContent

1 hour ago, umalik91 said:

Hello, just wondering if it is normal for them to take 10 days or more to send feed back on NOA1. I mailed mine on Saturday April 14 and the post office said it was received on Monday April 16 but I have not gotten any confirmation. I filed from California to PO Box 21700 Phoenix, AZ 85036. The checked hasnt been deposited either.

Mine was delivered on Thursday April 19, 2018 to the Chicago Lockbox according to USPS and they cashed the check and sent email notification on Tuesday April 24. So 10 days seems weird but you filed at another lockbox. Might be normal for Phoenix?