Fofire

Hey guys I have a question,

We just filed in Oct and had the biometrics in Nov but now I have to go back because apparently "the FBI was unable to process" the fingerprint card...

Did anyone encounter this situation before, does it happen often, what can it mean (other than delaying the process...)?

you get the IR1 if you have been married for over 2 years... this will get you a 10 year green card....

you get a CR1 if you have been married for less then 2 years and this will get you a 2 year conditional green card...

I guess you missed my last post sorry I made the mistake. Foot in mouth. Sorry

"Yeah, she'll get the I-551 stamp in her passport at JFK and her GC in the mail a couple of weeks later. Only thing left to do is apply for a SSN and for lifting of conditions before the 2year mark.

FYI: It took me 1.5 hours to get through immigration when I came here, it was Atlanta though and the airport was really very busy. About the question what line to go to - I think you'll be fine getting in the line for US citizens, and it will most likely be the shorter one." Liebi

Does this means she'll be able to work once she gets there (she already has an SSN).

thanks

Fofire

if she came here on a CR1 visa she won't need to apply for AOS....

after entering the US with the CR1 visa she will get a 2 year conditional green card in a few weeks.... and in 2 years time she will need to apply to remove the conditions on her green card...

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;page=751guide

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showforum=86

then I made a mistake its the IR1 that she has. Like I said I always forget which one is which. I know we have the less advantageous one. I know what your talking about applies to those people that have been married for 2 or more years out of the states and we've only been married for the 1.

Fofire

Stupid me . . . I just now looked at your links . . . looks like you're right. I feel a little dumb right now.

And it was the CR1.

Thanks

if she came here on a CR1 visa she won't need to apply for AOS....

after entering the US with the CR1 visa she will get a 2 year conditional green card in a few weeks.... and in 2 years time she will need to apply to remove the conditions on her green card...

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;page=751guide

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showforum=86

then I made a mistake its the IR1 that she has. Like I said I always forget which one is which. I know we have the less advantageous one. I know what your talking about applies to those people that have been married for 2 or more years out of the states and we've only been married for the 1.

Fofire

Hey Guys,

thanks for your answers in advance.

After finally getting everything settled my wife and I will be heading to the states next week .

1st question When we go through the immigration checkpoint (at NYC JFK) do we go through separate lines (American and Non-american) or do we go together or what?

2nd For those of you that have gone through JFK how is the immigration process there? What I mean is that we have a connecting flight 2 hours after we arrive. Will that be enough time to get through immigration?

From what I understand once this has all been taken care of and we are finally in the states I guess that we have to file for AOS or is there another status she has to apply for before AOS. (She has a either the IR1 or the CR1 visa . . . I forget which one it is but its the one where we've been married for less than 2 years) Anyhow I have looked briefly at the steps to filing AOS and all I find are for those with K3 or K1 since K3 is the closest to what we have I assume its the same process as a K3 right?

Also I have seen that the is an interview at the end of the approval process but is it possible that there will be any other kind of situation where we would have to show up together in the first 6 or 7 months of the process? I ask because Im not going to be very availalble during that period and I want to know if I can make a contingency plan.

Last question. My wife plans on applying to some schools to get her dental degree in America. SOME (not all) require for her to have her green card (ie permanent residency) in order to apply. Does anyone know if those schools are lenient enough to accept an application for a green card as green card status or do you think you must have the green card in hand . . . I mean yeah from the their point of view there's always the chance that it will be denied but at the same time its not like the other visas which require for you to file for another status. For instance I know if you come in on an employment visa and then plan to go to school you have file for another type of visa in order to go to school and the school has to sponsor you. If I understand everything correctly her status doesnt necessitate that so they dont have to sponsor her.

Once again thanks in advance

Fofire

Hey guys thanks for your help beforehand.

Well I live in Romania and have already filed the first papers (its been a couple of months and I really cant remember the paper numbers (I130 etc)) and all i basically have left is the 2nd and last part (ie. interview and filing the medical etc). If I wanted to I could have my interview next week but I dont because my wife has to enter the states within 6 months of recieving the visa and I dont plan on entering until Jan feb next year. Therefore I set my interview date for Aug 1.

As you all know USCIS has currently just raised the prices for immigrant visas. With these new fees will that part of the process (the interview and visa issuance) be affected by the new fee change? And if so by how much.

Its just that I can find the new fees everywhere and I cant find the old ones anywhere. On top of that I cant remember if I filed my I-130 at the first step or if I still need to do it.

Fo, you might get the same result from adding her to one of your accounts.

I did this with my husband (can't have a Joint account, but an authorised user) and his credit score was very quickly near as high as mine!

It may be difficult to get her her own credit card account if she doesn't live in the US.

yeah that was basically what I was gonna do. When I worked in America I saw tons of immigrants trying to get credit in their name for the sake of getting credit (not that they needed the credit) and almost all were denied like you said. They were mostly denied because of no former credit history and I figured that if I get her on as an authorized user she can begin to have a credit history and then from there start getting her own credit.

One of the reasons I wanna do it now is because I know that when they look at credit history I know that they take the amount of years of credit into account and so I thiought might as well try to start getting it one year earlier.

Thanks everybody for your help

Fofire

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DCF is available in all consular posts again by order of the Department of State since March 21st. You can present your I-130 IN PERSON in any Consulate in Canada (check www.amcits.com for information on hours and stuff). Now, If you are applying for a K-1 or K-3 visa, you can petition to be interviewed in Vancouver. If it's a CR-1 visa (immigrant visa) you will have to go to Montreal as they are the only ones who handle immigrant visas in Canada.

Hope this helps!

I think there might be a problem with Canada though . . .Yeah all of the other consulates are accepting visa app's because they have their own overseas USCIS with which they can use for the background checks. However Canada has to rely on the USCIS's in America. The overseas Embassies have no problem with their respective USCIS because there is basically little to no backup in them like there is in America so my guess is that the consulates are saying screw it because it will take us just as long to get a background check as it would for the petitioners to fille themselves in America so they are making them file in America . . .

European . . . you can now file in Amsterdam the consulates have been open for about week now. Check it out give them a call.

Fofire

Hello,

I am curious and im sure many others are thinking the same thing.

Does anyone have an idea how long it would take to do DCF???

I was thinking about canceling my petition in the US for my I-130 and 129F.Its been a month and i havent have any movement on my 1-130 and im still waiting for my notice with my 129-F.

I wonder if would be faster to apply for DCF in Japan and cancel my petitions in the US.

Has anyone tried DCF after March 22??

Any ideas?? Advice??

If you really wanna know how long DCF will take take a look at the Immigration timelines at the top of the screen jst to the right where it says processing times and to the left of where it says embassy info.

You need to look up IR-1 or CR-1 visas.

Almost always DCF will be faster but that all depends on a lot of different things because DCF in each country is different from another country . . . the timeline I mean not the requirements. With the a large military force and because of its good relations with America I believe that Japan is one of the slower ones but how slow I cant tell you. Regardless it should still be faster than anything you do in America.

Its just gonna be a pain in the a$$ to cancel your visa back in the states and correct me if Im wrong but I dont think that you can get your money back if you have already been charged.

Fofire

Yes, Once SSA issues a person a number, that number is their's for life, it never expires.

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10002.html

Well I guess this leads to a second and a third question. Will the credit card company issue a card to her in her new married name even though her SSI number is in her maiden name?Also will they grant it if that original SSI was originally given for temporay work purposes?

We are not in the US and we dont have her visa yet to apply for apply for a change in Status for her SSI.

Keep in mind this going onto my account I am not opening up a new account for her.

As far as I know the credit card company only needs to see a number, they have no way of checking name against the number, also they don't know that it was granted for work purpose, only that it is a valid number, which it is.

thamks a lot I appreciate your help

Yes, Once SSA issues a person a number, that number is their's for life, it never expires.

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10002.html

Well I guess this leads to a second and a third question. Will the credit card company issue a card to her in her new married name even though her SSI number is in her maiden name?Also will they grant it if that original SSI was originally given for temporay work purposes?

We are not in the US and we dont have her visa yet to apply for apply for a change in Status for her SSI.

Keep in mind this going onto my account I am not opening up a new account for her.

I was thinking about getting a credit card for my wife here in Romania so that we can start building up her credit over in the states while we are over here finishing up our work and applying for her visa.

Well she did a 3 month work exchange last year in America where she was given an Social Security number (SSI number) in order for her to receive her paycheck.

So my question is could I use that SSI number in adding her onto my credit card or will she receive another SSI number once she has received her visa/arrived in the US/filed for an adjustment of status.

Regardless of where a new SSI number would come from my main question is if that original one that she received last year (2006) would still be her number next year (2008) or not.

I ask this because when I talked to USCIS Vienna that made a comment that once an SSI number has been given out it stays with that person unless they die. This somehow sounds wrong to me and I would like to make sure that this is correct before I try to use it to add her to my account.

I-130 was approved today at the embassy in Bucharest. we're so happy!

How did that work because I still havent gotten a response from my USCIS filing I sent to Vienna.

I was only told by USCIS Vienna I was approved and I havent heard yet from Bucharest.

Im not really in a hurry or anything because I dont wanna get the visa for her til August but still I'd like to know what the process was like for you in Bucharest.

What about the Adam Walsh background check . . . . Were they able to do it Buch?

Oh yeah and DS-230 is apparently not reqired.

Just to clarify.. it *will* be required; it is the visa application.

(know *you* know this, Fo)

I know this. I was just told that has to be taken care of at the embassy since the USCIS is basically only doing the background check on me.

I am prepared with truckloads of proof to show evidence.

when I talked to USCIS Vienna she was VERY adament not to send proof of relationship (other than the marriage certificate). she told me that that would all be handled by the embassy at the interview date.

Fofire

That's good info to know about Vienna! These cases are clearly going to be weird hybrids for awhile.

John and Sonya -- your post sounds like a submission from before all this started. The process is going to be different now, and the visa application docs are not necessarily going to go in with the petition documents.

I really encourage everyone to think of them as separate entities: Petition & Visa Application.

Yes, our petition was approved 11/06. But the new petition ( I-130 ) says you have to submit proof of bonifide relationship with application ( Section 7 of instructions ). When we filed, we had to show at when we first submitted our petition and its required at our final interview. None of our documents are mailed in when you do DCF. VISA application is different than Petition, but petition requires these documents as well now.

My advice is not go so much what consulates tell you, they all have their own oppinion, unless its ADDITIONAL info they want. To be safe, bring what they ask AND what is noted on thier websites and on the forms themselves. BE SAFE. We have seen so many applicants rejected because they did not bring everything.

I really have to agree with this advice. A lot of USCIS and consulate staff are not yet aware of the new I-130 requirements, and although Vienna was adamant about not sending proof to me as well, the form clearly states that you need to send SOME supporting evidence. They don't need the whole visa interview shebang (Vienna says that they aren't too worried about fraud in cases where the USC has been resident for over six months), but the staff person who actually does the adjudication will probably know about and want that new I-130 section 7 supporting evidence. As John says, it can't hurt to send it, and you may well save yourself an RFE delay.

As a side note, you may want to do a last-minute check with your embassy in Poland, Andrew. They may be taking your I-130 there now.

Just wanted to say that Vienna just approved my I-130 and has sent it on to Bucharest.

In all they didnt need the DS-230 Just so you know that part.

With regards to the Evidence of relationship do what you think is best/safest.

Fofire

Hey Guys I just wanted to say I just found out that Vienna approved my I-130 on the 21st so it took a total of 5 days including the wknd.

so you know its going pretty fast.

Now the ironically harder part comes I need to delay the interview at the embassy in so that we can leave at a slightly later date.

Oh yeah and DS-230 is apparently not reqired.

Fofire

probably you're the one from romania, i called on tuesday and they told me they had one petition from romania. i will send my package monday. how did you send the package? dhl?

did you also send ds-230?

You can send it most any way you want I just went with UPS because I knew where to find it. If you're in Bucuresti there is a UPS place out behind the the Palace accross from the Marriot. You need to take the metrou to Izvor and from there its a 5 minute walk.

There's another UPS place out at Baneasa airport but I dont know if thats a logistics center or an actual place where you can give them stuff.

The only other UPS place I know about in Romania is in Timisoara. If you're not anywhere around those 2 places then I guess I would say try Prioripost and hope it gets through.

Im not sure what you mean by ds 230. I sent in everyhitng I could to prove I live here and then I sent in pics I-130 and the Biographic info for both persons. Nothing else.

It cost me 125 RON to have it sent off.

Fofire

Good, I am in Bucharest, so probably I will send it with UPS. They recommended me Fedex but it's about the same.

I was asking about the documents you sent in because I read on another topic ( I think the one regarding Paris accepting petitions) that the ones in Paris require a DS-230 form also sent in. I guess we're on another boat.

Good luck!

Forgot to add the address . . .it will definitel be a help since its not DIRECTLY across from the marriot its catercornered to the Marriot.

Baneasa Customer Center

Trans Courier Service SRL - Authorised Service Contractor for UPS

40, Soseaua Bucuresti-Ploiesti

International Airport Bucharest-Baneasa, Building C, Sector 1

Bucharest 013695

Romania

Tel.: +40 21 2338877

Tel.: +0800 877877 (for Bucharest pick-ups only)

Tel.: 0725 125 800

Tel.: 0725 125 801

Fax: +40 21 2338818

Fax: +40 21 2338828

Fax: 0725 125 869

Fax: 0725 125 870

E-mail ro.customerservice@europe.ups.com

Bucharest

Trans Courier Service SRL

Authorised Service Contractor for UPS

UPS Express Center

Calea 13 Septembrie 81-83

Block 77 AB PARTER

7000 Bucharest

Booking and inquiries

Tel.: +40 21 4100604

Tel.: 0800-877877 (for Bucharest pick-ups only)

Fax: +40 21 4109910

ro.customerservice@europe.ups.com

Fofire,

Vienna has transferred me to USCIS frankfurt, so thats who Im referring to. Lots of optimism, not alot of knowledge or accountability.

Please let me know if you hear anything about the DS-230.

Andrew

Andrew, DS-230 is the immigrant visa application, it has 4 pages total. USCIS may know about it, or not. It is a State Department form (as indicated by the 'DS')

There are two parts to an immigrant visa process:

-The petition (I-130 with its required attachments)

-The visa application (DS-230 + required attachments incl "packet 3" documents like the medical, plice check etc)

Each Embassy/Consulate will want all of these papers, but in different orders and at different times. If you are starting out with a petition to an overseas USCIS office, send them only the petition package unless otherwise directed.

I-130 instructions now require evidence of your marriage. OP, I didn't see that on your list.

Meauxna,

when I talked to USCIS Vienna she was VERY adament not to send proof of relationship (other than the marriage certificate). she told me that that would all be handled by the embassy at the interview date.

Fofire

Greetings,

I am planning on sending out our I-130 package to USCIS next monday. After calling them several times it seems that no one knows for sure what is the complete checklist, and I usually get tranfered back and forth and still no one is 100% sure.

I have so far (including translations of all Polish documents):

photos of us

I-130

g325 for both

passports

birth certificates

marriage certificate

My residency card

International travelors check for 192 dollars

Is the DS-230 necessary?

Anything else??

Thank you all in advance.

Andrew

It seems that you have everything in order. Technically I was told you really only need to send in the applications passport pics of both and all of the stuff you said but just for the USC. I did however decide to go on the safe side and I sent in copies of my wife's info (passport, birth certificate, etc.)

As for the DS-230 . . . I didnt even know that existed until today. i just wrote Meredith at USCIS Vienna asking her about the DS-230 so hopefully I will have an answer from her tomorrow. My understanding is that she is one of the persons verifying the data so I would expect that she should know what she is talking about.

Also when you said you called USCIS Vienna are you sure that called them directly or did you call the American Embassy in Vienna, because the embassy itself will probably not know the exact stuff that we need to send in since they work on slightly different terms.

here are the phone numbers for USCIS Vienna

43-1-31339-7580 or 43-1-31339-7581

Its only the last 2 numbers that differ from the embassy's phone number.

fofire

This is great news!

It is about time that they developed something for everyone.

I know that they have said that you have to have residency for 6 months but can this be waived?

This was a requirement before the Adam Wash law but the Tokyo embassy let couples file anyway.

Has anyone called the Tokyo embassy and asked?

I plan on calling on Sunday night to ask.

Thanks!

I think only time can answer that question. Technically the rule was already there before but it was only enforced halfway. I think theyre probably trying to reimplement the rule in order to keep the extra work for the global USCIS's to a minimum . . . my guess is that if this extra background check doesnt become to much of a big deal to the USCIS's then it might become relaxed again.

Fofire

probably you're the one from romania, i called on tuesday and they told me they had one petition from romania. i will send my package monday. how did you send the package? dhl?

did you also send ds-230?

You can send it most any way you want I just went with UPS because I knew where to find it. If you're in Bucuresti there is a UPS place out behind the the Palace accross from the Marriot. You need to take the metrou to Izvor and from there its a 5 minute walk.

There's another UPS place out at Baneasa airport but I dont know if thats a logistics center or an actual place where you can give them stuff.

The only other UPS place I know about in Romania is in Timisoara. If you're not anywhere around those 2 places then I guess I would say try Prioripost and hope it gets through.

Im not sure what you mean by ds 230. I sent in everyhitng I could to prove I live here and then I sent in pics I-130 and the Biographic info for both persons. Nothing else.

It cost me 125 RON to have it sent off.

Fofire

I sent my stuff off to Vienna on Thursday the 15th (ie. arrival on Friday). And I'm a bit curious who else out there has already sent there stuff in there and how long its gonna take.

Im mostly curious of 2 things:

1 if they are starting to get a flood of foreign petitions and

2 since they havent heard from all embassies what a residency permit looks like in each country if they are filing certain countries faster than others

I would appreciate it if you could tell us when you filed and and then later on let us know when you get your paperwork back.

Thanks

Forest

You can get a money order from USPS.

You can also go to any bank and get a cashiers check. Like the previous poster said, you can go to the USPS and get one but don't get one from the local grocery store or 7/11. Lot's of those tend to be fraudulent and tend to be looked at more closely.

USCIS Vienna also takes credit cards. They said that you can get the form off of the internet site for the embassy but if you have probs finding it then I can send you an email of it. just send me a personal message with Ur email and I will send you the form.

You can get a money order from USPS.

You can also go to any bank and get a cashiers check. Like the previous poster said, you can go to the USPS and get one but don't get one from the local grocery store or 7/11. Lot's of those tend to be fraudulent and tend to be looked at more closely.

USCIS Vienna also takes credit cards. They said that you can get the form off of the internet site for the embassy but if you have probs finding it then I can send you an email of it. just send me a personal message with Ur email and I will send you the form.

Oh yeah if you do do check/cashiers check whatever make sure its int'l accepted. When I talked to USCIS vienna they were very adamant that it had to be international. If they cant cash it then you you be SOL and out 190 USD.