Desbaez

9 minutes ago, bakphx1 said:

Since your language is Spanish, it’s relatively inexpensive to do professionally. There are a lot of services to choose from.  I would say that as someone who opted for professional translation as opposed to doing my own, the benefits are:  1) they have much nicer templates for forms and 2) you’ll need marriage and birth certificates in English for other purposes later (Social Security for one).  It’s easier to have copies of a certified translation on hand.

Thank you! I have someone that translates my documents but I just didn’t want to spend the money if it wasn’t necessary for the nvc process 

1 hour ago, Iscir said:

No, @Desbaez does not need to translate documents. NVC instructions are clear. 
 

“All documents not written in English, or in the official language of the country in which you are applying for a visa, must be accompanied by certified translations.“

That’s the part that confused me “or in the official language of the country in which you are applying for a visa“ but that’s good to know that I don’t need to. Thank you so much for your advice 

6 minutes ago, aleful said:

 

correct, no need because his interview will be in Spanish in his country

 

 

I’m so happy I asked because I was about to translate them. Now I get to save some money. Thank You very much! 

48 minutes ago, aleful said:

hi

 

not at the nvc stage, unless you have documents in other languages that aren't in English or your country of origin where you'll have your interview

 

if you lived or married in a third country, or lived in another country, you'd need some of your documents translated

 

 

'

He’s interview is in a Spanish speaking country and the documents are in Spanish so they don’t need to be translated? 

Hello all I am hearing different things about getting my documents translated. Some people that I have talked to said they didn’t translate their documents and everything went well and some people are saying it has to be translated. Anyone on here know how true it is that your documents don’t have to be translated to English? I want to make sure before I send my documents in to the NVC. Thanks 

13 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

Incomes cannot be combined for sponsorship purposes.

That’s what I thought but it ask that question on the I864 if you would like to combine income with your household member 

What would be the difference in me using my sponsor as just a sponsor or using them as a household member if we do live together is it better to combine the incomes or what? I got confused about that when filing out the I-864. 

6 minutes ago, LilyJ said:

A joint sponsor fills out their own I864, I864a is for a household member of a sponsor/joint sponsor. If your joint sponsor has a spouse, the joint sponsor will fill out I864 and their spouse would fill out I864a

Yes they fill out their own but with them being my sponsor they just fill out the I864 and so do I? 

When filing the affidavit of support with a joint sponsor which form of the I-864 do you file? Is it the regular one if I-864A or Z? 

5 hours ago, Lil bear said:

Either way is ok 

Would me sending it later delay anything? 

If I think I need a joint sponser, when submitting my financial documents do I submit my sponsors as well or do I want until they confirm that I need one to send in my sponsors information? 

My Husband is in DR as well...I was advised to file as head of Household and you would be fine so that’s what I did...if you filed as single then it would be a problem. To file him and file MFJ you would have to apply for a ITIN Number with his passport and that would take an extra 3 weeks or MFS you would have to file by mail and just put NRA in the area were his social would go. 

20 hours ago, adil-rafa said:

chances are you are looking at an interview 12 to 14 months from now,  so you may "at that time"  need this year 2019 tax returns at interview time

no way to prepare them yet

but if needed get a tax transcript from IRS 

you can get the 2018 as soon as your taxes are completed by IRS as these may be needed at NVC stage

criminal report on him and his medical exam can not be done yet /they are dated and have an expiration date

17 hours ago, bird&bear said:

Hi @Desbaez! I'm in the same boat--just sent the i-130 off last week.

 

We've both got a long wait ahead of us (as adil-rafa said, a year or more probably) so lots of time to prepare. I've been studying/prepping using the NVC guides here and here. They appear to pretty much list everything you will likely need, including tax transcripts for the past 3 years, info about the DS-260 and DS-261, and info about the i-864. They are super super comprehensive!

 

I would start by figuring out which version of the i-864 you will need, and review/pre-fill it out so you know what information and documents you will need at the NVC stage. Same goes for the DS-260, since the guide says it can take up to an hour to complete. At least look at them, so you can gather any info you will need later, now. Use the above guides to at least start making a list of what you need and when you should request for it.

 

I put together a spreadsheet for myself, so I know what I need, what I already have, and when I should request other things. I have a poor memory, so things like these help me stay organized over the looooong months ahead.

 

Good luck!

I just got my receipt number yesterday and it is being sent to Potomac. I had a co worker who went through Potomac last year..he said they are very fast and his wife was here in 6 months. I’m hoping for that result but I know everyone is different lol.

Hello all,

It’s been only  a week since I sent in my I-130 for my husband and I just want to go ahead and prepare for my next steps and what other paperwork I should have ready. I know the tax returns, what other things would you suggest. Thanks in advance 

7 minutes ago, Jmariega said:

Well it’s a long process so be prepared for that. I filed my 130 form in April and still waiting.  But I’m almost there. Waiting for an interview date. It will take about 6 months for them to approve your 130 then it’s off to NVC. Check their website for required paperwork. You’ll need tax info, a possible sponsor if you don’t make enough. And various paper work from your spouse that will need to be translated. Good luck! You’re one step closer to being together! 

I have most of his documents and they have been translated so far but now I am wondering if he should go ahead and get the vaccinations now or wait till it’s closer to interview time. I think I’m ready for this waiting game lol. Thank you! 

On 11/29/2018 at 10:22 PM, Beltre0519 said:

 

Hi All, 

 

I wish everyone well in this long journey!!!. My husband recently got approved on 11/20/2018 under the CR1 visa. I tried attach a file of samples from my actual case of the documents you will be receiving via email but it doesnt let me load it because the file is to large. If you want me to send you my samples just send me a message privately and I will send it you. 

 

You will receive a Welcome Letter from NVC letting you know your petition was received from the USCIS department. It will indicate your NVC Case Number and Invoice Number which you will be able to follow in the website below. 

 

https://ceac.state.gov/IV/Login.aspx: You will be able to choose your Choice of Address and Agent and pay your AOS and IV fee there. Make sure you call NVC to confirm your Choice of Address and Agent, it can be the PET OR BEN either one. I chose myself since my husband does not speak English , so everything was being sent to me and I would communicate it to him. Once paid and payment has been cleared you then have to complete the DS-260 online. 

 

NVC VISA STATUS CHECK WEBSITE: https://ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx

 

I printed out the DS-260 sample online (alot of pages) and took my time completing meanwhile payments cleared. Once the DS-260 was open it was easier for me to complete because I had everything already in front of me to be inputted.

 

I was proactive and gather all my documents that needed to be sent to NVC for review, I sent my package and sent it to NVC in ONE package. One package is for the Petitioner and the other is for the Beneficiary. You will put TWO separate envelops  make sure you label each one with your case number and indicate PET on one and BEN on the other submit in ONE envelope with the cover letter provided and a checklist for EACH one (PET and BEN) so it can arrive at the same time. If you send it separate it will be a delayed. 

 

ALL my mail was sent via USPS with a tracking number make sure you indicate signature required. 

 

NVC DOES NOT decide or approve your petition, they just make sure all documents are there to send to the Embassy in Dominican Republic. 

 

Once they review your documents and DS-260 is complete you will receive a letter stating you are in QUE FOR AN INTERVIEW. You can always call NVC and they can let you know the INTERVIEW DATE online. Provided if you receive a nice representative, I was fortunate to have always a nice rep. 

 

If you provided an email you will receive everything via email. The email usually come in the middle of night as per my experience. 

 

IF for whatever reason something is missing NVC will send you a letter detailing what they need. 

 

I hope this helps! Good Luck everyone. 

 

On 11/29/2018 at 12:35 AM, CamilaRemolina said:

Hello everyone,

 

I decided to make this group based off of another member's suggestion and my experience here on visa journey.

Of course, different beneficiary countries will have different experiences in obtaining the final visa, the interview process, the medical exam, fingerprinting, etc., etc.

I also had a difficult time at first getting specific answers tailored to getting my Dominican spouse to the U.S. because of the diversity in countries on the I-130 Filer groups per month.

So this group is to answer questions for those with Dominican beneficiaries. Please feel free to also add any recommendations, experiences, updates in regards to same.

 

Thank you! and Good Luck to everyone

On 11/29/2018 at 1:07 AM, Jmariega said:

Yes he met the baby when he was 3 months old. It’s tough. 

Yeah I’m pretty sure you’ll get approval by February or March. 

It’s pretty early for you to gather the documents but just to keep in mind you will need: 

Your tax/income info 

marriage certificate 

his birth certificate (inextensa only, not extracto) 

his vaccination card if he can get it from the doctor he normally goes to

certificate of good conduct 

if he has been in the military, a document for that

proof of relationship (photos, shared property, plane tickets, etc.) 

Here are a couple of links you can look at as well: 

US Embassy Checklist specifically for DR/SDO 

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/iv-dv-supplemental/SDO - Santo-Domingo.pdf

 

Immigrant Visa Process NVC 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/petition/submit-a-petition.html

 

Hello All, 

I’m a little late but this is exactly what I was looking for. I just filed for my husband yesterday (sent in the I-130) and now I am not sure what to expect next or what we should be working on next besides the income proof. He resides in Santiago and we’ve been together for 2 years married for almost 9 months but couldn’t decide if I would go there or he would come here. Now that we have decided omg this process is so overwhelming but I know it would be all worth it in the end. If you guys could give me a little advice on what should I be pre paring for next I would greatly appreciate it. I’m so happy I found this forum. 

On 3/4/2019 at 11:07 AM, Khallaf said:

I would recommend adding him to all the utilities, if you have a home add him to the deed, if you have just an apartment and depending on your landlord have him added to the rental lease as well.

 

File married filing joint, or married filing separate so that his name at least appears on the tax return

On 3/4/2019 at 11:40 AM, LilyJohansen said:

If he is not living with OP and is not actually involved with utilities or living at a place where his name is on a lease, I don't think that would be a good idea, USCIS may think you are trying to fabricate more evidence despite him not even living at the place on the lease. Adding him on to a DEED would be fine because that is a list of who OWNS the residence, but I don't think it's a good idea to add him on to a LEASE which is supposed to list the people who LIVE at the residence.

OP, you CAN however add him on your insurance policies as a beneficiary and whatnot though if you have any of those and use that for evidence. I just don't recommend adding him onto leases and bills that he doesn't live at or pay because that may smell fishy.

 

If not, just send what you DO have and make sure to frontload your petition with a good amount of it. My husband and I sent 22 pictures (4 wedding pictures, and pictures with friends and family, and of just us), 1 wedding receipt, photocopies of all our plane tickets to each other and photocopies of our passport stamps, a 3rd party affidavit (weightless but we included it anyways), theme park receipts with our names on it, etc.

Don't try to "create" evidence. Use what you already have. Also sidenote, having his name on your taxes is not evidence and means nothing (it's also useless to send your taxes anyways because they aren't needed until NVC stage)

 

I just wanted to tell you two thank you so much for your great advice. You really help me with this process. I sent the documents off today now I guess it’s time to pay the waiting game. I hope it’s not too long of a wait. Thanks again! 

10 minutes ago, LilyJohansen said:

You will need to submit I-130a, yes. That one is questions about your spouse, but either of you can fill it out, should you fill it out yourself you can just have your spouse tell you the information to the questions you don't know. Keep in mind if he is out of the country he won't need to sign it and if you fill it out you don't need to put yourself as preparer, just letting you know since people sometimes ask about that.

I filled one out already and I did put myself as the preparer, didn’t know that. 

2 hours ago, Esther Jeru said:

i signed mine as the preparer

Your husband didn’t have to sign too did he?

7 minutes ago, Esther Jeru said:

i signed mine as the preparer

Perfect! Thanks!

3 minutes ago, Esther Jeru said:

you can fill it for your spouse. I filed it out for my spouse

And I would just sign as the interpreter?

Do I need to do a form I30A?

Would I be able to fill this out for my husband or does he have to fill it out himself? 

Hey everyone.

I was checking over my packet to make sure I had everything and was ready to send it in until I went online to make sure I had all of the documents and came across form I30A. Is that form required to send in with the I30 or is that optional?