Mothy

Well, I was surprised to read a thread that mentioned that, during the interview, future income does not qualify for the I-864 of the sponsor. I've been living in the UK for almost 2 years with my husband on a 2 year visa, so I've been working here. I was instructed by the NVC to use my current income on my I-864 here, but this income will end at the end of this month since we are moving back to California. I do have a job that I've accepted in the UK and it starts immediately upon my entry into the country. I have letters from my employer to prove the job is permanent and the income I will have.

If future income doesn't count, how do American sponsors who have been living abroad temporarily ever prove support? If you've been living abroad and are moving back, all income is future income because you haven't moved yet. I'm just getting a little worried now because we were anticipating our case to be completed in the next week or so and sent to London, and we certainly don't want to get bad news at the interview.

Anyone been in this situation before?

I would definitely try to find this out before you go to the embassy. Has anyone else had their visa approved using future income for their affidavit of support?

When I was at the embassy on Tuesday the officer said "future income cannot be used. The US government want to see that you're earning the income NOW". He was very polite and helpful but clearly said it can't be used.

Maybe it's different for you because I did DCF and it looks like you've taken a different route. Perhaps the rules are different. I'm not an expert at any of this and I don't presume to know what will happen in your situation. Hopefully someone in the know can inform you if what I'm saying applies to you as well.

Best of luck. Hope you get it sorted.

Not sure if I'm suppose to be updating this thread or if someone is doing it for everyone, but can I have a big red approved please?

Thanks everyone for the congrats! My visa came at 12pm today. Just two days after my interview.

I thought the stress would be over by now but having the brown envelope is just as stressful. The officer at the embassy warned me that if I lose it then that's it. I'll have to start all over again. I can't help but worry that my house will be burgled or I'll have a fire or something equally unlikely.

Anyway, I'm still made up that I've got my visa, got a good job and I'm off in four weeks. Yippee!!!

I'm back from the embassy and all went well. I've been appproved!

It was fairly painless. My wife (USC) came with me this morning and she had no problems getting in. They must have removed the restrictions they had on USCs coming into the embassy with their spouses.

Had one small problem. They wouldn't accept my wife's affidavit of support. She's going to be a grad student and she'll get a stipend that's more than the 125% of the poverty level. However, it won't start for another three weeks and they said that future income couldn't be included. Seems stupid to me. It's only 3 weeks. Must be a pain for others because I'm sure there's lots of people relying on job offers to cover this requirement. Fortunately her mother had filled out an I-864 as a back up and they were happy with that.

All in all an easy morning, took about 2.5 hours from first arriving at the gate to leaving the embassy (getting through security took about 40 minutes of that time). And I didn't need any of the extra information I had brought, like proof of wife's domicile & proof of relationship.

Best of luck to all those still waiting for the interview. If it's as easy as my experience then you have nothing to worry about.

Tim

Thanks everyone for the good wishes. I'm off to bed now and hopefully I'll post tomorrow with the good news.

Good idea about taking something to read. I'll definitely do that.

I'm stressing a little about my interview tomorrow , as I'm sure everyone does. I've got everything that's on the checklist:

Appointment letter

Passport

DS-230 II

Birth certificate

Marriage certificate

Police certificate

Two photographs (US passport style)

I-864

credit card to pay visa fee

£13.50 for the courier fee.

I'm bringing some bills, our tenancy agreement and photographs of the wedding to prove our marriage is bona fide. I'm also bringing some documents proving my wife (USC) has connections to the US, along with her passport. Lease of the new place, e-tickets of flights, letters proving her and my new job.

So, do you think I've got everything? Anything else anyone thinks we should bring? Wish us luck tomorrow!

Thanks,

Tim

Been here a couple of years now and I have to get photos to renew my british passport. US passport photos are 2" by 2" and UK are 45mm by 35mm. They say please do not trim them. If anyone has any ideas at all I'd really appreciate it!

Thanks,

Angus

This link contains a list of places in the UK that do US style passports photos.

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/acs/forms/usppt.pdf

The OP is in the US, not the UK, and has already completed AOS. If you'd posted a list the other-way-round (places in US that do UK style photos), it would make sense.

Apologies for the non-helpful information. I clearly wasn't paying much attention.

Been here a couple of years now and I have to get photos to renew my british passport. US passport photos are 2" by 2" and UK are 45mm by 35mm. They say please do not trim them. If anyone has any ideas at all I'd really appreciate it!

Thanks,

Angus

This link contains a list of places in the UK that do US style passports photos.

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/acs/forms/usppt.pdf

Hi all. Received the police report today, 4 days before we would have needed to call on it.

When everyone on this site refers to sending off "packet three", is that the "applicant's statement" which includes the checklist? (The form which you send off once all the necessary papers are acquired.) It has three boxes to choose from pertaining to the interview, whether the application will attend the interview alone, together with spouse, etc. Does that mean that I can accompany my husband to his interview? Or is that just referring to the immigrants? It would be great if I could go to the interview with my husband, so I was just curious if this is possible!

Natalie

Packet 3 is made up of two forms. The DS-230 part 1, which you are advised to fill out and send back as soon as possible so they can start the Visa processing. The second form is the checklist & applicant's statement that you refer to. And yes, the USC can attend the interview with their spouse. I haven't had the interview yet so I'm not speaking from personal experience but many other people on this forum have done exactly that. In fact, I'd guess it would strengthen your application...it certainly can't harm it.

Tim

Hi. After reading through those horrible I-864 forms, I really thought that my father would have to fill out the I-864A. I was under the impression that you use this form when a household member makes their income and assets accessible to the sponsor, who doesn't meet the requirements. That's me! Unfortunately, but it seems to describe my situation perfectly. Because my father is retired, I wanted to make sure he used his house as his assets. Better to be safe than sorry! I really wish the government would print the instructions to the forms in sensible, clear explanations. Are they hoping we'll get frustrated and give up?

I think that Margot is right. The reason it doesn't describe your situation perfectly is because your father is not part of your household. You'd use form I-864A if your father was a member of your household, but since you're living in the UK you do not live at the same residence and so you're not considered part of the same household. He'll need to be a joint sponsor and fill out an I-864. This is my understanding anyway. Look at the I-864A instructions; this should help clear it up.

Tim

Hello everyone. I'm American, been living in the UK for a year and a half now. Since January I've been working on getting my British husband over to America. I just miss my family too much. We're at the stage now where I'm working on my I-864. My father is filling out the I-864A back in America. I have no assets and hardly any money in my American bank account. My husband and I will be living with my parents when we move to America. Thank goodness my father will sponsor my husband. I feel sorry for anyone who doesn't have a relative or friend to sponsor them. I thought I had gotten through the stressful part of the immigration process, but this I-864 business is proving to be a headache! Is anyone else at this stage at the moment? Also, anyone received a police report recently? We were told that my husband's would arrive by the 16th of July, and if not to call and enquire about it. The 16th is approaching quickly. Anyone still waiting on theirs? Good luck to everyone on their own individual cases. And look forward to hearing from anyone and everyone! My family and friends can't relate to the stress. Everyone seems to think this process is so easy. If only I could share the stress with them!

~Natalie

I think I know what you mean about the stress. My wife asked her father to be a joint sponsor, which he was happy to do. We sent him the forms and we've been waiting to get them back. Just found out today, however, that his new wife won't let him sign the form. She's hidden all his tax forms from him. I understand that it's a big commitment and I can see why she would be hesitant. Unfortunately, we now have to find another joint sponsor.

My wife's going to ask her mother, who doesn't have a high enough salary, but does own her house. Not sure if she'll agree either, but I think she probably will. Does anyone know if this can be used as assets? If so, how does she prove how much the house is worth?

Good. No problem.

Phew! Thanks

I'd be really careful. Everything I've read says that they're very particular about the photographs and that they'll reject UK size passport photos.

This link gives you the specific requirements and a list of photographers in the UK that do US style passport photos. I'd suggest getting your photos done properly.

http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/faqs/...ort_photographs

hmmm...struggling to edit. This is the link I meant to put up:

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/acs/forms/usppt.pdf

But looks like I was beaten to it.

Good. No problem.

Phew! Thanks

I'd be really careful. Everything I've read says that they're very particular about the photographs and that they'll reject UK size passport photos.

This link gives you the specific requirements and a list of photographers in the UK that do US style passport photos. I'd suggest getting your photos done properly.

http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/faqs/...ort_photographs

*correction, you can't sue this person for libel unless this person wrote the accusations.

...no, but you could sue them for slander.

I would also go to a place, specializing in Income Tax filing (something like H&R block) and have them complete the return.

Personal opinion, I don't think you should bother paying to get an accountant, as the forms are fairly straightforward and an accountant is completely unnecessary and expensive. My wife (USC) filed her taxes recently, in consultation with the IRS in London, who offer really great advice and also know a bit about the visa application process.

Basically, they just want to know that you filed -- as long as you show a copy of your filled-out 1040, and perhaps a postal receipt, this should be completely sufficient. My wife was specifically instructed by the IRS office, when she told them she was applying for a CR-1 with me, to file as "married filing separately" (NOT single) and to write "NRA" (non resident alien) where it asked for the spouses ITIN or SSN. You may want to give them a call yourself if you are uncertain as they are very, very helpful : http://london.usembassy.gov/irs/index.htm

Good luck,

Tim

We got our interview date (August 21st) so you can add us to the list. Hoping to get a flight on September 4th so cutting it a bit fine. Fingers crossed that there aren't any complications.

Name..................Visa....P3Sent..MedDate.....P4Rec'd...IntDate/Time........Status

Mothy................CR1.......06/11.....07/02......06/27.......08/21.....08:00....

Hi. I just checked the USCIS London website and according to the processing time, "as of June 1, 2007, we are processing petitions filed on March 21, 2007."

My husband and I live in Ireland and planned to do DCF in Dublin. Due to the Adam Walsh Law, we filed directly with USCIS London as soon as the news came that this option was available. We got an e-mail from them that they received our I-130 on March 14, 2007.

About a week after I filed with USCIS London directly, the US Embassy in Dublin opened up DCF once again. I'm assuming that the Dublin embassy now files petitions with London on the applicant's behalf.

I haven't heard from USCIS London nor from the US Embassy in Dublin. Should I be worried?

I'm not sure whether I will hear from London or whether London will send my approved I-130 to the embassy in Dublin and Dublin will then contact me.

Please advise if anybody else is in my situation. Thanks.

We filed in London and our processing date was 15th March. I am a UK resident so I don't know the specific answer, but I can tell you that we received our NOA2 today so if the approval's coming from London then you should receive it anytime now. If you don't receive it in the next couple of days then maybe it's coming from Dublin. Fingers crossed it will come soon.

Tim

The CR-1 stamp in your passport gives you employment eligibility, so you can start work as soon as you arrive. You'll have to apply for a SSN as well though, and some employers (in their ignorance) will not employ you until you have a SS card.

However you can apply for SS straight away and it doesn't take too long (a couple of weeks).

Thanks for the help.

Hi,

I'm filing for an immigrant visa (CR-1) through London and hope to have my visa issued sometime in August. I'll then travel to the States shortly thereafter. My plan is to set up a job before I go (hopefully with my current employer), so I can work as soon as I arrive. Does anyone know if this is actually possible or do I have to wait until I physically receive my green card a few weeks after I arrive before I can work?

Thanks,

Tim

Very confused. I am a US citizen and live in London and had to file the I-130 at the London embassy. I recently received back the approval of Form I-130. Am I supposed to wait to receive a packet to complete? (how long does that take) Or am I supposed to file form I-129.

Please help I am so confused and I just want to keep the process moving.

I would really appreciate any advice.

Thanks - LKC

I'm not totally sure of the answer to your question, as I'm only halfway through the process myself. However, having read other posts, I think at this point you wouldn't want to file an I-129F (K-3 spouse visa) as filing for IR-1/CR-1 (immigrant visa) in London is quicker, cheaper, and less hassle. Although the complication may come if you put on the I-130 that you were going to file for an AOS (adjustment of status) in answer to Q22 on the I-130. If you put down that you were going to apply for the visa in London then that's fine. If, however, you put that you were going to file for an AOS in the States then that might change the situation. Do you remember what you put on the form?

Again from reading other posts, it appears that you receive your packet 3 a few days after your I-130 gets approved. So, I'd say hold on for a few days and see what comes in the post. Then you want to send back your DS-230-I as soon as possible, to start the visa processing. There's a bunch of information you have to collect for the interview (including police certificates -- have you already sent for these)?

I'd suggest re-posting this in the DCF (Direct consular filing) forum as the whole "K-3 or IR-1" is a common question and there are lots of people who understand the process much better than me, but I think you'll find that if you apply for an IR-1 then you'll have your visa within 2-3 months from now. If you apply for a K-3 then it'll probably take a lot longer.

Hope this helps,

Tim

Just to make it finally official (although I have alluded to this in a post elsewhere on VJ) -- WE HAVE A DATE!!! I was totally obsessing about whether London had forgotten all about us (although in the grand scheme of things our wait was relatively brief) and then Packet 4 plopped down on the mat yesterday morning, to inform us that we will be expected at 8.30am on June 19th at the Embassy. I am so psyched and so relieved that the end (or at least the end of the beginning!) is in sight.

Here's hoping for similar consular joys for all of you!!!

Congratulations! That's fantastic!

I've been watching your posts closely to see when you get your interview date. Me and my wife are in a similar position to you, albeit a couple of months behind. I'm hoping to get my visa by mid to late August. If your timeline is anything to go by then that's when I should get my interview (fingers crossed).

Let us know how it goes. Wish you all the best for the 19th

Tim

Didn't want to start a new topic as this is on the same lines - sort of. I have sent for the police certificate but as I helped in a school until recently I also have a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Enhanced Disclosure document. Should I use this instead? Is it "better" by that I mean will it make things move any quicker!!

Long way off as yet but I leik to be prepared.

Thanks

Emma

Phew! That's a relief. Thanks for your help.

Sorry Emma I don't know the answer to your question. Anyone else know? Might be worth starting a new topic if no one else responds.

Tim

I recently went to my GP in London and got the tetanus jab for free. I'm going back in a couple of weeks for the MMR jab (again free of charge), but I'm a little confused about what the OP said about having "two MMR shots". Can anyone shed any light on this? Do I have to go to the GPs twice for two separate MMR jabs? If so then how long apart do these need to be?

I was told by the Nurse that it is an active immunization meaning if you havn't had mumps after a couple of days you will become a little swollen then subsides in a cpl days, measels will be a slight rash but nothing major which will happen in 10-14 days etc. She advised that you do need 2 courses as they are literally injecting you with an active disease rather than the usual inactive one but in very small doses so the second is to build up a better defence.

In an ideal world she said 3 months but can be less time than that.

That's great. Thanks for the info.

Tim

Hey VJers,

I was just reading through previous posts, and another VJer suggested that when applying for an IR-1/CR-1, the USC may need police certificates as well. My wife and I both live in the UK and are doing DCF in London, and while I have already sent for UK police certificates, she hasn't. I haven't heard anything about the USC (my wife, in this case) needing UK police certificates before this. It could be the other person was just confused, but could someone clear this up for us, please?

Thanks!

Tim

She had no problems giving me the tetanus booster and even agreed for the MMR jabs, despite the fact it is usually only administered to children. She told me that yes you do need two MMR shots and to go back and see her the week before I fly out for good.

I recently went to my GP in London and got the tetanus jab for free. I'm going back in a couple of weeks for the MMR jab (again free of charge), but I'm a little confused about what the OP said about having "two MMR shots". Can anyone shed any light on this? Do I have to go to the GPs twice for two separate MMR jabs? If so then how long apart do these need to be?