Ning25

That is an excellent point. You must pay close attention to the question being asked. Are you a drug addict. If someone uses marijuana or hashish recreationally does that make them an addict? If someone drinks recreationally does that make them an alcoholic. If the question were have you ever been an alcoholic...you wouldn't say yes just because you have a couple of beers on the weekend. So is someone an addict because they smoke occasionally? If the answer is no, then it is not a lie to say no. If the question says "have you ever done illegal drugs" then that is another story.

The point is really about drug use & its relationship to approval. USCIS isn't going to debate the issue.

Which question do you think they ask?

Hi everyone,

Long time listener, first time caller. Got my NOA 2 and my Fiancee got the letter from the embassy in BKK. Couple questions about the process.

1. I'm a USC and live in the states. For the I-134 form, I got a letter from my employer and my last W2 as well as bank statement stating how much I have there (well in excess of the poverty thresholds). The packet states that she should submit a 1040. Is that the case or am I good to go?

2. She needs to get a police report from Australia where she studied for a year. Do we have to wait till that's in hand or should we submit the paperwork and perhaps the receipt that it's in process assuming we have every other requirement completed?

Reason why I ask is that there's another thread out there where people submitted the paperwork without the Thai police report whereas I'm wondering about the Aussie one which is more difficult to acquire than the Thai one as she's obviously in Thailand and not Australia right now.

I'm helping her follow the packet 3 instructions closely. Is there anything else that we should know as we begin this process with the Bangkok embassy?

Thanks in advance. Much appreciated.

If a 1040 is used then all supporting docs should be included. Better to use transcript for at least one year from the IRS for free at IRS office or by mail. You could fax a copy later.

She can submit P 3 anytime after you are certain the case is in BKK. If something is missing she can alert them she will hand carry it on interview day. Submission of P 3 triggers interview date selection.

Cases submitted with missing docs will be placed in A P or denied depending on the circumstances & a 221 G will be issued with instructions.

Do not believe that any case will or was approved without these police reports unless there was an allowance made for some that simply do not issue them. Such as the USA. She must get them both. The Thai report takes a few weeks & requires a small fee if done by the procedures.

All I know about the Aussie stuff is what I have seen right here.

If anything, make sure to check with an attorney about your case. My advice is if you're currently smoking, you need to make a decision to stop immediately from now until the day you do a medical check up. If you can't stop, you'll face the consequences according to the US immigration law.

I fail to see why a lawyer would be able to help other than to state the obvious which has been indicated here many times.

I sent u a PM. But we cannot offer you any illegal advice.

Ill say it again: READ through those instructions, so you know what the physician is looking for. That will give some guidance. However, the only advice to offer is to tell the truth.

Listen, you have got to be joking....right??? You MUST quit using drugs that are illegal in the USA under Federal laws. No exceptions.

It has to be a joke if he read the second sentence a few times. I think there is a lot to laughed at here as the smoke clears. The humor in this may evaporate quickly as well or already has.

I so badly hope that we are close to this date of approval.. Just absolutely wearing us down something horrible.

Jim this has to be finished soon. We see right here that the other case took a quantum leap forward & so will yours. I suppose returning after the 4th seems to have allowed them to get on these AP cases. I have read that these cases are monitored for progress until they are approved or rejected. Yours shows no indication of rejection for info ect so it must be in line to be completed any time.

Good news! We finally got a reply to our email today, and 2 status updates.

The status is now listed as "READY". From what I've seen, we should be just a couple of days away from the visa being issued and mailed!

Therefore, in the way of timeline information, our 221(g) - which involved a request for one police report - has taken this long to process:

June 8 interview and 221(g) issued for one police report and passport

June 17 police report and passport mailed

June 19 documents arrived at embassy

June 22, 30 date changes but still "AP"

July 8 date change, still "AP"

July 8 CEAC status changed to "READY"

Now, we're waiting with fingers crossed for the all-important change to "ISSUED".

Excellent news. Its too bad these things take so long to resolve especially when its something such as we saw here.

I wonder if they would allow him to come in to pick up his passport when the visa has been inserted ? I know this has been done in cases I helped with here & in my own case.

Thank you, Ning. You are very kind. I'll ask tomorrow about the possibility of calling with a special PIN. I'm not hopeful because the IV unit seems to want all communication handled via email and all documents handled via mail, but I will try.

I too sincerely hope we don't have to go through more Thai immigration just to keep him here long enough to finish this US immigration process. We live in Bangkok, and right now the best place to go for visas is Laos (Savannaket or Ventianne), and the only Bangkok immigration office domestically is Chaeng Wattana. My last visit there to extend my visa involved a 7 hour wait, but that's a whole other thread!

Tomorrow's another day. Will be checking that CEAC site again every 30 minutes for a status update.

I should tell you my own case took a very long 408 days so I understand frustration especially with getting what seems to be simple important info.

I know the embassy wants the emails but in reality it was they that created the phone call method but while not a secret wasn't known by many. Last time I know it was in operation was quite awhile back but you will soon know.

I have been to all of those places getting my husband a series of visas. I read recently there is a new immigration office in Udon Thani. I think its in or very near the airport. I read it is well run & efficient . Could that be? I grew up there so if you need help there let me know.

As a last resort you as a USC can ask the American consulate section for assistance. They will probably say they don't get involved in visa issues. My husband communicated with a duty officer & deputy director with success. Email them indicating the impact on you as the USC trapped in Thailand or something like that.

Well, I certainly appreciate your replies and thank you for sharing your experiences! However, we cannot wait 6 weeks because that will invalidate the medical and make my husband illegal in Thailand, and I do not really understand some of the comments. Nevertheless, thank you beijingjim for starting this thread! I am so glad I found it, and I'm just going to float this out there because it may help others wading through the murky 221(g) waters:

Malaysian Certificate of Good Conduct (Police Check)

The US Embassy could (and should) have known about the problem with the Malaysian Certificate of Good Conduct - because we submitted a letter with the Packet 3 documents which included a screen shot of the apology posted on that government’s website stating that Malaysia was not issuing them at all. We also clearly stated that my spouse had never had a “Long Term Social Visit Pass,” the requirement on the (old) Malaysian website for obtaining the Certificate. In the same letter, we furthermore asked the US IV Unit for guidance or a reply on what to do, or if this was going to be requested. That was in March. No one replied, and no one mentioned it until the interview (June). THEN they said it was required: voila' our 221(g).

Thai Immigration Issue/ Passport

My husband’s Thai visa will expire at the end of July, at which point it will be illegal for him to stay here (because he is Korean and not Thai). In addition, we have, in fact, been stopped by the police 4 times in the 2 and ½ years that we have lived here; and every time they asked for our passports. It was always when we were driving somewhere. There are frequent and random traffic stops. I have never had a ticket (or paid a bribe), but it is VERY common to be asked for your passport. You typically cannot check into a hotel, conduct any banking business, change your phone service, rent a car, etc. if you are not Thai and do not have your passport. If my husband’s mother falls ill, he will not be able to leave immediately and visit her in Korea. It is my understanding that we will have to write to the embassy, and they will mail him his passport. He was told that except for at interviews, all docs are now sent via mail.

Medical Exam

My husband’s medical exam validity will expire August 8, after which he will not be able to enter the US without repeating the medical exam – a process which took almost 2 months because the doctor required sputum TB tests (which were all clear). When sputum tests are required, the medical takes 2 months to complete and is then only valid for 3 months (not 6). After that, it must be repeated.

Summary

After July 27, it will be illegal for him to stay in Thailand when his visa expires. He will be fined by the day for any overstay. After August 8, he will no longer be able to enter the US without repeating his medical (which takes 2 months to complete). Meanwhile, no one has answered our email to the IV Unit asking how we are supposed to handle this.

So, I suppose we will have to hope that our case is processed sooner rather than later. Failing that, we’ll have to a) try to figure out how to get him another Thai visa, b) repeat the medical, and c) wait several months.

I am writing this to express my discontent but also to ask people with *recent experience* about the timeline for processing a 221(g). In addition, perhaps our experience will provide some insight for people going through this process in the near future. ...Incidentally, the doc list for Packet 4 was also changed sometime at the end of May 2015 just before his interview on June 8 – meaning we really had to scramble to get my husband’s military records and US travel history (neither of which was on the old document list). Moral of the story: IMHO check again, and again, and again – but it’s a game you can never be sure you’ll “win” the first time – because the rules are always changing in the middle of play.

All the best,

SJK

Has he tried calling the embassy? He can buy a special pin number at any Thai post office that allows X calls directly to the I V unit. Unless that has changed. Try it. He needs to tell them about his pending overstay & that expense ect.

The info I have on this 221 subject was found right here on V J or in cases I directly helped with. One of those took 4 months. In the recent past there have been 221 g cases with a single doc problem that took two weeks. One was reviewed & issued in 3 days. The reaction time has to do with time of year due to work load, holidays ect.

I don't see why this would take much longer in your case.

As far as a extended Thai visa there are several things to try but I think he would have to have his passport back. I hope you don't need to get involved in that really. Is there a Thai immigration office near you?

I got the exact same 221g for the same exact reasons. I lived in Thailand for a few years with my wife (fiance at the time).

I had to show I had ties to the United States besides citizenship (my family living there and their passports). I had to show a job opportunity lined up and waiting and my tax returns along with a certificate of being single.

After I mailed the stuff back, it took us 6 weeks to get her visa.

Don't be stressed, but just give them all the proof they want and more. It'll help in the long run with adjustment of status.

Same exact reasons?

You had to show the embassy the passports of your family living in the USA? A certificate of being single? From the USA? Where did you get that? It seems you had to prove domicile too.

Your situation is almost totally different than her case other than a 221 g which was a result of omissions in the cases. In fact she gave them all of the info you left out.

What the embassy requested has nothing to do with the AOS.

Thanks, beijingjim,

We wrote to the IV Unit again today. I will certainly post here once I receive some kind of outcome or meaningful reply. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, too.

For anyone else out there who sees this thread, it would be *very* helpful to know what kind of timeline the Bangkok office is operating on for 221(g) cases that are *very* straightforward.

In our case, we seemed to 'pass' the bona fide relationship issue, the I-864 financial requirement, the (re)establishment of domicile, the medical, and all the other documentation requirements - except that the IV interviewers asked for a Certificate of Good Conduct from Malaysia: one document (which we submitted 2 1/2 weeks ago). If that's all it is, I have trouble imagining why it would take weeks in AP (and why they would hold a non-Thai national's passport for so long). You can't do anything in Thailand without your passport, and we now have to worry about him going illegal for Thai immi while we're waiting....

All the best,

SJK

Since you like straightforward I will add some insight.

The embassy doesn't operate as you think they do at all. In fact you imported a problem that you didn't understand so you now had to clear it up by submitting the doc. I can understand how that could happen. The embassy couldn't have known so now needs time to review the case.

Your imagination wont fill the void of fact. The fact is that the I V unit deals with I V cases just two days per week. They deal with 700 cases per month. In your case they have to deal with it twice at least. How many others like you made these mistakes that add to the work load? Many because they don't know enough about this process & just as in your case, there are unique circumstances in those that end up in AP.

When a case is set aside it is reported to a supervisor that then tracks the case. Your doc was sent to a mail room for distribution. Its routed to the correct office & person for action. How many are in front of yours? How long will it take that staff to review those & your case? There is no known answer to what you ask.

I have seen situations like yours take two weeks to a few months. You should keep in mind they want to issue the visa because that's what they do. They wish people would present the cases perfectly but know that's not going to happen.

He could have or now can ask for his passport back. They will return it; then notify him when to return it for the issuance of the visa which usually takes at least 3 days.

I lived in Thailand for 33 years & never had a passport. He isn't in Thailand illegally so why worry about it? The cops don't just randomly stop people as you suggest.

Hello, I just received an e-mail stating that my Stepson case has been accepted (Form I- 797) & routed to the Neb. Service Center for processing, what is the next step, for a USC Step Father, bringing stepson to America?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Do you have the bio fathers written permission or a Thai court order allowing him to emigrate?

I think u should talk to a lawyer to get a good advice. Good luck

Are you using a lawyer for your Chinese case? This is a DY site where people come for help which they often get & find they don't need a lawyer.

Hello,

I petition GC to my son, and our I-130 was approved with PD 05/05/2014. NVC sent us welcome letter to process his case. Since he is still in US with valid F-1 visa, I would like him to do adjustment of status in US. What process do I need to do now? Or just wait till his PD becomes current and file I-485?

Thank you in advance for your advice.

See the guides & forums for info needed.

I make well over the poverty limits however I only started working last month and was in England for six months before until the job started.

Is there any way we can explain this with the employment letter and a couple of pay checks or will we need my father to be a joint sponsor even though we don't need one? I'd prefer not to but if it will cause a rfe then I guess we will.

Thanks a lot!

My wife had interview and like many people they more documents. Does anyone know if instead of mailing documents through courier service, can I the US Petitioner and my wife the beneficiary both go to the Islamabad US Embassy and provide the requested documents by hand?

We will have old interview appointment letter with the new form showing the requested documents. I will bring my US passport with me.

Does anyone know if that would be possible?

Thanks

I suggest you try since it sounds like you are there but in that part of the world the answer could change very quickly. They may not let you in but its possible she could enter for this purpose.

It would be a good idea to contact the embassy directly.

My wife had her interview the other day and they gave her a 221g white paper asking her to send the missing document for name change and they also told her to send her passport too so is this good or will it take a long time like I've been seeing all over the web?

Yes its good that they asked for the passport. I don't know if it will be like what you are seeing all over the web . I would caution you that no place is the same as BKK when it comes to the daily functions that affect your case.

A simple missing doc shouldn't take long once its submitted to be placed in the case file & allow the issuance of the visa. Last one I know of took two weeks.

Right but USCIS wouldn't be so fooled (petitions for kids, citizenship etc)

I was kidding about the known dependents because he would have a little trouble declaring them as wives.

When does the US Embassy BKK website update their list? It's already July 2nd, don't see a list of July appointments yet, they still have June's calendar up.

I haven't looked at it for a long time but its always the same; full & out of date. The embassy works on about 700 cases per month. I V cases on just two days per week.

How on earth were they allowed to do any of this without a valid i94? How did they get a Ssn?

Its easy to buy a fake SSn so I wonder if the number this person has is real. If so did they would be using it for taxes I suppose.

At least he had those 3 dependents to declare on the taxes ! Plus any horde of children that may have been created.

If a report were made about a person who overstayed a tourist visa by 10+ years, then assumed a new identity, changed their name, birth certificate, SS#, passport, brought their wife and (adult) kids over, then even proceeded to petitioning for citizenship, yet was not convicted of a crime, would it be acted upon? And how fast? I read that they don't have resources to pursue simple overstays, but this is far from simple.

Oh, and this person was also married to 3 people at the same time.

Just curious about the possible course of events.

The 3 wives will take care of him eventually. Just one of them stirring the pot will be enough to expose him for what he really is.

At the time I didn't know enough about the process.

I will be going to Morocco in 4 weeks to get married. I know all my papers must be translated into arabic.

Does it make a difference if i have the translated done here in the usa or do they need to be translated in morocco?

there are many sites that i can have this done on. I just know that morocco is very different on their papers.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Shellie

Translations can be done anywhere, by anyone that is competent in both languages. They sign a simple statement which becomes the ' certification '. Use the search block at the top of the page.

well. I was only concern because Nigeria is a High fraud country.

Exactly why the truth is a must.

Hello,

My wife's CR1 case is pending at NVC. The case is complete 2.5 months ago and NVC still has not shipped the case to Guangzhou consulate in China (we are processing the paper version). My estimate timeframe on her CR1 visa is at least another 3 months, if not longer.

I called NVC many times and all I got was wait. Guangzhou consulate now is having too many cases to process so everyone is delayed for... god knows how long.

My wife has a valid B1/B2 visa but is expiring in a few days. Now her company would like to send her to the US headquarter for a business trip. The trip itself is not absolute necessary but her boss told her if she can make the trip, it would be very beneficial to transfer her to the US headquarter once her CR1 visa is obtained.

We all understand at this time there is a risk of being denied on the new B1/B2 application. If the B1/B2 is denied then I guess we have no other option but waiting for the CR1 visa approval. She has been to the US quite a few times in the past and left within the allotted time.

My question is whether the CR1 visa will be affected if she applies a B1/B2 visa at this time, regardless the outcome? Will there be a question when she has the CR1 interview such as why did you apply a B1/B2 just a few months before your CR1?

I think it may look odd but we would like to make this trip happen if the B1/B2 application won't cause problem in the CR1 process.

Thank you

She could seek extension or renewal I think. She has a history of using the B 2 correctly that should help. However if she needs the B 2 for a business trip they may not grant it because she cant work in the USA.

The CR 1 visa will not be affected by the B 2.

Question on How we met

Followed by the answer that only two of you know I have to assume.

I just graduated from college in May. I have a teaching job and I've signed the contract for this upcoming year. I will make enough money to support my fiance for the AOS. My question is, will it be sufficient that I will make enough money or do I need to have already made that money in order for it to count? Since this will be my first non-minimum way job, do you think I'll have to get a co-sponsor? Thanks for the help!

They can only go by what is current not forecast although its clear that your income will change. I suggest having a joint sponsor ready understanding your situation will change quickly once you get established so in reality they wont have to participate. Obtain tax transcripts for each person for at least one year to attach with the 134s.

Hi,

A few weeks ago I had my VISA interview. During the interview, the consular officer informed me that my sponsor, (my wife) did not make enough money. However, the officer only looked at ONE of the W2 tax forms. There were 3 of them, totaling around $6000 dollars MORE than the minimum, along with an overall tax form (1040A). I tried to explain to the officer that my wife earned a lot more than what was on that ONE W2 form. e informed me that I would now need a joint sponsor, which will be IMPOSSIBLE for my wife to find. Needless to say, we are DEVASTATED. I have NO IDEA what to do! Can I re-submit the I-864 in hopes that he officer reviewing it will clearly see she earns enough? I sent an email to the consulate requesting a review of the tax forms about 2 weeks ago. I received an email saying they would forward it to a consulate officer for review. If anyone has any advice as to what I can and/or should do to rectify this, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

This may be a great reason for people to use the tax transcripts. The officer couldn't interpret what ever was submitted correctly.

Did you get a 221 G ?

Obtain transcripts by mail or in person from any IRS office for the USC. Fax copy to consulate officer requesting review & new interview date.

Prepare for USC to contact their Senator & USCIS in the USA.