slc12312

18 minutes ago, missileman said:

To be precise, it isn't a renewal.  A conditional Green Card (2 year GC) must have conditions removed via a form I-751 which is filed prior to expiration.

That is what I was thinking it was as well. I didn't say what I meant... that's what I get for not proofreading. I also noticed I said a marriage certificate in enough... left out the NOT. My bad.  

10 hours ago, bletchley said:

That makes sense! Thank you for the information! As a quick follow up question: even if my current address is living at home with my parents until she moves here? Thanks again for all your time and help  

Not a problem, I don't own a home or rent, but share a house with my 90 year old mother who needs assistance. You just need to provide an address where you live, it doesn't matter who owns it. Don't forget that part of the process (aside from income) will be to show evidence of the relationship... even if you are married (a marriage license is enough), also it is my understanding (and I could be completely wrong) but I believe if you aren't married at least 2 years or longer, your spouse will get a green card that will have to be renewed after two years. 

4 hours ago, allanr said:

We already have the airline tickets bought for the medical exam at the end of this month...looks like we'll have to move back a month early.  Grrrrrr..... I should have checked a day earlier.

 

Maybe you can reschedule your flight? The medical appointment should be easy to bump back a month or two. We weren't allowed to do the medical exam until we got the interview appointment. That email verification had to be shown at the hospital during the time of the exam. It would be nice if you could push it back a month or two to better fit your travel plans. 

In my case, when we got my wife's passport back after the interview, we saw they had voided her tourist visa. We had planned on traveling on that before using the IR1 because I have to come back to Thailand in October for dental follow up and she has a wedding she can't miss. The plan was use the IR1 after that, flying to the states the first week of Nov. I just worry a little about her flying back to Thailand just three and a half months after she entered. One day if we get citizenship, then of course it won't matter how long she is gone or how often she travels... but until then, I just don't trust the political scene right now, and things could change quickly. 

10 minutes ago, allanr said:

Hi SLC...

 

They managed to incorrectly copy my wife's email address too...but we corrected it without much effort.  The three times I've called the Manila hotline, they've answered the call on the first ring..although you have to wade through a minute or two of pre-recorded prompts and messages prior to being allowed to transfer to a live person. 

 

I'm actually slow-playing the visa approval process right now.  I was expecting it to take about 10-12 months, but if I pushed for the interview at the earliest available time slot, we could have gotten it around the end of this month..or less than 3 months after I started the process.  Since I had made plans to move back to the USA early next year based on how long I thought the process was going to take, I decided to move the interview out another month.  I've heard that you are told after the interview whether you have been approved or not, and that once the visa is granted, you only have 6 months to move to the USA.  I didn't want my wife's Visa to expire prior to our planned mid-January move date.

 

Question....does the 6-month visa validity start on the interview date or when they actually mail back to you the passport with the Visa Stamp?

The 6 month validity actually starts on the date of the medical exam, not on approval date. My wife's medical exam was on May 15th (interview was on May 22nd), her visa is valid to Nov 14th, so needless to say, we have to travel by then. My understanding is that if you can't travel by that date, you need to notify the Consulate where you got the visa, and have another medical exam performed. At least that is how it works in Thailand. In Thailand, the medical exam was almost $400, plus it required having to fly to Bangkok to get it done, so it is something I'd like to avoid doing again, lol. Once you enter the port of entry, my understanding is that that is when they actually process the physical green card and mail it to you. In my case, it would be nice if they sent it to the correct address!

On 5/28/2019 at 7:07 PM, allanr said:

 

Thanks...i'll do what you and Carmel recommend....My address in the USA is only an address of convenience since the property now belongs to my ex wife, but my taxes and banking go through there and we are on great terms (I do stay there sometimes)...so I'll go ahead and use it.... thanks for your reply!!

Haha, well leave it to the USCIS to f up my address. I just paid the $220 immigrant fee, and part of it is to verify the address. So I see they want to mail the green card to the house's physical address... which is not the same as the mailing address. I get ZERO mail delivery where my house is (out in the boonies in Hawaii). Theoretically I'm supposed to be able to change the address on the USCIS "my account page" but it won't allow me to do that, lol. Typical. Hope you have better luck when your time comes!!!!

44 minutes ago, lilaznboy12 said:

For Packet 3, did you send in all documents or did you just emailed the two documents from the Packet Instruction? I noticed it states that to

1. SCAN AND SEND THE FOLLOWING FORMS BY EMAIL

DS-2001

DS-160

"2. SUBMIT ORIGINALS AND PHOTOCOPIES OF THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ON THE INTERVIEW DATE - CHECKLIST"

 

https://th.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/k-packet-3-instruction-may2019-english.pdf

Yes, I just read the instructions for your K visa. Mine was an IR1 visa so the directions were different for sure. For my Packet 3, everything was mailed to the Consulate, but again, that was for an IR1 visa (visa based on marriage). Since yours is a K1 visa, they evidently want you to scan and email the DS-160 and the DS-2001 to them, then also bring everything to the interview (originals and copies)... at least that is how I read it.  In my case (and I think yours too), we sent copies of everything, except when they said they wanted an original (that included the DS-260,  DS-2001 and confirmation of registering with the GSS page, plus police report). Once they received that, the next day we got the interview letter (email) and Packet 4 directions and an interview scheduled for 7 days later. At the interview, we had to bring all original copies of everything we sent in with the P3, and we also had copies of the few things they wanted originals for. 

Your directions are different than mine for sure. So with that said, I'd just follow what they say to do. I don't even see where they say to send in the P3 checklist materials, only to bring to the interview. But on the other hand, if you click the link provided, it does say:

Please read the instructions carefully, make the application fee payment, and submit all documents to U.S. Embassy Bangkok’s Immigrant Visa unit. Once the Packet 3 documents are received and the case is determined to be documentarily ready, the IV unit will schedule the applicant’s immigrant visa interview. The applicant will be informed via email through the Packet 4 Appointment Packet which provides further guidance on additional required documents including the medical examination. Generally, interviews are scheduled within 60 days of receipt of the Packet 3 information, and applicants should refrain from contacting the IV unit to inquire about an interview appointment until 60 days have elapsed from the time the Packet 3 documents were submitted.

Best of luck to you. I do know once you send everything in, things happen really quickly. We had less than 5 days to get the physical and make travel arrangements. You'll have to allow at least two days before you can pick up your results too. 

I'll chime in on this, but first, I totally get your confusion as to what to put in terms of mailing address, residence address, and then the country of domicile, especially when you have been living out of country for quite some time. I did the DCF in Thailand. First off, I've lived here since 2013 which is what qualified me to go with consular filing. To file the I-130 I had to prove I was a resident of Thailand as it is the requirement for DCF's. After approval, I eventually got to the I-864 and decided to go with my mailing address in Hawaii (used to be CA) because that is where my taxes go, banking statements, credit card statements and everything else goes. I used my residence address here in Thailand because that is actually where I live, and also because I had to use it with the initial I-130 application, I was worried about getting tripped up in the process using multiple addresses. Got to the part about domicile and didn't really know how to address that. I decided to put Thailand as my country of domicile, but provide proof... lots of proof... that I have maintained close ties with Hawaii (or Calif in your case). Sent ALL of that stuff in with Packet 3.  Evidently that was okay enough for the consulate as they gave my wife her interview appointment 8 days later. When she went to the interview, she took all original copies with her just in case they wanted to see them, they didn't. As a matter of fact, they really only glanced at the "proof of relationship", and only asked her six questions. 
 

1 hour ago, hendo25 said:

This is very helpful information.

 

We are in Thailand also and just filed our I-130 at the end of April...so waiting for the initial approval. While waiting we're gathering our documents for the I-864 submission which we'll do after our approval.  

 

Our lawyer has some concerns regarding income, because the amount stated on the 1040's is only the taxable amount. I'm retired, and the bulk of my retirement income is Social Security; which as being a non-taxable item, is not included on the total income line of the 1040 or the IRS transcripts. This really should not be a problem as my SS income is easily documented and U.S. bank statements confirm its direct deposit into my account each month. Along with my other two retirement pensions, I have almost double the 2 person household minimum amount of income.

 

We're in a small town about 3 hours south of Bangkok, so no airports, just a very long bus ride. But cheap so no complaints about that. My Thai wife and I have been living together for the past two years in a townhome that she owns outright. But we only registered the marriage a few months ago. So we're filing the "CR-1."  We met on FB as well.

 

Thanks again for the detailed information. I'm sure I'll refer back to it many times over the next 3 or 4 months.

 

DH

 

 

 

Yeah, you won't have a problem qualifying income wise. Since it didn't pertain to me (I don't get Social Security), I never looked at other ways of proving income, but there shouldn't be an issue since I know there is a form you can get from SS that states your income... can't remember what it is called though. Once you get approval (which took 3 months for us), and if you have all your ducks lined up in a row (while waiting for approval), the process will be very fast. All of that can be done now. So if you are doing a DCF here in Thailand, start on all of the Packet 3 stuff, it will save you loads of time, hassle and stress. Here is the link if you don't have it yet.  https://th.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/iv-packet-3-instruction-april2019-english.pdf   As a matter of fact, the only thing you can't do now is register your/your wife's address on the GSS system and do the online DS-260, you need a case number to do those, and that comes along with your approval letter that you will receive in the mail. Once you get the approval letter, hightail it to BKK and do the police check  https://photos.state.gov/libraries/thailand/591452/iv/082013_thaipolicecert.pdf ... the fee was 100 baht for the report and 50 baht for EMS mail service, so 150 baht in total... that will get you your report in less than three weeks. They also pedal and "expedited" service where they want 1,500 baht to get it within a week. I didn't pay it, but only because I'm cheap and don't like being taken advantage of like that. You can't do the police report now because you need the approval letter for that too, otherwise I'd say do it now since it is valid for one year. So if you have gathered all of the Packet 3 materials now, then by the time you get the approval letter, register with the GSS system (takes about 3 minutes...don't forget to print the confirmation, 2 copies in case one is lost), do the online DS-260 (took about 15 minutes, print the confirmation for this too), then do the police report... you will be ready to mail everything to the Consulate in about 3 weeks from approval. For us, it took them two days... ONLY two days once they received our Packet 3 info to send us (by email only) the Packet 4 information along with our appointment date and time for the interview which was scheduled for 7-8 days later. Call Bumgrand Hospital once you have the appointment email. and make an appointment asap, get that done (cost us just shy of 12,000 baht).  If you are not in a hurry, disregard the rush aspect and do it all at your leisure, but if you want to be done with it, get it all done now. Here is the Packet 4 link... all of which you can do now too... that is, everything but the medical. https://th.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/iv-packet-4-appointment-april2019-english.pdf  You can't do the medical until you have the email confirmation for your appointment. All i know is once you submit the Packet 3, things happen really fast, almost too fast, haha. It took us five and a half months from start to finish, and I believe that could be knocked down to close to 4 months if one had everything they needed, before they needed it... if you know what I mean. 

Good luck. Don't envy the bus ride, but hey... what can you do. 

4 hours ago, Pitaya (火龙果) said:

If you qualify, you can get US IRS tax transcripts online: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-return-transcript-types-and-ways-to-order-them

 

HTH

 

Good luck on your immigration journey.

Very true, but when I attempted this, in order to get them online you had to provide a U.S. based phone number with the mobile account registered in your name. That effectively makes it impossible to use a relatives number or a friend. Because of that, I had to order the tax transcript... and furthermore, they send the tax transcript to the address of your last filing, which if it is in the U.S. (mine was in Hawaii), necessitates your having to get someone to send it to you via an express service like DHL. For me, it took a little under 3 weeks to order the transcript, have it delivered to Hawaii, then to get someone to send it from Hawaii to where I live. 

Yes, send them to Guangzhou... if you are doing a DCF, all of that stuff goes to the Embassy there. Those lockboxes (Chicago and such) are used for people filing in the states.  You didn't blow the interview, it is just unfortunate the paperwork wasn't correct. Did you get a 221 form saying what you need to do to correct the problem?

1 hour ago, pushbrk said:

Notice this thread is more than a year old.  If the OP reads this, he needs to ignore the above.  This is not a DCF case.

Yeah I did notice it was a year old, what about it? Of course it is not a DCF case.... My only concern, not that I have to justify it,  was that if she changed her name, they may ask to see the name change certificate and a passport which reflects her new legal name (as her I.D. card does). Not just the name by which she intends to be known. It is better to be safe than sorry IMO. In the case of a DCF, you had to provide it, but as I stated, since it isn't... I'm not sure. What I am sure of is that by now, the OP has everything he needs according to the directions he was given in order to proceed with the upcoming interview. Wishing the OP and his wife the best.  As to whether or not he needs to ignore my comment, well, that is up to him to decide. Thank you. 

Really, I think it depends on where you are processing the IR1. In Thailand, what they meant by "certified" is that it is an official record gov't record. On the US end for example, I have been married twice. I had to provide a copy of the official marriage registration/certificate for both marriages. Then I had to provide copies of both final divorce decree or judgements. Those are stamped by the county that issued them which makes them "certified". Not a notary stamp. It is the county seal. 

On the Thai side, we had to get the Thai copy of our marriage registration from the Amphur (gov't office), stamped with a seal. Then we had to take it to the a company that does translations where they stamped it as being an official translation. 

Originally for us since we did consular filing here in Thailand, we submitted copies... but for the interview, she had to have the originals. 

Use her official name as that is what they will go by. Your wife changed her last name, so she will have to provide an official name change certificate from the Amphur. That is one of the items needed in the Packet 3 you will be submitting. But then if you are filing in the states, I'm not sure of the process, but here in Thailand at least, you do have what is called a Packet 3. 

Yes, I would go with the adjusted gross income, which I believe is line 4 of the 1040EZ return. For my I-864 I ordered Tax Transcripts, and if you are in the U.S., I believe they will email them to you... but you need a U.S. based cell phone to do that. I'm in Thailand, so it wasn't an option. If you order those by mail, it is straightforward and you get them in a week. On the standard 1040 you would use line 22 (total income)... which in my case is the same as line 37 which is adjusted gross income. 

I know the I-864 is confusing, but not too bad if you live in the states as your mailing address, residence address, and country of domicile will all be the U.S. All they want to do is to make sure you earn enough. Also on that form, don't count your spouse twice as you are only sponsoring one person (later they will ask to to list your spouse, but will also say to not list the same person twice, so that was a little confusing). If you do click them twice, then that will change your household size to three instead of two, which will mess up the whole application. 

Save your money and do this yourself... if you are at the I-864 stage, most of the hard work has already been done. 

For those of you who are about to embark on the IR1... visa for family member/green card route, I thought I'd let you know how it went for us. Since I have been living in Thailand (Chiang Rai) for the past 6 years we decided to go with the Direct Consular Filing route as it seemed to be the easiest. 
December 6th - dropped off the I-130 Application form to the USCIS office on Wireless Rd on BKK. Walked across the street to pay the $535 processing fee at the cashier widow at the Embassy. Returned with the receipt and gave it to the Thai woman working the window at the USCIS office. We were told it would be about 3 months before we heard anything. 

Mid February - Sure enough, about 3 months later we got the approval letter in the mail (delivered to a neighbor who forgot to give it to us for about a week). The letter stated that the application was approved, and said to follow the link below for further instructions. The link was for Packet 3. The letter also included her case number which you need for any further correspondence. 
Mid February thru May 11 - collected and made duplicate copies of all required items, this took me almost 3 months because many items had to be ordered for government agencies in the U.S.. Things like 1977 marriage license, 1978 divorce decree which all had been long lost. Also needed IRS Tax transcripts to prove income and a tax return to be safe. Also registered with the GSS and DS-260 (both online), plus printed and filled out the I-864 Affidavit of Support. We also had to fly to BKK to order the police report which is also required for her, that took 3 weeks to get. Once we had everything, it was mailed by Thai post to the Consulate. 
May 12  - mailed the Packet 3 on a late Saturday afternoon to the Consulate, figuring we would hopefully hear from them regarding an interview within the next week or so. 
May 14 - just two days later, we received an email from the visa unit at the Consulate with the appointment letter for an inview set for May 22nd at 8:00AM... along with that letter came the Packet 4 directions... which included directions to get the physical/medical exam. My wife immediately called Bumrungrad Hospital (only one of three hospitals you can go to in Thailand for this) to make an appointment for her medical exam. Appointment was made for the next day. 
May 15 - Flew to BKK from Chiang Rai, catching a 6:30AM flight for a 10:00AM appointment. The medical was thorough, blood, shots, and x-rays and took almost 3 hours from start to finish. Total cost for exam and shots was 11,800 baht. The results were ready to be picked up May 17th. Seeing as how we were going to spend the night in BKK, we decided to just pick up the results on the 21st... the day before her appointment. 
May 16 - 21 - Final few days to stress about everything. The consulate wanted everything in a particular order, most had to be original copies of items we sent along with Packet 3 in the first place. Flew to BKK on May 21. 
May 22 - The big day. We arrived at the Consulate at 7:15AM for her 8:00AM appointment. There was only one other person in line, so she entered fairly quickly. Of course no cell phone allowed or any electronic devices (even an Apple watch). Submitted the Packet 4 stuff to the lady at window 5 (?) then paid the fee of $325. I suggest paying in USD because they were using an exchange rate of 34 Thai baht to the dollar, which was over 2 baht off the going rate... so it is less if you pay with USD. She was called to the interview window at about 9:00AM and asked six questions.  

1. How did you meet your husband. (FB)
2. When did you meet him. (2013)
3. When were you married. (2015)
4. Where does he live (we live together in Chiang Rai)
5. Does he own a house in the states (no... we are going to live with his mother who needs support)
6. Where does she live (Hilo, Hawaii).

Then he said your application has been approved, and BAM that was it. They said her passport and visa packet will arrive within a week. All in all a straightforward process if you have no hitches. Honestly, I think if one was prepared, you could do the whole thing and be done in probably less than 4 months. For us, it was five and a half months, which to me was quick. 

Hope this helps anyone who is curious as to the steps and timelines.

2 hours ago, Takiniteasy said:

Awwww.....I have been researching this DCF IR1 topic. Just the little bit I have research is already hurting my brain. ")

A few QUESTIONS please :

1. Would there be any advantage in retaining an Immigration attorney, or would Rapid Visa help walk me through this process?

2. I have lived in Thailand for a little over a year and over 6 months consecutively as a USA citizen. Is DCF the best way for me to go regarding obtaining a Visa for my Thai wife?

3. Would the DCF decrease the process time,  which I understand the process time for the IR1 app  is approx 9 months

Thank you !

PS: I hope I am on the correct format, I do not want to step on anyone's Post.

Sent you a message, let me know if you have any more questions as I am just finishing up with our DCF.  1) Do it yourself, it isn't that hard once you get past the stress, lol. 2) I'd do the DCF again, if you live here, it is easier... but that is just my opinion. 3) I think it would decrease the processing time. If all goes well for us on the 22nd of this month, the whole thing will have taken just over 5 months... not even close to 9 months. When I started this whole thing, I was thinking 9-10 months as well. 

On 3/15/2019 at 2:44 PM, AoNang said:

We had to cancel our March 14 appointment.  We sent a notification to the email address shown in the Packet 4 instructions (visasbkk@state.gov) to notify of our need to cancel and to request a new date.

 

As per my post above, we didn't receive any reply.  Went to the traveldocsth site and emailed again regarding the status after a week. We used the email shown there:  visasbkkiv@state.gov. and received a response within hours and after some back and forth via email, received a new interview date today. 

 

I pointed out the difference to the embassy in the email address in the packet 4 instructions and the one we were using to communicate, perhaps there is an error in the instructions?

 

Whatever, the Embassy has been very responsive.  Recommend Packet 4 folks in Thailand mark the  visasbkkiv@state.gov to communicate with the embassy.

Just got our Packet 4 directions today and I notice the correct email address is now there. They received our P3 on Monday, sent an Interview email Tuesday, and have the interview next Wednesday morning... that sure was fast. Only a week to do the medical and get ready. Hope the shots aren't an issue!

2 hours ago, John951 said:

Seems like most people are getting p4 letters around a week or so after the embassy receives it.

 

After our p4 letter appointment was a month out, but some people I've read get an appointment as soon as a week or two from the p4 letter.

Thanks for the reply!

Sometime right after I posted my question and you responded, I got an email from the Consulate which I wasn't really expecting. They've schedule the interview for what amounts to 7 days from now. Unbelievably fast. So I guess it is time to start gathering all the items they want, get that medical done (already booked a flight to BKK scheduled medical for tomorrow). Hope the interview goes easy and we don't have to provide anything else! 

Holy #######... I wasn't expecting things to happen this fast! Consulate received our Packet 3 late afternoon on May 13th, just got an email notification today May 14th... with an interview set for May 22. Seven days to get the medical, hope that is enough time. I better book a flight to BKK now... no time to waste, lol. 

Out of curiosity, how long was your wait to be notified by the consulate after they received Packet 3 for the Packet 4 instructions and interview? The Consulate received my wife's P3 on Monday May 13 and I now find that I have to travel to the states soon. I'd like to be here for her interview (moral support), but don't know if that is possible due to the Consulates processing time. So with that said, how did it go for you guys in terms of the wait once the P3 was received? Their website says to allow 60 says for P3 processing before contacting them, so I'm wondering if this is a viable timeline with which to plan. 

Wish I had an answer for you that I knew was correct. I'm not sure it is so much a matter of the length of your residency but more so your ability to show that you live here permanently (or can provide documentation of it). For me, it was proof of a bank account, motorcycle registration, driver's license, and a utility bill. 

As far as marrying a Cambodian in Thailand, I'm not sure. Number one, you will have to register the marriage and show a copy your marriage certificate, and I'm not sure you can even get one seeing as how you are both foreigners. But again, that is just a guess on my part. On the other hand, I don't see why you couldn't get married here and register it.... Thailand really just marches to its own beat. 

Once you I-130 is approved, they send a link for Packet 3... for that you will need your wife's passport page, previous marriage licenses and divorces, her birth certificate, stuff related to any children you have with her, a completed DS-260 which is done online, and a few other things such as an I-864 Income affidavit proving you can support her (along with supporting documents). Also since some of those things are not in English, they will have to be translated, which means you will have to provide both copies. It is a pain in the ###. Honestly now that I have done this, I think it would be easier to get a K-1 Fiancee visa, applying in the US. For the IR1, it isn't too bad provided you can get all of the things they want. Is there any way you can do a DCF in Cambodia?

On 5/6/2019 at 5:22 PM, slc12312 said:

For those of you who did a DCF at the Bangkok USCIS/Consulate offices for an IR1 Visa, what did you report as your Country of Domicile on the I-864 form, and what supporting evidence did you actually provide (if any) to establish domicile in the states?

Anyone???

13 hours ago, missileman said:

The immigration process is neither fun nor easy......it demands a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and money.  You have come to the right place for the knowledge......

I guess you've had more positive experience than I have, haha. 

7 hours ago, pushbrk said:

You are dealing with the US Government, not the Thai government.

Yep, stating the obvious. Have a good day. 

2 hours ago, pushbrk said:

Nothing you mention needs a signature.  The affidavit of support does.

 

Ok, thanks pushrk. I didn't think so, especially if you have originals at the interview. For some nagging reason, I thought I had read something about it a while back. I've just been conditioned here in Thailand because for every single copy you make for official purposes has to be signed.