J&A

SO's are not allowed to accompany thier partners during the initial interview. However as a USC you have the right to USC services on any matter, and you're partner's application is a relevant matters.

Remain polite and get past the first few tiers of vietnamese staff, insist on speaking with a CO. The key is to get beyond the local vietnamese staff, even the nicest don't have the authority to do anything, and they are not that nice or well trained.

Theoretically USC's should have automatic access to USC services during ordinary USC services hours. In Saigon they do ask that you make an appointment. However, legally you should just to able to turn up.

It's your government, your taxes and your consulate. Keep this is mind, politely remind those who don't get it and keep chipin'.

-J

Sent I-130 4/28 USPS delivery confirmation. Delivery confirmed 4/30 8am, to date no NOA1 and check not cashed.

Not so worried about NOA1 as by all accounts CSC is real late sending them, if at all. But my bank is very quick to record checking activity and so I'm wondering what folks think the normal amount of time for CSC to cash a check is these days? Seems from timelines they were doing this quite quickly.

-J

Answering my own post in hindsight. Back then ... May 2007, CSC was backlogged (and had systems problems which I also posted about). Long story short, when new stuff came in it was assigned a "priority date" based on arrival. Then it sat in a room for a month until they got around to looking at it to send the check to the bank. The petition was ultimately processed based on this "priority date" within expected timeframes at that time.

-J

I'm about to send in DS-230 Part I as part of IR1 process - a photocopy of my spouses passport biometric page must be included.

All things going well visa would be issued about March/April timeframe. Spouses passport expires in the summer so a new passport would be needed to meet the requirement that at the date of visa issueance the passport must have at least 6 months validity.

So I can take a photocopy of the current passport to submit DS-230 part I or have her get a new passport early so that the photocopy included now matches the passport at visa issuance time.

I guess I'm trying to read the tee leaves to figure out if they need the copy of the passport now to record passport number (in which case I should have her get a new one) or else they just verify name etc. (in which case a copy of the current one is fine...)

Ideas?

-J

Answering my own post in hindsight. By the point you are dealing with the NVC you definitely need to make sure the intending immigrants passport has at least another 12 months, if not more. We got the passport renewed immediately and over the course of the next 6 months saw multiple reasons was this was a really smart thing to do. Many reasons. Remember the endorsed I-551 stamp in the passport serves as a temporary green card for 12 months >>AFTER<< US entry until the real one arrives - so you definitely want to make sure you are using the same passport thru the visa issuance process, US entry and >>THEN<< while you wait for the green card to arrive.

If I did this again I'd make sure there was 18 months remaining validity on the passport.

-J

Trying to pull together documentation for I-864, I'm self-employed with complicated income so I can on explaining that but also submitting evidence of assets to back it up. My question is exactly what are they looking for? I don't want to send originals, I also don't particularly want to shell out $200 to get 20 pieces of paper notorized. Can I certify & sign that copies are real and originals will be made available at interview?

Instructions are clear relating to tax documents, not so clear on other documents, they just say "proof", they don't say what "proof" is ...

My documents:

- bank statements

- stock certificates

- investment fund statements

Thanks

-J

==============

Adding my own final update.

This is definitely an important point and the I-864 documents are reviewed and accepted/declined by the consular station (at least in my case) in addition to NVC checking. They can be quite pedantic. The biggest point that surprised me is that tax return transcripts are expected for the previous year, even though in the early part of the year tax returns would usually not be filed by most people (think 4/15).

So if you think the interview might be happening in March/April/May you should be researching filing your tax return in January or February (even if you have to file a 1040X later to amend).

Oh, and here is the fastest possible way to get your tax transcripts. (1) the irs has to have processed the tax return, you can check this by going thru the automated 1800xxx1040 number and requesting them to be mailed - if the system accepts the request then they are in the computer (2) if you can't wait to receive the transcript by mail at that point (like in my case 9 hours before the interview), setting an account on efax.com, get through to an irs agent by phone (7am - late, in all continental US timezones, there is really only 4 hours weekend and weekend they are not available) - and ask to have the return faxed to you. Then print it out.

-J

My case doesn't seem so unusual given what I've read, summary

4/28 mailed I-130 to CSC with delivery confirmation

4/30 delivery confirmed via USPS website

4/30 ---> 5/24 big long silence

5/24 my online bank account showed the cancelled check for $190, WAC# not accurately legible.

6/11 Got cancelled check via US mail, checked WAC# on website, state "On May 18th, 2007, we received this I-130" ...

...... No NOA1 yet.

Anybody got opinions on:

- A few folks have said there was no relationship between WAC# on check & real WAC# when the NOA1 arrived

- I guess some folks never got an NOA1 or very very late, good thing I'm not thinking of a K-3

- Should I start hassling them to process my case based on the correct delivery date?

- Other opinions?

=================

Adding my own final update to this posting. The NOA1 never arrived, CSC later notified that this effected a bunch of folks and was because of a systems error.

When the NOA2 finally came through (at about the right time based on original filing date), it contain a "priority date" which was basically the correct filing date give or take a few days.

-J

Trying to pull together documentation for I-864, I'm self-employed with complicated income so I can on explaining that but also submitting evidence of assets to back it up. My question is exactly what are they looking for? I don't want to send originals, I also don't particularly want to shell out $200 to get 20 pieces of paper notorized. Can I certify & sign that copies are real and originals will be made available at interview?

Instructions are clear relating to tax documents, not so clear on other documents, they just say "proof", they don't say what "proof" is ...

My documents:

- bank statements

- stock certificates

- investment fund statements

Thanks

-J

I'm about to send in DS-230 Part I as part of IR1 process - a photocopy of my spouses passport biometric page must be included.

All things going well visa would be issued about March/April timeframe. Spouses passport expires in the summer so a new passport would be needed to meet the requirement that at the date of visa issueance the passport must have at least 6 months validity.

So I can take a photocopy of the current passport to submit DS-230 part I or have her get a new passport early so that the photocopy included now matches the passport at visa issuance time.

I guess I'm trying to read the tee leaves to figure out if they need the copy of the passport now to record passport number (in which case I should have her get a new one) or else they just verify name etc. (in which case a copy of the current one is fine...)

Ideas?

-J

Update to my former post:

8/29 e-mail approval of I-130, letter arrived shortly after

Website showed receipt date of 5/18/07, but appears processing was based on "priority date" of 4/30 ...

I never did get an NOA1

-J

My case doesn't seem so unusual given what I've read, summary

4/28 mailed I-130 to CSC with delivery confirmation

4/30 delivery confirmed via USPS website

4/30 ---> 5/24 big long silence

5/24 my online bank account showed the cancelled check for $190, WAC# not accurately legible.

6/11 Got cancelled check via US mail, checked WAC# on website, state "On May 18th, 2007, we received this I-130" ...

...... No NOA1 yet.

Anybody got opinions on:

- A few folks have said there was no relationship between WAC# on check & real WAC# when the NOA1 arrived

- I guess some folks never got an NOA1 or very very late, good thing I'm not thinking of a K-3

- Should I start hassling them to process my case based on the correct delivery date?

- Other opinions?

Thanks

-J

snip...

Some consulates wont consider assets by them selves, they want to see income as well.

Anybody know how the US Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam is WRT this requirement? & thanks for suggestions about notarized job offers, I should be able to organize a few good ones (that was how I self-sponsor under the visa-lottery program way back...)

-J

Real sorry for the double post, the browser hung first time (lousy ISP) and so I assumed the post failed ...

-J

So if things go to plan sometime in the fall I'll have to do an affidavit of support. I'm lucky to have skills which allow me to work 6 months out of every 2 years and have been doing this for 10+ years. Right now I'm working for equity only (no salary, just stock options). So I need to know how difficult its going to get the affidavit approved. If its a real mess I still have a few months to get a real job and call in some personal loans.

Some data points:

- Self-employed, intermittently for 10 years - so no letter from a steady employer

- Got about $55,000 cash in the bank, account has been open many years, been slowly coming down from about $100,000 2 years ago

- Got about $35,000 in 401K, maybe $30,000 in other funds (these are readily converible to cash - within a week).

- I got no other property or assets of note.

- Absolutely NO WAY I will be able to organize a co-sponsor

- Tax transcripts, 2004 - $48K foreign earned income, 2005 - $50K foreign earned income, 2006 - $0 income (eeekk!)

- I have 2 long-term personal loans to overseas family for about $50K which I could get cashed this month

- I could ditch my current arrangement and get a regular job at about $80K salary in a month or 2

Questions:

- In terms of personal assets I can easily meet the 5x poverty level requirements, but....

- I'm concerned about impact of the $0 income on 2006 tax return

- I'm concerned if I liquidate personal loans they won't accept because cash has only been in the bank 2-3 months.

- I'm concerned what documents I'll need from the bank to prove to them I got the cash

- I'm thinking maybe I'll get a real job for a while - but it will be new a few months when I get a letter ....

- Note I've no possibility for a co-sponsor.

- I know these guys like thier routine and don't like non-standard cases but... (1) how much should I be worried here AND (2) what can I do in the next 3-4 months to but this in a better light?

Appreciate all responses, ideas.

-J

So if things go to plan sometime in the fall I'll have to do an affidavit of support. I'm lucky to have skills which allow me to work 6 months out of every 2 years and have been doing this for 10+ years. Right now I'm working for equity only (no salary, just stock options). So I need to know how difficult its going to get the affidavit approved. If its a real mess I still have a few months to get a real job and call in some personal loans.

Some data points:

- Self-employed, intermittently for 10 years - so no letter from a steady employer

- Got about $55,000 cash in the bank, account has been open many years, been slowly coming down from about $100,000 2 years ago

- Got about $35,000 in 401K, maybe $30,000 in other funds (these are readily converible to cash - within a week).

- I got no other property or assets of note.

- Absolutely NO WAY I will be able to organize a co-sponsor

- Tax transcripts, 2004 - $48K foreign earned income, 2005 - $

My case doesn't seem so unusual given what I've read, summary

4/28 mailed I-130 to CSC with delivery confirmation

4/30 delivery confirmed via USPS website

4/30 ---> 5/24 big long silence

5/24 my online bank account showed the cancelled check for $190, WAC# not accurately legible.

6/11 Got cancelled check via US mail, checked WAC# on website, state "On May 18th, 2007, we received this I-130" ...

...... No NOA1 yet.

Anybody got opinions on:

- A few folks have said there was no relationship between WAC# on check & real WAC# when the NOA1 arrived

- I guess some folks never got an NOA1 or very very late, good thing I'm not thinking of a K-3

- Should I start hassling them to process my case based on the correct delivery date?

- Other opinions?

Thanks

-J

Sent I-130 4/28 USPS delivery confirmation. Delivery confirmed 4/30 8am, to date no NOA1 and check not cashed.

Not so worried about NOA1 as by all accounts CSC is real late sending them, if at all. But my bank is very quick to record checking activity and so I'm wondering what folks think the normal amount of time for CSC to cash a check is these days? Seems from timelines they were doing this quite quickly.

-J