Millikkl

On 9/14/2021 at 8:30 PM, Mi_Mo said:

Hi! My husband was under AP for 6 months. We saw movement after we filed the WOM. After about 3 months the visa was issued. 

Thanks for responding. Did his CEAC status show the long text for Refused or the shorter text? A U.S. consular officer has adjudicated and refused your visa application. Please see the letter you received at the interview.

On 5/21/2020 at 10:48 PM, sausagefingers said:

 

 

I can’t send documents because Emb is closed for Pandemic. Do I have until 1 Oct 2020 before case expires. It now says refused. Thank you.🙏🏻

What was the resolution of your case? I have this same issue and the embassy won't provide any information as to why the case is refused. They returned my husband's passport with no documentation (2 months after interview).

On 6/3/2020 at 7:00 PM, khadijamome said:

Heyyy. I am also recieving this short message with my refused status now. Whats the difference between this and the long one ? 

What was the resolution of your case? I have this same issue and the embassy won't provide any information as to why the case is refused. They returned my husband's passport with no documentation (2 months after interview).

On 3/18/2021 at 11:30 AM, Mi_Mo said:

I totally understand you! Lebanon is not the exception, different situation but things get worse by the minute there... not fair what they put us through 🥺

Did you ever get information back from the embassy or did the WOM work? My husband and I are now in the same situation (Colombia). His passport was returned through courier about 80 days after his interview with no additional information. His status shows refused.

Advice needed:

My husband had his interview at the US Embassy in Bogota on June 25, 2021 for the CR-1 visa. Due to the issue with the labs, his case was put into "refused" and he was given a piece of paper requesting that he send in his passport once his labs were completed. His labs were competed the week of July 13. The last update on the case on CEAC was July 29th. Towards the end of August, I started emailing the embassy asking for an update on his case and they said they were reviewing his medical exams and would send a case status update in a few days. That was two weeks ago. Any additional inquiries were met with, "we cannot give you any information at this time". Well, come this past Saturday, he received an email that his visa application documents were ready to be picked up at the CAS in Bogota. The embassy also replied that his passport was sent via DHL and he would receive additional information regarding the status of his case at that time. 

He picked up his passport today at the CAS - no additional information. Embassy refuses to give additional information. Don't they have to supply a reason for refusal? We have literally been given nothing. Don't know what to do! Any advice is appreciated. 

Anyone still in Refused from June interviews? My husband had his interview June 25th and had to do the labs the week of July 12 due to the lab issue. It seems like a lot of people are going into AP to or already issued from that same timeframe or later interviews. It is starting to concern me that our case hasn’t had any updates. Shows case was last touched July 29th. 

42 minutes ago, majm said:

Did they keep your husband's passport or return it to him? It seems like most people are reporting they are not holding on to passports while this mess gets sorted out. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or bad thing.

They returned the passport saying he needs it for the medical. 

Just now, MedellinCOUS said:

My wife currently has that status as well.  Although, they didn't actually refuse her visa, they only asked for two more documents.  From what I've read it seems like that status is used for other instances beyond actual refusal.  Good luck!

Right! Wish they would have chosen a different word! Ha. Just wish they would have given more information into the issue with the medical exam. We will have to come back to bogota to do labs again. Assuming most are in same situation.

We had the interview today and they put my spouse into administrative processing until the medical exam is updated. It is showing "Refused" on the status update on CEAC - which doesn't feel good! Curious to know what others experience.

23 hours ago, majm said:

Does anyone here have any info about the medical lab issue now occurring for applicants?

My husband had his medical on Monday and was also issued the "excuse" from the doctor around the lab issue. No further updates. Seems like they may give a tentative answer at the interview but applicants will still need to fly back to Bogota for lab tests before final approval...not sure though. We have the interview tomorrow, and I will be there, so I will try to update when I find out more. 

For those that have had success with their expedite requests, can you share what the grounds of your request were? I am curious to know if certain issues/hardships we are facing due to this extended waiting period due to the embassy being closed could be grounds for a successful request. thank you.

Just now, Paul & Mary said:

The petitioner is supposed to get notification.

7 minutes ago, Punisher said:

Where do you find out regarding case transfers and such? I wonder here do peopl get all that info from?

 

Also, do you care to elaborate what did you mean regarding "backup on ncs and intview stages"? Thanks

I didn’t receive a notification. But I believe people who actually filed online did. I found out on my approval notice where it said my notice came from California and not Nebraska. I received no updates on my case online except for that they were Reviewing it. My backup thought was in regards to the interviews being cancelled during COVID and all the approvals coming through. 

30 minutes ago, stringpuller said:

Maybe but i thought 1 or 2 of the quick approvals were paper filers if im not mistaken. 

I thought all petitions were digitalized when recieved?(uploaded)

Our was a paper filing that was converted into an IOE by USCIS. There was a large bulk of Nebraska filers That got transferred to California, which I believe doesn’t usually do cr-1 processing and got faster approvals. I was a part of this group and didn’t know it was transferred until I got approval notice. I’m wondering if there will be a backup on the ncs and interview stages. 

I'm excited to post that we received our petition approval today! 

PD 1/6/2020

Approval: 5/14/2020

Only update on case was April 2 and then again today, 5/15. We filed paper, me living in US, spouse outside, and were uploaded as IOE. 

Hoping for good news for all!

Has anyone here applied for the K-3 visa in addition to their CR/IR-1? I was under the impression when we started this whole process that the K3 was becoming obsolete but am seeing that it is still an active option on the US Dept of State website and can be applied for in conjunction with the CR-1. Any insight on this? 

On 5/2/2020 at 1:24 PM, geowrian said:

Personal decision, but having strict privacy settings is a no-brainier in general to me.

 

For immigration purposes, any changes now would likely be too little and too late. The visa application form already asks for any social media handles in the past 5 years.

I'm not suggesting you have anythin to hide. I'm just saying if somebody did, this is likely well too late in the process to hide it.

I never saw anything on my I-130 form about social media handles...does this come later in the process?

1 hour ago, MikeMonitor said:

Applied Jan 29, 2020 via Online File

IOE Receipt number 

NOA1: dated 1/29/20 from Nebraska

Date changes: About 5? Late-Feb, Mid-March, Twice in April, and in Early-May (the 1st)

NOA2: No official notice yet but MyUSCIS says approved

 

Hope this helps. Good luck everyone.

 

Edit: No expedite or I129 / K3 and also never called/talked with Emma or any agents or congress help

Wow, congrats! So many people getting quick approvals. It makes me a little nervous to see all these people who submitted after us get approved before. I’ve only seen an update on our case April 2 that it is under review. 

On 2/8/2020 at 8:18 PM, Wuozopo said:

 Mine is posted in this thread https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/729902-filing-our-first-taxs-after-k1/?do=findComment&comment=10022319

 

I refer you to the W7 instruction. Line by line starts on page 8

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw7.pdf

I decided to call around to some tax pros to get some advice before filing and am only getting more confused. I have heard the following:

1.W-7 form needs to have a certified signature on it or he needs to present in person. Is this true?

2. I need to file his ITIN separately from my tax return, wait for the number and then file taxes.

from what I understood before this, we just needed to get his passport certified by the embassy (which we did), have him complete the W-7 and then send those in with my tax return to the IRS.

am now being told by a couple different tax accountants that this isn’t correct, but it also seems like they’re not familiar with this process at all. 

Just now, DaltonDane said:

I have a feeling we will get an RFE. We didn't submit the police certificates with our i30, thinking that comes at the NVC stage.

We didn’t either. My lawyer said not to since they expire in six months. I assume it’s ok to wait until noa2

22 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

Also not a tax professional and my US wife knows more than me and makes me do the taxes along with her to learn.

What we did my K1 year was I estimated my UK income based on looking at bank statements and recalling my pay grade. I brought no paperwork with me. I’m sure it was inaccurate but I did my best to report it.

 

She calculated two returns:

Married Filing Separately with me filing nothing because no US income.

Married Filing Jointly reporting my foreign income and using Form 2555.

The Joint return had less tax.

 

Yes you can be audited, but the chance is slim. My wife has done her own taxes for over 40 years. Zero audits. 
The red sliver in the graphic shows your chances.

Thanks for sending your personal experience over - it certainly makes the most sense to put in the effort to file jointly. My question regarding the W-7 - it asks for a mailing address for the applicant (my foreign spouse). Can I put my US mailing address even though he has never been in the US? I can put his foreign address in the next section, but he will not be able to receive mail there.

Anyone know best way to fill out W-7 when spouse has no address in US? Can I use mine?

2 hours ago, missileman said:

That is exactly what we do.......my wife pulls the data from her foreign accounts and investments...which I add to a spreadsheet we send to our tax pro.  We then use the IRS average exchange rate as prescribed to convert the totals to USD.

The majority of my spouses income is cash based since he is a musician and they often just pay them cash, even for government contracts. Would we just estimate His income? Is there risk of being audited? I remember reading somewhere that up to a certain amount, the spouses worldwide income isn’t taxed. Is that correct? 

16 minutes ago, missileman said:

That is exactly what we do.......my wife pulls the data from her foreign accounts and investments...which I add to a spreadsheet we send to our tax pro.  We then use the IRS average exchange rate as prescribed to convert the totals to USD.

Do you make

16 minutes ago, missileman said:

That is exactly what we do.......my wife pulls the data from her foreign accounts and investments...which I add to a spreadsheet we send to our tax pro.  We then use the IRS average exchange rate as prescribed to convert the totals to USD.

Do you make the appointment with ACS at the embassy under the spouse’s name and info since it’s their passport being copied or me as the US citizen?

On 1/3/2020 at 12:23 PM, Paul & Mary said:

It depends on what works best for you.  You can always pay your taxes but get an extension for the filing until he gets a SSN.   You can also file and then amend.

I called/emailed the US Embassy in Bogota to find out some more information on the process for the ITIN. From what I understand, I need to have him fill out the W-7 form and we need to obtain an official copy of his passport from the embassy/consulate. What I am unsure about is what kind of appointment to choose. When I asked the Embassy, they kept sending me back to the website that doesn't really make it clear. The options are shown in the attachment on this post. Any ideas?

Just now, Xyrstine said:

Yeah, I heard about it taking a lot longer to start working with the K1 (he is the petitioner by the way). But the reality of waiting another 1+ year to be together is really heartbreaking. We have been together for around a decade now and only just got married after finally meeting eachother's families etc. We aren't getting any younger and just want to start a family of our own. 

 

Ah well. More time to save up and prepare ourselves, I suppose.

I feel you!! My parents haven’t even met my husband in person because he can’t get a visa to come here and it’s not easy to get them down to where he lives. We decided to just do it anyways. I too feel the pressure of not getting any younger and needing to start a family. Sending good vibes your way.

1 minute ago, Xyrstine said:

So, we finally received our NOA1 for 4th February after filing it online at 23rd January. This was after we raised a concern online over not receiving any update.

Our service centre is Nebraska. In for a long wait. 🙄

 

They really don't make it easy. I really wish I had applied for the K1 now.

My lawyer told me that the K1 has become increasingly problematic. Yes, they may be able to get here faster but the new administration has put a ton of new hoops to go through for your partner to get residency and the right to work, and ends up being a much longer process.

On 10/16/2019 at 3:20 AM, B&C2017 said:

That's strange🤔 
I think it might be because the system was only used for shorter forms with less documentation so far. Now that the I-130 has been migrated to the online processing, only a certain amount of pages can be shown as upload to the petitioner. I'm sure that the Service Center  Officers can see everything - if not, that would be pretty bad.

My husband was going to call USCIS contact center later today - I'll keep you posted concerning their response 🙂

any more info on this? I have the same issue.