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3 hours ago, Chancy said:

 

Book an appointment at an SSA office to apply for SSN in person.  Your immigrant visa with CBP entry stamp serves as your temporary green card for 1 year from US arrival and is enough proof of your LPR status to present to SSA.

 

As for your plastic GC, have you already paid the $220 immigrant fee to USCIS?

 

thank you for this! i visited a ssa last week and they said my application would be denied because my entry visa has expired. i asked thenm to photocopy the visa and the entry stamp with ir1 denoted, so i hope that works.

i paid the $220 fee back in december. i can't get through to anyone about the status of my greencard.

Hello,

My I-130 and DS-260 applications were approved by US embassy in London in June 2021. On the DS-260 I selected that my information could be used to obtain a social security number.

I entered the US in December 2021, but have not yet received my social security number or a green card. I cannot get ahold of any of the agencies to understand why I haven't received any of these documents yet. Can anyone help with what I should do for these, especially the social security number?

Thanks!

13 hours ago, pushbrk said:

DCF is very rare now, so my mind didn't go there and your haven't completed your profile.  The instructions for what to include with your I-864 are in a PDF called I-864 instructions.  Its careful study will be critical to your ultimate success.

Yeah, I did go through the I-864 instructions and provided all the documentation I could. I just found it odd that they literally only looked at my 2020 tax return and the form itself and none of the corresponding evidence. I just meant that when I submitted my i-130, I didn't provide any financial evidence either.

44 minutes ago, Danmuji said:

Hi, 

 

we are about to have an interview in Korea, Seoul. 
 

we are presenting mix of stock, Roth and 401k accounts amounting to about 400k

 

If she/he didn’t take any, did the officer actually review any of your financial evidence?

 

Thank you for documenting your case in such detail

 

 

Hi there, good luck with your interview! The officer didn't review anything except the i-864 form itself and the 2020 tax return. I guess they just took what was on the affidavit at face value.

In case anyone is looking for this, but I just randomly logged onto the appointment system for CBRA's and passports at 10:20am on a Thursday and five slots were available. Finally booked mine!! They were all gone within a minute.

10 hours ago, pushbrk said:

Thank you for your report, but it would be more meaningful if you mention the country where you interviewed.  If the UK, makes sense, but you would have already documented those assets when you submitted the I-864 online months ago.  Right?

Hi there, yes, submitted through London DCF, but I never did anything online with the I-864. I submitted the I-130 right before the field office closed in March 2020, submitted the DS-260 this February, and then this was the first time submitting the I-864 or any evidence. I just looked back at the I-130 checklist London provided (https://uk.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/20200227-I-130-Checklist-for-Spouse.pdf) and there weren't any financial documents required that I would've sent. Nice and easy!

I just wanted to thank the community for your help with my husband's application. We went to the embassy today and it was approved, so good news! I just wanted to share our experience.

• I printed out an insane amount of paperwork for the interview, particularly to satisfy the financial requirements for the I-864. This is everything I prepared:
  • i-864 + 1 copy, plus the following supporting evidence:
    • 2020 tax return + 1 copy
    • 2019 tax return + 1 copy
    • 2018 tax return + 1 copy
    • 12 months of bank statements from two banks in the US and UK with hard cash +1 copy
    • 12 months of statements from three financial institutions in the US and UK with a mix of stocks, shares and Roth IRA + 1 copy
    • an annual statement from a financial institution in the UK I have a cash ISA with + 1 copy
    • Letter from my husband's employer stating her will continue to work for the company after relocating to the US +1 copy
    • 12 months of pay stubs from my husband's company + 1 copy
    • My husband's 2020/2021 P60 + 1 copy

The only things they took were the actual I-864 form and the copy of my 2020 tax return! It was very much a rubber stamping exercise.

Thanks again for everyone's help and I hope someone else finds this information useful. 

Hi folks,

I just wanted to thank the community for your help with my husband's application. We went to the embassy today and it was approved, so good news! I just wanted to share a few things about our experience:

• We left a five working day gap between between the medical and the interview, which was totally fine.
• They're only letting applicants into the embassy right now due to COVID. I accompanied by husband and brought my daughter  thinking we could come in (and I thought she would have to be present since she wasn't originally included on the DS-260), but they would only let whomever has an appointment in.
• They didn't care that we'd had a child since filing the I-130 and DS-260 and didn't update either of those forms. They told my husband "congratulations" and that was it.
• I printed out an insane amount of paperwork for the interview, particularly to satisfy the financial requirements for the I-864. This is everything I prepared:
  • My husband's passports + 1 copy
  • My passport + 1 copy
  • Our daughter's passport + 1 copy
  • 2 x photographs
  • Appointment letter + 1 copy
  • Courier letter + 1 copy
  • Husband's birth certificate + 1 copy
  • My birth certificate + 1 copy
  • Daughter's birth certificate + 1 copy
  • DS-260 + 1 copy
  • Marriage certificate + 1 copy
  • Police certificate + 1 copy
  • i-864 + 1 copy, plus the following supporting evidence:
    • 2020 tax return + 1 copy
    • 2019 tax return + 1 copy
    • 2018 tax return + 1 copy
    • 12 months of bank statements from two banks in the US and UK with hard cash +1 copy
    • 12 months of statements from three financial institutions in the US and UK with a mix of stocks, shares and Roth IRA + 1 copy
    • an annual statement from a financial institution in the UK I have a cash ISA with + 1 copy
    • Letter from my husband's employer stating her will continue to work for the company after relocating to the US +1 copy
    • 12 months of pay stubs from my husband's company + 1 copy
    • My husband's 2020/2021 P60 + 1 copy
  • Evidence to reestablish domicile:
    • My US driver's license + 1 copy
    • My US voting record + 1 copy
    • 12 months of statements from a US credit card + 1 copy

The only things they took were:

• Appointment letter
• Courier letter
• Husband's passport
• Husband's birth certificate 
• Police record
• Photographs
• I-864 - no evidence taken
• DS-260
• Marriage certificate
• 2020 tax return

I couldn't believe they didn't take any of the evidence for the I-864! 

He had an interview with the typical questions about why he was immigrating to the US, but was also asked some unusual ones like if he goes by his middle name and if he ever lived abroad for more than a year. He said the interview took all of two minutes and he was approved.

Thanks again for everyone's help and I hope someone else finds this information useful. 

11 hours ago, pushbrk said:

"The amount" is 3 times the income requirement.  Yes, you can use all those assets.  You don't need 12 statements.  One from 12 months ago, another from 9, 6, 3 and current will do nicely.  If "just" a Roth IRA, note that any early withdrawal penalties will be factored in by the Consular Officer.

 

No matter how many assets you have, you'll get a generic note from NVC suggesting a joint sponsor.  If you are well over the needed liquid assets, just ignore it and let the Consular Officer make the judgment call in your favor.

thanks very much!

Hello, I am the USC petitioner for my British husband. I will not have a job in the US when we move, so need to prove I have enough in assets for our family of three. I have the amount in US dollars, but would like to also show assets over and above that amount that I have in British accounts just to be totally in the clear. I have three questions:

• In the US, can I just my Roth IRA as assets?
• Can I use assets in foreign bank accounts?
• For the evidence, will printing out 12 months worth of statements suffice, or do I need additional information from the financial institutions?

Many thanks!

15 hours ago, Paul & Mary said:

I would have a backup sponsor lined up.

Yes get the employer a letter indicating his job will transfer. ( which might trigger the question "Why didn't your employer do an L Visa?")

Not really required but take 6 months and a copy of last years taxes

Bring any documents that show the petitioner is re-establishing domicile.  Take petitioners and child's US Passport.

actually one question. i have enough to cover the assets for 3 x 125% of HH poverty line, but it's in a mix of accounts that are in the US and the UK. would my assets in the UK count? Do I just need to evidence that with my most recent statements?

15 hours ago, Paul & Mary said:

I would have a backup sponsor lined up.

Yes get the employer a letter indicating his job will transfer. ( which might trigger the question "Why didn't your employer do an L Visa?")

Not really required but take 6 months and a copy of last years taxes

Bring any documents that show the petitioner is re-establishing domicile.  Take petitioners and child's US Passport.

thanks so much!!

Hello!

I'm a US citizen, my husband is British and we live in the UK. I petitioned his I-130 through the DCF route in March 2020 before it closed. When we received a case number in September 2020, I was pregnant so therefore not in a position to move. In February 2021, we filed the DS-260. Now that some time has passed since our child was born, we're ready to complete the application and move to the US in the next six months. We have a straightforward application -- no divorces and have been married five years. 

His interview is next Tuesday and I'm completing the I-864 for it. I lost my job last month and do not have any employment lined up in the states right now. My husband will keep his job and transfer to the US office. I just want to check that I'm correct about the following:

• We can use his employment to cover the $27,450 (which is 125% of the HHS poverty guidelines) requirement.
• If we do, he will need a formal letter stating that he is continuing his job and will be transferred to the US. Is there anything specific this needs to say?
• He will also need to show pay stubs, but not quite sure how many months?
• Any other financial proof or documents we need to bring?

Thank you!

15 hours ago, Chancy said:

 

If your husband has a formal offer (in writing) of US transfer from his current company, you may include his current income on your I-864.  The minimum requirement for current annual household income to qualify would be $27,450.

 

The "3x" multiplier only applies to assets used to make up the income shortfall.

 

For example, if your qualifying household income were only $25,000 --

• Income shortfall:  $27,450 - $25,000 = $2,450
• Minimum total asset value required:  3x $2,450 = $7,350

So, if your qualifying household income were $0 --

• Income shortfall:  $27,450 - $0 = $27,450
• Minimum total asset value required:  3x $27,450 = $82,350

 

amazing, thank you!!

3 hours ago, Chancy said:

 

Yes, your CPA would know.  To be safe, just bring a copy of all the 2020 tax paperwork your CPA filed for you with the IRS.

Great, thank you.

3 hours ago, Chancy said:

 

Actually, you need to show at least $82,350 (or 3x $27,450) in liquid assets, if you are going to use only assets to qualify.  There's a "3x" multiplier for required asset value for a USC to sponsor a spouse or a minor child.

 

So I'm doing a bit more reading about this and am slightly confused. My husband is actually going to keep his job and transfer to the US (I need to correct my original post, I meant to write only I won't have my job is the US). If we claim his income on the I-864 and get proof that his job will continue when he moves, do we need to show that his salary covers $27,450 or $82,350?

2 minutes ago, Chancy said:

 

Your income numbers reported in your tax returns for the 3 most recent tax years must all be listed in the I-864.  But, you are only required to bring your tax transcript or a copy of your tax returns + schedules for the most recent tax year.  Your tax paperwork for the 2nd and 3rd most recent tax years are optional.

 

 

Yes, assets do not need to be cash only.  Other liquid assets, like stocks and mutual funds, are also acceptable.

 

Note that if the total value of your assets is not well above the minimum requirement, I recommend that you line up a joint sponsor in time for the interview, to avoid delays in case the consul officer asks.  If the CO does not ask, no need to bring it up.

 

Amazing, thanks for this. I've never heard of a tax schedule -- what am I supposed to bring? Is this something I can request from my CPA?

Great about the assets, thank you!

25 minutes ago, Chancy said:

 

Thanks for the clarification about your circumstances.  On the day of your husband's visa interview, just update the DS-260 at the embassy with your daughter's information.

 

Do you already have her US passport?  If not, I recommend trying for a CRBA appointment again.  Your family's imminent relocation to the US could qualify you for an emergency appointment, like it did for this VJ member in the UK --

 

 

Perfect, thanks for your response about the DS-260, I'll do this.

This is great info about the passport and CBRA. I only applied for her passport about three weeks ago, so don't know if it will get accepted (there was a chicken and egg situation where you need a social security number for a passport, but can't get a SSN without a passport...). We're planning on visiting again in October, so if I don't have it by then I'll request an emergency appointment. Thanks for your help!

Hello! After a much prolonged DCF in London journey, I'm finally preparing for my husband's interview at the end of the month. This is a DIY application, so I just want to make sure I'm doing everything right. 

For context, I'm a US citizen, my husband is British and we live in the UK. I petitioned his I-130 through the DCF route in March 2020 before it closed. When we received a case number in September 2020, I was pregnant so therefore not in a position to move. In February 2021, we filed the DS-260. Now that some time has passed since our child was born, we're ready to complete the application and move to the US in the next six months. We have a straightforward application -- no divorces and have been married five years. Only slight issue is that we filed the I-130 and DS-260 before our child was born, so I understand we will need to bring amended forms on the day to reflect this.

My questions are as follows:

• Medical appointment and interview time frame: What time gap should I leave between booking the medical exam and interview? The website states it takes five working days to get the medical results to the embassy, but I've seen other posts here stating people usually leave to weeks.
• Medical appointment: I've read here that in the UK applicants should bring their NHS "summary care record" to the medical examination. Is this all he should need? He's had all his vaccinations, many from when he was a child in the 70s, so if they're not included on the summary care record I'm not sure how else to prove he's been immunized. Also, is he exempt from a flu shot since the interview is before September 30th?

For the medical appointment, I have down that my husband needs to bring the following to the interview. Am I missing anything?

• Taxes: I filed by 2020 taxes, but don't have a transcript yet so am planning on bringing a photocopy of every page to prove it. To be totally upfront, I've been delinquent on filing taxes from the last three years though I have recently filed them. Do I need to provide photocopies of these taxes or just have the numbers for my total income (adjusted gross income on IRS for 1040EZ) as reported on my federal income tax returns for 2018 and 2019) for form I-864?
• Form I-864: I will be my husband's sponsor since we don't have jobs in the US. For a family of three I will have to prove I have $27,450 (which is 125% of the HHS poverty guidelines). Just to check, this does not need to be in hard cash? I have this amount in a mix of mutual funds, stock and cash and I'll just need to show this, correct?

Other then that, my husband needs to bring the following to the interview. Am I missing anything?

Thanks so much for your help!

12 minutes ago, Chancy said:

 

Did it really take London more than a year to process your I-130 filing?!  It kinda defeats the purpose of DCF if that were the case.  I thought they promise a response in 12 weeks after filing.  Or did you deliberately delay your case in the middle of the process?

 

 

Are you qualified to pass US citizenship to your child?  If so, have you started the CRBA process?

 

Thanks for your response! 

Answer to first question is that a bit of both for the delay. I filed in the UK right before the DCF route closed in March 2020 before I was pregnant. I didn't receive a response to my application until mid-September 2020, which was midway through my pregnancy, so I wasn't planning on moving given the circumstances. We're just restarting the process now as we're finally in the position to move in the next six months.

Re second question: yes I am qualified to pass my citizenship on. I've tried everyday for five months to get a CBRA appointment in London, but it's impossible since I don't have an emergency. I recently visited the US and applied for a US passport for her there.

11 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

The child is a US citizen, right?  If so, I would just wait and update the forms during the interview.

Thanks for your response!

Yes, technically she has a right to it. I am a US citizen, husband is British and my daughter was born in the UK (where we both live). I recently visited the US and submitted a passport application for her there as a CBRA/passport/SSN are impossible to get in London right now.

Does my husband come to the interview with a revised I-130 and DS-260 then?  

Hello,

I petitioned on behalf of my husband in March 2020 and we finally have our DCF appointment at the end of August in London. Since filing in March 2020, we've had a child, which was not reported on either the I-130 and DS-260 since they were submitted before she was born. How do approach this in the upcoming interview? Do we need to resubmit both forms?

Many thanks!

12 minutes ago, txdoc said:

Hello,

 

They usually go up on Friday's and Tuesday's as I last remember, but they're not doing CRBA's at the moment. I'm in the same situation, checking every day.

oh i thought they were offering appointments? or am i misread this page:

https://uk.usembassy.gov/information-for-american-citizens-following-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak/

it does say they're offering limited appointments, but is that only for emergencies?

Hi there, I'm a US citizen who had a baby in the UK earlier this year. I'm trying to file a CRBA and get my child their first passport in London, but there are very few appointments available. Does anyone know when they release new interview appointments on the calendar. I've been checking nonstop by nothing ever comes up.

Many thanks!

Just now, Dashinka said:

Sure, once he enters the US with the spousal visa and CBP endorses his passport, he will now have a temporary GC for up to 12 months.

amazing, thanks for your help!

2 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

Six months from the date of the medical exam.

great, thanks! can we enter within six months, formalize his visa and then temporarily return to the UK for, say, five months to tie up loose ends here and then permanently move to the US?

hi there, i am currently applying for my husband's visa via DCF london. we want to schedule his interview, but at the moment are still working out when we'd like to move to the US. once his visa is issued, how long is it valid for? many thanks!