pavelp

Hi there, 
 
I got it after 2 days with case and invoice number. Have you tried to call them? 

This is from the application center. Ask them to give you the case and invoice number. 
 
Then you can log in at 
 
https://ceac.state.gov/IV
 

Congrats!!! NVC stage is not taking a lot of time. I got DQ last week. 
 
Best, 
Stefania 

Hey Folks!
My mom got her I-130 approved, next up NVC!
 
Here's our timeline so far:
I-130 Sent: 01/20/2022
I-130 NOA1: 01/20/2022 (Texas Processing Center)
I-130 Approved: 03/06/2023 (Nebraska Processing Center) 
 

Just FYI for anyone travelling via Red Wings airlines from Russia to Almaty.
 
We flew this route from Omsk to Yekaterinburg then on to Almaty this weekend. 
 
On the flight from Omsk to Yekaterinburg, they offered some snacks to purchase such as a club sandwich, chips, etc. There were no meals and no free drinks. There was a single flight attendant taking an order and payment (cash or card) then running to the back of the plane to get the food. She only serviced the first half of the plane by the time we began our descent to the airport so we never were offered anything despite having 2 small children with us.
 
On the flight from Yekaterinburg to Almaty, there was no food at all except for a small candy and we were offered free drinks. The choices were tea, coffee, water, and barberry lemonade (carbonated).
 
You may want to bring a snack and drink with you because there is no guarantee you will be offered any even if you are willing to pay the ridiculous prices like we were.

They accepted our transfer everyone!
 
Also am I going to be emailed when the transfer is complete, or do I have to check regularly if Jerusalem has my case?
 
I want to pay the new DS-160 ASAP and get scheduled

Take a look at I-864 instructions https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-864instr.pdf
 
Page 12, sections:
- What if I Cannot Meet the Income Requirements?
- How Can My Relatives and Dependents Help Me Meet the Income Requirements?
- Can the Intending Immigrant Help Me Meet the Income Requirements?
 
There's also Part 7 (use of assets to supplement income) section of I-864 that you can take advantage of.
 
Hope that helps.

Hi, 
 
Should I just check back after few days? hopefully it will process)
Same thing happened to me, I had to resubmit payment. Status was updated to PAID once it was processed. 
 

 
I already filed taxes for 2022. I submitted transcripts for 2020, 2021 and 2022 along with the W-2. I would suggest having a joint sponsor and fill form I-864A. 
 
 
 
 
 

Hello, 
Just got an approval on February 15, 2023.
 
Here's my timeline. 
 
Applied 1/29/2022
NOA 2/9/2022
Approved 2/15/2023
NVC notification 2/19/2023
Paid fees for both AOS and IV 2/20/2023 (status for both were in process after payment but when I logged back in, AOS is showing PAY NOW..... Should I just check back after few days? hopefully it will process)
 
I'm currently gathering documents and was wondering for those of you who already submitted the AOS documents and evidences, did you include 2022 documents?
I'm worried because I'm currently not working since November 2021 because I have to care for my newborn. I was planning to go back to work once my mom arrives here in the US. My husband will be a joint sponsor for the AOS. He is currently an active military personnel. I was wondering which category are we going to be under in this poverty guideline:

 
I don't think our household income is enough if we are under the 125% (if it's based on 2022 income). 
 
What could be our other option?
 
Thank you for your advice and good luck to everyone. 
 
 
 
 

Employment letter to verify income. 

Hi pavelp, 
 
I would suggest that you start filling the AOS (FORM I-864) and gather all the documentation needed (IRS transcripts, W-2, work letter, paystubs, citizenship proof, etc...) This step took me the longest. 😑
Depending on your case, gather all the civil documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, criminal record, passport bio, photographs...) Also, make sure scanning/document files are under 2MB.
 
Once you have all of these documents it gets easier to fill the DS-260. 
 
Let me know if you need anything else. 

I filed 18Jan2022 online. my mom i130 processed at potomac center and my dad nebraska 
 
still waiting for the welcome letter... 

Today i logged in on my USCIS account. My petition for my parents got approved last 10Feb2023  
 
Hope everyone got theirs too....

Sure.
 
We heard back from the Warsaw Embassy in 1-2 days. It was supposed to take 3-5. We picked up her passport (with the visa stamp) at the pickup location. It took about an hour to drive to due to traffic.
 
Next, we flew to France since that was the best location for us to fly to the US from. The flight was long (11 hours) because we flew to Los Angeles. Arrival was smooth and the wait at passport control took about 30 minutes. He congratulated us and asked us if we had any questions. He explained what our next steps were. The actual conversation was 2-3 minutes. 
 
Now, we're in California and heading to Nevada soon. My wife's social security card arrived in the mail about a week after arrival. We've been meeting family and friends while seeing as much as we can. Our plans are to go and visit Russia in a few months.
 
The next steps for us are to remove the conditional requirements of her green card (CR1), open up a bank account / credit card, and see if we can get clients for my wife's business here in the US. Having our first child would also be wonderful.

Well after many request letters and just as many denials,,, Almaty, Kazakhstan has agreed to transfer the case. 

Thanks! Yes , looks like it. 

I-130 approved yesterday. Hopefully everyone will get their applications processed soon.

We got approved 8/24

We submitted the documents to NVC on Jul 26, and got approval on Sep 22. Now waiting for interview to be scheduled.

So, here's the update on my wife's travel from Chicago to Novosibirsk.  Not much to report, really.  The flights were on time.  Those who didn't read my posts above -- I drove her to Chicago where she flew Emirates to Dubai, stayed overnight, and then flew FlyDubai to Novosibirsk.  The Chicago Dubai flight was fine.  She even slept a bit which often she doesn't on overnight flights.  She flew economy.  The arrival terminal wax luxurious -- better quality than she's seen in any airport anywhere.  We'd paid for greeters to meet her at Dubai, help her with bags (two large bags, just less than 20 kg each, with lots of presents for family and friends), navigate passport control, and catch the taxi to the hotel.  We also prepaid the taxi to the hotel which was punctual and efficient.  She had no AED (local currency) but gave small tips in dollars.  The hotel was very nice -- it was Dubai -- and surprisingly economical outbound.  The same place is more expensive when she returns in November.  The hotel arranged her taxi back to the airport since the hotel shuttle didn't operate early enough.  Again, efficient service was provided.  FlyDubai is definitely a budget airline that, to hear her tell the story, makes Southwest or JetBlue luxurious.  The departure terminal was quite different, in not good ways, from the arrival terminal.  But FlyDubai flew on time and didn't lose her luggage which is the main point.  Passport control in Novosibirsk was easy and quick.  The guard in Novosibirsk was a bit puzzled that she'd been out of the country so long.  She explained that she married a foreigner and lives abroad.  "You are lucky!"  Stamp and enter.
 
Since arrival, I wired funds to her.  No hassle really, although the first time I did it I added an extra digit to the Rosbank account number.  (Pay attention to the details -- like I learned here 15 years ago but forgot at that moment!). Rosbank kicked the funds back to me three working days later, so my only loss to teach me the lesson was the $15 wire transfer fee.  She entered Russia with some real paper dollars for emergency use and it is my hope she'll return with them.
 
We will see in November whether her return path is as easy.  Fingers crossed.
 

You probably want to create a separate thread to discuss alignment of two cases.
Also, in this thread we track progress for January 2022 filers, not March. You might want to find a thread for March filers or create a new one if it doesn't exist.

Poland has lifted COVID related travel restrictions: https://www.gov.pl/web/usa-en/covid-19-travel-to-poland
 
It looks like Russia -> Turkey -> Poland is a valid option now?

It's been a few years since @missads wrote a very helpful post about getting ACA insurance for immigrants over the age of 65.  The original post (linked below) is still a good read for anyone going through this process.  
 
I recently helped a relative apply for insurance through the ACA.  There is a lot of confusion regarding whether immigrants can use the ACA, is this a public charge, do they get medicaid or medicare, etc?  If you are over 65, many will assume that you simply get Medicare (as indicated by @missads's post).  Similarly, if you have lower income, people assume you will get Medicaid.  For new immigrants to the US, neither would apply (with few exceptions).  I will try to provide some information regarding this based on our own experience. 
 
We initially contacted a licensed insurance agent to go through this process.  The agent was familiar with the ACA, but was as unfortunately not familiar with immigrants applying for insurance through the ACA (mostly confusion regarding the public charge rule, which I guess is confusing by design).  The agent also said that a social security number and green card were required, but these documents are not required (as indicated in other posts in this forum as well).  Initially, we got short term insurance for the first few months, which was okay for medications, but had high deductibles, was subject to preexisting condition rules, had poor hospitalization coverage, and had higher premiums.  Thankfully, we did not need to use this insurance, but the lack of coverage and acceptance at most hospitals was something that was hanging over our heads. 
 
We then started looking into applying for insurance through the ACA.  We actually called the ACA help line and were told that we could apply, but that we would not get a subsidy since the applicant was an immigrant with no income (they thought that the subsidy could not be calculated since there was no income to base the subsidy off of)
 
At this point we figured we had nothing to lose, so we then applied for insurance through the ACA website, and were successful.  We received a decent subsidy as well.  This made both HMO and PPO plans very affordable (all were less than $300 a month, and many of the HMOs were less than $100 a month). 
 
In the Healthcare marketplace, plan availability and pricing varies state to state, and even zip code to zip code.  One plan may be $500 a month in one state/zip code, and the same plan may be $300 a month in another state/zip code, so your pricing may vary. 
 
1. What immigration statuses qualify for insurance through the ACA?
See link here: https://www.healthcare.gov/immigrants/immigration-status/
Note that this also includes applicants to certain statuses as well.
 
2. I am going through the adjustment of status/AOS process, am I eligible?
Yes: https://www.healthcare.gov/immigrants/immigration-status/
Applicants for any of these statuses qualify to use the Marketplace:
- Temporary Protected Status with Employment Authorization
- Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
- Victim of Trafficking Visa
- Adjustment to LPR Status
- Asylum (see note below)
- Withholding of Deportation, or Withholding of Removal, under the immigration laws or under the Convention against Torture (CAT) (see note)
 
This would include those who entered in on a K1/K2/K3 visa, as these are categories that will go through the adjustment of status (AOS) process.
 
3. What documentation do I need to prove immigration status?
The ACA application provides a list of acceptable immigration documents.
 
4. I have not received my physical green card, how can I prove my immigration status?
The ACA application list of acceptable immigration documents includes "Immigrant Visa with I-551 language" and "Temporary I-551 stamp".  It also includes"I-797 Notice of Action"
 
5. I am going through Adjustment of Status/AOS via K1 or via marriage in the US, how can I prove my immigration status?
The ACA application list of acceptable immigration documents includes "I-797 Notice of Action"
 
6. I am one of the handful of people who has a K3 visa, and will be going through Adjustment of Status/AOS process as well, how can I prove my immigration status?
The ACA application list of acceptable immigration documents includes "I-797 Notice of Action"
 
7. Why not just get Medicaid or Medicare?
Most new immigrants do not qualify for medicaid and/or medicare.  Medicare is a system that one must pay into (by working a certain amount of time in the US, if I am not mistaken).  Immigrants with less than five years of presence in the US are not eligible for Medicaid except for certain situations (See Medicaid website for more information)
 
8.  So I can't get medicaid, can I at least qualify for an ACA subsidy?
This is probably the most confusing part of the application and the ACA in general, but the answer is Yes, you may qualify for a subsidy based on your income. 
Reference: https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i8962
Alien lawfully present in the United States.
Certain aliens with household income below 100% of the federal poverty line are not eligible for Medicaid because of their immigration status.
You may qualify for the PTC if your household income is less than 100% of the federal poverty line if you meet all of the following requirements.
- You or an individual in your tax family enrolled in a qualified health plan through a Marketplace.
- The enrolled individual is lawfully present in the United States and is not eligible for Medicaid because of immigration status.
- You otherwise qualify as an applicable taxpayer (except for the federal poverty line percentage).
 
Since we met these requirements (enrolled in an ACA plan, will file taxes on our own/not as a dependent, and are not eligible for Medicaid), we qualified for a subsidy, subject to the calculations. 
 
9. How do I qualify for a subsidy? 
The ACA application will ask you for information regarding your estimated income for the year. There are many threads and forums that discuss how to estimate your income, so I won't go through that here.  It is understood that if you underestimate or overestimate your income, everything will get adjusted during when federal income taxes are filed.
 
When filling out the application, we indicated "No, I have not been denied medicaid" (because we never applied), but then answered "Yes" to "Were you found ineligible for Medicaid based on immigration status".  It is a bit confusing since we did not apply for Medicaid, but this seemed the closest since we knew that we were not eligible for Medicaid based on immigration status.  This is the key sequence of questions that will force the system to evaluate your application and calculate a subsidy based on being an immigrant who does not qualify for medicaid (as indicated on IRS form I-8962).  If you select "No" for "Were you found ineligible for Medicaid based on immigration status", your application will be forwarded to Medicaid, which can be problematic for a number of reasons, namely - delays (Medicaid takes a lot of time), you will likely be denied anyways (immigration status), potential issues related to being a public charge (still being litigated, but better to not deal with that if at all possible), and the system will show that you applied for Medicaid.
 
10.  I just came to the US, how do I prove my income (or lack thereof)?
If you arrived during the previous year (for example, you arrived in December 2019, and are applying for ACA insurance in 2020), you should file a tax return even if your income is $0.00.  This was also mentioned by @missads.  Make sure that the ACA applicant is not claimed as a dependent on someone else's taxes.  If they are claimed as a dependent, then the TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME will be used in the ACA subsidy calculations.
 
If you haven't filed taxes yet, the ACA has an "income worksheet" that can be used to prove income.  Since we had no income at the time of application, we write "$0.00" for the value, and then write an explanation below (where the form asks for any additional information).  We explained that the applicant was a new immigrant and did not have any income, and that they would file taxes at the appropriate time.  We also attached a copy of the visa and I-551 stamp indicate the date of entry.  Moving forward, you should file taxes each year (even if your income is $0.00), as this will be the standard way of proving income (or lack thereof). 
 
11.  I did not receive my SSN/SS card, how can I apply?
The ACA application does not require a social security number (the field is optional)
 
12.  When should I apply?
ASAP!  You have 60 days within a given "life event" to apply for insurance.  "Gaining lawful immigrant status" or "Gaining LPR status" (I don't recall exactly what the wording was) is an applicable life event.  If you apply before the 15th of the month, you will get insurance beginning the next month.  If you apply after the 15th, your insurance will be active after an additional month. 
For example:
If you apply on November 12, your insurance will be active December 1. 
If you apply on November 16, your insurance will be active January 1.
 
13. I just arrived to the US, and open enrollment is over, how do I apply?
See #11 above.  "Gaining lawful immigrant status" is a life event, so you can apply.  It is best to apply as soon as possible, as the clock begins the day you enter the US. 
 
14.  What about the public charge rule?
The public charge rule was in court when we went through this process.  However, many posts have indicated that taking ACA subsidies does not make one a public charge.  This also appears to be indicated here: https://www.healthcare.gov/immigrants/lawfully-present-immigrants/
Enrollment in a Marketplace plan (with or without premium tax credits) is not a public benefit under the public charge final rule.
Previously, this was also inferred to at this link as well: https://www.uscis.gov/news/public-charge-fact-sheet
 
15.  I want to get my SSN to make things simpler
There are many posts on VJ about SSNs not being sent in a timely manner, and SS office closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Please refer to these posts for guidance on obtaining a SS number.  The general theme, at the time of this writing, is that you can call the local SS office and plead your case.
 
16. People on VJ, among other places, say "why don't you just work?"
Many immigrants with LPR status are retired, so they have worked, but have incomes that are low enough to qualify for a subsidy.  Others may be looking for work, but still need coverage in case something happens. 
 
17.  Can I really file taxes even if my income is $0.00
Yes, the IRS allows you to file taxes even if your income is $0.00
 
Hopefully this helps.  Best of luck!
 

That has changed recently. They refused to send my wire to any russian bank in Feb (I was denied in a branch office).

@HashWad Do you have the name of that bank? That'd be really helpful.
 
My Fiancé has one of my American credit cards with her in Moscow and it doesn't work anywhere.
 
I'm headed to Moscow on the 28th, I'll report back to you guys then.