Shaun & Seoyeon

Hello all,

With our DQ from NVC, we are now just preparing our documents for the visa interview (in Seoul).  I had some questions about correctly preparing the necessary documents, and I've seen some mixed reports.  If it's necessary, our NVC package included a Joint Sponsor and Household Member.

1) The biggest one is in regards to the signature on the I864 and the I864A.  Can I print and bring the version that I submitted to NVC?  It would be the original document, but without a wet ink signature.  OR, is a wet ink signature required on these in the interview too?  If we don't have the wet ink signature version, can we reprint a new I864/I84A with updated wet signatures on everything?

2) At least in my case (the primary sponsor), some of my information has changed since I submitted my I864 to NVC.  Namely, I have since moved back to the states and my principal address has changed.  Should I submit the original one sent to NVC (with the old address), or make a new updated one with my current address.

3) On a different note, is it also helpful to add new evidence that has been received since submitting documents to NVC?  I.e...Since I have moved back to the US, I have claimed my Korean pension (Can provide proof of this), plus new bank accounts opened.  Does this sort of thing get accepted too?

Thanks in advance!

1 hour ago, pushbrk said:

The short answer is that a simple letter from you stating your intention to live at your parents' home until you get established will do nicely.  Contrived evidence like a contract between you and your own parents is major overkill.

Thank you, that's what I had thought/hoped.

When submitting/uploading to CEAC, this would then go under the package for me (petitioner) under Proof of Domicile, correct?  Is it any better to submit by itself or lump it in with the other proof of domicile evidence?

Hello all,

I've searched a bit on this issue but haven't found the most concrete or up-to-date answer.  I (petitioner) am Compiling my Proof of Domicile information to upload and send to the NVC.  I have been living abroad (S Korea) for an extended period of time, so the plan is for my spouse and I to live with my parents (who are also our joint sponsor) until we can get situated and eventually find our own place.

I'm curious about needing to provide a rental/lease agreement with my parents to send to the NVC (and eventually bring to the interview?).  Is something this official needed?  Could a "signed promise" statement from my parents agreeing to let us live with them be sufficient enough without having to draw up a lengthy contract?  My spouse, who follows Korean immigration forums, sent me a renter's contract template that is 6-7 pages long and goes into a lot of detail.  While I appreciate how official it is, I can't help but think it's really overkill and also disingenuous.  I also found a post here from 2009 that had a small template for a rental contract with parents, but it almost looked too informal.

Does anyone have any guidance for how to negotiate this part of the process?

On 8/30/2022 at 5:07 PM, ROK2USA said:

I believe each file cannot exceed 2MB. So, if you can submit everything under 2MB in one PDF do that. If you have to break it up into multiple parts- do that. I think our proof of domicile was maybe 7 separate files. Labeled Proof of Domicile Part One/Part Two etc. There was also a separate "Intent to Re-establish Domicile" letter which itemized/ mentioned each upload (so 8 files total). 

Thank you!  That's a big help to know that I don't need to squeeze it all into one file.  I don't think it would be possible!

You have experience with the Korean consulate, correct?  I've been curious about the visa interview process there, specifically about what original documents they require in an interview.  I've read their checklist, and called them but with little help (they just directed me back to the checklist).  My thought is that only the beneficiary's civil documents need to be originals, but my spouse (from reading on Korean forums) tell me that Korean consulate CO's sometimes ask for more, specifically about Proof of Domicile documents from the Sponsor/Joint Sponsor.  Even so far as to draw up an original housing contract between Sponsor/Beneficiary (married couple) & Joint Sponsor (sponsor's parents).  Does that sound like anything you've heard of before?  I've heard a bit about how the CO's in Seoul are sometimes more stringent about the Sponsor's proof of domicile if they've been living abroad for a long time, but this seems a bit much to me.

Hello,

I am currently applying for an IR1 visa for my spouse.  I-130 approved, now preparing documents to upload to CEAC for the NVC.

Question is...if I am uploading something that requires multiple forms of support, do I compile it all together or upload it separately under the same type?  For example, I am the Petitioner living abroad, and I require multiple things for establishing Proof of Domicile (voter registration, bank statements, credit card statements, retirement account statements).  Do I compile all these into one single PDF Package to upload with the "Proof of Domicile" heading, or upload each separately with the same Proof of Domicile heading?

Also, if I do compile everything together into one PDF, would it be best for me to still add a cover letter at the top of the PDF which would indicate my intention to resume domicile in the US and give a list of everything compiled in the package?

Thanks in advance!

Hello all,  I just would like to ask and confirm if I am using the correct i-864 forms.

I am the primary petitioner, but my income is foreign earned so I will have my parents (mom and stepfather) as a joint sponsor to meet the income requirements.

What I understand is...I would file form i-864 (Primary petitioner), my mom would file i-864 (joint sponsor), and my stepfather would file i-864a (household member of joint sponsor).  Even if they file taxes jointly, I will still include both, and also separate documentation for both (paystubs, identification, etc).  If there is an item that is same for both (such as a house deed for domicile proof, tax transcript if they file jointly), then I submit the same item for both of them.

Does that all seem correct?  Thank you all in advance!

Thank you all -- I thought that might be the case!

If this belongs in Tax & Finances please let me know and I will repost there.

Hello,

I'm preparing my Tax Transcripts to submit for the i864.  I have 2021, 2020, and 2019.  My issue is that for 2019 and 2020, I mistakenly filed as Single.  For 2021, I filed as Married (filing Separate).

I've filed the appropriate 1040x for both 2019 and 2020 to correct the filing status, but the IRS appears to be pretty backlogged and I don't know if the changes will reflect in the tax transcript by the time I want to upload to CEAC.

I will be filing with a joint sponsor (parents) whose income will meet the requirements.  My income (foreign-earned) will not meet the requirements. 

Essentially, I'm worried that it might caught issues if I file my tax transcripts that show my status as Single, and I'm curious what are my options?  1) Only file the tax transcript from 2021?  My foreign earned income will be $0 anyway, so is there a point to also file 2020 and 2019?  ///  2) File all three years, with a letter explaining the issue as well as copies of the 1040x?  ///  3) File all three years, with some sort of proof from the IRS that the changes have been received?  I'm not sure what proof the IRS would be able to give me with this option, though.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!  Thank you in advance!

On 5/29/2022 at 2:00 AM, SteveInBostonI130 said:

 

Where did you find this checklist?    It looks like something from the past when things needed to be physically mailed to the NVC.  For example, the barcode and cover letter are not required. 

 

 

It's a checklist I put together myself, piecemealing information together from different sources (here, reddit groups, facebook groups, the state department steps site), but yeah I did suspect that some pieces might be outdated for when things were done by mail.

The barcode and cover letter, however, were things I pulled from this site.

On 5/28/2022 at 9:23 PM, ROK2USA said:

Ah~ I assumed you would still be in the country when your spouse interviewed. If you are in the States when she interviews domicile shouldn't be an issue. And the evidence you upload to NVC looks sufficient for DQ. 

ETA If you read reviews for the Seoul consulate on VJ you'll see the USC usually goes to the interview if they're in country. 

Got it.  If in country I would absolutely be present.  Where could I find these reviews for the Seoul consulate that you mention?  Are they in the forums or elsewhere?

1 hour ago, ROK2USA said:

 

I see.  Can I ask why it might be better (in that case) that I go to the interview with my spouse?

I only ask because I've seen some say that it's better if the US Citizen goes back first alone to start earning income and establishing domicile in the states.  Not sure how true this is, but also planning for  possibility that I might have to return to the states first (because my program requires) before my spouse get an interview date.

Thanks again for the responses and the info!

Thank you for responding!

Yes, this is part of what I was worried about.  I've been living for 10+ years abroad (Korea), married for 6.

Currently employed, but all income is earned here in Korea.  I can provide proof of employment and income here, but it's not going to be enough, so I'm absolutely planning on adding parents for joint sponsor.

Currently a student in the States (online program), but moving back to complete my program which needs to be done in the States. Still, however, I haven't been looking for employment back home yet because I'm still 1.5 years out from finishing school and wouldn't be able to apply for jobs in my related field.

Hello all, long time lurker here.  Been gathering what information I can about how to properly provide I-864 Evidence.  Would like to put what I've collected so far to see if there are any holes in my package.

**Situation: Have been living long-term with my spouse abroad, but planning to move back home.  Currently a student, so I have a bit less income this year and am not yet looking for employment back home.  Plan on living with parents back home (joint sponsor).  Income is well within the 125% needed.  My biggest questions, then, come from the "proof of..." evidence.  Especially about Proof of Domicile for my parents.  I've seen everything from Driver's License to Bills being enough, to have a copy of the house deed being needed.  Also curious about how much evidence for Proof of Maintained Domicile I need to provide.  I've got a bunch I can provide but is there a "too much isn't good" situation?

Would love input from the group if you can offer!