venusfire503

Just send your 2007 tax returns with W2'S or transcripts from IRS (if you have them) along with the other evidence.Don't worry too much and I would say that your evidence looks great.Add your drivers licenses showing same home address.You should be fine Good luck!

Good idea - especially since we both have our old address on the licenses, and both have update cards (not all states do that apparently, but PA does) with the new address. Both licenses and updates fit on one page, too. It will help 'explain' why some of our old bills and statements have a different address, too.

I can also send our 2008 W2s, too - didn't think of that! I imagine if I sent those along with a copy of the tax filing extension form, that at least shows something. Then again, maybe that will 'cause' an RFE???? I think I'll just file a lame return and send an amended return later.

Thanks!

venusfire

I was just reading that VSC sends a reminder about filing for removing conditions. We moved over a year ago, so it's past the time the post office will forward our mail. We also sent the change of address to immigration, but I think I remembered reading somewhere that sending the form doesn't always update all the records. We haven't received any notice that our 90 days window is starting soon. Not a problem, since we're already preparing to send everything. My only concern is, if there was a notice sent to our old address, is there any information in the notice that might cause a problem? I would hope there is no social security number or anything in there.... but now I'm wondering.

Is there a note on the envelope to return them to USCIS? Then again, if there's a substitute mailman that day, things don't always get returned (or forwarded, for that matter).

If anyone has received one of these notices, please tell me what kind of personal information is on them, other than the name and address.

Thank you!

venusfire

Well, the thing is... I'm most likely going to have to file for an extension, and I don't know when I'll actually be able to get my taxes done. I have a bunch of really important things going on right now (in the midst of a custody battle - don't want to lose my kids, trying to update my resume, finishing up school, hoping to look for a job...) and my taxes this year are much more complicated than in the past (we bought a house last year, and I never itemized before - and you don't want to see the box I have all the receipts thrown in....). I'm a little overwhelmed and stressing right now. If I hear from someone that the 2008 taxes aren't necessary, I can relax just a little, at least for now. If I really DO need them, I was thinking of filing a 'regular' return, and later filing an amended return when I actually have the time to sit down and dig out receipts and all the information I need to itemize (which is why even getting someone else to do the taxes isn't an option right now).

venusfire

P.S. We do have joint taxes for 2007, our car title, deed to the house, pictures, bank statements, bills, life insurance and retirement accounts showing each other as beneficiary, personal mail addressed to both of us, and even some newspaper articles that feature the two of us

We're currently gathering everything for our ROC paperwork (his card expires mid-July). I was just wondering about taxes. We filed (jointly) for 2007, but haven't done our 2008 returns yet. I will most likely have to file an extension, since I'm not close to being done. Since the earliest we can mail our paperwork (the 90 day period) isn't until after April 15, will they require the 2008 returns, or can we just skip them since we have the 2007 ones? Will they accept an extension to file instead? Even if I get our taxes done on time, I probably can't get a transcript for a while, right? Or can I just send a copy of the return? I'm considering just filing a return knowing I'll need to amend it later.

I'm not looking for tax advice (I don't want to get into all the details about why I'll have to file an amended return - nothing illegal, just not relevant). I just need to know if I need to send the 2008 return or transcript. Will we get an RFE if I don't? If so, then I'll have to figure out what will delay things more - waiting until I get the taxes done and receive a transcript to send the paperwork, or send it without the taxes and get an RFE...

Does anyone have any experience with sending paperwork soon after April 15?

Thanks

venusfire

This is an anonymous posting, so I don't know why people get so touchy about some critiscism. I can say from my experience on VJ, the ones who have encountered critiscism, sometimes need to hear it because what they were thinking of doing was wrong, illegal or outright ridiculous. Perhaps some people cannot handle the truth.

That's not always true. Maybe sometimes the people who have received criticism have 'deserved' it, at least according to some. But not everyone who gets criticized was doing anything "wrong, illegal or outright ridiculous". I had to ask last year about the effect a false abuse allegation would have on my husband's status, especially when we would file to remove conditions. Thank God (literally) that he was cleared, but before he was (which took several months), our lives were hell. He did nothing wrong, I did nothing wrong, but we were both terrified that he would end up in jail and/or deported. I also believe if it happened, that my ex would use the opportunity to take my children away from me (which he tried to do anyway, based on the allegations even after they were declared false). So there I was, afraid of losing my husband, my children, and all my money (to legal fees), and then probably my house... As you could imagine, I wasn't exactly ready for the attacks I received when posting. Some people accused me of trying to cover for my husband, assuming (like many people) that anyone who gets accused 'must' be guilty. I had someone else accuse me of just trying to get rid of my husband because I must have gotten bored with him.

So yeah, this is anonymous, and yeah, no one can physically hurt anyone here. But to beat someone up verbally when they're down CAN 'hurt' them.

My ex used to tell me I was crazy, worthless, etc. Not everyone is lucky enough to have either had a life that didn't hurt them emotionally or a strong enough constitution to overcome whatever they did endure. I've definitely come a long way since my divorce, but believe me, almost 20 years of being told how worthless I was did take a toll. And some people get it from their parents, too, which is unavoidable. You don't always know what the poster is going through at the time.

I still post sometimes. But I can understand why some people might not want to. Yes, I also understand there are emotional risks to posting. I understand that some people aren't as tolerant as others. I understand that good advice might be lost because someone is too timid to post. I also realize that even the advice given publicly on the forum isn't 100% guaranteed either.

I appreciate all the people who do their best to be understanding, and not be rude. No, we don't have to sugarcoat things, but there are always more gentle and harsher ways to phrase things. Even if we think someone is being a real dumba##, it doesn't hurt to say what we have to say a little more neutrally (maybe they're being misunderstood in some cases). Remember, too, that some people who ARE being jerks really LOVE the attention they get by stirring others up. Why make them happy by obliging?

I'm not trying to upset people - just show them the 'other' side of the story, at least in my case.

Thanks for reading.

venusfire

Hello everyone,

Has anyone ever felt like moving back to the country your loved one is from. My wife is From Guatemala and it just seems like without the large family and friends that she is not the same. I think I feel in love with more than my wife, I fell in love with the contry as well. I have three kids and I see them becoming more American day by day. I am not saying I hate America It jsut seems like our lifes are so fast that we have no time to enjoy anything. Has anyone else gone through this or is it just me? thanks for listining

Jeremy

I haven't felt like moving there, but wish I could visit there more often. I want to go there more than he does.... his family is so sweet, and I'm so relaxed when I'm there. Everyone is so nice to me. It's not like we usually travel around the country, either - we did a little last year, but most of the time, we just hang out with his family or walk around his small city.

venusfire

My husband hasn't done it yet - but he will be travling in mid-May under the same pretenses. I will come back to fill in if we find anything out ahead of time.

Thank you - I would appreciate that!

venusfire

I saw in another area of Visa Journey that someone was wondering if anyone had gone to Morocco with their expired 'green card' and an extension letter while waiting for the Removal of Conditions. Since we'll soon be sending in for ROC, I was wondering the same thing. Has anyone done that, and if so, what happened? No problem, or big hassle?

Thanks!

My name is Karima and I just wanted to introduce myself. I was told this website by a friend and I am in search of alot of informatin since I am just beginning this journey. My fiance lives in Morocco and I am going there in February to meet him for the forst time and to marry my soul mate. I am trying to do this without the assitance of a lawyer but scared to try it any other way. I have been told that if he is denied he is pretty much forever denied. Denied meaning if his visa is rejected. And we were told to fly to Cyprus off the coast of Syria to get married because we will more likely be approved there. But I was then again told, that if he is a resident of Morocco then it does not matter where we get married, he will have to get married in the country (Morocco) that he resides in. Completely confused in what to do now. Can anyone offer me any advice from your experiences? Thanks! Karima

From everything that I have heard, getting married on the first trip to Morocco will very likely make the immigration process longer and more complicated. I've heard that doing the K-1 is the quickest easiest way to go (it worked very well for us).

That being said, don't let yourself panic. I don't think many visas are actually denied, but they can be delayed. The most important thing (from my experience) is to BE VERY PREPARED. Make sure to have plenty of proof of a relationship - pictures, email, IM conversations, letters or cards, phone bills, etc. What you really need to do for the visa interview is show 2 things: 1 - that you are in a real relationship (they worry about visa fraud) and 2 - that you have enough income (or assets) to support him once he gets here (the govt. doesn't want to have him end up on welfare). So make sure you know what your income needs to be, and that you have enough money. I know it's not fun to focus on these things, but you have to.

Ok, I have to agree (in most cases) with people who recommend not getting married for three reasons:

1 - it can definitely complicate things with immigration. I've heard there are exceptions to this - like if both the petitioner and the beneficiary are from the same culture, and it's an accepted practice to get married as soon as meeting in person.

2 - it's a good idea to see how you feel about each other in person (see if things are the same as online or on the phone), and it's hard to focus on that when you're concentrating on your wedding. Again, if you're from a culture where this kind of thing is the norm (for example, one where there are often arranged marriages), then it won't really apply to you. (My husband says your name sounds Moroccan)

3 - I've heard getting married in Morocco is a very time consuming process - lots of paperwork, etc. Even if the other two reasons don't apply to you, or don't concern you, it's possible that you won't be able to get everything done in time. If you are Moroccan, then my husband said you probably actually could get everything done in that amount of time.

I'm not trying to lecture you or anything - just hoping to make things easier for you. If you decide to just get engaged the first trip, keep in mind that you can always get married later if there is a problem with the K-1.

I noticed that you posted a few months ago, and might already be married by now. Please let us know how things are going for you - if you got married or not, and the progress of whatever visa you applied for.

Best of luck!

I would also be interested in hearing about this. We'll be sending in our ROC paperwork before the end of the month. We were hoping to go visit his family in Morocco next year since we probably can't go this year. From what I've seen, getting the 10 year card takes about 9 -12 months or more. I'd rather not put it off possibly until 2011 if others have gone without a problem with the extension.

Anyone?

Thanks

We didn't send the I-693 (I somehow overlooked it in the instructions), got an RFE, then got approved without an interview.

You just never know.

I am new to this so please bear with me. I an engaged to be married to a man in Cuba. My passport shows my visits but each time I go I must go through another country as we cannot go direct from the US to Cuba. My first question is will Immigration recognizes the application process because of this or should I get married to him in Cuba and attempt to bring him here that way. I thank anyone for your help with this matter.

Monique

Oceanside, California

Your passport should also have stamps from when you entered and exited Cuba, so that shouldn't be an issue. I sometimes went through London to get to Morocco, and had stamps for both countries. You can still do the K-1.

As far as wondering if you should get married first, that's something probably best asked of people who have gone through Cuba in the past - they can tell you which way is faster/easier. Sometimes it varies by country. You can also read up on the different visas to see if there are any reasons you might prefer one over another.

Good luck - I wish you a quick and hassle free journey!

I hope she talked with him. Maybe she just doesn't want to tell anyone what he said, since that would be a private conversation. I hope she is able to make a good decision, and will be okay. It sounds like maybe she had already made her decision (?), and just needed some advice. Either way, I hope she got the answers/information she needed here and with him.

Good luck to her!

Maggie has a lot of friends!

I'm here off and on, and don't know if I can keep everything about everyone straight (I'm not that good at it anyway....), so sorry if I screw up here, but...

Terrie had a hard time trying to do Ramadan, but I admire her persistence with trying! (it sure isn't easy...)

Another thing to check on - some colleges/universities will allow you to 'test out' of some classes, so even if you do have to start over (and I don't know anything about that, so I'm not saying you will or won't have to), you might not have to take ALL of the credits. It's worth asking about - might save you some time and money.

Best of luck!

i think that anything that is not dangerous to u and is not taking the life of an unborn child is pretty much acceptable for birth control.....at least that is how i am understanding what i can find on the topic

sara

I don't know what is acceptable in the Muslim religion about birth control, so I can't help you there. I can tell you what I've learned about birth control, though. Not many people know this, but the pill DOES prevent implantation by making the lining of the uterus thinner. That's why you'll hear women on the pill, and the pill commerical announcers, say they have "shorter, lighter periods". The 'regular' pill has that as a back up for when it doesn't prevent ovulation (so there's no way to really know each month if the woman didn't ovulate, or did and there was just no implantation). The 'mini pill' (commonly prescribed for breastfeeding mothers) works primarily by preventing implantation. Also, the IUD works by at least in part by preventing implantation. When it doesn't work, it can cause miscarriage. http://www.healthsquare.com/fgwh/wh1ch20.htm

If you don't have an issue with preventing implantation of a fertilized egg, then those methods could work for you. If you are opposed to possibly preventing the implantation of a fertilized egg, then you should avoid those methods. I guess it just depends on what you determine an "unborn child" to be. Some people feel it's a life upon conception, some upon implantation, some later than that. That's something you need to decide with your SO.

How all that jives with religion is something you'll have to find out from someone else.

Best of luck!

I was reading AOS checklist & one of the requirement is I-194(Copy of the non US Citizen Spouses valid I-94). My Question is when & where do we get this I-194? Thanks in advance.

It's the little white paper thing stapled in the beneficiaries passport when coming here.

please leave in mena (as always) thanks!

She has colon cancer, cancer on her lungs, and in one of her legs as well. They said that the colon cancer is cureable and the chemo won't make her lose her hair or be very sick at all. The Chemo will also get rid of the cancer spots on her lungs and heal her leg while they're at it so in 3 months she's supposed to be pretty much back to normal. She's having a tough time breathing, still, but it's slowly getting better. Ensha'allah it will be a quick and easy recovery for her.

Thanks to everybody here for being a shoulder for me. I love u all!

amal

I hope everything turns out well. We'll be thinking of you even more than before.

All my best

venus

My husband is 11 years younger, and from Morocco. Different religions, languages, backgrounds, etc. We had plenty of proof of a relationship, though, and he got here less than 3 months after I sent the petition. We've been married over 2 years now. We'll be sending in to remove conditions in a few months.

I think it all boils down to how your relationship appears to the interviewer. The lady who interviewed him for the K-1 kept asking him the same questions over and over, and when he held steady, I guess she was either convinced or decided to give up.

If it's real, and you're persistent and prepared, you should be ok.

Best of luck!

This info is prob in this nearly 400 post thread some place but I have not the time nor energy to look for it...

Can those who have gone through interview tell me if they keep the "portfolio" that you take in with you? Or do you get to take it back home? EG letters, photos, etc.

We got to keep ours. Still have them more than 2 years later, actually! I doubt they would really want any of that stuff. Still, we had mainly copies of things.

Best of luck!

Oh, so many - that I "couldn't" bring him over because I have kids. When I asked what that had anything to do with it, the guy said "because he'll brainwash you and make you a suicide bomber".

My brother tried to reach someone in the military to get my passport flagged before my first trip, to keep me from leaving the country. I don't know if he could have done it, but I'm happy he couldn't reach the guy anyway... My brother loves him now, though. When I told my sisters I was going over, they acted like I had lost my mind. They also love him now. My dad sent me a link about some women who met a guy online and then killed him in a hotel room. He said something about how my SO and his friends were going to meet me at the airport, beat me up, take my money and credit cards, and leave me in a ditch to die. Although, that had more to do with the fact that we met online, I think.

My ex was the worst. He told me to make sure to keep my wallet, passport, etc where my SO couldn't find them when I was over there. He said he would steal my money, steal my identity, and just wanted a green card. He actually said "anyone can do anything for two years". I would've paid good money to get him on tape when my daughter told him that he had his 'green card'. Oh, the ex also said that all my SO did for years was sit on the internet, looking for a woman with children so he could molest them. Oh, he said once "how do you know he's really from Morocco?" and when I mentioned the phone number he said "how do you know he didn't go to Morocco just to get a cell phone?" No, I'm not making this up! He wanted to know how they could know I was ok, and I said I'd talk with the kids on IM every night. He said that I could be impersonated. I said to use the webcam, so then he said "how do I know he won't be standing behind you with a gun to your head?". So we had a phrase I had to use to let them know I was ok. And one I should use if I wasn't. (I went along with it for the kids)

I still have people who think he's not white. Or at least "not really white". We joke and say he's "dark white". haha My son proudly calls him brown. Then again, my son gets really tan in the summer (despite sunscreen), and I affectionately call him my little brown boy.

I've had people ask if I was going to convert.

My husband gets worried that I don't usually eat pork, and don't drink, because he's afraid people will think he is controlling me or something. Poor guy.

I'm sure there are more, but I need to get the kids to bed...

I just ordered some for my son, who absolutely adores his Muslim stepfather.

I think there's no way to predict if it will matter - I think there are so many variables - the country, etc. I went for several reasons - I didn't want to send my birth certificate and stuff (good thing - the papers I sent didn't get there in time - luckily my paranoid #### had a second set on hand on the plane); I wanted to go in if possible (it wasn't - I stood outside for HOURS, having the fun of being alone, nervous and trying to muddle my way through asking for water and a bathroom...); and I wanted to take the trip here with him.

Go if there's any way you can (it can't hurt and might help), don't sweat it if you can't. I'm sure many have been approved without, and some have been denied even with, the SO attending.

Best of luck!

Thinking of you..... don't know what else to say....