I Am Mello

I think I already know the answer but I'm hopeing and crossing my fingers,.... can we deduct all or part of the cost of our Visa fees, traveling, moving, ect on our income taxes?

Thanks

I Am Mello

awww try to stay calm this is realy not a big deal , a lot of people send the vaccination sheet they recieved from the medical and had no problem getting aproved ,

if USCIS isnt satisfied with this document all they will do send you a RFE then you get it transcripted from a civil surgeont and vo la done , but i wouldnt get it transcipted as of yet , i would waite if they send an RFE for it

and if you have all other documents in order no you wont have to pay again i would just waite if they accept it as is or not , but like I said this isnt a big deal many here have been aproved with sending the document they recievd

, good luck

thank you, I will wait then

I just sent my AOS package a week ago, just notice that you update the guide to set up the package and I made a mistake

you have this post now:

I-693, Medical Examination of Aliens Seeking Adjustment of Status. If you are a K-1, K-2, K-3 or K-4 visa holder the I-693 instructions state that you are not required to have another medical examination as long as your Form I-485 is filed within one year of your overseas medical examination. Regardless of if you are exempt from a medical exam, you are still required to complete certain portions of the I-693 and have a Civil Surgeon certify the form (and seal it in an evelope). Specifically, you will complete Part 1 (Information about you) of the I-693 and provide both the form and your DS-3025 (if you have it, proving your vaccination history) and any proof of required vaccinations that were completed prior to entering the US. If you do not have a copy of your DS-3025 you will need to provide sufficient evidence of your vaccination history to the Civil Surgeon (talk to the civil surgeon's office to discuss what vaccination records they accept as proof). If you do not have proof of your vaccination history the Civil Surgeon may insist on re-administering all the required vaccinations prior to completing the I-693. Once the Civil Surgeon has has verified that all required vaccinations have been performed, they will complete form I-693 Part 2 (the vaccination section) and Part 5 (the Civil Surgeon's Certification). They will then seal the form in an envelope and return it to you.

I tought that the "vaccination supplement" was the paper they gave me at the ambassy whit the list of vaccinacions but on blank, I put thouse (mine and my daughters) on my packgage intead the for I-693, I didnt go with the Civil Surgeon neither, I dont know what to do, of course Im gonna make an apointment with the civil surgeon and get the right paper, but I already sent my packgage, The USCIS will take a "complementary packagage" with the right form on it?, do I have to wait for a RFE? are they gonna denied the AOS? Are they gonna send the packgage back to me? I just dont want to have to pay 1,600 dlls again, Im strees out about it, please help me

if you are filing for k-1 visa, you will need i-134, not I-864.

either way, i would suggest to put the name which appears on her visa and passport.

Milan I am doing AOS not filing for a K-1... thanks for the reply though

Hummmm...is getting married a legal change of name? or do you mean going to court and doing a legal name change?

On the I-864 Affidavit of Support. Part 2. Information on the principal immigrant, question 2, asks for the last name. Do I put my wifes married name that she has taken from me or....... her maiden that is on the K-1 Visa in her passport?

I'm tired of all the forms

I Am Mello

Hey, this is sort of on the same subject. On the I-864 Affidavit of Support. Part 2. Information on the principal immigrant, question 2, asks for the last name. Do I put my wifes married name that she has taken from me or her maiden that is on the K-1 Visa in her passport?

On a side note about the SS# the SS office told us to file under her maiden name because that was on the K-1 and they would reject it if we put her married name. (Of course it costs to have her name changed on her SS card)

I called Juarez and the NVC each once a week. This week they both told me that the letter has been sent out and we are free to travel to Juarez to an open interview. So we are trying to go in the next few weeks (October 15-16). I have a few questions that perhaps someone can help with. I (the USC) plan to get to Juarez on a Wednesday night and Roberto will too. Do you think that gives us enough time to do both medical and the interview before we run out of weekdays? Or should he plan to do medical on a Wednesday? If we are approved then is the DHL office open on Saturday or Sunday or might he have to wait until Monday to pick up his visa if he interviews on Friday? Also, does anyone have a checklist of things to do and documents to have for Juarez. I want to make sure we aren't forgetting things. I have seen checklists for lots of other processes but not for the Juarez embassy interview and medical.

Thanks so much for everyone's help.

Hi Gerry,

Congradulations!

My fiancee..now wife... and I... Just got back from Juearez. Unless things have changed you must have the letter in hand to present to the Medical Building and the Embassy. That is the FIRST thing they ask for! I think they allow you to print it at from the web sight if you dont have it... forgive me but I am not sure what site you may print it from. But dont take my word on this. Look on the forumn and someone has posted where it can be printed from.

As far as the medical goes... if there will be children going through the medical then you are going at the right time (middle of the week) because the TB test takes several days to "react". We stayed in Juarez for 12 days because of the TB test and our wonderful USA Washington DC computers were down. If your have children that are going through the medical be prepaird for several days. If memory serves me correctly the TB test takes 3 days for the "reaction". If it is possitive then that is another trip back to the medical for xrays, if not then you may get the results that same day. If it is just yout fiancee then he may get his results the same day. My wife got hers the same day but not Michelle.

Go to the guide here on Visa Journey and review the list of things you need. One thing you need to do is bring extra money. We had to pay somewhere around $300.00 for another fee we were not expecting. I have forgotten what it was for. I am in my office and I dont have my paperwork with me to tell you exacly what it was. We had to pay $300. because of two fees. One for my wife one for Michelle.

I learned this about the process in Juarez...... be prepaied to wait! Then again some people are in and out in a flash. I knew of people who were there over 14 days and I knew people who were there for 2 days. It just depends on your situation.

I am not possitive about DHL being open on Sat and Sun. I think it is open on Sat but dont take my word for it.

If you are taking your car and driving in Mexico GET THE MEXICAN INSURANCE! THIS IS A MUST! If you are flying in and taking a cab then no worries. We stayed at the LaQuinta which is VERY nice and VERY HELPFUL and it's in walking distance for everything you need. PLUS much cheaper than H. INN. If you stay at LaQuinta be SURE SURE you book the one located at the NEW EMBASSY. I stress this because there is one located at the old embassy also. The have a shuttle bus that will take you to the medical building and the embassy almost any time you want. They will take you almost anywhere within reason even to the airport and shopping. They will NOT pick you up at the airport when you arrive.. it takes business away from the Taxi services but they will take you there for your departure flight.

Forgive me for not remembering everything. I am NOT the brains of the family! LOL My wife is!

On the things I said "dont take my word for it" be sure to verify these things. I would hate to missinform you and cause a hardship.

Hope this helps

I Am Mello

Thank you Mello, very much! We are not taking children. I am flying into El Paso and getting from there to Juarez (somehow). We are staying at the Holiday Inn. We do not have the letter yet but it was mailed on the 18th so hopefully we will get it before we leave for Juarez. If not then he will go to the information counter and get it printed out. Roberto is flying into Juarez. I will meet him there. I am trying to calculate

the days he will need to be in Juarez because I would like to be with him on his interview day even if I have to wait in the hotel. Since we are not taking children to the interview I think he can arrive in Juarez, go to the embassy and pick up the letter, go make payments in Banamex, and go to the medical clinic all in one day. Then the following day he can go to the interview. The day or so after that we will go to DHL to (hopefully) pick up the visa. So that means it would be possible to go to medical on Thursday and the interview on Friday. It may or may not work out that way but that is what we are going to try. This whole process has taught me to be patient and not trust that anything will happen when you believe it might.

So, taking what Mello says and the other things I have read then if I make a checklist for Roberto it will look like this...

Plane reservations to Juarez________

Hotel Reservations in Juarez________

Money for taxi/shuttles ____________

Money for visa, medical and DHL fees (4500 pesos)__________

Letter for open appointment__________

Copy of all supporting documents for 129f__________

Copy of vaccine record___________

K Visa/Fiance(e) Packet, CDJ 446.__________

Application Form, DS-156__________

K Visa Supplemental Application Form (K-1 only), DS-156K__________

Statement of Intent to Marry (K-1 only), __________

Proof of Relationship Form, CDJ 430 __________

Public Charge Information, form OF-167 __________

Does that look about right?

Gerry, dont know when you arrive in El Paso but it would be a good idea to get there kind of early in the day that way you will not be traveling at night. An American cab will take you across the border to the Holiday Inn but at a higher price than getting a Mexican cab to meet you at the border. If you look here there are a few posts that give reputable cabs in Mexico that will do this and they give the phone #s. Do not take offence at this...but if I were a lady I would NOT travel at night alone not knowing the reputation of the cab service! Another replyer to your post said Holiday Inn would meet you at the airport and transport you across the border??????....maybe and maybe not...I really dont know.

Do you know Spanish and are you familiar with Jarez?

You are staying at the Holiday Inn which is about a 4 minute walk to the medical building and a 4 minute 26-1/2 second walk to the embassy LOL... they are right next door. So no need for a cab to those places. Banamex is across the street in the mall which is also a VERY short walk also.

When and where is he going to cross into the USA? You will receive instuctions about how to do this and where to go DEPENDING on when and where he enters the USA. This is sort of important.

Again my wife is the brains of the family and she remembers things MUCH BETTER than I do! I plan out all the details and she does all the remembering LOL

If you wish I will give you my email and or phone# and help you anyway I can. For me it's much easier to talk than type. I remember how worried and stressed I was about all the "unknown" things of Juarez. Correct knowledge empowers us to conquor some of those doubts and fears. I will be glad to help. There are issues that we learned AFTER we were in Juarez a day or two that we had no idea were going to affect things.

Some of the other replys to your original post did give some good info about some of the things I forgot.

I Am Mello

I called Juarez and the NVC each once a week. This week they both told me that the letter has been sent out and we are free to travel to Juarez to an open interview. So we are trying to go in the next few weeks (October 15-16). I have a few questions that perhaps someone can help with. I (the USC) plan to get to Juarez on a Wednesday night and Roberto will too. Do you think that gives us enough time to do both medical and the interview before we run out of weekdays? Or should he plan to do medical on a Wednesday? If we are approved then is the DHL office open on Saturday or Sunday or might he have to wait until Monday to pick up his visa if he interviews on Friday? Also, does anyone have a checklist of things to do and documents to have for Juarez. I want to make sure we aren't forgetting things. I have seen checklists for lots of other processes but not for the Juarez embassy interview and medical.

Thanks so much for everyone's help.

Hi Gerry,

Congradulations!

My fiancee..now wife... and I... Just got back from Juearez. Unless things have changed you must have the letter in hand to present to the Medical Building and the Embassy. That is the FIRST thing they ask for! I think they allow you to print it at from the web sight if you dont have it... forgive me but I am not sure what site you may print it from. But dont take my word on this. Look on the forumn and someone has posted where it can be printed from.

As far as the medical goes... if there will be children going through the medical then you are going at the right time (middle of the week) because the TB test takes several days to "react". We stayed in Juarez for 12 days because of the TB test and our wonderful USA Washington DC computers were down. If your have children that are going through the medical be prepaird for several days. If memory serves me correctly the TB test takes 3 days for the "reaction". If it is possitive then that is another trip back to the medical for xrays, if not then you may get the results that same day. If it is just yout fiancee then he may get his results the same day. My wife got hers the same day but not Michelle.

Go to the guide here on Visa Journey and review the list of things you need. One thing you need to do is bring extra money. We had to pay somewhere around $300.00 for another fee we were not expecting. I have forgotten what it was for. I am in my office and I dont have my paperwork with me to tell you exacly what it was. We had to pay $300. because of two fees. One for my wife one for Michelle.

I learned this about the process in Juarez...... be prepaied to wait! Then again some people are in and out in a flash. I knew of people who were there over 14 days and I knew people who were there for 2 days. It just depends on your situation.

I am not possitive about DHL being open on Sat and Sun. I think it is open on Sat but dont take my word for it.

If you are taking your car and driving in Mexico GET THE MEXICAN INSURANCE! THIS IS A MUST! If you are flying in and taking a cab then no worries. We stayed at the LaQuinta which is VERY nice and VERY HELPFUL and it's in walking distance for everything you need. PLUS much cheaper than H. INN. If you stay at LaQuinta be SURE SURE you book the one located at the NEW EMBASSY. I stress this because there is one located at the old embassy also. The have a shuttle bus that will take you to the medical building and the embassy almost any time you want. They will take you almost anywhere within reason even to the airport and shopping. They will NOT pick you up at the airport when you arrive.. it takes business away from the Taxi services but they will take you there for your departure flight.

Forgive me for not remembering everything. I am NOT the brains of the family! LOL My wife is!

On the things I said "dont take my word for it" be sure to verify these things. I would hate to missinform you and cause a hardship.

Hope this helps

I Am Mello

Thanks for the reply .... But....

How and where do I get these forms so we can get her social security card?

My wife went to the Social Security office to apply for her SS# today.

They allowed her to apply but NOT her 10 year old daughter. Her daughter was brought here with her mother under the

K-1 at the same time and point of entry. The SS Office says we need an "I-688B" or an "I-766" for her daughter. These were NOT given to us in our package when we crossed the border.

How and where do I get these forms so we can get her social security card?

Thanks in advance

I Am Mello

Hello everyone, I am wondering how long I hae to stay in Juarez or what is the average stay. How many times do I have to isit Juarez?

I am honestly afraid of the many stories I have heard about Juarez and the surroundings. Where people get kipnnaped all the time, many people get killed evyday, people disappear and dead bodies are just there in the streets. No one does anything about it. People have told me not to go by myself, not to take nice clothing and do not give money to the needy, as less money as possible. Something really concerns me, If I do not take good clothes and nice shoes and all that, I wont give a good impression and will greater my chances of a visa denial. I know no one there, and suppousedly hotel owners investigate people, and others just go knoecking on doors to see what they can get fom people. Help!

Hi Fei,

Your concerns need to be put to rest. There is no need to be afraid! YES, Be smart, be watchful, be careful and you will be fine! The president of Mexico has sent several thousand millitary troops and Federalies to Juarez because of the problems there.

I just returned from Juarez in June of 2009

I had the same concerns but while I was there I felt totally safe. my thoughts to you is to get a hotel that is close to the consulate (we stayed at the LaQuinta) and you will be just fine. DO NOT travel out into the bad part of the city. The new consulate is in the better part of the city and it is very modern , developed, and protected. You will see MANY military and Federalies riding throughout the city. They are there to protect the people. We walked to the consulate one day, we walked to S-Mart (kind of like a Wal Mart) several times and had no trouble at all! Some of the hotels have shuttle service to take you where you need to go. I know the LaQuinta Hotel will take you anywhere within reason that you need to go at no charge!

I can honestly tell you to relax, enjoy your stay, and dont worry. We had to stay there for 12 days because we had a child who had to take the TB test and had no problem at all! ALL children must take this test if they are getting the visa and it takes serveral days to complete.

The key is this... stay at a hotel close to the NEW consulate and you will be fine. Hope this helps.

I Am Mello

She got it!! Either today or Monday she can pick up the visa.

Hey congradulations!!!!! I have yet to hear anything from mine yet .

My fiance is in the consulate right now, and has been there for 5 hours. The police out front say its a long process which takes about 6-8 hours because there are several interviews that must take place. Does this sound right?

AVER, My fiancee and her daughter has been there since a little before 8 AM this morning. The guard outside said 3 to 5 hours. It has been 5-1/2 hours for her so far. I dont know if the 3 to 5 hours is from the time they are allowed inside or for the interview process. All we can do is wait. Yes I am a little worried.

She went in around 8 also. I'm hoping the long wait is some kind of good sign. I'm worried in Iraq, her friend waiting outside is worried, and her friend in cuernavaca is worried. She had to do extra medical tests, adding 2 days. So she can't wait to get out of Juarez. Good luck on your case.

Hey Good luck with you also. It is 3:23 pm here now and my fiancee is still not out yet.... Its been 6-1/2 hours..... I cant leave the hotel room because she is suppose to call me here... I'm worried also.... Im sure the worry is for nothing but you know how it goes when you are in the dark about things. If you want me to.. the minute mine gets out i will post that she is out, maybe they will be done around the same time. If you want me to I will look for someone for you outside the consulate... It's your call but I will be glad to help you.

My fiance is in the consulate right now, and has been there for 5 hours. The police out front say its a long process which takes about 6-8 hours because there are several interviews that must take place. Does this sound right?

AVER, My fiancee and her daughter has been there since a little before 8 AM this morning. The guard outside said 3 to 5 hours. It has been 5-1/2 hours for her so far. I dont know if the 3 to 5 hours is from the time they are allowed inside or for the interview process. All we can do is wait. Yes I am a little worried.

Bad news for us -- they told my fiancee she needs to apply for a waiver. Does anyone have any experience with this?

pgp why did they tell you file for a waiver? Was your partner in the states illegally or something?

I did a search for you about waivers and this is all I could come up with that had any helpful info. It is very limited but its all I could fund

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=200291

The total fee he had to pay for the interview was 1900 and something pesos, which is the equivalent of 148 us dollars. So know I'm worried because lately I've been hearing that you pay 171 us dollars. I guess we will find out tommorrow. This is really frustrating because you can't even trust what the juarez consulate website has posted. In there posting it states you pay 131 us dollars and it says that it was updated on april 2009. But everyone here has been paying around 171 us dollars. I just hope that tommorrow everything will go well.

Today is June 2 2009, we also had to pay 1900 pesos. The lady at the bank said the Consulate has not updated their website yet. At todays exchange rate we paid 144.17 in US dollar.

This is where you get a paper hospital gown that you change into.

What? This must be new. Unlike the thoroughly humiliating experience my fiance had to go through (along with everyone else) being completely naked and in front of a female nurse.

Yes, I think it is new. My fiance's sister said she did her interview at the old consulate which was much smaller. According to her, about ten people were in a room and all naked. But yesterday at the NEW consulate it was in a private place and she was given a paper hospital gown. When she had her chest xray, the nurse told her she could cover herself from the waist down and then have the xray. I dont know if she got a caring nurse or what, but she said it seemed to be very professional.

We are at Juarez now. We paid $135.00 for an adult and 55.00 USD for a child who is 10 years old... plus 10% TAX for the medical exam. We paid this at the Medical Center.

If you are a K-3 (married) and you have to get some shots you pay extra for the shots.

Just as a point of information be prepaired to stay 4 days PLUS your interview day at the consulate if you have to go through the medical exam for a child. The reason is the TB (tuberculosis) shot which takes time for the "reaction" to see if it is possitive or negative.

We got the results of the medical exam the same day! BUT not the TB shot. We got in late Sunday night and were totally exhausted and could not get up at 5 am to go wait in the lines. So we got to the exam at about 10:30 am and went right in! NO WAITING! BUT THIS MAY NOT ALWAYS THE NORM!

First you go into the medical exam building (MEDICAL CLINIC). You go off the street into a gated area where there is a group of people. Some are there to get their results of the exam and some are there for the exam only so dont let the large group of people discourage you.

When you are at the door of the Medical Building the guard asks for your passport and your letter from the American Cosulate General that says your visa was accepted.

Then you walk about 10 feet to a desk and they ask for the same papers. They will keep your paper work (which you will get back later) and forward you to a waiting area. This is where you wait for your name to be called. When its called you will go up to a window then they will take your picture and make a card with your picture and a barcode.

After this is done you will go out of the lobby area and go into the area for a blood test and an eye test. Don't worry there is a lady who directs you what to do and where to go.

Next is the PHYSICAL exam part. They put your information in their computer. This is where you get a paper hospital gown that you change into. They take your blood pressure, meaure height and weight and do a typical short physical exam. They ask about medical history then the next stop is the chest exray.

Then you get dressed and go for innoculations if you are required to do so. Next you pay, and in our case we were told to come back at 2PM for the results.

I dont know if this is the norm or not, but for us... we went in around 10:30 am and had our exam results in hand at 2:45pm the same day. We are now waiting on my fiance's daughter's tuberculosis results.

DO NOT OPEN YOUR MEDICAL EXAM! BE SURE TO LET THEM DO IT!

Hope this helps someone.

I Am Mello

Hey guys thank you so very much, I am in such a stressful time right now and I am running out of time. Thanks for your help!

Hey thanks everyone for all your help. I have printes lots of extra copies of all the forms I think we will need and will fill them out when we get to Juarez. I am running out of time here. :-(

I will have time in Juarez to take a breath. Michelle has a four day time period before we can go to the interview.

Hi ladies and gents,

We are filling out DS 156 for our trip to Juarez.

My finace plans to work as soon as we can get things going after she gets here to the USA.

On question#32 it says " do you intend to work in the US? YES or NO. If yes give the name and complete address of the US employer.

Im lost as what to do here. We have no job for her right now but she will as soon as we get settled.

What do I put yes? or no? If yes what do I put for the "name" and "address" that they are wanting?

Thanks everyone!

Uhhhh what was your reply daboyz???? I see no helpful information that I can tell?? Maybe I missed something???

Hi all, I am so glad for Visa Journey!

I need help with Form I-134 Affidavit of Support.

This is my case in short. I am marrying my fiance who has a lovely 9 year old little girl who will come with her mother to the US.

I Printed 5 pages all with the same barcode. Do I need to fill out one for my fiance and a seperate one for her daughter with the same barcode? Or do I list her daughter on the same form under question #3 line 5 where it says "child"?

I have no idea if each printing generates a new and seperate barcode or not???

Also on question #7. How much do I disclose here? Do they need to know "EVERYTHING" about my assets...

if you know what i'm getting at. Wink.

Thanks for the help.

Thanks Rick N Lucy, we leave , God willing, 05/31/2009 for Juarez. Thanks again for the information. It's a great help!