VivaBaños

All right! We received our biometrics appointment info in the mail today. We're scheduled for 9/30/10 at 8am!

This date and time works for our schedules, but just out of curiosity for those who've passed through this phase already (looks like we're the first for the Sept folks), how did you do your biometrics early? Did you have to make an appointment through InfoPass to do so?

We received our NOA today. Receipt Date 9/2/10.

I know everyone around the ROC area must feel the same way, but I have that same anxious feeling each and every time the mail is delivered for some bit of news! It's like being back at USCIS/NVC all over again for the CR-1 wait.

Arlington, it's nice to have familiar company as we wait this game out yet again.

Thanks for cleaning that up Yurika and Jim. One more request. Can you change my name to VivaBaños please? There's one too many V's with the way it's listed now.

Deleting quote tags

California Service Center (1 applicants)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

MR.G...............08/30/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

Vermont Service Center (1 applicants)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

VIVAVAÑOS..........08/30/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

IMPORTANT!

* Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.

* Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.

* Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.

* Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted.

* Please check that you have not deleted anyones NAME & DATA.

Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application

NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter

Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment

Approved = The Date your case was approved

* Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list.

* When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly

* If you cannot add your information yourself, please ask another VJ member to help you do so.

I'm adding our names to the list, since we mailed on August 30th and are waiting on our NOA1.

Let me help the list

California Service Center (1 applicants)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

MR.G...............08/30/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/--....

Vermont Service Center (0 applicants)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

VivaBaños............8/30/10........--/--/10........--/--/10......--/--/--....

IMPORTANT!

* Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.

* Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.

* Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.

* Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted.

* Please check that you have not deleted anyones NAME & DATA.

Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application

NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter

Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment

Approved = The Date your case was approved

* Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list.

* When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly

* If you cannot add your information yourself, please ask another VJ member to help you do so.

California Service Center (0 applicants)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

Mr.G.....08/30/10..........--/--/10.......--/--/10........--/--/10....

We sent our packet to California this morninng. I'll revise this later to include what our letter and packet included. Best of luck to everyone!

We sent ours this morning to Vermont. I'm not sure where the post is with the full list of filing dates, but I'd appreciate it if someone could add me there as well. Thanks!

Congrats to both of the VJers on the speedy approvals!

Would either of you mind listing the evidence you sent with your ROC application?

Thanks in advance.

Also, at what point can you sign up for the messaging service to get updates on ROC applications?

Hello guys, it's me one more time. I am being very careful with the paperwork that I have to fill out and I have some questions and would like as many answers from as many people who have experience.

1st. My fiancee has her birth certificate (long form) that's the only one she has from birth. Does the consulate keep the birth certificate, or should we get another copy? As you all know getting this item can be a pain in the neck...

2nd. In the packet 4 it asks for the hand written form of birth certificate. When my fiancee was born they started typing them not handwriting them, so I guess my won't be hand written. Has someone gone through the same. Did they say anything?

3rd. Does the birth certificate need to be translated?

4th. Does anyone know certified places in Quito where they translate the documents requested by immigration? (police record)cheaper?

5th. I heard that the birth certificate needs to be stamped by the department of foreign affairs in Ecuador. Is this true or just by taking the one they give you at registro civil?

This is my starter questions.

Thanks guys for everything.

Hello. we didn't go through the K-1 process so I won't be much help in that regard.

I would suggest that your fiance get multiple copies of whatever document she has now or might need in for her future in the US (college transcripts, medical records, etc). It's so much easier to do that sort of running around (though always a hassle no matter what part of Ecuador you find yourself in) while she's still in the country.

Now on to your questions. Whatever documents that she's presenting to the Consulate I would presume do NOT need to be translated. (Our docs had to be because they had to be cleared by NVC first with the CR-1, but I believe with the K-1 you aren't sending any docs to NVC.) And I'm not sure what you mean by "certified places in Quito" to translate documents.

There are two kinds of birth certificates that one can get in Ecuador. One is pulled from centralized computer records and if I remember cost $1 at the Registro Civil. There was hardly any info on this form. I don't have it nearby or I'd let you know what it covers. This version is NOT acceptable for your immigration needs. We had to get a certified copy of my husband's birth certificate from the book of births that was kept at the Registro Civil where his birth was registered. In this pueblito the birth certificate was in long hand (cursive). I could only get a copy of this birth certificate in this specific town because that is where the official record (the book of births for that canton was kept). I remember getting two certified copies and I'm sure that each one cost less than $10. The key here is there are sworn signatures (one of parent and one of a rep in the Registro Civil) and the record number from the book on the form. There are no such signatures on the super-simplified computer record that I also got while gathering papers for this process. I'm not sure about what the birth certificate your fiance has so it's hard to say if what she has is sufficient. If you do end up having to go get a different copy I surely hope you won't have to wait in the HORRENDOUS lines in the Registro Civil in South Quito. We spent many many hours there changing info on his cedula (to include my name as spouse).

I'm sure some other K-1 folks and perhaps even some who've gone through Guayaquil can better answer your questions that are specific to the K-1.

Suerte

From today's NYT: On Becoming a Citizen Through Naturalization

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/04/nyregion/04critic.html?hpw

Did anyone else notice the box for "over submission" ?

yes, what was that all about?

Thought people here might find it interesting, though it's not a question:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/13/nyregion/13fraud.html?pagewanted=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

I just read this article and was going to post it here, but you beat me to it!

Happy Anniversary Kathryn41!

Hi Everyone.

Happy Day Today!!

My ex whom I married was finally ordered to be removed!

For those of you who may not remember me, my case involved a spouse whom I petitioned for using the I-130 (received a CR-1) conditional green card) who subsequently committed aggravated assault and was found to be married to someone else in their country, committing adultery and who knows what else.

I contacted ICE & USCIS, they investigated him and sent a Notice To Appear. The judge saw through the sham and ordered his removal.

This all happened in less than one year from him getting into the U.S.

So those that are in these types of situations, just document everything you can and report it.

There are some happy endings after all.

YAY! No more I-864! Woo Hoo.

Leedah

Wow. Congrats to you! I am amazed when reading your timeline. Good for you for kicking him to the curb and getting ICE involved.

Here is the site for Guayaquil listing interview dates by case numbers. Below is packet four dates set. wonder if there is a way to cross reference how long something takes to get from NVC to put in system, then on to the interview list... maybe you could see if the last couple approved. Or watch one file in the "sent packet 4" and see how long it takes to show up same number on the interview dates list???

Once getting to Ecuador I heard it took about two weeks to show up in the computer system. then you send in the packet 4 (which you find online from them). For the last couple it took 6 weeks from receiving Packet 4 to interview.

It's a little bit different process for the CR-1 visa. There is no packet 4.

Though the couple in question does need to print off one form to take to their interview. This form asks you to list all siblings and parents of the Ecuadorian and whether they have visas for the US.

VivaBanos it looks like our timelines are pretty similar. I really hope that it doesn't take us until November. It looks like you had some pretty unusual things happen, but still I wouldn't think that it should take that long to get to the first interview.

yes, after our interview our case became unique what with the robbery of the DHL truck!

Anyhow, you'll see that our interview was in October, a month after receiving notification of the interview and about two months after NVC approval.

Hope you all hear good news soon!

I would like to know the answer to this question as well. I know that I need to be there with my wife, but my work situation is not the most flexible and there will be certain days where quite simply I would not be able to be with her for an interview. How much warning does Guayaquil usually usually give so that you can try and arrange any situations that might prevent you from going to the interview?

Just adding a note here so you can see my signature line for one example of the dates for an Ecuador CR-1 couple's NVC approval, date our interview was assigned a date, and the interview itself.

Best of luck folks.

I emailed the consulate a couple of months ago and they said not to worry about it; they have plenty of Spanish speakers. I don't think the lack of a translation has caused people problems (correct me if I am wrong) in Guayaquil, although many other things have. BTW, I have found that the consulate responds to my emails very quickly. I have never waited more than two days. If only the CO's there were so nice...

Are you planning on going? I would love to know how it goes, I think we will probably be interviewed in mid-summer. And was it easy to set up the interview?

FYI: You don't need to set up an interview if you are going for the CR-1 or IR-1. They set the date for you--no calling to request a date or time necessary.

is it advisable to translate into english any love letters, email correspondence, etc. when presenting documents proving relationship? my wife is interviewing at the ecuador consulate next month and i'm not sure if whoever reviews those documents will be able to actually understand what they say, ya know? any advice? thx

I'd say only translate legal documents. We carried all of the letters and emails we'd sent to the interview (all in Spanish, and a heavy load to carry) and they only looked at the photos, particularly of our wedding and with family.

Suerte!

Every scenerio is different, so its so difficult to find exactly what im looking for. So please have patients on me.

Im a US Citizen. I was married to an Ecuadorian in Ecuador where we have lived for 1 year.

My wife has her B1/B2 Tourist Visa, bbut circumstances have changed and we want to begin the process for her Green Card and possibly Citizenship.

Heres where I need help:

1) Can we begin the process together in the US. We were planning a trip in June with my wife using her Tourist Visa. Is it better or quicker to begin the process right away or wait until we are both together in the US. That being the case, the tourist visa has a max time limit in the USA of 6 months. Is it typical for someone to obtain their Legal Permanant Residence in under 6 months?

2) After the Green Card is obtained, its 3 years maintaining their residency in the US if they are married to a US Citizen. After that, they can apply to become a citizen?

Thanks so much.

Lee

If you (as the US citizen) have been in Ecuador for a year, why not file DCF? It's faster and you can do it all in Ecuador together.

I just made a copy of our census form . . . will stick it in our file; can't hurt! Before mailing it off, make a copy!!

Nice to see you back around these parts Arlington!

We got our Census Monday and mailed it back in on Tuesday. I made a copy of it and threw it in the file along with all of the other evidence while thinking "just in case."

Strangely enough, an immigration lawyer spoke last week on Sábado Gigante about how copies of the Census forms have been used as evidence in certain immigration procedures. He of course did not mention any of the processes we are going through, but did say that some undocumented immigrants were able to prove that they had resided in the US for 10+ years in the last round of residencies offered through amnesty by producing a copy of the previous census form.

I took that bit of info and decided that it wouldn't hurt our case at all to include such documents--along with all of our other evidence that we'll send for ROC.

Hello my fellow memeber,so i received a package from NVC and paid the affidavit of support,getting reading to send all documents.My question is i printed out the document cover sheet,all i nedd to send is the form I-864 and my tax returns,im using a sponser(have to his birth cerficate,correct) and he hasn't done his 2009 taxes so is it alright to use his 2008 taxes as his most recent.he found his 2007 taxes but he cant find his 2006,so is it alright if i leave it blank and only put the amount of money he made just for 2008 and 2007 and leave 2006 blank because he doesn't know how much he made,or will i get in trouble

I'm no expert, but I think it'd be fine to send the previous years' tax info since your sponsor hasn't filed. However, it might be easier if you both just send tax transcripts. You can get them free from the IRS and that is all that the NVC needs in regards to tax papers. That also means you nor your sponsor have to go looking for previous years tax info. If I remember correctly our transcripts arrived one week after requesting them. I'm not sure about the birth certificate, but if your sponsor has a passport a copy of that will work as well.

Best of luck!

UPDATE ON MY JOB SITUATION!!!!!

Guys, I wanted to tell you I finally got in track career wise, and I think this could be an opportunity for people who are financially covered.

I joined Americorps VISTA! It's a one year program for graduates, and it's sort of volunteer work, but they do give you a stipend of 900 dollars a month. It's awesome because you get serious and "respectable" American work experience, you make a little bit of money, and usually they match you with your career. So now I'm the coordinator of Interpreter Services for Refugee and Immigration Services, and they are training me for interpreting in Health and Legal contexts (with nationwide recognized certification) and I have decided to go to Law School! I am very happy , I finally got my break and feel directed. My boss is awesome and since she knows I'm interested in Law she is giving me a day a week to be the assistant of the lawyer in our office, and I feel like I'm learning so much and getting to know so many interesting people! I see refugees from all over the world and I feel useful, I teach English to peple from burma and Nepal, and I do feel like my professional future has lightened. :dance:

If you think you could make it with 900 dollars a month, I recommend you joining Americorps VISTA,. It's a branch of the Peace Corps, so it looks awesome on your resume, you are helping, and you are also getting experience in your career. I met so many recent graduates in our orientation trip (they sent me to atlanta). Everbody from marketing people to environmental engineers were involved somehow in projects that interested them!

Just google Americorps VISTA!!!

YAY

Hey this is great news Tarumba! Congratulations!

There is another thread (I Will look for it) that someone posted two different living places due to jobs and they got approved, of course when providing evidence about maintaining their relationship as husband and wife. I hope I can find it or if someone else can find it, it would be great. I think it dates back to November or October of 2009...

oh this would be great to read. I looked last night and my search terms took me back to 2008. I'm quite certain that I did not find the thread you are referring to though.

Thanks for your help!

Hello VJers-

I've been reading the ROC forum and haven't located an answer to a situation that my husband and I may find ourselves in.

We are 6 months from being able to apply for ROC.

My husband has been interviewing with several companies hoping to begin his professional career in the US. At least one of the jobs will require relocation which is not ideal but could be the first step for him professionally. I can not relocate right now due to my job, so we may face at least 6 months or so living separately because of this job (if they offer it). We don't know if he'll be offered the position as of yet, but we wanted to check on all things related to ROC before even considering an offer. If this would negatively affect our ROC application then of course we won't contemplate a position like this.

I do know that the onus is on us to prove that our marriage is legitimate and in the eyes of USCIS that typically includes cohabitation (with the exception for cases of military, etc.) at the time of ROC.

Do any of you have any information or advice to offer based upon your experiences with ROC? If I've missed a thread that discussed this already, please point me in the right direction and I'll just read up there.

Thank you for your help.

Hey Guys,

My wifes interview is next week. Because of work I cannot travel and join her, but my question is

1. Will it be a PLUS sign if I join my wife during her interview? I found that consulate allows US citizen inside along with their spouses for the interview.

Looking for urgent advice.

I would encourage you to pose this question in the regional forum. There may be important Consular-specific advice about your attendance that could be helpful for you there.

Me thinks Destiny11 might have some ulterior motives here...