hxxrmonkey

We're back! It was just as you said, easy peasy. We went through Irish immigration separately since he just walked through in a different line. The woman asked if I was going on vacation, I said yes, which was true, and I was off on my way. On the way back through US customs hubs just had to show his green card and passport and we answered basic questions - what do you do, when were you married, etc. They took his fingerprints and photo and we were off. It was really all much easier than I thought it would be. That green card is worth gold!

You need none of this, just passports and the Green Card in order to come back.

Given that I don't know exactly what 'back' means in reference to you, I assume you mean returning to the US. If that's the case:

My question was referring to me, the US Citizen, getting into Ireland with my husband, not about re-entry into the US. Does your answer still stand?

My husband and I are visiting Ireland next week. It's the first time we've gone back since he got his green card. I know we need the standard passports and green card of course. But I was just thinking back to when he visited during his K-1 application: he needed all kinds of things like a letter from his employer, bank statements - reasons for him to return home at the end of his visit, etc.

I'm just wondering if I should be bringing similar things to prove to Irish immigration that we are returning to the US after our trip - marriage cert, letter from my job, bank statements, insurance, etc etc.

If so, what paperwork should I take?

We ended up doing the entire exam again in the states because the doc never gave my husband the DS3025. There are a lot of cases on VJ where people have sent in the 3025 only to receive an RFE. There are a lot of cases where there was no RFE too. Since you've already gotten the RFE the best route is to try to find someone who will transcribe it for you, as you said you're going to do. I know there was a doctor in Austin TX doing this via mail very cheap at one point. If you search VJ you can find his/her info. If you can't find someone to transcribe or don't want to spend the time just do the new exam. I think my husband's cost maybe $180, but yours would probably be less since they probably would skip the bloodwork due to the info on the 3025.

Also I remember reading (maybe in the I-693 instructions) at some point that the x-ray TB test common overseas isn't acceptable, and you need to have the skin test instead for the I-693. So it's possible they've actually started enforcing that.

Mmmm this is why I made several posts on the topic of my husband's last name and his birth cert/passport. Consider yourself lucky it's not worse. First, make sure all his documents actually spell it that way, and that you didn't misspell it on any forms. If it's spelled right everywhere but the visa just call the embassy. If it's misspelled on his birth cert or passport you have a much larger issue. If it's just the visa he will have to mail or return his passport to have the corrected visa attached. You'd better call them ASAP, since his flight is so soon. You're going to be cutting it very VERY close.

Just consider this your one bump in the road, everyone has at least one and now you've had yours--interestingly the same place we had ours! Common denominator - embassy.

Good morning VJ amigos! I have a couple of questions.

My Lawyer recommends I get a Bank Letter from the institution whom I bank with. Is this really necessary?

I've been gathering all other required documents and information, but I thought I didn't need a bank letter unless I was near the poverty line.

Can I submit my pay stubs instead? The reason I ask is because my bank tells me it will take approximately 2 weeks for the bank letter to be delivered. I don't want to wait that long.

Previous years tax information. I've also been told to get a tax transcript for 2009, 2008, and 2007. Problem is I didn't file taxes in 2007 because I didn't work (in college was student), and I only made about $10,000 working part-time in 2008. I work a full time job since May 2009. Lawyer believes I may have to get a co-sponser. Why do I have to have 3 years of income history to show I'm capable of supporting my wife and she is not going to be a burden to the government welfare system? My monthly paystubs shows I make over 400% above the poverty threshold!

I understand my lawyer is erring on the side of safety, but I don't want to delay this any longer than it needs be.

Can someone offer me some advice?

I submitted a letter from my local bank branch stating the current average balance in my accounts, a letter from my employer, 6 months of pay stubs, and my W-2s with my tax transcripts for 3 years (we filed right after I filed my taxes so I had 1 year of taxes above poverty level). I had only held my job for 6 months and before that I was a student as well, making below poverty level. Mine went through fine, no RFE. The co-sponsor is not necessary, but the other items all are. As someone said above, more is always better than less, but you should be fine.

Males between the ages of 18 and 26 from certain countries have to fill out that form. Honestly I can't remember if husband filled it out or not. If they didn't send it to you I probably wouldn't worry too much. Worst comes to worst they'll send you out to an internet cafe to print it and fill it out. No biggie.

1. This form is used to establish if he can reasonably be considered a potential threat to the country. You should answer everything as accurately as possible. The FBI uses the info to run background checks. If they find something on his record you didn't list you can bet it'll be a problem.

2. I did a bit of research on the US Contact, question 8. From what I can tell you should use your sponsor since you're not in the country. They will possibly run a background check on them as well. --But this is a bit awkward because most people who are living together outside of the country are already married and K-1s are usually living in separate countries. I wouldn't be surprised if someone commented on this but they'll always give you a chance to explain, either through RFE or interview in this case, so I wouldn't worry too much.

3. Yes list every visit and the year, or multiple years for the student visit. So USA 2007, USA 2008-2010, France 2008, etc etc.

Note: It's weird that they never stamped his passport, although technically for the purposes of this form that doesn't really matter. Did he always have another kind of visa during the visits? Were none of the visits VWP?

Haha and here I just thought my Fiance was the only one, good to know it's just in their blood

Actually mine has gotten off ridiculously easy, he hasn't filled out a single form, I've done everything! And usually when I need information from him he hasn't a clue and I end up fishing through our room for what I need.

Can we go ahead and get his medical (assuming the Dublin doctor permits it) and police certs now even though we're still waiting on the NOA1?

I probably wouldn't go for either of those things until at least 2 months after you receive your NOA1, otherwise they might not be valid by the time the interview rolls around. Irish K-1s seem to be taking roughly 80-90 days right now, so if you start working on them around day 60 you should be good to go.

LOL I didn't even know Ireland had provinces. We went through the entire K-1 process and no one ever said a word, we always put Tralee, Kerry, Ireland. So don't worry, you're fine

okay thanks so much! I really appreciate it. He received his Packet 3 today, I didn't realize that you HAD to have your medical done before you send the checklist back to get an interview date. I thought you could send it back and get it done in the mean time of waiting. But oh well As far as I get from the letter, he only needs to send back the DS230 as of right now and the rest is to bring with him to the consulate.....I hope I'm right *fingers crossed*!

See Dodi's timeline? Her fiance sent back P3 already but his med isn't scheduled until 8/11. It's risky, but definitely doable if you time it right, Like Dodi. Probably ought to at least make sure Simon has the appt set first. Mailing DS230 a week before the med is scheduled shouldn't be an issue. It was a month before they called my husband to schedule the interview and a week to wait for the date to roll around. (Keep in mind this was all a year ago, things might have changed...)

Yes, sorry, I meant 3025. It's been a year since we've been through all this Tell him to bring the x-rays in his carry-on luggage too but he probably won't need it.

My fiance John was also very out-of-the-loop regarding paperwork and the whole process. But we went over P3 together when he came to visit earlier this month, so that was good. I'm a control freak and it's killing me to leave important things in his hands at this stage, lol. I clipped the different documents together and labeled everything for him according to whether it was originals or copies, and whether the embassy is allowed to keep it or not. Hopefully it all gets sorted out

John's in Cork so he's going to the same doctor I assume your husband went to. He's been a real pain thus far, but the medical is tomorrow FINALLY. You'd think he'd be a bit more accommodating considering the exorbitant fee he's getting from us.

I'm wondering if John should fill out the online DS-160 before or after sending back the notice of readiness? Or whether they'll mention it in the P4...

Oh yeah, and the police cert took 6 weeks to get, and required a TD's intercession in the end.

Make sure John gets the DS-2032 from the Dr. after the medical. He didn't give it to my husband. It is VERY important for AOS!!!! Did the P3 not mention the DS-160? If it did, it should say when to do it, but I'm guessing that he should do it the day he posts the letter of readiness. If it didn't mention it I'd do the hard copy paperwork AND the DS-160. Better safe than sorry!

My husband's police cert was a pain in the butt too. They had no idea what he was talking about and eventually he had to talk to the District Superintendent. Took maybe 3-4 weeks.

Found this on the DOS:

13. When I apply for a nonimmigrant visa using the online DS-160, are additional forms required?

No, with two exceptions. When applying at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate that is using the new DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, you will use only one (1) form. For Embassies and Consulates that have converted to this new process, the DS-160 has replaced all of the following forms: DS-156, DS-157, DS-158, and DS-3032, which are no longer necessary.

NOTE: The exceptions are Fiancé(e) Visas (K-1/2) which still require use of the forms DS-156 and DS-156K, and the Treaty Trader/Treaty Investor visa application, which is explained in #14 below.

Ahhh very good, so I-160 and DS-156/k. Much easier than when we did it! It was partially online but you still had to print it out and send it.

Yes, you can get the medical before you get P3, as long as the doctor doesn't mind (ours didn't, the one in cork).

Same sentiment here, mine had NO clue how involved the K-1 was, but I give him props, he did really well with the AOS and P3. Simon will pick things up when P3 arrives I bet

*Given that you're paying the doctor a hefty sum, I assume most of them won't mind

Yes, you can get the medical before you get P3, as long as the doctor doesn't mind (ours didn't, the one in cork).

Same sentiment here, mine had NO clue how involved the K-1 was, but I give him props, he did really well with the AOS and P3. Simon will pick things up when P3 arrives I bet

Woops, nope, you don't need to fill out DS-157. Also I've just been reading online that the online form DS-160 is replacing all the 156/156k forms and Ireland is on the list to currently use it. I didn't know about it because we had to do the paper forms last year. Good catch. I would suggest you ask Simon to focus on getting the police cert and the medical (they really can take weeks) and wait for the packet 3 for absolute clarity. Things have probably changed since last year.

Re: his middle name, you need to watch out for that, it very well could be an issue, but if he fills out the new forms properly it's entirely possible they will only use those forms for his info and skip over the K-1 stuff. If it does come up I think it's a simple fix since it's a typo rather than an actual discrepancy. It may mean more than one visit to the embassy though.

How funny, I thought I recognized that waterfall, that was the very first place I ever went in Ireland (beyond where I was staying). I have some really great photos from there, and OH MAN those stairs SUCKED.

I know how it is trying to get the Irish male motivated to work on paperwork. It took a little nagging, but it eventually got done. They're just not planners like us American chicks. They like to go with the flow

Hey Larysa, is that photo on your wedding website at the Torc waterfall?

That's the India Consulate website, it's just the first one that came up, but all the info was the same so that's the link I sent. The Dublin Consulate are the people that posts the packets to Ireland, but they send and require the same items listed on the India website.

Tips for the interview process in Dublin:

1. They are only worried first and foremost about your finances. They'll ask him some basic questions about you, your family, where you live, the weather there, etc. Nothing major. They'll keep the I-134 you fill out and give your packet back to you (make sure he takes a full copy of your entire K-1 petition, just in case). As long as he can have an engaging conversation about you and your relationship with another human, and your I-134 is filled out accurately with supporting documents and you make above poverty level or you have a co-sponsor, you won't have any problem. There are no weird specific questions about toothbrush color or which side of the bed you sleep on. Do not use "the proposal" as a reference

2. Take a 12x14 envelope with 8eu of stamps. Make sure it's the right size.

3. I'm not sure about the fee, my husband paid 131eu but that was in 2009 so I'm not sure what it would be now. Best to read the packet for that amount.

4. Don't take any bags or cell phone or electronics. Just passport, another form of ID, and your paperwork. If he needs to take his phone he can check it in with security though.

5. Make sure his name matches on his passport, forms, and birth certificate. This was a major problem for us. I've posted about that elsewhere on VJ.

6. Once he receives the piece of paper with the approval note on it check the data to make sure name, date of birth, etc are correct.

7. Eat lunch before he goes. He'll have a long wait.

8. The interviewer made a comment that they appreciated how organized our packet was, so make sure you use a binder, with tabs, etc. It helps things go more smoothly. Clearly indicate where the I-134 is especially.

That's it. It's REALLY not a big deal. The likelihood of being denied at this point is pretty darn slim. So just sit back, relax, and wait for the appt. phone call.

Also, even if the doctor requires a letter to make the appt it doesn't hurt to call them anyway and ask!

Above poster is right, Fill out most recent version of DS156k, regardless of what they send him in the post. You can find it online. They sent us an outdated version and he had to leave the embassy and get a new one and go back. For the Dr. in Cork my husband did not need any kind of letter to make the appt. He should try to find his old medical records though, to avoid having to get extra shots and bloodwork. Make sure he gets the DS3025 after the dr. appt, he'll need it once he's here to submit the AOS. Some doctors (like the one in Cork) might not remember to give it to you, but it will save you a LOT of headaches. The forms my husband was sent or required to obtain match those listed here: http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/ivpacket309k1.html except for the applicant's statement at the bottom.

Anyway, the things he should get done before packet 3 arrives to save the most time are just the medical and the police certificate and the new passport photos. The paperwork is really no big deal.

Also it helped us to read the embassy reviews and my review is there too. http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?cnty=Ireland&cty=&dfilter=5

Don't worry, you'll be fine and through it before you know it!

Okay. So should I do the same for the G-325a forms in the residency section or would that get me a RFE for predating?

Oh and yes we both live abroad =)

You're not pre-dating the form. You list by month/year. If you send the form now and move at the end of the month the form is still accurate. I don't really think it matters anyway, even if you didn't move til the beginning of August.

The address of the mother.

My husband says: Take a COPY of your birth cert, and the original, and your passport. Make sure you are very clear about what you need and you should probably take a print out of the blurb payxiba posted above. His garda station didn't have a clue, he had to ask 3-4 people to finally get what he wanted. They will keep the copy of the birth cert but give it back to you later. It took 2-3 weeks for his to be mailed back to him.