limejello

In Juarez!! Medical Is fast no need to be there early!!!

I'm so excited for you! So close!

The I-864 states:

Income from any relatives or dependents living in your household or dependents listed on your most recent Federal tax return who signed a Form I-864A;

this is under the section "What if I cannot meet the income requirements"

Can you please source where you saw

"I read that the primary sponsor and the co-sponsor can't live in the same house and fill out the same type of form (in the case of the I-864, anyway)"

I guess in my panicked state I misread/misinterpreted the instructions for this. It's not that the sponsor and co-sponsor can't *live* in the same house, but I know for the I-864 I read that if two people are under the same roof they can't be sponsor/co-sponsor per se, but the primary sponsor fills out the I-864 and others in the household who want their income considered would file an I-864A. But as far as being a separate sponsor/co-sponsor it can't be done, or am I still misinterpreting it? Pushbrk?

My reason for wondering if the same rules apply is that if I do an affidavit of support, I will list myself and my son. My mom would list herself and my brother. If we all have to be combined into one household because we all have the same address, that might be problematic.

I've been reading more about the I-864 Affidavit of Support, and I know that in general for those of us filling out the I-134 for a fiancee visa, the same rules apply for both affidavits of support. Here's my problem: although I've been living in mexico, my principal residence is in the U.S., the same address that my mom has. I want to have my mom on as a co-sponsor (because I didn't make enough money), but I read that the primary sponsor and the co-sponsor can't live in the same house and fill out the same type of form (in the case of the I-864, anyway). Is this correct? This is really problematic for me if it's true!

You've misinterpreted the I-864 instructions but in any event, sponsor and co-sponsor each fill out an I-134 for a K visa case.

Awesome. Once again, thanks pushbrk.

anyone?

I've been reading more about the I-864 Affidavit of Support, and I know that in general for those of us filling out the I-134 for a fiancee visa, the same rules apply for both affidavits of support. Here's my problem: although I've been living in mexico, my principal residence is in the U.S., the same address that my mom has. I want to have my mom on as a co-sponsor (because I didn't make enough money), but I read that the primary sponsor and the co-sponsor can't live in the same house and fill out the same type of form (in the case of the I-864, anyway). Is this correct? This is really problematic for me if it's true!

Hi everyone. It has been a minute since I posted, so I thought I'd give an update. Everything is going smoothly, actually even better than I expected. Diana doesn't speak English fluently yet and she already found a job! She started last week full time and she takes an ESL class 2 nights out of the week. We are days away from filing AOS and we ended up getting married on Valentine's Day (I will post pictures later, we had a professional photographer come out and snap some pictures but there is a $200 deposit to go and select which pictures we want so we have been putting it off). Anyways, I translated her birth certificate, as seen below. I'm assuming each birth certificate is different for each Mexican state but if you are from Guerrero and want me to send you the word document of the translated birth certificate that I used, just shoot me a message. I was just looking at it and for the last sentence I will probably put "I hereby certify that...." instead of ending the document with a comma followed by "I certify". I was bored and so I tried to make the translation look similar to the original.

I still have to run up to Kinkos and make copies of her BC, passport, NOA 2, etcetera. And as a matter of fact, I am so bored that I am considering making an extra color copy of the BC so I can cut out the border and the stamps and glue them onto my translation so it really looks authentic. I think I might do that right now; I will be back in an hour or so to post the results!

When I got my birth certificate translated into Spanish in Cancun (at $250 pesos per page) the translator went all-out, even copying and cutting out the Pennsylvania state seal and the signature on the BC to paste on to the translation. It was a work of art! I still can't figure out why he changed the spelling to "Pensilvania" and didn't change the spelling of "Pittsburgh" (how could it phonetically be translated? Pitsboorg, as it is most frequently pronounced, I guess).

That is funny. I didn't know they they did it like that. Here is mine, if I put some more time into it, I am sure I could get it much closer to perfection:

Now THAT looks great!

Hi everyone. It has been a minute since I posted, so I thought I'd give an update. Everything is going smoothly, actually even better than I expected. Diana doesn't speak English fluently yet and she already found a job! She started last week full time and she takes an ESL class 2 nights out of the week. We are days away from filing AOS and we ended up getting married on Valentine's Day (I will post pictures later, we had a professional photographer come out and snap some pictures but there is a $200 deposit to go and select which pictures we want so we have been putting it off). Anyways, I translated her birth certificate, as seen below. I'm assuming each birth certificate is different for each Mexican state but if you are from Guerrero and want me to send you the word document of the translated birth certificate that I used, just shoot me a message. I was just looking at it and for the last sentence I will probably put "I hereby certify that...." instead of ending the document with a comma followed by "I certify". I was bored and so I tried to make the translation look similar to the original.

I still have to run up to Kinkos and make copies of her BC, passport, NOA 2, etcetera. And as a matter of fact, I am so bored that I am considering making an extra color copy of the BC so I can cut out the border and the stamps and glue them onto my translation so it really looks authentic. I think I might do that right now; I will be back in an hour or so to post the results!

When I got my birth certificate translated into Spanish in Cancun (at $250 pesos per page) the translator went all-out, even copying and cutting out the Pennsylvania state seal and the signature on the BC to paste on to the translation. It was a work of art! I still can't figure out why he changed the spelling to "Pensilvania" and didn't change the spelling of "Pittsburgh" (how could it phonetically be translated? Pitsboorg, as it is most frequently pronounced, I guess).

Hi everyone,

I posted a new topic in the embassy forum asking for help on the I-134 and I got one answer but I was hoping that someone in this thread with specific experience with Mexico might be able to help a bit more.

I'm filling out the affidavit of support for my fiance now and there are a couple of things I'm not sure about. For those of you who were BELOW the poverty line as primary sponsors and didn't file tax returns, did you just write a letter saying why you didn't file tax returns or did you also have to provide "evidence" of your income? As I said in the other thread, I was working in Mexico and it would be really difficult, if not impossible, for me to get letters or any other proof of how much I made. I read in another thread that if you put "0" down on any of the blanks on the form that ask for income/assets, you are not required to PROVE anything.

The other thing is that I've been living in Mexico with my fiance and I'm not sure whether to put my permanent U.S. address on the form or my Mexico address. Someone told me to put my permanent U.S. address, which is not a problem, I just want to be certain that I don't mess anything up by doing this (since I already said that I live with my fiance). Opinions?

I used a sponsor but I did have a tax return. I would write a brief note just saying that you didn't file. I THINK that even if you work in Mexico aren't you supposed to file a tax return? I am not sure about that. But they are going to look at your sponsor for financial support. I think with the sponsor you will be fine! They are not the IRS and I don't think it is their job to find out why you didn't file! good luck!

Hi, thanks for the reply! I didn't file because I didn't make enough to file (I made less than the $8,950 requirement). I liked your comment about them not being the IRS, but for us super-paranoid it's all one huge scary big brother-esque system (gee, I hope nobody from the IRS or USCIS is reading this! )

Hi everyone,

I posted a new topic in the embassy forum asking for help on the I-134 and I got one answer but I was hoping that someone in this thread with specific experience with Mexico might be able to help a bit more.

I'm filling out the affidavit of support for my fiance now and there are a couple of things I'm not sure about. For those of you who were BELOW the poverty line as primary sponsors and didn't file tax returns, did you just write a letter saying why you didn't file tax returns or did you also have to provide "evidence" of your income? As I said in the other thread, I was working in Mexico and it would be really difficult, if not impossible, for me to get letters or any other proof of how much I made. I read in another thread that if you put "0" down on any of the blanks on the form that ask for income/assets, you are not required to PROVE anything.

The other thing is that I've been living in Mexico with my fiance and I'm not sure whether to put my permanent U.S. address on the form or my Mexico address. Someone told me to put my permanent U.S. address, which is not a problem, I just want to be certain that I don't mess anything up by doing this (since I already said that I live with my fiance). Opinions?

Couple of questions:

1. I am the petitioner, currently residing in Mexico (but under a tourist visa). On the I-134 #1 ("residing at" part), do I put my address in the U.S. or my address in Mexico?

Do you have a permanent US address? If so, use that one.

2. On question #7 "employed as or engaged in the business of", I'm unemployed, so do I put "none"?

What did you use to do? (engaged in the buisiness of..., but if your not working, N/A could be used)

3. As far as evidence is concerned (since I hardly made any money in the last 2 years), I know I need to attach a letter, but do I also need to attach any "evidence" that I didn't make enough money to file tax returns? I was working in Mexico and they don't do W-2's so I really don't know exactly how much I made (but I do know it wasn't enough).

Hmm - this is a tough one, If you made more than $400.00 (self-employed) or made any taxable income, you are still required to report the income, from what I understand of the tax code.

That would be your evidence.

I would recommend talking to a lawyer about that. (or even call the IRS helpline)

Plus, since you said you make less than the requirements for sponsorship, you will have to use assets or get a co-sponsor. (which means you wont have to show income, your sponsor would)

I made less than the $8,950 minimum requirement for filing taxes, and I was not self-employed. I do have a co-sponsor lined up, I just don't know if anything more than an explanation letter (for why I didn't file a return) is necessary.

Couple of questions:

1. I am the petitioner, currently residing in Mexico (but under a tourist visa). On the I-134 #1 ("residing at" part), do I put my address in the U.S. or my address in Mexico?

2. On question #7 "employed as or engaged in the business of", I'm unemployed, so do I put "none"?

3. As far as evidence is concerned (since I hardly made any money in the last 2 years), I know I need to attach a letter, but do I also need to attach any "evidence" that I didn't make enough money to file tax returns? I was working in Mexico and they don't do W-2's so I really don't know exactly how much I made (but I do know it wasn't enough).

Hi everyone! Thanks for all your words of encouragement. Sorry I haven't been able to give an update all day. I've been over at our new house cleaning to keep my mind off of the interview. Aldo got the visa!! He said it was so simple. He got to the embassy this morning at 7 am. They checked to make sure he had all the documents he needed, and then they sent him back to his hotel room because he had brought his cell phone with him. So he came back and they gave him a fast pass to go right inside. He said he was really nervous because the guy interviewing in front of him received a ten year ban. But he said the CO just asked him where we met, where I was born, the year I was born, the names of my parents and if he had met my family. The only documents he even wanted to see were my financial documents. And then he just said congratulations and sent him on his way! That was the smooth part, however we hit a snag after that. The CO officer gave him a case number for DHL and told him his passport with the visa should be ready by about 3 pm (he was finished with the interview by noon). He kept calling and checking the online status, and told the people at DHL that he needed his passport back today because his flight was scheduled to leave tomorrow morning at 6 am. Well, their office closed at 6 pm and his passport wasn't ready, so he didn't get it. He called to try and change his flight to go back on Friday, but they were all sold out so he is stuck in Juarez until Saturday. It's costing about an extra $300 for him to stay, with the cost to change the flight and the two extra nights in the hotel. I guess if SOMETHING had to go wrong, I'm glad it was with that and not with the interview! Everything can't always go perfect and really, up until now, we have had a breeze of a journey. I am SO incredibly relieved to have this over!! I wish he was coming up here right now, but we have to wait another month. Oh well, it's all worth it. So there you go! Hopefully all of you will have a smooth ride as well! Best of luck to everyone!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!! :dance: :dance:

Ahhhh!!! I'm going to have an anxiety attack this morning already. My nerves are going wacko. I'm sure everything will go just fine with Aldo's interview...we have prepared really really well, but still, there's that nagging "what if". I gotta try to stay busy today to keep my mind off of it. Keep us in your prayers please! I'll give you all an update as soon as I hear something from Aldo.

Wow, I hope everything is going/has gone well today!

Hi all,

I didn't make any money this year (well, maybe a total of $200, if that), so I don't qualify to file taxes. I had this job in Mexico, where I've been living/working for the last three years. I haven't qualified to file taxes for the prior 2 years either because I made insufficient income (way, way, way below the $8,000 or so required). I've been primarily supported by some very generous relatives back in the states, but that's another topic altogether. I DID list the jobs I had here in Mexico on the I-129 petition, but since I didn't file taxes on the [very little] money I made here, do I put "0" on the I-134? I'm currently unemployed, and my mom is going to be a co-sponsor. I know this sounds silly but what "evidence" do I need to attach, since I didn't file taxes and am currently unemployed

(actually, I'm a "domestic goddess", but I can't seem to get a job letter for that!).

Also, I read somewhere that if you are residing abroad you don't qualify to file an affidavit of support, that is, be a sponsor. That doesn't make much sense to me since I'm sure that plenty of people go through this process while living abroad. I'm currently in Mexico under a tourist visa, and have rented an apartment here, so do I put my address here in Mexico or my address in the U.S.? I still have my valid driver's license from home, I have an active bank account there, and I'm registered to vote there.

Suggestions?

WOOHOO! I called the NVC today just to check on the status of our case with them and get the case number. Our NOA2 was dated 19 Feb so I figured that possibly it was still there, but NO! The operator told me that the case has already come and gone to Juarez, it left on 25 Feb! I got the case number, so I'm sure I can contact Juarez to see where we are. Any suggestions as to how much time I should wait to see when they've sent packet 3 out?

We got our NOA2 Jan 28 and it arrived at NVC on the 30th then left and arrived on the Feb 02 at Juarez and we are still waiting for our package to be sent to us (We only want the package to be sent so we can go to Juarez we won't wait for it to arrive) The juarez phone people said it could take up tp 6 month in the worst cases but it mignt leave in about 4 more weeks.... I am hoping that that is not ture 'cuase i have heard that some ppl get thier package SENT in one months time.

Oh no! Wow, that's a long time, I can't IMAGINE waiting up to 6 months MORE! I'm going to give them a call when I'm home next week to see if they've at least received it. Do you call once a week or once every couple of days to check to see if they've sent the package?

I call them once a week (can't wait see my phone bill, lol).... hopefully it won't be thatlong til we get the package sent... Maybe the guy who I talk to was giving me the worth case ?? Anyways I have looked thru timeless from ppl on VJ and most ppl get there'si in a month and a half to two months (I am really hoping that's the case)

So you're going to wait until you receive it in the mail or just until it's sent? With a "sent from NVC" date of Feb 25th, I'm wondering if we can expect an interview around mid-April or so, assuming we don't wait for the letter, just for it to be sent out.

until It's "sent" from Juarez....

NVC forwards it to Juarez then they have "send " the package... you can't go to the interveiw unless Juarez has "sent" package 3 themself to you because they have to consider you coming in for an interview or someting like that...sometimes the package never arrives to your mail and that's why we call every week, so that way as soon as juarez tells me they have mailed it we will be on our way there!!

Note: it doesn't matter that NVC sends the package to Juarez you have to wait until Juarez mails the Package 3 to you but you Don't have to wait until you get the hard copy in the mail...

I hope they ship your letter out soon! I imagine you should expect it to be sent any time now (although the timeline for sending it out is all over the place), just based on the average time that it's taking, as you mentioned earlier!

WOOHOO! I called the NVC today just to check on the status of our case with them and get the case number. Our NOA2 was dated 19 Feb so I figured that possibly it was still there, but NO! The operator told me that the case has already come and gone to Juarez, it left on 25 Feb! I got the case number, so I'm sure I can contact Juarez to see where we are. Any suggestions as to how much time I should wait to see when they've sent packet 3 out?

We got our NOA2 Jan 28 and it arrived at NVC on the 30th then left and arrived on the Feb 02 at Juarez and we are still waiting for our package to be sent to us (We only want the package to be sent so we can go to Juarez we won't wait for it to arrive) The juarez phone people said it could take up tp 6 month in the worst cases but it mignt leave in about 4 more weeks.... I am hoping that that is not ture 'cuase i have heard that some ppl get thier package SENT in one months time.

Oh no! Wow, that's a long time, I can't IMAGINE waiting up to 6 months MORE! I'm going to give them a call when I'm home next week to see if they've at least received it. Do you call once a week or once every couple of days to check to see if they've sent the package?

I call them once a week (can't wait see my phone bill, lol).... hopefully it won't be thatlong til we get the package sent... Maybe the guy who I talk to was giving me the worth case ?? Anyways I have looked thru timeless from ppl on VJ and most ppl get there'si in a month and a half to two months (I am really hoping that's the case)

So you're going to wait until you receive it in the mail or just until it's sent? With a "sent from NVC" date of Feb 25th, I'm wondering if we can expect an interview around mid-April or so, assuming we don't wait for the letter, just for it to be sent out.

My fiance finally got a hold of her US citizen mom and her mom was very mean to her and told her that she banned her from the embassy. She said she had her banned. IS that even possible or is the mom lying? I am 90% sure she is but I want to be 100% sure. She said she had her registered at birth but later had her banned?????

I highly doubt she could have had her banned. I would think that if an action like that were taken, your fiancee would've been informed about it. I would be curious to find out under what circumstances someone can be banned from an embassy without them even knowing it (or having done anything to warrant it, if that's the case here).

I was reading about this...if my fiance's mom (who is an American citizen) filed one at the embassy my fiance would be an American Citizen already and wouldn't have to prove her mom lived in the US for 5 years?

My fiance thinks that she may have been registered at the embassy. We will call Monday to find out. Is their a specific division we should call or just ask to speak to any Consulate?

Here is stuff I found about it

http://www.east-site.com/consular_reports

http://canberra.usembassy.gov/consular/acs...nship/crba.html

I don't quite understand what it means. I wish they were 100% clear

I hope she has it. She said believes her parents registered her at the embassy so this is what it would mean right?

If I am reading this right then this is pretty much all she would need to get a US passport right?

Anyone know any thing about these?

I am so excited but I don't know if I should be ...my fiance says she believes that she was "registered" at the embassy...does that mean they will have a Consular Report of Birth Abroad? Is that all we need basically for the passport. Anyone? Someone has to know?

Once I registered my son at the embassy here I was able to give them the form/documents for an American passport for him at the same time, and it arrived a week later. A CRBA is a document confirming that a child is an American citizen by virtue of having one or both parents that are American citizens. You'd have to check at the embassy to see if her mom did this (so "registered" may mean that she has a CRBA). As excited as you might be, you'll probably have to wait until monday to contact the embassy, so hang in there!

Awesome! Thank you, Could registering mean anything else or is this all it could be? Her mom abandoned her when she was young so she doesn't know for sure....she thought someone told her that her (grandma) on her mom's side (also a US citizen) was the one that registered her...Is that even possible?

"Registering" could also simply be an american citizen who is "checking in" with the local embassy or consulate where they are traveling and/or living. The consular officer that processed my son's birth abroad report highly encouraged me to "register" with the embassy so that they could get in contact with me should an emergency or other situation arise in which either they would need to contact me or my family. But in the case of your fiancee I don't think that would be applicable. I can't say to tell you whether her grandma could've done it, that depends on what the regulations were in that particular consulate around the time she was born (it's possible if the regulations for registering a birth abroad were more lax back then). Best of luck, and let us know what turns up!

I was reading about this...if my fiance's mom (who is an American citizen) filed one at the embassy my fiance would be an American Citizen already and wouldn't have to prove her mom lived in the US for 5 years?

My fiance thinks that she may have been registered at the embassy. We will call Monday to find out. Is their a specific division we should call or just ask to speak to any Consulate?

Here is stuff I found about it

http://www.east-site.com/consular_reports

http://canberra.usembassy.gov/consular/acs...nship/crba.html

I don't quite understand what it means. I wish they were 100% clear

I hope she has it. She said believes her parents registered her at the embassy so this is what it would mean right?

If I am reading this right then this is pretty much all she would need to get a US passport right?

Anyone know any thing about these?

I am so excited but I don't know if I should be ...my fiance says she believes that she was "registered" at the embassy...does that mean they will have a Consular Report of Birth Abroad? Is that all we need basically for the passport. Anyone? Someone has to know?

Once I registered my son at the embassy here I was able to give them the form/documents for an American passport for him at the same time, and it arrived a week later. A CRBA is a document confirming that a child is an American citizen by virtue of having one or both parents that are American citizens. You'd have to check at the embassy to see if her mom did this (so "registered" may mean that she has a CRBA). As excited as you might be, you'll probably have to wait until monday to contact the embassy, so hang in there!

The income requirements are non-negotiable. So if the USC's income is below the 125% of poverty amount you will need a co-sponsor for the I-134.

If your income situation changes by AOS time then perhaps you will not need a co-sponsor for the I-864. The I-134 is just for the K1 process. The I-864 is the biggie where the co-sponsor does commit themselves for a 10 year (40 quarters of employment) period of time. Read through the I-864 instructions to familiarize yourselves with the requirements.

Good luck on your journey!!

Hi,

So, from I understand - as we are both now slightly confused, For the I-134 for the initial K1 visa the USC needs 100% or above poverty line from what we've researched. However when it comes to the AOS and the I-864 form after we marry the USC needs 125% or more. Now, this to me sounds slightly crazy, why the diffrence in 25%? Why not 125% for both the I-134 and the I-864?

Thanks again

I was doing a bit of research on this exact subject today and I came across this on apex visa (those who have more experience on the subject can verify whether this is true or not, I'm just sharing what I found):

Form I-134, used for nonimmigrant visas (K1 fiancés and K3 spouse visas), until the person arrives in the U.S. and applies for change of status from non-immigrant to immigrant visa.

The I-134 Affidavit of Support is a Paper Tiger without legal support, and is "requested" at the time of the K1 visa, or K3 visa interviews. This is basically a "Fishing" document to see if the sponsoring petitioner has the ability to supply an I-864 Affidavit of Support for adjustment or change of status after the K visa beneficiary arrives in the U.S.

It got up to 97F here today (36C). Air conditioning on all day. NOT looking forward to visiting freezing-cold Pennsylvania next week.

How do you guys like these names for our baby?

For Girl: Andrea Marina

For Boy: Sebastian Harry

(Marina was my mom's name, Harry was the name of both of Justin's grandfathers)

Saludos,

Caro

We were thinking about Sebastian, but we ended up choosing Aidan (which means "little fire"). "Sebastian" reminds me of the kid in The Neverending Story (it was either that or Atreyu). We also thought about Ian (my half-brother's middle name), Christopher, Caleb, Thomas, Joaquin, and Rafael. We knew that we were going to give him "Marcos" for a middle name though, since my fiancee's name is Marcos, and so is his grandfather. Before we knew he was a boy, we were thinking of Isabella for a girl's name.

Thinking now about how to get everything together... what are your recommendations on how to put all of our forms and documents and evidence, etc. together? Would it be ok to go with a 3-ring binder/sheet protectors? I know I'm being picky here but I'm the organized one, and I want it to be easy for my fiancee to sort through everything for his interview. Photos in a baggie or would it be ok for me to attach them to pieces of paper with captions?

Any tips or tricks for improving memory (apart from drills)? I have mentioned before, my fiancee has the worst memory on the planet (I have to laugh...My dad goes from being "John" to "Tom"). Strangely enough, he can remember a face that he'd seen 2 years ago on a bus for 10 seconds but he can't remember what year I was born.

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG

My time to shineeeeeeeee!!!!!

So I was kinda bummed out today, been a week since the last touch, since then no email, no change on the website, no nothing...I opened the mailbox and there is a letter from the Department of Homeland Security - Approval notice!!!!!!!!!!!

WE GOT APPROVEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!

This has been the best support group I could have asked for, except for my fiance of course. Couldn't have found anyone else who understood us this much!!!!! This has been such a long wait and of course there is another step to go but thank you all so much for your support! I'm not going away, don't worry. I hope to be in here for the long run!!!!!!

By the way it was approved on 2/19, the day of the first touch, with no letter of intent from Josue, and forwarded from NVC to Guatemala City 2/25!!

OMG I'm so happy for you!!! That's fantastic!!!! Our NOA1 dates are the same, our NOA2 dates are the same, and the NVC "out" date is the same as well!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! WOOHOO!

WOOHOO! I called the NVC today just to check on the status of our case with them and get the case number. Our NOA2 was dated 19 Feb so I figured that possibly it was still there, but NO! The operator told me that the case has already come and gone to Juarez, it left on 25 Feb! I got the case number, so I'm sure I can contact Juarez to see where we are. Any suggestions as to how much time I should wait to see when they've sent packet 3 out?

We got our NOA2 Jan 28 and it arrived at NVC on the 30th then left and arrived on the Feb 02 at Juarez and we are still waiting for our package to be sent to us (We only want the package to be sent so we can go to Juarez we won't wait for it to arrive) The juarez phone people said it could take up tp 6 month in the worst cases but it mignt leave in about 4 more weeks.... I am hoping that that is not ture 'cuase i have heard that some ppl get thier package SENT in one months time.

Oh no! Wow, that's a long time, I can't IMAGINE waiting up to 6 months MORE! I'm going to give them a call when I'm home next week to see if they've at least received it. Do you call once a week or once every couple of days to check to see if they've sent the package?