S & M

Don't forget any evidence on phone calls. If you can get a log of phone calls, or internet calls, that can help on your 129F package. If the officer sees lots of phone calls to the same place, he'll get that you are in love.

Good Luck,

Samuel

Hi Mrs. Price :-)

my name is Marco and am in the same situation than one of the members here. The NVC keeps asking my wife (she still in Acailandia, Maranhao, Brasil) for another police certificate Atestado de Bons Antecedentes. We have sent FOUR different certificates but they tells us that " they do not fulfill the necessary requirmentes". I have asked them for a SAMPLE of the certificate they need, but of course...they have provided no help with that. I read that you have a sample of such certificate... could you send me a copy of it, with the private information blacked out of course..just so I can show it to my wife and give the NVC what they are needing in order to continue with my wife's visa process.

I thank you very much in advance.

ps. my email is cocuyona@hotmail.com

Live Long and Prosper! :-)

Marco,

Regarding the Atestado de Antecedentes Criminais, this is what the Consulate in Rio asks you to submit for interview:

"Atestado(s) de Bons Antecedentes (emitidos pela SECRETARIA DE SEGURANÇA PÚBLICA e pela POLÍCIA FEDERAL. Os certificados emitidos por Cartórios ou Fórum, não serão aceitos)"

You'll need an "Atestado" issued by the Policia Federal, one by the State of Maranhao, and any other state that you've lived for over 6 months after you turned 18. I know that the one issued by the Policia Federal can be obtained by internet. Some states (like Sao Paulo) also issues online. I know of at least one state (Parana) that does not issue the Atestado online; for that state you have to request in person.

You can get a copy of this document issued by the Consulate in Rio in the following link:

http://www.embaixada-americana.org.br/pdfs/CartaEntrev_Port_Abril09.pdf

Once you have all the documents in place, I'd suggest you to write a formal letter to NVC stating that you are following guidance issued by the local US consulate, and include a printout. In fairness to NVC, they deal with Police Certificates from over 150 countries, and they may not be as familiar with the system that is used in Brazil.

Boa Sorte,

Samuel

This may be a stupid question, but I was wondering -- since I've already been approved for a Green Card but don't actually HAVE it in hand, would I still be able to travel to Portland to Vegas on a plane using my Canadian passport? I'm not too sure if I'll be getting it yet (I received a notification that it's being produced, but I don't know how long that is going to take) but since I'm only traveling in the US, would it be okay? I

Traveling inside the US -- OK to use your Canadian passport for ID purposes [or any state ID].

Traveling outside the US -- you need a greencard, or (as an alternative) get an Infopass to your local USCIS office, and get a stamp on the passport.

Regarding the delay in receiving the Greencard, which a lot of people are mentioning:

On May 11th, USCIS had a press release for a new version Greencard. Unlike the previous one (pink), this is truly green.

My guess is all greencard production in late April was held back until this new version was released to the public. The efforts that takes to change the printing setting and validating it is mind boggling -- especially when you deal with a tamper proof (or tamper resistant) card.

My wife's interview was on Apr 27, and so far we received 2 notifications of card production: Apr 28, and May 12th. I truly think the Apr 28 notification was to "calm me down", and the May 12th one is the "true approval for card production".

Samuel

Congrats on that organized package. Must have been something pretty nice if the IO complimented you. I'm quite sure they have a lot of cases come through, yours must have stood out or they wouldn't have mentioned it.

Can you please explain what you mean by "doing the k-1 visa route was longer"?

Longer than what?? LOL.... I guess I just didn't think about there being any other route to go besides I-129F to K1 to wedding in USA.

Curious as to what else you were considering doing?

In my case, I met my now wife here in the States, and she went back to Brazil because the visa stay was expiring. She had tried to stay in the US, but the USCIS didn't approve in time for her to stay.

We had consulted a lawyer could help us get the greencard faster if she came to the States legally through any other visa (ie, student or visitor visa), and file for Adjustment of Status after getting married here. That's a 2-3 month timeframe.

Comparing to the K-1 Visa, you have to add another 6 months (to file 129F up to getting the visa). {Total of 9-10 months}

That's what the IO was referring to the K1 process being a longer process.

Samuel

I've done my homework and read through manuals. I've just got to fill in some forms(that were already filled out, but then G had a change of date and we've got to make sure we're submitting factual information!), and print off a few things, but I've basically got it all loosely together. Well, really loose. I was wondering if you had a suggestion on how to assemble the pictures. I have them on an SD card, but I went and had them printed off. There's about 18 that span over my 3 trips to Venezuela. Should I glue them two to a sheet on write on the sheet? Should I print them off on photo paper and type up a caption?

Also, what about mailing off the package. Once I've got the I-129F itself assembled, how should I package it (I'm planning USPS w/ tracking, etc, but I'm referring to the actual packaging of the I-129F "package".)

Thank you.

You had excellent responses so far. Here is my personal experience.

1) When I filed the 129F for my fiancee, I glued / stapled 2 pictures to a 8.5 x 11 paper, with captions when the picture was taken [date, location, and event].

I also selected pictures that included other friends. I included their names in the caption, and as much as possible I tried to create a story through the pictures. For example, as part of the package, you have to write down how you met, and describe the times that you met face-to-face. Include a few pictures (and caption) that captured those events.

2) I included separators / tabs to make it easier for the officer to organize the package. I tried to imagine on how I would ask a secretary to organize the package for me.

Don't know if it helped, but during the AOS interview the officer said several times "you were organized, you did the right way". Doing the K-1 visa route was longer, but the best way.

Good luck,

Samuel

You got the answer directly with the Embassy, thus that's the best answer overall.

Just a comment on typographical errors that other VJ members might find: when you enter the US, at the POE you must give a SEALED envelope that you received from the Embassy. Obviously I didn't open mine, but my guess is this envelope has your the file that go to the USCIS office. If the officer at the POE has any questions, you should suggest him / her to take a look at the sealed envelope that you are giving him.

I know that this process is nerve wrecking, but my experience is that if we calmly explain to the officer, on most cases they will make a reasonable decision.

Parabens !!!!

Just a background,

- I'm filing the AOS for my wife, who came to the US through a K-1 Visa.

- I'm currently unemployed.

- I'm currently living on the same house with my wife and my brother-in-law (who is a US citizen, and make enough money to cover the 125% poverty line)

Following are the questions that I have

** Question 23: My individual annual Salary is:

--> Since I'm unemployed, what do I write?

I have a few options:

a) I received a bonus that was paid this year

b) My estimated unemployment benefits for this year

When I add them up, it is enough to cover the 125% poverty line. Will that be enough?

Would you suggest to include a letter?

** Question 24: My household income is...

Because I'm currently unemployed, I can't prove that I will have a steady income.

I'm inclined to add my brother-in-law's income, and have him file the Form I-864A (Contract between the Sponsor and Household Member)

** Question 25: Federal Income Tax ...

I have not filed for Tax Year 2009 yet, only up to 2008.

Will the officer look negatively on my request, or can I argue that the deadline for Tax Year 2009 is not due yet?

I was thinking of submitting up to 2008. When we go to the interview, we would take the 2009 tax return in case we need it.

Any help or suggestions is appreciated.

This questions pertains to filing an Affidavit of Support (I-134 for K1, and later I-864 for AOS):

Background:

- I have all the docs necessary for the I-134 filing:

statement from employer on position, salary & date of employment,

transcripts of tax return for the previous 3 years,

copy of tax return for the past 3 years,

copy of paycheck stubs

- For the past 3 years made enough money to cover the 125% of poverty line.

- Since I have the letter from employer and 3 years of tax return that covers the minimum income, I'm leaving the assets portion in blank.

I expect to los my job in a month or so, thus by the time I file the Affidavit of Support for the AOS (I-864), I can't get a letter from my employer.

I've looked through the I-864, and most likely I'll have to click that I'm "Unemployed since _____".

Question:

1) How do I answer my individual annual income?

The salary that I've collected this year so far? [i can attach my last paycheck stub...] It covers the 125% poverty line...

2) I am also stating the Total Income for the past 3 years, which cover the 125% poverty line

Should I fill out the assets portion of the Affidavit of support? Is it necessary?

3) Is there a place where I could put the retirement fund (like 401k) that I have?

3) Would you recommend adding anything else?

Any suggestions are appreciated !