tibortt

I wonder myself too...

They didn't even take a look at the job offer letter and other proofs (flight ticket, domicile). All other papers were fine, no question, they only had problem with the Affidavit of Support, because as they said "foreign earned income doesn't count". All of us (my husband, our son and me) were up in Dublin at the interview.

I called them regarding my return to Hungary and I also mentioned that my husband is working but nothing has changed. Everybody says that the Irish Embassy is an easy one, but I don't agree with that. They kept my passport, because they assumed we can get a sponsor immediately, and we were told that as soon as they receive the sponsor's Affidavit of Support they will send my passport back with the visa in it. Now I have to write a letter and ask for my passport if I want to go back to Hungary. But I will call them next Monday and will ask about the payslip again. We NEVER give up, it has to be some other solution which is more appreciate. Hopefully it's just a misunderstanding between the Irish consulate and us.

Hi,

We are pretty much in the same situation, but my husband made well over the poverty line in Ireland and had a job offer letter which confirmed that he could start between Augustus 31 and November 02, because they understood our situation. My interview was on the 29th of September (Tuesday), my husband left on the 2nd of October (Friday) and started to work on the 5th (next Monday). So, he is working and seeking for a co-sponsor in the State while our 3 years old son (USC as well) and me are still in Ireland and waiting for my visa. I'd like to go back to Hungary until he will find someone, because I am a Hungarian national, but this is another question.

They ignored the job letter (didn't want to see it not even the purchased flight ticket) and our situation that we have a little fellow. They kept saying we need a co-sponsor. Now we know, it would have been better if he just hop on a plain and starts to work in September before my interview but we just didn't want to be apart.

I don't want to scare you, every consulates are different (hopefully in Germany they are more sympathetic). I just like to share our experience.

So I agree with that: go to the States, and get a letter confirming your "current" employment as you said, but before you go it's worth to ask them first. I suppose they know your situation and they'll be willing to make a new letter, it doesn't cost them anyway.

If your spouse get an interview date after your official work start date, I would definitely go back and start to work. As *Dakine* said "it will make a big difference". You might be lucky and be able to show payslip as well.

Hopefully everything works out good for you. Wish you all the best!

I have heard that some consulates (India is my best recollection) do require the sponsor to be able to cover the income for the intending immigrant's entire household. But that is uncommon from all that I have seen here on VJ. And the Consulate does have a good bit of latitude in this area.

Of course the person giving the answer may have just made a mistake, or something could have gotten twisted in passing along the information.

Hopefully just a mistake. I would not understand the purpose of sponsoring US citizens. I should get answer sometimes next week from the Embassy.

Keep you posted.

Thank you for your encouragement.

Foreign income that does not continue when moving to the US does not matter. Current, continuing income is what matters.

The immigrant is the only person needing a sponsor. If the co-sponsor is single with no children or dependents then their household would be 2 (sponsor and immigrant). They are not sponsoring the USC spouse or USC children of the immigrant.

Look at the example form here on VJ to get an idea of the sponsor's form.

I looked at the example and it was clear for me that my USC husband and son do not include into the sponsor's household size, but I just wanted to be a 100% sure that they were wrong at the Embassy when they said that the sponsor's household size is 4. It seems like to me they are a little confused too about the whole immigration system.

I really appreciate your help! Now it makes the process lot faster and I'll get my passport back with the visa in it within a week or so.

Thank you.

The co-sponsor incomes cannot be combined (unless they are household members) so John in Boston and Paul in Chicago cannot combine incomes to sponsor George from Paris. Ringo from New York earning over the required income for his family plus the immigrant can be a co-sponsor.

Assets are counted on a 3:1 ratio. See the form I-864 instructions, page 8 for guidance regarding asset valuation.

Co-sponsor household size is plus one for you the immigrant. If single, then household size of 2. The immigrant is the person being sponsored, not the USC petitioner or their USC children. Thepetitioner must count their entire household and file an I-864 regardless of income level.

Thank you for your prompt reply.

Just one question: My husband's income was not accepted on the Affidavit of Support because he has worked overseas (we have been living and working in Ireland since 2006). Basically he earned nothing however he made well over the poverty line. In this case is still the co-sponsor's "household size 2" OR the sponsor needs to put down my husband and our son as well?

Thank you. I appreciate your help.

Hi everybody,

I had my interview last week and we were told that we need a joint sponsor, which we have (friend of my husband). But we are still a little confused about the sponsor's requirements. We asked them at the Embassy immediately after the interview, but they were not sure...

So, the questions are:

1. Who needs to be added to the co-sponsor's household size?

My husband and our 3 years old son are both USC, Our co-sponsor is single.

Does he needs to put down on his Affidavit of Support my husband and our son "household size 4" OR only him and me (the immigrant) which makes "household size 2"?

2. Can the co-sponsor shows assets if he is under the 125% poverty guideline? And how many times the shortage needs to be counted?

3. Is there any way to have two sponsors?

It's really a bad situation, because I am still in Ireland with our 3 years old son, while my husband is already in the States.

Thank you all for your help!

hi tibbort,

congrats on the visa:) and thanks for posting your question concerning co-sponsors. i am in the same boat as my irish income doesnt count either.

i have a question for you concerning the embassy in dublin. should i leave all my documents and the i-129f petition with them? or post it to the us?

on the fone they said to me to leave it with them. but as you pointed out, sometimes their advice can be confusing;)

thanks for any answers you can give me.

here's to sunny days and california living:)

niall.

Hey Niall,

I feel you, it is sure confusing. You are considered as DCF, so your paperwork must remain at Dublin Embassy, just like my wife's. You are considered as an expat, so by posting it to the US would be a no-go.

You need to dig up a co sponsor (preferably a SINGLE person), copy his/her '08 1040, attach a W-2 to it and a copy of the picture page of the person's US passport and you're done (provided the the co-sponsor's income is ABOVE poverty guide lines).

Let me know whazzup.

Tibor

hey Tibor,

wow! i really was looking in the wrong place. im seeing now that doing the 1-130 is probably our best option. but we are not yet married and there is a 4 month waiting period after we issue our intent to marry (dublin). thats a problem isnt it? altho if we marry in belfast (2-3 week wait) can we still go through us embassy in dublin? im going to scour the forums and look for some advice. cheers for the info.

will certainly keep u posted

we will get there and buy u a cocktail on the west coast;)

niall

Hey Niall,

Sure thing you can marry in Belfast, would be no prob. Actually, we got married in Hungary. Do it wherever is faster!

Once you guys got married either wait 2 years (NOT) or do a status adjustment in the States once you are in. But I'd definitely suggest to do your DCF from Dublin Embassy, cuz it is truly an easy, kick-back embassy and QUICK. It took us 2 1/2 months for the whole nine-yard.

Keep me posted and cheers m8t!

Tibor

hi tibbort,

congrats on the visa:) and thanks for posting your question concerning co-sponsors. i am in the same boat as my irish income doesnt count either.

i have a question for you concerning the embassy in dublin. should i leave all my documents and the i-129f petition with them? or post it to the us?

on the fone they said to me to leave it with them. but as you pointed out, sometimes their advice can be confusing;)

thanks for any answers you can give me.

here's to sunny days and california living:)

niall.

Hey Niall,

I feel you, it is sure confusing. You are considered as DCF, so your paperwork must remain at Dublin Embassy, just like my wife's. You are considered as an expat, so by posting it to the US would be a no-go.

You need to dig up a co sponsor (preferably a SINGLE person), copy his/her '08 1040, attach a W-2 to it and a copy of the picture page of the person's US passport and you're done (provided the the co-sponsor's income is ABOVE poverty guide lines).

Let me know whazzup.

Tibor

Congrats, that's great news! Pity about your Irish income not being allowed - am I right in thinking that that this was going to continue in the US or did I mix you up?

From my very limited knowledge or joint v co sponsor, I thought they were pretty much the same thing. So if your father (just randomly picking someone) sponsored your wife, he would fill out the I-864 and be the joint sponsor, joint because you also have to fill out the 1-864. If he filed taxes jointly with someone, he/she would have to fill out the I-864A as a co-sponsor. Now, I could have this completely mixed up, but that's my interpretation of it all.

Thanks Mand for the info, we're almost there. We have a good friend of ours in CA, makes a zillion a year, so co-sponsorship will be a breeze. I am leaving Friday back to CA., Monday I am FedEx-ing our co-sponsor's signed I-864, a copy of his '08 1040, W-2 and a copy of his US passport.

Ten days and we have a visa in the mailbox.

Wishing you all the best and good luck!

Yesterday night I looked at my phone and saw this email (I was in shock)!!!!

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL ***

The last processing action taken on your case

Receipt Number: EAC**********

Application Type: I129F , PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status: Approval notice sent.

On September 28, 2009, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.

*Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov under Check My Case Status and Check Processing Times.

*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.

Sincerely,

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Wonderful news! Congratulations!!!!

Just got the call! Approved!!!! after a 3 hour wait it took a minute to interview! Thankyou all

Congratulations, way to go!!!

Hi everybody, we went for the big day today in Dublin to the Embassy and we have good news, but it ain't over yet! Even though we've got APPROVED , but we were told that we need co-sponsor (which we'll have). The reason is that my Irish income can not be counted as income earned in the US. At the Embassy two person told us two different requests. One person (the older lady with the glasses, who collects the documents prior to the interview) said we need a "co-sponsor".

During the interview, (the young, very friendly lady) told us we need a "joint-sponsor" and wrote "Form I-864A" as the name of the form on a piece of paper. Now, we are confused a little bit...

Our questions are:

1./ What is the difference between "Co and Joint" Sponsor? - Aren't they both the same?

2./ We checked form I-864A up and I don't think that would apply. Our "Co or Joint" sponsor is NOT a household member and my wife would not qualify as his household member either (he is our friend).

3./ Our household size is 3.

4./ What is the household size our (Co, Joint?) sponsor has to put down on HIS Affidavit of Support (I-864 or I-864A(?)? - 4 (us 3, plus him) or just 2 (him and my wife (as the intending immigrant)?

5./ Finally, what is our (Co/Joint) sponsor friend's income requirement would be to qualify as "Co or Joint" Sponsor?

Soon I'll let you know how the interview went. The good news is that Dublin isn't a difficult Embassy at all and all went smooth

Thank you in advance for your inputs.

I have not send in the K-1 petition yet and it will be a few months before i plan to. My question is this. When it comes time to provide proof of financial stability what will they accept as proof. My reason for asking is, i make more than enough money but most of my income is in the form of tips and my true financial status is not reflected on my pay check stubs. It would be no problem to just start claiming everything that i make and have it show on my stubs. Would this be all that i need to do? If so i will start doing that now so i can go ahead and start saving stubs. Will they look at the year to date or look at the amount of each check that i submit and average it out? If this wont work what do i need to do? Are they going to want to see past w2s? If so i will be screwed.

They will want to see more than just past W2's. At the very least, they will want a copy of your most recent tax return (including W2's), or a transcript of that return from the IRS. If you have not been claiming your tips as income then you are, as you say, "screwed". Either you submit an affidavit of support that looks like you don't have sufficient income to sponsor an immigrant, or you begin claiming all of your tips and admit to an agency of the federal government that you've been cheating on your taxes and not claiming the bulk of your income. Not an enviable position to be in.

An alternative would be to "come clean", and file revised returns for the years since you began that job. Of course, this will mean actually paying taxes for those years, including penalties and interest. Once the revised returns have been accepted, then you can get tax account transcripts (not simply tax transcripts) from the IRS showing the revised returns. The taxpayers of the US will thank you!

Well said!

IN Dublin, they usually give you back the passport with the visa in it the same day, but if they ae very busy or if they ened to check some things, it may be a day or two. The envelope is so they can send it back to your mailing address, especially if you do not live in Dublin and thus cannot just pick it up.

It isn't the general practice anymore to hand back passports w/visa in it on the same day. They mail it to the applicants in the brown envelope along w/other docs they may keep at the time of the interview.

IN Dublin, they usually give you back the passport with the visa in it the same day, but if they ae very busy or if they ened to check some things, it may be a day or two. The envelope is so they can send it back to your mailing address, especially if you do not live in Dublin and thus cannot just pick it up.

Thanks Penguin.

Some consulates ask you for a prepaid envelope to send your passport back after the interview.

I assume with the visa in it - correct? Thanks for your reply.

Hi everybody, we just got a phone call from the Dublin Embassy. The person asked us to bring a brown envelope with 8 Euros worth of stamps on it.

Does anybody knows what is the envelope for and why is it necessary?

My wife has the interview set for next Tuesday at 13:00.

Thank you!

How exciting/scary! An adventure! I've been flying since I was young, but I still really like the whole process of the thing.

Let me start out by pointing out that many many people who are at the airport with you have never been to that airport before either. There will be many many signs because they know a lot of people have never been there before and need directions.

So, some step by step directions:

First: Packing.

There are only a couple of things which you MUST have to travel: Passport, K1 DO NOT OPEN Packet.

Technically, everything else is just extra. I also recommend that along side those two things you have a printed itinerary with all of your reservation codes, flight numbers, air lines and times.

Most of your things should go into your "checked" baggage. When you get to the airport, you'll give those bags to the airline agent (when you go up to the counter) and they'll take care of putting them on the plane - and such. For your first trip, you want to make things as easy as you can, so I would recommend that you take nothing larger than a back pack and purse for your carry on - you don't want to be dealing with wheeling things around, or anything which you need to hold in your hand. In your carry on bags, you'll want to put anything valuable that you are carrying (cell phone, laptop, jewelery etc), as well as a change or two of clothes (incase your checked is delayed) any medications you need to take and whatever entertainment you are bringing along. Be sure to read about restrictions on liquid - if you're bringing makeup or anything (I wouldn't recommend it - put it in your checked).

Second: Getting started!

For your first flight, make sure that you get to the airport early - For international travel, 2 hours or so is best. You want to make sure you plan for getting stuck in traffic, or long lines at the counter (say if the computers go down). When you walk into the departures area, you'll look for your airline and get in line to check in. You *can* do online check in, but if you wait and do it at the counter, at least you'd have an opportunity with some face time with an airline rep who you can ask some questions to.

Third: Security

Once you have dropped off your luggage and gotten your boarding pass (she'll also have given you your gate number) you'll go through security. You may want to ask to be pointed in the right direction in case your airport is large and there's more than one security station. I usually keep my passport and boarding pass out of my bag in my hand (and since you don't have anything else to carry if you followed suggestion 1, this shouldn't be an issue) until I get through security. Follow all the directions, and put all of your metal things in your bag to go through the scanner. It's easiest to just follow the directions and get through no hassle.

Fourth: Finding your gate....and waiting.

Now you're through security, you can put your boarding pass and passport away. Some airports are different - some have a departure lounge where you have to wait until your gate "opens" other airports you can go to your gate and there will be chairs there where you can sit. Find your gate (or the way to your gate) using the monitors and information boards which should be quite plentiful - verify your flight number, and gate number and see if it is on time, delayed or canceled. Once you've done all that, it's time to relax! Since you've gotten there early, there will likely be quite a lot of time before you need to get on the plane. I suggest walking around, as you'll soon be doing a lot of sitting! Since you'll be going international, there will probably be a lot of shops that you could go to. I waste a lot of time window shopping. Oh...and make sure to use the ladies' room - it's sooo inconvenient to do so on the plane, so minimize that!

Fifth: Getting on the plane! YAY!

When the time comes, (you should be given a boarding time) make your way to your gate. You'll want to get your boarding pass (and sometimes your passport too) out of your bag again. Take note of your seat number. (It's usually two numbers and a letter). They usually board the plane according to what row (the number part) of the plane you are in. When the call your row, you get in line. you'll show your boarding pass, and get some of it back. You'll walk down the jetway (it's a long, movable hall way from the building to the plane) and then onto the plane itself! Find your seat, and put your passport and boarding pass away again.

Sixth: Settling in and preparing for your flight.

I usually keep my things with me, rather than using the overhead bin - then if I decide I want anything, I can get to it easily. The area under the seat in front of you is yours to stuff things into. If you've stuck with a reasonably sized backpack and purse, it should all fit easily. While others are boarding, get situated. There's a bunch of things you can look at in the seat pocket in front of you - including the instructions for passengers - it goes over emergency things, as well as basics like how to put on your seat belt.

Seventh: The flight! Wee!!

In general, you'll just sit in your seat, with your seat belt on. For a long flight you'll probably need to get up once or twice to use the lavatory - take that opportunity to walk up and down the aisles a couple times. The flight attendants can help you with just about everything else. They bring you food and drinks and come back to take away the trash. Basic airplane ettiquette is to minimize how much you fidget around - so...don't be constantly putting your tray table up and down (the person in front of you can feel it) Don't be changing the angle of your seat back 5 billion times. It's not that I want you to be afraid to move - just be aware that literally every move you make affects at least 3 people - the person in front, behind and beside you. The best way to get through the flight is to try to sleep most of it away.

Eighth: Arrival! YAY!

When you land, you'll want to double check to make sure you have put all of your things back into your bag. Again, I would suggest having your papers out in your hand while you're sitting down and can do it calmly instead of trying to get things out while standing in line. Get out your passport and K1 DO NOT OPEN envelope, and keep them in your hand with your customs form and I94. Once you get off of the plane, basically follow the crowd. Read the POE reviews for a detail of what happens next - you'll get in a (probably long) line, and then go through immigration. Then you'll go and pick up your luggage, and pass customs. For me, customs has usually been a non-event. Turn over the customs form, and move on.

Ninth: Connections!

Gosh, I just flew through LAX in 2007, and I can't remember how it works -- I *think* you'll have go to outside and get on the interterminal bus - I don't think you can stay within security and change terminals at LAX I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong... It's also possible to walk, if you have time. Everything is by air line, so if you get on the bus and tell the driver which air line your connection is on, they will take you to the right spot. The process for the next flight will be a lot like the last one - you'll go to the counter for your air line, and again give the agent your checked bags (make sure they are tagged to go to CC), go through security, find your gate, wait, get on the plane. You'll be a pro at this by the time the trip is over!!

When you change flights for the second time, you will NOT need to deal with your checked luggage. It should be handled by the airline all the way to CC. When you get to Dallas, you just get off of the plane, then go and look for your next gate. Again, if it is the same air line, it is probably in the same terminal (though it could be some walk). Find your gate, and then stretch your legs (if you have time).

Tenth: Home coming!!

Once your last flight lands, again, follow the crowd out through security (signs will be leading you to baggage claim). Once you get past security, your Fiance should be waiting for you! YAY! TOGETHER AT LAST!!

Wow that was a lot....Well, I hope it helps. And, I hope you have as much fun traveling as I do! The key is always to leave yourself a lot of time - figure out as many things early as you can, and bring a good book.

Eleventh: Just forget the whole thing, kick back and relax! You'll be fine! Have a safe flight.

OMG !!! Visa APPROVED !!!

Wow ! we are so excited! Everything went nice and organized.

The order that you are called is aleatory, some people were fingerprinted after me, and they were interviwed first, so be patient.

Good luck for everyone, be organized and prepared and everything goes good. Just submit what they ask you but keep and bring with you copies of what you already submited to NVC. Bring a lot of proof of relationship, better safe than sorry.

AWESOME NEWS!!!!!! CONGRATS. TIBOR AND ANDREA

Hey everyone, we got approved today in manila!! WOOHOO!! We're going to Disney World!!! er... I mean USA hehehe but maybe disney world later ahaha

Andy & Kim

Thanks to all here at VJ for the swift responses to questions and great tutorials!

Congrats from the bottom of our heart. Well done! - Tibor and Andrea

after just 50 days since sending the I-130 we were approved today in italy. I would highly recommend DCF filing compared to the stressful and timely procedures for regular filing if at all possible!

thanks VJ!!

Congrats, it's pasta time!

For the Dublin DCF process for an IR1 visa, should there be a Case No. returned in the Pack 3 - it is a field to be included on the DS-2001 to be returned to the embassy.

In the Pack we received from the embassy, we got all the documentation and forms such as DS-230 etc. but no case number and I can't seem to find any information on this elsewhere, nor can I get any answer from the embassy itself or the phone line they have listed on their website. Does the Dublin Embassy even provide a case number? Should we be worried we didn't receive one?

We did not have a case number either, it seems like they do not provide one. On the "Notification of Applicant Readiness" (form DS-2001) just left the case # blank.

Good luck on your interview!

Thanks very much redglasses! Will keep you all posted.

Im an Irish citizen married to a US citizen for over 5 years - we've lived in ireland the entire time.

My wife filed an I-130 petition on August 15th with all the required information. We have heard nothing since and Im wondering whether we should have received an acknowledgement of receipt at this stage at least ( I think thats what the NOA1 is????)

Im wondering if not, how long is it before each of the steps/ forms/ acknowledment take in Ireland - I'd really appreciate getting some information from someone who's gone through the process here in Dublin.

Also if I should have got the NOA1 by now, could my I-130 have got missing and how can I find out as there is no direct number to call to the Dublin US Embassy.

Thanks in advance for all our help

Edger, did you send your docs by registered mail?

Im an Irish citizen married to a US citizen for over 5 years - we've lived in ireland the entire time.

My wife filed an I-130 petition on August 15th with all the required information. We have heard nothing since and Im wondering whether we should have received an acknowledgement of receipt at this stage at least ( I think thats what the NOA1 is????)

Im wondering if not, how long is it before each of the steps/ forms/ acknowledment take in Ireland - I'd really appreciate getting some information from someone who's gone through the process here in Dublin.

Also if I should have got the NOA1 by now, could my I-130 have got missing and how can I find out as there is no direct number to call to the Dublin US Embassy.

Thanks in advance for all our help

Edger, it seems like you guys are after us. - See our time line. If you have any questions, let us know.

15/07/2009 Mailed package (I-130) to the US Embassy, Dublin (Registered mail)

16/07/2009 Package received by the US Embassy, Dublin

30/07/2009 Received DS230 (Instructions for Immigrant Visa Applicants, Notification of Applicant Readiness)

06/08/2009 Mailed DS-230 back to Dublin

13/08/2009 Filed for Irish Police Certificate @ Shannon Garda Station

15/08/2009 Mailed DS-2001 NOTIFICATION OF APPLICANT READINESS

18/08/2009 Embassy received DS-2001 NOTIFICATION OF APPLICANT READINESS

19/08/2009 Medical exam at Dr. Ruthledge (Sandymount)

27/08/2009 Embassy called Andrea on her cell phone to schedule interview for 01/09. Some docs are still missing. Person said just call back when ready to reschedule (Had problem with 1 doc)

08/09/2009 Called Embassy - we are ready - Appointment is on 09/29/09