Done--Really

Since it is post April 15, it would not be a surprise to have them ask for updated info for 2014, so I would be prepared with new I-864 forms as well as IRS transcripts in case they ask.

The question is not what did they take with them, but rather what did the embassy ask for during the interview. But if you have any doubts whatsoever, then of course package up everything you have and take it with you -- CDJ is not known for asking for lots of stuff at the interview, but there is never any downside to taking too much.

And be sure you read only the info about cr1/ir1 visas

CDJ is extremely busy and they tell you exactly what they want -- just do what they say. Many people have written about their experiences here:

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?trim=no&cty=&cnty=Mexico&page=1&dfilter=5&topic=IR-1/CR-1

The link doesn't seem to work, so just go to the embassy reviews at the top of the page, and enter Mexico and cr1/ir1 into the correct boxes and you will find plenty of experiences.

You can apply for an extension -- read through the instructions.

http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-539instr.pdf

There are no penalties if the extension is declined.

Please be more specific with the EXACT dates she got her initial green card, and exits and entries for ALL trips, and then we can be of more help

There is no US standard -- every state has their own laws, so simply go to your state's department of motor vehicles website, and it will spell out exactly what you need to do. For example, we were living in NJ when my wife immigrated from Costa Rica, and several things were clear form their website:

1) The international drivers license was meaningless in NJ, so no reason to get one

2) Since she was over 18 and had driven for more than two years with a Costa Rica license, she did not have to take a driving test

3) She did, however, have to take a written test, and she could take it in any of several languages -- she used Spanish of course

Separate subject, but we later moved to Texas, and her NJ license plus green card was all we needed to switch from a NJ license to a TX license -- no written test, no driving test

Oath will be in Austin which is great since that is where we live

I just read the I-864 instructions and it is silent on the question whether or not the income of a spouse who is working in the US without papers can be included as part of the family income -- please contact USCIS as soon as you can to get a definitive answer -- it may take some digging. Or if you know really experienced immigration lawyer, it would probably be worth a consult to get an answer.

The ITIN is instead of a social security number. It is primarily for people in the US without papers, but is also used by some foreign investors who live outside the country.

You have to sponsor your husband, meaning it is your income that counts for the affidavit of support. If you don't have enough then you need a joint sponsor. The joint sponsor can be any USC or permanent resident, doesn't have to be immediate relative.

Normally, the beneficiary's income will count if it will continue from the same source after immigration. However, as your husband is working illegally in the US, I doubt they will count that for immigration purposes. May I ask how he's even able to work and pay taxes when he's in the US illegally? Just curious.

Way too many people assume that just because someone is here without papers, they work and hide all their income -- that just isn't the case. It is easy to get an ITIN number and file taxes just like the rest of us do. The last data I could find was for 2006 when 1.4 million folks filed using ITIN numbers -- it's a far cry from everyone, but not zero like everyone seems to think.

We live in Austin TX, and every tax preparer service has big signs saying they will get an ITIN number for you if you don't have one, and of course will also file your taxes for you with the ITIN number.

I would certainly get an official opinion from USCIS whether or not his income qualifies -- he is here without papers, but is paying his taxes, and presumably his job will continue into the future.

If your tutoring income meets all the requirement plus a cushion, then why wait around ?? But if it is marginal, then you will have to add some additional income or rely on liquid assets to make up the difference.

Let's look at what his real commitment is -- if you become a citizen which you can do three years after you get the green card assuming you are still married, the I-864 obligation is terminated, so his only real risk is that you split up before then, and even then you can file on your own after five years, so it's not forever -- he may not have focused on the idea that it is not forever

Guess I should have looked harder -- thanks so much

I have seen those before as well, but have looked everywhere with no success.

The one thing that is crystal clear is that the folks here on VJ are a tiny fraction of the total.

Yes, but only to Costa Rica and Mexico -- it has been flawless. The CR transfers have always been dollars and the Mexican in pesos. MG says they can send $$ to VietNam.

MoneyGram says it would just be $15 fee

The very first thing you must do is to check to see if you CAN work. Most countries have restrictions on visitors working -- just like the US does. So, check the legalities first before you worry about insurance and other things.

Maybe. Make a list here of the exact dates you were in the US and when you were away. It's all in the numbers.

We added my wife when she became an LPR because that was in fact a qualifying event -- it was CIGNA at the time (now Humana), and no one batted an eye. I had asked HR and they didn't know for sure, so sent me directly to CIGNA, and that is why I still suggest that you call Humana in addition to talking to HR.

Really big suitcases did the trick for us. Check with the airline how much you have to pay for each suitcase as well as its maximum allowed weight.

It would be very unusual. He should first talk directly to the head of HR, and if not satisfied, he should then ask for their written policy as well as a copy of the master contract with the insurance company. And don't take no for an answer if HR says they won't give you the documents.

Simultaneously, he should call the insurance company directly.

90 days in the US and 90 in either Canada or Mexico might work. Both are extraordinary countries, and obviously very different.

In San Antonio, we went just over four months between fingerprints and interview.

But none of that matters -- read through the threads for each month, and you will see a lot of folks from your area, and only then will you get an idea about how long it has been taking.

That's the question we have been dancing around -- are we 100% certain that the EAD would be denied out of hand, or would it be issued before the rest of the case is adjudicated -- and IF she had the EAD AND had a job, it would be counted if she could show that it would continue from the same source after AOS -- at least that is what the I-864 instructions say.

And of course e don't want them to file if there is no chance that they meet the income test and/or co sponsor test.

It seems to me that the possibility of an RFE asking for either additional income or a co sponsor is the most likely case, and in effect, the I-864 is "updated" at that time anyway -- either with additional financial information or a joint sponsor, or whatever.

Really just trying to see what options might be available in addition to just returning to the UK, hiding in the weeds here, or trying to get the AOS process underway with the "traditional" approach. While everyone else is trying to speed things up, wouldn't it be nice if the OP could get her EAD, and slow things down so that she has a chance to find work so her income would be counted on the eventual I-864.