kg8183

You only count the day if you are out of the country for 24 hours correct?

Our approach has been:

1) if left and came back to the US in less then 24 hrs (ie day trip to Canada) --> was not included in # of trips outside the US --> was not included in # of days outside the US

2) if trip lasted more than 24hrs --> counted in the number of trips outside --> partial days on each end included as full days to calculate # of days outside

Thank you everyone for your input!

That's all I just sent under the 3 year rule. Tax returns, marriage cert, his birth certificate, his divorce decree (copies of all). I'll take anything else they mentioned to the interview. I basically just followed their checklist exactly (I even included it, ticking off what I've put in the package, just to make it crystal clear to them that I've followed their directions).

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/article/attachments.pdf

It's up to you if you want to include the extra stuff, but the checklist clearly says OR between the examples of what to include for evidence under the 3 year rule.

Thanks. I saw the instructions and that's why I am leaning towards only sending tax transcripts, marriage certificate and copy of my wife's certificate of naturalization.

By the way, what did you do with Part 9? Specifically, did you include the number of days outside the US before coming to the US? How about the trips prior to GC?

I think I am crossing off 5 and putting 3 for 9.1-9.3 and including only things after getting the GC.

Thanks

Hi all.

I will be applying for citizenship based on the 3 yr rule.

I was goin to send out the N-400 package with just the bare minimum they ask for - the tax transcrips for the last 3 years and a copy of the marriage certificate. Also, planning to take all the other evidence with me to the interview.

Then, it occurred to me that since I came to the US on IR-1 and got the GC, we haven't dealt with the USCIS (my GC was not conditional, as we were married for over whatever the threshold is when it was issued). So this got me thinking maybe I should also include copies of the most recent joint- lease, utility bill, bank statement, and copy of our son's birth certificate.

What do you guys think?

Thanks for any advice!

Hi all,

I finally got around to complete my application for US citizenship based on 3 yrs of marriage to a US Citizen. As I was putting together the application and reading online about the process, I came across the requirement of submitting change of address (AR-11) every time I moved since becoming a LPR (04/24/2013). I did not know of this requirement, hence, I never submitted one (I changed address several times over the last ~ 3.5 years).

That being said, on the N-400 I have listed all physical addresses for the last 5 years and my current address is marked as my current physical/mailing address.

My questions:

1) Should I submit an AR-11 at this point, prior to submitting N-400? Could this possibly create more confusion?

2) If AR-11 should be submitted, should I send one for each change of physical address or one for the latest move is sufficient?

Thanks for any advice!

Submit a AR-11 for the most recent address change.

Thank you both. The thing is:

1. USCIS has address A in file
2. I stayed in address B temporarily (2 months) - new job relocation
3. I stayed in address C temporarily (1 week)
4. I moved to permanent address D

Below is an excerpt from online AR-11 instructions:

" You do not need to include temporary addresses as long as you maintain your present address as your permanent residence and continue to receive mail there.

When sending us a change of address, you do not need to include numerous last addresses; only the most recent last address is needed"

​Address A remained my permanent address where I received my mail and where my citizen wife and son stayed while I was at B and C temporarily. My guess is that I would only need to complete 1 AR-11 form, and I would put the address A as previous and address D as most recent (no need to include/report B and C).

​However, on the N-400, I will be disclosing address B and C, as on that form they specifically mention Physical Address.

Does this sound about right?

Thanks!

All,

I think I am being really picky, but...

In the last 5 years (08/14/2011 - 08/14/2016):

1. 08/14/2011 - 04/23/2013 - lived outside of the US (618 days)
2. 04/24/2013 - entered the US/became LPR upon entry
3. 07/03/2014 - 08/03/2014 - traveled outside (32 days)

9.1 - I have put 650 days

9.2 - 1 (trip)

9.3 - details of item 3 above

I understand this is important when one applies based on the 5yr rule. But with 3yr rule, do they actually pay attention to date of entry/becoming an LPR and the number of days absent since these dates, basically ignoring the 618 days in point 1?

Thank you!

Hi all,

I finally got around to complete my application for US citizenship based on 3 yrs of marriage to a US Citizen. As I was putting together the application and reading online about the process, I came across the requirement of submitting change of address (AR-11) every time I moved since becoming a LPR (04/24/2013). I did not know of this requirement, hence, I never submitted one (I changed address several times over the last ~ 3.5 years).

That being said, on the N-400 I have listed all physical addresses for the last 5 years and my current address is marked as my current physical/mailing address.

My questions:

1) Should I submit an AR-11 at this point, prior to submitting N-400? Could this possibly create more confusion?

2) If AR-11 should be submitted, should I send one for each change of physical address or one for the latest move is sufficient?

Thanks for any advice!

https://apps.health.ny.gov/doh2/applinks/accessny/elgibility/gettingstarted.jsp

Use the tool to see if you can apply.

Thanks for the tool. The toolkit is not designed to determine immigrant eligibility. It just looks at other factors (i.e. income, child care). I have found some literature indicating the New York State Medicaid and Family Health Plus are not means-tested but I'd like to see a more credible source.

Not means tested..

It's ok for you to apply

Thank you for the reply. What makes you think that it is not means tested and, therefore, ok for me to apply.

Hello

I moved to the US less than a week ago on IR1 visa to join my USC wife and USC newborn child. Since my wife is on a maternity leave and I am not employed currently, we are seriously considering applying for Family Halth Plus, which is a public health insurance program here in New York State based on household income.

As I understand my USC wife and child are eligibile to receive the insurance benefit. However, it is not clear to me whether this is considered as mean's tested public benefit and if I (LPR) am eligible to receive it. Please share any experience or advice that you may have regarding the topic.

Thank you in advance

I wonder if anybody is familier with New York State's Family Health Plus insurance program. The premium is decided based on the household earnings. The lady that I spoke with from the NYS and her supervisor were not sure whether this is state means-tested benefit or not. We are going to apply for this for my citizen wife and the baby, but we are not sure if I, the beneficiery, am allowed to get it too.

thanks for any input taht you may have

Yes, they can.

Thank you

Hello,

just to make sure, the beneficiery is the one not eligible to receive any federal or state means-tested public benefit, correct? My understanding is that the petitioner can receive these benefits if qualified.

thanks

My wife, our 10 day old baby and I would like to thank all those people that provided their help and supported us in our journey. To those that are going through the process of uniting with their families/loved ones, stay positive and don't let any obstacle along the way to set you off. Stay calf and use your head.

Thank you all

thanks everyone

Generally, only the envelope. Though some CBP folks have been known to be a bit overzealous.

Thanks.

Is one actually supposed to take the x-rays with him/her to the USA?

X-rays must be checked-in and can't be taken as carry-on. How can you provide x-rays to CBP when you go through Customs and Border Protection before you get your checked-in luggage?

The reason I ask is because the doctor delivered my exam results to the consulate herself, but I was given x-rays on a large film in an envelope, which I was told I will not need to show at POE. Now, I am not certain whether the thick envelope that I was given at the consulate includes like a cd of my x-rays or not. I don't really want to take that large envelope with my x-rays that was given to me.

Hi,

I need to clarify whether the intending immigrant is required to present his/her chest x-rays from the medical examination completed for the immigrant visa to border patrol at a point of entry to the US.

Or he/she only presents the the thick envelope given to him/her at the US consulate.

Thank you

Hello,

very briefly. I had an interview for IV (IR1) in late January 2013. At the interview, I was told to submit a new birth certificate. I was unable to obtain a new birth certificate because of discrepancy in date of birth (by 4 days) between my documents and vital records. In reality, vital records office has my correct date of bith, but they issued a birth certificate about a week after my birth with a date of birth that was 4 days later (my grandma had asked them for sentimental reasons). So I used this day for all my life and it was reflected in all of my documents and records (US and my homecountry). The only way I could get a new birth certificate was to change my passport to the real date of birth.

I contacted the IV unit at the consulate and was told to change all of my civil documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, passport, military record, police certificate) to one date of birth and submit to them. I have done as instructed and will submit the new civil documents next week.

My questions are:

1) Should I also include a letter of explaining?

2) Should I also include letters of explanation from my parents?

3) I was given a letter of refusal by the Vital Records Office explaining the initial denial for providing a birth certificate (data descrepancy between my passport and vital records). Should I submit this letter as well?

Thank you

Any advice?

Hello,

very briefly. I had an interview for IV (IR1) in late January 2013. At the interview, I was told to submit a new birth certificate. I was unable to obtain a new birth certificate because of discrepancy in date of birth (by 4 days) between my documents and vital records. In reality, vital records office has my correct date of bith, but they issued a birth certificate about a week after my birth with a date of birth that was 4 days later (my grandma had asked them for sentimental reasons). So I used this day for all my life and it was reflected in all of my documents and records (US and my homecountry). The only way I could get a new birth certificate was to change my passport to the real date of birth.

I contacted the IV unit at the consulate and was told to change all of my civil documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, passport, military record, police certificate) to one date of birth and submit to them. I have done as instructed and will submit the new civil documents next week.

My questions are:

1) Should I also include a letter of explaining?

2) Should I also include letters of explanation from my parents?

3) I was given a letter of refusal by the Vital Records Office explaining the initial denial for providing a birth certificate (data descrepancy between my passport and vital records). Should I submit this letter as well?

Thank you

Ahh ok I missunderstood as your signature and timeline don't mention an interview.

Were you given a piece of paper at interview stating a deadline? Either way, yes, I think contacting the embassy and stating that you think it will take X weeks because of Y process and Z bureaucratic policies is best. Add a little extra time for delays.

Sorry, my wife hasn't updated the timeline I was given a yellow piece of paper and on it it says "You can bring and drop the indicated documents ........without the need to schedule an appointment or pay another fee within one year after your initial interview". This is the only reference to time on the paper.

That would depend on the consulate, and how long exactly you will need. They may be annoyed that you didn't just get this in order and delay your interview. They may require you to have another interview (do medical again, pay visa fee).

I never knew about the problem (32 years) and the NVC accepted all documents. It was only after they asked to resubmit a new birth certificate during the interview that I found out I need to redo all of my civil documents.

I just did an estimation of how long it will take me to get all the required docs based on information that I was given from the relevant government entities that will do the amendments and it is 105 business days (21 weeks, 4.8 months) since the day of my interview.

Do you think I should send them the detailed breakdown of my time estimations so they clearly see ahead of time how long it may take to do all of these.

Thanks

So you need to do this BEFORE your interview? If so yes, the I-130 is usually valid for a year, just keep in touch with the embassy so they know you are interested in persuing a visa and postpone the interview.

If you are talking about AFTER the interview, as mentioned in your OP, then yes, there is a deadline of often 40 or 90 days.

It is after interview. The consulate knows that I am going to amend all of my civil documents but I will send them another e-mail (they only accept e-mails for IVs)and give them a detailed breakdown item by item of how long it will take to get each document. Just to get my NYS marriage certificate amended can take up to 8 weeks and it can't be done simultaneously with other documents. Will the consulate usually make an exception to 40-90 days if they are notified about the length of time ahead of time?

Thank you.

It looks good to me, but probably because I have almost the same identical package except I made a little photo album showing us throught the years, but around 20-25 photos should be enough as long as they show time spam. also as far as I know NO2 and copy of I-130 package are not required since you are way past NVC stage now (but having that will not hurt I am sure just in case.) And in my opinion suit if perfectly fine The best of luck to you!!! I am sure it will be perfect! :thumbs: P.S. if it is not much of a trouble, please let me know how everything went as my husband is next in line for an interview in Armenia and I would appreciate some info :blush:

Thank you.

Comments on two of your items in bold below:

A suit and tie for the interview is perfectly fine.

Thank you

Does an interviewee hand out all the evidence to a consular employee when he/she first arrives for an interview, which is then passed to the CO who conducts the interview? Or, does the interviewee hand on to the evidence and hands it to CO conducting the interview as requested by the interviewer?

I guess I am trying to understand what the process is like once you walk into the embassy for an interview.

Thanks

Hello,

in your opinion how many photos should one take with him/her to a visa interview (I submitted 16 with the I-130 package)?

I will include a list of things that he is going to take with him, please tell me if we are missing anything

* photos

* Interview notification letter from NVC

* skype call logs

* partial skype chat

* list of e-mails between us (no e-mail content)

* copies of boarding passes, visa, and entry/exit stamps from my 4th trip to his country (was not included in I-130 package)

* copies of my last 4 pay stubs and w2 form

* NOA2

* copy of I-130 package

* copy of IV package

* copy of AOS package

* all originals and copies required for the IV package have been mailed to NVC, but we have extra copies

Are we missing anything? Thanks for your help.

kg

P.S. It is kind of a weird question, but is it OK that my husband will be wearing a suit and tie for the interview. He has to go to work afterwards and he is required to dress up. We don't want it to look strange and can work around it.