hdouthit

Hi all.

I'm a US citizen married who married an Aussie last September in NYC. We chose not to stay in the US because the Mister had a really incredible job opportunity in Brisbane that would last a year so I got a working holiday visa (at the recommendation of the Australian consulate in DC) and we moved to Queensland.

Well our year here is over half complete and it's probably way past time we started figuring out how we could legally move back to the states.

Reading though the oceans of visa options, I've come across DCF which seems like it would work for us because I have legitimately lived in Oz over 6 months, but holy ####### is the process convoluted and any clarification would be deeply appreciated.

I read through the entire pinned DCF - Australia thread and there *seems* to be some great info there except whoops! it hasn't been updated in 2 years so they're probably changed everything since then.

some questions:

1. Do I need my back tax forms to do all this? because mine are all currently locked up tight in a storage unit in Queens. #######. T'was a genius move to leave them behind I know, but unfortunately I cannot time travel back and think to take them along.

Yes you do need the past year's tax forms (preferrably the past 3 years). You can contact the IRS and they can help you with that.

2. I do still have proof of domicile back in New York - my apartment is subletted to friends, but I remain the lease holder although yeah, again, totally a document I didn't think to bring. whoops! I can always get my landlord to mail me a copy internationally, but should I actually go to the trouble? anyone think it might matter in the least?

My husband just showed that he had ties still in the US - bank statement, house ownership/tenancy etc

3. I had to quit my job in the US to move to Australia with my husband. I've been working since we arrived, but how do I prove that I'll have a job upon return since I, uhh, wont?

You don't have to show that you have a job, but you do have to show (via I-864) that you can financially support your husband in the USA. If you can't show that, you will need a sponsor to help meet the poverty guidelines.

4. does anyone in Australia know exactly HOW many freaking times we're gonna have to fly to Sydney to make this all happen? Once? Twice? Nineteen times?

You have to be in Sydney for the initial interview to start the process off (your husband does not have to be there)

When you have all of your documents together (way down the road), your husband flies to Sydney for his final interview and *hopefully* a visa granted. So, two trips in total - one for you and one for him.

Thanks in advance everyone. I'm totally in awe of your form number and acronym mastery, y'all sound more informed than the last lawyer I spoke to.

-Shilo

A tourist visa doesn't count when filing DCF in Australia. Sorry.

Hi

We just received a letter asking us to send in an affidavit explaining how we met etc as well as 3 affidavits by other people confirming our marriage is legitimate.

We have a couple of questions regarding this:

- It says "Affidavits do not need to be notarized" - just to make sure: this means no lawyer needs to be involved in this, right?

- Each of the affidavits needs to include the following statement: "I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and correct." Do the third party affidavits need to be submitted by US citizens as they make their declaration under US law? Or can they be of any nationality?

Thanks so much!

If it states 'notarized' then yes, you don't need the involvement of a lawyer.

Not sure about the second part of your question sorry. Hopefully someone can answer that

Good luck with your filings. I hope everything goes as quickly for you as it did for me! All the best.

I would like to inquire regarding the appropriate form to be used for the Affidavit of Support. We are going to use my Father in law’s income to meet the requirements since my husband has no income at the moment (he has just completed his baccalaureate degree). Apart from the form to be submitted by my husband (I-864), should my Father in law fill up another I-864 as a joint sponsor or an I-864A instead as a household member since my husband and I will be staying at my in-law’s house when we get to Guam making us of the same “household”?

My husband is still in the Phils. as of this time and accomplishing the form but I understand that he has to be in the US (Guam) at the time of my interview. He is set to return to the US (Guam) soon to look for a job. What mailing address and place of residence should he indicate in his I-864, his address here in the Philippines or the one in Guam?

When do we send the Affidavit of support? Should it be along with the DS-2001 and DS230? Can these forms be submitted thru mail or should it be in person? If thru mail, how do we make the payments?

I hope anyone can enlighten me on this. Thank you very much for your time.

You can only have your Father-in-law complete an I-864A if your husband is living with him at the time that you send the documents in/take them to your interview. Otherwise it must be an I-864 for your Father-in-law.

Check when you have to send it in as each Embassy is specific on what they want. In Australia, I sent absolutely everything that was on the DS2001 checklist (I-864/I-864A, medical, police check etc) and when I had my interview, I just went with my passport, reply post satchel and my interview time.

I am in need of clarification on the following....

the situation is:

I, the USC citizen, is sponsoring my Canadian Husband; and am using a joint sponsor.

Basis of Filing Affidavit of Support:

line item e: Since I do not meet the poverty guidelines, am I considered the first joint sponsor and the joint sponsor, who meets the poverty guidelines, is considered the second?

You are the sponsor, so you tick a) regardless of a joint sponsor or not.

Sponsors Household Size:

Since this is for myself, the USC and Husband, Canadian Citizen...correct total would be 2

Yep that is correct

Under Joint Sponsor

She has '1' for herself only, then adds the immigrant she is sponsoring (my Canadian Husband) totalling 2

are we suppose to duplicate the immigrant; my husband with both I-864s?

No you do not duplicate otherwise you end up counting him twice.

Part 6 Line Item # 24 B:

Do I name the joint sponsor in this section, on my I-864 since her income is what is qualifying and leave this area blank on her I-864?

You definitely name the joint sponsor in this section on your I-864, and yep, leave that part blank on hers

Address Section: though I am living in Canada with my husband, should I enter the address of where we will be living in the USA as residence and use our Canadian address as my mailing address? The address I will use as my residence address is the address all my mail (bank statement, credit card statements, car insurance, etc) and furnishings are at and have been for the last 2 years of being in Canada.

Unless it asks you for 'intended USA address', always use the one you are currently living at.

Annual Household Income and Assets:Though sponsorship requirements are met with the joint sponsor, should I fill in the Annual Household Income and Assets between my husband and I, on my I-864? Since I haven't worked in the last 2 years, it may show we do have savings we will convert over to US currency. Just a thought.

If your sponsor meets the poverty guidelines, then there is no need for anything else if you don't wish.

Hope that helps!!!

You need to send in everything. I received the same instructions and if you read the checklist carefully, it will ask for the checklist and supporting documents to be sent in.

Hi

I can't speak about how long it will be until you get an interview but in regards to the I-864, check with what the consulate specifies. The Australian Embassy asked for the I-864 to be sent in before my interview so they had time to review everything before I got there.

I'm sure it is more than enough. I didn't provide a single photo, document or piece of paper that showed an ongoing relationship with the petition and was told that our package was extremely organised and thorough. So, it's great you are super organised with the photos and I'm sure that's heaps (even though most Embassies don't even ask for it!). Sydney Embassy just asks for the supporting relationship documents if they are suspicious.

Best of luck.

Hi

My husband filed the I-130 and they took all of our documentation and they asked him how long he had lived in Australia for and why he had moved over to Australia with me. They asked how we met and how long we had been married for. And that was it!

When I went for my visa interview last week, they only asked me if I had been married before, and how many children I had. The interviewer said that as our paperwork was perfect, she didn't need to ask me any more questions. My husband's interview lasted about 2 mins and mine (including fingerprinting and signing paperwork) took 2 mins. Smooth and painless.

I hope this helps!

Hi,

I'm petitioner ... In petition I 130 Bioographic I fill I work but I lost my job and I don't have any income and I start study...

Now I fill I 864 ... I have co-sponsor for my spouse ...

So what should I fill for my I 864 ???

Thanks form answers

My husband, who was a student at the time filled in the I-864 and left parts blank where he couldn't state his income, or show the past 3 years worth of earnings. Then the co-sponsor filled out an I-864A (my husband lives with the co-sponsor) and he showed his past 3 years worth of earnings using tax statements. If you can't meet the $ requirement, you must have a co-sponsor.

You MUST complete an I-864 and leave blank the sections you can't fill in due to not having a job. I am only speaking from personal experience regarding my husband's I-864.

Hi people,

my wife will complete her I-864 but she didn't work in the past 4 years in the US nor filed for taxes. Would a statement saying she didn't filed for tax because she was a student be sufficent?

Also, we have two methods to meet the money requirement:

1. Have her dad, who lives abroad as well, wire her the required 60000 usd to show we have wnough money in her US bank account. In this case, what document should we present? A bank statement printed out of internet would be ok or we have to go to the US and get one??

2. Have her grandma sponsor us. She is retired, so does she file for taxes? She has considerable assets and would surely meet the 5x requirement, would that do the trick? (do houses count?). Should she help us, would she have to complete and sign the i-864 and mail it to us? attach bank statement or what else?

thanks a lot!

My husband wrote a letter stating why he was exempt from filing for the past 3 years (he was a student) but he also went in to the IRS and they gave him 'Publication 501' which is an official document showing that he didn't need to file whilst living overseas. If your wife could get that, it does help.

A bank statement that is printed off the internet is acceptable - well I can only speak from personal experience and again, we just printed one off and it was accepted at the Embassy.

hi, Nothing seems to be going right for me right now today I got layed off from my job (which I have only had for 3 months), So I realy need to know a few things so that we can weigh our options.

If I get a job in the next month or 2 can I still be his sponsor (considering the salary fits criteria) or do I have to work at the job for a certain period of time?

If I do get a co sponsor, what exactly would be required of them? will they have to know exactly what type of visa they would be co-sponsoring? I ask this because I would want my father to co-sponsor my husband, but we eloped and he has no idea we got married (we couldn't afford to have the wedding we really wanted) and I don't want him to find out this way. Would a co-sponsor have to do anything other than fill in paperwork, and give pay stubs and tax returns, or is there more to it?

One more question, If we do get a co-sponsor, could I live in Ireland with my husband while the visa process is going on, or will I have to stay in the US?

Any help would be soooooooooooooooooo much appreciated!!!! I'm so stressed out it's ridiculous!

I can't answer everything you have put in above but I will do my best with what I know.

I'm so sorry about your job - that must be so stressful for you. You can sponsor your husband with a job you have been working at for one day or 10 years...you just need the tax returns for the past 3 years to show your previous/current income.

There is no 'requirement' of the co-sponsor. They just need to be able to prove they can support your husband financially and doesn't become a charge of the state. If you live with the co-sponsor, they will fill out an I-864A. If you don't live with the co-sponsor, they fill out an I-864. My father-in-law was my co-sponsor and we needed to show his previous 3 years worth of tax returns and W2's. There is no other obligation of them (aside from providing for your husband financially if necessary).

Not sure about living in Ireland - maybe someone who has experience there can answer that one for you. Best of luck and I hope I have helped somewhat.

thnks for ur reply.but my 1st touch was on dec 28th 2009...and my second touch is on march 11 2010...and its almost 3 months now.so how long shud i wait after dis touch

When did you actually file your application?

God gave us victory in Lagos Nigeria today. My hubby was granted his visa after several hours of wait and after several questions was asked. He will be picking up his passport on friday. Thank you to all those who have been with me throughout this journey. To God be the glory. :crying:

Congratulations!

so does dat mean we will hear sumthng from dem soon

No, not for a couple of months. Take a look at the timelines of some of the people who sent in their application around the same time as you and you will get a better idea of how long you will be waiting.

dear vj member

i just saw dat uscis has updated on my account..so there is a touch...wat does dis mean...

Someone at USCIS has been working with your case, hence the 'touch'. You should usually get a couple of them in the process of them working your case.

Thanks Sara

Isn't it just a great feeling. I got mine in the mail today after 28 days after our filing (DCF). Congratulations.

What a total champ you are for others.

Thank you! For you was it a formal letter through the mail, or did they just send you a notice through e-mail? Thanks again!

-pete

We just got an email. So much faster.

Buenos Aires, Argentina Embassy... We had our I-130 interview which was approved on Monday, February 22nd. We had all the papers for "packet 3" (I believe we call it here on the forum) ready. Embassy received it that friday through mail. It´s been 1 week...we had to email asking a question about the medical and I threw in a mercy plea of "please tell us whats going on!" haha, they seem like they are pretty dry when it comes to answer because I seem to have gotten the same answer twice now of.. once we receive the papers and have them checked over we will set you up for an interview. I can understand the lack of info though... but Anybody have any ideas how long you have to wait. We all know the suspense part of the process probably so if anybody has any details that would be definitely a relief for me and my 'about to be attacked by ulcers' stomach. Thank you!

Pete

Some people have to wait only a week and I have heard of others waiting up to a month. The embassies don't tend to like too many emails asking about your case. It also depends on how many applications they are processing. We heard back in just over a week.

I would wait a month and then email again. Hopefully someone that has experience from your Embassy can be more helpful.

Well hi everyone -- today I went for my medical with Dr Anthony Millar in Sydney. Let me just say it was the most pleasant experience thus far. His receptionist, a lovely woman named Pat, was extremely helpful and a wealth of information. She had everything ready to go when we arrived. You will need 3 passport photos for the medical. Under the MLC Centre there is a Kodak store, they do them ($18 each set of 2 photos) in a 20 minute window. I also paid the extra $3 to have them emailed to me at home so I had them for the interview phase.

**You do NOT need your case number for Dr Millar to do your medical BUT it is only valid for 12 months & you need 6 months validity when you enter the USA**

The medical was fairly straight forward and painless process. Dr Millar had me answer some questions followed by changing down to my underwear & the glamourous paper gown. He then had me get on the scales, checked my height, had me bend & touch my toes, bend backwards, to the left, to the right. Stand still,bend my neck to the front & back. Look forward, look left, look right. Stand against the wall, cover one eye & read the bottom line, cover the other eye & then read the same line backwards. From there it was out to Pat, pay for the medical ($209 each person) they take cash, cheque or credit card because I paid via visa.

I then went the the 1st Floor to have the Xray done (once again they take eftpos -- $65 non claimable through medicare) while waiting for this I went to the 2nd Floor to have the blood test ($31 also non claimable & can pay via eftpos facilities) After the blood test a simple stop by Xray to pick up your films, back to the doctors room where Pat looks over the report, takes one of the copies & tells you to keep your films for 12 months, you MUST have the films in your luggage at POE and that she will mail out the results as soon as the blood work comes back (usually within a week she told me)

So a summary of costs for Sydney Medical through Dr Millar in Macquarie Street:-

** Medical Consultation - $209 -- payable by cash, card or cheque

** Xray - $65 -- payable by cash or card (unsure about cheques) also not claimable through Medicare

** Blood Test -- $31 -- payable by cash or card (unsure about cheques) not claimable through Medicare.

US Size Passport Photos -- Kodak In the MLC Centre at base of stairs -- $18 for 2 (you NEED 3 for the medical) $3 for them to email you a copy for future use.

Overall it was a great day and I also got to spend some valuable time with my daughter whom I have not seen a great deal of lately because of the late nights spent at Westmead Childrens Hospital with my son on Dialysis.

Hope others find this useful

Really happy everything went smoothly for you!

Here is my scenario:

I have not worked since March of 2006; therefore no income to report

I came to Canada in May 2008

married in 2009

filed outbound; landed

remained with my husband in Canada

With that being said, I haven't filed taxes since 2006 due to not having any income to report.

What is the best approach when dealing with the the 'Filing Taxes"

hurdle.

I appreciate your assistance and suggestions.

My husband went in to the IRS and stated he hadn't worked whilst living in Australia and they gave him Publication 501 which shows exempt status from filing. Not sure if you need it at your Embassy but the Sydney embassy where I had my interview, the interviewer said it was really beneficial. That said, also include a letter stating that you didn't need to file taxes for the stated periods. Good luck.

I'm DCF Australia but just wanted to say good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly for you.