Markieboy

Congratulations!

Congratulations! You're one step closer!

Good luck with the rest of your journey!

Congratulations! Wonderful, wonderful news!

Good luck with the rest of your journey!

I agree with the previous comments.

Stick with DHL or FedEx. It may cost more, but it is worth your peace of mind. USPS arrives in the Philippines just fine. But you're taking a huge risk relying on PhilPost to deliver it to its final destination.

Hope this helps some.

Wonderful news! Congratulations!

Wonderful news! Congratulations!

Good luck with the rest of your journey!

Hi, I have an interview on June 5, do I need to bring my husband's passport to the interview? Can I bring a copy of the passport of my husband's? He is now overseas, and his passport is with him now. Do I need to ask him to mail me his passport? Thank you!

Hi Moon1982,

You do not necessarily need his passport. However, the N-659, Naturalization Interview Document Check List specifically states to bring the original and a photocopy of the applicable items listed to the naturalization interview.

If you are applying for naturalization on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen, bring:

A. Proof that your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for at least the past three years (birth certificate, naturalization certificate, certificate of citizenship, your spouse's valid U.S. passport, or Form FS-240, Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America)

So, if you cannot secure his original U.S. passport, you may need his birth certificate or another document listed.

Hope this helps some.

Good luck to all those being interviewed this week! And congratulations to those having their oath ceremonies!

Thank you, Markiboy...

But I just want to clarify.

I am already US citizen, and sponsoring my wife to have her status changed.

I have submitted Affidavit of Support, last year's tax return, and pay stubs from my previous job.

Do you think that a letter explaining that I am unemployed now would help?

Or I guess what I am asking is the fact that I, the one who is sponsoring, being unemployed be a negative factor?

Did you submit a letter from your employee?

Thank you very much.

Okay, so your wife has a pending Adjustment of Status (AOS)? Meaning, you already submitted the necessary documents (ie Affidavit of Support, tax returns)?

The only thing I would worry about is the upcoming interview. Both you (the USC) and your wife (the beneficiary) will be interviewed. The adjudicator will most likely question your current employment. If you are not presently working, and your wife cannot work until she received her green card...I'm not sure how that will work. USCIS does not want people to be a public charge. So if you have the financial savings and/or have a sponsor, you guys should be fine. I don't mean to be negative, but I'm trying to give possible scenarios that may arise.

No, submitting a letter now explaining that your unemployed would be of little use. At the interview, if questioned, you can explain then.

Is your wife presently working? Meaning, is she adjusting status from a work visa? Sorry, I assumed that she wasn't working. If she is presently working under a work visa, she can actually use I-864A. This contract is between you (the sponsor) and her (the household member). You can then use her income (not yours) to support the two of you. This is assuming that she is legally working now.

Being unemployed is not necessarily a negative factor. Provided you can prove to USCIS that you will not be a public charge, they really don't care if you're full-time, part-time or unemployed.

Yes, I submitted a letter from my employer. It basically stated my position in the company, the various responsibilities, the salary and how long my employment was with them.

Hello,

My question might not fit this topic, but I just didn't know how to create a whole new topic of my own.

Anyways, here are my questions & if someone can answer them I would be very grateful.

I am a naturalized US citizen sponsoring my wife for AOS to have her become permanent resident.

I filed the applications, and got the interview notice (form I-797C), but it is asking to prepare some documentations.

1) The interview form says I need to bring "letters from each current employer, verifying current rate of pay.." I just recently quitted my job to go back to school. Do I really need a letter from them. I do have 2 months pay stub and already submitted 2012 tax return.

2) Can my wife have a translator? On the form, I believe we stated she can speak English, though.

3) The interview form say I need to provide my own birth certificate. I was born in Korea, and I really do not go through the hassle of going to the consulate. Can I just show them my citizenship paper?

Thank you very much

When you click a certain forum, you will see a blue button near the top right of your screen. It says "Start New Topic" Click on that and type your topic title and question/comment.

1) Since it's asking for your current employer, I would include a letter explaining that you are unemployed and going back to school.

The pay stubs and tax returns/transcripts help, but USCIS wants to see that you will not be a charge of the state.

2) Sure, your wife can bring a translator. Your wife may be able to speak English, but is more comfortable speaking her native language.

3) IIRC, you may show your Certificate of Naturalization. USCIS wants to see proof of U.S. citizenship.

Hope this helps some. Good luck!

Just to clarify, we both became green card holders on January 2011 (myself and my now 14-year-old daughter).

Since becoming GC holders, she has since returned to the Philippines on November 2012 where she will finish her secondary education.

She is my child from a previous marriage which was annulled and I was granted custody (as such am responsible for her financially).

I was going over the M-477 checklist and on page 2, there is a question: If you have a dependent spouse or children who do not live with you, send:

• Any court or government order to provide financial support; and
• Evidence of your financial support (including evidence that you have complied with any court or government order)

My daughter is currently living at my parents' home in Manila. Would I need my mother to write a letter saying explicitly that she is my child's current guardian? Also, I am the parent with custody of my daughter...so will the Annulment Decision (which says I have custody of her) suffice as evidence of providing support? (Aside from the obvious Western Union or bank transfers?)

Your inputs would be appreciated.

Personally, I don't have any experience with this kind of situation. But I will give my input.

Yes, your mother would need to provide a letter...stating that she is guardian who cares for your child.

And yes, I do believe that the Annulment Decision by the Philippine Court will suffice as evidence of custody. Definitely include the WU or bank transfers sent to your mother. It wouldn't hurt to secure any emails, letters or other correspondence between you and your mother (regarding the care of your daughter).

Your evidence looks pretty good...to me. Hope I was able to help alittle. Good luck with your journey!

Any chance we could have animated .gifs as avatars? My avatar is an ordinary .gif on my posts.

Not complaining, but I noticed this feature was not enabled.

Other than that, I really like the new site.

Thank you, Captain Ewok!

We currently got I-130 approved, my wifes address in the philippines changed, who do we notify of that change? Im assuming we notify someone right away before they send packets to her, but who would we call? USCIS? my understanding once approved everything is out of their hands. Any help would be appreciated.Thank you in advanced

That's correct. Once your I-130 petition is approved, it is sent to National Visa Center (NVC).

I would definitely call them ASAP, regarding your change of address. You may contact NVC via phone or email.

Hope this helps you some. Good luck with your journey!

You can avail of the Balikbayan 1 yr visa free stay upon entering the Philippines with your Filipina wife. Just show your marriage certificate & they will stamp the BB on your passport.

100% correct!

Of course, this is assuming that you will be traveling together.

Congratulations! Wonderful news!

Enjoy living in the Pacific Northwest!

When we went to get my wifes driving permit at the DMV, they needed to see her foreign birth certificate. They wouldnt take the one we had because it didnt have any raised seals on it. So i went through the process to order another one from NSO thinking it would be different. When we recieved it, it was the exact same as the other one, no raised seal no special stamps, same type of paper and everything. Is there suppose to be something special on the NSO Birth certificates? You can tell the paper its on is different than normal printer paper but the DMV wouldnt except it without a raised seal. So im concerned that if the DMV wont take it, wil the embassy take it when we apply for my 13a visa or report our marridge or report the birth of our children? Thanks salamat.

That is really strange.

Any DMV, SSA office, government office should accept the Philippine NSO birth certificate. NSO is the official Philippine civil authority, which issues these certificates.

I'm sorry to hear your troubles. The person you dealt with does not know that these civil documents are legit.

Yes, the U.S. Embassy Manila will definitely accept these documents. You'll have no problems with them. Just a piece of advice, when you do have your interview...make sure the birth certificates are issued within 6 months.

Hope this helps you some. Good luck with your journey!

Congratulations to the new citizens! Enjoy your new lives as Americans!

My husband refiled for I-130 at uscis last wednesday May 8, 2013 , how long does it take to get a NOA1 and NOA2 at the NVC? Would it be faster this time since we had a record at the USCIS and NVC before?

All replies will be appreciated! Thank you in advance! God bless everyone!

For the I-130 petition, it usually takes about 1-2 weeks to receive the NOA1. It takes up to 6 months for NOA2. Some petitions are approved sooner...some later.

IMHO, I do not believe it will be approved faster if you had a previously submitted petition. Supposedly, USCIS processes in the order they receive them (after background checks).

If you don't mind me asking, what's the reason for refiling?

Hope this helps you some. Good luck with your journey!

Hi all,

I just realized that I am already within the 90 days to apply for my citizenship as my anniversary of 3 years is coming up in July. I have already planned a trip to Canada for a relative's wedding and it will be from May 25th to June 10th. If I submit my N-400 application prior to May 25th, am I allowed to travel to Canada? I obviously would not have received my US passport yet. any advice would be great!

Thanks

Sure, you may travel...as long as your permanent resident card is valid!

The 90-day window is the earliest you may send in your N-400 application. If you like, you may even send it after July.

Hope this helps you some. Have a safe trip to Canada!

with regards, to my own filing...(n-400 with 2 minor children)

I will just be paying for my own filing right? I understand, both of my children will derive their citizenship from me...should I still pay pay for their biometrics? or NO?

Thanks guys

No, you do not pay for their biometrics.

You file your N-400 and pay the appropriate fees. Once you become a USC, your minor children derive US citizenship.

Hope that helps.

the parents listed on my daughter bc is my parents. The embassy will for sure reject her if they found out that I am not the mother listed on her BC. Do you know how long it'll take if my husband petition her as his stepdaughter?

Yes. This will be complicated.

Before submitting any petition, you really should have your daughter's birth certificate corrected.

As far as the USEM and USCIS is concerned, she is your sister and not your daughter.

Hope you get that straightened out.

Hi fellas.. it's been a while since the last time I posted here. I finally went back home to Philippines last month for 3 weeks. Happy to see the family and my daughter. Unfortunately I couldn't able to bring my daughter back w me in Colorado. We are still working w her papers. I have a feeling that she won't be able to come w k2 until August. If thats the case.. Please give me idea what we can do to get her.. what petition to apply or is there any way to extend the k2? I hope you guys will light me up..

Hope to hear from you soon vj family.

Many thanks in advance

Are you still on a K-1 visa? I'm assuming you're not.

If you are indeed married, why not have your husband (USC) petition your daughter? If your daughter is unmarried and under 21, she is considered his immediate relative.

Here's more info.

Hope this helps some.

Congratulations to all the successful interviews, oath ceremonies and scheduled intereviews!!! Wonderful, wonderful news!!!

February 2013 filers are moving along quite nicely.

hi VJ friends i just wanna know if u guys have any idea how long does it takes for the minor kids petition by step dad?

I agree with the previous responses. Many variables are in play.

Many cases are approved within a year, but some within 8 months.

Hope this helps some.

"The filing fee for Form I-485 is $985. An additional biometrics fee of $85 is required when filing your Form I-485.

You may submit one check or money order for both the application and biometrics fees."

This was taken from page 8 of Instructions for I-485.

As the Pinkrlion mentioned, you will need to re-submit your application.

Hope this helps.