Veronicali

Thank you everyone!

Hi everyone,

I haven't POE'd yet since it's taken awhile to get my affairs in order before I move down:(

My Visa is expiring Oct. 14 and I'm planning on entering end of September beginning of October if I can sell everything by then. Does anyone anticipate that I'll have a hard time since I'm entering close to the expiry and do I need to physically receive my SSN before the Visa expires or is it just a matter of entering before the expiry date?

Thanks in advance:)

Good luck to you!!!!!!!

Good luck! Everything will be fine and then you'll finally say "Whew, it's done!"

The trick is to add a touch, let it swoosh around and then leave it to sit for awhile. Another option is to hang your clothes out in the sun - the sun naturally bleaches your whites. Not sure how but, it works and your clothes smell sooooooooooo good:)

Hey there... just opened up a new bank account this Saturday and while were doing so, the woman did a credit check on my SSN and name just to see -- I had a credit score of 794 or something like that -- shocking as I've only been in the US for 6 weeks or so.

It turns out that a year or so ago when we first started our Visa journey, my husband put me on one of his credit cards as a secondary holder. He only used it to travel and always paid it right off. Thus, my credit score. So, i applied for my own visa card and was approved for quite a high amount. I could NOT believe it.

So, for those of you early in the process or just starting, get your USC spouse to put you on their CC as a secondary holder, it could establish some US credit for you.

One of the easier things I had to do here.

Just thought I'd pass this on.

LGG

If I may ask, what information was needed for your spouse to add you on as a secondary holder? I'll get my husband to do that ASAP while I'm still here in Canada

ok

we are here in montreal

survived the bus ride from winnipeg to montreal with two kids

now here

tomorrow is our medical

any tips on it

any info i should know

Where is your appointment? Dr. Seiden's?

Bring your appointment letter, 3 passport pics per person, vaccination history, brief note from GP and/or other doctors and money! Expect to be there for a few hours.

It's pretty straight forward and isn't invasive. You'll be fine

Hi Veronicali,

You don't need a copy of your I-864, yes, they will have it in front of them. What you will want to take is updated financial information from your sponsor - recent pay stubs also, you should have the 2009 tax return by then, since the cut off is April 15th, so if possible you should also have that.

Also, can you fill in your timeline please, it helps everyone

LOL - I'm not sure why but, I never got these replies. Anyways, thanks for the info and I will fill out the timeline

Interview April 14!!!!!!

Basically they look at the entire picture. From a completely technical point of view, the joint sponsor's income which is over the 125% should suffice, however the purpose of the I-864 is to ensure you don't become a public charge - so they do - look at the whole thing.

The technical point:

It then goes on to say that if the AOS shows income below the poverty guideline, at that point they should request evidence of:

(1) Current employment or self-employment; and

(2) Recent pay statements, a letter from the employer on business letterhead - showing dates of employment, wages paid, and type of work performed - or other

financial data.

The joint sponsor - i'm confused - you mention he has an employment slip (W2) - but you also mention he has his own business - so this is the W2 he issued to himself? His salary? Nothing to be done there if that is the case, his income is what it is and since he is paying himself - well - you should be able to discuss that at the interview, if it comes up.

As for your Husband's income - has he filed for 2009? If he included all his cash jobs - then they are on that tax return anyway, so nothing to explain really - his income is what it is. If you mean he has had several cash jobs this year, he should have some evidence of that, if you want to present it as well.

Hi Trailmix

Yes, he has a 1099 and a small amount on W2 for 2009. As for this year the only evidence I have are his bank statement(s) showing cheque deposits and the employment verification letter stating his hourly wage.

As for the co-sponsor, yes, he issued the W2 for himself (I guess)

Hi everyone!

So, I'm getting ready for my interview - April 14 and am getting worried about a few things:

My husband works in construction and he is basically on call so, he has no paystubs since he was paid in cash for some of the jobs he's worked thus far. I do have a letter from his employer stating that he works full time and the wage amount per hour. It's a bit of a contradiction though since he hasn't been working 'full time' since the economy tanked.

We have a co-sponsor who filed their 2009 taxes jointly with his wife (he and his wife didn't file an I-864A so, we aren't using her income) and has sent me a copy of his W2 and 2009 taxes which is just above the 2009 poverty guidelines for a family of three (me included). Our co-sponsor has his own business so, I can't provide paystubs or a letter from his employer since he's the owner. I'm just getting worried that I can't provide enough financial support. Do they solely look at the co-sponsor's income and how will I explain that my husband doesn't get paystubs and is mostly paid in cash? Or do I?

Thanks again everyone!

Thanks for posting this - it reminded me that I wanted to share my story as well

For anyone who is taking an anti-depressant it is imperative that you bring documentation from your GP, psychiatrist and any other mental health practitioner that you've dealt with . What they are really looking for is that you haven't been a threat to yourself or to others and that you haven't been hospitalized due to mental health issues.

It's not a big deal that someone is on an anti-depressant (most of the US is on them anyways) as long as you don't have any major disorder or psychosis. And for those of you who do - just bring a lot of favorable documentation in support of your progress, etc.

I, myself was really worried that it was going to be a hindrence but the associate at Dr.Seiden's office in Montreal just said that all the documentation was in order and asked if I thought seeing a doctor in the US every 6 mths was going to be OK. He also had written a lot of info on the form. I asked if he thought me being on anti-depressants was going to be an issue and he said 'no'.

Hopefully, it won't be a problem at the interview I'll keep everyone posted!

Just wonderful, Bern!

And yep...I think you round up the group of us that was waiting for so long for an interview date. The big ol' blitz of February and March interview dates is pretty much done!

Is it just me, or are there very few CR-1 folks on here who have April interviews?

I have an interview April 14!

Hi everyone - can someone help?

I have a problem - my interview is scheduled for April 14th and I understand that you have to bring the latest tax return from your sponsor and co-sponsor (which we have). The problem is that last year was a horrible year for my husband and co-sponsor as California was hit very badly during the recession. I don't know what to do as I'm afraid they will say that we don't have enough financial support.

Can anyone suggest what can be done aside from getting a third sponsor and do you need to present the actual Tax Return or just a copy of the W2's or 1099's?

Can I confirm from someone that 2009 poverty guidelines for a household of four in California is $27,563?

Thanks again guys!

I'm in desperate need of some advice regarding the interview process and when or if they ask you for your sponsor and co-sponsor's latest tax return.

The problem is that my husband and our co-sponsor live in California and as everyone knows were hit very hard last year with the recession. My sponsor went from making $300,000 a year to maybe $30,000 last year. I don't know what to do because I'm afraid we'll be denied as we don't have enough financial support.

Can anyone give me some advice as to what to do and whether they take into consideration the recession and poverty guidelines?

I'm really very worried:(

Thanks again everyone!

Good luck on your interview

Mine is on April 14!!!!!

Please let us know how it all went?

Oh, BTW - I applied for the K3 Visa and understand that it is now CR1 etc, but, are you bringing a copy of your AOS? I sent mine in when we completed the I-864 so, I'm not sure why anyone would bring it since the info is in front of them? We for some very stupid reason didn't make a copy of it and I'm concerned they are going to ask me for it.

Can you tell us what questions they asked and what additional documentation they asked for?

Congrats BTW

Hi everyone

I'm in the process of getting my K3 visa and have an interview on April 14.

In regards to the name change - on my marriage certificate I put that I was changing my maiden name. When I filed for the I-130 I put down my married name and then all of the correspondence from NVC was addressed in my maiden name. I didn't bother changing my name to any of my Canadian documents and am wondering if I'm going to have a problem at the Consulate and moving forward?!

Thanks!

Thank you for the replies!

I realize it has now turned into a CR1/IR1 - or has it? We originally filed for a K3. Funny, all correspondence from NVC never stated what category of Visa it was in except that it was an Immigrant Visa. I do believe the process is the same however, i noticed some people had suggested that they brought originals to their appointment which is what has thrown me off:)

My appointment letter says (from what I can tell with all of the Y's, F's and O's) that any additional documentation isn't needed.

When I filed the DS230 I sent in all originals as it was stated to do so. I will bring the photocopies I made but, what should I do about the AOS? I don't have a copy of that at all!

Oh, and does anyone suggest that I bring a copy of all the forms I filled out from the start? I-130, etc.?

Hi everyone:)

Just wondering if anyone can help me here ...

I sent in all my original documents with the G325 so, am I expected to just bring photocopies of those documents? I've also heard that I need to have a copy of the AOS. Problem is that for some stupid reason we didn't make any copies! Don't they already have that info in front of them?

Oh, and do I need to bring an Express Post envelope? Why doesn't the consulate state those things ahead of time? LOL

Thanks!

Hi everyone

I'm getting ready for my K3 medical on April 6th and the interview on April 14th in Montreal.

Just a question for some clarification. The interview letter stated that all documents were accepted (original birth certificate, marriage certificate, police records, fingerprints and copy of my passport) so, do I still need to bring copies of everything? I know I need to bring a copy of the appointment letter, passport, 2 color US passport photos and proof or relations. Anything else I'm missing? I've also heard that I need to bring a copy of the AOS?! The problem with that one is when we sent it in we completely forgot to make copies of it Don't they already have that in front of them for reference?

Anything else that anyone can think of would be great!

Thanks!!!!!!