Saylin

Thank you everyone! That's definitely reassuring to know they'd automatically be born a US citizen, regardless of my citizenship. For some reason I thought theirs would be based off what I was. Big relief!  And I'll look into seeing if they'd be a Canadian citizen as well. Dual citizenship would be great!

Hello, have an interesting question.

Currently a 10-year green card holder (card expires in 2023). Long story short, my husband and I divorced about 5 years ago. Without going into too many details, I'm looking to get pregnant next year, through donor sperm. But I realized it may make some things complicated if I'm not a US citizen first (what would the baby's citizenship be, Canadian? or would it be American, if the donor was a US citizen?). Besides the citizenship of the child, I'm assuming I wouldn't be eligible for any kind of help (WIC, SNAP, etc). Not sure I'd need it, but I would like to keep my options open if the need arises.

Are there other issues I'd be running into if I don't file for citizenship now, before giving birth? Should I maybe even become a citizen before trying to conceive? Any other thoughts?

I had initially been planning to wait until closer to my green card's expiration before filing for citizenship (want to get my full money's worth on that green card 😂), but I'm thinking I should start saving for the N-400 now and file before the end of the year to avoid any issues.

Thanks!

Hi, Saylin here, creator of the NVC process wiki I didn't realize photographs were no longer required at NVC! I'm heading to work soon, but I'll take a look at your screenshot and NVC's website later, then update the NVC process wiki. If there's anything else that needs updating, just let me know!

Sorry I am late.Happy New Month.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/563956-october-2015-interviews/

Thanks! Updated the first post and the wiki

New monthly thread has been posted: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/563949-nvc-filers-september-2015/

Reminder: every month we move to the current month, now being September. This isn't like the I-130 filer threads where you stay in the same thread the entire time. We move each month. Within a day, Ryan will come along and lock this thread from further comments, so it's best if you move now

Good luck with everyone's cases this coming month.

Welcome to another monthly thread for those going through NVC. Good luck to all! Please read everything below and refer to it throughout your NVC journey, whether this is your first month at NVC or your third

NVC will be closed on the following day(s) due to federal holidays: September 7th. They are open every other business day (Monday-Friday) this month.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Before posting questions, please read the wiki I wrote on the NVC process here. Once you're done, read it one or two more times to really understand it Don't forget to also read the official form instructions as well as USCIS and NVC's websites!

I will be much less active in answering posts in these monthly threads, so don't bother asking me questions directly and please don't send me PMs with questions. If you send me a PM with a question that can be posted here, I will NOT reply. Just post them here for everyone to see and someone will come along to answer. Remember to be patient (re: just post once and wait)

And if for whatever reason, you can't find the answer, try searching both on this website and on Google. It's amazing what you can find if you search

If you're wondering about time frames, look at the fellow members right here in this thread! Study their signatures/timelines and make notes. VJ also has this awesome page. Use it! I sure did during my process

And once you've got a case complete, please join Dwheels's case complete/interview thread (currently October), here.

Also, please read Kanuk's post full of advice and observations, found here.

Please note: there are updated I-864 forms that you should start using immediately. More info (with direct links to forms) here.

Can we staple individual forms like I-864, Tax returns, pay checks etc. and then put the clips for all together. I heard the word NVS scan and I did not hear from anyone on this topic regarding stapling. Please suggest on doing stapling the individual group of pages within a form like I-864 etc.

Thanks.

I do NOT recommend stapling anything whatsoever. Officers will have to remove all staples, so please use paperclips instead. Staples are annoying to remove and time-consuming, whereas paperclips are easy and fast. Put yourself in the officer's shoes, about to review YOUR package. Would you rather remove staples or paperclips?

Yes you have to prove your status as a US citizen. I sent my birth certificate. I don't have a passport, I'm terrified of traveling.

At the NVC stage, for IR-1/CR-1 visa applicants, petitioners do NOT have to send in proof of US citizenship. I repeat, you do NOT have to send in US citizenship.

Everyone, if you want an overview of the NVC process (as well as the steps afterwards for medical, interview, etc), then I highly suggest you read the wiki I wrote. It's linked in both the first post as well as in my signature below.

My stupid RFE and how surprisingly fast it was approved after:

A little background info. Tinz and I have been married almost three years and she is a philippine citizen

On July 8 or so picked up the mail. Inside was a nice letter asking for another marriage certificate from NSO (which we already submitted). Thing is when they ask you for more evidence they don't exactly explain what was the problem with the first document or whatever ( apparently common sense has no place in governent affairs). So they list there all the important information that they need on the NSO marriage certificate. Which I thought was already included. And it was.

The problem, which I later learned because I was lucky enoigh to have several copies of our marriage cert used for her visa to china many times to accompany me on work stays, was that we had our marriage certificate further certified by adding the "red ribbon" from DFA. DO NOT DO THIS FOR USA. It's needed for china USA will kick it back. They make a big hole over the NSO seal when they add the red ribbon.

Long story short that big hole was the reason for our RFE. Sure it looks and is more official with the red ribbon. But will cost you some time.

Bright side : I submitted a copy without the red ribbon and in only 2 WEEKS! Got the approval from homeland security. I was shocked when I found that in the mail. So now we are at NVC. Don't make our mistake. Be sure no staples no holes no red ribbons nothing on the marriage cert for you husbands of filipinas. It will only slow you down. Good luck everyone. Hope I can save at least one person from an RFE

You should post this as well in the Philippines sub-regional forum, so more people can see it, as they may not see your very informative post buried in this thread. If you do, I suggest summarizing the above in the title, so people know right from the title not to have any red ribbons or such on the certificates.

And thanks Dwheels with the link on the updated I-864 forms Added a link to your thread on the first post.

Hello guys i have my case completed on june 30,2015 yet no interview has been scheduled for New Delhi consulate. I have called NVC every time they suggest me to simply wait as they can't provide me any idea they will schedule?? I don't even got any checklist, Can anyone suggest something? This is getying very frustrating, normally it takes 60attempts to reach NVC and an hour on hold yet no help:(

You should check out Dwheels' thread for Case Completes to Interview Dates. The link is in the first post of this thread. You can look at the spreadsheet and see who else is waiting around for an interview date from India. It will you give you a great estimate on when you can expect yours to be scheduled.

Hey guys,

Just wondering if there is a vancouver embassy board here that's current and accurate? We just got routed on August 7th, and I'd love to connect with anyone and everyone who is going to Vancouver or has just completed their interview and medical there.

Interested in everything from timelines to procedures.

Congratulations everyone! We're on step 3 and so close to being able to join our loved ones!

This thread is for IR-1/CR-1 applicants

But you can check the Canada regional forum. I'm sure there's a Vancouver-related thread there for K1s.

August thread has been posted: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/559615-nvc-filers-august-2015/

Everyone, please make your way on over to the new thread. For those that are new here, every single month we ALL move to the current month, now being August. This isn't like the I-130 filer groups where you stay in the same thread for the entire process. We move each month Within a day or so, Ryan will come along and lock the thread from further comments, so it's best if you just move now

Good luck everyone!

Welcome to another monthly thread for those going through NVC. Good luck to all! Please read everything below and refer to it throughout your NVC journey, whether this is your first month at NVC or your third

NVC will be closed on the following day(s) due to federal holidays: NO HOLIDAYS IN AUGUST!! They are open every business day (Monday-Friday) this month.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Before posting questions, please read the wiki I wrote on the NVC process here. Once you're done, read it one or two more times to really understand it Don't forget to also read the official form instructions as well as USCIS and NVC's websites!

I will be much less active in answering posts in these monthly threads, so don't bother asking me questions directly and please don't send me PMs with questions. If you send me a PM with a question that can be posted here, I will NOT reply. Just post them here for everyone to see and someone will come along to answer. Remember to be patient (re: just post once and wait)

And if for whatever reason, you can't find the answer, try searching both on this website and on Google. It's amazing what you can find if you search

If you're wondering about time frames, look at the fellow members right here in this thread! Study their signatures/timelines and make notes. VJ also has this awesome page. Use it! I sure did during my process

And once you've got a case complete, please join Dwheels's case complete/interview thread (currently September), here.

Also, please read Kanuk's post full of advice and observations, found here.

Please note: there are updated I-864 forms that you should start using immediately. More info (with direct links to forms) here.

Hey Saylin could you add a point about Tax Extensions in your Wiki? I had to go all over the internet looking for a solid yes or no to whether i can send tax extensions but didn't really find a clear answer. Most people here on VJ say it's not possible but that's wrong as i got through the NVC with tax extensions for the year 2014 even though my joint sponsor was self employed and had no pay stubs or W-2s.

Shoot, I thought I had a section on tax extensions. I'll make a note to add something about tax extensions in the wiki when I get the chance as I have a couple other things to update as well. Thanks!

Saylin,

I would like you to add the below point in your wiki, so it will be useful for anyone like me in future.

For India, NVC will always expect to send regional passport office, but if we obtained PCC from consulate or District Police station as per their guidelines then in the cover letter we need to mention it clearly. Else it will ended up as a check list.

Obtain Indian Police Clearance Certificates as follows:

- All Indian nationals aged 16 and above, residing in India, should obtain police clearance certificates from the Regional Passport Office.

- Indian passport holders residing outside India should obtain a statement from their local Indian Embassy, Consulate, High Commission, or Deputy High Commission confirming they have no criminal record.

- Non-Indian applicants who reside in India and are Foreigner Regional Registration Ovvice (FRRO) registered should obtain police certificates from the FRRO serving their area of residence.

- Non-Indian applicants who reside in India and are not FRRO registered, such as foreigners holding Overseas Citizen of Indian status, should obtain police clearance certificates from the District Police Station serving their area of residence.

- Indian police certificates are not available for foreign (non-Indian) applicants residing outside India.

This is country-specific, which I don't put in a wiki meant for the GENERAL process. I do mention in the wiki to look at country-specific documents, where this would be listed for Indians on the NVC website.

Thanks saylin. How many days it takes to upgrade visa category from F2A to IR1?

You're welcome.

And no idea, sorry.

I think I need to read through this thread from the beginning.

I received our IV bill today, AOS was received Monday. I can't access the online payment portal.

Do you have to wait until the payment is processed before the ds260 becomes available? I've heard mailing in the payment takes forever to be processed. But I'm not sure we have any other option.

I'll give it a few more days, but I've called multiple times and they can't help, just say it isn't normal and they don't know why mine is still erroring.

Yes, the DS-260 won't become available until after the IV bill is paid and shows as thus in the payment portal.

If you look at the last couple pages, it seems like others have been waiting a few days to pay bills as well, so you're not alone.

We have attorney in case. So did I need to submit DS260 form?

Doesn't matter if you have an attorney or not, the DS-260 is mandatory for all IR-1/CR-1 applicants.

HI Saylin,

Maybe you could give some tips with regard to some questions I have:

So far, I have been able to pay AOS fee only. Since I'm in Canada, I suppose Electronic Processing will be available to me, but I'm not sure what's better - EP or mailed.

Does it matter whether we email/mail IV package first and AOS later?

We were thinking of holding off sending the AOS(i864) until mid-September, since the USC petitioner is going to fly to the States on September 10th, and we'd like fill out AOS/i864 showing that the petitioner has moved back to the US (because of Montreal domicile difficulties, I think it'll be easier if we show USC moved before i864 is filed). (The petitioner has already arranged rental agreement (relatives) and have an address, drivers license. Will have a job offer at the time of the interview).

I'm trying to figure out whether Elecetronic Processing might make more sense in our situation.

Whether EP is better or not in your case is up to you to decide.

And according to NVC's instructions, you're supposed to send the two packages together now. In your case, you can still pay the two fees and complete the DS-260. Once you're ready to send the AOS package, send it along with the IV package as well.

Hi Saylin,

Thanks for your quick reply.

I am thinking to wait till august end to receive my new passport and PCC before i send the AOS and IV package. By then I will wait for IV fee to open up. I hope it will not pose a problem sending documents after I pay IV fee. I hear other VJ members sending both packages right after AOS fee shows paid and not waiting for IV fee to open up.

Technically, you're SUPPOSED to wait until AFTER you pay both fees before sending in the packages, so you're fine.

wait!!!! we are supposed to give them more proof of relationship? I thought that USCIS handles that part not the NVC!

No, proof of relationship is NOT required at the NVC stage, it's optional. But a lot of applicants send some anyways, especially those going through particular embassies/consulates that are tough on bona fide relationships. Even more so when officers don't look at anything submitted at the interview, but only that which was submitted during the process at USCIS and/or NVC.

Saylin, I have a question... In which manila envelope do you suggest putting the proof of relationship documents (photos, chat transcripts, flight itineraries, etc)?

Proof of relationship goes with the IV package.

Hello everyone! quick question I filed the I-864 I saw that in Saylin wiki post she said when I send it to put the case number on top right of every document, does that include the I-864 form? And on the envelope do I put AOS ?

Yes, as I mention in the wiki, write the case number on EVERY piece of paper. Only two exceptions: no need to write it on the bar-coded cover sheet and the cover letter (if you send one, which I recommend).

On the manila envelope for the AOS package, yes, write 'Affidavit of Support Package'. Then include the case number as well as the full names of the petitioner and beneficiary. Do the same thing for the manila envelope for the IV package, but write 'Immigrant Visa Package' instead. Still include the case number and full names. Then put both manila envelopes into the shipping envelope.

hi VJ members,

I am at NVC stage and I have Paid AOS fees on 18th July. I am the beneficiary and have applied for a new passport for adding spouse name. I will receive my new passport by end of august or september 1st week. But is it possible to send a cancelled passport copy to NVC instead of waiting for new passport and bring new passport to interview? Is it mandatory to send PCC copy to NVC ? can PCC be shown at the time of interview? As I will be able to apply for PCC once I get my new passport.

Your inputs will be appreciable!

Thank you.

Unfortunately, NVC wants a VALID passport. Sending a cancelled passport will only land you a checklist. And a PCC is required.

You can try sending without a valid passport and PCC and then request your case be closed and you'll bring the required documents to the interview, but no guarantee whatsoever that they'll let you.

How long is it taking to get the interview letter? My case was complete july 10th I still haven't gotten anything.

Case complete =/= interview date scheduled

When your case is completed, it's put in a queue for an interview date to be assigned. Depending on when your case is complete and what embassy/consulate you're going through, the time can vary from same day to many months.

I suggest you go to the first post, click on the link to Dwheels' interview thread, and see what the average times are looking at for your embassy/consulate. You can also use the tools on VJ to check as well.

Tax transcripts all the way. Not only are they much more concise (just a couple pages), but they also show you actually filed your taxes (anyone can fill out a blank 1040 form, it means nothing).

Thanks for quick rep...

So I am gonna fill Item 5 as I did before(filed 1040 and wrote Adjusted gross income on Item 5 and on 13a1) ....

put 6c 0

put 7c 0

Put 8c 0

Put 9c 0

and add 5-9 and write it in ITEM 10.....(which is mathematically Item 5 value)

Thats it ....

I can send them This right now ..Literally means right now

What do you recommend?

Unless you are self-employed, question 5 (current individual annual income) is NOT based on tax forms, it's how much money you're making right NOW (based on pay stubs).