Kammo

Hello again,

Specifically on the DS-230 is the following question:

"31a. Person(s) named in 14 and 29 who will accompany you to the United States now."

My daughter will be listed as in 29 and WILL "accompany me" to the US if approved, however she will not be immigrating.

So, do I leave this blank or put her name in?

Another question (29) asks me to list her name, DOB, place of birth and address (if different than my own)...

Would I put her dad's in or just leave it blank?

What it comes down to is wanting to do things the legal and honest way, but not really knowing which answer is correct.

Thanks for the info on the cover sheet. I'll be sure to change that.

RE: Scans... I was making sure that all the documents I have scanned did not need to be first notarized or the like. Just being over paranoid I guess. I tend to over analyze things some times

I did try a program on my mac to downsize the packet. It brought it down to 1mb but upon opening it, it looks horribly grainy so I'm not sure if that would be appropriate (I assumed not).

I hope reading this does not make your head spin as much as it is mine!

The facts:

My husband (USC) and I have a daughter between us. She obtained her USC (Consular report of a birth abroad) last year.

I'm not entirely certain on this, however, I would assume that "legally" she resides with me in Canada (although she does spends half the time with her dad in the US).

We dont have a custody agreement as we are intending to be together.

This question has been bothering me for sometime...

On the forms we are filling out (specifically i-864, and DS-260 stages), how do we list her?

She can't considered an immigrant, right, so what is she then? She will be moving to the US at such time when I am approved, but as what?

My husband only put me on his i-864 as immigrating is this the correct course of action?

On the DS-260, it will ask to list all children and who will be immigrating. If I don't list her wont it look like she will not be moving with me? *head spins*

On a side note to my confusion, I found out my husband claimed her on his taxes this last year. Does that legally mean that she lives with him?

We did not discuss our tax stuff at the time since we couldn't file together, though I wish we would have. I claimed her on MY taxes as well, not even thinking twice about it.

I filed as separated.

Does anyone have a similar situation and can offer sound advice? I guess there are really two questions here...

As I was preparing my IV packet, I copied a "cover letter template" from a WIKI on this website. I am now a little confused at this (was in template):

" Original/Certified Passport Office Police Certificate for Beneficiary and a copy

Original/Certified Police Clearance Certificate and a copy"

Which is which? I didn't know I needed two different police searches... ??

What I did was go to my local police office and request a police check. Apparently the check I had done is commonly done for people who are opting into volunteer jobs, etc. Did I even do the right one?

I informed them it was for immigration purposes and paid my $50.00.

I was asked to list my address for the last 5 years, my maiden name, current address...

What is Passport Office Police Clearance? Am I to understand now that I require 2 (two) separate police checks?

Super confused.

@Saylin

Hi again. I just posted a new topic but I was hoping I could ask you?

In your wiki, you stated that the electronic process cannot exceed 10MB. Is that information direct from NVC, or is this your guideline? I ask because...

Our i864 packet is complete but it is 24MB o.0... We use a MAC and I don't have Acrobat as mentioned in your Wiki, so I am not sure if I can make it smaller?? Any ideas?

Also (forgot to ask this earlier)... Do the images we have need to have any notarized/certified stamps on them upon scanning? (I have printed the complete "physical" packet and have it sitting in a envelope in case). I have a feeling I wont need to go to a notary but I would hate to make any mistakes given all the time involved!

The packet is laid out like so (in this order):

Cover Letter (signed, dated)

Cover Sheet (as sent by NVC)

i-864 completed

2010, 2009, 2008 Tax Transcripts

Letter from employer

6 months pay stubs

Thanks again for your time! I really appreciate it!

Hello there. I read on a wiki here that there is a size limit of 10mb for electronic processing through NVC but I don't see that number listed anywhere on their website... Is this a correct number or just best guess?

Our i864 packet is ready to send, however its about 24mb...

If it is 10mb limited, is there any way to shrink this pdf down? We use MacOS... Have Adobe but not Acrobat...

Thank you for your time.

and no... we hadn't called them about the IV payment. I just assumed it would show sometime after the AOS payment cleared (which it did last night).

I will call them later today!

Ah! Yeah I see it under "scanning" in your wiki. Thanks again for your time.

You have to put everything into ONE pdf file.

Everything? Meaning... everything? (cover letter, document cover sheet, transcripts, employment letter... etc)?!

If so, you saved my butt!

I'd of send separate files in the email...!! *blush*

It wont let me edit!

Glad you read my wiki!

What date did you send the DS-261? Have you called the AVR since then to see if it says that they'd accepted the Choice of Agent form? I had filled out the DS-261 on a Thursday, on Saturday the AVR updated to say it was accepted, and by Monday the IV bill appeared.

I don't think writing the case number on documents for EP is that important, but I'd still do it. I did it. I actually digitally added the case number in Adobe Acrobat after scanning everything and combining it into one pdf. But sticky notes are good too

We completed the DS-261 right after we were approved for the electronic OPTIN (June 3) We did get an email back saying it was accepted and then shortly after the $88.00 fee appeared, which we paid. It is the IV fee that has not appeared yet to pay.

Glad you read my wiki!

What date did you send the DS-261? Have you called the AVR since then to see if it says that they'd accepted the Choice of Agent form? I had filled out the DS-261 on a Thursday, on Saturday the AVR updated to say it was accepted, and by Monday the IV bill appeared.

I don't think writing the case number on documents for EP is that important, but I'd still do it. I did it. I actually digitally added the case number in Adobe Acrobat after scanning everything and combining it into one pdf. But sticky notes are good too

Did you create a separate file for each tax year as PDF or 3 separate files for each year? Right now I have 3 separate files. I prepared the cover letter and assume its okay to save it as .doc?

Thanks for all your help

@ Saylin hehe yeah, we refer to your link a lot (Canadian Wiki). It has been really helpful! Thank you We did complete the DS-261. I think that was the first thing we did actually

Would be beneficial to include our case number on all documents I am scanning (tax returns and such)? I was thinking I'd write it on a sticky note or something and place it on the document before scanning.

Just be to certain that I have everything covered here.

The AOS fee came up as paid last night. I proceeded to print the "cover sheet" (saved to desktop). I then went to USCIS and saved a copy of the I-864 onto my desktop.

So from there I need... 3 years of tax transcripts, 6 months of pay stubs... an "Employment Letter"? So I am clear, what exactly is that? Am I to go to my employer and request they write a letter on my behalf?

Is there anything else at all that I will need to include in this packet that I have not mentioned?

Also: Do/Can I send this packet now and send the beneficiary packet at a later date? Wife is still waiting on police report.

When will the IV fee appear? It still says not available. Does it appear only after I have sent this packet?

Thank you for your time

I was curious about this myself as we just paid our AOS. It has moved to paid but the IV is not available.

Do we have to send the AOS packet now? or do we wait for IV?

I did post this in the visitor visa section a few weeks back, but I thought I would try putting it here as some one may be doing something similar...

My husband and I live reasonably close (quick ferry ride away) so I visit him regularly. I have been blessed with a year of maternity leave, so traveling freely has been an option and I have taken it.

We just did the calculations for how much I have been in the US since Jan 1, 2011... We are at about 100 days currently.

How much is too much??

I know I cannot exceed 6 months at a time and I don't plan to do so, but what if all my shorter trips exceed the 6 months for the entire year?

When does the 6 month thing reset? Upon returning to Canada each time OR on a specific date? January 1st?

Generally speaking, the routine has been that I stay in the US with my husband for about 3 weeks and then return to Canada for 2 weeks.

We are currently at the NVC stage for our CR-1, maybe we would be approved before it matters but what if we are not?

Any advice for the travelling? Obviously we don't want to stop what we are doing unless it poses a risk for denial at POE or causes an issue with our visa.

The officers know that we have a visa in progress. They have asked before and i have truthfully said "yes, we do actually". I'm not sure why there is a question of me lying? I have never lied at POE. Myself and our daughter are going to visit my husband, we have a pending visa. That's the truth!

I just was concerned that the 2-3 week visits will tally up quick and could exceed over 6 months total per year. There have been a few times that I have stayed in the US for 3 weeks, returned to Canada for 10 days and then went back to my husband. I had the time off with maternity leave so I figured, why not? I certainly don't want to hurt our case with our pending visa though. If I should visit less, I will.

The officers know that we have a visa in progress. It's never been an issue. I have never lied at POE. Myself and our daughter are going to visit my husband never over stay the intended trip.

I just was concerned that the 2-3 week visits will tally up quick and could exceed over 6 months total per year. There have been a few times that I have stayed in the US for 3 weeks, returned to Canada for 10 days and then went back to my husband. I had the time off with maternity leave so I figured, why not? I certainly don't want to hurt our case with our pending visa though. If I should visit less, I will.

Hello. My husband and I currently have our cr1 in progress.

I have been fortunate to visit him often because not only does he live close, I have been on maternity leave. My question is this:

I know 6 months is the maximum stay for a tourist in the US. Is it 6 months total or at a time? I visit my husband a lot. Sometimes i am lucky enough to stay for 2-3 weeks.

When we go in for our interveiw will this come up? Will it look bad? Thanks!

Here's the story...

I went in to get my police certificate, and it asked to list to my homes for last five years. Wasn't expecting this and told the lady I didn't have all that information. She said to just give it my best shot, that it didn't matter because they do a full city search anyways...

Well I later realized that I completely forgot one address and gave the wrong home number (but correct street address) for the other...

These were the same addresses I put on my i130.

Should I pay the $50 again and get it redone and correct my mistakes?

I would hate to be denied for something like this... I'm not sure if it would matter though as the officer said they do a full city search regardless of addresses? Can anyone answer this strongly one way or the other?

Sometimes I'm just so... Blonde!

Thank you.

Ok, I understand now.

Thank you to everyone who has replied!

I wish I hadnt just spent 60$ on two birth cert's...

I guess they will be good use at the border while I'm still visiting as a tie to Canada! The more ties the better!

Cheers!

They werent? Oh...

I had to write them on the i130 form regardless of whether they were joining us or not... Hmm... Maybe I shouldn't have?

On a check list I found it stated that the birth certificates were required, even if they were not immigrating. I guess I started overthinking and thought i may need a passports too... Doesn't seem that is the case?

Thanks for the help!

Hi.

I have read that I will need to send in birth certificates of my other 2 children to the NVC (even though they are NOT immigrating with me). I understand that the whole birth certificate is required (with names of parents... etc). That part is fine. I ordered those last week.

Now I may be over thinking BUT Do I need to get them passports too? (to send in along with birth certifcates)?

If the NVC only needs birth certificates, great! But if for some reason I need to buy passports as well, I'd be get on it now! I haven't read anywhere that I do but I'd hate to miss that somewhere as passports take awhile to get....

PS... Is there anything else I will have to include in regards to my children who will not be immigrating at this time?

Thanks guys

I also meant to ask if getting this test (if thats the recommendation) costed any of you money to do so. OR was it just a standard procedure included in medical?

Thanks

Hi,

My husband (who is the petitioner) has a question relating to the 3 year tax return requirements...

His tax return for 2008 and 2009 were over minimum requirement, but 2010 was under the requirement by $3000. I should mention that his current position (in the last 6 months) exceeds the requirements.

Is this going to be a problem?

I assume yes, but hope no. I have to guess that they probably wouldn't ask for 3 years of tax returns if the previous salaries didn't really matter...

We can get a co-sponser but don't want to unless necessary, especially given the fact that he is currently above requirements.

Thank you for any advice you may have.

Hi!

I have had all of my immunizations (as far as I know) but only have records for a few of them.

What should I do from here? Can/should I just walk into a clinic and request a titer test to prove my immunity or will I be provided this anyways at a later date when I actually have my medical exam?

I am scratching my head on this one so I figured I would post here!

Thanks!