APRIL '08 Vermont K-1 Filers

[kornyhiv 0]

Congrats on everyone who rec'd their approvals.. I have a feelng this week they will approve the rest of the April applications! Question about Affidavit of Support, I am filing in the form, will get it notarized, get a letter from my employer, get a letter from the bank, bring a few bank statements, bring my last few pay stubs, and I have my 2006 & 2007 tax returns. Do I need to have my 2005 tax return? I didn't see in any of the directions that I would need to provide any tax returns. I saw other people mention bringing them, but if I can't find my 2005 do I need to look harder or is it not really important?

thanks,

Kristen

It depends on the requirements of the embassy. Some of them only required one year of tax returns, some require more years.

Best thing contact the embassy from your case, and find out.

[KimandRuss 0]

the standard used to be 3 years. Now it is more like one at most Embassy's but, like mentioned above, it really depends. Just check with some others who went through where you're going (portals link)

[INCT 0]

Thanks I'll give them a call!

[Susita 175]

Thanks I'll give them a call!

I know Peru still requires 3...

If all else fails, bring all 3, after all, Chile & Peru are neighbors

[Wei&Shu(Joe) 2]

the standard used to be 3 years. Now it is more like one at most Embassy's but, like mentioned above, it really depends. Just check with some others who went through where you're going (portals link)

All right, this thread has too many pages now. You guys need to get approved!

Kim, do you think maybe they haven't heard of New Zealand up in Vermont and they're confused? Maybe you should call and tell them to flip the globe over and look underneath! I really do hope you can post your happy news soon!! Congrats to all approved this week.

I guess China beat New Zealand in a preliminary soccer game yesterday. When my fiancee tells me country names in Chinese I can usually get the phonetic connection quickly. Last night she kept telling me xin xi lan and I had her repeat it about 50 times then gave up and searched the list. Of course, I didn't imagine it started with N so it took me another 5 minutes to figure out they beat New Zealand!

I hope Russ can get out of xin xi lan soon!

Joe

[KimandRuss 0]

Joe! I hope so too! Thanks buddy!

[Alexandra_v 0]

Hello good morning/afternoon April

No worries kim!

Just glad to see that you are still positive about this process! Fingers crossed that you will receive your NOA2 this week!

Good luck !

[INCT 0]

Sorry I just have to post this because I am just feeling really bad.. I was out with some friends last night, and one of my friends husband made the oh so famous comment, "He is only after the green card." Which I am quite used to, but then he threw in the line, "I don't want to be the one to tell you I told you so, after the fact." (it's actually strange I hear this more from men then women) Nice right!! Of course, then it led to me freaking out, and him apologizing, but it makes me feel like then everyone thinks that. Errrrr.. I know when I then call him and tell him (I can't help it), he feels really bad about the whole thing. I just can't wait until this whole process is over and he is actually here with me and everyone can see us together, and even if someone does make that comment to me, at least I have him to turn to.

I'm sure most of you have been through similiar situations, it just erks me, and makes me want to stay home in my little bubble and not say anything to anyone (because it could be that as soon as I turn my back that is what most people are saying).

I hope for all a speedy approval & speedy interview w/ approval!!!

Edited August 10, 2008 by INCT

[KimandRuss 0]

Kristen,

“He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would surely suffice.” - Albert Einstein

.... this person knows nothing of your relationship...as I suspect is the case with the rest of the ignorant people who make these remarks to you. They speak only to hear themselves and to make themselves think they sound important. I know it's painful and I know it makes you angry but the comments have no basis other than the bad wrap 'some' have subjected the rest of us to. Perhaps a good comeback would shut it down quick.... 'well that's ok, your wife told me she only married you because she felt badly about the size of your manhood ....and you're still working out fine, aren't you?' ... smile...walk away. Let it take nothing more from you.

[HighwayStar 0]

Sorry I just have to post this because I am just feeling really bad.. I was out with some friends last night, and one of my friends husband made the oh so famous comment, "He is only after the green card." Which I am quite used to, but then he threw in the line, "I don't want to be the one to tell you I told you so, after the fact." (it's actually strange I hear this more from men then women) Nice right!! Of course, then it led to me freaking out, and him apologizing, but it makes me feel like then everyone thinks that. Errrrr.. I know when I then call him and tell him (I can't help it), he feels really bad about the whole thing. I just can't wait until this whole process is over and he is actually here with me and everyone can see us together, and even if someone does make that comment to me, at least I have him to turn to.

I'm sure most of you have been through similiar situations, it just erks me, and makes me want to stay home in my little bubble and not say anything to anyone (because it could be that as soon as I turn my back that is what most people are saying).

I hope for all a speedy approval & speedy interview w/ approval!!!

I'm so sorry about that, really I am. People who make such comments are really sad. In my particular case, though no one would ever tell Michael I am after a GC, I am actually on the receiving end of comments on a similar line. Since I have a steady, gov't job, a house and assets, some people question the wisdom of my move. I've had a colleague of mine at work ask me if Michael was a reliable person, and how long we had known each other.... Not to mention the attempts at brainwashing I have received, such as people trying to convince me to cling to my job at all costs. I won't go into detail, but other colleagues who've done that have been forced to travel around the world all their lives in order to support a foreign spouse who could not find a steady job in Italy.

I may be old-fashioned, but I like to have a place to stay, though I love travelling on vacation. I know it takes a lot of guts to make a move like that when you are closer to 50 than 40, but I also think that life is not worth living if one never takes any risks in order to improve things. I did when I flew to the US in the fall of 2006 to meet Michael for the first time, and it was the best damn thing I did in my whole life.

[INCT 0]

Thank you guys for the support, it does feel better to hear all your kind words. It's nice to know that I'm not alone in this. And similiar people are going through similiar situations. I know this is really bad, but when people say mean things I can't help but then second guess my whole relationship. I know I should have a brick wall up, but it just makes me think (OMG can they be right). This goes away, and I couldn't imagine not having him in my life.

I couldn't imagine being on the other end of the stick, and having to leave everything behind to move to somewhere that I knew no one (except of course for my fiance), didn't speak the language, and knowing that everyone was giving him grief about me. It's definitely not the easist situation for him to be getting himself into - but I'm glad that he is!

thanks again!

[SterlingGirl 1]

I've heard it said before that marrying someone in your own country carries about the same risk - what if they're just marrying you because they're a gold-digger? Or just marrying you because of your looks? Superficial marriage of ANY kind isn't just relegated to those who are marrying from another country.

People like that, I've found, are simply so arrogant about the U.S. that they assume ANY person from any country would try a GC scam to get in. Not saying I don't love America, but these people have families, jobs, lives, things that ARE hard to leave behind. They never stop to think that a certain person may just love THEIR country every bit as much as an American loves the U.S., only they love their fiances more and want to be with them. Look at Luis and Suzy - she mentioned that he really doesn't LIKE the idea of leaving Peru. Though I'm sure if I asked 10 people (especially where I'm from), 9 of them would accuse Luis of GC scamming. It's pathetic.

In the end - I think it speaks about the relationship when it requires so much personal sacrifice and literally crossing oceans and borders. Most people, it seems, can't conceive of that kind of commitment. I'd wholeheartedly ignore them all.

[Susita 175]

Thank you guys for the support, it does feel better to hear all your kind words. It's nice to know that I'm not alone in this. And similiar people are going through similiar situations. I know this is really bad, but when people say mean things I can't help but then second guess my whole relationship. I know I should have a brick wall up, but it just makes me think (OMG can they be right). This goes away, and I couldn't imagine not having him in my life.

I couldn't imagine being on the other end of the stick, and having to leave everything behind to move to somewhere that I knew no one (except of course for my fiance), didn't speak the language, and knowing that everyone was giving him grief about me. It's definitely not the easist situation for him to be getting himself into - but I'm glad that he is!

thanks again!

Hey girl, I hear ya. I go through the same thing from time to time. You don't need to explain him or yourself to ANYONE. I've realized that a lot of friends of mine were concerned for me - genuinely - and that after I explained it to them they felt better about it. It's gotten a lot better though, but there are some ignorant people (like my dad's family) who I'd rather not even discuss the subject with. They will never get it, because they DONT WANT to get it, and therefore there's no use for me wasting my breath on them.

Most Americans erroneously think we are superior and that our country is superior to all others and that everyone wants to come to the US and will do anything to do so. This is not the case. Luis would have never decided to move here, had it not been for meeting me. I actually was trying to get a teaching job at an American school in Lima Peru (that pays fairly well for being in another country - I probably would have lived better there than in NY), but after begging and begging from my mom and grandma not to take my kids out of the country, I stayed and didn't do it. Luis was pretty disappointed, his family owns a business there and he is very important in the scheme of things, his brother is extremely upset that he will be leaving, but knows it's to be with me and to be happy so he accepts it.

I am not saying that there are not any people who desperately want to come to this country, yes there are. I study Hispanic Languages & Literature Latin American & Carribbean Studies and have done a lot of research on the political and social situations of many countries in the region, and economic inequalities make it necessary for a lot of people to try to leave the country, whether it be to neighboring countries (Chile, Argentina, etc) or to Europe or the US, but that's no reason for people to generalize and stereotype that ALL Latin American people want or need to do so, that's not the case.

[Wei&Shu(Joe) 2]

Thank you guys for the support, it does feel better to hear all your kind words. It's nice to know that I'm not alone in this. And similiar people are going through similiar situations. I know this is really bad, but when people say mean things I can't help but then second guess my whole relationship. I know I should have a brick wall up, but it just makes me think (OMG can they be right). This goes away, and I couldn't imagine not having him in my life.

I couldn't imagine being on the other end of the stick, and having to leave everything behind to move to somewhere that I knew no one (except of course for my fiance), didn't speak the language, and knowing that everyone was giving him grief about me. It's definitely not the easist situation for him to be getting himself into - but I'm glad that he is!

thanks again!

I know how irritating that whole line of reasoning can be. I feel like some dp it out of ignorance while they truly care for you and some just to feel superior and hear themselves talk. I think we must remember that we live in a country where we've now been bombarded with the idea that no matter how irrational and unfounded your opinion may be it carries as much weight as reality. We now call that "fair and balanced", whereas it was formerly called "insanity." So many people seem to now feel that asserting ignorant positions as fact is the right thing to do.

I always feel like getting upset is just what they want from me, so I try to do my best to stay calm and not give them the treat they seek. Not that I always accomplish that! Sometimes it is just too much! When someone is attempting to trigger you, it is good to practice a response ahead of time and be prepared. To them it is a game and they have practiced. You should practice as well!

My strategy is to first admit the truth in what they say. "Marriage fraud is a significant issue. One must be very careful...and I was." Then I offer some facts (which you could research about your particular country). Chinese women in America have about the lowest divorce rate of any other group and that statistic contains a majority of new immigrant wives. So, you may wish to marry an American, that's fine, but the chances that your marriage will fail are much greater than mine... if you really want to talk about risks. Then to pretty much end the conversation, "I'm not sure what you know specifically about my fiancee, but please if you know something about her that I don't, I'm all ears."

That is usually followed by red cheeks and a reply that starts with a stammering, "Well, well, well I..." If I'm feeling generous I will let them stammer. If not I will add, "No really, did she try to use you to get a green card? You must tell me!" That usually brings the admission that they know nothing about my fiancee specifically, to which I can say, "Oh so this was a psychic reading you were giving me. You should have said so up front. Really, if I want a psychic reading I'll ask you! At this point you must make your biggest and phoniest smile, then casually move on to the next topic while the psychic reader licks their wounds.

Try it! It's fun.

[enchantedtikiman 0]

Congrats on everyone who rec'd their approvals.. I have a feelng this week they will approve the rest of the April applications! Question about Affidavit of Support, I am filing in the form, will get it notarized, get a letter from my employer, get a letter from the bank, bring a few bank statements, bring my last few pay stubs, and I have my 2006 & 2007 tax returns. Do I need to have my 2005 tax return? I didn't see in any of the directions that I would need to provide any tax returns. I saw other people mention bringing them, but if I can't find my 2005 do I need to look harder or is it not really important?

thanks,

Kristen

I am including past 3 years just to be safe