NVC Preparation Questions

[ao_cons 1]

From Beneficiary:

Barcode - Can we follow the Barcode instructions even before we get NOA2? Or should we wait after? Why is this required for the DS-3032?

DS-230 Form - The PDF file won't accept "Present" for Date fields such as in Item 20 and Item 22. It says list of residences since age 16, including PRESENT residence. How do I enter "Present" in the To field? Same for Item 22, list of employments in last 10 years.

Item 22 - What if I don't intend to work? Do I put "None" or "N/A"?

Item 23 - Schools attended. Does this include taking courses of ANY kind (including short art courses, massage, first aid, etc.)?

Professional assocations: "None" or "N/A"?

Item 25 - List visits to the US. I'll put "N ever," but it won't let me enter "Never" or "N/A" in the Date fields. Is it safe to leave it blank and enter "Never" in the Location field?

Incomplete Items - Suppose an address doesn't fit in a field. It says attach a separate sheet using the same item numbers. Is it okay to enter the whole address in the separate sheet, just for the sake of completeness (rather than just continuing from the incomplete data in the main form)?

Passport Photos - Four pictures from beneficiary, 2 for DS-230 and 2 for medical. Do they have to be identical? Or can we use 2 identical for DS-230 and 2 identical for medical? Just making sure.

Marriage Certificate - Our marriage certificate is in Thai. Does anyone know how much it costs to get a certified copy here in Bangkok? And do we need to furnish an original translation (not a copy of the translation)? I would think so.

From Petitioner:

Proof of income - What if the petitioner is a retired veteran of the US military? Doesn't pay taxes but gets disability pension. What documents does he or she need to show? Is the minimum income for a retired veteran the same as for any US citizen?

[ao_cons 1]

Yeah, I know. I didn't expect our NOA2 to come so soon. I've tried to get online several times in the past week but ran into problems. Still, very happy about this and happy for everyone else who's been approved too! Thanks to VJ members for sharing all their knowledge.

[ao_cons 1]

B)

[OBX 51]

Not sure I can answer all of your questions but I will let you know what we did. I'm sure others will come along with additional advice as well.

Barcode - Can we follow the Barcode instructions even before we get NOA2? Or should we wait after? Why is this required for the DS-3032?

The DS-3032 can be emailed and sent via hard copy. The hard copy has a space for a barcode and if you prepare your own you can get a bit of a head start rather than waiting for it in the mail.

See the LingChe guide for more info. http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/...he_NVC_ShortCut

You do need to wait until NVC has generated the DS3032 before sending anything.

DS-230 Form - The PDF file won't accept "Present" for Date fields such as in Item 20 and Item 22. It says list of residences since age 16, including PRESENT residence. How do I enter "Present" in the To field? Same for Item 22, list of employments in last 10 years.

Just hand write "PRESENT" in once you have printed off the form.

Item 22 - What if I don't intend to work? Do I put "None" or "N/A"?

I put "UNKNOWN"

Item 23 - Schools attended. Does this include taking courses of ANY kind (including short art courses, massage, first aid, etc.)?

I only listed formal education from highschool through to college and university. (I have to update my CPR yearly and don't think that is what they are looking for.)

Professional assocations: "None" or "N/A"?

If none put "NONE"

Item 25 - List visits to the US. I'll put "N ever," but it won't let me enter "Never" or "N/A" in the Date fields. Is it safe to leave it blank and enter "Never" in the Location field?

If there have never been any trips to the US just hand write "NEVER" in the date column and N/A in the others.

Incomplete Items - Suppose an address doesn't fit in a field. It says attach a separate sheet using the same item numbers. Is it okay to enter the whole address in the separate sheet, just for the sake of completeness (rather than just continuing from the incomplete data in the main form)?

For the questions I could not answer completely in the space provided I typed "See additional sheet for full information", then I prepared a separate sheet with the NVC Case#, my signature, date, question number and full answer.

Passport Photos - Four pictures from beneficiary, 2 for DS-230 and 2 for medical. Do they have to be identical? Or can we use 2 identical for DS-230 and 2 identical for medical? Just making sure.

Not sure about that. I had all photos taken together but I really don't think it matters because these are different from the ones I submitted for the I-130 and I may still get new ones for the medical.

Marriage Certificate - Our marriage certificate is in Thai. Does anyone know how much it costs to get a certified copy here in Bangkok? And do we need to furnish an original translation (not a copy of the translation)? I would think so.

Can't help with this one.

From Petitioner:

Proof of income - What if the petitioner is a retired veteran of the US military? Doesn't pay taxes but gets disability pension. What documents does he or she need to show? Is the minimum income for a retired veteran the same as for any US citizen?

Can't help with this either.

Hope some of this helps. Good Luck.

Edited January 30, 2009 by OBX

[ao_cons 1]

Thank you! That helps a lot. Now I just need to figure out what to do with the proof of support.

[ArubaDolphin 0]

check out the book by nolo publications

about marriage & fiance visas

[ao_cons 1]

What's the title? TY.

[ArubaDolphin 0]

Fiancé & Marriage Visas

A Couple's Guide to U.S. Immigration