SIF--and something for others to avoid

[Done--Really 331]

I'm moving this here where more people will see it.

We all wait for that day that we get the red SIF message--and that was just a few minutes ago, but I want to tell you about our wait at NVC so others can avoid our problem.

It all started when we didn't file 2010 taxes, which is no problem at all so long as you submit the IRS automatic extension form--which we did. But we went one step further which temporarily messed up everything--we also sent our preliminary 2010 tax forms because we thought it would provide additional evidence of our financials, and that's where the problems started.

The original reviewer didn't understand that the 2010 taxes had never been filed, and insisted through an RFE that they had to be used rather than 2009 on Line 25. We talked to a supervisor who said no problem, and sent them back for review a second time and the second reviewer made the same error.

So the next time around we asked for a supervisor to call us with our package in hand, and after a two minute conversation last night at almost midnight, he told us everything would be complete by next Wednesday, and the SIF was here when I signed on this mornig.

And he said there was no reason to have sent the preliminary 2010 taxes--Boy, do I agree with that. So, instead of getting through NVC in a couple of weeks, it was closer to five, but we are alive and hope that our little tiny problem can be avoided by others.

[miss191209 1]

yes what matters that u still alive...i believe myself that the worse stage is the NVC one..

anyway congrats

[Navyk 78]

I'm moving this here where more people will see it.

We all wait for that day that we get the red SIF message--and that was just a few minutes ago, but I want to tell you about our wait at NVC so others can avoid our problem.

It all started when we didn't file 2010 taxes, which is no problem at all so long as you submit the IRS automatic extension form--which we did. But we went one step further which temporarily messed up everything--we also sent our preliminary 2010 tax forms because we thought it would provide additional evidence of our financials, and that's where the problems started.

The original reviewer didn't understand that the 2010 taxes had never been filed, and insisted through an RFE that they had to be used rather than 2009 on Line 25. We talked to a supervisor who said no problem, and sent them back for review a second time and the second reviewer made the same error.

So the next time around we asked for a supervisor to call us with our package in hand, and after a two minute conversation last night at almost midnight, he told us everything would be complete by next Wednesday, and the SIF was here when I signed on this mornig.

And he said there was no reason to have sent the preliminary 2010 taxes--Boy, do I agree with that. So, instead of getting through NVC in a couple of weeks, it was closer to five, but we are alive and hope that our little tiny problem can be avoided by others.

This is just for my understanding. You have entered 2009, 2008 and 2007 income as the most recent years and NVC was insisting on the 2010, 2009 & 2008 due to this peliminary 2010 tax form - right!

I am using only my salary for AOS, as it is sufficient, but the form I-864EZ in question 25 mentions that the Gross income on IRS form 1040EZ. But I filed regular 1040 and have my IRS Transcript. Should I use I-864EZ or use I-864 and enter my saving bank balance also and attache a latest bank statement. Let me know what you think.

[KLS2010 30]

Congrats on finally getting your SIF!

I had high hopes that things at the NVC would be so much better than the long wait at USCIS. We were so quick in getting our case number and having fees invoiced, but it all went down hill once they got their hands on our papework.

It seems as though the people at the NVC need to be retrained - and to read documents properly should be the first thing on the list!! If they did that they would have realised what it was that you had sent them.

And for the sake of everyone else that will follow me...I hope they quick smart learn how to authenticate a marriage certificate from Texas!! It took them three weeks to figure it out...seems they don't like the word 'license' as opposed to 'certificate'....but news flash NVC....that is the only thing that the state of Texas issues! You would think that a simple phone call to the Harris County Clerk's office would clear up the problem...but apparently its not the NVC's job to 'chase up the validity or authenticity of a document'. Really???

And I really think that it depends on what supervisor you get as to whether or not anything gets fixed or not...you obviously got one of the good ones finally last night. We had spoken to 2 during those 3wks we were under supervisor review. The third one we got at the end of their 15 business days got us our SIF and CC within 24hrs! I really believe that if we hadn't gotten that supervisor we would not have had things resolved.

Anyway....congrats again on the SIF, hope your CC is not far behind and that you get a interview date soon!

[Done--Really 331]

Navy--

You MUST submit your tax returns--read the 864 directions carefully--or you will most certainly get an RFE and 2 - 3 week delay after you respond to it.

The problem I had at NVC was that since I sent the preliminary 2010 return, they misunderstood that I had NOT actually filed it, so they were trying to get me to update the 864 for that year--easy mistake to make.

KLS--

I had s good supervisor on the case and she was essentially ready to push the button when she got sick and was out for a week, so I eventually begged a little and they gave me a second supervisor who went directly to the first one's desk to get my paperwork when I told him her name, and within 2 minutes he said we were done.

[M in CA 9]

you mention a supervisor at NVC - how does one ask politely for a Supervisor?

[Done--Really 331]

I described my problem, and when the woman on the phone couldn't really deal with it, I just asked and she put me on hold and found a supervisor and we talked thru her to the supervisor--that was OK, but the second time around I asked to talk in person, and they put me right through. The third time I asked, no one was available, so they said someone would call me back and they did a few hours later--actually very responsive.

[Navyk 78]

Navy--

You MUST submit your tax returns--read the 864 directions carefully--or you will most certainly get an RFE and 2 - 3 week delay after you respond to it.

The problem I had at NVC was that since I sent the preliminary 2010 return, they misunderstood that I had NOT actually filed it, so they were trying to get me to update the 864 for that year--easy mistake to make.

KLS--

I had s good supervisor on the case and she was essentially ready to push the button when she got sick and was out for a week, so I eventually begged a little and they gave me a second supervisor who went directly to the first one's desk to get my paperwork when I told him her name, and within 2 minutes he said we were done.

Magical, I am leaning towards filing I-864 with bank balance of 15,000 (though I don't need it) with 4 months bank summary statements, as I am not comfortable with I-864EZ. I have time as my AOS fee status still in "PROCESS" for last 3 days. Currently am concentrating on sending IV packet tomorrow, as the IV fee paid yesterday became PAID quickly. Did you use USPS or EDEX to mail your packets! Wh is safer.... Thanks.

[hitu 0]

Magical, I am leaning towards filing I-864 with bank balance of 15,000 (though I don't need it) with 4 months bank summary statements, as I am not comfortable with I-864EZ. I have time as my AOS fee status still in "PROCESS" for last 3 days. Currently am concentrating on sending IV packet tomorrow, as the IV fee paid yesterday became PAID quickly. Did you use USPS or EDEX to mail your packets! Wh is safer.... Thanks.

Hi

I sent via USPS express mail, next day delivery. I handed in to USPS on 4:55pm and next day 10:45, they got it and you can track and get confirmation through email. FED EX is same but they charge more than USPS.

Good Luck with your rest of Journey.

[CanadaLove 16]

Congrats on the SIF, magical! Glad everything worked out okay.

[Alex B 9]

I definitely agree the NVC stage is the most frustrating.

I eventually snapped when the level 1 support people told me, "CR-1 and CR-2 are processed separately so your stepdaughter will probably get a different interview date". BOOM! I got to the supervisor when it was becoming obvious how asinine it is to expect me to send a 13 year old across Canada on her own, or spring for a second air ticket, just for a 10 minute interview; and the level 1 support person was unable to comprehend how this might upset me.

Now I have both emails saying case complete but I can still sign in on both case numbers. I'm hopeful that I'll see an interview date soon.

Edited July 30, 2011 by Alex B

[Done--Really 331]

We did everything as simply as possible (except the issue described above). We used I-864, and only used tax transcripts--no assets since they weren't needed. And we mailed things using priority mail which got there in a couple of days and we were able to track it on the computer.

Thanks to everyone for their good wishes, and we'll see if we get an interview by Labor Day which has been our goal from day one.

[Done--Really 331]

Just to wrap up this part of our journey, I just called the AVR, and our case was officially closed yesterday, July 29, so on to the embassy !!

[Ryan H 3,812]

Just to wrap up this part of our journey, I just called the AVR, and our case was officially closed yesterday, July 29, so on to the embassy !!

Congrats!

[chadmelg 0]

We did everything as simply as possible (except the issue described above). We used I-864, and only used tax transcripts--no assets since they weren't needed. And we mailed things using priority mail which got there in a couple of days and we were able to track it on the computer.

Thanks to everyone for their good wishes, and we'll see if we get an interview by Labor Day which has been our goal from day one.

HEY ME AND MY HUSBAND ARE HAVING DELAYS CAUSE OF OUR AOS

how do i know that we finally finish our AOS? If i sign in to this website https://ceac.state.gov/CTRAC/Invoice/Signon.aspx?node=Signin

and get a SIF???? is that how it goes? its still day 15 of the 20 freaking long business days that i been counting.

Please help us out on this. im going paranoid really. And its not a good thing.