Process from Pakistan

[Ali1 0]

Hello all

I am married for 17 years now and have 3 children, living in Karachi. My wife and kids are all US Citizens. I never applied for US immigration before.

But life in Pakistan is becoming very difficult, with law and order, also economy is a mess.

Last June, my wife went to US Embassy Islamabad to file I-130 for myself. We didnt hear anything for a long while. Calls and emails to US Embassy werent being answered etc. Anyway last week got an email from Islamabad with Family 3.5 packet which asks for submission of DS-230 plus police certificates etc.

US Embassy doesnt entertain phone calls for immigration visas, hence would be grateful for your help.

1) How do I know my case / reference number?

2) Police certificates are taking long as I lived in UAE, Saudi, and UK in the past. Is it possible to submit DS-230 without the police certificates?

3) My wife and kids are here with me in Karachi. I hear that they need to go to US before I start my application process as visas are to unite families so we need to separate first

4) I am the family breadwinner, my wife has no income etc. How do we get around the Affadavit of Support? Is it enough to show assets rather than income?

Thanks for all your help.

[Cathi 5,748]

you need the police clearance certificates for every country you have lived in for greater than 6 months since you turned the age of 16, no exceptions. Your wife must file an affidavit of support, there is no way to "get around it" if she doesn't meet the minimum income requirements, she can get a joint sponsor. There are guides at the top of the page that can help you out. I hope the separation from your family is minimal. Good luck with your journey!!!

Edited March 14, 2013 by mimolicious

[Boiler 45,486]

Your wife needs a US Domicile.

Theoretically you can use assets, can they be shown to be easily liquidated, where are they?

[Ali1 0]

Thanks for the response.

I dont want to get around the police certificates. But just because it takes time, is it possible to submit DS230 without it, and then show the certificates at the time of the interview?

And does the joint sponsor has to be family / related? I have a good friend in Atlanta and I intend to go there initially. Can he give me the affidavit? Does he need to submit it directly to NVC or he has to send it me?

Regards

you need the police clearance certificates for every country you have lived in for greater than 6 months since you turned the age of 16, no exceptions. Your wife must file an affidavit of support, there is no way to "get around it" if she doesn't meet the minimum income requirements, she can get a joint sponsor. There are guides at the top of the page that can help you out. I hope the separation from your family is minimal. Good luck with your journey!!!

[Ali1 0]

Thanks for your response.

Is there a time / period required to be classified US Domicile? like a couple of months etc? Or just going there and renting an apartment etc would be adequate?

My assets are all currently in Pakistan. I intend to liquidate them and move to US and buy a house etc.

Regards

Your wife needs a US Domicile.

Theoretically you can use assets, can they be shown to be easily liquidated, where are they?

[RMART 2]

Ali the joint sponsor has to fill out the AOS forms (i864) just like you and have to be mailed to the NVC with your wife's i864 plus you need to send in their tax documents. My parents co sponsored us and I had them fill out the forms and submitted copies of their tax returns and a letter explaining that I would live with them. Thankfully I was visiting my parents at the time so was able to gather all their documents and signatures as needed.

On our AOS I told them that we had savings as I was not working and got an RFE to submit the bank statements showing it. I sent it in after I came back to Pakistan as they were there so be sure to submit proof of your assets and accounts.

[Cathi 5,748]

Thanks for the response.

I dont want to get around the police certificates. But just because it takes time, is it possible to submit DS230 without it, and then show the certificates at the time of the interview?

And does the joint sponsor has to be family / related? I have a good friend in Atlanta and I intend to go there initially. Can he give me the affidavit? Does he need to submit it directly to NVC or he has to send it me?

Regards

the joint sponsor does not need to be family, they just need to be a US citizen or LPR, at least 18 years of age,domiciled in the US. I was replying to your comment about "getting around" the affidavit of support, not the police clearance certificates, your wife needs to file one even if she doesn't meet the minimum income requirements. I don't know the specifics of using assets, especially if they are not in the US, hopefully someone else will chime in to answer that. Good luck!

Edited March 14, 2013 by mimolicious

[Boiler 45,486]

How easily are assets transferable from Pakistan?

How easily are the ones you have liquidated.

Do you have good documentation showing their value and ownership?