January 2014 AOS Filers

[vbtwo 54]

My update....heard nothing....nada....zip...zilch....zero.....not a peep.....lol

So all these updates from everyone are keeping my spirits high Have a great rest of your week awesome people!

Yep, same thing by us. No updates of any kind whatsoever.

[Me-Myself-and-I 4]

Yaay! Congratulations Me-Myself-And-I. I guess you are now nearing the end of this journey.

Thanks MaleAlpha! I am still waiting for an EAD update, its still on its Initial Review state. Sigh! But as what they say, as soon as everything is done and approved, I no longer need an EAD buuuuuuut, I still want to work while waiting for the interview so I can somehow divert my anxiety and be more productive.

Also, am NOT a K1 holder, so I cannot process and get an SSN, that leaves me with no choice but to wait for my EAD or AOS approval or whichever comes first (sigh)...

Good luck to us all and have a blessed week everyone!

[xover 0]

hello all,

i requested expedite EAD earlier today

and now i am all freaked out if i gave them the right reason for doing so. well, i hope that if i didn't the worst that can happen will be "sorry, woman, but no, you wait as long as you should to get your papers."

let's see. sigh.

hello all,

i requested expedite EAD earlier today

and now i am all freaked out if i gave them the right reason for doing so. well, i hope that if i didn't the worst that can happen will be "sorry, woman, but no, you wait as long as you should to get your papers."

let's see. sigh.

[xover 0]

Hi jannapa,

Sorry my browser went crazy so i had to create another post.

Any luck with your expedite request? I heard back within a day and have submitted my documents, hoping for a good result. Hope the same for you

[R&IJourney 12]

Hey All - First time posting but have been reading this forum for a couple of weeks. Its great to know so many others are going through similar situations and great to see so many timelines moving forward.

So far, here is our timeline:

Day 1:[01/16/2014] I-130, I-485, I-765 delivered to Chicago
Day 4:[01/20/2014] NOA1 confirmation texts + emails
Day 7:[01/23/2014] NOA1 hard copies in the mail
Day 13:[01/29/2014] Biometrics Appointment letter in Mail for 02/11/14

Day 22:[02/07/2014] Early Walk-in - Denied. Didn't know about early walk-in til now
Day 26:[02/11/2014] Biometrics Done
Day 34:[02/19/2014] I-485 Status changed to "Testing and Interview"

Now Waiting - Again...

[Misuzu 10]

What is early walk-in?

[R&IJourney 12]

What is early walk-in?

You can get your Biometrics done earlier than your appt - lot of the offices will let you. Some people even try and get denied and try again a couple of days later and are able to get it done.

[Misuzu 10]

Great, thank you I never knew about it!

[R&IJourney 12]

How many people hired a lawyer for this process? Or did you guys do this on your own without an attorney? We used an attorney because this was so important and we were nervous and paranoid. But there seems to be so much information on these forums, I feel like its everything the lawyer told us. No regrets but still, just curious.

[CJC 18]

How many people hired a lawyer for this process? Or did you guys do this on your own without an attorney? We used an attorney because this was so important and we were nervous and paranoid. But there seems to be so much information on these forums, I feel like its everything the lawyer told us. No regrets but still, just curious.

Hi there desiphool Congrats on moving so quickly to 'Testing and Interview' that is really fantastic news - good for you. In answer to your question, from what I am given to understand, most of us here did the process ourselves which is largely due to the resources available here at VJ. For me it wasn't as complicated as it was time consuming, and so far things have moved in the right direction. Just the waiting is the hardest but tomorrow is already March.....yippeeeee!

All the best to you.

[R&IJourney 12]

Thanks CJC - this is going faster than we thought. But at each step now, we're getting more and more impatient. Since its getting closer and closer to the finish line. I check the case status everyday and can't wait to get to the mail. Although I've been reading that the website that shows the status isn't always up to date.

I wish we had known about this site before we submitted our paperwork. It could have saved us a lot of money. But oh well, as long as we get approved soon, it'll will have been worth it.

What stage are you at right now? Your timeline only lists the months and not updated.

[CJC 18]

Thanks CJC - this is going faster than we thought. But at each step now, we're getting more and more impatient. Since its getting closer and closer to the finish line. I check the case status everyday and can't wait to get to the mail. Although I've been reading that the website that shows the status isn't always up to date.

I wish we had known about this site before we submitted our paperwork. It could have saved us a lot of money. But oh well, as long as we get approved soon, it'll will have been worth it.

What stage are you at right now? Your timeline only lists the months and not updated.

Hi Desiphool...this process certainly brings out the impatient gene doesn't it...lol

My timeline is updated, I therefore assume you refer to my signature .....I am still in review stage nothing has happened outside of having my biometrics done and responding to an rfe"......so you are way ahead, which is really wonderful for you and there are a few of you in that boat now too, so getting closer for us all!!!..yay. Have an awesome weekend!

[jannapa 12]

Hi jannapa,

Sorry my browser went crazy so i had to create another post.

Any luck with your expedite request? I heard back within a day and have submitted my documents, hoping for a good result. Hope the same for you

still waiting.

faxed the job offer on wednesday afternoon (if anyone ever needs to fax anything, make sure you have a whole day - the line was busy literally non-stop)

haven't heard back yet.

[dudeinTriBeCa 38]

Hey guys please I have a question regarding the I-864 and taxes for the primary sponsor. Now my spouse was in and out of work and made very little income for 2011, 2012 and 2013. Now based on her earnings for each years per IRS standards she wasn't required to file taxes. However she still did file taxes for 2012 and 2013 to claim some tax credits (EITC & AOTC) and to get refund for the taxes withheld on her income for the times she worked, and in 2011 she received SOME unemployment insurance and was a dependent on her parents returns so she never filed at all. Considering the scenario I'm kinda wondering will she still be required to provide returns/transcripts for the I-864 based on the fact she actually filed taxes even though she wasn't required to? Or can she just write a letter to USCIS explaining her income wasn't enough to file based on IRS guidelines (even though she actually filed)?? Secondly she claimed me as a dependent on her 2012 and 2013 taxes could this be an issue with IRS and/or USCIS (Note: we actually got married this year and plan to file 2014 and subsequent years taxes as MFJ). Any inputs would be appreciated...

[CJC 18]

Hey guys please I have a question regarding the I-864 and taxes for the primary sponsor. Now my spouse was in and out of work and made very little income for 2011, 2012 and 2013. Now based on her earnings for each years per IRS standards she wasn't required to file taxes. However she still did file taxes for 2012 and 2013 to claim some tax credits (EITC & AOTC) and to get refund for the taxes withheld on her income for the times she worked, and in 2011 she received SOME unemployment insurance and was a dependent on her parents returns so she never filed at all. Considering the scenario I'm kinda wondering will she still be required to provide returns/transcripts for the I-864 based on the fact she actually filed taxes even though she wasn't required to? Or can she just write a letter to USCIS explaining her income wasn't enough to file based on IRS guidelines (even though she actually filed)?? Secondly she claimed me as a dependent on her 2012 and 2013 taxes could this be an issue with IRS and/or USCIS (Note: we actually got married this year and plan to file 2014 and subsequent years taxes as MFJ). Any inputs would be appreciated...

Hi dudeinTriBeCa...hope you had a good weekend!

For the first question (tax transcripts) you only have to provide physically the most recent year's tax transcript (or tax return & w2's) - which you have stated will be 2013's. You are required to provide the 3 most recent year's income as per the I-864 - Part 6 13 (a) (b) (c ) as I am sure you are aware of.

I would expect that your sponsor would leave the box un-ticked at Part 6, 13 as the three most recent returns haven't been lodged - perhaps you could hand write on a post it note to 'See Notes'? Seek advice from the USCIS directly to be sure.

In the I-864 instructions it states the following regarding the written explanation (http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-864instr.pdf.)

'If you were required to file a Federal income tax return during any of the previous three tax years but did not do so,

you must file any and all late returns with IRS and attach an IRS-generated tax return transcript documenting your late

filing before submitting the I-864 Affidavit of Support. If you were not required to file a Federal income tax return

under U.S. tax law because your income was too low, attach a written explanation.'

So yes, a written explanation will be needed for 2011's taxes and the tax transcript (or tax return & W2) for 2013 is all that needs to be submitted with the I-864. Nothing needs to be done regarding 2012's taxes (at this stage) other than making sure the income noted on I-864 matches the return done for 2012.

As for your tax question regarding being claimed as a dependent, I would definitely speak to a professional about this. There is also a Tax & Finances Forum here on VJ, you would likely get more experienced folk assisting you there, here is the link.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/159-tax-finances-during-us-immigration/

Cheers and good luck!

Edited March 3, 2014 by CJC