NVC Thread for Canadians

[Coloradofamily 8]

Hi. We are in the exact same situation. My interview is on the 18th of December so I have not heard from the consulate but it sounds like I might. The frustrating thing is that according to the foreign affairs manual which is the guide the the consulates work from it states that they must waive all requirements from the I-864 if you qualify for I-864w. I copied the info below specifically addressing this. This is not cool of them to do this. These are the procedural notes that direct them how to do their jobs.

9 FAM 40.41 PN3 ACCEPTING FORM I- 864-W, INTENDING IMMIGRANT'S

9 FAM 40.41 Procedural Notes Page 12 of 16 UNCLASSIFIED (U)

UNCLASSIFIED (U)

U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual Volume 9 Visas

AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT EXEMPTION WHEN ALIEN CAN DEMONSTRATE 40 QUARTERS OF WORK UNDER SSA (CT:VISA-2159; 08-13-2014)

a. 9 FAM 40.41 N4.4-2 states that you must waive the Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act, requirement if the alien can demonstrate 40 quarters of earnings under the Social Security Act. Any individual seeking to demonstrate the number of quarters he or she has earned may request a Social Security earnings statement from the Social Security Administration, which shows income reported, years worked, and whether or not the applicant has earned 40 quarters (also known as “credits”) and therefore qualifies for benefits.

[ssastry 6]

Thanks Coloradofamily for replying.

The NVC instructions also say that if you can show that you qualify for benefits with the social security statement, then the correct form is I-864W.

I am hoping that when we go to the interview and demonstrate that I have a firm job waiting for me, and also adequate assets, that they will accept the I-864W.

I just don't know if asking applicants to bring the original I-864 and tax returns is a standard request from the consulate.

Hi. We are in the exact same situation. My interview is on the 18th of December so I have not heard from the consulate but it sounds like I might. The frustrating thing is that according to the foreign affairs manual which is the guide the the consulates work from it states that they must waive all requirements from the I-864 if you qualify for I-864w. I copied the info below specifically addressing this. This is not cool of them to do this. These are the procedural notes that direct them how to do their jobs.

9 FAM 40.41 PN3 ACCEPTING FORM I- 864-W, INTENDING IMMIGRANT'S

9 FAM 40.41 Procedural Notes Page 12 of 16 UNCLASSIFIED (U)

UNCLASSIFIED (U)

U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual Volume 9 Visas

AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT EXEMPTION WHEN ALIEN CAN DEMONSTRATE 40 QUARTERS OF WORK UNDER SSA (CT:VISA-2159; 08-13-2014)

a. 9 FAM 40.41 N4.4-2 states that you must waive the Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act, requirement if the alien can demonstrate 40 quarters of earnings under the Social Security Act. Any individual seeking to demonstrate the number of quarters he or she has earned may request a Social Security earnings statement from the Social Security Administration, which shows income reported, years worked, and whether or not the applicant has earned 40 quarters (also known as “credits”) and therefore qualifies for benefits.

[Coloradofamily 8]

I hope that was an error on their part. Even in the I-864 instructions it states -

Are There Exceptions to Who Needs This Form?

The following type of intending immigrants do not need to file this form:

1. Any intending immigrant who has earned or can be credited with 40 qualifying quarters (credits) of work in the United States. In addition to their own work, intending immigrants may be able to secure credit for work performed by a spouse during marriage and by their parent(s) while the immigrants were under 18 years of age. The Social Security

Form I-864 Instructions 03/22/13 N Page 1 of 13

Administration (SSA) can provide information on how to count quarters of work earned or credited and how to provide evidence of such. See the SSA Web site at www.ssa.gov/mystatement/credits for more information;

Please post after your interview in Montreal. I wish you good luck. I really look forward to hearing from you. This is very frustrating.

[Coloradofamily 8]

OK. Just talked myself off the ledge I have a feeling that this is just a form letter that they send out to everyone. Did you scan and email all of your documents? I did. And if you read the instructions from the NVC regarding the things that you are supposed to bring with you, it lists 2 passport photos, your I-864 form (in whatever manner you used to apply) and supporting documents. I think that we are OK. Good luck.

[Antre 11]

Can anyone with recent experience at Montreal embassy tell me if petitioner is allowed to the interview?

i checked the Consulate's website and it states that only an interpreter and/or parent for a minor child can accompany a visa applicant.

[ssastry 6]

I am also thinking the same- that this is a form letter, and we will be ok. Like you say, I am thinking that the consulate just says I-864, to mean any version of the I-864 (i.e. I-864, I-864EZ, I-874A, I-864W etc)

Yes I did scan and email all my documents.

I will try and post right away after interview. Just FYI, we are staying at the Courtyard Marriott Downtown which is a short walk from the consulate.

If you want to connect you can send me a private message and I can text you from my cell after the interview.

OK. Just talked myself off the ledge I have a feeling that this is just a form letter that they send out to everyone. Did you scan and email all of your documents? I did. And if you read the instructions from the NVC regarding the things that you are supposed to bring with you, it lists 2 passport photos, your I-864 form (in whatever manner you used to apply) and supporting documents. I think that we are OK. Good luck.

[Texanadian1 10]

Can anyone with recent experience at Montreal embassy tell me if petitioner is allowed to the interview?

i checked the Consulate's website and it states that only an interpreter and/or parent for a minor child can accompany a visa applicant.

I had my interview last week. The petitioner can go with you at the consulate, but when it comes to the actual interview part, only the beneficiary is allowed. The waiting part was the hardest, but the interview itself was really quick and simple.

[Texanadian1 10]

OK. Just talked myself off the ledge I have a feeling that this is just a form letter that they send out to everyone. Did you scan and email all of your documents? I did. And if you read the instructions from the NVC regarding the things that you are supposed to bring with you, it lists 2 passport photos, your I-864 form (in whatever manner you used to apply) and supporting documents. I think that we are OK. Good luck.

I would suggest you bring the original documents of everything that was sent through EP. On my instructions from NVC, it never mentioned to bring the original copies of the petitioners proof that previous marriages were terminated, however, they asked to see them when I went to the interview. Thankfully, I had brought everything with me. Better to bring to much then not enough.

[Antre 11]

I had my interview last week. The petitioner can go with you at the consulate, but when it comes to the actual interview part, only the beneficiary is allowed. The waiting part was the hardest, but the interview itself was really quick and simple.

Thanks a lot. what a relief.

Congratulations to you!

[Coloradofamily 8]

I am also thinking the same- that this is a form letter, and we will be ok. Like you say, I am thinking that the consulate just says I-864, to mean any version of the I-864 (i.e. I-864, I-864EZ, I-874A, I-864W etc)

Yes I did scan and email all my documents.

I will try and post right away after interview. Just FYI, we are staying at the Courtyard Marriott Downtown which is a short walk from the consulate.

If you want to connect you can send me a private message and I can text you from my cell after the interview.

Hi. We are staying at the Days Inn just down the road from the consulate. We will be arriving on the 17th shortly after 2pm. I would love to hear from you but I am not sure how to send you a private message.

[Texanadian1 10]

Thanks a lot. what a relief.

Congratulations to you!

Thank you, and good luck to you =)

[robinde 0]

I was reading the interview preparation thread and came across something about needing a biometrics appointment. Is this just fingerprints and is it done at the consulate on the day of the consular interview? Or is it something separate? Thanks!

[ssastry 6]

Regarding the full I-864, I went through it in detail today. Where the petitioner signs, it says when the financial obligations end and one of the conditions is the beneficiary accumulating 40 quarters of social security credits. Right there, signing this form in my (and your) situation makes the I-864 obsolete for us, because the beneficiaries in our two cases already have the requisite 40 quarters of credit.

So it is silly to expect us to sign the I-864 instead of accepting the I-864W.

Hope the consular official can see the ridiculousness of the situation.

OK. Just talked myself off the ledge I have a feeling that this is just a form letter that they send out to everyone. Did you scan and email all of your documents? I did. And if you read the instructions from the NVC regarding the things that you are supposed to bring with you, it lists 2 passport photos, your I-864 form (in whatever manner you used to apply) and supporting documents. I think that we are OK. Good luck.

[Kitti 65]

I am

me too.

[Coloradofamily 8]

Regarding the full I-864, I went through it in detail today. Where the petitioner signs, it says when the financial obligations end and one of the conditions is the beneficiary accumulating 40 quarters of social security credits. Right there, signing this form in my (and your) situation makes the I-864 obsolete for us, because the beneficiaries in our two cases already have the requisite 40 quarters of credit.

So it is silly to expect us to sign the I-864 instead of accepting the I-864W.

Hope the consular official can see the ridiculousness of the situation.

I think that we are fine. Did you get a chance to look at any of the foreign affairs info from the links that I sent to you?