September 2014 Interviews

[dwheels76 5,468]

It's always good to hear the opposite view and I'm glad that some of you found the ITIN application process to have been straightforward. The IRS sent my wife's ITIN notification to the wrong address and it was lost, so I'm glad we did not chance sending in her passport.

I think most of us would agree there should be a reasonable process for the NRA spouse of a USC to be granted an ITIN. This is needed not only for tax purposes, but also to open retirement bank accounts, and to list spouses as beneficiaries on US financial assets.

Personally, I feel the new IRS processes are unreasonable in at least some situations, but I accept that not everyone shares that view.

For those who are interested, I googled "ITIN fraud" and found the investigative news story that started the IRS investigation that eventually led to the new documentation requirements. It's a fascinating read: http://www.wthr.com/story/18204912/tax-loophole-investigation

As it is clearly off topic for this thread now, this will be my last post on the topic here. If anyone wants to debate ITIN application processes and requirements in the future, we can always start a new thread!

I think you should start a new thread its a great read and a needed topic.

[bruins 14]

Hey guys - When booking my wife's flight to the US, do I select "Permanent Resident", "Resident Alien" or "I don't have a US Resident Car". What expiration date should I put if I chose the first 2? Expiration date on the visa?

[F2A PD 12/2/11 31]

It's always good to hear the opposite view and I'm glad that some of you found the ITIN application process to have been straightforward. The IRS sent my wife's ITIN notification to the wrong address and it was lost, so I'm glad we did not chance sending in her passport.

I think most of us would agree there should be a reasonable process for the NRA spouse of a USC to be granted an ITIN. This is needed not only for tax purposes, but also to open retirement bank accounts, and to list spouses as beneficiaries on US financial assets.

Personally, I feel the new IRS processes are unreasonable in at least some situations, but I accept that not everyone shares that view.

For those who are interested, I googled "ITIN fraud" and found the investigative news story that started the IRS investigation that eventually led to the new documentation requirements. It's a fascinating read: http://www.wthr.com/story/18204912/tax-loophole-investigation

As it is clearly off topic for this thread now, this will be my last post on the topic here. If anyone wants to debate ITIN application processes and requirements in the future, we can always start a new thread!

Guys,

Most applicants get itins to file taxes together for uscis filling, the truth is that its not needed bc is obvious to the consulate when they issue the visa that the spouse is NOT IN THE US therefore they know if you file single. By definition you have to amend once and only once your wife steps foot in the us and has a ssn to file jointly. Itins are only hell to go trough and at the end you would have to amend once more to MFJ. I went to the interview with my wife, i filled SINGLE and nothing was mentioned. I filled single bc i did not had an itin nor a ssn for my wife. I had copies of my intention to amend and a notarized letter i wrote of my will to amend once my wife could file taxes. Taxes are for support and support only not for prove of marriage, this is why you go to uscis, nvc, and consulate to prove bonafide.

But hey you guys want to get itins, have a mess, up to you.

Again i speak for my case only and a few more that had filled single and everything was fine.

Just an FYI

[stackeria 280]

Guys,

Most applicants get itins to file taxes together for uscis filling, the truth is that its not needed bc is obvious to the consulate when they issue the visa that the spouse is NOT IN THE US therefore they know if you file single. By definition you have to amend once and only once your wife steps foot in the us and has a ssn to file jointly. Itins are only hell to go trough and at the end you would have to amend once more to MFJ. I went to the interview with my wife, i filled SINGLE and nothing was mentioned. I filled single bc i did not had an itin nor a ssn for my wife. I had copies of my intention to amend and a notarized letter i wrote of my will to amend once my wife could file taxes. Taxes are for support and support only not for prove of marriage, this is why you go to uscis, nvc, and consulate to prove bonafide.

But hey you guys want to get itins, have a mess, up to you.

Again i speak for my case only and a few more that had filled single and everything was fine.

Just an FYI

The IRS tax fraud implications you bring up have nothing to do with the immigration process and deserve a response.

If you are married, it is fraudulent to use the "single" status to file your federal tax return. This type of fraud is subject to various penalties and possible legal proceedings by the IRS.

If you are married to a NRA who doesn't have a SSN or ITIN, you may file "married filing separately" (aka "MFS"). You must put "NRA" on your return in the space reserved for your spouse's SSN. You cannot e-file and must mail in your return. Since "MFS" is typically not as beneficial as the "married filing jointly" (aka "MFJ") status, some people will chose to amend "MFS" returns to "MFJ" in the future, once the spouse has obtained a SSN or ITIN.

Now, about the immigration process: Your point that the complexities of filing "MFJ" with an NRA spouse isn't worth the hassle if the NRA is about to immigrate to the USA is valid. I personally wouldn't have bothered to file "MFJ" over "MFS" if it was simply a matter of showing additional evidence of my bona fide marriage. There were financial reasons behind the decisions we made. Keep in mind that not everyone's circumstance are similar to yours or mine. Presumably, people would chose their filing status based on their own circumstances.

[MoBar65 520]

The IRS tax fraud implications you bring up have nothing to do with the immigration process and deserve a response.

If the CO realizes that an applicant's sponsor/petitioner committed IRS tax fraud, then he/she should have grounds enough to dismiss the sponsorship. Would any of us personally enter into any kind of financial endeavor with a proven (or even merely suspected) tax fraud offender?

[F2A PD 12/2/11 31]

The IRS tax fraud implications you bring up have nothing to do with the immigration process and deserve a response.

If you are married, it is fraudulent to use the "single" status to file your federal tax return. This type of fraud is subject to various penalties and possible legal proceedings by the IRS.

If you are married to a NRA who doesn't have a SSN or ITIN, you may file "married filing separately" (aka "MFS"). You must put "NRA" on your return in the space reserved for your spouse's SSN. You cannot e-file and must mail in your return. Since "MFS" is typically not as beneficial as the "married filing jointly" (aka "MFJ") status, some people will chose to amend "MFS" returns to "MFJ" in the future, once the spouse has obtained a SSN or ITIN.

Now, about the immigration process: Your point that the complexities of filing "MFJ" with an NRA spouse isn't worth the hassle if the NRA is about to immigrate to the USA is valid. I personally wouldn't have bothered to file "MFJ" over "MFS" if it was simply a matter of showing additional evidence of my bona fide marriage. There were financial reasons behind the decisions we made. Keep in mind that not everyone's circumstance are similar to yours or mine. Presumably, people would chose their filing status based on their own circumstances.

Completely agree, to not do fraud i went to irs and personally had a meeting with them to make sure inwasnt doing anytype of fraud. They said is best to file single and amend later intead of double amending. Not fraud only if u amend.

But yea this topic should be on a single thread

[dirk_diggler 107]

Will the ELIS page show green card production status (i.e. printed,sent,delivered,...)?

[dwheels76 5,468]

Will the ELIS page show green card production status (i.e. printed,sent,delivered,...)?

Yes you should be able to follow the status on Elis. I believe Optimization is the key word to its being made and all that.

[MacauPDX 24]

Picked up my visa today and flight is booked for the 29th. Trying to pay the USCIS ELIS fee and jumping through the hoops to open an account but I am repeatedly getting the message that the password I have submitted does not meet the requirements, despite following the instructions. I've even tried different web browsers but keep running into the same problem...

I've got a feeling that whatever I'm doing wrong is really simple but I can't put my finger on it. Any pointers greatly appreciated!

[K&T19 1]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has had any luck using the DHL tracking information? I have tried but haven't had any luck and NVC confirmed they sent our package on the 19th. Just curious. Thanks!

[BOS_LHR 829]

Picked up my visa today and flight is booked for the 29th. Trying to pay the USCIS ELIS fee and jumping through the hoops to open an account but I am repeatedly getting the message that the password I have submitted does not meet the requirements, despite following the instructions. I've even tried different web browsers but keep running into the same problem...

I've got a feeling that whatever I'm doing wrong is really simple but I can't put my finger on it. Any pointers greatly appreciated!

Signing up for ELIS was ridiculously complicated. Be sure to take down all your details, because dealing with the technical help desk is equally full of hoop-jumping. I think your password needs to be something like 12 characters long with mixed cases, at least one number and special character.

[Murf & Reggie 37]

Waiting at the gate for my flight it is time for POE uh...I hate standby today hopefully i make it....so nervous do not even know for what just so freaky excited.....good look everyone in whichever step you are fingers crossed for all of you here. Will update later about POE.....

[VNBCI130 94]

CC on Aug 14. Waiting for an interview date. Hopefully we get it this week!

[Jenny_USCIS 27]

CC on Aug 14. Waiting for an interview date. Hopefully we get it this week!

congrats!!! you and I have similar timeline almost same lol...and same CC...

[Ken Adams 41]

congrats!!! you and I have similar timeline almost same lol...and same CC...

Me too on Aug 18th and still no email reg CC