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Posted

Legal Permanent Resident - so that'd be you in this instance.

They are sticklers for the co-mingling of finances. An IO I spoke to once said that not providing any evidence of co-mingled finances, large purchases, bank accounts and the like is a 98% guaranteed interview --- but honestly, all the advice you've got above is spot on. At this stage, you just want to collect absolutely everything that documents your shared lives together and prepare well for the interview. Expect to answer the financial questions though.

Be prepared for the eternal waiting game. Be prepared for average news.

 

Adjustment of Status Journey

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Removal of Conditions Journey

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11/03/2015 - Approved, card production ordered (164 days!)

11/10/2015 - 10-yr Green Card received (IR6) -- journey over for now!

 

 

Citizenship Journey (N-400)

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07/31/2019 - Journey is finally over. Citizen of the USA.

 

Posted (edited)

I don't follow. We were never told by anyone that we had to have a joint account...

Its one of the most crucial piece of financial evidence that USCIS are looking for. The top 3 documentation required / expected would be jointly filed taxes, joint lease/mortgage agreements and joint bank account. From one brit to another I wish you a ton of luck during your interview.... Please keep us all posted... you will be fine Im sure. Your getting together everything else in order to support your marriage :thumbs:

Edited by QueenComley

heart.gif Every love story is beautiful, but ours is my favorite heart.gif

Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Nigeria
Timeline
Posted

Tax returns?

08/01/12-Married08/17/12-Applied for Social Security Card09/23/12-Husband received his Social Security card!09/27/12-Filed AOS09/28/12-AOS package received10/01/12-Text message from USCIS10/03/12-Check cashed10/09/12-NOA1 for I485,I765,I131 AND Biometrics Appointment Letter10/24/12-Biometrics Appointment12/11/12-EAD and AP Approved-75 days12/14/12-EAD/AP Card Production ordered12/21/12-EAD/AP Card came in the mail06/22/13-Green Card Approved06/27/13-Greed Card Production Ordered06/29/13-Green Card came in the mail<p>

04/09/15-Mailed ROC

04/10/2015-Package received

04/14/2015-Check cashed

06/02/2015-Called Service Center (still no NOA1) Service request found out wrong address on paperwork! :(

06/03/2015-Called to get address updated Ar11 online add change didnt work-got infopass for June 10th

06/10/2015-Went to info pass appt. Hubby got a 1yr. Extension stamp in his passport and biometrics done

08/12/2015-ROC Approved. Got letter in the mail.

08/29/2015-received new card in the mail.

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted

The following is meant as information to others who are reading.

The OP's pickle is what can happen to any couple who are not students of the process. Preparation is far easier than (often-hasty) damage control.

During our ROC stage, I followed the advice of others, which was to take any remotely relevant evidence that accrued after marriage and throw it all into a box. Sure enough -- when filing-time for ROC came, there was more than enough material from which to choose.

Keep the above in mind. In addition, even if you have few possessions, remember that creating wills can help in terms of ROC evidence. Wills are even more crucial to have in "life."

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Vietnam
Timeline
Posted

Individual bank statements showing a common address would be good. Certainly the signature pages of the lease (just print the whole thing double sided) And any other "major" items showing the common address even if the accounts are separate. Driver's license, 401k, life insurance, and the like. Affidavits are almost worthless, no one submits a bad one. Wedding photos don't mean much at this stage. Evidence of traveling together, socializing together, time with family.

Gather up what you have. No need to manufacture a joint account if you don't live your life that way. A brand new account really doesn't add to your evidence. You should be ok with what you've talked about. The initial filing was probably a bit thin so you were picked.

Good luck.

I-864 Affidavit of Support FAQ -->> https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/immigrant-process/documents/support/i-864-frequently-asked-questions.html

FOREIGN INCOME REPORTING & TAX FILING -->> https://www.irs.gov/publications/p54/ch01.html#en_US_2015_publink100047318

CALL THIS NUMBER TO ORDER IRS TAX TRANSCRIPTS >> 800-908-9946

PLEASE READ THE GUIDES -->> Link to Visa Journey Guides

MULTI ENTRY SPOUSE VISA TO VN -->>Link to Visa Exemption for Vietnamese Residents Overseas & Their Spouses

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Brazil
Timeline
Posted

We submitted a ton of evidence and still got called for an interview. I brought copies and originals of everything we submitted the first time along with new affidavits from friends and updated copies of joint accouts, bills, etc. I also brought mail with both of our names, copies of joint gym membership, copies of credit cards with the same account number, etc. Showing you are on your wife's insurance plan or are the ememergancy contact for her work are also good proofs.

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Posted

Individual bank statements showing a common address would be good. Certainly the signature pages of the lease (just print the whole thing double sided) And any other "major" items showing the common address even if the accounts are separate. Driver's license, 401k, life insurance, and the like. Affidavits are almost worthless, no one submits a bad one. Wedding photos don't mean much at this stage. Evidence of traveling together, socializing together, time with family.

Gather up what you have. No need to manufacture a joint account if you don't live your life that way. A brand new account really doesn't add to your evidence. You should be ok with what you've talked about. The initial filing was probably a bit thin so you were picked.

Good luck.

With individual bank statements, we've just provided one month of each address we resided in, just to show address's are the same. Is that enough, or should we print more individual statements to show longevity of accounts?

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Vietnam
Timeline
Posted

With individual bank statements, we've just provided one month of each address we resided in, just to show address's are the same. Is that enough, or should we print more individual statements to show longevity of accounts?

Give them a longer time frame, it can't hurt. That helps the CO see the patterns that may be there (one spouse pays the rent, the other pays utilities, and so on). It's about showing a life lived as a couple during the past couple of years so routine is a good things. That's how the majority lives.

I-864 Affidavit of Support FAQ -->> https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/immigrant-process/documents/support/i-864-frequently-asked-questions.html

FOREIGN INCOME REPORTING & TAX FILING -->> https://www.irs.gov/publications/p54/ch01.html#en_US_2015_publink100047318

CALL THIS NUMBER TO ORDER IRS TAX TRANSCRIPTS >> 800-908-9946

PLEASE READ THE GUIDES -->> Link to Visa Journey Guides

MULTI ENTRY SPOUSE VISA TO VN -->>Link to Visa Exemption for Vietnamese Residents Overseas & Their Spouses

Posted

OP - keep us updated on the outcome!

Be prepared for the eternal waiting game. Be prepared for average news.

 

Adjustment of Status Journey

Spoiler

07/16/2013 - Successful interview, 2-yr Green Card approved!


Removal of Conditions Journey

Spoiler

 

11/03/2015 - Approved, card production ordered (164 days!)

11/10/2015 - 10-yr Green Card received (IR6) -- journey over for now!

 

 

Citizenship Journey (N-400)

Spoiler

07/15/2019 - Ceremony scheduled for 07/31/2019
07/31/2019 - Journey is finally over. Citizen of the USA.

 

Posted

OP - keep us updated on the outcome!

Will do- Interview is tomorrow at 11am!

Give them a longer time frame, it can't hurt. That helps the CO see the patterns that may be there (one spouse pays the rent, the other pays utilities, and so on). It's about showing a life lived as a couple during the past couple of years so routine is a good things. That's how the majority lives.

Got it! Good point- we'll add another couple of months in there.

Thanks!

Posted

Well, wife and I just got back from the interview.

Overall, experience for us was "easier" than we thought.

We arrived a good hour or so early, went through security which luckily had no line and went to the upper level where we got checked in. We sat in the large waiting room and assumed the long wait would start. There were a lot of other couples there with their lawyers. Now I know everyone's situation is different, but we began to wonder whether we should have hired some representation...

After about 20 minutes, we were called up! We were shocked! The fact that we'd arrived early clearly worked in our favour. The officer led us through to his office. The first thing did together was get sworn in/taking oath. Holding up our right hands, admitting that would would tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. We both agreed. He then invited us to sit.

He began by going through our case file. In front of him was all the current evidence we had previously submitted, including the additional evidence that was requested subsequent to our first i-751 submission. He then went on to ask if we had additional information, such as tax returns and joint bank account info, that we previously did not submit. We provided pretty much everything we had at this point, talking through each one in detail. When it came to addressing the bank account, we discussed how we budget our finances together using an excel spreadsheet (printed our copies as evidence) and that we organise who pays what bills. We proved this showing our individual bank statements and indicated the spending patterns over the last few months. The officer seemed happy with this. We went on to say how we had JUST opened a joint bank account, with the plans to put all our finances into one place. Again, he agreed.

Taking all the other evidence, he confirmed previous addresses, asked if I had any previous criminal history and then went through our provided photos. In particular, he looked over the family gatherings and asked if we could indicate WHEN they were taken. We had a picture of my wife visiting family back in England. This seems to please him!

He concluded by saying that a decision would be made based on final background checks and green card mailed within 90 days! He seemed to suggest that we didn't have any problem but didn't GUARANTEE this. We feel like, based on background checks, everything should be in the clear!

Overall, we weren't as interrogated as we thought we were going to be. He asked the questions we assumed he would and we were prepared to give a confident answer. Yes, the build-up/anticipation was pretty nerve-wracking, but the experience was pretty comfortable.

Hope all this helps!

 
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