December 2015 I-130 Filers

[dee21 4]

Hey guys! I hope you're all doing well!

Well I can tell my husband is busy with working, so he can't search all the time. (I hope so) because when I tell him what I learn from this forum, he says I'm just overthinking and makes me crazy. So he received the mail saying our case was approved. And he told me that they will contact me? I don't remember if we put on the form my email address. Nor does he. And the mail says we should wait for a month to call or smth. He didn't show me the mail. So what should we do now. I don't know anything, and since he's "busy" he has no idea either. I sent him a link about NVC stage but he didn't even read I assume. I hope you guys can help me. I'm a bit afraid.

Hi, Fatigo. I'm also waiting for my case number and IIN. My case has been approved Jan 21st. My husband also received a mail from NVC. I think it's the same mail (NOA2) your husband received after the approval. I attached it below.

Since my husband is busy with work, I am the one calling NVC to ask for updates about our case. (I used MagicJack application coz long distance calls are too expensive) i started calling NVC 2weeks after the approval. The only information that i got was the date our case arrived in their office. I've been calling their office everyday this week hoping for good news, it's been 3weeks already since the approval. Some cases get their case number and IIN before 30 days just by calling NVC. so i suggest you call them from time to time to get updates on your case. In NVC stage, it's better to be proactive, to speed things up, rather than reactive. So call, call, call!

[Fatigo 0]

Wow thank you very very much for your helpful answer and advice Deedah! I appreciate that I understand now

[LookyWhatIFound 38]

Wow thank you very very much for your helpful answer and advice Deedah! I appreciate that I understand now

Hi Fatigo, the actual steps that you and your husband will have to do are below. The official travel.state.gov link is where I pasted this info from. The image that DeeDah has was from the USCIS NOA2, but I don't think that's the full image?

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/family/immediate-relative.html

Next Steps - Fees, Affidavit of Support, and Visa Application

After USCIS approves the petition, it is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC). Once received, the NVC will assign a case number for the petition and instruct the applicant to complete Form DS-261, Choice of Address and Agent. (NOTE: If you already have an attorney, the NVC will not instruct you to complete Form DS-261.) The NVC will begin pre-processing the applicant’s case by providing the applicant and petitioner with instructions to submit the appropriate fees. After the appropriate fees are paid, the NVC will request that the applicant submit the necessary immigrant visa documents, including the Affidavit of Support, application forms, civil documents, and more. Learn more about National Visa Center visa case processing.

Fees

Fees are charged for the following services:

• Filing an immigrant Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130 (this fee is charged by USCIS).
• Processing an immigrant visa application, Form DS-260 (see Note below)
• Medical examination and required vaccinations (costs vary)
• Other costs may include: translations; photocopying charges; fees for obtaining the documents you need for the immigrant visa application (such as passport, police certificates, birth certificates, etc.); and expenses for travel to the U.S. embassy or consulate for your visa interview. Costs vary from country to country and case to case.

For current fees for Department of State services, see Fees for Visa Services. For current fees for USCIS services, see Check Filing Fees on the USCIS website.

Note: Fees must be paid for each intending immigrant, regardless of age, and are not refundable.

Fees should not be paid to the NVC or paid at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you have your visa interview unless specifically requested. Applicants will be provided with instructions by the NVC on where and when to pay the appropriate fees. These instructions are also contained on Pay Processing Fees. Do not send payments to the NVC’s address in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Required Documentation

In general, the following documents are required:

• Passport(s) valid for 60 days beyond the expiration date printed on the immigrant visa
• Affidavit of Support (I-864, I-864A, I-864 EZ, or I-864W, as appropriate) from the petitioner/U.S. sponsor.
• Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application.
  • Preview a sample DS-260 (6.4MB).
• Two (2) 2x2 photographs. See the required photo format explained in Photograph Requirements.
• Civil Documents for the applicant. See Documents the Applicant Must Submit for more specific information about documentation requirements, including information on which documents may need to be translated. The consular officer may ask for more information during your visa interview. Bring your original civil documents (or certified copies) such as birth and marriage certificates, as well as legible photocopies all original civil documents, and any required translations to your immigrant visa interview.
• Completed Medical Examination Forms – These are provided by the panel physician after you have completed your medical examination and vaccinations (see below).

Visa Interview

Once the NVC determines the file is complete with all the required documents, they schedule the applicant’s interview appointment. NVC then sends the file, containing the applicant’s petition and the documents listed above, to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where the applicant will be interviewed for a visa. The applicant, petitioner, attorney, and third-party agent, if applicable, will receive appointment emails, or letters (if no email address if available), containing the date and time of the applicant's visa interview along with instructions, including guidance for obtaining a medical examination.

Applicants should bring their valid passports, as well as any other documentation above not already provided to NVC, to their visa interviews. During the interview process, ink-free, digital fingerprint scans will be taken. Generally, applicants will receive their original civil documents and original translations back at the time of interview.

Rights and Protections - Pamphlet

You should read the Rights and Protections pamphlet before your visa interview to learn about your rights in the United States relating to domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse and protection available to you. The consular officer will verbally summarize the pamphlet to you during your interview.

Medical Examination and Vaccinations

Important Notice:

In preparing for your interview, you will need to schedule and complete your medical examination and any required vaccinations before your visa interview. Before an immigrant visa can be issued, every applicant, regardless of age, must undergo a medical examination which must be performed by an authorized panel physician. Applicants are provided instructions by NVC regarding medical examinations, including information on authorized panel physicians. See Medical Examination for more information, including a list of panel physicians by country, and frequently asked questions.

Vaccination Requirements

U.S. immigration law requires immigrant visa applicants to obtain certain vaccinations prior to the issuance of immigrant visas. See Vaccination Requirements for IV Applicants for the list of required vaccinations and additional information.

What Is Conditional Residence?

If you have been married for less than two years when your foreign citizen spouse enters the United States on an immigrant visa, his or her permanent resident status is considered “conditional.” The immigrant visa is a conditional resident (CR) visa, not an immediate relative (IR) visa.

You and your spouse must apply together to USCIS to remove the conditional status within the ninety days before the two-year anniversary of your spouse’s entry into the United States on his or her immigrant visa. The two-year anniversary date of entry is the date of expiration on the alien registration card (green card). See Remove Conditions on Permanent Residence Based on Marriage on the USCIS website.

How Long Does It Take?

The length of time varies from case to case and cannot be predicted for individual cases with any accuracy. Some cases are delayed because applicants do not follow instructions carefully. Sometimes the U.S. sponsor, or petitioner, cannot meet Affidavit of Support requirements. Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant’s interview by a consular officer.

Ineligibilities for Visas - What If the Applicant Is Ineligible for a Visa?

Certain conditions and activities may make an applicant ineligible for a visa. Examples of these ineligibilities include: drug trafficking; overstaying a previous visa; and submitting fraudulent documents. If you are ineligible for a visa, you will be informed by the consular officer and advised whether there is a waiver of the ineligibility available to you and what the waiver process is. Classes of Aliens Ineligible to Receive Visas contains the complete list of ineligibilities.

Misrepresentation of Material Facts or Fraud

Attempting to obtain a visa by the willful misrepresentation of a material fact or fraud may result in you becoming permanently ineligible to receive a U.S. visa or enter the United States.

When You Have Your Immigrant Visa - What You Should Know

If you are issued an immigrant visa, the consular officer will give you your passport containing the immigrant visa and a sealed packet containing the documents which you provided. It is important that you do not open the sealed packet. Only the U.S. immigration official should open this packet when you enter the United States. You are required to enter the United States before the expiration date printed on your visa. When traveling, the primary (or principal) applicant must enter the United States before or at the same time as family members holding visas.

If you receive your immigrant visa on or after February 1, 2013, you must pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) after you receive your immigrant visa and before you travel to the United States. Only children who enter the United States under the Orphan or Hague adoption programs, Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants, returning residents (SB-1s), and those issued K visas are exempt from this fee. Select USCIS Immigrant Fee on the USCIS website for more information.

Important Notice: USCIS will not issue a Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551 or Green Card) until you have paid the fee.

Entering the United States: Port-of-Entry

A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to the U.S. port-of-entry and request permission to enter the U.S. Applicants should be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry into the U.S. The DHS, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have authority to permit or deny admission to the U.S. Travelers should review important information about admissions and entry requirements on the CBP website under Travel. Once you have been admitted to the U.S. as a permanent resident, your Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551 (formerly called Alien Registration Card, also known as a green card) will be mailed to you.

How to Apply for a Social Security Number Card

If you elected on your immigrant visa application form to receive your Social Security Number Card upon admission to the United States as an immigrant, your card will be sent via mail to the U.S. address you designated on your application form, and should arrive approximately six weeks following your admission. If you did not elect to receive your Social Security Number Card automatically, you will have to apply to be issued a card following your arrival in the United States. To learn about applying for a Social Security Number Card, visit the Social Security Administration website.

When You Are a Permanent Resident

Coming to the United States to live permanently, you will want to learn more about your status as a Lawful Permanent Resident. See Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants to review information on the USCIS website about living in the United States.

Additional Information

Immigrant visa applicants should not make any final travel arrangements, dispose of property, or give up jobs until and unless visas are issued. Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant's interview by a consular officer. An immigrant visa is generally valid for six months from the issuance date.

General Visa Questions

• Before submitting your inquiry, we request that you carefully review this website for answers to your questions. Because of the volume of inquiries, we cannot promise an immediate reply to your inquiry.
• If your inquiry concerns a visa case in progress overseas, you should first contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate handling your case for status information. Select U.S. Embassy or Consulate to find contact information.
• You can find contact information for our Public Inquiries Division at Contact Us.

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[Fatigo 0]

Thank you very much for your answer too, Look! (: I really appreciate. Btw I don't understand something. I looked up the consulate's website. They want me to send the same documents to the consulate before the appointment date. Then they will give me an appointment date. So should I send those documents (passport photocopies, civil documents etc) to NVC or to the consulate in Ankara?

[LookyWhatIFound 38]

Thank you very much for your answer too, Look! (: I really appreciate. Btw I don't understand something. I looked up the consulate's website. They want me to send the same documents to the consulate before the appointment date. Then they will give me an appointment date. So should I send those documents (passport photocopies, civil documents etc) to NVC or to the consulate in Ankara?

Hi Fatigo, yes this is when its a little confusing. Some consulates may set the appointments themselves. But in any case right now Ankara doesn't know anything about your case until NVC gives you an Ankara case number so you have to wait till NVC gives that to you. Check the consulates website if they have an email that you can contact them on, and also if they have a phone number you can call them on. If they do then probably they are small enough that they can handle a lot of the processing themselves instead of all the paperwork having to be sent to NVC.

Once you get the case number from NVC, also talk to the person and ask them what else they might need from you. It might be the case where you contact Ankara with your case number and they send a packet to you either through email or regular mail, once you do all that it asks, send it back to them and then they set up an interview for you.

There is a consulate discussion forum on VJ, Maybe you can post a question about it there and maybe someone that has dealt with Ankara can respond to you.

Good luck!

[Ms.F.Brown 7]

Hey everyone Good Afternoon, I have a dilemma about my I-130 packet that I sent in. I didn't make a copy of my packet before I sent it in. My mind got so excited about being done with it that I forgot. But I have everything saved on my laptop so I can just simply print them off. So if the copy I give husband is a lil different from added stuff and different dates on the affidavits. Will that throw up some red flags and prolong our process???

[LookyWhatIFound 38]

Hey everyone Good Afternoon, I have a dilemma about my I-130 packet that I sent in. I didn't make a copy of my packet before I sent it in. My mind got so excited about being done with it that I forgot. But I have everything saved on my laptop so I can just simply print them off. So if the copy I give husband is a lil different from added stuff and different dates on the affidavits. Will that throw up some red flags and prolong our process???

I think its not necessary to make copies of everything. Like for the forms I did the same thing just kept them on my computer. Copying evidence is a good idea cause in case you get an RFE, its possible they could ask for more evidence. I think the process has gotten more electronic, like what the lockbox initially does is scan all your documents so they have an electronic copy. So its less likely they loose things. Don't hold me to that, just read it online somewhere.

Official documents like birth certificate, passport etc. for sure you should have made a copy cause you certainly don't want them keeping your originals, because you won't get them back!

For your husband, original evidence and documents like marriage certificate is best as they could ask for originals for the interviews, but by that time you may have new stuff like phone records, and financial sharing, more up to date pictures, receipts etc to show ongoing marital relationship.

[dee21 4]

Looky, I cut the part of the letter where our personal information was written. The one that I displayed was the body of the letter only

[LookyWhatIFound 38]

Looky, I cut the part of the letter where our personal information was written. The one that I displayed was the body of the letter only

Yes I understand that, just what I was wondering if its changed since I remember. I was curious, does it still list which embassy its going to be processed at? Also at the top right is your new A# listed?

Edited February 14, 2016 by LookyWhatIFound

[Ms.F.Brown 7]

I think its not necessary to make copies of everything. Like for the forms I did the same thing just kept them on my computer. Copying evidence is a good idea cause in case you get an RFE, its possible they could ask for more evidence. I think the process has gotten more electronic, like what the lockbox initially does is scan all your documents so they have an electronic copy. So its less likely they loose things. Don't hold me to that, just read it online somewhere.

Official documents like birth certificate, passport etc. for sure you should have made a copy cause you certainly don't want them keeping your originals, because you won't get them back!

For your husband, original evidence and documents like marriage certificate is best as they could ask for originals for the interviews, but by that time you may have new stuff like phone records, and financial sharing, more up to date pictures, receipts etc to show ongoing marital relationship.

So will they tell us if they need the I-134 or the I-184 info. Also, I have another question. My co-sponser filed her taxes but only filed 2 W2's for 2015. She going to amend the other next. If they ask for this Yrs returns should I send a copy of all her W2's??

[LookyWhatIFound 38]

So will they tell us if they need the I-134 or the I-184 info. Also, I have another question. My co-sponser filed her taxes but only filed 2 W2's for 2015. She going to amend the other next. If they ask for this Yrs returns should I send a copy of all her W2's??

Not I-134 that is for k-1 visas.

I-864, the appropriate version, all that info is in the big long paste, for Fatigo, of the travel.state.gov link above. Order tax transcripts from the IRS for the last 3 years, those have everything in them.

[dee21 4]

Yes I understand that, just what I was wondering if its changed since I remember. I was curious, does it still list which embassy its going to be processed at? Also at the top right is your new A# listed?

I've attached the upper portion of the letter, Looky. The Alien Number above the petitioner's name is the same alien number written in my NOA1. I'm just curious, is that going to be my alien number forever, looky?

[LookyWhatIFound 38]

I've attached the upper portion of the letter, Looky. The Alien Number above the petitioner's name is the same alien number written in my NOA1. I'm just curious, is that going to be my alien number forever, looky?

Yes I believe your A# will be yours forever! Unless of course you decide at some point to take your husband back to the Philippines with you! My NOA1 has an A# on it but that's the number I always had even after becoming a USC. I would hope that my wife's new A# shows up on this NOA2 that I will supposedly get in the future!

Maybe in your case your husband is a natural born USC so he doesn't have an A#, and so maybe they had space to put your A# on the NOA1? Other than that, I don't know why both your NOA's had your number on them and my NOA1 had my number not my wifes?

Also did your NOA2 mention anything about your case being sent to the Philippines?

Edited February 15, 2016 by LookyWhatIFound

[dee21 4]

Yes I believe your A# will be yours forever! Unless of course you decide at some point to take your husband back to the Philippines with you! My NOA1 has an A# on it but that's the number I always had even after becoming a USC. I would hope that my wife's new A# shows up on this NOA2 that I will supposedly get in the future!

Maybe in your case your husband is a natural born USC so he doesn't have an A#, and so maybe they had space to put your A# on the NOA1? Other than that, I don't know why both your NOA's had your number on them and my NOA1 had my number not my wifes?

Also did your NOA2 mention anything about your case being sent to the Philippines?

Maybe it's my husband's A# and not mine? Lol! I tried asking him about his A# and he forgot what it is. He tried to look for his green card but later remembered that it has been disposed after he became a USC last November.

Nope, no mention about sending the case here in the Philippines.

[LookyWhatIFound 38]

Maybe it's my husband's A# and not mine? Lol! I tried asking him about his A# and he forgot what it is. He tried to look for his green card but later remembered that it has been disposed after he became a USC last November.

Nope, no mention about sending the case here in the Philippines.

Well for your husband his A# would still be on his USC naturalization certificate. I checked my NOA1 again and the A# is next to the I-130 Petitioner. So that would be me. But then are you sure that A# is the same one on the NOA2, for you the beneficiary?

Ok so I guess they just figure its getting sent to wherever the beneficiary lives.

P.S. There should be 2 columns on the NOA2, one for the petitioners A# and one for the beneficiaries A#.

Thanks Deedah!

Edited February 15, 2016 by LookyWhatIFound