nvc Do I Have Everything "Necessary & Proper" for Our NVC Packet?

[JOL 19]

To spare everyone bandwidth and boredom, those interested can find our background info in my VJ thread requesting I-130 feedback. I reiterate thanks to all who promptly helpfully replied there, with apologies for my own delayed response as we tried to figure out the rest of the process.

 

The I-130 was eventually approved, my wife has filed and the NVC verified her DS-261 agent form, I have paid the Affidavit of Support and Immigrant Visa application fees, and she has filed her DS-260 form:  I believe it finally time to submit our documentary evidence to the NVC, so hereby request those who have preceded us on that path to verify whether I have all the correct documents in the correct form, and, if not, tell me what we lack

. 

Note:  I did not work steadily in Norway, so was only required to file a US tax return one year (i.e. 2013. ) I returned to the US in December 2015, but my 2016 income was (and 2017 income will be) <125% of the federal poverty level for our household size, so my mother is filing an I-864A as a household member because I have lived with her since my return to the US, and my wife and daughter would be living with us upon and after their admission.  This figures prominently in several of our questions, but first, this is our documentary evidence:

 

Beneficiarys Documentary Evidence

 

1) Photocopy of Beneficairys passport photo page
2) Photcopy of Beneficiarys extract of the register of births (printed in both Norwegian and English)
3) Photocopy of Beneficiary and Petitioners marriage certificate (also printed in both languages)
    3a) The marriage certificates first page records Beneficiarys name change, but only in Norwegian
4) Beneficiarys police report

 

Proof of Sponsor/Household Members Domicile

 

5) Photocopy of sponsors voter registration card
6) Photocopy of sponsors US drivers license
7) Sponsors 2016 Forms W-2 from all employers
8) Photocopy of Sponsors 2013 and 2016 IRS tax transcripts
9) Photocopy of Sponsors 2016 IRS tax return
10) Photocopies of Sponsors official life insurance correspondence     
11) Photocopy of Household Members voter registration card
12) Photocopy of Household Members US drivers license
13) Photocopies of Household Members annual pension statements 2014-2016

 

Proof of Sponsor/Household Members US Citizenship

 

14) Photcopy of Sponsors US state birth certificate

15) Photocopy of Household Members US state birth certificate

 

Proof of Sponsors Relationship with Household Member

 

16) Photocopy of Sponsors US state birth certificate (citing Household Member as "mother")
17) Photocopy of Household Members Final Decree of Divorce (citing Sponsor as Household Members "adult child")
18) Photocopy of Household Members Retirement Beneficiary Designation (citing Sponsor as "son" and "beneficiary")

19) Photocopy of Sponsors US drivers license (recording residential address)

20) Photocopy of Household Members US drivers license (recording the same residential address)

 

Proof of Sponsor/Household Members Income

 

21) Photocopy of Sponsors 2016 IRS tax return

22) Photocopies of Sponsors 2017 weekly pay stubs (18 in total, from February through present)

23) Photocopy of signed letter from Sponsors current employer, stating Sponsors current position, date employment began, and current wage, on company letterhead with contact data
24) Photocopy of Household Members IRS tax return and Form SSA-1099 Social Security Benefit Statements 2014-2016
25) Photocopy of Household Members pension statements 2014-2016

 

Proof of Assets

 

26) Photocopy of Sponsors first life insurance policys surrender value 
27) Photocopy of Sponsors second life insurance policys surrender value
28) Photocopy of deed to property showing no liens
29) Photocopy of Sponsors school district property tax statement
30) Photocopy of Sponsors county property tax statement
31) Photocopy of Sponsors savings account statement

 

Other Supporting Documents

 

32) Photocopies of family photos, showing Sponsor and Beneficiary together, with their biological daughter and with each others biological families 2009-2016.
33) Photocopies of partial phone call/chat history 2015-present
34) Photocopies of Skype call/chat history 2015-present
35) Emailed confirmation of flight numbers, dates, times and costs for Sponsors travel to Beneficiary 2009-2010, Beneficiarys travel to Sponsor 2009-2010, Sponsors travel with biological child of Sponsor and Beneficiary to register Birth of a US Citizen Abroad in 2014, and Beneficiary and biological childs travel to visit Sponsor and Household Member at intended residence for Christmas and biological childs birthday December 2016

 

Follow up Questions

 

7a) Should we include a set of Sponsors 2016 Forms W-2 here AND duplicate Forms W-2 with the copy of Sponsors 2016 Form 1040 IRS tax return, or is one set of W-2s sufficient?
7b) If only one set of W-2s is necessary, should it be attached to, precede or succeed the copy of Form 1040?
9a) Should the copy of Sponsors 2016 Form 1040 IRS tax return include a copy of the Form 8965 Health Coverage Exemption submitted to the IRS with it, or is Form 1040 sufficient?

 

The NVCs welcome letter included an invoice for the Affidavit of Support payment as well as a cover letter/checklist, but the Consular Electronic Applications Center generated a different Affidavit of Support invoice (with a different number) and cover sheet when I made the Affidavit of Support payment, and third invoice (numbered consecutively after the second) and cover sheet when I made the Immigrant Visa application payment, so:  Which cover sheet(s) should be included in the NVC submission packet, and in which order? 

 

My instinct is to use the original checklist/cover sheet for the whole packet, the Immigrant Visa application cover sheet and invoice for the first section (i.e. containing the Beneficiarys documentary evidence) then the second Affidavit of Support cover sheet and invoice for the second section (i.e. containing the Sponsor and Household Members documentary evidence.) 

I recall reading (albeit not within the last couple months) VJ posts by people stating the USCIS does not forward ANY part of I-130 submissions to the NVC, but just yesterday read other VJ posts stating that ALL I-130 documents become a permanent part of Beneficiarys file, are forwarded to the NVC by the USCIS, and that the consular officer conducting any interview will have a copy of the entire I-130 submission in front of them at time of interview:  Which (if either) is it?

 

This is especially significant because many and varied forms of evidence documenting the ongoing marital relationship between my wife and I (e.g. certified translations of Norwegian leases with both our signatures, a photocopy of our biological childs Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a US Citizen, affidavits by my US-citizen best man and her Norwegian-citizen bridesmaid) were previously included in our I-130 submission to the USCIS (as itemized in the above linked thread.) I intended to include much of that in the "Other documents" listed last on the cover sheet/checklist provided with the NVCs welcome letter.  However, our NVC submission will already be large, and include several verifiable concrete proofs of my significant, longstanding and ongoing relationship with my wife, including extended co-residence until my return to the US to being this process in December 2015, so if the USCIS sent the NVC all such proofs submitted with the I-130 re-submitting them to the NVC ourselves would be redundant (and expensive to mail as well as time consuming to review.)

 

Finally (at least for now,) the I-864 and I-864A themselves:  The instructions proudly note their 2D barcode "feature," but, having been down this road with the I-130, I recall it is a Catch 22:  The instructions say to not leave ANY field blank, but the pdf does not allow all fields to be filled (in particular, non-applicable fields—PRECISELY those where a response of "N/A" or the equivalent is critical—do not allow ANY response after checking a "no" box for the questions prompting them,) and the pdf cannot update the bar code to reflect any written responses filled in later, so:  What, exactly, do they want people to do there...?

 

I am sure I (we) will think of many more questions, but since it is already nearly July, I understand the NVC scanning our submission will be followed by (at least) another 3-5 months (presuming, heaven forbid, we get no RFEs to re-start the whole process from the beginning) before my wifes interview, then a few more weeks for her to get the visa so we can book a flight for her and my daughter, and said daughter turns 4 two days after Christmas, I really hope we can get this thing in the mail within the next few days (and even I can overnight express mail it by private courier, Tuesday is 4 July, so no one will be at the NVC to receive it, much less begin processing, then or Sunday.)

 

Thanks in Advance for everyones feedback.

[JOL 19]

Addendum:  While we are including verifiable documentation of my assets (i.e. Sponsors,) we do NOT plan to document the assets of my mother (i.e. Household member,) because her income combined with mine exceeds 125% of federal poverty level for a household of 4 (i.e. Sponsor, Household Member, Beneficiary and dependent minor child of Sponsor and Beneficiary.)  My mother does, however, intend to include an explanatory note in Part 9 of Form I-864A, stating she does possess such assets and can provide documentary evidence of them if necessary.  My question is:  Since we are dealing with the law, will the mere MENTION of her assets prompt the NVC to send an RFE requiring that evidence (i.e. should we either include all documentation of Household Members assets or not mention them at all, rather than referencing them without providing evidence of them)?

[JBMG 890]

whoah.. that's def a post.  

 

VERY Important. Please check this out too..  Could answer some of your questions. 

 

 

Also, there are monthly thread to join where you can ask your questions. it will change here shortly to a July one but here is the June one.. Read the first post, very informative..  

 

 

[JOL 19]

1 hour ago, JBMG said:

whoah.. that's def a post.  

Yeah I kinda... do that (sorry.)  My tendency to write in excruciating detail and try to anticipate every contingency probably makes me an ideal Sponsor--or the worst possible!  I believe my I-130 approval took significantly longer than average, but a least no RFEs delayed it even longer.

Quote

 

VERY Important. Please check this out too..  Could answer some of your questions. 

 

Did, and will review again (several times;) my belated thanks.  Definitely putting the case number on each page.

Quote

Also, there are monthly thread to join where you can ask your questions. it will change here shortly to a July one but here is the June one.. Read the first post, very informative..  

I saw that, but got the (perhaps mistaken) impression it was reserved for people who already had a scan date, which I do not believe includes me, because all we have submitted so far are the initial fee payments and the DS-260/261:  I am trying to figure out how to REACH a scan date that is not aborted by an RFE three months later.  If that thread includes pre-submission questions though, I will go there (but link this thread unless some Mod wants to merge it; I want to re-type all that again about as much as you want to re-read it. )

Edited June 30, 2017 by JOL

[JBMG 890]

2 minutes ago, JOL said:

Yeah I kinda... do that (sorry.)  My tendency to write in excruciating detail and try to anticipate every contingency probably makes me an ideal Sponsor--or the worst possible!  I believe my I-130 approval took significantly longer than average, but a least no RFEs delayed it even longer.

no worries, i'm the same way.

 

2 minutes ago, JOL said:

Did, and will review again (several times;) my belated thanks.

Good, i hope it helps you.  Half of the cases that I we tracked from March to June had a checklist!! so it's easy to make a mistake.. 

 

2 minutes ago, JOL said:

 Actually, that reminds me:  What would you recommend as the best way to put the case number on each page submitted?  I do not want to alter the actual forms I am copying; maybe a printed overlay when I make each copy? 

I had some random label sheets that i literally passed through the printer.. creating multiple columns in a word file.. Writing down the case number and my husband's full name. ( normally the case number is enough but i didn't want to take any risks.   Then peeling off backing, cutting, placing on edge of table.. then grabbing them and sticking on each page. i think i had over 200 pages..  

 

case number		case number		case number		case number
Name		Name		Name		Name
case number		case number		case number		case number
Name		Name		Name		Name
case number		case number		case number		case number
Name		Name		Name		Name
case number		case number		case number		case number
Name		Name		Name		Name
case number		case number		case number		case number
Name		Name		Name		Name

 

For the copies in a foreign language, i wrote the name in english on them.. ( i did that part via computer)

 

2 minutes ago, JOL said:

I saw that, but got the (perhaps mistaken) impression it was reserved for people who already had a scan date, which I do not believe includes me, because all we have submitted so far are the initial fee payments and the DS-260/261:  I am trying to figure out how to REACH a scan date that is not aborted by an RFE three months later.  If that thread includes pre-submission questions though, I will go there (but link this thread unless some Mod wants to merge it; I want to re-type all that again about as much as you want to re-read it. )

no, you can join it now. It's a monthly forum created by one of the VJ team members..   there are people on there that already have a scan date or preparing your file.. Now there's another forum that I started that's called NVC June Scan dates.. Yes, that one you'd join if you had a scan date in June. 

 

[JBMG 890]

2 hours ago, JOL said:

To spare everyone bandwidth and boredom, those interested can find our background info in my VJ thread requesting I-130 feedback. I reiterate thanks to all who promptly helpfully replied there, with apologies for my own delayed response as we tried to figure out the rest of the process.

 

The I-130 was eventually approved, my wife has filed and the NVC verified her DS-261 agent form, I have paid the Affidavit of Support and Immigrant Visa application fees, and she has filed her DS-260 form:  I believe it finally time to submit our documentary evidence to the NVC, so hereby request those who have preceded us on that path to verify whether I have all the correct documents in the correct form, and, if not, tell me what we lack

. 

Note:  I did not work steadily in Norway, so was only required to file a US tax return one year (i.e. 2013. ) I returned to the US in December 2015, but my 2016 income was (and 2017 income will be) <125% of the federal poverty level for our household size, so my mother is filing an I-864A as a household member because I have lived with her since my return to the US, and my wife and daughter would be living with us upon and after their admission.  This figures prominently in several of our questions, but first, this is our documentary evidence:

ok, sounds good.

 

2 hours ago, JOL said:

Beneficiarys Documentary Evidence

 

1) Photocopy of Beneficairys passport photo page
2) Photcopy of Beneficiarys extract of the register of births (printed in both Norwegian and English)

Makes sure it's the right version.. For example in france, they offer an english version. This is not the correct version.. WE just needed the classic french version..  Do a search on the forum for "Norway birth certificate" Also look on embassy website. could explain there.. Could be a different version than the one you sent to the USCIS.. 

 

http://www.visajourney.com/sitesearch/?cx=partner-pub-3407508467788263%3A9725800110&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=NVC+Norway+birth+certificate&sa=Search&siteurl=www.visajourney.com%2Fforums%2F&ref=&ss=7264j6543542j30

 

 

2 hours ago, JOL said:

 

3) Photocopy of Beneficiary and Petitioners marriage certificate (also printed in both languages)
    3a) The marriage certificates first page records Beneficiarys name change, but only in Norwegian
4) Beneficiarys police report

Same as above, make sure all the correct versions.  

 

I found out about this links now.. could be useful.. 

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/immigrant-process/interview/prepare.html

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Supplemental/OSL - Oslo.pdf

 

 

 

2 hours ago, JOL said:

 

Proof of Sponsor/Household Members Domicile

 

5) Photocopy of sponsors voter registration card
6) Photocopy of sponsors US drivers license
7) Sponsors 2016 Forms W-2 from all employers
8) Photocopy of Sponsors 2013 and 2016 IRS tax transcripts
9) Photocopy of Sponsors 2016 IRS tax return
10) Photocopies of Sponsors official life insurance correspondence     
11) Photocopy of Household Members voter registration card
12) Photocopy of Household Members US drivers license
13) Photocopies of Household Members annual pension statements 2014-2016

good.

 

 

2 hours ago, JOL said:

Proof of Sponsor/Household Members US Citizenship

 

14) Photcopy of Sponsors US state birth certificate

15) Photocopy of Household Members US state birth certificate

yes, and maybe passport if possible? 

 

2 hours ago, JOL said:

 

Proof of Sponsors Relationship with Household Member

 

16) Photocopy of Sponsors US state birth certificate (citing Household Member as "mother")
17) Photocopy of Household Members Final Decree of Divorce (citing Sponsor as Household Members "adult child")
18) Photocopy of Household Members Retirement Beneficiary Designation (citing Sponsor as "son" and "beneficiary")

19) Photocopy of Sponsors US drivers license (recording residential address)

20) Photocopy of Household Members US drivers license (recording the same residential address)

sounds right, i didn't do this.. 

 

2 hours ago, JOL said:

 

Proof of Sponsor/Household Members Income

 

21) Photocopy of Sponsors 2016 IRS tax return

22) Photocopies of Sponsors 2017 weekly pay stubs (18 in total, from February through present) 

23) Photocopy of signed letter from Sponsors current employer, stating Sponsors current position, date employment began, and current wage, on company letterhead with contact data
24) Photocopy of Household Members IRS tax return and Form SSA-1099 Social Security Benefit Statements 2014-2016
25) Photocopy of Household Members pension statements 2014-2016

You need to order the tax transcripts for both parents and yourself.. much easier.. everything is in the transcripts.. 

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

 

And yes include your pay stubs and employment letter.. 

 

 

2 hours ago, JOL said:

 

Proof of Assets

 

26) Photocopy of Sponsors first life insurance policys surrender value 
27) Photocopy of Sponsors second life insurance policys surrender value
28) Photocopy of deed to property showing no liens
29) Photocopy of Sponsors school district property tax statement
30) Photocopy of Sponsors county property tax statement
31) Photocopy of Sponsors savings account statement

Assets need to be converted into cash within 1 year. So whatever you can't convert, leave out.. 

 

 

2 hours ago, JOL said:

 

Other Supporting Documents

 

32) Photocopies of family photos, showing Sponsor and Beneficiary together, with their biological daughter and with each others biological families 2009-2016.
33) Photocopies of partial phone call/chat history 2015-present
34) Photocopies of Skype call/chat history 2015-present
35) Emailed confirmation of flight numbers, dates, times and costs for Sponsors travel to Beneficiary 2009-2010, Beneficiarys travel to Sponsor 2009-2010, Sponsors travel with biological child of Sponsor and Beneficiary to register Birth of a US Citizen Abroad in 2014, and Beneficiary and biological childs travel to visit Sponsor and Household Member at intended residence for Christmas and biological childs birthday December 2016

not needed.. this was done at the USCIS stage.. you've already proved a bonafide relationship there.. keep collecting this data though for your wife to bring to the interview.. So you'll bring all originals that you submitted to the USCIS to the interview.. 

 

 

2 hours ago, JOL said:

Follow up Questions

 

7a) Should we include a set of Sponsors 2016 Forms W-2 here AND duplicate Forms W-2 with the copy of Sponsors 2016 Form 1040 IRS tax return, or is one set of W-2s sufficient?

you don't need w2s if using tax transcripts.. my advice.. NVC loves tax transcripts.. very easy to review/approve..  Even if you were living abroad, and earned no income, you have to do your taxes each year.. if you didn't do those, do them..  Use forms f2555ez and f1040.. If you don't owe anything there is no penalty to file these.. for example, i filed the last 3 years last summer when i started this process!! hahah.  If you do this, then just send copies of your returns because you won't be able to get a transcript.. oh and include a letter explaining you don 'have w2's since you were not working in the US. 

 

2 hours ago, JOL said:

7b) If only one set of W-2s is necessary, should it be attached to, precede or succeed the copy of Form 1040?
9a) Should the copy of Sponsors 2016 Form 1040 IRS tax return include a copy of the Form 8965 Health Coverage Exemption submitted to the IRS with it, or is Form 1040 sufficient?

just use tax transcripts.  

 

2 hours ago, JOL said:

 

The NVCs welcome letter included an invoice for the Affidavit of Support payment as well as a cover letter/checklist, but the Consular Electronic Applications Center generated a different Affidavit of Support invoice (with a different number) and cover sheet when I made the Affidavit of Support payment, and third invoice (numbered consecutively after the second) and cover sheet when I made the Immigrant Visa application payment, so:  Which cover sheet(s) should be included in the NVC submission packet, and in which order? 

whoah.. don't know what's going on there.. call the NVC and ask.  I just had 2 letters with our case number.. only used the letter with the checklist on it.. 

 

2 hours ago, JOL said:

 

My instinct is to use the original checklist/cover sheet for the whole packet, the Immigrant Visa application cover sheet and invoice for the first section (i.e. containing the Beneficiarys documentary evidence) then the second Affidavit of Support cover sheet and invoice for the second section (i.e. containing the Sponsor and Household Members documentary evidence.) 

confirm with the NVC..

 

Calling from outside of the US

 

Best 5 Android Apps to Make Free Calls to US

Best 4 iPhone Apps to Make Free Calls to US

 

Phone Number

NVC - 603-334-0700 [HOURS: 7am - 12am (7h-24h) EST, M-F]

Best time to call: 7-8am or 11pm-12am (7h-8h or 23h-24h)

Current local time in Portsmouth NH (NVC)

Time Zone Converter

 

Menu

Press 1, for English

Press 2, for Spanish

 

After pressing 1 for English, the options are:

 

1, to verify priority date

2, to establish an agent, request fee bill or invoice number

3, to verify that they received your mail

4, to confirm date and time of interview

5, to update your mailing address, phone number, email address

6, if your case is at a US embassy or consulate overseas

7, for all other questions

 

2 hours ago, JOL said:

I recall reading (albeit not within the last couple months) VJ posts by people stating the USCIS does not forward ANY part of I-130 submissions to the NVC, but just yesterday read other VJ posts stating that ALL I-130 documents become a permanent part of Beneficiarys file, are forwarded to the NVC by the USCIS, and that the consular officer conducting any interview will have a copy of the entire I-130 submission in front of them at time of interview:  Which (if either) is it?

Yes, the counselor will have everything.. but the NVC doesn't review the stuff from USCIS.. A NVC rep told me they don't get anything from USCIS.. so I don't know how that process works.. but there have been plenty of people who received a checklist at the NVC asking for documents that were included in their USCIS package.. 

 

2 hours ago, JOL said:

 

This is especially significant because many and varied forms of evidence documenting the ongoing marital relationship between my wife and I (e.g. certified translations of Norwegian leases with both our signatures, a photocopy of our biological childs Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a US Citizen, affidavits by my US-citizen best man and her Norwegian-citizen bridesmaid) were previously included in our I-130 submission to the USCIS (as itemized in the above linked thread.) I intended to include much of that in the "Other documents" listed last on the cover sheet/checklist provided with the NVCs welcome letter.  However, our NVC submission will already be large, and include several verifiable concrete proofs of my significant, longstanding and ongoing relationship with my wife, including extended co-residence until my return to the US to being this process in December 2015, so if the USCIS sent the NVC all such proofs submitted with the I-130 re-submitting them to the NVC ourselves would be redundant (and expensive to mail as well as time consuming to review.)

Yeah, fortunately you don't have to prove bonafide relationship.. Just include what the NVC asks for.. Anything more will just annoy them and you..  The NVC is responsible for making sure you have collected the right version of each document. That's all.  It's the counselor who reviews/approves your visa. 

 

2 hours ago, JOL said:

 

Finally (at least for now,) the I-864 and I-864A themselves:  The instructions proudly note their 2D barcode "feature," but, having been down this road with the I-130, I recall it is a Catch 22:  The instructions say to not leave ANY field blank, but the pdf does not allow all fields to be filled (in particular, non-applicable fields—PRECISELY those where a response of "N/A" or the equivalent is critical—do not allow ANY response after checking a "no" box for the questions prompting them,) and the pdf cannot update the bar code to reflect any written responses filled in later, so:  What, exactly, do they want people to do there...?

Print out, hand write N/A and none when appropriate..  Whenever I couldn't write n/a in the document, i wrote NA and I had no problems with my AOS form.. 

 

2 hours ago, JOL said:

 

I am sure I (we) will think of many more questions, but since it is already nearly July, I understand the NVC scanning our submission will be followed by (at least) another 3-5 months

currently processing in 8-11 weeks from your scan date.  

 

2 hours ago, JOL said:

(presuming, heaven forbid, we get no RFEs to re-start the whole process from the beginning)

No more RFEs.. NVC calls it a checklist when something is missing. 

2 hours ago, JOL said:

before my wifes interview, then a few more weeks for her to get the visa so we can book a flight for her and my daughter, and said daughter turns 4 two days after Christmas, I really hope we can get this thing in the mail within the next few days (and even I can overnight express mail it by private courier, Tuesday is 4 July, so no one will be at the NVC to receive it, much less begin processing, then or Sunday.)

Good luck.. just get those IRS transcripts.. And make sure all the versions are correct.. 

 

If there is anything listed on the police certificate.. ANYTHING.. then you need court records too.. 

 

Finally. if she lived anywhere for 6 months or more abroad, you need a police record from those countries.. 

 

2 hours ago, JOL said:

 

Thanks in Advance for everyones feedback.

hope I've helped you some.  

 

ps.. have you seen the 864 instructions? very useful.. 

 

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-864instr.pdf

 

Also look at the first post of this forum. LOTS of great info there..  and don't hesitate to ask any questions there.  Even though it's going to close soon. they'll open another one called NVC filers- July 2017

 

Here's all the forums in that area.. 

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/134-ir-1-cr-1-spouse-visa-case-filing-and-progress-reports/

 

[JBMG 890]

2 hours ago, JOL said:

Addendum:  While we are including verifiable documentation of my assets (i.e. Sponsors,) we do NOT plan to document the assets of my mother (i.e. Household member,) because her income combined with mine exceeds 125% of federal poverty level for a household of 4 (i.e. Sponsor, Household Member, Beneficiary and dependent minor child of Sponsor and Beneficiary.)  My mother does, however, intend to include an explanatory note in Part 9 of Form I-864A, stating she does possess such assets and can provide documentary evidence of them if necessary.  My question is:  Since we are dealing with the law, will the mere MENTION of her assets prompt the NVC to send an RFE requiring that evidence (i.e. should we either include all documentation of Household Members assets or not mention them at all, rather than referencing them without providing evidence of them)?

, only use assets that can be/easily can be converted into cash within 1 year of the beneficiary arriving in the US.. 

[JOL 19]

18 hours ago, JBMG said:

Makes sure it's the right version.. For example in france, they offer an english version. This is not the correct version.. WE just needed the classic french version..  Do a search on the forum for "Norway birth certificate" Also look on embassy website. could explain there.. Could be a different version than the one you sent to the USCIS.. 

 

http://www.visajourney.com/sitesearch/?cx=partner-pub-3407508467788263%3A9725800110&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=NVC+Norway+birth+certificate&sa=Search&siteurl=www.visajourney.com%2Fforums%2F&ref=&ss=7264j6543542j30

 

Same as above, make sure all the correct versions.  

 

I found out about this links now.. could be useful.. 

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/immigrant-process/interview/prepare.html

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Supplemental/OSL - Oslo.pdf

Somewhat, thanks; the Oslo.pdf appears out of date in a few places (e.g. its link to instructions on which documents to submit to the NVC appears to have been shortened from "...documents-to-submit-to-nvc.html" to "...documents".)  One of its links (eventually) led here, which does not reflect my understanding of current actual experiences with the Stockholm embassy as reported at VJ; perhaps "Appointments are usually scheduled for the month after all documents are submitted" is actually intended to mean after all documents are REVIEWED [i.e. Case Complete?]

 

I did visit the NVCs document reciprocity page ages ago, but was uncertain of its informations validity in our case since its visa category pull down menu lists neither IR, CR nor K visas.  It does say marriage and birth certificates should be obtained from Folkeregisteret, which is precisely where we got them, and, as my wife noted when we were discussing the issue, that is the only place they CAN be gotten.  It looks like the birth certificate and marriage certificate consist of the Norwegian-only original on page one, followed by a French/English/Spanish/Italian/German "extract of the register of births"/"extract from record of marriage" on page two, with all the same data.  Page two does not declare itself a translation (certified or otherwise) of page one in either case, and DOES declare itself an extract rather than original, but has the same national seal as header and same office stamp at the bottom (both pages of the birth certificate are signed by the same official, but original and extract marriage certificates were signed by different officials.)  Also, only the marriage certificate lists my wifes name change on the extract; the birth certificate only lists that (and the date my wife notified Folkeregisteret of it) on the Norwegian-only first page.  However, as she noted when I pointed that out, "this is the only form Folkeregisteret HAS," so hopefully the NVC has seen enough of them to recognize and remember that.  The USCIS accepted it without comment, but I did note the warnings that what USCIS did/not accept means bupkis to the NVC.

 

18 hours ago, JBMG said:

yes, and maybe passport if possible? 

Duh; can only plead sleep deprivation as an excuse for why I did not think of my passport to document my legal US residency.

 

18 hours ago, JBMG said:

sounds right, i didn't do this.. 

 

You need to order the tax transcripts for both parents and yourself.. much easier.. everything is in the transcripts.. 

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

 

18 hours ago, JBMG said:

Assets need to be converted into cash within 1 year. So whatever you can't convert, leave out.

Good point; thanks again.

 

18 hours ago, JBMG said:

not needed.. this was done at the USCIS stage.. you've already proved a bonafide relationship there.. keep collecting this data though for your wife to bring to the interview.. So you'll bring all originals that you submitted to the USCIS to the interview.

Interesting, but somewhat logical.  The reminder my valid US passport proves my legal US residence status also reminded me I can photocopy the pages with my port of entry stamps as further interview evidence of our bona fide relationship sadly, my wife had to get a new passport after our wedding, because her name changed, so it only has the port of entry stamp from her trip to visit here for Christmas, but mine go all the way back to our initial in person meeting October 2008; only bad news there is that trip was the entire reason I got my very first US passport, so it expires at the end of next summer.)

 

18 hours ago, JBMG said:

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

 

you don't need w2s if using tax transcripts.. my advice.. NVC loves tax transcripts.. very easy to review/approve..  Even if you were living abroad, and earned no income, you have to do your taxes each year.. if you didn't do those, do them..  Use forms f2555ez and f1040.. If you don't owe anything there is no penalty to file these.. for example, i filed the last 3 years last summer when i started this process!! hahah.  If you do this, then just send copies of your returns because you won't be able to get a transcript.. oh and include a letter explaining you don 'have w2's since you were not working in the US. 

 

just use tax transcripts.  

My mother is adamant that we use her tax returns (including all forms filed with them,) and already has them, whereas we would have to wait for receipt of her tax transcripts.  It never occurred to me that tax returns can be filed even in years with NO income, but that, as well as the observation there is no penalty for filing (even years) late unless money is owed, are very helpful; I can just go ahead and complete zeroed out tax returns for 2014 and 2015, and mail them at the same time I mail the NVC copies of them and a letter explaining I lived abroad all of 2014 and all but two weeks of 2015.  The IRS link for requesting transcripts is useful, too; I had already used it to get the transcripts for last year and the most recent previous year I filed (which was 2013, one year more than the most recent three:  Of course....)

 

18 hours ago, JBMG said:

whoah.. don't know what's going on there.. call the NVC and ask.  I just had 2 letters with our case number.. only used the letter with the checklist on it.

 

confirm with the NVC..

 

Calling from outside of the US

 

Best 5 Android Apps to Make Free Calls to US

Best 4 iPhone Apps to Make Free Calls to US

 

Phone Number

NVC - 603-334-0700 [HOURS: 7am - 12am (7h-24h) EST, M-F]

Best time to call: 7-8am or 11pm-12am (7h-8h or 23h-24h)

Current local time in Portsmouth NH (NVC)

Time Zone Converter

 

Menu

Press 1, for English

Press 2, for Spanish

 

After pressing 1 for English, the options are:

 

1, to verify priority date

2, to establish an agent, request fee bill or invoice number

3, to verify that they received your mail

4, to confirm date and time of interview

5, to update your mailing address, phone number, email address

6, if your case is at a US embassy or consulate overseas

7, for all other questions

Near as I can tell, our NVC welcome letter included not only a cover sheet/comprehensive (if generalized) checklist, but an Affidavit of Support fee invoice as well, but when I actually paid that and the IV application fee the CEAC generated wholly new invoices and cover sheets so I could submit them in the NVC packet as required proof of having paid all fees (even though an invoice is not a record of payment, only of debt.)  

 

Another possible cause is that (as you have heard) the CEAC web coding glitch in May directed all payments to the wrong server, which is why I got an error message when submitting each payment, but the status of both changed from "Not Paid" to "In Process" and the CEAC generated the cover sheets, invoices and receipts at the same time.  Note for anyone encountering that problem in future:  Unless the CEAC also generates a tracking page (with not one but TWO tracking numbers, yet without stating where to enter those numbers to track payment) your payment was not submitted, but you will not be able to re-try before the "In Process" status reverts to "Not Paid," because the tickbox to select a given payment is deactivated once a payment attempt is In Process.  Once the NVC corrected that error, they initially directed their CS representatives to tell everyone who called about a payment in the interim that those payments would process within 2-3 days (as a CS representative told me when I called.)  They subsequently discovered that all interim payments had instead been discarded, but I only discovered that when calling back after 3 more days (because it is not as if we are in a hurry or began this process last September.  They also recorded a supervisor contact request during my initial call, plus I submitted an email to which they also responded:  Three days ago. 

 

Now I get to call them yet again; joyful and triumphant, but hardly shocking at this point.

 

18 hours ago, JBMG said:

Yes, the counselor will have everything.. but the NVC doesn't review the stuff from USCIS.. A NVC rep told me they don't get anything from USCIS.. so I don't know how that process works.. but there have been plenty of people who received a checklist at the NVC asking for documents that were included in their USCIS package.. 

 

Yeah, fortunately you don't have to prove bonafide relationship.. Just include what the NVC asks for.. Anything more will just annoy them and you..  The NVC is responsible for making sure you have collected the right version of each document. That's all.  It's the counselor who reviews/approves your visa. 

So if (for example) the Sponsors income (or, alternatively, Joint Sponsor or Households) income is below federal poverty level for the stated household size, the NVC will not raise that objection prior to the interview, it will only be raised by the consular officer AT the interview?  Just trying to get clarification, because I could have sworn I read a few VJ posts by people who said the NVC rejected them over that well before the interview (but I have read... so many things... in the past year or two, and not just here, though certainly here as well.)

 

18 hours ago, JBMG said:

 

Print out, hand write N/A and none when appropriate..  Whenever I couldn't write n/a in the document, i wrote NA and I had no problems with my AOS form.

Another clarification:  Electronically complete as much of the Affidavit of Support form as possible, then print it out with that 2D bar code and manually complete the remaining non-applicable fields?  Or print out the pdf of the blank form and complete EVERYTHING by hand?  I really like the concept of the 2D bar code (and definitely see why the USCIS and NVC do also,) but requiring all fields be populated, while simultaneously preventing some fields being populated, is self-defeating (reports "self-defeating" has replaced "e pluribus unum" as our national motto remain unconfirmed... so far.... )

 

18 hours ago, JBMG said:

 

currently processing in 8-11 weeks from your scan date.  

 

No more RFEs.. NVC calls it a checklist when something is missing. 

Good luck.. just get those IRS transcripts.. And make sure all the versions are correct.. 

 

If there is anything listed on the police certificate.. ANYTHING.. then you need court records too.

Excepting biographical data and liability boiler plate, there is literally nothing but the words "The aforementioned person HAS NO CRIMINAL RECORD" (caps in the original.)

 

18 hours ago, JBMG said:

Finally. if she lived anywhere for 6 months or more abroad, you need a police record from those countries.. 

 

hope I've helped you some.  

Quite a bit, actually, so thanks again.

 

18 hours ago, JBMG said:

 

ps.. have you seen the 864 instructions? very useful.. 

 

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-864instr.pdf

 

Also look at the first post of this forum. LOTS of great info there..  and don't hesitate to ask any questions there.  Even though it's going to close soon. they'll open another one called NVC filers- July 2017

 

Here's all the forums in that area.. 

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/134-ir-1-cr-1-spouse-visa-case-filing-and-progress-reports/

Only skimmed the I-864 instructions so far, but will review them in exhaustive detail as I attempt to complete the thing this weekend.  And will do; on the rest also.   I will try to remember to confine future posts about this to those threads, but wanted to acknowledge and express my gratitude for all the helpful information you copiously provided here.  I understand the basis of the USCIS/NVCs See/Hear/Speak No Evil policy, but they take it WAY too far, IMHO:  I do not expect them to just give everyone the answer to every question like a high school football coach giving his starting quarterback a class exam, but expecting them to clarify the many vague QUESTIONS is not unreasonable (again, IMHO.)  Especially when they are doing it on MY nickel. 

[JBMG 890]

39 minutes ago, JOL said:

Somewhat, thanks; the Oslo.pdf appears out of date in a few places (e.g. its link to instructions on which documents to submit to the NVC appears to have been shortened from "...documents-to-submit-to-nvc.html" to "...documents".)  One of its links (eventually) led here, which does not reflect my understanding of current actual experiences with the Stockholm embassy as reported at VJ; perhaps "Appointments are usually scheduled for the month after all documents are submitted" is actually intended to mean after all documents are REVIEWED [i.e. Case Complete?]

 

Yeah, the NVC schedules your interview after they have approved your documents.  So yeah, after you have a CC. 

Wow.. It's because of errors like this that people can get confused.. 

 

 

39 minutes ago, JOL said:

I did visit the NVCs document reciprocity page ages ago, but was uncertain of its informations validity in our case since its visa category pull down menu lists neither IR, CR nor K visas.  It does say marriage and birth certificates should be obtained from Folkeregisteret, which is precisely where we got them, and, as my wife noted when we were discussing the issue, that is the only place they CAN be gotten.  It looks like the birth certificate and marriage certificate consist of the Norwegian-only original on page one, followed by a French/English/Spanish/Italian/German "extract of the register of births"/"extract from record of marriage" on page two, with all the same data.  Page two does not declare itself a translation (certified or otherwise) of page one in either case, and DOES declare itself an extract rather than original, but has the same national seal as header and same office stamp at the bottom (both pages of the birth certificate are signed by the same official, but original and extract marriage certificates were signed by different officials.)  Also, only the marriage certificate lists my wifes name change on the extract; the birth certificate only lists that (and the date my wife notified Folkeregisteret of it) on the Norwegian-only first page.  However, as she noted when I pointed that out, "this is the only form Folkeregisteret HAS," so hopefully the NVC has seen enough of them to recognize and remember that.  The USCIS accepted it without comment, but I did note the warnings that what USCIS did/not accept means bupkis to the NVC.

Just want to make sure it lists both parents on the birth certificate.. In the native language..  Does it clarify on the American embassy website in Norway?  If in doubt, include both versions? Explain in letter why you're submitting both versions.. 

 

 

39 minutes ago, JOL said:

Duh; can only plead sleep deprivation as an excuse for why I did not think of my passport to document my legal US residency.

I was thinking for your parents, instead of providing their birth certificates.. Passport won't document domicile but can be used to show proof of US status.  

 

39 minutes ago, JOL said:

 

 

Good point; thanks again.

 

Interesting, but somewhat logical.  The reminder my valid US passport proves my legal US residence status also reminded me I can photocopy the pages with my port of entry stamps as further interview evidence of our bona fide relationship sadly, my wife had to get a new passport after our wedding, because her name changed, so it only has the port of entry stamp from her trip to visit here for Christmas, but mine go all the way back to our initial in person meeting October 2008; only bad news there is that trip was the entire reason I got my very first US passport, so it expires at the end of next summer.)

Yeah, good idea. And you can print out airline receipts showing those dates..  But collect this stuff for your interview.. Not needed for the NVC. 

 

39 minutes ago, JOL said:

 

My mother is adamant that we use her tax returns (including all forms filed with them,) and already has them, whereas we would have to wait for receipt of her tax transcripts.  It never occurred to me that tax returns can be filed even in years with NO income, but that, as well as the observation there is no penalty for filing (even years) late unless money is owed, are very helpful; I can just go ahead and complete zeroed out tax returns for 2014 and 2015, and mail them at the same time I mail the NVC copies of them and a letter explaining I lived abroad all of 2014 and all but two weeks of 2015.  The IRS link for requesting transcripts is useful, too; I had already used it to get the transcripts for last year and the most recent previous year I filed (which was 2013, one year more than the most recent three:  Of course....)

She can order the tax transcripts online.  Yeah, will take a few days to set up the code.. But honestly, the NVC prefers the transcripts..

 

oh  and I'm sorry but if you had zero income for any of the last 3 years.. Then you just include a letter on why you didn't have to file for those years.. So no, you don't have to file with the IRS if you had no income.. Sorry for the confusion there.  

 

example of my letter. 

 

--

Re: Missing IRS Tax Transcripts - Did not file taxes for years 2013 and 2016

Dear Sir/Madam:

I, _______, SS# xxx-xx-xxxx was not required by the IRS

to file Federal income taxes for the years 2013 and 2016 as my income was

below the IRS required level. I was not employed and had no gross income. I

attached the Interactive Tax Assistant Interview Summary for the year 2016.

It states the following:

"You are not required to file a tax return for 2016. You are not required to file

a tax return because your income does not equal or exceed $4,050, nor do

you owe any special taxes or have any special situations that require you to

file."

Sincerely,

xxxx xxxxx

 

----

 

 

39 minutes ago, JOL said:

 

Near as I can tell, our NVC welcome letter included not only a cover sheet/comprehensive (if generalized) checklist, but an Affidavit of Support fee invoice as well, but when I actually paid that and the IV application fee the CEAC generated wholly new invoices and cover sheets so I could submit them in the NVC packet as required proof of having paid all fees (even though an invoice is not a record of payment, only of debt.)  

 

Another possible cause is that (as you have heard) the CEAC web coding glitch in May directed all payments to the wrong server, which is why I got an error message when submitting each payment, but the status of both changed from "Not Paid" to "In Process" and the CEAC generated the cover sheets, invoices and receipts at the same time.  Note for anyone encountering that problem in future:  Unless the CEAC also generates a tracking page (with not one but TWO tracking numbers, yet without stating where to enter those numbers to track payment) your payment was not submitted, but you will not be able to re-try before the "In Process" status reverts to "Not Paid," because the tickbox to select a given payment is deactivated once a payment attempt is In Process.  Once the NVC corrected that error, they initially directed their CS representatives to tell everyone who called about a payment in the interim that those payments would process within 2-3 days (as a CS representative told me when I called.)  They subsequently discovered that all interim payments had instead been discarded, but I only discovered that when calling back after 3 more days (because it is not as if we are in a hurry or began this process last September.  They also recorded a supervisor contact request during my initial call, plus I submitted an email to which they also responded:  Three days ago. 

 

Now I get to call them yet again; joyful and triumphant, but hardly shocking at this point.

wow.. that really sucks!!  Fortunately, I didn't have any problems.. 

 

39 minutes ago, JOL said:

 

So if (for example) the Sponsors income (or, alternatively, Joint Sponsor or Households) income is below federal poverty level for the stated household size, the NVC will not raise that objection prior to the interview, it will only be raised by the consular officer AT the interview?  Just trying to get clarification, because I could have sworn I read a few VJ posts by people who said the NVC rejected them over that well before the interview (but I have read... so many things... in the past year or two, and not just here, though certainly here as well.)

no, sorry, again i must clarify, They want to make sure you have the right paperwork, versions, etc.. but also that you have set your file up correctly.. The NVC will alert you/advise you to bring on another joint sponsor.. For example, we're using assets since we're both living in France.. The NVC said, we advise you to have a joint-sponsor complete a AOS form to bring to our interview.. It's up to the embassy to determine if you qualify for a visa..  

 

39 minutes ago, JOL said:

 

Another clarification:  Electronically complete as much of the Affidavit of Support form as possible, then print it out with that 2D bar code and manually complete the remaining non-applicable fields?

Yes, make sure that 2d bar code changes as you fill in the fields.. If it's not changing, it's not working. But yeah, any fields you can't fill in electronically, print out and manually complete the remaining non-applicable fields. Include all pages and make sure they're signed in the right places. read carefully the 864 instructions and youtube how to fill in the AOS i864.. there are vids online.  But yeah, all empty fields should say NA or none.. Very important.  

 

39 minutes ago, JOL said:

 

 

 Or print out the pdf of the blank form and complete EVERYTHING by hand?  I really like the concept of the 2D bar code (and definitely see why the USCIS and NVC do also,) but requiring all fields be populated, while simultaneously preventing some fields being populated, is self-defeating (reports "self-defeating" has replaced "e pluribus unum" as our national motto remain unconfirmed... so far.... )

 

Excepting biographical data and liability boiler plate, there is literally nothing but the words "The aforementioned person HAS NO CRIMINAL RECORD" (caps in the original.)

perfect.  

 

 

39 minutes ago, JOL said:

 

Quite a bit, actually, so thanks again.

 

Only skimmed the I-864 instructions so far, but will review them in exhaustive detail as I attempt to complete the thing this weekend.  And will do; on the rest also.   I will try to remember to confine future posts about this to those threads, but wanted to acknowledge and express my gratitude for all the helpful information you copiously provided here.  I understand the basis of the USCIS/NVCs See/Hear/Speak No Evil policy, but they take it WAY too far, IMHO:  I do not expect them to just give everyone the answer to every question like a high school football coach giving his starting quarterback a class exam, but expecting them to clarify the many vague QUESTIONS is not unreasonable (again, IMHO.)  Especially when they are doing it on MY nickel. 

you're welcome.. And If you doubt any of my feedback, i won't be offended if you ask for clarification or advice on the forums.  

 

Wish you luck.  

[pghknr 14]

On 6/30/2017 at 5:13 PM, JOL said:

Yeah I kinda... do that (sorry.)  My tendency to write in excruciating detail and try to anticipate every contingency probably makes me an ideal Sponsor--or the worst possible!  I believe my I-130 approval took significantly longer than average, but a least no RFEs delayed it even longer.

Did, and will review again (several times;) my belated thanks.  Definitely putting the case number on each page.

I saw that, but got the (perhaps mistaken) impression it was reserved for people who already had a scan date, which I do not believe includes me, because all we have submitted so far are the initial fee payments and the DS-260/261:  I am trying to figure out how to REACH a scan date that is not aborted by an RFE three months later.  If that thread includes pre-submission questions though, I will go there (but link this thread unless some Mod wants to merge it; I want to re-type all that again about as much as you want to re-read it. )

@JOL you can file taxes for Zero Income. 2016 Tax Returns you can send to NVC

[JOL 19]

On 7/1/2017 at 4:33 PM, JBMG said:

 

Yeah, the NVC schedules your interview after they have approved your documents.  So yeah, after you have a CC. 

Wow.. It's because of errors like this that people can get confused. 

Fer reals; I suspect a similar ambiguity at the end of the instructions for Form I-864, so have requested clarification of that (et al.) in the thread for July filers, which is where I'll try to post all future questions (at least until the NVC promotes us to the CC thread.)

 

On 7/1/2017 at 4:33 PM, JBMG said:

Just want to make sure it lists both parents on the birth certificate.. In the native language..  Does it clarify on the American embassy website in Norway?  If in doubt, include both versions? Explain in letter why you're submitting both versions.. 

I believe Folkeregisteret prints both versions in response to all requests, so I feel safer including both anyway (because that was the full official response.)  The first page is entirely in the native language, and the second in the native language, English and several others, but both pages list the names of both parents.

 

On 7/1/2017 at 4:33 PM, JBMG said:

 

I was thinking for your parents, instead of providing their birth certificates.. Passport won't document domicile but can be used to show proof of US status.

Right; I am wondering now if I should use my voter registration card and birth certificate for proof of my status though, since those are single-page documents and my understanding is that I must include copies of every single page of my passport if using it to establish my legal US status.

On 7/1/2017 at 4:33 PM, JBMG said:

Yeah, good idea. And you can print out airline receipts showing those dates..  But collect this stuff for your interview.. Not needed for the NVC. 

Yep, and planning to do both

On 7/1/2017 at 4:33 PM, JBMG said:

 

She can order the tax transcripts online.  Yeah, will take a few days to set up the code.. But honestly, the NVC prefers the transcripts..

Well, we were going to do that, but I have not been able to figure out the format they want for her cell number, so after trying three different ways they kicked it out and said a confirmation code should arrive by mail within 5-10 calendar days:  I really want to have our NVC packet in the mail before then, so I guess we will just go with her tax returns and 1099s.

On 7/1/2017 at 4:33 PM, JBMG said:

oh  and I'm sorry but if you had zero income for any of the last 3 years.. Then you just include a letter on why you didn't have to file for those years.. So no, you don't have to file with the IRS if you had no income.. Sorry for the confusion there.  

 

example of my letter. 

 

--

Re: Missing IRS Tax Transcripts - Did not file taxes for years 2013 and 2016

Dear Sir/Madam:

I, _______, SS# xxx-xx-xxxx was not required by the IRS

to file Federal income taxes for the years 2013 and 2016 as my income was

below the IRS required level. I was not employed and had no gross income. I

attached the Interactive Tax Assistant Interview Summary for the year 2016.

It states the following:

"You are not required to file a tax return for 2016. You are not required to file

a tax return because your income does not equal or exceed $4,050, nor do

you owe any special taxes or have any special situations that require you to

file."

Sincerely,

xxxx xxxxx

 

----

Thanks, I will use that; on the I-864 I am including this statement in Part 11: "SPONSOR RESIDED ABROAD WITH APPLICANT FROM NOVEMBER 2010-DECEMBER 2015 AND HAD NO 2014 NOR 2015 INCOME SUBJECT TO US TAXATION, SO FILED NO 2014 NOR 2015 US TAX RETURN."

On 7/1/2017 at 4:33 PM, JBMG said:

wow.. that really sucks!!  Fortunately, I didn't have any problems.. 

 

no, sorry, again i must clarify, They want to make sure you have the right paperwork, versions, etc.. but also that you have set your file up correctly.. The NVC will alert you/advise you to bring on another joint sponsor.. For example, we're using assets since we're both living in France.. The NVC said, we advise you to have a joint-sponsor complete a AOS form to bring to our interview.. It's up to the embassy to determine if you qualify for a visa.

Ah, so the NVC may make a note about it, but will never kick it out, instead leaving that to the consular officers discretion?

On 7/1/2017 at 4:33 PM, JBMG said:

 

Yes, make sure that 2d bar code changes as you fill in the fields.. If it's not changing, it's not working. But yeah, any fields you can't fill in electronically, print out and manually complete the remaining non-applicable fields. Include all pages and make sure they're signed in the right places. read carefully the 864 instructions and youtube how to fill in the AOS i864.. there are vids online.  But yeah, all empty fields should say NA or none.. Very important.  

Yeah, I am muddling through that now (hence the new questions in the thread for July filers, which, God willing, includes us.)  Once I get a final draft I will probably print it out, then retype all of that into a completely new and blank PDF just so I can make certain the bar code is changing as I populate each field.  I am a bit embarrassed, because we all went through this came ####### with the I-130 (and, in this case of we stupid people who hoped to be an exception, the I-129F) but cannot recall the specifics of how I handled things like "it asks for phone numbers they know MUST be foreign, yet still requires they be of US length."  I would just give her number by itself and expect the NVC (of all people) to know calling anyone in a foreign country requires entering the country code, but the instructions explicitly say to include the area code, which the form makes impossible. 

On 7/1/2017 at 4:33 PM, JBMG said:

you're welcome.. And If you doubt any of my feedback, i won't be offended if you ask for clarification or advice on the forums.

Wish you luck.  

Thanks again, and never fear:  I am certain we will have MANY more questions coming your way.... 

[JOL 19]

On 7/1/2017 at 10:47 PM, pghknr said:

@JOL you can file taxes for Zero Income. 2016 Tax Returns you can send to NVC

Yeah, it made sense once he said it, I had just never thought about it before now; "Why would anyone want to bother filing a tax return for $0 income?"  Because of stuff like this, of course.  Sounds like I should just include the letter stating I had no 2014 nor 2015 income though, and the same statement at the end of the I-864.  My only big concern right now is that the consular officer might decide s/he cannot count on someone in their early seventies to financially support someone for another full decade.

[JBMG 890]

3 hours ago, JOL said:

 

Right; I am wondering now if I should use my voter registration card and birth certificate for proof of my status though, since those are single-page documents and my understanding is that I must include copies of every single page of my passport if using it to establish my legal US status.

 

For US legal status, i just used my passport, front page.. 

 

Yeah, please read the i864 instructions. These instructions are amazing, really clarify a lot of questions.. https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-864instr.pdf

 

Item Numbers 11.a. - 11.c. Citizenship or Residency. You must provide proof that you are a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident for joint and substitute sponsors and for relatives of employment-based immigrants who
le Form I-864. Petitioning relatives who have already led proof of their citizenship or immigration status with Form I-129F, Form I-130, Form I-600, or Form I-600A do not need to submit proof of their status with this af davit.

Form I-864 Instructions 07/02/15 N Page 5 of 16

1. Proof of U.S. citizen or U.S. national status includes a copy of your birth certi cate, certi cate of naturalization, certi cate of citizenship, consular report of birth abroad to U.S. citizen parents, or a copy of the biographic data page of your U.S. passport.

 

Item Number 5. Country of Domicile. Indicate the country where you maintain your principal residence and where you plan to reside for the foreseeable future. If your mailing address and/or place of residence is not in the United States, but your country of domicile is the United States, you must attach a typed or printed explanation and documentary evidence indicating how you meet the domicile requirement. If you are not currently living in the United States, you may meet the domicile requirement if you can submit evidence to establish that any of the following conditions apply:

Form I-864 Instructions 07/02/15 N Page 4 of 16

1. You are employed by a certain organization.

   Some individuals employed overseas are automatically considered as domiciled in the United States because of the nature of their employment. The qualifying types of employment include employment by:

   1. The U.S. Government;

   2. An American institution of research recognized by the Secretary of Homeland Security (you may nd the list of

      qualifying institutions at 8 CFR 316.20);

   3. A U.S. rm or corporation engaged in whole or in part in the development of foreign trade and commerce with the United States, or a subsidiary of such a rm or corporation;

   4. A public international organization in which the United States participates by treaty or statute;

   5. A religious denomination having a bona de organization in the United States, if the employment abroad involves

      the person’s performance of priestly or ministerial functions on behalf of the denomination; or

   6. A religious denomination or interdenominational missionary organization having a bona de organization in the United States, if the person is engaged solely as a missionary.

2. You are living abroad temporarily.

   If you are not currently living in the United States, you must provide proof that your trip abroad is temporary and that you have maintained your domicile in the United States. Examples of proof include:

   1. Your voting record in the United States;

   2. Records of paying U.S. state or local taxes;

   3. Having property in the United States;

   4. Maintaining bank or investment accounts in the United States;

   5. Having a permanent mailing address in the United States; or

   6. Other proof such as evidence that you are a student studying abroad or that a foreign government has authorized a temporary stay.

3. You intend in good faith to reestablish your domicile in the United States no later than the date of the intending immigrant’s admission or adjustment of status.

   You must submit proof that you have taken concrete steps to establish that you will domicile in the United States
   at a time no later than the date of the intending immigrant’s admission or adjustment of status. Concrete steps
   might include accepting a job in the United States, signing a lease or purchasing a residence in the United States, or registering children in U.S. schools. Please attach proof of the steps you have taken to establish domicile as described above. 

 

 

 

 

 

3 hours ago, JOL said:

Thanks, I will use that; on the I-864 I am including this statement in Part 11: "SPONSOR RESIDED ABROAD WITH APPLICANT FROM NOVEMBER 2010-DECEMBER 2015 AND HAD NO 2014 NOR 2015 INCOME SUBJECT TO US TAXATION, SO FILED NO 2014 NOR 2015 US TAX RETURN."

Ah, so the NVC may make a note about it, but will never kick it out, instead leaving that to the consular officers discretion?

If you're missing documentations or if something is not clear, the NVC will def ask for more info/documentation.. . But if you have all the accurate documents and there is no ambiguity in your file, should be fine.  

 

 

3 hours ago, JOL said:

 

Thanks again, and never fear:  I am certain we will have MANY more questions coming your way.... 

Cool, for any new questions, start posting them on the following forum. 

 

 

Good luck.