Help with bringing German wife to US

[Leo O 2]

Hello and good day everyone,

 

My name is Leo and I am a US citizen. I am married with a German citizen and we are undergoing the process of obtaining a green card for her. We are both residing in Germany at the moment. 

 

At the moment I have several important questions regarding the process.

 

We will be doing Direct Consular Processing and will be sending in all physical documents and forms (I-130, I-130a, and g-1145) to our local USCIS office in Germany. In the instructions it states that we will need to include a self-addressed envelope in our package. Must we include a postage stamp as well on the self-addressed envelope? If so, what should be the value of the postage stamp be? 

 

Additionally, I understand that in the future, once form I-130 has been approved, I will need to submit form I-864. Unfortunately, I have never had any US income or filed any sort of taxes in the US as I was a full-time student when I was last there. My wife and I do have full-time jobs here in Germany however. 

I understand that we can file form I-184a so that my father (who meets the income requirement) can sponsor us. Will this be enough to cover the fact that I have never made money in the US? Also, we obviously have different addresses at the moment (My father is living in the US and I am living in Germany with my wife), will this cause any issues? And finally I am not listed as a dependent or household member on my father's most recent tax forms (as I have been living outside the US for several years), will this cause any issues?

 

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. 

Edited June 12, 2019 by Leo O
forgot to include information

[Crazy Cat 41,894]

You will have to get your US taxes in order.  US citizens and residents are required to report all income (world-wide) if their income meets the minimum requirement....regardless of where he/she resides.  That means you will have to back file taxes  (if enough income) for 3 years....You are the primary sponsor, and you must complete an I-864....your joint sponsor must also complete an I-864.......not an I-864a......You will also have to provide proof of US domicile.........the Consulate Officer will consider your overall financial picture before making a decision regarding any "public charge" concerns.......good luck..

Edited June 12, 2019 by missileman

[NikLR 13,227]

~~moved to DCF from IR1/CR1 process and procedures ~~

[geowrian 22,337]

42 minutes ago, Leo O said:

Unfortunately, I have never had any US income or filed any sort of taxes in the US as I was a full-time student when I was last there. My wife and I do have full-time jobs here in Germany however. 

Might want to check the last page of your passport regarding the requirement to file taxes based on worldwide income.

[Just Paul 4,595]

45 minutes ago, Leo O said:

We will be doing Direct Consular Processing and will be sending in all physical documents and forms

I would highly recommend filing in person if you can.   We did that in Mexico and received an emailed approval the very next business day.  I have worked with others here, in other consulates, that have mailed in petitions and they have had to wait several weeks to months just to hear anything back.

 

After you file you can focus on getting the I-864 taken care of.

 

 

[payxibka 10,045]

47 minutes ago, Leo O said:

 Unfortunately, I have never had any US income or filed any sort of taxes in the US as I was a full-time student when I was last there. My wife and I do have full-time jobs here in Germany however. 

Does not matter,  one of the "greatest " benefits of being a  USC is filing your taxes no matter where you reside

[Leo O 2]

7 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Might want to check the last page of your passport regarding the requirement to file taxes based on worldwide income.

So I have worked in australia in 2016 and New Zealand in 2017. In both countries I have made under $11,000 US. Am I still required to file taxes? 

3 minutes ago, payxibka said:

Does not matter,  one of the "greatest " benefits of being a  USC is filing your taxes no matter where you reside

So I have worked in australia in 2016 and New Zealand in 2017. In both countries I have made under $11,000 US. Am I still required to file taxes? 

[payxibka 10,045]

5 minutes ago, Leo O said:

So I have worked in australia in 2016 and New Zealand in 2017. In both countries I have made under $11,000 US. Am I still required to file taxes? 

So I have worked in australia in 2016 and New Zealand in 2017. In both countries I have made under $11,000 US. Am I still required to file taxes? 

There is a minimum,   which is your standard deduction plus personal exemption .  If you are below that then you technically are not obligated to file 

[Leo O 2]

31 minutes ago, payxibka said:

Does not matter,  one of the "greatest " benefits of being a  USC is filing your taxes no matter where you reside

Sorry for extra reply lol. I didn't see that you already answered my previous question

Edited June 12, 2019 by Leo O

[payxibka 10,045]

1 minute ago, Leo O said:

So I have worked in australia in 2016 and New Zealand in 2017. In both countries I have made under $11,000 US. Am I still required to file taxes?  

See previous 

[rangers90 9]

Original poster - Doing the DCF process with my wife now. Unfortunately, to my knowledge the advice from Paul & Mary is not possible. You can’t setup an appointment and do the initial paperwork.

 

The I-130 first has to be submitted via mail. They state a 90 day timeline to either request additional information from you or setup an interview if everything looks ok.

https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-uscis-office/international-offices/germany-frankfurt-field-office

 

There was a recent post about their timelines extending past the 90 days even though previous evidence showed about a 2 month process. 

We will see what happens with my own package.

 

[Just Paul 4,595]

24 minutes ago, rangers90 said:

You can’t setup an appointment and do the initial paperwork.

Sorry, That sucks. As a group we have learned a lot about Frankfurt today. 

At least the office is still accepting applications.