Documents rejected by NVC

[sidmando 15]

I am applying for IR-1/CR-1 visas for my wife and stepdaughter. A couple months ago I submitted all of our documents to NVC. Today I was informed that multiple documents were rejected. So I have a couple questions about what I need to do next.

 

First, I got a message regarding the marriage certificate saying "Please replace this upload with a scan of the original language document and a certified English translation." Since I did upload a scan of the original document, I'm assuming the problem is with the translation. I was advised (on this site) that I could translate the documents myself as long as I included a certificate of translation stating that I am competent to do the translation. (I am fluent in Spanish.) Was this information incorrect? Is there a formal certification process for translators?

Second, my wife's birth certificate was rejected with the following message "Part of this document is missing or is difficult to read. Please replace this with a scan that shows the complete text of the document." My wife was born in 1983, and Peruvian birth certificates were hand written at that time. The scan I sent was a complete version of the original document, so I don't know what I can do to make the document acceptable.

Lastly, I received a message stating that my income does not meet the minimum requirement and that I may be required to have a co-sponsor. The issue is that I have been living in Peru for the last 3 years and am living off savings. So my income for the past few years was low. I do, however, have savings of significantly more than 5x the difference between the minimum required income and my actual income. Reading through the instructions on the Affidavit of Support, this should enable me to qualify. Can anyone tell me if the financial qualifications are discretionary to the specific official who is processing our application? Or is it cut & dried that since my savings exceed the required amount I will not need a co-sponsor? If I need a co-sponsor, I want to get the ball rolling on that now, rather than wait to be rejected at the interview and then have to start the process of adding a co-sponsor then. But obviously if my savings will be viewed as adequate I would rather not have to deal with getting a co-sponsor.

Any feedback or advice would be greatly appreciated!

[SteveInBostonI130 3,463]

1 hour ago, sidmando said:

I am applying for IR-1/CR-1 visas for my wife and stepdaughter. A couple months ago I submitted all of our documents to NVC. Today I was informed that multiple documents were rejected. So I have a couple questions about what I need to do next.

 

First, I got a message regarding the marriage certificate saying "Please replace this upload with a scan of the original language document and a certified English translation." Since I did upload a scan of the original document, I'm assuming the problem is with the translation. I was advised (on this site) that I could translate the documents myself as long as I included a certificate of translation stating that I am competent to do the translation. (I am fluent in Spanish.) Was this information incorrect? Is there a formal certification process for translators?

Second, my wife's birth certificate was rejected with the following message "Part of this document is missing or is difficult to read. Please replace this with a scan that shows the complete text of the document." My wife was born in 1983, and Peruvian birth certificates were hand written at that time. The scan I sent was a complete version of the original document, so I don't know what I can do to make the document acceptable.

Lastly, I received a message stating that my income does not meet the minimum requirement and that I may be required to have a co-sponsor. The issue is that I have been living in Peru for the last 3 years and am living off savings. So my income for the past few years was low. I do, however, have savings of significantly more than 5x the difference between the minimum required income and my actual income. Reading through the instructions on the Affidavit of Support, this should enable me to qualify. Can anyone tell me if the financial qualifications are discretionary to the specific official who is processing our application? Or is it cut & dried that since my savings exceed the required amount I will not need a co-sponsor? If I need a co-sponsor, I want to get the ball rolling on that now, rather than wait to be rejected at the interview and then have to start the process of adding a co-sponsor then. But obviously if my savings will be viewed as adequate I would rather not have to deal with getting a co-sponsor.

Any feedback or advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

1.  You can self-translate.  You have to include 2 statements certifying:  A) That you are fluent in the language and competent to translate, and B) That the translation is complete and accurate.  If you just stated that you were competent to do the translation, then you are missing the 2nd part.  Also, the statement has to be signed by you.

 

2. Check the scan.  Is the resolution too low and you cannot make out what was written, when compared to the original?  Or is it too dark or too light?  If so, then correct it by changing the darkness/sharpness and/or resolution (600 dpi vs 200 dpi, for example).

 

3.  This is a default language.  You can upload an explanation that you intend to qualify based on your savings.  It will not prevent you from being DQ'd, but the CO may insist on a joint sponsor at the interview.  The 125% current income and 3x or 3x savings are the minimum needed to be considered for qualifications - the embassy/consulate CO has the final say.

[pushbrk 12,903]

3 hours ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

 

1.  You can self-translate.  You have to include 2 statements certifying:  A) That you are fluent in the language and competent to translate, and B) That the translation is complete and accurate.  If you just stated that you were competent to do the translation, then you are missing the 2nd part.  Also, the statement has to be signed by you.

 

2. Check the scan.  Is the resolution too low and you cannot make out what was written, when compared to the original?  Or is it too dark or too light?  If so, then correct it by changing the darkness/sharpness and/or resolution (600 dpi vs 200 dpi, for example).

 

3.  This is a default language.  You can upload an explanation that you intend to qualify based on your savings.  It will not prevent you from being DQ'd, but the CO may insist on a joint sponsor at the interview.  The 125% current income and 3x or 3x savings are the minimum needed to be considered for qualifications - the embassy/consulate CO has the final say.

1 and 2 answers absolutely what I would have said.  3.  It's a default email whenever income is insufficient.  If your savings is comfortably over the 3X the income shortfall, and "liquid" according to the explanation in the I-864 instructions, you can just ignore number 3.

 

[sidmando 15]

Thanks so much for the detailed answers. One follow up question. If I try to complete the process without a co-sponsor (based on the fact that I clear the financial threshold on the basis of liquid assets), and then they decide that I need a co-sponsor, will that set me back significantly in terms of time? In other words, assuming I have a co-sponsor lined up who is ready to submit all of the required documents immediately if necessary, will it still result in additional months of waiting for them to process the co-sponsors information? Or is it something that can be added to the case without any additional delay? Because if it could add months to the process, I'm wondering if I should just go ahead and add the co-sponsor now as an insurance policy against further delays.

[SBHbb67 21]

11 hours ago, sidmando said:

 I'm wondering if I should just go ahead and add the co-sponsor now as an insurance policy against further delays.

We got a similar message regarding income (we also plan on using our savings as financial evidence). From what I've seen in other threads, and from what I understand from the message, you do not have to submit documents for a co-sponsor right now but can instead prepare the relevant documents, bring them to your interview, and submit them to the consulate if requested. That way you will not be delaying your process (the message that we got indicated that we should be ready to present a co-sponsor during our interview to prevent delays, maybe reread yours and confirm that it says the same thing). You can also submit them online, but we will take our chances and see if we can get by without having to submit and I-864A.

I want to add, this is just what I know and there is every chance that it is incorrect. It would be great if someone else could confirm what I just said.

[pushbrk 12,903]

7 hours ago, SBHbb67 said:

We got a similar message regarding income (we also plan on using our savings as financial evidence). From what I've seen in other threads, and from what I understand from the message, you do not have to submit documents for a co-sponsor right now but can instead prepare the relevant documents, bring them to your interview, and submit them to the consulate if requested. That way you will not be delaying your process (the message that we got indicated that we should be ready to present a co-sponsor during our interview to prevent delays, maybe reread yours and confirm that it says the same thing). You can also submit them online, but we will take our chances and see if we can get by without having to submit and I-864A.

I want to add, this is just what I know and there is every chance that it is incorrect. It would be great if someone else could confirm what I just said.

I wouldn't.  Do you really want a joint sponsor to sign that contract when it is not necessary?  Will they actually do it, once they read it?

[SBHbb67 21]

We really don't want anyone to be financially liable for us for 10 years, that is why we are taking a route that at least has the chance to prevent it. As I mentioned, we will only submit the form only if required by the CO. If we do end up needing a co-sponsor, it doesn't really make sense to delay our process by hoping they won't ask for one. As for signing the contract, I feel like a person who isn't willing to sign it when "it's not necessary (whatever that means in this context, since obviously it IS necesarry or we wouldn't ask for it)" would probably not be willing to sign it at all anyways. 

Edited December 15, 2021 by SBHbb67

[pushbrk 12,903]

18 hours ago, SBHbb67 said:

We really don't want anyone to be financially liable for us for 10 years, that is why we are taking a route that at least has the chance to prevent it. As I mentioned, we will only submit the form only if required by the CO. If we do end up needing a co-sponsor, it doesn't really make sense to delay our process by hoping they won't ask for one. As for signing the contract, I feel like a person who isn't willing to sign it when "it's not necessary (whatever that means in this context, since obviously it IS necesarry or we wouldn't ask for it)" would probably not be willing to sign it at all anyways. 

Typically, you cannot hand over a joint sponsor package at the interview.  If they ask for it, you'll need to upload it and wait for them to review it, causing a delay of weeks.  The only way to avoid a delay, is to upload the Joint Sponsor package ahead of time.  The Consular Officer can then discard it, taking away the obligatioin from the affiant.

[Saqib-s 188]

@sidmando

 

to add to all the excellent advice you've been given above, for the Peruvian Birth certificate, ensure it meets the criteria set out in the link below, and note that they ask for the front & back of the document even if it's blank.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country/Peru.html