USC graduate student sponsoring wife (IR1). Already DQ. Confused about next steps

[drumsmia 1]

I'm a USC and was working full-time when we got DQ (May 2024). My wife (applicant) and I are still waiting for our IL (Montreal) and I've just started my grad school and also no longer employed. I'm on a full scholarship and stipend that is above the USCIS poverty guidelines. My permanent address has also changed to another state where my school is at. 

 

Will these things be an issue during my wife's IR1 interview in Montreal? Do we have to update our I-864EZ?

 

Thanks!

[Dashinka 24,645]

This shouldn’t be an issue.  Your wife can update your living situation when the interview comes around.

 

Good Luck!

[drumsmia 1]

@Dashinka thanks. How can my wife update the living situation? Should she just inform them during the interview? Or does she have to submit an updated I-864EZ, lease agreement, and enrollment/scholarship/stipend confirmation before attending the interview? 

[pushbrk 12,999]

3 hours ago, drumsmia said:

@Dashinka thanks. How can my wife update the living situation? Should she just inform them during the interview? Or does she have to submit an updated I-864EZ, lease agreement, and enrollment/scholarship/stipend confirmation before attending the interview? 

She just gives a new address, and they will note it in the system.  You can upload an updated financial package before the interview, as belt and suspenders.

 

[powpow13 4]

Hey @drumsmia,

 

Glad to hear you guys are DQ! It should not be an issue that your financial information has changed as long as you still meet the minimum income required by USCIS, like you said. I believe that's currently $25,550 for a two-person household. Do make sure to bring all evidence of your current income to your interview, such as any tax documents, paystubs (I guess this wouldn't be applicable in your case, but perhaps monthly statements with your scholarship/stipend?), and any other type of income. It might be helpful to have a statement from whoever issues your scholarship and stipend--I assume your university?--which also confirms the amount you receive on a monthly or yearly basis. HOWEVER, you will have to change your address with the NVC as you are the principal sponsor. I believe that would be form I-865 (Sponsor's Notice of Change of Address). It's a simple form that you should be able to upload to CEAC. CEAC is the same website where you uploaded all of the documents required, such as your original I-864. You can also upload an updated I-864 to CEAC like @pushbrk said, as a 'belt-and-suspenders' situation. 

 

Your wife can tell them your new address at the interview, or she can contact Montreal's IV section to request they "release" her DS-160 form. I believe their email address is Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov. That will allow her to re-login to the DS-160 portal and update all of her outdated information, then re-submit her DS-160. She'll have to update her address but also yours, no? (I believe there's a section that requests the address where she plans to stay at in the US, which is usually where the USC is living at or a family member's address. If I'm incorrect, then please ignore this item!). I'm an immigration paralegal, and we had a client that had to contact the IV section in their foreign country to do the same thing. Hopefully they'll be just as quick in this situation.

 

Crossing my fingers for you both!

[drumsmia 1]

@Dashinka @pushbrk @powpow13 If my wife(beneficiary) had a change in her employment status in Canada - do we have to update that too before interview? 

[Dashinka 24,645]

1 minute ago, drumsmia said:

@Dashinka @pushbrk @powpow13 If my wife(beneficiary) had a change in her employment status in Canada - do we have to update that too before interview? 

Not a high priority, she can update the CO at the interview of the change to the DS260, but it should not be an issue.

 

Good Luck!

[pushbrk 12,999]

7 hours ago, drumsmia said:

@Dashinka @pushbrk @powpow13 If my wife(beneficiary) had a change in her employment status in Canada - do we have to update that too before interview? 

No.  If asked at interview, she can mention it.  Since she's immigrating to the USA, they would expect she'll be leaving any job she already had anyway, so don't expect it to come up.

[drumsmia 1]

Hi all! If we upload an updated financial package after we get the interview date, as well as let them know of the address change, will these slow things down during/after the interview? @pushbrk @Dashinka @powpow13

[pushbrk 12,999]

51 minutes ago, drumsmia said:

Hi all! If we upload an updated financial package after we get the interview date, as well as let them know of the address change, will these slow things down during/after the interview? @pushbrk @Dashinka @powpow13

No.

[drumsmia 1]

@powpow13 we got DQ with I-864 EZ. Do we now upload an updated I-864 EZ, or I-864?

[pushbrk 12,999]

On 10/22/2024 at 3:58 AM, drumsmia said:

Hi all! If we upload an updated financial package after we get the interview date, as well as let them know of the address change, will these slow things down during/after the interview? @pushbrk @Dashinka @powpow13

No.  Even if it would, it is what it is.  You do the right thing.

[drumsmia 1]

@pushbrk @Dashinka we travelled to EU countries after DQ. Do we have to update that on CEAC? If yes, how do we update?

[pushbrk 12,999]

3 hours ago, drumsmia said:

@pushbrk @Dashinka we travelled to EU countries after DQ. Do we have to update that on CEAC? If yes, how do we update?

No need to update.  Can mention during interview, as needed.

[drumsmia 1]

@pushbrk @Dashinka We are thinking of getting a joint sponsor. Interview is next month. Will this help solidify our case, given sponsor is student on stipend (over the poverty limit) but not sure if stipend=income?