Fees after I-129F and before AOS

[Fettman 0]

Hey all,

It has been a while, finally got my application all ready, triple checked everything and will send it off next week. Now that I have done that I am looking ahead to what I need to do next. I think I have that figured out, but what I am a bit confused on is what to expect in terms of fees. I know there is a $100 fee with the visa application she will submit at the embassy, and of course there is the cost of the medical exam, as well as any miscellaneous costs. I just want to be sure that between now and AOS that this is all to expect in fees, barring some sort of new fee, change in fees, etc.

Also, on the I-134, with the tax information, I have worked at my current job for about a year and a half now, with this year (2007) being my first full year. How far back should I go on getting tax transcripts? Are they needed at all? As far as I can tell on the instructions for the form it seems that they are needed only if self-employed. Also, on the itemized values on the form, do student loans or car loans get listed anywhere? Are they considered "other encumbrance(s)" as listed on the form? I want to start putting this together now that my application is done. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks!

- Steven

[slim 1,530]

Fees: You are correct, there is the interview fee at the embassy ($100 last I heard, I'm unsure if it got "updated" with all the new fee increases... I haven't heard that it did.) the medical fee, and any other related expenses such as getting her to/from Moscow and staying there for the duration of the interview process. Should be a couple hundred bucks depending on her food/lodging/transportation costs.

Other than that, there's no other "fee" until she gets here. (Then the real fees begin! You think getting through the visa process is expensive, ha!)

As far as the I-134 and all that stuff, make sure you get a letter from your employer to support the fact that you've only been working there for 1.5 years but you're employed and will remain employed at that company. Support that with your last three check stubs. Then, support that with a bank statement saying something to the effect of "he has a bank account here and uses it." (Dont' sweat the balance... mine was only like $314 or something like that.) For tax purposes, send what you have. If you have one or two W-2s, that's great. If you don't have three or more, no biggy. They can see you make enough, they're good with that. And don't get too into the I-134, this is simply you proving you make enough money to support yourself and your (future) wife. They don't need to see you have a car payment and rent and all that BS. All they're looking for is you have some kind of money coming in.

This isn't an audit, it's simply you providing proof that you don't need to use her for financial gain.

[Fettman 0]

Fees: You are correct, there is the interview fee at the embassy ($100 last I heard, I'm unsure if it got "updated" with all the new fee increases... I haven't heard that it did.) the medical fee, and any other related expenses such as getting her to/from Moscow and staying there for the duration of the interview process. Should be a couple hundred bucks depending on her food/lodging/transportation costs.

Other than that, there's no other "fee" until she gets here. (Then the real fees begin! You think getting through the visa process is expensive, ha!)

As far as the I-134 and all that stuff, make sure you get a letter from your employer to support the fact that you've only been working there for 1.5 years but you're employed and will remain employed at that company. Support that with your last three check stubs. Then, support that with a bank statement saying something to the effect of "he has a bank account here and uses it." (Dont' sweat the balance... mine was only like $314 or something like that.) For tax purposes, send what you have. If you have one or two W-2s, that's great. If you don't have three or more, no biggy. They can see you make enough, they're good with that. And don't get too into the I-134, this is simply you proving you make enough money to support yourself and your (future) wife. They don't need to see you have a car payment and rent and all that BS. All they're looking for is you have some kind of money coming in.

This isn't an audit, it's simply you providing proof that you don't need to use her for financial gain.

Thanks for the advice. She lives in Moscow, so that part is covered . I agree with what you said about the I-134. I appreciate it!

[joshnmil 0]

They wanted me to go back 3 years on my taxes. Send what you have if theres an issue they'll let you know about it. Make sure she gets a ds-3025 from Moscow that way you can get your supplemental i-693 filled out when shes in the states.

[slim 1,530]

The DS-3025 will save you a lot of headaches later.

Have her get a copy from her medical or if they won't do it there, have her ask for one at the embassy.