US Immigration from Philippines

I need some human input here because gpt and gemini are saying two different things. One says to wait until April, the other says do it ASAP. I m leaning toward doing it now.

The usvisascheduling site finally let us book both the VAC and the Interview (previously it was only showing VAC). Our VAC is in March and the Interview is in April (really?) I guess I should be glad I checked the visa site I didn't get any notification and ceac hasn't updated. Embassy received peitition from nvc feb 10th but they need the physical file as well.

St. Luke s has much earlier availability than the Embassy. I've always been worried about sputum testing being ordered at this point I just want to get it over with. If it's ordered cool we have to wait anyway if not well it's good for 6 months I think.

We are filing the I-485 AOS for my wife now.
I'm retired but still have taxable income well above the threshold
I'm now doing the I-864 and just want to double check regarding transcripts and whether to include assets and a few other questions.

I searched a few threads but most are a few years old and I also miss the forest for the trees from time to time ( actually, sometimes I focus on the wrong trees ) so I thought it okay to ask .

1) IRS Tax transcripts: Is 2024 the most recent year since it is not April 15th yet?

2) When using IRS Return transcripts ( NOT Account of course) is it truly best to use just the most recent year ( 2024 since it's before April) or best to use 3 years even if you make well more than the poverty guidelines?

3) When filling out the 864 #7 "My current individual annual income ": Should that be what is listed as Total income on the Return transcript?

3a) which is also the same # input under Part 6 16a Most Recent Tax year and Total Income?

4) In an old thread it was mentioned if you only use recent year you should only supply that years Return transcript BUT you still need to fill out the total Income from the previous 2 years transcripts in Part 6 section 16.b and 16.c

The quote from that thread is "Just to be clear, the amount earned for the last 3 years is required to be listed but only the returns for the last year is required to be attached."

That seems odd to me and not what I read on the guidelines on the USCIS website.
Perhaps things have changed? Or changed back even? I just want to check

4) Part 7 Use of Assets
I do not need to use assets and the guideline says "Only complete Part 7. if you need to use the value of assets to meet the income requirements. "
So I should not fill that out but can I, and should I include in the filing , account statements to the 864 that show assets as further proof of my capability of continually being well above the poverty guidelines?

Reading the Guidelines it seems all I need to attach as far as income requirements is the Return transcripts of 2024 but that just feels too easy

Thanks for your guidance

Just a couple of really simple questions for the team here. I'm only asking because I haven't yet initiated the filing process online, and we have not utilized it before as it was not an option before.

1. When submitting proof the I-751 along with proof of bona fide relationship, will we be asked to upload a SINGLE pdf document? Or is there capability to upload multiple PDF documents?

2. When using the online process, will I have opportunities to fix mistakes before I submit, or is it one long process? (I.E., is there the ability to save progress, log out, and come back in to finish before submitting?)

Thanks for the insight!

I haven t been here in a while, kinda in an extended holding pattern. She was tripped up in medical, x-rays like is not uncommon. She made it through finally a few months ago. With the previous scheduling at the embassy I was able to search & schedule an interview. I had to cancel once she got tripped up at St Luke s.

I just logged into the new scheduling portal, didn t get far. It basically said, due to reasons with application, or other reasoning, log out for at least an hour. I m on the page, any answer on why it s a dead end? Yes I realize there may not be any open slots.

Why am I still here? Well, if possible I d still go through everything. In the interim I ll do the visiting thing. Since I m going over there, I thought we could try getting to the next step together.

Is it a fee issue? I m sure I paid earlier, no doubt long expired now. Anyone want to schedule an interview for us?? I ll check things when I get there. What type of proof that the medical is complete and passed? I hate to ask, is it 6 months then one starts over?

Thanks.

We are arranging our documents for my wife to file her AOS

I've heard this year they are being tougher on proof and what they expect to be submitted than they have been.

So we want to make sure we have a preponderance of evidence and we do not receive an RFE

Background:
She had her medical exam 06/23/2025
She arrived 10/07/2025

She got her Social Security Card 10/28/2025
We were married 12/06/2025
Tried to change name on SS card to married name but I-94 expired. They wouldn't do it.

I own our home since 2011 so she is not on the deed or mortgage
I was self employed and am now retired.
Medicare for health insurance.
My Bride is too young for Medicare.

Seems the 3 main areas of proof they want to see for both names to be in:
Lease/Mortgage/Deed
Co Insurance
Joint Accounts

Only have 1 of the 3: Joint Accounts.

We have 2 JTWROS Checking accounts and 1 investment account with Fidelity.

She is listed as the sole beneficiary on my other investment accounts and both my IRAs

I added her as an authorized user to all my credit cards in January and she just started using them this month .

Some documents are in maiden name , others married.
Her Social Security is in her maiden name, 1 credit card I gave her before we were married and both joint checking accounts.
Water bill and Electric bill has maiden name. Verizon married name.

We had a lovely Church wedding and have our marriage cert from the Church and most importantly for filing; the State
Plenty of photos

Adding her to utility bills here wasn't perfect.
We have only 3 types of utility accounts; Verizon for cell phones and internet, Electric, & Water
Water bill added her to the mailing address but not account name.
They told me they would have to close my account and reopen it to change everything

She is also on my home heating oil delivery account.

She will be applying for her Learner's permit the end of the month ( February).
Once she has that I assume I can add her to my auto insurance.

Other Evidence:
Costco membership on my account

I listed her as my HealthCare proxy
She is authorized for full disclosure for my Medicare account
Listed on my Apple acct as family

Dental Plans Family Discount card

We want to apply for AOS as soon as it is advisable.
I'm thinking I should wait at least 2 months of banking activity for statements before applying.
Also, By March/April I should be able to have my taxes done and I could file jointly.

I'm thinking a joint tax return is strong evidence and worth waiting a few months.

Her medical exam expires on 06/23/2026
I assume that means as long as the application is mailed before then or they recieve her package she does not need another medical exam

Should I get friends that know us well to write affidavits?
Any other suggestions ?
Anyone have recent experience with their spouse's AOS after marriage and filing I-485 ?

Thanks