AKN2

I worked last year from January to August 2023 in India. I only became an LPR in June 2023. My income was (roughly) less than $9k in INR for these 8 months. Do I have to declare it? Also, since I will be filing MFJ along with my husband, will I still be asked why I didn't file taxes when I file N-400?

Great! Thank you so much. Appreciate your input.

Good point

To clarify, we will continue filing as MFJ. So does that mean I don't have to file separately if we continue filing as MFJ? Pardon my confusion and ignorance; I'm used to the Indian tax system and this is very new to me.

Hi, fellow VJers! I moved to the US in September 2023 on an IR1 visa. I have recently (April, 2024) started working here. My husband has been filing his taxes as MFJ for the last few years and I have always signed the docs. He says I don't need to file taxes this year as I had no US income until now. Is this true? And if I do need to file despite having no income, is it too late to do so? Will it create a problem if I file now? Your advice is much appreciated.

I understand. Guess I'll prepare myself to wait out the full five years if necessary.

A quick follow-up question, folks - If I get the reentry permit and stay outside for 10 consecutive months, will that delay my N400 application by 10 months? Or can I still apply on the original date, as planned? And before y'all pile on me 😆, this assumes I have all the marital relationship evidence I need under the 3-year rule.

I live in Texas. State ID card sounds like the perfect solution, thanks a lot!

Thank you for the input. I meant "visit" as in I will be here for 3 weeks only before going back for another 5 months. We're working on the other things (getting my name on the lease, joint bank account, etc) and they should be done soon. Honestly, I've just gotten around to thinking about the future and the things I will need for a successful N400 application 3 years down the line. Also, I don't drive (poor eyesight) and don't have a job yet, so things like driver's license and bank account have been kind of "suspended." But we're getting on to them, one by one. The replies to my post have been very enlightening, thank you.

Thank you for the info. I'm applying for a reentry permit just to be safe.

How long does it currently take to get a reentry permit approved? I'm assuming I can't leave until it gets approved...? I intend to be out of the US in 2 five-month blocks, just so I don't have trouble getting back in. Do you think that'll work? I'm fine filing at the 5-year mark if there's a chance of denial at 3 years.

You're right, except I read somewhere that it's taking 6 months for reentry permit approval and I need to go to my home country by May. What kind of marital relationship evidence can I gather while living apart?

Is that 18 consecutive months? Hopefully, I will have that before I file. As for the rest - lease, bank accounts, bills - I'm working on those things one by one. Just got started. Right now, I'm mainly worried about keeping my GC. I don't really care if I have to file at the 5-year mark, though 3 years would be nice. Thank you for the pointers.

1. Not sure what you mean. Should I automatically add another 10 months to my timeline before I apply for naturalization? Or can I apply on 09-28-2026, as originally planned, despite being out of the country for 2 five-month blocks? 2. My husband will be in the US during this time but he might visit. 3. As of now, my name isn't on the lease, but we will be keeping my US phone number active. I don't have a job or bank account yet. Should I open a bank account even though I don't have any income yet? What other ties can I show?

Hello, VJers! So, I got my 10-year marriage-based GC and entered the US on 09-28-2023. I will be eligible to apply for citizenship on 09-28-2026 under the 3-year rule. I must, however, return to my home country for 10 months, from May 2024 to March 2025. I intend to visit the US for approximately 3 weeks in October 2024, which means I will have been out of the country for less than 5 months. And then go back for another 5 months. Will this circumvent the continuous residence requirements or simply set my application back by another 10 months? Will I have a problem reentering the US the second time?

My minor daughter is a US citizen who was born in India and had a valid OCI card until last year. She has always lived in India. Unfortunately, there was a delay in renewing her US passport when it expired and now there is a 2-month gap between her current and previous passports, which led to them rejecting her OCI renewal application. Indian FRRO told us that we would have to apply for a fresh OCI card, but, before we do that, it is mandatory to apply for a visa extension on indianfrro.gov.in. Can someone please guide me through the process? The website is a little confusing. What visa should I opt for after selecting the Visa Extension option? Also, is it okay if we simply get the visa extension and travel to the US, without applying for a fresh OCI card? Any advice is appreciated.

I got a white sheet of paper 221g at the interview. Then they sent what they called a 221g letter one year later with the above-mentioned instructions. The names can be a little confusing.

I think you have the reason for AP right here. They need to investigate whether this is a genuine marriage. That's why they haven't requested any documents. Also, Mumbai is a high fraud consulate, so they are extra vigilant about potential red flags. Nothing to do but wait and hope.

I got an email that said, "Our office has sent a 221g letter on May 16, 2023, via the Visa Application Center (VAC), upon receipt of the same, please follow instructions mentioned there-in for timely processing of your case." I had to collect the 221g letter from Blue Dart in my city. This letter instructed me to submit a fresh PCC and medical as well as my passport. The passport was returned in less than a week with the visa stamped.

We had a complicated case so AP was kinda expected. We got a white 221g slip but no documents were asked for. I've heard that the date is updated every time someone looks at the case. I would take it as a good sign because in our case, the date didn't change until a year after the interview. Hopefully, there will be some action on her case soon. Also, the officer clearly didn't like me while she was super friendly to others who came before me. Or maybe I'm being hypersensitive. Does your sister have any issues with her case?

I interviewed in Mumbai and was put into AP for a year. Contacting your senator, sending follow-up emails to USCIS, or hiring a lawyer is fruitless. All she can do is wait for the decision no matter how long it takes. There's really nothing she can do at this point, and the sooner she is resigned to waiting, the easier it will be. All the best to your sister!

Thank you!!!

Just thought I should let my VJ friends know we got the visa! Our immigration journey has finally ended. I'm super grateful to all of you who took out time to read my post and pitch in with your advice and comments. Thanks a ton, peeps! BTW, we did not get an IV packet, just the passport with the visa. Is that normal?

Get a fresh medical report, scan it, and upload it on CEAC. Next, drop off your passport, medical, the original 221g letter which you have received and 2 copies of the document submission form to a dropbox location, along with Rs 650 in cash. As they have mentioned, you do NOT need to schedule an appointment at the dropbox location. Just go when everything is ready. Also, no need to upload passport on CEAC. It's quite simple, really.

Thank you. Some websites are showing a different address, hence the confusion.