Alex&Nayden

When I try to check the green card status using the IOE number on the immigration fee receipt, it keep giving me an error message. So frustrating. No one else seems to be experiencing this. I even called USCIS and they said they received the immigration fee payment on May 12 but it still worries me because there is no way to track the GC now. Has this happened to anyone else??

We waited 3 weeks for my husband and nothing came so he just went to the SSN office and applied for it there. It came in 6 days. We still haven’t gotten his GC. It’s been about 45 days.

Yes I used the new IOE number from the Immigration Fee receipt. And that’s the number that gives me an error message. My husband already did his fingerprints when he interviewed overseas.

My husband entered the US on May 12 and I paid the Immigration Fee on May 11. I received an email with the receipt and a new IOE number which should be used to track the green card. However, when I put that number in the case tracking tool this error message pops up: Error: The application receipt number entered is invalid. Please check your receipt number and try again. It makes me think that they made some type of mistake because he didn’t receive his SSN (even though we checked the box in the DS260). He had to go directly to the social security office and just get it from there. He got his social security in 6 days once he filed the paperwork with them. However, I feel like something could go wrong with the delivery of his green card as well because of this error message. I called USCIS and they said that they have that number in the system and it seems to be fine. 🤷🏻‍♀️ But it’s just weird that we haven’t gotten a single letter from USCIS since he arrived AND we have no way to track his green card. I also tried adding that IOE number to my USCIS account and it didn’t work either. I am just curious if anyone else has experienced this.

Well the real question is - does the petitioner make 125% over the poverty level for your household? If no, then they won't approve you. If it's barely above it, you are taking a big risk. And if it's definitely above it, you should be fine.

This has happened to many people. Basically, the officer at the interview will make the final decision. But if the petitioner does not make enough, you need to have a joint sponsor by the time you get to the interview. If the petitioner does make more than enough, then I guess you can just go and see what happens. I personally wouldn't risk it. I would secure a joint sponsor just in case.

Hi everyone, We just received our Interview letter. My husband's interview is set for May 25th.

I submitted all the stuff that would show without a doubt that I've been paying my taxes in the US, I made more than the required in 2022 AND I currently make more than the required in 2023. I wanted to set us up for success and we were DQed in 16 days with no RFE. At the end of the day, NVC just wants to check that you make more than the required amount and how much you make RIGHT NOW matters most. So even if you made enough in 2022, but don't show any proof for 2023, the officer at the interview can reject you. So, better safe than sorry, I guess.

I know each country has its own unique backlog and wait times, but I'm curious about how the scheduling process actually works. I read some information that suggested NVC sends out interview letters once a month, but I'm not entirely sure if that's accurate. I also came across another source that claimed embassies send their available slots to NVC, who then fills them with people who are waiting. Would anyone happen to have any insights or information to share about this?

Maybe you forgot some documents?

Print, sign with pen, upload. It HAS to have a "wet signature" as it's called.

I was saying that in general you can use tax returns + W2 too. Your statement made it seem that it's the ONLY thing you should use, which is not correct. Some people don't have their transcripts available yet so they can upload their tax returns + W2 and be totally fine. Also, I disagree that transcripts are the easiest way to go about it. The IRS website is extremely glitchy and if you live abroad with your spouse, you might even have trouble creating an account to view your tax transcripts. So yes, tax transcripts are great but so are your tax returns + W2.

Not true. You can also use tax return + W2.

Unfortunately, you go to the back of the line, so 2 weeks again. I would honestly upload it again just to be sure they have it along with your letter. Also, double and triple check that your country doesn't have different rules about how the expiration date for police certificates.

We are waiting for interview letter. One of my friends did it this way with no problem AND on the nvc site it says US passport serves as primary evidence of citizenship. Plus, wouldn’t they ask for it in USCIS and NVC stage if it was mandatory in addition to the US passport? It seems like they would at least mention it and not let us move to the last step.

I sent my 2022 tax return + W2. Then I wrote a letter explaining why I don't have the transcript yet (we filed by paper since my husband doesn't have a SSN or ITIN). I printed it, signed it and uploaded it along with everything. We got DQed in 16 days.

Mmm not true. I wasn't born in the US and I just used my US passport to prove my citizenship and be able to sponsor my husband.

Passport is all you need.

I know the girl from Bulgaria got her interview letter fast because she had expedited her whole case. But I’m also in contact with 2 other Bulgarian women and it took them 30 days to get their interview letters. So it’s all a big mystery I guess. 😂

You need to get a joint sponsor. You have to fill out the I-864 and provide tax transcripts or tax returns (regardless if you live in the UK). If you didn't file your taxes for any of the past 3 years, you need to write a letter explaining why you didn't (because legally you are suppose to if you've made money overseas). Your joint sponsor also needs to file the i864 and show proof of income (tax transcript or returns + W2). I would not use someone who is self-employed as they always have more trouble getting approved.

The Interview Letter is country specific so the only way to really get that answer is to connect with people who are waiting for an interview at the Naples embassy.

I would contact the issuing authority and tell them what you need this police certificate for (CR1/IR1 visa) AND that you need it to cover their entire history. I don't see why they won't be able to do that. In my opinion, that's the best place to ask, not here.

It depends on the country. Sadly, it’s rly hard to get that information if there aren’t many people who are applying from your country. For example, my husband is from Bulgaria. Based on a few ladies I talked to they had to wait 30 days for their Interview Letter and then another 30 days for the actual interview date. But I know for busy countries like China it can take 6+ months. So your best bet is to find people who are going through the same process in your country.

I personally think that self-employed individuals are not good for joint sponsors. It’s way more complicated (no point in going in depth into it). Either get a new sponsor (W2 employee) or your wife has to get a US job. Yes, it’s not ideal but you have to be willing to make sacrifices if you want this to be a smooth process.

Yeah, but just have the spouse bring it to the interview.