processing time at USCIS

[rayb]

Length of relationship can make a diffference, but it is not usually a problem. It would only come up for discussion during an actual interview.

A co-sponsor would be advisable, even though you would still be the primary sponsor.

--Ray B

Thank you for your continued helpfulness, Ray. Do you think it makes a difference that my husband and I have not known each other long?

Also, I just started a new job... When it comes time to fill out the i864, should I still include a co sponsor? Since I would obviously not have a tax return yet and only a few months of pay stubs

[visastaketoolong000]

Thank you, Ray. Your help is very much appreciated.

Another question you might be able to answer... My husband who lives in London has a different address than the one we put down on the i130, since he moved after we filed it last September. Are we able to change it once our petition goes to the NVC before they send any correspondence out? Just worried that his old address will receive important documents.

[rayb]

You can try to change your husband's address on the NVC record by calling or emailing the NVC, but expect a long time before you get confirmation or a reply.

--Ray B

Thank you, Ray. Your help is very much appreciated.

Another question you might be able to answer... My husband who lives in London has a different address than the one we put down on the i130, since he moved after we filed it last September. Are we able to change it once our petition goes to the NVC before they send any correspondence out? Just worried that his old address will receive important documents.

[visastaketoolong000]

Thanks for the response, Ray.

When will I be able to change the address? As soon as the provide the case number? Also, if I am the elected agent, will they still send correspondence to my husbands address?

[rayb]

When you have the case number, email or call the NVC with an address change.

After you return the DS-261 to designate an agent, you will get all NVC correspondence.

--Ray B

Thanks for the response, Ray.

When will I be able to change the address? As soon as the provide the case number? Also, if I am the elected agent, will they still send correspondence to my husbands address?

[chanteuse]

Just found out our case was approved! !!! Yay so excited!!!!

[Rafael1993]

Case approved!!!!!

my case was approved too 15/1/2015 F2B category , california service center, priority date 23/7/2014.

[visastaketoolong000]

Just found out our case was approved! !!! Yay so excited!!!!

thats awesome!!! Hopefully ours will be too soon!

[visastaketoolong000]

i-864...

Hi Ray,

I know I have touched on this subject several times already, but I am in need of some extra clarification as the information on the NVC's website is confusing...

Once our case goes to the NVC, and I must prove that I can support my husband financially, I am still not entirely sure about which forms to fill out and what evidence must be sent in...

I just started a new job, which has a salary that is above the poverty line. However, I did not work last year, therefore cannot send in W2's for my most recent tax year. Would it be sufficient to give that as an explanation as to why I didn't file, and just provide pay stubs and/or a letter form my boss proving employment? In which case I would file an i-864EZ?

OR....

Should I file with my mother (part of my household) as a co-sponsor (or joint sponsor??)? In which case, would I still provide my employment details? I am confused because this is what the NVC states:

"If none of the above apply and you are using the income of other household members to meet the minimum income requirement. The sponsor must complete Form I-864 and each household member must complete Form I-864A

If none of the above apply and:
You do not meet the minimum income requirement and are using a joint sponsor, and
You are not using the income of other household members to qualify.
The sponsor and the joint sponsor must each complete Form I-864"

This confuses my because I am technically able to support my husband on my salary alone, but I won't have my W2's and I'm worried that the NVC will think I haven't worked long enough.

Could you provide any recommendations as to what I should do?

Thank you for all your help.

[rayb]

You prepare an I-864 as primary sponsor, and include proof of your current employment. You list your mom as the household member joint sponsor on your I-864, and you add for I-864A from mom (of which you both sign on page 3), and include copy of her most recent Federal income tax return, W2 or 1099 forms, employment verification and proof of her U.S. status (copy of U.S. birth cert, or Green Card or Naturalization Cert).

--Ray B

Hi Ray,

I know I have touched on this subject several times already, but I am in need of some extra clarification as the information on the NVC's website is confusing...

Once our case goes to the NVC, and I must prove that I can support my husband financially, I am still not entirely sure about which forms to fill out and what evidence must be sent in...

I just started a new job, which has a salary that is above the poverty line. However, I did not work last year, therefore cannot send in W2's for my most recent tax year. Would it be sufficient to give that as an explanation as to why I didn't file, and just provide pay stubs and/or a letter form my boss proving employment? In which case I would file an i-864EZ?

OR....

Should I file with my mother (part of my household) as a co-sponsor (or joint sponsor??)? In which case, would I still provide my employment details? I am confused because this is what the NVC states:

"If none of the above apply and you are using the income of other household members to meet the minimum income requirement. The sponsor must complete Form I-864 and each household member must complete Form I-864A

If none of the above apply and:
You do not meet the minimum income requirement and are using a joint sponsor, and
You are not using the income of other household members to qualify.
The sponsor and the joint sponsor must each complete Form I-864"

This confuses my because I am technically able to support my husband on my salary alone, but I won't have my W2's and I'm worried that the NVC will think I haven't worked long enough.

Could you provide any recommendations as to what I should do?

Thank you for all your help.

[visastaketoolong000]

Thanks for your quick response, Ray.

I am still a little confused, because on the i-864, it states:

I have filed a Federal tax return for each of the three most recent tax years. I have attached the required photocopy or transcript of my Federal tax return for only the most recent tax year.

What should I do about this part? I did not file for 2014 since i did not work, and the years before that were just waitressing/retail jobs i had in college. The salaries from these jobs were probably below the poverty line. Should i still include them or no?

Also, form i-864 states that:

This section is used to determine the sponsor's household income. Take your annual individual income from Item Number 5. and enter it on Item Number 6.c. If this amount is greater than 125 percent (or 100 percent if you are on active duty in the U.S. military and sponsoring your spouse or child) of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for your household size from Part 5., Item Number 8., you do not need to include any household member's income. See Form I-864P for reference on the Poverty Guidelines.

Since I technically have a salary above poverty guidelines, won't the NVC find it unnessacary that I am using a household members salary?

You prepare an I-864 as primary sponsor, and include proof of your current employment. You list your mom as the household member joint sponsor on your I-864, and you add for I-864A from mom (of which you both sign on page 3), and include copy of her most recent Federal income tax return, W2 or 1099 forms, employment verification and proof of her U.S. status (copy of U.S. birth cert, or Green Card or Naturalization Cert).

--Ray B

[rayb]

You need to include a statement explaining why you did not file income tax returns for any of the last few years because you didn't make enough money to be required to file returns, and include copies of the IRS income tables for income levels requriing tax return filing.

Since you have no tax returns, even if your present income exceeds the sponsorship requirements (and include proof of your employment and income), it is advisable to use a co-sponsor.

--Ray B

Thanks for your quick response, Ray.

I am still a little confused, because on the i-864, it states:

I have filed a Federal tax return for each of the three most recent tax years. I have attached the required photocopy or transcript of my Federal tax return for only the most recent tax year.

What should I do about this part? I did not file for 2014 since i did not work, and the years before that were just waitressing/retail jobs i had in college. The salaries from these jobs were probably below the poverty line. Should i still include them or no?

Also, form i-864 states that:

This section is used to determine the sponsor's household income. Take your annual individual income from Item Number 5. and enter it on Item Number 6.c. If this amount is greater than 125 percent (or 100 percent if you are on active duty in the U.S. military and sponsoring your spouse or child) of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for your household size from Part 5., Item Number 8., you do not need to include any household member's income. See Form I-864P for reference on the Poverty Guidelines.

Since I technically have a salary above poverty guidelines, won't the NVC find it unnessacary that I am using a household members salary?

[visastaketoolong000]

Thank you for all your help, Ray.

Although I do not have a return for 2014, I do have ones for 2013, 2012, and 2010. Should I still include them? My salaries were most likely under the poverty guidelines, but I still received them nonetheless.

You need to include a statement explaining why you did not file income tax returns for any of the last few years because you didn't make enough money to be required to file returns, and include copies of the IRS income tables for income levels requriing tax return filing.

Since you have no tax returns, even if your present income exceeds the sponsorship requirements (and include proof of your employment and income), it is advisable to use a co-sponsor.

--Ray B

[rayb]

A 2013 Federal income tax return still has credibility for sponsorship purposes.

--Ray B

Thank you for all your help, Ray.

Although I do not have a return for 2014, I do have ones for 2013, 2012, and 2010. Should I still include them? My salaries were most likely under the poverty guidelines, but I still received them nonetheless.

[visastaketoolong000]

A 2013 Federal income tax return still has credibility for sponsorship purposes.

--Ray B

Again, thank you for all your help, Ray.

I've been reading some disheartening posts that the NVC is very slow right now and that they often find mistakes on the i864 that can seriously prolong the time at NVC. Is this entirely true? Is it normal for the NVC processing to take longer than 4 months?