The Journey Continues

Be wise and shop wise

2009-02-18T16:19:00.001-08:00

Talking about the economic status is really a pain in the ass if you ask those people who really had a low income. Seeing the price of the gas hike can really make our face blow in red. But if we at least try to spend a little and budget our money wise I think we can still survive. (Hello to the stimulus check that Mr. Obama just sign… sighhh.. a big relieve right?)

Anways, if you are just like me who loves to buy to bargain places or bargain sites online then I think we are saving the country and our soon to be kids, grandkids and etc. Have you tried searching and shopping your kids clothes online? I tell you, you can save a lot shopping online. Rather than spending gas to go to the mall and buying stuff that you don’t really need. Why not try search online and get the lowest price on earth.

It’s that really easy. I haven’t spent a lot on my baby stuff, so I tell you. If you’re on a budget don’t try to shop like a maniac. Shop smoothly and buy only the stuff that you need.

from hats to boots

2008-11-18T14:48:00.000-08:00

Carhartt began in 1889. The company’s first product was a pair of overalls for those who worked the railroads. Today Carhartt is known for durable apparel for all kinds of active workers. Carhartt clothes are not only durable, but they are comfortable and help you get the job done safely. You don’t need to worry about tears or rips when you’re wearing Carhartt.

Over 135 years of experience has gone into making them the top in the country. Whatever you are looking for, whether it is Carhartt jeans, shirts, Carhartt jackets, coveralls, Carhartt overalls, gloves or hats, they make it. With tear and abrasion resistance, you’ll be able to wear your Carhartt clothes longer than ever. Protect yourself with Carhartt’s flame resistant clothing.

If you are working in an environment that requires flame resistant gear, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Carhartt also leads the industry when it comes to long lasting blue jeans. All items are perfectly measured to guarantee you a premier fit. The technology you’ll find in Carhartt clothing is untouchable. National Workwear has everything Carhartt you need from head to toe, or shall we say ‘from hats to boots’.

Direct Mail Program Adds Form N-400, Application for Naturalization

2008-10-13T21:45:00.001-07:00

WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Services (USCIS) announces publication of a Federal Register Notice that expands the Direct Mail program to include Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. The notice advises the public to file non-military N-400 applications with the appropriate Lockbox and provides a 30-day transition period whereby the Service Centers will forward any N-400 applications received at their facilities to the appropriate Lockbox. Applicants should continue to file Military N-400 cases at the Nebraska Service Center (NSC). In addition, in order to assist military spouses, NSC will also accept and process N-400s filed by spouses of active members of the military.

Beginning on October 14, 2008, applicants must submit Form N-400 and related supplements to one of two new USCIS Lockbox facilities for initial processing, using the following addresses:

If You Reside In:

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Territory of Guam, Northern Mariana Islands

File N-400 with:

USCIS Lockbox Facility, USCIS,
P.O. Box 21251
Phoenix, AZ 85036

Private Courier (non-USPS)
USCIS, Attn: N400
1820 E Skyharbor Circle
S. Floor 1, Phoenix, AZ 85036

If You Reside In:

Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, DC, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands.

File N-400 with:

USCIS Lockbox Facility, USCIS,
P.O. Box 299026
Lewisville, TX 75029.

Private Courier (non-USPS)
USCIS, Attn: N400
2501 S. State Hwy 121, Bldg. 4
Lewisville, TX 75067.

Since 1998, Form N-400, Applications for Naturalization, have been filed at the four Service Centers. The Service Centers completed initial processing on the cases before the cases were forwarded to the local USCIS Field Offices for interviews. During 2008, the processing of N-400s is undergoing change through a two-step process. First, N-400 cases were transferred internally, by the Service Centers to the National Benefits Center (NBC). The NBC, located in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, began to accept N-400 cases from the Service Centers in June 2008. During the time that the first step was taken, there was no change to where the applicants filed their applications.

The Federal Register Notice begins the second step of the process, requiring the public to file their applications directly with a Lockbox facility beginning October 14, 2008. Each Lockbox facility will scan the documents submitted and complete the data entry and fee processing steps before forwarding accepted applications on to the NBC for further processing. The NBC will not accept any N-400 filings mailed directly from the public.

The N-400 form instructions have been updated to reflect the new filing procedures. Other updates to the form instructions include inserting the requirements to submit two passport-style photographs and a copy of the Permanent Resident Card for applicants who are lawful permanent residents.

Related Files

Direct Mail Program Adds Form N-400, Application for Naturalization (35KB PDF)

Last updated: 09/15/2008

USCIS Delays Implementation of Direct Mail Program For N-400, Application for Naturalization

2008-10-13T21:43:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today it will delay implementation of the Direct Mail Program for the N-400, Application for Naturalization. A Federal Register notice is scheduled to be published Oct. 10, 2008, announcing this delay.

Last month, USCIS published a notice in the Federal Register, which would have changed the filing address for N-400s from USCIS Service Centers to two lockbox facilities in Arizona and Texas. Implementation of this new process would have begun Oct. 14, 2008.

USCIS is delaying implementation of this new filing procedure to conduct additional tests of the technology involved. Accordingly, the Sept. 12 notice will be withdrawn Oct. 10, 2008.

Applicants for naturalization should continue to submit their Form N-400 according to the instructions on the form until further notice. In almost all cases, this means applicants will submit their N-400s to a USCIS Service Center.

For additional information, visit us on the Web at www.uscis.gov or call the National Customer Service Center at (800) 375-5283.

Related Files

USCIS Update (60KB PDF)

Protect your child

2008-09-11T19:41:00.001-07:00

Do you love your kids? Do you really care about them? Then secure them. Every time you go shopping or just going to the park and need to use the car please used a car seat.

Car Seats are life saver and they really made to protect our kids and our newly born. In fact you can’t able to take home your new born child from the hospital if you down own one of the car seats.

Car seats are now very handy so when you’re driving you know that your child is protected. There's no avoiding this purchase when you have a new baby in your life -- car seats are a vital safety device.

Concerned that you won't find a safe car seat for your child? Don't worry; all new car seats must meet the current Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. As far as choosing the right car seat, it is all a matter of what fits in your vehicle, how easy it is to use and how long your child can use it.

USCIS to Offer Premium Processing for Certain Form I-140 Petitions

2008-07-02T15:36:00.001-07:00

Service Begins June 16, 2008

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that on June 16, 2008, it will begin accepting Premium Processing Service requests for Forms I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) filed on behalf of certain alien workers who are nearing the end of their sixth year in H-1B nonimmigrant status.

Premium Processing Service offers 15 calendar-day processing for designated employment-based petitions and applications upon request. There is a nonrefundable fee of $1000 for this service. During the 15-day period, USCIS will issue either an approval or denial notice, a notice of intent to deny, a request for evidence, or open an investigation for fraud or misrepresentation. USCIS previously designated certain classifications under Form I-140 for Premium Processing Service in the May 23, 2006 issue of the Federal Register. See 71 FR 29662.

USCIS is limiting Premium Processing Service for Form I-140 petitions that are filed on behalf of aliens:

Whose sixth year will end within 60 days;
Who are only eligible for a further extension of H-1B nonimmigrant status under section 104(c) of the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first Century Act of 2000 (AC21); and
Who are ineligible to extend their H-1B status under section 106(a) of AC21.

Section 104(c) of AC21 permits applicants to extend their stay in H-1B nonimmigrant status in increments of up to three years, provided they are the beneficiary of an approved Form I-140 and an immigrant visa is not immediately available. Section 106(a) of AC21 permits applicants to extend their stay in H-1B nonimmigrant status in increments of up to one year, provided the Form I-140 petition or underlying labor certification has been pending for at least 365 days.

For more details on Premium Processing Service for the Form I-140 petitions described in this announcement, see the "How Do I Use the Premium Processing Service" page in the Related Links section of this page or the Fact Sheet also linked in the Related Links section.

Related Files

Update (34KB PDF)

USCIS Announces a Proposal to Increase Periods of Stay for TN Professional Workers From Canada or Mexico

2008-05-20T16:57:00.002-07:00

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it is publishing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to increase the maximum amount of time a Trade-NAFTA (TN) professional worker from Canada or Mexico can remain in the United States before seeking readmission or obtaining an extension of stay. The proposal will extend the maximum period of admission for TN workers from one year to three years, the same term that USCIS currently may grant to H-1B specialty occupation workers.

The proposed rule will further allow eligible TN nonimmigrants to be granted an extension of stay in increments of up to three years, as opposed to the current maximum of one year. TN nonimmigrants are not subject to a maximum period of stay and thus may seek multiple readmissions or extensions, provided their intended professional activity continues and they remain otherwise eligible. Current regulations require that TN workers seek readmission or apply for an extension of stay each year.

Canadian and Mexican citizens seeking temporary entry to the United States as professionals may come into the country as TN nonimmigrants under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). TN status is available to Canadian and Mexican citizens with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, or appropriate professional credentials, who work in professions listed in Appendix 1603.D.1 to Annex 1603 of the NAFTA and under DHS regulations at 8 CFR 214.6(c). Eligible TN professions include, but are not limited to, accountants, engineers, attorneys, pharmacists, scientists, and teachers.

The NPRM, once implemented as a final rule, will ease administrative burdens and costs on TN nonimmigrants and will benefit U.S. employers by increasing the period of time beneficiaries are allowed to remain in the United States under a TN visa. The proposed changes would also apply to spouses and unmarried, minor children of TN nonimmigrants in their corresponding nonimmigrant classifications as NAFTA dependents.

This improvement to the TN nonimmigrant category was initially announced by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Department of Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez on Aug. 10, 2007. This is part of the Administration’s 26 initiatives to address current immigration challenges, including making existing temporary worker programs like the TN program more effective, using the tools and authorities available under existing law.

The NPRM is available under the related links section of this page. It will soon publish in the Federal Register. Once published, persons wishing to comment on the TN professional worker NPRM may access the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal and follow the instructions for submitting comments. USCIS will accept public comments until 30 days from the date the NPRM is published in the Federal Register.

For more information on the TN nonimmigrant visa program, call the National Customer Service Center at (800) 375-5283.

Related Files

USCIS Announces a Proposal to Increase Periods of Stay for TN Professional Workers From Canada or Mexico (36KB PDF)

Online Marketing Services

2008-05-20T16:57:00.001-07:00

Are you looking for help in Internet Marketing Service, Search Engine Optimization, Website Promotion, Banner Ad Service, Affordable Online Marketing Services Company? Well DiscountClick Online Marketing Services is here to help you.

Discountclick is confident that you'll find the most affordable and economical search engine optimization, placement services & link building features comparable to much more expensive optimization services available on the market. They are the perfect affordable link builder outsourcing solution. Their staff will build quality links to your site on a monthly basis to promote your website.

Discountclick is confident you'll find our list management distribution services & features comparable to much more expensive services available on the market. So check them out.

USCIS Announces Enhancements to E-Verify Program

2008-05-06T17:11:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today improvements to the E-Verify employment authorization program that will reduce an already low mismatch rate, while also streamlining and increasing the effectiveness of the overall program.

Today's announcement comprises the first two phases of an overall three-part enhancement for E- Verify aimed at decreasing the mismatch rate for naturalized citizens.

“Less than one percent of all work-authorized employees receive a tentative nonconfirmation through E-Verify," said USCIS Acting Director Jonathan Scharfen. "While this is a very small percentage, we believe every employee who is authorized to work in the United States should be instantly authorized by the program. We're confident that the enhancements we're launching today will help us achieve that goal."

Starting today, the E-Verify system will include naturalization data, which will help instantly confirm the citizenship status of naturalized U.S. citizens hired by E-Verify employers. Naturalized citizens who have not yet updated their records with the Social Security Administration (SSA) are the largest category of work-authorized persons who initially face an SSA mismatch in E-Verify. Additionally, a naturalized citizen who receives a citizenship mismatch with SSA can call USCIS directly to resolve the issue (in addition to the option of resolving the mismatch in person at any SSA field office.)

E-Verify also will now include real time arrival data from the Integrated Border Inspection System. This additional data source will reduce the number of immigration status related mismatches for newly arriving workers who have entered the country legally.

USCIS also plans to initiate citizenship status records information sharing with SSA to further help prevent tentative nonconfirmations from occurring. This effort will improve the efficiency of E-Verify by providing to SSA with the most accurate and timely citizenship status information. E-Verify also plans to check against Department of State passport records in the near future to even further reduce mismatches.

More than 64,000 employers participate in E-Verify with approximately 1,000 new enrollments weekly. The Web-based system allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of newly-hired employees. E-Verify evolved from the Basic Pilot/Employment Eligibility Verification Program originally developed in 1997 and made available to employers as a Web-based system in 2004. USCIS operates the program in partnership with SSA.

Additional details on the program are available on the related links portion of this page.

Related Files

USCIS Announces Enhancements to E-Verify Program (29KB PDF)
Improvements Will Focus on Decreasing Mismatch Rates for Naturalized Citizens

Checking your case Status Online

2008-05-01T20:43:00.001-07:00

Finding the Status of Your Case
If you have an application receipt number, you can check the status of your case online .

" If you were granted permanent resident status or entered the U.S. with an immigrant visa more than 60 days ago and have not received your first permanent resident card, please call 1-800-375-5283 "

Obtaining a List of Processing Dates
If you would like to see the Processing Dates for Applications and Petitions, click here .

Case Status Portfolio with Updates via Email
USCIS Customers (single applicant) and Representatives (representing many cases, such as lawyers, charitable groups, or corporations) who require regular access to status information about multiple cases can create an account to more conveniently access this information. The services provided are identical, except Representatives may also enter their own internal office tracking number with each receipt number.

In addition, you can choose to receive automatic case status updates, which will be sent via email.

Create/Edit customer portfolio account
Create/Edit representative portfolio account
Login to an existing account.

Para tener acceso a este sitio en Español, presione aquí .
To see this site in "Text only" without graphics, click here .

05-01-2008 11:43 PM EDT

Boost your Profits and Increase your Sales

2008-05-01T20:40:00.000-07:00

Since I started filling for my naturalization and petition for my husband, I just know that I’ll be in need of financial help. But I can’t able to ask my relatives back in here because were all paying our own loans and personal stuffs. But because time is running out and I really wanted to petition my husband I decided to use my credit card.

It was a very much relieve for me knowing that I can able to continue the processing of my husband papers with the help of my Visa and Master Card. And I am just so proud that I didn’t even ask a little help from other people throughout the processing. And the good news is my husband is here already and can able to help me pay my credit cards. What a trick uh?

So for those people who are looking for a better solution especially those business owners who are looking for a better way to boost their profits and wanted to increase sales and currently do not offer credit cards as a payments option, then this is the best time and you will be very glad that the Five Star Payments is here to help you. Check their site at http://www.fivestarpayments.com/

Finding Legal Advice

2008-04-28T18:09:00.000-07:00

You may choose to be represented by an attorney or accredited representative when filing applications or petitions with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). But, you should be aware of the following information to help protect yourself from fraudulent activities committed by individuals posing as attorneys or accredited representatives.

Know Your Rights

If you choose to have a representative when filing an application or petition with USCIS, you may be represented by an attorney or an accredited representative of a recognized organization. A representative must file a “NOTICE OF ENTRY OF APPEARANCE AS ATTORNEY OR REPRESENTATIVE” (Form G-28) along with the application or petition. In matters filed within the United States, only attorneys and accredited representatives may communicate on your behalf to USCIS and receive information from USCIS regarding your application or petition. If you are filing an application or petition at an office outside the United States, you may be represented by an attorney admitted to the practice of law in that country.

If you need legal advice about an immigration matter but cannot afford to hire an attorney, you may be able to ask an attorney, an association of immigration lawyers, a state bar association, or an organization specially -accredited to provide such assistance about the availability of free or reduced cost legal services on immigration issues.

Attorneys

Attorneys must be a member in good standing of the “bar” of a U.S. State (or U.S. possession, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia) and not be under any court order restricting their practice of law. Attorneys will check the first block on Form G-28 and must provide information regarding their admission to practice. The best way to protect yourself is to ask to see the current attorney licensing document for the attorney, make a note of the admission number if any, and to contact the State bar admission authorities to verify the information. A lawfully admitted attorney should honor your request for this information, as State Bar practice rules require disclosure of this information to clients. You may also access this information through that States bar website. Before you pay attorney fees for help with your immigration case, make sure that the individual is a licensed attorney.

Accredited Representatives

Accredited representatives must work for a Recognized Organization in order to be eligible to represent you before USCIS and file a Form G-28. They may be authorized to practice before the Immigration Courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and/or USCIS. The best way to protect yourself is to ask to see a copy of the BIA decision granting official recognition to the Accredited Representative and Recognized Organization. An accredited representative of a recognized organization should honor your request. Recognized organizations may only charge nominal (inexpensive) fees, if any, for providing services in immigration matters. An accredited representative of a recognized organization should honor your request. You may also check the Recognition Accreditation Roster maintained by the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR.) The EOIR website can be found under "Related Links" on this page.

Important Information Regarding Notarios, Notary Publics and Immigration Consultants

Notarios, notary publics and immigration consultants may NOT represent you before USCIS. They may not give you legal advice on what immigration benefit you may apply for or what to say in an immigration interview. These individuals may NOT hold themselves out as qualified in legal matters or in immigration and naturalization procedure and may only charge nominal (inexpensive) fees as regulated by state law. In many other countries, the word "notario" means that the individual is an attorney, but that is not true in the United States. Individuals seeking help with immigration questions should be very careful before paying money to non-attorneys.

Notary publics and immigration consultants MAY help you by filling in the blanks on pre-printed USCIS forms with information you provide or by translating documents. Individuals helping you in this way are required by law to disclose to USCIS their assistance by completing the section at the bottom of a petition or application concerning the "Preparer" of the form.

How to Protect Yourself from Becoming a Victim

1. DO NOT sign blank applications, petitions or other papers.

2. DO NOT sign documents that you do not understand.

3. DO NOT sign documents that contain false statements or inaccurate information.

4. DO NOT make payments to a representative without getting a receipt.

5. DO NOT pay expensive fees to non-attorneys.

6. DO obtain copies of all documents prepared or submitted for you.

7. DO verify an attorney’s or accredited representative’s eligibility to represent you.

8. DO report any representative’s unlawful activity to USCIS, State Bar Associations and/or State Offices of Attorneys General.

USCIS Releases Projected Naturalization Processing Times For Local Offices

2008-04-22T22:34:00.000-07:00

Washington—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released today the projected times for local offices to complete processing of applications for citizenship from individuals who filed during the summer of 2007.

Last July, USCIS received 460,000 applications for naturalization. That was three times the record for any previous month. For the year, USCIS received 1.4 million naturalization applications, almost double the normal annual volume.

USCIS is hiring and training hundreds of additional immigration officers to adjudicate these cases. The agency is also conducting naturalization interviews on weekends, after normal business hours and in additional locations.

The processing times listed below provide a sense of how quickly a case may be processed if there are no complicating factors. Still, some cases will take longer to complete for such reasons as:

an applicant has been asked to submit additional information and their case is pending until they comply, or
an applicant fails the naturalization test and has 60 days to prepare before they are retested, or
the FBI name check is still in progress.

Projected Local USCIS Office Processing Times at end of September 2008

Office	Months	Office	Months
Agana, Guam	8.6	Newark, NJ	10.3
Albany, NY	7.2	Norfolk, VA	14.6
Albuquerque, NM	8.7	Oklahoma City	8.6
Anchorage, AK	8.7	Omaha, NE	5.8
Atlanta, GA	9.9	Orlando, FL	14.4
Baltimore, MD	14.0	Louisville, KY	7.1
Boise, ID	14.2	Manchester, NH	14.6
Boston, MA	9.9	Memphis, TN	9.8
Buffalo, NY	6.4	Miami, FL	14.2
Charleston, SC	14.1	Milwaukee, WI	6.8
Charlotte Amalie, VI	7.9	Mount Laurel, NJ	11.6
Charlotte, NC	14.4	New Orleans, LA	14.5
Chicago, IL	8.6	New York, NY	10.1
Cincinnati, OH	7.5	Newark, NJ	10.3
Cleveland, OH	7.5	Norfolk, VA	14.6
Columbus, OH	7.4	Oklahoma City, OK	8.6
Dallas, TX	13.7	Omaha, NE	5.8
Denver, CO	8.2	Orlando, FL	14.4
Des Moines, IA	5.8	Philadelphia, PA	11.8
Detroit, MI	8.0	Phoenix, AZ	14.4
El Paso, TX	14.2	Pittsburgh, PA	6.0
Fort Smith, AR	8.6	Portland, ME	7.3
Fresno, CA	12.6	Portland, OR	9.7
Harlingen, TX	6.5	Providence, RI	14.2
Hartford, CT	14.3	Reno, NV	7.3
Helena, MT	5.0	Sacramento, CA	7.8
Honolulu, HI	6.8	Salt Lake City, UT	8.6
Houston, TX	14.0	San Antonio, TX	9.8
Indianapolis, IN	5.7	San Diego, CA	9.1
Jacksonville, FL	7.6	San Francisco, CA	8.6
Kansas City, MO	10.4	San Jose, CA	14.2
Las Vegas, NV	14.1	San Juan, PR	13.0
Los Angeles, CA	14.3	Seattle, WA	9.8
Louisville, KY	7.1	Spokane, WA	6.9
Manchester, NH	14.6	St Albans, VT	8.3
Memphis, TN	9.8	St Louis, MO	10.8
Miami, FL	14.2	St Paul, MN	8.6
Milwaukee, WI	6.8	Tampa, FL	11.3
Mount Laurel, NJ	11.6	Tucson, AZ	14.4
New Orleans, LA	14.5	Washington, DC	14.7
New York, NY	10.1	West Palm Beach, FL	9.0
		Yakima, WA	14.1

Related Files

USCIS Releases Projected Naturalization Processing Times For Local Offices (38KB PDF)

Last updated: 04/22/2008

USCIS to Allow F-1 Students Opportunity to Request Change of Status

2008-04-19T19:10:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it would allow F-1 students who are the beneficiaries of selected H-1B petitions for fiscal year (FY) 2009 to request a change of status in lieu of consular notification.

This short-term measure follows an April 8, 2008 interim final rule that, among other actions, automatically extends the F-1 status of qualifying students who are the beneficiaries of approved H-1B petitions to cover the gap between the expiration of a student’s F-1 status and the H-1B employment start date of October 1. To obtain the automatic extension, a student must be the beneficiary of an H-1B petition filed for the next fiscal year (with an October 1 employment start date) and have requested a change of status. For F-1 student beneficiaries of petitions that USCIS subsequently rejects, denies, or revokes, or for those who violate their status, the automatic extension terminates at that time.

Since the rule was published after the filing period had closed for new FY 2009 H-1B petitions, many petitioners of F-1 students did not include a request for a change of status with the H-1B petition. Instead, petitioners requested consular notification based on the assumption that these students would have been required to leave the United States to obtain an H-1B visa at a consular office abroad.

USCIS has determined that it will allow petitioners of F-1 students whose H-1B petitions were randomly selected to receive an H-1B visa number for FY2009 following the closure of the filing period, to now request a change of status on behalf of qualified beneficiaries, if such requests are received within 30 days of the issuance of the receipt notice.

To request a change of status in lieu of consular notification, petitioners (or authorized representatives) should send an e-mail with the request to the USCIS service center where their petition is pending within 30 days of the issuance of the receipt notice. Special email addresses for each service center have been established specifically for this purpose. These addresses are listed below and are posted on USCIS’ website. Petitioners should e-mail their requests for change of status in lieu of consular notification upon receipt of the notice so the agency has the request before completing H-1B petition adjudication. The requests should include the receipt number and both the petitioner’s and beneficiary’s name, date of birth, I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) number, and Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) number. Please do not contact the service center about requesting a change of status until after receiving the receipt notice.

E-mail addresses for requesting change of status are:

VermontService Center
Premium Processing cases: VSCPPCAPGAP.Vscppcapgap@dhs.gov
Non-Premium cases: VSCNONPPCAPGAP.Vscnonppcapgap@dhs.gov

CaliforniaService Center
Premium Processing cases: CSC.ppcapgap@dhs.gov
Non-Premium cases: CSC.nonppcapgap@dhs.gov

NOTE: If an F-1 student, who is the beneficiary of a selected 2009 H-1B petition, has a pending request to change to a status other than H-1B but now wants to file under the process outlined above, he or she should withdraw the previously filed change in accordance with established regulations.

Tips for Filing Petitions and Applications to the National Benefits Center

2008-04-18T19:06:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the National Benefits Center (NBC) Filing Tips page. This page has been designed to provide helpful hints to applicants, attorneys, and representatives when filing petitions and applications with the Chicago Lockbox and NBC.

Tips for Filing Petitions and Applications to the National Benefits Center
April 2008

General

1. Follow the form’s instructions carefully:

Use the most current edition of the form. (You can access the most current edition by selecting “Forms” in the “Related Links” section in the upper right of this web page.)
Respond to all questions and provide information in the answer blanks and check boxes.
Print or type information using black ink only. IMPORTANT: Do NOT “highlight” or “background shade” entries
Make sure the applicant or petitioner signs the form as instructed.
Include the correct fee specified in the form instructions. Attach the fee or fee waiver by paper clip or staple in the upper left corner of the completed form application or petition.
Provide all requested documentation and evidence with the application or petition.
Follow the instructions on the notice you receive for biometrics/fingerprinting. The date, time, and location of your appointment will be provided. Take all receipt notices you have with you to your appointment.

2. Submit your application or petition package with:

Primary application or petition (completed, with applicant/petitioner’s signature).
Fee payment or waiver stapled or paper-clipped to the upper left corner of your form.
I-797 Receipt or Approval Notice in support of the filed form.
Any requested supporting documents.
Form G-28, if applicable (with original signatures of both the representative and the applicant or petitioner).

3. Take the following steps to avoid delays in processing applications or petitions through the Chicago Lockbox.

Do NOT send original passports or other valuable personal documents. Make sure that copies of original passports or personal documents are made on standard white letter-sized paper (8.5” x 11”)
Use paperclips when attaching supporting personal documents to forms (do NOT use “ACCO” fasteners; staples are acceptable when attaching fees).
If a payment is submitted, attach it to the first primary application or petition by paper clip or staple, and make sure the name of the applicant is indicated on the payment document (i.e., in the memo field). IMPORTANT: If more than one application is filed using a single check, and any of the forms are found to be improperly filed, ALL forms will be rejected.
Make checks or money orders payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.”
Always use the same name and the same version of the name on all forms that pertain to the same person (I-485, I-765, I-131, etc.).
In the address section of any document, the “care of” line is for names only, such as an attorney, firm/organization, or a building. Do not put a street address in the “care of” section.
“Place of Birth” always means country of birth.
Include the date of birth on all forms in the designated field in MM/DD/YYYY format.
The applicant or petitioner must sign each application or petition submitted.

4. The Chicago Lockbox will accept the payment of fees via:

Money order.
Cashier’s check.
Personal check.
Cash is NOT accepted.

5. If you make your payment by check, please note that it will be converted into an electronic funds transfer (EFT). This means the Lockbox will copy your check and use the account information on it to electronically debit your account for the amount of the check. The debit from your account will usually occur within 24 hours and will be shown on your regular account statement. You will not receive your check back. The Lockbox will destroy your original check but will keep a copy of it. If the EFT cannot be processed for technical reasons, you authorize the Lockbox to process the copy in place of your original check. If the EFT cannot be completed because of insufficient funds, the Lockbox may try to make the transfer up to two times. After two attempts, the Lockbox will turn the check over to Debt Management for collection.

6. These guidelines apply to individual applicant packages as well as family packages. Family packages should be sent together, if possible. Every effort will be made to schedule these cases together for interview. However, if a Request for Evidence (RFE) is necessary for one family member, the entire family package will be held together until the RFE response is received.

Adjustment of Status
Family Package Guidelines

________________________________________
Remittance for father’s I-485 Remittance for mother’s I-485
Father’s G-28 Mother’s G-28
Father’s I-485 Mother’s I-485
Father’s I-485 supporting documentation Mother’s I-485 supporting documentation
Remittance for father’s I-765* Remittance for mother’s I-131*
Father’s I-765 Mother’s I-131
Father’s I-765 supporting documentation Mother’s I-131 supporting documentation
________________________________________
Remittance for child #1’s I-485 Remittance for child #2’s I-485
Child #1’s G-28 Child #2’s G-28
Child #1’s I-485 Child #2’s I-485
Child #1’s I-485 supporting documentation Child #2’s I-485 supporting documentation
Remittance for child #1’s I-765* Remittance for child #2’s I-131*
Child #1’s I-765 Child #2’s I-131
Child #1’s I-765 supporting documentation Child #2’s I-131 supporting documentation
________________________________________

* No fee is required for I-765 or I-131 applications if they are filed concurrently with the I-485 application under the new fee schedule (7/30/07). If the I-765 or I-131 applications are filed separately, applicants must include a copy of the I-485 Receipt Notice with the stand-alone applications. The names on stand-alone applications MUST match the I-797 receipt notices exactly to be accepted without fees.

7. Read the I-797 Receipt Notice carefully. Wait the amount of time listed before inquiring on the status of your case. The processing time is different for each form type.

8. All foreign language documents must be submitted with a corresponding English translation. This English translation must be certified by a translator who is competent to translate and who must verify in writing that “the translation is true and accurate to the best of the translator’s abilities.”

Check on your visa availability status by calling the National Visa Center at (603) 334-0700, or review the “Related Links” section in the upper right corner of this page for the U.S. Department of State website.

Find out about your case status and application processing time by calling the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 1-800-375-5283, or review the “Related Links” section in the upper right corner of this page for the Case Status Online link.

G-28
Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative

1. Be sure that the G-28 is signed by BOTH the petitioner or applicant, depending on the form submitted, as well as the attorney or accredited representative.

2. If multiple applications or petitions are submitted for other family members, or for different applicant or petitioners, make sure that a separate G-28 is signed and submitted by each petitioner or applicant.

I-485
Family-Based Adjustment of Status (AOS)

1. Provide the beneficiary’s information and complete the form with the signature of beneficiary of the I-130. Do NOT provide information or signature of the petitioner.

2. On Part 2, Application Type, be sure to check only one (1) box.

3. On Part 2, Application Type, if marking box “h,, be sure to name the program under which the applicant is applying (e.g., “Amerasian,” “Lautenberg,” and “Western Hemisphere”).

4. When submitting evidence of eligibility, a copy of the I-130 Receipt Notice or Approval Notice is sufficient, BUT it is important that each page of evidence is marked as “COPY.” Otherwise, the Chicago Lockbox may believe the document to be misfiled and attempt to locate the payment of fees, which could result in rejection of the entire package of forms due to insufficient fees.

5. If filing under Section 245(i), submit evidence (labeled “COPY”) of a previously filed Form I-130, Form I-140, or other immigrant visa petition or a previously filed Application for Labor Certification that was received on or before April 30, 2001 (the sunset date for the Section 245(i) provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act), along with a properly completed Supplement A. Even if you fall under one of the categories of applicants who are exempt from the $1,000 surcharge, you must still submit a completed Supplement A with your I-485 application packet if filing under Section 245(i).

6. All initial evidence should be submitted at the time of filing. Initial evidence is all evidence listed in the form instructions.

7. Applicants should include the I-693, Medical Examination, and I-864, Affidavit of Support, (if required) with the I-485 filing. These two forms are listed in the I-485 instructions and are considered initial evidence. Ensure that the I-864 is signed by all relevant parties (sponsor, joint sponsor, etc.).

8. All applicants required to submit I-693, Medical Examination, are also required to submit a Supplemental Form I-693, Immunization Record. However, applicants who last entered the United States as a K nonimmigrant (I-94 Arrival/Departure Record and/or the nonimmigrant visa page in passport shows K-1, K-2, K-3, or K-4 as admission code) are usually required to submit only the Supplemental Form I-693 (immunization record) with the Form I-485.

9. The I-693, Medical Examination, and I-864 should include any supporting evidence requested by the instructions. Do not have the civil surgeon mail the I-693 to the NBC. If responding to a request for evidence, the I-693 must be submitted with the request for evidence letter so the response is matched to the proper file. Do not submit chest x-ray film as part of your medical examination.

10. The I-693, Medical Examination, and/or Supplemental I-693, Immunization Record, must be submitted unopened and in the sealed envelope from the civil surgeon. The civil surgeon should provide a copy of these forms to the applicant before sealing them in the envelope that is submitted with the I-485 application.

11. Ensure that W-2s, past tax returns for the most recent tax year, and/or evidence of current employment are submitted with the I-864, Affidavit of Support, for all relevant parties (sponsor, joint sponsor, etc.).

12. Tax return transcripts are generally available for the most recent tax year, and can be ordered by completing a Form 4506-T or by calling the Internal Revenue Service at (800)829-1040 and following the prompts in the recorded message. There is no charge for the transcript, and you should receive it in 10 business days from the time of your request. Have the transcripts sent to you; do NOT have the IRS send your transcript directly to the NBC. If responding to a request for evidence, your transcript must be attached to the request for evidence letter.

13. A copy of W-2s for the prior year can be obtained from your employer. If this is not possible, you can order and pay for copies of your entire return from the IRS. To receive a copy of your return or transcript, complete and mail Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return, or Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return. You should allow 60 calendar days for a response. Have the transcripts sent to you, do NOT have the IRS send your transcript directly to the NBC. If responding to a request for evidence, your transcript must be attached to the request for evidence letter to be matched to the proper file.

14. Ensure the sponsor and/or joint sponsor on Form I-864 provides evidence of their status when the I-864 is submitted. The petitioner sponsor or substitute sponsor must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident (LPR). The joint sponsor can be a U.S. national, U.S. citizen, or LPR.

Request for Evidence

1. All initial evidence should be submitted at the time of filing. If the initial review finds that initial evidence is missing, the NBC will generally issue a request for evidence (RFE) for the missing documentation.

2. Adjudication of ancillary benefit applications (I-765 and I-131 applications) may be delayed if all initial evidence in support of the principal application is not submitted at the time of filing.

3. Applicants should submit the response to the RFE (with the original request) as quickly as possible to the office issuing the request. Do NOT send the response to the Chicago Lockbox.

4. Always return the entire original request for evidence (color copy) with the complete response to the request for evidence. DO NOT mail portions of the original request for evidence separately. Make a photocopy of the original request for evidence for your files. Returning the original RFE will make the response easier to identify in the incoming mail and get the response filed with the file as quickly as possible so that the processing of the case can continue.

5. The following are the most common reasons for a request for evidence:

I-864, Affidavit of Support, related:
- Submission of an I-864 by petitioner/sponsor
- Correct version of the form
- Submission of an I-854 by a joint sponsor
I-693, Medical Exam/Supplemental I-693, Vaccinations
Marriage/birth certificates and English translations
Evidence of Eligibility (I-797, Notice of Pending/Approved I-130/I-129F, Evidence of Nationality, etc.)
Legal entry

I-130
Petition for Alien Relative

1. Either Block 13 (“If you are a U.S. citizen…”) OR Block 14 (“If you are a lawful permanent resident…”) must be completed.

2. Complete Part B (“Information about you”) with the petitioner’s information and Part C (“Information about your relative”) with the beneficiary’s information.
The petitioner is the U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident.
The beneficiary is the alien relative (and applicant on Form I-485.)

3. Items B6 and C6, addressing marital status MUST be completed (when the beneficiary is a child, mark “single”).
• For your information, USCIS defines a “child” as unmarried and under 21. Any reference to a “child” found in this document means unmarried and under 21. For USCIS purposes, the difference between a “child” and “son” or “daughter” is age or marital status. Unmarried sons or daughters are 21 years of age or over. Married sons or daughters are any age but married so he or she is no longer a “child” for USCIS purposes.

4. Submit completed G-325s and pictures for both the petitioner and beneficiary in spousal cases.
• Beneficiary copy: Must be signed by the beneficiary.
• Petitioner copy: Must be signed by the petitioner.

5. Submit both the petitioner’s and beneficiary’s birth certificates with English translations (if needed).

6. Submit photocopies of the petitioner’s Permanent Resident Card (I-551), U.S. passport, Naturalization Certificate, or other acceptable evidence of status. Do not send the original documents.

7. Submit divorce decrees for all prior marriages for the petitioner and beneficiary, not just the most recent one.

I-765
Application for Employment Authorization

1. Check only one box in the section stating, “I am applying for”:

Permission to Accept Employment
Replacement
Renewal of my permission to accept employment

IMPORTANT: your application will be rejected if you do not check any of the boxes.

2. Fill in an eligibility category in the parentheses of Section 16, Eligibility under 8 CFR 274.a.12.

3. Make sure that the information you provide on the I-765 application matches the information you provided on relating applications/petitions (e.g., Form I-140/I-485 applications). If you are filing an I-765 application and you paid the new fee (effective 7/30/07) for your I-485 application, make sure the first, middle, and last names on the I-765 application match the I-797C Receipt Notice for the I-485.

4. File your application as directed in the I-765 instructions. The filing location is determined by the employment category that the applicant is applying for.

5. Make sure that the information (name, date of birth, address, etc.) are correct prior to submission of the application.

6. If a Request for Evidence has been sent for the primary I-485 (or the I-130 petition, if concurrently filed), NBC will place a “processing hold” on any associated applications that were filed concurrently with the I-485.
Note: A Request for Evidence stops the regulatory 90-day clock (8 CFR 103.2 (b)(10)(i)).

I-131
Application for Travel Document

1. Submit two passport style photos and evidence of the underlying application or petition with the application at the time of filing.

2. If you are filing an I-131 application and you paid the new fee for your I-485 application, make sure the first, middle, and last names on the I-131 application match the I-797C Receipt Notice for the I-485.

3. If, at the time of adjudication, the previously issued I-512 advance parole authorization had 120 days or less validity time remaining, then the NBC will issue a new I-512 with the validity date beginning with the date the I-131 was adjudicated/approved.

4. If a Request for Evidence has been sent for the primary I-485 (or the I-130 petition, if concurrently filed), NBC will place a “processing hold” on any associated applications that were filed concurrently with the I-485.
Note: A Request for Evidence stops the regulatory 90-day clock (8 CFR 103.2 (b)(10).

Expedite Requests

1. If an applicant has an urgent need to travel and has already filed an I-131 with the NBC, the applicant or his or her representative should visit the local Field Office by making an InfoPass appointment or call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 1-800-375-5283. The Field Office will consider the merits of the request, and will forward requests that they determine to require expedited handling to designated points of contact at the NBC.

2. If an applicant has not yet filed an I-131 and needs an expedited Advance Parole document, the I-131 may be filed in person at the local Field Office after an InfoPass appointment has been made. IMPORTANT: Note that expedited processing is done at the discretion of the Field Office, based upon the evidence provided by the applicant.

3. If an applicant has an urgent need to have a I-765 application processed to receive an employment authorization document, the applicant must make an InfoPass appointment and visit the local Field Office. The Field Office will determine if the applicant’s situation warrants expedited processing, and, if so, will forward the request to designated NBC points of contact to process and expedite the case.

4. Please keep in mind that expedite requests for applications and petitions will be considered based upon the following criteria:

Severe financial loss to company or individual
Situations of extreme emergency
Humanitarian situation
Nonprofit status of requesting organization advocating the cultural and social interest of the United States
Department of Defense or National Interest Situation (Note: Request must come from an official U.S. Government entity, stating that delay will be detrimental to the U.S. Government.)
USCIS error
Of compelling interest to USCIS

E-Filing

1. For e-filed cases, read all instructions before attempting to file. Complete all fields possible. Case status can be checked online.

2. Read and follow instructions on the Confirmation Receipt that is printed at the time of e-filing, including instructions regarding where to send supporting documentation, if required.

3. Applicants will receive ASC Appointment Notices scheduling them to appear at the Application Support Center (ASC) for collection of the biometrics (photo, fingerprint, and signature).

I-290B
Notice of Appeal or Motion

1. Motions to Reopen or Reconsider can be filed with the USCIS office that made the unfavorable decision within 30 calendar days of the decision.

2. Motions to Reopen or Reconsider can be filed with the Chicago Lockbox. The Chicago Lockbox does not accept any motions that are filed without associated fees. Note: This guidance pertains to motions filed relating to applications and petitions that were originally processed through the Chicago Lockbox/NBC (i.e., this does not pertain to Service Center cases).

I-539
Application To Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status

1. The National Benefits Center only processes Form I-539 for V and K3/K4 nonimmigrant status. Applicants filing under V and K nonimmigrant status should complete Form I-539, and follow the instructions contained in Supplement A to Form I-539, as well as those contained in Form I-539.

2. To determine if you may be eligible for a V visa, please refer to the instructions on the form.

3. An alien applying for V status with USCIS should submit proof of filing of the immigrant petition that qualifies the alien for V status, and if necessary, proof of filing I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Such proof may be:

I-797 , Notice of Action, that serves as the receipt notice or notice of approval
Receipt for a filed Form I-130 or Form I-485
Notice of Approval issued by a local Field Office

4. If the applicant is filing for an extension of V status, he or she must submit proof of previous V status, such as a copy of the I-94 showing V status or the last I-539 approval notice showing V status.

5. If an applicant is filing for an extension of stay for a V nonimmigrant status and the extension is filed late, the applicant will need to file an I-539 for a “change of status” by marking box “b” under Part 2 of the I-539. This will require that the applicant pay the required fingerprint fee.

6. Applicants will receive ASC Appointment Notices scheduling them to appear at the ASC for fingerprinting.

7. If an extension of V status has been granted under the provisions of the Akhtar v. Burzynski decision after the applicant is over the age of 21, then the applicant will need to continue to file for extensions. If the applicant does not file for an extension before the validity period expires, then he or she will no longer be able to file for an extension of status and will not be eligible to file for a change of status.

The Akhtar v. Burzynski, 383 F. 3d 1193 (9th Cir. 2004) decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit allows some unmarried sons or daughters of Lawful Permanent Residents to continue to receive extensions of his or her V non-immigrant status.

8. K3 and K4 nonimmigrants can file an I-539 for an extension of status while their permanent residence case is being processed. If the I-130 has been approved, they will need to submit proof that they have filed an I-485 application. If the I-130 is still pending, they will need to submit proof of marriage.

9. An applicant filing for either V or K nonimmigrant status can submit a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, at the same time as the I-539 application to request renewal of his or her employment authorization. If filing the I-765 separately, the applicant must include proof of V or K-3/K-4 status.

10. An alien with V nonimmigrant status who departs the United States must obtain a V visa from a consular office abroad in order to be readmitted to the United States as a V nonimmigrant.

I-102
Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document

1. Make sure that the information you provide in Part 3, Question 3 of the I-102 application matches the information you provided in the original Form I-94.

2. A copy of the biographic page of the applicant’s passport must be submitted as well as a copy of the nonimmigrant visa and admission stamp(s).

3. If filed concurrently with other forms, include a separate check for the I-102.

I-824
Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition

1. Form I-824 is used to request further action on a previously approved petition or application. Note: I-824 is not for verifying status of a pending petition/application. USCIS will not process Form I-824 if the petition or application was denied. Form I-824, if submitted concurrently with Form I-485, will not be adjudicated until a decision is made on Form I-485.

2. If you are filing this application for a derivative who is living abroad, and you want USCIS to notify a specific U.S. consulate that your status has been adjusted to that of a lawful permanent resident so that your spouse and/or children may apply for an immigrant visa, please file under reason C in Part 2 of the form, “Reason for request.”

3. Complete Part 1 (“Information about you”) with the petitioner’s information if requesting action on a visa petition (I-130, I-140). Make sure the information provided is filled out completely and accurately, with information neatly contained in the proper blanks and applicable boxes checked.

4. Be sure to attach copies, showing the front and back, of the following documents, if available:

Original petition or application
Form I-797, Notice of Action, for the original petition or application
Form N-550, Certificate of Naturalization

I-360
Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant

1. The National Benefits Center only accepts certain Form I-360, Petitions for Amerasians, Widow(er)s, or Special Immigrants. The Chicago Lockbox will accept Form I-360 under the following conditions:
• Amerasians: The Chicago Lockbox will accept Form I-360 as a stand-alone application or when it is filed concurrently with Form I-485.
• Widow or Widowers: The Chicago Lockbox will accept Form I-360 widow/widower filings only if they are filed concurrently with Form I-485.
• Special Immigrant Juveniles: The Chicago Lockbox will accept Form I-360 as a stand-alone application or when it is filed concurrently with Form I-485.
• Armed Forces Members: The Chicago Lockbox will accept Form I-360 only if it is filed concurrently with an I-485.

2. The Chicago Lockbox does not accept all I-360 forms. Please read the form instructions carefully to make sure you submit your application to the correct Service Center/National Benefits Center which has jurisdiction over your case.

3. On Part 2, Classification Requested, be sure to mark the correct classification for the application.

I-90
Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card

1. I-90 applications can either be filed through the Los Angeles Lockbox, or can be filed electronically through the E-Filing system. All I-90 applications are given MSC receipt numbers.

2. The National Benefits Center only processes I-90 application with the reason “b,” “My authorized card was never received,” and “d,” “My card was issued with incorrect information because of a USCIS administrative error.” Please follow the I-90 instructions on where to file I-90 applications with these reasons. There is no filing fee for either of these reasons.

3. Do not use Form I-90 if you are a conditional resident and your status is expiring. If you became a conditional resident based on:

Marriage to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, submit Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence; or
A financial investment in a U.S. business, submit Form I-829, Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions.

4. Applicants will receive Appointment Notices scheduling them to appear at the ASC for collection of the biometrics (photo, fingerprint, and signature) and fingerprinting.

AR-11
Change of Address

1. Applicants are required to inform USCIS of their change of address by filing Form AR-11. Applicants should also report their change of address to the National Benefits Center either online at www.uscis.gov, by calling the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 1-800-375-5283, or by writing to:

USCIS-NBC
PO Box 648005
Lee’s Summit MO 64002

2. Petitioners should report their change of address to the National Benefits Center online by selecting “NBC Change of Address” in the “Related Links” section in the upper right of this web page, by calling the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 1-800-375-5283, or by writing to:

USCIS-NBC
PO Box 648005
Lee’s Summit MO 64002

3. Attorneys or Representatives should report their change of address to the National Benefits Center either online by selecting “NBC Change of Address” in the “Related Links” section in the upper right of this web page, by calling the National Customer Service Center (NSCS) at 1-800-375-5283, or by writing to:

USCIS-NBC
PO Box 648005
Lee’s Summit, MO 64002

Note: A change of address must be submitted for each client an attorney or representative has. The National Benefits Center is unable to update the system base on attorney/representative name only.

Tips for Filing Petitions and Applications to the National Benefits Center

Step-by-Step Guide on How to File an I-130 for Relative

2008-04-17T22:26:00.000-07:00

Step-by-Step Guide on How to File an I-130 for Relative (spouse) Outside the US.

These are the basic steps required by the US Citizen. These steps should be followed as a guideline and not as specific requirements for any given case. Every case is unique and this does not address that uniqueness.

Note to K3 Applicants: This process also applies to K3 Visa applicants whom have had their I-130 approved prior to their I-129f. In this case you may chose to persue the I-130 path as opposed the the K3. This will allow the immigrating relative to enter as a permanent resident as opposed to having to file for adjustment once here. If the I-129f is later approved and forwarded to the embassy then you can write them to request the approved I-130 be acted on and the K-3 process abandoned.

Download the Following Forms:

I-130 2. G-325a

The above forms can be filled out on your computer and printed. Make sure you sign and date them as required. Anything you cannot fit by typing, you can handwrite (very neatly) in black ink in the blank instead. You should always verify the current forms at www.uscis.gov.

Assembling the I-130 Package: Checklist
Forms and Documents (follow these assembly instructions. All supporting documents must be in English or be translated as noted here.):

1. Payment as required by USCIS. Use a personal check if allowed by the Service Center (as of 4/2005 they do allow this). If not, use a money order so you can track the payment.

2. Cover Letter. Should include a description of what your are petitioning for (I-130), a table of contents (list everything in the packet). If you need additional room to explain your case, attach a separate sheet (list the attachment on the cover sheet). Make sure to sign and date the cover sheet.

3. Form I-130: Petition for Alien Relative

4. Copy of the full Birth certificate (front and back) for the US Citizen or a copy of ALL pages of the US Citizen's passport. This is used to establish citizenship.

5. A copy of petitioner's proof of naturalization. (If applicable)

6. A copy of petitioner's proof of permanent residency. (If applicable)

7. ~~A copy of the intending immigrant's birth certificate and/or passport along with English translation. (If in any language other than English)~~ (no longer needed)

8. A copy of your marriage certificate (If not inEnglish then again get a translation)

9. If either you or your spouse were previously married, submit copies of documents showing that all prior marriages were legally terminated (court certified copies of the petitioner's and/or intending immigrant's divorce documents).

10. A copy of a prior spouse's death certificate. (If one or both of you were married before, and the prior spouse died)

11. G-325A (all four pages) filled out by the US Citizen signed and dated

12. One passport-type photo (see specification) of the petitioner. Write the full name on the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the bag "Photo of <Insert Name>". Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding G-325a.

13. G-325A (all four pages) filled out by the non-US Citzen spouse signed and dated

14. One passport-type photo (see specification) of the non-US Citzen spouse. Write the full name of the beneficiary on the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the bag "Photo of (insert name) ". Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding G-325a.

15. Evidence of a bonafide marriage (see note below for what to include)

Note: Evidence of a Bonifide Marriage
The USCIS now requires that when filing an I-130 for a spouse that you include evidence of a bonifide marriage. They list examples of acceptable evidence as:

1. Documentation showing joint ownership or property; or

2. A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence; or

3. Documentation showing co-mingling of financialresources; or

4. Birth certificate(s) of child(ren) born to you, thepetitioner, and your spouse together; or

5. Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties havingpersonal knowledge of the bona fides of the maritalrelationship (Each affidavit must contain the full nameand address, date and place of birth of the person makingthe affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner ofbeneficiary, if any, and complete information and detailsexplaining how the person acquired his or herknowledge of your marriage); or

6. Any other relevant documentation to establish that thereis an ongoing marital union.

Mail the I-130 Package to the USCIS

Effective December 3, 2007, all petitioners filing stand-alone Form I-130 are encouraged to submit their petitions to the Chicago Lockbox instead of a USCIS Service Center. I-130 petitions filed with the Chicago Lockbox will be routed to, and adjudicated at, the appropriate USCIS Service Center. This routing will be based on the petitioner’s place of residence in the United States. You will receive a notice in the mail indicating what Service Center your petition was routed to.

--o Petitioners who reside in AK, AZ, CA, CO, Guam, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MS, MT, Nebraska, NV, ND, OH, OR, SD, UT, WA, WI, or WY are encouraged to file their stand-alone Form I-130s with the Lockbox using the following address: USCIS P.O. Box 804625 Chicago, IL 60680-1029

--o Petitioners who reside in AL, AR, CT, DL, FL, GA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OK, PA, Puerto Rico, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, U.S. Virgin Islands, WV, or District of Columbia are encouraged to file their stand-alone Form I-130 with the Lockbox using the following address: USCIS P.O. Box 804616 Chicago, IL 60680-1029

Mail the package with return receipt requested / delivery confirmation. Send via USPS.

IMPORTANT!
Make TWO copies of the entire package before you send it in. This includes the money orders too. You want to have a perfect replica of the package you are sending in. All Forms that you submit must be originals with original signatures. Supporting Evidence that you submit may be photocopies. Retain ALL original supporting Evidence since the USCIS has the right to check them by issuing an RFE (Request For Evidence). If you receive an RFE, follow the direction exactly, and make two copies of what you sent back. During any future interviews the USCIS may also want to examine the original supporting evidence.

What Happens After You Mail the I-130 Out?

A few weeks after you have sent your petition to the USCIS you will receive a Notice of Action (aka NOA) letter indicating that they have begun processing your I-130 application. You can check the status of your application as well as other processing time information here.

When your I-130 petition is finally approved, the service center that processed your petition, will send you another Notice of Action letter indicating your approval, and the forwarding of your approved petition to the National Visa Processing Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, along with a phone number to contact the NVC with. Your case will now only be dealt with by the NVC. The service center that you filed with, will have no more knowledge on the status of your petition or case.

A few weeks after you have received your last Notice of Action indicating the approval and forwarding of your I-130 application to the NVC, the NVC will send your relative a packet of forms that you and your relative must fill out before your relative can be given an interview date with a consulate abroad. The packet will likely contain an Of-169 form, and an Of-230 part one and two forms that must be filled out by the intending immigrant. An I-864 form is also included that must be filled out by the petitioner (living in the US). The I-864 is the Affidavit of Support form that requires copies of the petitioners past 3 U.S tax returns (or tax transcripts which are free from the IRS) as well as any bank or financial records available (see the I-864 for exact requirements based on your case). The petitioner must make at least 125% above the U.S federal poverty to indicate to the U.S government that the intending immigrant will not become a federal charge to the government when he/she arrives in the U.S.. If the petitioner cannot meet these requirements, then he/she must still file an I-864, and find a joint sponsor who can meet the requirements on his/her own. When a joint sponsor is needed ,proof of their U.S citizenship or permanent residency is required. (i.e. copy of birth certificate, immigration status etc). The joint sponsor must be residing in the U.S, and he/she must also submit his/her past 3 years U.S tax returns along with bank or any other financial records available. The joint sponsor must submit his/her own I-864 form to accompany the petitioner's I-864 form.

Forms that may be either sent back (or requested to be gathered and kept for the interview) to the NVC or the consulate abroad (depending upon which consulate you are going through) before an interview date with a consulate abroad can be scheduled are as follows:

Pre-Interview Forms / Items:

1. Completed and signed OF-169.

2. Completed and signed Of-230 Part 1 and 2 forms.

3. I-864 Affidavit of Support Form along with past 3 year U.S tax returns (or transcripts) and any other financial documents required.

4. A copy of intending immigrants biographic page of passport(s) including expiration date.

5. Original or certified "long" birth certificate. *

6. Original adoption decree. (if applicable)

7. Marriage certificate. (if applicable)

8. Divorce decree(s) or death certificate(s) (if applicable)

9. Police certificate(s) **

10. Court and prison records.(if applicable)

11. Custody records. (if applicable)

12. Military records (if applicable)

* Per the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), they may also be unavailable. Or certain countries don't have individual birth certificates as understood in the US, but the FAM will describe the suitable document. The consulate can explain the alternate requirements to the beneficiary in detail. ** On police clearances, as per the FAM, they may be unavailable. Or with some countries [Korea comes to mind], they will be sent directly to the consulate from the involved government. The consulate can explain the alternate requirements to the beneficiary in detail.

After the NVC or Consulate Abroad receives the above forms and supporting documents (which may not all be required to mail back at that time), an interview date will be scheduled for the intending immigrant at a consulate abroad. The NVC or the consulate abroad will send your relative a letter indicating at what time and day the interview is scheduled for, and of required forms that must be brought to the interview. Make two copies of each original document or piece of evidence below and bring them with you. Documents needed are:

Interview Forms / Items:

1. Valid Passport.

2. Original or certified "long" birth certificate. *

3. Original adoption decree. (if applicable)

4. Original or certified copy of the marriage certificate. (if applicable)

5. Original death certificate. (if applicable)

6. Original divorce decree. (if applicable)

7. Police certificate. **

8. Court record(s) (if applicable).

9. I-864 Affidavit of Support Form along with past 3 year U.S tax returns (or transcripts) and any other financial documents required. (see poverty limits here)

10. Court and prison records.(if applicable)

11. Medical examination information

12. Two passport-type photos (see specification) of the spouse or benefitiary

* You should have the originals on hand at this point for the Final Interview. Per the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), they may also be unavailable. Or certain countries don't have individual birth certificates as understood in the US, but the FAM will describe the suitable document. The consulate can explain the alternate requirements to the beneficiary in detail.

** On police clearances, as per the FAM, they may be unavailable. Or with some countries [Korea comes to mind], they will be sent directly to the consulate from the involved government. The consulate can explain the alternate requirements to the beneficiary in detail.

On The day of your relatives (or spouses) interview, he/she must bring EVERY document listed above that applies to your case, and should be prepared for a long wait. There may be additional forms required. The interview appointment sheet will contain a list of everything you must bring. It will also tell you the payment amount due and the forms of payment accepted.

The interview can last for as littles as 10 minutes or up to an hour depending upon your specific case. You relative will take an oath under US law to tell the truth, and it is very important that your relative answer every question as truthfully as possible. In general, it is a good idea that your relative bring documentation to prove strong ties and a relationship with you, the petitioner. (i.e. phone bills, letters etc.) If the consulate officer approves your relative's immigrant visa application, your relative will be issued an immigrant visa that allows your relative to become a US permanent resident. Your relative will become a U.S permanent resident only when he/she enters the U.S at a port of entry, until this time, he/she only has an immigrant visa that is valid up to 6 months from the interview date. If your relative cannot immigrate to the U.S within the 6 month allotted time, then his/her immigrant visa will expire, and the I-130 process must start all over again. Also, if your relative is your wife or husband and you have been married for less then 2 years at the time of his/her arrival at a port of entry, then he/she will receive a temporary I-551 Stamp and then later a Green Card by mail good for only 2 years. Ninety days before the green card expires you will have to file an I-751 form to remove it's conditional status.

As a general note, please see the I-130 FAQs here.

IR1 and CR1 Immigrant Visas Processing (Introduction)

2008-04-17T16:11:00.000-07:00

Introduction

IR1/CR1 Visas are immigrant visas issued to foreign spouse of the U.S. Citizen. If you follow this process, your foreign spouse will complete the visa process completely outside the US, and then arrive in the US and become Permanent Resident immediately. Once the immigrant visa holder enters the Unites States through a US Port of Entry they will receive a Green Card in the mail (at their US address) within a few weeks. Additionally, sometimes the immigrant visa holder will have their passport stamped at the Port of Entry with an I-551 stamp (indicated their Legal Permanent Residency Status).

To obtain either visa, you must meet the following requirements:

You must be legally married. Merely living together does not qualify a marriage for immigration Unmarried partners are ineligible to sponsor visas to the United Stated.
You must be 18 years old before you can sign the Affidavit of Support, which is a form that will be required later in the process.

Differences Between IR1 and CR1 Visas

IR1 (IR stands for "Immediate Relative") Visas entitle their holder to receive Permanent Residency within the United States for a period of 10 years (may be renewed)
CR1 (CR stands for "Conditional Residency") Visas entitle their holder to receive "Conditional" Permanent Residency within the United States for a period of 2 years

The deciding factor on which visa an applicant is issued (IR1 versus CR1 visa) is the amount of time that they have been married at the time the visa is issued. If an applicant has been married to their US Citizen spouse for a period of two years or greater they will be issued an IR1 Visa. If they have been married less than two years they will be issued a CR1 Visa. A CR1 Visa will result in the applicant obtaining "conditional" permanent residency within the US and after a period of two years the applicant can apply to "Remove Conditions" 90 days before the conditional permanent resident card expires and they will be issued a regular 10 year green card.

IR1 or CR1 Visa Application Process

The US Citizen Spouse may petition for the non US Citizen spouse by filing an I-130 form with the USCIS. This form will be processed and sent to the National Visa Center and then forwarded to the Embassy nearest the non US Citizen Spouse. That embassy will collect the necessary information and conduct a visa interview where an IR1 or CR1 Visa may be issued.

Notice of Action (NOA)

2008-04-16T16:08:00.000-07:00

Summary

A Notice of Action (NOA) form (I-797 Form) is a printed form that the USCIS creates to document certain "processing" milestones on petitions. Typically an NOA form is printed when a petition is entered into the USCIS system (after being received) and again when the petition has been processed and a final decision reached. The USCIS will mail the NOA to your place of residence (listed on your petition). It may take a week for the NOA to reach you via the US Postal Service.

Frequently used terms

NOA1: Typically refers to the NOA printed when a petition is first received by the USCIS

NOA2: Typically refers to the NOA printed when a petition has been processed and a final decision has been made

Notice of Action Form Information

Notice of Action Forms contain very useful bits of information. NOA1's print the received date (the date your petition was received in the mail and entered into the system) and the NOA date (the date the NOA was printed). NOA2's contain the initial received date of the petition as well as the NOA date which indicates the date your application was adjudicated.

Examples:

NOA1, NOA2

Extra Bucks on Your Pocket

2008-04-16T15:56:00.000-07:00

As a soon to be mommy, it always pop to my mind that I need to give an extra effort to give a better life for my future kids. Earning an extra income for my kids needs is a good reason for me to think about looking for a part time job. But I know I cannot just leave home just like that.

So I decided to join this make money online. Thanks for this kind of opportunity that gives mom’s at home to still have a kick-back on having an extra income just by writing review on certain products online. So I know I really need to try this one.

I got bump into Blogsvertise and i decided to join. I registered and blog and got approved. So this could be the start of getting an extra income and make money online. Come on and join me. You can register here and start blogging away and get those extra bucks in your pocket.

NVC Online Payment System

2008-04-15T17:17:00.000-07:00

Wow! Finally an Online Payment System. Now we all know where all our payment and taxes going through right? Thanks for this New System, no need to go to post office to buy money order or issued check and let them got lost. Cheers to the New Technology...

A screenshot of the NVC Online Payment System for AOS Fee and IV Fee:

You can find the NVC Online Payment Here

A New and Updated NVC James Short Cut

2008-04-15T17:10:00.000-07:00

General Information

IMPORTANT!! This is ONLY for I-130, IR/1 and CR/1 cases. This does NOT apply to I-129 (K1 or K3) people.

James's Shortcuts are used to reduce the time spent in the postal system for IR/1 and CR/1 cases being processed at the National Visa Center (NVC). This time spent in the mail can be significant portion of the total NVC processing time.

James's Shortcuts were originally posted by James in VJ forum on May 14, 2005. There have been a few modifications over the years by forum members based on their suggestions and comments but the majority of the process remains the same today. James's Shortcuts mainly focus on generating bar codes for your documents and sending applicable documents while you are waiting for mail from the NVC. The NVC forms are available to anyone regardless of whether using the shortcuts or not but generating bar codes of your NVC case number and sending it to the NVC can cut major time normally spent waiting to receive those documents from the NVC via snail mail.

There doesn't seem to be any risk in using James's Shortcuts and there has been no reports of the NVC refusing anything generated using James Shortcuts. Although, some people are not comfortable with generating bar codes, James's Shortcuts can help them understanding the NVC process, provide tips, and prepare ahead of time on getting necessary documents for specific steps in the NVC process.

To use these shortcuts, you must:

Be able to read, and understand English, otherwise you will make mistakes and it will only make your time at the NVC longer.
You must be able to use a computer and follow directions.
You should read the NVC flowchart, and understand what is expected at each step as you go through the NVC process.
You need to understand that you can not speed up the processing of your forms at the National Visa Center.
James's Shortcuts will only reduce the time spent in the mail.

In order to use James's Shortcuts it is assumed that you will make the petitioner or USC the agent on the DS-3032.

Step 0 (Before NVC)

You can do most of below steps BEFORE your case gets transferred to the NVC. You will not know your NVC case number, but other than that you should have the following forms completed:

DS-3032: - Have it signed by the foreign spouse (beneficiary) and in the petitioner's hands before your case gets to the NVC.

The DS-3032 mailed out has the NVC case number barcoded on the top.

· Use a black marker and write the NVC case number in the horizontal box that says "Place Case Barcode Strip Here Before Mailing to the National Visa Center.". ALWAYS include the 3 letters in addition to the 10 numbers. Remember to write it clearly so it can be easily read!

· Follow these DS-3032 barcode instructions and print your own barcode. Use paste (not tape) to glue your barcode on the page. Tape will interfere with barcode reader.

Alternatively, the beneficiary can email their choice of agent in lieu of mailing the DS-3032. See Step 1.

I-864: - The petitioner can complete this form, and have it ready to mail in before your case arrives at the NVC.

IRS transcripts: You can request your tax return transcripts for previous 3 years for free from the IRS. There is no charge for the transcript and you should receive it in 10 business days from your request received at IRS.

· Call (800) 829-1040 and follow the prompts in the recorded message to request tax return transcript. This documents will be mailed to the address where you last filed your tax return.

· Mail Form 4506-T to request tax return transcripts to your preferred address.

DS-230: - part 1 and 2 (remember do NOT sign part 2). Have the foreign spouse (beneficiary) complete this, sign it, and have it in the petitioner's hands before you get to NVC. You may also begin gathering documents to send with the DS-230 to the NVC. These documents must be in original or certified copy. Certified copies are copies certified by issuing agency and not by a notary.

Birth Certificate [1]
Court and Prison Records [2]
Deportation Documentation [3]
Marriage Certificate [4]
Marriage Termination Documentation [5]
Military Records [6]
Photocopy of Valid Passport Biographic Data Page [7]
Police Certificate(s) [8]
2 Passport-sized photos of foreign spouse

Get NVC Case Number: You don't have to wait until you receive the NOA2 in the snail mail to find out your NVC case number. Once the online USCIS page says your case has been forwarded to the NVC You need to keep checking NVC Automated Messages during this time. You can enter your USCIS case number in the NVC Automated Messages. As soon as the NVC assigns a case number message will change to
"...This case was entered in the NVC computer system on _______. The case number assigned by the NVC is (Case #). Please allow 6-8 weeks from this date for the beneficiary to receive the documents"

Step 1 (DS-3032 and I-864 Fee Bill)

When NVC receives petition from USCIS, it takes few weeks to generate and mail I-864 fee bill and DS-3032. The DS-3032 will be mailed overseas to the foreign spouse (beneficiary) and I-864 fee bill will be mailed to USC (petitioner).

You need to keep checking NVC Automated Messages during this time.

The NVC phone message will say something like: "...NVC will mail...the beneficiary..." OR "DS3032 and AOS Fee Bill has been generated on________"

DS-3032

As soon as you hear above message, You have option to send DS-3032 via either of two methods.

Mail DS-3032. If you have DS-3032 signed by your foreign spouse as per STEP 0.
E-mail. If you don't have the DS-3032 signed by your foreign spouse.

If you choose to mail DS-3032 then use next day express mail to send DS-3032 at below address.

National Visa Center
Attn: ACL
32 Rochester Ave.
Portsmouth, NH 03801

If you decide to choose email option then have your foreign spouse send an e-mail to NVC. It takes about a week for NVC to send return e-mail with confirmation. For details and e-mail template see Email DS-3032 form.

I-864 Fee Bill

As soon as you hear the NVC Automated System message above, you have the option to send the I-864 (Affidavit of Support) Fee Bill via either one of two methods:

Send cashier's check or money order via regular Mail.
Online using U.S. based checking or savings account.

You should have a $70 USA cashier's check or money order made payable to: Department of State. Make sure to put your NVC case number in the memo field.

If you choose to mail the I-864 Fee Bill, you have two choices:

Wait on the fee bill to arrive from NVC and use original bar code. This method will not delay your overall time.
Make your own fee bill. I-864 Fee Bill Instructions

Use USPS Priority Mail with tracking option to send your fee bill and cashiers check to:

National Visa Center
PO Box 790135
St. Louis, MO. 63179-0135

Why is there no rush on the I-864 fee bill? As per the NVC Flowchart the foreign spouse side of the flowchart is slowed down later because as an agent you MUST wait for the IV fee bill. Also the I-864 does not have any dependencies for generating the IV fee bill or the DS-230. Thus the petitioner's (USC) paperwork can be sent in a little slower without affecting the overall NVC time line. However, it is advisable to do everything as fast as possible because if you make mistake or get an RFE then you would still have enough time to rectify the situation without impacting the overall NVC time line.

Starting April 2008, the NVC has an option to pay the I-864 Fee Bill Online using a secure website. All online payments are processed by the Department of Treasury through the Immigrant Visa Invoice Payment Center.

You will need the NVC Case Number and Invoice Identification Number(IIN) from the I-864 fee bill letter. Your IIN can be obtained by contacting the NVC by telephone and speaking to a live operator. The same IIN can be used again to pay Immigration Visa (IV) Fee bill in Step 3.

You will also need your U.S. based bank's routing number and your checking (or savings) account number. If you are paying from your checking account, this information is available on the bottom of one of your checks. It takes about 2-3 business days to clear this payment. Transaction for your Affidavit of Support Fee payments will appear as 'NVC AOS FEE' in your bank statement. You can not use your credit card as a method of payment.

You will have the option of printing or e-mailing an online receipt for your reference.

FAQ for I-864 fee bill online payment can be found at this link.

Step 2 (I-864)

Once the NVC system shows that it has received your AOS fee, it will generate the AOS/I-864 itself. The Phone message will say something like:

"...NVC has received the DS3032, Choice of Agent and Address form on______. and will send further instructions within the next few weeks..."

You should have already completed the downloadable version of Form I-864 (from Step 0) and accumulated the supporting documents pursuant to the instructions that come with the I-864 (tax transcripts, plus anything else your personal situation may need. Read the I-864 intructions).

(Note that what you send to the NVC with the I-864 depends upon your financial situation. Also, you may need to send in an additional I-864 from a joint sponsor, and/or an I-864A contract from a household member. We're assuming here that for the past three years, you have had -- and still have -- a regular job making over 125% of the poverty level and can prove it. Those who also need an I-864 from a joint sponsor and or a I-864A from a household member should amend the instructions here accordingly.)

You will need the I-864 coversheet.

Download the MS Word copy of the I-864 coversheet (available by clicking here[9]).
Change the XXX1234567890 at the bottom to your case number.
Go to idautomation to generate the barcode. [10].

Type the case number under "Data to encode."
Under "Barcode symbology," select CODE 39.
Select "No" for the "Add check digit,"
Select "No" for the "Add check digit to text,"
Select "No" for the "Show text below barcode" options.
Change the "X dimension" (bar width) to 0.07
Change the "Barcode bar height" to 0.7.
Click on "Create Barcode."
Right click on the barcode and click on Copy.

Paste the image into a graphics editing program such as IrfanView (either by selecting Paste under the Edit menu or hitting Ctrl + V on the keyboard)
Crop out the gray text "Powered by IDAutomation.com (i.e., draw a box around the barcode only and, e.g., in IrfanView, select Crop selection under the Edit menu).
Copy the image from the graphics program either by selecting Copy under the Edit Menu or by hitting Ctrl+C on the keyboard.
Go to the MS Word copy of the I-864 coversheet
Select the old barcode that's already there and hit the Delete key.
Click on Paste under the Edit menu (or hit Ctrl + V on the keyboard).
You then need to further adjust the size of the barcode by right-clicking on it and clicking on "Format Picture."
Click on the "Size" tab.
De-select "Lock aspect ratio"
Change the height to 0.4"
Change the width to 3.45"
Click on "OK."

You should include a cover letter with the I-864 package. With the cover letter, the order recommended by the NVC for the documents in the I-864 package is:

Cover letter
Barcoded cover sheet
I-864
Copy of tax returns from last three years along with copies of W2s
IRS Tax transcripts (Alternative to copy of tax return but you can send both)
Letter of employment
Last three pay stubs

Make sure to write your case number in the upper right-hand corner of EVERY page.

Send the package to:

National Visa Center
ATTN: CMR
32 Rochester Ave.
Portsmouth, NH 03801-2909

Step 3 (IV Fee Bill)

After your DS-3032 is received by NVC, the IV (Immigrant Visa) fee bill will be generated. Unfortunately, because NVC generates an apparently random transaction number and puts it after the case number in the barcode on the IV fee bill, it is not possible to send in the IV fee bill as soon as NVC generates it therefore you will have to use the one NVC sends you.

However, an experimental shortcut/payment stub has been developed by Chris Parker and was attempted by a VJ forum member indianheart. Unfortunately these steps did not work.

For more information see:
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=89722
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=110073

You have the option to send the IV Fee Bill via either one of two methods:

Send cashier's check or money order via regular Mail.
Online using U.S. based checking or savings account.

Mail the IV Fee Payment to the following address. If you are still need to pay AOS Fee Bill then you can use following address:

National Visa Center
PO Box 790136
St. Louis, MO 63179-0136

Starting April 2008, the NVC has an option to pay IV Fee Bill Online using a secure website. All online payments are processed by the Department of Treasury through the Immigrant Visa Invoice Payment Center.

You will need the NVC Case Number and Invoice Identification Number(IIN) from the IV fee letter. This number can also be obtained by contacting the NVC by telephone.

You will also need your U.S. based bank's routing number and your checking (or savings) account number. If you are paying from your checking account, this information is available on the bottom of one of your checks. It takes about 2-3 business days to clear this payment. Transaction for your Immigrant Visa Fee payments will appear as NVC IV FEE in your bank statement.

You will have the option of printing or e-mailing an online receipt for online IV Bill payment for your reference.

FAQ for IV fee bill online payment can be found at this link.

Step 4 (DS-230)

Back in Step 0, your spouse should have download, fill out, and sign the downloadable version of the DS-230. Depending on the country, your spouse may only need to fill out and sign part I because he or she will be sent part II by the embassy when the interview appointment is given. (This is called "Standard Processing" by NVC.) However, NVC requires that applicants from certain countries (called "Appointment Posts" or "Appointment Processing" by NVC) send in part II (filled out but unsigned), as well as original copy or certified copy of birth, marriage, divorce, police certificates, and various other records -- plus translations of everything. (This is so irrespective of whether you sent such documents in with your I-130 petition.)

You should find out as early as possible (e.g., at least by the time your NOA2 is approved) whether your spouse will have to obtain these extra documents and have her or him do so in order to have them in hand by the time you need to send in the DS-230. Go to http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3176.html [11], select the embassy your spouse will be going through from the drop-down menu and click on the Request Instructions button. An alert box will pop up telling you that you will now be directed to either Appointment Post or Standard NVC processing instructions. Click on OK, and on the next page, click on "Download all the immigrant visa instructions on [Standard/Appointment] NVC Processing Instructions." A PDF document will load. If you are going through Appointment Post NVC Processing, the list on the first page of the document under the topic heading "Documents the applicant needs to obtain and submit" will list the documents you will have to send into NVC with the DS-230 (The spouses of those going through Standard NVC processing will generally still have to obtain the same documents, but they will be brought to the embassy, which will provide the instructions as to those documents after it sets the interview date). Even more country-specific information regarding the civil documents required by the NVC/Embassy is located at the Dept of State web site - Select your country from the drop-down menu, then click "Jump to Country Documents" on the page that follows.

You will need to attach the coversheet to the completed DS-230 before sending it in.

Download the MS Word copy of the DS-230 Part I coversheet.
Change the BGT2007123456 at the bottom to your case number
go generate the barcode at idautomation [12].

Type in the case number under "Data to encode."
Under "Barcode symbology," select CODE 39.
Select "No" for the "Add check digit,"
Select "No" for the "Add check digit to text,"
Select "No" for the "Show text below barcode" options.
Change the "X dimension" (bar width) to 0.07
Change the "Barcode bar height" to 0.7.
Click on "Create Barcode."

In the resulting window, right click on the barcode and click on Copy.
Paste the image into a graphics editing program such as IrfanView (either by selecting Paste under the Edit menu or hitting Ctrl + V on the keyboard)
Crop out the gray text "Powered by IDAutomation.com (i.e., draw a box around the barcode only and, e.g., in IrfanView, select Crop selection under the Edit menu).
Copy the image from the graphics program either by selecting Copy under the Edit Menu or by hitting Ctrl+C on the keyboard.
Go to the MS Word copy of the DS-230 coversheet and left click on the old barcode that's already at the top, to the left of the words "INSTRUCTION PACKET AGENT."
Hit the Delete key.
Click on Paste under the Edit menu (or hit Ctrl + V on the keyboard).
The barcode may be underlined -- left click on it again and then de-select the "U" underline button in the MS Word Toolbar.
You then need to further adjust the size of the barcode by double-clicking on it.

Select the "Size" tab in the box that pops up.
De-select "Lock Aspect ratio" if it is selected
Change the height to 0.26"
Change the width to 2.13".
Click on OK.

Then go to the old barcode at the bottom of the page and select it.
Hit the Delete key.
Click on Paste under the Edit menu or hit Ctrl + V on the keyboard. (You may have to re-copy the generated barcode if you have somehow managed to copy something else in the interim.)
You then need to further adjust the size of the barcode by right-clicking on it and clicking on "Format Picture."

Click on the "Size" tab.
De-select "Lock aspect ratio"
Change the height to 0.4"
Change the width to 3.45".
Click on "OK."

Change the date on the cover sheet to the date your DS-230 was generated at NVC (i.e., the day -- usually a Monday -- before the IVR was changed to reflect DS-230 generation).

Note: I don't believe anyone cares about this date, so just do the best you can.

Replace the bracketed "[Agent Name]" below the small barcode at the top with your name (First Name Last Name) (not your spouse's), assuming you are the agent named on the DS-3032.
Replace the bracketed "[Beneficiary Name]" in the first line of the letter with your spouse's name (First Name Last Name).
Change the "BGT2007123456" in big bold letters at the bottom to your own embassy post/case number if you have not done so already.
In the second to last line of the cover sheet, replace the bracketed "[Petitioner Name]" with your name (Last Name, First Name).
Print the cover sheet out on a color printer if possible so the blue Statue of Liberty logo shows up as blue. (I’m not sure what, if anything, will happen if you print out in black and white, but if you don't have a color printer, you can send the document by e-mail to Kinko's and they can print it out in color.)

If you are going through Standard NVC Processing the only thing you will have to include beyond the DS-230 Part I and the cover sheet is a simple (i.e., not notarized) photocopy of the biographical information page from your spouse's passport.

Note: For China they also wanted EMS (The postal system in China) labels pre made out to send the p4 packet to the beneficiary. Wouldn't hurt to send them labels no matter what, but check with some of your countries forums to see.

Note2: As of 1-1-2008 NVC is requesting 2 passport photos be returned with the DS-230. Better send those in too.

If you are going through Appointment Post NVC Processing country, you will need to include not only the DS-230 Part I and a photocopy of the biographical information page from the passport, but also a filled out but unsigned DS-230 Part II and the other documents indicated in the Appointment Post NVC Processing Instructions discussed above. Send all of these things to the NVC address listed on the barcoded DS-230 cover sheet.

Original Thread Can be Found here

USCIS Reaches FY 2009 H-1B Cap

2008-04-13T22:27:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it has received enough H-1B petitions to meet the congressionally mandated cap for fiscal year 2009. USCIS has also received more than 20,000 H-1B petitions filed on behalf of persons exempt from the cap under the “advanced degree” exemption. Before running the random selection process, USCIS will complete initial data entry for all filings received during the filing period ending on April 7, 2008. Due to the high number of petitions, USCIS is not yet able to announce the precise day on which it will conduct the random selection process.

USCIS will carry out the computer-generated random selection process for all cap-subject petitions received. USCIS will select the number of petitions needed to meet the caps of 65,000 for the general category and 20,000 under the “advanced degree” exemption limit. USCIS will reject, and return filing fees for all cap-subject petitions not randomly selected, unless found to be a duplicate. USCIS will handle duplicate filings in accordance with the interim final rule published on March 24, 2008 in the Federal Register.

The agency will conduct the selection process for “advanced degree” exemption petitions first. All “advanced degree” petitions not selected will be part of the random selection process for the 65,000 limit.

USCIS Reaches FY 2009 H-1B Cap

Temporary Accomodation Made for FY 09 Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions

2008-04-09T16:54:00.001-07:00

Temporary Accomodation Made for FY 09 Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions

WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it will not reject an H-1B petition that is subject to the fiscal year 2009 cap solely on the grounds that it was received at the wrong service center (e.g., the petition may have been inadvertently mailed to the California Service Center instead of the Vermont Service Center or vice versa).

It is important to note this accommodation does not apply if the petitions were sent to the TexasNebraska Service Centers. or

USCIS is taking this limited, short-term measure to alleviate concerns from the public where an H-1B petition has been received by USCIS but at the incorrect Service Center. This measure applies only to H-1B petitions subject to the fiscal year 2009 cap that are received by USCIS before the close of business on the “final receipt date”. USCIS will announce the final receipt date once the agency determines it has received the number of petitions needed to fill the congressionally mandated limitations of 65,000 new H-1B visas and 20,000 U.S. advanced degree exemptions per fiscal year.

USCIS Updates Projected Naturalization Case Processing Time

2008-04-08T17:46:00.000-07:00

USCIS Updates Projected Naturalization Case Processing Time
Agency To Complete 36-percent More Naturalization Cases Than Last Year

WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it will finish more than one million naturalization cases during fiscal year 2008 – far exceeding the number of cases completed last year. This update comes following a thorough analysis of the work completed during the last six months.

“By the end of the year, I expect USCIS will have finished 36 percent more naturalization cases than last year without compromising national security or the integrity of the naturalization process,” said USCIS Director Emilio Gonzalez.

The agency recently updated the expected time it will take to complete naturalization cases, projecting processing times averaging 13-15 months. That’s a three month improvement from the 16-18 month projection that USCIS made six months ago.

A critical component of the strategy for addressing this workload is to quickly grow the capacity to handle the influx of additional cases. That includes expanding the USCIS workforce by adding nearly 3,000 new employees, detailing employees to work in the most heavily affected offices, quadrupling the funding for overtime and using Asylum Office facilities and staff to conduct naturalization interviews.

Last summer, USCIS received an unprecedented number of applications and petitions for immigration benefits. During June, July and August alone, USCIS received nearly three million filings, compared to 1.8 million filings during the same period the previous year. This sudden surge included 1.4 million naturalization applications last year – 460,000 in July alone. While historically filing increases have occurred in advance of fee increases, Presidential elections, immigration debates and new legislation, none of the past increases are close to the magnitude of the last summer’s surge.

For those Under FBI Name Checks

2008-04-07T22:31:00.001-07:00

USCIS and FBI Release Joint Plan to Eliminate Backlog of FBI Name Checks
Partnership Establishes Series of Milestones To Complete Checks

WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) today announced a joint plan to eliminate the backlog of name checks pending with the FBI.

USCIS and the FBI established a series of milestones prioritizing work based on the age of the pending name check. The FBI has already eliminated all name check cases pending more than four years.

“This plan of action is the product of a strong partnership between USCIS and the FBI to eliminate the backlogs and to strengthen national security,” said USCIS Director Emilio Gonzalez.

By increasing staff, expanding resources, and applying new business processes, the goal is to complete 98 percent of all name checks within 30 days. USCIS and the FBI intend to resolve the remaining two percent, which represent the most difficult name checks and require additional time to complete, within 90 days or less. The goal is to achieve and sustain these processing times by June 2009.

The joint plan will focus on resolving the oldest pending FBI name checks first. USCIS has also requested that the FBI prioritize resolution of approximately 29,800 pending name checks from naturalization applicants submitted to the FBI before May 2006 where the naturalization applicant was already interviewed.

The target milestones for processing name checks are:

Completion Goal	Category
May 2008	Process all name checks pending more than three years
July 2008	Process all name checks pending more than two years
November 2008	Process all name checks pending more than one year
February 2009	Process all name checks pending more than 180 days
June 2009	Process 98 percent of all name checks within 30 days and process the remaining two percent within 90 days

Taxpayers would get checks under economic stimulus plan

2008-04-03T16:01:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. taxpayers would get checks of several hundred dollars from the federal government under a plan to stimulate the economy, congressional and Bush administration officials said Thursday.

"Tens of millions Americans will have a check in the mail," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, said at a Capitol Hill news conference. "It is there to strengthen the middle class, to create jobs and to turn this economy around."

House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said, "I'm looking for quick action in the House. I hope that the Senate will follow quickly so that we can put this money in the hands of middle-income Americans as soon as possible."

Sources on Capitol Hill and at the Treasury Department said the plan would send checks of $600 to individuals and $1,200 to couples who paid income tax and who filed jointly.

People who did not pay federal income taxes but who had earned income of more than $3,000 would get checks of $300 per individual or $600 per couple.

A Democratic aide and Republican aide said there will be an additional amount per child, which could be in the neighborhood of $300.

Those who earn up to $75,000 individually or up to $150,000 as a couple will be eligible for the payments, said Republican and Democratic sources familiar with the tentative deal. Pelosi said as many as 116 million American families will get a rebate check.

Checks could be in taxpayer mailboxes by June, according to an Associated Press report.

From CNN NEWS

General Tips on Assembling Applications for Mailing

2008-03-29T16:28:00.000-07:00

General Tips on Assembling Applications for Mailing

Mark both the envelope and the cover letter as to the nature of the submission. Example: ORIGINAL SUBMISSION - BRIEF FOR AN APPEAL - RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - etc.
Use the appropriate mailing address and mark both the envelope and the cover letter as to the form type. Example: I-129; I-130; I-690; I-698, etc.
Provide both the receipt notice number and the A-Number as an identifier, if they are available.
If the packet is being resubmitted in response to a REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE (RFE), please place the notice requesting the additional evidence/information on the top of the packet. Also, please use the special mailing envelope provided.
If evidence is being submitted in support of a previously filed appeal or motion, a cover letter stating "BRIEF FOR APPEAL", etc., should be placed on top of the packet.
In preparing your packet, please take note of the following:

Do not use binders or folders that cannot be easily disassembled.
Use ACCO fasteners to hold together thick or bulky applications or petitions. Two-hole punching the top of the material for easy placement in the file is appreciated.
The use of tabs assist in locating items listed as attachments. The tabs should be placed on the bottom and not the side for ease in filing.
Avoid using heavy-duty staples; instead use ACCO fasteners or heavy clips.
Avoid submitting originals unless specifically required. Avoid submitting oversized documentation when possible.

If you are sending more than one case in an envelope, clearly separate the cases by rubber band or clip fasteners.
A form G-28 is not acceptable unless signed by the authorized representative and the petitioner (re: petitions) or the applicant (re: applications). Facsimile signature stamps are acceptable for the signature of the representatives. However, applicants/petitioners must live sign the initial Form G-28 submitted with the application/petition. Any subsequent Form G-28 relating to the same case may be a photocopy of the original, which should be already attached to the relating case.
Send copies of any prior approval notices with any new requests for extensions of stay, change of status or amended petitions.
Keep copies of all submissions. Don't assume the officer will have access to a prior file or record. Submit as complete a packet as possible so the case can be adjudicated from what you submit. Submit a complete packet of information for each petition or application. If officers have to review prior files or records, the adjudication of the case can be delayed substantially.
Be sure to complete all pertinent items on the petition or application. Ensure all entries on the forms are legible. Note the appropriate consulate, embassy, or a request to adjust status on the petition. Do note enter "N/A" when "None" is appropriate.
If you believe your situation to be unique, explain it fully in an attachment to the packet, not as a cover letter.
Please submit certified translations for all foreign language documents. The translator must certify that s/he is competent to translate and that the translation is accurate.

The certification format should include the certifier's name, signature, address, and date of certification. A suggested format is:

Certification by Translator

I [typed name], certify that I am fluent (conversant) in the English and ________ languages, and that the above/attached document is an accurate translation of the document attached entitled ______________________________.

Signature_________________________________
Date Typed Name
Address
USCIS no longer routinely requires submission of original documents or "certified copies." Instead, ordinary legible photocopies of such documents (including naturalization certificates and alien registration cards) will be acceptable for initial filing and approval of petitions and applications.

At the discretion of the officer, original documents may still be required in individual cases. Please be advised that USCIS no longer returns original documents submitted with the exception of Certificates of Naturalization, Forms I-551, Permanent Resident Card, Forms I-94, Arrival/Departure Document, valid passports, or those specifically requested by the officer. Such documents will be returned when they are no longer needed.
Reminder: The best way to locate records is through the receipt number and/or the A-Number. Always provide this information whenever possible. If you don't know the A-Number, provide a COMPLETE name and date of birth. ALSO: Provide ANY AND ALL names used by the individual, including aliases, maiden names, names used when originally admitted to the United States, etc. Providing this information is extremely helpful and speeds up processing time.
DUPLICATE FILINGS (without fee): Cases will be accepted as a duplicate filing only when USCIS has specifically requested that a duplicate be filed. In such a case be sure to submit the receipt number of original filing or any copies of notices received from USCIS on the first filing when submitting a duplicate petition or application.
The address block on the forms is the data field captured for all of our mailings. Consistent with the limitations on the number of characters per line (a maximum of 32) and the total numbers of lines (4) in that field, whatever is in the block will become the mailing address used by the system. The data in these fields is entered exactly as indicated on the forms. Please include internal routing symbols in the address block, especially for large organizations. It is better to abbreviate the name of the organization and have space for the routing codes than to fully spell out the name and have notices sit in the organization's mailroom.
Recognized authorities: Many I-129 petitions filed with evidence of the beneficiary's education or accomplishments include documentation submitted by various authorities. For example, petitions for artists and entertainers may incude evidence the beneficiary has received an award or other recognition of achievement. Petitions for individuals employed in a specialty occupation may include evidence the beneficiary belongs to a professional organization. When an individual's awards or membership is used to support a petition, evidence establishing the reputation of that organization must also be submitted. Examples of the type of evidence needed includes the following: the size and standing of the organization or the organization's requirements for membership and any other documentation which would establish the reputation of that organization.

When an opinion from a recognized authority is submitted, the opinion should state: the writer's qualifications as an expert; the writer's experience giving such opinions, citing specific instances where past opinions have been accepted as authoritiative and by whom; how the conclusions were reached; and the basis for the conclusions, including copies or citations of any research material used.
Any application or petition for an individual currently in F-1 status needs to include evidence the student has been maintaining status and has been authorized employment if applicable. Such evidence usually can be satisfied by submitting the latest Form I-20AB/I-20ID and a copy of the employment authorization card.

Immigration Forms

2008-03-28T16:11:00.000-07:00

Immigration Forms

This page can be found at http://www.uscis.gov/forms

Title	Form Number	Filing Fee	Edition
Change of Address	AR-11	$0.00	01/20/06. Previous editions accepted. NOTE: when using older versions, be sure to use addresses below or on the current AR-11.
Alien's Change of Address Card	AR-11SR	$0.00	1/20/06. Previous editions accepted.
Information Form	G-14	$0.00	02/28/05. No previous edition accepted. NOTE: Translations are available for reference purposes; the form must be completed and filed in English.
Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative	G-28	$0.00	9/26/00. Previous editions accepted.
Biographic Information	G-325	$0.00	7/14/06. Previous editions accepted.
Biographic Information	G-325A	$0.00	7/14/06. Previous editions accepted.
Biographic Information	G-325B	$0.00	7/14/06. Previous editions accepted.
Biographic Information	G-325C	$0.00	7/14/06. Previous editions accepted.
Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act Request	G-639	$0.00	11/13/06. Previous editions accepted.
Inquiry About Status of I-551, Alien Registration Card	G-731	$0.00	10/06/99, 06/22/01 Spanish, Chinese, Russian, and Vietnamese versions also acceptable. NOTE: The foreign language forms are for instructional purposes only. You must submit the English language version of the form.
Verification Request (Non-SAVE agencies)	G-845	$0.00	01/31/05. No previous edition accepted.
Document Verification Request (SAVE Agencies)	G-845S	$0.00	01/31/05. No previous edition accepted.
Return of Original Documents	G-884	$0.00	11/7/2006
Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document	I-102	$320	07/30/07. Previous editions accepted.
Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker	I-129	$320.00	07/30/07. Previous editions accepted.
Petition for Alien Fiance(e)	I-129F	$455. There is no fee for petitions for K-3 status based on an immigrant petition filed by the same U.S. citizen.	07/30/07, 11/24/06 editions can be used, no other editions accepted.
Nonimmigrant Petition Based on Blanket L Petition	I-129S	$0.00	01/16/07, 09/16/05 editions can be used, no other editions accepted.
Petition for Alien Relative	I-130	$355	01/31/08. Previous editions accepted.
Application for Travel Document	I-131	$305	2/26/08. Previous editions accepted. NOTE: Vietnamese translation is available for reference purposes; the form must be completed and filed in English.
Affidavit of Support	I-134	$0.00	2/28/07. Versions 12/04/06, 7/14/06 and 6/17/06 are also acceptable.
Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker	I-140	$475	10/12/07. Previous editions accepted.
Application for Advance Permission to Return to Unrelinquished Domicile	I-191	$545	07/30/07. Previous editions accepted.
Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Non-Immigrant	I-192	$545	07/30/07. Previous editions accepted.
Application for Waiver for Passport and/or Visa	I-193	$545	Mar-05
Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the United States After Deportation or Removal	I-212	$545	07/30/07. Previous editions accepted.
Notice of Appeal or Motion	I-290B	$585	03/04/08. No previous editions accepted.
Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant	I-360	$375	10/15/07. Previous editions accepted.
Affidavit of Financial Support and Intent to Petition for Legal Custody for Public Law 97-359 Amerasian	I-361	$0.00	3/17/06. Previous editions accepted.
Application To Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status	I-485		$930 plus a biometrics fee of $80; the fee total is $1,010. Exceptions listed below. There is no fee for applicants who are filing Form I-485 based on having been admitted to the United States as a refugee. Applicants 79 years of age or older are not charged a biometric fee; the fee total is $930. Applicants under 14 years of age: - Filing with the I-485 application of at least one parent have a fee total of $600 - Not filing with the I-485 application of at least one parent have a fee total of $930
Supplement A to Form I-485	I-485 Supplement A	$1,000	07/30/07. Previous editions accepted.
Waiver of Rights, Privileges, Exemptions and Immunities (Under Section 247(b) of the INA)	I-508	$0.00	5/27/05. Versions other than the 5/27/05 edition are not acceptable.
Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur	I-526	$1,435	07/30/07. Previous editions accepted.
Application To Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status	I-539	$300	12/31/07. Previous editions accepted.
For persons seeking V nonimmigrant status while in the United States or extension of V status.	I-539, Supplement A	N/A	10/26/05. Previous editions accepted.
Interagency Record of Request -- A, G or NATO Dependent Employment Authorization or Change/Adjustment to/from A, G or NATO Status	I-566	$0.00	02/28/08. No previous edition accepted.
Application for Asylum and Withholding of Removal	I-589	No Fee.	12/14/06. Previous editions accepted.
Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative	I-600		$670. An $80 fee for biometrics is required for each person 18 years of age or older who is living with the applicant. No fee is required if you are filing based on an approved I-600A filed within the previous 18 months.
Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition	I-600A	$670	07/30/07. Previous editions accepted.
Application for Waiver of Ground of Inadmissibility	I-601	$545	02/28/08. Previous editions accepted.
Application By Refugee For Waiver of Grounds of Excludability	I-602	$0.00	10/12/07. Previous editions accepted.
Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement (under Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended)	I-612	$545	07/30/07. Previous editions accepted.
Health and Human Services Statistical Data for Refugee/Asylee Adjusting Status	I-643	$0.00	5/19/06. No previous edition accepted.
Application for Status as a Temporary Resident Under Section 245A of the Immigration and Nationality Act	I-687	$710	07/30/07. Previous editions accepted.
Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility Under Sections 245A or 210 of the Immigration and Nationality Act	I-690	$185	07/30/07. Previous editions accepted.
Medical Examination of Aliens Seeking Adjustment of Status	I-693	$0.00	9/16/05. Previous editions accepted.
Notice of Appeal of Decision Under Sections 245A or 210 of the Immigration and Nationality Act	I-694	$545	07/30/07. Previous editions accepted.
Application to Adjust Status from Temporary to Permanent Resident (Under Section 245A of Public Law 99-603)	I-698	$1,410	07/30/07. Previous editions accepted.
Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition	I-730	No fee.	09/18/06.
Petition to Remove the Conditions of Residence	I-751	$465 (plus $80 biometric service fee)	07/30/07. 02/05/07 accepted; no previous edition accepted.
Application for Employment Authorization	I-765	$340	07/30/07. Previous editions accepted.
Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative	I-800		No fee is required for the first Form I-800 filed for a child on the basis of an approved Form I-800A. If more than one Form I-800 is filed during the approval period for different children, the fee is $670 for the second and each subsequent Form I-800. However, if the children are siblings before the proposed adoption, no additional filing fee is required.
Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country	I-800A		$670 for Form I-800A Note on Filing Fee: An $80 fee for biometrics is required for the applicant (and spouse, if any). Additionally, a $80 fee for biometrics is required for each person 18 years of age or older who is living with the applicant. Form I-800A, Supplement 1 (Listing of Adult Member of the Household) must also be provided for each adult member of the household, excluding the applicant and applicant’s spouse. $340 for Form I-800A, Supplement 3 (Request for Action on Approved Form I-800A), if applicable
Application for Family Unity Benefits	I-817	$440	10/12/07. Previous editions accepted.
Application for Temporary Protected Status	I-821		$50 for first time applicants. There is no application fee for re-registration. An $80 per person fee for biometrics may be required.
Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition	I-824	$340	07/30/07. Previous editions accepted.
Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions	I-829	$2,850	07/30/07. Previous editions accepted.
Inter-Agency Alien Witness and Informant Record	I-854	$0.00	03/31/07. Previous versions accepted.
Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act	I-864	$0.00	10/18/07, 11/01/06 editions can be used, no other edition accepted.
Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member	I-864A	$0.00	10/18/07. 11/01/06 edition can be used, no other edition accepted.
Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act	I-864EZ	$0.00	10/18/07. 01/15/06 edition can be used, no other edition accepted.
Poverty Guidelines	I-864P	$0.00	03/01/08. No previous edition accepted.
Intending Immigrant's Affidavit of Support Exemption	I-864W	$0.00	10/18/07. 11/01/06 can be used, no other editions accepted.
Sponsor's Notice of Change of Address	I-865	$0.00	11/28/06. Previous editions accepted.
Application for Suspension of Deportation or Special Rule Cancellation of Removal (Pursuant to Section 203 of Public Law 105-100 (NACARA))	I-881	$285	07/30/07. Previous editions accepted.
Employment Eligibility Verification	I-9	$0.00	06/05/07. No previous edition accepted.
Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card	I-90		$290. Biometrics fee of $80 may be included. Please see Special Instructions for details.
Application for Authorization to Issue Certification for Health Care Workers	I-905	$230	07/30/07. Previous editions accepted.
Request for Premium Processing Service	I-907		07/30/07. Editions other than 07/30/07, 04/02/07 and 08/28/06 are not accepted. $1,000 Note: If you are requesting Premium Processing on a form type and classification that is Premium eligible, the $1000.00 Premium processing fee is required in addition to all other filing fees required by the application to be processed. Checks should be made payable to Department of Homeland Security.
Application for T Nonimmigrant Status	I-914	No fee. Biometrics services may be required at no cost to the applicant.	07/30/07. Previous editions accepted.
Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status	I-918	No Fee. Petitioners may have to pay an $80 biometrics fee.	8/31/2007
Application to File Declaration of Intention	N-300	$235	07/30/07. Previous editions accepted.
Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings (Under Section 336 of the INA)	N-336	$605	07/30/07. Previous editions accepted.
Monthly Report Naturalization Papers	N-4	$0.00	08/31/08. No previous edition accepted.
Application for Naturalization	N-400	$595 plus a biometrics fee of $80; the fee total is $675. Applicants 75 years of age or older are not charged a biometric fee; their fee total is $595. No fee is required for military applicants filing under Section 328 and 329 of the INA.	10/15/07, 07/30/07, 11/01/06, 05/31/01 can be used. No other editions accepted.
Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service	N-426	$0.00	6/30/06. Previous editions accepted.
Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes	N-470	$305	07/30/07. Previous editions accepted.
Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document	N-565	$380	07/30/07. Previous editions accepted.
Application for Certificate of Citizenship	N-600	$460; if filing on behalf of an adopted minor child, $420.	10/15/07. Previous editions accepted.
Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate under Section 322	N-600K	$460; if you are filing on behalf of an adopted minor child, the fee is $420.	09/06/07. Previous editions accepted.
Application for Posthumous Citizenship	N-644	No fee	07/30/07. Previous editions accepted.
Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions	N-648	$0.00	01/13/06. Previous editions accepted.


Last updated: 02/19/2008

General Directions on Immigration Forms

Signature Requirements

Fee Schedule (836KB PDF)

Fee Waiver Guidance

Form Update Notices

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Forms By Mail

Application Procedures: Becoming a Permanent Resident While in the United States

2008-03-27T16:01:00.000-07:00

Application Procedures: Becoming a Permanent Resident While in the United States

If you would like to become a lawful permanent resident in the United States, you must file the following items with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services:

Form I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
Please review Supplement A to Form I-485 to see if additional fee requirements apply to you.
Form G-325A Biographic Data Sheet (Between the ages of 14 and 79)
Form I-693 Medical Examination Sheet (not required if you are applying based on continuous residence since before 1972, or if you have had a medical exam based on a fiancé visa)
Two color photos taken within 30 days (Please see USCIS Form I-485 for more instructions on photos.)
Form I-864 Affidavit of Support (completed by the sponsor). (This requirement may not apply to you if you are adjusting to permanent resident status based on an employment petition.)
Form I-765 Authorization for Employment (if seeking employment while case is processed). For more information, see How Do I Get a Work Permit?
Evidence of inspection, admission or parole into the United States (Form I-94, Arrival Departure Record). See How Do I Get an Arrival-Departure Record? for more information.

In addition:

If you have already been approved for an immigrant petition , you must submit a copy of the approval notice sent to you by the USCIS.
If someone else is or has filed a petition for you that, if approved, will make an immigrant number immediately available to you, you must submit a copy of the completed petition that is being filed for you. Such applications include only immediate relative, special immigrant juvenile or special immigrant military petitions. For more information, please see How Do I Get an Immigrant Visa Number?.
If you were admitted into the United States as a fiancé of a U.S. citizen and married that citizen within the required 90 days, you must submit a copy of the fiancé petition approval notice and a copy of your marriage certificate.
If you are an asylee or refugee, you must submit a copy of the letter or Form I-94 (Arrival-Departure Record) that shows the date you were granted asylum or refuge in the United States. You also must submit USCIS Form I-643 (Health and Human Services Statistical Data).
If you are a Cuban citizen or native, you must use USCIS Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) and submit evidence of your citizenship or nationality.
If you have been a continuous resident of the United States since before January 1, 1972, you must submit evidence showing that you entered the United States prior to January 1, 1972 and that you have lived in the United States continuously since your entry into the country.
If your parent became a lawful permanent resident after you were born, you must submit evidence that your parent has been or will be granted permanent residence. You must also submit a copy of your birth certificate, and proof of your relationship with your parent.
If your spouse became a lawful permanent resident after you were married, you must submit evidence that your spouse has been granted permanent residence. You must also submit a copy of your marriage certificate and proof that any previous marriages entered into by you or your spouse were legally terminated.

Please note that there are certain eligibility requirements for using Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status). Forms are available by calling 1-800-870-3676, or by submitting a request through our forms by mail system. For further information on filing fees, please see USCIS filing fees, fee waiver request procedures, and the USCIS fee waiver policy memo.

H-1B Petition Mailing During Cap Season

2008-03-26T23:39:00.000-07:00

Please Note: Many of these questions are affected by the 3-19-08 press release regarding the interim final regulation on H-1B visas. Under the interim final regulation, if USCIS receives a sufficient number of petitions to satisfy the cap at any time during the first five business days on which petitions for the upcoming fiscal year may be received, all cap-subject petitions received during the first five business days will be included in the random-selection lottery.

Stakeholders should anticipate that there will be sufficient cap-subject H-1B petitions filed for the H-1B cap to be met on April 1, thus triggering the regulation that includes all petitions filed on April 1st though April 7th.

Question 1. Will the California Service Center and Vermont Service Center be accepting deliveries from courier services (e.g., DHL, FedEx, UPS, other approved couriers, etc.) throughout the day on April 1 though April 7?
Answer: Yes. USCIS will accept deliveries through close of business from April 1-7, 2008, based on the recent press release. Close of business means 5:00 pm local time at the location of the Service Center. However, on the last day (April 7, 2008), USCIS will accept deliveries from couriers until 7 pm local time.

Question 2. During what hours will California Service Center and Vermont Service Center be accepting deliveries from courier services (e.g., DHL, FedEx, UPS, other approved couriers, etc.) on April 1 through April 7?
Answer: USCIS will accept deliveries from 6 am through 5 pm, local time. However, on the last day (April 7, 2008), USCIS will accept deliveries from couriers until 7 pm, local time.

Question 3. How will USCIS handle petitions filed via U.S. Postal Service (USPS)? If a petition is delivered to the P.O. Box designated by the USCIS on April 1 through April 7, will USCIS treat those petitions as timely filed and include thim in the random selection process?
Answer: USCIS does not consider the package received or timely filed until it is actually on-site at the Service Center. The service centers pick up correspondence delivered to the P.O. Box at one or more scheduled times during the day. Therefore, while customers may file applications by USPS at the P.O. Box, delivery to that P.O. Box does not ensure that the filing will be picked up by the USCIS the same day it is placed in the P.O. Box by the USPS, and thus, will not be considered timely filed.

Question 4. Will the California Service Center and the Vermont Service Center accept as timely filed a cap-subject H-1B petition that is aboard a delivery truck and in line for delivery prior to the time that the Service Centers stop accepting deliveries.
Answer: If at 7 pm on April 7, 2008 there are still trucks attempting to deliver packages, the Service Centers will work out a process to get those packages into the system.

Question 5. What are the accepted methods of delivery of petition packages to the Service Centers?
Answer: Due to security concerns packages are only accepted using the specific delivery methods noted below. Attempted delivery by any other method will result in rejection of the petition package.The following delivery methods are acceptable:

United States Postal Service
Private Couriers that are bonded (eg. DHL, Federal Express, United Parcel Service.)

Common mistakes are packages that filed using the following methods:

Hand delivered to the Service Center
Sent via taxi cab to the Service Center
Sent via private courier that is not bonded

Addressing OFW's health care needs

2008-03-24T17:31:00.001-07:00

Addressing OFW's health care needs is an utmost goal -- Jinggoy
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada said that all those who lend their expertise to the Senate Committee on Labor's public hearing in line with the proposal to set up OFW Hospital were united in saying that there is a dire demand to promptly address the health care needs of Overseas Filipino Workers and their families.

This developed as Estrada said that the Senate Committee on Labor welcomed new propositions from various stakeholders to effectively attend to health care needs of overseas Filipino workers and their families even as others had expressed reservations on the plan to put up a new OFW Hospital.

“What’s important now is that creative measures are being put forward and carefully studied all in the name of helping the OFWs address their health care needs in the best way possible,” Estrada said.

Estrada, concurrent chair of Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development and Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Labor and Employment, also said that he was delighted over enthusiasm demonstrated by the resource persons, implying the significance of the OFW's health care problem and their earnest desire in taking part in its resolution.

A paper presented by Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) under Administrator Marianito Roque noted various studies pointing out that “the pattern of illness, injury and death among OFWs and their dependents is somewhat different from the general population,” thus the need to put up an OFW Hospital.

Leading causes of death and morbidity among OFWs include cardiovascular diseases, pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis, infectious diseases, hepatisis and psychiatric disorders, among others.

Fit to Print?

2008-03-20T23:38:00.000-07:00

The Times got it wrong again. I feel compelled to set the record straight for 17,000 employees who work late nights and weekends to welcome lawful immigrants into our society. I will not stand idly by as the New York Times insults the dedicated and professional services they provide.

If the Times seeks to add legitimacy to its editorial, they should first get the facts straight. USCIS received more than 600,000 applications for citizenship in June and July of 2007 - a 350 percent increase from the same time the year before. While this surge was substantial, it isn’t close to the “perhaps a million empty promises” the Times suggests.

Further, all applications received during that time have been opened, issued receipts, and entered into our processing queue. The idea that there are “envelopes with large checks and money orders, delivered by truckloads, waiting in shrink-wrapped pallets, unopened” at any USCIS facility, is an outright fabrication, hastily conceived by an imaginative writer.

What the writer failed to mention, and what I personally conveyed to the Times, is that more than half of all the citizenship applications received in June and July will be completed by September 30. Further, many of the applicants who filed for citizenship after July 2007 have already been naturalized. The writer also omitted that not withstanding our challenges, in 2008 we will process some 20-25 percent more citizenship applications than in 2007, while maintaining the integrity of the immigration system and the security of the process.

The fact is, last year we anticipated an application surge, and dedicated USCIS employees at our Service Centers worked hard and long hours to process the increased number of applications received before fees were raised in July. As a result of their dedication, nearly 750,000 applications were processed in a record amount of time. Instead of commending this effort, the New York Times degraded it, suggesting “intentional disenfranchisement” of Latino voters. That is both absurd and an insult to our workforce.

This agency does not lose focus by such editorial bias. Our workforce will continue to do everything possible to assist immigrants on the path to legal residency or citizenship, facilitate the smooth transit of others who wish to work here temporarily, and safeguard the security of the United States through the integrity of our immigration system. Modernization efforts to build a fully-electronic immigration platform continue to move forward. More than 34 USCIS facilities will be renovated or replaced nationwide, and more than 3,000 new employees will join our ranks by the end of this year. Our professional training programs are varied and robust.

My posting today demonstrates to the more than 700,000 newly naturalized citizens that this country embraces free and open debate. It is a shame, however that a newspaper like the New York Times – which boasts with each paper that it contains all the news that’s fit to print – only values its version of a story and leaves no room for that debate or for the facts.

Emilio T. Gonzalez
Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

USCIS Revises Filing Instructions for Petition for Alien Relative

2008-03-15T23:38:00.000-07:00

Form I-130s to be filed with the Chicago Lockbox

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has revised the filing instructions for the Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130). Effective immediately, all petitioners filing stand-alone Form I-130s must file their petitions with the Chicago Lockbox instead of a USCIS Service Center. A USCIS Update was issued on Nov. 30, 2007, encouraging petitioners to file with the Chicago Lockbox while the form was being revised.

The revision to the instructions of Form I-130 became effective on January 31, 2008. USCIS published an USCIS Update announcing these changes on Feb. 19, 2008. USCIS is issuing this reminder to notify petitioners that improperly filed Form I-130s will be rejected. Now that the revision is complete, filing with the Chicago Lockbox is required. As of April 30, 2008, all stand-alone Form I-130s submitted to any location other than the Chicago Lockbox will be rejected.

Petitions filed with the Chicago Lockbox will be routed to, and adjudicated at, the appropriate USCIS Service Center. This routing will be based on the petitioner’s place of residence in the United States.

Two separate post office box addresses (see below) have been established that correspond to the appropriate USCIS Service Center (either Vermont or California) that will process and adjudicate the petition. Although Form I-130 must be filed with the Chicago Lockbox, petitioners will receive receipt notices from either the Vermont or California Service Center.

Petitioners who reside in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin or Wyoming must file their stand-alone Form I-130s with the Lockbox using the following address:

USCIS
P.O. Box804625
Chicago, IL 60680-1029

Petitioners who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, West Virginia or District of Columbia must file their stand-alone Form I-130 with the Lockbox using the following address:

USCIS
P.O. Box804616
Chicago, IL 60680-1029

Statement by USCIS Director Emilio T. Gonzalez on Processing of Naturalization Applications

2008-03-12T23:40:00.000-07:00

On March 11, I announced to members of the House Appropriations Committee that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) had lowered its original processing projections for naturalization applications. Individuals who filed for citizenship during the summer of 2007 can now anticipate an average processing time of 14-16 months for these applications. That’s a marked improvement from the 16-18 months projection we announced in January.

During FY 2007, we received approximately 1.4 million naturalization applications. In the months of June and July of 2007 alone, we experienced an increase of nearly 350 percent compared to the same period in 2006. In addressing the significant increase in naturalization cases, and the unprecedented increase in all immigration applications and petitions, the professionalism and hard work of nearly 17,000 dedicated USCIS employees and contractors have been evident.

I am proud of our accomplishments. Still, we remain committed to doing even better. And, we will continue to improve while maintaining our commitment to the integrity of the immigration process and national security requirements.

Emilio T. Gonzalez
Director
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Department of Homeland Security

Update: Biometric Changes For Re-entry Permits and Refugee Travel Documents

2008-03-05T23:41:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON –U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued revised instructions for USCIS Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. The instructions include changes, which will become effective March 5, 2008, that require applicants for re-entry permits and refugee travel documents to provide biometrics (e.g., fingerprints and photographs) at a USCIS Application Support Centers (ASC) for background and security checks and requirements for secure travel and entry documents containing biometric identifiers. As indicated in the instructions, when the biometrics requirement becomes effective, USCIS will notify applicants of their appointment at the designated ASC after submission of the I-131 application.

The new instructions for Form I-131 require that applicants for re-entry permits and refugee travel documents who are ages 14 through 79 provide biometrics before departing from the United States. Applicants also are strongly encouraged to apply, whenever possible, well in advance of their anticipated travel dates to allow time to attend their ASC appointments and to receive their travel documents. Shortly after filing an I-131 form for a Refugee Travel Document or a Re-entry Permit, USCIS will mail the applicant his or her receipt and an ASC scheduling notice. The I-131 instructions also provide guidance for certain persons who are abroad at the time of filing to visit a U.S. Embassy or consulate for fingerprinting, although all applicants are urged to file before leaving the United States.

The instructions also discuss the requirement for applicants for re-entry permits and refugee travel documents who are in the United States to pay the $80 biometrics services fee, or to submit a biometrics fee waiver request with sufficient documentation to support their inability to pay the fee. As in the past, the application fee for the I-131 form cannot be waived.

In addition, if applicants require expedited processing, the instructions provide specific information for submitting pre-paid express mailers with the I-131 for USCIS to send the applicant his or her receipt and ASC appointment notice, as well as the completed Re-entry Permit or Refugee Travel Document, if approved. A request for expedited processing should contain the applicant’s reasons for such processing.

Changes to the Form I-131 instructions concerning biometrics are vital to the security of the immigration process, as well as to help ensure that USCIS complies with congressional mandates for issuance of secure documents. The added biometric requirements will provide the agency with an opportunity to conduct more in-depth security background checks for applicants for immigration benefits or re-entry permits and refugee travel documents for entering the United States. These requirements also improve USCIS’ capability to verify identity and for applicants to obtain secure documents that are less subject to fraud and abuse.

Choice Of AGENT

2008-02-26T16:46:00.000-08:00

March 15, 2007. Received (my copy of) the Choice of Agent Form (DS-3032) and the AOS BILL in the Snail Mail. Because for your information, all the mails going to Philippines takes time and delayed for about 2 to 3 weeks.

So to make it easier for both of us, I fill-up the document and make myself as the Agent because I live in US and got the mail more quickly than him. I scanned the document and emailed it to him. I ask him to signed it and send it to National Visa Center.

But to his mistake he mailed it back to me, so I waited for a couple of days and sent it straight to National Visa.

What is DS-3032 Choice of Agent Form?

The DS-3032 will allow the immigrant visa applicant to designate an address and agent (typically a relative, attorney, or community-based organization based in the U.S.) to which National Visa Center (NVC) should direct future communications.

Here’s a copy of Our Choice of Agent Form (DS-3032).

You can also Download DS-3032 Form.

But those who wish to use Jame's Shortcuts, they are now available a couple of posts below.

Choice of Agent
Many members are having success in emailing the NVC to choose their agent in place of sending in the DS-3032. They usually send a confirmation email within a couple of days. If not you will need to call to confirm that it has been accepted. Below is an example email posted by AMarina.

Posted: Jan 11 2006, 12:20 AM AMarina

Thank you for sharing these. They are indeed useful. Here is one more: I read about it at another forum, and successfully used it myself:

As soon as you know (from the answering service or talking with an operator at the NVC) that the Choice of Agent form has been sent out, the beneficiary can EMAIL their choice of agent to NVC. Apparently, there is a rule that if you cannot locate your form (due to bad mail service in your country), you are entitled to appoint your agent by e-mail. We did it on a second day after the form was mailed, and received a response from NVC two days later that they accepted choice of agent (by the way, we still have not received that letter from them yet, lol).

-----Original Message----- SAMPLE EMAIL

Dear Sir or Madam,

My name is ....., my visa case number is #......

Unfortunately I cannot locate my ds-3032 and would like to appoint my
husband as my agent of choice to receive all the correspondence from NVC.
His name and address is:

......

All mail from the U.S. Department of State concerning my immigration visa
application should be send to the address above. Thank you for your help.

Sincerely yours,

Here is a sample of my correspondence with them:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Your inquiry has been received at the National Visa Center (NVC).

The NVC has updated the petitioner's address. Please continue to notify the NVC of any change of address or change in personal situation, which may affect the beneficiary's entitlement to a visa.

We have received the Agent of Choice selection.═ The Immigrant Visa Application (DS 230) processing fee bill will be sent to the petitioner.═ The fee must be paid according to the instructions before that form will be sent. Please allow two to four weeks for the petitioner to receive this fee bill.

Regards,
National Visa Center
ACB/tkm

********************

March 27, 2007. Mailed the Choice of Agent to NVC

March 30, 2007. Send back the AOS Bill Payment to NVC

The Discovery Of Visa Journey Website

2008-02-24T21:05:00.000-08:00

After I got my NOA2 in the Post office, an online friend gave me a web site forum where I can able to get a lot of information about the Visa Journey. And the very first thing I did search is the Flowchart.

I do admit that at the middle of this Noa1-Noa2 I am really confused about the process, but thank God and thanks to these people online who help geek people like me to know more about this Journey.

Because I’ve been married for less than 2 years my husband’s Visa is categories as CR-1. Meaning he would get the 2 years green card and renewed before it expired. Sounds pretty good to me, as long as I can have him beside me.

While waiting for the Next Step In Line check out this NVC-Flowchart for CR1/IR1 Visa Applicants.

Download the NVC Flowchart for CR-1/IR-1 Visa Applicants

Notice of Action 2 ( Approval Notice)

2008-02-22T20:37:00.000-08:00

February 9, 2006. I received an email from USCIS about my petition. So you guys might want to register so you can able to get at least an updated Status of Your case without checking your Postal Mailbox.

The Email goes like this;

Date: Fri, 9 Feb 2007 00:00:02 -0500 (EST)

From:"CRIS"

To:######@yahoo.com

Subject: Case Status Information for Receipt Number: WAC##########

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL ***

The last processing action taken on your case

Receipt Number: WAC##########

Application Type: I130, IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN


Current Status: Approval notice sent.

On February 8, 2007, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this

I130 IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN. Please

follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the

notice, call customer service.

If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case

status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from

USCIS within the current processing time listed*, please contact USCIS

Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.

*Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at

www.uscis.gov under Case Status & Processing Dates.

*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.

Sincerely,

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

The Journey Continues

Be wise and shop wise

from hats to boots

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IR1 and CR1 Immigrant Visas Processing (Introduction)

Introduction

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IR1 or CR1 Visa Application Process

Notice of Action (NOA)

Summary

Frequently used terms

Notice of Action Form Information

Extra Bucks on Your Pocket

NVC Online Payment System

A New and Updated NVC James Short Cut

General Information

Step 0 (Before NVC)

Step 1 (DS-3032 and I-864 Fee Bill)

DS-3032

I-864 Fee Bill

Step 2 (I-864)

Step 3 (IV Fee Bill)

Step 4 (DS-230)

USCIS Reaches FY 2009 H-1B Cap

USCIS Reaches FY 2009 H-1B Cap

Temporary Accomodation Made for FY 09 Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions

Temporary Accomodation Made for FY 09 Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions

USCIS Updates Projected Naturalization Case Processing Time

USCIS Updates Projected Naturalization Case Processing TimeAgency To Complete 36-percent More Naturalization Cases Than Last Year

For those Under FBI Name Checks

USCIS and FBI Release Joint Plan to Eliminate Backlog of FBI Name ChecksPartnership Establishes Series of Milestones To Complete Checks

Taxpayers would get checks under economic stimulus plan

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. taxpayers would get checks of several hundred dollars from the federal government under a plan to stimulate the economy, congressional and Bush administration officials said Thursday.

General Tips on Assembling Applications for Mailing

General Tips on Assembling Applications for Mailing

Immigration Forms

Immigration Forms

This page can be found at http://www.uscis.gov/forms

Application Procedures: Becoming a Permanent Resident While in the United States

H-1B Petition Mailing During Cap Season

Addressing OFW's health care needs

Fit to Print?

USCIS Revises Filing Instructions for Petition for Alien Relative

Form I-130s to be filed with the Chicago Lockbox

Statement by USCIS Director Emilio T. Gonzalez on Processing of Naturalization Applications

Update: Biometric Changes For Re-entry Permits and Refugee Travel Documents

Choice Of AGENT

The Discovery Of Visa Journey Website

Notice of Action 2 ( Approval Notice)

USCIS Updates Projected Naturalization Case Processing Time
Agency To Complete 36-percent More Naturalization Cases Than Last Year

USCIS and FBI Release Joint Plan to Eliminate Backlog of FBI Name Checks
Partnership Establishes Series of Milestones To Complete Checks