A little after 8pm, our IV bill finally appeared as paid! It took me a second to realise what I saw. I had been signing into the payment portal all afternoon, every 20 minutes or so, and nothing. But it finally changed! I hit the button to start the DS-260 application.
I'm very glad I went through the DS-260 screenshots. I saved a lot of time by finding out information that would have taken a few hours to get. Page after page, I entered in the correct information. At the end, there's a review page on each section.
I printed out each review section and sent a PDF version to Ben to review. I'm glad he did as I missed a question about the petitioner's email address. I swear, it didn't ask that in the form, but I clicked the edit button, and voila, it was there. Mysterious...
After we both reviewed, I digitally signed it (like with the DS-261) and then clicked the submit button. A confirmation page was presented and I printed that out as well.
Then it was time to send off the email for the supporting documents for the DS-260. I printed out my cover letter, signed it, and then scanned it. I added that, along with the cover sheet, to the package. While Ben's I-864 package was nearly 8 MB (reduced from 20 MB), my package was only 3 MB (and not reduced).
I prepped the email with the needed info, attached the package, and emailed it off.
So, within 7 days, Ben and I have finished paying all the bills and sending in all the forms and documents. Now all we have to do is wait for NVC to review them and complete our case. Very exciting!
~Lindsay
It´s me again (Sarai)
ReplyDeleteI read your post and says that you signed the DS260 form, do I have to do it to?
And if so, how?
If you're doing the DS-260, then yes, you have to sign it. You can't submit the form without digitally signing it first. It's not like a real signature since it's an online form. You just have to answer a few questions and that's considered the signature.
ReplyDeleteoh IC, then my husband can do it for me? he´s the one who´s working at it... I´m in Mexico
ReplyDeleteI also have another question about the pictures, I can go and get them done and print them out and then scan them with that size or, just get the pictures taken and make them that size (which I think that would be the way right?
Sorry I must sound a bit dumb... computers are not my specialty...
Yes, your husband can do it for you, but technically it's supposed to be the beneficiary (foreign spouse) that fills it out. I think at the end, it asks if anyone helped you fill out this form, and you husband is going to have to put his information if he's the one that actually fills out the form.
ReplyDeleteYeah, make sure when you get the pictures that they're 2" x 2". Then just scan them back on the computer.
Sorry, another question about the police records... mine are in Spanish... I checked online and this is what it says:
ReplyDeleteAll documents not written in English, or in the official language of the country in which application for a visa is being made, must be accompanied by certified translations and submitted to the NVC. The translation must include a statement signed by the translator stating that the:
* Translation is accurate, and
* Translator is competent to translate.
Do we have to translate them? I think the operator said not to, to my husband but I just want to make sure of it....
Thanks so much, I think we should send you flowers or chocolates... but we don´t want Ben to get jealous,ha!
Since the official language of Mexico is Spanish, then, no, you don't need to translate them.
ReplyDeleteHaha, I just won't tell Ben about receiving flowers or chocolates ;)
I know what we can do, when you move to the States... and get your apartment... I´ll get James to send you a gift card from some store so you can get something to decorate it... I like that idea...
ReplyDeleteAnother question.. James (that`s my husband) that when he logged in it says there are several documents pending, but didn´t mention the AOS, we alreay paid for it... 3 months ago... but you said to go ahead and send it... right? we are going to have joint sponsors...what form would that be? it´s good enough with their tax returns or they actually need a letter from their jobs?
Lindsay, thanks so much
If the AOS is appearing as PAID in the payment portal, just print out the document cover sheet found online, and add that as the first page to the AOS package. Is the joint sponsor in the same household as James? And what year tax returns are they?
ReplyDeleteNo problem :)
Yeah they live at the same place... actually the sponsors are going to be Jame´s sister and brother in law and yeah they live at the same place for now... the tax returns would be from last year since they haven´t filed for this year yet... they are going to do it sometime soon I guess
ReplyDeleteIf the sponsor is a household member, then they fill out the I-864A.
ReplyDeleteIf it's only 2009 tax returns, then they should include proof of current income (employment letter, pay stubs, etc). Also, if you're not submitting a tax transcript, then you have to submit both the 1040s AND W2s.
By the time you have your interview, it will most likely be after April 18 (deadline for 2010 taxes), so you're going to need to bring a copy of 2010 tax returns with you to the interview.
Thanks a lot for the info..
ReplyDeleteI just have another question about the DS 261
The operator says that we shouldn´t file that one since we are not using a lawyer, but from what I understand we should do it and file specifying that right?
Sorry this is the last question for today....
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND ANSWERS!
I didn't use a lawyer and used the DS-261. Technically, when you have a lawyer, they're automatically assigned as agent, so only those that don't have lawyers fill out the Choice of Agent form. The operator had it wrong completely.
ReplyDeleteAnd no problem! Glad to help! :)
Hey Lindsay,
ReplyDeleteSorry it's me again.. just one question for today...
To file my civil documents... should I send my kid's birth certificates and passports too?... they are american citizens so I guess not... right?
P.S. Every night I keep you guys in my prayers to hear back regarding your interview ASAP
Thanks!
If your children are US citizens, then no, I don't think you need to send their birth certificates or copies of passports in. Just to be safe though, I'd call an operator up on Monday and inquire if you need to send anything in about your kids. I'm not quite sure, but I'm leaning towards no, like you.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you :) Hopefully this week I can find out when my interview will be.
sorry to bother you... I´m fillig in the DS260 and I gave one address and says that there´s an error of leading space... what in the world is that? I have no idea
ReplyDeletethis is the way i put it
849 NE 87TH AVE
what´s the error?
Um, I don't know what leading space means. Usually you put direction (NE, NW, SE, SW) at the end of an address, so: 849 87th Avenue NE. See if that makes a difference. If it doesn't, you're going to have to call an operator up tomorrow and ask because I have no idea what they mean by their error.
ReplyDeleteI finally found out that the leading space was "TH" I got rid of it and it was fine... I was so relieved... ha!
ReplyDeleteI have a another question... where do I get the DS 261 form? I can't find it anywhere?
Hey another question... it says that when you pay then you gotta print the coversheets... and it will tell you where to send the info... each case has a different address where you send the info?
ReplyDeleteOh wow, the "th" was the problem. Interesting. Never lived on a numbered street before, so I didn't have a problem when entering addresses on the DS-260.
ReplyDeleteThe DS-261 form is found online on the same site as the DS-260.
Yes, on the cover sheets, there's an address, one specific for the AOS package and another address for the IV package. But I didn't have to worry about that since I was doing EP and emailed my packages, I didn't snail mail them.
IC, thanks so much...
ReplyDeleteI checked again about the DS261 and it´s not there.. it could mean that we don´t need to file it... the other day the operator said to send an e-mail saying that we no longer will use the lawyer and that James was going to file for it...
anyways... I´ll get James to call again regarding it...
So the packages get send to NVCElectronic@state.gov. right?
We are almost done with the DS260 but not nearly done with the AOS, woould you say to wait and send them at the same time? or should we go ahead and send the DS 260, would this matters on the date will be completed? Probably we would have to wait until de last one gets reviwed according to the date?
Perhaps because you had a lawyer, the DS-261 won't appear since the lawyer automatically gets selected as the agent. I'm not sure.
ReplyDeleteYes, the packages are emailed to NVCElectronic@state.gov. Make sure you put your case number in the subject line, and in the body include the names, dates of birth, and email addresses of both the petitioner and beneficiary.
It doesn't matter which you email first. If one package is ready, then email it. Once the last one is ready, send that then.
Thanks for the info, hopefully today we'll make more progress the last few days James was working until 8 or 9 pm and we also need to get the paperwork from our sponsors... that's harder since you can't be too pushy (if it was me I would be) but James is a very polite person...
ReplyDeleteYeah, I understand. You don't want to seem too pushy since they are doing you guys a favor by sponsoring you. Hopefully everything is done soon for you two :)
ReplyDeleteJames went over to the lawyer's office to pick up our file since she had the police records, thank God they didn't get lost... but we found out that she had the wrong address on the I-130... are the lawyers supposed to help? there was another mistake too... now James has to write the NVC to correct those... I just pray that there's no problems because of it...
ReplyDeleteHopefully you get to hear back about your interview this week...
Wow, I hope everything gets fixed. Glad my husband and I didn't hire a lawyer for this.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to hear of the interview date this week as well. As soon as we hear, there will be a blog post ;)
Hey Lindsay, I hope you are having a good day...
ReplyDeleteI just have a question, I've been reading about which AOS forms we should file and so this is what I understand we should do:
Jame's income from last year isn't enough for him to be the sponsor, so we are asking his brother in law and sister to be the sponsors... his brother in law makes enough to be the only joint sponsor but him and his wife file their taxes together so there has to be two joint sponsor, then:
James needs to file an I-184 anyways
His brother in law needs to file another I-184 and specify that there's two joint sponsors on the form
And James' sister needs to file an I-184A
They all live in the same place (including James)
That´s what I came with...
Another question, since the W2's cover last year they would only have to prove income from this year on right? I don´t see the point of sending pay stubs from last year too since it's covered on the W2's would that be correct?
I'm sorry to keep coming to you... it's just that I need someone's second opinion...
Thank you so much you have been a great help to us...Thank God I found you!
Don't worry about asking questions a lot, I'm more than glad to help! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure which forms you have to fill out with sponsors since we didn't have one, but if an operator told you which you needed, you'll be fine then.
If you have 2010 tax returns and W2s, then no, you don't need to send in pay stubs from 2010. The only reason my husband sent in pay stubs is because he didn't do his 2010 taxes yet and pay stubs were the only proof of his current $40k/year salary since he got the new job in June 2010.
I'm about to fill out the DS-260 in a few days here but I can't find any information about a question I have. I read that I have to list everywhere I've lived more than 6 months since I was 16 - I've moved around quite a bit and have lived lots of places for only a few months, if I don't list those (because they're under 6 months) there will be gaps of time unaccounted for (which freaks the US government out), should I just list the places I was at for short periods of time or not? I'm worried I'll get an RFE if I don't but also that I'll confuse the situation if I do. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteOn the DS-260, it's ANYWHERE you lived since 16, whether it's more than 6 months or less. It's only on the DS-230 that it states it has to be more than 6 months. So you're going to have to list ALL the places you've lived since 16.
ReplyDeleteoh man, they find every way possible to make this a grim process! lol. thanks for the update. do you know if they've taken out the exact day you moved and just made it month/year? because i'd have to guess at like ALL the dates
ReplyDeleteGood news, yes, they removed the requirement for having days. It's just month and year now. I've been told this by I think 3 people now. They changed it sometime in March. But when I did it in February, you needed exact dates, which I was able to obtain, thankfully. They also removed a few other things. I know you're not going through Montreal, but Mexico is required to do EP and the online forms, so the wiki I wrote can still help you. I made an update of what has changed on the DS-260 since I did it. You can read it here: http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_for_Montreal_Beneficiaries_%E2%80%93_Electronic_Processing_and_New_Online_Forms#Steps. Just look for the paragraph that starts with "Update (3/15/11)".
ReplyDeleteHi, im also submitting for a DS-260 but ive completed the form and when i hit the sign in and submit button nothing seems to happen, am i missing something or what should i do?
ReplyDeleteNot sure if this is the same person who tweeted me the same question, but just in case if it's not (and for others if it helps), I'll answer. Most times I see someone not able to submit the DS-260 is because they haven't viewed the PDF on selective service. You can't submit until you do, even if you're a female.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm, no i didnt tweet you.
ReplyDeleteOhhhh ok, i've alredy clicked it but for some reason it didnt work but tried it again and worked, thanks :D
Good thing I answered then! Literally a few minutes after your comment, someone tweeted me with the EXACT same question!
ReplyDeleteAnyways, glad it worked!
Haha so weird!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, if before ive sent off all documents to NVC what do i need to do now?
Like they are going to e-mail me a confirmation or anything like that?
Your second sentence doesn't make any sense :S What are you asking?
ReplyDeleteNVC doesn't send any confirmation emails they've reviewed packages. The second to last email you get from NVC is about the case complete and then the last email is about the interview date.
Ooohh sorry haha.
ReplyDeleteI hope everything turns out ok for the case. :)
( and Omg sorry for spamming you with questions D: )
I'm sure everything will be okay! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd don't worry about spamming with questions. You've only asked me a few, I've gone on pages and pages with some people :D
Question do i need a lawyer to do the DS-260 for me because i been doing thid for my wife and now i just dont want to make any mistake
ReplyDeleteNope, you don't need a lawyer at all! Just a waste of money IMO as they charge WAY too much. Once you're done, just go over it a few times before submitting. That's what I did :)
ReplyDeleteHi i'm looking for the AOS selection, though my husband already paid the AOS fee, I can't find it. I would like to download the cover sheet. I can see my daughters, it shows the AOS and states that the fee is paid. But when I log into mines, i only see the amount of $404.00 paid. I went into the invoice, and I saw the AOS selection, but I couldn't click on it. I printed out the "Case Number Bar Code"..a document that states that you should use it when sending supporting documents or forms...is it the same as the i-864 cover sheet though ?
ReplyDeleteIf you're talking about the AOS cover sheet, that's found on the payment portal. It's listed as 'Document Cover Sheet'. If you have multiple applications under one case (you, your daughters), then you only paid one AOS fee, so you can just use your daughter's. It's the same thing.
ReplyDeleteHave you got your interview yet?
ReplyDeleteUm, I think you need to read the rest of my blog and look at the time stamps O_o I've been in the US for almost 2 years now, lol.
ReplyDeleteDo I have to put the places I worked at in form ds260? My spouses sponsoring me. I did work but I don't have a Ssn
ReplyDeleteYou're the beneficiary, right? Yes, there's a question on the DS-260 about current and past employment. And being that you're not a US citizen, of course you don't have a SSN.
DeleteYes I am the beneficiary. I did work but was considered illegally.
ReplyDeleteWait, you worked in the US?
DeleteYes I did. My spuse is sponsoring me and I'm currently living in the us
ReplyDeleteIf you're within the US, are you adjusting status then? If you are, the DS-230/DS-260 isn't part of the AoS package...
DeleteI'm not adjusting status. I will have to leave the country pretty soon for an interview in Mexico.
ReplyDeleteYou say you're "living" in the US currently, what visa are you on?
DeleteHello. In the DS-260 form there is this question: "Is your spouse immigrating to the US with you?". I am the petitioner and I am filling out the form instated of my husband, who is the beneficiary. Since I live in the US and my husband is the only one who will immigrate to the US, I think I have to mark "NO" to that question. Am I right?....thank you
ReplyDeleteYup, the correct answer is "no" as the spouse in the case of spousal visas is a US citizen or resident, thus not immigrating to the US.
DeleteI think I qualify to fill out the form I-864EZ because my husband is the only applicant and my income of two W-2 are fine, but just in case I prefer to fill out form I-864....is that okay?
ReplyDeleteIf you don't want to fill out the I-864EZ, you can certainly use the longer I-864 if you wish. Just because one may be eligible for the I-864EZ doesn't mean they HAVE to use it. It's just an option for those with "simpler" cases to fill out a shorter form.
DeleteHello, you know that when we do our tax return, we get a package with a lot of sheets. Do I have to scan all those sheets to the NVC? Please, can you tell me what pages of the tax return I have to send to the NVC? And the other question is: Do I have to put in just one file the I-864 and all the other documents, or one file for the I-864 and other for the documents? Thank you
ReplyDeleteIf you're not sending tax transcripts (which are much preferred by NVC, and are free from IRS), then you have to send the ENTIRE tax return. So, the entire 1040, all W2s, all 1099s, all schedules, and all worksheets. Everything you sent to the IRS is what NVC needs.
DeleteAnd you include the entire AOS package (I-864 and supporting documents) into one envelope and send that off to NVC.
anybody know what to do after having the interview?? im in cd juarez, i had the interview last week, they took my passport and im waiting, but i dont know what is the next step... i know that i have to wait for the package but after that what?
ReplyDeleteWere you approved? If yes, the passport and package should be sent back to you. You can then immigrate to the US by the date on the visa (typically 6 months).
Delete