US Greencard Through Diversity Lotto

thenobody · 21-04-2010 7:21pm

lonestargirl wrote: »

I haven't investigated credit cards but I have 2 bank accounts both of which issued VISA Debit cards which work exactly the same as a credit card except you are spending your own money. Personally I like the fact that my debit cards have a PIN, credit card security is pretty lax over here. We had to buy our car with cash but we actually got a mortgage fairly easily. I think it was worth the banks while doing an international credit report as they stand to make a lot of money on a mortgage (we did have to put 25% down as well). We were in our new house less than 10 weeks after arriving in the US.

But the problem with that is you arent building your credit history. The debit cards are the best but it does nothing to improve your rating. You dont get a bill so dont have anything to pay.
The main reason to get a credit card is to improve credit score.
And the practice of paying off the card before the bill date like in ireland would not be wise. You need to owe money at the bill date and should be no more than 20% of the credit limit and then therefore a bill is generated and then you pay it. If you pay it off no bill is generated so it counts for nothing to your credit history.
I use my debit card all the time and throw a few transactions on the credit card just for the bill.

lonestargirl · 21-04-2010 8:14pm

thenobody wrote: »

But the problem with that is you arent building your credit history. The debit cards are the best but it does nothing to improve your rating. You dont get a bill so dont have anything to pay.
The main reason to get a credit card is to improve credit score.
And the practice of paying off the card before the bill date like in ireland would not be wise. You need to owe money at the bill date and should be no more than 20% of the credit limit and then therefore a bill is generated and then you pay it. If you pay it off no bill is generated so it counts for nothing to your credit history.
I use my debit card all the time and throw a few transactions on the credit card just for the bill.

True - but I have a mortgage which is building my credit score.

thenobody · 21-04-2010 8:22pm

Which is also why someone would want to build the credit score in the first place so your all set anyway.

rockonollie · 06-05-2010 12:12am

Ruu wrote: »

I remember giving my visa packet to the immigration officer, it was the same guy every time I flew to the US over the last few years! When I handed it to him he said "ah one lucky visa applicant, be right back". He went into a room and then I was promptly called to sign and get finger printed. The guard also yelled over to my wife "this is his last chance, no going back now!". He was dead on, he said to make sure she knew he was joking, shook my hand and welcomed me to the United States. This was preclearing through Dublin.

I'll be going through all this in a couple of weeks when i move to indy but i have one question that i can't find an answer to, so maybe someone with your experience can shed light on the situation?

I'm flying out of dublin on a flight that will do pre-clearance there, does this mean that there will be nothing to be done at the airport when i land in chicago?

i.e. Is it like travelling on the visa waiver where you go through immigration in dublin so you just skip the ques and go straight to baggage claim when you land in the US?

thenobody · 06-05-2010 1:05am

rockonollie wrote: »

I'll be going through all this in a couple of weeks when i move to indy but i have one question that i can't find an answer to, so maybe someone with your experience can shed light on the situation?

I'm flying out of dublin on a flight that will do pre-clearance there, does this mean that there will be nothing to be done at the airport when i land in chicago?

i.e. Is it like travelling on the visa waiver where you go through immigration in dublin so you just skip the ques and go straight to baggage claim when you land in the US?

Yes.
You will also not be filling out the green form anymore but will need fill out the white one for customs.
You will need to allow extra time in dublin. Once you get to the immigration section they will take your envelope and bring you to a room in that area where the gates are downstair - just opposite the immigration desks. You will wait a while. They will fingerprint you - old style with the ink and all (not electronic). Feels very criminal in fact.
Oh, I needed one (or maybe it was two) 2"x2" photos for there and then. I did not know this before and was told about it and read no mention of it but luckily i had some spare in my carry on bag. So bring some just in case.

Then they send you on your way and away you go to the gate and just wait to board.

Also, not all flights from dublin pre-emmigrate in Dublin. Some do it now in the States which will be a major hassle but hopefully you have one booked that will.

Although, you are going to Indiana which probably means Chicago and for Chicago Immigration is in the US side.

Here is a list of flights i found that do immigration in the US:
American Airlines to Chicago
Aer Lingus to Dulles
Aer Lingus to Chicago
Aer Lingus to San Francisco
Aer Lingus to Orlando
Aer Lingus Flight 109 to JFK
Continental Airlines Flight 127 to Newark
US Airways to Philadelphia

ICANN · 06-05-2010 10:31am

I'm very jealous, congrats to everyone heading over, hopefully I'll be lucky enough to get a visa in the next few years or so.

rockonollie · 06-05-2010 10:36am

thenobody wrote: »

Yes.
You will also not be filling out the green form anymore but will need fill out the white one for customs.
You will need to allow extra time in dublin. Once you get to the immigration section they will take your envelope and bring you to a room in that area where the gates are downstair - just opposite the immigration desks. You will wait a while. They will fingerprint you - old style with the ink and all (not electronic). Feels very criminal in fact.
Oh, I needed one (or maybe it was two) 2"x2" photos for there and then. I did not know this before and was told about it and read no mention of it but luckily i had some spare in my carry on bag. So bring some just in case.

Then they send you on your way and away you go to the gate and just wait to board.

Also, not all flights from dublin pre-emmigrate in Dublin. Some do it now in the States which will be a major hassle but hopefully you have one booked that will.

Although, you are going to Indiana which probably means Chicago and for Chicago Immigration is in the US side.

Here is a list of flights i found that do immigration in the US:
American Airlines to Chicago
Aer Lingus to Dulles
Aer Lingus to Chicago
Aer Lingus to San Francisco
Aer Lingus to Orlando
Aer Lingus Flight 109 to JFK
Continental Airlines Flight 127 to Newark
US Airways to Philadelphia

I flew on the same flight to chicago back in october and we did immigration in dublin, hopefully it will be the same this time round......when we arrived in chicago last october there were at least 500 people queuing for passport checks. As soon as I get finished with the whole thing I'll put up a summary for board users, i'm not going via the diversity lottery, i was lucky enough to find an american girl

MossNyc · 06-05-2010 7:41pm

rockonollie wrote: »

I'll be going through all this in a couple of weeks when i move to indy but i have one question that i can't find an answer to, so maybe someone with your experience can shed light on the situation?

I'm flying out of dublin on a flight that will do pre-clearance there, does this mean that there will be nothing to be done at the airport when i land in chicago?

i.e. Is it like travelling on the visa waiver where you go through immigration in dublin so you just skip the ques and go straight to baggage claim when you land in the US?

Its exactly as NOBODY said, The only thing is i wasn't asked for any photos as they have the tiny web cams that take your photo when you are going through.I agree with everyone here to do the processing in Ireland if you can. Ive been back over for a month now and still waiting on the physical card to be sent to me. Let us know how you get on when you land

rockonollie · 06-05-2010 7:45pm

i sure will.....just starting to fret over the fact that my visa and passport haven't arrived yet, when i did the interview they said that it was all approved and i'd get the stuff in the post in a week to 10 days......so i though it was a safe bet to book my flight 4 weeks after the interview date......flight is now 11 days away and no visa.:(

MossNyc · 06-05-2010 7:52pm

rockonollie wrote: »

i sure will.....just starting to fret over the fact that my visa and passport haven't arrived yet, when i did the interview they said that it was all approved and i'd get the stuff in the post in a week to 10 days......so i though it was a safe bet to book my flight 4 weeks after the interview date......flight is now 11 days away and no visa.:(

Id give them a ring if i was you just to make sure it was sent . I got mine about a week after although they could be busy with J1s and stuff at the moment. although once i had to wait nearly a month to get my passport back with a h1b in it as there was a screw up with something

here is a link with a phone number
http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=Ireland&cty=Dublin

Let us know how you get on

MossNyc · 10-05-2010 9:44pm

Update : May 10th 2010

So I have been in the the states for a month now and I received a "welcome letter" from us immigration which gave me a receipt number SRC-111 -****** which allows you to check your status online. This came on the 7th of may.

My status has now changed to document production and i should receive the physical greencard in about 30 days.

So with the port of entry being in shannon it took almost a month for the package to get to the processing center in the US before they started the processing for creating the card.

I know people who were here legally and did a change of status to a greencard and it only took about 2 weeks from approval to get the card

I will let you know the last step once i get the card.

rockonollie · 10-05-2010 9:50pm

MossNyc wrote: »

Id give them a ring if i was you just to make sure it was sent . I got mine about a week after although they could be busy with J1s and stuff at the moment. although once i had to wait nearly a month to get my passport back with a h1b in it as there was a screw up with something

here is a link with a phone number
http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=Ireland&cty=Dublin

Let us know how you get on

Sad news is that the staff that answer the phones can't deal with individual visa cases so i've had to email the embassy instead, which could take days to get an answer from........fingers crossed.....4 postal days left for it to arrive

MossNyc · 10-05-2010 9:56pm

rockonollie wrote: »

Sad news is that the staff that answer the phones can't deal with individual visa cases so i've had to email the embassy instead, which could take days to get an answer from........fingers crossed.....4 postal days left for it to arrive

Things must have changed because they spoke to me when there was some confusion on the H1b.

I hope they get it done tomorrow and you usually get it the next day.

Best of luck im sure it will come through

rockonollie · 10-05-2010 11:23pm

MossNyc wrote: »

Things must have changed because they spoke to me when there was some confusion on the H1b.

I hope they get it done tomorrow and you usually get it the next day.

Best of luck im sure it will come through

did you call the embassy directly......or the visa helpline?

thenobody · 10-05-2010 11:27pm

There is a number to call the embassy on this and they will only answer the phone between 11.45 and 12.30 or something like that - at least that was my experience, and it wasnt a nice one at that

MossNyc · 10-05-2010 11:29pm

rockonollie wrote: »

did you call the embassy directly......or the visa helpline?

I called directly . The number is in the link in one of the posts before. I think they only answer the phone between 1 and 4. They were not exactly the nicest but you deserve to know where your visa is

rockonollie · 10-05-2010 11:31pm

thanks mossnyc.....i'll give it a go tomorrow if it doesn't arrive in the post....i'm actually in the ballsbridge area tomorrow afternoon if it does turn out to be sitting in a drawer in the embassy

thenobody · 10-05-2010 11:32pm

They send it registered as well which is why you give them an expensive stamped envelope so if they sent it and it wasnt delivered it should be trackable. But i guess you need them to tell you first that it has been sent.

Are you the only person now wishing this volcano thing actually delays your flight?

rockonollie · 10-05-2010 11:49pm

not really......if needs be i'll change my flight....but my wife really needs to get back asap.....applying for teaching jobs gets alot harder if she isn't there before college students graduate

mileyk2 · 13-05-2010 12:30pm

MossNyc wrote: »

I called directly . The number is in the link in one of the posts before. I think they only answer the phone between 1 and 4. They were not exactly the nicest but you deserve to know where your visa is

Hi Moss and to everyone, I just got notification that I have won this years lotto, although my case number is 24XXX i've been told this is very high and might not actually get a visa? anyway sending all the documents off today, any feedback would be great!

thenobody · 13-05-2010 3:37pm

Nice one. Congrats.

I guess all you can do is sit back and wait and get all your stuff together nearer the time and keep an eye on the monthly visa bulletins that start from September.
If you need to build up money to be above the poverty line (>$14k).

It may be tight if you get an interview or not. Check out previous years results. Search for it and look for previous last bulletins for Europe figure. I heard they are cutting down on the Europe allocations though. But you probably will just make it and an interview would probably be in June or July next year.
Nothing you can do that wait and hope I guess.
Good luck

thenobody · 13-05-2010 3:44pm

Looks like for June this year the cutoff is 31000 so you should be ok.
I can't see them reducing it by anyway near that much.
Guess it also depends on how many visas they give per case number - families, couples etc.
Actually your interview than should be around May and will fund this out in march bulletin

mileyk2 · 13-05-2010 4:06pm

What do you mean by above the poverty line? Is it that I just need a certain amount of money in my account? I also heard I can have an american say they sign an affidavit? I'm sure i'll be able to get this. The embassy will let me know of these options closer to time I assume?
Thanks for the feedback

thenobody wrote: »

Nice one. Congrats.

I guess all you can do is sit back and wait and get all your stuff together nearer the time and keep an eye on the monthly visa bulletins that start from September.
If you need to build up money to be above the poverty line (>$14k).

It may be tight if you get an interview or not. Check out previous years results. Search for it and look for previous last bulletins for Europe figure. I heard they are cutting down on the Europe allocations though. But you probably will just make it and an interview would probably be in June or July next year.
Nothing you can do that wait and hope I guess.
Good luck

El Diablo 101 · 13-05-2010 4:09pm

Congrats on getting the letter! Did you get it by regular post, or was it a registered letter?

Does anyone know if the allocation numbers eg. 24XXX are sent out in order?

thenobody · 13-05-2010 4:27pm

mileyk2 wrote: »

What do you mean by above the poverty line? Is it that I just need a certain amount of money in my account? I also heard I can have an american say they sign an affidavit? I'm sure i'll be able to get this. The embassy will let me know of these options closer to time I assume?
Thanks for the feedback

You have to show a history of money you have above the poverty line which is around $14k or $15k. Or you can have a job offer letter. Or you can have an america citizen fill out an affidavit of support. This though is very very obtrusive and includes a huge amount of personal details (financial stuff, tax return info etc) they have to complete. You would really want to know the person really really well and be very close to. I certainly would never ask anyone to fill that for me.

Also, make sure you have an american address to add to your forms now for the greencard to be sent to. I think you can change it at the time of interview though but you need to put something in the forms now.

The information from the embassy is not great and doesnt include this stuff. All you get is an attachment to your appointment letter dated sometime in the 1990s. And also details of where to go for the medical exam (which has to be completed within 6 weeks of the interview).

The letter comes by normal post and is postmarked from Sweden. And whether they send them out sequentially and people receive them sequentially is impossible to answer.

MossNyc · 13-05-2010 4:28pm

mileyk2 wrote: »

Hi Moss and to everyone, I just got notification that I have won this years lotto, although my case number is 24XXX i've been told this is very high and might not actually get a visa? anyway sending all the documents off today, any feedback would be great!

Hey Man congrats on getting picked. Don't worry too much about everything just get all the stuff we spoke about here together and you will be fine.

Also my number from this year was above 23500 and my interview was in march so plan for interview around then. I dont think your number is that high. My attorney told me not to worry about the number as more than likely you will be called.

Best of luck
Moss

thenobody · 13-05-2010 4:33pm

Oh and dont bother with attorneys. Seems Moss did but you really dont need any of that stuff. Maybe being in the states already on another visa it could advisable but otherwise no point.
Its all very straight forward and there should be no other expenses than the medical fee, 2"x2" photos, interview fees, stamps and envelope for interview, registered post to send the forms back and flights.

MossNyc · 13-05-2010 4:36pm

thenobody wrote: »

Oh and dont bother with attorneys. Seems Moss did but you really dont need any of that stuff. Maybe being in the states already on another visa it could advisable but otherwise no point.
Its all very straight forward and there should be no other expenses than the medical fee, 2"x2" photos, interview fees, stamps and envelope for interview, registered post to send the forms back and flights.

Yeah i agree. I had a few different visa's over the years and was living in the states at the time. Also i was stopped once in shannon so it was worth it for me to have an attorney phrase some of my answers. If yours is not complicated just do it yourself

mileyk2 · 13-05-2010 5:22pm

MossNyc wrote: »

Yeah i agree. I had a few different visa's over the years and was living in the states at the time. Also i was stopped once in shannon so it was worth it for me to have an attorney phrase some of my answers. If yours is not complicated just do it yourself

I have never been stopped, or anything. I sent the forms today and for the american address mart I put in N/A because I was told that I didnt need it at this point? I'm sure this minor detail won't be a problem.
Moss what was your experience with the poverty line thing? is it okay to top your bank account up close to the interview time? i'll be working but probably won't have that much? How fussy are the embassy in regards to this?
Also for the job offer is all I need a letter or is there further confirmation needed?
Thanks for all the help guys

rockonollie · 13-05-2010 5:22pm

mileyk2 wrote: »

What do you mean by above the poverty line? Is it that I just need a certain amount of money in my account? I also heard I can have an american say they sign an affidavit? I'm sure i'll be able to get this. The embassy will let me know of these options closer to time I assume?
Thanks for the feedback

you can see the figures here => http://liheap.ncat.org/profiles/povertytables/FY2010/popstate.htm

basically the US government set an amount for households of 1, 2, 3, 4 people and so on. anyone earning below the figure they set is considered below the "federal poverty line" and when applying for a visa it's vital that you can prove that you have enough to stay above the poverty line. In fact i think it may be 125% for visas. It's purely because they won't give a visa to somebody who will end up being a strain on social services in the US, just like you need to do the medical to prove that you won't be a burden on the healthcare system.

MossNyc · 13-05-2010 5:29pm

mileyk2 wrote: »

I have never been stopped, or anything. I sent the forms today and for the american address mart I put in N/A because I was told that I didnt need it at this point? I'm sure this minor detail won't be a problem.
Moss what was your experience with the poverty line thing? is it okay to top your bank account up close to the interview time? i'll be working but probably won't have that much? How fussy are the embassy in regards to this?
Also for the job offer is all I need a letter or is there further confirmation needed?
Thanks for all the help guys

I only had a few thousand in my account but was working full time already on a H1b so showed my pay slips and that was fine for the interview. If you had a letter from an employer in the US stating a job offer, salary etc Im sure that would work too.

thenobody · 13-05-2010 5:32pm

Exactly.

and no. You cant just transfer money in a week before and then take it out after the interview.
You will need to bring a number of months bank account statement. usually six months but take all you have and if the last statement you received (like mine) was a few months before the interview you will need to go to the bank and get them to print out the statement upto a week or two before the interview. Printing it from the internet will not do. You will need it to show your address and details etc. This is what the embassy told me, what I did and it was fine and I had to give them the originals (dont think i got them back). Maybe someone did print off the internet and it was fine but always best to get the most detailed and correct info.

and dont forget to apply for your police cert around january - maybe december (for an interview in march).

You got a degree and good job history record? If so and having enough money ($13538) and passing the medical and clean police record you should be fine.
But you really will need to have a good bit more money than that when you make the move.

rockonollie · 13-05-2010 5:33pm

good news today.....even though it required two days of phone calls and a drive to dublin......i finally have my visa and won't have to change my flights on monday......now we just need the volcano to stay quiet for another few days

MossNyc · 13-05-2010 5:34pm

rockonollie wrote: »

good news today.....even though it required two days of phone calls and a drive to dublin......i finally have my visa and won't have to change my flights on monday......now we just need the volcano to stay quiet for another few days

Thats great man. Congrats. What happened with it anyway ?

thenobody · 13-05-2010 5:35pm

MossNyc wrote: »

I only had a few thousand in my account but was working full time already on a H1b so showed my pay slips and that was fine for the interview. If you had a letter from an employer in the US stating a job offer, salary etc Im sure that would work too.

and theres the thing for Moss. Had a job already in the states so the money thing was not an issue. With no job offer or accepted affidavit you will need to show enough money in your financial history.

I do know of some people that have been refused because of this.
Its at their discretion and everything plays into their decision.

mileyk2 · 13-05-2010 5:37pm

yeh i'm gonna do the police cert around then, thanks.
Do you think the fact i didnt put an address down will affect me?

thenobody wrote: »

Exactly.

and no. You cant just transfer money in a week before and then take it out after the interview.
You will need to bring a number of months bank account statement. usually six months but take all you have and if the last statement you received (like mine) was a few months before the interview you will need to go to the bank and get them to print out the statement upto a week or two before the interview. Printing it from the internet will not do. You will need it to show your address and details etc. This is what the embassy told me, what I did and it was fine and I had to give them the originals (dont think i got them back). Maybe someone did print off the internet and it was fine but always best to get the most detailed and correct info.

and dont forget to apply for your police cert around january - maybe december (for an interview in march).

You got a degree and good job history record? If so and having enough money ($13538) and passing the medical and clean police record you should be fine.
But you really will need to have a good bit more money than that when you make the move.

thenobody · 13-05-2010 5:39pm

mileyk2 wrote: »

yeh i'm gonna do the police cert around then, thanks.
Do you think the fact i didnt put an address down will affect me?

No. You can ring the kentucky place before your number comes up to change any details and at the interview you can change the address too. just remember to!
Not sure if PO Boxes are allowed. I think they are and you can rent them buts thats getting awkward now.

rockonollie · 13-05-2010 5:40pm

it was sitting in a drawer in the embassy........it should have been processed a fortnight ago.....it wasn't until i started hounding them that they realized that i wasn't just another impatient immigrant and that they had misplaced it.

In fairness to them, i spoke to them for the first time yesterday afternoon, the officer said she'd look into it, she called me at 8:20 this morning to say that it would be issued sometime today and i could collect it tomorrow. when i told her that i had no way to get to dublin tomorrow she told me to leave it with her and she'd see what she could do, she called back at 11 and told me that if i got to the embassy sometime between 2 and 3 i'd be able to get it then.

The only problem i had was with the system that is aimed at applicants not being able to contact the embassy directly...........the staff are very helpful if you can get a hold of them

thenobody · 13-05-2010 5:42pm

rockonollie wrote: »

it was sitting in a drawer in the embassy........it should have been processed a fortnight ago.....it wasn't until i started hounding them that they realized that i wasn't just another impatient immigrant and that they had misplaced it.

In fairness to them, i spoke to them for the first time yesterday afternoon, the officer said she'd look into it, she called me at 8:20 this morning to say that it would be issued sometime today and i could collect it tomorrow. when i told her that i had no way to get to dublin tomorrow she told me to leave it with her and she'd see what she could do, she called back at 11 and told me that if i got to the embassy sometime between 2 and 3 i'd be able to get it then.

The only problem i had was with the system that is aimed at applicants not being able to contact the embassy directly...........the staff are very helpful if you can get a hold of them

Typical eh!
I hope you also got the sealed envelope for immigration!

MossNyc · 13-05-2010 5:44pm

rockonollie wrote: »

it was sitting in a drawer in the embassy........it should have been processed a fortnight ago.....it wasn't until i started hounding them that they realized that i wasn't just another impatient immigrant and that they had misplaced it.

In fairness to them, i spoke to them for the first time yesterday afternoon, the officer said she'd look into it, she called me at 8:20 this morning to say that it would be issued sometime today and i could collect it tomorrow. when i told her that i had no way to get to dublin tomorrow she told me to leave it with her and she'd see what she could do, she called back at 11 and told me that if i got to the embassy sometime between 2 and 3 i'd be able to get it then.

The only problem i had was with the system that is aimed at applicants not being able to contact the embassy directly...........the staff are very helpful if you can get a hold of them

Yeah , the same thing happened to me with my h1b it got put aside and eventually i was able to talk to someone who was able to look at it and get it finished
. Ah well alls well that ends well

mileyk2 · 13-05-2010 5:48pm

thenobody wrote: »

No. You can ring the kentucky place before your number comes up to change any details and at the interview you can change the address too. just remember to!
Not sure if PO Boxes are allowed. I think they are and you can rent them buts thats getting awkward now.

thats great i'll ring them over the next few weeks,
I'm doing a j1 over there in an office and i'm sure they'll give me a letter, even if don't end up working there,they'll give me a letter.

thenobody · 13-05-2010 5:57pm

mileyk2 wrote: »

thats great i'll ring them over the next few weeks,
I'm doing a j1 over there in an office and i'm sure they'll give me a letter, even if don't end up working there,they'll give me a letter.

Wont work. you will need a letter dated near the time of the interview and with information on start date etc. they know anyone can write a letter so they may actually check up on it.

By the way, you dont ring the embassy at all until kentucky consular has passed the case over to them - they wont know anything about it and wont really talk to you. You would need to ring the kentucky consular for some questions - about the application only - and will need to allow at least 2 months for your case to be processed (which is why sending the forms immediately is recommended). Once they receive it there is a 6 to 8 week process time.

And also I think once you start this process by sending the forms back you cant go over on another visa like a J1. There was questions about even if you could travel there on a visa waiver but i went on a holiday to the states during the time and was ok. But have been told you cant go on a new visa. But that may be someway incorrect and is something you should clear up before using the J1.

And another thing so all info is out there. The person completing the affidavit will also have to show they have enough money above the poverty line and this figure would take into account everyone in their family plus you so it would be that table on that website for the total number of people at 125%. Again, another reason not ask someone for affidavit.

lil_lisa · 13-05-2010 6:03pm

Well would it be in their family or in their household? I think its household, it wouldn't make sense to take into consideration the entire family when none of them may be living together at all, right?

mileyk2 · 13-05-2010 6:05pm

Its a family friend, so they'll do the letter closer to the time. My j1 is a work and travel and not an internship, so i'm not subject to the two year rule, so it doesn't affect me.
Yeh I'll ring kentucky i just want to change the address thing from N/A. i mean there is no rush.
For the Poverty line thing, do you need to be working a job at time of interview that pays you more then the $ per year rather then have it accumulated as personal savings?

thenobody wrote: »

Wont work. you will need a letter dated near the time of the interview and with information on start date etc. they know anyone can write a letter so they may actually check up on it.

By the way, you dont ring the embassy at all until kentucky consular has passed the case over to them - they wont know anything about it and wont really talk to you. You would need to ring the kentucky consular for some questions - about the application only - and will need to allow at least 2 months for your case to be processed (which is why sending the forms immediately is recommended). Once they receive it there is a 6 to 8 week process time.

And also I think once you start this process by sending the forms back you cant go over on another visa like a J1. There was questions about even if you could travel there on a visa waiver but i went on a holiday to the states during the time and was ok. But have been told you cant go on a new visa. But that may be someway incorrect and is something you should clear up before using the J1.

And another thing so all info is out there. The person completing the affidavit will also have to show they have enough money above the poverty line and this figure would take into account everyone in their family plus you so it would be that table on that website for the total number of people at 125%. Again, another reason not ask someone for affidavit.

thenobody · 13-05-2010 6:40pm

Its for people they are responsible for. So if they have a wife/husband and two kids then they need enough for five (plus anyone else they support). If the kids have moved out and fend for themselves when they arent included.

You need not be working at the time of the interview (that makes no difference because you will have to quit within six months anyway) but need to show you have that amount of money available to you - and not tied up in assets.

the two year rule is not the issue i think. It is that you are processing for a greencard whilst going to the states on another visa. I know of people who could not go on work travel to the states because they were in the process for the greencard application. Again check it out. Its not about when you come home.

mileyk2 · 13-05-2010 7:01pm

I already have my visa for the summer so the process is over? I was talking to another guy who said it wasn't a problem. I mean if i had of got the letter in july and was already over there it would make the same difference as now.

All i'm concerned about currently is not filling in the address on the form. Do kentucky give you a receipt or anything when the receive your info? I'll call them in a few weeks and change the application

thenobody wrote: »

Its for people they are responsible for. So if they have a wife/husband and two kids then they need enough for five (plus anyone else they support). If the kids have moved out and fend for themselves when they arent included.

You need not be working at the time of the interview (that makes no difference because you will have to quit within six months anyway) but need to show you have that amount of money available to you - and not tied up in assets.

the two year rule is not the issue i think. It is that you are processing for a greencard whilst going to the states on another visa. I know of people who could not go on work travel to the states because they were in the process for the greencard application. Again check it out. Its not about when you come home.

MossNyc · 13-05-2010 7:04pm

thenobody wrote: »

And also I think once you start this process by sending the forms back you cant go over on another visa like a J1. There was questions about even if you could travel there on a visa waiver but i went on a holiday to the states during the time and was ok. But have been told you cant go on a new visa. But that may be someway incorrect and is something you should clear up before using the J1.

I don't think you are actually applying for the visa until you do the interview. I went for my h1b interview in dublin in september after i had sent back the green card application in june and Neither I nor the officer brought it up.

The H1b does allow for dual intent - meaning an H-1B holder can have legal immigration intent (apply for and obtain the green card) while still a holder of the visa. The J1 doesn't.

If you coming out for the 4 month J1 i couldn't see the problem but then again its US Immigration so who knows.

thenobody · 13-05-2010 7:07pm

Ok. Just something i thought you would need to think of.

You get nothing from them. You should have sent by post that you can track it was delivered. then allow for 2 months to process then the info should be available to them.
You ring in a month and they may say they have it and that it hasnt been entered into their system or they may say its not in their system so they dont know if they have it.
Only tracking the postage is the best way i guess.
I think i sent mine swift post. Wasnt bothered sending with UPS and paying a fortune. And typical an post tracking "your package has left ireland' - great. that tells me a lot. So I had to ring an post directly and talked to someone who could bring up info that it was delivered and on which day.

mileyk2 · 13-05-2010 7:16pm

had the same problem with an post. I just sent it by regular post, should get there all the same, i'll ring in a month and ask.

thenobody wrote: »

Ok. Just something i thought you would need to think of.

You get nothing from them. You should have sent by post that you can track it was delivered. then allow for 2 months to process then the info should be available to them.
You ring in a month and they may say they have it and that it hasnt been entered into their system or they may say its not in their system so they dont know if they have it.
Only tracking the postage is the best way i guess.
I think i sent mine swift post. Wasnt bothered sending with UPS and paying a fortune. And typical an post tracking "your package has left ireland' - great. that tells me a lot. So I had to ring an post directly and talked to someone who could bring up info that it was delivered and on which day.

mileyk2 · 13-05-2010 10:27pm

Just wondering if you had any interaction with KCC? I'm really worried about putting not known in the address part of my form. I know I'm sure I can resolve this at the interview but would like to get it sorted over then next few months. Your postings are a great help

MossNyc wrote: »

Hey Man congrats on getting picked. Don't worry too much about everything just get all the stuff we spoke about here together and you will be fine.

Also my number from this year was above 23500 and my interview was in march so plan for interview around then. I dont think your number is that high. My attorney told me not to worry about the number as more than likely you will be called.

Best of luck
Moss

US Greencard Through Diversity Lotto

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