AOS help

[ZoeUK1989 35]

Hey everyone, I'm not sure if anyone can help me with these two questions but if it's not in the right place just let me know. My first question is about the AOS after the k1 visa being approved and us getting married. I am aware that when applying for the AOS I cannot leave the country but I have also read that this can take years to come through. Am I really expected to go that long without visiting my family back in the UK unless it's an emergency?

My second question which may seem extremely random is actually about naturalisation. How do this work and what does it involve?

If anyone can help me with info that would be great. I know the second question is really far along I am just a little worried that i will never be able to do it if it involves things like history tests lol

Thanks again

[kris&me 572]

you can apply for naturalization 3 years after marriage / time goes fast so it is not too early to start planning

[Scandi 3,970]

When you file for AOS you can also choose to file for AP and EAD (optional), you usually get those within 90 days, and those are so you can travel outside the country and work in the US while waiting for your AOS to be approved.

[p-ana 933]

Hey everyone, I'm not sure if anyone can help me with these two questions but if it's not in the right place just let me know. My first question is about the AOS after the k1 visa being approved and us getting married. I am aware that when applying for the AOS I cannot leave the country but I have also read that this can take years to come through. Am I really expected to go that long without visiting my family back in the UK unless it's an emergency?

My second question which may seem extremely random is actually about naturalisation. How do this work and what does it involve?

If anyone can help me with info that would be great. I know the second question is really far along I am just a little worried that i will never be able to do it if it involves things like history tests lol

Thanks again

You can go to the guides section and read about the aos and naturalization processes. You can also go to the forums and read about people's experiences. When you file for the aos, you can also file for advance parole (i131) that once granted gives you the possibility of going overseas and being accepted back into the us.

you can apply for naturalization 3 years after marriage / time goes fast so it is not too early to start planning

It's three years after the residency date if still married to the petitioner.

[yuna628 9,527]

Hey everyone, I'm not sure if anyone can help me with these two questions but if it's not in the right place just let me know. My first question is about the AOS after the k1 visa being approved and us getting married. I am aware that when applying for the AOS I cannot leave the country but I have also read that this can take years to come through. Am I really expected to go that long without visiting my family back in the UK unless it's an emergency?

My second question which may seem extremely random is actually about naturalisation. How do this work and what does it involve?

If anyone can help me with info that would be great. I know the second question is really far along I am just a little worried that i will never be able to do it if it involves things like history tests lol

Thanks again

When filing for AOS, include the forms for an EAD and AP. The fees for these are waived if included. After a biometrics appointment, the combo card should arrive within 90 days of filing. With that you are allowed to travel until your green card arrives.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hey everyone, I'm not sure if anyone can help me with these two questions but if it's not in the right place just let me know. My first question is about the AOS after the k1 visa being approved and us getting married. I am aware that when applying for the AOS I cannot leave the country but I have also read that this can take years to come through. Am I really expected to go that long without visiting my family back in the UK unless it's an emergency? You are not stuck in the US while your AOS is being processed. With the AOS, you can file for a free AP/EAD card. AP will allow you to leave and return to the US to continue the AOS process. It takes about 90 days to get AP after you file. If you need it sooner, you can apply for Emergency AP.

My second question which may seem extremely random is actually about naturalisation. How do this work and what does it involve? You can apply after 3 years of marriage to a USC, living with that USC for 3 years, and having a green card for 3 years. Read the Naturalization Guide on this website.

If anyone can help me with info that would be great. I know the second question is really far along I am just a little worried that i will never be able to do it if it involves things like history tests lol There is a test, and it's an easy test.

Thanks again

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

You are eligible for citizenship three years from the date your greencard is issued, not three years married. If your AOS takes a year, then you'll actually be married four years. There is a test of 100 possible questions, mostly multiple choice, but they pick 10 randomly to give you on interview day. You can find apps for study and they gave us a booklet for study at biometrics with a companion cd. It's history, geography, US government. It's not easy. You have to learn the stuff. I had to relearn some of it helping my husband. Most Americans would find a lot of the questions hard. But you can do it. Start early. I started teaching my husband about US government when he got here just so he knew what was going on in this country. By the time he got to citizenship, he already had a lot of that down. I had to teach him about baseball and football too.

Also you have to read and write English, but you got that.

The three year thing is a perk if you remain married to a USC. Otherwise you wait five years to be eligible. You also get to remain British and have two passports.

Edited May 30, 2016 by Nich-Nick

[Ontarkie 13,897]

~~Moved to General Immigration Related Discussion, from K1P&P - As the OP is looking into future steps about AOS and Naturalization.~~

[TBoneTX 43,000]

Don't forget the Removing Conditions step, between AOS and naturalization.

[ZoeUK1989 35]

As I don't have specific dates and no emergency can i still get the advance AP? I think I may have misunderstood the reasons for having this...

I don't think there is any chance of me passing a test so what happens if I never get naturalisation?

[Nathan&Emily 10]

As I don't have specific dates and no emergency can i still get the advance AP? I think I may have misunderstood the reasons for having this...

I don't think there is any chance of me passing a test so what happens if I never get naturalisation?

Yes you can apply for AP with your AOS regardless. Only emergency AP will need a date and reason to leave.

As for the test, its actually quite passable. Been looking at it myself and while I know a fair bit about the US and can pass it already, my 14 year old son who doesn't still answered enough right. A lot of the civics questions you probably pick up and know from various TV shows lol. The history ones can be trickier but they're largely based on famous events which you can learn easy enough. Have some faith.

That said if you still can't pass it I believe you can just remain on your green card indefinitely. You don't HAVE to naturalize. Its a privilege not a requirement.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

As a K1, you get to apply for AP free and you don't need a specific date or elaborate reason. You should have it about 90 days after applying. Also, your AOS shouldn't take years (plural). Most are still getting greencards in less than a year.

You can remain a greencard holder forever if you wish. Once you get the 10-year card, it will have to be renewed every 10 years. I know a man who still renews and he's been here 40+ years.

[ZoeUK1989 35]

Thank you to you all again for your help! This does help a tremendous amount. I will more than likely in that case keep renewing my green card. I'm guessing you don't have to do all the interviews again but not too sure. I will be applying for the things I need as soon as I possibly can.

[LionessDeon 2,060]

http://www.visajourney.com/content/guides

[EM_Vandaveer 2,364]

I still don't understand why you think you can't pass the test. It's NOT hard.