AOS from K1 is horrible!

[Gillian+Mike 6]

wow I had no idea they take this long. scary!

[Tina and Johan 206]

we have also thought maybe we should have done the spousal visa instead. This waiver letter is bs. it only buys them time. There's a whole thread in the AOS progress forum about it.

Edited May 30, 2015 by Tina and Johan

[hihihi 2]

I've been waiting nearly a year since I filed for AOS!!! This is insane. I came here on K1 and filed for AOS in July 2014 and still haven't gotten anywhere. I keep calling and I keep getting different answers. One day my case is in Minesota the next I'm told it's Haileah, Florida. I'm told it takes long because we qualify for an interview waiver. Quite frankly I rather and interview and be over with this.

I suggest anyone thinking in coming on a K1 to please do a lot of research. It really isn't worth coming and waiting so long. I would have rathered getting married overseas and filing for

I-130.

I know people that have came into the states with tourist visas, have stayed here illegally and gotten married and filed the I-130 and they have gotten their papers quickly. This is just ridiculous.

may be you have to join the waiver case group here in VJ so you won't feel so crazy about the wait. that is what i did and doing.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/541331-notice-of-potential-interview-waiver-case-part-ii/

[templeton 120]

I feel for you. I too was a July 204 AOS filer after coming on a K-1. Got the interview waiver letter in November saying it would be at least another six months.

Then out of the blue a couple of weeks ago, I get an RFE saying the medical documents didn't include a vaccination report. For God's sake! Of course I had supplied them to the doctor.

I went through the documents the doctor gave me and sure enough there was a copy of the vaccination form with everything checked off and signed by him. I sent it to USCIS and crossed my fingers, angry that someone else's mistake had likely extended the process by weeks or more. My one year anniversary of the medical exam was coming up in early June, so I was sure I'd be having to go get that done all over again. Then I'm also moving at the end of June to another state. I was planning for a whole host of complications.

Then, lo and behold, I get an email two days ago. CARD IN PRODUCTION!!! Obviously I was pleasantly surprised.

Anyway, the point is, hang in there. USCIS is to shuffling the workload to different local offices in an effort to TRY and speed things up. Mine ended up in Buffalo. Everyone is different, but I sincerely hope you hear something soon!

[rob999 51]

I might be asking a stupid question but what's the big deal with AOS taking so long apart from just having the process done? I'm a K1 filer and have had to wait 6 months at TSC from NOA 1 to NOA 2. I haven't seen my fiancee since February (and likely having to wait for a couple more months until I get the visa) and to say living apart hasn't been easy is an understatement. And on top of this I'm one of the lucky ones as I got my NOA 2 "early" compared to others.

So at the moment I don't care as long as I can get to my fiancee, start working with an EAD and actually finally start my life.

Sure I get that it is not great to wait so long for a card but you're with your partner with already life started so am I missing something that makes this "so horrible" about not getting a bit of card (it's not like you'll get kicked out the country is it)?

Edited May 30, 2015 by rob999

[Saltandvinegar 8]

I'm getting ready to submit for my fiance's k-1 Visa. I'm having a hard time understanding what the big deal is here. As long as she can stay in the country until the card is approved, is it really that big of a deal?

[ANJOS 27]

It's a big deal because you've already had a long wait to have your visa approved and you've already been scrutinized. Also they have approximate timeline which are not being met. Wait until you get there and then tell me!! My husband and I have a baby and we have set goals which requires him being a USC in order to achieve.

@templeton wow we have similar timing. My husband said he rather have an rfe because then he'll know someone is working on his case. Hopefully soon we will also have some good news so that we can move forward to a wonderful successful future.

[jyaku 138]

I'm getting ready to submit for my fiance's k-1 Visa. I'm having a hard time understanding what the big deal is here. As long as she can stay in the country until the card is approved, is it really that big of a deal?

Yep good point.

I'm still waiting too and have been waiting for longer than the OP but I'm happy we're in the US already.

[rob999 51]

It's a big deal because you've already had a long wait to have your visa approved and you've already been scrutinized. Also they have approximate timeline which are not being met. Wait until you get there and then tell me!! My husband and I have a baby and we have set goals which requires him being a USC in order to achieve.

@templeton wow we have similar timing. My husband said he rather have an rfe because then he'll know someone is working on his case. Hopefully soon we will also have some good news so that we can move forward to a wonderful successful future.

Can I ask what do you mean by set goals? I ask as I don't understand what USC achieved apart from the obvious emotional side and to do things like vote. Not trying to be argumentative here just want to understand if there is some impact to life, especially with family where not bring usc has an affect

[janet&adonis 57]

Can I ask what do you mean by set goals? I ask as I don't understand what USC achieved apart from the obvious emotional side and to do things like vote. Not trying to be argumentative here just want to understand if there is some impact to life, especially with family where not bring usc has an affect

The employment card and advance parol is great if you plan on staying in the united states until you get a greencard. However if you have to go to your country, and come back to the u.s. You are treated like an illegal immigrant because of that card. In my husbands case, he was with me, a u.s. Citizen, and in his country they thought the card was false and had to get clearance. At miami poe we were put in a holding room, and were also scrutinized for not having the greencard.

Also i have heard that most colleges need the greencard to apply for financial aid. You need the greencard to have a permanent drivers license and not a temporary one.

[ANJOS 27]

Can I ask what do you mean by set goals? I ask as I don't understand what USC achieved apart from the obvious emotional side and to do things like vote. Not trying to be argumentative here just want to understand if there is some impact to life, especially with family where not bring usc has an affect

Rob there are many limitations to not being a USC. My hs and for instance wants to become a police officer. Some requirement he definitely does not meet is that he can't have a perminant license until he is a resident. He can't go to college and receive financial aid because he's not a green card holder. He needs 60 college credits to be a police office. Also at the time of the exam he must be a USC and all that has to be done before he's 35. Therefore timing is everything in our case.

Edited May 31, 2015 by ANJOS

[jyaku 138]

You need the greencard to have a permanent drivers license and not a temporary one.

Not true in New York. Must be an anti immigrant thing in Texas. I think NJ and PA are able to process drivers licenses too.

I know NY for sure because I helped my spouse get a "learner permit".. now if she passes the driving test is another matter entirely.

You need the greencard to have a permanent drivers license and not a temporary one.

Not true in New York. Must be an anti immigrant thing in Texas. I think NJ and PA are able to process drivers licenses too.

I know NY for sure because I helped my spouse get a "learner permit".. now if she passes the driving test is another matter entirely.

[TabeaK 516]

In NJ, you only get a DL that is valid as long as your immigration document.

Hence, as a K1, you start with a DL that is valid as long as your I-94 - 90d.

Once you get your EAD you can get a new one for 1 year - validity of the EAD.

Once you get your 2 year GC, you can get a new 2 year DL.

You will be spending lots of time and money at the DMV. And no, you are not getting a permanent DL.

[ANJOS 27]

In NJ, you only get a DL that is valid as long as your immigration document.

Hence, as a K1, you start with a DL that is valid as long as your I-94 - 90d.

Once you get your EAD you can get a new one for 1 year - validity of the EAD.

Once you get your 2 year GC, you can get a new 2 year DL.

You will be spending lots of time and money at the DMV. And no, you are not getting a permanent DL.

This also applies to NY. Anyone saying that they have helped someone should get there facts together. I already went to NY DMV and they thoroughly explained the document expired at the ending of each step. That it would be very costly and he might as well wait until his green card is issued.

[jyaku 138]

This also applies to NY. Anyone saying that they have helped someone should get there facts together. I already went to NY DMV and they thoroughly explained the document expired at the ending of each step. That it would be very costly and he might as well wait until his green card is issued.

Which office did you go to?

I went to the one in Jamaica near 164th street and they gave my wife a learner permit no problem last year.