AOS Filing Fee Waver

[usmsbow 795]

Just now, mcdull said:

I doubt you are barely making ends meet working for a company that sends you and your spouse abroad.

 

 

 

 

There are plenty in the non-profit world (including churches) who fit this description. I would guess that is the OP's professional background. 

[Paul & Mallory 1,398]

1 hour ago, RevGreen said:

 

Realistically? A few months. If I had $1500 to spare I obviously wouldn't be making this post. I don't know why people are criticizing me.

We are to marry this week, but she just wants to start working and having her own money sooner rather than later. Also we need to travel back to Thailand later this year.

This poster was not criticizing you...? She was actually giving you viable options. And it's fair to ask if you're capable of postponing AOS for now (without surpassing the I-94 expiration date), if it means you could save up for it. Some people here ARE actually trying to help you.

 

Paying with a credit card is a new option available, which is why most people weren't aware of it. You can find the credit card authorization form on the USCIS website - you just have to fill it out and include it with your AOS packet.

 

As for those not being quite as helpful - no, berating you about what you could've/should've done after the fact doesn't really do or mean diddly squat. But I suppose most people are bewildered that one would not plan better/ahead for this process, particularly at this stage when failing to fulfill the next step or requirement (in this case, AOS) could result in forfeiting the entire process, which means you wasted more money than you have even paid so far. My husband and I researched all costs from beginning to end before filing anything - from K1 application to naturalization - and came up with a total lump sum, split it down the middle, and agreed we'd each be responsible for half. We made sure at LEAST half of the lump sum was on hand before we ever even applied for the K1. Neither of us are rich people. Neither of us have fancy jobs. But we both did without other things in the meantime so we could fulfill this obligation. With the way things fluctuate so much with USCIS, you never really know how long you have between financial obligations, and being unprepared can be an unnecessary headache, or worse.

 

If it were me, I'd throw a credit card at it this time, get this out of your face, and start putting money aside NOW for the next part, even if it seems far off. So you don't run into this again. I definitely wouldn't recommend putting everything on credit cards between now and the finish line if you can help it, as you'll wind up paying way more in the end if you do. You said you are both mid 20s - you are young and likely still building financial stability and possibly even credit. Save save save - it's always best to pay something upfront if you can manage to.

 

Good luck to you.

[Roel 7,191]

46 minutes ago, RevGreen said:

. I said my job is sending me (and her) to Thailand. Absolutely nothing to do with the AOS or K1. Why are you on about it?

 

Just want to chip in - it actually has a lot to do with AOS.  You know it takes over a year for AOS to be approved. It takes up to 6 months to just receive a work/travel permit. 

 

If your fiance/wife leaves US without proper documents, she will not be able to come back to the US. You will need to file a spouse visa for her and that takes over a year to approve also. And of course a new filling fee. 

 

Not to mention, she will not be able to stay outside of the US too long. If you're planning to stay abroad for a year or longer, you need to file for reentry permit before you leave and wait for it to be approved. And guess what! Another filling fee. almost 600$ here. 

[geowrian 22,335]

2 hours ago, geowrian said:

For family-based immmgrarion, there is no fee waiver for the I-485. Any application that requires an I-864 sponsor does not qualify for it.

Just wanted to say a thank you for nobody pointing out my disaster of a typo. I don’t usually post via phone.

[debbiedoo 2,339]

yeah where can all of us sign to to waive a fee that hits our bank accounts hard? The income guidelines are not that high, but if youre only making $20K (which i think might be close to the 125% for AOS for 2 person household) .... pretty much ANY amount is high. The initial $535 k1 filing fee is the easy fee.

 

this entire process, and presumably you researched it before jumping right in, is not only lengthy, but also expensive. And as mentioned above, just because you meet the income guidelines does not necessarily mean you can AFFORD the process.

 

Assuming it took roughly a year from filing the K1 to now preparing to file for AOS ... you could have saved $125-150 a month from your k1 filing date and had it covered and then some (extra for misc expenses)

 

a lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency, or in this case a fee waiver, on their part.

 

You also do not have to file AOS immediately. Start saving. File when you have the $.

[David & Diana R 1,005]

4 hours ago, RevGreen said:

 

Realistically? A few months. If I had $1500 to spare I obviously wouldn't be making this post. I don't know why people are criticizing me.

We are to marry this week, but she just wants to start working and having her own money sooner rather than later. Also we need to travel back to Thailand later this year.

Let's get real here.  CANCEL the trip to Thailand.  Do AOS.  Simple solution.

[debbiedoo 2,339]

9 minutes ago, David & Zoila said:

Let's get real here.  CANCEL the trip to Thailand.  Do AOS.  Simple solution.

Right? those plane tickets dont come cheap, i dont imagine .,..

[Umka36 781]

1 minute ago, debbiedoo said:

Right? those plane tickets dont come cheap, i dont imagine .,..

OP states that it's on his company's dime for the trip. However, I don't disagree with better planning when immigrating someone to the US.

[Sunnyland 639]

4 hours ago, RevGreen said:

Traveling to Thailand later this year for my job, so they are paying. It has no bearing on the AOS fee and why we can't afford it right now.

 

Not that it is the business of anybody here.

 

You can travel to Thailand but your spouse won't be allowed to re-enter the US unless she has her AP/EAD combo card in hand.

The sooner you guys file for AOS the sooner you will get her travel document. Remember that now those 2 documents are taking between 3 to 6 months to be approved.

AP= i-131 application for travel document

EAD= i-765 application for employment authorization

 

[geowrian 22,335]

I've been fortunate enough - and planned enough - to never carry a credit card balance. That said, paying via credit card is certainly on the table...the extra interest costs over the few months needed to gather the funds is insignificant compared to waiting longer for the EAD alone.

[rrobin0609 387]

How much money has your soon-to-be spouse saved up? Are the two of you able to pool some money together to pay for the AOS in full? Is it possible that a parent would be able to provide a partial loan?

[Umka36 781]

OP mentioned using the credit card option. OP, just remember that there will always be emergencies in life (financially and what not) but getting status for your wife should be on top of the priority list.

[Randyandyuni 2,682]

We ran into financial issues also, i tapped into my 401k

[Barry Krebs 13]

Then you might consider consular processing.  The new permanent resident then gets immediate work authorization.  That's what I did when I immigrated.  And the fees are slightly lower.  In any case, having a fee waiver for AOS defeats the purpose of meeting public charge requirements. That all being said,  better hope that you have co-sponsors for I-864 just in case.  And someone in US can who lend you the money for AOS should u choose this route to a green card.

[doggieandsam 765]

6 hours ago, geowrian said:

Just wanted to say a thank you for nobody pointing out my disaster of a typo. I don’t usually post via phone.

i didn't even see it!