F-1 Student - Adjustment of Staus & I-130 Petition for Spouse

[Disco Darby 0]

Hi Group!

This website has been a huge help to myself and my husband. So I thought I would write a note about our ongoing experiences, and the timelines.

I met my husband 4 years ago, through training courses in the US. He is an American Citizen, and I am Canadian. In 2009, I applied, and was approved for an F-1 Student visa to complete my university degree in the US. After 2 years of living together, plus the looming threat of my student status eventually ending, and me not being able to bring in any income as an F-1, we took the big leap and got married on June 13, 2011 in Las Vegas (perfectly cheesy and wonderful at the same time).

Exactly 2 weeks later (due to the wait time on our marriage certificate), we submitted our complete package to USCIS on June 28, 2011.

Because I was already in the US legally under an F-1 Student Visa, we followed the guidelines listed on this site for how to file an I-130 for a Spouse Inside the US. This combined package included:

1. I-130 Petition for Alien Relative

a) including all required documentation for BOTH of us (passports, Birth Certificates, Photos, CERTIFIED COPY of Marriage Certificate, etc)

b) G-325A filled out for BOTH my husband as the petitioner, and myself as a beneficiary

c) bona fide proof of our marriage (we included our rental lease, bank account info, and a smiling photo of us at the wedding)

2. I-485 Application To Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

a) including all the required documentation for myself as an applicant (passport/birth certificate, Marriage Certificate, photos, etc)

b) Valid copy of I-94 Entry/Departure Record [which does not have an expiry date because of my student status]

c) Copies of my Current and past I-20s and SEVIS receipts for my F-1 visa

d) Sealed envelope (from a certified Doctor) containing I-693, Medical Examination of Aliens Seeking Adjustment of Status

e) I-864, Affidavit of Support from my Husband (including 3 years of Tax information)

f) I-765, Application for Employment Authorization - so I can hopefully start earning my keep!

The entire package (and trust me, it was THICK) was RECEIVED by the Chicago lock box on June 30, 2011.

Our official Receipt Notice (Form I-797) came in the mail for all 3 applications (I-130, I-485, I-765) on July 13, 2011, including the notice of a scheduled appointment for my Biometrics her in Los Angeles on July 26, 2011.

We opted against lawyers, and completed all the documents and forms on our own (which I'm hoping was the right decision). SO now, we are in the middle of the waiting game while everything is processed.

Is there anyone else that has gone through an F-1 to Green Card application with a spouse? I would love to get some insight into your experiences.

Wish us Luck!!

Inga & Mike

Edited July 16, 2011 by Disco Darby

[la2011 5]

I'm not on an F1 but on a TN1, so it's essentially the same, except you were in school and I, on a temporary work visa. I'm going through the same thing as you are. It seems like you did very well so far! You definetely have all the forms filled out properly.

As this point, its just a waiting game, which makes it boring. We'll go for our biometrics, receive out EAD/AP combo card, probably get called in for an interview, and then get the GC.

You're on the right track, sounds like everything will fine! If you're like me , you will however find it annoying that all of the AOS is in the hands of someone else now, the USCIS, the only part we could really be an active part of, was the putting together of that thick AOS package Can I say, type A personality!

[LlamaInvasion 76]

I went from F-1 to green card (see signature/time line), and everything was fine. Not sure what experiences you were looking for? You look like you have all your ducks in a row, so like you said - it's just a waiting game now. Good luck to you!

[Jurai 0]

Yep, it's just a waiting game at this point. Were there any particular experiences that you're interested in hearing about? Otherwise, see our timeline below to take a look at our journey. For us, it has been fairly smooth sailing. Our interview is scheduled for tomorrow so I'm a nervous wreck at the moment (and I'm the USC!). My hubby, of course, is as calm as ever. Go figure. Anyway, good luck to you guys!

LlamaInvasion - Congratuations! Am so glad to hear that you guys got approved in time for the new addition to your family.

Edited July 18, 2011 by Jurai

[Disco Darby 0]

It's encouraging to see the 3-4 month timelines on each of your profiles! It's still a wait, but nothing like the 1-2 years that we were originally told when we first started looking permanent residence. We're not anticipating any hiccups in this process, but it's still all very nerve racking.

Good luck on the interview!

[Charlesrs 0]

Hello Guys and thanks a lot for all the information you provided on this website.

I am pretty much am in the same situation:

• I am actually finishing my MBA in the US, thus under a F1 visa
  
• Just got married, we have been together for 4 year.
  
• I just received my Employment Authorization Card. starting date in May, i will be able to work in the USA for a year.
  
• we are working on my adjustment of status and I-130.
  

I simply have 2 questions relative to the process:

1. I lived in Australia for 1.5 years, even though USCIS does not ask for it in their instructions, a lot of people on VJ are talking about "Police Certificate". Some people argue that you need it, some other disagree. Thus, do I need to provide it? Do i also need to provide one for France (my home country). not really a problem, just a pain.
   
2. Regarding the "Applicant's residence last five years" section of the G-325a, should i left my address in France for the period corresponding to the beginning of my stay in Australia ( 4 months during which i was traveling permanently, thus definitely a tourist)?
   

Thanks for your help!

Edited April 8, 2012 by Roman LA

[Little_My 464]

You do not need a police certificate. One of the main reasons for the biometrics (which includes fingerprinting) is so that USCIS can run a background check on applicants. You only need to submit police certificates if you have been charged with/found guilty of a crime which you would have to declare and explain as part of the AOS paperwork. If there is no criminal charges in your past, you don't need to submit anything.

Put down the addresses you actually lived in. If you were traveling for months in a foreign country, I would personally use the address wherever your mail was going to while you were on the road.

Also, just for future reference - it's better to start your own thread instead of resurrecting an old one form 8 months ago. I'm sure a mod will separate this into a new topic soon.

[Charlesrs 0]

Thanks a lot for your answer! Since i know a lot of people in the same situation (MBA students in long term relationship with US citizen), i thought my question was relevant to this tread.