About to get married and in need of help! :)

[Zenith83 0]

Hi everybody,

my name is Marco, I'm a 29 years old Italian guy who has spent the past 2 years in the USA (California) under a student Visa (F-1).

I'm gonna marry my girlfriend (she's American) in 2 weeks and immediately after I'll be applying for the Green Card.

Now, this is where I would like you guys to help me out, cause I've been looking on the web for weeks and everybody has a different opinion/suggestion.

I would like to go through the process on my own, just following the directions on the following website:

immigrationdirect.com/greencard/Green-Card-Marriage.jsp, so to avoid the use of an attorney and save myself big money.

Is it true that having a lawyer backing your documentation up, does actually grant you a higher chance of getting the job done, compared with doing everything by yourself?

I was told that what I will spend for my I-130 and I-485 is around 1400$ and an attorney would get for himself an additional 2000-3000$: is that correct?

In this case, since I'm pretty tight on money right now, it would be a bad news...

Also, what's the average time to get a green card?

Any option you guys would suggest me?

Please feel free to share all your knowledge regards the argument, tips, suggestions and personal experiences are very welcome!

Thank you all in advance for your time and advices.

P.s. I don't have any criminal or immigration history;

P.p.s. I'm new on this board so if this ended up being the wrong section, my apologies and move the thread to where it fits.

Thanks,

Marco.

[Ontarkie 13,969]

~~~~Moved to Adjustment of Status from Work, Student, & Tourist Visas, from Adjustment of Status (Green Card) from Family Based Visas~~~~

[CHarvey80 72]

You don't need an attorney as it is very easy to do yourself.

If you go to the top of the page and click on guides all of the relevant information will be there for you to navigate the system.

The rest of your questions can be answered either by searching prior posts with the awesome world class search function, or by posting your question.

Good luck.

[Hypnos 6,576]

Follow the guide: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?autocom=custom&page=i130guide2

The entire process should take ~3 - 5 months to complete (until the green card is in your hands).

[a+j 77]

You don't need an attorney as it is very easy to do yourself.

If you go to the top of the page and click on guides all of the relevant information will be there for you to navigate the system.

The rest of your questions can be answered either by searching prior posts with the awesome world class search function, or by posting your question.

Good luck.

And yes, the entire cost should be around 1400. Your case sounds pretty straightforward - no criminal or overstay history (and I'm assuming no intent of adjusting status upon entry on the F1 two years ago) - so don't waste your money on an attorney.

Do make sure you have plenty of proof of bonafide relationship to submit.

I don't know the website you mentioned, but this forum is definitely a great resource to use (in addition to the official instructions to the forms, and time, and patience). Many of us on here have gone through the process without an attorney. Good luck!

[Zenith83 0]

Well, thanks so much guys for the support, I was really (REALLY) hoping for a way to get the job done without the assistance of a lawyer and the above cited guide looks to be very helpful.

Thank God me and my gf we have plenty of proof to show, so after filling the 2 forms and pay for them it shouldn't be too hard for the judge to value my case.

I will update this thread as I go on with the process, hopefully everything will turn out right!

-Quick question: do I first have to send the I-130 form and then the I-485 or it's possible to send both at the same time?

[AnotherLostSoul 167]

both at the same time...and if you still want to study, and work, also I-765 for work permit. Look at my "signature" of how long the whole thing took. I exactly went through from F1 to Green card. All the best! Arriverderci!

[Zenith83 0]

Also, if I want to pay with credit card for the 2 forms, do I have to go to the USCIS local office?

[AnotherLostSoul 167]

I am not sure you can pay by credit card...but maybe you can. I did checks...

[Zenith83 0]

Hi guys,

I just went through the guide posted before to get myself the greencard and together with my gf, we didn't think of it to be too difficult, thank God

I have though a few questions for you, something that to us is not exactly super clear...

1) Where can I get a legal translation of both my passport and birth certificate (I live in San Francisco)?

2) I won't be sending the copy of the I-94 since I live in the USA, should I replace it with my I-20 since I am studying?

3) The form I-693, Medical Examination of Aliens Seeking Adjustment of Status, has to be filled in by myself and a surgeon: where do I find a qualified doctor for this case? Also, I don't have to pay him directly, cause I will add the cost of the visit to the cost of the I-485, right???

Sorry if I am being too intense with my questions, I am sure you know how frustrating it can get though...!

Thank you all,

Marco.

[a+j 77]

Translations: anyone fluent in both languages can translate them, provided the translation is accompanied by the 'Certification by Translator' as per http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextchannel=fe529c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextoid=ff053d146a7ee010VgnVCM1000000ecd190aRCRD

You can find a list of civil surgeons here https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=CIV

and I'm afraid you'll need to pay for your medical+vaccinations. Fees depend upon doctors, so it's probably best to contact a bunch of them in your area and choose whoever charges less.

About I-94/I-20: not a clue, sorry

[Done--Really 331]

As to the translations, you can do them yourself...I did them for us and you will find countless people here who did them themslves...just be sure to submit the certification as already suggested.

Edited February 25, 2013 by magical

[Zenith83 0]

Translations: anyone fluent in both languages can translate them, provided the translation is accompanied by the 'Certification by Translator' as per

You can find a list of civil surgeons here

and I'm afraid you'll need to pay for your medical+vaccinations. Fees depend upon doctors, so it's probably best to contact a bunch of them in your area and choose whoever charges less.

About I-94/I-20: not a clue, sorry

Thanks a+j, that's some great help!

Regarding the biometric fee, I cite from the USCIS website: "I-485 form cost =$985. (Add $85 biometric fee for a total of $1070, where applicable."

So I have to pay 85$ to the USCIS, PLUS the cost of the visit with a doctor, right?

[a+j 77]

Thanks a+j, that's some great help!

Regarding the biometric fee, I cite from the USCIS website: "I-485 form cost =$985. (Add $85 biometric fee for a total of $1070, where applicable."

So I have to pay 85$ to the USCIS, PLUS the cost of the visit with a doctor, right?

First you pay for your medical and get the I-693 completed by a civil surgeon. You'll be sending this form with the I-485 for AOS.

When you send your paperwork to USCIS you'll include the fee for I-130 + the fee for I-485 (the latter is $1070 at the moment - filing + biometrics). Check both on the USCIS website (I think I underestimated the whole cost when I said 1400 in a previous post).

Make sure you also file for Advance Parole (I-131) and Employment Authorization Document (I-765), as those fees are waived when filing concurrently with AOS.

[SBB 74]

Thanks a+j, that's some great help!

Regarding the biometric fee, I cite from the USCIS website: "I-485 form cost =$985. (Add $85 biometric fee for a total of $1070, where applicable."

So I have to pay 85$ to the USCIS, PLUS the cost of the visit with a doctor, right?

The doctor is an entirely separate issue; you pay him his fee, and he does the examination and paperwork. If you need any immunizations that's a separate expense. For your AOS application you include two checks, one for $1070 for the I-485 and one for $420 for the I-130.