Finally in the US with Fiance, What's next?

[JobienJeck 10]

Hi, I arrived here in California two days ago. I miss the weather in Manila. It is freakin' cold here, I don't wanna go out of the house. haha

Anyway, what are the next steps?

[Pitaya 2,577]

Welcome to the US!

Here is a recent samed-themed thread from the Family-based AOS Forum, that may be of use to you:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/470276-so-whats-next/

Good luck on your immigration journey.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Hi, I arrived here in California two days ago. I miss the weather in Manila. It is freakin' cold here, I don't wanna go out of the house. haha

Anyway, what are the next steps?

My fiance is arriving in North Carolina on Monday with temps that are 40F degrees colder than California. I can hear her say the same thing as you just said. I hope doesn't turn around and get a plane back to PI Welcome to America BTW.

Well the next step is to get married. But I think you are looking for a more complete timeline and I am not the expert there.

Anyhow, good luck and Merry Christmas.

Edited December 13, 2013 by Greenbaum

[Hank_ 9,174]

Hi, I arrived here in California two days ago. I miss the weather in Manila. It is freakin' cold here, I don't wanna go out of the house. haha

Anyway, what are the next steps?

Ah you are in San Jose... that is sort of cold ... for California anyway.

Glad you are home safe.

Next is get married.

The follow the GUIDE for AOS.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Next. Get marry. File to adjust status to get a green card.

[gary9891 10]

Actually before you wed, get your SSN card in maiden name. Go to the local office after you have been here 7 or 8 days.

After you marry simply go back to the SSN office and change the name to your new name......easy to do.

Getting your SSN now will make things easier later like taxes, jobs, AOS etc.

Edited December 13, 2013 by gary9891

[JobienJeck 10]

Welcome to the US!

Here is a recent samed-themed thread from the Family-based AOS Forum, that may be of use to you:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/470276-so-whats-next/

Good luck on your immigration journey.

Thank you. I'll check that out.

[JobienJeck 10]

My fiance is arriving in North Carolina on Monday with temps that are 40F degrees colder than California. I can hear her say the same thing as you just said. I hope doesn't turn around and get a plane back to PI Welcome to America BTW.

Well the next step is to get married. But I think you are looking for a more complete timeline and I am not the expert there.

Anyhow, good luck and Merry Christmas.

Haha, I'm pretty sure she'll hate the cold weather too, keep her warm with your embrace so she won't turn back. The cold weather is not something to look forward to, I can barely move my muscles! LOL Our first purchase was a portable heater. haha

Thank you and Merry Christmas

[JobienJeck 10]

Ah you are in San Jose... that is sort of cold ... for California anyway.

Glad you are home safe.

Next is get married.

The follow the GUIDE for AOS.

Thank you Hank. Guide for AOS it is.

Actually before you wed, get your SSN card in maiden name. Go to the local office after you have been here 7 or 8 days.

After you marry simply go back to the SSN office and change the name to your new name......easy to do.

Getting your SSN now will make things easier later like taxes, jobs, AOS etc.

Yeah that's what I was thinking. I've read that we could get our SSN card earlier. Do we have to pay for this?

[JobienJeck 10]

And how soon can I apply for a driver's license? Can I do this after getting an SSN card or do I have to wait after AOS is done?

Edited December 13, 2013 by JobienJeck

[Darnell 8,478]

Hi, I arrived here in California two days ago. I miss the weather in Manila. It is freakin' cold here, I don't wanna go out of the house. haha

Anyway, what are the next steps?

1. get on a PC

2. click the word 'Guides' above

3. Read the AOS Guide for K1/K3 visa holders

That's it !

If you are using a handphone or tablet to study at VJ, toss it, turn it off, come back on a PC. The landscape is different, and you miss so much on a handphone.

Technical Problems? Hire a teenager for the evening.

[clairegie 265]

My fiance is arriving in North Carolina on Monday with temps that are 40F degrees colder than California. I can hear her say the same thing as you just said. I hope doesn't turn around and get a plane back to PI Welcome to America BTW.

Well the next step is to get married. But I think you are looking for a more complete timeline and I am not the expert there.

Anyhow, good luck and Merry Christmas.

I'm getting married in California but will be living in North Carolina afterwards.... its that cold there? Yay can't wait

[makulit909 4]

Hi, I arrived here in California two days ago. I miss the weather in Manila. It is freakin' cold here, I don't wanna go out of the house. haha

Anyway, what are the next step?

Hey, consider yourself lucky and you're not here in Minnesota with all the snow and below 0 degrees temp.. lol! I am so happy for both of you.. My fiance kept on complaining about how hot in Manila right now and here we all are in America complaining about the cold. hehe.. well mostly us here in snowy states!

Anyway, enjoy being together.... explore the place.... prepare for the big day! whoohooo... (oh, I'm a bit jealous.. )

Oh and from what I learned you can go to Social Security office in two weeks after your arrival to apply for the SSN. Also, study for the driving license exam if you're planning to get one which I highly recommend that you should.

I used to live in Santa Clara, CA.. tell your hubby-to-be to take you to Valley Fair Mall or Santana Row.. love the place!

anyway, have fun and wish you the best on your wedding day!

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

And how soon can I apply for a driver's license? Can I do this after getting an SSN card or do I have to wait after AOS is done?

Different states have different rules on this. But to be safe, I would apply for SSN in 7 days from arrival (might be quicker now with online I-94, but don't know anyone who has tried this). It's free. If you apply one day, you SHOULD be able to go back the next day and ask for a SSN printout, so you'll know your # even before you get your card in the mail.

Apply for a state ID or driver's permit/license (depending on your driving skills). In some states, this HAS to be done prior to your I-94 expiring, or you will have to wait until you get a NOA for AOS (or GC in the mail) to prove your legal status. This happened to us in AK, not sure what the CA rules are. Doing it in the first 30 days will probably ensure you get a DL with less hassle.

You still won't be able to work without your GC or EAD, but having a SSN sooner rather than later is nice, and can make things such as opening a bank account or adding you to your husband's easier (though it is NOT required to have a SSN to get a bank account, even though some banks will tell you it is). In this process, making things easier is the smart thing to do.

If you think CA is cold, be thankful you don't live in AK or MN or NY!!

[Greenbaum 12,259]

I'm getting married in California but will be living in North Carolina afterwards.... its that cold there? Yay can't wait

North Carolina can get cold but nothing like states like Minn., N. Dakota, Iowa, Ill, Mich. Ohio etc. But our state has so much to offer. We have the Mountains and the ocean. Lots and Lots of trees. Good schools all the way up to the Colleges. The temps during the summer will feel like your in The Philippines so just bear through the winter and summer will be a delight. Also, because there are so many trees our fall here is absolutely tremendous with the colors that the leaves change to before falling of.

Good luck. BTW, where in N. Carolina will you be living?