Any restrictions/precautions while waiting for AOS?

[APA 44]

Between the time of filling for K1 AOS and the appointment date, are there any precautions/advisements for the beneficiary? I’ve heard “stay in the house as much as possible” from a few people but I’d like to hear some feedback. I assume that he needs to carry his passport for ID with him all the time, but aside from staying out of trouble, is there any reason to hide in the house? He’s obviously going to have a lot of free time and I’d like us to explore our city and possibly take some small trips within the U.S. while waiting for an appointment after getting married and filing for AOS. We will also be applying for EAD at the same time. 

[designguy 1,179]

There is no need to "stay in the house as much as possible" once you have received the NOA1 after filing for AOS he is in a period of authorized stay.

[Just Paul 4,591]

Seriously?  Go out and live your life.   Passport and NOA for the AOS shows that you are ok to be here.   Just can't work, can't travel internationally and maybe can't drive.

 

Apply for the AP at the same time - it is free

[Crazy Cat 39,658]

Hide in the house?  no..........Always carry passport and the NOA1 received after filing the I-485 .......it grants "authorized stay" by the Attorney General of the US. 

Edited January 24, 2020 by missileman

[Just Paul 4,591]

Mary came in on spousal visa so not the same situation.  But I didn't want her to work right away but rather travel with me and get acclimated. 

 

She wanted to make friends and found via Facebook a group of Filipinas that played volleyball, and had a picnic, a few times a week.  She had a great time and made a bunch of friends.  The funny thing is they all thought is crazy that she plays with them and that she could work, travel, and drive.  It has been a year and she still plays once a week.

[payxibka 10,044]

43 minutes ago, APA said:

Between the time of filling for K1 AOS and the appointment date, are there any precautions/advisements for the beneficiary? I’ve heard “stay in the house as much as possible” from a few people but I’d like to hear some feedback. I assume that he needs to carry his passport for ID with him all the time, but aside from staying out of trouble, is there any reason to hide in the house? He’s obviously going to have a lot of free time and I’d like us to explore our city and possibly take some small trips within the U.S. while waiting for an appointment after getting married and filing for AOS. We will also be applying for EAD at the same time. 

Stop listening to those few people 

[Ontarkie 13,960]

~~Moved to AOS Family K1/K3, from K1 P&P~~

[Mike E 11,727]

Definitely stay at home between day 91 and when the NOA from the AoS comes back. After that, keep a scanned copy of the NOA1 in your phone, and a paper copy in your purse. The original should be kept at home lest you get an IO during the interview who demands to see all I-797s associated with the case, and not just the Interview I-797. If you got a REAL ID state ID before day 31 (which is possible in some states, Washington State being the most egregious exception), I would skip the paper copy of the NOA1.

 

 

[Sweetdreaming 384]

1 hour ago, Mike E said:

I would skip the paper copy of the NOA1.

i keep a photocopy of NOA1 folded inside my passport which i always carry on me

[Mike E 11,727]

50 minutes ago, skjourney said:

i keep a photocopy of NOA1 folded inside my passport which i always carry on me

To each their own. The passport is all but essential for the AoS interview and with Myanmar due to be added to the next round of countries being banned from the USA, replacing a lost passport might end up being impossible. 

 

A REAL ID is sufficient proof of lawful presence, IMHO. Before Iris came to the USA, I scoured Visa Journey and the CA DMV website to figure out how to get her a REAL ID, and it worked, spectacularly (5 years of validity which is tremendous).

 

Even if we lived in Washington State, with its anti foreigner REAL ID policy, before she got her EAD, I would have advised my wife to carry a photocopy of her passport.

[Tidus992 47]

On 1/23/2020 at 10:14 PM, designguy said:

There is no need to "stay in the house as much as possible" once you have received the NOA1 after filing for AOS he is in a period of authorized stay.

I second this, don't be paranoid go out do some living together.  Don't travel close to the boarder you might end up in check point.  Even then your all legal so nothing to worry about.   Also have her join the Cambodia USA VISA page, if there is one, will keep her from getting lonely and it will help knowing and talking to people just like her and same language.

Edited January 28, 2020 by Tidus992

[ineedadisplayname 444]

On 1/23/2020 at 9:06 PM, APA said:

Between the time of filling for K1 AOS and the appointment date, are there any precautions/advisements for the beneficiary? I’ve heard “stay in the house as much as possible” from a few people but I’d like to hear some feedback. I assume that he needs to carry his passport for ID with him all the time, but aside from staying out of trouble, is there any reason to hide in the house? He’s obviously going to have a lot of free time and I’d like us to explore our city and possibly take some small trips within the U.S. while waiting for an appointment after getting married and filing for AOS. We will also be applying for EAD at the same time. 

Chicago is the best! The public transport system is very good. A lot of stuff to do.

You don't need to hide. I was traveling a lot while waiting for my EAD. Had 0 issues. Sure I didn't go close to the Mexican border just to be on the safe side, but otherwise had no issues flying.

The only advise is don't get arrested/don't drive over the speed limit etc.  Definitely don't hide in the house, but avoid confrontation/trouble. Don't do drugs since weed is legal now in Illinois, but it's not legal at the federal level.

 

Chicago I think it is very foreign friendly. Always like to go up to Chicago when I can.

[Sarge21555 206]

I had my wife go to the NY DMV and get a Real-ID non-Driver card.   They look at the expiration of the k1 and say they can only do 90 days, blah blah.

 

i tell them it’s 1 year from marriage by AOS NOA paperwork.  They talk to a supervisor and then issue the card for 1 year from marriage certificate.

 

that ID proves you are a temp visitor in good standing.  We use it for vacations.  We try to vacation often as it’s cold in NY.