My K1 visa was issued today, long list of questions!

[SouzaGarcia81 2]

Hi everyone,

 

This is my first post. My visa process was so smooth and quick so there wasn't much to tell or ask. I do want to tell people reading that are still IN the process not to worry as much as I did! If you are well prepared and you have nothing to lie about, you will be fine! I was standing at the interview with a massive pile of all kinds of evidence and all my forms and copies and nearly all I had to say was 'and this is the permit of my fiancé from when he lived here for 10 years with me...'. After that she wanted to know what the marriage plans were and what type of work we were going to do and didn't look at any other evidence. I watched a lot of videos in preparation for this that said 'short answers' but I do not think that is always the smartest. I am a talker and when she asked me how we met I told her the whole timeline right after that and she seemed to be pleased instantly. I do realize having lived together for 10 years is a big help but I do think they like to see you talk about your relationship other than giving short answers as if you have something to hide. I saw people there missing all kinds of important documents (like divorce papers, evidence and support and stuff like that) and they were even approved pending those documents. They will have a delay so not something you want, but the whole ordeal was a lot more relaxed than I thought. I only had a week delay because my medical exam was sent in late by the clinic and apparently that takes a week to arrive at the consulate because it goes through the embassy first.

Anyway , today my K1 visa status changed from refused and then approved to ISSUED so I should get my passport + visa soon as the consulate here is very quick. I do have some questions though about the next steps as I am of course already stressing out and trying to be overly prepared for the next steps. I am moving on a K1 visa from The Netherlands to the USA (POE Detroit).

 

1. Apparently you get a brown sealed envelope you need to bring with you. I did not receive it at the consulate, will that be shipped with my passport or is that sent electronically from the Amsterdam Consulate? 

2. I am bringing our cat with me on the plane (my fiancé has lived here with me for 10 years, hence 'our' cat). I have contacted the state and the CDC and both said there are no rules or regulations for importing a cat into Michigan. I did read she will get a check at customs. Does anyone have any experience with this? Will I be there when she is checked (or else good luck to the officer!)?

3. I want to bring quite some boxes of personal belongings, around 20-30 boxes. I plan on shipping them with Fedex and I saw I need to fill out customs form 3299 but it's a bit confusing. They make a distinction between household effects and personal effects and for personal effects it says 'for residents only'. Am I a (temporary at least) resident when I enter on a K1 or do I have to wait for my green card? If anyone has more information as to how to correctly fill in this form I would be forever grateful. I have had a box stuck at UPS once and that was an expensive ordeal.

4. Can I ship my stuff ahead of me moving or do I need to wait until I actually go? I have a flight on April 8th but I would rather ship my stuff as soon as possible.

5. We plan to marry as soon as possible and I will send in the forms for my AOS right after. As my father is having health issues I will also fill out form I-131, does anyone know how long it takes for that to be approved? I would assume not as long as the green card because otherwise what's the use of I-131?

6. When sending in I-485, the forms I-131 and I-765 are free of charge right? I would only have to pay an additional fee for my I-601 if I got that right? And I see that they have upped the fees per April 1st, just my luck 😆).

7. I got a CD with my x-ray from the doctor which I have to bring with me on the plane, but I noticed it's not sealed. They sealed it at the hospital, then I brought it back to the clinic and they opened it and gave it back to me open. Is that an issue? Should I go back and ask them to seal it or does that cd not have to be sealed?

8. When I get into the US, how do I go about getting an SS#, a bank account and change my driver's license to a MI driver's license? And what did you guys do with your bank accounts in your former country? I would assume I will be able to keep that for a bit?

 

Sorry for the long list, I like to be prepared! Any info would be much appreciated. There is not much information about K1 visas from Dutchies online, this forum is a blessing!

[SouzaGarcia81 2]

I just found the answer to my question #6 ...

 

"Requiring separate filing fees for Form I-485 (adjustment of status), Form I-131 (travel document), and Form I-765 (employment authorization), whether or not they are filed together;" 

 

That is going to be an expensive AOS...

[Crazy Cat 39,267]

24 minutes ago, SouzaGarcia81 said:

I just found the answer to my question #6 ...

 

"Requiring separate filing fees for Form I-485 (adjustment of status), Form I-131 (travel document), and Form I-765 (employment authorization), whether or not they are filed together;" 

 

That is going to be an expensive AOS...

Until April, the I-131 and I-765 are free if filed together with or after the I-485 package. Form I-485, Instructions for Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (uscis.gov)

 

"Filing Form I-485 with Forms I-765 and I-131

If you properly file Form I-485 and pay the required fees, you may file Form I-765 and Form I-131 without paying additional fees. You may file these forms together, or if you choose to file Form I-765 or Form I-131 separately, you must also submit a copy of your I-797C, Notice of Action, receipt as evidence that you filed and paid for Form I-485."

Edited January 31 by Crazy Cat

[SouzaGarcia81 2]

2 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Until April, the I-131 and I-765 are free if filed together with or after the I-485 package. 

 

Yes but unfortunately my flight is April 8th so I will not be filing it until after that. Unless it's possible to file BEFORE I arrive and get married? But that seems doubtful.

[Ontarkie 13,917]

~~Moved to AOS FAMily K1/K3 P&P- from K1 P&P - the OP is looking at the AOS portion.~~

 

Check out the SSN forum and Moving Here and Your New Life 

 

They can help with some of your other questions 

 

https://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/156-social-security-numbers/

 

https://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/15-moving-to-the-us-and-your-new-life-in-america/

[OldUser 4,820]

Just now, SouzaGarcia81 said:

Unless it's possible to file BEFORE I arrive and get married? But that seems doubtful.

No it's not possible.

It might be cheaper to change plans, come, marry and file earlier?

[Crazy Cat 39,267]

2 minutes ago, SouzaGarcia81 said:

 

Yes but unfortunately my flight is April 8th so I will not be filing it until after that. Unless it's possible to file BEFORE I arrive and get married? But that seems doubtful.

 Yes, filing after April 1, the fees must be paid.  

Edited January 31 by Crazy Cat

[SouzaGarcia81 2]

5 minutes ago, OldUser said:

No it's not possible.

It might be cheaper to change plans, come, marry and file earlier?

 

Unfortunately that will be such a hassle. It is what it is, but WHY April 1st? Why not July 1st or something? 😆

[Thrillhouse 193]

32 minutes ago, SouzaGarcia81 said:

 

Unfortunately that will be such a hassle. It is what it is, but WHY April 1st? Why not July 1st or something? 😆

 

Beginning of a new fiscal year.

[NorthByNorthwest 216]

1 hour ago, SouzaGarcia81 said:

3. I want to bring quite some boxes of personal belongings, around 20-30 boxes. I plan on shipping them with Fedex and I saw I need to fill out customs form 3299 but it's a bit confusing. They make a distinction between household effects and personal effects and for personal effects it says 'for residents only'. Am I a (temporary at least) resident when I enter on a K1 or do I have to wait for my green card? If anyone has more information as to how to correctly fill in this form I would be forever grateful. I have had a box stuck at UPS once and that was an expensive ordeal.

4. Can I ship my stuff ahead of me moving or do I need to wait until I actually go? I have a flight on April 8th but I would rather ship my stuff as soon as possible.

 

#3 - as the immigrant, this would all be household effects: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/kbyg/customs-duty-info#:~:text=Household effects conditionally included are,books%2C implements%2C and instruments. Technically you're supposed to have owned everything at least a year, though I have not heard of that ever being verified.

 

#4 - interesting question, for most people this tends to be used for container shipments arriving well after the immigrant has already arrived in the US and these forms are handled by the moving company. I would think sending 20-30 boxes by FedEx from the Netherlands will cost you well over $10,000 - have you looked at other options? For reference, 7 years ago I spent about $12,000 to get 17m³ worth of stuff from Japan to the US including packing on the Japan side with separate crating of a 70" TV and an expensive bike. If you have the money, by all means go with FedEx, but that's not a common way of doing it.

 

 

[Boiler 43,451]

I am not sure you have to give it a few days now to get a SSN, back in the day I gave it a week before rocking up and applying for a SSN.

 

Actually is not uncommon for GC to be obtained before AP is granted.

 

Looks like you will need EAD to get a DL.

 

https://www.michigan.gov/sos/resources/communities/new-mi-residents

[SalishSea 16,776]

3 hours ago, SouzaGarcia81 said:

 

Yes but unfortunately my flight is April 8th so I will not be filing it until after that. Unless it's possible to file BEFORE I arrive and get married? But that seems doubtful.

Nope, you'll need a certified copy of a marriage certificate to file.

 

Check Michigan's DMV for details on getting a driver's license.  Note:  in some states, you can't get one until you have an actual green card.  I'm not sure about Michigan.

 

In my opinion, the first thing to do when you land (and before marrying) is to apply for the SSN.  

[SalishSea 16,776]

4 hours ago, SouzaGarcia81 said:

I would only have to pay an additional fee for my I-601 if I got that right?

Why I-601?

[mam521 1,725]

#2. Traveling with the cat -  make sure you've spoken to the airline and have paid the pet fee to bring the cat with.  The airline will likely have a requirement that the cat have a a health certificate issued by a vet stating the cat is healthy and fit to travel, issued within 10 days of your flight.  You may be asked to see a rabies vaccination certification for the cat.  

 

Make sure kitty isn't drugged out.  You can potentially use a calming spray, but some people want to give the pet a sedative and that's not typically ok when the airline wants to see that the cat is healthy. 

 

Make sure your carrier is good for that long of a trip.  We have SleepyPods which are pricey, but have been a great investment.  I know my cats tend to pee in their carrier within the first half an hour of me putting them in it.  I now put a puppy pad around and another under the bedding in the carrier so I can just pull it and chuck it out.  No one wants to smell kitty pee and kitty certainly doesn't want to be stuck in their urine for an overseas flight.  

 

Good luck!

[Izzymael 10]

Out of curiosity, where in Michigan are you moving to? I'm moving to Detroit in one month!