Documents to submit for the application of AOS

[Ariel Pierini 0]

Hello,

I'm from Argentina, and I got married to an US citizen back in my country. We are about to start the application process for my CR-1 Visa, and I have some questions that I hope someone can help me with

We are currently both in the US, living together. I entered with a tourist visa with no intention to immigrate, but we decided to start our lives here. Now the questions:

 

1- We have a marriage certificate issued in Argentina (of course it is in Spanish)... Would it be better to get married by court here in the US or to translate the marriage certificate to English as proof of marriage? And if the latter, can I myself translate it or have to get a certified translator? I'm both fluent in Spanish and English, so is my wife.

2- Also as proof, we would like to open a joint bank account, but every bank is asking for my SSN or ITIN to let me open the account. Is there any bank that allows to open it with just passport, or any other document, besides SSN or ITIN?

 

I would really appreciate some insights on these  

Thank you!

[Crazy Cat 46,163]

7 minutes ago, Ariel Pierini said:

Hello,

I'm from Argentina, and I got married to an US citizen back in my country. We are about to start the application process for my CR-1 Visa, and I have some questions that I hope someone can help me with

We are currently both in the US, living together. I entered with a tourist visa with no intention to immigrate, but we decided to start our lives here. Now the questions:

 

1- We have a marriage certificate issued in Argentina (of course it is in Spanish)... Would it be better to get married by court here in the US or to translate the marriage certificate to English as proof of marriage? And if the latter, can I myself translate it or have to get a certified translator? I'm both fluent in Spanish and English, so is my wife.

2- Also as proof, we would like to open a joint bank account, but every bank is asking for my SSN or ITIN to let me open the account. Is there any bank that allows to open it with just passport, or any other document, besides SSN or ITIN?

 

I would really appreciate some insights on these  

Thank you!

1.  Do you want to remain in the US and adjust status, or do you want to return to your home country for consular processing (CR-1 visa)?  Doing so will take about 18 months or more for a CR-1 visa.

2.  If you have a valid marriage certificate from Argentina, you are already married.....just translate the marriage certificate.

 

When does your current I-94 expire? 

Edited 12 hours ago by Crazy Cat

[Crazy Cat 46,163]

If you remain in the US and adjust status, it will be as much as 9-12 months before you can work or leave the US.  Are you prepared for that?

[Ariel Pierini 0]

Just now, Crazy Cat said:

1.  Do you want to remain in the US and adjust status, or do you want to return to your home country for consular processing (CR-1 visa)?  Doing so will take about 18 months or more for a visa.

2.  If you have a valid marriage certificate from Argentina, you are already married.....just translate the marriage certificate.

 

When does your current I-94 expire? 

 

1. I want to stay in the US and adjust status!
2. Okay, I will do that then, thank you!

 

My I-94 expires on May 26th, why is that?

[Ariel Pierini 0]

Just now, Crazy Cat said:

If you remain in the US and adjust status, it will be as much as 9-12 months before you can work or leave the US.  Are you prepared for that?

 

I know 😕 I'm gonna miss my family and friends abroad a lot, but I embrace the challenge and am prepared for that!

[Crazy Cat 46,163]

Just now, Ariel Pierini said:

 

I know 😕 I'm gonna miss my family and friends abroad a lot, but I embrace the challenge and am prepared for that!

Here is a guide for you to study.  Become an "A" student of these forms and process.

 

 

[Crazy Cat 46,163]

2 minutes ago, Ariel Pierini said:

My I-94 expires on May 26th, why is that?

I would strongly suggest that you file your I-485 and I-130 PRIOR to that date.  DO NOT accrue any unlawful presence.  Marriage to a US citizen, alone,  conveys no right to remain in the US.

[appleblossom 5,746]

10 minutes ago, Ariel Pierini said:

We are about to start the application process for my CR-1 Visa

 

*Thread Moved to AoS from Tourist Visas forum*

 

If you're doing adjustment of status, you're not applying for a CR-1 visa - that's only for those doing consular processing. 

 

Before you decide to definitely do AoS, I'd read this thread, just to be aware of the pitfalls under the current administration before you start the process - 

Good luck. 

[Ariel Pierini 0]

4 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Here is a guide for you to study.  Become an "A" student of these forms and process.

 

 

 

Thank you so much, appreciate it!

 

[Ariel Pierini 0]

2 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

I would strongly suggest that you file your I-485 and I-130 PRIOR to that date.  DO NOT accrue any unlawful presence.  Marriage to a US citizen, alone,  conveys no right to remain in the US.

 

Yea, we are planning to file ASAP, within 1 month from now if possible. We gotta put hands on work. Is it better to file on paper, or to file online, do you know that  by any chance? 

[Crazy Cat 46,163]

1 minute ago, Ariel Pierini said:

 

Thank you so much, appreciate it!

 

Under current circumstances, I would caution anyone who entered as a tourist who is considering adjustment of status.  Once your I-94 has expired, you are subject to heavy scrutiny by CBP and USCIS.

[Ariel Pierini 0]

4 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

*Thread Moved to AoS from Tourist Visas forum*

 

If you're doing adjustment of status, you're not applying for a CR-1 visa - that's only for those doing consular processing. 

 

Before you decide to definitely do AoS, I'd read this thread, just to be aware of the pitfalls under the current administration before you start the process - 

Good luck. 

 

Thank you for the insights. We hope everything goes well since we didn't incur in any unlawful activity, but of course the immigration process is always unpredictable.

[Crazy Cat 46,163]

1 minute ago, Ariel Pierini said:

Is it better to file on paper, or to file online

You can't file an I-485 online.

[appleblossom 5,746]

Just now, Ariel Pierini said:

 

Thank you for the insights. We hope everything goes well since we didn't incur in any unlawful activity, but of course the immigration process is always unpredictable.

 

Neither did the people mentioned in that thread, things seem to have changed recently. 

 

Personally, there's no way I'd be considering AoS with the current administration, I'd go back and do consular processing, but that's just me. I just like a stress free life! 

 

Good luck to you. 

[Crazy Cat 46,163]

10 minutes ago, Ariel Pierini said:

but of course the immigration process is always unpredictable.

You have no idea how unpredictable it can be.......Once you file the I-485, you are in a limbo period.....Once your I-94 expires, you are out of status......theoretically, once you file the I-485, you are in "authorized stay" until the I-485 is either approved or denied....but that is not a legal status....it is a policy,.....Be prepared for the inability to work, travel outside the US for months.

Edited 11 hours ago by Crazy Cat