US Immigration from Germany

(Welcome Message copied from October 2023 group)
Hello December 2023 AOS filers another month another round of AOS submissions, Please be aware that this checklist is NOT all-inclusive and you must consult the USCIS website to crosscheck this checklist against/with. The AOS process has been confusing since the pandemic hit, not to mention the added politics. So please I want to stress that you only use this check sheet as a starting point and guide if you will. The USCIS site will be the final guide. Please ensure that you check your forms for the correct versions and editions because if you use the wrong forms USCIS will reject your application and send it back to you. This is easily checked on the USCIS website prior to downloading your forms. You should also ONLY download your forms from the USCIS website. The current and correct fees can also be ascertained from the USCIS website.

Just a side note before we get started USCIS may decouple Forms I-765 and Form I-131 if filed jointly with Form I-485. Here is the quoted text taken directly from the USCIS website. "To improve efficiency and reduce Form I-765 processing times for Form I-485 applicants, USCIS may decouple Form I-765 from Form I-131 filed at the same time. Effective Feb. 1, 2022, when possible, we will adjudicate an applicant's Form I-765 first. If we approve it, we will issue an Employment Authorization Document without any notation about advanced parole. We will adjudicate Form I-131 separately and if we approve it, we will issue an advance parole document". I know this is old news, but I thought it would be good to include it here for your knowledge.

What this means is some people elect to include three (3) copies of their marriage license/certificates one attached to each form (I-485, I-765 and I-131 respectively). I do not know of anyone receiving an RFE for a marriage license/certificate missing on the I-765 or the I-131 since USCIS has started doing this new way of adjudicating the AOS (the marriage license/certificate with form I-485 is required though). This is an age-old concern that has been in play before this new way USCIS started adjudicating these forms. Some filers including me when I filed the AOS back in 2019 sent in three (3) copies of their marriage licenses/certificates. I did it then because of peace of mind and there were some RFEs given out for missing licenses/certificates (back then). USCIS also used to issue Combo Cards, Employment Authorization Document, and Advance Parole (EAD and AP combined in the same card). I've seen now where they have issued an EAD without the AP. Whether you include three (3) copies of your marriage license/certificate is going to be your individual call when you file your AOS. Having said that let's get into the checklist:

AOS Checklist

• Cover Letter listing Table of Contents
• Check Payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security - $1,225.00 (this includes the Bio-metrics fee, also be aware that fees are supposed to increase in the near future so please double-check before you send your packet off!)

Form I-485 (completed and signed by non-US Citizen/beneficiary)

• Form G-1145
• Copy of beneficiary's Passport with biographical page
• Copy of beneficiary's K1 Visa from Passport and entry stamp
• Copy of NOA2 Approval letter (from K1 process)
• I-94
• Copy of beneficiary's Birth Certificate
• translation of birth certificate (if needed)
• Certified copy of Marriage License or Certificate
• Passport Photos (2) name written on the back
• Copy of DS-3025

Form I-864 (completed and signed by USC) (goes with form I-485)

• Proof of USC's citizenship (copy of birth certificate, copy of passport bio page, or other)
• Current tax year 2022 and (optional 2021, 2020) Tax Return (with W-2) or Transcripts (transcripts are better if you can get them)
• Employment Verification Letter (updated one - not the one used during the K1 process)
• Pay stubs (last 3 months)

Form I-765 (completed and signed by non-US Citizen/beneficiary)

• Copy of beneficiary's Passport with biographical page
• Copy of beneficiary's K1 Visa from Passport and entry stamp
• I-94
• Passport Photos (2) name written on the back
• Copy of NOA2 (from K1 process)
• Be sure to use the correct filing code of (c)(9) if this code applies to you. The I-765 instructions explain all the codes in detail. If you are filing under a different code (other than (c)(9) the fee for your AOS will not be correct and USCIS will reject your entire packet.

Form I-131 (completed and signed by non-US Citizen/beneficiary)

• Copy of beneficiary's Passport with biographical page
• Copy of beneficiary's K1 Visa from Passport and entry stamp
• I-94
• Passport Photos (2) name written on the back
• Copy of NOA2 (from K1 process

Be sure to double-check for the current fees as fees do sometimes increase and they can change on a dime so please check. Additionally, check the forms as listed above i.e., current version and or edition date, there have been many changes to various forms. Consider sending tax transcripts instead of the 1040, and W2s. Also, consider preparing a cover letter for each form in addition to the main cover letter.

Make sure you send long-form birth certificates and not the short form. Hope this helps in your preparation of your AOS. When in doubt ask questions.

Please consider filing the I-131 and the I-765 even if you don't think you'll need them right now. You never know what changes your life will have down the road, so I recommend you file these two forms from the start. There is no extra charge to file them with your AOS and it's better to submit them all at once. There has been much confusion coming out of USCIS, partly due to Covid-19 and partly self-inflicted. This confusion filters on down to the people filing for AOS. The above listing is subject to change at a moment s notice so please check, recheck, and check again BEFORE you send off your packet for any last-minute changes.

Congratulations on the successful submission of your AOS packet!

Hello,

We just got our IR-1 visa approved on December 12th, 2023!!

We are now waiting for the visa to arrive and plan on booking the flight ticket once it arrives.

I was wondering when booking flight tickets if I need to book a one-way ticket for my spouse or if it is okay to book a round-trip ticket and then cancel the return flight upon arrival to the US? I am asking because the one-way tickets seem to be way more expensive (twice as much) than round-trip tickets. Has anyone else booked their flight to the US this way?

Hello, everyone!

I'm hopeful that someone can share their interview experience in Frankfurt, Germany. Mine is scheduled for Jan 2nd, and I have a few questions before the interview:

1. Where are applicants supposed to store their devices since we're not allowed to bring them in? Does FRA Consulate have any facilities on the grounds where I could lock my phone for a fee? My best idea so far is to inquire about this service at the hotel reception desk, but there's no guarantee I'll see my phone again.

2. This one is for those of you who have already been granted a visa: how quick is the delivery? Let's say the interview is on Tue 2nd, will the passport be in my home mailbox on Thursday evening, Friday morning, or should I not have any hopes for another 2 weeks since the date of the interview? Delivery is Premiun UPS from Frankfurt to Berlin.

3. Originals of the documents. Since my hubby is traveling from the US to me in several days, I am thinking of all the possible documents I might be asked to provide during the interview. Since my mother and father-in-law co-petitioned for me together with my husband, they uploaded their marriage certificates as proof they're related, and their house deed as proof of their domicile. I personally feel deeply uncomfortable asking them to provide me with these documents and send them with my husband overseas. And I honestly don't think anyone will ask for them, or am I wrong?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

K.D.

Hi everyone. I am sitting at a small airport in Germany and they were having trouble with my extension letter. They said the physical card failed and the extension letter does not match my alien number on the physical card. Anyone had issues with this? Flying to London and hoping to get in front of a U.S immigration officer or someone who has experience with these letters. Any tips or insights are appreciated. Thank you.

Hey guys,

I'll try to reactivate this old topic instead of starting a new one because I have a similar question in 2023.

I would like to ask those of you who recently got their CR-1 in Frankfurt - how long did you wait for delivery by UPS Premium? My interview is scheduled for Jan 2nd. A while ago, we booked a trip to France, but since I am going to be without a passport, it's not entirely legal for me to leave the country (even if I go to another Schengen state). The trip is scheduled for the early morning of Jan 5th. I assume there is no way I'll catch it. How many workdays did you guys wait for your passport to arrive? (mine is supposed to be delivered to Berlin)

Thanks in advance.

Katja