gyselle

double check your card.

It should say at the bottom:

Serves as I-512 Advance Parole

On the USCIS website, it says that my EAD has been ordered for production (yeah )

But i didnt get an email from there informing me of that. (i did get emails for all the other notices before)

Well, hopefully I'll get something physical soon!

I have an interview date for 1-485 for March 13.

Still no word on my EAD.

I turned down a freelance project because i didnt have my EAD yet.

Honestly, EAD is supposed to take around 8-12 weeks.

I think the Green Card is supposed to take even longer.

If it all can be done in 12 weeks...I'll be a happy camper.

Mentally, I dont expect to start work anytime before 1st April

HAHA Riogan. That really brighten my day!

Yesh, but thank you everyone for your advice.

It is just one of those days.

I knew going in there was going to be a wait for the EAD, as well as having to prove the bona fide marriage...

It doesnt help that American daytime TV is filled with people who dont take marriage seriously.

it kinda makes me feel like a real alien trying to "prove" our love is real.

I do volunteer at a local museum and a local soup kitchen and that makes me very happy.

A conversation i was having with some locals the other day was how difficult/expensive the medical system is here

Like how much medical fees are, how insurance is very important here; even for the smallest things

Back home, we could go to a clinic and get treated at a much lower rate...with or without insurance.

A simple example is how it cost $30 to get my vaccinations copied and signed; while back home..that would have gotten me a doc consultation, antibiotics and medication.

I am still trying to get my head around somethings...

I wish someone wrote a guidebook that is called "welcome to America"

But as messybrownhair said...one goal at a time.

Hi all,

Would love advice from people who are feeling as frustrated as I do.

How do you cope?

Before I start, I need to say that 99% of the time, I am really happy that I am physically here with my love.

But somedays, I get upset...and frustrated with all the waiting.

Does anyone esle also feel like you are an alien in the country?

Simple things like not being able to work till the papers come through...and not being able to get a (unsecured) credit card and having no credit score.

Back home, I had great credit score...suddenly, when I'm in the USA..it doesnt matter at all.

Plus..the whole credit score system is confusing coz its not transparent....

from what i read, if you spend close to your limit, even if you pay it off, your score will be affected..

if you have a credit card, and do not use it, your score will be affected.

if you dont have a credit card, you are likely to have no credit score.

And the interview. we need to convince them that we are a legit couple?

I almost hate the fact there are people out there who abuse the system/process to try and get a green card..

and it affects the rest of us who are truly in love/in a legit relationship

dont even get me started about my FEAR about going to the DMV.

Oh the horror stories I have heard!

sigh

Congratulations!May i ask what did you bring to the AOS interview and the questions they asked?

When my then-finace (now husband), we had to changed address.

despite us filing it online, sending the papers,calling them on the phone etc etc, our NOA1 got lost in the mail.

In the end, we went to a USCIS and had a lady help sort it all out (the change was never registered despite the numerous paperwork we did before).

My advice is keep the address and let your old apartment complex know that you would like to collect the mail for the next month.ie. have them put aside mail that is in your name...sort of a transition period (most places allow u to do that)

Thank you very much for all your comments!

The link was super helpful!

It certainly makes me feel a lot better about the interview.

Its funny coz i havent received any news about by EAD and AP.

Ok.

Currently, we only have a joint bank account together, and he has me on his insurance, and we are on the At& T family plan.

Would that be sufficient?

We are currently renting an apartment; he rented before I moved here (hence, its only in his name), and all his bills (internet etc) are in his name because the renewal period isnt up and we havent added me to the apartment since I have NO credit score.

Hi all,

I just received a letter informing me about my interview date for AOS.

I was on a k1 visa.

I understand most people on a k1 visa dont get interviewed and get transferred to CSC straightaway...should I be nervous?

Is it because when I did my K1 visa interview, my then-fiance and now-husband did not attend?

Anyone has any tips or advice for this interview?

What type of questions can I/my husband expect (i searched this forum and found a few, but not all are specific to K1).

I am a little afraid coz my husband is rather forgetful...so he will know the answer to questions like, "how we met, our wedding dates, how we spent ***" but he might slip up on what we did last weekend; what did we have for dinner last night etc etc. He is a guy after all.

i think your best bet is to get a co-sponsor.

unless u have quite a bit of money saved, or a house (assets)

Yes. from my personal experience, it is best if you can show them a return ticket.

I also brought my NOA1 to show them in case they ask.

Thanks for the great post!

On the other side of the fence...I would like to add...

As someone who is "new" to the country, granted I have been the USA many times for a vacation...living here is a different story.

I am both thankful and equally frustrated right now that I have time on my hands to do nothing...I miss earning my own keep.

I miss my family. I miss my friends.

This waiting for my EAD/GC does really gets to me..

So, my advice to the people who move.. get out and do something.

Right now, I'm learning Spanish, go for fitness classes and I volunteer at a museum as well as a soup kitchen.

This is on top of my newly minted housewifey duties of making dinner and keeping our humble abode in order.

I cannot "blame" my husband for not being around during the day...and we also have to accept that he must be a little stressed that he knows he is responsible why i'm away from my family/friends and i'm not working..and he has to earn money for both of us. We have to take responsibility of our own lives and get out there!

On both sides...have a little patience...

Marriage isnt about the big wedding or the great events..

it is about living everyday together. and we should be thankful that we can live everyday together with the one we love.

Singapore is a lot less strict than the USA in terms of visa.

Shouldnt be an issue for your future wife to get a visa in Singapore

Read here:

http://www.guidemesingapore.com/relocation/work-pass/singapore-dependant-pass-guide

If we apply for the K1 can we just cancel it if my relocation is moved up?

Does anyone know the requirements for entry to singapore? Would being married in the Philippines allow us to apply for visa there as my wife?

I have a biometrics appointment for 2 feb.

I have noticed some people just walk-in and do not wait for the appointment.

is this advisable?

Thank you very much for all your responses.

Yes, I was thinking of getting a state ID (CA) instead of carrying around my singaporean identification.

Just wondering if its too soon to go if i dont have my EAD and GC on hand.

On the issues of taxes, i've worked from Jan to Nov in my home country; but I only entered/got married in USA in December.

Do i still need to declare my Jan-Nov work?

Hi

(Moderator, please feel free to transfer to another thread if this is in the wrong place).

Other than the AOS paperwork (Ap, EAD etc) and SSN, what esle do I need to do in this "new country?"

For example:

1. Should I go to the DMV and get an ID?

Can I go now (with my SSN) or should I wait till my conditional GC to come in and then go?

( i have a driving licenses from home, but I dont plan to get a driving license here)

2. Insurance

I'm unfamiliar with the medical insurance in the US (back home, it is so much easy!). Do i need to get my own insurance? Right now..my husband's company covers me under his contract.

3. File for Taxes

I just got here. what does this mean for Taxes? will i get taxed? (i dont have a job yet)?

I know i should file with my husband (joint); but ...do i even need to file at all?

Thanks all

3.

Got my physical NOAs today!

Hi,

I recommend this vjers blog which is very comprehensive and helped me a lot when i was doing mine

http://mysliceofamericanpie.wordpress.com/2011/02/06/marrying-timmy-the-k-1-way/

I'm about to send all this, it took me several days to figure how to do it, but hey... here it is, just do everything that applies to you. Also if somebody can take a look and give an opinion about the list I have here... will be appreciated

Binder (1)

- G-1145 E-NOTIFICATION

- Payment in the amount of $ 340.00

- I-129F

- Supplemental attachment: I-129F part A, Question No. 11. (Petitioner)

- Divorce papers (Petitioner)

- G-325A (Petitioner)

- Passport photo (Petitioner) *ok, photo in a zip-bag then staple or clipped to a paper?

- G-325A (Beneficiary)

- Passport photo (Beneficiary) *ok, photo in a zip-bag then staple or clipped to a paper?

- Supplemental attachment: G-325A Applicant’s employment last five years. (Beneficiary)

- Letters of Intent (Petitioner and Beneficiary)

- Certificate of Naturalization (Petitioner)

- Copy of Passport (Petitioner)

Binder 2) Proof of having met in past two years “First Visit 08/18/11 to 08/30/11”

- Itinerary, copy of boarding passes, photos, receipts, credit card statements (only where show charges overseas)

Binder 3) Proof of having met in past two years “Second Visit 10/16/11 to 12/06/11”

- Itinerary, copy of boarding passes, photos, receipts, credit card statements (only where show charges overseas)

Binder 4) Proof of ongoing relationship.

- Receipt of engagement ring, little bit of emails, cell phone bill with intl. calls, Google Voice calls history, Skype calls history and credit Card showing charges from cell phone, google and skype.

hi there...

to be honest, there are a lot of bills to come.

There is the medical/Civil surgeon fees, not to mention to AOS fees which are $1070.

I think the hardest part is when he comes over, there is a period of about 3 months where he has to wait for the EAD to come through.

Coz personally, i feel this way. I am now in the waiting limbo and it bugs me i cant help out with the household expenses..

i used to earn a decent salary back home..and now... zero income.

My advice is do consider the other visa (the marriage one) i think CR1?

At least, when he moves over to the USA, he can start working immediately.

I dont know much about the CR1 visa so please do have a look at it and think about it?

I just sent in my AOS packet yesterday and it was received this morning!

I hope i hear back as quick as you guys!

Which part of California are you at?

There is a thread on the forum which lists all the civil surgeons that do not give you a hassle on it.

You should check it.

I paid $30 for mine in SF.

They only filled the vaccination sheet, and the first part with my details and the doctor's details.

They did not touch the "date of last medical examination" part because they said they did not do it.

They would not even write the date i did my last examination.

They let me check all the details, before putting it in a sealed envelope

My advice is to show them a return ticket.

In fact, they will ask for it.

I did that earlier this year (but i had a job), they asked to see the return ticket.

Hi guys!! We are getting ready to send off our AOS packet, question?? We are not planning on traveling outside of the USA until 2013, so should we even bother with the AP? Once Jen has the 2 year green card (in the next 120 days? hopefully) she can exit and re-enter the USA with the green card correct?

Thanks to everyone who has sent a post to update us on your status, it's great to hear what you are doing these days.. Take care.

Lee

i think you should apply for it anyway..coz it doesnt cost extra when you apply for it together with AOS.

You never know what might happen and you might need to travel and it will be a pain to get it then.

We all know about the process...it could take 120 days..it could take..who knows how LONG!

the paper for it isnt too bad...

My paperwork is all done..i'm just waiting for our marriage cert to be ready on Tues, then i'm sending mine off.

Happy holidays all!

CA

City/Town: San Francisco

Called 12/20/11

CS Name: Dr. John Tang

CS Tel. No: (415) 781 2598 728 Pacific Avenue Suite 300 San Francisco CA 94133

Cost: $30 (Just for transcription - all vacc. up to date)

Vaccine Transcription only available: You need to have the DS-3025 vaccination form

Turnaround: 10mins

Note: Spoke to the doctor the day before and he was the one who gave me the quote. Even said he was the cheapest in the city.

The receptionist didnt know quite what was going on, and i told her I spoke to the doctor the day before and he said he will do it for $30.

Another one I called that was really friendly, and the second cheapest

Dr Gary Ross

500 Sutter Street Suite 511 SF, CA 94102, Tel (415) 398 0555

Cost: $125

With a very friendly and helpful receptionist