SF2007

I moved to NM as well and you can get a marriage license and certificate without any SSN. So I'd say: plan your wedding!

However you will absolutely need a SSN to trade in your foreign driver's license and according to half MVD office clerks here in Albuquerque (the other half didn't have a clue), you have 90 days to comply and get a local driver's license after moving to the state. I was told they do not enforce it much. I did my business with MVD Express and I would recommend paying the extra $30 or so. Instead of waiting hours at a regular MVD office you'll be done much more quickly. You will also have to take (and pay for) the written exam, which you can study online, and bring 3 proof of residence (utility bills and car insurance with both your name and address no older than 30 days are best).

Banking was close to impossible prior to SSN (I was even told by my banker they would rather wait for me to have my green card before they did business with me!) and finding the best option for us took a while. We turned my husband's account into a joint account and I applied as a co-applicant on his credit card. This way, I am also building credit. I was approved without any credit history in the U.S.

If you have any questions NM-specific, feel free to PM me.

Do we need to bring copies of DS-230 (part 1 or 2) for the interview? I know we need DS-156 and 156k, but wasnt sure about those others; can't seem to find it on the guides...? Any help? Thanks

I found it best to make 2 copies of everything as you go. Bring 1 copy of all forms you filed so far along with your originals and any other material that may be required by your case. Save the extra copy for your AOS and personal use.

help i just want to ask if how many copies of nso bcerticate when applying k-1 visa.............from passport to visa etc.....

1 original which you keep for your interviews, couple copies translated and certified for the process.

Thanks, I did send them an email and their response was that they can't give specific information in email and to leave my number and they will call me. They did and all they told me was that they are waiting for a verification from DHS. I think that 2 months is a little too long so I'm worried that DHS just forgot about my case and nobody is working on it, especially because I see other people getting their cards in a few weeks.

Same thing happened to me. I was in limbo, posted on this forum and I did as I Quit recommended: write then an email. Someone from the Dallas office called me the very next day. I explained my case (what SS told me, that I was stuck in limbo not being able to trade-in my driver's license, get a credit card from the bank, etc.) and the matter was resolved in less than 2 weeks. Seems to get a little faster when someone else than your local office takes the matter in their own hands.

I finally got my card 39 days after I applied.

I'm also preparing my documents for the interview. I was born in quebec so my birth certificate is in french. I assume I need to get that translated.

I had mine professionally translated and the translator gave me 2 copies with the Ordre des traducteurs (OTTIAC) official seal. As JeannieL said, you absolutely do need to show them the non laminated long form and not the card one. If you don't have it order it now.

I read somewhere on VJ you can do the translation yourself but I would personally much rather spend $50 and be sure they'll take it. You will need it for your AOS as well so make sure you keep an extra copy.

By the way, never send any originals by mail, keep them for your interviews (for both your K-1 and AOS applications).

So am i correct in that Montreal will take your passport after the interview? Are you saying that a copy of the bio page is sufficient to be able to travel by air back home after the interview? i have always been wondering how i was going to get back to BC if Montreal kept my passport!

Please update your timeline or profile info. What kind of visa are you applying for? If you're doing a K-1, there is no reason for you to interview in Montreal. Your case should be processed in Vancouver.

For K-1ers, the consulate does keep your visa until they print your visa in it. This will take at least 2 weeks.

To answer your question, a passport is required for international travel, not for flights from a Canadian destination to another : http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/before/traveldoc.html

As a K-1 applicant you do not need to complete I-864 yet. It will be required for your AOS later on.

I read somewhere Evidence of domicile is not required for K-1 either. However when I showed up for my Montreal appointment, I did bring 3 months worth of my then-fiance's utility bills. The subject was never brought up.

Anyone experince coming into LAX? Thanks

LAX POE reviews are in the ''Reviews'' section here : http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/poereviews.php?poe=Los+Angeles&dfilter=0

Cheers!

I received an electronic notice last night saying my EAD and AP were approved and my card is in production.

Godspeed to everyone

You are dealing with NBC not NVC

True, old habit from my K-1 application days

I recently applied for AOS/EAD/AP from a K-1 and received my NOA on July 18.

3 weeks ago, my husband received a letter informing him my K-1 petition (I-129F) was transferred to National Benefits Center. My guess is now both my original visa petition and AOS application are linked and they will process it at NVC. However, when I go to the USCIS website to check my application status, I can't see any updates. All they say is that my 3 applications (AOS/EAD/AP) were received and are under initial review and it doesn't even show that it has been transferred to NVC.

I guess my questions are:

- Who do I call or how can I obtain a real update on my case?

- And does the 3 months processing starts when you first apply or when NVC receives it?

Thank you for your time and response!

If by ceremony you mean wedding, then before. K-1 is exclusively a FIANCE visa. If you marry before or during your application, it voids the visa and you need to re apply for the appropriate visa. And it will most likely be not be even transferred to a foreign consulate within 6 months let along issued.

Either delay the wedding until your fiance receives an approved K-1 or file for a spouse visa after you both are married.

Good luck!

Where do I apply for all of this? and how do I know what kind of documents I need? I go to my state gov site? consular site? they tell you? anything you know, info, advice is much appreciated. Thanks.

I already just provided you with that information and advice. If you had read the VJ guide, you would now have answers to your questions. Take it from there.

my thoughts for you: search engine are awesome!

What is AOS? and EAD/AP? and what are the documents needed to get back?

I don't know which originals your submitted so I can't answer that. All of them?

Paperwork unfortunately doesn't end when you obtain your K-1 visa. In the U.S. you will have to apply for a social security number, trade-in your foreign driver's license, open bank accounts and take insurance (or be added to your spouse's). You will need your original birth certificate for most of those applications. You can research your state requirements online.

Also, after POE you will have 90 days to get married. Once you do, you want to file for Adjustment of status (AOS) (to be granted your green card) ASAP and if you apply for work authorization (EAD-Employment Authorization Document) and travel authorization (AP-Advanced Parole) at that same time, they waive those extra fees for you. It's already $1070 for AOS so you better do everything at once. Typically EAD and AP are faster to obtain than your green card so most people people apply for all 3. You cannot work without either your EAD or green card and you will abandon your status if you travel abroad without either your green card or AP.

VJ has great guides, you should have a look : http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1k3aos

Has anyone received the visa but before had to send some extra stuff? if yes how long it took? and any other info, advice is helpful. Thanks

They will not issue a visa if you need to send in more stuff. They will hold on to your application and wait for you to mail the missing documents and your passport through DHL. It adds an extra 4-6 weeks as it will sit in their mail room for that long before they get to it.

Received email today that Paula's I485 application has been transfered to CSC. Does our waiting time start all over again?

G

Mine was transferred 2 weeks ago to National Benefits Center, i think it's just the normal process.

In some of the stuff they asked the originals and also asked already stuff that you suppose to bring at the interview, so i guess or im in advance lmao or i guess all is different lol thanks for everything tho

Heh. You are either very relaxed or naive about the immigration process. You might end up sorry for relying on the fact they will have your stuff at hand at your interview. Sometimes, they do misplace things and loose files. You are in the position where YOU need to make a case. They don't have to go dig up anything for you.

These originals you sent them are not just useful for your K-1. Especially your birth certificate. You will need them down the road for AOS and EAD/AP and probably to get your driver's license and open a bank account. If you can't get that back, apply for a new one asap.

Coconuts is right, never ever send originals: you send copies and bring the originals when you have an in person appointment.

You need to do a little research about the process and ask specific questions. Everything you need for your appointment is on the consulate's website: http://montreal.usconsulate.gov/content/content.asp?section=visas&document=index. The one thing listed you don't need as a K-1 beneficiary is proof of domicile in the U.S and a job letter offer. You won't be allowed to work until you get your EAD or GC anyway.

You can read reviews of Montreal and Vancouver interviews in the ''Review'' section of this forum : http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?cnty=Canada&cty=&dfilter=5

To my appointment, I chose to bring more rather than less. I had exact copies of my original I-129F application and both Packet 3 and 4. Throw in as many proofs of a 4 years ongoing relationship as we could find, my USC fiancé flown in, and there ya go

You don't have to declare money you are carrying if it's under $10 000. You can read about your POE and its reviews here : http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/poereviews.php

With a 5 am arrival you will most likely not have to wait very long at the secondary. It seems the later in the day people fly, the longer the wait is. And they won't rush the process or process you faster because you have a fly to catch. It's on a first come first serve basis. I read some people write a list of the belongings. I did not and they never asked me what was in my luggage or its value.

After you grab your checked luggage, you will walk to the custom officer booth and tell him/her you are activating a K-1 visa. He/she will tell you to go to secondary. Don't pack the sealed envelope, keep it with you. You will be photographed and fingerprinted. You might be searched, or not. They will ask basic questions about your visa and relationship status. They will stamp your passport and staple the I-94 in your passport, then off you go

If your vaccination sheet is stapled to to your sealed envelope, take that off. It is for your records and you will need it for your AOS. But do NOT open the envelope

Congratulations

Your embassy also has a website : http://georgetown.usembassy.gov

Good luck!

The processing timeline of the RCMP certified criminal records check is over 5 months. What happens when we are at the interview and we don't have the RCMP records check due to the backlog? We just found out that we need it when we received packet 3..

If there is anything missing in your file at your scheduled interview, you will have to mail the missing piece along with your passport through DHL when it has become available. No decision will be made before they have everything in hand. Once they receive the missing piece, it will sit in the mailroom for 4-6 weeks before they process it.

If you do need the RCMP police check I would recommend you wait to interview until you have it.

Just out of curiosity, if a fiance(e) has a criminal record, are the fingerprints and RCMP check mandatory OR does the local Police Certificate suffice IF the Court disposition/Court record is also submitted at the interview AND a Police certificate and the Court record was previously submitted to the USCIS and the NVC???"

For the applicant/beneficiary: Is the 'small or short form birth certificate' sufficient OR is the 'large or full size birth certificate' required???

Small short form is not sufficient. If you were born in Quebec, the small laminated version is not sufficient either. They require the long version, translated is in another language than English.

You will can more details about Packet 3 here : http://montreal.usconsulate.gov/content/content.asp?section=visas&document=visa_pkt3

1 page is required for your visa. The custom officer at POE will staple your I-94 right by it.

#2- My wife’s State ID card was issued but has since expired as it was to expire the same time as her k-1 expired this I understand and we have married within the timeframe my question is how or when does she ,or is she able to get another ID Card from the state that has a longer life to it as a normal us citizen would receive I’m guessing this has something to do with the AOS?. rather than the 3 months the k-1 allows ?..

Thank you in advance

By ''State ID'' you mean her I-94? Depending in which state you live, if she has a foreign driver's license, a SSN and proof of residence (her name on utility bills or car insurance work), she could get her driver license. Check out your local MVD office for your state's requirements. If she has not applied for her SSN yet and she has less than 14 days lefts on her I-94 she will have to wait for her EAD or Green Card to get one.

Instructions about where to file are on page 4 : http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-129finstr.pdf

They seem to only accept petitions mailed to TX now. It takes months before your application is processed so Dallas timelines will likely not update give you a proper idea of whether it's longer or not for a few months.