Mama mia

Thank you for you input , i may have to bite the bullet on this one and wait it out as well. I only wish somebody here did what i was about to do and can share the outcome of it..

This happened to me...I owed IRS, I didn't know I needed a payment arrangement when I filed in August. A week before my interview in December, a friend of mine told me I needed a payment arrangemt with IRS. So, I called IRS and set up a payment plan. I requested a fax documenting the payment plan and a basic letter was faxed. I went to the interview and the IO had no problem as the letter stated when and how much I was going to pay every month. I received the payment plan letter in the mail from IRS after becoming a citizen!

Thanks MamaSue!!

That is a long time!! When I applied in 2009, I sent my application end of Aug 2009 and took oath beg of Dec 2009. Took harldy 4 months. And they had same day oath which I hear they have discontinued...

My friend is applying for citizenship in Atlanta and wanted to get an estimate of how long the process took from application to oath.

Trust me, he wants too but again, when we went to the USCIS on 04/09/13 for the I-155 stamp the IO told us that yes, we can go ahead and file the N-400 application and send in the $680, but that will not guarantee that it will speed up the decision for the I-751. Her exact words were "If you have $680 that you can spend, go ahead and file the N-400. What will happen will be the check will be cashed, then the N-400 application will be put aside UNTIL the I-751 application is processed."

Now we don't have $680 just laying around to give to the USCIS to just have his application pushed aside. I'd rather use the money to pay for a lawyer if that is needed if the I-751 is denied. Doesn't that make sense??

Thanks for the opinion though.

I made copies of all letters, emails any communications made between us and USCIS since the beginning of filing for I-751 and faxed it to our Congressman. Here's to hoping that something positive will happen.

Keep us in your prayers!

Actually, yoe were given mis-information...If you file N400 for citizenship while the I-751 is still pending, it will force USCIS to make a decision on your pending I-751. In other words, they will have to speed it up..

If you look on the citizenship board, there's a user named Steve D I believe, who filed N400 in march 2012 so the 751 can be decided. There's a lot of people who are now filing citizenship but still have their I-751 pending...

I would advice you not to apply on the 29th incase you don't get it by May 25th.

If you apply 2 weeks your travel, and you have proof of travel..go to the passport agency as early as May 10th and apply for your passport.

-Make sure you call for an appointment

-have proof of travel

-Passport size pics

-all required paperwork

-Fees

Here is the link:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/npic/agencies/agencies_905.html

Based on your signature, if the gc approval date and the date on your greencard is the same: 06/17/11 then as long as your still married to your hubby who petitioned you; the earliest date you can file for citizenship is March 19, 2014.

If your ROC still pending by that date, you are still able to file N400.

Thanks for all your replies.

Overstayed student visa and not in school so no way to work on campus or OPT.

Thanks to everyone for taking your time answering my question. If they were able to get a work permit might have helped to secure funds to file AOS.

Not K1, but as a student..

Thanks for your answer!

This post is for a friend who recently got married to a USC. Since they dont have enough money to file AOS, they are wondering if they can just file for the work permit first then AOS later..

Is this possible?

Thanks in advance!

OP--

You have to re-apply the US passport for your child again.

On the DS-3053, you can state how many times you have attempted to reach the birth father, list his phone number and address but you were not able to get in touch with him to consent the passport.

Get it notorized and you will get a passport for your US child.

IMO, you are taking a bigger chance to mail it just before you leave as the package may be returned for whatever reason (e.g forgot to sign, forgot to enclose check, forgot to sign check, incorrect check amount, undeliverable) I know you may think this may not happen happen but try to tally how many people sent their petitions without signing them.

Here is the breakdown for the time frame:

Mail petition- Oct 16

NOA1- 7-10 days Oct 26

Bio- 4-6 weeks Nov 27

You will have the option of walk in bio due to your travel plans. So if you can complete the bio let's say Dec 3 and if they are not readable, it will take USCIS about 2-3 weeks to notify you and by this time, you should be back or will be back within a week or so and can re do it on the new date.

Also see if you can get the fingerprints done before you leave.

But whatever you decide do to, have a close friend or a relative check the mail for you.

Here is a link to the USCIS date calculator:

http://www.uscis.gov/dateCalculator.html

Actually, per the USCIS Calculator you cannot file before Oct 15, 2012.

Start assembling the package right now and mail it Oct 16 that way you have a month and a half for the biometrics. Even if you receive the bio letter with a date in mid-Dec, you can still go for an early bio.

This way you have enough time to complete the bio before you leave and will have the 1yr extension letter with you in case you decide to stay longer past the Gc expiration date, you will still be safe.

No need to renew the EAD/AP card as its basically non functional when you receive the green card.

All that matters is the green card is renewed before March 2014.

I know mostly its green cards and employment authorizations. I never had a EAD or AP or a Rentry permit so the only thing they took was my green card.

Review your checklists both here and on USCIS website to ensure all your documents are correct, CFO, VISA etc. You will be asked for your passport, visa and stamp from CFO upon departing Manila. You will also pay an airport tax. I am not sure what the amount is for Filipinos but I believe I paid 800p last August.

Then upon entry in Atlanta you will walk a decent distance from your plane to Customs and Immigration. Follow the signs for what line you go into. They will then tell you to go to immigration area which is right next to all the booths where Custom Agents review. A few questions are asked about why you are here and maybe where your fiancee is now. Then a bit of a wait in Immigration area where they review your documents. SHould be no issues with you as they just check your documents and ask you questions. Then you get your luggage and off yuo go. If Atlanta is not your final destination you can re-check you luggage right after you go through Customs. The reason for this is that everyone upon entry to the USA must gather all their luggage and pass through Customs. Sometimes they inspect but more times they do not. It is random pick. If Atlanta is your final destination then follow the signs. If you have big bags I believe you can get your luggage at baggage claim as Atlanta airport is big. Keep in mind it takes up to 20 minutes on the underground train to get from the farthest gate to where your fiancee will pick you up or be able to see you for the first time so relax and don't worry. My first time in Atlanta I thought I missed my stop as I rode the trian for what I thought was an hour lol. The train is underground so you go down esclators to ride the train then when you get to baggage claim and ground transportation you exit and go back up esclators. All the above may seem confusing but honestly it is simple and easy. There are many people you will meet on your flight or as you exit the plane that will help you. If Atlanta is not your final destination then you just look at the monitors to find your gate. Keep in mind you can use the train to go from terminal to terminal as Atlanta is big. B and D may be close in the Alphabet but in Atlanta it is a mile walk

Good luck

Well, this has changed at the Atlanta airport---Once you come out of the place you will be asked if Atlants is your final destination or just transiting. If transiting, they will show you where to go and if its your final destination then you go right to immigration & customs. They have about 10 officers and you will wait for your turn. As K-1 not sure what questions they will ask but after questioning you, they will let you go and claim you luggage behind the officers. Once you claim your luggage, customs may open your bags or let you go through without openeing them. This usually depends what you declared on the customs form you are given in the plane. Then with your luggage you follow the exit signs to where it will lead you to the waiting area for arrivals.

Your fiance can pick you up over here or if you have to go to the main airport then you will need to ride a shuttle. But its easier to be picked up at the new terminal. Just tell him to follow the signs to the new International Terminal F.

These are the new procedures for the new International Terminal F in Atlanta which I went through on the day it opened May 16, 2012. My final destination was Atlanta.

You need a US passport...

Here is a link of the passport agencies were you can get a US passport issued within 24-48 hrs.

An appointment is REQUIRED. You will need passport size pictures, your naturilization certificate, your drivers license or State ID and ofcourse money to pay for the passport.

If you can fill the passport application online, it will save you a lot of time.

Well, since you didn't specify what state you live in, here is a link of all the passport agencies:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/npic/agencies/agencies_913.html

Just show up for the interview and they may interview you or turn you away. If you have nothing to lose, and since you are only 5 minutes away, just try your luck. Take your old interview letter with you.

Some people whose interviews have been rescheduled still went on the original date and had succefull interviews while a few others have been turned away.

SO, why not try your luck?

Wow,orry to hear about this but could you please be more specific?

Can you give a little bit more details:

-Was he still in status when you travelled?

-Was he still in school

-Is it a single entry or multiple entry M-1 visa?

-Is the visa expired?

-What happened when you travelled back to USA at the airport?

-Did you travel with a I-131?

Its not easy to answer your questions without these details...

Your filing date opens April 29, 2012. My suggestion is to mail it before you travel on Apr 27 and use 2-3 days delivery, which will be delivered Mon, Apr 30th. If on that day Apr 27, you will be too busy to mail it, then maybe you can pack it up and have a relative or a friend mail it for you.

If you do this, it means you will have the NOA1 around May 7-10th, and you will have plenty of time for biometrics before your trip in July.

You will need to add more bank statements from the last 2 years. And from my experience, send the whole statement.

Also, send 4-5 utility bills from waste management covering the last 2 years.

How about this:

Get married ASAP and file AOS. And can apply for AP if you are not out of status.

If you have not violated your F-1 visa terms, then maybe your 1st scenario may work. But if you are out is status, then your 1st & 2nd scenario won't work.

You can send it anytime from now. You have to be married for two years when the green card is approved to get the 10 yr card. As long as your interview and approval is after your second marriage anniversary, you will get the 10 yr card.

--You can be added to the insurance policy as a non driver and most insurance companies don't need a ssn for this.

--If you live an apartment, you can get a renters insurance without a ssn

--You can drive to GA to open a bank account with Chase or Bank of America, don't need ssn with either of these banks.

--Add a home phone in your name through AT&T, usually a $50 deposit will be required for customers without a ssn. Then you can your spouse to the bill later.

You can send it anytime after 04/11/2012