Autumnal

Well, you could always point to bills paid on time before you got your SSN with your financial records. And if you need a loan from that bank, you can show you are in good standing.

Here's what you need to do, as you had no K3 visa:

o Tracy (USC) files the I-130. This is requesting the US government to allow you, her husband, to come into the US.

o You file the I-485. This is to adjust your status from a tourist to a permanent resident.

A brief overview:

Tracy is the petitioner for the I-130. She completes the I-130 form and you both need to provide the information that is listed in the checklist. For example, she has to show a birth certificate, passport, certificate of naturalization, etc. to prove she is an American citizen. You both complete the biographic forms (G-325a), submit photos, your marriage certficate and the rest.

You are the beneficiary of the I-485. You put together that form, officially, and you both need to provide the information that is listed in the checklist.

You file these two "packages" together. The I-130 is necessary for the I-485 (AOS) to go ahead because, basically, she needs to confirm this on marriage grounds.

In short:

o File for I-130.

o File for I-485.

If you want to work, file I-765.

If you want to travel, file I-130.

That clear things up?

Chicago.

*_*

Jewelry. Pretty. *stares*

Can you combine S&H on different items, or no?

Put it this way: almost everything around here is, unfortunately, pretty expensive to do. A lot of it is high priced/touristy, unless you want to wander around the mall or wander around a park. Parks are nice, but not the best options.

I realized after chatting with two friends that we couldn't actually think of anything to do that wasn't going to cost us $10.

Timinden, it's off topic, but those bicos are amazing. *_*

Ask for that copy.

Sorry for the bold, but I do strongly recommend it! I was asked to check over the original form for accuracy (the one the civil surgeon was putting in the sealed envelope) and I basically agreed that everything looked correct. He attached the report for the TB check and all that to it, then sealed it up. I received a photocopy of all the paperwork in there for my own records, so in the event something goes awry, I have proof.

Also, it may be useful to take to the interview for whatever reason.

But considering you're paying this person a pretty reasonable sum of money, at the very least he can provide you with a photocopy that takes 5 minutes and $1.00 in copying costs at most.

Wow, congratulations.

I have to convince them why not go back for 6 months to Germany to get K1/K3 instead of insisting on staying here. but we dont want to be apart.

I got a normal Bank account now, now were getting a joined one. what i meant was it says proof that is beeing used. i mean, sre we can put money from tracey on it and get it used, BUT sinc ei cant work ther enot much activityfrom me on it then right?

{{Fingerprinting/Biometrics}}: damn how often do we need to do this?

i had a return ticket but of course i canceled it. could be a good idea to show my intention though. thank!

1. Simplest answer for that: you are now aware that if you leave the US after being married to a US citizen, you will be unable to return before the K3 process is initiated. You are better off to stay in the US with the USC (US citizen), your spouse, and change things from within the country than heading back. It could take longer than six months, and you have the grounds that this was spontaneous. Your timeline makes it sound like that.

2. Yes, getting a joint bank account is a good thing to do. Then the both of you can get cheque cards for it and maybe set up a bill payment on it. Make that payment automatically every month and it will help to establish your credit rating here in the US. It will also show that it is being used regularly. Even though you are not depositing a pay cheque into the account, you are still considered to be responsible for activity in that account. That's the benefit of a joint account, among others!

3. You will probably need one set of biometrics to be taken for your AOS and your work permit (EAD) and your travel permit (AP). They do them all at the same time and it's not too laborious a process. They should be valid for a year or so.

4. Definitely keep ahold of that return ticket, any itineraries that you have from your trip and other proofs you were on vacation and intended to return back to Germany!

Me: No. You just need to have everything that they ask for -- look at the AOS assembly package. You'll be putting in the I-130 bundle and then the I-485 bundle; there's a nice checklist that's very handy, talking about how to assemble your photographs and order of things. I'd also suggest that you put on the cover letters, don't staple (paperclips are your friend).

You: what exactly do you mean? assemble fotos? more than one coverleter?

5. Check out the guide here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...page=i130guide2

This highly invaluable checklist is very good for you to follow! It will give you instructions on the different things you require for your I-485 Adjustment of Status and for your wife's I-130 (Petition for an Alien Relative). I was referring to this in response to your question if you require anything special in your package because you are adjusting from inside the United States.

You should not require anything special in the packages. As you can see in that link, everything you put into your package is listed. It is very thorough. You will show your visa, passport, marriage certificate and such.

For the other things we have mentioned, like your return ticket and proof of your account together, this evidence you want to keep for the interview.

The EAD comes from MSC, at least Claudeth's did.

what is SC? to many shotwords here hehe.

SC: Service Center. MSC is the Missouri Service Center (MSC), renamed to the National Benefits Center (NBC). This is where your I-130/I-485 packages will go when you mail them to the Chicago Lockbox.

I think this is right, but... Your work permit and travel permit are processed at MSC/NBC. Then they transfer your I-130/I-485 on to your district office.

Your district office depends on where you are. For example, I live in Chicago; thus, mine is Chicago. If you were living in Vancouver, WA, it would probably be Seattle or Portland.

1)She is here on a student visa does she need to send the medical at the time of filing for AOS?

2)Of the form g325a she gotta send 4copies of the same one?Or is it 1 in her husband's name and 3 for her?(its been a long time since i filed it,i dont remember!!)

3)Does he have to send the tax return or the W2s and paystubs gonna be enough?Cause i believe i sent only w2s and paystubs but then again i got short memory!

1. Yes, she will need the medical for the time of filing.

2. For I-130: one copy (all four pages) for her husband; one copy (all four pages) for her.

For I-485: one copy (all four pages) for her.

3. Yes, he needs to send in the tax return for the last year. The I-864 does make mention of three previous tax years (IE: 2005, 2004, 2003 or 2004, 2003, 2002), but he'll want to have that tax return along with his W2s and paystubs.

Good luck.

I've been reading quite a few financial books, lately, and one thing I've noticed is that while they often suggest a plethora of ways to trim bits of your budget, they really don't provide any suggestions for keeping yourself and your loved one(s) entertained. Sure, I can lower my bills by going without cable and the like, but what sorts of activities can we be pursuing that don't cost much?

This thread is also inspired by the fact spring is valiantly peeking around the corner though I'm certain a giant frost monster is waiting to pounce it the minute it breaks out of hiding!

So, here's the question: what are free or low-priced things you do to keep entertained? Whether it's making sure to walk along the beach or replacing movie watching at the theatres with something more entertaining (like going to free high school productions).

Henna's a dangerous thing for a hair dye.

Hee! I figure I'll be getting nothing and/or an invitation to go see the Chicago River turn green.

40 minutes and you're almost free! Congratulations.

Never heard of it. Interesting!

I miss my northwest coast.

I'm mildly horrified. O.o

Books? *perks up* I read at an absolutely voracious rate, and I tend to stray everywhere except westerns.

Some fine authors:

Sarah Dunant - Renaissance era, rich in details but not so much you're feeling that you read a History of Italy, vol. 3 book.

Sean Russell - The Swans' War trilogy is remarkably well written for a trilogy, and it's believable. A "busy" set with much going on, but it's enthralling. Late nights with this one.

David B. Coe - His "Winds of the Forelands" series isn't done, but the first four books... well, it takes a little to get into, but it's good. Fourth book just came out and I finished it in three hours.

Cecilia Dart-Thornton - One of a pack of tremendously talented Aussie authors we're just seeing. At least I think she's from Oz. Be forewarned: her Crowthistle Trilogy (better than Bitterbynde, imho) has fairly high language. If you don't like words such as viridian and whatnot, look on.

More Aussies:

Jennifer Fallon - Another fantasy writer, known for the "Harshini Chronicles" (Harshini, Medalon and Treason Keep). Very good pace, enjoyable. Not hard to read, and quick paced.

Fiona McIntosh - Into a series called Myrren's Gift. Fantasy but it's really more interesting than that to me. She actually weaves an intriguing cool curse into the premise for an entire story.

More!

Jane Austen - Pride & Prejudice is certainly one of the great classics and it's really a marvelously well written book. If you like film, the 2005 version is well done -- but the BBC mini-series is even better.

1776 - I cannot remember who wrote this except he's a Pulitzer Prize winner. It's a great book about the Revolutionary War and, if you're boning up for that citizenship quiz...

Hey, now, sometimes I'm here too.

Indeed, she was one of the more admirable figures up there.

You will receive:

I-797C -- these are basically your "notices of action". They are issued to confirm that USCIS has received your package and generally how long it takes, when you're due for a biometrics appointment, when your interview is done.

I hope it works well for you.

By the by, if you make any contributions regularly on bills to your parents -- like with cheques or something -- getting evidence of that may not be a bad idea either.

Woo! A Saskie! ;D

Hello, wife of a fellow Canuck! What part of Canada is your husband from?

1. I am USC, husband is Canadian. Canadians do not need visas or passports to enter U.S. in MOST cases.... So he stayed, but then got out of status for a while because the 1-800 misinformation line told us to wait a year before filing the AOS papers!!!

From what others have said, they were not asked about how they entered the country or what their status was. Clmarsh and Kezzie are two; unfortunately, I don't know many Canadians that went through the process as you did (and me, for that matter) and have already interviewed.

2. I have these great scrapbooks I've been making since we first met ((they are huge)) and they have everything you could ever want to see to prove that 2 people are absolutely in love.... BUT...there are some photos of us being crazy, like my husband dressed as a woman for Halloween, etc. Should I try to cover those up or something?

I'd probably bring a smaller selection of things, but if they're scrapbooks with full details, I think you'll be okay. Covering it up might draw more attention and obviously, Halloween is Halloween. *grin* Several of the recent interviews made mention that the OP barely even looked at their photos, if at all.

The decision of "will she be enough" is judged entirely on whether or not your mother makes more than 125% of the income set as the poverty guideline for the household. That's explained in the I-864. If it's very much borderline or you're definitely not sure, then I would consider adding your stepfather just in case. Alternately you can write a new I-864 and include your husband's wages along with W2s (if available), pay stubs, and whatnot with the co-signers and add it all up. It may not be necessary.

4. Should I file our taxes for 2005? I did not make enough to be legally required to file my taxes. So should I get a letter from H&R Block or something saying it's true I have no need to file taxes?

If you're already going to file them, then go ahead and bring a copy along with you. If it'll add to your stress, maybe give yourself a break! I think it should be up to you. However, since you haven't filed taxes for the past while because you were a student, it might not hurt to have that extra documentation from 2005 on hand along with whatever else you have. I'm not familiar enough to know the American tax system and the rules for filing except I was in the same boat in Canada, and I was told to file my taxes anyways even if there were about three hundred 0s all over the place.

5. I copied everything I sent in with the AOS application. Do I need to take those copies? Surely they will have them there, yes?

1. Take your original documents (IE: birth certificate, etc.).

2. Bring photocopies of those original documents.

3. Bring photocopies of any evidence you're taking (unless you don't mind them taking it).

4. Bring along all official correspondence (and copies, imho).

5. I'd probably bring along a copy of your AOS application just in case, too, so you can review it.

You never know what might not be in the package, or what the immigration officer might ask for. They may decide they want to see a copy of your birth certificate or the I-485 form, page 2. I say better safe than sorry and since you already copied them, just stick that in the portfolio!

Try not to stress too much and know that VJ is always here if you're really on shaky ground. *grin*

A few other people were talking about problems in Virginia earlier on. I'm afraid I can't remember who it was, though.

A rule of thumb: if you can't get any luck at one office, try for another one in the area. That seems to be a solution that works well when you're getting run around, and someone isn't paying her any mind.

I would assume, though, that your AOS receipt should be sufficient for that extension. Cobble together your marriage license, her SSN (if she has one) and other documents. Keep escalating if someone's really being pushy.

MSC -> Missouri Service Center/National Benefits Center.

It's common for there to be quite a delay before seeing your stuff on USCIS.