tuandanh

Hi there,

Found out good news today. Got a letter saying the removal of conditions for my wife has been approved. We are very happy. Only thing though, we want to take a trip back to see her family and it says the card will take up to 60 days to come. We were hoping to take the trip next month for the Asian New Year observed in many countries. Is it possible to go with the passport (of the origin country), expired green card, and letter that states that her green card is approved? Will this be okay or will we need to wait for the card to come? Her family was hoping to see her for the new year.

Thanks!

Thanks everybody for your input!

I got called in for the interview for the removal of conditions the first time around so I definetly don't want to return if I don't have to. Would rather have the proper paperwork and be able to relax from these past years of all of this stuff.

- Thanks for the tip about tax scripts from the IRS, I requested those!

- Intestering statement about avoiding individual documents. Completely hear that logic. Only reason I brought that up is that it showed proof of address and that spouse is building a life here in the US. Also feel weak about the documents I do have. I have to ponder that one.

- Still feel weak about the bank statements and no mutal names on residence. With our checking account, I mainly feel shaky on it because there are very few transactions on it (used as a savings of sorts). With residence, adding my spouse will risk redoing my rental lease and don't think it's worth it to have higher rent or risk losing our place for this.

- We live in the city and don't have a car so I guess that means no on the car insurance.

- I'm considering adding Wills and life insurance. Will it matter at this point? I have about 6-7 weeks to get these in before filing....

Thanks everyone and I wish you the best on your visa journeys!

Hi all,

I am starting to get everything ready to file form I-751 (have to file it in 2 months to reach the 3 month prior mark) to remove the 2-year conditional status but I'm realizing we have not done a good job building documentation the past 2 years. I think we've just been pre-occupied with just living life and not about filing/building documentation. Here's what we have:

- Green Card/Passport copy

- Joint Tax Returns 2012 (Copy of TurboTax Return we got when we filed, do you think that is okay)

- Joint Checking Account (We've been using it as more of a savings account (I know, should have done savings) so there is only like 4-5 transactions each month. Mostly just putting in some money for savings.

- Copy of Individual Health Insurance (for spouse only, cost was too prohibitive to add her to mine) It does have our address on it though

- Joint Phone Bill

- Joint Electric Bill

- Joint Visa Credit Card Account (although we don't use that card that much at all)

- Will get 2-3 affidavidts

- Copy of spouse's driver license

- Copy of spouse's state board for cosmetology

- Copy of bills from the fitness center for spouse

- Pictures from the last 2 years

- Some documentation on tickets we bought for trips, hotels, etc,

We don't have both of our names on our rental lease. We live in a tiny studio apartment (looking to move in the future) and I don't think they let more than one people rent these apts. Also afraid they could either not let us live here or raise our rent. I was thinking of finally setting up the life insurance polices. How does the above list sound? Do you think I should start ramping up more evidence like the life insurance? Any advice greatly appreciated!

I wrote a post back in July or August 2011 on the VN forum. It had most of my questions on there. Some of the harder ones were...

What color are the walls in your fiancée house?

What color are the bed sheets?

Who sleeps closest to the door?

Describe items in her room?

What did you guys eat last night?

Who ordered what?

How did you guys get here this morning?

Who paid for the taxi?

How much was it?

Did you do a dam hoi?

Where did your wife go to high school?

What is your wife's favorite color?

What is your husbands favorite movie?

Where did your husband go to college?

I went with my fiancé. They grilled me, they grilled her. We passed. She's now my wife. I'd recommend you go but you certainly don't have to. My wife's friend just passed and her fiancé was not there. It's really up to you.

Awesome, thanks guys.

Hey Jim, how's it hanging?

Sorry if this is a dumb question.

My wife has both a green card and employment authorization card. The EAC will expire this year. Does she need to renew it to work or is the green card good enough?

Thanks guys

The wait is finally over, big congrats!!!!

This might be a dumb question but are you sure it is her in the photo, ie you have a crystal clear shot of her in the act? Instead of going to VN, did you confront her on the phone about it?

My friend designed that poster kennard...

Congrats! You must feel like a million bucks. Way to hang in there through the tough times. Now its time to start your life together in the US, go get those hangers!!!!!

I didn't do a dam hoi. It's not weighted as much as some believe. It came up during our interview and probably was a strike against us but not the end of the world. Our interview was tough but we still passed in the end. Only do it if it's the right thing to do for your families. We sort of did ours in the USA after the fact as a warm up to our wedding. I would like to go back and have a post wedding celebration with our families in vn soon.

Don't force a dam hoi just to impress the officers. Do what is right and show your proof. Especially recommend you be at the interview in person.

Congrats! It looks like you are ready to finally pick her up at the airport!!!

I was interviewed along my wife during the interview. They have an interpreter even though my lady did it in English. They do want to see common language between you too. The chat logs will help. Dont worry about that so much.

my thoughts for you. Find a school for her to take some English classes. Or a tutor. Or buy that software for her. This is more for you than just passing the visa interview. Classes in Vietnam for English can be very cheap. I'm sure you guys will want to communicate better and she will speaking it all the time, better cough the dough now, you'll both be glad you did.

Good luck guys! That sounds very promising

We had the same problem. I don't get it. Dont think it really matters but still...

You need an action plan that gets you out of your current situation.

Biggest issues it seems:

1) you are not mobile

2) you live in a bad neighborhood

3) you're not working or going to school

Regarding item 1, may I suggest going online to study the written driving test? This will help you on the path of being mobile. When you're ready, your husband should take the time off or if you guys have family or friends to take you to test. You should consider signing up for private driving lessons. This is something you can work on while your husband is at work. Then you'll probably want to investigate where you can buy a used car.

Regarding item 2 and 3, that unfortunately is something you'll have to work on. In a few months, you'll be able to work. Having the dual income will help in your chances of being able to afford a new place. Not sure where you are educationally but going to school can never hurt.

Regarding food, there has to be some local farmers markets in Atlanta. That will be your key to real food.

Also, does he have family or friends in the area with a car? That could be your out. I'm sure if they heard your situation they would drive you to the DMV or to get real groceries.

Your husband sounds overworked and exhausted but he needs to prioritze the things that will get you to be an active contributing member of the relationship. It's going to make things so much better for both of you once both parties can equally partipate in your mural success. Be patient and most of all, be proactive.

interview yesterday and approved!! thanks for all your input guys!! I'll get more details tonight when I talk to my wife...

Congrats!!!

We passed our AOS interview! Super easy! All questions from I-485 form then how we met, then pictures, then done!

Congrats Alina! We are happy for you! By the looks of your profile pic, we are having out interview at the same location. Ours is on the 5th. Congrats again!

Thanks for sharing!

Let us know how it goes, good luck!!!

Thanks for the write-up and congrats!

OP, thanks for posting this. You do seem like you have an uphill battle but I think it's a good lesson to learn from. You are not down and out yet so have faith and bring your A game if you end up at Stokes.

We have out interview in 9 days and I'm a little nervous. I keep hearing, why are you worrying, you guys are true, they just ask you easy questions from the I-485. I think it would be naive to just go in on the merits on our good faith. You really have to be prepared. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.

Congrats! Great news!!! You must be relieved.

Can you post your interview questions? It can help the community on their journeys.