gflower

Hello beautiful VJers.

I have my conditional Green Card in hand.

My social security card reads 'not valid for work without DHS authorization'. I got mySSN about 2 weeks after I entered the US on my K1 visa, when I didn't have authorization to work.

Now that I have my GC, shall I visit the SS office and get a new card sent to me?

All love,

G flower

My interview is on Friday September 21st.

Gathering everything now. But would love some help as to what I need to bring. My interview letter had a list of things and below are the things I need help with. Any information woud be greatly appreciated! Thank You in advance amazing Visa Journeyers! x x x x

1) A completed affidavit of support with all required evidence including the following, for each of your sponsors, unless already submitted:

- Federal Income Tax returns and W-2's or certified IRS printouts for the most recent tax year

- Letters from each current employer, verifying current rate of pay and average weekly hours, and pay stubs for the pasy 2 months

- Evidence of your sponsors and/or co-sponsors United States Citizenship or lawful permanent resident status

(cant remember if I included the top 2 items in my I-485 package. Obviously the last item is my hubbys passport. shall I bring the above 2 again? I think I already submitted it and didnt get an RFE)

2) All documentation establishing your eligibility for Lawful Permanent Resident Status

(WHAT THE HELL IS THIS!?!?! my whole K-1 petition???)

3) supporting evidence of your relationship such as copies of any docs regarding joint assets or liabilities you and your spouse may have together.

- We have a joint apartment lease

- we have joint car insurance

- we have joint bank statements since 2009

- we have joint phone bill

- we have both our driving lisence showing we live at the same address

- we have tons of photos from our wedding

- we have memorabilia from our wedding

- we have tons of emails

(IS THIS ENOUGH EVIDENCE????)

4) Original and copy of each supporting document that you submitted with your application. Otherwise we may keep your originals for our records.

(WHAT THE HELL IS THIS??? FROM MY K-1 PETITION????? Help! )

5) If I have ever had point on my CA driving liscence then I need to bring documentation.

(YES I HAD A TICKET FROM 2008 for speeding - shall I go to the DMV? for documentation?)

THANK YOU! can you tell i'm nervous? giddy in fact.

Hi, where am I on this chart?

Anxiously waiting the next stage. When do you think I'll hear something?

Thanks!

ScreenName---------PckgeDelivery-------Biometrics---------EADCard--------------Interview

Fgmail-----------------------04/30---------------05/17----------------07/09------------------07/17 (APPROVED)

Gabiru-----------------------05/01---------------06/06----------------07/24--------------------08/08 (APPROVED)

Moonpie---------------------05/02---------------05/18----------------07/05-----------------N

Julookings------------------05/02---------------????-----------------07/09-----------------07/31 (APPROVED)

Darusalam-----------------05/03---------------05/17-----------------07/19-----------------07/19 (APPROVED)

Sethless--------------------05/03---------------05/29--------------Production ------------N

Jiu----------------------------05/04---------------06/01-----------------07/19----------------07/19 (APPROVED)

Widered---------------------05/05---------------05/2x-----------------07/18----------------07/18 (APPROVED)

Old_Dog_Barking---------05/05--------------06/05-----------------07/30----------------07/23 (APPROVED)

Jeserguevara--------------05/07---------------05/24----------------07/27----------------08/22

LindaC1990----------------05/09---------------05/23----------------06/09----------------N

Hmh33----------------------05/09----------------06/13----------------07/27---------------08/29

Rakosik---------------------05/09----------------05/22----------------07/12---------------08/09 (APPROVED)

Cj0301----------------------05/10----------------06/20----------------07/27----------------08/08 (PENDING)

Wonderfulstart------------05/10----------------05/22----------------07/27----------------08/07 (APPROVED)

Dee07-----------------------05/11---------------05/22----------------07/28----------------N

Suavemuy------------------05/11---------------06/25------------------N--------------------N------(???No Updates)

NataliaChicago------------05/11---------------05/29----------------07/XX----------------07/12 (APPROVED)

Waiting_In_SC------------05/11---------------06/08-----------------08/03----------------N

Tob187----------------------05/12---------------06/15-----------------07/XX---------------08/08 (APPROVED)

JayNarl----------------------05/15---------------05/31-----------------08/04---------------09/04

DandT14--------------------05/16---------------06/19-----------------08/07----------------08/02 (APPROVED)

Made In Heaven----------05/23---------------06/12------------------N--------------------N------(???No Updates)

Lornaevo--------------------05/24---------------06/06----------------08/04----------------08/15

Angeltots--------------------05/29---------------06/09--------------Production-----------08/30

Menting----------------------05/29---------------06/27------------------N-------------------08/06(APPROVED)

You will get the email soon, probably by the end of the day.

Hi everyone.

I filed for AOS on May 10th and received my NOA1 on May 14th.

I have my EAD and AP.

I live in LA... When I sign onto the USCIS tracking website it says my green card application is being processed at the NBC - it hasn't been transferred - and it is still in the first stage of processing. 'Accepted' or whatever they call it.

When can I expect an interview date? I would like to say a very firm goodbye to the American Immigration process (for the next 2 years) as soon as possible!

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

I just got my EAD and AP card. Yippee!

I am so confused though. If I leave the US for a holiday, when I return - what visa am I arriving in on? I know AOS pending is my status. What colour slip do I fill out, the green or the white one? Can I go in the permanent resident line or the tourist line?

Thanks!

You're adjusting status from a K1 visa so you may or may not get an interview. Your case has probably been transferred to CSC with two possible outcome:

1) CSC process your case and mail you the card without an interview. It could take more than 6 months because they are backlogged.

2) CSC transfer your case to your local office and you get an interview. Fastest scenario at this moment..

You may want to follow this thread as it is specific to people adjusting from K1

It usually take 8-10 days. I would think Saturday at the earliest.

Oh my - 6 months from now or 6 months from when we filed?!

Two options really: 1) stuff your pride and have him put you on his oldest CC and add you to his joint checking and saving account or 2) build it all by yourself which will take a few years. Up to you which way you want to go. By the way, my wife did not change her name when we got married, but I did put her on a joint CC and the checking and saving account. It took about two months for her to get those Capital One pre-approved CC offers. Then I put her on the investments and she now gets the American Express pre-approved offers. Her credit score is now better than mine since I have the house mortgage and a couple of pre-approval's for the home loan against me. You may also want to think about the ROC step in this process where the USCIS will want to see the co-mingling of assets and your lives.

Good luck in whichever route you choose,

Dave

Thanks Dave,

The problem is my husband's credit score is not good... It sounds like yours is really good. I think we will visit our bank together and get advice from them. Thank you!

Here's my case:

1. I never changed my last name; still have my maiden name.

2. My husband did NOT add me to any of his credit cards or bank accounts. I opened my own checking and savings account.

3. Also, not sure if this affects my credit score or not, but last summer I applied for financial aid for school here in the US and received student loans.

4. A few weeks after getting a job (took 2 months from getting my SSN), I applied for a credit card (and was approved). Soon thereafter, I started to get credit card offers in the mail (I called a number though and got myself removed from their mailing lists).

5. As soon as I bought something with my credit card (which was about 90% of my purchases as I get 1% cash back), I'd pay it off with my money in my checking account. I rarely had an outstanding balance at the end of the month.

6. I signed up at Credit Sesame (online website) to check my credit score (for free). Early 2012 it was finally posted (the site states it generally takes 6 months after getting an account to get a credit score): 704. Currently, July 2012, my credit score is sitting at 711 (only about 20 points under my husband who's 23 and had credit building for years now).

Yay! Thanks for this! I'm going to copy you exactly

Hi!

I moved to Los Angeles in February on a K-1 visa. Got married and this week my work permit was approved!

I have been offered a job which is great, and now I am concerned with building credit in my new home country.

I know I can take on my husbands credit score (well according to him I can) but when we married I didn't change my last name, and I don't want to take his credit score for this same reason: I am an independent woman of the 21st century!

To all the people out there who have already been through this, what words of wisdom can you impart on me? Thank you in advance!

Hi Everyone! I just got my EAD and AP approved on the 23rd of July. When should I expect my interview date? I'm filing from Los Angeles.... Not sure how much longer I have to wait. Thank you!

Yes. When you call the CS, ask to speak to whomever helps with the visa immunizations. Tell them you only need a transcription of your vaccinations onto the i-693 and ask them how much they will charge. Ours normally charges $25, but ended up not charging anything. It depends on the office, really, and what their rates are.

It's pretty painless, really; just a bit of extra work.

You will need to take them your 3025 and your doctor's proof that you got whatever shot he had to give you.

The CS i've booked an appointment with is asking for for proof of TB skin tabs and blood test for syphilis... do i need these? im sure theyd have already been done?!

Yep... you should see the number of your document in small print near the bottom somewhere, but it if looks like the one I pointed you to, that's definitely the right paper.

OK GREAT! Thank you!

now i just realised that i wasn't up to date with my vaccines when i went to my medical in London. i got up to date with them a week later from my own doctor, as they were cheaper. which i now realise was penny wise pound foolish as those vaccines were obviously not recorded on my DS-3025. I do have a letter from my doctor proving I recieved them.

Do I need to visit a civil surgeon to get them transcribed? to the I-693?

Bummer!

It's called a Vaccination Documentation Worksheet. You can see a copy of one here: http://www.visajourney.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=lastupby&uid=61777

(scroll down a little bit and look at the thumbnail... the full copy doesn't seem to be opening right now)

YES! thats what i have! is that the correct paper???

The paper from your medical listing jabs, dated and signed by the doctor who did your exam is the DS-3025. Is that what you have?

Yes its a photocopy of what they gave me in the medical... It looks like a table with all the jabs I've had, which the nurse at the doctors filled out. I also have the letter from my personal doctor with all the jabs I've had since I was born. Please help! Thanks!

Hi!

I'm nearly done with my AOS paperwork. But I'm so confused about the medical papers.

I had a full medical in London before my K-1 was approved and had all my jabs done whilst I was there. I don't have a DS-3025 to send a copy with my paperwork, I've never even seen this form. But I do have proof from my medical of all the jabs I had etc.

What do I do? Im confused!

When I had my SSN changed they had me give an oath, and I think they recorded it too, but I don't remember them asking questions like that. I didn't think anything of the oath and recording. Not sure how common it is.

Yes I spoke to my lawyer and he said it is standard procedure apparently

Really!! That is a first I have ever heard also

Yes. And the lady said she was recording my answer on tape..... Why do you think this happened? Do you think I have a mark by my name or something? This process is as intimidating as ever!

Hi all,

I got my Social Security Card today! I applied last Tuesday so it took under a week to come.

I went to the SSA in LA and they gave me an interview under oath. Has anyone else had this? They asked me whether I'd ever had a full or part time job (no) a US driving lisence (yes) and US bank account (yes joint with my fiance) and have I ever done SATs (no).

Has anyone else been through this and know why they asked me the above questions? It was a surprise to me and I couldnt find anything else on here about it.

Thanks!

K-1s can get a SSN from day 1 until day 76 of their I-94 OR after getting the EAD or greencard.

You are fine. It does no tmatter which box you check, you are not eligible to work. SSn does no tgrant that privilege. Take your passport and K-1 visa or other government isuued ID (the passport and K-1 are TWO forms of government issued ID)

If you have any problems getting the number or they suggest that any delay is needed then ask for a supervisor. You ARE eligible for an SSN right now, there are no further delays or procedures needed.

Apply for the SSN in your name exactly as in your passport. Change it later if you want to.

Thank you for your fast reply

Hi all.

im just filling out the form SS5 for applying for a SSN.

Ive been in the USA for 2 weeks on my K-1 visa which apparently is the right amount of time until you're in their system.

Im confused about what to answer on question 5: am I a Legal Alien able to work, not work or other?

and what docs do I bring to them to prove what box i tick?

I dont have my EAD. Im not married yet.

Please let me know what I should do, what I should take, etc.

Thanks in advance

As long as it's a copy of the NOA2. They are basically asking you to provide evidence of your approved i-129f petition - that's the only way for you to adjust status. As long as it's a a NOA2 copy I'd definitely try sending that before spending 405 dollars on a new. Have you called UCSIS and asked them if lawyer's copy is sufficient? If not and you decide to, ask to be transferred to a tier 2, the ones with more knowledge.

we're going for a meeting with the lawyer soon. i'll post what he says on this thread so others can see. thanks!

The copy your lawyer has - are you referring to the NOA2 or NOA2?

huh? we got the NOA1 in the post. our lawyer got one too. its addressed to my fiance c/o our lawyer. but at the bottom of the notification it says 'attorney copy' where as ours says 'applicant copy'.

we never got our NOA2. and apparently need the hard copy for our AOS which we'll start next month after we marry. Apparently we have to pay $405 to replace it and it takes months to arrive in the post. so i just want to know if we can use our lawyers copy of the NOA2. i emailed him to ask if he even has it, no reply yet.

thanks.

hi.

my fiance (the USC) never received an NOA2. We signed up to email notifications so this is how we found out about NOA2 ( i still have my email notification). he travels for work so wasn't even at home to receive it in the hard copy and I only just arrived and noticed it.

I have our NOA1 with proof that we paid the $340 fee but not the NOA2.

Can we use the copy our lawyer would have been sent? I know he was copied on our NOA1.

Thanks, hoping to get around this so any information would be great.

Gflower.

Firstly, let me say that I heavily relied on Vanessa&Tony's guide to filing my AOS/EAD/AP - it was fantastic! Although I am waiting for my green card approval I got my EAD and AP with no problems and I have yet to receive a RFE on my green card (touch wood!)

In terms of things to get ready for, I would say:

Ordering Tax return/tax transcripts - you may have kept copies of these from you K1 interview, if not you need to order them again. No rush though as you are not getting married until April but be aware they can take a couple of weeks to get depending on how you choose to receive them. Some people include 3 years worth of tax transcripts/returns in their application but you are only required to include last year's tax transcripts/return.

Proof of citizenship - If you're using a co-sponsor you need to include proof of their US citizenship (passport/birth certificate)

Marriage Certificate - When me and my husband got married we asked the officiant if we could take our signed marriage licence to the City Clerk's office ourselves rather than waiting on him to send it in, that way we could literally go in the next day and get the marriage certificate there and then. There is some debate over this but I paid $10 and got a certified copy of my marriage certificate to add to the AOS application rather than simply making a photocopy of my original certificate (some people have got RFE'S for not using a certified marriage certificate in their AOS applications, whilst others got away with using photocopies. I just didn't want to take the risk). I did just photocopy my marriage certificate for the EAD/AP applications though as it was just used to prove name change.

Form I-693 - There is great contention over whether you need to include this form at all, so I am going to just explain it and then you can make you own decision on it.

When you went to Knightsbridge you will have been given a vaccination record (keep it safe) because when you send in you AOS package you will need to send in a photocopy of that vaccination record to show you have met all vaccination requirements. Some people however have got RFE's for simply sending in a photocopy of that vaccination sheet and for not sending in the form I-693, which is a form signed off by a civil surgeon stating that your vaccinations are up to date and correct. All the civil surgeon should have to do is transcribe your info from your knightsbridge form into the vaccination section of the I-693 and then sign it. They will put it in a sealed envelope - do not open it. Just send it off like that. Of course if you need more vaccinations/x-rays etc on arrival you will have to go to a civil surgeon anyway. If your case is as simple as transcribing your vaccination record though, don't let the civil surgeons convince you that you need to do another full medical. You don't. The transcription should cost know more than $50.

Sorry for the long response I just remember the feeling of not knowing what to do next. No need to worry about any of these points right now but at least you can feel prepared later on, but you should definitely rely on Vanessa's guide - awesome!

Thank you for your long winded response. Its exactly what I was looking for! I will definitely follow your advice.

You'd be able to, but the time in between would be time you were out of status, subject to detention, and unable to work. Additionally, you'd incur a ban if you left the country before receiving your green card.

Cool. We plan to file AOS asap for those reasons.

Would you be able to direct me to a page where I can get the best info for exactly what I need to do for the AOS process?

My fiance's mother was our affidavit of support in the K-1 visa process. I presented her financial details at the interview. Does this mean she must be our affidavit of support for the AOS too?

Thanks.

Filing AOS does not have a timeline. You can file it anytime after the I-94 expires.

interesting. hypothetically, if we'd been married for a year would i still be allowed to apply for AOS without getting into trouble after that long?

i'm a worker, so i'd like to file AOS to ensure my work permit and travel permit come as soon as possible.

sorry if i am asking questions that have been asked again and again, i am just a bit out of the loop.

thank you.