Lana & Mauro

Thanks everyone! That's what I was looking for...similar experiences...

It's just that in 2014 you would think that we can receive something better than a piece of paper...(I don't know, like a sticker to put on top of the Green card...or something less fragile and easy to lose ).

Anyway, I'm relieved now!

Hi, my Green card expires in a couple of weeks (I entered with a K-1 visa).

I applied for the AOS within the 3 months prior to the expiration date, got my biometrics as well as the NoA saying that my Green Card has been extended for a year.

I might need to go to Canada for work in November.

Is it ok to leave the States as long as I bring with me the Green card (although expired at that point) and the NoA I received?

Anyone with a similar experience?

I don't feel very comfortable leaving the country with an expired document and a piece of paper...

Thank you so much

Thanks everyone for your prompt feedback and for wishing us good luck!

I don't know if I'm positing this on the right section, but since I entered the US with a K1 visa I think so. In the meantime, I did get my green card of course but it expires in November 2014 (the first time they told me they issue it only for 2 years).

When do I have to start the renewal process? Which form is it necessary?

How long does this process take?

How many years will the new green card last?

I know it's only May...but I want to have a better idea of the time frame...it should be three months to expiration date correct?

Here we go again...with paperwork one more time!

Thanks

Mauro

Thank you everyone for your suggestions!

Hi everyone. I know that this question might sound a bit silly but I want to be 100% sure.

Since I immigrated to the US in May 2012 I have never left the country. Next month though we will go on vacation to Europe so I'm wondering if the only thing I need to show to US Customs when I head back from my vacation is my green card (with my valid passport of course) or if I should also bring the confirmation letters I received from the immigration office when I actually got approved.

I think the green card is more than enough, but I wanted to make sure since so far I travelled only within the USA.

Thank you so much.

Mauro

PS: My green card (through K1 visa) expires on Nov 2014. How many months before should I start the renewal process? I read different opinions, someone says 6 months, others 3...

California Service Center=CSC. Vermont Service Center=(VSC). Nation Visa Center=(NVC). They usualy tell you that your case has been transfered--let's hope it is still at the local USCIS office.

Now go have an adult beverage and relax while you wait for the outcome of your I-485. You are fine.

Good luck and may the waiting be over soon,

Dave

Hi Dave, thank you. Got it. So far all the notifications I received where from the USCIS...so I guess my case is still with them.

Let's have faith and keep hoping that it will go by fast!

Because you have filed for AOS, you are not accruing overstay. There is nothing to worry about. You are doing everything correctly and legally.

You can expect a couple of months before EAD and AP to be approved. Right now, AOS for K1 applicants is running a bit slow. Just hope you don't get transferred to CSC as they are REALLY running behind. (about 8-9 months now). As I mentioned, do not expect your I-485 approval for several months. Your EAD/AP should be about 2-3 months average after filing.

Have you checked your status with USCIS for I-765 and I-131?

Thank you for your reply!

How do I know if my case is transferred to CSC? And by the way what does CSC mean?

I did check with them (I mean I called them) and they told me that my I-765 should arrive within 90 days from the day they received my request. So I guess until September no news at all.

Nope, sit back and relax. The I-94 was only a one time use. Once you send in that AOS, you move to a temporary legal status until approval. No worries friend, it's completely normal. Expect to wait about 8 months or so for final approval unless you get an interview (which actually has been faster recently).

Danke schoen Thomas und Kristi! Ok, so I guess the only thing I can do is waiting (which is what we have been doing since we started the whole process LOL).

I was just worried because I would like to find a job (and still I haven't received my Employment Authorization and I guess right now no one can actually hire me) and furthermore I would like to get a new health insurance after this one expires (end of August) but I thought that since I don't have anything to prove I'm legal, no insurance company would cover me. What did you guys do as far as health insurance is concerned?

For example I also tried to get my driving licence here in California but since by the time I got my SSN there were less than 60 days left prior to my I94 expiration I was not allowed to apply. And I guess I can use my European licence only within the first three months Im here...

Hello to everyone.

I have a question. I entered the US on May, 30 on a K1 visa. I married my wife on June, 14 and after a week I sent out the I485 package (together with the Employment and Travel Authorization).

They have already called me for the fingerprints but still no confirmation of approval of the permanent residency.

My I94 (Which right now is the only paper I have proving that Im here legally) expires on August, 27. If I don't receive any notification by then, am I still legal? Or should I ask for an extension of my I 94? Where?

Anyone who experienced the same situation?

Thank you so much for your help

Hi guys, I am entering the US on May, 30 with a K1 visa.

I am currently living in Spain and the company I am working for, wants me to keep working for them.

They want me to become an independent contractor.

Does anyone here know where I can find information of how long it's going to take me to become a "free lance" and how many taxes I need to pay?

I am relocating to the SF Bay Area in California and I need to give them an idea of how many taxes (both federal and state) I will pay out of my salary.

Do I need to have my green card before being eligible to work on my own?

I know this is a different topic from those you see here but since my company has never worked in America and me either I need to find as much information as possible.

Thank you for your help

APPROVED!!! Now waiting for the Embassy to send me back my passport together with the visa! I am pasting here my experience with the Spanish Embassy, it might be helpful to someone else!

Everyone has been very nice. It took just a bit more than an hour to me. I got called in on time (my interview was exactly at noon). A lady just asked me to give her all the forms requested (everything was fine) and she even told me that there was no need to give her any evidence of ongoing relationship (had I known this a bit before...I could have finished my package earlier...oh well, the important thing is getting approved!). Then came the interview with another employee...I didn't have the watch with me but I don't think it lasted more than 5-6 minutes. Easy questions: How did you meet your fiancée? Why did she come to Spain? How long have you been living in Spain? (As you might see from our profile I am an Italian citizen with Spanish residence). Have you ever met each other's family? What kind of job does your fiancée do in US? What kind of job do you think you will find? When do you want to leave? (You can imagine my answer...ASAP!!!). He then explained to me that I might wait for 10 days to receive my last package from them with my passport, visa and a sealed envelope which I have to give to the US custom officer when I enter the US (together with the medical examination results that they had already given back to me after the first paperwork screening)...he then stated that my case was APPROVED (!!!) and wished me the best of luck. They have been so nice to me! One remark: all conversations were in Spanish language, which I found a bit odd since I'm in an American embassy but I was fine with any language.

By the way I also want to mention that everytime I had doubts (the weeks before my interview or while preparing my package) they answered to me very fast!

I couldn't ask for any better...maybe for a faster approval!!! LOL

We're in need of some good news ... Hopefully in the form of a K1 Visa! Mauro has his interview in Madrid this afternoon. Please wish us luck and feel free to let us know what to expect, especially if you've interviewed at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid. We'll submit a review once the process is complete.

We wish you all the best of luck on your own visa journeys! We know it's not an easy task and it's definitely not for the faint of heart, but just remember to let love lead you back to each other. And don't forget to stay positive every step of the way!

Best regards,

Lana & Mauro

Hi guys! We are getting closer and closer. We are waiting for the interview to be confirmed in Madrid Embassy.

We still have some doubts though.

First of all: we sent our first package in August 2011 but they are asking again to bring evidence of our relationship. Do they mean just evidence of our on-going relationship after being apart while waiting for the case to be approved or should my fiancé bring all the old papers submitted with the I-129 as well?

We thought that they were going to ask for the Single Status Certificate (at least that was something we read before sending our first package) but in their packet they don't mention anything at all. Is this certificate necessary or since we have never been married before it doesn't apply to us?

Thank you for your help and we wish all of you the best of luck and love!

Lana&Mauro

Everybody needs to file an Affidavit of Support, even if you have enough money. The goal is purposely "to show that visa applicants have sponsorship and will not become public charges while in the United States". It's filed by the US-citizen (it's not based on the visa applicant funds), or if that one doesn't make enough, the visa applicant needs a co-sponsor.

I suggest you read the USCIS instructions for that form: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=fe3647a55773d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD

Thank you for the information ... We're definitely learning a lot along the way!

Hello Everyone,

My fiance (Italian citizen living in Spain) received a packet from the US Embassy in Madrid saying they can begin processing the K-1 Visa. We are a little confused about the forms included in the letter. Any advice/answers to our questions would be greatly appreciated!

- They said that the first thing he has to do is to return the enclosed DS 230 I form "immediately" but we noticed that it's different from the one you find online. Plus, the packet included only has pages 1,2,3 of 7 total. Is that normal? 4 pages are missing?

- Since I recently moved to a new address in same state (California), is it best if he writes the new one even though it's different from the address filed on the original 1-129 F? Or should I petition a change of address from USCIS in California? I just don't want it to delay/interfere with the process.

- How much money is required to not have to file an Affidavit of Support? He has his own bank accounts and money saved as do I, but how much is required by both parties? Or is it best to get a sponsor just to be safe?

Can you tell we need some ? THANK YOU!!!

- Lana & Mauro

Happy New Year July Filers! We were elated when our NOA2 Approval letter arrived yesterday. Anyone else get a NOA2 yet? We'd love to hear from you! Good luck & stay strong through this trying process.

162 days for us to get NOA2 (APPROVAL). Best news of 2012 so far! Happy New Year to fellow Visa Journey couples! - L&M

Hello Fellow July Filers!

We're still waiting for NOA2 after receiving NOA1 in August ... a favorable decision would be the absolute best Christmas gift ever! Staying calm & positive during this visa journey we're on.

Good luck to you all & Happy Holidays!!

- Lana & Mauro

Hi!

We are still waiting for our NOA2 (unfortunately...but we need to be patient, we know!), it's two months already that we sent our package...

We were thinking to start organizing our Xsmas holidays. Do you know if there is any problem for my fiancé to enter the US just for a vacation while waiting for the K1 visa?

I mean do you think that he can have problems when going through Customs Control?

Thank you so much for your help!

Thank you so much for your fast reply!

It really helped us out!

And yep, we are just about to send the first package!

Wish us good luck!

Hello!

We are ready to send our package (!!!) but we noticed that there is a bit of confusion concerning the actual amount of the fee to include in the package (with a cheque or a money order). On USCIS they say 350 USD.

Is that correct?

Thank you

Lana & Mauro

I´m from Sacramento too! And about the form..don´t worry if there isn´t an updated form on the website then just use that one,it will be fine. No problems

Small world! Our first post and we "meet" people from our common areas just like that. The world just keeps getting smaller by the day ...

Thank you for the advice too!

We'll keep everyone posted on how it goes and keep both fingers crossed while our heads are kinda spinning with all this)

If you find the form on the USCIS website, the expiration of the form doesn’t have any effect on the validation of the form. So you can use it. If you use the expired form while the website provides a valid form, then you will be in trouble.

Good luck

Thank you too, Love Eth. I will keep checking back on the website just in case any new forms pop up, but I know that's not going to happen today of all days! If we don't find anything in the coming week, we'll go with what we have.

I appreciate your time and help. Also, we'll take as much good luck as we can get!

Happy 4th of July to you all!

All the best,

Lana & Mauro

I would say that if there is no newer version, the latest is fine although expired. Also, I remember that for certain forms USCS accepts several versions, basically because they do not change the substance of the info requested. G-325A is one of them. Check this out: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

Thank you for your information! We were thinking of just filing out the form we have available and checking with USCIS. I will be back in California by the middle of the month (unfortunately without my fiancé), so I will be able to speak to someone at the U.S. Immigration Field Office (just made an appointment for 7/18). *Any tips on what to expect when I go? We send you another "thanks" in advance. I guess you can tell that this is our first time doing all of this ... haha

By the way, we noticed you're from Italy (Mauro's home country) and your local office was in San Francisco (Lana's/my hometown). We considered going through the SF office, but our case was a bit "special" since I've been working in Spain for the past 2 years (long story short) .... I chose the office closest to my last place of residence (Sacramento). So we will see how it works out ...

It's really nice to have the chance to hear from people who have been through the same process. It's like a light at the end of the tunnel ... gives us hope.

Congratulations on being newlyweds!

Grazie Mille,

Lana & Mauro