zauberblume

We were approved (I think).

My partner went for his ASC appointment on 09/09/2008.

A few weeks ago, we received two letters. One was dated March 16, 2009 congratulating us on the approval of our request for the removal of conditional status. It says that he should receive his new Permanent Resident card in 60 days.

But we also got a letter dated March 12, 2009 where our case was transferred to the California Service Center.

Either way, we don't really care. We'll wait 60 days for the green card and if we don't receive it, we'll call. Anyway, it's on to the Citizenship application in three months anyway!

Good luck to the rest of you!

NOA-1 received August 1, dated July 30, 2008.

They are quick with sending out the NOA-1, which is good.

Hi,

Can you add me to this list?

I-751 sent on July 26, 2008.

That RFE is sort of scary.

I just sent my I-751 off today and I didn't include a "statement of our courtship," though we did have plenty of financial records (deed, bank statements, mortgage statement).

Good luck, Irish Lass!

What about the white card the 2 year green card came attached to? Did you keep it?

Where does it ask for this in the instructions?

I'd also like to know why this particular document would be useful. I'm sure I have it somewhere in my files, but I'd rather not go through the hassle of looking for a document that isn't exactly necessary for the application.

I haven't been to VJ in a long time...

Glad to know that this license conversion process is still available!

(Mary G, sorry I didn't see your post last year. I don't remember what we used for proof of residence. At the time, we probably had a cable bill. I was also enrolled at a local university so I probably used that too.)

Congratulations!

We pay about $475 a month for two cars, but we're in Massachusetts. Notorious for high rates and strict regulation, so we have no other choices. I would say that you should be able to find something *much* cheaper than $700 in NC.

That's really expensive.

We live in Massachusetts, too.

My husband and I are both insured. We have full coverage. We have two brand new cars (Volkswagen Jetta and Toyota Matrix). We pay about $109 per month. This is with Commerce Insurance.

Only wanted to add... It's basic coverage (NOT full coverage) with some options.

I actually mistyped, we pay $375 - although still high. Collision coverage is what really takes over most of our premium. (And my SDIP surcharge )

But maybe I'll get a quote from Commerce anyway - can't hurt. Thanks for the tip!

Oh, and the city you live in makes a big difference, too. Our rates nearly doubled when we moved cities. Our savings in rent was nearly cancelled out by the insurance increase!

We live in western Massachusetts.

We don't own a home or have very many assets right now so our policy reflects that. We do have collision and comprehensive coverage. (The term, full coverage, is kind of ambiguous.) But we don't have towing and labor or substitute transportation. That saves us a bit. (I think substitute transportation is kind of a silly cost.) I've read that the medical payments are not necessary either if you have comprehensive health insurance, which we do.

Once we get some assets, we'll have to increase our option insurance (bodily injury to others right now is 100K/300K but I think we'll increase it later on). We'll probably look into some sort of umbrella policy too.

Do you have any of the good driving credits? We got two of those, which saved us about $120. Even though my husband just immigrated, he got a print-out of his driving record from the German authorities, which showed that he had no accidents or tickets.

We also got a discount with Commerce for having an AAA membership.

I'm always looking to save on car insurance and I know Massachusetts has started to reform the auto insurance industry. Is that supposed to go into effect this year?

We pay about $475 a month for two cars, but we're in Massachusetts. Notorious for high rates and strict regulation, so we have no other choices. I would say that you should be able to find something *much* cheaper than $700 in NC.

That's really expensive.

We live in Massachusetts, too.

My husband and I are both insured. We have full coverage. We have two brand new cars (Volkswagen Jetta and Toyota Matrix). We pay about $109 per month. This is with Commerce Insurance.

Only wanted to add... It's basic coverage (NOT full coverage) with some options.

We pay about $475 a month for two cars, but we're in Massachusetts. Notorious for high rates and strict regulation, so we have no other choices. I would say that you should be able to find something *much* cheaper than $700 in NC.

That's really expensive.

We live in Massachusetts, too.

My husband and I are both insured. We have full coverage. We have two brand new cars (Volkswagen Jetta and Toyota Matrix). We pay about $109 per month. This is with Commerce Insurance.

Why can't you write German?

So you can only read and speak it?

I can read German better than I can write it or speak it. But it's not my native language. My native language is English. I lived in Berlin for nearly two years, but my husband always spoke English to me. I'm trying to do a little bit better... I'm even learning some Allemannische. (That's my husband's real native language.)

I'm not sure if it's a recent change.

At first, I thought the conversion of a foreign license was only for Canadian or Mexican driver's licenses holders...

But then there's that peculiar little paragraph in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised as of 04/2006)... So we called the phone number I provided. They will convert a German or Swiss license to a Massachusetts one.

Thanks for sharing. That's interesting. Do you know if that's a recent change? I remember checking out the rules for converting foreign licenses to MA licenses, and it said that a road and written test was required unless you were from Canada or Mexico.

Strange that the information you provided doesn't seem to be available on the RMV website.

In the Massachusetts Driver's Handbook, German and Swiss drivers are granted special privileges.

"The Registrar has determined that Germany and Switzerland enforce standards of fitness of operators 18 years old or over, substantially as high as those prescribed and enforced by this Commonwealth, and that they grant to properly licensed residents of this Commonwealth the privilege of operating a properly registered motor vehicle of a type that he or she is licensed to operate with his or her Massachusetts license. Therefore, pursuant to MGL c. 90 S10, the Registrar grants to residents of Germany and Switzerland who are 18 years old or over the privileges of operating in this Commonwealth, provided such nonresidents have complied fully with the laws of their home countries and have valid operator's licenses in their possession or in their vehicles in some easily accessible place."

In our recent experience (12/23/06), my German husband went to Boston and essentially got his German license converted to a Massachusetts one without having to take the written or road tests. He had to bring the following materials:

1) German license

2) German license certified translation by the German Consulate in Boston (Fee: $20)

3) Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (Central Register of Traffic Offenders CTR) Driving Record

4) Proof of Residence in Massachusetts (utility bill)

5) SS card or denial letter

6) Passport

The fee was $90.

I'm posting this for other Swiss or German driver's license holders who will reside in Massachusetts. The process is very simple. My husband received his license about five days after he went to Boston. Boston's Registry of Motor Vehicles is the only place where this license conversion can be processed. This office is located in the Dept. of Transportation building, which is different from the normal RMV office in Boston.

There's a contact number for the Dept. of Transportatio RMV. It's: (671) 973-8860

Good luck!

Julia,

Theoretically, you can work immediately.

Practically, some employers may not feel comfortable employing you without having seen your permanent resident card. It depends on how much a potential employer knows about the immigration process. You can tell them that it's pending.

My husband worked immediately upon his entry into the United States. He worked as an independent contractor. Strangely enough, no one at his company asked for his permanent resident card or his social security card. Now that he has been hired as a permanent employee, it looks like all of this information will be required, so we are happy that we do have the permanent resident card and the social security card as that will make the hiring process much easier.

Good luck!

--Z

Hi there!

I have a quick question regarding DCF and where else could I ask if not here!? I am so glad that someone set up a forum like this where the "new ones" to the visa process can get help from the "old ones" who have already gone through the process.

Here's a quick overview about my and my story:

My name is Julia, my husband`s name is Corey, he's American, I am German and we met more than 3 years ago in the States where he lived and I worked as an au pair. We have been dating ever since we met and after 2 years I had to return to Germany to finish school. Since we did not want to have a long distance relationship we decided that Corey would come to Germany with me and would work as a civilian for the Army in Heidelberg, which he is doind right now. We got married December 16 and Corey wants us to go to Frankfurt to hand in the petition tomorrow. In the States I first have to complete a 10months internship requirement to be able to graduate from school. Since the time period is very limited, I have 10 months and 2 weeks to complete the 10 months internship and then be back in Germany for the oral final I need to know if I can start working there the second I arrive even if I have not received my green card.

I read that SuzyBandseer posted that her husband received his green card 5 weeks after arriving in the States and now I am only wondering if he could have already worked within those 5 weeks.

Thank you very much for your answers! Hope you can ease my mind!

Take care, Julia

In an American context, foreigner is often conflated with Mexican. Of course, that is dumb.

My husband has had a relatively positive transition. He's a software developer. He posted his resume on dice.com and got lots of offers. (I'm mentioning that in case you didn't know about that website for people in the IT industry.) He went on his first interview and actually got that job. It pays really well. One of his co-workers is from Denmark, but for the most part, it's an small American business.

My point is... Perhaps it's your area, too. We don't live in a big city, but we live in a rather liberal area in Massachusetts. People actually appreciate diversity here. But a few times you'll run into people who like to express their idiotic thoughts. Either way, they are usually shushed up.

Good luck!

(P.S. This "foreigner problem" is rampant in Britain and Germany, to name a few places that I've been to. It's not an American problem. It affects other nations as well. Those citizens don't want to see their country "change" culturally, racially, or ethnically.)

Suzy,

Your experience is similar to mine.

My husband's social security number was never generated. I think we waited about five weeks because we calls the SS office and they told us to wait. We waited and then he went to our local SS office and applied for one. He received it about two weeks later.

We were able to open a joint Bank of America account without his SS number.

Thankfully, since he's from Germany, his license can be transferred to a Massachusetts one without him having to take the written or road test.

And we also bought a car, but it could only be purchased in my name because he had no social security number. He had his permanent resident card at the time as well and that was not good enough.

Lastly, he also went on three job interviews and has been recently hired by a local software company. So he's enjoying America, for the most part. (He's getting a better understanding, though, of American politics.)

Good luck!

--Z

Thanks, we are doing fine. I started work last week already! Alan has had a promising interview for a job he is very interested in.

The only small snag we have had concerns his social security number. We checked the box to have an automatic application upon entry. He called social security and he is still not in the system. I believe the instructions mdyoung (or what is his name?) gives say to go & apply if you are not in the system in 3 weeks. We figure if he is not in the system at all after 2 weeks (even without an assigned number), something didn't work quite right so he is applying tomorrow. Actually, I am not sure I read about anyone where the automatic SSN application worked out in a timely fashion.

It's not a huge problem except for the fact that his UK driver's license is not valid after 60 days as a resident in the state of NC, and we need the SSN to get the new driver's license here. If we wait around and the trigger never happened, we could get in a tight spot waiting on a new application to go through.

We also tried to buy a car in both of our names & thought we were successful using his UK drivers license. The application bounced at the DMV for the registration/title because he didn't have a US SSN to go along with a foreign driver's license, so we have had to redo all the paperwork in my name only. They wouldn't take the alien registration number instead. Both of my banks (state employees credit union and wachovia) would not give him an account without an SSN so we are just making due for now.

It would probably be useful to at least discuss the pre-nup and how it may or may not relate to the Aff of Support? Because this is an immigration forum and both documents could potentially "run into" each other.

--Z

The Affidavit of Support is a contract between the sponsor and the government, not between the sponsor and his/her spouse. How would a prenup "run into" it?

Start with these links:

http://www.povertylaw.org/poverty-law-libr...ase/54000/54046

http://www.ilw.com/articles/2006,0110-wheeler.shtm

http://www.ilw.com/articles/2006,0608-mehta.shtm

It's not like I posted these links on page 11.

Must be invisible.

With this in mind, it would suggest that a prenup be all the more important, and especially, perhaps, in the case of a US citizen, to protect a party from the potential of any future and/or frivolous lawsuits.

Memaid, this is an interesting idea.

Hear me out and see what you think.

There is a requirement for the I-864 when the AoS takes place. It is the duty of the petitioner to file an I-864 for the beneficiary. This is legally required by the US government. It places the financial responsiblities on the petitioner.

Now, here's my question. Does the I-864 preclude the petitioner from engaging with the beneficiary in a private contract which would require the beneficiary to pay back any and all expenses to the petitioner which may be assessed by the US government in the event of a divorce?

I understand the I-864 is a contractual agreement between the US government and the petitioner. But does the I-864 contract specifically preclude the petitioner from entering in another contract with his or her beneficiary to specifically require the beneficiary to pay back any and all charges demanded by the US government upon the petitioner?

Will this hold up in civil court?

Mermaid,

That's why I'm talking about this issue because it is one of those moments where a pre-nup might be a smart idea for those concerned about potential frivolous lawsuits.

What Sir Lance asks is exactly what I mean by a pre-nup "running into" the Affidavit of Support, or rather, vice versa. As far as I can tell, there is no case law on how the pre-nuptial agreement impacts, if it does, the Affidavit of Support. But I think it's important that those who want a pre-nup employ a good attorney who is well-versed in immigration law.

--Z

It would probably be useful to at least discuss the pre-nup and how it may or may not relate to the Aff of Support? Because this is an immigration forum and both documents could potentially "run into" each other.

--Z

The Affidavit of Support is a contract between the sponsor and the government, not between the sponsor and his/her spouse. How would a prenup "run into" it?

Start with these links:

http://www.povertylaw.org/poverty-law-libr...ase/54000/54046

http://www.ilw.com/articles/2006,0110-wheeler.shtm

http://www.ilw.com/articles/2006,0608-mehta.shtm

/sarcasm

I'd vote for Obama just because he's black. And I'd get everyone else I know to vote for him, too, just because of his color.

Oh, **! He's also half-white. His momma is white, no less!

Now what am I to do?

I'll have to wait until a real Black person runs for president.

/end sarcasm

I can't even read all the posts in this thread..cuz it makes me sick! I don't like pre-nups and if my fiancee did that to me..I would cry for days upon end. And yes, say I am immature..and yes, say I am old fashioned. Thank you God that I am! And thank you God that my husband is just as old fashioned as I am! What is wrong with this world that we even have to come to this! I think he is not the one that learned something new about his fiancee..I think that poor woman had the rude awakening!

Let's say your husband has 10 million dollars in the bank, and you have... well, nothing.

Do you feel it's fair that you should be able to help yourself to 5 million of his dollars

in case of a divorce?

Absolutely not.

He earned that money before he met me so it is his. If he wants to share it in a settlement or use part of it to provide for his children, then that would be fair. But I'm not entitled to it.

Whatever we make during the marriage is what I would split with my husband if we were getting a divorce.

We don't need a legal contract, a prenuptial agreement, because we trust that we will be fair to each other in any circumstance.

And one of the main reasons we got married at all is because of immigration. We lived together for nearly two years. There was no other way for us to be together in America unless we got married. That is not to say that I didn't want to marry him; it is just that I don't believe in the way that America, for example, defines and redefines the institution of marriage.

It would probably be useful to at least discuss the pre-nup and how it may or may not relate to the Aff of Support? Because this is an immigration forum and both documents could potentially "run into" each other.

--Z

I have a marriage contract! I do not even like the idea of a pre nup.

all I give to my husband - I give freely. if he is looking at the end before we can begin

then its a dayum shame. but, the marriage contract is same as a pre nup. its lslamic law.

Interesting point. Essentially, if my understanding is correct, certain elements of the marriage contract, such as determining mahr, immediate or deferred (muwajjal), is all agreed upon and hammered out before the marriage, and as such it is really the same sort of thing, yet freely embraced in muslim marriages.

Of course, it is all about culture, Mermaid.

Some of us come from regions where a pre-nuptial agreement is a sign of distrust. Some of us come from regions where a pre-nuptial agreement is not even thought of because no couple ever divorces--no matter what.

For me, my prenuptial agreement is the vow that I took to be married to my husband forever. That's going to come with the good and bad, but I'm totally ready and willing to experience it.

--Z

Like I said earlier, I've never entered into a pre-nup. But because of some of the stuff I've seen, I don't regard them as horrid. I think they should be discussed, calmly if possibly, and not used as a strong-arm tactic. And I don't believe that undying protestations of trust and love will protect a couple either. Life and other nasty stuff happens.

Rebecca,

I completely agree.

My husband and I discussed it. He was against it. I was actually on the fence because I understand the complexity of it all. I know the statistics about failed marriages and I've seen horrible divorces. However, I still think that it goes against the values that my husband and I outlined in our marriage; therefore, we ultimately decided against it. We're both realistic and we know the risks involved, but we are working toward success.

I feel like if we were no longer together, more would be lost than my or his money. We've experienced quite a lot together, even in our relatively short relationship. I couldn't imagine us giving up on all of this. I think we're both too stubborn. We'll have our problems but I can't and really won't fathom this relationship not working even though I know it's possible.

Plus, we really have no assets to protect even though our families have assets. We've already outlined the basic ideas of our partnership and our goals.

If I trust him with my body, mind--myself, then I trust him with my money too, even in the event of a divorce. (I've also seen amicable divorces.)

-Z

There's no getting around it, Mermaid. We chose not to sign a pre-nuptial agreement for our own personal reasons. You could tell the saddest tale of a woman who lost of all her worldly goods in a divorce and it would not, in any way, change my perspective on pre-nuptial agreements.

I don't think mermaid is trying to win anything. She's just asking for you to think about something. Since you've stated your opinion won't change no matter what information you are given, then what are you trying to get at?

Rebeccajo,

She's assuming that what she proposes us to think about we haven't already thought about or considered. I've heard about all of the advantages of signing a pre-nup. I remember the analogies: "You wouldn't ride without wearing a seatbealt, would you?" "You need to protect your assets." "It's not the document of doom." Blah blah.

Why would my opinion change? I'm only talking about what I am doing in my relationship. What other people choose to do in theirs is fine.

What is kind of sad is that just because a couple chooses not to sign a pre-nup, then they're suddenly naive or unrealistic or in a stupor of "youthful innocence."

Maybe we just flat out didn't want to sign one. That's what I'm getting at.

--Z

Nowt.

Probably because you realize the futility in such a discussion.

However, if you could explain what you're getting at, it might prove useful to others who may be reading this thread.

Interesting to have this discussion about pre-nuptial agreements on an immigration forum. Affidavit of Support, anyone? (No, I'm not saying you can't have both a pre-nup and an Affidavit of Support.)

Look, I realise that this forum is oriented to people that are in the throes of immigrating to be with their new love or newly wedded spouse, but if it's hard to contemplate this reality in your current state of mind, reflect back on the last relationship you had, before this one, (If there was one) and how you are glad you are now with the one you love. Think of how it would have been had the two of you parted and just suppose, that it wasn't your choice. He or she made the end to the relationship. And let's suppose that at that time, you lost everything you'd worked to acquire. Yes, it's money, substance, worldly goods, but at the time you ended your relationship, for whatever reason, did you love himstill and still believe that 'love is forever'?

Actually, it's not a hard reality to comtemplate. In fact, many of us youthful ones have contemplated it. As such, we chose to act differently in the best interest of our relationship.

There's no getting around it, Mermaid. We chose not to sign a pre-nuptial agreement for our own personal reasons. You could tell the saddest tale of a woman who lost of all her worldly goods in a divorce and it would not, in any way, change my perspective on pre-nuptial agreements.

What exactly are you trying to get at?

Oh my goodness your already talking about divorcing her in three years what happen to marriage vows saying for better and worse in sickness and health until death do we part. If you want a prenupt sounds like your already thinking the marriage is going to fail. If you think that send her home but, if I was ever ask for a prenupt first I would feel like I am going into a business arrangement and second I would feel like the man I am about to marry does not trust me... I am the USC here and all I can say is everything I own belongs to my Jatin too we are making a commitment to be husband and wife not business partners... If you love this woman and trust her why would you need a prenupt? my fiance is leaving all behind for me does that not show love...

Good luck on whatever descion you make....

Sincerly a fiancee in waiting,

Christina

How sweet!!...How innocent!!. How out of touch with the real world and the way it is. Im sure that the 50% going thru divorce now and fighting for pots and pans thaught the same way at one time.

Sign a pre-nupt, and there would no need to fight as it is alrady decided wh gets the pots and pans.

Indeed. Sadly, I'd be willing to suggest that 99% of those that end up dissolving a marriage were all as amorous and trusting at the outset. I don't know what it is about the divorce, but even the amicable ones are rendered down to the nuts and bolts of who gets what. It's sad and perhaps it isn't so much about money and 'things' as it is about a way to demonstrate one's dispapointment that the emotional investment of one or both parties, presumably, has been all for naught. But in the end, it is all about the bits and pieces, and ironic as it may be, the prenup essentially sorts that out when emotions are not high and piqued, and feelings hurt. And a prenup prohibits the attorneys that handle the distribution from feasting on the aftermath of such raw emotions.

So the pre-nup, as you've outlined above, is about protection then?