JunkTardis

13 hours ago, EmilyTim said:

Hi everyone!

I moved to the US on a K1 visa in August. Our wedding date is set for the 6th October. I hope to have all the paperwork ready prior to this date, so we can apply for adjustment of status as soon as we have the marriage certificate. After sending the AOS paperwork, when will I be able to work? I can't seem to find any recent info on this.

I admit I'm finding the whole process pretty confusing. Would it be a better idea for me to apply for the work authorisation before getting married? How long would I have to wait before working?

Going a bit crazy, stuck at home with no way of working!

Thanks in advance for your help!

I moved to the US in October 2018, filed for EAD/AP/AOS in November and got EAD/AP in July and Green Card in August. You're in for a wait, the wait times are still bad. As far as I know, volunteering is out of the question too since it is also a form of working. my thoughts for you is if you're able, get your drivers license whilst the K1 visa is within it's 90 days and do a little driving around your area. You'll want to be familiar with the roads around your area prior to working. This is exactly what I did, and it really helped since I now work about a block away from the National Benefits Center in Lee's Summit, right where the AOS/EAD Green Cards are processed. 

16 hours ago, LDRHollie said:

So my K1 Visa got approved!

 

I'm looking to book my flight for around the last week of October but I'm unsure of what to do.

For some reason right now a one-way ticket is around £1400 but a return is £350. Do I just buy a return and not get on the return flight obviously or do I have to buy a single trip?

I don't understand why the price difference is so substantial but I'm not sure what to do because it's SO much cheaper.

 

Any help would be appreciated!

Just book a flight with Icelandair. They do the cheap one-way flights. In fact my one-way flight to the US from Manchester last year cost my less than a return would with my usual airline (American Airlines). I remember being in this predicament the first week of October last year 

2 minutes ago, tirzajogja said:

I also received the same RFE about birth certificate on Aug 11 and replied to them on 13 th,  even though I've sent the copy of my original bilingual (Indonesian-English) birth certificate on my initial application. I replied the RFE by sending them the same document and plus, an original translation by sworn translator.  My friend who sent the same document didn't get any RFE. So I assume they misplaced the document

Have you had any updates or responses from USCIS about your RFE @JunkTardis? 

In a panic, I made an InfoPass appointment as well as sending USCIS/NBC replacement copies of my Birth Certificate with a note from myself saying 'The birth certificate was issued in England, the country where English came from...I cannot translate an English birth certificate to English'. I told InfoPass what happened and what actions I took and they found the entire thing absurd. They said I had done the correct thing by sending a replacement copy as they advised me that it may have gotten lost or misplaced and that the RFIE was a generic message with no real detail to it. My advice is what you have done, which is to send a replacement copy of the same document. Due to it being an RFIE, it does add some processing time onto your case so expect a delay whilst they confirm it. In my case it set me back about 1-2 months. I successfully obtained my EAD/AP at the end of June, and got my conditional Green Card 2 weeks ago with no issue 

22 hours ago, Sara REnz said:

Hey,

 

my US Fiancé and me just started the K1 Visa and I was already looking for flight tickets, that I know how much they will be when it´s time to move there.

 

The One-Way-Tickets from Germany to the US are about 2,200 € and a normal return ticket would be under 1,000 €. Now I´m wondering if I can buy a return ticket and just use the ticket there or if that would be a probelm? What ticket did you book when you were travelling there?

I ran into the same issue from the UK. What I did was went with Icelandair one-way. Their one-way flights were a good price and not outrageously expensive. Alternatively, you could buy a return flight and just not board the return flight. Some airlines MAY charge you for this. So I would go with the Icelandair option. Their planes are very new and clean. 

21 hours ago, Boiler said:

UK requires you to update your license when you move and you can not use a foreign address, so a moot point anyway. No way you can legally renew your UK license, yes I realise you can lie.

My driver's license was something I completely overlooked when I moved. I dealt with my taxes, voting stuff/electoral roll etc but completely blanked on that. To be honest, I'd rather do everything by the book and avoid deception if I can help it as lies tend to come back and bite you 😂 

21 hours ago, JFH said:

Since you can’t legally have a UK license whilst living overseas, your MO license is the only way to go. Your Geico insurance likely won’t be valid in the UK but check the policy. Most rental companies quite an “insurance included” rate that you can select when you book. 

Gotcha, I did not actually realize that about my license. I figured it'd be through a 3rd party insurer, but I am completely new to hiring a rental car so didn't have a clue. 

20 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

No. Why would they need a translation? Your MO license is in English. 

 

It was Cornwall where we had tight parking at a holiday cottage and on some of the one lane back roads.

 

 

I have mostly rented at Heathrow. Pick up and drop off. Not familiar with Manchester. Usually costs more to drop off at a different location from pickup. But away from the airport for pickup/dropoff can avoid some extra fees.  I usually find the best rates going through my airline United. How are you getting back to the airport? 

 

They will want a credit card so they can collect payment for anything additional like extra days, damage, petrol or whatever may come up.  

Thank you! 

Oh I remember how tight the cornish roads are, but mainly I remember how expensive parking there is. Particularly around St. Ives.

I won't mind the differing cost for different drop-off. We were planning to probably get the train up to the airport or have a neighbour watch the doggos (they are adopted rescues with severe anxiety when left), and not have to deal with Rental Car stuff the morning of our flight since the flight departs at around 10, and it takes a good 3 ish hours to even get there from my/my parents house. I hadn't actually considered looking through the airline as I tend to just book directly through American. I'll have to take a nose and see what I can find out.

Gotcha, I wondered if that was why they had credit cards on file. Very helpful, thank you! 

2 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

Do you have a British license?

I have rented every visit back to the UK. Sometimes using my UK license and passport. Last visit they asked for TX license. Call the care hire place and ask if you have doubts you can rent as a tourist. I can't see why they would refuse you.

 

The problem I always have is they  say they upgraded me and it's a bigger SUV style which is sometimes hard to squeeze into places with limited parking or narrow gate posts. 😩

Yes, but expired. I don't really see a point to pay the DVLA to renew a license I'll almost never use anymore so ideally I'd prefer to use my Missouri License. I'm assuming the UK may want an International Driver's License (IDL), but that using my MO license as a tourist would be fine. 

Ideally I'd prefer not to rent, but my parents can't fit us both, them both and 2 dogs and all our luggage in the Jaguar estate either for the 3 hour drive from the airport or on the 5 hour holiday to cornwall 😂. I was planning on using Europcar as they have the best rates and they have a place I can drop it off in my hometown before departing back to the US. Hopefully they don't try giving us a giant SUV and let us just use the Astra we were looking at. 

So using a MO driver's license and UK passport, what else will I need to potentially prepare for beforehand? I read somewhere I needed a credit card or something similar, and I was also unfamiliar with the insurance rules. Online seems to be quite conflicting though so it's hard to get a clear picture and I'd love to avoid facing unknowns the morning I fly into Manchester 😂 

Good morning all, I was wondering if LPR's had any experience hiring a car. Let me give some background info.

• I am a British citizen living in the USA, I have my Green Card interview in 2 days so I'll be an LPR (hopefully) by the time my UK trip comes around
• I hold a Missouri drivers license
• We have a Bank of America credit card
• We are with Geico insurance
• I am from the UK
• I want to hire a rental car in the UK
• We are going to the UK for 2 weeks over October/November

So long story short, can a British LPR hire a rental car in the UK using a Missouri driver's license? If so, what will I need? I have never hired a rental before in any country so I am clueless where to begin. Any help would be appreciated! 

10 hours ago, HRQX said:

Even for English to English translations? (sarcasm)

 

Ahhh what a throwback. I had almost forgotten about the ridiculousness of USCIS demanding an English translation of an English issued Birth Certificate, from England 😂😂

21 hours ago, JeanneAdil said:

they are worried about the bigger issues

arrests and incarnation 

I'm sorry, I shouldn't laugh but I was quite amused by incarnation.

I think you mean incarceration, unless you're worried about becoming a deity. 

21 hours ago, blitzg2019 said:

Hello,

 

I got a verbal warning from a police officer for traffic violation ( driving on a car pool lane with 1 passenger / driver in car). I did not get a citation or a ticket.

 

I have already done my interview. Is this something that I have to report during the oath ceremony , scheduled for next month. I am based in MN.

 

Thanks,

 

No. 

I got a speeding ticket back in May, there is nothing to worry about. You aren't a criminal. 

On 7/11/2019 at 1:01 PM, Allaboutwaiting said:

Hello everyone! 

 

As some of you guys might recall, during our interview, we were informed our K1 file was not there and a request was made that very same day.

We had an info pass appointment weeks later and we were told the file already arrived, but wasn't yet at the interviewing officer's desk -reaching the desk takes another while-. 

We left quite disappointed.

 

Fortunately now, after several weeks of despair, we can finally announce that we were approved! 

 

Certainly I wish there was no need to deal with the USCIS again, especially with ROC, which from what I've read, takes over a year. 😕

But at least we'll have 21 months immigration bureaucracy free; hopefully that'll be enough to recover from the trauma of the past year and a half -since we filed the K1-.

 

Our best wishes and hugs to everyone still waiting. 

Congratulations! I am so glad to hear that!!! 

21 minutes ago, clw654321 said:

 

Thanks @HRQX I literally just woke up and saw this.

 

Not trying to be rude or anything but there is an option to look at others timelines and I put that we filed in May right above your comments.  

Apologies, the error is mine. This is what happens when I come on the clunkier VJ on my phone, welp 😂

14 hours ago, clw654321 said:

On the 10th. We have been wondering what shows that she can stay past that. It would be nice to get an updated I-94 or something after we file for AOS.

 

We will keep that in mind. Thanks!!!

Why the heck would you guys wait so long to file? Not trying to be rude or anything, but isn't that like roulette? Particularly given you're right by border checkpoints.

The more cases I see with later filers, the more I think my wife and I were extremely prepared. We filed about 1-2 weeks after our wedding once we got a marriage certficate etc. No reason to wait, all it does is prolong the period of being unable to work or travel

17 hours ago, clw654321 said:

My wife and I are still waiting on her travel permit. We are in Del Rio right now and have read that although the K1 is a single entry visa you are allowed to walk across the border to Canada or Mexico.

 

We were wanting to visit Mexico for just an hour or two if this is 100% true. Thanks in advance!!!

I'll wait for a post in a week or so saying:

'Help! Beneficiary crossed into Mexico and is now stuck!'

The terms of the process are clear. You can leave the USA at any time you please, being legally admitted back in is another matter entirely. It violates the conditions of the K1 to leave and come back, as it is a single use visa. Once you enter, consider it no longer in existence. You have to wait for EAD/AP or LPR card. I know it sucks, I just waited about 9 months for both. It's not worth the risk. 

21 hours ago, Abbey B said:

This is very hard writing this as I was very involved with VJ during the K1 visa process and was so excited when my fiance came here to marry me from Israel.

 

He came in January, we married in March and as of June 9th he moved out of the apartment to stay at an AirBnB and is going to go back home after our divorce is done. We had many fundamental issues, he was not willing to work on them or seek counseling, and he kept telling me he wanted to just go home because he couldn't see a future here. 

 

Long story short, we already filed for AOS, EAD and AP back in May--he went for his biometrics and NOW I have filed for annulment. We have no kids or assets together other than our joint bank account which is now been closed. 

 

My question and concerns are:

 

• Given that I am his sponsor, do I have any legal obligation or liability during the divorce/annulment process? 
• If we end up divorced instead of annulled, can he try to get alimony from me because I was his sponsor?
• If we end up annulled, does the "fraud" stay on his record? I tried to get an annulment based off of a 'fraudulent marriage' because he promised a life here with me, promised a family and promised to stay in the US but 3 months after marriage, he does not want to stay here, does not want a family and does not want to be married. 

 

We are not talking and I am concerned what he can do and what he can try to get out of me given that I was his sponsor. 

I'm sorry to hear about this OP! It's an incredibly time consuming and lengthy process, so for it not to work truly does suck. 

As far as fraud is concerned, this does not sound fraudulent in the least. It appears to me like he came to the US to be with you, felt it wasn't right for him and wants to return home, not stay here for a GC.

If he is guilty of anything, it's of wasting your time, money and resources and and an apparent unwillingness to work on relationship issues. But fraud, no. 

I doubt he'd be able to get alimony. Personally if I were you, I'd go for a divorse rather than an annulment and be done with it. Supply USCIS with your divorce number and pull the AOS. 

Good luck OP 

14 hours ago, RambaCat said:

I'm sooooo glad you guys seem to finally be getting some good news.

 

And I feel that last line, I really do; it took my company almost two months to set it up so I could finally work for them (it was slow on the US side); I start working for them from tomorrow, officially, and will be getting a couple months back pay. Everything crossed for your interview!

Thank you! It feels like it's been all or nothing the past few months. We heard nothing for months, made 0 progress and then this past week EAD/AP happened, GC Interview was scheduled, we got our GC interview date, I got a job interview. It's a big set of changes, all of which I am okay with.

Wow, two months is a long time for an international country. Good luck with your first official day back at work!

I'll just be glad to be IN a job at this point. I haven't worked since mid September last year. Bare in mind I'm 28 now and have worked full time since I was 16, so it was a tough change to get used to. Now it'll be tough to get used to having no free time again 😂

6 minutes ago, ETintheUS said:

So I could marry him in the UK on the ESTA?

You can marry him in the UK. Then you should file i-130f (CR1 Spousal Visa) to bring him to the USA (Assuming you both want to live in the US).

This process takes slightly longer than the K1, but is less work when he is moved to the US. If I could do our process over again, I'd do it this way for sure 

1 hour ago, ETintheUS said:

No. I live in the US and he in the UK. We have been visiting via ESTA. We're told NOT to get married whilst visiting on ESTA. 

You could just stay engaged, and file for i-129f.

The i-129f is for the K1 Fiancé Visa. Once successfully issues, you will have 90 days from your date of entry in the US to marry and file for adjustment of status. During this time, the beneficiary will be unable to take a job.

You could fly to the UK or he could fly to the US on an ESTA and marry. If he flies here on an ESTA, he MUST return within the 90 day period. 

If you take the second approach, you must file for i-130f.

The i-130f is for a CR1 Visa (Spousal Visa). This is the better method, as once his Visa is approved, he can begin working immediately when he comes into the US.

My wife and I used the K1 approach, and it took us about 9 months for me to obtain my EAD/AP and Green Card Interview Date to allow me to work. I'd go with the spousal CR1 visa if I were to do this over again.

Good luck!

PS: Don't know why you're lawyer is suggesting a 3rd country, that's really confusing. There is no legal need. You can marry in the US or UK, just ensure no overstay and file for i-130f.

19 hours ago, Allaboutwaiting said:

Yeah!!! So happy for you guys! 

You really deserved this, after all the mess with your birth certificate. 

Hope the notification arrives soon in the mail and the interview won't be that far from now. 

Time to celebrate! 🙌

Thank you! We celebrated last night with homemade M&M cookies!! They were so good! We're predicting we'll get our letter by Friday-Monday, hopefully! 
I'm just glad there is an interview date. I can finally start looking for prospective jobs!

15 hours ago, jakejon said:

Wow!!! That is SUPER awesome; so happy for you guys! 😊

Thank you! Your time will come! I feel like we only got ours this quick was because of the pressure and harassment we gave USCIS lol 😂

14 hours ago, RambaCat said:

Omg I'm so happy for you guys! I've been checking daily to see if you've had any news yet and I'm super glad that your interview is finally scheduled. Hopefully it's not too far away!

Take a moment to breath and relax for a bit; yours has been one of the more difficult journeys for no apparent reason at all.

Hugs ❤️

Thank you! We're predicting July 29th as our interview day, so we'll see how close to that we are. It's been nice for us both to have this weight lifted off our shoulders, even if it's just temporary positivity. It really has been like every roadblock has been thrown up for our case, but thankfully with persistance and nagging it's finally coming through. 

18 hours ago, AnnaYT said:

Hello everybody,

 

I'm hoping someone can help me with this. I got married to an U.S. citizen using the K1 visa about a month ago and soon I want to fly from Atlanta to New York for a few days for vacation reasons and I'd like to know if I have to expect any difficulties since we hadn't filed for adjustment of status yet. Is it necessary to file in order to get on a domestic flight? 

 

Thanks in advance, 

Anna xx

My wife and I flew to New York from Kansas City after my i-94 expired. We had sent our AOS though, so I took my AOS and EAD/AP receipt documents with me in case I was ever asked about my legal status. We were just fine and didn't need them, but you should take them if you travel by air.