Homes

My husband and I (beneficiary) went for the green card interview at Seattle's office yesterday, and this is what took place:

* We presented our current passports to him.

* He took my original I-94 that was in my passport.

* I had to state my full name, birthday, and current address.

* The officer basically asked me all the questions that were on the I-485 form ("Have you been convicted? Have you been deported? Have you assisted people in terrorist attacks" and so forth) and I answered them.

* He asked if I ever had a J visa.

* He asked if I have left the country since entering.

* He asked us how we met, and he took notes.

* He asked me when we knew we wanted to make this official.

* He asked about whether or not I knew my husband was going to propose.

* He asked us where he proposed.

* We showed him proof of our relationship: photos, bank statements with both of our names on them, and lease with both of our names. As he was looking at photos, he did ask us where it was taken and who were in the photos (aside from us).

We had way more prepared but that was it! The interview probably was about 15-20 minutes long. The only thing he kept was the I-94. Everything else, he looked at and gave them back. On the USCIS letter, I know it lists to bring your birth certificate (and English translation) but he did not ask for them. I know all interviews are different, so I would definitely bring everything that's listed on the letter.

You might want to check with your consulate. Not sure if all consulates offer translation services, but mine did for $15.

Hello all,

I have my interview next month for the green card (I-485) and we're looking at the checklist of things we need to bring. Some of the documents are specified as "original," which is nice, but others are not. I am wondering if my husband should bring his original birth certificate or if a copy is okay. It's not a problem getting his original birth certificate; he just needs to ask his mom to send it to him, but if a copy is completely acceptable, we'll stick with the copy.

Thank you, fellow VJers!

Hello all,

I am finding out now that the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) will include the text, "Serves as I-512 Advance Parole." Back in August, I filed for Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (I-485), Application for Employment Authorization (I-765), and Application for Travel Document" (I-131) after entering the States with a K1 visa (and marrying my now-husband within 90 days). Back in September, I got my biometrics done for I-485 and I-765, and when I checked on my status for I-765 today, I found out that it is in the "card making process," the last stage. I haven't received any information about my status for I-131 but after finding out that the EAD and Advance Parole are combined, can I assume that my Advance Parole request has been accepted (now that the EAD card is being created)? I would love to hear what others experienced, preferably those who have gone through something similar this year (because things seem to change year after year!).

Also, does anyone know why it's called, "I-512 Advance Parole," when the application I put in was I-131? At first, I thought I sent the wrong application in but after reading this USCIS to Issue Employment Authorization and Advance Parole Card for Adjustment of Status Applicants: Questions and Answers , I felt much better. Still, I have the above question lingering, so if any of you can clarify this for me, I'd really appreciate it.

Thank you!

Hi Claire,

It's great that your NOA2 came early but I can see how it has caused a bit of a panic. Police records do take long to acquire!

1. What I got to do is select the week I wanted my interview to be. Of course, you'd want to make sure that your interview is before the petition expires. Once I put in my request, the Embassy got back to me with a time. This, I was unable to change. If I had to, I think I would have had to request a different date.

2. If you want an extension for your I-129F, do it soon. The sooner the better, I believe. If you already know that your police record is going to take 3-4 months and are concerned that you won't have enough time to get your interview and medical exam done before the petition expires, put in the request for extension. I didn't do this so I can't say how willing or easy or hard it is but on the form the Embassy sent me, it sounded like it's totally okay to request an extension.

3. I had an expiration date on my NOA2. There's a line that says, "Valid from XXXX to XXXX." If you think you can't complete the whole process by the expiration date, yes, request the extension.

I hope this helps. Good luck, Claire!

For all the forms we have sent to USCIS, we have used upper-case letters only but unless it specifies under "Instructions," I am sure that you can use lower-case letters, too. I am just used to using upper-case letters for official documents. If you need additional space to answer the questions, just add a page. When you do, follow the instructions of how to attach documents. You usually will need to write your name, your A number, question number, the question, signature line, and date line (and do sign and date).

I wouldn't recommend using abbreviations no matter how well known. Spell it out and once again, if you need more room, attach another piece of paper. As for the company that no longer exists, I think it will be best to definitely include the company information, but on a separate piece of paper, explain that the company went out of business. If you have a date of when that happened, it might be nice.

For question number 12, yes, put down your current employer. That's the truth, right?

Good luck!

Just for your information, the Consulate of Japan should be able to translate it for you. For example, I live in Seattle and I just went to the Consulate with my passport (and visa in it) and my original family register. I dropped them off in the morning and the translated birth certificate was ready the next morning for pick-up. It was $15 total. This is much cheaper than getting it translated in Japan by a certified translator.

I actually did get one translated by a certified translator when filing for my K1 visa and copied the translation myself onto a Word document. I guess I could have sent this one in when adjusting for status but I didn't want to take the risk.

Dr. Kenneth Hong in Seattle is now $80 for vaccination transcription as of July 2012.

Dr. Sue Griffin is downtown Seattle is $161 as of July 2012.

Dr. Helen K Quan in West Seattle is $40 as of August 2012.

Here's more information for those looking for vaccination transcription only: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/257785-civil-surgeon-fees-in-seattle-area/page__view__findpost__p__5548921

City/ Town: Seattle

State: WA

Date of Service: August 3, 2012

CS Name: Dr. Helen K Quan, M.D.

CS Tel. 206 937 1050

Cost: $40 for vaccination transcription only (cost for full medical exam unknown)

Vaccine Transcription only available: Yes

Turnaround time: 10-15 minutes

There's a few more here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/257785-civil-surgeon-fees-in-seattle-area/page__view__findpost__p__5548921

I received a packet from the Embassy after the I-129F packet was approved. In that packet were some forms that I had to send back to the Embassy before scheduling the interview. After my visa was approved, I received another packet with my passport (and visa). This packet did not contain anything new--just all the documents I had given them--and was instructed not to open it because it had to be given to the officer at the border.

I believe your question has been answered, but I wanted to share my experience with you, too.

As mentioned in the responses above, your fiance will need to apply for ESTA before her visit. If she forgets, I believe she can do it at Narita airport, but I am not 100% sure about that. Entry is not guaranteed and she might have problems if her stay is long. Before my husband put in the I-129F petition, I visited him for two months last summer (summer break!) and even though we weren't engaged, the officer got suspicious and sent me to the side room with a red flag! I had my round trip ticket but I was later told that because it was such a long stay, the officer was worried that I was going to overstay. After checking my records and seeing how clean they were, I was able to enter. The same thing may or may not happen to your fiance.

After filing for I-129F, I visited the States three times and no questions were asked. Those visits were within two weeks, so maybe that's why? I had evidence with me (letter of employment, contract, round trip itinerary, copy of I-129F packet, lease with translation) but none of the officers asked me for them.

I hope all goes well for you and your fiance

Since my now-husband put in the I-129F petition in August 24, 2011, I visited him 3 times and had no problems whatsoever. Here's my timeline:

December 18, 2011, Sea-Tac Airport

To prepare for this visit, I asked my employer to write a letter verifying my employment and return in January, 2012. This was in a sealed envelope. I also brought with me my contract, lease (translated into English), round-trip itinerary, and a copy of the I-129F packet. The officer did ask me what the purpose of my visit was and I honestly told him it was to spend my winter break with my fiance. He didn't ask further questions and I entered without any problems. After picking up my luggage, the officer there wanted to check my customs form and he asked the same question about the purpose of my visit, so I gave him my honest answer. He smiled and asked where my K1 visa was and I replied that we had put in the petition and was waiting for it to be approved. I stayed in the States until the 29th.

January 21, 2012, Detroit Airport

Once again, I brought with me the sealed letter of employment, contract, original lease and translated version, round-trip itinerary, and a copy of the I-129F packet. The officer did not question my responses about visiting my fiance nor asked to see any of the documents I had prepared. I stayed in the States until the 28th.

April 13, 2012, Sea-Tac Airport

I had the sealed letter of employment, contract, original lease and translated version, round-trip itinerary, and a copy of the I-129F packet. Again, the officer did not ask to see these even when I mentioned the word, "fiance." I stayed until the 16th.

July 8, 2012, Sea-Tac Airport

I entered with my K1 visa. I had the big packet from the Embassy, copy of the I-129F packet, and copy of everything I had submitted to the Embassy (the originals were in the big packet). I entered with a one way ticket. At the initial entry, the officer congratulated me and asked me to wait in the area before claiming luggage. It was a busy day, so I waited for about 40 minutes until a different officer helped me. He took the big packet from the Embassy, congratulated me, and stamped my passport. He flipped through the packet once he opened it but didn't ask my any questions. He reminded me that the K1 visa is a single entry and asked if I had questions for him.

My experiences were positive and smooth, in fact, much better than before we started the process! One summer, I was questioned because I was staying for two months (summer break) and the initial officer was worried that I was going to overstay. However, once they checked my records and saw that they were super clean, the officer let me in . So my guess is that if your stay is long, officers might get suspicious, but if your stay is short (all my visits after submitting the I-129F were within two weeks), you should be fine. However, be on the safe side and do bring proof that you have strong ties to the country you are visiting from.

Hello all,

It seems like we are all looking for a civil surgeon who will fill-in the vaccination record (page 5 of I-693) at a reasonable price. I am, too! I called the doctors and here are the results:

98101 - Seattle, WA

Dr. Lindy Sue Griffin

Medical Dental Building, 509 Olive Way, Suite 1664, Seattle, WA 98101

(206) 623-7940

*I was told $161.

98104 - Seattle, WA

Dr. Kenneth Hong, Kenneth Hong, M.D.

623 South Weller Street, Seattle, WA 98104

(206) 621-9919

*I was told $80.

98108 - Seattle, WA

Dr. Patrick Gemperling, Sea-Mar Community Health Center

8720 14th Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98108

(206) 762-3730

Dr. Ricardo Jimenez, Sea-Mar Community Health Center

8720 14th Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98108

(206) 762-3730

*I was told $500, no exemption. Basically, they charge for a medical even if you only need the vaccination record filled-in.

98144 - Seattle, WA

Dr. Jiegang Y Zhou, Rainier Occupational Medical Center

1400 South Jackson Street, Suite 24, Seattle, WA 98144

(206) 568-8577

*I talked directly with Dr. Zhou and she quoted $100.

98126 - Seattle, WA

Dr. Helen K Quan

6517 35th Avenue S.W., Seattle, WA 98126

(206) 937-1050

*I was told $40--way more reasonable than others !

And if you're like me and looked into other threads, you probably read about Dr. Torres in Portland:

97210 - Portland, OR

Dr. Al Torres, Portland Industrial & Travel Clinc

2220 NW Pettygrove Street, Portland, OR 97210

(503) 224-0103

*He is semi-retired so you'll want to call ahead of time to find out his office hours. He charges $25.

I have called other places in Seattle, but they either didn't pick-up, didn't have a voice mail set-up, or I left messages and never got a call back. I hope the list above is helpful for those in downtown Seattle .