Miwa

Looks like my status on this never got updated...

We got thru the name check about 1 month after the interview. We had gone in for an infopass appt to yell about no EAD or AP yet, and we sat around for 2 hours while they tried to find our docs. Then they told us to come back 2 days later. We came back 2 days later, and sat around for an hour, and then they gave us the good news we were approved. Got the stamp, and left happy.

For those who wants to find Thai food ingredients, you can get it from this website

http://importfood.com/

I miss Malaysia's food too... It's available 24/7. The Malaysian restaurants here are not only expensive but does not offer the diverse range of food available in Malaysia right outside your door!

Lurker,

this is very, very wise. My husband should have read this guide before I came here. I didn't expect miracles here but I didn't expect it would be this bad for me to get used to things here.

I have been here almost a year and a half and still struggling.

Peace

Ana

May I know what you are struggling with? I am also struggling with adjusting to my life here. Mainly due to unemployment though and being a homemaker.

Good luck.

Sincerely,

Miwa's wife

Let's see.

I received my green card (and the visa stamp in my passport) on July 18th of this year. My green card had an error on it so I had to send it back to be replaced, I'm currently waiting on the replacement. My question is, I have a stamp in my passport that reads as follows. "Processed for I-551 Temporary Evidence of Lawful Admission for Permanent Residence Valid until July 17 2007" with my A# and it also says "CR6 as of 7/18/06" along with my full married name.

I'm going to Canada for Christmas, if I do not recieve my correct green card, this stamp in my passport should still be valid, right?!?! I didn't think much of it but after buying non-refundable plane tickets I'm starting to wonder....

Probably worrying about nothing.

Also, does anyone know offhand if the Canadian Consulate in Houston (or anywhere, but houston specifically) would be able to attach my married name to my passport? I'm thinking it should be on there officially

thanks for all your help!

Not sure if I can help you with this as my POE was SFO. I received my I-551 stamp and left USA prior to receiving my GC. Hence, at the POE, I just showed them the stamp in my passport.

They requested for me to go to a "Secondary Inspection" room where they confirmed that I did indeed receive a genuine I-551 stamp, as it is pretty easy to counterfeit the stamp. This process took less than 5 minutes.

Anyway, my husband was *supposed* to wait outside with my GC in case anything happened (He did not travel with me). I was paranoid about this but it turned out to be unnecessary. =)

Have good holiday!

Sincerely,

Miwa's wife

Hi,

Malaysian here. Obtained tourist visa a year and half ago. Had a steady job and I only needed to show them a letter from my employer, the prior year's tax return plus some salary slips (apart from the application form and fees).

My sister obtained her tourist visa the same way.

Sincerely,

Miwa's wife

I live in the UK and my fiancee lives in the US and we have just had our K1 approved . I have received my forms, checklist etc from the US Embassy and am in the process of completing them.

However I am planning on visiting my fiancee for thanksgiving and I am concerned that I may not be allowed to enter the Us. Is there anything people could suggest that I bring with me to help prove that i plan on returning home and that it is just a holiday. I live with my parents which means no lease or utility bills. Any help would be greatly appreciated as my fiancee is extremely nervous that I wont be allowed to enter.

Thanks in advance.

Just fyi, I visited US after obtaining my Packet 3 (before returning said Packet 3 to the embassy in Malaysia) on my B1/B2 visa. The POE officer just asked to see my return ticket and my occupation, questions which were asked when I entered US earlier (before the K-1 process).

Sincerely,

Miwa's wife.

So I had my infopass appointment today and I have notived that my I-130 and I 765 was touched yesterday.Now i was wondering if that could be beacuse somebody was looking in my files befora an infopass or maybe that's just a coincidance???? Did this happen to anyone,that the case was touched a day before an infopass???

up

Hi,

My files were not touched prior to the infopass appt I had.

So we are now about 4 weeks away from our AOS interviews, which were rescheduled due to my screw-up. In the new appointment letters from the local office, it says that our interviews (K1 & K2) will be videotaped. We have plenty of evidence of the validity of our marriage and I don't think we have anything to worry about, but of course I am still worrying. I know the usual advice about being calm and just answering (only) the question truthfully, but if anyone out there in VJ Land has any words of wisdom or experience to impart, I sure would appreciate it!

with gratitude as always...

Maya

Hi!

Not sure if this will help. I don't recall if my appointment letter stated that our interview will be videotaped. However, right before she swore us in, the CIS officer switched on the recorder and it was left switched on during the entire interview. I hardly noticed the machine and just answered her questions as she went through our case (was more nervous about her).

Good luck!

when we had our interview, officer told us it was being video taped..

Happened to us too. In fact, she switched on the machine in front of us right before she sworn us in.

Thank you for the advise miwa. I will bring my passport just in case. Just wonder how you know your GC is pending for FBI security name check. My case will be different since I had already done with biometric before the interview and my name is not really popular so it is easy to get checked up. I reallly feel peaceful now for receiving advices from nice poeple thank you very much.

Miwa, Thank you for the reply. so you mean that FBI result had actually returned to the USCIS before the interview date?

I understand there are at least 2 results from FBI, 1 is the simple fingerprints, the other, the name check. My finger prints result were returned before the interview date (on the biometrics date) but I guess the name check took longer.

Your list looks good =)

You could try getting the letter from your bank on the joint bank account thing. Good luck!

Agree with Yodrak. You should seek the advice of immigration lawyers as soon as possible. 6 years is too long!

hi everybody

today we've made an infopass for the next week,there 're no updates online,not emails not clear answers on the phone yet... wherever...we'll tell you guys later what's going on when we found out about the case.

thanks for the suggestions and help

Sorry that I can't help. But good luck!

Thank you for the advise miwa. I will bring my passport just in case. Just wonder how you know your GC is pending for FBI security name check. My case will be different since I had already done with biometric before the interview and my name is not really popular so it is easy to get checked up. I reallly feel peaceful now for receiving advices from nice poeple thank you very much.

We were told by the CIS officer at the end of the interview that although our interview went ok, my AOS was pending the FBI name check. Both my husband and I have very unique names too and shouldn't have taken along time to check.

As for my fingerprints, I called the FBI number (posted here earlier), and found out that it was sent to them on the same day of my biometrics and the results were returned to the USCIS on the same day.

Good luck!

Sincerely,

Miwa's wife

Hi Everyone,

Can you please give me some advise on Evidence of support. Do you have to take copies of all your support?

Also copies of all the photos. Does all the evidence have to have both our names on everything? As i have loads of mail addressed just to my self.

Thanks Kath.

I passed the following things to them as supporting evidence of our marriage (in addition to our marriage certificate):

- Copy of tenancy agreement;

- Copy of our credit cards showing our names but the same CC number (his statement only shows his name);

- A letter from the bank indicating that we have joint accounts together at the bank and that the account has been opened since [a long time ago] (Note: We addded my name to the account a couple of weeks before our interview and was worried that we won't have a bank statement in both of our names in time for the interview);

- Car insurance with both of us listed as insured parties for his car;

- A letter from his employer stating they are providing health insurance coverage for both of us;

- A 401k form changing the beneficiary of his 401k to me; and

- Photos from our 3 weddings and a couple of photos taken on trips since our marriage (about 10 photos)

Hope this helps!

Thank you for the reply. Just made a infopass next week to see what is going on. I saw the website where poeple mention not to talk about interview questions nor make comments when an officer happen to leave room for copy or something because they can always use the video tape to see what they talked about and can deny the case later. I am worried if the officer would wonder why my husband didn`t know I came to the cityhall with my friend when he met me there for the first time... I hope all the stress and worry goes away after infopass next week. I am so tired...

Good luck! I got my I-551 stamp during an infopass (after my interview) today. I wondered if I would have gotten my approval so fast if I didn't bug them during an infopass as until now, USCIS website still says that my AOS is being processed and haven't been touched since Aug 17.

Sincerely,

Miwa's wife

I did not think they were giving out those anymore...

I guess they do ... just not the the people in the black hole with pending background checks...

I was pending the name check on the day of my interview and got the stamp during an infopass appointment regarding the status of EAD/AP (it was more than 90 days since filing the EAD/AP applications).

An interesting thing is that my cases were not touched since Aug 17 (my interview was on Sep 19) and as of now, it still states that they are processing my AOS, EAD & AP.

Aren't you glad you went back in?

Congratulations

Thanks. I am glad we insisted on seeing the correct people altho the guy giving out numbers kept trying to turn us away!

Hey guys,

I received the I-551 stamp on my passport today in an infopass to check on status of EAD/AP.

Thanks!

Sincerely,

Miwa's wife

This is so weird, but I am so happy and definitely not complaining. Just want to document this down in case anyone happens to be in my scenario.

I had my AOS interview on Sept 19. It was a successful interview but it was pending FBI name check as my interview was scheduled pretty early (I submitted my AOS package in end June). When I enquired about my EAD/AP applications status (it was nearing 90 days), the officer told us that the Chicago office had mistakenly sent those to San Jose office when they don't process it anymore and it was sitting in my AOS file. She promised on that day that she'll reroute it back to the Chicago office as soon as she can.

On Oct 1, we scheduled an infopass appt with San Jose in view that it was passed 90 days for both my EAD/AP applications. We were able to obtain an appt on Oct 2 at 1pm. We went there, went through security and was told by the officer that gave out the numbers that they no longer process EAD/AP applications and I should just either call the 800 number or mail our query to Lee's Summit. My husband then politely asked the officer if we could speak to someone there to check on the status. The office then gave us the number to wait with much reluctance.

Although we had an appointment, we were made to wait for 30 minutes before they called our number. The CIS officer reminded us that they have stopped processing EAD/AP applications in San Jose but she will assist us in checking the status of our applications. After some time, she realised that our file was transferred out the Friday before and she will have to make a request to extract my file out. We waited for an hour again before she told us the officer in charge of my case is on vacation and there's nothing she can do for us at the moment. However, she advised us to return on Wed (Oct 4) to speak to the officer and made an infopass appt for us.

On Oct 4, we were there at 8.45am for our 9.15am appt and was turned away by the security (even though the officer on Oct 2 said that we could show up early for our appt). We waited till 9am before we were allowed in. Once in, the officer in charge of giving out numbers once again tried to turn us away by telling us that they don't process EAD/AP applications. We had to tell him at least twice that an officer told us to return here after our infopass on Oct 2 before he gave us a number.

Our number was called 15 mins later and we had the EAD/APs are no longer processed here lecture again by the CIS officer. However, upon learning that we were actually asked to return here again, the CIS officer agreed to check on what's up. She keyed in some stuffs on her computer, looked up at us with this weird look and asked us to sit and wait.

After around 30 minutes of wait, she asked me (non USC) on who is my petitioner. I replied that it is my husband who is standing next to me. She made some noises and keyed in some more stuffs and told us that she may have good news for us. Went away again and this time she came back and congratulated us!

Yep, I have the I-551 stamp in my passport now but will have to wait up to 4 months to get my conditional greencard. The I-551 stamp is valid for a year from today.

Good luck to the rest of you on your visajourney!

Sincerely,

Miwa's wife

Hello! I have a question: is it safe to fly in the US from one state to another if my K-1 visa has already expired but it's been 4 months and we still haven't filed for AOS (please don't tell me it's bad that we haven't, I already know, something I can't control)? I mean they will look into my passport because it's the only ID I have, and they will see that the visa is expired, I can show them my marriage certificate as proof of me getting married on time, but if I tell them that I still haven't filed for AOS, will it be a problem? Has someone been in a similar situation? Thank you for your help!

Hello,

I have travelled several times (3 times to Vegas, once to Orange County, CA & once to Indy, IN) whilst waiting for my AOS just with my passport, with no problems. They never asked for my wedding cert before and looked at my expired K-1 visa or I-94.

Have fun!

Sincerely,

Miwa's wife

Hiya,

I was wondering when you arrive in the United States do you need to go to a certain line/room/area if you're a visa holder (K-1 in my case)? I am travelling with my parents, they're going via the visa waiver programme and I'm entering with the K-1. Will we get seperated at any point because I'd need to go to a different line/area/room?

I'm a *tad* worried about this because of the whole assistance thing. Last time I arrived in the US on a visit (which was via the visa waiver programme) my wheelchair wasn't at the gate it was all the way at baggage in which I had to be wheeled by my parents all the way through San Francisco Airport to claim. Obviously if I need to be seperated from them because we're both entering via different means and I'm in an airline wheelchair it's going to present a problem. Do they allow your relatives to enter whatever it is (a line/area/department/room) for new immigrants or not? The airline cannot ensure my wheelchair will be delivered to the gate it depends on the day. So I'm just trying to be prepared.

Fioa

Not sure if I am able to help. I came through the SFO POE with my parents and sister. We went through the same line with no problems.

Good luck!

sincerely,

Miwa's wife

Please add me

AOS received date - June 29, 2006

NOA 1 date - July 03, 2006

Biometrics date - July 27, 2006

Interview date - Sept 19, 2006

Thanks!

Sincerely,

Miwa's wife (userid: ^snow^^)

We reached the office about 35 minutes prior to our interview time (10.30am). Husband (USC) had a can of diet coke with him and we found out that on top of cell phones, PDAs and laptops, we cannot bring in food or drink in. We finished the diet coke before entering where the security checked our ID (passport for non-USC, DL for USC) and our appointment letter. Our files and novels (brought them just in case we needed to wait) went through the x-ray machines with husband's shoes. We were then directed to 2nd floor and instructed to put our interview notice in a box in front of a window.

During the course of our wait, we noticed that 2 other couples were late for their interview as the officers would call their name and asked them why they were late. One had an interview at 8.30am but was there only at 10 am. However, the officers (one Caucasian white haired gentleman, the other a Chinese middle aged man) discussed on how to fit them in to the packed schedule. They were very polite. Both couples were lucky as when the officers called out the names of other people (I counted at least 3 names), no one answered. Hence, the officers were able to interview those 2 couples eventhough they were late.

We were called in by a lady at approximately 10.45am (we didn't wear our watches). We were brought in to her room and she asked us to keep standing and raise our right hands. She fiddled with the camera abit (it's an old, bulky Panasonic camera) and sworn us in.

She went through my file which she had opened in front of her desk. My file was at least 2 inches thick! She was very thorough and asked us questions such as:

- Have I been working in US?

- (Separately) Is this our respective first marriages? Do we respectively have any children?

- My phone number and the house phone number

- Have I or my husband used any other name before?

- How did we meet?

- Some of the questions from the list of questions on the AOS application (did I ever commit a crime, used false documentation for immigration purposes, etc)

- When did I visit US (This was when she noticed my cancelled B1 visa with 2 entry stamps)? For how long was I here? Have I ever overstayed? Why was I here during both occassions?

- Do I drive? (I replied that I have passed my driving test but I am waiting for my EAD or green card before I get my DL)

- Have I gone back to Malaysia?

- To my husband (USC), she asked him if he was working and where does he work?

- Where did I get my TB test done? She looked through the DS-3025 (?) that I submitted and looked puzzled. We promptly provided her with the I-693A vaccination supplement and she was happy to see it.

- Proof of our relationship after getting married. (I provided a tenancy agreement, letter from our bank (indicating joint bank accounts), letter from his company (indicating that I am insured under his name for health insurance), copy of 401k beneficiary form that he filled out recently naming me as a beneficiary and car insurance with our names on it)

- Photos

- Has my husband take me anywhere for a vacation?

- Has my husband ever submitted copies of his passport or birth certificate to the USCIS? (We said yes, and she had to go through the file to find it)

- How long did our K-1 visa process take? (She said that we were lucky to get our visa in 9 months)

- She noted that my husband bought the engagement ring a month after we started dating.

She was very thorough with my file (going through page by page). She told us that our file looks ok but unfortunately, we are still pending the FBI name check which we may get either tomorrow or in 6 months time, it is out of her hands. I was informed that if I passed, I will get an approval notice, followed by a green card 3 weeks later. If I did not pass the FBI name check, she will have to call me in again.

She noted that my AP & EAD application was wrongly sent to San Jose office as they no longer process it there, which explains why my application is nearing 90 days and I have no sign of both of them. She will return them to the Chicago office tomorrow and they will process it there for me. However, since I made my application in June, she is sure that they will process my application according to the date I submitted them.

By the way, I am convinced that the "Are you working? Are you driving? Have you gone back to Malaysia?" are trick questions designed to catch me if I did those illegal things, especially since she saw those applications (unapproved) before she asked me those questions!

Sincerely,

Miwa's wife (userid ^snow^^)

[1. Depending on where you are at on the plane it can take up 30 minutes before you are off of the plane and gotten to immigration checks.

30 minutes to get off a plane?!!

2. Immigration line was aprox 30 minutes. The lines move quickly and there are a lot of them. I was told that it was NOT an unusually large number of flights arriving. So that was business as usual at LAX.

The line for immigrants, or K-1 visas, is NOT the same as the lines for all the tourists or PRs.

3. Baggage claim took 40 minutes! There is a lot of luggage coming off international flights. Some people get lucky and get their luggage quickly. I did not and I was not among the last to get my luggage.

40 minutes to get your luggage?!!

4. Customs inspections line took another 45 minutes. There were only two lines and they were checking everyone!

Once again... 45 minutes to get through customs, when all you have to do is hand them your form and answer a few questions?

5. At LAX if you have a connecting flight you then take your checked baggage get in another line to put in on a conveyor that will route it to your connecting flight. Another 20 minutes.

That sounds right.

6. Travel from the International terminal to the Domestic. 20 minutes.

On a bad day.

7. Get in line for check in at your domestic flight. 25 minutes.

That sounds right too.

8. Get in line for security inspection before entereing the gate area. Yes you left one terminal and entered another so you will go through security again! Another 20 minutes.

That sounds right, as you go through security to get to the boarding gate.

so add it up genius! It took just shy of 4 hours! I just barely made my connecting flight and that was only because the domestic carrier moved me through their line ahead of others because of the time my flight was leaving. If I had not asked for assistance with one of their employees I caught walking through the terminal I would not have made my connecting flight. None of those times in themselves is unreasonable, but there is no way to get through any faster.

No way to get through any faster? You need to fly on different airlines or go through different airports. Oh by the way, thanks for noting that I'm a genius. I appreciate that.

Now that we know the OPs fiancee will be going through Washington DC, the times will be completely different. We will need another genius to add up the times.

30 mins was what it took for me to get off the plane after it landed.

It was the same line for me at the SFO Intl Airport for the tourist/ K1 visa. I asked and was directed there. Anyway, SFO is a busy airport and both lines were quite long and we did spend that much time there.

Can't remember how long it took for my luggage to arrive but I spend a bloody hour at the customs. It was not as simple as handing them the form and answering a few questions. I talked to 2 different custom officials and had to stand in line to get my luggage checked.

Anyway, by the time my then fiance saw me, he was frantic with worry (I abided by the rules and did not switch on my cell till I got out of the terminal).

We received our AOS receipt on 8/8, sent 8/4 but our receipt number is not in the USCIS computer! They've cashed our check already and sent us a computer generated receipt but online and over the phone they have no record of our AOS.

Has anyone seen this before?

Hi, it takes them a couple of days to update the stuffs on uscis.gov. I didn't try calling them so I am not sure why they don't have a record of your AOS when you called them.

However, the NOA should suffice, no?