FastTrack

Hi, this is kind of a complicated one...

here is some background:

My wife moved here from London (she is Polish) on a K1 visa. We were married on jan 6 2013. We were living in California for a year, but decided to move to the East coast. She wanted to look for work in her field (fashion) in New York City. I on the other hand just bought property with my sister where she lives in Virginia (five hours drive away). I plan to oversee the renovation project and be in Virginia for the majority of the next 6 months (though I plan to travel back and forth often). She should have received her green card months ago but it has been held up. However we don't foresee any problems with it being issued other than what is listed below in my question.

MY QUESTION IS:

If I am living at my sisters in Virginia, can I claim residency here in Virginia as well without creating huge problems with Immigration. My wife will be in New york living in a house with my name on the lease. I will be back and forth, but want to claim Virginia as my residence both because I am spending so much time here, and because New york costs soooo darn much for everything. This would include a Virginia Drivers license, and The (LLC) Business (which owns the property we just purchased) i have created here in Virginia with my sister .

Any knowledge/insight on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your input!

Thanks DAVE&ROZA... I think we will try and do that.... do you think we should send it in the mail as well?

...And lastly, we just moved a week ago to New York.... Long Island... we were in CA at CA service center.... do you think we can make an INFOPASS appointment in another state if our case has not been transferred yet?

we will renew... thanks for your help and the link Merrytooth

we have not received the green card yet.... our interview was on may 17, 2013. we received an RFE that was sent in and received by them by july. The request was for her to send in sponsor forms for herself since she makes 60-70k per year....long story, but my income was well above poverty line but I had losses on my tax returns..... blah blah blah.... so she sent them in and we never heard back from them.... even now the only response we have from them is after a request we made over the phone to case officer.... they finally emailed us back 3 months after the request was sent..... by the way, the request was supposed to be responded to in approx. 14-15 days......

anyhow, the last lady told us not to send in renewal for EAD until we heard back from them so we wouldn't have to pay the $380..... and now I am finding out that we do not have to pay at all.... Had we known this we would have sent in renewal form months ago since all we were trying to do was save the $380 in the first place while assuming her green card would come before march 19th when her EAD expires....

I have been searching and searching but cant find answer to this ?

"Does my wife need to pay the $380 fee to renew EAD card if she payed the full $1070 for all forms when submitting her I 485, I 131, and I 765???"

looking online I see that the I 765 instructions seem to say "NO" , but it is an old instruction form from 2011.... the 2013 instructions wont come up on my computer for some reason, and other random links I found some say "YES" we have to pay...

any insight would help a lot.

Thanks

My wife is here on a k 1 visa... We arrived on november 29th, and got married on january 6th... We applied for her social security card 3 weeks ago. The office told us 7-10 days to recieve it... It still hasn't arrived... I called social security office and the lady said it could take up to 9 weeks for a non citizen to recieve it since it has to go through homeland security... I am hoping that the lady on the other end of the phone didnt understand that my wife is here on a K 1 and that we didnt just get married here without going through the K1 procedures....

Has anyone else had the SS card/number take more than 2-3 weeks to recieve?

We are all ready to send in our AOS, EAD, and AP paperwork.... Cand we send in EAD w out ss # and provide it later when it arrives? The clock is ticking and my Wife wants to work badly!

Thanks in advance for any help/ advice!

Polish citizen living in London.... filed in London... medical in London... but we are in states now.... found a cheap civil surgeon in Alexandria, Virginia who did paperwork for $50... $140 for 3 vaccinations though he told us we could get my fiancees vaccines at cvs or anywhere that gives vaccines and bring him the paperwork... we just wanted it done so payed 190 for all of it

found her DS-3025... found a civil surgeon who doesn't demand full physical nearby.... any insight on how much we should be looking to pay for appointment (filling out 693...transferring DS-3025 info to 693 form... and a couple vaccinations( she has already had chickenpox when she was young) )...

Hi... I dont see that my fiancee ever received her DS-3025... we do have her x ray on CD from embassy interview..... when would this have been given to her? at medical in London?... in mail?... at embassy interview?

she needs to get her vaccinations done here in the states and we certainly don't want to pay for another complete medical exam...

thanks for any input!

Hi everyone...

since we will be married when we send in our AOS forms, on the AOS, EAD, and AP forms should my Fiancee use her name from her Polish Passport and Visa, or my last name that she takes when we are married?

thanks in advance

Hi,

My Fiancee and I flew from London on November 29th... We flew into Washington DC and are staying in Virginia with my mother for christmas and are having our wedding here in Virginia on January 6th. We plan to drive back to California (where we will live, and where I originally filed) a few days after.

My questions are as follows:

1. Do we need to get her social security # first?

2. Will there be any complications getting married here in Virginia civil ceremony although we will be living in California and filing paperwork there for AOS?

3. After wedding, is there anything I could do from here in VA to get the ball rolling on AOS while we are travelling home? (making AOS appointment/mailing marriage certificate etc....)

4. Is there anything else that anyone feels would be important to know or prepare in our situation?

Thanks in advance for all of your insight... I am hoping this site is as helpful in the AOS stage as it was for the process leading to consulate interview in London.... I am sure it is!

We have been taking a short break since bringing her into the US to hang with my family etc... Everything is going so great, but it's time to get back in the "ZONE" and keep up with the process... She is anxious to work and We would like to get the clock ticking for the 60-90 day countdown for work permit.

thanks a lot... It wasnt completely smooth, but it was successful! The interviewer gave her a hard time about the tourist visa she was denied in January to see me and her sister.... He had an attitude the whole time.... however she was never asked for tax returns or financial evidence aside from the I 134 itself... anyhow, we are soooo happy that she got approved... We are coming back to the states together on November 29th, after visiting her family fin poland for a couple weeks..... I cant believe it, and I cant wait!!!

I am flying from London with my Fiancee on November 29th... I reside in California, and I applied for K-1 from California... We are planning to fly into Washington DC and stay with my mom and sister in Virginia through christmas (around 1 month)... We would like to get married in a civil ceremony in Virginia in hopes that this marriage in another state will not cause any problems with our application for AOS/EAD in CA... We want to do this so that we don't add a month of waiting for her EAD to be approved

So basically my question is: Will getting married in Virginia, when we plan live and complete visa/AOS process in California, cause any problems for us?

Thanks for sharing any knowledge in this situation

Hey there...

Wondering if anybody had a "less than desirable" interview experience on oct 25th... My Fiancee said the guy who conducted her interview gave her a super hard time about the tourist visa she applied for and was denied in january.... It was to come see me and her sister In New York.... Not only did he grill her, he had a total attitude... most the experiences I have read from London Embassy were completely positive!..... I know it's their job to be thorough, but the attitude was a surprise !

Anyhow she was given her visa, which we are super happy about...but she left with a bad taste in her mouth in regards to the experience....

She was asked for I-134, but none of my supporting docs or tax returns (self employed)...

I will find out more and try to write up a review in the next day or 2...

I would be anxious to hear if anyone else had this guy at 8am for their interview, and if he had the same attitude...

Thanks

sorry for misinformation, I have to remember that embassies are different in their methods/requirements...

I see you are in AU which I didnt see before... you need the fingerprint check as I said before... since I am not sure exactly where you are from, sort through the following to find specifics.... here is the info direct from website """ http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_5455.html?cid=8957#docs """ :

Police Certificates - All Australia

If you reside outside Australia

Applicants who live overseas should refer requests to the Australian Federal Police. Applicants are required to apply for a police certificate based on a name and fingerprint check. Police clearances issued on the basis of only a name check will not be accepted. More information is available on their website at: http://afp.gov.au/ or via e-mail at vetting@afp.gov.au.

If you reside in New South Wales

Make an appointment, and then appear in person to be fingerprinted at your local police station. You must pay the fee of AUD175 (subject to change, please check the current fee with the police) and complete an application form, which the police will forward to:

NSW Police Department, Criminal Records Section, Level B3 NSW Police Headquarters, 1 Charles St, Parramatta, NSW 2150. Tel: (02) 8835-7888.

Please find further details on the New South Wales Police website.

If you reside in Queensland

Check with your local police station if you need an appointment, then go in person to be fingerprinted. You must pay the prescribed fee of AUD146.70 (subject to change, please check the current fee with the police) and complete an indemnification form required by the Queensland Police Department. You must then forward the fingerprints, completed indemnification form, and payment to:

Inspector of Police, Information Bureau, Miscellaneous License Section, GPO Box 1440

Brisbane, QLD 4001. Telephone: (07) 3364-6854.

Please find further details on the Queensland Police website.

Return of police certificates for NSW and Queensland residents

For NSW and Queensland residents, your police record will be sent directly to the U.S. Consulate in Sydney by the police department, and the Criminal Records Section will notify you that this has been done. If you do not receive this notification within 3 weeks of your application, we strongly recommend that you ascertain the status of your records by checking at the police station where you initially made your request.

If you reside in the ACT

Check with your local police station if you need an appointment, then go in person to be fingerprinted. You must also pay the prescribed fee. Current fees can be found at the AFP web site.You must also complete an indemnification form required by the Australian Federal Police. This process normally takes a minimum of 15 working days, after which the results are posted to the applicant. You must then bring the results to your final visa interview at the U.S. Consulate General in Sydney.

Please find further details at the AFP web site.

If you reside in Western Australia

If you reside in Western Australia, you must request a national police certificate based on name and fingerprints from the Australian Federal Police (AFP). Check with your local police station if you need an appointment, then go in person to be fingerprinted. Your fingerprint card, fees and application should be sent to the AFP for processing. For current fees to be paid to the AFP, please refer to their web site. This process normally takes a minimum of 15 working days, after which the results are posted to the applicant. You must then bring the results to your final visa interview at the U.S. Consulate General in Sydney.

Overseas applicants must apply directly to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

The AFP can be contacted at (02) 6202-3333 or through their web site.

If you reside in Victoria

Victoria Police provide a Police and Fingerprints Records Search. Appointments can be made by phoning 1300 881 596. Further information is available from:

Email: publicenquiryservice@police.vic.gov.au

Web: http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=274

If you reside in Tasmania

Criminal History Services provides a National Police History Record & Fingerprint Check, but you must be residing in Tasmania to apply. Residents of other states should direct enquiries to the police service of the state or territory in which they reside.

Applicants are required to submit copies of 3 different types of ID with their application form, and must attend their local police station to take fingerprints. The fee for a National Police History Record & Fingerprint Check is AUD120 (subject to change, please check with the police directly) and the average turnaround time is 3-4 weeks for a fingerprint check.

Please find guidance and application forms on the Tasmanian Police web site.

If you reside in the Northern Territory

A fingerprint check is AUD120 (subject to change, please check with the police directly) and the turnaround time is 4 weeks for fingerprint checks. The fingerprint check will include disclosable traffic convictions and criminal records held by the Northern Territory and most interstate police jurisdictions. Applicants must visit their local police station with their ID. Please call ahead to check if you need an appointment.

Please find guidance and application forms from the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services at: http://pfes.nt.gov.au/

If you reside in South Australia

National Police Certificate & Fingerprint Checks (NPC) will only be prepared for those people who reside in South Australia. South Australian residents living overseas should refer requests to the Australian Federal Police or via e-mail at vetting@afp.gov.au. Residents of other states should direct enquiries to the police service of the state or territory in which they reside.

The standard timeframe to process a NPC is between 2-15 working days. The fee for a National Police Certificate & Fingerprint Check is AUD142.50 (subject to change, please check current fee at SA Police website).

Please find guidance and application forms on the South Australian Police website.

hey matthewK.....

yes you need to do the police certificate with fingerprints... I would just get inked fingerprints from local police (call first to make sure they provide this service)..... print out form from AFP website and complete it.... send it in with your fingerprints.... takes about a month (my fiancee just did this...she lived in AU for a year but lives in London). there is the option to take live scan digital prints, but it really doesn't make much difference.... the point being that "yes you need the fingerprint police certificate." have them post it back to you and bring it with you to the interview at embassy....

hope this helps

CONGRATS! Nice to hear about another approval at London Embassy...

My Fiancee is there right now! Its 8am exactly so she should be on her way in through security, or perhaps even waiting inside!!!! I am going crazy!!! I am prepared for the worst, and hoping for the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My fiancees medical was september 11th ...our forms were sent in with DS 2001 on september 20th...we received interview date on oct 5th for october 25th... My Fiancee is at interview as I am typing this (october 25th at 8 am)..... So it can be pretty quick!

The most important thing is that you have a return ticket....and your prrof of being able to support yourself while there... If you show them that they most likely wont care about the rest... If you dont show them a return ticket(itinerary/receipt) they will put you through hell... I arrived at Heathrow in late june with intention to leave in 3 months, but wasnt sure exactly when... so I didnt buy return ticket... Long story short, I was held for 4 hours, interviewed, fingerprinted, photographed, luggage searched, documents checked... they eventually let me through, but it was not an experience I would like to have again!!!

Household goods and personal effects of an immigrant are not charged. Customs and Border Protection website is where you want to search. CBP.gov

If shipping, the customs form 3299 goes with the shipment. That's for unaccompanied goods. Tell her to inventory each box she packs. Her items are supposed to be owned by her more than one year. Most things will pass for that. Ten identical items with tags wouldn't, if you follow my drift. She has five years to bring her household goods so Mum can ship some later, or she can do a shipment next time back.

Stuff in your suitcase doesn't use that form. I called Houston airport CBP before we left the UK with six pieces of luggage between us to ask if there were any special rules, valuations, or inventories they would require. He said just to fill out one green form they hand out on the plane for both of us, and write "household goods" on the back. No list or values.

Of course if you buy something in the duty free shop or a teddybear at the Harrods airport shop, then those would be itemized and valued because they are new items. It would almost make you look more honest to add a couple of gifts so they know you know the rules, ya think?? I think it's $100 worth of gifts non-residents can bring and $800 worth for Americans before duty is imposed.

Look up all those specific numbers because I'm kinda going on memory to give you an idea of how it works.

Funny you should mention Harrods, as that is where my Fiancee has been working for over 2 years... I was there every day from july-october picking her up... If I never see that place again I will be fine with that ! haha.....

I will use the info from this thread when we pack our stuff and send it this way! thanks everyone

thanks guys... I was referring to import taxes/duty .... not about airline charges or shipping costs.... Just was wondering about tax or import fee's..... Thanks for the link... I will check it out for sure

I am jumping the gun here a little bit because my fiancees interview is not until next thursday... I have a question about shipping her things vs travelling with them..... My fiancee has a lot of expensive hand bags, shoes, and clothes due to working in the fashion industry.... I am wondering if she will be charged any extra fees for shipping those things to the US... Same thing goes for the items we plan to bring in our luggage to minimize shipping costs. Does the K-1 visa allow her to wave these taxes or???

Thanks

Thanks for your response Gosia & Tito... I am hoping that your experience is the same for my fiancee as well, but she lives in London and her interview is at the London Embassy... not Warsaw

I can see her point. I would feel the same. I think it will be fine to black out. If she wants her info to go straight to the embassy, she can do that too. Seal it up and include a cover page that it is in support of name, case, etc. Some people send it to the beneficiary sealed up with " to be opened by consulate official only" written on it. I don't share my financial info with my own children so mailing overseas to a future relative that I don't know very well would bother me too. Don't take it personally. Some of us just keep our business private. In fact I wouldn't even be a sponsor except to my husband.

I agree Nich-Nick... My mother is taking a huge step for me... Thats why I am hoping to pass as sponsor by myself! Fingers crossed! All info has been fedexed to my Fiancee as of tonight!