Tigre&Tigresa

Hi, my AOS just got approved today, after 13 months. It was processed at the National Benefits Center. It doesn't mean yours will take so long, but be prepared because it can be fast or slow, there's no way of knowing for sure. Best of luck.

I didn't know you could do that! Thank you so much!

Today is day 386 since I applied for AOS. My EAD expires in March 15 and at this point, I've almost lost all hope of getting the conditional GC soon... My husband and I are moving to a new apartment (March 18), now, that is 3 days after the only document I have expires. I'm really confused at this point and most of all, I'm scared. I put a service request and USCIS wants me to "expect a response by feb 18" Does that mean that I'll be illegal until I get the GC (who knows when that will happen)? Can I even sign a lease in this situation? I'm sure I'm not the first person this has happened to, it's so frustrating and I've been patient and tried not to let this process affect me, but now I'm starting to freak out

Hi, we had the same RFE. I basically took the same letter he wrote and modified it to establish that I would marry my fiance on the 90 days after entering the US, signed it, scanned it, sent it on an email to my fiance and he printed it and sent it back to USCIS. So basically, 2 letters, one from him and one from me, saying we would marry each other after I entered the US... not everybody does it the same way, some people do one letter, both sign it and that's it, your case sounds similar to mine. Good luck!

Ok guys, the store director interviewed me and he told me I was over qualified however, he also said that they were interviewing 5 other candidates today and if they're college kids who can't work around their schedules they'll give me a call... oh well, crossing fingers here!

Thanks guys! I'm a little nervous but hearing you say that interviews here are more relaxed is making me feel better

Well I got the phone call I've been waiting for all this time! It's for a cashier position, nothing fancy, but it's my first interview here and I thought tomorrow I'd share this experience with those in a similar situation

I know what you're going through, I have a similar problem. I have a bachelors and a masters and don't get me wrong, any job that's decent is good but, I don't wanna wait tables or clean up toilets! So I know what you mean about starting from scratch and how depressing it can be. I went to a temp agency and the advice they gave me was to be VERY confident on every interview you get and don't give up. Don't let America intimidate you! It's hard out there, even for American citizens. You could try small banks and credit unions in your area, they usually need customer service associates, you could try that if you feel like trying a different line of work. Good luck and don't ever give up!!

I changed my address online 2 months ago. I used the date of my last entry and got the letter confirming my change of address in a week

I brought 2 months of birth control, no problem at POE . They didn't even check me lol

Welcome and PLEASE go to Guayaquil when the interview day comes. Good luck with everything!

I see... Sorry to say it again, the name change won't happen. Now, what they can do is recognize the marriage and the thing is, that is actually something the Ecuadorian consulate can do http://www.registrocivil.gob.ec/?p=1676. Not sure if you speak Spanish but this is the documents you'd need:

• Cédulas de Ciudadanía o Identidad (en el caso de ecuatorianos).
• Cédula de Identidad o pasaporte (en caso de extranjero).
• Certificado de matrimonio debidamente legalizado o apostillado por la autoridad competente, y legalmente traducido si fuera el caso.
• Razón de inexistencia emitida por la oficina de Registros del Exterior de la DIGERCIC (Agencia Matriz Quito).
• Certificado de Movimiento Migratorio de los contrayentes.
• Con la documentación se procederá a realizar la resolución administrativa para su inscripción.

I plan on doing this myself next year when my husband and I go to Ecuador, good luck and let us know how it goes

They don't do the name change in the Ecuadorian passport. If she wants proof that she's married to you and make it legal in Ecuador, you guys should get her a new Cedula, where they'll add that she's married and they'll validate your marriage in the Registro Civil for a fee.

We had a BIG problem with them, my husband (American citizen) called this number 703-439-2331. They made Guayaquil fix their mistake in less than 24 hours. Good luck! Edited to add: if they say they can't help you, ask for a supervisor.

Hi! Since I'm from a country close to your fiancee's, I figured I'd share my experience with you. I moved to the US in November last year from a small city to a big, different one. I used to work long hours and live in a big house with my family and pets... so coming here to a small, empty apartment, in an area that was not exactly safe to go to the store without pepper spray and on top of it I was a minority was hard for me. My husband worked night shift, falling asleep by myself was very hard... needless to say, I cried a lot for a couple of months and got very depressed, my hair was falling, I put on some weight, I felt like I was happy to be with him, but I wasn't whole because my family wasn't here. He understood this was a huge change for me and we talked about it many times, he made his best to support my hobbies so I wouldn't get bored and started thinking, making myself miserable. We were blessed with a shift change for him and now we get to sleep together at night and most of the time he has the weekends off so we can go out and do things together, also things are looking up and we're moving to a better area. Bottom line, she'll be sad for a while, I think it's natural... she might even tell you she wants to go back home, I know I did, specially because at "that time of the month" we girls get extra emotional. But technology is available and there are so many apps now to call home, text, etc, that will make her know her family is still there and they're doing ok. The most important thing is to love and understand each other. About positives I've found coming here, DUH! I'm married to the man I love and that's the most positive thing I can think of. Also all the new places I've got to go with my husband... The weather is mostly nice, that helps too

Congratulations!!!

Ughhh, thanks but that doesn't help me in anyway - I know I haven't been approved yet, but if you read what I wrote, I mean AFTER.

Ok, SORRY! geez... I did read what you wrote, that's why I gave you the link to the guidelines, whatever

I see on your timeline that your K1 hasn't been approved yet, am I correct? for AOS you'll need a Civil Surgeon to fill out your I-693. I suggest you follow these guidelines http://www.visajourney.com/content/guides. Good luck!

I sent an original of my birth certificate along with a translation and a regular copy of our marriage certificate. No problems so far. Good luck!

I know, I was in a similar situation. The doctor's assistant gave me a total of $458 in all the things I "needed" but, I had my vaccination records from my home country and luckily the nurse spoke Spanish so she was able to translate it. All I ended up needing was a flu shot, got at Walgreens for $30. Finally, they did the TB skin test and got the form 5 days later in a sealed envelope for USCIS and a copy for me to keep. They'll tell you a lot over the phone, try making an appointment and talk to the doctor explaining what you need.

Hi, you have to go to this site and find a civil surgeon designated to your area https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=CIV You can call whoever is closer to you and ask their fees. We had 3 options and ended up going to the one who gave us the cheapest fees, paid around 100 dollars total, good luck

Thank you, doing that! Medical next Thursday and we're good to go! Back on the waiting game!

Thank you guys, I guess we'll try again

Hello everybody , It's me again, asking stuff that should be clear but it's not, sorry...

First of all, I'd like to give you a quick update. After getting my K1, I moved to the US, POE Miami, on 11/01/2013, I-94 expires 01/29/2014. Got my SSN card on 11/18/2013 under my maiden name. Got married to Tigre on 12/03/2013 . Went to SSA in Valrico, FL today to change my name and the lady we got said I can't change it until I have a green card ... We all know SSA people are not exactly fans of listening when you try to explain what you need... First time we went, we were told I couldn't get a SSN at all until I had a green card, but the man was actually wiling to help us and spoke to his supervisor and we got me a SSN that my husband could use to put me under his medical insurance... Anyway, doing my searching here, I've seen so many answers that I don't know what is actually right to do, considering what I've read is old information (2010, 2008, etc). Here are the options I've seen:

1. File for AOS (and all the forms that includes) using my husband's name, even tho my SSN card has my maiden name on it, receive green card with new name, go back to SSA and have it changed showing the green card.

2. File for AOS wih my maiden name, wait until applying for citizenship to change name on SSN card (problem with this is, I don't think I'll apply for citizenship because I'd like to keep my citizenship)

3. Go back to SSA and demand to speak to a supervisor so I can get my name changed on my SSN card (which trust me, we tried! but well no luck, hence I'm here asking you guys)

Why am I asking this? Because on form I 485, part 1, it asks for a SSN. Now, the number I have is registered "in the system" is associated to my maiden name as I previously stated, will that be a conflict if I file for AOS using my husband's name (assuming I follow option 1)?

Please tell me what would be best, I appreciate your input. Have a good day and good luck on your journey! (Oh next post will probably be about the medical part so, thanks in advance for that when the time comes! my gosh so many things to do!)

Sweet! Congrats!!!