TheNewGirl

Sorry for the confusion, I do realize there are no “US licenses”.

I used to live in Hawaii but live in California now.

Any ideas on how Cali is with foreign licenses?

Hi,

I’ve been in the Stated for 5 years now. 4 years in college and 1 year on OPT.

I just received my second EAD and am waiting for my interview to get my AOS approved.

I have not owned a car since I’ve been here but had a moped in college. When I bought the moped, the salesman said all he needed was my Swedish drivers license and it has also been enough when I got stopped by a cop once because my back light was out.

I also borrow my husbands car from time to time.

Now, I know that I should have gotten a US license by now but always thought I didn’t have to until I was a resident (or I bought a car) and until then I could use my Swedish license (which is still valid)

Am I wrong? Anyone who knows how long, if at all, i am able to keep going on my foreign license.

Thanks!!

Hi Everyone,

I have applied for my AOS and am now only waiting for it to be approved (hopefully).

Now, I've started thinking about what will happen after I do get my Green Card.

How will it effect my Swedish citizenship?

Will I have to inform any Government in Sweden about my US Green Card?

Do I have to pay taxes in both countries?

Can I still take advantage of our free healthcare when I go back to Sweden to visit?

Anyone who how might be from Sweden and have gone through this themselves?

Any answers would help! Thanks

for example say i get married in 20 feb, then i can get my necessary documents ready and apply immediately???

As soon as you are married and have gotten a copy of your marriage cert. (usually takes about 1-2 weeks) you can send in all of your paperwork.

There are a lot of things to think about, fill out, and get taken care of, for example getting your birth cert. from your home country, get a medical exam+vaccination, passport photos etc. so it takes a while to get everything ready.

Therefore, if you want to get everything in ASAP, I suggest you get the paperwork started so that you have everything ready to send in once you get the marriage cert.

I did end up going to:

Dr Hussain Ali Ronaghy

3023 Bunker Hill St Ste 106

San Diego 92109

619-275-2700

However, Im not sure where that $30-50 came from... I ended up having to pay $150 for examination, TB test, blood sample and then for them to fill out my I-693 form. The exam pretty much just meant the doctor looking in my ears, listening to my heart, and then putting a little pressure on different parts on my body to see if it hurt.

I Went there on a Friday and then had to come back the next monday to make sure the TB test was negative and to get the I-693 filled out and put in a sealed envelope. Since I had not gotten two of the vaccinations required, I had to go to a separate Vaccination for only $10 before coming back on Monday at:

Health & Human Services

5055 Ruffin Road

San Diego, CA 92123

(858) 573-7300

It all went really smooth. The Dr’s office was a little outdated but they knew exactly what to do and what you needed. Made it very easy.

You should be fine, we didn't send in that many evidence either, some pics that's all... Sweden isn't a high risk country so just send what you got.

Thank you so much! Im soooo excited to have this whole process over with!

Do you have any utilities bill or lease in name of both?.I would add one or two notarized affidavits from families and/or friends.

I know our "evidence of bona fied marriage" is a little weak

Unfortunately we do not have any bills/rental agreements with both of our names since we met in college, lived apart when we started dating 4 years ago and then I moved into his place. We both know the land lord so he never made it a big deal signing a new lease or putting my name on anything.

We are planning on moving, get a joint account etc. in the next few months (this fall has been too hectic for both of us) and I talked to a lawyer who said that as long as I can show more proof/evidence by the time of the interview we'll be fine...

Hi everyone!

I am finally (almost) ready to send in my package for my Adjustment of Status but wanted to see if anyone can see anything I might have missed or should add/remove from the packages? How important is the order? Should anything be moved within my packages?

Below is the overall table of content/cover letter I've written. Please let me know what you think!

Form I-130

Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance

I-130, Petition for Alien Relative

1. Cover letter stating content of package

2. Check made payable to US Department of Homeland Security for the amount of $420.00

3. Two (2) passport photographs taken in accordance to USCIS requirements (one each of Petitioner and Beneficiary)

4. Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative

5. Form G-325A, Biographic Information for Petitioner

6. Form G-325A, Biographic Information for Beneficiary

7. Copy of Petitioner’s passport stating evidence of U.S. Citizenship

8. Copies of the Beneficiary’s present and previous passports, non-immigration F1 visas an I-94 card

9. Evidence of bona fied marriage

Copy of Marriage Certificate

Photos of Petitioner and Beneficiary with descriptions

Copies of Boarding Passes from traveling together

Forms I-485, I-765, and I-131

Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance

I-485, Application to Adjust Status

1. Check made payable to US Department of Homeland Security for the amount of $1070.00

2. Cover letter stating content of package

3. Form I-485, Application for Adjustment of Status

4. Copies of the Beneficiary’s present and previous passport, non-immigration F1 visas and I-94 card

5. Copy of I-20

6. Copy of Beneficiary’s Birth Certificate in English

7. Copy of marriage certificate

8. Two (2) passport photographs of Beneficiary taken in accordance to USCIS requirements

9. Form G-325A, Biographic Information Sheet for Beneficiary

10. Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record in sealed envelope

11. Form I-864, Affidavit of Support including supporting documents

I-765, Application for Employment Authorization

1. Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization

2. Two (2) passport photographs of Beneficiary taken in accordance to USCIS requirements

3. Copies of the Beneficiary’s present and previous passport, non-immigration F1 visas and I-94 card

4. Copy of Beneficiary’s OPT Work Authorization document including:

Copy of EAD card

Copy of I-797, Notice of Action

I-131, Application for Travel Document

1. Form I-131, Application for Travel Document;

2. Two (2) passport photographs of Beneficiary taken in accordance to USCIS requirements

3. Copies of the Beneficiary’s present and previous passport, non-immigration F1 visas and I-94 card

Hi again everyone,

Thank you so much for taking time to answer my questions. I'll try to clarify things for you.

First of all, SORRY! I meant the F1 visa page in my passport NOT the I-94 paper slip! Now I get why I confused everyone

I graduated in December last year (2011) and had my OPT start date Feb 1st 2012. I entered with my I-20 as a F1 student in Aug 2011, coming back from summer break back in Sweden, and never left the States until Oct this year when I had to go home for a family emergency. Since I had already graduated, the date on the actual visa in my passport had "expired" (since you're supposed to graduate in 4 years from when you get your visa) but since I am on an OPT I am still definitely in status.

I am currently working full time since Feb this year (9 months now) and my OPT expires on Jan 31 (since it only lasts for 1 year).

I know it's a lame excuse, but the school I went to had a terrible International Student Office, which I have only realized now afterwards when I started looking up things myself. When I was still in school I of course assumed they knew what they were talking about...

For example, they told us we could apply for H1-B Work visa whenever during our OPT, which I was going to do a couple months ago when I realized you can only do so from April 1st, which means it's way past the expiration on my OPT...

The thing is, if I would have just gone to the US embassy in Stockholm and renewed my visa while I was back home I would be fine and I'd have a new page in my passport just delaying the expiration date until my OPT expires, but since it was an emergency and I only got 2 weeks off work, I did not think about having to do so. It's definitely my fault for trusting the Int. people at my old school when they said I was good to go.

In Immigration when coming back I did have a letter from my employer (which they didn't even look at), I had my I-20 signed for travel by the school, my EAD etc. So they could definitely see that I was still in status and I think that is why they let me in after me signing and paying the I-193 waiver ($585 I'll never get back...)

So I guess this makes the question different from above:

Will my expired F-1 visa and the stamp+record of me paying the I-193 waiver ruin my AOS application?

Again, so sorry for the "typo", my brain must have been elsewhere.

I am currently on a Student F1 and am doing my OPT. My OPT is valid until Jan 31 but my I-94 visa in my passport expired in May and I have not renewed it.

I was back home for 2 weeks a little while ago and had no idea that i could only renew the I-94 outside the States. I sent the International Office at my school copies of all my paperwork and passport/visa/EAD card and they replied that everything looked good.

Therefore, I did not go to American Embassy and on my way back though immigration they stopped me and i had to pay for a waiver to get back in, explaining that I did not know you could not travel if the date on the visa is expired even though I'm still legally allowed to be here. Also, I can't renew the I-94 NOW when I'm already back in the states so I'm stuck with this expired one...

Anyways, my husband and I just got married and we're applying for I-485 and I-130 etc.

What I'm now worried about is if the expired I-94 visa and the record of me paying the waiver is going mess everything up?!?!?

I really really hope not!!!

Hi,

I was looking over the VisaJourney's checklist (http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2) when I noticed it says on the I-130 that the foreign beneficiary (me)can send in a copy of a birth certificate + translated version OR copies of all pages in passport.

However, on the checklist for the I-485 there is no "OR". Do I have to send in copies of both the birth cert. and the passport for I-485?

Thanks!

*** Thread moved from AOS/Family-Based forum to AOS from Work, Student, & Tourist Visas forum -- OP is adjusting from an F visa. ***

Why are my threads moved? I am applying for AOS Family-based, but am currently on a F1 visa....

Yes, put Unknown for both. It's acceptable.

Thank you so much! I'll feel better filing for travel too, just in case...

You can put "unknown" for date of travel. AP is routinely approved for people with AOS pending. It is also free, so I urge you to apply for it in case of emergency.

I know that "N/A" and "none" and accepted on certain forms, is "unknown" an acceptable answer too then?

And I can put "unknown" for both Date of Intended Departure and Expected Length of Trip?

Ok, Thank you!! I will check out the suggestions and get back to you all once I've found someone/been to my appointment!

Hi everyone,

I am just in the process of starting my application. I am on my OPT on a Student F1 visa but just got married to my amazing man last week. I have been printing out all the forms I can find and have organized everything in little piles with instructions and application forms for everything, but I feel like every time I look though one form I find something new that I need to do/fill out.

Now I know soooo many more before me went through this whole process before me and so I figured SOMEONE must have a good structures checklist or content page or step-by-step instructions that will help me out???

What forms do I need? and what supporting documents?

It's so much to deal with on my own and I can not afford a lawyer right now.

Would be super grateful if someone could help me out!!!!

Hi All,

I am trying to get everything in order to start filling out my applications (I-485, I-130 and I-765).

I was originally going to fill it out in case I wanted/needed to travel at some point during the period my AOS was pending, but as I looked over it I saw that you have to fill out a date of intended travel and how long you will be out of the country for.

I want to be able to travel but do not have any set date to do so. Can I still fill out the I-131 Travel Application??? and if so, what do I put for date etc?

Hi,

I need a tip for a cheap civil surgeon in Pacific Beach or anywhere else in San Diego.

How much does the I-693 Medical Exam. usually cost? and also, is this required to send with the I-485 application?

Hi everyone! Me (beneficiary) and my USC hubby are about to send the i-130 i-485 packets. here is my cover letter and just want to make sure that we covered everything. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Table of Contents

1. Form G-1145 E-Notification of application/petition acceptance

2. Personal Check in the amount of US $420 for I-130 payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security

3. Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative

a) Copy of US Citizen’s Birth Certificate

b) Copy of US Citizen’s Driver’s License

c) Copy of Beneficiary’s Birth Certificate (in English)

d) Copy of Beneficiary’s Passport (biographical page, visa stamp, I-94 card front and back)

e) Copy of marriage certificate

f) Copy of US Citizen’s and beneficiary’s divorce decrees

g) G325A signed by US Citizen

h) G325A signed by beneficiary

i) Passport photo of US Citizen (placed in a small plastic bag , labeled with full name)

j) Passport photo of beneficiary (placed in a small plastic bag, labeled with full name)

k) Evidence of Bona fide Marriage

i. Copy of life insurance with Alien spouse as Primary Beneficiary

ii. Copy of our health insurance cards

iii. Copy of Car Insurance

iv. Copy of Federal 1040 filed jointly

v. Copy of our joint bank account with statement of account for February 18, 2012- March 19, 2012

vi. Copy of our 2 credit cards

vii. Copy of our Phone Bill

viii. Copy of Engagement Ring and Wedding Band Receipts

ix. Selection of pictures that document relationship and marriage

4. I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

a. Form G-1145 E-Notification of application/petition acceptance

b. Personal Check in the amount of US $1,070 for I-485 and Biometric fee payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security

c. Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status)

d. Copy of Birth Certificate ( US Citizen & Beneficiary)

e. Copy of passport's biographical page (all pages)

f. Copy of visa stamp

g. Copy of I-94 card (front and back)

h. Copy of Marriage Certificate

i. Copy of US Citizen’s and beneficiary’s divorce decree

j. G325A signed by US Citizen

k. G325A signed by beneficiary

l. Two passport-type pictures of US Citizen (placed in a small plastic bag, labeled with full name)

m. Two passport-type pictures of beneficiary (placed in a small plastic bag, labeled with full name)

n. I-693 Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (Completed by a Civil Surgeon sealed in an envelope)

o. I-864 Affidavit of Support (Petitioner will use 2011 earnings only)

1) Copy of Petitioner’s Letter of Employment

2) Copy of Petitioner’s earning statements from the period July 2011 – March 2012

3) Copy of Petitioner’s W-2 Form

4) Copy of Petitioner’s Federal Form 1040

5) Copy of beneficiary’s 1099

6) Letter of Explanation why petitioner has no income from 2009 or 2010 tax periods. (student)

I-765 Application for Employment Authorization

• Two (2) Passport-type photos

• Copy of Passport (biographical page, visa stamp)

• Copy of I-94 (Front and back)

I-131 Application for Travel Document

• Two (2) Passport-type photos

• Copy of Passport (biographical page, visa stamp)

• Copy of I-94 (Front and back)

Hi there,

I am just about to start filling out and signing all my forms after having researched, printed and highlighted for weeks.

I really like your checklist and it seams from the responses that you have included everything (and maybe even more than required). I was just wondering how it all went? did you send it all in already? have you gotten any approvals? or have they told you to sent further proof?

If it all went well I am definitely going to use your list

Thanks!!!