Joanne and Adam

Note to self: Don't show up naked

You need to sign docs with whatever name you're currently using. Your lawyers are complete idiots and are wasting your money. Forms are straightforward and there are thousands of people that did them themselves.

There is no fee for either an I-131 or an I-765 when filed concurrently with, or subsequent to, an I-485; this is explicitly stated in the instructions for all three forms. Provided you have no inadmissibility issues (at least 180 days of overstay, for example) then there is no downside to filing for AP now (using an I-131) since it's free and requires minimal supporting documentation. You can enter "Unknown" for the dates of intended travel. It's better to have it and not need it than to need it but not have it.
The filing fee is $1,070.

You are welcome. The myriad of AOS forms and their multiple uses can be confusing and may seem daunting to complete. The information at this site was extremely helpful for us and should also be useful for anyone else that uses the forum's guides, examples and information.
Good luck on your immigration journey.

We followed the example shown in the VJ Example Form, and had no problem.
http://www.visajourney.com/examples/INS-Form-I-765.pdf
Good luck.

Recheck the guides: Get your Social ASAP, get married etc. good luck..
5-20 minutes 15. Point of Entry (POE) in U.S. Beneficiary arrives at Point of Entry (POE) in U.S. and shows K-1 to the immigration officer. 1 hour (early morning) 16. Apply for Social Security Number Apply for Social Security Number (SSN) *See the SSN step-by-step guide for more info. This will allow you to open a bank account and do other things (many states require this for a drivers licence, etc). 1 hour 17. Apply for marriage certificate Apply for marriage certificate. Must marry within 90 days of entering the U.S. on a K-1 visa. VARIES! 18. Get married Get married. and give each other a pat on the back. You've both earned it! 1 hour (early morning) 19. Change name on SSN Go back to the SSA office and bring your SSN Card and marriage certificate. Change your name. Varies! 20. Complete I-693 Complete I-693 per the K1/K3 AOS Guide. This is required so that your vaccinations can be documented properly on the I-693 as part of your completed AOS package. You can complete this step at any time after entering the US. N/A
(File as soon as possible once you marry) 21. Apply for Adjustment of Status (AOS), EAD, AP Apply for Adjustment of Status (AOS). You should file as soon as possible. If you have not filed for AOS and your K-1 expires, you will be considered out-of-status until you file. Make all attempts to file before you become out-of-status. You may also file for your EAD and AP at this time. *EAD allows your to work (will need to reapply every year until your AOS application is approved). AP allows you to leave the country on a vacation / trip while your AOS application is being processed. Please read this regarding when to file for AOS and not becoming out-of-status. See Processing Times 22. Receive EAD / AP Receive your EAD and AP via US Mail. You will have a biometrics appointment prior to being issued the EAD.

status - in an authorized period of stay, governed by your I-94 document.
The visa allowed you in the country, and was invalidated same day at the POE.

I think you'll just be "out of status" for a couple of days, but I don't think it matters as far as your AoS being successful, but being out of status is never ideal. I don't know how current this is but: http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k1k2visa-aos.html#6.1
There's a few threads about it kicking about if you google, this one is quite an old, but meaty, discussion on the topic;
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/256475-aos-for-k1-visa-holder-after-90-days-from-entry/
and some others
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/438631-acceptable-timeframe-for-filing-aos-k1-after-marriage/
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/404428-applying-for-adjustment-of-status-after-k1-visa/

The most important time frame is marrying within that 90 days. Filing AOS you do whenever. So no you do not haveto file before K1 expires. The K1 was just to get you in the country.
Many have filed AOS months later even a year because of varies reason. You are cool dear.
Read up on the AOS process and all the many many forms you need to work, travel, get green card. have fun!!

yay! Ahhh I'm so excited! This is my last day in the UK
I get to snuggle with Adam tomorrow!

yay! Ahhh I'm so excited! This is my last day in the UK
I get to snuggle with Adam tomorrow!

just keep in mind the price to file for adjustment of status is $1070.00 which includes application for green card, work permit, biometrics and ability to travel (advanced parole). I filed 4/19/13, had biometrics done 5/24/13 and my hubby should be getting his work permit any day now (timeline here estimates today)

Nah. You don't have to have it out. It just means don't put it in your checked luggage, because you'll go through immigration before you're able to collect your suitcases. Just keep it with you in your carry-on bag.

4 hours should give you plenty of time. Everyone's experiences at POE are different, you will hear of people who were in an out in minutes, and you will hear of people who waited hours. There are many factors that determine the wait, including the airport you enter, an the number of people who are waiting along with you. For my husband, POE was 30 minutes in Boston.

Don't do it. You pay $380 to file if not with the I-485. Example of timeline.Arrive US - July 1
Apply - July 2 $380
Approved - Sept 19 (but wait for card to arrive)
Go to work - Sept 25
I-94 expires - Sept 29
Must quit job - Sept 29
Even if it was approved in 60 days, it's still September before you can work so you may only get 2-3 weeks. If any hold-ups, it may arrive after your 90 days. Not much return on your $380 investment.
Better to marry first week and apply for everything first week in the US. Then you could be approved as quickly, but not have to quit when the I-94 expires because it's based on a pending I-485, not K1 visa entry. My husband had his one-year EAD approved 72 days after stepping off the plane. (hahaha--then it was 3 years before he actually started working. But that's another story.)

Ok. Now that would be cool! T-shirts, bumper stickers, the list goes on.

Pffff, everyone has wedding pictures. Nothing says "I went through a harrowing, drawn-out, expensive ordeal for my love" like chest x-rays!
You could even put a sticker on it that says
I paid the US Government $______, waited for ___ months, and filled out ____ forms, and all I got was this stupid x-ray.
Oh, and the love of my life.
How awesome would that be?

My POE was at JFK. Visitor Waiting line: 25 min. Immigration process: Less than 5 minutes. It was easy! But I guess 4 hours is enough for connection flight even immigration is busy.

Why not? My lungs looked brilliant. Modern portraiture art.

Are you serious? Haven't you heard? Chest x-rays are all the rage these days.

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/poereviews.php?poe=JFK&dfilter=0

Assuming you are getting a connection to Pittsburgh, and that you will be needing to go to another terminal to pick up a different carrier, 4 hours should be good. The average time I have seen for the initial visit thorough immigration/customs is about 2-2.5 hours. Really depends on how many flights are arriving at the same time. Connections at JFK are easy if you take the train that runs between terminals. At the POE you can stand ( really) on just about any line as all officers can handle the paperwork. They have people who can direct you. They will do a quick scan of fingerprints, open and look at your paperwork and if everything is good, they stamp your passport and then go to customs. Not a big deal, especially coming from the UK. My wife and I came back together and I asked if we could stand together on the US citizen lines and it was "sure, no problem" and off we went.

I've seen people say all sorts - it'll vary by how busy the POE is when you get there and how many other people are also needing secondary. Some have said they've done it in half an hour, others nearer 3!
What'll happen is you should ask when you go in which queue you should join - they'll probably direct you to the USC/LPR line. Some POEs have a special line just for "new immigrants" (I know I've seen one - I think JFK has one, but it may not always be open), so you might get seen immediately. You'll go to a separate screening, so they can open your packet and input your data and whatnot. Nothing scary, just processing! In itself, that bit shouldn't take more than 30 minutes.
I think a 4 hour layover should be sufficient. Don't do less than 3 hours, imho. Better to sit about bored for a while in an airport if you're through fast than worry about making a connection.

Interview went really smoothly!
They didn't even ask to see any of my evidence (apart from the financial stuff)
I had everything they asked for and answered all their questions confidently and then the magic words were spoken

"Ok Joanne I see no problems here, I'm glad to tell you your visa has been approved, congratulations!"

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

The Cat In The Hat