Muzh

I was working on a long-term project in Russia, and swore I'd never get involved with a local.

Well, then, after some time I got involved with a local...and as we joke "we're the best thing that ever happened to us!".

"If the reverse were true" you'd still be waiting on the government. This is the nature of things, they are the gatekeepers.

Vent, and then relax. Whenever I am stymied by a seemingly careless, nonchalant or uninvolved individual representing the "gatekeeper" I try to remember this:

They may be slow, they be sloppy, they may lack any empathy for your situation and disrespect the fact that you've done things right and per their rules.

But, they aren't corrupt, they can't be bribed (by others) and you can be sure that eventually, if you do things according to the way they set the task before you, and keep records, you will get results.

Good luck!

I bought tickets for my freshly-arrived then-fiancee (and my parents) to the Hollywood Bowl's "Tchaikovskiy Spectacular" with fireworks. Since she is Russian, it was a case of "hand, meet glove".

We still have fond memories of the event. Ah, the early days!

I have to check but I think my wife's Russian license is good for some years yet, and the international permit is also rather fresh.

Indeed, if in California they set an expiry date on license or ID card (even though you don't need a social security number to get either!) that's based on the I-94, we'll simply avoid the DMV for now and wait until her AoS is complete. I'd thought that a license would be granted for "in-process" AoS applications but I was certainly wrong in that assumption.

Thank you for the reassurance, all. Indeed she keeps her passport and copies of our marraige license, various 797s, I-94, case status printout etc. in her purse at all times, but I was wondering if there was something I might be missing.

I will add a copy of the excerpt from the INA just to be sure. Officials in Los Angeles county (DMV, police) are sometimes tone deaf and merciless if they sense a potential "wrong".

My wife and I wasted some time at the Los Angeles DMV today. Indeed, they won't bother with you if your I-94 has less that 60 days left of the total 90.

So I could better understand the ins and outs of this rule, I asked them specifically where it's codified and they were unable to point to anything specific. They just droned on about the 60 days. I merely wanted to read about what I'd missed and see if there was wiggle room for another method. So my wife and I, plus the DMV probably parted ways with a bit of emnity for the feeling of having mutually wasted time.

So, irony of ironies: until new legislation comes into effect, if you're a "furriner", right after you arrive should you want a California driver's license an immediate appointment with the DMV and get your DL44 filled out ASAP.

In the interim, while we await my wife's AoS outcome, she can tool around LA with her Russian driver's license and international translation/permit. Hubby will sit in the passenger's seat barking out "merge! merge!" and other necessary commands for surviving the LA freeway free-for-all.

With such long wait times, what should be done if your spouse's K-1 validity/I-94 expires in the interim?

We applied for AoS weeks ago, attended the biometrics appointment two weeks ago, and yesterday the case status moved from "Initial review" directly to "Testing and interview". The lastest "official" documentation we have is the stamped I-797 proving that biometrics were taken two weeks ago. From what I read in the INA:

"Aliens with properly filed applications for adjustment of status under both sections 245(a) and 245(i) of the Act will be considered aliens present in the United States under a period of stay authorized by the Attorney General."

But, how would we prove her stay is authorized? Here is a completely hypothetical situation:

Let's say I'm pulled over for failing to make a complete stop at a stop sign. Feeling rather investigative, the officer decides to engage the passenger (my wife) and draws her into a line of questioning, then demands identification and sees that her passport stamp expired two weeks prior.

What specific legal framework/paperwork or citable document should we have/keep with us -post I-94 expiration- to ensure that any law enforcement officer, peace officer, what-have-you, doesn't get antsy and decide to make things difficult for her (by extension, us).

(edited, to "follow" topic under post options)

A five-month total wait time for a K-1, from filing to approval, is fantastic. Lucky you (two)!

Since the visa was approved only two days ago, you two must still be floating on the clouds. That's how my (now) wife and I felt.

I'm in the same boat, my gal will be called in for an interview at some point and I (with my business visa) intend to be there. My I-129F was approved a few days ago so it looks like the process is now going to move rather quickly. Time to feather a nest for my "жена"!