randye80

July 19, 2012

I used Russian Florist's Network (florist.ru) many times between 2005 and 2009. Mostly flowers, but also some gift baskets.

It was cheaper than comparable US prices, and quality was very good. Never had any problems.

July 9, 2012

OP says she has not been in contact with the husband since shortly after the marriage in early 2011.

Any advice for her situation where she probably won't be able to get his signature on anything?

June 27, 2012

If you have a green card and were to simply travel to US, when you are at immigration, having just gotten off the plane, can the agent refuse you entry? (in the scenario that you may have traveled a few times already in the past on the greencard, but never lived in US.)

Yes, the agent can refuse entry to someone he believes to be abusing the system.

The only purpose of the green card is documentation of legal presence, travel and work authorization for US Permanent Residents. It is not a VISA EZ for non-residents.

June 11, 2012

I got an ASC appointment Notice today ! ) im going june 27:th ! that must me a good sign right ??

Take your birth certificate to your Biometrics appointment at the ASC.

June 4, 2012

I am a little hazy on the details, but back in 2005 my wife had her medical exam in Minsk. She scheduled it a few days before her visa appointment in Warsaw.

June 1, 2012

If you are applying based on 5-years presence, you do not need to send your divorce decree. Your marital status is irrelevant (though you do need to fill in the appropriate information in the forms).

I would probably still bring the decree along to the interview however.

elmcitymaven · June 1, 2012

It just seems quiet because Highlander is off visiting Borat's sister.

Ryan H · June 1, 2012

Because I heard that the military offers a fast track program to get green card holders their citizenship in less than a year...

You do realize that military service is a long-term commitment, don't you -- i.e. several years?

You cannot just get your citizenship and immediately leave the service. This should be a serious career choice, not a scheme to jump the queue.

May 22, 2012

Make sure your fiance understands the relationship you have, and intent to continue having with your daughter, emotional as well as financial. It is important to discuss how you both plan to deal with this other woman in your lives. Unfortunately, many (not all) RUB men sever ties with their children when they split with their ex-wives, and your new wife may have certain expectations that differ from yours. Some (not all) RUB women consider children from a previous marriage to be the ex-wife's problem, and may resent affection and money spent on your children, especially daughters.

Your new wife probably will be unprepared for how much everything costs in the US, especially the things that are more reasonable (or free) over there. It will be a shock how much of your salary goes towards housing, taxes, insurance, utilites, heathcare, transportation, education, etc.

May 16, 2012

My wife submitted her passport application on April 18th. No expedited service, no priority mail.

The passport book arrived in the mail on May 5. The passport card and CoN both arrived on May 9 (separate envelopes).

2 weeks is enough to make you worry, but realistically it's not a big deal yet.

May 4, 2012

From the Form N-400 Instructions:

"If you are over 50 years of age and have lived in the US as a lawful permanent resident for periods totaling at least 20 years, or if you are over 55 years of age and have lived in the US as a lawful permanent resisdent for periods totaling at least 15 years, you do not have to take the English test, but you do have to take the civics test in the language of you choice."

Looks like your mom will get the English waiver.

If I were you, I would search the USCIS site to see if they have Civics Test preparation material availible in her language. Or start working with her based on the English version.

May 3, 2012

Yes. When you apply for the passport there will be an option to apply for passport+passport card. Choose that option and they will send you both. They are processed at two different locations so you card card and passport come in seperate envelovopes from 2 different locations. You can download the passport application and take a look it. It is clealy explained in the passport application.

If you already have your passport book, you are eligible to apply for the passport card by mail using Form DS-82. Still only $30.

April 18, 2012

Fixxored.

Thanks Tahoma! :thumbs:

April 17, 2012

In California, you need both an "Identity" document and a "Legal Presence" document to get a drivers license or ID.

A valid (not expired) K-1 visa, an EAD, or a green card are all legal presence documents.

You can get an ID about 3 weeks after arriving on a K-1 visa, up until two weeks from when the K-1 expires. If you are in the adjustment of status period, and have not yet received your EAD or green card, you won't be able to get an ID.

Whoops, that should have been "you can get your SSN about 3 weeks after arriving on a K-1 visa....

April 17, 2012

Bank of America is ... conservative.

Back when I was in college, credit card companies were handing out cards like beer cups at a frat party. I never had much money, so I passed. But when I graduated, and had a job in hand, B of A still wouldn't give me a card without a co-signer.

Fast forward 20 years, I go to the Citibank mastercard website, and click to get a card for my no-credit-history wife. Within 6 months the mailbox is full of credit offers in her name only. Now her credit score is just about the same as mine.

April 17, 2012

yes you can, i just applied mine. i just brought my ss card and ead and it works out fine..

In California, you need both an "Identity" document and a "Legal Presence" document to get a drivers license or ID.

A valid (not expired) K-1 visa, an EAD, or a green card are all legal presence documents.

You can get an ID about 3 weeks after arriving on a K-1 visa, up until two weeks from when the K-1 expires. If you are in the adjustment of status period, and have not yet received your EAD or green card, you won't be able to get an ID.

v333k · April 17, 2012

In part 6 (b) work history; I've only had my job for 4 years and before that I was a stay at home Mom for 2 years, do I put that down?

You could use "Homemaker" or "Did not work outside home"

part 8 (g) how many times as your current spouse been married. Do I count our marriage as 1? I'm thinking yes

Put 1 if this is his only marriage, more if applicable.

As far as filing goes how did you pay? Personal check, cashiers check or money order? Which is better to track?

All forms are acceptable to USCIS, personal check is easiest, and best for tracking.

Also there were parts to the N400 that didn't pertain to me do I leave those blank?

In general, use "N/A" if it does not apply to your situation, or "None" if that is the case.

If you checked a box for "No" it would be appropriate to leave blanks for the follow up questions.

oh yea and I'm assumng that I'm mailing this to P. O. 660060 Dallas TX for Oklahoma right?! =)

Correct, Dallas TX for OK.

April 16, 2012

im a little confused here - i am a LPR - will apply for N-400 also. But i have a full valid SSN right now - that is how i am able to work and pay taxes etc.

its unrestricted as far as i know as it doesnt say anything about it being restricted on it.

So - why does the OP need to wait on the SSA for anything? Surely they were LPR also? which means an unrestricted SSN too?

The Social Security Administration (and also your state's Motor Vehicle Department) have you listed in their records as a Legal Permanent Resident Alien. Once you become a citizen, it is advisable to update your status. Otherwise, years from now, when you apply for SS benefits, or try to renew your driver's license, you won't be asked to produce your current greencard to prove that you are still a LPR.

April 16, 2012

At my wife's Oath Ceremony on 4/12/12 (Fresno, CA) they told everyone to wait about 30 days before visiting the Social Security office, because it takes a few weeks to get the database updated.

April 12, 2012

We're done, Fresno Oath Ceremony just concluded!

===

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3. Click "Reply" on the most recent/updated posting version of this list.

4. Remove the "Quote Coding" at the top and bottom of the list.

5. Always use [Courier New] Font and font size [2]

6. Red Font="I'm A United States Citizen"!

**For more detailed instructions with screen-shots "CLICK HERE"**

=================================

N-400: January 2012 Applicants

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USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox

======================================

Miguel123..........|12/27/11.|01/03/12.|01/03/12.|01/20/12.|03/19/12.|04/26/12.|--/--/--.|Houston, Tx.........|EB: 01/12/12

DeathStrike_1......|12/28/11.|01/02/12.|01/04/12.|02/02/12.|03/19/12.|04/24/12.|--/--/--.|Orlando, FL.........|

Sib................|12/30/11.|01/05/12.|01/03/12.|Waived...|03/13/12.|04/18/12.|--/--/--.|Jacksonville, FL....|

zebra212...........|12/31/11.|01/07/12.|01/06/12.|02/12/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Fairfax, VA.........|EB: 01/27/12

DeathStrike........|01/04/12.|01/10/12.|01/13/12.|01/25/12.|03/19/12.|04/23/12.|--/--/--.|Jacksonville, FL....|

Pinktulips2012.....|01/04/12.|01/11/12.|01/10/12.|02/07/12.|03/02/12.|04/02/12.|--/--/--.|Memphis, TN.........|

Notscenenough......|01/06/12.|01/11/12.|01/09/12.|01/26/12.|03/26/12.|04/26/12.|--/--/--.|New York City, NY...|EB: 01/18/12

Pandawars..........|01/06/12.|01/12/12.|01/09/12.|02/02/12.|02/11/12.|03/19/12.|04/18/12.|Boston, MA..........|EB: 01/27/12

Waithatter.........|01/09/12.|01/13/12.|01/12/12.|Waived...|03/17/12.|04/19/12.|--/--/--.|Dallas, TX..........|

Derpina............|01/10/12.|01/18/12.|01/13/12.|Waived...|04/02/12.|05/03/12.|--/--/--.|Atlanta, GA.........|

Ree................|01/10/12.|--/--/--.|01/13/12.|02/01/12.|02/21/12.|03/21/12.|04/19/12.|Buffalo, NY.........|EB: 01/31/12

Nelly228...........|01/13/12.|01/20/12.|01/19/12.|02/07/12.|03/19/12.|04/18/12.|--/--/--.|New Orleans, LA.....|

Blessed N Favored..|01/15/12.|01/23/12.|01/20/12.|02/17/12.|03/09/12.|04/10/12.|--/--/--.|Dallas, TX..........|

Fuzzymiss..........|01/17/12.|01/25/12.|01/23/12.|02/15/12.|03/08/12.|04/12/12.|--/--/--.|Boston, MA..........|

Corishman..........|01/17/12.|01/26/12.|01/23/12.|03/08/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Philadelphia, PA....|

New2009............|01/17/12.|01/26/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Fairfax, VA.........|

USA82..............|01/18/12.|01/26/12.|01/20/12.|Waived...|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Hartford, CT........|

Jade_arm...........|01/26/12.|02/01/12.|01/30/12.|Waived...|03/12/12.|04/16/12.|--/--/--.|Dallas, TX..........|

SiteDirector.......|01/30/12.|--/--/--.|02/10/12.|02/29/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Raleigh, NC.........|

Rylee..............|01/30/12.|02/03/12.|02/03/12.|03/05/12.|03/12/12.|04/16/12.|--/--/--.|Memphis, TN.........|

================================

USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox

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Rodgieslove........|01/02/12.|01/??/12.|01/??/12.|02/08/12.|02/??/12.|03/19/12.|03/19/12.|Seattle, WA.........|

DAndy127...........|01/05/12.|01/12/12.|01/11/12.|Waived...|03/12/12.|04/17/12.|--/--/--.|Chicago, IL.........|

HuffyTheSlayer.....|01/05/12.|01/13/12.|01/12/12.|02/02/12.|02/10/12.|03/19/12.|04/17/12.|San Bernardino, CA..|

Raul y Karla.......|01/14/12.|01/20/12.|01/17/12.|02/07/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA.....|

Last Stand.........|01/14/12.|01/24/12.|01/23/12.|02/09/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA.....|

Mary'n'Ev..........|01/16/12.|01/23/12.|01/23/12.|02/08/12.|03/19/12.|05/03/12.|--/--/--.|Kansas City, KS.....|

Pepper.............|01/17/12.|01/25/12.|01/24/12.|Waived...|03/22/12.|04/25/12.|--/--/--.|Denver, CO..........|

Rosie74............|01/20/12.|01/26/12.|01/23/12.|Waived...|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|San Diego, CA.......|

Manias.............|01/22/12.|02/02/12.|01/30/12.|03/30/12.|04/02/12.|05/02/12.|05/02/12.|Honolulu, HI........|

JK0926.............|01/23/12.|01/27/12.|01/30/12.|02/13/12.|03/17/12.|04/23/12.|--/--/--.|Omaha, NE...........|

SerenityNOW........|01/24/12.|01/31/12.|01/26/12.|02/22/12.|03/06/12.|04/12/12.|--/--/--.|San Francisco, CA...|

Wackodacko.........|01/24/12.|01/31/12.|01/26/12.|02/22/12.|03/16/12.|04/19/12.|--/--/--.|San Francisco, CA...|EB: 02/14/12

Calibound..........|01/24/12.|01/25/12.|01/27/12.|02/21/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA.....|EB: 02/15/12

Cwaf...............|01/26/12.|02/02/12.|02/03/12.|--/--/--.|03/17/12.|04/19/12.|--/--/--.|Indianapolis, IN....|

KathrynP...........|01/27/12.|02/02/12.|02/01/12.|Waived...|02/29/12.|04/04/12.|--/--/--.|Portland, OR........|

Bayojona3131.......|01/28/12.|02/03/12.|02/08/12.|02/28/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA.....|

TiJay..............|01/30/12.|02/03/12.|02/06/12.|02/24/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA.....|EB: 02/17/12

Randy & Nina.......|01/04/12.|01/10/12.|01/10/12.|01/26/12.|--/--/--.|03/19/12.|04/12/12.|Fresno, CA..........|

===========================================================================

USCIS Lincoln, Nebraska Lockbox (Filing Under 319b, 328, or 329 of the INA)

===========================================================================

Ruffie.............|01/06/12.|01/20/12.|01/12/12.|01/03/12.|03/08/12.|03/15/12.|03/15/12.|Frankfurt, Germany..|

Nanitao............|12/28/11.|01/11/12.|01/21/12.|Waived...|03/08/12.|03/21/12.|03/21/12.|Newark, NJ..........|

April 5, 2012

Just print out the AR-11 form http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/ar-11.pdf

fill it out, and send it in.

It's the only free part of this journey. USCIS doesn't acknowledge your address change.

April 4, 2012

... some people told me it is safe to send more documents than what the document checklist and instruction say e.g. state ID and passport?? ...

If you are applying based on 5 years as LPR, you really don't need anything extra.

If your application is based on marriage plus 3 years LPR, it might make you feel better to load up on current documents that refer to you and your spouse, i.e. joint utility bills, mortgage statements, lease agreement, etc. -- proof of ongoing marriage. I wouldn't go so far as to send extra identity documents, such as your spouse's passport AND birth certificate, for example. Mostly just give them what they're asking for.

March 30, 2012

Back when I turned 18 (1980!), you could register for the draft at any US Post Office.

I just did a quick search to confirm that this is still the case -- and it is -- but it turns out that you can now register online:

http://usgovinfo.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=usgovinfo&cdn=newsissues&tm=45&gps=570_188_1148_675&f=00&su=p284.13.342.ip_&tt=2&bt=0&bts=0&zu=https%3A//www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx

And as a clarification: you are merely required to register for the draft, you do not have to actually enlist in the Military.

And once you are on the list, please know that the draft has not been in effect since the Vietnam War in the 1970s.

LeftCoastLady · March 27, 2012

Assuming you also do not qualify under Extraordinary Ability (olympic athlete, rock star, supermodel, ballet dancer), $1,000,000 Investor, or Political Refugee exceptions, you are pretty much down to 3 options:

Tourist
US Citizen sponsored Fiance
Spouse of US Citizen

March 22, 2012

Thank you so much for your responses, as they are always so helpful. I guess it great that we waited for his 5-year anniversary as it sounds like it will be quite a smooth transition. I do have one more question. Filling out the application I noticed on the instructions that "Only if required, send copies of the following documents (the USCIS will request orignals if needed)", should I since I am the US citizen send in my Birth Certificate, Termination of previous marriage, and tax return? I don't want to send more than what I need but at the same time, I don't want to delay the process anymore than it has to. Please advice and thank you once again.

Mari

That's the beauty of waiting until he is eligible based on 5 years presence, you are pretty much irrelavent to the process. No need for copies of marriage certificate, birth certificates, tax forms, etc.

My wife filed in January, passed her Interview this Monday, and is scheduled for the oath on April 12th. Her application packet included the N-400 form, front/back copies of her green card, passport style photos, and a check for fees. That was it!

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Posts posted by randye80