Loving_girl

Hi guys,
Just wanted to share my AP travel experience.
Traveled from Ukraine to the USA via Chicago O'Hare airport on the 21 of November.
Had a stop in Germany, Frankfurt airport, went trough the security and passport check up without any problems, names on my passport and EAD AP card do not match (passport on maiden name, EAD AP on married), but no one asked for marriage license.
Landed in Chicago, went to the secondary inspection, gave them my EAD AP card, passport and a customs declaration. In the room with me there were around 12 people, I waited around 15 minutes and the officer gave me back my EAD AP, passport and declaration. In the passport they paroled me for around one year. Noone asked me about my marriage license or any other docs. Everyone extremely nice, helpful, respectful.
My advice though, always have all the docs with you, do not stress about AP traveling, no problems at all at any stage, always keep copy of marriage docs with you no matter what.
Good luck with international travelling!

It is really required for some countries to get a "new style" birth certificate. My sister lives in UK, and applying for a student visa she had to get her "new" birth certificate. When she got married there and returned to Kiev to apply for a spouse visa, she was warned again about submitting a new format birth certificate.

But to be honest, I've never heard of such requirements for the US.


Your wife, probably, should keep trying to get the "new style" birth certificate. If she has already started. It doesn't hurt or cost too much. The only - she should check if they withdraw her old one. Usually they don't. At least, our "old" birth certificates (my sis's, mine and my son's) weren't taken and now we all are "happy keepers" of both samples


Anyway, if your wife's birth certificate is not issued by her interview date, i do believe she still can attend the interview with her current one. And if the Embassy..well, IF they REALLY need her new one, she will be just asked to submit it when it's ready..

Працівник міграційної служби, який уповноважений здійснювати прийом документів з оформлення закордонного паспорту має право змінити транслітерацію імені та прізвища тільки на письмове прохання особи, відповідно до їх написання в документах, виданих компетентними органами іноземної держави. При цьому, такі документи повинні подаватися разом із перекладом на українську мову, оформленому у встановленому порядку. Підставою не можуть бути документи України, видані раніше, у тому числі водійські права та закордонні паспорти.
Read more on transliteration and corrections made by the officer in Ukraine here (if you speak / read ukrainian) : http://dmsu.gov.ua/novyny/u-rehionakh/370-poltavska-oblast/3719-transliteratsiya-imen-ta-prizvishch-u-zakordonnomu-pasporti
As I said, they DO change the way names are written upon special request and by presenting documents from foreign country that confirm the spelling. This is from the State Migration Service of Ukraine and I am sure at the local office they will not disobey the providing on their own Service. I did change my name and had no problem as I said.
Also I googled the November, and see nothing that would contradict the info I already told. If she has ZERO legal documents (such as Marriage Licence or IDs issued in the USA, than I doubt they will do anything, and no explanatory statements will be issued, unfortunately).
If your wife is in Ukraine, have her call local State Migration Service and ask them directly.
Cheers and good luck.

Працівник міграційної служби, який уповноважений здійснювати прийом документів з оформлення закордонного паспорту має право змінити транслітерацію імені та прізвища тільки на письмове прохання особи, відповідно до їх написання в документах, виданих компетентними органами іноземної держави. При цьому, такі документи повинні подаватися разом із перекладом на українську мову, оформленому у встановленому порядку. Підставою не можуть бути документи України, видані раніше, у тому числі водійські права та закордонні паспорти.
Read more on transliteration and corrections made by the officer in Ukraine here (if you speak / read ukrainian) : http://dmsu.gov.ua/novyny/u-rehionakh/370-poltavska-oblast/3719-transliteratsiya-imen-ta-prizvishch-u-zakordonnomu-pasporti
As I said, they DO change the way names are written upon special request and by presenting documents from foreign country that confirm the spelling. This is from the State Migration Service of Ukraine and I am sure at the local office they will not disobey the providing on their own Service. I did change my name and had no problem as I said.
Also I googled the November, and see nothing that would contradict the info I already told. If she has ZERO legal documents (such as Marriage Licence or IDs issued in the USA, than I doubt they will do anything, and no explanatory statements will be issued, unfortunately).
If your wife is in Ukraine, have her call local State Migration Service and ask them directly.
Cheers and good luck.

I hope I can help on the issue here.
My wife and I are now in USA, we will stay here until April 2017....Then fly back to our home in Kyiv...spend 5 months and fly back to USA.
To keep green card status you must spend the majority of your time in the US.
To get your checks, set up electronic deposit for SSA checks....go to your US bank, they will set it up for you.
We always maintain a US address so I don't know how you will get new cards....It is illegal to send bank cards in the mail to Ukraine (and other things).....and customs are getting better in their jobs.
See my post on dual citizenship.....but if you are going to use this path, here is the method used now
Enter and exit the US on the US passport.....Enter and exit Ukraine on Ukrainian passport.......Just remember, sometime you will be questioned on where you are coming from and why you don't have an exit stamp.....food for thought

Why would her citizenship matter?
Anyways, as a Russian I will explain the following:
No matter who it is, whoever was a USSR citizen and WAS registered in Russia, no matter where he and she was located on February 6, 1992 -> that person is a Russian Citizen. If the person was at that time registered somewhere else, particularly in Ukraine, therefore that person is a Ukrainian citizen.
You can and need to make an inquiry to the Embassy of Russia (or Consulate) to find out if she is a citizen or not. USSR passport, as I remember, usually have a registration stamp in them.
Good luck!

Hi, I printed our online statements logged in on my bank account, though on the paper it show both our names as owners on the account (my hubbs name first and mine second). (I don't think it really matter as long as both of your names are on the account).
Hope someone else will give you another view as for your question.
Good luck!

Hi, I printed our online statements logged in on my bank account, though on the paper it show both our names as owners on the account (my hubbs name first and mine second). (I don't think it really matter as long as both of your names are on the account).
Hope someone else will give you another view as for your question.
Good luck!

Thanks all for the answers!
After visiting USCIS field office and asking them directly the same question, the answer was, at first: It's kids that are applying to remove conditions and/or are born in the marriage. (After I said my husband has a kid but it's my stepkid) The answer was switched into: Well, than you can mention the kid and just say it's your stepkid.
Conclusion: seems like this form is "self-explanatory" meaning you do it as you understand it ..... with what I strongly disagree, since there should be a straight forward explanation to each part in the form and they should "word it better".

Thanks all for the answers!
After visiting USCIS field office and asking them directly the same question, the answer was, at first: It's kids that are applying to remove conditions and/or are born in the marriage. (After I said my husband has a kid but it's my stepkid) The answer was switched into: Well, than you can mention the kid and just say it's your stepkid.
Conclusion: seems like this form is "self-explanatory" meaning you do it as you understand it ..... with what I strongly disagree, since there should be a straight forward explanation to each part in the form and they should "word it better".

Thank you! Yes, it took us some delay and time to finally get GC.
Totally agree with your advice, we did it all, and in bank statements there were pointed out monthly payments (and of course expenses.... which is kind of a private thing, but whatever it takes!) We also provided IRS explanation and again it does not take a long time to get the VA letter stating yearly and monthly income.
Good luck to the owner of the thread!

I would recommend getting tickets in the maiden name that matches the passport. As that is what they say everywhere when buying tickets (name must match passport), and it is the passport that the airline workers will look at when you check in (they might ask to see GC just to make sure she has a way to enter the US, but mainly they deal with the passport).
Bring your marriage certificate which proves the name change in case the US officer will ask about mismatch in name between passport and GC. This is what we did when my wife traveled on AP, and had no problems. They didn't even ask about name mismatch as you can see that it's the same person in photos on both documents.

and here is the list of docs you need for visa:
FOR ALL VISAS THE FOLLOWING MUST BE SUBMITTED:
1. A national passport, valid for at least one month after the expiration date of the requested visa and having at least one blank visa designated pages;
2. One Visa Application form (you will need Acrobat Reader to view or print these forms) per each passport holder - answered completely and legibly typed or printed in ink in block letters, dated and personally signed by the applicant aged 16 or over or by a parent or a legal guardian of the applicant under 16.
3. One photo - recent, passport-sized, resembling applicant's travel document photo.
4. Together with all items listed above the following documents, each hereinafter referred to as "the supporting document", related to the purpose of entry, must be submitted in support of the Application for: Business Visa, Visa for Religious Mission, Visa for Humanitarian Mission, Visa for Members of Rescue Services, Student Visa, Visa for Mass Media Staff, Private Visa, Tourist Visa, Transit Visa, Immigration Visa, Visa for International Transport Service Staff, Cultural Visa, Scientific Visa.
Please note:The Consular office has full authority to evaluate and request more documents than those submitted by the applicant. The latter is hereby informed that submitting the aforementioned documents does not guarantee automatic issuance of the visa.

leaving the USA they don´t care about your passport expiration dates, they just check you for the flights and that´s it.

Conclusion: I traveled back to Ukraine to renew my passport and did it without any problems, I had my marriage docs with apostile and translated into Ukrainian (just in case) I kept my maiden name in new passport cos of ties in my country. Travelling back to the US with EAD AP card was easy, had marriage docs with me and I kept my old travel passport (just in case if someone wanted to see it, which never happened), on US border I showed my new passport on maiden name and EAD AP on married name, they paroled me for 1 year. No questions, no problems, all smooth.
Good luck!

Hi,
I wanted to change my last name in the travel passport, for that due to Ukrainian Laws we need to do as follows: 1. Have marriage papers with Apostile and translated into ukrainian and certified by a notary. 2. With internal Ukrainian passport and marriage docs she goes to OVIR (now it's called Immigration agency or something like that) and she pays legal fee for new passport issuance and fills some forms. Due to the laws OVIR issues a new passport in 30 days. (My situation was as follows, marriage papers from the USA did not had the line stating as follows: After marriage legal name is changed into XXXXX CCCC (name, patronymic, new last name) thus in OVIR they said they can not change my last name, they gave me an option of going to civil registry and ask for a Name Change form, its basically I myself decide to change my last name and government issues a new certificate of birth, which for me was not an option, the Name Change was suppose to take up to 10 days and with that form I go back to OVIR and change my passport in married name. In OVIR i was given an option to change my passport if I had all docs in 7 days, it was not a bribery, I simply explained my situation that I needed to apply for foreign passport too, so people were very helpful. So in the end I stayed with my maiden name and did my travel passport on maiden name.
IF she has USA marriage papers with the phrase about legal name change (in our state they do not provide papers with such phrase) she does the following:
1. Translated with Apostile marriage papers she brings to OVIR with internal passport, pays fees and files papers. Waits up to 30 days for the new passport;
2. Goes to Tax payers organization to switch her last name on Tax Payer Identification number (this takes 1 day)
3. Takes new internal passport, old travel passport and Tax Identification number to the agency that issues travel passports, pays the fees and waits for the passport to be issued. (This may take 10 days - fast procedure or 30 days regular procedure). (To take into account, from 2007 in Ukraine the names transliteration rules were changed, so if she has a name that should be transliterated (written as in old travel passport) she needs to present docs that confirm the reason why she needs old way name written (I had this issue cos my passport was issued before 2007, so they changed the way my name is written in Latin letters, so I presented marriage docs from the USA where my name is written the way I want it to be in the new passport, so there were no issues what so ever. All easy, waited 10 days for the new passport).
My opinion: I would not recommend name change in Ukrainian docs as far as its a hassle for no reasons, you/she needs to understand that we have legal ties with our country, such as registration in the houses/apartments under maiden names, bank accounts etc, so it means after the legal name change she needs to update all the info in all institutions. I would recommend just to stay in maiden name and simply do new travel passport if her old one is about to expire.
As for leaving from Ukraine, I am from Kiev, so all i described took place over there. I was leaving Ukraine from Boryspil airport, I had my air tickets on maiden name both ways, in the airport i showed tickets, passport, EAD AP card (on married name) and officer asked to show docs that prove name change on EAD AP card, so I showed marriage papers with translation and Apostile. All was quick, no extra question from the officer.

Hi guys,
Just wanted to share my AP travel experience.
Traveled from Ukraine to the USA via Chicago O'Hare airport on the 21 of November.
Had a stop in Germany, Frankfurt airport, went trough the security and passport check up without any problems, names on my passport and EAD AP card do not match (passport on maiden name, EAD AP on married), but no one asked for marriage license.
Landed in Chicago, went to the secondary inspection, gave them my EAD AP card, passport and a customs declaration. In the room with me there were around 12 people, I waited around 15 minutes and the officer gave me back my EAD AP, passport and declaration. In the passport they paroled me for around one year. Noone asked me about my marriage license or any other docs. Everyone extremely nice, helpful, respectful.
My advice though, always have all the docs with you, do not stress about AP traveling, no problems at all at any stage, always keep copy of marriage docs with you no matter what.
Good luck with international travelling!

In France, if you do not intend to leave transit zone, no transit visas needed, at least for ukrainians. If you can get her a ticket via smaller airport, I would do it, but make sure she has few hours of layover, just in case.
Good luck with a trip, and hope she enjoys the US!

I was using DHL tracking, and it showed when the case physically was at the Consulate. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/302190-dhl-tracking-from-nvc-to-us-embassy/page-101
And as already ppl said, if its says ready, you can do appointment.
Good luck!

POE Chicago, last night with my wife using her combo card. It was not "inconvenient"...we were not "caused any trouble","we had no difficulties"," we suffered no discomfort". Now "pain in the ###"...that works. 1hour and 50 minutes after an officer took my wife`s passport and combo card to the back of the waiting area, another officer came out, called her name, handed her her passport and combo card and away we went. No questions, no interview. All of us here at VJ have had to follow numerous procedures, obviously this was another one. I would recommend to anyone who`s POE is not home to plan for this, better to have a cocktail waiting for you`re connecting flight then to miss it! Thanks to Kiwinyc for the info that it is a one time occurrence!

Wonderful, and congratulations!
The AOS/EAD/AP paperwork is easier than the initial petition; there's just a seeming amount of duplication on the 3 separate packages that get mailed together in one envelope.
For ROC, collect anything that remotely applies as evidence, and throw it into a box. When it comes time, you'll have more than enough to choose from. Remember that Wills, powers of attorney, medical directives, and similar documents are excellent evidence.
For a humorous (?) look at the citizenship process, see:
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/382775-mrs-t-b-the-citizenship-test/

Children under 16 no need for police certificate.

I'd probably translate it to something along the lines of "we're really rather busy here in Texas right now, for reasons having to do with oh god, why are there all these undocumented minors here, and since you have your EAD/AP, we're just going to move you to the 'deal with later' pile; if we haven't dealt with you in 6 months from this letter date, please remind us you exist, thanks."

I agreee with sweetwinks, on the first place when you were filling ur AOS, your sponsor also had to give pay-stubs, employment letter or other income prove.... so i guess it will not hurt to send them those docs with your RFE response....... + 12 months bank statements...........

hi, my husband is also non-taxable income and VA connected, maybe you will find interesting info in my other thread, so you will be aware what may happen when you file them VA pay-stubs and explanations: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/501257-rfe-during-aos-advice/
Best advice, add them bank statements at least for 6 months, cos after we sent all income docs they came up with stupid RFE stating we do not have enough income....so better pack it all with ur AOS, especially VA docs, cos seems like guys at USCIS have zero clue as for what is taxed, what is VA payments etc...