CowBoE

Just want to let you guys know that we filed on May/27/2017, and received both 10 year green card and approval letter yesterday (Sep/17/2018),

Therefore, if you haven't received the approval yet, it's coming pretty soon. 

We just received approval NOA letter, though the web site hasn't updated the status. 

For those that got approved, how long did it take to receive the GC?

On the letter, it said, within 60 days. 

My (Chinese citizen) mother-in-law who lives in Shanghai wants to visit us in US for few weeks

and I have following questions. I would appreciate it if you can answer any of the following questions:

1. She needs to apply for B2 visa?

2. How difficult is the process?

3. What documents are required?

4. Do they have interview?

5. How much does it cost?

6. Are there agents can process this for her in Shanghai? 

If you can share any general experience, I would appreciate it. 

Cool. Thanks guys.

My wife's 2 year green expired end of Aug/17, and we have filed ROC back in May/17. 

Does she need to file for anything in particular to be able to legally work?

I also attached additional sheet but we didn't sign it, and all went through fine.

Chinese names can have 2, 3, or 4 character names.

It's wrong to assume to that they only have 2 (first and last) character names.

They've gone back and forth on how many characters to use for the first (given) name.

I would white it out carefully.

We got married on Oct 9, 2014.

Her 2 year GC expires on Aug 27, 2017.

Wouldn't it have been better if USCIS issued 3 year GC, so that you can apply

for USC directly afterwards.

It is so inefficient to issue 2 year GC, which forces us to apply for 10 year GC,

and only a year after, we have to apply for USC again.

There is a lot of cost and effort associated from both our side and USCIS side.

Changing her maiden name to the married name is really that simple. We did exactly that.

You just have to fill out the form with the married name, and note the maiden name where requested.

I know you can change the first name also during US Citizenship filing

but I'm not 100% certain that you can do that during ROC.

There are some side-effects to name changes to be aware of...

Because my wife changed the last name, we were hassled few times at the Social Security

and DMV offices, and required them to verify her identity with DHS, which can take 2 to 4 weeks.

Each time we had to provide our marriage certificate. It could be just our case, or Texas thing,

and I'm sure there are many that weren't hassled.

Therefore, changing the first name now, may increase her chance of getting hassled like us.

So another alternative is to change the last name at ROC, but change the first name at USC time.

Others that have gone through this...please chime in with your experience.

My fiancee and I want to tell the VJ community thank you for all of the great information and recommendations we received as we navigated through the K-1 process. She had her interview this morning and was approved. NOA1 to approval in 83 days! We could not have done that without all of you. Thanks again!

Lian and David

Congrats. I also owe many thanks to VJ-ers.

Sorry to hear it. The DMV is not anyone's idea of a good time. Thank goodness for on-line license renewal, at least here.

Personally, I've not had much problem for my DL, but for pending GC status candidates,

oh boy...they sure know how to make it frustrating.

Our Texas experience has been that until my husband became a U.S. Citizen, nothing could be done online. He had to go in person to show his greencard yet again and wait two hours to change his address (Houston location near IAH). We amused ourselves during the wait watching really bad parallel parking outside the big plate glass window. Emails to headquarters in Austin to say surely you know he has a greencard from previous visits revealed that "we don't capture that information so it must be shown in person each time". Don't know if that has changed yet.

Parallel parking tip for TX DPS--hit a pole and you fail instantly, so make a weak attempt and pull out. You only lose some points. Also use blinker before pulling out, even though you are only in a parking lot behind the building.

Yup, she parked successfully, and hit the bar on the way out.

So she was denied just few minutes into the driving.

I've reminded her to use the turn signal during both entry/exit from parallel parking today.

I wasn't going to open this thread, as you didn't mention the state, and I assumed "DMV" meant it wasn't in Texas.

Where do you live in Houston, and which DL office do you use? I have been to the Spring Megacenter, Grant Road (twice) and Hempstead. Spring is big, and you can queue online (but still with some wait after you arrive). Grant Road is OK if you arrive at a quiet time, say 3-30 - this is where I did my test. Hempstead is a metal shack. I was recommended to go there to avoid waiting for hours in Houston, but they were overwhelmed by kids getting their learner's permits. I decided not to queue outside in hundred degree heat.

Good luck for the test.

We've going to both Houston Gessner and Rosenberg super-mega centers.

They are closest to my home.

I gave up on teaching my wife to drive after many months and many tears. Now that we are back in China I've asked her to learn here so that she can at least learn familiarization with the vehicle. When we move back she can try again.

Good luck to your wife (and you).

I taught her driving by myself.

I'm pretty patient and my wife is pretty easy going. So we didn't bicker too much.

GREEN card in hand. 275 days from mailing AOS application to card in hand.

See you all in 21 months to lift CF1 conditions.

I got a message this afternoon that my green card was being produced!

WOOOHOOOOO!!!! Just got an update that the card was mailed out. gonna be going to the mailbox everyday. LOL.

Congrats to all !!!

Assuming...

1. Your marriage to him was not a clear fraud that he can prove

2. You didn't commit any severe crime during your stay in US

3. You didn't lie about your health, marriage, and criminal records during the initial filing

...without some serious damaging evidences against you,

there is probably little chance for your GC getting revoked and getting deported.

At the worst, I suppose he can always try to fabricate some stories and cause some trouble (for you and him)

so it's probably in your best interest to find peaceful ways to settle the divorce.

Good luck.

That's unusually long period to wait for NOA1 letter/email/text that acknowledging

of receiving your I-129F packet.

Did you guys put in correct address, mobile phone number, and/or email address?

I would definitely call...it's bit concerning that you have not received anything by now.

Best of luck.

Just got our GC notice. What's "ADIT" processing?

My philosophy is...

"Do What You Want...But...Be Willing To Accept Consequences Of Your Choice"

Basically, if the plan doesn't work out, it will cost you hundreds, or possibly

the full price of a new ticket...for benefit of meeting each other ASAP.

[social Security Office]

1. Filed for SS card, and received it in 5 working days.

2. After the marriage, filed for name change and received a letter to bring original copy of marriage certificate weeks later,

even though they already made a copy on the prior visit.

3. Brought the marriage certificate in, but no response in 7 weeks.

4. So we visit SS office again, only to find that her application is not even in file,

and we are told to come back after EAD card, otherwise, same (silent) reject will occur.

5. Had to go back and refile name change after receiving EAD card.

Required 5 visits and in 5 months to complete this.

[Driver's License Office]

1. Went for learner's permit. We are told to bring 2 proof of residency letter of some sort with her marriage name,

so we go change all her bank account information to the new married name and wait for monthly statements.

2. Go back with 2 residency proof, but now USCIS is not clearing her legal status, and they have to request verification from USCIS.

3. After 2 weeks, we receive verification letter, and go back to DMV to take learner's permit test.

4. After 4 months of driving practice, she goes to take the road test. We are told, we have to reserve road test time online.

No walk-ins allowed.

5. Best appointment time is one months away, and we go back to take the test,

and we are told her legal status is not verifying by USCIS.

So they have to request verification from USCIS again.

6. We just booked the next road test...this time 6 weeks of wait.

7. And of course, we will have to go back again once she received Green Card

to change the expiration date of driver's license.

Required 5 visits and in 5 months so far, and still counting.

We prepared some Skype chat logs, emails, pictures, etc.,

but they didn't even look at it during the interview.

Penalties owed to the government don't go away easily,

and they can come back to bite him later.

I would get them all cleaned up ASAP.

They misplaced her passport and my wife didn't come out the POE for 4 hours after plane landed.

Don't make the connection flight tight.

I always start with Google flights, they are quick, and pretty accurate.

Once I find the best option, I then check with one or two other sites,

just for confirmation.

I met my wife from former CLL, and yes, they are not IMBRA,

as is most dating sites.

I wouldn't be so sure that the RFE is IMBRA related.

I would just wait for the details before worrying about it.

On I-129F, all I mentioned was that we met online (on CLL),

and didn't get RFE on it.

Our Journey is almost complete!! She will fly tomorrow!!

Any last words of advice?? She already plans to be at MNL Airport very early.. but we were wondering about things like:

Like how much money she should take with her??

customs/immigrations tips??

any thoughts would be greatly appreciated..

Just want to say how much we appreciate this website!! and thanks for all the kindness of the members that helped us along the way!!

Just few days ago, someone packed their "yellow envelope" into the checked bags...

Make sure she keeps that close to her.