lkerky

I crossed in ND.. It took about an 45 minutes to an hour. I went inside and they looked at my documents, etc.

I actually did not have a compliance letter. They asked if I was importing and I stated yes: they inspected my car (VIN) and gave me the paperwork to license it in the states. I did have to pay taxes on my car though so be prepared when you first register your vehicle (it may vary in each state).

Do you have to apply for OPT? Your wait for EAD/AP is about 90 days.

Thank you all for the helpful responses.

In regards to comments about potential "fraud" and TOS violation, I understand the underlying legality of the issue. But isn't this just a matter of semantics? If i were to return from the wedding in Sep, technically i would STILL be coming in for work purposes NOT with the intent to marry - just like i did every time I entered the US for the past 5yrs. I never intended to fall in love with an American and marry her...such is life.

What differentiates entering the US in Sep as married couple and filing AOS as opposed to entering the US in Apr as an engaged couple, getting married in May, and filing AOS in June? I guess my point is, I'm here in America because of my job. Getting married and filing for AOS is a byproduct of that...it was never the end goal.

It doesn't matter if it wasn't your end goal in the beginning but you have clearly stated it is your end goal now. If working is the goal then will you be leaving when it expires? If the answer is no, it is immigration fraud. Your intent is to immigrate.

Is the wedding worth the risk of being denied entry and having to wait out a spousal visa? This takes about a year.

I never intended to fall in love with an American either..

My reply was directed at the "getting a lawyer will make it more likely for you to get an RFE".

That is the main point which is obviously wrong.

And anyway, waste of money to whom? Some people are willing to spend money for their peace of mind and to not worry about filing, gathering knowledge from the internet etc... You can recommend your opinion but don't lie outright please.

Pretty sure there was no lie in my post- maybe you need to re-check.

Yes some people prefer to have a lawyer for "piece of mind" which is fine if they want to spend the money. The couple is still gathering all the documentation, then handing it over to the lawyer to fill out forms and send off.

How much knowledge do you need to "gather". Go to USCIS and everything is right there or this site. If you can read and follow instructions/guides, you will be just fine.

Yeah they do that to make it look like they have made a start on that months cases, people think it is to do with the stats looking better.

Well, I would be more than happy to be approved earlier to make their stats look better! Ha!

I was roaming through the previous months and there are a few February petitions already approved at CSC.

Some are saying that you should limit your interactions- which is all fine and dandy but that puts pressure on your wife to distance herself from her family.

My husband's family are very conservative and I am very liberal. I don't feel like the black sheep just because I am different. So don't distance yourself from them just because you believe in different things. I usually don't engage unless they ask specific questions (usually about Canada's healthcare, etc.)

I have stopped the family from using the word "retarded". I work in the IDD field so that's what I tell them. Once you get there, you will know which family members you can have conversations with and which ones you do not. Luckily, my in mother-in-law admitted to voting for Obama so she is a "secret democrat" so I have learned talking with her is different than if we are with the extended family.

Imho don't talk about going through immigration unless they specifically ask. Just say you're visiting your fiancé and leave it at that.

Agreed- one officer asked what the long term plan was and that is when I told him that we had applied for the fiancé visa. He didn't say anything after that but good luck.

My medical is on July 11th and my interview is on the 20th. Since it's cheaper to spend a week with my fiance than it is to stay in a hotel in Montreal, I'm planning to fly over on the 12th and back on the 19th. I'm going to have all of my documentation, interview confirmation letter, and my travel itineraries, but I won't be able to have a letter from my employer because my contract is actually up on the 11th. I mean, I'll likely continue to work until I move, but it'll probably be as an unpaid consultant. Will I have a hard time at the airport, or will they get that it's only a week and that I'm definitely planning to come back because my interview is scheduled and paid for? I'm hoping they'll realize that it would be a little crazy of me to go through the process and spend all that money just to cross the border and get married right before it's officially done.

I still think you will be fine. I had a letter of employment but they never asked to see it.

I think CA DMV goofed up here...!!! They gave her a 5-yr driving license expiring in 2018. But shhhhhh....don't tell any one....

Mine also expires in 2021!

Traveled 4-5 times, no problems. Was upfront about the petition and always had a return flight and letter of employment.

I forgot the original copy of my birth certificate as well, same thing happened: approved but mail the birth certificate. It took less than a week and my passport arrived with the visa!

Yes you have it right. One is faster to visa, the other is faster to green card.

EAD allows you to work and AP allows you to travel outside the USA. It takes 6-10 months normally to get the K1 visa. The wedding MUST be in the USA and you have 90 days to marry upon entry. It can take 90 days after filing AOS to get the AP and EAD but it can take longer than that too. So yes, you live off one income for 90+ days.

In our family, neither the not being able to work nor the lack of travel was worth the shortened time frame. It's cheaper to get the CR1 as well. Immigration is expensive but most of those expenses are not paying invoices but rather travel and moving costs.

Everyone has a different choice to make and it is what suits you best. We went the K1 because we wanted to be together quicker. I moved in with family to save as much money as I could before moving, which ended up being our "second income". All the immigration processes suck you just have to choose one. Immigration is expensive so be prepared for additional costs!

Had our bio appointment- guess I enjoy living in a smaller area with less visa being processed. My appointment was at 11:00 A.M and I arrived at 10:45, went in right away. Out by 11:02!

I have gone to the bio appointment by myself the last two times. I am more worried about an interview since we were waived in the AOS.

There is always a chance but with your ties I wouldn't worry about it.

I traveled back and forth about five times during our fiancés/K1 process, had no issues.

I would file as soon as you can. It is your choice though. The faster you apply, the faster you are done with ROC!

Our house closed on time but we also did it privately through a friend.. everything was agreed upon before we even signed any paperwork. I know another couple that has been in the mess for 6 months. Any deal can fall through or extend.

You could also send in documentation of what you were pre-approved for and if you have signed any offers.

Maybe I'll have to go in again then.. the RCMP here flat out refused to do the police check for me and just said to go to the police instead. The lady there said that they wouldn't put the names on there because that's not what I legally go by anymore. Such a hassle!

I also went to just the local police station when I asked for my police certificate... Sorry, I can only tell you what worked for me!

My police check only had my maiden name (not the name I was born with..I changed my name to my fathers when my parents were married). I didn't think about it and it did not include my birth name and I didn't have any issues.

Besides wouldn't it be tied to your Social? And not your name?

If you are in love and want to be together, then get married. Listen to the above suggestions by continuing to gather proof of your relationship.

I think a lot of people on the forum get mad/upset/jealous that they had to wait a long time and then some people don't.

Some of us had to wait longer than others, welcome to immigration.

Either way you guys have a decision and only you two will know what to do.

Updated:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12Mb-ALcbwQbYafLj4vFaEMjSGD-wfjtrycs3ul8QlUo/edit?pref=2&pli=1#gid=0

I am sorry if my question has upset you so much but i dont appreciate the tone in your message. You dont have to be rude and ask why is she here if she cant speak English. Who are you to question?

You do not understand her situation and what shes gone through. I am pretty sure the world you and she have lived, are like the sky and the ground.I know how frustrating it is and how much of a struggle it is for a person born with no country as your own. Been tagged a REFUGEE wherever you go. Her life has been a struggle for years. They used to live in a village in India,close to a forest,where there is still no proper access to drinking water. People there go to nearby ponds to fetch water and carry water cans on their back for daily use. About electricity, the govt there supply electricity only for 5-6 hours daily and it depends on when they want to cut if off. They obviously pay the bills.There are times when you have no electricity for a week continuously. There are no proper health facilities there and access is limited. Many people have died because they couldn't reach the hospital on time, lot of people have died due to snake bites and killed by elephants too,when they come of the forest to look for food into the village, some of them could have been saved if they can reach the hospital on time. Since they are refugees there,their concerns are not a priority to the govt. Please note this doesn't mean that we are not thankful to the Indian govt for at least giving us a shelter to live.In a situation like this, my cousin could never think about leaving my Aunt back where she came from.

We have tried it before, for someone who can only talk in 1 language and not know how to read and write in any languages at all, how difficult it would be for that person to learn at that age. You have no idea. how frustrating it is for her , we have seen it. She doesn't know the language but it doesn't mean that she doesn't know a thing about American history and politics. She understands it when you tell her as a story. But she is very bad in pronouncing English words, we dont get it so i doubt the non Tibetans would understand her, That is why we are looking for an interpreter so that she can at least give it a try.If that doesn't help then obviously we cant do much.

Going by your message,it sounds like since she cant speak English it would be better for my cousin to send my Aunt back to where she came from. Even though her only child, is here,her son. But sorry in our culture, we don't give up on our parents when they are old and need to be looked after.

#crushedit!

Try this link:

https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=ASC

Sukie in NY

Thanks! Got it!!

Is there a way to find out where the biometrics will be completed?

I moved since my last bio appointment.

Thanks!

I'm guessing you mean the G-1145, which doesn't work with the I-751.

If you read the USCIS page for the G-1145:

"This service is only available for forms filed at our three Lockbox facilities located in Lewisville, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; and Phoenix, Arizona."

That would be why. I didn't read it this time through. Just printed it and sent it off.

04/25/2016 i sent My package

04/26/2016 the package was delivered by USPS And signed for someone i Forgot attach the form which they notify through email or text, they haven't cashed the checks yet and I haven't received the NOA Letter

05/10/2016 today's date is this ok?

I sent that form and never received notification- so I wouldn't worry about it!