millionmileslove

Thanks everybody for your reply... I was able to visit Hongkong before and we rode a train to get to our designated gate...our mistake before was we explored the airport before trying to find our gate only to discover that each terminal is really far from each other requiring you to ride a train/shuttle... thats what i am worried about that my an hour is not enough..... but as you guys explained, i figured it should be easy breezy

Thanks for the advice, it will surely help...

I have two friends who were able to go out of US and get back smoothly using their passport in their maiden name, plane ticket on their maiden name and enter US through their greencard on married name with just presenting their marriage certificate..

But ofcourse i would like to make sure guys...

Any comments on this?

Hello everybody,

I am booked to a flight LAX-HKG-MNL via Cathay Pacific with 1 hour and 40mins stop-over time at Hongkong airport.

I am trying to find a direct answer to my questions but cant find any online. I hope you guys can help me...

Questions:

Upon arrival to hongkong:

1. Do i need to get my CHECKED IN baggage? and check it in again for my flight to MNL?

2. Do i need to go through immigration??

3. Is my stop-over time enough??

4. Anybody experienced the same flight? do i need to ride the train from LAX terminal to MNL terminal?

Thank you

Check Arizona state NCLEX-RN requirement and sit in for an exam... They are right, you should pursue nursing.. I am based here in California and its hard to get eligibility to take NCLEX here if you graduate internationally, youre lucky youre at Arizona, am i right? I think it is easier there to sit in an exam... Study early while you apply.. It may be longer waiting but the pay is worth it

if you enter on k1 visa.. like me... our medical is still valid for 6 months so civil surgeon is not needed if you are able to apply AOS before it expires

My medical MArch 2014

Submitted AOS: June 2014

AOS approved without medical of a civil surgeon: September 2014

I heard California is heavy with nurses who can't find a job. I also heard the California Economy is horrible still.

One problem is they are heavy on Nurses in California, they only required a 2 year USA degree to become a RN in USA.

You ever thought about moving to another state?

My husband is working with a great company that is only based here in California so i cannot risk moving into another state with both of us jobless.. As of now moving isnt an option but i do not know what job i should apply for

I am a BSN graduate with masteral units from PH. My NCLEX-RN application is on process but with the current concurrency issues i am planning to also apply for NCLEX-PN....

I tried applying with just my degree and experience in hemodialysis for four years but i cannot find positions that will fit my skills and when i do, i do not know if my masteral units is making it hard for me to apply for the assistant positions, i got an answer when i tried applying managerial but i think it is too heavy for a US starter like me... Should i just take it off my resume? i thought its giving me an edge having additional knowledge but i do not know if its too much?

I would like to work while I wait for my exam application results... It has been a lot of waiting processing my AOS docs (i entered in k1 visa) and it seems like more waiting finding a job in the healthcare system without a license....

Anyone in the healthcare system know a job i can fit in to or apply for?

Tips or any suggestions and comments are all welcome.

Thanks and Godbless.

Thank you for sharing this, atleast this time i will have background for the AOS.

By next week, im gonna have my biometrics. So hopefully, i can have the EAD soon.

Would you mind if i ask, from the biometrics schedule to receiving the COMBO CARD...how long was it?

i received it a month after my biometrics...then i was scheduled for an interview.... you are getting there just more patiece Goodluck

Thank you for all this! However, I cannot get a driver's license in my country because it costs ALOT. Because in Poland, you have to get theory and then practical driving lessons and you pay a lot of money for that course, and it takes a while to get thru also, so I can't. I know how to drive though because I have gone thru this driving course once before, a few years back, but for personal reasons I did not actually try out for the actual driving exam so I didn't get my license. But I do know how to drive, all I would need is a two or three times short driving practice and I would be ready for an exam. You are saying that I would have to wait to get my driver's license until my EAD arrives? Or may I get my license before EAD comes?

I kind of thought that the EAD card acts as my ID, in a way. I can't even open a library account with that? or my passport? So I've got to wait for my greencard to do little things like that? I sure hope not!!

And many people told me how important it is to apply for the SSN. But people seem to have different opinions on when to apply for it. You are saying i should apply for it after getting married? People have told me to apply almost as soon as I arrive and before marrying so that my maiden name will be recognized in the system. I can do either but I'd like to know which one makes more sense.

It would be very nice if the EAD and AP arrived in about a month time, because sitting around for a few months isn't fun, and that is what i thought i would have to do because i thought that getting the EAD takes around 90 days.

Regarding driving in the US....

You cannot drive here (even practice driving) without driving permit/driver's license which requires you to bring 2 government issued IDs to apply... Your foreign passport and the I-94 will be accepted but you will still need another ID besides your passport you can bring your marriage license. you can try that if you got your marriage license early because in my case I arrived in US april got married in May and got my marriage license in June so its a total of 2 months... the k1 visa expires in 90 days right? so 2 months is 60 days.. when I went back to DMV with my marriage license they said that my I-94/k1 visa is almost expired they need a proof that you can stay LONGER to give you a state ID or let you apply for driving permit... in short... I have waited for my EAD card before I was able to apply again... basically no ID no driving nothing for 4 months....

Regarding EAD as an ID...

Yes... it will serve as your ID but just to be clear I didn't receive my EAD a month after I applied for AOS I received it a month before I received my greencard... so yes, it is 60-90 days to arrive after AoS application I received my EAD 4 months after AOS and greencard 5 months after AOS... I was not able to apply for work during those waiting time because it is asked on the application process are you eligible to work in the US?

Regarding SSN...

I do not know why it is much of a big deal to apply Immediately for SSN when you cannot apply for almost anything without your EAD or greencard...

QUOTED online: The main use of your SSN is to track your Social Security benefits and income for taxes. However, others may use your SSN as a way to identify you. Banks, hospitals, and private businesses frequently reference your personal information with your SSN in order to make their record keeping easier.

it is required if you will transact something of big importance but with our status entering k1 visa we need more papers before even using the SSN... haha In my case I needed it for my NCLEX application so what I did a few days after my arrival was to apply for SSN it was easy foreign passport and I-94... it is true though that some employees do not know we have the right to apply so just tell them you can... I got SSN after a week with my MAIDEN NAME ofcourse... then as soon as I got married I came back to the office with my marriage license to change my name to married name....

PS: I told you in my previous advice to apply SSN once you got your marriage certificate because I find SSN of no use unless you are applying for something which needs it... but without other forms of identification or marriage license I think there is no rush to do it...

*THESE ARE ALL BASED ON MY PERSONAL OPINION AND EXPERIENCE

I didn't register. It was a first come first served basis in my time (march 2014)

sorry, I reviewed this thread and it is said by HANK that the latest update from CFO MAY 2014 needs appointment to be scheduled... so I correct myself it is not a first-come-first-served basis anymore... thanks

Thanks everybody!!

suggestion: this may be off topic but will help you in adjusting... Get a drivers license in your country if possible because you will have around 5-6 months or more waiting time before your greencard arrives you need to learn how to drive here, have an ID to open an account a library card etc... In my case, I was not able to acquire a drivers license before going here I waited for my EAD card before I was able to get a driving permit now I cannot apply work because I cannot drive hahaha like I wasted my 5 months waiting time I should've learned driving on that time...

heres what I did...

Arrive in US

Got married in a county

wait for marriage license

receive marriage license:

• apply for SSN (married name just bring your foreign passport I-94 (it is a paper which indicates you have arrived in US you will not have one unless you are here just search it online and print it once you got here) and your marriage certificate)
• apply for Adjustment of status (form I-485 search in USCIS website you can find all the info there)

*adjustment of status (AOS) is an application you will do after marriage so you can be a permanent resident of US. It is worth 1,000$ plus... You have an option to also apply EAD (employment authorization) and AP (advance parole so you can go out of US) combo card (it is EAD and AP card) if you apply for the said combo card, it will arrive earlier than your greencard. I applied AOS june 2014 my combo card arrived August 2014 and greencard September 2014... The combo card arrives early (some earlier than a month) if you have EAD you can work in the US... but once you have your greencard it wont be used anymore... your greencard will serve as your EAD and AP card... AOS is important because having a greencard will allow you to work, travel and other US residents benefits

Hello VJ friends,

This is my AOS interview experience, hope could help fellow immigrants

Brief info: I entered US on a K1 visa on April 17, 2014, got married May 2014 applied AOS June 2014 (my marriage certificate took a month to process ugh!) received Biometrics August and EAD/AP at the same month then scheduled for interview Sept 22, 2014 received greencard September 29, 2014 (fast enough for me yay!!)

AOS: AOS or Adjustment of status is basically an application for greencard (permanent resident) done after marriage or shall i say after receiving your marriage certificate (no RFE goal, photocopy the marriage certificate not the customers copy) to be able to legally work and travel in and out of US. You will sent a packet (like the ones sent on K1 petition). For more info go to USCIS website or other forums regarding AOS application

AOS interview: main goal is to prove bona fide marriage. Just picture yourself in a court trying to prove to the judge that you are truly married with pure intentions or rightful motivations (not just to go in the US). Many people kinda questions this process but I personally understands its purpose, it is to eliminate human trafficking and fraud.

*AOS interview letter will provide a checklist of requirements like marriage license, divorce decrees, birth certs, passports and others so i would like to emphasize on bona fide marriage proofs because it was not further discussed in the letter

PREPARATION:

PROOF of bona fide MARRIAGE

1. "Joint everything"

Joint accounts (bank or credit cards), joint insurances (car, life, health), joint house (lease agreement, utility bills) joint membership (gym etc)

Joint accounts: The bank will need 2 government issued IDs to join an account

My husband is a Chase member for so long so we figured it would be easy to join in there so I presented my foreign passport, with my maiden name so i also brought our marriage license, my foreign ID, and my EAD combo card. They asked for my driver's license (i still have none because I just got my EAD). In short, they didnt allow me to join into my husbands account because I do not have TWO US government issued ID. (sucks)

SOLUTION: apply to Bank of America. your Foreign passport and marriage license will work. add your EAD combo card if you already have it. So basically we opened an account for additional proof for the interview. My husband usually gives me cash since i cannot join in his chase account but again we need to prove bona fide marriage so we opened an account just for that, but we are using it now. I can say more convenient than cash haha

*you need to print ACCOUNT SUMMARY and BANK STATEMENT which includes both your names on the paper and you can also photocopy your atm/credit cards

Joint insurance

We printed benefit summary of his health and life insurances where my name is on it. always remember both of your NAMES must be indicated. You can also photocopy both of your health cards and also bring it to the interview

"Joint house"

In our case, we live with my in-laws so all the lease agreement and utility bills are named after them so we just decided to bring letters sent to us with same address. You can bring letters (like from government or health insurances, cards etc) sent to you individually with the same address (ofcourse) It is important because "truly" married people live together but we still need to prove it.

*some people without lease agreements came up with affidavits of people living in the same house signing a paper that they indeed live together

2. Pictures

We brought an album of our "entire" relationship, from courtship to marriage to our US trips. The interviewer only asked for the wedding pictures and those with each others relatives so might as well bring what you can, any of those maybe asked.

*it will be helpful to pose into a landmark of a certain place together, like welcome to las vegas so it will be obvious that you really went to that place, always keep in mind that they dont know us personally we need to prove them our genuine relationship. No room for doubts.

3. More more and more

You can bring "best wishes" cards or invites with both of your names, plane tickets or hotel reservations as long as it has BOTH OF YOUR NAMES on it.

OTHER DOCUMENTS/REQUIREMENTS:

* the interview notice is the most important document you should bring

*your husband (duh??) you may be interviewed separately or together

*cards (atm, credit card, health card) of those accounts you have joined

*house keys (some are asked if they have it to prove they really live in the same house) (brilliant huh?)

*SSN card, EAD card, passports (all other documents are stated in the interview letter)

INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE

When: Sept 22; 7:15am

WHere: Los Angeles

*parking is across the LA bldg. called LA MALL we were shocked it was 2.50$/10mins (it was the closest parking and most convenient) but the interview went very fast so we just paid less than 10$ all the parking areas near the place was closed it was very early but there are cheaper parking spaces around the block.

6:30am parked at LA mall

6:40am went in line at the right side of the entrance (i asked the guards inside if we were at the right line, better to be safe than sorry) there were about 6 people ahead of us and as time passes the line went longer and longer.. the earlier the better

7:00am they opened and we went through the take-off-your-belt-take-out-your-things-airport-type xray scan

7:10am we went into the room (at 6th or 7th flr sorry i forgot) and the guard lead us to window 1 the lady asked if all of the interviewee present, we said yes and we handed the AOS interview notice and then we sat and wait to be called

*some have lawyers with them for it is stated in the interview form that you have the right to bring your lawyer or interpreter with you so you have to wait for them before handing your notice, we didnt have a lawyer or interpreter

7:30am my name was called (i thought its just gonna be me) she asked for my husband (in our native language hooraayyy kabayan!!!) whew!

*i have read in some forums that some couples were interviewed separately to see if answers match

FLOW OF THE INTERVIEW:

She was a small lady very serious looking with a bulky folder with her (guessing it was our file)

*raise your right hand and repeat after me blah blah blah

*What is your name, address (MEMORIZE YOUR ADDRESS) and other demographic data was asked to me, the immigrant, while she was checking the AOS packet I think it was the form I-485 she was checking the part where have you been arrested yes or no questions.

*Do you work, do you drive? (immigrant)

*How long have you been working? where do you work? (petitioner)

*where did you meet? (we answer in chorus haha)

*when and where did you got married?

*can you show me some pictures? (i took out a magazine type album and some loose pictures, she opened the magazine and asked where certain pictures was taken)

*can you show me pictures of both of you with each other's families? (we showed her a lot but she told us we have provided enough on the k1 petition anyways so she didnt get anything, i kept them all)

*show me documents of any joint accounts, everything you have brought. (We gave her all our joint assets and a void bank check with both our names, she took all of them and stapled them on our file)

*she excuses herself and went out came back with a paper and told us.....

You have been approved congratulations (i shouted yehey a little haha she smiled ) and explained to us the content of the paper she was holding. it was an approval letter of conditional permanent resident and explained that we need to apply the conditions be removed after 2 years specifically 90 days before the date stated in the paper. She told us that the greencard will arrive through mail in a few weeks

*she saw our cards (atm and healthcard) still on the table and told us she needed it. she asked us to follow her near the door, there was a photocopy machine near there. we had a little chitchat about the Philippines and asked us if we have further questions while she copies our cards.

*she told us that the greencard must be brought at all times that I can now work and travel as long as I have that card with me and report immediately if stolen or lost. She told us to build more proof as time goes by so that it will be easier to remove the conditional greencard and make it permanent because most couples tends to forget that.

*we shook her hand and she sent us on our way it was just 10mins i think in total, very fast and light interview, we are truly blessed

in just 7 days i received my greencard!!! wohooo!!

TIPS/SUGGESTIONS:

There have been reported fraudulent marriages. Some are asked for hidden tattoos husband says none wife says there is, some presented a joint account found used in different cities proving they are fraudulent, some are asked even of room furniture. There are millions of possible questions but you will answer it right if your are REALLY MARRIED. We werent nervous, we will fight if we got declined, we will appeal. So no worries but prepare early to lessen the hassle. After passing, continue gathering proofs so that removal of conditions will be as easy breezy as AOS, keep cards, take pictures, use the joint accounts so we can present a yearly summary or accounts and not just recent months.

I hope I was able to help all of you. Feel free to message me here for questions or comments.

Good luck to all of us!

NEXT AGENDA: Drive and work. Wish me luck!!! :jest:

I already tried to register online but i still didn't receive the confirmation link.

What should i do now?

I didn't register. It was a first come first served basis in my time (march 2014)

Did you got married already?

It will cost you 1,000+ dollars... its called AOS (adjustment of status) we apply I-485 use this link http://www.uscis.gov/i-485

You need to wait for you marriage certificate and while you do gather the requirements needed.. everything is in the USCIS site I posted

Do you need an appointment for the CFO class?

No, its a first come first served basis but they have a quota because they orient in small groups so go early.......

PS: i had my CFO seminar march 2014, check their website for updates...

Thanks

Thanks everybody!

Thanks!

Hello,

I read your timeline and correct me but you did not receive your EAD/AP card?? did you apply for those or just GC?

I applied for EAD and AP card but we were scheduled forAOS interview already but still we havent received those. just wondering if some experienced the same

Thanks and Goodluck to us

We are schedulled for interview in 3 weeks these are the documents we have so far to prove bona fide marriage:

• Joint bank account
• Pictures
• Health insurance
• Life insurance

Thats about it. We live in the apartment of my in-law so all utility bills named after her. I am completing my medical report although i am in K1 visa my K1visa medical expired August so just to be sure i went to a civil surgeon to complete a new one...

QUESTIONS:

• Given the documents we have, do you guys think is enough to prove bona fide marriage?
• Any tips? Suggestions? Sample questions? What not and should do??
• I have not yet received EAD/AP card though, is anyone experience or have experienced the same?

Enlighten us pls.... we will appreciate any help.

Godbless us all

Hello there!

Im back with new information, now regarding biometrics

I received biometrics notice scheduled July 11 and went in the biometrics site July 1.

REQUIREMENTS:

• The NOA (biometrics notice from USCIS)
• Passport
• Marriage Contract

We went there at 12nn while everybody is having lunch. we were finished 40mins after. so i suggest you go at not so busy hours because at 1pm the line piled up.

They say that it depends on the schedule or the site if they will allow it but i have read a lot of successful attempts.

Worth a try

STEPS:

1. You will be asked to fill up a form (name bday etc)

2. Requirements checked then a number will be given

3. Fingerprints will be done then picture taken

4. Passport, marriage license and NOA (biometrics notice stamped like biometrics done something) will all be returned

5. fill out an evaluation survey

6. VIOLA!!! finish

Waiting begins again, lets finish it one step at a time

Goodluck

I just filed my AOS and while you guys save for 1,070 filling fee might as well gather the documents needed so you wont get any RFE (additional cost for shipping etc)

1. every form you will need is available online USCIS site.

2. Affidavit of support: it will ask proof of your husband's ability to support you (more thorough than k1 affidavit), i checked my husband's salary based on income tax to see if it pass the poverty line. you can check your husbands total annual income and compare in here http://www.***removed***/affidavit-of-support/i-864p-poverty-guidelines.html here is a sample link.

*** if your husband's income doesnt meet the ff i suggest you have another sponsor (also in the affidavit of support on what papers you will need) example is your in-laws living in the same house who have a job that can add as your sponsor specially now you have a kid so i guess it will add as an extra household

3. have your medical

*if you will be able to file your AOS and have a greencard you can apply for drivers license have working permit and other benefits.

Goodluck.

Hi VJ friends,

Im back and im in mixed emotions now.

REALIZATION:

Waiting needs patience... lot of them!

I know most of k1 visa entry will relate how boredom and frustrations can really get into your nerves while you wait... and wait... and wait....

Get yourself ready for tons of waiting on the ff:

1. Marriage license: getting married on a California county (i am not generalizing but i have read a lot of issues like this all over CA) will have to take you 6-8 weeks.

*i got married at LA county im lucky we were able to receive it after 4 weeks

2. Without marriage license

i was not able to register myself as a spouse to receive health benefits from my hubby (they wont accept the customer copy for it has no license number)

and most important

***** i went to DMV 3x and still got rejected for cali id or drivers license

1st attempt: they wanted my original marriage license because i had no ID with my new name on it (surname same as spouse)

2nd attempt: they wanted to see all originals of the ff: NOA, passport, marriage license, I-94...

3rd attempt: they told me that my I-94 validity date is nearly to expire:

• my entry April 2014 expiration of visa July 2014
• marriage license June 2014
• DMV application June 2014 (one month before visa expiration) they wanted a longer validity

so they told me i needed to show them my greencard like... *&(^&$%$&^^*&()*)() it will be 6 months of waiting??? haha anyways this is how i understand it as explained by DMV

*k1 visa holders have 90 days allowable stay on US unless got married w/in the time frame given and have applied AOS. the application of AOS actually disregards the I-94 or passport stamp of deadline of stay. However, DMV doesnt accept marriage license as proof of your condition. They need a PROOF of your application like:

*NOA (AOS accepted/approved with date of validation)

*greencard or anything with same value ex: EAD/AP card (with date of validity)

so the waiting again begins......

k1 visa CONS: k1 visa PROS:

*waiting sucks. -------------------------------------------- you get to be a wife long enough to enjoy it, get used to it, adjust

*boredom kills -------------------------------------------- love heals the boredom but home sickness worsens it

*it will take 3-4 months without an ID and

a job --------------------------------------------------- you have all the time to explore, get used to the culture and new environment

CONCLUSION/TIPS:

I cant drive. i thought the 3 months of waiting for working permit will give me ample time to learn how to drive but as stated here, i cant. i still have to wait for EAD to apply a drivers license. TIP: have a drivers license while you wait for your visa at your home country because it is valid here in the US for 3 months (please recheck) enough time to learn driving rules in the US and as it expires EAD arrives.

SPONSORS/CITIZENS/PETITIONER: it is really BORING without your help. we are in a new place, we have no job for months, give us something to do, tour us around, give us something to look forward to like out-of-state visit next month or some volunteer work anything to keep our sanity haha... to preserve our self-worth

i am a very successful professional in my home country. it is hard for me to be bum you know. it is hard here without a car and husband is out and you cant drive, people are all busy, friends and family are far. you get to be weak and cry sometimes but here is what keeps me going:

1. I love my husband

2. Im happy with him

3. I have accepted that this is my new life

4. Dont waste time not knowing anything new about this country, there are a lot of things to know

i started reading books, novels, barnes and noble is a great place to go to, i walk everyday 5pm-7pm, driving isnt everything you have your feet, i ask about the culture the people and the law, i search for volunteer work, possible job, i am learning how to cook, do laundry, so when the time comes that you are all set to work and live as an independent citizen with all the required papers needed, you know how to live, you have visited every place nearby, you have eaten the common food, can speak the language and blend in...

but my most precious boredom medicine is my mi amore, my husband. who i cuddle everyday you have all the time in the world for love. before work complicate things

Lets all stay positive.

Hi everyone, we are getting married this Thursday after my fiance entered on a K1 and when we applied for the marriage license, the clerk said that it would take 6-8 weeks for us to receive the official marriage certificate from the Registrar's office. We are in Los Angeles county. I asked if we could have it expedited and they said NOPE!

I was wondering if it took THAT long for other people who have gotten married in Los Angeles county as well?

It's definitely going to delay our applying for AOS, since we need to have the marriage certificate in hand first.

Hello there!

we also got married at LA county and still waiting for our license its been a month, how long were you able to get yours??? thanks

Hi guys. Hub and I got married few days ago in LA county and we were told by the commissioner after the ceremony that we'll receive our copy of the marriage certificate in 6 TO 8 WEEKS. However, he gave us the CUSTOMER COPY of our marriage certificate. I wonder if that CUSTOMER COPY will be good enough to submit for my AOS? If not, has anyone here got married in Los Angeles or has any idea how we can [possibly have a marriage certificate faster? I have called the county clerk where we got married but she told me that i have to wait for 6 to 8 weeks! I dont wanna believe her though. I need to file my AOS asap/ Im dying to get a job. I feel so sad and depressed every time I was left alone at home while hubby's at work.

Hi scarlet, we also got married at LA county it has been a month of waiting, we also paid the same extra 15$ for mail certificate, when did you receive it???? did you request again???

Please help. we will wait for your reply

Thanks everybody im now a MRS yahoo!!