Jersey Girl

The checklist for the AOS interview asks for a completed I-864. Is this in addition to the one already sent with the AOS application?

(It will be 6 months since we submitted the I-485. My sponsoring salary was good then but better now.)

Congratulations on getting to the finish line! We, too, will most likely receive the 2-year greencard before getting the EAD card that just doesn't come. Never mind; it all works out for the best. Enjoy yourselves.

Very good news. Hope all the changes prove to be good ones!

Don't count days. Your experience will be somewhat different. Instead, plan what you'll do in the lead time up to the interview, because, fasten your seat belt, it could take 2 months from the letter to the interview (!). So plan a giant celebration for afterwards

Godspeed on your adventure!

Uh, excuse me, Scott, now that you're almost a medical professional ... I have a pain, in my rear to be exact, it started when we applied for I-130 a year ago and it's been chronic ever since. What do you think it could be?

Happy for all of you! Congratulations!

It means they received whatever you sent.

........and Jersey.......I have a sneaking suspicion that you could find the romance in city bus.

Montreal is just one hurdle. There are plenty more to come. So if we don't learn to go with the flow and find the good, we'll be miserable. I agree, none of this is fair or makes sense. And you're right, we jump through hoops and give them exactly what they ask for and still get screwed.

But time is non renewable resource. We only get a certain number of days. So decide: how do I want to spend my days? Now, go invent a good time for yourself and be happy no matter what!

I'm not an expert but would have your husband do an amended return and take you off. He'd be "married filing separate." He would not claim you as a dependent or deduction. That's because you've already gotten a personal exemption in Canada and can't "double dip" according to the U.S. Canada Tax Treaty. (I think, but could be wrong.)

If you had not yet filed in Canada, there's an exemption for what he's trying to do, that is, claim a spouse who was resident in Canada in 2006. You need a good cross-border accountant.

Yes, Montreal means an interminably long wait and all kinds of trials. But once you're there, it's a magical, romantic place, so plan to enjoy the shopping, museums, smoked meat, and wine!

Good luck to all you movers and shakers!

A surprise party? You're so lucky. And your Mom is so thoughtful. The good luck has already begun and the interview will be like a dream state. Everything will be fine and you'll be so happy to hear you're approved that you won't know whether to laugh, cry, fall down on the floor, or like me, open a bottle of wine!

Now THIS is what the rest of us need to hear! Congratulations!

There has been some confusion and lots of different experiences. There was a time when many immigrants came to the U.S. and had their medicals here. K visas are relatively new and the difference is that the medical is done "overseas." But the system is slow to catch up and "remember" that the medical was already done.

We got an RFE for the entire medical when we should have gotten one for just the supplement. We got a black stare at the InfoPass appointment because the officer was "old school" and not used to K visas (!) We went to a U.S. Civil Surgeon to get the supplement transcribed (because it must be done by a doctor in the U.S.) and he was old school, too. He didn't understand K visas and still referred to "the INS."

If you get an RFE, it's best to reply with exactly what they ask for or risk a denial, even though you're already in compliance. As insurance, we got the supplement done here and sent it, even though there was no RFE. It's what they should have asked for and if that ever dawns on them, it will already be in the file. Clear as mud?

Not sure what's behind Jersey's post

The vaccination worksheet is in the envelope they handed back to me at immigration?

I'm surprised they gave you back your sealed medical at the POE. I thought it went to USCIS to be kept in your file.

Many doctors give people a copy of the Vaccination Worksheet at the medical, knowing they'll need it later. If you did not receive one, try calling the U.K. and getting a duplicate mailed or faxed. Take it to a U.S. Civil Surgeon and get it transcribed.

You're ahead of the game even with the RFE. Congratulations!

You're building important, permanent, identification documents, and shouldn't need an attorney to tell you to stay away from the photocopier. Read up. You have a responsibility to be aware and informed about the serious process you're undertaking.

I'm in New Jersey and paid $75 in Morristown. This seems to be at the upper end of what doctors may charge for the supplement only.

He wasn't familiar with process ... kept referring to "the INS." There was a time, not too long ago, when there were no K visas and medicals were done in the States. This may be part of the confusion and difficulty you're having.

Just be sure it's a Civil Surgeon who fills out the I-693A. Consider the drive and the fee part of the immigration adventure.

I'm in an apartment building where the mail is thrown on the steps. (I'll put a giant stickie somewhere it can be seen.)

Why would the post office return mail to USCIS when we haven't moved? Is this common?

locator for Jersey

There are lots of Civil Surgeons in the Newark area. You need to bring the Vaccination Worksheet and ask them to transfer the information to the I-693A, which only a Civil Surgeon in the U.S. can fill out.

We had a shock on Sunday in Morristown, NJ when the Surgeon questioned the validity of the Worksheet! Luckily he filled out the form but we had to fax him records from Toronto showing that certain vaccinations had been received. (As if someone could forge a medical and get a visa fraudulently ???)

He kept referring to the INS so I knew he was old school ... from a time when local offices handled AOS and a full medical was required. K visas are relatively new (2001?) so these old timers don't get it ... that we already had a medical and just need a supplement. "Do not collect $200!"

I just paid $75 in New Jersey. A small price to pay for insurance against a denial!

Hope your trip is a happy one!