sailorgal

USCIS finally uploaded my biometrics appointment notice. They are reusing my I-751 biometrics. They are not refunding biometrics fee. ETA for case completion is still October 2020.

Filed on May 6 in Raleigh, NC. Received my biometrics appointment notification on August 7. I don't see the official letter under my documents tab yet but they said it might take a few days so I don't know when the actual appointment is scheduled for. Estimated time of completion is October 2020.

USCIS finally uploaded my biometrics appointment notice. They are reusing my I-751 biometrics. They are not refunding biometrics fee. ETA for case completion is still October 2020.

USCIS finally uploaded my biometrics appointment notice. They are reusing my I-751 biometrics. They are not refunding biometrics fee. ETA for case completion is still October 2020.

Are you serious? October 2020? Our baby is due oct 2 and this would be so great! We are trying to request his mom to be able to visit to meet her grandson...you just have us hope! 

Filed on May 6 in Raleigh, NC. Received my biometrics appointment notification on August 7. I don't see the official letter under my documents tab yet but they said it might take a few days so I don't know when the actual appointment is scheduled for. Estimated time of completion is October 2020.

Filed on May 6 in Raleigh, NC. Received my biometrics appointment notification on August 7. I don't see the official letter under my documents tab yet but they said it might take a few days so I don't know when the actual appointment is scheduled for. Estimated time of completion is October 2020.

As far as Social Security goes - they will let you take your husband's last name when you show them your marriage license. They'll let you use any middle name you want (they told us they couldn't care less about middle names!), but you have to keep your first name as it appears on your passport. They won't let you change your first name at all.
But, at the end of the green card process, just before you get your citizenship, you'll get a form that will let you change your name to anything you like. Your first, middle and last names can be totally different from what they are now and what they were in your home country and your last name doesn't even have to be your husband's last name anymore. You could make up a totally new name if you wanted to.
In our case, my wife took my last name and will keep it. But in her country she only had a first and last name - no middle name. But all her life she went by a nickname that was different from her first name. But they won't let us use that name here on anything official, because it doesn't appear on her passport. So, we had to use her official passport-validated first name, then Social Security allowed her to put her nickname in as her middle name. So at the end of this process, we're just going to switch her first and middle names around. Her middle name will become her first name and her first name will become her middle name.
One of the main reasons we were even motivated to get a social security card at this point (because there are no plans for her to work anytime soon) was so we would have at least one official document (besides the marriage license), with my name as her last name, and with her nickname showing up somewhere at least. And it's also allowing us to establish the fact that her nickname/now middle name, is part of her official name.
But until you're able to completely change your name to whatever you want at the end of the process, you'll have to use your first name as it appears on your passport on anything official. If you use any other name it will confuse bureaucrats and they'll suspect you're actually somebody else!

Good afternoon, sailorgal -
I agree with most of the posts here: we applied for the fianceé visa with my wife's maiden name, and when she came here, she got a Social Security card in her maiden name, and I put her on all our bank accounts with her maiden name.
Then, we got married at the courthouse - marriage certificate just lists my name and her maiden name.
Then, we went back to Social Security with the marriage certificate in hand and got a new SSN card with her married name, and went back to all the banks with the marriage certificate in hand and changed her name on the accounts.
When we applied for EAD, AP, and AOS, we simply put her married name, but in the section with it mentions 'any other names,' we put her maiden name. She received her EAD+AP card in her married name, and later her Green Card in her married name.
Of note, her foreign passport is still in her maiden name. Thus, she has to bring a copy of our marriage certificate whenever she travels out of the country because she has to present at the airport to explain 1) the name on the plane ticket doesn't exactly match the name on the passport and 2) why the name on the Green Card doesn't match the name on the passport. So as soon as possible, you should order two or three copies of your marriage certificate and keep one with your passport for travelling.
Congratulations again and good luck with the rest of the process!

Congrats!! It will be different but this country is literally a melting pot so you will fit right in.
is it hard to find a job in the US when you get your work permit? i speak english very well but i do have a noticeable accent, has your accent ever been an issue? Depends on where you're headed and what industry. I'd suggest you work on your resume, create a linkedin if you don't already have one and start looking on indeed or monster to see whats available in your new city. put in the zip code and see what's out there.
i was thinking about learning spanish since the US has many spanish speakers and it will be a plus when trying to find a job, would that be a good idea? might be help depending on if there is a huge Hispanic population where you are moving and the industry you are going to work in. It can't hurt so go for it if you have the time.
is it hard to make new friends? did you search for people from your ethnicity/country that live nearby? or did you try to befriend anyone from the start? it's kinda hard as adults unless you are really outgoing. Like anything else it takes time. When you start working you'll meet people. Once you're here go places that interest you and you'll meet like minded ppl. For eg, if you like football (soccer) go to the nearest field and join a game. If your an intellect go to events at your library. Not sure how it is in your home country but back in Jamaica everyone is friendly. Your neighbors kinda become an extension of your family. It's not quite the same here. Most people don't know the ppl they live beside because everyone is so busy. GO to different events in your city and you'll meet people.
what was the first thing you wanted to do when you moved to the US (besides things that have to do with the immigration process)? I was young when I moved here but I know for hubby the first thing he was to do is eat a real steak (not something we have at home) and go to Walmart in the middle of the night. He doesn't believe there is a store that is just open 24 hrs a day. Everything back homes closes early.
how did your partners family react to you and to the marriage? Depends on the family. Some of mine are skeptical about the whole immigration process but I'm not super close to them anyways. The rest are exited about him moving here. Start building a bond before you come and discuss with your person how things will be handled if you and the family don't really connect. . were they interested in hearing about your country and culture?
and to those whove been in the US for a while - did you "bring your culture with you"? yes do you celebrate your countries holidays? yes cook the food you ate in your country? Oh yes. i love different cultures and that's one of the best things about America- you get to sample food from all corners of the earth and if you search I'm sure you'll be authentic food from where you're from. Most grocery stores sell stuff from other places and if not you can always find an ethnic store.
do you feel different or like an outsider? That's something that, in my experience, never goes away. To me most immigrants have a different mindset from people born here. We've had to work had to come here so we typically appreciate it more. We've had an entire life outside this country and that's not something everyone understands. It's a bit easier to bond with other immigrants on this as they understand what it's like to have two homes.
do you feel like people treat you differently because youre not american? or do americans not care about that? Because there are so many immigrant's it's not something that you'll come across often but you'll meet that one person who hasn't been exposed or doesn't agree with immigration who may say something(ignore them) . For the most people are tolerant and they are more interested in asking you about your culture than being negative towards you.

hello
after a successful interview ive been thinking a lot about how my life will be in the US.
i know itll be hard to be away from my family, friends, country, language etc... but theres nothing i want more than to start my life with the person i love.
so i was wondering about different things,
is it hard to find a job in the US when you get your work permit? i speak english very well but i do have a noticeable accent, has your accent ever been an issue?
i was thinking about learning spanish since the US has many spanish speakers and it will be a plus when trying to find a job, would that be a good idea?
is it hard to make new friends? did you search for people from your ethnicity/country that live nearby? or did you try to befriend anyone from the start?
what was the first thing you wanted to do when you moved to the US (besides things that have to do with the immigration process)?
how did your partners family react to you and to the marriage? were they interested in hearing about your country and culture?
and to those whove been in the US for a while - did you "bring your culture with you"? do you celebrate your countries holidays? cook the food you ate in your country?
do you feel different or like an outsider? do you feel like people treat you differently because youre not american? or do americans not care about that?
ill be happy to hear about your experiences especially from people who immigrated from non-english speaking countries

OR

Hi thanks a lot. Sorry for the late response I was travelling for the interview. Biometric went by real smooth and I was in and out in 5 minutes with around 10 minutes of waiting outside in the queue. I will write more in the consulate review. I went by everybody's suggestion here and removed any conversation screen shots that had 'suspicious words' in them and replaced those with other conversations. I already am not wearing the ring because it is with the jewelry store for repairs. But I am carrying a receipt from the store with just in case they want to see the ring. And I like your idea about telling them that we have only blocked a ticket but they might ask me for an evidence there and I have none so I am just not going to say anything about the travel plans. I will definitely share my experience in the review section. Hopefully everything goes well tomorrow *nervous*
And thanks a lot I need luck, loads of good luck tomorrow.

Yes I agree. Removed any suspicious parts from the conversations. I hope I don't go into AP we forgot to consider that when my fiance brought my ticket but I am just going to be positive and hope everything goes well.
Your timeline was inspiring. Takes a lot to handle a denial and start from the scratch all over again. Kudos to you!
Hey sorry I know nothing about K3 visa so I can't help you on that one. May be you could refer K3 forum over here on VJ if they have one.
Good luck!

Yes I agree. Removed any suspicious parts from the conversations. I hope I don't go into AP we forgot to consider that when my fiance brought my ticket but I am just going to be positive and hope everything goes well.
Your timeline was inspiring. Takes a lot to handle a denial and start from the scratch all over again. Kudos to you!
Hey sorry I know nothing about K3 visa so I can't help you on that one. May be you could refer K3 forum over here on VJ if they have one.
Good luck!

Each of them will pay an application fee of US$165 and each of them will be interviewed and assessed on their own merits. There is nothing you or anyone else can do to increase their chances of receiving the visa. They will need to show SIGNIFICANT ties to India. This would include but not be limited to letters from employers stating how long they have worked there and what they do, property documentation (if they own a house), schooling enrollment documentation for the child.
Good luck with this.
The alternative is for you and your new family to go to India and have something there.

In addition, hope this excerpt helps
http://trinidad.usembassy.gov/i_was_refused_a_visa_what_does_strong_ties_mean.html

Is this what I think it is? Did I just receive Packet - 3 from the US Consulate? O my God I'm so thrilled. So the next major step is going to be the interview right? I keep asking myself if this is really happening! Anyone who has been through the visa procedure would know how this feels. And we had presumed it would take around 6 months for the entire processing and then I would have my interview but here I am, already. My fiance sent in the petition on 24th of March, 2015 and I never ever imagined that in two months from then I would be planning on scheduling my interview. I guess we've really been extremely lucky with how fast the petition moved through all the stages. Ahh I just want to dance right now

I'm so sorry for what you're going through but I think it is time to face the reality of the situation. You said so yourself that he was desperate to come, but was that only to be with you? No. It was also because he saw US as a land of opportunities and wanted to make money and then go back home. And I might sound rude on this one but jobs like landscaping, dish washing and cleaning would make it possible for him to go back home once in a while with your help but building a house out there and fulfilling any other dreams he had about going back would be impossible. And may be he realizes this. May be he knows that without your help he won't even make it back home and that is what makes him come back to you every time he leaves and not cause he loves or misses you. He wouldn't be treating you such if he truly felt a sense of attachment, love and respect towards you. And about going long distance again, how do you know that he is going to wait for you? May be he is already seeing somebody out there and not being able to be with them or go back home is making him act the way he has been. And even if after retirement you leave everything for him and go to his country, that's if he waits, I'm sure he'll find reasons to complain again cause there he won't have a mattress or a bed to fight upon with you but your past, which he obviously can't get over!, would continue to bother him even then. So why would you give yourself such pain, care for a man who won't treat you right, pay for his food, clothes and everything, buy him a ticket back home just so he can blame you for getting him out there. I don't see removing the conditions as a smart and practical choice on your end. He'll continue to be his cranky-self even if you provide him with everything like you are right now and then probably also blame you for removing the conditions and helping him get a green card. Some day he might even start thinking that you have some selfish motives for making him stay and removing the conditions even with him behaving badly with you (which I'm sure he realizes cause you said he says sorry but seldom takes responsibility for his behavior). I think many of his issues have to do with his low self-esteem probably cause he hasn't been able to make money the way he thought he would and he has to depend upon you and knows he can't leave you or he would have no money. So you have to get practical here. Letting go would be the hardest part ever but you are a kind hearted and brave woman to have put up with all of this and you deserve better and I'm sure you will get it.
Good luck and take care.

I'm so sorry for what you're going through but I think it is time to face the reality of the situation. You said so yourself that he was desperate to come, but was that only to be with you? No. It was also because he saw US as a land of opportunities and wanted to make money and then go back home. And I might sound rude on this one but jobs like landscaping, dish washing and cleaning would make it possible for him to go back home once in a while with your help but building a house out there and fulfilling any other dreams he had about going back would be impossible. And may be he realizes this. May be he knows that without your help he won't even make it back home and that is what makes him come back to you every time he leaves and not cause he loves or misses you. He wouldn't be treating you such if he truly felt a sense of attachment, love and respect towards you. And about going long distance again, how do you know that he is going to wait for you? May be he is already seeing somebody out there and not being able to be with them or go back home is making him act the way he has been. And even if after retirement you leave everything for him and go to his country, that's if he waits, I'm sure he'll find reasons to complain again cause there he won't have a mattress or a bed to fight upon with you but your past, which he obviously can't get over!, would continue to bother him even then. So why would you give yourself such pain, care for a man who won't treat you right, pay for his food, clothes and everything, buy him a ticket back home just so he can blame you for getting him out there. I don't see removing the conditions as a smart and practical choice on your end. He'll continue to be his cranky-self even if you provide him with everything like you are right now and then probably also blame you for removing the conditions and helping him get a green card. Some day he might even start thinking that you have some selfish motives for making him stay and removing the conditions even with him behaving badly with you (which I'm sure he realizes cause you said he says sorry but seldom takes responsibility for his behavior). I think many of his issues have to do with his low self-esteem probably cause he hasn't been able to make money the way he thought he would and he has to depend upon you and knows he can't leave you or he would have no money. So you have to get practical here. Letting go would be the hardest part ever but you are a kind hearted and brave woman to have put up with all of this and you deserve better and I'm sure you will get it.
Good luck and take care.

Both are receipt notices (notification of acceptance). Think of it this way: NOA1 is the acceptance of your application by USCIS, while NOA2 is the actual approval of your application by USCIS.