sweet01

Yeah, it's a bit confusing. I guess at the end of the day, it's better to be safe and just update the SS office?

I am not sure what I will do yet. Oh man, I can't wait to receive the welcome letter!

How long after your interview did you receive it?

Hi Bandaria

It's 6 days after my interview that I received the welcome notice then after 2 days (when I received the welcome notice) for the actual GC (8 days after interview). You may check the USCIS tracker from time to time 'coz they will give you the USPS tracking #. Yes, I think it's better to be safe about the SSA office. You can go there 10 days after your interview and when you received the actual GC so that they can validate your legal name on it. It's the one too that they'll follow. Regards

Thank you! Yes, just be prepared with whatever they asked for, and be confident in yourselves Good luck and tell us how it goes!

Thank you so much! Wow, it's such a good feeling. Though I am still desperately waiting for some "official" notice of approval- and since the case status hasn't been updating for most people lately, I guess that means the welcome letter.

About the SSN- I mentioned it offhand to the IO at the interview, and he told me not to worry about updating that till I become a citizen now! And since it is in my married name, I guess I won't do it. Because it says valid "with DHS verification" and my greencard is just that! ...Right?

Oh yeah, I'm thinking about it now, you're right the GC is "DHS verification" I'm just not sure about going to SSA office or not since I was told before by the lady who assisted me at the SSA office that if there's any updates on my immigration status, I should tell them too. I guess that's because they are two separate gov't entities. That's the reason why I updated my SSA card Anyway, when I went at the SSA office, they did also gave me a new form in order for me to get a new card and they got my SS card with marked; "with DHS verification" and said that they'll deliver a new one (without it) within 2-4 weeks. I guess to go to SSA office or not is our choice, isn't it?

Hi guys! I arrived on K1 last friday, we are going to the SSA this friday, we have the I-94 printed out too with my entry and SS-5 form too. My question is : we file now before we are married as ive been reading is the best to do. But we get married the 15th of July which is soon. Will it be a problem if i havent even recieved my SSN card when we head of to marry? Or is it just fine? And then we go make a new SSN card with married name after we are married? And also, for the AOS do we need to put me on taxes and joint accounts as soon as we are married and send it in as proof too? I dont want to do AOS after the 90 days. I would like us to have it over with before the 90 days. But i dont know really what kind of proof we can come up with when we havent establised much joint stuff yet. Thank you all for your time! Camilla!

Hi

Congratulations and Welcome Actually, that's my concern too when I arrived here in the US but I've read that it's much better to go to SSA office and file after 10-14 days of arrival in order for your single name to be registered on the SAVE database that they're using for us (that's what I heard you can do some research on the SAVE thing ). Just bring your printed SS-5 form and I-94, birth certificate and passport. Some people just applied their SS card after they got married and they just brought their marriage certificate,printed I-94 and SS-5 form,and passport, so it's really up to you. The only positive side of having your SS card before getting married is some banks did require SS number for joint account applications and some insurance too. At least before you get married, your joint accounts are already set up and running 'coz that's what we did. We also managed to provide it on our AOS paperworks as well. Also, in my opinion it is a plus if you can add any joint accounts on your AOS paperworks to serve as proof of your bonafide relationship/marriage as early as this time. Some suggestions would be, Rental/Home agreement with both of your names on it, Phone plans, gym membership, joint bank acocunts/statements, utility bills and cable statements with your two names on it, insurances (health, life, car) . My husband didn't include me yet on the 2014 ITR statement the last time since we filed the AOS around March 2015 and there's no problem with it. You can add it too if possible for additional evidence.

Just got a letter from Uscis, it's potential interview waiver , sadly crazy another 6 months +++

Hi Adbaker01,

Don't be sad, I had friends who also did get the interview waiver but most of them too got their interview scheduled. Look at the positive side of it, you'll never be experiencing the stress of a month of interview preparation which we had experienced, it's nerve wracking! I could not even think straight that time. Anyway, once you had your EAD and AP , you can work anytime which is great coz that time I'm waiting for my interview, I still don't have my EAD/AP yet so can't even work at all nor travel. I did thought of doing volunteer jobs at a Humane society nearby though. Regards.

Hi guys! Just got back from my AOS interview

It went great! The Interviewing Officer was a really nice gentleman and he barely asked us any questions about our marriage.

First we verbally went over the obligatory questions in part 3 of the I-485.

After that he just asked us when and where we met, which led to a long discussion about Minneapolis and how great a city it is.

Basically aside from that he just went over my file which he had on hand and just told us that everything looked good, and that we should look for the official approval on the USCIS case status website later in the day, and expect the green card soon.

So, yay!

In conclusion:

Things we took with us to the interview:

EVERYTHING.

Things he asked to see:

NOTHING. Not one single thing.

Yey!! Congratulations Bandaria You made it!!! Wow, I'm also happy for your AOS interview experience, you're very lucky enough on your Officer. Overall, I think they are really nice people even our Officer was so cheerful and approachable, you can ask anything as well. Now, don't forget to track your greencard , they will give you a link on the USCIS tracker once they mailed it and it will be less than a week after the Welcome notice Also, update your SSN after 10 days as well Regards and relax first

Hey, sweet01! Thanks for sharing your experience. I hope to receive my SS card in 2 weeks too. Did you move to Massachusetts?

Hi dynm,

Yes we did due to my husband's change of work It was a total change of weather here since we came from Arizona and I stayed there for almost 6 months

Hi, guys! My husband and I went to the social security office in Malden, MA. I changed my surname to my husband's name after getting married and the officer gave us our receipt showing this: FIRST NAME MAIDEN SURNAME (middle name) HUSBAND'S surname (as last name). The SS officer asked if I "changed my name on the I-94". I said no, and didn't know how to. I asked if we have to come back to the SS office she said, it's not necessary we just have to "change my name" on the I-94 on the DHS.GOV website because my married name is not showing on the records.

She did however, assure us that she has submitted our request.

Can anyone help me find how to change my name on the DHS.gov? Thanks

Hi dynm,

As to your question, actually I went to SSA office at our place in Arizona after we got married but they never told me to change my name on the I-94 nor go to DHS.gov to change it (did change my name too with same format as yours), the woman there just look at my I-94, marriage certificate and gave me a receipt and after 2 weeks I got my SS card. Then, when I got my GC, I did went again to SSA office this time here at Massachusetts and they did not say anything about it, they just gave me also the receipt. I think they are the ones responsible for it to update your name as well as USCIS for their records. Correct me if I'm wrong but I never change my name on DHS.gov at all. Regards.

Ok one more question I still have plenty of time for my interview (july 20th) though.

But me and my husband got married just on paper - at a friend wedding. So he could go on my medical benefits and to start the green card proces. However we are doing the weddingparty in june 2016 in Belgium (Already fixed a date).

My husband (he's the US citizen) is a bit worried if we tell this during the interview (when they ask).

However we've been together for 6 years (met in the US, while I was on a legal L1visa) - moved together to Canada for 3 years (for my job) - then back to US (again me on a legal L1 visa) and we have 2 kids and a 3rd one on the way.

You think it would bring up a question that we married on paper only?

Thanks.

Hi nesta37

Goodluck on the interview. Don't worry much on the interview, you'll do just fine. We're actually the same situation before I got my GC just this June. I'm also a March 2015 AOS filer. My husband (US citizen) and I also known each other for 6 years before we got married too and yes we just did a civil wedding here first then probably 2016 too for our wedding ceremony back in my country.

The Officer did not ask about the marriage if it's by paper only that is alright as long as you bring your certificate with you. Just a tip, only answer what the Officer is asking and don't give too much information unless she will ask about it to avoid any mistakes You can also check my timeline for my AOS interview as your reference.

You can do it

Congratulations !!! So happy for you I know how it felt to at least breathe after the process

WOW ,same here, I'm so surprised that Facebook page was opened too!

~Moved from Fam.-based AOS to Moving to the US and Your New Life in America Forum~

~Similar topics are often discussed at this forum~

(Mod hat off)

Just take the thread title, "Do conditional GC holders need health insurance right away?" and consider a real-life possible scenario.

Are you able to pay, out of your pocket, for any and all emergency health care costs (medical, dental, etc.), as a result of an accident, medical condition, etc.?

In our case, I made a point of researching the topic prior to my wife and stepson even going through their POE. As others have mentioned, a marriage is a major life event, so including my wife on my employer's health plan was relatively easy. However, to add my step-son to the employer's health plan would have likely quadrupled the monthly premium deducted from my salary. I researched and obtained a reasonable stand-alone health and dental plan for him that wouldn't force us to work for spare change on street corners.

YMMV,

Good luck on your immigration journey.

Thank you for your advice Pitaya. All your advices really helped me understand a lot and it's much clearer to me right now on the health insurance process as an immigrant Regards

Just a FYI most hospital will negotiate on health cost.

I had a $9,000 emergency room visit a few years ago, I got it knocked down to 0.

I was at a customers house yesterday, he passed out and had a bad wreck and broke like 20 bones. He told me he spent 3 weeks in hospital and the bill was $250,000, He was able to negotiate it down to $25,000.

Just a FYI.......

Hi VOL. Thanks for sharing I will keep that in mind.

My Ead was approved on June 7th, but I received it on June 18th, is it too early to go to SSA office tomorrow to have my SSN updated?

Hi,

I think you can go tomorrow at SSA office already to update your status since you got approved last June 7th. I believe the counting of days would be from the date the card was approved. Correct me if I'm wrong but this is how I counted it when I went to update my SSN and there's no problem

kabayan, how about your Joint Account? Was it in your married name? We applied at Chase Bank cause that is his bank here ever since, the bank allowed us to have joint acct. but they put may maiden name on it..Because my SSN is in my maiden name and didn't match it with EAD..they were looking for another name under my married name and good thing Bank of America isn't that complicated enough to have a name change, I just did mine an hour before We went to Chase..So even if I had the Married Name in my statement for Bank of America they still put my Maiden name in our Joint Account...Well, they may have different rules to follow, I hope this will be fine to show in our interview..the only Bank in my Married name is in Bank of America cause that's where my voided check for my payroll goes and a Credit Card of Bank of America in my married name..what do you think kabayan?

Hi hon08

Yes, we do have our joint account under my married name already and it is at Wells Fargo. Yes, I think that will be alright just bring the agreement that you guys received on both banks (Chase and Bank of America) stating both of your names on it and then you can also print online your bank statements as well and you're all set don't worry everything will be fine, just do the Q and A portion thing that I suggest with your husband rgdg your relationship since how did you meet and all and the dates as well and you're all set Keep us updated kabayan

hi kabayan... thanks for your reply..I hope they will not really look for the originals.. Before the original copies were lost, I have few extra photocopy of his last 2 years w2, we have tried to ask from his company a copy of it hoping we could get another Original copy but they gave us a photocopy instead,maybe once the original is lost then duplicate copy will always be in photocopy,,,,careless me,???the only original I have on hand is his W2 2014..I am praying We can get through...positive vibes..??? thanks again

You're welcome kabayan yes just positive vibes always you can do this

I'm in the same situation but I already passed the exempt period that I think is 3 months after getting your green card. I'm not sure because I read this like 4 months ago but you may read it yourself in the links I'm leaving you here. There is also qualification for exemption of the fee for not having health insurance. I hope this helps!!!

https://www.healthcare.gov/immigrants/

https://www.healthcare.gov/fees-exemptions/exemptions-from-the-fee/

Thank you so much for sharing me these links, it is very helpful Kind Regards

The period is within 60 days after a life changing event such as Greencard, marriage, new job, moving etc.

If you apply for insurance after that period you will be denied, you must get health insurance within 60 days of any of those life events

(I know this because we just got health insurance 2 weeks ago).

Thank you so much for this information I will definitely tell my husband about this. Kind Regards

Hi everyone,

I just got my two year conditional GC this month of June and I am wondering if anyone of you know the rules with regard to health insurances for conditional green card holders/permanent residents? Do we need to have health insurance right away? Do you know if we are exempted from it or how many months do we need in order to get health insurance to get exempted?

My husband actually just changed jobs and starting on a new company here in MA as a contractor and he was not able to get a health insurance for me yet. We are planning to get one but we are thinking about waiting for at least a month or two to get one most especially I am currently looking for jobs right now.

I would really appreciate you guys for anyone who can help me on this.

Many thanks

what will i do in the case that i didn't file for social security after 2wks in arriving in the US?it so happened because we arraged first my marriage with my fiance and after that we plan to do it. I just read that it should be filled 2wks after arrival. Can somebody enlighten me with this one. Am i still abble to apply for it?

Hi

Yes you can still file for it . Just bring your unexpired I-94, passport and application form - http://www.socialsecurity.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf. You can check the instructions here; https://faq.ssa.gov/link/portal/34011/34019/Article/3755/How-do-I-apply-for-a-new-or-replacement-Social-Security-number-card?.

Regards

** I'm assuming you entered under K1 visa here since you said your fiance Now if you got married already, you have to bring your marriage certificate with you as well.

Now that I have your attention.... maybe some of you experts can advise me.....

We got the I-797 approved and were just starting the process of getting a date for the interview when my fiance suddenly got cold feet.

She said she has some doubts and needed me to assure her that she would be “happy and satisfied with no doubts”. She wants to be “assured that I could take care her”.

I tried to ask for specifics but she just advised me to find a Filpina married to an American and ask them.

I actually have a good relationship with her and she says she wants the engagement to continue.

So ...can this be translated for me...is this just cold feet or am I missing a cultural cue.

Hi Psalm51

I think your Fiance just needs reassurance that you'll be there for her no matter what happen whether in good or bad times. That's what we need to know most especially we'll be leaving our family, close friends and the life that we have known in the Philippines. It's really scary when I came here in a foreign country just to be with my fiance now husband. You have to assure her that and everything will be fine no matter what the circumstances is. it's really about trust and faith to each other and not just money most especially if you know that your relationship is real One tip, try to talk to her parents or closest friend even via phone or viber or skype and tell them how much you love their daughter, that will keep your fiance at ease Regards

I obtained my SSN while my K1 visa was still valid and had my GC in hand since May. What do I have to do to get an unrestricted SSN? Will it change? Will they just send me a new one in the mail without the writing on it?

Hi,

I also did obtained my SSN while my K1 visa was still valid. When I received my GC this June, 10 days after, I went to SSA office to update it. They gave me a new form , got my SS card and told me to wait 2-4 weeks to get my new SS card without the restrictions. So yeah, you need to go to SSA office to get unrestricted card (the SSN is still the same though) and they will mail you afterwards. Regards

Hi,

Hank and Greenbaum are correct. It's like a hit or miss thing of getting AOS interviews. I recently got my interview after 3 months filing of AOS under K1. I guess it depends per State.

Hello..

Im petitioning my daughter.. If I have zero income bec im a fulltime mom.. But my husband and I file taxes together.. Is his income is my income too.. Its household income.. But his income is still insufficient..

Does he still need to fill I864A? or not anymore

And just... I864 for me and I864 for co sponsor?

Hi,

I saw your question and I actually saw this website this might help you -http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/fiance-marriage-visa-book/chapter14-16.html. Here are some of the paragraphs below;

Questions 6-9: This question is important for sponsors whose income is not enough by itself, but who will be using the income of members of their household to help meet the Poverty Guidelines minimum requirements. First, every sponsor must state his or her own income. Then, if the sponsor wants other people’s income counted, they must be mentioned in Questions 6-9. Unless anyone of these household members is the actual immigrant, they must plan to complete a separate agreement with the sponsor, using Form I-864A. The total annual household income from the sponsor and household members goes in Question 10.

Question 13-14: The sponsor should check this box to indicate that he or she has filed tax returns for the most recent three tax years and list the adjusted gross income reported to the IRS in Questions 13a to 13c. If the sponsoris able to provide tax transcripts or signed tax returns along with Form I-864, it will strengthen the application. Check the box in Question 14 if the sponsor is providing this documentation.

The sponsor needs to complete this section only if his or her income wasn’t enough by itself to meet the Poverty Guidelinesrequirements. If the sponsor needs to add assets, which may include such items as a house, car, or boat, remember to subtract debts, mortgages, and liens before writing down their value. And remember that the value of these assets will later be divided by three before being used to meet the Poverty Guidelines minimum if the sponsor is a U.S. citizen spouse, and will be divided by five if the sponsor is a U.S. permanent resident spouse. If some of the assets being used to meet the minimum belong to the immigrant, attach a separate page describing these (and of course attach documents to prove their ownership, location, and value).

If the combination of the sponsor’s household available income and either one-third or one-fifth (as appropriate) of the sponsor’s and/or the immigrant’s assets do not yet meet the Poverty Guidelines minimum, the immigrant will still need to hand in this Affidavit, but will definitely want to seek a joint sponsor.

Hi, just curious about your post. I still have my SSA from college but I just received my EAD card. Are you saying I need to somehow update my SS number now? If so, how do I do that?

Hi

elisacbgarcia's answer is correct. Yes, based on what I learned on my first visit to SSA two weeks after I got here in US, the lady whom I spoke with told me that we have to update SSA everytime our Immigration Status changed so that's what I did when I got my GC, I went there 10 days after I got approved. Regards.

Our interview is nearly coming..Got so busy with my work and I am so worried that until now I only have the photocopies for my husband's W2..Is it ok if I will only bring 2012 and 2013 photocopies..only the 2014 W2 is original that I have on my file..???

Hi hon08,

Take a deep breath and relax you can do this Regarding your W2s, your husband can ask for it on his past employers and have them faxed it over or your husband can check it online on adp.com if his previous company has it. Actually on our interview, the Officer did not looked for it not even my more than 200+ pictures. God Bless

Yeah. It's supposed to arrive tomorrow but we're heading into the woods today for a camping weekend. My Green Card selfie will have to wait until Sunday.

Yup, time to have fun and relax now Don't forget to update your SSA too if you already have one before GC after 10 days I did that to remove the restricted " only valid for work authorization " thing on SSA card.

This situation is completely not applicable to the OP's situation. Going off your timeline, you were recently interviewed by a USCIS officer at a USCIS office; not a CO at an Embassy or Consulate. Bringing recent paystubs, w2's, etc. etc. will be completely useless if the petitioner has no current source of income. The CO won't care how recent the loss of income is, no source of income will equal refusal of visa until either A) the source of income is replaced or B) an I-864 from a Joint Sponsor is submitted. I can't speak to what kind of discretion USCIS officers have at Adjustment of Status interviews when looking over an I-864 but CO's have to make a decision on the "likely to become a public charge" question and the decision will not be a favorable one if the petitioner has no current source of income and no Joint Sponsor.

Thank you for bringing that information. Well, a co-sponsor will definitely be the BEST resort right now. I'm just saying that if it's just recent, and the petitioner have been working for these past years and earning over poverty line and have liquid assets over poverty line plus providing W2s, ITR, paystubs for the recent months, bank statements then why not. Simultaneously, they can also look for jobs before the interview.

My two cents; A sympathetic CO may approve if convinced that OP's wife present lack of a job is temporary and that she is otherwise well capable of supporting OP. A CO may also give OP a request for additional information within a certain period of time to provide further evidence of financial support. I've read threads last month regarding losing a job of a petitioner whether spouse or fiance visa and whether CO or USCIS officer, since I've been very worried as well of my situation that time and yes, some interviews were approved since some Petitioners just recently lose their jobs weeks before the interview and some were given ample time to submit further evidence and got approved.

Squee!

I just got an email from USCIS. My Green Card is approved and under production, after getting an RFE during the interview.

Congratulations You will have it at hand 1- 2 days from now. You will be receiving the Welcome Notice first then the Priority mail from USCIS with your GC on it. You can track your GC at USPS anytime soon just check on the USCIS tracker from time to time