burralow

Hey guys,

I haven't been on VJ since I did my AOS back in 2006-2007. And then came time to remove my conditions.

So my greencard expires Feb, 8, 2009 so in November we got all the stuff together and sent offr the packet. The packet came back in December because I had an oudated form (stupid I know!) So then I sent it back again on December, 5, 2008.

My check was cashed on December 10, 2008. Then I didn't recieve anything from them and I couldn't make out the case number on the back of the check. So I couldn't check my status. So then I waited, christmas rolled around. I went to visit my family and came back on January 3, 2009 to a letter in my mail box for my Biometrics which had been sent December 22nd and was scheduled for January 5, 2009.

So I went to my biometrics awfully confused why I hadn't recieved my NOA1 extension. I asked the lady at the desk when I went for my biometrics and she told me to make an infopass.

So January 14th, 2009 I went to my infopass to hopefully get the stamp so I wouldn't need my NOA1. I was getting a bit concerned considering my greencard was due to expire Feb 8th. So I went there with my stamped, completed biometrics notice and explained the situation. The lady I talked to seemed happy to give me the stamp and then said she was new, so needed to go ask her supervisor how long to give me. I was relieved because I was honestly expecting a fight. So then she came back and informed me that she couldn't give me the stamp. I explained that I needed it because I don't have my extension. She informed me that I am not supposed to get my extension letter till after my biometrics and I can't get my stamp until I get my extension letter (?????) Which makes no sense. She said my extension letter was on the way and would be there before my greencard expired. (the 8th of Feb) I asked her if she was sure that was what was supposed to happen because from my understanding I should have already gotten it. She assured me, yes I would get my extension before the 8th. So I left without stamp.

Then I waited, everyday hoping it would come in the mail. Then February 8th came, my greencard expired and no letter. So I made another infopass. This time determined that I was not leaving there without the stamp as I was planning to go home to England for a visit soon. The first appt i could get was for the 18th of Feb. So I would walk around with an expired greencard for 10 days before (hopefully) getting the stamp. I kept checking the mail religiously... just in case I got the extension letter....

Nothing.

This morning, I get to work and log in. And what do I see in my email but a CRIS. Assuming its a RFE or something I didn't get too excited.

But to my suprise and elation.....

Application Type: CRI89 , PETITION TO REMOVE CONDITIONS OF PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS RECEIVED

Current Status: Card production ordered.

On February 12, 2009, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. Just follow the link below to register. If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current processing time listed*

So there we have it! I was approved and 10 year card in on route!!! I am so happy! But still so confused about my previous experience..

But anyhow YAY!!!! hope this lifts others spirits too!

good luck to you all!!!!!!!

forgot to say... I sent mine to CSC.

Hey guys,

I haven't been on VJ since I did my AOS back in 2006-2007. And then came time to remove my conditions.

So my greencard expires Feb, 8, 2009 so in November we got all the stuff together and sent offr the packet. The packet came back in December because I had an oudated form (stupid I know!) So then I sent it back again on December, 5, 2008.

My check was cashed on December 10, 2008. Then I didn't recieve anything from them and I couldn't make out the case number on the back of the check. So I couldn't check my status. So then I waited, christmas rolled around. I went to visit my family and came back on January 3, 2009 to a letter in my mail box for my Biometrics which had been sent December 22nd and was scheduled for January 5, 2009.

So I went to my biometrics awfully confused why I hadn't recieved my NOA1 extension. I asked the lady at the desk when I went for my biometrics and she told me to make an infopass.

So January 14th, 2009 I went to my infopass to hopefully get the stamp so I wouldn't need my NOA1. I was getting a bit concerned considering my greencard was due to expire Feb 8th. So I went there with my stamped, completed biometrics notice and explained the situation. The lady I talked to seemed happy to give me the stamp and then said she was new, so needed to go ask her supervisor how long to give me. I was relieved because I was honestly expecting a fight. So then she came back and informed me that she couldn't give me the stamp. I explained that I needed it because I don't have my extension. She informed me that I am not supposed to get my extension letter till after my biometrics and I can't get my stamp until I get my extension letter (?????) Which makes no sense. She said my extension letter was on the way and would be there before my greencard expired. (the 8th of Feb) I asked her if she was sure that was what was supposed to happen because from my understanding I should have already gotten it. She assured me, yes I would get my extension before the 8th. So I left without stamp.

Then I waited, everyday hoping it would come in the mail. Then February 8th came, my greencard expired and no letter. So I made another infopass. This time determined that I was not leaving there without the stamp as I was planning to go home to England for a visit soon. The first appt i could get was for the 18th of Feb. So I would walk around with an expired greencard for 10 days before (hopefully) getting the stamp. I kept checking the mail religiously... just in case I got the extension letter....

Nothing.

This morning, I get to work and log in. And what do I see in my email but a CRIS. Assuming its a RFE or something I didn't get too excited.

But to my suprise and elation.....

Application Type: CRI89 , PETITION TO REMOVE CONDITIONS OF PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS RECEIVED

Current Status: Card production ordered.

On February 12, 2009, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. Just follow the link below to register. If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current processing time listed*

So there we have it! I was approved and 10 year card in on route!!! I am so happy! But still so confused about my previous experience..

But anyhow YAY!!!! hope this lifts others spirits too!

good luck to you all!!!!!!!

Our interview was in Seattle at 10 am, we arrived early and were called in early. We swore in, described how we met, what the wedding was like, she asked about my husbands job, asked about our parents (because we got married young) and then asked for paper work showing we are married and living together. I gave her bills, bank statements, leases etc. she looked them all over, went through my file checked things off.

Said we were all done and should have my greencard in a couple weeks! we were out by 10:08 am

YAY!!!!!!!

Hi!

So i came over on my K-1 and submitted my AOS. I sent them my vaccination supplement from England, the Ds3025 and didn't get an RFE asking for a I-693a. Now I have my interview coming up and on the letter it says to bring an I693/I693a unless already submitted.

So... I am looking for a Civil Sureon in WA preferably near Seattle or north of there near everett which will transcribe my ds3025 to a I693a without charging loads of money for the priviledge. The only 2 civil surgeons I know of that do it cheaply are, one which is super far away and the other no longer does immigration. So I'm wondering if anyone who has been in this situation recently could tell me who they used and how much it cost? It would be much appreciated! There are just so many civil surgeons in WA that i don't know where to start!

Thanks for all your help!

They definitley deliver on Saturdays. I lived at least an hour outside london and recieved my visa on saturday afternoon, around 2:30.

I kind of heard something interesting the other day about FBI name checks.

I was at the uscis office on tuesday getting my biometrics done and had to wait 5 and a half hours before i got them done because it had been snowing alot in washington state and so no one could get into work as the roads were so bad, so only one biometrics person was there when usually there are 7 people doing it.

ANYWAY point is, because they had so few people working at uscis that day they had people from all over just substituting in different areas. So the lady that was processing all the biometrics and calling people up etc actually worked 'upstairs' doing the interview and other parts like that.

so while i was waiting in the room for my turn to come another man from 'upstairs' came down to speak to this lady and said to her 'i should have you down here more often, without you to distract me i managed to get 9 fbi name checks done. one was from december 2004, been meaning to get to that one for a while, oh well at least its an early christmas present for someone"

when i heard it i was totally confused, ive never really understood what the fbi namechecks are for but i know that some people get stuck on them for a really long time and this man had managed to do 9 in 5 hours so why do they take that long? seems like they cant be bothered to get around to them or something or maybe its more than that i dont know. anyway thought i would share.

ps biometrics appointments and snow really dont mix!

i just recieved this rfe and am a little confused.

"The petitioner or joint sponsor's income as reported on the federal tax return submitted with Form I-864 Affidavit of Support Does not meet or exceed 125% (100% if military) of the poverty line. The petitioner's or joint sponsor's current income as reported on Form I-864 or Form I-864EZ Affidavit of Support is sufficient but no evidence has been submitted as proof of the current income. Submit evidence of the sponsor's current income. Evidence includes a letter of employment from current employers and should show dates of employment, nature of the job(s), wages or salary earned, number of hours/weeks worked, and prospects for future employment and advancement. The sponsor should also include pay stubs for the most recent 6 months."

My husband's tax records show that he doesnt meet the 125% poverty line but his letter from employer and pay stubs for this year does, so i know that they are asking for that from him.

however, we had my father in law as a joint sponsor and even with 6 of us as his household size as my husband and i are living with him at the moment he still make almost 4 times the 125% poverty line. so surely it shouldnt matter what the petitioners tax records show because the joint sponsors records are sufficient??

so im gonna send in what they want, pay stubs employment letters etc, but should i also send in my father in laws tax records again showing him to be way over the poverty line for his household size? (i sent in all 3 most recent years for him and my husband originally) also, do we need to fill out the 1864 again, or just send in the evidence?

whats the point of having a joint sponsor if they rfe me for the original petitioner? seems to me they havent paid any attention to my father in laws I-864 so i might have well only sent in my husbands.

frustrates me, but anyway would love to hear anyones ideas. thanks!

i sent in the last 3 years tax returns for both petitioner and joint sponsor with the original application. should i send them all in again with the rfe?

i just recieved this same rfe and am a little confused.

My husband's tax records show that he doesnt meet the 125% poverty line but his letter from employer and pay stubs for this year does, so i know that they are asking for that from him.

however, we had my father in law as a joint sponsor and even with 6 of us as his household size as my husband and i are living with him at the moment he still make almost 4 times the 125% poverty line. so surely it shouldnt matter what the petitioners tax records show because the joint sponsors records are sufficient??

so im gonna send in what they want, pay stubs employment letters etc, but should i also send in my father in laws tax records again showing him to be way over the poverty line for his household size? also, do we need to fill out the 1864 again, or just send in the evidence?

whats the point of having a joint sponsor if they rfe me for the original petitioner? seems to me they havent paid any attention to my father in laws 1864 so i might have well only sent in my husbands.

frustrates me, but anyway would love to hear anyones ideas. thanks!

My black friday experience, my goodness.

My husband is really big on black friday, I had never paid any attention to it, even when I lived in the states before. Anywho, we drove straight back from thanksgiving dinner and went straight to comp usa, as they were having their big sale from 9-12 pm. so we arrived at 7 and waited in line till 9, we were 5th in line. my husband got the super cheap graphics card that he wanted and was very excited.

We then went straight from there to circuit city, and were the 29th and 30th people in line ( we know because we had to write our names on a list). So we sat in our camp chairs with our blankets and watched a movie on our portable dvd player until it ran out of batteries. Then from about midnight till 4 we tried to get some sleep. I drank 3 huge cups of coffee, not that they kept me awake but were helping keep me warm, it was FREEZING!! we managed to get some sleep. It was a nice night, people playing sports and chatting, handing out hot choc etc.

Come 4 am all the employees had showed up, so everyone put away their chairs and stood up in line. By this time there were over 500 people in line. Around 4:30 the employees came out to start handing out vouchers for the most popular items. By this time, we were about number 70 in line, but since the person at the beginning of the line had made a list of the first 30 people, the list was given to the employees and they read out our names and offered us the vouchers in order.

By the time they got to us there was only one voucher left and we were the last on the list. We didn't want it so they found someone who did. They then called all 30 people and seperated them from the rest of the line and let them into the store first. Barely first, but first none the less. So we went in and grabbed our desktop, tv and surround sound system, cheked out and left in no more than 20 minutes.

We left with a dual-processor desktop computer, 20" lcd monitor, printer, surround sound system, and 20" lcd tv, and two digital cameras for $950 when we add in all the rebates. So now we are all nice and ready to move into our new apartment! In fact the printer, and two digital cameras we got for free. They just gave them to us. So there you go, definitley worth the trip besides the cold.

So we left just as everyone was getting up and traffic was horrendous and we took the back roads to fredmyer were there were no lines and bought like half our christmas presents for so cheap!

got back to the house at 6:30 and my husband got up and went to work 3 hours later, such a trooper!!!

So as to black friday, i think it is definitley worth the all night staying up if want a fair amount of stuff or what you want is really discounted, I mean I felt like a thief when we left cos we had so much stuff. and it was quite alot of fun. We wouldnt have gone if wasnt that we were going to buy the stuff anyway and it was an opportunity to buy it really cheap. Also, we needed to get there as early as we did as the computer we bought there was only like 15 in stock and they were all gone in the first 20 minutes. If we had just showed up at 5 we would never have got it and would have had to pay full price which was over $1000.

sorry this was so long!

i went to the Social security office in Everett, washington yesterday I was kind of nervous. i took a number, waited for a while and got called up. I already have a ssn from when i was young and came in on an L-2 visa and the rest of my family has ssns too. So i told her i wanted to change my name and my status. i handed her my marriage certificate, ss-5 and my passport with i-94 and k-1. She typed lots of things into the computer had me sign that everything was correct and then gave me my reciept. should be recieving new card with new name and 'authorized to work with DHS approval' in a week! glad it was a lot less frightening than I thought it would be. YAY

just out of curiosity, what is the fbi name check and why on earth would it take as long as it seems to for some people? surely they know who we are after we have given them every tiny bit of information possible?

visa arrived yesterday at 2:30 pm! leaving for seattle on tuesday!!! soooo excited!!! YAY!!

I got a text message from the immigration SmS courier yesterday evening saying they would deliver my visa today between 8 am and 6 pm. It is now 10:55 am so we will see if it comes. my house is notoriously hard to find. hope they can find it!

hey everyone! thanks for all the good wishes! been such a long day today, its hard to believe that my interview was this morning! it went great! was approved and courier lady said that my passport should be here in 48 hrs. my flight is booked for a week today! yay!!!!!! sooooo happy!!!!!!

if anyone wants to read i am going to post my interview experience on review section

I'm really nervous about my interview tomorrow! i know everyone who has been to london embassy recently says it was far less nerve wracking then they thought. but still im nervous! i just really hope it goes well!

it's at 9:30 am tomorrow so keep me in your prayers or thoughts if you remember!

and good luck to you all!

oh, ok, i have one of those, the 'embassy copy' of the pay in slip, it's red right? ok, no prob! i was thinking credit card bill too!

excuse my ignorance but what is a visa charge receipt/visa bill? and why would you need it to get into the building?

I remember someone posted at some point that you can pay more for delivery and it is guaranteed to arrive next day or next two days or something. If the normal service is 13.50 how much is that service? anyone know? or does it not exist and im juts imagining?

so then i think the real question is that in a case like expatrica's if you do not bring pictures from your 'non-legal wedding' and just bring pics from the legal wedding but the legal wedding was small, not many people present etc does that matter to the AOS interviewer?

would they see such a small wedding and no family present and see no other pictures of any other wedding and therefore suspect a fraudulent relationship due to the fact that u obviously didnt make a big deal of it?

or is it enough that you have pictures of the legal ceremony and then have other documentation to prove continued relationship. ie. joint cars, insurance, utilities, rent etc?

thanks very much raffy,

but im still curious if anyone has done it and what their experience with the AOS interview is?

I don't think a COE wedding is legal if there is no marriage certificate.....

http://www.weddingguide.co.uk/articles/ceremonies/cofe.asp

Legal Requirements

The bride and groom are required to sign the register to make the marriage legal. Two witnesses are required to be present at the ceremony, and also sign the register.

surely without a register......the vows aren't worth the paper they are written on (or in that case not written on) legally speaking at least?

I asked this on the end of a different topic in the k1 forum, but i thought i might move it to this forum.

What I'm curious about, and I don't know if anyone has had this experience and has an anwer, is what happens if you get religiously married and travel to the states and get legally married there on a k-1 and then start AOS. What happens at the AOS interview?

obviously, getting religiously married before entering on k-1 is a touchy subject and some people may get lucky etc and make it through POE no problem and get married.

So what happens at an AOS interview when they are asked to show pics of their wedding etc? and do they tell the AOS officers about their religous wedding prior to their legal wedding? would the AOS officer deport the k1 holder if they think the k1 holder has broken the rules? Or by that point is all that the AOS officer is interested in is whether or not the marriage is fake?

I'm sure there are people who have been through this situation as I'm sure a few have had religious ceremonies prior and I'm sure all of them had to apply for AOS.. just wondering if anyone knew what happened?

My fiance called the DOS just now and I have an interview for a week tomorrow at 9:30am!!!

I'm so excited and so relieved!!!!

God is good!!!!

good luck to you all!

What I'm curious about, and I don't know if anyone has had this experience and has an anwer, is what happens if you get religiously married and travel to the states and get legally married there on a k-1 and then start AOS. What happens at the AOS interview?

obviously, getting religiously married before entering on k-1 is a iffy subject and some people may get lucky etc and make it through POE no problem and get married.

So at the AOS interview when they have to show pics of their wedding etc and do they tell the AOS officers about their religous wedding prior to their legal wedding as all the AOS officer is interested in is that they can prove their marriage isn't fake or would the AOS officer deport the k1 holder for breaking the rules?

I'm sure there are people who have been through this situation as I'm sure a few have had religious ceremonies prior and I'm sure all of them had to apply for AOS.. just wondering if anyone knew what happened?