Habesha Love

12 hours ago, Rick & Apple said:

I guess I should have also mentioned she doesn't have an interview for the green card.  It looks like most of those adjusting from K-1, are not having to interview. 

I agree. I think they realize people are already subjected to interviews before getting the visa so kinda redundant to repeat. But they may request one for removal of condition to make sure the relationship is still ongoing. Thanks

10 hours ago, Rick & Apple said:

137 days from NOA1. 

We mailed the package November 14. 

EAD/ Travel combo card received Feb. 25. 

Ok. Good info to know estimate wise. We just got our finger print appointment for April 10. We mailed our package on feb 24 and they sent us a NOA of Mar 24. 

Thanks Rick. 

2 hours ago, Rick & Apple said:

My phone woke me up with 4 text messages. Green Card is being produced!

Yay! That's great news. How long from the day your submitted the applications or from your NOA?

10 hours ago, LJ2016 said:

That is true, however, if you have Texas do a manual verification of "legal status" with USCIS and have a pending I-485, Texas will give you a 1 year expiration on either a Drivers License or State ID.  Just went through that process last week and was pleasantly surprised as I was expecting a much shorter expiration date.

Sounds great! We moving out of state for a new job opportunity. Plan to be back to TX in the future but yeah, we will explore that option when we get to our new station. Thanks. 

7 hours ago, DorothyLa said:

it is weird. we went to ssn office, he only took my marriage license and passport and he asked if i want to keep my last name. i said nope i want it changed to my husbands name. 

 

I have a question, there is a expiration date on i-485 in the first page. Part 1, `expires on` question. Should i type my visa expire date or i-94 expire date.

Hmm. I never thought of that but it's a valid question. We just put the I-94 expiration that was stamped on her visa upon arrival because we believe the visa expiration is good within 6 months for travel but once you are admitted at the port of entry, it's likely that your new USCIS status expires after that 90 day stamp. Someone else may have a different answer or date they put in. 

8 hours ago, JonathanDaisy said:

How did you get the SSN in the married name? When we went to the SSN office they wouldn't change it from the maiden, even with the marriage certificate. We have to go back once CIS clears her status change under her new last name. 

That's interesting. Maybe that person doesn't know how to do their job. Like DorothyLa, we just asked for one in her new name. Infact this was a reissuance because she already got one in her maiden name before we were married, so we should have waited till after marriage. All they need is marriage license as proof that you are married. It's better to change it before applying for AOS, else her green card may beat her maiden or old name.  

On 2/25/2017 at 3:17 PM, raini7 said:

Hey

I didnt know abt the state id and my k1 visa already expired on 13th Feb .we sent our aos on 10th Feb and it was received on 13th Feb. Do you think that state id would effect our aos since i dont ve it? We have not got any e-mail or text msg notification yet. Or can i make state id even if my k1 visa expired?

You don't need to have a state ID, and even if you did, it would expire on the date your I-94 expires- at least here in Texas. We only got it to show my fiancée had a name change. Her SSN would have been enough anyways because it already had the changed name on it. As for receiving the email or text message, if you look at this thread, Rick stated that it took a while to get his check cashed and to receive NOA. I believe this delay is a system-wife issue. My friend put in application for naturalization and was sent a letter for finger print. The process usually took 6 months, however, he has been waiting for an interview for 10 months now since he applied. Two of my brothers are experiencing same too. Most of my friends who never wanted to give up their foreign citizenship have all now rushed to apply. All these delays likely due to large volumes of application due to the tense political atmosphere. So I would just wait for 2 week and maybe 3 weeks before panicking. We sent ours on Saturday, feb 25th and we wont be expecting NOA for a while. 

10 hours ago, Habesha Love said:

Thanks again Rick! Yeah I read on the USCIS webpage on the I-485 section where it states if the medical was within the last year, "you only need to submit a vaccination supplement....." Well will see how this goes. We will send tomorrow. Hope no RFE. We are also moving out of state for approx two years due to a job, so I guess it's better to just apply from TX and then send a change of address later to USCIS which may cause our case to be transferred. Any thoughts? But thanks again Rick. 

Also, so you didn't include any other evidence like wedding photos, joint bank account, utility bills in both names etc.?

13 minutes ago, Rick & Apple said:

 

You should be ok. Take a look at the last paragraph of the 2nd post on this thread.
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/551080-immunizations-ds-3025-or-i-693/

 

Thanks again Rick! Yeah I read on the USCIS webpage on the I-485 section where it states if the medical was within the last year, "you only need to submit a vaccination supplement....." Well will see how this goes. We will send tomorrow. Hope no RFE. We are also moving out of state for approx two years due to a job, so I guess it's better to just apply from TX and then send a change of address later to USCIS which may cause our case to be transferred. Any thoughts? But thanks again Rick. 

6 minutes ago, Rick & Apple said:

 

You should have a form DS-3025,given at the medical exam. It  the record of vaccines received. 

 

The fees are correct, and it can be in one check or money order.  Make sure you make it payable to Department of Homeland Security.

(No abreviations, like D.H.S.)

 

Yes, one biometric fee, 2 passport photos.

Thanks Rick! Unfortunately, she was never given that form. I have looked online and I've seen what the form looks likes. It even states "Give copy to applicant" but she wasn't given any vaccination copy. So now we don't know what to do. Any advice?

On 2/22/2017 at 2:12 PM, Rick & Apple said:

It can be good to go ahead and at least get a state ID. It will expire with the I-94, but when you go to add her to bank accounts, all they want is a Social Security Card  and state ID.

Hey guys,

True. That's all they wanted from us- her state ID and SSN. We are about to send out the paperwork to adjust status. 

I-485- $1140 + Biometrics fee $85= $1225

I-864- No fee

I-131- No fee

I-765- No fee 

G- 325- No fee

G-1145- No fee

Passport photograph (name and A- number on the back in pencil)

Marriage  license 

I-94 (arrival/departure record)

Her birth certificate. 

K1 visa 

Proof of US citizenship

NOA2 -Approval letter of I-129F

State ID 

Income tax return including W2 for the most recent tax year. 

-Did anyone submit a vaccination supplement with their I-485?

-Do we need only one biometric fee for all the entire application?

-Do we need only two 2X2 passport photographs for all the photographs since all the forms will be in one package? 

-Can the total amount be included on one money order or check? Money order is usually my preference. Mailing package to the Chicago Lockbox. 

-Can y'all tell me if I'm missing anything and if the fees seem correct. 

Thanks y'all. 

10 hours ago, LJ2016 said:

Hi DorothyLa,

 

Also, be sure to go in and get your drivers license before your I-94 expires.  They will check the SAFE database to validate your legal status.  Based on that, they will assign an expiration date.  We went in to get my wife's drivers license in TX before her I-94 was expired.  No issue except the computer system went down and they were unable to process the license.  When we went back a few days later her I-94 was expired and they had to send off her information for manual verification of her legal status.  So now we have to wait more.  The good news is that they may extend the expiration a little.  The advantage of getting your EAD first is that the expiration will be like 2 years or more versus before EAD will be only a few months and then you will have to renew your license before it expires when you get your EAD.  I'll let you know what happens when my wife gets her license.  We have to wait until the end of the month for the drivers test so it is likely that she will get her EAD at about the same time.  LOL

 

Good luck!

Your are right. Or you can just get a state ID like my wife did here in TX. She wouldn't have enough time to study for the driving test, take the written test and take the driving test. So yes, hers will expire soon. But we will just wait to get the EAD after that and then renew the state ID. 

9 hours ago, LJ2016 said:

No.  There is no need to change your name after a name change.  Your I-94 needs to match your passport.  In my wife's case...she has 3 first names.  On the I-94 they only entered 1.  Hence, I had to call them and send them the information so they could "fix" it so all 3 of her first names were on the I-94 so it matched her passport. 

 

Hope that clarifies your question.

It greatly does clarify my question. Thanks a bunch. 

13 hours ago, Arih3 said:

Well I spoke to a lawyer. It's looking like my best option is to get married, withdraw the I-129 and reapply with an I-130. And yes I would still have to file the waiver anyway, but getting the waiver approved is apparently unlikely if we're unmarried as I now have to prove hardship for myself and our daughter without him here. So I'll be starting the process again from zero  this is so defeating. We've already waited so long. 

That's really hard to deal with. So, I guess you have to decide on the best course of action. The one that will likely yield a better outcome. Filing a waiver and proving hardship while reapplying an I-129F versus getting married and applying for a waiver alongside the I-130. Only you and your fiancé can decide on the best approach. I do suspect like I said in an earlier quote that the line for a visa interview in Australia after the I-130 approval may not be as long as other countries in Africa and the middle east. That's just something to consider especially if you feel the I-130 will likely have a better outcome. So you will hopefully not have to wait as long as the average wait time. Also, consular officers can cast doubt about a bona fide relationship between finance and fiancée but they can't stop you from getting married and can't say your marriage is fake especially having already been through the I-129 process and having had a child with your fiance. So you will have enough evidence to show proof your relationship. Just have to pray and hope the waiver gets approved as you proof hardship. Raising a kid without the father is already hard and they should know that. I wish you the best in whatever choice you take. I would try to get started ASAP.  God bless your effort. 

1 hour ago, LJ2016 said:

Here is the website.  https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home

 

Every time you enter or leave the US it is recorded there.  Just make sure the names match.  I had to call CBP and have my wife's name changed on her I-94 because it was incorrect.  Had to send them some paperwork but it was changed within 5 days.

Thanks. I was able to retrieve it online. But what if my wife did a name change? Do we have to contact CBP and send proof of a name change after marriage in order for them to effect the name change on their record? Thanks 

37 minutes ago, Chris/Uni said:

I am so so sorry to hear this!!!! I really think the point of this is for national security and they need to really make sure they are making solid decision about that before they tear families apart based on a "hunch." I am no expert, but when we were worried we might be denied I did consult with an immigration attorney and, although it is expensive, I do suggestion you at least consult with one, if not work with one, as you move forward. It seems from what I have heard and what my attorney has told me, filing a waiver is not only expensive but can go on for an eternity - sometimes years - ... on the other side.. marrying does require re-filing for a C1 visa and starting over. It is horrible to have to begin again. And from what I understand they will revisit the reason you were rejected for the K1... for that reason I would consult the immigration attorney. But don't give up hope... it is ridiculous what they are doing to you guys and you need to take it day by day and keep moving forward with all of your options.. you will get there. I am so sorry for how much trouble and stress and sadness this has caused all of you.

And to piggyback to what Uni just said. If filing a waiver might take years, you might wanna consider the option of marrying your fiancé and consequently filing the CR1 spousal visa for him. I would definitely talk to a lawyer cos I don't know if a waiver would still be needed for the marriage visa, it might. What I do know is that it's harder to deny a spousal visa cos you are married and you can ask someone to unmarry or leave the USA to go live with their spouse just cos their spouse was arrested years ago! The other slight advantage to filing a spousal visa is that I'm not sure Australia has as many cases as most African and asians countries do. The average time it took most of my friends from Nigeria was 11-12 months; Ethiopians, 12-15 months and that's hoping documents are all intact and no RFE sent. So, I assume Australia might be quicker, not to make light of the pain and waiting you will have to endure. But just weigh your options while you talk to a lawyer. Again, best of luck and may the good lord bless your effort. Hang in there. 

7 hours ago, Arih3 said:

My fiancé was denied. He was given something called a refusal worksheet and denied because he was arrested once almost 10 years ago. They said that he is eligible for a waiver, but I don't know what that means. Now we need to see a lawyer and figure out what's the best move. Spend a ton more money that neither of us have on a waiver. Or get married and spend a ton more money on a new application. Which it seems could still be denied if we don't file the waiver anyway. So now we have to start all over again and have an indefinite wait time. There are millions of fathers who have the ability to raise their children and choose not to do so. My daughter is an American citizen with a father who wants nothing more than to be with her, and her government won't allow that to happen. I can't understand it. 

Wow! I am really sorry that this was the outcome as it must really be painful and disappointing, to say the least. Just woke up and looked at the 13-page waiver form I-601 for some minutes. Didn't look in detail. Not sure what his offense was when arrested less than 10 years ago but it seem that section 4 of the waiver form has many grounds of inadmissibility that you can select one from. I have read here on VJ where people had to file the waiver and were approved but I suppose the outcome would be a case-by-case basis. Not sure if he would be subject to another interview after the waiver approval. I would suggest you read the form if you can totally understand the contents but also talk to a lawyer who may help with the form and also give you some experienced advise about the outcome and pretty soon and timely. When you google any USCIS form, you will also see instructions for filling out the form. It may be helpful to read the instruction for this form too. This seem to be the form unless there is another form for waiver and it cost $930, smh. I really hope the outcome is positive with whatever you decide to file or do. Others on here may have some better advise. Keep us posted, good luck and may God bless your efforts.

10 hours ago, p-ana said:

Follow the guides here on vj, there's a direct link there for the i94. You can also google it and get it

10 hours ago, p-ana said:

Follow the guides here on vj, there's a direct link there for the i94. You can also google it and get it

Thanks a bunch. 

1 hour ago, p-ana said:

The i94 is electronic and your fiancé should have one if he already entered with his k1

1 hour ago, p-ana said:

The i94 is electronic and your fiancé should have one if he already entered with his k1

Yes she has already entered but how do I access this electronic I-94 and add it to the package when we mail our AOS documents. Thanks. 

11 hours ago, Arih3 said:

My fiancé is flying to Sydney tonight for his interview on Tuesday.... I'm sure a lot of people are following the trump immigration ban. I'm wondering if it will have a wide spread effect. I know it's banning people from majority Muslim countries but it seems like this might make immigration tighten up its borders all around. I hope this doesn't effect him. I'm so worried now... idk if we can go through this process again if he gets denied.

 

is there anyone else still waiting for the interview? Or worrying about this? I can't really find any info on how it will effect K1 visas. I know many of you are already together in America. Hopefully that will be us soon too.

I wouldn't worry about anything being affected by Trump's plan. Like I said at one point in this forum, I'm yet to find someone denied a fiancé(e) visa from a European country. Anyways, relax because all should be well. Good luck and keep us posted. 

23 hours ago, Rick & Apple said:

We got married 9 days after POE. The next day we went to the DMV, and got her an Afkansas ID card. Then, we took the marriage license to the Courthouse, and they gave us 2 certified copies. We went to the Social Security Office and applied for her SSN. We had her passport, birth certificate, I-94 and marriage license.

The card arrived in the mail about 10 days later.

Hello,

I-94? Had she previously been to the USA? Because the I-94 card (arrival/departure card) is for people who have been in and out of the USA. Correct me if I'm wrong. My fiancée doesn't have an I-94 card unless I'm missing something. Please advise! Thanks. 

Congrats to those of you who have filed already. Just gathering paperwork and will likely file before next month runs outs. I have the following question in order to ensure I am not missing anything:

1) Do you pay another fee for the work permit (EAD form I-765) and the corresponding biometrics OR is it free when it is filed (plus advance parole Form I-131) together with Form I-485 for AOS?

2) We don't need form I-130 (petition for alien relative), correct me if I am wrong. 

Thanks to you all. 

1 hour ago, Stagnant Sloth said:

Hi everyone,

 

I see many/most people in this thread have had a fortunate outcome with their visa process.

 

I filed in July, but rescheduled my interview and it is coming up soon. My fiance and I have everything ready to go pretty much and almost all of the I-134 filled out. However, I was confused about one part. I had posted my own thread and one person responded and tried to help but didn't seem entirely sure themselves as they said the form they used in the past was different than the most up to date one. So, I thought I'd come here to see if anyone can assist.

 

On page 4 of the 1-134, for question 26, it says: "I have submitted a visa petition(s) to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on behalf of the following persons. (If none, write "None" in the space for name below.) "

 

Did you guys put in the information for your foreign national fiance? Or is this asking if you've ever submitted a petition for anyone other than the current foreign national you're petitioning? My fiance (the USC) has never petitioned anyone prior to me. So, I was a bit confused if she puts me information in there or not.

 

Thanks for any help!

Hey Stagnant Sloth, 

I wish you the best going forward. I put my fiancée's name on this line. I think there was even another line asking if I had filed an affidavit of support for anyone and I had to put my brother's friend's name who had asked me to sponsor him while in the USA as he tried to adjust his status to that of a permanent resident. So yes, even though your fiancé has never submitted a petition for anyone, she is submitting one for you. So she should go ahead and put your name there. It will ask for the relationship with the person and, of course, she will write fiancé. Not sure about others, but I did put my fiancée' name on that line. I know they don't look at these forms sometimes and I even read in another forum (where there were lots of philipinpos) that they didn't even ask for the form from people coming from the Philippines. Another affidavit of support (I-864) will be filed here when you finally apply to adjust status in the USA anyways. So I guess they are treating the I-134 as irrelevant even though it's a must have at the embassy interview. Once again, good luck. 

I'm so happy for you CRamak!!! Now you can move on and focus on the next important stages. Congrats to you ?

Hope all is well with all. In Virginia and, tomorrow, I will be saying "I do" ?  Exciting and nerve racking at same time. Hopefully this cold weather serves us well so we can head back to Texas. Good luck to all waiting at different stages of this lengthy process.