atina

Also, another thing related to jobs. I was recently contacted by a recruiting agency, asking about my application for a job they posted. In the end I didn't get a chance to interview because this agency only works with GC or citizenship holders (they really didn't care about my work authorization). And I was so focused on and excited about getting my EAD, thinking that it'd solve all my problems...

11 hours ago, cherryblossoms916 said:

Hello! I’m a January filer. I’m tired of staying at home and wait for any update of my application. Anyone knows how to earn money at home? 😂

I'd suggest looking for work and seeing if you can get any interviews (unless you're in a high demand industry). It'll be a learning experience, and it takes a long time to finally start working - it's a long process. I got my EAD over a month ago and am still looking for work.

33 minutes ago, JoJoJoJo said:

Wow, are you the fastest among October filers, in EVERY aspect: I mean EAD and AOS. Congratulations!!

 

Thanks, but I wish! It was my mistake - there was no official interview waiver, so still no AOS updates. I was just expecting things to go a lot slower than they did.

For me though, as long as I have my EAD I'm good I hope you're all hanging in there. How are you all spending your time? It's quite rough, no?

31 minutes ago, shakeyy said:

Did they send you a notice about interview waiver?

They didn't, my bad! I suppose I was expecting to get my work permit way later, after the interview. But no official waiver yet.

Yes, after you receive your NOA1, you will be receiving another document notifying you of the date and time of your biometrics. I went to my biometrics appointment a little less than a month after USCIS received my application. Good luck!

Sorry to hear about October filers still waiting, I was hoping I would come back here to everyone having their EAD in their hands. I really hope everyone gets is soon.

USCIS received my case on October 19. My EAD and AP were approved on 12/18, received my NOA2s in the mail on Dec 23. My combo card arrived yesterday! Now for the fun part - finding a job

How many of you are already in the process of interviewing?

ETA: I should also mention that we were not required to attend an interview, and that my online case status has not updated since my biometrics.

Don't waste your money on a lawyer. All the information you need is available here.

I was in the same situation. Our marriage certificate states my maiden name, and when I applied for AOS I just added my husband's last name to my last name. If you don't want to keep your last name, you can just use your husband's instead on all the forms. That should do it. Just make sure to bring a copy of your marriage certificate for biometrics - they asked me for one in order to verify my last name, because it didn't match the one in my passport. Good luck!

You should be fine as long as you can provide a new I-20. Good luck!

Thank you for your responses! I figured doing the research during this time is a good idea, just to see what's out there and what the options are. I am trying to transition into another field, so I understand that my lack of experience will be quite a setback. But I'll feel so much better when I'm finally allowed to go out there and see what the future holds

I sent my AOS package on Oct 19. Obviously I'm not allowed to work until I have the work permit in my hands, but when is it okay to start applying for jobs and getting in touch with potential employers? I do understand that I wouldn't be able to accept any potential offer at this point, but are employers flexible and understanding of this situation?

My AOS package was delivered on Thursday (Oct 19). Got an email today saying that my I-797 is on its way.

1 hour ago, milimelo said:

Nothing else needed. You showed proof of completion when you received your K-1. 

Perfect! Thank you for confirming

Hi everyone! I am about to file for AOS but am in doubt about whether on not I have to submit proof that I've fulfilled the 2 year rule from my J-1 days I was issued a K1 fine - at the embassy they calculated the dates and everything so they know that I've fulfilled it, otherwise they would not have issued my visa. Will USCIS follow this same logic? The I-485 instructions confused me, as they mention documentation regarding everyone "who holds or previously held J-1 status" - but I'd like to believe things are more streamlined and they can conclude on their own if it was completed. Anyway, what do ya'll think?

You can also change the date of the returning flight to a later date maybe and use it to visit later

If you sent both the copy of birth certificate and passport front page, you should be fine. Either way there's nothing for you to do now but wait for feedback from USCIS. Good luck!

On 9/29/2017 at 4:58 PM, GabiMatch said:

I got married in the state of Florida and over here, you can't make any name

changes on the marriage certificate, it will always state the maiden name of both parties...I decided to use his name when I filled AOS and as far as I understand, this is pretty common...as soon as I got my NOA1, that came stating my husband’s last name, I went to DMV with my marriage certificate and NOA1 and got a new drivers license with my husband’s last name on it 😊 After the change of the drivers license I had an ID with his name, so I changed my name on everything else. You don’t need to wait for the name change process to file with his last name...you can change your name while waiting for your case to be processed...you’ll need something to pass time anyway 😉

Congratulations on your wedding and good luck with your AOS!

That's really helpful! It seemed super complicated to me so I almost decided not to add his last name at all. This way it sounds like as long as one has a marriage certificate, regardless of it stating their maiden name, the AOS application can be used as some sort of an initiator of a last name change.

Thank you! I hope your AOS process is going smoothly!

One question though: did you use your new last name on ALL forms in the AOS packet?

Hi everyone,

I know this has been asked before in a bunch of different ways, but I can't seem to find anything that is recent. My partner and I got married a week ago in Jersey, and currently we're waiting for our marriage certificate. I was not asked if I want to have my last name changed when we applied for our marriage license (actually, both of us want to merge our last names and use that last name instead of our current ones). Our marriage certificate will therefore state his last name and my maiden name, no changes. I did not go to the Social Security office upon arrival as I already had an SSN from being in the US on F1 before. My questions are: do I have to go to the Social Security office to let them know I got married, and do I initiate my last name change process there? Any suggestions or advice regarding this situation?

I am also guessing that if I initiate my last name change process, then I'd use my new last name on my AOS application forms.

That's really helpful. Thanks!

Just now, Coco8 said:

Yes. SSN does not expire.

Perfect! So the only time I have to go to the SSA office is if I decide to change my name?

Hi all, I looked for answers for this but couldn't find any - sorry if it's been asked before. I just arrived to the US (finally!!!), and am now thinking of next steps, marriage, AOS, EAD, AP and all that stuff, as well as my SSN. I got one when I worked on campus on my F1 visa from 2014 to 2016. Is this number still valid, or do I need to get a new one?

Thanks!

1 minute ago, iamdegie said:

the K1 is valid for 6 months. BUT note that you also need to ensure you enter the US while your medical result is still valid. medicals have a 6 month validity, too. so, enter the US before both medical and k1 visa validity expires.

That's perfect then, because I'm doing my medical right before my interview which is on July 25, so if I leave end of August it should be fine. That's really helpful, thank you!

8 minutes ago, pov5 said:

I don't think it's too important, so long as you don't break any of the immigration rules, but you'll be fine. The date request I'm sure is just an estimation, you wouldn't be held to this.

 

I'm not going to be moving over on the dates I have submitted; Obviously the process is mostly dictated to you by the speed of their system not your willingness

That's what I thought as well. It wouldn't make much sense for them to expect us to be able to arrive at the same exact date either, as we depend so much on the whole process. Obviously before I see how my interview turns out I can't buy my ticket.

What do you mean by "so long as you don't break any of the immigration rules"?

Also, another question that's kinda related to this: for how long is the K1 issued? Date of departure from one's home country also depends on this, no?

Hi all, quick question: I indicated on my visa application that my estimated time of arrival to the US is August 1. My fiance is looking to come here and try to fly back to the US together, but he would only be able to come Aug 22-31 or so. Is this okay? Does it matter that I would be leaving for the US a month later than indicated?

Thanks!

Hi all! I was wondering if the Embassy will be contacting my current employer that I indicated on my K1 visa application (I'm the beneficiary). I will probably will have changed my employer by the time I go to my interview, so the current employer info that they have would be irrelevant. Do I let the Embassy know? Or do they care at all about this piece of information?

Thanks!