Dodger

My case has been transferred to CSC and I was just wondering out of curiosity if anyone with the last name of MARTIN is on the pending FBI namecheck list, that is my maiden last name and my married last name is LAKE. Not sure which last name they check up on?

Howsit Saffa!

As far as I know and what would make more sense is they would check on your maiden name..

Good luck with the check, my last name is Mann which is not common in SA but it takes even longer being from SA unfortunately due to the SAP!!

Ive gone through the DORA (Dallas office Rapid Adjustment) program where they tell you they will complete your case within 90 days.. well thats rubbish, ive just been sent a letter stating that I must apply for EAD now!! aahh this process is a killer!

Good luck!

I would suggest a Unitarian Universalist pastor.

Hi, Could you maybe explain a bit more on this one, never heard of a Unitarian Universalist pastor.. I am also not catholic, some people that have posted may have assumed this by mistake

Sure! Unitarian Churches are all over the country (dallasuu.org is the link to one in Dallas). I don't know too much about the church, but they're generally a more liberal branch of Christianity. My parents got married by a UU pastor because they aren't religious, and no other pastors in the area would marry them.

According to Wikipedia,

Unitarian Universalism (UUism) is a theologically liberal religious movement characterized by its support of a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning." This principle permits Unitarian Universalists a wide range of beliefs and practices. Unitarian Universalist congregations and fellowships tend to retain some Christian traditions such as Sunday worship that includes a sermon and singing of hymns, but do not necessarily identify themselves as Christians.

very helpful, thanks!

I would suggest a Unitarian Universalist pastor.

Hi, Could you maybe explain a bit more on this one, never heard of a Unitarian Universalist pastor.. I am also not catholic, some people that have posted may have assumed this by mistake

Hi all

as part of AOS as you all know, you are required to get married within 90 days, well we did of course, but this wasnt our 'big day' as im sure the same applies to allot of you, this was to get the paper work rolling.. now that we are legally married, we need to find someone to perform our traditional ceremony, our church wont do this as they say they cant marry us twice, so Id like to ask you guys if you had this same thing happen to you, and if you know any Pastors/ministers in the Dallas area that are willing to perform this type of ceremony that would also be great! just to explain a bit more on our situation, we didnt tell all our friends that we already married, as allot of them are coming from overseas we want them to think the day is in July, the day we getting married! We just felt some people wont understand and it will be to complicate d to explain why it is that government requires you to get married within a time limit.

Hope im not the only one in this boat!

They cant marry your twice ?????

A LOT of people (including my wife and I) only get married at the court house to get the ball rolling and THEN they do a religious ceremony.... I have heard some (or all ?) catholic churches wont marry someone who has been divorced, but that's not your case.

I guess we having some bad luck!!

Hi all

as part of AOS as you all know, you are required to get married within 90 days, well we did of course, but this wasnt our 'big day' as im sure the same applies to allot of you, this was to get the paper work rolling.. now that we are legally married, we need to find someone to perform our traditional ceremony, our church wont do this as they say they cant marry us twice, so Id like to ask you guys if you had this same thing happen to you, and if you know any Pastors/ministers in the Dallas area that are willing to perform this type of ceremony that would also be great! just to explain a bit more on our situation, we didnt tell all our friends that we already married, as allot of them are coming from overseas we want them to think the day is in July, the day we getting married! We just felt some people wont understand and it will be to complicate d to explain why it is that government requires you to get married within a time limit.

Hope im not the only one in this boat!

Well, as I've noticed from other's DORA timelines, MOST of them got approved around 1 month after biometrics.

And I myself got approved for GC exactly one month after biometrics too.

Good luck :-) Hope you'll get approved asap.

Thats great news, thanks very much!

Hi all,

I finally had my biometrics done on Fri 16th March, we are lucky as we fall under the DORA program.. but I wanted to ask does anyone know how long it takes for the AOS to be approved and to get the greencard? I was told it was no point applying for EAD at our interview as its a waste! howver not being able to work is getting frustrating as im sure you all know!

Could someone shed some light on this, how long do you think ill be waiting for that almighty card??!!

Thanks guys!

What does DORA mean? I see it all the time

DORA = Dallas Office Rapid Adjustnment

This is the pilot program being run in Dallas at the moment for AOS, their (USCIS) objective is to have the greencard and AOS completed in as little as 3 months!

Hi Dodger!

I had my AOS-DORA appointment last December 11, 2006 and I had to pay the total amount of $395.00, which covered the $325.00 filing fee for the I-485 and the $75.00 Biometrics services fee. It had to be in money order form because they do not accept cash or personal checks. It would be better if you have this ready before going to your appointment because they really wouldn't process your application unless your packet is complete. I had seen a lot of applicants who were told to complete their packets and/or have the correct money order fee and come back when everything is in order. Thankfully, I didn't have to experience that. I really owe it to the helpful members of VJ who never got tired of answering my questions.

Regarding the EAD, I asked the same question to the Immigration Officer who interviewed me (and my husband), and she was nice enough to explain to me that everyone who filed their AOS through the DORA Program need not file for an EAD since the ultimate objective of the program is to complete the adjustment within 90 days or less. However, if they cannot process and complete an application within the target date, they will inform the applicant, and at that time, he or she may file for an EAD.

I hope I was able to clear your mind about this. Goodluck on your application!

I already got my approval/welcome notice in the mail last Tuesday, and I'm now waiting for my green card.

Hi Hershey, thanks very much for the help man!! that makes me feel at ease!, we have our appointment on Monday... Im glad it is allot less than i expected! Just to double check, did you have to pay anything for the I-130?? great if you didnt!

Well done on your approval, thats quick!! so lucky we live in the Dallas area!

Hi there, can anyone tell me the exact fee for the USCIS if I entered on a K1 visa? My wife and I are now married and we had our AOS interview a few days ago, we had a postal order for the total amount for filing all the forms (I-864, I-130, I-765, I-485) which turned out being wrong! of course they dont take cards or cash so they rejected our application.. the amount was actually allot less than we thought, somewhere round $385.. but even the lady at counter wasnt to certain, she just said we have to much and sent us away.. We applied in Dallas so its using the new DORA pilot program.. i dont think they have things in order! The official also said the amount is less because we have the I-129f approval notice, and she said there is no need applying for the EAD (I-765) as we applying for AOS you will get approved on the day because of DORA.. Well hope she's right!

Unfortunately she wasnt willing to work out the amount and told us to head off!

Please if anyone has gone through Dallas let me know what amount you paid and experience you had!

Many Thanks

Just interested to know whether anyone else new to the US has had a variety of assumptions about where they are from? Im from London and its clearly obvious I am from my accent, however, Ive been asked if I am Australian, Welsh?, South African, and today, wait for it....Norwegian !! Now dont get me wrong, I realise that not everyone is familiar with an english accent, but I have always been able to tell the difference between Americans, Aussies, South Africans etc so I can never understand why it doesnt work both ways?

I am South African and people think im a Brit or an Aussie.. lol, when i tell them Im from S.A most Americans here in Texas dont realise its a country on its own! and Ive been asked often how its possible im white and im from Africa!! makes it allot more fun dropping by the local Taco Bell!

Hey all!

Well I made it safely to the USA and am so happy to be back with my beautiful Zach

I am feeling some what depressed right now though as I feel like the US government is trying to keep me from doing anything in the next few months

I just went to the Texas DMV to enquire about getting a drivers licence and I was informed that I cannot even take the written test until I have a greencard! I didn't have a full licence in my home country. Has nayone else come across this and is there another way to get around it? It is bad enough that I cannot work for awhile, let alone go anywhere!

Thanks in advance for any help

Jenna

Hi there, Ive also been trying for a licence in Texas, I have a full South African licence, but the DMV in North Texas dont care,they want your I-94 to be valid for more than 3 months.. so best to wait for the EAD or greencard, some people have been really lucky by applying for their ID and then the TX drivers licence, but I think you have to get an airhead who will just dish one out. Its a pitty you dont have a licence from your own country, you are allowed to drive for up to a year on a foreign licence in Texas! However your insurance is way more as ive discovered!! good luck

Hi all

For those of you who had their medical exam preformed by Knightsbridge Dr's of London and have already applied for AOS, this question is for you and your help greatly appreciated, I have searched the forum and could not come up with anything concrete so ill fire ahead.

I have been told that I may have to redo a medial exam here in the States, I already passed my medical in London and paid the crazy amount of £'s. I have now heard that USICS wants a medical done by an INS approved Doctor, does anybody know if Knightsbridge doctors are INS approved. I would hope they are as the US embassy in the UK instructs one to use only Knightsbridge!

Please help!

many thanks

Hi all, I have just found out that I can get a transfer from my DS-3025 to I-693a by a civil surgeon.

Use this for to locate a civil surgeon in your area, they charge between $25 and $35 for the transfer

https://egov.immigration.gov/crisgwi/go?act...office_type=CIV

Hi all

For those of you who had their medical exam preformed by Knightsbridge Dr's of London and have already applied for AOS, this question is for you and your help greatly appreciated, I have searched the forum and could not come up with anything concrete so ill fire ahead.

I have been told that I may have to redo a medial exam here in the States, I already passed my medical in London and paid the crazy amount of £'s. I have now heard that USICS wants a medical done by an INS approved Doctor, does anybody know if Knightsbridge doctors are INS approved. I would hope they are as the US embassy in the UK instructs one to use only Knightsbridge!

Please help!

many thanks

Hi All

Im very happy to say Ive arrived in the States, its been a serious journey as you will all know but to finally be with my fiancee.... words cannot describe!! . Just thought id share my experience arriving at Dallas Fort Worth Airport. First off, the immigration officers were really friendly, I got taken to a room and then a few minutes later issued with my K1 and I-94, of course I was really happy, but I then asked the officer if I could please get an EAD, he then told me no, they dont do that at Dallas, only once i apply for AOS I can apply for work status! has this happened to anyone? Im not sure if the officer just wasnt in the mood to help me out??

I then went today and tried applying for my Social Security Number, I was to early and now they have to do a manual search on my records, I believe its better to wait for 2 weeks before applying, however if you have applied early, they say you should go back in 2 weeks and try again!

My next experience was at the DMV, I asked if i could convert my South African Driving Licence for a Texan, they told me first i would need to take a test, but my I-94 is only valid for 3 months, it has to be valid for at least 6!! Do any of you guys know a way around this? I can still drive with my licence, but of course I need a Texas licence at some stage.. Im guessing I could try again after AOS? Please could someone out there help me??

Thanks in advance!

Rodger

Hi there, first off congrats on your approval!! im scheduled for my interview this Tuesday, I would love to know what type of questions they asked? I realise you have said people have already listed this type of info. but ive searched and i cant really find a list of questions, any ideas? much appreciated! Kind regards.

If you read the instructions included with the I-134 they do not specify that the tax return needs to be notarized, the instruction on London website is out of date and dose not match the requirements of the I-134 form. Just the I-134 form needs to be notarized.

Hi there

thanks very much for your help! thats a relief!

Hi all

I am expecting an interview in London sometime soon, Ive heard the embassy doesnt always request an 1-134, however if they do on the website it states her income tax needs to be notarized..

there seems to be some confusion about notoarized tax returns, no one at the embassy hotline can give me an answer.. my fiancee had IRS fax her a transcript summary of my 2005 federal tax return which included her account transcript, tax return transcript, and wage and income transcript (form W-2 wage and tax statement). The IRS didnt seem to know how to go about producing a notorized copy, has anyone had a an interview in london where they have demanded notarized copies?? or has anyone got suggestions on how to get the tax returns notarized? many thanks!

Thanks very much!

thanks Kezzie! I will try get hold of a lawyer...

anyone else have any suggestons?

My understanding of it is that if a birth certificate is available to you you have to use that.... it would only be if the birth certificate did not exist there are other options available.... you might want to check it out with a lawyer...

Kezzie

Get a hold of the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa and get it or call your local South Afircan Embassy

http://www.home-affairs.gov.za/documents/bi-154.pdf

You want the Unabridged Certificate

If it's available (which it is), it is required... either for the visa as well as for AOS.. so get it...

thanks Kezzie! I will try get hold of a lawyer...

anyone else have any suggestons?

My understanding of it is that if a birth certificate is available to you you have to use that.... it would only be if the birth certificate did not exist there are other options available.... you might want to check it out with a lawyer...

Kezzie

yes there will be, unfortunately im not applying from my home country though this is why i was wondering if there is some sort of alternative..

Is there a form of birth certificate available in your country that will show your parents ????

Kezzie

Ive just heard some really bad news, you have to produce a long form birth certificate at the interview.. what happens if you dont have one?? I have my original birth certificate which does not have my parents names on, is there another option that anyone knows of? please help! thanks!

Well, bit complicated... while they process my extension i was legally allowed to work until my passoprt with my new visa was delivered, it got sent to my old address which i never realised.. basically i worked for a month longer than i should have and then discovered my visa extension which doesnt allow me to work was issued.. thats how it was an accident

how do you accidently work...

sorry cant help you with an answer..

Kezzie

thanks that helped haha

Hi

I am applying for my visa from a country other than my home country (the UK) I was on a work permit, then later switched to an extension (6 month holiday extension), once my extension was given to me i was no longer supposed to work in the UK, however my passport went to my old address and i continued working.. I havent got into any form of trouble, but I could be seen as accidentaly breaching an immigration law here in the UK, does anyone know if the US embassy will look into that and would it affect my chances of gaining my K1 here in the UK.. I am still seen as a resident over here.

your help will be appreciated!!