Tommy27

Thank you both for your answers and advice. It puts my mind at ease as it lines up with what I've heard as well.

When I went (In August 2017), I brought everything you mentioned plus a copy of all the forms I handed in. Plus pictures and proof of bona fide marriage. I put it all in a nice little picture book, I'm a guy and it's the first time I did scrap booking. But your list seems good. This is the interview, just exhaust all your copied info and bring it all. If they dont ask for it, thats fine. But at least have it just incase. Your list does seem fine tho . They only took our Medical exam, because mine was out of date.

Our interviewer was amazingly nice, mabe we got lucky there. He took our Medical Exam and I think that was it. He asked to look at pictures so I showed him awkwardly (We aren't really picture people). Other than that we chatted, Me and my spouse are Gamers and he was one too. So we had a nice little chat about the latest playstation games and VR. It was surreal to be honest. I talked to my USCIS officer about video games? *Facepalm*

But ofc it was for him to see us interact, etc... thats the most important think I think for the interview. Just a little side story for you hehe.

But yeah, we had all our documents. He only wanted pictures and our Medical exam. But I think always bring everything, copies of your whole application. Evidence , the works. Just incase.

Hey guys,

I just wanna ask for some info on this topic. My Spouse and I are married for 4 years. I recently (August 2017) got my non-conditional green card, the 10 year one.

We currently live in Missouri but I recently received work opportunities in Seattle. This is a great opportunity but my spouse also has a great job here.

1. How will living apart for 1 year, or more effect my green card and naturalization.

2. When filing taxes, we have always filed taxes together joint. But next year for 2019 I'll be filing alone, so I can learn exactly how to file taxes in america. Will this affect the tax proof that you need to bring to your naturalization application?

My main concern here is taking the job and living apart for a few months to a year will affect my Naturalization process. Any Insights on this?

A hiccup is that the US Citizen wife can't find her Birth Certificate but has her passport to prove that she's a US citizen. I"m just worried because in the letter they want us to bring our birth certificates as well as her passport.

We used her passport in our AOS as proof that she is a USC.

We just can't find her birth certificate atm. Any advice? Got interview coming up in a week. 

My interview is in a week. Can you guys just quickly share your experiences on how these normally go. So I go in prepared or pretend I'm prepared.

The interview will be in Kansas city.

How long do they last?

What questions in general do they ask?

I applied for AOS through marriage in May. 

Mainly asking does the US citizen need to be there? I'm the applicant. 

Hey guys,

we just received a biometrics appointment letter. It seems to only specify that I (The applicant, Alien) go to the biometrics appointment. Is that correct? 

Hey guys, 

I mailed my I-130 I-485 and associated forms to the Chicago office on Saturday 22 April 2017.

Can anyone just highlight the process from here?

I assume I should be recieving an NOA soon. It's been 4 working days and I still haven't gotten anything. 

What are the primary ways that I can check if it's been recieved and that it's in their hands?

I mailed it via UPS to

131 Dearborn street 

3rd floor 

Chicago IL 60603-5516

I am just super paranoid and am scared they didn't get it or something. Is there any way for me to check? My payment was in the form of Cashiers checks. 

Thanks for your help!

Hey guys. Doing the fnishing touches on the I-130.

For proof of Bona Fide Marriage evidence I currently have:

Keep in mind I am out of status for 3 years and have lived in america for 3 years.

1. Joint Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance. Dating back 2 years

2. Joint Life insurance Policy

3. 3 years of IRS returns showing Both names

4. Joint Bank account

5. Documentary of Relationship of 4 years Includes: Short written Chronology of our relationship, Skype conversations sample (3 pages), Airplane Tickets and Boarding passes of trip here, Photos of family gatherings such as Pictures with each others parents. 

I dont have wedding photos tho. It was a tiny ceremony and we didn't think to take photos at the time. 

Hows it looking? Anything I should add? Opinions? 

Ahh nevermind. It seems the most recent version of the form requires an I-130a. Supplementary info about spouse beneficiary instead of a G325a. 

It doesn't seem to ask for one at all although all websites and guides still include one. 

Can anyone confirm? 

Hey guys. I want to include several sworn Affidavits from friends and family to include in my I 130. Do these still need to be Notarized?

Thanks. 

One last thing, Should I label all my pages? Such as all Bona Fide evidence and birth certificate and tax returns. Should all that have little notations at the bottom like "Birth certificate page 1" or something? Necessary or no? 

Hey Guys,

I've finally finished all my forms and collected all my evidence. The only issue I have now is I am completely unsure how to present it all to ensure smoothness for USCIS.

I'e got a couple of questions if the community can please help me with:

FYI: My spouse and I are filing an I-130 with an I-485

1. What packaging did you use to put everything in before you sent it? Do I put the I-130 in it's own Envelope and then I-485 forms in another and then send that together? Or do I Put them both in the same massive Envelope ? Theres like. alot of paper here. 

2. From what I understand, everything should be clipped and not stapled. And if I do staple anything such as photo bags I should staple them on a blank piece of paper and then include it in my files right? 

3. Shoud I seperate the forms and evidence with more clips? Lets say the I-130 for example. THere will be the I-130 and the I-130a. Then I have a ton of evidence and photocopies with that such as, Passport Copies, Marriage Certificate copy, Proof of Bona fide relationship and a while documentary section detailing our relationship. Would I just stick all the papers together back to back or should I seperate each subsection with clips and table of contents cover and then clip all of that together... 

(I'm hopeless)

4. The I-693 Medical exam. Should I attach that to something?

Thanks guys, I know my forms back to back but I have no idea how to package and present them. If there are pictures people can share or anything that would be great. Google didn't help much. Thanks alot. 

Hey guys,

I just wanted to know if I should file a I-601 with my Adjustment of Status.

I will be filing an I-130 and I-485.

I entered the United States Legally. B2 visitor.

I am 3 years out of status. 

My husband is a US citizen.

We got married before I was out of status and I decided to stay.

Can anyone confirm if this form or any other waver is needed? I am just worried about my overstay. 

2 hours ago, QueenComley said:

your fine - I was 2 years out of status too. Adjusting status was plain sailing. Good luck

Was it really that smooth sailing? Did your overstay come up in interviews or anything?

4 hours ago, banana_princess said:

1) Overstay is forgiven for spouses of US citizens (i'm in the same situation. My timeline may scare you but i have no idea what is going on with our case, all i know for sure it's not because i overstayed.)

2) You can fly inside the country, all they [airline and TSA] care about is that the person who bought the ticket is in front of them. Well, TSA cares about more stuff, but different kind of stuff, unless of course they find something really dangerous in your bag and take you off the flight, then yeah they will most likely ask you about your status eventually. Of course, it doesn't mean that you are safe since you are out of status, just like anywhere else. I flew 100500 times when i was out of status lol I heard there are checks, like those on buses going from state to state, but like i said, you are technically not safe anywhere, all i'm saying is that they don't specifically check your status at the airport. You are not going through immigration if you fly inside the country.

3) Renew your passport, you'll be asked for it at the interview. I had to go to a different state twice to get mine since there is no consulate in my state. Who knows low long will it take, i suggest you get to it before you file AOS.

4) Even if you worked, as long as you did not commit any fraud (faking ssn, claiming to be a us citizen - the last one is huge actually, i believe there are waivers for even faking papers but not for claiming to be a us citizen), you are also fine, illegal work is forgiven just like overstay. If you paid taxes it even makes you look good lol But even if you didnt, uscis is not irs.

Thats a long time! did you every get your employment permit during this time? 

5 hours ago, CatherineA said:

Did you ever work? That, and associated things can put a wrinkle in it.

Didn't work at all. 

11 hours ago, AC77 said:

Tommy,

 

I am from SA living in Missouri, married to USC, currently with AOS pending. I have my biometrics appointment on Monday and I was 6 months out of status before we filed and there were no issues, as confirmed by others here. As long you are an immediate relative, there is nothing you need to worry about:-)

 

I have two contacts from SA Consulate and SA Home Affairs (based here in the US obviously)  for you that you may try for renewal of your passport.

 

Email me at : chrissrocc@gmail.com

Hey AC77, I'll be sending you an email shortly. Thanks for the help. 

8 minutes ago, geowrian said:

That's fine.

 

Yes, you can. Or if/when they do an outreach in your area, you can do it. I don't know the South Africa process, sorry.  Flights between states never checked my passport...only my boarding pass and license. YMMV

What?! Really? I mean I haven't flown since my Visa expired. I've just assumed that after your visa expires you can't fly inside the US. Was your license a US license? 

Edit: Not visa. Passport. My Visa hasn't expired per se. just my allowed time of stay. 

2 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Renew it.   Technically, an expired passport shouldn't be a problem, but I'm assuming you probably want to travel at some point, so getting it renewed is probably for the best. Also, an expired passport may not be accepted for all purposes as a form of acceptable photo ID, and having a valid photo ID (i.e. a driver's license) is generally encouraged.

My Drivers is still valid. I guess I'll be using that.

Would I just renew it at a South African consulate here in the States? I mean I assume I can't even get on a flight between states with an expired passport. 

1 hour ago, geowrian said:

Nope. Your case sounds pretty straightforward and DIY. All an attorney can really do for you is (if they're decent) remind you of the forms to send and act as a second set of eyes. They can't speed it up and aren't likely to increase your chances of success for a simple case.

While going through the forms I forgot one key thing. And I guess it's a big one. My passport is expired. Any advice on this? Thanks agian.

51 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Not really. Have your proof of a bona fide relationship ready, including co-mingling of fiances and such. You'll likely need a new medical as well. All that will come later, though.

One last thing, Do I need any legal representation? Hiring an immigration lawyer? Whats your opinion on that for my situation? 

12 minutes ago, geowrian said:

No problem.

 

Overstay of an immediate relative (IR) of a US citizen (USC) is ignored by law so long as the beneficiary legally entered the country. A spouse is an IR. This question about overstay pops up here often.

 

An overstay waiver is needed if doing AOS for other reasons (i.e. non-IR based), being married to an LPR instead of a USC, etc.

 

Note: Notice I said "ignored". If AOS is denied, then the overstay still accumulates during the timeframe AOS was pending.

Thank you! This was invaluable. Truely.

So just follow the I-130 guide and just do a regular AoS package? Anything else that comes to mind? 

21 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Then you're fine to AOS. The overstay will be ignored. Just file the same as anybody else.

 

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2

Thank you for your info. 

May I just ask. How come my overstay will be ignored? I read that overstays normally have to file the overstay waver. Any context you could give? 

I'm just trying to understand my own situation as much as I can as I do this process.