Mark UK

Dear all,

I'm about to go for my biometric appointment this week and was quite surprised to see a letter from Homeland Security in Missouri asking for additional documentation.

The documentation is THREE years' of joint tax returns for my wife and I - not a big deal as we hadn't completed the third year of returns at the time of the application for naturalization.

The strange thing is that they don't want me to mail them, they want me to bring them to 'the naturalization interview'.

I don't have a naturalization interview yet scheduled. Should I have already received an interview date (I didn't think they did them until after the biometrics?) or is this par for the course?

TIA,

Mark

Thanks a lot for the info, guys. It's a big relief that it's probably the biometric appointment

Hi, all,

I got my first Request for Evidence notification through email today. I'm sort of a bit surprised as I basically sent them an entire folder full of documentation and was pretty sure I'd covered all the bases, but these things happen.

I know that I've got to wait until the letter comes through to see exactly what it is, but I was wondering whether my trip to Niagara Falls last weekend might have had something to do with it. We popped across the border for an hour (walked across the Rainbow Bridge, walked halfway to the Horseshoe Falls and back again as it was so cold) and came back to the US to a bit of a strange line of questioning. I was asked whether I'd ever been arrested before or ever had my fingerprints taken except for immigration purposes (I hadn't), had to wait until he checked a bunch of things and then been asked for a fingerprint and retina scan. A little odd as I'd never had anything like that before and I've travelled to Canada multiple times, but I put it down to something akin to a random screening and to the fact I had applied for citizenship earlier that month.

Is it possible that something related to this could have been the source of the RFE? Just curious. I guess I'll know soon enough....

Have a great weekend!

Mark

There are a lot of really great suggestions here. Thanks a lot for your advice, guys!

Dear all,

We’re hoping to visit the UK for the first time in nearly four years this summer (finally!!!). However, I was wondering how to transfer money to pay for things such as hotels and car rental and such. We have US debit/credit cards but I’m loathe to use them very much over there as I’m sure they will take their chance to add all sorts of lovely fees and criminally poor exchange rates.

I have a UK bank account and credit card which I could transfer the money into from a currency exchange such as HIFX. My plan is to take a certain amount over in cash that should take care of some expenses, but things like hotel bills will need to be paid with a credit card. As such, I was planning to pay the credit cards off when I got back, that way I didn’t have to transfer too much money over there to my bank account and then have to pay to transfer it back again. I presume I would have to have warn my credit card company as I haven’t used the cards in some time.

How did anyone else handle money on their trips back to Blighty?

Mark

Thanks, guys!

I really appreciate the help. I've been working on this tonight and I've included a LOT of detail about our trips to Canada. Luckily, I keep a pretty extensive diary which really helps at times like this. I don't have exact times of border crossings, but I have the vague notes that I kept over the past three years.

After re-reading the N-400 instruction notes, it does state that any stepchildren should be described on the form. One of the reasons putting them down gave me pause was that during my Green Card application, I didn't have to include them (I mentioned them on my addendum notes) even though they were at the time living with us. Still, it's better to provide more information than less. The less RFEs, the better

It doesn't matter about how amateurish the certificate looks. It'll be good to get it! I'll be getting a US passport ASAP anyway, assuming it's a successful application!

Thanks once again for your help and advice!

Mark

Hi, all,

I’m planning on applying for naturalization based on three years permanent residence and marriage to a US citizen in the next month or so.

I have a couple of questions, with no doubt more to follow.

My wife and I have made many (probably around twelve) trips up to the Niagara Falls area. As anyone who’s been there knows, it’s very common to cross the border for an hour or two. For part 7 of the form, I’ve put down those days/trips where we stayed in Canada rather than on the US side, even though we most likely did cross the border back to the US for a short time during those days. I’ve added a note detailing the times we did cross the border but stayed on the US side as we didn’t spend the entire day in Canada. Did anyone else handle this in the same way (or a different way)?

For the section about children: I have stepchildren (my wife was married before me) but they no longer live with us and they are adults anyway. Should I put them down on the form? I haven’t done, though I’m mentioned them in the addendum note I’ve provided and explained that I would be happy to provide more information if it is required. Do I have to put down details about the stepchildren or is this OK?

Also, the form expired at the end of last year (12/31/2009). I do not see an updated version on the site. Is it OK to use this version?

Finally, do I have to pay an extra $465 on top of the $675 for the application for the citizenship certificate? Or do I get a citizenship certificate at the end of a hopefully successful application?

Thanks in advance for reading and for any advice!

Mark

My Dad, my kid brother, my friends, my football team, people thinking nice things of me

We did. We got married in the US, was kind of planned/unplanned, we knew we would eventually get married but I was only on holiday that time and we had no plans. I'm not really sure how it happened, we were talking about it one day and a week later we were married in a civil ceremony. It never crossed our minds for me to stay in the US and adjust status so I came back here and we applied for a visa. When we had enough of waiting he moved here instead and on our 1st wedding anniversary we renewed our vows in the local church. The vicar was absolutely wonderful, we had readings, hymns and a service. Was a wonderful day with family and friends there.

We did have wedding outfits, white dress and suit. We never took our rings off we didn't like the idea of that either, we just held our ring hands together and the vicar blessed them.

I really like the idea of holding ring hands together, that's a nice one. How did the vicar bless them, if you don't mind me asking?

I'd like to have the renewal on the date of the anniversary, but as we got married in November, I'm not so sure that's a good idea

I have my K-1 interview next week, and expect to have my visa within the next couple of weeks. I want to move to the US to be with my fiance ASAP but I also need to work as soon as I arrive, since I have financial obligations here in the UK. My questions are:

1) I read on another forum that technically a K-1 visa allows you to work in the USA for 90 days but social security won't give you a card unless it says "Not valid for work without authorisation". I already have an American Social Security number, becuase I lived and worked there as a student on a J-1 visa. Can I therefore legally work on my K-1 visa as soon as I arrive?

2) I knew someone who had their EAD application expedited last year, but unfortunately I have lost his contact details. When asked for the reason he needed the process expedited he told them that he had a mortgage in the UK that he needed to pay, and they accepted this reason. Does anyone else have any experience of this? Apparently you can call and put in an Expedite request. Any further information would be greatly appreciated.

Sources:

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=518648

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...0000ecd190aRCRD

3) I am a management consultant and will be transferring with my current company. I can take a role in the US but remain a UK employee. However, I have been told that if I do this (i.e. remain employed in the UK but live in the US) it might adversely affect my Green Card application. Can anyone shed any light on this? Does anyone have any experience of this?

4) Do I need to get a new Social Security number or can I use the one that I already have? I provided this on one of the forms I submitted as part of my visa application.

Thanks for all the help.

1. Opposite is true. K-1 can get a SSN number right away but cannot work until green card or EAD. There seems to be some deabte on this (still) but you simply do not have the documents needed for the I-9 as a K-1.

2. I am not aware of how to expedite an EAD

3. Your company should be able to get you the necessary work visas to work as a UK employee in the USA. I did the same thing, worked in Ukraine as an American company employee and the company handled all the authorizations. If you are getting married it should not affect your green card at all. Your AOS is based on marriage, not your work.

4. SSN is issued for life. If you already have one, you are good to go on that matter.

I'm very interested in number 3 as it's something I've considered myself. I am travelling to the US on a K-1 in November and was hoping I could work for my present UK company in the states while waiting for my EAD to come through. Is it possible to hold a work visa and K-1 visa simultaneously? How long would it take my company to get a work visa?

Any help anyone can give me would be very much appreciated!

I thought I could go down the same route and the UK visa helpline confirm that technically, there is nothing stopping you. I was working in the UK for a UK employer which just happened to be a US multinational. They tried to transfer me to a job locally in the US but it just wasn't quite feasible. I was offered the role of working 'remotely' in the US for the UK team (and therefore, still a UK employer) but the HR department said that they would not sanction it due to "corporate tax and liability issues" (I can't remember what, exactly) and in the end, I got tired of waiting for a transfer and resigned and looked for a job myself in the US when I got here.

They were willing to get me a work visa - BUT I had already applied for a K-1 visa and therefore, according to their policies, I was explicitly not transferring for professional reasons and so the board were not able to sanction the application for a visa. They told me that, at that stage of proceedings, it would have been faster for me to get the work visa, but I was thwarted. Sadly, they told me that they would have been willing to sponsor me on a work visa even though I was moving for personal reasons, but that they couldn't because I had made it very, very clear the move was for personal reasons by applying for the K-1.

It worked out OK in the end, though. I ended up getting a job with a company near-ish to where I lived whose main client was my old employer

This information is three years old now, but thought I'd share that it was possible at the time. Back to the OP, I doubt very much that the USCIS will accept a financial necessity as a reason to expedite the EAD, though. Their logic at the time was 'well, you have to PROVE you can make it over there on your own within the constraints that are put upon you'. Considering they don't 'care' whether the fiancee is pregnant in their priorities/timelines, I'd imagine it's still the same.

Have you thought about getting the temporary EAD for 90-days by immigrating at JFK?

DA,

It's been quite a while since I went back to the UK since I emigrated to the US of A but I hope to visit my family sometime next year. (Isn't it scary how expensive it seems when you've lived in the US for a while?!)

Anyhow, one of the things we'd like to do is to renew our vows in front of my family and friends. They weren't able to afford to make it over for our wedding itself in the US and some of my family are suffering from health issues, so I'd like to do that when we do visit.

Has anyone done this? We are both Christians (Protestants) and we would like for it to be in a church, especially the church in the village where my Dad's family comes from.

What sort of things did you do? Did you exchange a new ring to 'match' your existing rings? Did you take off your original rings and put them back on during the ceremony (not sure I like the sound of that)? Did you wear a full-blown wedding ensemble? What did you say in your vows? We'd really like to do this in a church, though I'm not sure there is a process for this sort of thing in the vicar's repertoire

Mark

Makes sense to me, yeah. However, I vaguely recall being advised on here (but I can't find the topic) that once you've started the process, it's not a good idea to visit. The logic being that you have already shown your desire to immigrate and the officer at the PoE might have a hard time being convinced that you are visited temporarily and not trying to overstay, etc.

This is anecdotal, I know. And, whereas I'm sure it's easy to explain away the denial of entry in the unlikely event of it happening, I'm sure it's not good to do so, even if it's flagged up early in the process. Of course, the candidate will have to try and convince the immigration officer who is reviewing the petition (as well as the POE officer) that they WEREN'T trying immigrate illegally . Personally, being the anxious type, I would err on the side of caution...it would have meant almost the world to me to be with my fiancee for her birthday but decided it was better to think long-term...just IMO

Hola,

I considered the same thing. Due to a minor issue with the Affidavit of Support and strange delays from the USPS, I started the K-1 process in January 2006 and made it over here in October 2006. My fiancee's birthday was in September and the delays made me miss it - which was our big goal.

I contacted the London Embassy and explained the situation. I managed to dig this out. This is what they had to say to me in late August 2006 (after I had attended the K1 interview and was just waiting on a notarized document from my fiancee to arrive) - please bear in mind, this is three years ago now and things might have changed:

"As you have already attended an interview for a K-1 visa and you are in the final stages of the process it would not be advisable to attempt to travel to the United States.

If you do wish to make a temporary non-working visit to the U.S. while your application for a fiancé(e) visa is being processed you may travel on a B-2 (holiday) visa, or visa free under the Visa Waiver Program if otherwise qualified. You should carry with you evidence that you intend to depart the U.S. at the end of your stay and return to your residence in the U.K. This is generally established by evidence of family, professional, property, employment or other ties and commitments to some country other than the United States sufficient to cause the applicant to return there at the conclusion of his/her stay. If U.S. immigration are not convinced that you are a bona fide visitor for pleasure you can be denied entry.

If you travel to the United States and are denied entry then on your return to the United States the consular officer will require a copy of the report from the immigration official at the port of entry. This will delay the processing of your application. "

What I did was to call the $LOTS helpline and ask a question they couldn't answer and so they had to pass it to the London Embassy. After a few days, they replied with the above.

I hope it works out for you...and, again, please bear in mind this is three years' ago.

Mark

Hi Mark,

Can you please tell us when did sent the documents to USCIS (VSC) and what was the date on NOA. From your time line you have same date for both which doesn't make sense. Your response will be appreciated.

Thanks

Hi, there,

You're right. I made a typo. I've updated the timeline now...

Timeline updated. I only applied in February and had my biometrics in March. I did, however, submit an entire folder's worth of documentation that took me two months to prepare!

Dear all,

I received an Email from CRIS this morning stating that:

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

Current Status: Card production ordered.

On June 23, 2009, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you.

Does this mean I've already had my removal of conditions approved? I only applied for removal of conditions in February - I thought it was supposed to take about a year?! :-)

The next step - is it a year before I can apply for citizenship? Does anyone have any hints and tips or a URL with them? I looked at the process a little while ago but I'm sure it's changed since then...

TIA,

Mark

When you go for your biometrics appointment they will take your fingerprints and pictures at that time. No need for pictures with your application.

Excellent. Thank you!

Good list - only thing I did diferently was to send - 3 statements for Banks, credit cards, utility bills - one from 2 years ago, one from a year ago and a recent one - this was to show that we have had all these together (in both names) for the last 2 years - but I assume that one doesn't need to send three and just recent statements should be OK. Good Luck

Thank you. Am I right in saying that I do not need to provide two passport-sized photographs because I've got a copy of my green card (front and back) included in this application? Or do I need the two photographs?

Thank you! It's a relief that it doesn't need to be notarized as that would have been a pain...

Dear all,

Another question about the I-751 form here (removal of conditions). I put a list up here about what I've filed. Sorry for the second topic but this is a quick question (I hope) and might get lost in that extremely long post/thread.

The instructions to complete the form state that 'the documents should cover, but not limited to, the following examples:

5. Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by at least two people who have known both of you since your condition residence was granted and have personal knowledge of your marriage and relationship'

Does this have to be notarized? We have a typed letter with a signature from one person. I guess this wouldn't be enough? Would someone who is a known member of the community and my wife's mother be good enough for this purpose? I'd rather not ask them to go down to a notary public in this weather, but if we have to, we have to.

Thanks a lot,

Mark

Hi, all,

We are going to be filing our I-751 (removal of conditions on my Green Card) this week as there will be less than 90 days before my original GC expires on Wednesday (we're going to be filing NEXT Monday). I have read the checklist on the site, which I presume is up-to-date as it's very thorough. I'm pretty sure that the following is sufficient, but if we're missing anything important, could you fine people do the honour of letting me know?

We'll be filing to the Vermont Service Center as we're living in PA. Does anyone know how long it might be before I expect to get a new GC (without the conditions)? Or is there an intermediate step involved, such as a passport stamp?

We have enclosed the following items with our petition:

• Check for $545 - $465 for the I-751 petition and $80 biometric service fee (should this be one check?)
• Completed I-751 form and attached addendum.
• Document 1: This cover note to the petition
• Document 2: Copy of Permanent Resident Card (front)
• Document 3: Copy of Permanent Resident Card (back)
• Document 4: Copy of UK passport, K-1 visa which was used to enter the United States, I-94 and Social Security card

We have also enclosed evidence of a bona fide marriage which comprises copies of documents, etc obtained throughout the duration of our marriage up to this point:

• Document 5: Copy of our joint federal tax return for 2007 and 2008.
• Document 6: Copy of our joint state (Pennsylvania) tax return for 2007 and 2008
• Document 7: Copy of the indenture to the mortgage deed on the house we bought. We do not own the deed itself.
• Document 8: Copy of the school real estate taxes for 2008/2009 for our property.
• Document 9: We had our 9-1-1 address reverified by the USPS and the County Commissioners. The copy of this form is the notice that we were sent and explains why some documents will show the old address and some will show the new address.
• Document 10: Copy of our driving licenses.
• Document 11: Copy of our health insurance and vision insurance cards which are provided through employment.
• Document 12: Copy of electric bill for January 2009
• Document 13: Copy of our monthly mortgage statement for our property
• Document 14: Copy of the credit card statement
• Document 15: Copy of the credit card statement
• Document 16: Copy of our joint bank account statement for January 2009
• Document 17: Copy of our joint AAA membership cards which run until June 2009
• Document 18: Copy of our joint credit card
• Document 19: Copy of our joint credit card
• Document 20: Description of the photographs we've included plus the photographs themselves.
• Document 21: Hotel reservation email printouts and a description of some of the vacations we've taken since we got married
• Document 22: Signed letter from ... attesting to her belief that our marriage is a happy one
• Document 23: Copy of my 401(k) enrollment form showing that my wife is the beneficiary of my 401(k) fund should I die.
• Document 24: Copy of car registration for the car which we bought in November 2006
• Document 25: Copy of January 2009 gas payment

Thanks for reading this far and not falling asleep...

...I presume nothing, but I have to ask.

There is a good chance that the company I work for is going to go out of business. I'm a conditional green card holder who went through the K1 route, so we had to sign an affidavit of support. In the event of me losing my job, we will lose our house if I don't get another job within a couple of months. My wife can't work all that much and certainly can't earn enough to pay for the house.

In the worst case scenario, is there any assistance we might be able to get? I guess social security/unemployment is out because of my status?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Mark

My family thinks my wife is just wonderful. They're happy that I've found love and I think they're secretly pleased I moved to the US where you can more easily live a comfortable life. They're sad I'm so far away but they get a nice place to visit on vacation.

My wife's family, on the other hand, HATE me. We've had nothing but trouble from her (adult) children and the very first thing her Dad said to me when I first met him and asked for her hand in marriage was to tell me that he thought her ex-husband was the greatest man who ever lived (no paraphrasing). Welcome to the family!

I know that it's the norm in life to hope for the best but plan for worst, but I do think that marriage is the exception.

Having a prenuptial shows caution and financial prudence. On the face of it, it's very sensible. But I believe love does not care about what's prudent or sensible. Having a prenup shows that you do think that there is a chance - it might be a 0.00000000000001% chance - that the marriage will fail. Personally, I would have not got married if I wasn't 100% convinced that the marriage would succeed. Gotta go all-in - that way you are more inclined to work at it. Just my opinion....

Hi, all,

My wife and I have traveled a lot since I got here and we've stayed in a few hotels. On three separate occasions, we've managed to pull the short straw and be lodged in the room next to the screaming children who, at around 11pm, decide it's time to yell that bit louder and run in and out of the room, slamming the hotel room door every seven seconds and screaming up and down the hotel hallway.

Of course, after 30 minutes of this, it becomes tiresome and I tend to have to go over to their room, demand that they stop and if they don't, like they often don't, call Guest Services who presumably threaten to kick them out of hotel. Probably not, but let's assume that just so I feel better.

The question I have is 'where are the parents?'. Every time, they're young girls between the ages of 8 and 10 and we're talking about 11pm on a Saturday night. The parents are clearly not around because they would (you'd hope) have stopped the behavior and if they are around, they don't dare show their faces whenever I have to complain to the kids. I presume that they're out at a bar or something and have left the kids to their own devices in a busy hotel where any sort of bad person could be staying.

Isn't this child neglect? I pointed that out to the Guest Services person and she didn't know or seem to care. With what happened with Madeleine McCann, shouldn't parents be far less ignorant and self-centered and actually look after their kids whenever they go somewhere? It's not the first time this has happened, but it's the third time since I've been here so I'm worried it might actually be 'acceptable' over here. That's scary.