ShellyFco

"The 2 weeks we quote never happens, I don't know why they put that on any literature. Right now it is taking DHS at LEAST 3 months to get back to us with verification. So when you get your green card, bring it in and we can manually clear the hold without DHS and get you your number in 10 days"

That is what I was told just now by a supervisor at SSA.

Geez...so sorry for the delay. I don't know why if varies from one SS office to another though I've heard many members having issues with SS offices, then going to another office without a problem. Perhaps our case is out of the ordinary, though my fiance applied for SS one week after entering as a K-1 and received the SS card a week later.

btw dates on Case Status Online have not changed despite of the letters I have received.

Hey, I seem to be in the similar situation as you are, from the same office.

I filed for my wife's EAD/AP/AOS all in one package in mid November. We got the AOS interview letter around early December but still no Biometrics Letter for anything. The Case Status Online didn't change either.

According to your timeline you are few days ahead of us for the AOS interview. Please do let us know what happens during the interview if you still don't receive your Biometrics before then.

I am wondering if there is number we can inquire about this. Also I read somewhere people just walk in to their local office and have their Biometric, not sure for San Jose Office though.

Cheers.

Several members never see a change in their online status. As for the Biometrics Appointment, the Service Center (at least the one we had our Biometrics in San Marcos, CA), would not let you in the door without the appointment letter.

I'm looking at the EAD processing timelines and I am a little confused about what a eFile is? Is that the email you're getting from the USCIS saying that your card will be send to you? and if yes, are you allowed to work the moment you get the email even though no card on hand yet?

Please help me with this. It's kind of crucial in my situation

As mi illusion indicated, efile is when you apply electronically.

EAD processing- you cannot work unless you have an I-551 stamp in your passport or received the EAD card.

Thanks so much guys. I didn't get the stamp* so I guess I'm not legal to be on payroll.

Anyway....I read somewhere and it says that K1 can apply for SSN two weeks after entry. So if I do that now, would I have to apply for ANOTHER SSN after I get married, or the SSN that I am about to apply will suffice. OR I should just wait till after I get married to apply for SSN. BUT then I read somewhere that someone kinda got into complications when they apply for SSN after marraige.

Can u tell that I'm totally lost and confused? hehe

My fiance applied for his SS one week after entering and received it the following week. The Social Security number issued will be yours for life. In the case of a wife who may take her husband's last name, you would want to go back to SS to get the update.

It also varies depending on the Service Center. We entered as a K-1, married within two weeks. We filed for AOS on October 8th and had greencard in hand by 12/1/07. We actually had the AOS approval on 11/21/07 before we received the EAD (which was pretty much useless at that point).

But....that's a best case scenario. Kind of like those diet ads where someone loses 100 pounds, but right under their picture is the disclaimer "results not typical".

My husband had his first EAD less than 90 days after filing. But his greencard didn't arrive for 17 months.

For all practical purposes, a K1 should allow for some 'down time' from work. If you marry right away and file for adjustment right away, you can shorten your timeframe. The law requires USCIS to have your EAD to you within 90 days - if they don't you are within your rights to inquire about the document and they are required to check up on it. And, depending on the economic conditions in your area of the US and your own 'attractiveness' in the job market, it may take you some time to find work after you have the document. It took my husband about four months to find a decent job after he received his EAD.

I agree with you on the "best case scenario"....after this whole process, I'm glad for once in our lives, one portion of our immigration process was swift!

After the "card production ordered", we received our EAD a week later.

We had our AOS interview and approval before we received the EAD....which pretty much made the EAD useless. Some service centers are much slower than others.

Congratulations on the EAD and AP....and best of luck at the interview!

The EAD stamp will be valid for 90 days so great idea to file for AOS right away. Best of luck and congratulations on the K-1 !

I have applied for my renewal of EAD abt 5 months back in July,2007. I had my biometrics done on Oct 11. I received my AP but not EAD yet. I was thinking of going to the local office early next week.

I have a few question:

1) I have a scheduled vacation for 2 months from jan 10- mar 9 out of country. Do you think i should be good to go with my Advance parole.

2) My passpot expires in Jun 2008. I have already renewed it and have a new passport. Do i have to use the new passport or old passport for departing and entering US.

3) Do you think the local office can issue an EAD as i am well past the 90 days limit.

Thanks,

hipop2007

It can't hurt to go to the local service center to inquire about the EAD.

Yes, your AP allows you to travel.

It also varies depending on the Service Center. We entered as a K-1, married within two weeks. We filed for AOS on October 8th and had greencard in hand by 12/1/07. We actually had the AOS approval on 11/21/07 before we received the EAD (which was pretty much useless at that point).

We've got our k1/k2 visa approval yday, it wasnt that bad at all as someone posted as being such so dont worry much, just relax. Everything went on smooth and easy and we were done by 9:30am (We're on priority since i have my son) Senior citizen and w/ kids will be put into priority so watch out for the queuing board as it goes a bit fast than i expected. First off, a guy going around checking on our forms (dont forget to sign everything) and we were told we can get a ticket number na, and after a while of waiting we were called to have our finger scanning, they didnt take finger scan of my son but the lady look at him (maybe checking if he is the 1 in the picture), we waited a bit and around 8:45am, we were called for our pre-screen, it was a filipina and we mainly converse in tagalog, she asked for some docs such as NBI, bc's, affidavit of support, 2006 1040 and pics. Although she didnt ask for my cenomar I did offer my cenomar and w2 and she gladly accepted it. Thats all she wanted and asked me a few question about my petitioner, his name, age, when did we meet, about my ex (son's father) as she wrote the info down on a paper and check on our paperworks and told me to take a seat and wait for my number again, i waited for about 10 mins and my number flashed on the screen again, i waited outside the consul's room as there is still someone inside, after 3 mins the girl and her son went out and we went in. A nice late 30ish/early 40ish lady consul, i greeted her good morning and she replied good morning back, she asked me to raise my right hand for oath taking, looked at my papers, (i have other proof and stuff ready in the table) she asked me a few question pretty much same as the pre-screener like my who's my petitioner, his age, where does he live, if he ever went to college and what school, where did we meet, whats his job, he asked about my ex too and looked at our pics which i made like a scrapbook, she didnt asked for other proofs (i have a 3/4 thick of clearbook of proofs and j's other stuff like employment letter etc) and after everything she told me "Alright, you're all set" and told me to wait for my name to be called again, i went out and waited like 3 mins and our name was called in number 37 and the guy gave me pink slip (he even take a look closely at our pics) and gave it to me one by one (i have 12 pics, 3 pics every bond paper) and i went to delbros and paid. Left the embassy around 9:30. NO sweat, so guys dont be scared, consul arent that bad just have everything ready and answer their question straightforward. Goodluck to everyone's upcoming interview.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Ok all.......

Think whatever you want, but I need an answer. Ahmed has had his interview at the Cairo Embassy, and we are awaiting administrative processing, and I keep seeing posts about DOS. What is DOS, why do the papers end up there, and how do I find a number to contact them to see if our case has left the Cairo Embassy? Any information anyone could give me on this would be greatly appreciated. I write the embassy each week, and always get the same answer. It would be nice to have another place to contact to see if things are actually happening. And thank you for any responses you give me.

DOS= Department of State: http://www.state.gov/

I want to thank everyone here again for sharing their experiences in Juarez. From the extremely detailed accounts to the tangent observations - it all provided me and my fiancé with the confidence that we had done all we could to prepare. The result was that we got our visa in less than 4 hours without one single snag - not even the infamous photo scam!! With that said, I hope the following account of our own trip to Juarez will serve to help others. We've also included a lot of photos in hopes of making you feel that much more prepared for your trip.

There are also links to text files which contain a good number of reports pulled from this thread. There is a summary of these reports indicating the number of instances certain situations occur. There is also a text file containing a summary of all the questions asked by a Consular Officer. These files are in both English and Spanish.

Lastly, is a bit of a Juarez "photo journal" containing some photos we took in exploring that wonderful city.

¡Que te vaya bien, amigos!

Sep 3, 2007, 07.25 - 14.12 :: The Ominous Black Package

There are two locations where you can get the medical exam. A rather large, commercialized looking setup just across from the Consulate (pictured here just behind Hotel La Playa with the signage, "Servicio Medicos") ...

... and a far smaller one immediately adjacent to the American Consulate on the same side of the street ...

Having read in this thread to avoid the one across the street, we opted for the clinic just adjacent to the Consulate. These "spy" photos give some idea of the layout inside the clinic. This was a few hours later after they had called in most people.

07.00 - Upon arrival at the clinic, my fiancé went directly to a woman in front that was signing in people and looking over their invitations (cover letter of the Juarez packet).

07.25 - My fiancé's name was called and she proceeded to have her photo taken at the front of the room pictured above. Then she gave a digital signature to guaranty her payment once the exam was completed. Then she proceeded inside through the doorway pictured above to "room 4" with about 60 other women older than about 18 years old. They appeared to have segregated the men and children which were waiting in "room 2". She waited about 30 minutes to hear her name called.

8.00 - Blood was taken and priority seemed to be given to older folks (about older than 40 years old). My fiancé proceeded to wait again for about another 2 hours for her name to be called.

10.00 - She got in line for another small room and waited about 20 minutes.

10.20 - Inside the small room, she was asked to undress and put on a blue robe that was both plastic and paper. She waited about 20 minutes for a doctor.

10.30 - A female doctor entered the small room and asked the following yes or no questions:

1) Do you have bronchitis?

2) Do you have any allergies?

3) Do you have gastritis?

4) Do you have tuberculosis?

5) Do you have any heart problems?

6) Do you have any blood pressure problems?

7) Have you done any drugs?

8) Have you ever been in jail?

9) Have you had problems with immigration?

10) Are you pregnant?

11) Do you have any children?

12) Have you ever had an abortion?

The doctor proceeded to check her breathing with a stethoscope on her back, chest, and stomach. A quick visual inspection followed, and my fiancé was then asked to go ahead and put on her pants but to keep her bra off for the x-ray. She waited about 2-3 minutes and had 1 x-ray done from her back. She put her clothes on in another small room, paid the US$148 fee and got a receipt.

10.50 - I met with my fiancé as she exited from the same doorway she went in pictured above.

14.00 - Even though many suggested in this thread to wait a while after 2:00 pm to get the results, we were way too excited and arrived at 2 on the dot. The results were being handed out from the rear of the clinic. Only patients were allowed inside by the security guard. Another person collected receipts and called out names for the results.

14.12 - My fiancé had her name called out and we got the results in an ominous black package. As reference, the sheet of paper attached is a standard 8.5" x 11". You are not allowed to open nor should you fold the black package. This wreaked havoc on my OCD as I was hoping we could have everything inside the expandable folder we had meticulously put together haha.

Sep 4, 2007, 06.20 - 11.45 :: Cometh The Hour

Again, while others in this thread had recommended not going to the Consulate at the crack of dawn, we were far too excited. We couldn't even force any food down.

06.20 - We got in line and my fiancé estimated about 600 people in line although it certainly didn't seem like that much. There were two lines for "Window 1". (The following photo was taken at a very slow shutter speed to avoid using the flash and attracting gaurds so it is a lot brighter than it really was.)

08.02 - The guards are very strict about not having people meandering about outside of the line on the same side of the street as the Consulate. In fact, my fiancé would have entered the consulate a lot earlier had it not been for a particularly determined bystander that would not leave. The guard went so far as to shut the door and notify everyone that no one would be allowed inside until that guy left!! Anyway, I digress ...

Once inside, finally, my fiancé was checked for prohibited objects. One person was turned away and had to wait in a separate line. A metal detector was used and while a baggage x-ray machine was present, it was not used.

She proceeded to walk to the outside of "Building C" where she was given a ticket with a number, date and the time of arrival ...

... she was then asked for her:

1) invitation letter

2) passport

3) medical results

Although they only kept the invitation letter and placed the same number on her ticket on the invitation letter itself.

She proceeded to wait outside of Building C where there are lines of folding chairs shaded by a roof and a lot of fans. She waited about 1 hour with around 200 other people in this area.

09.00 - When there was room inside Building C, they began to allow more inside. They didn't call out any names, just motioned for people to proceed inside. They were seated outside by the order they came in (same order as their ticket numbers). They sat inside Building C in the same order of their ticket numbers per direction of a security guard. Inside, she waited about 40 minutes.

09.40 - Inside of Building C is a large analog type clock cycling through ticket numbers and corresponding "windows". The large "clock" showed her ticket number and Window 10.

She described windows 1 through 9 as typical windows on a wall. However, windows 10 through 13 were actually cubicles with a desk and a computer.

Once she proceeded to Window 10 (cubicle), the Consular Officer had our I-129F on her desk. My fiancé guessed her to be about 35 years old, likely Mexican, with a very nice but serious demeanor, and spoke good Spanish. The Consular Officer asked for:

1) medical exam

2) D-156 and D-156K

3) two passport photos

4) CDJ-401/2

5) birth certificate original and copy

6) passport

While reviewing the forms, the Consular Officer asked:

1) Is this your first marriage?

2) Do you have any children?

3) Are you going to live at [gave my specific address] in the U.S.?

4) Do you have evidence of support?

For evidence of support, my fiancé provided copies of:

1) recent job offer letter indicating salary and start date (stapled to it was my business card)

2) three of my latest paycheck stubs

3) latest 401(k) statement

4) form W-2s for 2006, 2005, and 2004

5) latest social security report

Note that I was not at all comfortable providing bank statements, tax returns, nor any originals. What was provided turned out to be perfectly sufficient (likely 1, 2, and 4 would have been enough). Notwithstanding, I had bank statements, tax returns, and all originals with me outside - just in case.

Also, the Consular Officer returned the following which my fiancé provided:

1) extra copy of birth certificate and original and copy of birth certificate translation

2) extra copy of DS-156K

3) extra copy of CDJ-401/2

My fiancé was then asked to sit down and wait for her number. She went back but sat in a different seat as people were not being called up in the order of their ticket number. She proceeded to wait about another 30 minutes.

10.15 - A Consular Officer with a blow horn called out her name with 2 other people and all 3 went to "Window 14" which was a small office with a large table and computers. Inside the office, they took fingerprints of both index fingers which they cross-referenced with her photo she had noticed on a computer screen.

She was then told to proceed to "Building B". It bears noting there are signs on the walls directing you to "C" or "B". There are large signs indicating "C" or "B" next to the doors of the respective buildings. Building "C" is much smaller than "B" the former holding about 150 people while the latter holding about 500 people. A similar large analog "clock" type sign was scrolling through ticket numbers and window locations. Although some windows had Consular Officers calling out specific names. The window numbering continued from Building C covering windows 15 through 33. All were actual windows on walls.

She went straight inside Building B since there was space and waited about 30 minutes.

10.45 - Her number was shown on the "clock" and she proceeded to Window 24. The Consular Officer was a man in his 40s, possibly a mix of Mexican and American and spoke good Spanish. She was asked to raise her right hand and swear that she would tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth (although no Bible or religious reference was made). She was then asked to place both index fingers on a scanner and was asked the following:

1) Was her name [full name]?

2) Have you been to the U.S. before?

3) Is this your fiancé's first marriage?

4) Is this your first marriage?

5) Have you been to the U.S. before? (Exact same question - not even reworded.)

To these questions, my fiancé answered simply yes or no. As she had her hands on the counter in view of the Consular Officer, she was also asked why she did not have a wedding ring. She told him that we were planning on getting one next week.

He then told her, "Congratulations, you have your visa."

She was then asked to sit back down and she proceeded to wait about 1 hour.

11.45 - Her name was called out from Window 25 and it was at that window where she was handed:

1) the envelope which was to be opened by a border officer (a diagonal cut shows its contents to be the I-129F packet and all additional evidence and forms submitted)

2) passport with the a page containing a visa

3) small paper reiterating the conditions of the visa

4) original birth certificate

Then my fiancé asked if she could go and they told her yes. Time to get drunk!!!

continued ...

THANK YOU for such a detailed account of your experience!

Welcome aboard!

I am gathering information for my I-130 petition to show evidence that our marriage was bona fide. I have a lot of photos of the wedding in Jamaica and my visit before the wedding. Does anyone know if these need to be a particular size? Can there be several photos on a page or do they have to be individuals? :blink:

I appreciate any help anyone can give me.

Many people create photo pages with several images printed on a color copier or printer.

My fiance is American and we're about to get married soon convinced that that's what we want to do. Believing that we've found our true soulmate.

I'm only 21 and he's soon to be 24 but disregarding our age our marriage is truly serious. We've been together for 18 months and we both agree that we would have waited a while with getting married if the curcumstances wasn't the way the are with me being from Denmark and so on. But we still really wish to say I DO so all the comlications with a LDR is over!

What concerns me is that I am not sure how the interviewer or the USCIS all in all is going to look at our situation, with us being so young and all... I'm afraid we can't convince them that we are sincere!!!!!

Please give me some advice!! Anybody else out there being young and married?????

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/ty...91.html#Minimum

Minimum Age Requirement for the Petitioner

There is no minimum age to file a petition for a spouse for immigration. However, you must be 18 years of age and have a domicile in the U.S. before you can sign the Affidavit of Support, Form I-864, and this form is required for an immigrant visa for spouses and other relatives of U.S. sponsors.

Best of luck the second time around. I had to chuckle when you said that your Fiance knows as much about you as your Mother...now that's true love, allowing Mom to tell all your childhood quirks. No worries on the date of 9/11; I'm praying my fiance will be on his way home and then to the U.S. which will be on 9/11. Positive thoughts feel so much better than imagining the worst and the second time around, you're more prepared than ever.

luckysprite, your post in another thread got me to thinking. We all have to send in the I-130 so that our spouses can receive an IR-1 or a CR-1 visa. Most of the information we include with this is pretty much the same. The coversheet, application, passport type photos, payment, copy of petioner's birth certificate, etc. We also have to include proof of a Bonafide Marriage.

1. Documentation showing joint ownership or property; or

2. A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence; or

3. Documentation showing co-mingling of financialresources; or

4. Birth certificate(s) of child(ren) born to you, thepetitioner, and your spouse together; or

5. Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties havingpersonal knowledge of the bona fides of the maritalrelationship (Each affidavit must contain the full nameand address, date and place of birth of the person makingthe affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner ofbeneficiary, if any, and complete information and detailsexplaining how the person acquired his or herknowledge of your marriage); or

6. Any other relevant documentation to establish that thereis an ongoing marital union.

What if...I know I may be going out on a limb here guys...what you send in for your proof of bonafide marriage has something to do with how quickly your I-130 is approved. This is something that I have never seen anything posted about so maybe if some of you would like to share what you used we could find out some information about this.

I used option #1 ~ documentation showing joint ownership of property. I added my husband to my car title and waited for it to come in the mail. I ended up sending off the I-130 packet later than I wanted to, but I figured it was the easiest way to go.

# of days I waited for approval... going by priority date ~ 107 going by NOA1 date ~ 81

This provides lots of useful information...

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/ty...types_2991.html

Congratulations...Happier times are just around the corner~

I'm definitely not letting my fiance see this post....he's been looking for an "excuse" to buy a big screen t.v. one of these days.

Hi!, my fiance is from California, Im from Mexico, and we sent our k-1 visa package a month ago, in august,and we still haven't heard about it, I want to know if it´s normal that this takes such a long time to get into the process? My fiance sent it with DHL, it took 2 days to get there, but now? when will we hear some news about the proces, I heard something about a case number, but we don't have it yet! I wish you could help me, and I also want to know what will I need during this process to be prepared, which documents, etc... to get them ready and don´t wait more time. I already have a turist visa, and I've been 2 times in USA, visiting my fiance. I also don´t know if it´s ok to go to USA with my turist visa during the k-1 visa process!

Thanks so much for your help!

Here's my timeline for reference:

4/7/06: I-129 K-1 Application mailed

4/20/06: NOA Receipt 4/20/06

6/23/06: Req for Evidence

8/31/06: NOA

9/28/06: NOA- NVC rcvd I-129

10/12 & 11/9: Rcvd CDJ Ltr- processing Visa

Dec 2006: CDJ Interview

12/18/06: I-601 filed

8/6/07: Waiver Approval postmark 8/15/07

8/22/07: Waiver letter received

8/31/07: Email from CDJ that Open Appt. sent

9/4/07: Open Appt. Ltr Rcvd (postmarked 8/31)

9/9/07: In CDJ, Open Appt 9/10/07

we just moved to the new apt. and we don't get any utility bill yet. I kindda don't wanna delay my case another month because of my utility bills.

what do you guys think am i gonna get REF letter? i hope not

here is my evidence that i'm gonna send this wednesday please take a look and comment it

thank you very much

• Copies of the passports and green cards

• Copy of birth certificate of my wife

• Copy of our receiptCopy of our I-bond government savings account.

• Copy of our itinerary to Thailand.

• Copy of our car insurance.

• Copy of our rental insurance

• Copy of our pictures. for our tax preparation.

• One of our unused cheques.

• Cell phone advertising.

• Copy of our savinCopy of our marriage certificate.

• Copy of the income tax for 2006.

• Copy of our life insurance.

• Copy of our state ID.g CD.

• Copy of our DVD rental account at the move gallery.

• Copy of our Sam’s club member.

• Copy of our marriage vows and ring exchange.

• Copy of Federal Stafford loan.

• Copy of our bank account.

• Copy of our visa cards showing a joint account.

• Copy of our money order for our rent payment.

Your utility company may be able to provide a copy of the order for service, similar to most phone companies. Simply contact them and ask for some kind of proof that you and spouse have service.

Congratulations on the waiver approval!

Thank you! I have lost all faith in the paralegal I paid to prepare everything and answer all my questions. Thus far, I believe her "experience" is strictly based on her own experience 15 years ago! I just wanted to make sure I have everything I need when we arrive in Juarez.

Every source of information I've read indicates that Police Certificates are required for every K-1 Visa. I have also read that Police Certificates cannot be obtained in Mexico among other countries. So, what happens in this instance. Does anyone have an experience in regard to this matter?

Thank you. I did read that Police Certificates could not be obtained from Mexico. I was just wondering what is done in lieu of the Police Certificate. Does the Embassy complete their own investigation or what?

Yes - more or less. Every consulate, I believe, does background checks on the applicant and takes fingerprints.