Mary G.

Of course it depends on the state. I just wanted to share our experience with NH, since NH's website through the DMV is very unclear and makes it sound like you can convert it easily, without any tests.

To add to the list here, in Massachusetts, you can just convert your German license. You don't have to take any tests, apart from the eye exam.

Best wishes,

Mary

Depends on the state. In Wisconsin a German driver license gets "converted" to a WI one. Same for Canadian driver licenses.

In Minnesota, however, you have to take a test. The info can be found on the DMV webpage of the state you live in.

For anyone coming from Germany, I wanted to mention that when my husband came to the States on his green card, he thought he would have to hand over his German license and would be given a NH license. Unfortunately, this was not the case. They let him keep his German license, but he had to take a written test and the driving test in Concord (the only DMV where they handle alien licenses). He didn't know this ahead of time, so he just took the test that day. He passed both with no problems. Still, we would have liked to know in advance that he was going to have to take the tests.

Hope this info. helps!

Mary

Oban,

You can put yours and your wife's assets on the 864. If you were not her spouse, then you would have to use the 864-A to have your assets included. In terms of proving assets, my husband and I had bank statements printed out for the previous twelve months, since we'd been told that's what we would need. In the end, they only asked for the most recent statement, but I think this was because they seemed to accept my job contract in the States (which didn't begin until July and we were interviewing in April) as enough evidence for the 864.

Good luck!

Best wishes,

Mary

I read somewhere that if you insist that it was a gift and that you do not have to return it, it's acceptable.

60-90 days is the official version, but it can be faster as you observed, especially if you turn it in in person.

It took over four weeks (after POE) for my husband to receive his. Hope this info. helps!

Best wishes,

Mary

i think 2 weeks ..

good luck

Hi Adriana,

Life is good in the States so far, and I think Daniel's pretty happy here. We've been pretty busy since we've been back, as we're having a larger wedding reception here on the 28th...and it's been hectic getting everything ready for that. We've also had some friends from Germany in town, and now Daniel's parents are here for three weeks. (We're headed to Boston today with them to do some sightseeing. )

Thanks for your message back. Your experience was very helpful, as we just returned from the Social Security Office this morning and Daniel was successfully able to apply for a number. They could see from the system that he hadn't yet been issued one. We just hope it will come fast, as we'll be moving to Vermont on August 1st and we'd really like to have it before then. If not, then my parents will just have to send it to us later on.

Hope all is well with you! And thanks again for the helpful information!

Best wishes,

Mary

Hi Adriana,

Congratulations on your social security number! I have a quick question for you: did you check off the box on the DS-230 to get a social security number? If so, did you tell them that when you went to the social security office, or did you just reapply for a new one since you hadn't yet received one?

Hope all is well with you!

Best wishes,

Mary

Ja ja ja I finally got the SSN in the mail

Hi Karen,

When my husband and I applied for his visa through Frankfurt, we were in a similar situation as yourself. I, the U.S.C., had qualifying income from 2006, but no current income in Germany. When I emailed the Consulate about our case, I received an email back saying:

You do actually already qualify with your 2006 income. Please bring

your three most recent Taxes (1040 & W2) & your most recent bank

statements, mutual fund statements, etc. on the appointment day along

with your contract for the job in the US.

From this response, and from everything that happened at the interview, it seems we were able to qualify based on my 2006 income and the fact that I had a job contract for the U.S. We had information about our assets, but that didn't seem important or very necessary to them. I'm not even sure that the job contract was necessary, although it did seem to help.

Of course, I think it's largely up to their discretion what they decide to do. We did have an I-864 filled out from my parents in case we needed it (but we never even pulled it out of our big folder). It was a lot of work, but we felt better having it in case something went wrong.

Hope this helps!

Best wishes,

Mary

Thanks for the info... I think I'll go to the trouble with the docs from my folks. I'll kick myself later if I don't do it and need it. One further question, does the income (US income) from my 2006 tax return mean anything? Or only my current income? If it is only my current income, then why do they care about your previous years? I guess just to establish an income history??

I think it's only your current income. I don't know why they ask for 3 years of tax returns! Your current income in South Africa won't count anyway since I presume you'll be leaving that job and going to a new one in the USA.

So, as far as you know then, I'll need the I-864 for me, an I-864 from my mother and an I-864A for my father (contract between household members), correct? Do both the I-864 from my mothe and the I-864A for my father need to be notorized? I haven't gotten that far...

Thanks again, you have been very helpful!

~Karen

My parents filled out an I-864A jointly, and their taxes are filed jointly...since we didn't use their affadavit I don't know if theirs was filled out correctly or not. You will definitely have to fill out the I-864 even if you're not eligible to sponsor your SO.

I did not have the I-864 that I filled out notarized and they did not seem to care, though I would have it notarized if the instructions request it.

Sorry I can't be more help!

Yodrak,

Thanks for the correction.

Best,

Mary

Mary,

There is no fee for I-864 processing unless the NVC is involved, which it isn't in DCF cases, and in that case the fee is $70.

There is a fee for processing the immigrant visa (IV) application, which is $300 and something, almost $400. That fee is not for the I-864.

Yodrak

I'm not exactly sure what you mean with the IV Bill. If you're going through Direct Consular Filing, you will have a fee to file the I-130 (this is going up as of July 31st, but if you file it before then, you'll pay the current fee), and then a fee to pay for the I-864 (currently totals a little under $400) when your husband goes for his interview (this is also going up as of July 31st).

Hope this helps!

Best wishes,

Mary

It depends. Did you just enter the US? I'm not sure how it works if you came in on a fiance visa...but for my husband who will enter the States in June, he will receive a 2 year Green Card because we will have been married for less than two years when he enters the States. Then, he will have to apply for removal of conditions after two years of living in the States.

Can you tell us more about your situation? Then we might be able to give you better feedback.

Best wishes,

Mary

I got 2 years GC after 3 years marriage.is it mistake?should i get infopass ?

Technically, proving you have maintained domicile in the US should be the same thing, regardless of the embassy at which you're filing. It should be enough to show you've filed taxes, that you still have American bank accounts, that you have an address in the US, that you're still registered to vote, etc. It can help to show that you have been looking for a job in the United States, but then this is pretty difficult to document, and also, as you said, difficult given that you don't know exactly how long this process will take and when you will make the move back to the US.

I would not worry too much about the job, particularly if you have a joint sponsor. You will, however, need to have an address in the US to put down as your domicile in the US as you continue with this process. I used my parents' address, since I have all of my belongings stored there and that is where my mail has been going since we've been living in Germany.

Best wishes,

Mary

Ok, so I'll try to make this as short as possible. I am the USC my husband the intending immigrant. I filed the I-130 on Friday June 1. I asked a few questions while I was there speaking with the counsel. He said that one of the things is that we had to have proof that we were intending to stay and live in the US during the interview process. Now I have lived in Poland for almost a year and Europe going on 3 years this July. My plans are to have my mother be a joint sponsor. The counsel said that I should have a work contract or a lease signed to show that we are intending to live in the US. Now how am I supposed to do that first because I don't know when they will approve the visa and second if they will and third exactly when we will be able to leave here (we both have signed contracts at work). My question is will they deny my husband a visa if we don't have definite plans? We are in no hurry to leave here and there is the 6 months you have after it has been approved, so I don't see why I need to get a lease or work contract so soon.

Any help or comments are greatly appreciated.

That sounds really weird to me. You should have US domicile I think, but all that truly involves is continuing to file US tax returns and perhaps maintaining some accounts, like a US credit card. The whole point of allowing people to file directly as US consulates is that those US citizens aren't currently living in the states. And how can you be in the states during the interview process when the interview doesn't take place in the states? And your husband could very well get turned away at the US because it would look like he was intending to immigrant on that trip.

Your husband will be asked about the address where he intends to live in the US - just use your mother's address. Or if you'll be staying with someone else when you first arrive, you would use that address.

That's how London deals with domicile but she won't be going through them. She said the counsel (I'm guessing she meant consul) is telling her that she has to have a lease and/or a job.

I'm not exactly sure what you mean with the IV Bill. If you're going through Direct Consular Filing, you will have a fee to file the I-130 (this is going up as of July 31st, but if you file it before then, you'll pay the current fee), and then a fee to pay for the I-864 (currently totals a little under $400) when your husband goes for his interview (this is also going up as of July 31st).

Hope this helps!

Best wishes,

Mary

Hello !

A quick summary so no one has to ask =) I am a USC and my husband is Canadian Citizen. We were married in 2005. I immigrated to Canada in 2005 and now we are planning his immigration back to the USA. Fairly new to the USA process and trying to figure out proper forms =) We will be filing his I-130 through the Toronto Consulate(have not filed yet, waiting on long birth certificate).

I just have a quick question on the iv bill....since a great portion of the immigration costs have been changed....will the iv bill fee change as well ? I have been trying to find info as to exactly what is entailed on the iv bill and not coming up with much info. Any one out that can help me with this, would be much appreciated.

Thank you in advance to anyone who may have the answers =)

You can apply for removal of conditions ninety days before your temporary card expires. It is too early now to do so, as it must be postmarked within ninety days of its expiration--no sooner. As for documentation, you might want to show proof of joint bank accounts, both your names on a mortgage or lease, birth certificates from a child you have together (if you have one), etc. Also, if you ever plan on applying for American Citizenship, you should also keep a record of dates you leave the United States, as the N-400 will ask for that later on.

Best wishes,

Mary

Hi everyone,

I received my temporary green card (2 yrs expiration) in April 2007. I believe it expires in April 2009. When should I apply for removal of conditional status? Is it too early now? Also, what sort of documentation should I start accumulating?

Thank You so much!

Adriana,

That's awesome...and great too, that you were able to change your flight. I hope it all goes smoothly. Let us know about your POE and how it goes when you get the chance. Thanks for being so supportive of all of us!

Wishing you the best,

Mary

Yuppieeeee, I was so sure that is coming today, the most beautiful bell ring: the post man. :dance: I got the passport and the brown envelope right here. I noticed that they put a canceled stamp on the 10 year US tourist visa I had on my passport and the mysterious brown envelope has a corner cut off I guess for the papers to fit in there.

Now, I am ready to go to my husband! :dance:

F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S!!!! When will the big move take place? where to? Details! Details!!!!!

L.

It depends on what you checked on the DS-230. If you checked that you also wanted to apply for a Social Security Number, it should theoretically come in the mail. If you did do this, and if it doesn't come within a month, then I'd say you should go to the Social Security Office and apply in person. If you didn't do this on the DS-230, then you should go apply in person.

Best wishes,

Mary

Hi,

My husband just arrived on May 17th. Does the SS card automatically come in the mail after entry into US? or do we have to go to SS Admin Office to apply?

Thanks for any advice you can give

Tawfiq and Irene

I recommend getting your SSN as soon as possible. If you wait too long, they won't give you one until you have employment authorization--and that is probably more than 3 months away. Also, some banks require a SSN. You will want to be added to your SO's bank accounts--it's good evidence for your Adjustment of Status.

Welcome to America!

Hi Sam,

My husband and I had to do the same thing--prove our mariage was bonafide, and we sent: a copy of our lease with both our names on it, statements from joint bank accounts, letters from my family to him and his family to me, photographs of the two of us, a short description of how we met (they asked for this specifically), and the copies of plane tickets from trips we took to see one another before we were married. We also printed a sample of emails...although I don't think they even looked at them.

Best of luck to you!

Mary

Congratulations Cindi I wish you good luck and a beautiful life next to the love one

Hi

I was just reading up on your timeline and was wondering what other doccuments did you need to send other than your marriage cert, to prove that your marriage was bona fida?

Which Service center was your paper work at?

Sorry I just want to be prepared for anything...

Sam

Congrats, Adriana! That's great news. I hope that your trip to the States comes quickly and that you're very happy there!

Mary

Visa approved!

Finally this day came for me too. I left the house early in the morning (4:30 am) because I was afraid of the traffic, a lot of rain and trucks on autobahn 5 but all good, I arrived to the Consulate in Frankfurt at 6:00 am. I parked in front of the Consulate and I was the second in line..but first person was for a work visa so....and the third in line was a VJ friend, Diana (John&Diana)-approved too .

Inside, first you pass the security, then you go to the visa building.

Window 22 pay the fee, window 23 give the number from the entrance, visa application (DS-230 part 2), 1 photo (I showed her a bunch of pictures and she picked the correct one lol) and I received a list with the order they want my documents at the next window and an envelope to put stamps on it (value of the stamps 4.25 euro).

Window 18, the lady (very nice lady) took the requested documents and explained me about the POE and removing the conditions...plus she noticed that my passport will expire in December so she advise me to keep the expired passport too when I get the new one.

Window 17: interview. I signed DS-230 part 2 in front of the Officer, he asked me where we are going to live in the States, he took my fingerprints and.... APPROVED. He said they have everything they need and they are ready to issue my visa so in maxim a week i will get the visa in the mail.

The end.

Thank you very much to all of you for your support!

Adriana,

Good luck tomorrow!! I'm sure it will go just fine.

Best wishes,

Mary

Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just to clarify (and maybe someone already has and I missed it), if the spouse of a US citizen enters the US on a CR-1 visa, he/she can apply for citizenship after three years of residing in the US. It doesn't matter that the visa is a CR-1 and not an IR-1, it still counts towards the three years requirement.

Best wishes to all,

Mary

AOS is for K-3, not CR-1. you start counting when you get your green card, 2 year or 10 year. You get your green card when you enter the U.S. wether a CR-1 or IR-1. Mike & Zhen GOOD LUCK ! ! ! ! !

Hey there,

Adjustment of Status does apply to a CR-1, because she will be a conditional resident. At the 2 year mark or before she must adjust her status.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD

I may be confusing adjusting status and removing conditions. Sorry!!

Hi Tracy,

You should be fine traveling. Are you going to the US? If you're going to the U.S., you might just want to bring any documents that show you still have ties to the UK, like a lease, valid car insurance policy, etc., just to show you're not planning to stay in the U.S. At least that's what I've read on this forum before.

Best wishes,

Mary

We recently filed our I 130 in London. Credit card charged, awaiting NOA......

Now we have a trip planned. I know a lot of folks have gone on visits without a problem.....what kind of back up documentation should we bring, just in case?

Is there a prohibition against travelling after the DS230 is submitted?

Thanks!!

Tracy

Daniel interviewed on Monday, and had his visa by Thursday.

-Mary

You are right, people don't update their timeline............

good to hear from you Karin und Otto

Hi Wacken,

My husband went to Dr. Pollman. It was pretty straightforward and quick, and then they sent the results directly to the embassy. I think it cost about 150 Euro, which is more than Frankfurt (I think), but worth it if it saves you a night's hotel in Frankfurt. It also was great because he got the appointment really quickly and got it over with.

Best wishes,

Mary

Hey, thanks a lot! I will let my husband know.

Adriana,

Just reread my post--I gave you false information. You won't have to file to remove conditions until ninety days before your two year anniversary of entering the states with your CR-1 visa. Geez...sometimes I respond too quickly and then realize I've given wrong information. Maybe you knew this already, though.

Ah well...it's good you won't have to file any more applications for almost two years!

Sorry for the misinformation.

Mary

Thank you all! I prefer to remove conditions later than to wait another month far away from my love.

Adriana,

The same thing happened with Daniel's visa. It says Category IR-1, but he will get a CR-1 since we will have been married for less than two years when he enters the States with the visa. If you enter in June, you'll get the CR-1, and then you'll have to file the application to remove conditions as soon as you get there.

Too bad...because your two year anniversary is so close.

But at least you'll be back with your sweetheart.

Mary

IR1 is the visa category. Yes the POE officer will decide if you receive 2 year or 10 year.

Adriana,

We are getting ready. We finally chose a moving company and have sold a couple of pieces of furniture. There're boxes all over our apartment. It's a busy time, but I think we're both very excited to get to the States and start our life there. I keep worrying Daniel will be sad to leave Germany, but so far he just seems excited.

Now that you have your interview date, when are you planning on moving? Any idea yet?

Let us know how it goes!

Best wishes,

Mary

Thank you Mary i've just read your interview review and it was so smooth for you, I hope I have the same luck. You guys getting ready for moving to US?

and guess what...again happy

:dance: :dance:

Congrats Walter and Adriana!

Walter, that's a super fast I-130 approval. Good for you!

Adriana, good luck with the interview. Everything went like clockwork for us. I hope it does for you as well!

Best wishes,

Mary

thanks so much i am so happy guys :dance: :dance: