aikorob

OK--my wife has been reading the Russian language forums, and there is a big discussion going on over there.

People are asking "what is the best response when you don't understand the interviewer's question?"

we are not talking about understanding English; rather a problem of the interviewer having an accent, or talking really low, or mumbling.

I told my wife the best response would be "I'm sorry,could you please speak up and repeat the question"

Apparently people on her forums are worried that if they utter the phrase "I don't understand" that this will be seen as not understanding English; and will cause a strike against them.

Anybody had this experience in their interviews?

THANKS!!!!

We sent my wife's N-400 application in August; and recieved the biomectrics appointment letter in early September for a 9/14 fingerprint.

We opened an online case so we could monitor the status (don't ask why, but for some reason we never did this before-greencard, advanced parole, etc)

The online status says "an RFE was sent 9/1/2010"----this date does not match the biomectrics appt. letter.

Our question is: Is the mentioned RFE likely referring to the Biomectrics request; or is there an RFE letter floating around we have not recieved yet?

Really---never had ANY hassles going in or returning from Odessa or Kiev

I've told her repeatedly that the greencard will be all she needs---plus it has her photo--- even the most dense DHS official should be able to match a face.

Hi folks---I have a question for the married couples.

My wife is planning her first visit back to Odessa in March, but she has some MAJOR concerns. The important points are:

1. She kept her name after we were married.

2. Her birth certificate is from USSR---her name is listed--First; Patronymic; Last

3. Her passport is Ukraine---her name is listed--First; Last

4. Greencard has her name same as birth certificate (Homeland Security goes by this document first)

She is very worried that since her greencard and passport do not match EXACTLY, she will not be able to return to the US. When we went for the greencard interview, the case officer said the only way he knew it could be resolved was by her going down to the county courthouse and filing a name change.

Does anyone have any suggestions or thoughts on this?

BTW---she will use JFK as POE if that makes any difference.

Just FYI, I bought my tickets directly through NWA but they used their partner KLM. It seemed that I got about the same price as going through Orbitz...Orbitz didn't offer the ability to buy a ticket originating from Ukraine...that's why I went through NWA directly. My roundtrip ticket was about $800. For her ticket 1-way from Kyiv, they wanted $2,500. I asked if I could just get her a roundtrip ticket like mine but just not use the first half. They said no...they would cancel if she didn't show up on the way over. So finally I told them to make a roundtrip ticket starting in Ukraine and then returning later on in the year even though she probably won't use it. That dropped the price down to about $800. Ah...the silly games airlines play. My guess is you can probably get even cheaper tickets...I was too busy working on other things to shop around more. Hope this helps someone.

Oh one more thing. Anyone know a cheap way to ship things to the USA from Ukraine? My wife is an avid reader and doesn't want to leave her books behind! hahaha She's got 100-200 kilograms worth which could get expensive transporting as luggage. She thinks she may have a company that will do it for about $3/kg but am just curious to see if anyone knows a cheaper way. Thanks!

We have the same problem---my wife wants her stuff from Odessa also. There is a company called Meest---but if I remember correctly, the prices they quote on shipping by sea are from the docks in Odessa to their terminal in Jersey--you are responsible for getting it delivered down here. Have you really looked at paying the "extra baggage" fee from the airlines? Or you could possibly find someone else visiting Lviv to act as your mule. Right now our plan is: on her next visit back to Odessa (probably in April) I am going to accompany her also, and we will pack the maximum allowed in the luggage to bring back here.

Hi folks,

Just a short note to inform you of our post-marriage USCIS involvement:

N. received her approved AP papers on the 20th of last month; along with a notice that her greencard interview was scheduled for Nov. 14 (4 months exactly since we filed the papers). Monday we received a notice that her EAD card was approved and mailed. This seemed fast even though we had 2 RFEs--first was because I did not send copies of my W-2 with tax return; second was because they could not find records of her medical exam from Kiev.

The EAD card will allow her to get her driver's license here which will give her mobility, and allow her to look for a job. Now all we have to do is pass the interview hurdle next month.

Hi folks,

N. received her approved AP papers on the 20th of last month; along with a notice that her greencard interview was scheduled for Nov. 14 (4 months exactly since we filed the papers). Monday we received a notice that her EAD card was approved and mailed.

Since these two documents were approved, can we relax a little as far as the interview goes----or is Murphy still subject to showing up as well?

I have been checking the other interview posts here on VJ; and the common thread seems to be the more documentation you bring to the interview, the shorter the actual questions and the less likely any of your paperwork will be looked at.

Any advice you successful people can share would be welcome; especially anything about Atlanta.

Congratulations!!!!!

We just recieved the interview notice today (for Nov 14).

Did you go to the USCIS office on Parklake Drive? If so can you provide any more details?

Thanks

MAriya,

Vaccinations are not required until you file for AOS. It would be much easier for you to get them before you leave (probably cheaper also)

oh wait---I just noticed you were filing CR-1---your rules may be different. I know my statement above is true for K1

Zadan,

You will be outside of security zone once you travel between terminals. There is 1 exit from customs at terrminal 4, so it will be easy to spot your sweetheart when she exits---don't forget the flowers

PS-secondary processing times will vary depending on the work load--it took my wife 2 hours to get through after her plane landed

Unless it has changed in past few months, I-134 was considered "optional" --I sent the same financial docs as you did---without I-134

E,

I think you were replying to me.

Long story on the reason she gave me---she had worked for police in Odessa before; and there was a waiting period of x number of years that she could not leave the country---departmental secrets or some such. She had to get a friend to issue her report, and then she mistakenly sent it to the embassy when she sent the request for interview. By that time her friend had also left the department, so she had to find someone else who could help her. It took her months to get a new police certificate.

Etripke,

No need to wait for embassy to send info packet---have your girl download it from embassy site. I had my lady do this as soon as we learned KEV# , so we had everything ready and assembled when they finally scheduled her interview. Medical and other documents are good for a year----be sure to tell her to get a copy of her medical exam for YOUR records. Our illustrious DHS cretins lost Nataly's exam somewhere between JFK and our AOS application. She had to go to a CS here for a complete new medical exam. Interview in Kiev was VERY easy---they only asked her one question.

We were just up there on Thursday, the 16th.

The exit is for Howell Mill Road--at the top of the ramp, take a right. Like Kathryn said; after you turn on Howell Mill, get in the left lane--Collier Road will be on the left.

Wife's appt. was for noon--we got there around 11:20. They made everybody line up out side until 11:45 or so.

ONLY APPLICANTS WERE ALLOWED IN--NO SPOUSES. NO CELL PHONES; NO PURSES OR BAGS. MAKE SURE YOU BRING YOUR APPOINTMENT LETTER.

The Mrs. was out by 12:30--only bright note of the day---they stamped her appointment letter, and said it would be sufficient proof for Georgia DMV to get her driver's license

FYI--We went for the Biometric appointment today. Her appointment was for noon--we got there about 11:20. They made everybody line up outside until arount 11:45 (very pleasant in Georgia in August). They only let the applicants inside; so I found some shade and waited. She came out around 12:30. Quick, easy, and the only problem was she had trouble remembering the home phone #

She said she observed and overheard a LOT of people who had received RFE for medical.

I started calling to the other Civil Surgeons in GA--I found one in Columbus who would fill out the forms for $120---if we bring him the test results for HIV, RPR, PPD--they won't do these tests in his office. So I guess next step is to schedule some time off to go by the county health department.

Talking to the nurse in his office, she said it was a very common problem--for USCIS to "misplace" the medical docs. She also said that since March; USCIS has required a TB skin test (PPD) and then a follow up X-ray if the results are positive; and the X-ray must be within 90 days. Sounds like they are administratively changing the rules to require a new medical exam over here.

We went to civil surgeon for I-693A---the supplement was all she needed, since her exam was in March this year. It was submitted in sealed envelope with AOS packet.

The RFE says "submit I-693, Medical Exam of Aliens Seeking Adjustment of Status"

Thanks, I took a look at that one, and also there another here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=77474

Looks like a set pattern---like I said, she goes for Biometric on Thusday the 16th; so I'll ask at the office.

Mods---feel free to merge this thread if you want.

We received a RFE today---one of the boxes checked was that a I-693 was required.

#######????-she just had her medical exam in Kiev on March 15!!!!!!---well within the 1 year limit for documents. We did see a civil surgeon for the vaccination supplement---it was submitted in a sealed envelope with the AOS packet.

N. did not get a copy of the medical report from the clinic---the only copy was in the envelope she presented at JFK.

I went back and checked the copy we kept of the I-485-----in part 2 box C is clearly checked-"I entered on a K1 visa"

Anybody got any ideas or suggestions? We go for the Biometric visit on Thursday; so I WILL be asking the folks at the Atlanta office.

OK folks,

I promised my sweetie that I would ask---What exactly happens at your biometric appointment?

I know fingerprints are the biggie; but what else?

FYI--USCIS made her appointment 1 month after I mailed the AOS package--it is Aug 16 in Atlanta. Maybe I did an adequate job with the paperwork........or maybe they are getting more efficient

A SSN IS required; but if you look at the guides provided here, there is a notation on there from the Social Security Administration that a K1 visa recipient does not require the EAD stamp to beginn work once they have a SSN

However, since the K1 expires after 90 days, so does the implicit work authorization--she will then need to file for a formal EAD.

BTW--I can verify the SHORT interview from Kiev---they only asked Nataliya 1 question at her interview in March

Yeah-we are scrambling to get the vaccination record straight as well.

We went to a Cs in Columbus, GA. He had the vaccine; but we were told it would be 2 shots for varicella, at $100 each. They suggested we go get a blood test ($67) to see if my wife actually needed the shots. Luckily, she didn't; so we saved a bunch.

If you are in doubt about your spouses records--check to see if the blood titre would be cheaper than just blindly getting vaccinated.

BTW-the health department here charged $25 each for MMR and TD

I too have a question about the Georgia regulations.

We used a K1 visa, and we applied for a SSN about 2 weeks after she arrived. We had to get a SSN to put her on the bank account; which we could use to prove residency. N. finally passed her written test down at the DMV today. Unfortunatly, a sharp eyed employee there noted her I-94 expires on July 30; so her learner's permit expires then also.

For a non USC; the state of Georgia requires one of the following:

1)Foriegn passport with appropiate immigration documents

2)I-551 Resident Alien Card

3)I-668 Temorary Resident Alien Card

Any suggestions as to what I can get to show the DMV folks? Will the NOA that we will get when we file for AOS work?

What about an extension of I-94? If she has to sit around the house another 6 months waiting on her green card---she will go postal!

ANY suggestions would be helpful!

Hope y'all don't mind if I piggy back on this post; we are assembling the AOS package for my wife as well.

My question is: do we need to send multiple copies of certian documents? For instance, the EAD and AP might require copies of her I-94 and photos. Will one of each of the reuired documents be enough?

Sorry for the double post

Hi Cécy!

You and I are going through the same paperwork, we're filing I-130 and I-485 as well. From what I understand,

the instructions for I-130 says "a copy of your marriage certificate" (although we are sending an original certified copy, I'm so glad we ordered like four original copies when we married). The I-485 does not mention a marriage certificate UNLESS you are applying as the spouse of another applicant. Your husband is a US citizen, so that doesn't apply to you. However, the I-485 does say at the end of "Filing Instructions" to "attach copies of documents proving that you are eligible." I would attach a copy (not the original) of your marriage certificate just in case. I think sending something and not needing it is better than not sending it and finding out it IS needed!

But I'm curious as to what others will say, I would love to hear a solid answer myself since we haven't yet filed either.

"...how precise we need the information to be for fear of doing things wrong." My sentiments exactly! I'm so nervous that one tiny mistake, like writing "N/A" instead of "NONE", could affect everything.

P.S. Just to make sure, are you sending the I-130 to Chicago, and the I-485 to your district's service center? We were told to do that, but I'm wondering if I am supposed to send the entire packet together to the Chicago lockbox....