wtrav

It's not true. I was 28-30 weeks pregnant on my interview. They only asked if my fiance was the father. Got the visa without any hiccups whatsoever. That happened in November 2019.

I lost my green card a couple months ago and submitted application for a replacement. I want to travel outside the US in the end of December and was wondering if there's a way to do it even I don't receive my replacement GC by then? Read about the i-751 stamp but it doesn't exactly apply to my case bacause I'm not lifting conditions. Is there any other way to leave the US without the green card and be able to come back?

I live in Texas. 

The first time I went to get a driver's licence (right after I arrived) they only issued it for 2 months which was when my i94 expired. After that I had to wait for the EAD in order to get the new one and the DL was going to expire when the EAD expired (they're usually issued for 1 year).

I got my green card in November and went for a DL (I didn't have one based on my EAD because I wasn't in the country for the summer). They issued it for 6 years based on the green card (expires in 2026).

On 5/20/2020 at 11:26 AM, bradoony said:

I have to go do the medical exam somewhere near me and the doctor office said they need a vaccination report from her home country. Can we also translate the vaccination report and provide it to the doctors with that same for you just posted?

 

I had AOS in the end of last year and did a medical here in the USA and also in Bulgaria. Basically the civil surgeon will ask for 3 vaccines (or more depending on her age and if it's considered flu season) and you need to provide proof that she has them otherwise she would have to get them regardless that she may have gotten them already. If there's no proof she has to retake them. If you have insurance you can call and ask what vaccines are needed and take her to Walgreens/CVS or other place and get them before the doctor's visit. Make sure to ask for a paper so you can show it to the doctor. Also, call multiple places for the medical check and compare the cost. I was quoted $300-$2000 by different providers for the same thing.

Regarding the translation, check out the Bulgarian embassy's website, there's a list of translators. Reach out to a few, ask for rates and how much time it will take them to translate the docs. You can send everything via email. 

It was never a discussion for us. He paid for the petition, once I came to the US I transferred my savings to our joint bank account and paid the AOS. All future  expenses will also be paid from our bank account. I haven’t worked at all since I got here because we had a baby. So it will be taken care for with the money he earned. But he doesn’t look at it as “his money”. It’s ours because we’re a family.

You will have i94 only if currently inside of the US.

I just got approved on the spot for the green card.

They interviewing officer said that I didn't need the medical done in the US as I already had one done overseas and I was a fiancee.

I went to my homecountry for 2.5 months and had no issued coming back. They checked the combo card and my passport. I had my marriage certificate with me just in case but it was not needed. Had to spend some time in the "immigration room" to get the stamp. 

On 11/6/2019 at 5:31 PM, Waboss said:

I can give you our experience since we just went through this process a couple of months ago for my wife.

 

First, two things to note:

-Every place I called that had a Civil Surgeon available, would NOT cover the immigration medical under insurance, even if they accepted my health insurance.

-Most places had the immigration "physical" separated from the other tests (blood tests and such) and immunizations (if needed).....I think there was a reason for that now.  However, I did find a place that wrapped it all up into one fee, so I went there, which based on hindsight, was probably a mistake.

 

Now, what I have found out, with a LOT of phone calls to my health insurance provider, is that they would cover it, IF the doctor's office would provide the proper information (procedure codes, diagnosis codes, tax id, etc.) on the actual itemized receipt (of course I would have to file the claim myself to get reimbursed for what I paid the Dr's office).  Well, the Dr's office we went to would NOT do that for the immigration physical, or anything that "was a result of the requirements from it".  It doesn't matter that ALL the tests and immunizations she still needed are covered under our insurance policy.  My insurance provider even called the Dr's office directly, and they would not provide the information for them.

 

So, my take away and advice is this:

Get your medical, or the "immigration physical" part of it completed either at a separate office or on a separate visit from the tests and immunizations that they will require.  Then get the tests and/or immunizations done at any office that accepts your insurance (so they file it for you with your insurance and you don't have to pay in advance and then file the claim yourself).  Even if you have to go back and pay the fee for the physical again to get the information added in (here it was $109), it's still cheaper than paying for all the tests/immunizations.

 

Of course, if you get lucky, and find a Dr's office that will accept insurance for everything (or even part of it), then you're lucky and I would suggest going with them.

 

Thanks for the input. I found a place that had a flat fee for the physical and blood work. They gave me a referral for the missing vaccines, which were covered by my insurance anyways. After I got what was needed they completed my medical on the spor. 

I was surprised how variable the price was. Some places asked for $2k whereas the place I visited charged $250 for everything. 

I will schedule a medical exam for my GC interview that’s coming soon and have insurance. Is it okay to use it to cover the cost of the medical? Somebody told me it’s illegal to do so and need to pay it myself (not to bill the insurance company) but that doesn’t make much sense to me if I am covered. Would appreciate any experience you share.

12 hours ago, Madao said:

1. You need to bring originals to the interview; not sure how that applies to the translation, but I wouldn't risk not having an original.  You should have sent a copy of it during the initial package instead of the original.  It's stated in the I-485 instructions that unless they ask for an original, you should send a copy. 

2. Is your DS-3025 marked completed?  I assume you filed for AOS within one year of your medical examination judging from your timeline and also you didn't have a Class A condition.

3. In the I-485, it states a the requirements for a translator.  From the wording, I would say you should be able to do it yourself if you are competent and sign a certification stating so with the required information.

 

Refer back to the I-485 instructions if you need more clarification.  You can also try calling USCIS and asking them.

 

I didn’t send the original but a translated copy of it. Anyways thanks for the input. 

We submitted tax transcripts and letter from the employer stating the start date and annual salary.

If the K1 interview takes place after 01/01/2020 you should be good as you'll have tax docs by then. You don't have to submit anything when you file the petition, only the beneficiary needs to bring the documents and Affidavit of support to the interview. I had all needed but the CO only asked for the affidavit of support.

Hello everyone,

My GC interview was scheduled for November 19th. I filled AOS based on marriage after K1 and had my medical examination overseas. 

I am now collecting the documents that were listed on the letter, however some things are not clear and would need your help:

1. The letter says I need to bring my birth certificate. I already submitted a translated copy of it with the initial package. Do I need to have just the original document with me during the interview or I need to translate it again?

2. I never submitted i-693, instead sent them the DS-3025 with my vaccine records. I compared the information on it with the instructions here Immunizations. DS-3025 or I-693?, however I have some vaccines marked as code D (not routinely available). These are the MMR, Tdap and Varicella. Does that mean I need to see a civil surgeon here or I am good to go without I-693? I also had the flu shot before I came last year, do I need to get it again before the interview?

3. I registered our marriage in my homecountry and have the original marriage certificate with me along with our baby's birth certificate (he has dual citizenship). Do I need to have all of that translated as I will use it as supporting evidence? Can I translate it myself or it must be someone else who's certified to translate from bulgarian to english?

Thanks in advance for your time and help!

Hey guys, if I apply to renew my AP but I don't have it by the time I need to travel, can my husband bring it to me abroad? Will I have any issues coming back to the US if I have the renewed AP card but don't wait to receive it myself in the States?

Hello everyone! I came to the US on K1 in November 2018 and got married in the following month. Prior to that I was working in my country.

My husband and I filed for AOS, however received RIE asking for the 2018 tax documents. We haven't filed yet, but obviously we want to do it asap.

I read several threads that were here and also the IRS website, however that made me very confused.

We want to file joint. Can you recommend where should I start from if filing the taxes myself or a good CPA that's knowledgable about this? Obviously the latter is easier option for us. We already contacted CPA that gave us a wrong advise (that I don't have to declare my income when filing jointly because I have SSN).

Thank you!

Hi all. I sent my AOS package on 12/28 and it was delivered on 01/03. However, the money is still in the account, is that considered normal? I am starting to get worried, not sure who I can contact at that point.

I will be adjusting from K1 visa and sent the AOS paperwork on Dec 28th. It got delivered on Jan the 3rd, however I haven't received notification email yet nor our check was processed (money still in the account). 

As it has been a week already since it got delivered, I am wondering how much time does it take to process the check so we know that we are in the queue? If this is outside of normal waiting times do you think it's due to the government shutdown?

Thanks!

I was not asked for it, but I took it to the interview (just in case).

Hey guys, happy holidays!

We are about to submit the AOS paperwork (adjust from K1 visa) and I just wanted to make sure we are not missing something as I know we should provide more than 1 copies for some forms. Can anyone check the below list and point out if anything is missing to their knowledge? Thank you a lot!

·       Payment as required by USCIS (check)

·       I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

• Supporting documents:
• v  Passport copy (front page)
• v  Copy of K1 visa and entry stamp
• v  Copy of i-94
• v  Copy of I-797 (NOA2)
• v  2 photographs 2x2 inch
• v  Certified Marriage certificate
• v  Translated copy of applicant’s birth certificate
• v  I-485 additional information – address and work experience

·       I-864 Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA

• Supporting documents:
• v  Sponsor’s federal income tax return
• v  Sponsor’s birth certificate
• v  W2 forms (2015, 2016, 2017)
• v  Pay stubs from the most recent few months
• v  Letter from employer

·       I-765 Application for Employment Authorization

·       I-131 Application for Travel Document

• Supporting documents:
• v  Passport copy (front page)
• v  Copy of K1 visa and entry stamp
• v  Copy of i-94
• v  2 photographs 2x2 inch

·       DS-2053 Medical examination for immigrant applicant

Note: The medical examination was completed abroad on October 29^th 2018. Form I-485 submitted within one year of the overseas medical examination.

·       G-1145 E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance

I am only employed on papers in my homecountry - my work contract is still active (I did not quit), but I am not working at all (not even remotely).

I am entitled to 2 years maternity leave in my homecountry, which means that I don't have to work at all but I can receive money from the government as support for the baby. My employer will not pay me anything during these 2 years.

Hi,

I came to the US on a K1 and am currently working on the AOS paperwork. At this time I am still employed in my homecountry but I am not working as I am entitled to 2 years of paid maternity leave that has just started. Will that cause problems for me to adjust status?

Thanks!

In my case packet 3 was the medical. It's a sealed packet that I received from the doctor a few days after the exam. I had to take it to the interview without opening it.

Packet 4 I received from the Embassy along with my passport after my k1 was approved. Again, I was not supposed to open it. It had warnings in Bulgarian and English that it should be opened only by immigration or public health service officer.

In which EU country will be your connection? 

I recently did the K1 medical in my country and was told that if the vaccinations are not complete I would need to have another medical for the AOS paperwork. As I got all required shots the doctor marked my DS3025 as "K Visa applicant voluntarily completed vaccination requirements".

What does it say on your DS3025? 

I think you may need to see another physician before the interview as I just noticed that there is a reason on the blanket waiver section on the DS3025 listed as F - Flu vaccine not available, but I guess you cannot mark it yourself. 

@Greenbaum can you advise on that matter? 

Did you have your medical already?