dcp19

1 hour ago, dcp19 said:

Just wanted to give some good news in these uncertain times...

 

I sent in my I-751 last Monday (Phoenix office) and got my receipt text message today. Also today I received the I-797 granting an 18 month extension until ROC is processed.

 

If you're going through this, I wish you the same speedy news too.

 

 

1 hour ago, Paul & Mary said:

Ok but I-751 isn't AOS it is ROC.  And the NOA/ Extension is automatic if the filing looks complete.

 

My bad. Will amend post.

Just wanted to give some good news in these uncertain times...

I sent in my I-751 last Monday (Phoenix office) and got my receipt text message today. Also today I received the I-797 granting an 18 month extension until the AOS and card are processed.

If you're going through this, I wish you the same speedy news too.

I sent in my I-751 thinking the mail would be slow and it got there just 2 days outside of the 90 day window.

Low and behold it was returned along with my money order. Doh!

Question - should I send the WHOLE thing back as it is - OR re-print the I-751 with new dates and signatures on it?

All my paperwork has been stamped on the bottom with a digital coding from the USCIS and I don't want to upset their 'system'

Also the money order has been dated but not cashed. Should I send a new one too?

Thanks !

23 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

If you formally abandon your greencard, then you use ESTA. If you keep your greencard (just in case the wife regrets the move), then you use the greencard if you pop in often enough.  It was just a suggestion to not burn your bridges immediately if this is not a set in stone permanent move. 
 

You will need to remove conditions so not sure how that will work. Curious why your spouse wants to have a baby away from her family. Has she ever been to a NHS clinic? 😂 Sorry, just making a NHS joke. My wife saw a NHS dentist on an emergency visit and was appalled. 

We have our reasons for having the child in the UK and she's fine with it. The NHS is great - our local Maternity unit is excellent and is one of the best new birthing centres in London. Not worried about that. NHS dental practice is whole other ball game. Always go private for your teeth! 

1 minute ago, Wuozopo said:

If you formally abandon your greencard, then you use ESTA. If you keep your greencard (just in case the wife regrets the move), then you use the greencard if you pop in often enough.  It was just a suggestion to not burn your bridges immediately if this is not a set in stone permanent move. 
 

You will need to remove conditions so not sure how that will work. Curious why your spouse wants to have a baby away from her family. Has she ever been to a NHS clinic? 😂 Sorry, just making a NHS joke. My wife saw a NHS dentist on an emergency visit and was appalled. 

Well aware of not wanting to burn bridges hence me reaching out on here to canvas opinion. We are not taking the decision lightly.

7 minutes ago, Lil bear said:

Reentry permit can be issued a second time , giving a maximum of  4 years out 

This is interesting. Again, news to me. If the option was available for a ReEntry Permit was granted for 4 or even 5 year hiatus then I would be very tempted in applying for that.

How does that work when we want to pop back to visit US family etc? It doesn't  mean you HAVE to stay out of the country for that entire period does it?

6 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

Is your intention to permanently live in the U.K.? There are ways to extend your stay abroad and return without abandoning your greencard. My friend had to go back to the UK to care for her seriously ill and dying Mum. It lasted much longer than expected, more than 2:5 years. She was able to return without starting over.

It's for at least the next 2-5 years. My mother and father's health isn't great either and we figure it's good time to rally around the family and have our baby also. I'd be intrigued how to retain my Permanent Resident status whilst not technically being based in the US. If there's a way around it I'd be open to the thought.

2 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Not so much the formal way but if in future you apply for another GC then they will want to see that the current one has been properly abandoned.

Great - Thanks for the swift reply! Hurts a bit to give it up but....that's life! 

On 2/7/2020 at 4:43 AM, Wuozopo said:

Have you checked on the requirements for your wife to move to the UK with you immediately? And the immediate ability for her to use NHS?

Accordingly to our UK lawyer - she'll qualify for everything once all the NHS fees are paid up. It's pretty standard affair and there are no exemptions if you're expecting a child. 

On 2/6/2020 at 6:17 PM, Boiler said:

You file the I 407

 

Seems to make no difference if you change your mind.

Aha - I did not know this form existed.  Thanks!

I've since looked it up on threads and such. Does it give me some kind paper trail for future re-applications so that USCIS see I did things the formal way?

I just want to make sure they know that I'm still married and this is just to do with moving to another country together - not the end of the marriage.

Hey Y'all,

Me (UK resident on a spousal GC) and my US born wife are moving to the UK to have a baby and for various other family matters it is happening very quickly.

Problem is, I was about to renew my 2 year spousal GC to a 10 year GC, but now as we're moving I guess that's a little pointless, right? I won't be here anymore.

However...my concern down the line is what IF we want to move back here in 5 years time. Is it harder to reapply if you've let one expire or are they relatively cool with it if they know the circumstances?

Hey VJ - ers!

Just wanted to share the good news and also hope for anyone who is maybe getting processed in Los Angeles as an AOS.

So I had my spousal interview on the 16th May followed by a RFE for my birth cert which I dropped off at the field office on the 21st May.

I got my I-485 approval letter within a week and then by the 31st May my GC arrived in mail! Surely that's a record!? I was expecting to wait AT LEAST another 2 months.

I wish you all the same speedy service! 

GOOD LUCK and HOORAY to being employable again!

Dropped off my long form BC today at the field office. When i got home my wife had received an I797 in the mail. Case approved! 

1 hour ago, Wuozopo said:

Ummm...maybe they pushed the wrong auto-response button when updating???

The online status is not always 100% reliable. Maybe you got lucky and they ordered your card. Send the birth certificate anyway.

I hope they pushed the wrong button! Either way new BC is on it's way and will be handed into the field office on Monday. 

Hey  VJer's
 

So...a little background. I'm doing AOS from an O-1 visa and am based in Los Angeles.

I had my field office interview yesterday with my American wife and everything was fine apart from my UK Birth Certificate was not the long form (I only just discovered this was a requirement!)

Anyway, long story short, an RFE was issued at the field office and my case was on hold until I handed in the Long Form BC (which I immediately ordered and it's due in on Monday). After it's handed in I was told my case would be approved.

However, I just went onto my USCIS portal and this appeared:

Quote

 

May 16, 2018

We approved your case

Read the notice we mailed you for more information

If you do not receive your notice by June 15, 2018, send us a case inquiry and select that you did not receive your notice by mail.

If your mailing address changes, update your address with us.

 

What gives? 

Anyone shed some light on this?

45 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

Well, for one, my husband always had his long form BC in the UK. It's not issued to everyone, but some people do absolutely still have them, depending on your age.

 

To get through the K1 process or at the very least even get a police certificate from ACRO, the long form UK BC is needed at the embassy stage. So for those applicants, it's one document you'll need for AOS absolutely. VJ guide also advises the long form is needed.

My AOS is not through a K visa, as I was already working here on a O1. Thought my post might help those who might be in a similar situation to me and for those, who like me, don't read the FINE PRINT.

:-/

13 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

Anybody adjusting from a K visa already knows this because it was required at the visa interview in London.

I'm not on a K visa. I'm based in the US on a work visa O1 and doing AOS after marriage here. 

12 hours ago, ambrella said:

My birth certificate has my parents details on it? I've never seen the shortened version.... what year were you born? 

1977. 

However, my nephew's BC's are exactly the same and they were born in the 2000's.

Hi VJ's

This is a note to all UK AOS / Green Card / Spousal GC beneficaries who are going through the process.

I went in for my interview with my spouse at the Los Angeles office this morning and after swearing in and general pleasantries my interviewer requested to see my LONG FORM birth cert, which (to my surprise) I did not have! I pulled out what I thought was my BC only to be told it was a SHORT FORM Birth Certificate. Now, in the UK we only ever get SHORT FORMS birth certs (news to me!) which have just the name, date and place of birth and DO NOT have the parents details on.

I was then informed that my case would be on hold until I could provide a BC with full parental details that matched my AOS packet. She printed a RFE on the spot and told me my EAD would still be processed, "as we still want you to work" (Oh well, that's nice of them!) but the GC would be on hold until I dropped off the BC at the same office.

Pretty stressful at the time, as I felt so close to getting approved.  However, lesson learnt and now I want to help anyone other Brits not to fall short like I did.

Here are some useful links to locate your Birth Certificate details:

1- https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/search.pl - This is a free site and was great at finding your local Birth Certfiicate volume and page number on microfilm records (you will need these details if you want a copy fast)

2- https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/default.asp - This is THE General Registry Office gov page that sends out certified LONG FORM BC's. Fill out your details and your local BC volume and page numbers and you can get the BC mailed to you within 4 working days if you pay for priority mail to a UK address (£23 approx). 

I can't believe I never knew this was a thing, but there you go!

Good luck and don't be a div like me!

On 4/18/2018 at 6:41 PM, Kaylip said:

Congrats! What status are you adjusting from?

O-1 Visa 

1 hour ago, mushroomspore said:

Wait so you filed January of THIS year and already have an interview date?! Man, I'm jealous.

 

As for rings, don't worry too much about it. Wedding rings don't make or break a green card case. If it did, everyone would wear them. They'll be more concerned about seeing how you guys interact, tell your stories of your relationship etc.  I'm also an LA filer. From what I've read, the office seems very professional. You should be fine if you practice together a little bit. Good luck!!!!

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I think I went crazy with our relationship evidence, so maybe that helped push it through. (?) Who knows, but I'm glad it's happening soon. Good luck with yours! 

Hi Vj'er's!

Happy to announce a AOS interview for my spousal GC has been set for May 16th. Hurray!

I sent my application in on Jan 22nd 2018 and had one RFE. Relatively smooth sailing even I missed out on my Easter Holiday back in the UK (over zealous with my AP calculations!)

We don't have wedding rings as we're saving them for our second wedding next year. Is that cool?

I guess they can't judge what we choose to do...or can they? 

Any other interview tips for the Los Angeles branch welcome also.

Thanks and I hope you're having a relatively stress-free VJ time too.

1 minute ago, Wuozopo said:

That's your wife they seem to be asking about ...the petitioner/sponsor.  But if it was your wife who falls short, then why would they say it is sufficient? And you are positive she falls short for two people? And has no assets to offset the shortfall? So one would have to assume it's the bank manager they want more from. These generic RFEs are pretty cryptic. 

 

The letter is not from the sponsors. It would come from their employer.

 

I don't understand this either. Maybe the contractor reviewing the packet just failed to find all of it or wasn't being diligent.  I would start over and resend the full I-864 packet for both rather than guessing at what bits and pieces for which sponsor they want. 

 

Is your joint sponsor married with a joint tax return?  That would require additional proof like the employer letter to establish his income alone is sufficient to sponsor. A joint return does not separate it out of who makes how much. Don't forget his proof of US citizenship. 

Yes very cryptic. I think you're right I will send the whole package again PLUS further evidence.

And yes, I understand the letter is from employers...just a typo there.

My joint sponsor is married with a joint tax rtn, but is the only person earning as his wife doesn't work. But he does earn upwards of $70K. Yes, they've got his citizenship stuff too.

Full package resend, here we go!

THANKS!

2 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

I don't know. And I don't know if what you sent was sufficient. Was it a 2017 tax return or did you use an old one (2016) at the time of applying. Did your "my current income" match what the tax return says on Line 22 of the transcript?  If it says more than the tax return, then you need additional proof of the number written there. See pink circle below. 

Ok - to clear this up. I have two joint sponsors. First is my US wife (who comes under earnings threshold) and the Second is a close personal friend who is a Bank Manager. (he comes well above threshold).

With both I originally sent: 3 years of tax returns that matched the income written on the forms, Tax transcripts, W2's and the last 3 months of pay stubs. From what I gathered that was enough, but clearly I was wrong.

This is a copy of a portion of the letter below. As you can see, it makes me concerned that they lost the original evidence. Unless of course it's a generic letter, because it doesn't state which sponsor only THE sponsor.  I am now sending 6 months of pay stubs and a letter from both sponsors confirming their employment and hopefully covering their requests.