kiwihurricane15

I literally just renewed my DL last week with my AOS I-797c (pending), as my EAD expired and I'm waiting on my interview to be scheduled (my last license expired with my EAD).

As long as you have a SSN, proof of residence x 2, photo ID then you should be good to go.

Although I agree with everyone sometimes it depends on the officer you get, first time I ever went to get a license they didn't even know what to do with me or how to process my application, second time it was fine and this last time was fine.

Yes. No issues at all. In fact the last time my wife and I arrived, I told her to go through the fast line to pick up our bags as I had EAD with AP and had to go to secondary and they actually asked me where my wife was. 😂 I had to tell them, yeah I told her to go ahead to grab our bags and they just laughed. This was at Houston- IAH. So I think they kind of expect families to stick together.

39 minutes ago, Dxc said:

That depends on when the lawyer decides to finally send it. What if it sits on his desk for the next month before he decides to send? Fire the lawyer and you could be a week in and have already gotten your nao1 and this would not be an issue. You could have also paid for your trip with the money you saved from lawyer.

Don't disagree with you, I personally didn't use a lawyer and submitted all the paperwork myself. Very quick and smooth sailing! And best of all- FREE

8 minutes ago, Lil bear said:

From my perspective , without the NOA 1 in hand , the risk is low but the consequences are high .. Risk  management decision making  would consider that a high level for concern. 

That may be true but I see so much fear mongering on this website, I would hate for only negative opinions and thoughts to take over.

I'm confident given all of the information that they will have the NOA in hand so don't want them rushing to make changes until its absolutely necessary.

5 hours ago, Eric Bargemann said:

If we're flying just from PHX to DEN, we'd only be passing through TSA. So as long as her foreign passport (which remains current/valid) matches the name on her ticket (which it does), should we be okay?

In my opinion, I don't believe you have anything to be concerned about at all. TSA checkpoints domestically are really just verifying the identity document is valid, legitimate and matches the boarding pass. Sure...there are always exceptions to rules and always worse case scenarios but honestly I don't believe you should let that hold you back from your vacation. You will likely have your NOA by then anyway.

12 minutes ago, Harry M said:

It's been nine months since I've moved to the US on a K-1, eight months since I got married and nearly two months since my green card got approved. I've managed to get everything else set up, thanks in large part to my wonderful wife, bank accounts, secured credit card, Kentucky Driver's License and many other things which I now feel completely like an ordinary citizen now.

 

The job hunt has been good, have had three interviews and two job offers (one I turned down because the role wasn't what I expected). I'm about to accept one today, unless the other one offers me a role and I may take that one instead. After many months sitting at home in our apartment I think I've become too comfortable with home life. As much as I want to get back to work, it's also gonna be feel weird being employed once again. I left my previous job almost exactly a year ago, that way I'd have time to do all the stuff I wanted to do in the UK before I left.

 

I've seen people on here talk about how difficult the waiting around was for them, and it has been for me as well at times. I didn't have my car for the first few months so I was trapped in our apartment, we live in a complex and getting out wasn't so easy on foot. And when I did there isn't a lot around here that I hadn't already done from previous visits. But now that I'm close to going back to work and replenishing my shrinking savings that I made before coming over here, a wave of anxiety is coming over me. Part of the reason I rejected the first job offer was because I didn't feel confident doing that job (even though they saw something in me that I didn't lol).

 

Was this normal for anyone else? What advice would you give for going back to work, in a different country no less, after such a long period?

Dude, I complete understand how you feel having been in your shoes.

It was 7 months for me between leaving me previous job, getting married, filing, getting my EAD and then my first job. I was in the mindset where I was ready to start working again even though I really did enjoy being on my schedule and hitting the gym everyday. I had it in my mind I would do anything to just earn an income but the first job I took, really wasn't me...at all. I was there for maybe 7 weeks total and through that time started getting anxious and not sleeping and generally just feeling completely under valued. I went from a 6 figure salary back home to barely more than minimum wage here and questioned why I was doing it at all. Luckily, a couple of other opportunities came around by Christmas and I was able to get into work that was more satisfying for me and have settled in a little more. But I went through a couple of months of real internal hell, questioning if I wanted to be here at all and if I would ever settle into life fully out of vacation mode. One thing you will notice here though that I picked up straight away, is the work ethic is very different here to UK and also where I'm from NZ. I've noticed the work/life balance is harder to achieve in some professions, I worked less hours back home for more pay so that's been a real adjustment too. My advice is just stick to keeping in your lane or doing something that makes you happy as this will make the transition easier. All the best.

12 minutes ago, TTG said:

Can this be done with no SSN and just an I-551 in the IR1? I have Transferwise right now so can exchange £ to $ no problem but it's not convenient to use Transferwise as a primary bank account. Would like to set up a proper US bank account as soon as possible but not sure if I need the SSN first. 

 

Could someone please advise?

Go to Bank of America or Wells Fargo, both will allow you to open an account without SSN no issues. Just take passport and foreign bank/debit card and address information. You can be loaded both as non resident or resident. Good luck.

Agree he shouldn't need one for your insurance.

However in case- I was able to purchase insurance on the healthcare.gov marketplace without a SSN (at least temporarily while I waited for valid immigration status). However he would need to qualify for a special enrollment now as I believe the standard enrollment period is up.

Hi, this was similar to my situation.

I did not apply when I arrived but applied when we put the AOS paperwork in- I received the SSN with my EAD about 4 months later once the EAD was approved.

Unfortunately with SSN you will need a valid I-94- because he is too far past his original entry date he wont be able to apply for one now. Most people who apply before marriage do it right when the foreigner enters the US.

We chose not to and had to wait it out. It was a big pain in the butt because I hadn't realized I would need it for drivers license and a few other minor things.

2 minutes ago, ourjourney_pc said:

Yeah.. Thank you for your thoughts... 

I should check it with airlines before proceeding with this kind of idea

No problem- Good luck with the K1 final stages, it's exciting to be planning the travel side of things. Airlines can be tricky and expensive!

Just remember to enjoy those moments- the paperwork continues once you get here! 😂

1 minute ago, ourjourney_pc said:

Background.. K1 still waiting for noa2

 

My fiance and i were just checking air tickets and it seems that roundtrip ticket is cheaper than 1 way.. 

 

Ok so.. The problem lies on, my fiance plans to come ang get me.. Hopefully on the date we expected.. So we were checking those dates.. So ticket would be usa - singapore then singapore to usa... 

 

So can i get the same ticket? Which means i wont be using the usa to Singapore... Will this be ok.. We are just gonna cancel the usa to Singapore (for me) when the date gets closer.. 

 

Thank you all in advance and i hope i explained clearly to get the advice and thoughts that i need.. 

My instinct on this is likely a no but based on what you said- the difference for me lies in where the first flight originates.

I.e. If the FIRST leg is USA to Singapore then likely a NO because if you miss your first flight its considered abandonment of travel and they wont let you keep the return leg. The flights are generally cheaper return for a reason unfortunately.

If the FIRST leg is Singapore to USA then you will be fine- you don't need to use return leg.

Best to check with the airline though to be honest.

On ‎12‎/‎4‎/‎2018 at 10:41 AM, MarksMate said:

Someone mentioned that it's background checks that slow the process. I refuse to believe that. The SAME DAY my husband made a fuss at the congresswoman's office we were approved. SAME DAY. Same thing happend to a July filer, next day she was approved. Good on the person getting a lawyer. 

 

Squeaky wheel gets the grease. 

 

The immigration system is poorly run in America as is the tax system and the health system and the education system putting students in crazy amounts of debt and people in crazy amounts of medical debt. Always a slave to the government. Employment is just as poorly run, who can seriously LIVE on this countries minimum wage. Like seriously. Then we have countries like Australia and New Zealand with $15 and $18 minimum wage and student loans that aren't killing peoples livelihoods and free universal healthcare (it's not a third world type free universal healthcare) and then you still gotta pay medicare and whatever else stuff our paycheck that you get no benefit from on top of paying taxes. The way our immigration case was run just put a really bitter taste in my mouth of America. And then if my husband and I decide to go live in New Zealand, America is one of 2 countries that can double tax if you earn over 100k so there's that! Greedy is an understatement!! 

As a fellow Kiwi I completely understand where you are coming from- This whole process and the waiting, the anxiety, the job hunting, the healthcare, the general environment is making me seriously homesick. It seems so much here is about screwing people as much as possible. I've literally had Americans tell me to lie on my resume and applications because its the "only" way to get ahead. I'm just not about that- I guess its the honest kiwi culture but we take people for what they are and not who they can step on. I left a 6 figure job back home to move here to be with my wife and we have our reasons (she is finishing her college degree- that yes she has a much bigger loan than she would have in NZ but she was already so far into it) but we have already talked about when she finishes up in the next 6-12 months about going back to NZ. Greedy is the best word to describe the way all systems are set to be run. I guess we will just bide our time and see how things play out but it would be great if there could be some positive changes in the US government to direct energy to things that will genuinely help people who live in this country. Good luck in the new job. I am working as well at a job I am so overqualified for but I needed to do something until I could get my foot in the door. 👍

6 minutes ago, jackson6658 said:

This idea came to my mind recently. If I get married in US waiting for Advance Patrole, and something happend in home country. What shall we do? I know the back entry and AOS can be declined due to going out of US without AP.  This is just in case. The  AP waiting time can be 4-6 months. Who knows what can happen during this time. I don't want to mention what kind of emergency can possibly happen. You know it. Any one ever experience this? Thank you! 

 

To be honest I worried about the same thing....unfortunately you are just going to have to roll with it and cross your fingers. I managed to get through in 4 months which was lucky- got my EAD card and AP combo. You can't control everything and unfortunately there is no real decent process to leave without AP or Greencard. You are gonna just have to take a risk and go for it. Deal with that when it happens because the chances are slim of an emergency...unless you know something I don't?

1 hour ago, Kat&Joel said:

Off topic sorry but I have to find this out.  @kiwihurricane15 and @MarksMate do you find that Americans have trouble understanding your New Zealand accent.  I'm about about to pull my hair out with how many people in Utah are having trouble understanding my husband.  I never ever thought the New Zealand accent was hard to understand.  I wanted to see if either of you had any issues as well. 

Haha...its pretty funny. Most of the time I'm Ok and I thought it would be harder in Texas. If anything I struggle to understand them more 🤣

Most people are curious and ask me where I'm from, more interested than anything else. I did once get "Neck" on my starbucks cup (my name is Nick) and that made me laugh but other than that not too much. I honestly think it depends on how many immigrants they are used to hearing, I also live in Houston so its a big city and lots of people from around the world. I would have thought SLC he would be Ok??

1 hour ago, KingDev said:

Anyone that got EAD and filed for SSN recieve the SSN yet? We got our EAD card in hand today. Wondering when we should expect the SSN.

Yes I did it that way- I received the card in the mail about 7-10 days later however I needed the number sooner so I went into the social security office and the lady was able to look me up and verbally provided me the number (until the card arrived). You can't call them and try get it so don't waste an hour on hold! ( I did thinking it was like back home where you could call for things- Its not lol)

16 minutes ago, MarksMate said:

Congratulations!!!!

 

Yay! Seeing another kiwi get approved gives me hope that ours is soon. Day 109 today! 

Haha thank you! Got confirmation it was mailed tonight- can’t wait to get a look at it.

I know you have been counting the days as much as me so I have faith within the next 7 days you will be onto the next phase. 😊🙌🇳🇿

3 hours ago, Tomalley said:

I filed on May 30, still nothing  

2 hours ago, Laura & Chris said:

I filed June 1st.. no EAD... 

so excited for those who have movement 🎉

Hang in there! Must be any day now 👍

16 minutes ago, Roel said:

And after I posted my comment under the article, I've been called racist (?) And one person wrote that he wishes I get deported also. It's lovely. 

#######????🙄 Ignorant peeps. I love how some people just retort with comments that make no fkin sense. Someone needs to remind the ignorant ones you all came from somewhere else. And how does you commenting on an immigration post make you racist? I'll wait.

19 minutes ago, BlessedAssurance said:

Yeah, I loved that part too, I TELL YOU! I loved it with some serious passion!

 

Ever heard of the saying "A donkey always says thank you with a kick"?

I also cracked up when I read that. Hmmmmmm- no regerts????🤣

My honest opinion? Bad Form!

And karma will come back to bite you in the ### somewhere- so don't risk it. Everybody needs their EAD (I'm waiting too!)

Just did my biometrics yesterday in Houston! Very quick (in and out in 10 mins) and the ladies were nice. Glad that’s been taken care of- bring on this EAD and SSN. 😀

8 minutes ago, Ani2 said:

Thank you so much. Do i need to take some proofs of relationship with my fiance  , like pictures  or conversations? 

No I don't believe so but I happened to have my K1 folder that I had prepared (for my consulate interview) in my carry on anyway! Which had my whole petition and conversations/pictures etc. I didn't need it at all BUT it  never hurts to have it as a back up.

18 hours ago, Ani2 said:

Hello everyone.

I have my flight in 6 days. It will be my first time to go in the US. I am beneficiary with k1 visa. I heard some people had some kind of problems on the boarder when they arrived to the US airport. I very nervos. What do they ask on the airport ? Can you please share your experience. Thank you

Good Luck- you have made it this far and you are almost there. I remember the excitement for me coming in to my wife (previously fiancé) in April this year.

It is normal to be nervous- I was and I had the experience of travelling to the US many times but always as a tourist so you just never know what to expect. Everything everyone has told you so far is pretty much what to expect, pretty standard questions. You seem to have a good grasp of English so that will really help you once you have to speak to the officers. You need to be aware that once you go through the first officers (the ones who open the yellow envelope) they will do a few checks and then send you to the second processing where you will be further questioned-be aware you may be waiting some time in this room depending on number of people staffing this and the number of passengers to process. I was waiting about an hour! My bags were waiting for me at the luggage carousel. Don't let this stress you out as you cant control this bit- let your fiancé know ahead of time to expect this as you don't use your phone in the secondary processing. The questions they ask you there are similar to your K1 interview- nothing crazy so the fact you have passed those means you will be fine Enjoy your flight!