LarryC

Thanks for all the help. The Infopass worked well.

It turns out that they tried to deliver the NOA twice and it was returned by the US Postal Service. The best I can determine it was returned because my step-daughter has a different last name than me, and her name was not on the mailbox (it is now).

The Boston USCIS people were very helpful. They gave us a Biometrics appointment for tomorrow !

How does info pas work ? Can someone point me ?

Knowing how busy things are with AOS's I have been trying to be patient... here's the situation...

I filed for AOS for both my wife (K1) and Step-daughter (K2) at the same time in the same package (cover letter describing situation, one packet for K1, one packet fo K2). Both checks were cashed within a couple weeks of filing, and we recieved the NOA1 and Biometrics appointment for the K1 towards the end of August. Still no correspondence of any kind on the K2 for my Step-daughter.

Should I be worried ? Is there a place I can call and expect to get someone that can provide a status ?

Received biometrics date; Sept 18 !!!

Larry&Jia---------07/26/07----Personal check-----07/30/07-----08/27/07----08/24/07 ---- 09/18/07

Larry&Jia---------07/26/07----Personal check-----07/30/07-------xx-xx-xx----No

Update - returned from a few days away and found that our checks had been cashed on 8/27 and we received a NOA1 (two actually, one for AOS and one for EAD) dated 8/24. The document indicates a Biometrics appointment is coming. No word on that.

Larry&Jia---------07/26/07----Personal check-----07/30/07-------08/27/07----NOA1 dated 8/24/07

LarryC

Please add us :

Name--------------Date mailed---Fee Method Used---Rec'd at Lockbox----NOA1 Rec'd?

Larry&Jia 7/26/07 personal check 7/30/07 no

Thanks !

Along similar lines, I see the central direction here, but more specifics on what needs to be included in the AOS package for the K2 holder would be great ! Is all the same material that is shown for the K1, even though it applied to the parent supplied ? (things like NOA2 approval, copy of immigrant and immigrant divorce papers, certified copy of Marriage Certificate) ???

Essentially make a duplicate package showing the the evidence for the child to be tied to the marriage of the parent ?

Sorry if I am not understanding something, but I use SKYPE everyday to see and talk to my fiance - and it is FREE computer to computer, with a webcam and microphone on each end (it has to be one of the best inventions on earth). You each need to install s/w on your respective machines and create an account... then call to your hearts content.

My belief is that you are only charged if you are making a call to a telephone.

I know I asked the same question myself early on - "This is important, and it's going to take a long time...so it it important that it is right. Can I do it without a trained professional ???" Reading other posts and my experience is that if you case does not have major complications, and you are willing to invest the time, doing it yourself can be better. Who is more motivated than you ? And you do not have to worry about your file sitting on someones desk with no action for a week !

For me, using all the resource VJ (sample form's, info in postings, etc) and double checking myself, seems to do the trick (so far, so good). There are periods of extended waiting, where you really are not going to be able to get good information on status and you have to be patient. That is one of the hard parts.

Good Luck !

Please considering adding comments.

While this may sound like a simple or even silly question, for me it is highlighting some communication challenges - my SO now feels two OF-169 forms are needed, as well as two DS230's ; one for her and one for her daughter. We are having difficulty getting through commication issues for me to understand why she thinks this is needed.

Some VJ direction would be very helpful.

When returing the P3 packet with OF-169 and DS-230 Part I, is only one DS-230 needed per family ? In my case with SO and daughter coming, is a DS-230 needed for daughter ?

My observation is that the OF-169's can tend to be country/consulate specific, and any sample is representative of what you will have to complete, but you will get the actual form in your P3. Or, you can check the consulate website for your SO's country.

See http://guangzhou.usconsulate.gov/fiancee_visas.html as an example.

We were very happy to get our NOA2, but three + weeks and no letter from NVC. I have called, got the new tracking number, and confirmed that our information has been sent to the Consolate, but still no letter. The person on the phone at the NVC was not incredibly helpful saying that if I had the tracking number I had all the information that I needed, and the letter could take up to a month to arrive. From looking at other peoples time-lines, it seems like most people get the letter quickly !

So, I just don't know....

In my case my Fiance speaks mandarin. She was able to e-mail me her name and address in her native language and I could copy & paste into the PDF (a regular browser supports that if you set language encoding under the "view" menu). I sense the address in the native language is most important, if I sent correspondence with the address in english it has little chance of arriving.

You could also consider an on-line translator like alta vista bablefish http://babelfish.altavista.com/ .

For me, I did actually need to send a package overseas, for a signature on the G-325a, which requires an authentic signature (I believe). This can be used as an opportunity for the other person to review and complete forms as well.

LarryC

Perhaps a silly question, but are the Interviewers bi-lingual or are the Embassy Interviews in english ? In our case we would be going to the US Embassy in Guangzhou.

Looking at the Embassy lead times for K1's Vs K3;s for the DR it is hard to give advice, the one thing that I have heard was that it is easier to bring children into the US with the I-129f. That is the path that I am taking.

As someone else new to the process I can tell you that there is a ton of information on this site, and lots of "regular people" that have worked and done the same thing that we are working to do, get a loved one to be able to marry and live with us in the US. I would suggest reading the Embassy and timeline information, then pick through forums for people in similar situations - of course there is something to be said for getting started. at best the process takes a while.

Good Luck !

LarryC

- Sorry if this is obvious, but since I had had trouble with "short form" Vs "long form" birth certificates on other matters, I was very cautious. In Mass, the short form is just that, it looks like a 5X7 card you can carry around with you with the basic information and a seal. The long form is a 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of paper with all information (sorry I don't have both side by side so I cannot be more specific), again with a seal.

I had run into other situations where the short form was not sufficient. Early in the process I called the USCIS and asked for clarification, but did not get anywhere. I sent the long form to be on the safe side.

LarryC

I am interested in peoples opinion on whether a Immigration Attorney is needed, or if used would speed up the process. My Fiance is in Hunan China, and that consulate seems to have very long lead times for interviews. I have been reading the support material on this site and generally understand the process, though this is all new to me.

Is it worth the ~$2500 for a Lawyer to make sure things are correct ? Do they know any tricks to speed things up ?

LarryC