John951

2 hours

Hi All,
 
Today we had our appointment @ 6:45 AM. We didn't get called back up 7:15. Our IO was really nice and laughing with us. When he sat us down he said I could answer the questions and if she didn't understand I could help translate so she could. He asked us about our address, her birth date and went straight into asking her the 10 security questions from the i485, after that he wanted to see any extra evidence I had which he skimmed through. He shuffled through the i485 again and clicked some buttons and the computer and 45 mins later he said we were approved . He was really impressed with my evidence. What stood out to him was the fact she had a drivers licence with my address on it and she was on my bank and credit card account. According to him those items are rare for k1 to AOS interviews.
 
Chok dee to everyone.

In California you can apply for an AB60 drivers license before you AOS if your i94 has expired.You only need to provide A passport and proof of residency e.g. electric bill. If your i94 hasn't expired you can get a real I.D. driver's license with proof of residency, passport and SS card. You can apply for a SS card while you i94 is valid and before you marry if you like.

Hi everyone,
 
We go out appointment letter.
 
September 26

Hi everyone,
 
We go out appointment letter.
 
September 26

Hi everyone,
 
We go out appointment letter.
 
September 26

Hi everyone,
 
We go out appointment letter.
 
September 26

My original EAD and AP was August, it's been increasing by one month every two weeks.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/list-of-posts.html

Glad you were able to do it. Without microscope to look at the tiny print on back side of it, I doubt anyone will be able to tell you it is "AB60" and not just standard non-RealID licence. 

Update:
 
I was unable to get my wife a REAL ID since her i94 was expired. They wouldn't issue a regular driver's license or i.d. either, again because of the expired i94. They stated if I had a vaild i94 I could have applied for either. They said when she gets her employment authorization card she can reapply since the card gives them proof of immigration status.
 
California passed AB60 which allows people without immigration status to apply for an "ab60 driver license" . We were able to do this in the mean time. All we needed for that was proof of residency and her passport.

Update:
 
I was unable to get my wife a REAL ID since her i94 was expired. They wouldn't issue a regular driver's license or i.d. either, again because of the expired i94. They stated if I had a vaild i94 I could have applied for either. They said when she gets her employment authorization card she can reapply since the card gives them proof of immigration status.
 
California passed AB60 which allows people without immigration status to apply for an "ab60 driver license" . We were able to do this in the mean time. All we needed for that was proof of residency and her passport.

I'm joining the ranks

I'm joining the ranks

There are only three facilities that do the medical. Two are in Bangkok one in Chaing mai

I would suggest you get the police report now if you haven't. It takes about 2 weeks for delivery and is already translated to English

Many thanks gents.   Particularly helpful information John, with regard to what they are collecting at the windows.   I read both of your interview summaries just now, and that was also very helpful.   Upon further review of the email, it seems that they emphasize bringing the things listed in the email above, but then go on to note "you're still responsible for bringing everything else showing in Packet 4".    She has it all very organized, same as your fiancees so that should give her the confidence.

AOS here: https://www.visajourney.com/content/k1k3aos
 
SSN:
This is what works but you have to have all your "ducks" in a row including the SS document RM10211.530 to use in the event that the SS agent is unfamiliar with the regulations that permit you to have a SSN before your AOS and EAD are adjudicated.
 
As a K-1 Visa Holder you are eligible to receive a SSN upon producing a valid I-94 (unexpired). Do not wait until you only have a few weeks left until your I-94 expires to file for a SSN. Many SSA (Social Security Administration) offices will not allow you to file for a SSN if your I-94 is about to expire (generally 14 days prior to the expiration on your I-94). On the other hand, you should also not file for a SSN too soon either.
 
You should wait 1 week after arriving in the US till you are in the SAVE database that you can go the next business day. If you go too soon your record of arrival will not be in the SAVE-ASVI system yet (what is SAVE), and it will require manual verification from the USCIS. As this will add weeks to the period it takes to process the SSN, it is advisable to attempt to wait the two weeks to be safe. If you have waited the 2 weeks and they tell you they cannot verify your arrival record via the SAVE database, then personally return on another day to have them search again -- thus eliminating the manual verification (you don't want to do the manual verification as it adds so much more time to the process).
 
To apply for a SSN you will need to go to your local SSA office and bring the documents below. These documents are proof of your eligibility to file for a SSN:
 
The SS-5 form  download and complete the application (they have some at the office if you forget).
Your Passport (with the K-1 Visa attached)
Your valid I-94
Another form of valid ID (birth certificate will do nicely)
You should also print and bring the document RM 10211.530 , in the event that the agent is not knowledgeable that K-1/K-2 are eligible to receive a SSN.
https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211530
 
Make sure to bring all the documents above because some offices have staff that are not aware that a K-1 Visa Holder is eligible to file for a SSN. A friendly reminder is a nice thing to have -- if not you could be turned away incorrectly
 
Once you have successfully applied for your SSN, the SSN card will come in the mail in about 2 weeks.
 
K2 visa holders must first have a work permit (EAD) to get a social security number.
 
 
After marriage
Carry your marriage certificate to the social security office to get the social security card in the new name. If you applied for a social security number before marriage, you can go back to the social security office after marriage and get your name changed on your social security card.
 
The social security card will be marked “VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH USCIS AUTHORIZATION”.  That means, you need to get your EAD first before you can actually work.  Hopefully, when you submitted your AOS you included the EAD. If not you will now need to submit the paperwork for an EAD prior to working.

I would suggest you get the police report now if you haven't. It takes about 2 weeks for delivery and is already translated to English

Like I said IF ANYTHING it would show that if anything happened this person would not be a burden on the state.... Now can you tell me how it would be a negative to supply an i-134 and letter of invitation ? 
 
I'm not saying supplying those docs help with the visa but I want to know why it's a negative ? 

I'm guessing you were approved? Congrats !

Had my interview yesterday in Naples, Italy As planned so the government shutdown isn’t affecting this specific embassy.

So my girls exam was on Friday afternoon and was told to come back Monday afternoon to receive here packet.

She got her certificate which came translated in English on the 5th of December

I don't think the DoS will be affected by the shutdown (just the DHS). Moreover, it's possible that consular services would continue even in the case DoS is affected, in part because visa processing is self-funded (applicants pay for them). However, whether the shutdown will affect your application depends on the type of the visa. If they need to run certain background checks, the process may be slowed down (depending on whether the DHS is involved or not). My understanding is that this will be a partial shutdown so agencies such as FBI and departments such as DoL should be working just fine. So it's quite unlikely that the visa processing will be affected.  
 
But stay prepared for anything just in case...