collegeboard

it will not make any difference if you file on-line or by mail.... you still can not guarantee that your address will be updated and you will get your mail at your new address....

You can write to your local office both new and old.... you can call the 0800 and check.... but again no guarantee you are going to get your mail at you new address....

We did all the above and still we did not get mail we were waiting for...... if fact if anyone has my original Greencard let me know..... because it has never to this day turned up.....

Kez

Wow! How did you get the replacement green card? What did you have to go through? Did USCIS believe you with a phone call and mail a substitute?

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I'm moving next week and have no way of making sure any USCIS mail is at the old address after June 1st and I have heard that USPS doesn't forward USCIS mail.

We asked our Postmaster at our old address (small town) about that.. told them our situation and for any reason would USPS NOT forward official gov. mail. She said.. the only reason that we would NOT forward any mail, is if it said right on the front of the letter "DO NOT FORWARD"..

So.. I dunno if we've been told mis-information from USPS... or if when a greencard comes if it has that message on the envelope.. perhaps someone else could let me know on both.

Good point. Has anyone noticed on mail received from USCIS if the envelope is marked "do not forward"? It seems that it is assumed that it will not be forwarded, but I think unless the envelope is marked not to forward, it would be forwarded automatically.

Also, another confusion. Some seem to say the AR-11 does nothing to change address. But here it says that on-line AR-11 form resulted in mailing address being changed. Some say calling and sending letters is ineffective.

I think a certified letter or some other proof that a change of address WAS mailed would be an important document if a letter, say informing of interview date, was missed and USCIS decided that one had given up on the process when no one showed up.

How long is reasonable to wait for the interview date letter? We filed in April and have a May biometrics date. Will move in early July, so perhaps that letter could be expected to arrive before the move date? Or if not, when does one start calling to make sure the letter was not lost?

Is this worth an infopass appt. to talk to someone here, before moving, in order to have an address change?

You can file a change of address online now at uscis.gov. From what I've heard from others, the system works without any delays. Bear in mind that your sponsor will need to file an I-865 paper form to change their address (for legal reasons) if your sponsor is moving with you.

Well, here is the deal. One post explains that all was done properly and the letter was sent to the wrong address!!!!!!!!!!!

The other suggests using online system, which is convenient, but will it make any difference?

I can't believe changing an address could be that difficult. If only credit card companies were so pathetic we could move, disappear and never pay a bill!

Any body do this successfully? I found a note titled overkill from meaxana with lots of advice but no assurance.

Thanks!

I have applied for AOS in April. Have NAO1 and a biometrics appt. I also have a new job offer in Wash, DC.

How difficult is it to change address and still receive all mail from USCIS?

I do not want to be one of the people who write about horror stories of not receiving an interview letter and then getting denied for not showing up.

Anybody do this successfully?

Do I need to turn down promotions to manage the USCIS computer system?

They often leave of the zero after the "A". The full A-number should be "A" followed by 9 digits, but right now the first digit is a zero, presumably if the number of aliens gets higher it will eventually be a "1".

Thank you! That is a relief.

My wife's so called A number, (alien registration #), seems to have a discrepency between what appears on the NA02 approval of the K-1 visa request and what was copied onto her I-94 at POE.

Her number begins with A but then there is a 0 or perhaps O and eight digits. The zero was not copied onto the I-94 (hand copied by official) and when I look at sample forms on the guide I only see an eight digit number following the letter A?

Is this common? Has a mistake been made or is the zero some sort of optional number?

Hate to obsess on this kind of thing, but if anyone has some advice, I would be grateful.

AN AR-11 needs to be filed within 10 day anytime an Alien living in the USA changes address, and I-865 needs to be filed within 30 days by the sponsor any time they move. This is until the Alien changes status to Citizen through Naturalization.

Filing those tend to not update where they will mail your paper work for pending AOS EAD ect. They will probably continue to send to your parent's home.

If have no middle name, what does your Marriage Certificate now show for her Middle Name, if none then either leave blank, or put "none".

Thanks.

But will filing these address changes just confuse everything? Will the paper work "tend" to be sent to parents or is that certain? Is there some violation of law if I live near my parent's home but not in and have not filed the paperwork?

Hello everyone!

I lived with my parents when I returned from overseas and made my K-1 application from their address. Subsequently, my visa was approved, my fiance arrived and we are married. Now we are submitting the AOS, EAD and advanced parole paper work. I have an new address with my wife, but am thinking of continuing to interact with USCIS using my parent's address. I have a job interview in DC coming up and some other possibilities, so my current address is not necessarily permanent through the rest of the process. Also, I have heard of real horror stories whenever anyone changes address with USCIS. Any advice.

Also, my wife has no middle name, only a patronymic. Should that be listed as her middle name or does it matter.

Thanks!

Just have all pertinent documents for the name changes when you travel or attend an immigrations interview.

Do what you and your spouse prefer.

t

Thanks to all for advice. What you say makes sense. Just worried that life will become difficult with name change, though that is what we want to do.

Can anyone comment as to the value of wife changing name upon marriage? Will this be looked on benevolently by USCIS as evidence of a "real" marriage? On the other hand, will it cause problems with the alien's identification as passport will still be in maiden name? Any aspects to consider for this action?

I think it was made clear earlier in the thread but the concept is a strange and confusing one.

Think of it this way

A person on a K1 has the right to work unlike a person on a tourist visa, for example. People on a tourist visa do not have the right to work.

But in order for an employer to hire a person who came on a K1, they need to show a separate work authorization document. Their visa, or their I-94 alone are not enough. Some people get temporary work authorization docs from the point of entry - usually JFK.

Those who don't have to wait until they apply and receive their work authorization card. So even though they have the right to work, an employer cannot legally hire then without seeing this document. Since some employers don't seem to care, some people do end up being able to work.

No, I think I understand it ok. I just can't see why the stamp is only given at JFK (there was some disagreement as to that actually happening even there) and not routinely at all POE's. I mean, really, why make it difficult for people when a simple stamp would eliminate all the anxiety and confusion. A quick marriage, a quick filing for AOS and employment documentation, and one could work from entry on. I mean, K-1's are permitted to work, everyone seems to agree. It is just the ridiculous stamp that is randomly given that is causing all the stress.

Didn't Americans get upset about a Stamp Act years ago and do something in Boston Harbor? I think my US History lesson is beginning to make sense now!

Well, I will try to ask at Chicago POE and let you know if anything happens. Enough for now that my fiance will be here in a week!

Oh, and by the way, can we have a bit of civility out there? I mean, just because there is disagreement in interpreting the laws, no need for rudeness. There really IS a difference between social security administration instructions and immigration law, by the way.

Look at this link:

www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf

Look at page three.

Look at List A.

Look at #4.

An passport with attached !-94 establishes both identity and employment eligibility -- until the I-94 expires.

#4

Unexpired foreign passport,with I-551 stamp or attached Form I-94 indicating unexpired employment authorization

A fiance who enters the US on a K1 who does NOT receive a temporary EAD does NOT have an"UNEXPIRED EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION" therefore they cannot work.

Right! I see that now. Wow! I finally read all the posts. This is amazing! We all WANT to have this be simple and clear: K-1 authorized to work so employer can hire, right? But a STAMP is needed and it may or may not be given at JFK and only at JFK. Holy #######! This is truly bizarre.

Thanks to you KitKat1 for trying to clarify, but it is hopeless. One can find anything they want with this to work with.

I love that everything depends on the gerund phrase following the hope inspiring information! Beautiful! Only the government could manage this level of craziness.

Lawyers must LOVE this stuff!!

I suggest we all just chill out, try to get jobs anyway, and let the employers be damned if they are willing to hire.

Thanks to all those who tried so hard to make the impossible clear -- actually many of you make it all clear, but no one can make it REASONABLE!!!

I love this forum!

Look at this link:

www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf

Look at page three.

Look at List A.

Look at #4.

An passport with attached !-94 establishes both identity and employment eligibility -- until the I-94 expires.

My petition went through the NVC and was sent to Kiev on Dec. 28. The embassy was closed from Dec. 25-Jan. 8 for vacation. I have called repeatedly and have been told the petition "is lost" although, after pressuring the Ukrainian clerk admits that hundreds of petitions are yet to be entered into the system. So I can't get assurance that they have the petition much less an interview date. At this point all I want is certainty that the petition is there and is in line for processing. I am currently in Odessa for another week or two and want to resolve this before I go.

Any advice? Anyone experiencing the same thing? Should I simply trust in the process or get fiery and insist on seeing a consular?

Nobody knows.

However, the likelihood is that you are looking at waiting about another month or so. Usually takes between 70-90 days.

No one actually knows how long YOUR petition will take. There are educated guesses however. You can count on not getting approval for 60 days, almost certainly. Probability suggests 70-90 days for your location.

The 6 months time is very unlikely for you.

If after 80 days from NAO1 you have not heard something, you can try to call them or contact a senator, but hopefully you will get a response by that time or shortly thereafter.

I used to look at all the NAO2 approval posts and see when they got their first notice and then predict when mine would come through. It turned out to very accurately predict, for me. But I can say that as the day approached I was sick with dread that I would be one of the improbable ones that drag on and on.

The not knowing is the difficult thing, but you can definitely start to hope after 70 days!

What confusion are you having? Have you read the embassy website? There is information there and you can download packet 3 and 4. The only confusion I have had is that on the site it says that you can use the I-134 to show support, but in packet 3 it specifically warns that I-134 is not sufficient.

We have NAO2, have passed through the NVC, and are now waiting for interview, so we can give you some help, I think, but I am not sure what is alarming to you.

Look at the instructions for Packet 3 directly from your embassy. Here, for example, is what is written in the instructions for Ukraine:

• 7. EVIDENCE OF SUPPORT FOR FIANCE(E) VISA APPLICANTS: Any evidence from your American spouse/fiancé(e) which will show the consular officer that you and members of your family who will accompany you will not become public charges while in the United States. Documentation regarding financial support can be in any form – preferably three years of tax returns, bank statements, earning statements, letters from employers. PRESENTING ONLY THE AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT I-134 FORM IS NOT SUFFICIENT. The I-864 form is not required for a fiancé(e) visa.

Can't be clearer than that!

Be careful, then, about advising people to follow I-134 instructions as the embassy might specifically note that the I-134 is not sufficient.

This is not paranoia.

For what it is worth, I wanted to pass along my experience filing the I129-F. My lawyer said all the forms were being processed in California but the form told us to mail to Nebraska, our region. I called my congressman who spoke to people at Homeland Security, and she told me to mail directly to California, which we did. Took 75 days. I don't know if doing this saved time, but it did work. Mailing to NB means having it forwarded to CA anyway.

My NOA2 was dated Dec. 7. Called NVC on Dec. 26 and told no go, that it could be 90 days before it arrived! I also e-mailed. Called on the 28th and was told it had arrived on the 26th and was already on the way to the embassy. The e-mail was also answered on the 28th and said that the petition was on its way.

I would call daily and talk to a rep. Do not use automated system, it doesn't work for K-1 apps. If they say it is not there, call the next day. If after some calls you get the same answer ask for more information, a manager or someone.

Just found out that the NVC received my approved petition. It was approved Dec. 7 and was received yesterday, Dec. 26.

Darn! That was slow.

I want to update the timeline but I have forgotten how. I am looking all around and clicking on things, but am stupid.

Help?

For all who are waiting for USCIS to approve a 129 petition, what is so difficult to deal with is the uncertainty. The timeline says they are looking at petitions filed 6 months ago. So does that mean a 6 month wait for this step? And, my God, SIX months!

But then it is clear that no one seems to be waiting 6 months. Every Friday a number of people report getting approval (a few every Tuesday) and none seem to have waited 6 months. (Oh, well there still are a few from the pre-IMBRA days who got so royally screwed that it makes my blood boil even to think about it. They are the crowd who paid the price for the dishonest few trying to scam the system and for government foolishness in applying the law. Why oh why did they not FIRST hire sufficent personel and then implement the law? Why not grandfather those who already had approval? If a business ran like, that bankruptcy would follow so fast . . . .) But for most, the 6 months is a time that USCIS seems to put out there just to make applicants feel sick.

[Hey, these are people's lives we are talking about! People whose whole life is put on hold, their love attacked by this unnatural separation, their world turned upside down. People who want to obey the law, who only want their rights as citizens, people whose spouse will soon, if the relationship can stand the strain, be productive US residents, maybe someday citizens, contributing to the great immigrant nation of the US. Don't treat these people like supplicants coming for scraps of nourishment that the government can hand out! Treat them like citizens with international perspectives enriching the nation!]

Still, the uncertainty. How long will it take? If one only knew what was happening, only knew when some faceless person in California would look at one's carefully, oh so carefully, assembled petition? Waiting 2 months and longer is hard, but it is the not knowing that is so difficult. When advised to be patient, how can one be patient when all is so UNCERTAIN! Give me a date and I can wait; let me dangle scrounging each day for any indication of WHEN, and I suffer.

The facts are, however, that no one really knows when any petition will be examined. No one knows if Christmas will slow things down at all and if so how much.

All that can be said is that the probability is high that petitions will be examined after 70-90 at California and that the trend is for the time to be getting shorter.

After 70 days, begin to hope.

And always remember that it is not IF your petition will be approved but WHEN!

For all who are waiting for USCIS to approve a 129 petition, what is so difficult to deal with is the uncertainty. The timeline says they are looking at petitions filed 6 months ago. So does that mean a 6 month wait for this step? And, my God, SIX months!

But then it is clear that no one seems to be waiting 6 months. Every Friday a number of people report getting approval (a few every Tuesday) and none seem to have waited 6 months. (Oh, well there still are a few from the pre-IMBRA days who got so royally screwed that it makes my blood boil even to think about it. They are the crowd who paid the price for the dishonest few trying to scam the system and for government foolishness in applying the law. Why oh why did they not FIRST hire sufficent personel and then implement the law? Why not grandfather those who already had approval? If a business ran like, that bankruptcy would follow so fast . . . .) But for most, the 6 months is a time that USCIS seems to put out there just to make applicants feel sick.

[Hey, these are people's lives we are talking about! People whose whole life is put on hold, their love attacked by this unnatural separation, their world turned upside down. People who want to obey the law, who only want their rights as citizens, people whose spouse will soon, if the relationship can stand the strain, be productive US residents, maybe someday citizens, contributing to the great immigrant nation of the US. Don't treat these people like supplicants coming for scraps of nourishment that the government can hand out! Treat them like citizens with international perspectives enriching the nation!]

Still, the uncertainty. How long will it take? If one only knew what was happening, only knew when some faceless person in California would look at one's carefully, oh so carefully, assembled petition? Waiting 2 months and longer is hard, but it is the not knowing that is so difficult. When advised to be patient, how can one be patient when all is so UNCERTAIN! Give me a date and I can wait; let me dangle scrounging each day for any indication of WHEN, and I suffer.

The facts are, however, that no one really knows when any petition will be examined. No one knows if Christmas will slow things down at all and if so how much.

All that can be said is that the probability is high that petitions will be examined after 70-90 at California and that the trend is for the time to be getting shorter.

After 70 days, begin to hope.

And always remember that it is not IF your petition will be approved but WHEN!

I really dont trust the USCIS page where they post what month they are working on. They could say they're working May applications then next week they'll say April. How devastatting!

The information on the website is what they put out to keep you from bothering them. They are confident that they will get to your petition in 6 months. This is kind of joke they play just to make everyone waiting feel like #######.

Although no one can predict what they will think of your petition and whether they will ask for more evidence, if you followed the suggestions on this site and have actually met your fiance, the probability is high that you will not be delayed.

The probability is that your petition will be examined between 70-90 days after receipt. That number has been DECREASING over time as the IMBRA fiasco seems to be getting sorted out.

Good luck

hello everyone just want to know of when can we have our case approved? we have the NOA1 last October 06,2006 and is wondering others have had their approval already. I know that cases are different but just want to know or want some hint of when can our NOA2 be approve? thanks for all the help guys, I have been reading the forums and it a big help...

chillin

One can not talk about certainty or even rationality when discussing this topic. However, one can talk about probability.

The probability is high, if there are no problems with your petition, that you will be approved within a 70-90 period following receipt of NAO1. Check the timelines from past posts. It is all there.

I figured this out and it did not provide too much comfort as I was terrified I would fall out of the probability zone! However, it came in 75 days, as predicted.

Good luck. It will come.