Skeeter211

We used to miss Jollibee....now we found one in Daly City, CA. Too bad its about 2 hours away. I'm sure we'll be making an occasional trip there for some Chicken Joy and an Ice Craze.

Hello,

Just got this email:

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL ***

The last processing action taken on your case

Receipt Number: MSCXXXXXXXXX

Application Type: I765 , APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION

Current Status: Approval notice sent.

On September 27, 2007, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I765 APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.

If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.

*Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov under Case Status and Processing Dates.

*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.

Sincerely,

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

WOOOHOOO!!!!! Has anyone had success in applying for work with just the approval notice email without getting the card in the mail yet? I thought I remember someone posting that they were told by USCIS that they could look for work and if the employer had any questions they could call them with the beneficiary also there and they would verify it has been approved. Any comments?

Scott

I miss my favorite fruits....rambutan, fresh jack fruit, buko and DURIAN! Yummy!!!! I miss Jollibee and Chicken Joy. I miss my family and my baby lots!!!! We have a nice asian market here where I live in CA, but still missing lots of foods from home. I miss the kinilaw. Tuna is SOOOOO expensive here.....like 1200php plus per kilo equivelant in dollar. At home its only 180php per kilo. I miss ginang-gang. I miss puto and biko benignet. I miss Chow-king's Halo Halo and Nai-Cha drinks.

But I love my husband and I am so happy I came to the USA to live with him. I'm so grateful he is doing his best to help me feel like home with letting me cook filipino foods and watching TFC Channel from the satellite. He loves filipino foods too. He also makes sure I have telephone and internet contact with my baby and my family every day so I don't miss them so much. I love my honey!

Mirasol

I can only speak from our experience......my wife (K-1 at the time) got her NBI clearance and it did not have her thumb print either. Since we did not notice it till the time of the interview, I sweated it. In the end, it wasn't even questioned by the embassy. I think I read others with the same question, so I don't think its a problem.

Scott

You are correct in that it can be normal to be waiting for a month or even longer. Try to be patient...the end is worth the wait.

Scott

Just as a comment.....we had a heck of a time even getting a state ID out of California for my sweetheart. Mir and I went to the DMV with her SSN card, marriage license and I-94 and asked for an ID. We filled out the application. The girl took it and started inputing the information. Then she told us...you don't have at least 60 days left on your I-94, so we can't give you an ID card. I explained that we had filed for AOS and she wasn't going to be leaving the country, but the girl said it didn't matter and we needed proof.

The bad part was....she continued plugging away at her computer and then with a smile said, "That will be $22 please." I thought she had somehow figured out a way to make it happen since she was asking me for the fee, so I wrote out my check and gave it to her. Silly me!!!! She handed me a piece of paper with an ID number on it, but then told me to come back when we had processed her AOS. I looked and saw the paper was only a receipt for the money and not a temporary ID card. What??? That was a waste!

If we had finished her AOS and had a green card she would be applying for a driver's license and wouldn't need a darn state ID. I only needed the ID right away for the bank in order to add Mir to my account as they would not accept her passport alone and wanted a state ID. Consequently, I had just paid for a worthless piece of paper that said I have given away $22 to the state of California for something Mir won't ever need. Who needs both a state ID and driver's license....the number is the same in California on both ID and DL.

The only good thing was that the bank did not look closely, or if they did they didn't care, at the document and accepted it as it had the ID number on it.

Just passing on my frustration and stupid mistake in hopes it might help someone else not make the same one.

Take care!

Scott

work.

As far as a social security number, the answer to your question is she doesn't get one assigned with her visa. She can do one of two things. She can apply for one no sooner than 2 weeks after her entry with your local social security office

Not true, you can apply the day of arrival, but it could take SSA up to 2 weeks (or more) to perform the verification step because of the time lag getting USCIS information into the SSA system. It has been recomended to wait 2 weeks so that this information transfer has occured but it does not prevent you from going earlier....

Ok...I stand corrected. I don't think they will issue you a card till you are "in the system" at SSA, but technically you can go straight from the airport if you are so inclined.

There is no temporary work permit for a K-1 visa holder. There are some who say if a K-1 enters through JFK airport in New York, they can get a stamp on their entry permit allowing work as a K-1. This is the only point of entry that I have even heard this is possible anymore. I have no personal experience with this and its only what I have read here in VJ. Other than that, your fiance must file an I-765 with USCIS and request an employment authorization document (EAD) that allows them to work. Word of warning....you can apply for an EAD as a K-1 (prior to adjusting status) but it is basically worthless. It takes 70 to 90 days to receive it and it expires with the K-1 visa in 90 days, so you would have to apply again after that.....and of course pay another fee. Much better, in my opinion, to wait till after your marriage and file the I-765 concurrently with the AOS application or just wait for the green card if she is not in a hurry to work.

As far as a social security number, the answer to your question is she doesn't get one assigned with her visa. She can do one of two things. She can apply for one no sooner than 2 weeks after her entry with your local social security office and have it issued in her maiden name, then request a new card after you two are married with her married name. Otherwise, she can just wait till after you are married and apply for it in the same manner, but it will already have the married name on it. We waited till after the marriage, but I know of others that got it right away. The only difference in getting it in the maiden name is a little bit of time to change it later. There is no cost for the card and if you change it later to the married name the SS# stays the same. It's really up to you.

Hope this helps.

Scott

Seems lots are getting their notice that EAD card production was ordered today. We got our email today too!!!! EAD card production has been ordered here too!!!!!

Scott

It's already the smallest size (size 1), but you can individually decrease the size of the text (usually in 'view') and then it should fit... the only thing being that it will make it hard to read.

I already deleted more dashes than I added space for the EAD, so it's weird that it's still looking like that for a few people. I can delete one more dash by getting rid of the '*' and putting the number more to the left but I think that's about it... As Jup1ter said, the problem is: if we get rid of too many dashes, then it will be hard to know what's what.

The other solution would be to make a separate list, under the AOS for EAD...

javi1984 I must need to drink my tea to wake up my brain but what's 'LUD'? Last Update?

I think I can guess the others ones...

Now if you check the list we have, we just added how long it took for those who had their EAD approved, you are way ahead of yourself. Look the earliest date is 65 days from the time it was received. On uscis.gov it pretty much says that it takes 77days average. I heard they have to make a decision by the 80th day. So be patient, we know it takes time but you are not out of the normal time lines.

I think you're lucky you even have touches the way you do, not everyone does. Again keep in mind that there is a big backlog due to a lost of people who tried to beat the new fees and filed before July 30th. So USCIS is not updating as much as usually which doesn't mean that they don't work on your case, just that they are not logging it in.

Jupiter is right....it wraps because of your screen resolution. I previously had 1024 X 768 resolution and the list wrapped each line for the EAD. The lowest resolution I could use was 1152 X 864 on my monitor. Using that resolution, I can see the list without it wrapping and it looks fine. I just need to wear my glasses to see it.

I think the list is fine as is with the EAD added. No need to mess with it any more. Just change resolutions on your monitor. If you are interested in changing your resolution, and don't know how....here is some easy instructions. First, right click on your desktop and from the menu select 'Properties'. Then another box will open for your display properties. There is a series of tabs near the top that are labled themes, desktop, screensaver, appearance and settings. Click on 'Settings'. On the bottom left corner of the box, you will then see a slide that lets you adjust screen resolution. Write down your starting resolution so you can go back to it if you don't like the change. (Example: 800 X 600 or 1024 X 768) Then drag the slider to the right a few ticks to make the resolution higher and and click apply. You monitor will change resolution and ask you if you want to keep it that way. Click yes. Then check the page. If it still wraps the line, then repeat steps to do it again. To change it back if you don't like it, repeat the steps except drag the slider back till you get to the resolution you started with. Note: Some very old monitors may not support the higher resolutions.

Hope this helps.

Scott (and Mirasol)

My wife (then fiance) was in AR with NVC for 30 days. She is also from the Philippines. However, I must say that it can vary from person to person. When we were going through it, I saw some more and some less time. Good Luck!

Scott (and Mirasol)

...and working illegally on a tourist visa might be a bigger problem then her entry intent and whether she planned to get married. I tought I remember hearing or reading that working without authorization can be grounds for denial at time of AOS. Somebody correct me if I am wrong please.

Scott

Well no CSC transfer here. But the good news is no RFEs yet and we got our interview notice today!!! Our interview is set for October 25th.

Question.....in the interview notice its asking us to bring copies of all of the same documentation (tax returns, W-2's, affidavit of support, I-693A, etc.) that we submitted with our application. For anyone that has already had an interview...did you really have to submit all those requirements again? What happens to all the freakin papers we sent in with our application? Did they eat them for lunch??? I am all for being checked out for legitimacy, but this is ridiculous!!!! Please tell me its just a standard form and you only have to make sure you have already submitted the items in that long list or bring them with you if you did not previously do so. I just can't imagine that they really want another copy of everything.

Okay...I feel better now!

Scott (and Mirasol)

Ooops....Nevermind.....I just re-read it and it does say, "unless already submitted". Okay....deep breath now!

Well no CSC transfer here. But the good news is no RFEs yet and we got our interview notice today!!! Our interview is set for October 25th.

Question.....in the interview notice its asking us to bring copies of all of the same documentation (tax returns, W-2's, affidavit of support, I-693A, etc.) that we submitted with our application. For anyone that has already had an interview...did you really have to submit all those requirements again? What happens to all the freakin papers we sent in with our application? Did they eat them for lunch??? I am all for being checked out for legitimacy, but this is ridiculous!!!! Please tell me its just a standard form and you only have to make sure you have already submitted the items in that long list or bring them with you if you did not previously do so. I just can't imagine that they really want another copy of everything.

Okay...I feel better now!

Scott (and Mirasol)

Our AOS interview will be Oct 1st, trying to generate the ''proof'' that their asking for in the mean time lol

Congrats on getting your interview date!!! I know its stressful to think of an interview, but I know you guys can do it. It's just a matter of gathering the requirements and being confident. Easy!!!

Mir had her biometrics on Aug. 17 and everything went fine. We did not get an interview date yet and hoping maybe to get a transfer to CSC for approval without an interview. Well....we can hope anyway. But if not, we will stress over it like everyone else.....hehehe. I know we will be fine though either way.

Ingat ka!

Scott and Mirasol

Hello everyone.....Mirasol completed her biometrics today and all went fine. In and out of the office in about 30 minutes. Tried to ask for a temp EAD on the off chance they would be able, but expectedly they did not. Just have to wait I guess.

Came home and later checked the USCIS website and saw that we were "touched", but no real update. Not sure if the biometrics caused it or if someone actually looked at our file. We are so hoping to get transferred to CSC for approval, but have to wait and see I guess.

Anyways...that's all for now. Off to wait some more for the interview/approval.

Scott and Mirasol

[Hi Lira, your not alone I called DMV yesterday and I've been told the same thing. Gotta wait and wait for the greencard lol

Hi Gracy....us too! Except the freakin' DMV girl did not tell us until AFTER she took our money and handed us a worthless receipt that we can't get the state ID till we get a green card! We won't need a dang state ID after we get a green card! Needless to say.....I was a bit

guys just a quick question. should i be worried because i have'nt recieve my packet 3 yet. though im planning to have my packet 4 picked up in SLEC. is it ok if i dont have my packet 3? what exactly is the packet 3? thanks

jj1028 is right....no packet 3 from Manila anymore.

Scott (and Mirasol)

Unless Manila has changed their policy they will not accept a CENOMAR from the beneficiary as proof of not being married. If the embassy believes they need to validate that the beneficiary isn't married they will request one. This has to do with document fraud in the RP.

Sad but true in most cases.

Seems they tend to do their own CENOMAR checks on older women and woman with children more often which is understandable do to the difficulties associated getting an annulment in RP for the average pinay.

I know having one used to be suggested in the requirements and it's normally no biggy to get one and may as well get one and not be concerned not having one.

I personally know of one married woman who changed her name and got a new NSO BC and CENOMAR in her new name. Now she's single!!!

If she gets a K-1 interview do you think they will catch her?

Maybe....maybe not, but I don't think its worth the chance of a life-time ban for fraud.

Scott (and Mirasol)

What's an annulment cost nowdays, about 30,000? Does it still take over a year?

P30,000? I heard of one for P70000, but that was an exception. Most I have heard was P100,000 and up. Plus there are other "fees" to make things go smoothly in the court. As our attorney told us....the Philippine people don't have divorce and they don't like annulments, so they make it very expensive so that most people can't afford it. So instead of allowing people to move on from bad failed marriages, they just have lots of separated couples that live together without re-marrying because they can't. Most annulments I have heard take 18-24 months to complete. Ours took 18 and we had a good attorney that stayed on top of it.

Anyways....as far as the original question of changing names...what name is her passport in? My wife went back to her maiden name because that's what her passport and other ID's were in and it made it easier. If her passport is in her married name, then I would stick with that name. Consistency is a factor, but you will list all names on the G-325A anyway so I think its not a big deal to use either as far as immigration is concerned, except the passport.

Scott

Hey Patrick and Relyn,

Unfortunately, I think your attorney is being fair and it will take at least 3-6 months after the final hearing to get your Certificate of Finality. Believe me....I know exactly how you are feeling. You want it to be over so badly and it just keeps dragging on and on. Well I can't tell you when, but it does come to an end and you will get what you are looking for in time. Sometimes I think waiting the 18 months for the annulment strangely enough made my relationship with Mirasol even stronger. Not sure if others will agree. Something about that saying, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." My sweetheart is here with me now and yours will be too in time. How sweet that day will be! Hang in there my brother!

Scott (and Mirasol)

When my wife applied for her K-1, she had been annulled of her previous marriage in the PI. At the interview, they asked for the NSO copy of the Marriage Contract with annotation of the annulment and the certified copy of the Certificate of Finality and that was all. We also had an original certified copy of the court annulment decree, but it wasn't needed. Doesn't hurt to have it though just in case.

As far as your re-marriage being proof that prior marriages were terminated.....don't think the USCIS is that trusting. They still want to see annulment papers. So much corruption there they want to see all the documents themselves and not assume some other PI government agency who issued the new marriage certificate also properly verified you were legally able to marry again. Bottom line....it says you need to bring proof that prior marriages were terminated and you should do just that.

Just my opinion.....

Scott (and Mirasol)

hi scott (and mirasol)

i have here with me is the certified true copy of the finality. im going to the court tomorrow to ask for original copy and is the certificate of finality and court annulment decree is different? if so, ill also be asking for that decree tom. thanks

Ryza,

Yes....the Annulment Decree and the Certficate of Finality are two different documents. The judge who hears your annulment case will sign the Annulment Decree. Then there is a waiting period ( I think it was 30 days) for any appeals on the judge's grant of annulment. After the waiting period, assuming there are no appeals, the court then issues another document called the Certificate of Finality. This makes the Annulment Decree "final and executory" and basically says its all a done deal.

Hope that explains it okay. Again, Mirasol had all three documents when she went to her embassy interview. She brought a certified copy of the original annulment decree from the court, an NSO copy of her marriage contract with annotation of the annulment, and the certified true copy of the Certificate of Finality. However, we were only asked to produce the NSO marriage contract wth annotation and the certified copy of the Certifcate of Finality.

Good Luck!

Scott (and Mirasol)

When my wife applied for her K-1, she had been annulled of her previous marriage in the PI. At the interview, they asked for the NSO copy of the Marriage Contract with annotation of the annulment and the certified copy of the Certificate of Finality and that was all. We also had an original certified copy of the court annulment decree, but it wasn't needed. Doesn't hurt to have it though just in case.

As far as your re-marriage being proof that prior marriages were terminated.....don't think the USCIS is that trusting. They still want to see annulment papers. So much corruption there they want to see all the documents themselves and not assume some other PI government agency who issued the new marriage certificate also properly verified you were legally able to marry again. Bottom line....it says you need to bring proof that prior marriages were terminated and you should do just that.

Just my opinion.....

Scott (and Mirasol)

Hi everyone!!! Just stopping in to say hello as we haven't been here in awhile. We have been busy lately enjoying our time together here now that we are finally together. So much love and happiness now that we can share our lives together. I never have felt this way in my life about someone and felt so loved and cared for by someone. Mir says she feels the same. God has really blessed us!

Mir is adjusting fine and just misses her family a bit. She talks to them every day though so I think that helps. Unfortunately, she has had a few setbacks in her plans here for work and school. It seems that no one here will let a new immigrant without a green card/EAD do anything. We have a new Target store opening in our city in October and she wanted to apply now so that she could be considered for an opening when the store is ready to open. Nope.....they told her that without her EAD they will not even accept her application pending its receipt. Then she tried to sign up for a CNA nursing class, but they require she have a driver's license here in the US, a state ID card, or a US Passport. She has neither and can't get them. We tried to get a state ID card, but without AOS and green card.....NO! So she has been a little bored here cause I work and she is home. We are going to check into volunteering at the local hospital though next week.

Other than that we have just been spending time together and with my kids. It was a little rough at first with my kids in adjusting to the new relationship, but after some long talks with them, things have gotten a lot better. We went to a water park the other day and we all had a blast. Life has been good.

Okay...must go eat now. Take care all and God bless you and your families.

Scott and Mirasol

GOOD NEWS!!!! We finally got Mir's biometrics appointment letter in the mail. YAY!!!! She is set for the morning of August 17th....only 8 days away! Please update our timeline in the list. Thanks!

Scott and Mirasol

Hmmmm.....all these people gettin' their Biometrics Appointments around us, but nothing here yet. Patience....must be patient!

Scott and Mirasol