remotercharm

17 hours ago, 13din25 said:

@remotercharm Was there any update on your case please? How did the interview go? What did they ask? Could you let us know please?

The interview was 15 minutes and very easy.  We were approved and got green card in the mail a week later.  Most of all the questions were just when we met, how we met, visits.  Not about how he came on a tourist visa.  Also asked about our wedding which we had a good reason to not have which was the pandemic.  She kept the photo collage took and some financial proof of renting a place together and his bank statement that showed him paying rent to me.  We have totally separate finances which didn't seem to be an issue.

Also, if we do need it, does it need to have a specific date on it?  He is from the UK and we had requested the medical history in the past for when we were trying to do the k1 but that medical exam has expired.   We did not submit it with the AOS because it was expired by the time we submitted that.  Not sure if we can still have that medical history transcript, though, and it would take a long time to try and request it again from the NHS.

Hello, we just got our interview date for spousal AOS from tourist visa, but have not done the medical exam yet.  We were aware it could expire so we waited til now as we had no idea how long getting an interview could take.  Looking at the I-693 it seems to me that we only need his vaccination transcript.  I read "If you have any medical records, including vaccination records, take them with you to the initial appointment."  All we have are vaccination records and probably would take a long time to get medical records.  Is it necessary?

On 8/7/2021 at 10:14 AM, Loren Y said:

They definitely meet the requirements for the cdc to reenter the US. Check what the UK version of the CDC has listed for accepted tests. They more than likely will be fine. I know for sure for travel back to the US,  they pass muster.

So did you book them and take them with you on your trip and use them on your way back in?

19 minutes ago, Loren Y said:

Depending on what airline your flying, I have have used the Abbot Binax Now testing kits you take with you when you travel international to come back to the US. They are accepted by most airlines for entry to the US if taken 3 days before departure. You do a video call with emed to witness the test, then get the travel document emailed to you thru the app. Navidia (Spelling) I thing it is called. I'll include a link, and depending on how many you buy, its way cheaper and easy enough to do from your hotel room. 2 pack is 69.99, 3 pack 99.99, and that includes the video call and results to your email, plus free shipping to you in the US. I have a link I'll post..

 

https://store.optum.com/shop/category/tests-and-devices/covid-19-home-tests/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid-search&utm_term=abbott covid test&utm_campaign=HMI_Google_COVID_Prospecting&utm_nooverride=1&kpid=go_cmp-12620340952_adg-120997702543_ad-522061179590_kwd-906422483253_dev-c_ext-_prd-_sig-CjwKCAjw3riIBhAwEiwAzD3TiUFY70LHZazD-vF4_mIirZ1F2DtPIOS_Wszu2DF5ZdRME_5TTovo4BoCzcEQAvD_BwE&utm_content=Optum_Store_OTC&gclid=CjwKCAjw3riIBhAwEiwAzD3TiUFY70LHZazD-vF4_mIirZ1F2DtPIOS_Wszu2DF5ZdRME_5TTovo4BoCzcEQAvD_BwE

Thanks.  We are flying Aer Lingus which doesn't say which brands but what types of tests ((NAAT: RT-PCR, RT-LAMP, TMA, NEAR, HDA, or Antigen: Rapid).  Perhaps I can also use this for the test I need before boarding the flight to the UK.  I'm hoping by the time we leave and return, some of these requirements will be gone (Dec/Jan).

17 minutes ago, HRQX said:

Does the UK require 2 tests? Or is it some sort of local DC requirement?

The UK requires 2.  One 72 hours before boarding the flight and one on day 2 of arrival (which could cost over 100 pounds).

4 minutes ago, HRQX said:

Yes. You'll both also need proof of a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 when boarding the US-bound flight: https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/fr-proof-negative-test.html

Ugh didn't realize we needed it on the way back in, thanks.  That's 3 tests we'll have to do in all, what a pain.

50 minutes ago, HRQX said:

Was his Form I-131 for AP approved? If so, when?

Yes he's had the AP card for a few months now.  But I didn't see that on the list of approved reasons for being allowed in in on the PP so wasn't sure.

My spouse who is waiting for an interview after adjusting from a tourist visa after we got married.  We would like to travel to the UK and back.  Due to the presidential proclamation travel ban that the UK is still under, he should be allowed because he is my spouse.  So would I just need to bring our marriage certificate as proof?  

40 minutes ago, Sego said:

That was definitely our initial plan but my husband he is not so attached to staying in his own country so it doesn't help to convince me! We will give it some time and see. We can apply for citizenship 3 years after marriage right ? The US made more sense for us too but we're just thinking is it worth it anymore if I am so terrible ? That's not a way to live life, time is too precious (now that we are married he can basically have a visa in most european countries).  

From what I know you have to hold the green card for 3 years.  Because it takes a while to get the green card it will be longer...  I think for us it can take a year or two to get the interview apparently, so maybe it could take 5 years to get citizenship?

My partner came in August and we did an adjustment of status (unplanned) in December (after our k1 interview was cancelled in March) from a tourist visa and he just got his EAD and AP a few days ago.  It was taking forever so he expedited it and it was really easy to do that.  They didn't even ask us for evidence. Why don't you try that?  It will be much clearer to make a decision once your life is more "normal".  He was really depressed and now he's excited, applying for jobs, and planning his visit back to Scotland.  He's not super keen on living in the US either but he's still giving it a shot by leading a normal life.  He's only experienced life here as unemployed during a pandemic with no friends!

Well at least you both agree you'd like to live in France! If he's excited about the idea of it and that's where you want to be, it may not be worth staying until you get US citizenship.  But i'd try to give it a shot like you said you are, so you don't regret leaving too early.  

Childcare is very expensive in the US so I'm sure that's going to be a factor in where you eventually decide to go if you can get support from family and friends.  It sounds like you are also probably adjusting to motherhood since you had a baby not long ago which is also quite a shock from what i've heard.  I imagine this is a very challenging time for you both.  I can't imagine going through all this on top of that.

3 hours ago, Sego said:

We were thinking about moving to the east coast to make trip to Europe easier. For now we cannot as my husband is finishing his credential and it is with Sacramento City. But also we are thinking moving back to Europe all together as you said, we do not feel US is the best place to raise our daughter. I am actually the one who wants to stay a little longer in the US as the process to get here was so long and painful i feel it will be a waste to have done all of this to stay just for two years but my husband is more leaning towards taking a chance and making changes if we really feel the US is not a place for us. We will keep thinking and see how things evolve!  

Might be a good idea to stay until you get your citizenship in case you want to come back in the future, you wont have to do this again.  Of course that takes a while... That is our plan.  That will give you enough time to know whether you can really live here after the culture shock has subsided and give you some perspective of your husband's American experience.  I lived in Scotland for maybe 9 months and I think it was important for me to have the experience for the relationship.  We may move there in the future and i'll work on getting my UK citizenship.  It makes more sense for us to stay in the US now for economic reasons.

I also forgot to mention there is the Amtrak train here with more cities to visit.  I can be in NYC in around 3 hours.

Living anywhere you are forced to drive is just depressing and dystopian to me.  My husband doesn't drive and isn't comfortable with it.  I am from Los Angeles and have spent a lot of time in the car.  Never again.  Thankfully I had a job in DC when he moved here and it is more european.  You can walk everywhere and there is a Metro.  The city was designed by Parisian, L'Enfant.  I live in Arlington and it is walkable and very safe.  We don't own a car and I doubt I will move anywhere to put him in a situation where he is forced to drive.   He can also visit his family easily and vice versa due to quick and affordable flights from the east coast to europe.  Perhaps you guys should "meet half way" and move to the east coast.  It will probably be more expensive than Sac but there are affordable options like Philly or Baltimore.

Also, perhaps you could ask your husband to move to France, instead.  Europe is a better place to raise a child.  We don't plan on having children but if we did, i'd be tempted to leave the US.

I called my insurance and explained the situation and she put a "note" so as not to bother me about it again.  This was for Cigna.  Now I'm on Anthem and they haven't asked about it yet.  He's had no problem using the insurance for either.

14 hours ago, Duke & Marie said:

Try for an extension, my husband is.... we filed for EAD April last year and I still haven’t got it, I’ll likely get my GC first 

Did you apply for Advanced Parole?  If so, did you get that yet?

1 hour ago, Paul Hanaki said:

Yea I don't really need the EAD for taxes just the SSN that comes along with it. If I file with the SSN we get back $5,000 more in stimulus money and child tax credits. That's too much money to leave on the table by filing with their ITIN.

I'm in the same boat.  I'm relying on the tax extension til October 15th to see me through the wait.  We only applied mid December.

I think the problem presents itself when trying to file the state tax, which in my state has to match the federal in terms of filing status, but there isn't an option for applying for the ITIN, so I would need to file separately for state tax, but couldn't. Which is why it seems just waiting for the SSN would make it much easier.

9 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

Did he request a SSN on the I-765?  He may or may not be eligible for an ITIN.

Yes, does that mean he isn't eligible? 

8 minutes ago, davidvs said:

ITIN route is not complicated at all. It is a 5 minute form to fill out.

I think the thing that scares me is not being able to submit my taxes online using turbo tax software and having to do some things manually.  I suppose if I could fill out the AOS application to USCIS I can handle filing my taxes in the mail.  But sounds like it would really complicate state returns and we'd have to file separately there losing out on the state refund.

Also I'm not sure he's eligible looking at https://www.irs.gov/individuals/individual-taxpayer-identification-number.  Technically he's not required to file a federal tax return, but choosing to.  Would we still qualify?

I would get a pretty good tax break if I can file jointly with my spouse.  Unfortunately he doesn't have a SSN number yet and the ITIN route seems too complicated.  We're waiting on the EAD.  I'm thinking to just file a 6 month extension, and then once he (hopefully) gets his SSN this summer, I can use that to file jointly.  Is there any issue in filing for 2020 taxes with a SSN issues in 2021?   Or is it better to get ITIN? He arrived here in August and we applied for AOS and EAD in November. Thanks.

1 hour ago, ultrasoul said:

@remotercharm Unfortunately 2 days after Feinerman’s vacating rule no Nov 2, on Nov 4 7th Circuit appeals court granted the Trump administration emergency reprieve from the block for 2 weeks which allows the Trump administration to continue implementing the public charge rules for at least 2 more weeks- https://www.law360.com/articles/1325973/7th-circ-revives-public-charge-rule-again-for-2-weeks

 

 This is consistent with the USCIS website as of November 4, "We will apply the Public Charge Final Rule to all applications and petitions postmarked or submitted electronically on or after Feb. 24, 2020, including pending applications and petitions."

 

https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/public-charge/inadmissibility-on-public-charge-grounds-final-rule-litigation

I mentioned it above

On 11/8/2020 at 10:00 PM, Marco T said:

in NY I got it for free. I called them since the system couldnt verify my identity.

Then I got the health insurance contract and card via mail

The i-944 is going to ask if you're getting any public benefits or subsidies for health insurance.  This is going to be looked poorly on if you are getting free healthcare from the government.

We're doing the same thing.  We just sent off our massive application yesterday!  Good luck!

8 hours ago, laylalex said:

Ugh, all I want is some consistency on this! We are likely to be filing our AOS in the first half of December, and hopefully we'll know more by then. If I don't have to complete this document, I'd rather not have to. My husband has likened it to a proctologist's examination. Anything involving both proctology and the government, he says, is bound to hurt.

We just did ours and it was miserable.  its twice as big as the rest of our application which includes the i-130, i-864, i-485, i-765, i-131. It took us more effort than everything else combined.  It's weird because its very similar to the i-864 affidavit of support, asking a lot of the same questions, but going into a deep dive and requesting a lot of evidence. One thing I would try to do in advance that we couldnt get is the education equivalency (if he has a college degree) that you can read about in the instructions.  it could take a couple weeks to get at least and will cost around $50-100 i believe.  This form will still be here in December I think.e h

I am confused about the question "Did you or your household member(s), whose income is being included, file a federal tax return"?  This form is addressed to the beneficiary and the beneficiary did not file a tax return, but his wife (the sponsor, me), did.  So should we put "yes" and put the income from my w2?  I find it a bit strange because after this part A is part B where I would put my information in for the same exact question (because i am a member of his household), which would be the same amount of money for "Total income from tax return or Item1 on w-2..." if we also enter it into part A for the beneficiary.