sjhedquist

7 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

 

Your worry is premature.  EVERYTHING is on hold at the moment.  There is even the possibility that you won't have an interview.  The latest EO has ZERO effect on you......ZERO......relax....

Good to know about the EO...I've read different things, but that was my biggest concern. Fingers crossed that we start getting some updates in the coming weeks when offices re-open, but I'll try to be patient!

Hi everyone,
I searched the recent COVID-19 posts but I can't seem to find an answer relevant to our situation. My husband got his K-1 approved and entered the country 10/19, we got married 11/19, and applied for AOS/EAD in 12/19. Husband did his biometrics appointment in 1/20. We received an RFE in 2/20 for a long-form birth certificate and mailed it 3/20. Our case status online says "Response to RFE received." It is now exactly one month from the date when our response to RFE was received.

With COVID-19 and field offices being closed, can we still expect an interview date in the near future once they open up May 3? The interview seems like the obvious next step in the process assuming we don't get another RFE, but I'm worried that we haven't received further communication. Also, does Trump's new immigration ban/halt of green cards affect us? I'm worried sick.

Thanks,
Savannah and Pablo

9 hours ago, Fe.Ta said:

Yes, you literally do.  It is not sketchy.  The official USCIS website even says that just having one sentence written up stating you are both fluent in Spanish and English to translate the documen will be sufficient, so this is taken from them.  No need to notarize it or anything.  However, DO make sure you translate it all (birth certificate, apostille, and legalization).  Additionally, @andreaam did it this way along with others and we did ours professionally such as @andyazcu yet both Andrea and I (who did it completely differently) got RFEs for birth certificate.  So, it is your personal decision how you will go about it, but nothing about the USCIS process will be a definite and you can get RFEs on anything and everything, even when you do things perfectly (as most of us have done in this thread).

 

The best of luck and let us know!

Thank you for the detailed and reassuring response! So glad to have this community to help us through this complicated process. Congrats @andreaam on the interview!!!

On 2/29/2020 at 11:20 PM, Fe.Ta said:

@sjhedquist Right, here is a sample:

 

Do I literally type up a document like that and sign it? Seems kinda sketchy that I'm doing my own translation and then certifying my own work. Do I need to get it notarized or anything like that?

On 2/25/2020 at 1:36 PM, Fe.Ta said:

@sjhedquist I forgot to ask: Did you do the legalization and apostille in Argentina? If you didn’t, then that could be the issue.

Thank you for that helpful information...I did not realize I was missing the legalization and apostille. I researched like crazy before submitting the AOS packet but I must have overlooked that requirement. My husband's mother already requested a fresh copy of his Acta de Nacimiento and sent it to get legalized/apostilled this week. She also inquired about having it officially translated by a department of the government there in Santa Fe, but my question is - does the translation have to get an apostille stamp as well?

Today my husband (from Argentina) and I received an RFE to our I-485 for a birth certificate and English translation. I don't understand why they're sending us an RFE when our original packet had the Acta de Nacimiento and a translation, which I did myself (fluent in English and Spanish) and had notarized. The only thing we can think of is that our photocopy of the Acta de Nacimiento was not a good one...it was a photo taken of the original and scanned into our computer. Could this be the problem or am I missing something? Has anyone else received an RFE for the birth certificate and translation when you already submitted both?

3 minutes ago, SuznAaron said:

He does not need his social security card for Virginia. We just did this a few months ago. It is not required. The I-94 is on the front of his passport when he arrives. it tells when he entered and when his 90 days are up (arrival departure data)

Thank you for being so clear and for easing my worries!!

1 hour ago, RLA said:

No, it's not quite that easy.  He will need to bring a few more documents: 

 

— his foreign passport

    (as proof of his identity)

— his I-94

    (as proof of his legal status)

— his Social Security Card

— 2 proofs of address

 

I don't think he can get a license or learner's permit before he gets his SSN. 

 

Once you're married and have filed for AOS he should bring the NOA1 instead of the I-94. 

Forgive my ignorance because we’re relatively early in the process (awaiting interview instructions package), but what is the I-94?

What does he need to get his SSN?

I just recently learned of the requirement of supporting documents for my fiance's K-1 interview with the embassy. We haven't even gotten notice from the embassy to set up his interview yet, but we want to get things together as quickly as possible. I am most concerned with the I-134 and have the following questions:

1.  It lists tax returns as necessary only if you are self-employed, which I am not. I am hesitant to attach last year's since I was living abroad and made next to nothing in the months that I was actually in the U.S., so it will look like I am below the poverty line for that year. I did make an income while living in Spain, but have nothing to show for it. I read somewhere to attach tax documents from the past 3 years, but I was a college student in 2016 and 2017 and made very little money. Last year, as I said above, was spent abroad and my income is not reflected on my tax return. Will this hurt me?

2. My bank account balance now and throughout the year are not exactly high...I have a solid income now (more than $50,000 before taxes) and have had for the past year, but I am by no means rich and have less than $1000 in my checking at almost all times after I pay my bills. What exactly are they looking for when they look at the ebb and flow of my bank account?

2 minutes ago, SuznAaron said:

Hi we are also in Virginia. I am the USC. I added my fiance to the insurance policy before we were married with no problem. Just check with your insurance company. As for driving he will be allowed to sit for his drivers test both written and on the road if he holds a current valid license in his country. Once he passes the test he can be issued a Virginia driver's license and he can drive until his 90 days are up or until you receive the notification that you have filed to adjust his status. He can drive then an additional year until he gets his green card once you present the NOA to the DMV. 

Also, he is allowed to drive in Virginia for 60 days  only on his own county's license  once he moves here. 

Thanks, that's helpful. I read on the VA DMV website that in order for "Individuals with a pending application for adjustment of status to legal permanent resident status" to receive a driver's license, he will need to show 1) USCIS form I-797 receipt or approval notice for an I-485 petition displaying applicant’s name and 2) Official letter from USCIS indicating that the applicant’s petition for adjustment of status to permanent residency had been reopened and restored to a pending status.

But you're saying he can get his license for 90 days just by showing his valid license from his country? Before we are married? And then it's valid until we present notification of AOS? 


And as far as adding him to my insurance policy, is that necessary before we're married? In other words - can he drive my insured car without his name being on the policy as long as he has some form of license (international or Virginia)? I hope that makes sense.

Hello all -
My fiance's visa has been approved but we are still waiting for an interview appointment. I know that he will not be able to work for at least 3 months once he is allowed to enter the country, but he will need a car to get around while I am at work. My questions are: how long can he drive legally with an Argentinian driver's license? Can he borrow my car without being on the insurance policy? Can I add to my insurance policy in order to drive my car before we are married? For reference, I live in Virginia.

PLEASE help. Thank you!