Linda91

"TBD" and "As needed" is fine as well.
The I-131 is used for many different purposes. Some have more strict usage criteria than others. For AP due to a pending AOS application, a specific reason or date is not needed.

There is no such thing as a registered address in the US. You just live there.
 
If you're curious about how mail works, mail is sent to an address. That address is broken into sections to determine the carrier route and get the mail to that carrier's truck. The mail carrier is then responsible for associating the name and address to the mailbox. There's no way to declare or register that "I live here"...you just start putting your name & address on stuff and it will be delivered there.

ESTA replaced the old I-94W, aka the "visa waiver programme". The "w" in I-94W stood for "waiver", which meant that (most) citizens from eligible countries could use the paper I-94W to travel and enter the USA without applying for a Visa from the US consulate in their home country.
 
The I-94W used to be a green slip of card (not to be confused with a "Green Card") that you got given on a plane or ship when traveling to the USA. You filled it in and then presented it with your passport to the CBP/ DHS agent at passport control. The agent still had the power to deny entry if they felt that you were ineligible to enter. It permitted you to enter the USA for 90 days as a tourist with strict requirements of what you could/ could not do i.e. not allowed to work, seek employment, go to school/ study, intend to remain beyond expiration etc., plus you had to leave before 90 days expired else you'd overstayed.
 
ESTA directly replaced the previous I-94W, and had the same requirements. The difference is that you now have to apply online for an ESTA BEFORE you travel, and be approved to travel before you board the plane/ vessel traveling to the USA. If when applying for your ESTA online and it denies you authorisation, you cannot travel to the USA and would need to contact the local consulate to resolve matters/ and/ or apply for an official Visa. Also note the ESTA only authorises you to travel to the USA, it does not guarantee you actual entry as that's up to the CBP officer manning the passport desk. You can still be denied entry when travelling on an ESTA if the officer believes you should not be admitted. Oh, and the old I-94W was free. ESTA is now charged for, payable when you apply for it online. IIRC, once authorized it remains valid for 2 years.
 
In a nutshell:
 
ESTA is a visa waiver programme that allows most citizens from eligible countries to travel to the USA without applying for a Visa. It allows the ESTA holder to visit as a tourist, and with restrictions, for up to 90 days per visit. It is NOT a Visa, and it does NOT guarantee admission to the USA.

Just pointing out again that an ESTA is just a travel authorization to board a plane. It has nothing to do with actual entry/status/etc.

Hi,
My family and i came to the states for a family vacation (with ESTA/tourist visa). My american citizen boyfriend of 3 years spent some time with us. After 86 days together, he asked me to marry him because he couldnt bare to seperate from me. We are now married. How do we go on from here? What steps do we take? What forms do we need to submit? Will we be denied?
 
My ESTA visa is about to expire in 3 days, will that be a problem with the process?
 
Thank you,
Linda 
 

Yes we have reached to an authority throught phone call and we got all the forms that's needed! It's a stress reliver to get some feedback and some general information about the process, so it was helpful reaching out here. Authority said it's not a problem as long as we're determined to go on with the paperwork. 

Thank you a lot for your time and all the information!