mam521

I didn't change my last name. I've had my name all of my life...why change it? I also didn't want to endure the cost and hassle in 2 countries for all the reasons Crazy Cat mentions. In Canada, if you're from QC, the QC government doesn't allow spousal name changes. It's considered a "civil right" to use your surname at birth. Even if you're married outside of the province and have changed it elsewhere, for everything in the province, you have to use your birth name.

Never underestimate the strength and determination of a woman on a mission!

Could I change the oil? Yes. Do I change the oil? No. Hubs does but he also won't let the dealership change the oil because he has decided they use "cheap 💩", despite it being full synthetic, that doesn't pass his standards. *cue eyeroll* The trade off: I end up taking the used oil to the county recycle center because he won't. I also have to do the things my hands better fit at. In the case of the jeep when we had it, my hand fit in to change the stupid ABS wheel sensor that was causing a giant headache by making the jeep misbehave. On the one truck, I got stuck changing the back most spark plugs because my hands fit.

I fear this in most places. Houston and surrounding areas has had some pretty wild things happen with teachers being arrested and charged. The Super for the district though...that's just wow. I do question that ole I-9 myself!

I was going to say the same - please fill out your timeline: https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=458652

From what I can tell, this will be an issue without a legal name change in Canada because it's not just a change in last name. Marriage name change "rules" are well understood and it's considered an "update" rather than a change. Your legal identity remains tied to that name at birth and your SIN. Middle name is a different kettle of fish because it's an actual change. As I understand it, once your birth certificate is changed to reflect your new name, all legal records, like your SIN, need to be updated to reflect the change or you won't be able to do things like obtain a passport (you'll need a new one with your new legal name) and in the case of immigration, get your police records checks. There's a Reddit thread from someone in SK saying they tried to do what you want to do and their new birth certificate would have shown up as Sarah Jane Doe Doe Smith because the government wouldn't drop her maiden name, but rather make the update to reflect the change in middle and last name. Little bit different of a situation, but I had a colleague who's daughter's name was listed on her Canadian birth certificate in one way, but when they applied for her greencard, they used the name she traditionally wrote in daily life (this was also a difference in middle names). It caused a TON of issues as they had to do the legal name change in Canada to get her birth certificate and passport to match what the US paperwork said. It took months of dealing with the ON government. At this point, I'd be inclined to change on the marriage certificate and reissue, providing the updated documents to USCIS. Since USCIS hasn't issued any documents to you, you save the cost there. https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-11-part-a-chapter-2 Not condemning your marriage to failure or anything like that either, but in the event something did happen and you wanted to change your name back, you'd have to go through the whole rigamarole of legally changing your middle and last names to eject the "new" in favor of the "old" and updating all of your government documents. In two countries.

Just tossing some general thoughts out there. Are you and your wife 100% fully committed to you becoming a 100% dependent on her? Will this cause strain on your relationship? Are you fully aware of the costs associated with filing AOS and in future, ROC and the time it takes to actually get through the process? You've come across for a conference. To me, I interpret that as you're an intelligent individual with a good job in your home country, likely well educated. I get it - your wife wants you to stay, but the implications of being together by adjusting can have long term, negative impacts to your future. Are you truly prepared to just drop everything and leave all things unfinished back home? I'm guessing you were sent to the conference by your employer - are you ok with just dropping that relationship? Have you considered how that will impact your employability in the US? What about your personal property? Your home? You will be months before you could return to tie up lose ends, not to mention who is going to retrieve any documentation you require. Others have warned of the scrutiny; being from Ghana adds to that scrutiny. I agree that no moves made to start the immigration journey in the past 6mo also looks a bit dodgy. Could you adjust? Maybe. Would I risk it? Not under this administration. Long distance sucks, but you've done it for 5 years. Yeah, another 18-24 months seems like forever, but immigration is a privilege, not a right and if done wrong, you could have your current visa revoked and potentially never be granted authorization to enter the US again. Additionally, you guys will more than likely reach your 2yr anniversary while adjusting, which means you'd enter the US on an unrestricted, 10 year greencard, eliminating the need and the cost of removing conditions. I believe your initial question was how to approach immigration and I suspect you've been given a lot of food for thought as well as advisement. The immigration journey requires thinking not only with your heart, but very much with your head.

Awe...I just found out that my Grandma has a boyfriend lol!

I don't disagree but IIRC, Kid2 was 13 when I filed the N-600 and they made him do biometrics because he turned 14 just before the oath ceremony (the week of!). Kids 14 and older have to attend an oath ceremony, too.

Montreal is a consulate that scrutinizes domicile and income. I think you are smart to have a joint sponsor available and waiting, especially since your wife's income is ceasing once you move. You are correct - the consulate is going to look at how the sponsor is going to look after you, the beneficiary. They care about how much money she's making in the moment that will prevent you from becoming a public ward and no income...yep, challenging. Yeah, you guys have a plan, but as you're more than familiar, it's how the painting is painted with the same brush for everyone. Joint sponsor = smart. Did she file her US taxes for 2023 as well as 2024 and 2025? I was in a similar boat - I was sponsored by my husband but returning to my job that I held in the US previously. I would be making well above the threshold and could absolutely look after my family, but that didn't matter so much. What my husband made since he was my sponsor was what was important.

Is there a reason you'd prefer a K1 over a CR1? Your fiance is here...you could do a quick ceremony and get married, file a CR1 and continue life, as you were going to when you planned to file the K1. The difference being your partner would go through consular processing in their home country and would receive their greencard upon entrance to the US, versus the K1 process of obtaining the visa, entering the US, marrying, adjusting status and applying for a work permit.

Yes, there has always been a requirement to file that I-90 once a child turns 14 and for them to attend a biometrics appointment. Many people mess it up and don't realize it. It's interesting that they flagged the child for the OP. I know of many people who'd missed the I-90 requirement in the past and went onto citizenship and filing the N-600 for their kids. New administration, new rules I suppose.

I have not heard of them asking for it to be filled out again. I'd bet dollars to donuts they lost her initial response and the WoM has triggered an "oh 💩" moment, especially since they only have so much time to respond to the WoM.

I haven't looked super recently, but passports were taking about 20 days for Canada. If your husband needed to enter Canada while his new passport were pending, he could use a land border with a DL & birth certificate or he could contact a consulate for an emergency travel document. I wouldn't stress about it.

Just be aware that you will have to stay in Montreal until the Consulate returns your passport. The other difference, if you do consular processing, you get your greencard after the interview. If you adjust status, you still have to wait for greencard approval. The long part is the I-130 approval, so that approval means you're close!

I'd still do consular processing, despite Montreal being a slow consulate. You'll have to fill out the DS-260 and get those ducks in a row. Once you do finally get an interview, just plan with your employer to work remotely since you have work authorization and do your interview.

The EB2 quota was reached September 2. The new fiscal year begins October 1, so even if there have been interviews scheduled, those persons will have to wait until after October 1 for their visas to be issued, which will cause a little bit of a backlog in Montreal. If you could fill out your timeline, it helps the community out. https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=492626 Additionally, someone here has a tracking spreadsheet that you can add your information to.

If anything, you and Dina are going to be annoyed that she had to fly from Maui to Oahu for a 10 minute appointment where they take fingerprints and a photo. If she has friends in Honolulu, have her meet up with them and at least make it a lunch date! As for you, just stay put, rest your back, and enjoy some quiet time! Mahalo!🌺

Someone else can confirm, but I believe because you are MFJ, you have to file the I-864 (not the EZ) and the I-864A. If you have your tax transcripts, use those. They prove not only were your taxes filed, but they were reviewed by the IRS. So, transcripts for 2022-2024. If you only have transcripts for 2022 & 2023 plus the 1040's and W2's for 2024, do that. How old is your child?

Answer: no The question is referring to filling out the form to formally rescind PR status or having it taken away by an immigration judge.

Yes, but she will have to submit her certificate to get her and the child's US passports. The certificate is also needed to get the N-600. The passports will come MUCH faster than the N-600. Once processing of the N-600 is complete, the 16yo will have to attend an oath ceremony and will receive their Certificate of Citizenship.

The interview slots are arguably challenging to get. I seem to recall people saying attempt shortly after midnight eastern time to try and nab one. Good luck!

Heaven forbid you put a pot of water on the stove and cook some traditional pasta (potentially even more financially savvy) in parallel while warming the meatballs! 🤣

Unfortunately, not uncommon. There were a couple of people here that got caught up in this last year. Interviews in September, but no visa until the new fiscal year began in October.

Driver's side in North America or driver's side in the UK, Australia or Japan? 🤭