rebecchina

thanks!

Hi all,

Could anyone tell me, with regards to the additional documents, does my husband have to bring original marriage certificate, birth certificates, etc, or can we bring copies?

Also, is it expected that the spouse (US Citizen) attend the interview with the immigrant?

One other quick question: does my mother-in-law need a passport before we can make an appointment with the Interest Section or can we get it while waiting for the appointment? I see that they ask for a passport number when you call to make the appointment.

Hi all,

Does anyone have recent experience with bringing a Cuban relative for a visit? I assume it's just a normal B2 visa, but the politics with Cuba are unique. My husband came here almost 5 yrs ago with a K1 visa, and he's still not a citizen (I'm the US citizen).

I think I know how to get started - get an appointment with the US Interest Section in Havana - but I'm more interested in hearing about recent experiences.

thx!

Hi all,

Does anyone have recent experience with bringing a Cuban relative for a visit? I assume it's just a normal B2 visa, but the politics with Cuba are unique. My husband came here almost 5 yrs ago with a K1 visa, and he's still not a citizen (I'm the US citizen).

I think I know how to get started - get an appointment with the US Interest Section in Havana - but I'm more interested in hearing about recent experiences.

thx!

I didn't use capital letters when I filled out the form. Does this matter? Should I fill it out again?

Also should it be sent with delivery confirmation or certified mail?

Thanks

Thanks for the reassurance. I'll keep checking every few days.

When I try to check the status of our pending case online at USCIS I'm told the receipt number can't be found. Has this happened to others? Should I just call them tomorrow to

see what's going on?

I'd love some very quick feedback on whether it's a problem if I fill out the online AR-11 form for my husband again/twice. The first time I did it I didn't have my receipt number so I couldn't do the 2nd part. So I think I need to go back and do it all again.

Also, as the sponsor, do I have to fill out the AR-11 for myself in addition to sending the I-865, or only the 865?

Please advise!

Thx

yes, you can.

It is the same link that the LPR uses to change address when filing AR-11.

https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=coa

When you click on change of address, then accept the terms and agreement, then you have two links, for US citizens and for LPRs.

HTH

The thing is, there is a different link to fill out an I-865, which isn't the same as a change of address or AR-11. I'm pretty sure I have to send the I-865 in, and that the AR-11 is just for my husband. Am I wrong? Or do I have to change my address online and send in the 865?

Anyone know if I can file an I-865 change of address form for a sponsor online?

I think I've figured out that I can't file the 865 online, I have to send it, but I do have one more question:

I filed an AR-11 online for my husband for his change of address (he's the non-USC), but I didn't follow the second step after the Signature part where I have to fill out an additional online form if our case is pending (which it is), because I didn't have access to our receipt number at the time.

Can I just re-do the AR-11 and then do the second step or will there be a problem with filling out the form again?

Also, I'd like some feedback on our current situation: due to a change of job/economic circumstances, we will be residing at separate addresses for 3 months, then my husband will join me at our new home. I'm worried that because we are filing change of address forms with 2 different addresses, this will be a red flag for USCIS. What are others' experiences with this? I just figured I shouldn't try and hide information from them. BTW, his temp address is in CA and mine is in NY so it may be quite obvious that we're living apart temporarily.

I wish the timing had been better and that we weren't in the middle of the ROC process...

Anyone know if I can file an I-865 change of address form for a sponsor online?

I have yet another question about change of address procedure. It says that we can fill the AR-11 form online and submit it that way, but also that we should have our receipt number for our case that is pending. What should we do if we haven't received a receipt number - should we wait to file the AR-11 until we get a receipt number, and how long does the receipt usually take to come after filing the I-751? We have to file the form within 10 days of changing addresses, but what we do in the case that we didn't have that number yet?

HERE IS ANOTHER PIECE OF INFORMATION THAT COMPLICATES THE SITUATION:

I'm seeing that as a US Citizen who sponsored a permanent resident and filed an I-864, I must also submit a change of address. Now this is becoming complicated because it will be obvious that we have changed our addresses to two different ones. Should we try to contact USCIS and explain? I can't change both of our addresses to the new one across the country because I assume they'll send my husband to a biometrics appt in NY when he'll be in CA.

Can anyone who has already gone through the ROC process advise me on a situation like this?

That is basically what we did - we filed last week from an address we've been living at for more than 2.5 years and will be moving next week. The address on our application was absolutely truthful and it didn't even occur to me until now that our having separate addresses temporarily might be an issue. Hopefully it won't be.

I have yet another question about change of address procedure. It says that we can fill the AR-11 form online and submit it that way, but also that we should have our receipt number for our case that is pending. What should we do if we haven't received a receipt number - should we wait to file the AR-11 until we get a receipt number, and how long does the receipt usually take to come after filing the I-751? We have to file the form within 10 days of changing addresses, but what we do in the case that we didn't have that number yet?

There is one simple rule with USCIS. "Never Lie to the USCIS". If you feel that by withholding this information during your ROC, it wont fall in the category of lying, then by all means, go ahead. If you file while at the same address and then go ahead as planned, I think it shouldn't be a problem. I have learn't through personal experience and I am sure most will agree with me that while dealing with USCIS, one should be careful as to not offer information voluntarily and unnecessarily. Just submit what is asked and leave the rest to fate.

That is basically what we did - we filed last week from an address we've been living at for more than 2.5 years and will be moving next week. The address on our application was absolutely truthful and it didn't even occur to me until now that our having separate addresses temporarily might be an issue. Hopefully it won't be.

He doesn't require your presence for the Biometrics, but an interview is rarely conducted for ROC. Definitely not a good time for you two to be seperate during your ROC period and that could raise concerns leading to a possible interview. If you have solid evidence and reason to be apart, then it maynot even come up.

We do have very good reasons to be apart for a few months. But there's no way they can know we're apart unless they call us for an interview. I wasn't planning on telling them, but if they do find out, we have a good reason: economics.

Any other thoughts?

Hi all,

We just filed our I-751 and now we're moving to upstate NY. Here's the unique situation: I am moving definitively but my husband (the non-US citizen) will be staying in the Bay Area to work for a few more months. He'll be joining me in later November.

I assume the change of address needs to be to the place he'll be living temporarily so he can receive the NOA notice, biometrics appt letter, etc. So we'll need to file an AR-11 in addition to changing the address online, right?

Given that we'll be living apart for 3 months, is that a problem for the biometrics appt? I assume he can go alone. But for the interview, I'd need to be there right? I know an interview is not a foregone conclusion but is it likely to happen within 3-4 months of when you file?

And do I need to worry about the fact that we'll be living apart for a few more months - would they take it as a bad sign that we don't have a real relationship? He'll be staying at my dad's house, which I assume should count for something.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thx!

Don't mention it now.. they might get it confused and get the whole application screwed up. Just change address, call them and when you go for biometrics, make sure that the system has the corrected address.

Great, thanks for the advice!

We're about to move out of state, but we're filing our I-751 now. I figured I would just leave our current address on the application and then change my address on the USCIS website. Should I include a note in my cover letter that we will have a change of address soon and give them the new address, or would that just be too confusing?

thanks!

Just to make sure, we don't need to send in passport photos this time around, right?

Also, in terms of sending copies of bank account statements, do we need to send the full statement or just the first page with both of our names on it? I guess that also goes for utility bills - necessary to send it all? I assume one bank acct statement/utility bill is enough.

In terms of tax returns, I figure I'll send all of them since we got married (which is only 2 so far).

thx!

Good luck on your ROC! The bottom of my signature has all the stuff I sent. As V33K mentioned, it appears USCIS doesn't mind if they are not notarized. I sent many and none were notarized. My lawyer just mentioned that they should have something in the bottom that says: "Singed Under Penalty of Perjury".

Thanks for reminding me about tax returns!

Don't forget your tax returns!

Hi,

Affidavits are, as you said, suggested. I think if USCIS doesn't see they need them, they will just ignore them and keep them in your file.

There is a sample letter on VJ (i'll try to find it and post a link to it) which you can use as a reference. Mainly, the issuer of the affidavit needs to write how they know you, and their knowledge of your marital life and your relationship...

You list of evidence looks good, a few things that come to mind are:

1. Car insurance showing both your names

2. credit cards (if joint accnts)

3. If you have children: b-certs.

and don't forget a copy of your GC front and back...

Good luck!

Ok... it was faster than I thought to find the sample affidavit.

http://www.visajourney.com/examples/USCIS_I751_Affidavit.doc

Thanks! We'll definitely do car insurance (we don't have joint CC or kids, yet).

Just to be totally clear on instructions - if he sends copies of his GC, he doesn't have to send fingerprints, right? I think that's only for the exception cases, but just want to make sure.

By the way, is it absolutely necessary that the affidavits be notarized? I think I saw on another post that it isn't necessary, but I believe the definition of affidavit is that it has to be witnessed by a notary.

Hi all,

We're about to file the I-751 and we're thinking about sending affidavits. I'm thinking one of my parents and one of our friends. What exactly should they say? Is it just a short statement that they've known us as a couple, etc, or should it be a longer narrative about our relationship?

I know affidavits aren't necessary, but I thought they wouldn't hurt - is there any downside to sending them?

Here's the evidence we'll send: copies of lease, car we bought together, joint bank acct, utilities statement, life insurance beneficiaries status. And we'll send some copies of vacation pics, etc. Does this sound like enough?

Thx!

I'm glad you had such a good experience. We didn't get approved right away but I just found out that the GC was ordered for us.

One question I have: how do they determine how long your GC lasts and whether it's 2 or 10 years?

I had an afternoon interview. We arrived half an hour before the appointment. We left pretty much everything in the car except paperwork. So, we didn't have to worry about our cellphones or other items. They do check them at the door. They also check your ID and interview notice.

After going through the security we went up to the third floor. In the waiting area there were about 15-20 other couples already waiting. We gave our interview notice to the receptionist and sat. About 10 minutes later I was called by receptionist. I was fingerprinted at the reception (right and left index fingers) and have my picture taken.

We waited about 15 minutes. A gentleman came and invited us to interview room. He was a pleasant person. He checked our ID's. He requested the copy of our lease, utility bills, life insurance cards, and bank statements. First he asked some of the questions from the 485 form, such as if I ever was prosecuted, if I ever lied for immigration benefits, etc. He asked us our birthdays and marriage date. He also asked our current address and previous addresses.

I had prepared a huge list of proofs including pictures, but he didn't asked for them and said he had enough proof. I could see in my file he had everything I ever submitted to USCIS before. He congratulated me and said I was approved and as of today I was a permanent resident of U.S. He took my EAD card and put it in my file. He gave me an approval letter and told me to expect my 10-year green card in the mail within 2 to 3 weeks. I was so happy that I forgot to ask him to stamp my passport.

Interview part was about 15 minutes. The whole experience lasted less than an hour! I am so glad this is over. Knowing that I am done with USCIS until I apply for citizenship is really priceless!

I really hope you guys all have an easy interview experience like I did. Good luck to you all....

Yesterday I went online and found an update on our case saying card production ordered!

That's a relief - we had the interview last week but were not approved right away so I was a bit worried.

I wanted to relay our experience so that other people don't automatically freak out if they don't get immediate approval:

We were not approved right away at the interview. The immigration officer said that although she was convinced of the validity of our relationship, all her cases were being reviewed. So we would have to wait and see if it was approved. She also said we hadn't brought as much evidence of our relationship as some people bring. We brought a photo album, evidence of having not only a civil ceremony but a big party/reception a few months later, a joint bank account statement, his name on the rental lease, and his name on the electricity bill. I asked what other kinds of evidence people bring, and she said she couldn't tell me specifically...not very helpful!

Anyway, it sounds like they want a lot of volume, bring as much documentation as you can.

Good luck to you all!

Our timeline:

Adjustment of Status

Event Date

CIS Office : San Francisco CA

Date Filed : 2008-05-01

NOA Date : 2008-05-09

RFE(s) : 2008-07-24

Bio. Appt. : 2008-06-03

AOS Transfer** :

Interview Date : 2008-10-16

Approval / Denial Date : 2008-10-20

Approved : Yes

Got I551 Stamp : No

Greencard Received:

Employment Authorization Document

Event Date

CIS Office : Chicago National Office

Filing Method : Mail

Filing Instance : First

Date Filed : 2008-05-01

NOA Date : 2008-05-09

RFE(s) :

Bio. Appt. : 2008-06-03

Approved Date : 2008-08-22

Date Card Received : 2008-09-02

Comments :

Processing

Estimates/Stats : Your EAD was approved in 113 days.

Advance Parole

Event Date

CIS Office : Chicago National Office

Filing Method :

Filing Instance : First

Date Filed : 2008-05-01

NOA Date : 2008-05-09

RFE(s) :

Date Received : 2008-08-30

Comments :

Processing

Estimates/Stats : Your AP was approved in 113 days

Any more advice out there on whether this is somewhat standard for the officer to say that the case has to be reviewed again by a superior?

thanks

Hi all,

So we just had our interview today. I think Itiwent well overall, but we didn't get a definitive answer and I wanted to see how common this was, especially for those people who have had interviews in the San Francisco office.

So the officer said she was convinced that our case was strong but that all her cases are being reviewed by her supervisor currently, so that the approval was provisional. She gave us a Results sheet that says "Your case has been continued for the reason(s) checked below: Further Review."

She also asked me if I had any more documents to prove our relationship, and said some people bring a lot more than we did. I brought a photo album with wedding and other pictures, proof of joint checking account, energy bills with both of our names and a lease with my husband added to it when he arrived in the US.

I asked her what else people usually bring and she said she couldn't think of anything in specific at the moment...big help!

So now I'm a little worried...should I be? Advice please...

We also had the interview in San Francisco, but we were approved right there and then. We took lots of photos, joint bank accounts, cards from friends sent to us, our wedding invitation, insurance cards. That is strange that they placed you under further review...why do you think this happened? Did they give you another interview date?

Good luck!