Rlewis

5 hours ago, mepck said:

Agreed with Mike , yes you can use the extension letter to renew your DL. However, it might depend on the local BMV on how long your future DL valid to.. I am in Ohio and too bad, when I used the 24 months extension letter to renew the DL last year, they only gave me 1 year DL validity. I have to renew my DL again this year, but I will try to use the 48 months extension this time, see if they will at least give me more than 1 year validity..

I'm wondering if I should wait to renew until I get my extension letter or just renew now and do it based off of my greencard (which expires jan 3rd 2024) so at least I have some extra leeway before I have to use the extension letter to renew...in case they don't do the entire 24 months...

Hi - not sure if I named this topic right - but I will be coming up on time for me to apply for my ROC later this year. My only question at the moment is:

I have a valid Ohio drivers license that will expire later this year (I applied for it based off of my EAD - and received a green card after I had already gotten the DL)

My GC will not expire until 1/3/24, so I considered going in to renew my DL based off of the GC. However, the earliest I can file for my ROC is October of this year, so when the I-751 is submitted, will there be an extension letter for the I-551? Will there be NOAs?

Am I able to use the extension letter to renew my DL? I cannot seem to find anything on the Ohio BMV site about the particular verbiage for the form name, mostly just the usual: Proof of Residency, SS, name, DOB etc.

That is my only concern as I do need to drive to work, I'd like to keep making money, after all lol

Thanks for all your help and any corrections!

5 hours ago, edmc said:

Hi all,

Long story but I wanted to come back to VisaJourney and confirm a few things because with my previous visa process these forums were a huge lifesaver. 
 

• I divorced my green card holding spouse (he received his 10 year sometime during it all. It was already processed/approved, he was very fortunate with the timing) because he cheated on me in late 2019-early 2020 and I found out in March 2020. 
  • We started dating in 2014, got engaged in 2016, he moved here in 2017 and we had our wedding party in the same year. 
  • Our marriage was failing in the 3rd year and we did go to couples therapy but he wasn't honest so it went no where. 
  • I did try my best to fix things but in the end he had already "checked out" mentally and it was difficult to reconcile.
  • I do have correspondences, photos, a mortgage, car payments, wedding photos, wedding bills, etc. to prove it was a bona fide marriage.
  • I do have the option to request an affidavit from my ex spouse stating that it was a bona fide marriage. We are not on good terms but I believe he will cooperate.  
  • I do have evidence of his infidelity. Not sure if this would help my case but figured I should mention it
  • Last bit I wanted to mention, we separated in April 2020 and officially divorced in August 2020, I have the divorce decree as well.  
• I did a search on Google and found that there is only a 1 year wait time for the petitioner to get married and petition for another K-1. Is this correct?
  • My boyfriend has not proposed yet but we have spoken about marriage and likely to pursue a K-1 visa around 2024. This is just me being proactive :). 
• My boyfriend is Canadian and we got together late 2020. I know I moved on quick, unfortunately my previous marriage was going downhill for a year. After I found out my ex was cheating I could see a light at the end of a very dark tunnel. An answer to the question I hadn't been able to answer for a year as to why things felt different. I am so much happier now and no longer living in a constant state of worrying and self loathing. 

 

Thanks for reading and any advice/help you may have!

Hi OP! 

just in case you wondered how to get married in Canada!

Marriage in Canada on Visitor Visa

But otherwise you are free to marry in USA as long as your Canadian boyfriend returns home!

We did the K1 as a US/Canadian couple and honestly I'd recommend anyone to go the CR1 route instead of K1 especially if your partner is Canadian. K1 isn't that fast anymore. Might still be of use for people from certain countries or backgrounds but for a Canadian partner I would recommend CR1

Good luck!

10 hours ago, A+N said:

Hi everyone. My fiancé and I are K1 filers. We should be getting our NOA2 any day now. I’m Canadian and he’s American. I have many friends and family telling us that we could’ve gotten married and lived in the US without doing this whole process. However, I feel like we did the right and honest thing by choosing a method “by the book”. But I’m curious, are people really able to use the visitor visa/visa waiver to get married and adjust status without leaving the US? Also, on a spousal visa… how long are you able to visit/live with a spouse in the US at a time before getting your green card? I would love to be able to answer how different methods work compared to the k1. Thanks!! 

Intending to marry while visiting on your visitor visa is immigration fraud, like many others have echoed above me.

I went through the K1 route as well (during covid, yuck!) and I am also from Canada. Feel free to ask me anything!

18 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

I may be wrong, but even for current service members.....the only expedites I've seen that are directly related to being in the military was when there was a deployment involved.

As a spouse of current Active Duty, there are no expedites unless it pertains to deployment and/or PCSing with family abroad. That's the only time I see there may be an expedite.

OP, there's definitely no fees waived for a regular situation, and nothing moves faster just because your partner is/was/former service member. Perhaps spouses may get assistance in paperwork and completing them if this was a case where your partner met you while he was abroad during a PCS, I've heard of bases assisting with paperwork, but that doesn't pertain to your situation.

It's best you follow what everyone here is recommending and do the steps as everyone has been doing.

Best of luck

Some of us can't even travel to a consulate and have to mail in to get their passport renewed. So unless this trip is an emergency and you have to leave IMMEDIATELY, I would recommend to just help your wife renew her passport and follow others recommendations here.

11 hours ago, Rocio0010 said:

This is what I sent (still pending, but maybe you can get some ideas)

USCIS 

Attn: I-751 (Box 21200)

1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S

Suite 100 

Phoenix, AZ 85034-4850

 

ORIGINAL SUBMISSION

RE: I-751 JOINT PETITION TO REMOVE CONDITIONS ON RESIDENCE

Conditional Resident (Petitioner) : xxxx xxxxxxxxx- SSN:xxxxxxxxxxDOB: xxxxxxxxxxx

 

U.S. Citizen Spouse:

xxxx xxxxxxxx SSN: 1- 1656 DOB: xxxxxxxx

 

 

Dear Sir or Madam:

Please find enclosed  a joint Form I-751 and materials to support removal of conditions on residence for my wife, xxxx xxxxxxx. USCIS granted xxxx xxxxxxxxher conditional permanent residence on April 29, 2020.

The materials, which show a merging of our personal and financial lives since marriage (May 17, 2019), are organized in exhibits A- P and tab dividers for your convenience. 

 

Thank you for your prompt processing of this petition and for what we hope is your favorable response at your earliest opportunity.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

xxxx xxxxxxx                                                                                                                      xxxx xxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

Exhibit A: FORM I-751

Original xxxxxxxxBank Personal Check, in the amount of $680.00 for payment of the I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence + Biometric fee

Enlarged copy of USCIS Form I-551 front and back (Permanent Resident Card)

Original Form I-751 filled and signed by xxxx and xxxx 

Addendum I and II to Form I-751

Copy of form G-1145.

 

Exhibit B: MARRIAGE

Copy of certified marriage certificate between xxxx and xxxx, showing marriage on May 17, 2019 in Morgantown, West Virginia.

 

Exhibit C  COHABITATION

Copy of Owners Title Insurance Policy with original recorded warranty deed for the property located at xxxxxxxx

Copy of American Land Title Association Settlement Statement showing xxxx and xxxx as buyers of the property situated at xxxxxxxx. 

Copy of Veterans United pre- approval letter showing xxxx and xxxx as pre-approved for a home loan. Dated: Jun 18, 2021 Signed by Kris Ball (Loan Officer) 

 

Copies of xxxx xxxxxxx and xxxx xxxxxx current drivers’ licenses showing joint residence at xxxxxxxx

Copies of xxxx xxxxxand xxxxxxxxxx old drivers’ licenses showing joint residence at xxxxxxxxx

Copy of xxxx Knotts’s updated Argentinian ID listing address at xxxxxxxxx

Copies of Spectrum (Internet) monthly statements showing xxxx as responsible for paying gas and electricity in our joint residence at xxxxxxxxx

Copies of Columbia Gas of Ohio monthly statements showing xxxx as responsible for paying gas in our joint residence atxxxxxxxx

Copy of lease agreement listing us as joint tenants at previous address (xxxxxxxxxx), beginning May 28, 2019 and copies of lease renewals for the same address for subsequent terms until May 31, 2022. 

Copy of xxxx xxxxx old argentinian ID listing address at xxxxxxxxxx

Copy of Horace Mann Insurance Company new business declaration listing us as jointly covered under renters’ insurance policy number xxxxxxx  for our residence at xxxxxxxxxxxx. Effective date: 02/02/2021. Expiration date: 02/02/2022.

Copy of appointment reminder from veterinary addressed to both of us.

 

Exhibit D TAX RETURNS- STATE TAXES- PROPERTY TAXES

Copies of joint IRS tax returns for 2020 and 2021.

Copy of 2021 and 2022  Monongalia County Personal Property Return filed jointly.

 

2020 and 2021 joint West Virginia Tax receipts.

  

 

Exhibit E: FINANCIAL COMMINGLING

Copies of quarterly bank statements of our joint checking account (with United Bank) since inception of the accounts on 04/19/2019 to closing of the account on xx/xx/xxxx,, showing various financial co-mingling such as Veteran United payments, rent payments, car loan payments, insurance payments, grocery shopping etc.

Copy of Chase Deposit Account Balance summary showing us as joint owners of the Chase Premier Plus Checking Account ending in 6235. Dated 10/30/2021.

 

Exhibit F: JOINT MORTGAGE STATEMENTS, UTILITIES, AND VET BILLS.

Veterans United joint mortgage statements from August 2021 to January /2022

Copies of the city of Southwest Licking Community Water & Sewer District statements showing us as jointly responsible for paying water in our joint residence xxxxxxxxx 

Copies of AEP (Electric Company) monthly statements showing us as jointly responsible for paying the electric bill in our joint residence at xxxxxxxxx

Copies of Local Waste Services monthly statements showing us as jointly responsible for paying the trash pick up in our joint residence at xxxxxxxx

Copies veterinary bills showing us as jointly responsible for paying the veterinary bill

Copy of note from landlord in Morgantown stating he was responsible for paying the utilities on the property rented at xxxxxxxxx  for the time period we lived there.

 

Exhibit G:  JOINT HEALTH AND LIFE INSURANCE OVER THE YEARS.

Copy of xxxx’s current life insurance underwritten by Principal Life Insurance company listing xxxx as beneficiary of this insurance. 

Copy of current  dental/ vision insurance (with Principal), via xxxx’s current employer, showing us both covered under the same insurance plan. Effective date: 08/09/2021.

Copy of current United Health Care insurance, via xxxx’s current employer, showing us both covered under the same insurance plan.

Public Employees Insurance Agency certification letter showing xxxx as policy holder and xxxx as covered by this insurance. 

Copy of xxxx’s life insurance underwritten by United Omaha Life Insurance Company designating spouse xxxx as beneficiary.

Copy of previous health insurance cards (Independence), via xxxx former employer (xxxxx), showing us both covered under the same (former) insurance plan.

 

EXHIBIT H: Special Permissions

One Point of Care (OPOC.US) authorization for use and disclosure of private health information, providing authorization on behalf of xxxx to disclose private health information and listing xxxx as spouse.

 

 

 

Exhibit H:  JOINT RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS

Copy of xxxx  Individual Retirement Account from Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIIA) beneficiary designation letter? listing xxxx as beneficiary of the account.

Copy of West Virginia Consolidated Public Retirement Board Pre- Retirement Beneficiary Designation showing xxxx as member, and xxxx as beneficiary of the account. 

 

Exhibit I:  JOINT VEHICLE AND HOME INSURANCE.

Copy of xxxx ’s xxxxxxx Vehicle Insurance Card showing xxxx as covered by this insurance. Policy number: xxxxxxx . Effective date: 08/18/2021. Expiration date: 02/18/2022.

Copy of xxxx’s Vehicle Insurance Card showing xxxx as covered by this insurance. Policy number: xxxxx . Effective date: 08/20/2021. Expiration date: 08/20/2022/ 

Copy of Progressive Home Advantage Insurance policy statement listing our joint residence at xxxxxx . Policy number: xxxxx. Covered from July 23, 2021 to July 23, 2022. 

Copy of AAA (American Automobile Association) joint statement with a payment date of 11/16/2021.

Copy of xxxx xxxx Farm Vehicle Insurance Card and Renewal Policies showing xxxx xxxx as covered by this insurance. Policy number:xxxxxx. Covered from February 10, 2020  to July 9,2020.

Copy of xxxx xxxx State Farm Vehicle Insurance Card and Renewal Policies showing xxxx xxxxxx as covered by this insurance. Policy number: xxxxxxx. Covered from July 09, 2020  to January 09,2021.

Copy of xxxx xxxxxx State Farm Vehicle Insurance Card and Renewal Policies showing xxxx xxxxx as covered by this insurance. Policy number: xxxxxx. Covered from January 09, 2021  to July 9,2021.

 

Exhibit K: JOINT MEMBERSHIPS

Copies of Sam’s membership listing xxxx xxxxx as a complimentary member of the account.

 

Exhibit L: TRIPS TAKEN TOGETHER

Flight reservations for our (postponed due to COVID) trip to Argentina in July 2020.

 

EXHIBIT M: EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION:

West Virginia University Outpatient Face Sheet for patient xxxx listing, xxxx, as emergency contact.

Family Vision Clinic patient sheet  for patient xxxx listing, xxxx, as emergency contact.

Paylocity profile for xxxx, listing husband xxxx as emergency contact.

Orthopedic ONE Patient Information sheet  for patient xxxx listing, xxxx, as emergency contact.

 

Exhibit N: PICTURES

Copies of photos of us together at various events with family and friends throughout the years

Copy of wedding pics.

Include some of everyday pics already sent with AOS.

 

Exhibit O: 

Copies of greeting cards, letters and packages from family and friends addressed to us throughout the years

if you dont mind rocio, I'd really like this format saved for my future filing!😁

1 hour ago, TBoneTX said:

Reinforcing earlier replies:

1.  Affidavits are suggested purely when more-primary evidence is thin or weak.

2.  Your estate documents (Wills, Powers of Attorney, et al.) make excellent evidence, and they're even more important to have in "life."

I think we will be doing a Living Will and POA soon, since we're military and all and at least it'll be done before he gets TDIY anywhere. Thank you for clearing up affidavits, I wasn't sure on it since I've seen others have mentioned having it. Makes me feel a little better about being more on the ball about getting my name put on multiple things 😁

12 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

military (Marine Corp) made my son do a POA for his wife 

I think we will do that as well. We were going to, but he ended up not going. Will probably be a good addition. 

1 minute ago, Crazy Cat said:

This is what we sent:

For ROC

Apartment lease with both our names & signatures
Joint bank checking acct statements since wife's arrival in June 2017.
Deed for new home with both our names
Mortgage Lender Letter with both our names.
Credit Cards showing both on joint account with same card number.
Amazon delivery label showing both names and our current address.
Wife's Military Dependent ID card showing me as the sponsor.
Tricare Eligibility Letter showing both of us together.
Military pay statement showing wife as my benefic.
Texas Health Care Directives appointing each other as sole health care proxy(Advanced Directives)
Our Texas driver's licenses with same address for both of us
2018 Joint Tax ReturnTax Returns 
Pictures of us on special occasions here in the US.
Car Insurance Cards showing both of us as insured drivers for our car
Boarding Passes for Las Vegas Valentine Day Trip 2019
Utility application showing both our names for our current address    

Oh, the military dependent ID card is a good idea that slipped my mind!
I forgot to list the Rental agreement with both our names, so that will be included.

I'll have to look into my current state's specific about health care directives.

Thank you, there are some things here I haven't considered at all but will definitely be added for the military stuff 😁

Hi!

I'm way ahead for ROC at the moment, I'm not due until October or so next year but I'd like to get ahead. I've already begun collecting some documents but at this moment would like some samples of what people have sent for their ROC as samples of showing co-mingling in their lives. This is what I have/will have collected for the package so far.

-Joint bank accounts ✅

-Joint tax filing ✅

-Joint car insurance ✅

- Health insurance (not sure how to show this, but we're military so my coverage is under his name as sponsor) ✅

- Photos showing time spent together with family/together ✅

- Flight tickets together (Haven't flown a lot but at least 1 so far) ✅

- Joint bills with our names on them (water, electric, gas) ✅

- Possibly join credit cards (I am listed as the 2ndary user of ones he owns- don't have one of my own as of yet)✅

I've seen people mentioned affidavits may be included but is it required? I feel as though the proof above seems sufficient but if we were to need affidavits who would be best to obtain them from? Family members, friends, coworkers?

Is there anything else anyone would recommend to add to the list?

Not sure if applicable but I'm currently not working, so no paystubs or anything of my own. When/if I do find a job, would any kind of employment proof be necessary? I know it is more of a focus to show that the marriage is continuous and maintained and co-mingling, so I wasn't sure if my employment status mattered here.

No children, we do have a pet though - and both our names are on the adoption paperwork.

Thanks in advance! 
Also, do ROCs get their interview waivered if they had one for their conditional GC? 
I remember by IO telling me it may/may not be waived.

Hi, I'm Canadian citizen and did the K1 route.

I would recommend the CR1 route at this point as they both now take about the same amount of time to process.

You can visit your partner during both of the process (K1 or CR1).

Canada is considered a low fraud country, and most times when I cross CBP never gave me any trouble. Sometimes they make ask more about what are my ties to Canada holding me there, and sometimes they don't.

But you are fine to visit on both, although CR1 is ideally, better, in my opinion for Canadians - since it allows you to enter and receive a green card/social security right away and you can get to work/get your drivers license if you drive and all that.

On K1 you'd have to spend more time waiting and waiting...and waiting...

Best of luck!

1 minute ago, Lil bear said:

Even as an Aust citizen, after 5 years of overseas residency I would need to show evidence of returning to reside in Australia in order to be able to get back into the health system .. so now i get medical travel insurance when I go to visit my parents. Fortunately Aust health care is both excellent and affordable .. an out of pocket drs visit will cost me $70… 

Wonderful, but unrelated to OP's post for Canada.

13 minutes ago, Lil bear said:

Most countries with universal health care have limitations on non resident but citizen using the “free” care .. i know Australia, Canada and UK do

As a Canadian citizen it was true for me. For the specific province. Had to maintain residency IN said province for at least 6 months in a year to be able to keep the health coverage activated. Otherwise no. However whenever I return I can always re-activate it again since I am a citizen. Not sure about PR holders though...

Someone said somewhere your parent loses Canadian healthcare coverage once they move and that is true. Not sure for other provinces but I came from SK, and you had to live in SK at least 6 months in a year to be able to maintain your healthcare coverage. 

Goodluck!

Nope. No working allowed. Not without EAD/GC. EAD can take up to 8 months to get (I heard they are a little faster now, but still months wait).

If you need to work, go CR1 route. Otherwise K1 means NO working until EAD/GC in hand. 

This thread is very interesting to me as a CA to USA kinda gal too. Fascinating, thanks for asking this question!

Im chiming in about your address change and uncertainty of your address in the future due to you selling the house: during the time I applied for I485/EAD/AP my husband and I moved twice due to the military in under 1 year. What I did was I used my MIL's address for all NOAs I received. Downside however was when it came time to attend biometrics, they scheduled it to MIL's address which is a different state from us. I had to change it to our current address so I could get the correct biometrics appointment.

We moved again same year and finally obtained the GC interview, and there was a bit of scrutiny in the interview about our frequent address change but upon explaining that my husband is military and it was due to his training/change of post they understood. 

Be prepared for any extra questioning during GC interview stage about the difference in addresses but otherwise put it on an address you can actually get access to - since they will schedule any interviews closest to that address. 

Goodluck!

everyone has already given some great advice.

I just want to chime in as someone also married to a military member: be prepared for more surprises! It will definitely happen. 

Best of luck!

Hi Nick!
I was a K1 filer from Canada as well - I would do at least 8 visits a year to see my (now husband) in the US! I had no issues crossing the border most of the time. Mind you, my stays were never longer than 2 weeks because that's what I could afford to take off from work, unlike your situation.

There is no legal ramifications about travelling to the USA while awaiting K1 process. I started K1 in 2019 and didn't cross into the US until Nov 2020. Between then I'd have to have a least 20+ visits in total. I was very concerned about my situation when crossing too. 

However, for the most part border agents just wants to see: how are you able to afford time off if it's a long visit. For ex. for me, I worked for an airline so flying was a breeze, tickets costed nothing for me, and for the most part my schedule at work is pretty flexible.

In your case, their biggest scrutiny may be from how you're able to survive 6 months away from work if they actually dug into details about what kind of job you have. Like you said, they may not even pay too much mind and let you go. Sometimes it even depends on the agent you might get! It it absolutely valid to feel nervous about doing any travelling there. May I suggest breaking down your trips into maybe 2, or 3 trips of 2 months each with return tickets? It could possibly ease your mind about possibly getting turned around at customs. Ultimately though it's hard to tell, but right now you are valid to feel a little nervous!

Some agents might understand that due to covid, a lot of work has become fully remote and may not pay too much attention on your visit, but if they ask the nature of your job I think they may be a little suspicious how you are managing to take such long time off. Like others mentioned previously weak ties to Canada might make them more wary of your intentions.

There really isn't much you can do, except for go for it and see what happens or adjust your travel length to be shorter but more frequent. 

All in all, good luck!

Hi, a military dependent here!

it's only available to active duty, not dependents. (I tried!)

She'd have to pay for it and apply. A pretty simple process for just the TSA-Precheck, but more complicated for the other ones. 

As an ex airline-employee who dealt with admitting passengers for travel and checking documents that allows passengers to transit/go to certain countries - the airlines (at least, the one I worked with) was very strict about passengers having the correct documents to travel/transit. If it turns out a passenger is inadmissible/unable to transit a country due to missing visa/documents/etc, the airlines then have to send the passengers back to the originating country they left from.

Oftentimes, the agents are heavily reprimanded as airlines get heavily fined by this as the country sees it as the airline's mistake/slip up to allow the person to travel. I do not think the cost falls upon the person travelling, and it goes to the airline itself. But this may cause some issues between the passenger flying and the airline they wish to fly on. (If anyone had a different experience with a different airline, I would love to know. This was the action my ex-employer did)

as for re: OP's topic.
Depending on the agent's knowledge of US GC rules, they may or may not be aware that his wife shouldn't be spending so long abroad while holding a GC...

but even if the airline lets her fly, and she arrives to POE with CBP...now it is up to CBP. But if CBP deems her inadmissible then the airline who flew her there has to take her back and gets fined for it. Although I believe CBP cannot deny entry for a US Citizen - I do not know about GC holders...feels it would be treated similarly as a USC.

I will chime in with the rest and maybe do a little discussion with someone with more knowledge...

1 hour ago, jskibo said:

My wife had to get the permit, take written and driving tests and then get the license.  That was 7 years ago so maybe not the latest.  

Wow, how long was she on the permit until she was able to get the full license? Did she have to do the who new driver restrictive learners and all that ?

Hi,

When obtaining a Ohio DL, am I able to get a full license (not permit) with a GC? I am a Canadian DL holder. I tried reading on the BMV site and it doesn't seem to specify if any tests had to be done. It only said that GC holders will be issued a regular DL.

Thanks!