Black Velvet

Hi all!

Thank you so much everyone for sharing your experiences with this process as someone who is getting ready to go through the process very soon this has been incredibly helpful. My husband and I are trying to decide whether we should go to an attorney to do the paperwork. We are familiar with the process but we are wondering, are there any of you who did the adjustment of status process without an attorney?

I am a tourist visa over stayer (close to 10 years) so this may be a little different of an experience than for some of you. Would love to hear from those of you who had an attorney and what you felt were the benefits/drawbacks from that and if you didn't have an attorney what the benefits and drawbacks were.

If there is a particular thread or forum that I should post this on instead of this one to learn more about the process please let me know!

Thanks so very much!

Welcome to VJ. Unless you entered the US illegally or you have a criminal record, please do not waste your money on an attorney. There are tons of VJ members that can assist you with the process. In the mean time, here is the AOS guide.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2

You're welcome. Have a great weekend!

hi to all VJ members... i just want to ask where we will send our papers for Adjustment of status... im from Dallas, Texas...

If you are filing AOS from a K-1 visa. Send to the Chicago Lock Box. See Pg. 6 instructions. Here is the link.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-485instr.pdf

AOS Time Line

2/27/2011 Marriage

3/4/2011 Mailed AOS Packet to Chicago Lock Box

3/5/2011 Package arrived; office closed; notice left Day 1

3/7/2011 AOS package received; signed by JC @ 9:44 AM Day 3

3/10/2011 Received 4 text messages from USCIS (I-130, I-485, I-765 & 131) Day 6

3/11/2011 Both checks cashed for $1070 & $420 Day 7

3/22/2011 Received biometrics notice for I-485 & I-765; appt 4/1 @ 9AM Day 18

3/23/2011 Walk in biometrics done @ Atlanta ASC Day 19

4/28/2011 Received e-mail & text for I-765 card production Day 55

5/6/2011 Received EAD/AP combo card Day 63

5/9/2011 Applied for social security card Day 66

5/14/2001 Received social security card Day 71

5/17/2011 Received learner's permit Day 74

5/19/2011 Received driver's license Day 76

5/24/2011 Received e-mail from USCIS; interview scheduled for 6-28-11 Day 81

6/28/2011 AOS Interview Day 116

7/2/2011 Welcome to America letter arrived Day 120

7/8/2011 Green Card arrives by US Priority Mail Day 126

he won't look at 200 pictures,maybe 10 or 15 pictures is good to bring to show , you can't fit the album under the glass,any way.

Glass???????????? The interview was conducted in a small office. We sat across from the IO. I had the album on his desk, but like I said he didn't ask.

I've been so lucky, with wonderful friends, here and at home - but I needed to brag to people who understand from an immigrant's point of view.

I GOT MY DRIVER'S LICENSE!!!!

1 week short of my 3 years here, I passed my road test the first time, here in Wisconsin. I grew up in Dublin, Ireland, and never needed to drive, so never bothered learning. For the 1st year here I had a fear of driving, for the second year I was too lazy to practice, and 3 months after renewing my Temps, I passed my road test.

I'm surprisingly proud, and it does seem like an 'americanization'; moving from the idea of the biking European (I still bike to and from work 9 months a year) to the car driving american. But, it was a real rite of passage and I've been overwhelmed by the congratulations!

Ok - Bragging done!

Congratulations!

Since that is all you have, it will be ok to submit that. USCIS understands that people who live in different countries are not going to have things such as joint accounts.

I agree with Ryan H. It may be helpful to include copies of boarding passes, airline ticket receipts, money transfer receipts (Money Gram or Western Union).

I brought a small album (50 pics) to my AOS interview. The IO did not ask to see one picture. The goal of the IO is see that you are in a bonafide marriage. You can certainly bring the pictures, but is not required to bring 200. Just be sure to review the check list. The IO will copy husband and wife driver's license. He also checked both of our passports. He didn't ask to see any tax form, pay stubs, or employment verification letter. Do bring proof of living together (auto, life, health insurance, joint bank accounts, bills, rent/mortgage statement, etc. Good luck!

im going to have my flight on next saturday and im sure i will feel dizzy, is there any medicine for motion sickness??

Try Dramamine also known as Dimenhydrinate.

Dimenhydrinate is used to prevent and treat nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness. Dimenhydrinate is in a class of medications called antihistamines. It works by preventing problems with body balance. Dimenhydrinate comes as a tablet and chewable tablet to take by mouth with or without food.

My wife has a K3 VISA that expires March, 2012. We would have filed much sooner, but we had been through a lot since her arrival in the US. I have been deployed to Afghanistan since October, and in that time we also had our child, so we have had quite a bit on our plate.

I had heard from someone that if you are in the US with a spouse visa and do not file for AOS quickly, you will raise a lot of red flags. I do not know if this is true or not. I always thought you could apply any time between the beginning and expiration of your visa.

So is this true? Or is there no time limit as long as you apply and receive the green card prior to your visa's expiration?

Also, generally how long would it take to get a green card after applying for AOS? Could it be done within four months?

Thanks.

Vanessa & Tony is right. The I-94 has nothing to do with the K-3 visa. Your wife can leave and return to the US as many times as she pleases. She just needs to adjust status (AOS) before the visa expires. Having a child, being deployed to the Middle East are valid reasons why you have not applied for your wife's green card. The same rule applies- you must supply the government with proof of a bonafide marriage. As long as you can do so, there is nothing to worry about. I would apply by no later than December 2011. This gives the USCIS time to complete your paperwork and assign an interview (if necessary). Good luck!

congratulationsssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks!

I CALLED IN TODAY AND THEY TOLD ME GOT APPROVED ON JUNE 27 2011!!!!!! VERY EXCITED!!!

Congratulations!

Congrats!!!!

Thanks!

Okay..disregard my message..I found my answer lol CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Gracias! Igualmente!

After almost 4 years with immigration process, I received my IR1 visa!!! I cannot believe it is done!!!

At the beginning, we applied for K-3 visa and after more than 2 years under administrative processing, we switched to the IR-1 visa. During my IR-1 visa, the Chief of the visa section at the Jerusalem Consulate, was shocked when he found out, according to him, that nobody was working on my case for 2 years because my case was complicated. My wife was with me, and she was angry. He promised to work on my case to help us, and actually he did. He worked on my case, and they were contacting us regularly. After a week from my IR-1 interview, they asked me to send my passport which I did. after 2 weeks, we called DOS, and we found out that my IR-1 visa was issued in April 7th,2011, so we emailed the consulate about this, but they said my case under AP again. At the same day, I received a call from the consulate to have another interview, and turned out it was with the Homeland Security Office there which I attended. During the interview, they asked me to let my wife contact them to schedule an interview for her. After 2 days of my wife's interview, I received my passport with IR-1 visa!!!!!

Long Journey!!!!!!!!!! Thank you all.

Wish luck for the others.

Congratulations! How unfortunate that you had to wait so long. At least you will get a 10 year green card. Welcome to the United States of America!

We got approved today. Our AOS interview was at 10:30. However, we were called in at 10 AM. I am not sure if the interviewer's name was Officer Ross or Roth. He was from New York (older gentleman, very polite and businesslike). Before we sat, we raised our hands to swear to tell the truth. I would say the interview lasted an hour. The CO went through our file with a fine tooth comb. He crossed checked my boarding passes to verify dates of travel to the Bahamas. He asked my hubby if he knew my mother's name. I was asked about his mother and father's name. He asked how we met. We started laughing because a gas station is not the romantic place. He explained the removal of conditions and naturalization process.

I-551 stamps are no longer issued at the AOS interview. We were given a letter.

Congratulations! Your application to adjust status has been approved. You are currently being process for a Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card. This card should be mailed within (30) to ninety (90) days.........

In the event that my husband needs to leave the country before green card arrives, he has to take the approval letter, make an Infopass appointment, show proof of travel arrangements, and the stamp will be issued at that time. The security guard (female African American) said you have a beautiful passport picture. All they can say is yes or no. That made me feel better. Overall, the experience was great!

As for Q1: that case was not IR-1 because she was not a citizen at the time when the petition was ajudicated, most likely it was family-based category F2A (spouses of US residents). Once she gets her certificate of naturalization, she would have to make a copy of it and send it to NVC altogether with a request to change the category of her petition. NVC then will adjust the category accordingly and will start processing the file immediately.

Q2: if her daughter is already a US resident she will become a citizen by action of law at the same moment as her mother takes the oath. If the daughter is not a resident, her mother will have to petition for her first and if she is granted an immigrant visa, the first day of her presence in the US she will become a citizen.

Hi Mikey 78,

Q1: You're right. The case started off as a F2A. I will pass on the information to her.

Q2: Her daughter resides with her in Atlanta, GA. Since the N-400 interview is August 1st, I hope that she has her oath ceremony on the same day. She literally has 18 days after the intervew to get her daughter a US passport. The daughter will turn 18 on August 19th.

Thanks for the info. If possible, please answer the first part of the question.

How can she have her husband's case expedited? After she becomes a citizen, should she write the NVC?

My friend filed N-400 (March 2011). Her naturalization interview is August 1st. I have two questions.

(1) Her husband's IR-1 case has been completed at the NVC. Since she is a permanent resident, he has to wait for a visa to become available. Once her naturalization interview is complete, how can she have her husband's case expedited? In other words, her husband will be considered an immediate relative.

(2) Her daughter's 18th birthday is August 29th. As soon as she is approved, is her daughter eligible to apply for a US passport?

Any assistance would be appreciated.

i'm a single mom and my fiance and i are planning to bring my kid along with me to the states.. can we do that with a fiance(k1) visa?? my daughter is just three years old. i'm new to this, and i have no idea on the how-abouts.. so as my boyfriend. he doesnt know where and how to start. as of the moment he is waiting for his passport to be released. he is also new to this kind of stuff. we need help. thanks

Here is the link to the K-1 guide. Follow all the steps.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

Yes, since your child is unmarried and under the age of 21, she can come to the US on the K-1.

Hi, my husband and I are completing the forms now for a green card through marriage. I am in the US on a tourist visa because we got married in the Bahamas, but then we traveled into the US for a cruise for the honeymoon.

For family name in all of the forms I would like to use "My Maiden Name - Husband's last name" (I've heard it's not a problem to use the married name, but what about this hyphenated form?

Thank you

Are you trying to adjust your status (green card) while in the US or the Bahamas?

Our Visa has been delivered within 7 days!!! She'll be here in 1 week!!! We can finally start our life together.

Congratulations!

Congratulations!

Hi Bailador,

I tweeked this information from a previous VJ post.

USCIS will figure it out which class you are belonging to...

IR1 stands for Immediate Relative type.

If you married to the same person for more than 2 years when you get interviewed, it will be considered as IR-1 and they will give permanent resident card (I-551) with 10 year validity.

If you married with less than 2 years for same person when you get interviewed, they will issue Conditional permanent resident card with 2 year validity marked as CR-1.

No, country of origin does not matter. Atlanta DO is one of the slowest processing centers due to sheer volume of N-400 applications. Currently they are sending out interview letters for Feb filers and their interviews will be in July. So yes, early March filers can't expect to have their interviews scheduled around August timeframe.

hth

Hi Atul,

Guess what? My friend received a text message today.

Your N400, APPLICATION FOR NATURALIZATION is now scheduled for interview. You will receive a written notice with a time and place for your interview. You should receive this notice within 14 days. If you do not receive this notice within 14 days from June 23, 2011, please call customer service at 1-800-375-5283 for further assistance. If you move, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address.

I hope her interview/oath is before her daughter's 18th birthday (August).

same here 27th of july, wednesday

one month and 5 days away

Congrats on the interview date. I know that New Yorkers have been waiting a little longer than others. Good luck!