Elbereth

We had our interview last monday here in Chicago.

There were about 20 couples already there when we arrived, but they were calling pretty fast, so it didn't take very long.

Our interviewer greeted me with "bom dia". He had been to Brazil twice and was interested in talking about it. He was very friendly and it was a very informal interview.

He asked for my passport and for my husband's birth certificate and passport (he is the USC)

He asked us how we met and asked my husband what is my mother's name.

He went through the list of questions on the AOS form.

He asked me if I had left the country since I came in. I said I've been to Brazil twice since I arrived. He asked me if I had gotten advanced parole, and I told him that I didn't need one because I have a K-3. He laughed and said that's right! You are teaching me the law! It was funny.

He said that everything seemed to be in order and told us we were ready to go. I asked him if I was going to be approved and he said yes. He said that as far as his opinion goes, we were approved before we even got there, because we already went through a lot of scrutiny during our k3 process.

He didn't ask to see any of those things that were listed on the interview letter. I spent the day before organizing everything, printing pictures, and he didn't even look. I asked him if he wanted to keep all the copies I made. He said sure, I'll add them to your file and they might help you later when you get your citizenship.

By the way, brazilians, I double checked with the embassy and they assured me that we are able to obtain double citizenship and Brazil doesn't demand that we give up our brazilian citizenship to obtain the american. So I guess we might as well get it over with, eh?

I checked the USCIS website on the night of my interview but it still didin't show anything. I waited a couple of days and tried again, and it showed card production ordered, so I guess my card is on the way

Thank you for the support and good luck to all.

How come the K1s are getting all the lovin' from USCIS?

Hahah man I want to get a job. C'mon USCIS!

All us K3ers have to wait for AOS, you can wait too

My biometrics was done last wednesday, April 15th in Norridge, Illinois. There were about 8 people there before me, but it still only took about 15 minutes. I thought that the people working there had a bit of an attitude, but I wasn't there long enough to get mad.

IMPORTANT: I was told by the lady who took my prints that I will receive my EAD in May. Although that is obviously not an official notice, it made me happy. Let's see if it's true...

I added myself to the spreadsheet.

Can someone clarify for me, is the EAD a requirement for the SSN, or is a K3 nonimmigrant elligible prior to receiving EAD?

K-3 must have EAD or AOS. K-1 can apply immediately. There is nothing about "being in the system" you do not need to be in any "system" as a K-1. Prior to going to the SS office, go to the SS website and download their rules and take them with you. It is often necessary to train government employees.

If the response you get at the SS office is anything but "Great, you will have your card in 1 week" then ask for a superviosr and do not leave until you get someone that knows the rules and follows them. DO NOT allow yourselves to be harrassed and denied because of a untrained, paid-by-the-pound government clerk who makes up rules instead of calling a supervisor when they don't know what to do.

Hahaha that makes no sense. Why would they not let a K3 get a SSN without an EAD, but let a K1 get one?

Can someone clarify for me, is the EAD a requirement for the SSN, or is a K3 nonimmigrant elligible prior to receiving EAD?

Just received news that my biometrics appointment was made for April 15th.

I filed on March 17th and received the NOA on March 25th. The NOA is dated March 24th. They cashed the check on March 25th.

Thanks

$100 is still too much. If after reading them the instructions they still refuse to do it for a nominal charge, you should just notify that you are reporting them to USCIS and go to a different doctor. These surely aren't the only ones in your city, are they?

I went through these same dance a little while back. I'll find the post I wrote about it.

I thought you needed an EAD to get the SSN. That's why I haven't tried to apply to one yet.

Hi,

If we post our updates in this thread, we'll be able to tell from each other's progress when our own progress is coming.

I filed on March 17th and received the NOA on March 25th. The NOA is dated March 24th. They cashed the check on March 25th.

Sounds like you got a serious case of a55hole interviewer! Better luck next time, don't let them push you around!

My medical is also partially filled, as I had the exam for K-3 back in my country. But when I went to the doctor's office to get the I-693 filled, I brought with me my original copies of the blood tests and my chest x-ray. The doctor made photocopies and gave them to me, and put the originals in the packet.

I have no idea if this is going to pass or not. Your post has certainly made me concerned!

Your maiden name is no longer your name.

Use your current name. Use the other box for your maiden name.

isn't the tb skin test a new requirement for everyone, even those who had chest x-ray done?

I think that they skin test is the standard test, and if it turns out positive, they get ask the x-ray for confirmation.

I am not sure of this, but I believe that the reason why the skin test is the standard is because it is less expensive. It can give false positives, though.

The x-ray rules out TB, so having the skin test on top of that would be redundant.

I am applying to AOS from a K-3 visa.

I looked online and saw that there is a Civil Surgeon that would be easily accessible to me.

I called their office and asked what the procedure would be, and told them that because of my visa status, I had been informed (by VJ) that I would not need all the examinations done again. The girl talking to me disagreed with me and said I needed a TB test and a blood test and that the total would be over $200. I told her I would go research and hung up.

I downloaded the instructions to Form I-693 and saw there in the FAQ that I really only needed the information part, the vaccination part of section 2, and section 5. So armed with this official information I called the office again, and heard the same story. I told them to look up the instructions to the form and told them exactly where to look. They said they'd get back to me. They didn't.

I kept calling every week, then after 3 weeks I started calling everyday. Every time I called, I had to explain everything again and it seemed like I was talking to a new person every time. I kept leaving messages to the same girl who told me she would look it up, who never seemed to be there.

Today I got sick of the phone marathon and got all my paperwork and went there. This office doesn't require an appointment.

I told them what I was there for, and showed the instructions to the form and explained to them that my medical exam and tests were all still valid and I just needed my vaccinations part done. They complied very very easily, which was lovely, as I went there ready to shout and throw a fit and threaten to report them to USCIS for not complying with the instructions on the form. I am glad that I didn't have to lose my temper.

IMPORTANT: I had all the results of the test I had done in Brazil with me (the chest X-ray, the blood test results, the vaccinations record). I showed my exams to them.

They made a copy of all my original medical reports and a copy of everything they made for me. They put my originals in a sealed envelope and that is the one that I am submitting. I am keeping all the copies.

Total cost was $25. I thought it was fair.

Cliffs: Getting through over the phone is basically impossible. Go in person.

I think you should report these crooks to USCIS.

Because of the long lasting relationship, I think you are eligible for Direct Consular Filing, which is super fast. Look that up.

Yeah, gathering the documents, understanding the process and forms , and filling the forms takes time. It will help you to get familiarized with these things while you wait.

Sending where? To you?

After USCIS approval, they foward whatever is necessary to NVC, and they foward it to the Consulate. You don't need to file in any more documents.

He just has to send to you his affidavit of support information so you cxan bring it along when you have your interview.

During my interview, the consul didn't even ask to see my pictures or anything. She looked at our forms and documents very carefully and then asked literally 3 questions. Took all of 5 minutes.

They sound awefuly strict in Juarez. Why is that?

So, you are in the US because you married a US citizen, but now you're not with him anymore? Go home!

You should have gone in with your wife!! You were there, why didn't you get in? It'd give the consul extra assurance.

We didn't notarize our form, but my husband was with me in the interview, and he signed the form in front of the consul, so clearly the signature was his (duh), and therefore there was no need for notarization.

It worked, as I am in the US now.