sandozwalker

Nope, certainly have not ran away or been scared away. Truth is, I am no immigration expert & we certainly were wrong in not spending the adequate time required to learn everything we needed to know ahead of time. I appreciate all of the information from everyone though. The truth of the matter is that we did not know beforehand, if we had things would have been different. We got married & got busy with life and a mortgage and taking care of sick family and none of those things are good enough excuses. I almost always do several searches online & VJ before posting anything, and if I cannot find what I am looking for, I post. I kind of thought that was the point. I get so tired of posting and getting responses that a lot of time just leave me just feeling stupid more than informed. I am glad for those who have so much time to research everything thoroughly and give answers to those of us who have failed at our researching. At the height of my use on VJ I tried to help anyone else that I could with the little experience I had, but I never once went out of my way to make someone feel stupid. I do appreciate those who don't sugar coat it. The truth is the truth and for those of us who don't know everything there is to know, this is an excellent resource to ask questions and get answers.

Genuinely, thank you to everyone for your help. We're going everything we can to make this right.

It seems I have read over and over again that it was no emergency to file the AOS....

We truly were unaware that he was 'unauthorized' to work...as his passport was stamped as being Employment authorized. When the stamp was given, we asked several times if this meant he would be authorized to work now, and they said he was. I guess we will have to deal with the consequences of our ignorance, whatever they may be.

Thank you for the information though. We did file EAD & everything with the AOS, I just didn't apparently update my timeline correctly. I did use the AOS guides a LOT before filing. I feel rather silly for posting this now as I was apparently wrong about everything. I apologize for posting in the wrong forum.

Filed (finally!) on Oct 2, 2009!!

So, I've pretty much been away from this site since about March of 2008 when my husband got his K-1 Visa. In early April 2008 my husband moved to the USA & we were married on May 24, 2008 (YAY!). Well, we were SO glad that in Detroit as we were entering into the country, they actually stamped him as Employment Authorized. So, by July 1, 2008 he was working. He got a second job in October 2008 and has been with that company for a year now. His K-1 visa actually expired in July 2008.

We have been completely & horribly lazy about the AOS. We had a lawyer with the K-1, which was fantastic, but we wanted to do the AOS ourselves since we felt we had the knowledge by then. We literally just kind of ignored the AOS for a long time. We were trying to save for it, and finally by last spring of 2009 we did have the money saved & put into the form of a cashier's check. We JUST send the AOS off on Oct 2, 2009. I fear so many things.....I fear that I am 'behind the times' on everything having to do with immigration. I LITERALLY have no clue how to check the status of our AOS, I have no clue if there is anything else that I need to do at all (such as request an interview?).....

I'm so so behind. Any advice? Do we need to do anything else? Will everything 'come in the mail'? It literally all sends me into a complete panic. Thanks ahead of time...and excuse me for such a dumb question.............

Since my wife wasn't working when I came to the country, her grandmother was the primary on the affidavit of support.

We are ready to send in the forms for AOS application but her grandmother is, sadly, terminally ill with cancer and I do not know if she will will be alive long enough for everything to process through. I'm hoping she'll make the 45 days until my employment document is issued, but the odds of that happening are decreasing by the day.

So what do I have to do if she dies while this application is pending?

I am working right now (was lucky enough to get a temp work auth at point of entry and find a job before it expired) but I don't think the income would be considered enough for support. My wife is doing daycare at our house but it's not bringing in a lot of money either.

The petitioner is always the primary sponsor. For AOS, it's the same except you'll have a "joint sponsor". Has Grandma filled out the I-864 and signed it yet?

Yes, all the paperwork is signed and ready to be filed. Do I just send it in anyway?

Since my wife wasn't working when I came to the country, her grandmother was the primary on the affidavit of support.

We are ready to send in the forms for AOS application but her grandmother is, sadly, terminally ill with cancer and I do not know if she will will be alive long enough for everything to process through. I'm hoping she'll make the 45 days until my employment document is issued, but the odds of that happening are decreasing by the day.

So what do I have to do if she dies while this application is pending?

I am working right now (was lucky enough to get a temp work auth at point of entry and find a job before it expired) but I don't think the income would be considered enough for support. My wife is doing daycare at our house but it's not bringing in a lot of money either.

I don't have time to write much-BUT WE FINALLY DID IT! WE ARE MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All I can say at this point in life is that it is good. I have good friends and family that love me through my stressing & worrying, and bring me comfort and love. I wish I could've spent MORE time with SO many more people...I am truly sad to see some of them leave yesterday & today & tomorrow. But, there are always other times. We are glad everything is over & we are glad that it was THE BEST DAY OF OUR ENTIRE LIVES.

Steve and I just can't stop sayin 'Does it feel like we got married yesterday?' LOL truth is it doesn't. Its still just me & Steve. Like it has been, like it always will be. Its just us. We love one another....and in the end, thats all we want right?

Well, its almost wedding time! I can't believe it. As the weeks start to turn into days until then, I'm starting to freak out. Not even over the wedding. Just, the change from singleness to marriage. Its a HUGE step. Its one I've felt that I've been waiting and waiting for. But now its coming. I am absolutely excited. Its been nice to go over an entire month NOT worrying about immigration, and just worrying about us!

However, now as the wedding draws nearer, I realize how very little I know about the ENTIRE AOS process. I don't even know where to start! I mean, I know that we are waiting probably a little while to file the AOS because we want to save up for it a bit. He's already got his employment authorization by some miracle, so we're not quite as stressed about that. I really would like to use my lawyer for the AOS, but at the same time I want to save the money on it. I literally don't have a clue as to the next step. So, that is a bit of a worry in my brain.

But, if all goes well, we should be married by about 7pm on May 24, 2008. His mother by another miracle decided she was coming (very bitter woman not wanting to see her ex-husband). HOWEVER, then at the last minute she's decided she's NOT coming. NOW, she's decided she's coming DOWN to the coast, but won't go to the wedding. Its ridiculous. However, its probably better this way because she absolutely would make a scene, and that is the last thing we need.

I have an amazing wedding planner who is doing EVERYTHING (cake, ring bearer pillows, flower girl baskets, wedding favors, catering, wedding flowers, centrepieces, ect ect)..She is a professional wedding planner, but since I'm like a daughter to her, she isn't charging me anything. So, we're getting a $20,000 wedding for about $3,000. I'm very blessed. I'm BORED because she wont let me do anything at all. I don't even feel like I'm getting married in 2 weeks.

Anyhoo, I just thought I'd update. We're so excited.

Went to apply for his SS Number today and SURE ENOUGH...he's employment authorized. I can't BELIEVE IT! Plus, his stuff was already in the system....which apparently is rare according to them. I can't believe everything is going so smoothly...........we're blessed.

yes for 3 months... but do the EAD ASAP because if he doesnt receive it after the 3 month he will have to quit... sucky eh !

still that's sooo exciting ! congrats !!!!!!!

Just a quick clarification - don't apply for the EAD until you are applying for the AOS - it would just be a waste of money, especially as he has the employment stamp. Any EAD you apply for before the wedding would be based on the K-1, would expire on the same date as the I-94, and cannot be renewed. In fact, it may even be expired by the time you get it! The EAD based on the AOS will be good for a full year and can be renewed. You can only file the AOS application, however, after you are married.

Did you cross at the Bridge or at the Tunnel in Windsor/Detroit - just to help others know which to take to get the EAD stamp?

And congratulations on a safe crossing and arrival home. I bet Steve is loving the weather change! I know I did when I moved from Chatham, Ontario to Atlanta, Georgia about the same time of year. Good luck!

Crossed at the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit. Thanks for all the information! Steve is loving the weather...though we're having a cold snap-will be down to freezing tonight! We're running the heater believe it or not!! EEK lol. We'll be swimming by the weekend

Congrats on such an easy crossing!

We will be going through Detroit on Thursday... can I ask what time of day did you cross? and how bad was the construction around the bridge?

Went through around 2-3pm...line was long at the bridge, waited maybe about an hour or so. GOOD LUCK!!

where did you cross exactly ?

Crossed at Detroit. I guess this means that Steve can work now?!

Well, yesterday was the day of the BIG MOVE south. We got to the border and of course surrendered our passports (in Detroit). They of course told us to pull up to the border crossing office & go inside. We did, he told us to leave our keys & phones inside the car (weird).

Went up to the officer and surrendered our paperwork (sealed packet & his visa). The man started filling things out, and making sure Steve understood the conditions of his visa (can't leave, only have 90 days to marry, ect) Then, another border agent wanted to process the visa because he's training someone. LOL. So, we had an EASY time. I don't know if they made a MISTAKE, or not, but they STAMPED HIM AS EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZED......and said to his trainee that 'this guy could work today if he wanted to'......so, I guess he could work now? We're gonna ask the lawyer about that one. Anyone know about this!?!?!

Drove 1200 miles & now I'm home. Yesterday morning I was cleaning my apt in Kitchener, ON, tonight I'm in Biloxi, MS....its weird. What is REALLY weird is being home WITH Steve....and somehow not believing that he lives here now, too. I'm rooming with my grandmother for the next 40 days (until the wedding) and Steve gets to sleep on my very very missed comfy princess in the pea bed all by himself....in MY room...I'm so jealous.

Its weird having him LIVE HERE with me in my home.....So far he's loving being here...we have 40 days to plan our 150+people wedding...and do everything else.

Still waiting for the U-Pack shipment of our goods.

Did anyone else get a stamp that said 'Employment Authorized' on their I-94?????

Have a good and safe move:-). - and from one who has been through it , yes, it is somewhat traumatic to leave your country behind, but you also look forward to your new future together. There will be changes and adjustments but even after the honeymoon wears off, if you love someone you work hard on making it work - and you find the opportunities within the challenges. Life will be different, but I am sure he wouldn't be making this decision if he didn't mean it. My husband felt guilty about having me leave everything I knew so we could be together, but while there are things I wish could be different, I have no regrets. I doubt Steve will too. Good luck to you both!

Where are you leaving and where are you heading?

Leaving Kitchener, ON & heading south through Detroit, MI, through Cincinnati & Louisville & Nashville-then through looooooong Alabama to Home-the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Its fun moving time-yippie. have i ever mentioned how much I HATE moving?!? LOL

Well, thanks to great friends of Steve's today's loading wasn't as bad as a usual moving day. We got the Uhaul packed up in record time, and I didn't know HOW we'd fit it all into a 5 foot space that I had reserved on the U-Pack semi-truck. We got to ABF & started loading, and believe it or not, we got it ALL to fit in that space. Unbelievable.

So, one more night in Canada & we're gone & back down the the Coast. I am feeling guilt for some reason....like its because of me that Steve's moving away from his country. I mean, that IS the reason why....but inside I get such worries....like, when normal life sets in for him, and the honeymoon's over & the overjoyed happiness wears off...will he be happy? I know life isn't about being happy...and he's 100% committed to me...but I wonder if there will be a time that he regrets making this decision for me. I mean, can you really IMAGINE leaving your whole country, family, friends...everything you've ever known for a relationship?! Crazy thought. Sounds great at first, but when it finally comes down to it? Could you do it? Well actually, most of you have....but I somehow know he really loves me. Because...in general...he'd probably rather live in MOST other countries before the USA--then again, I think most of us would rather, hehe.

I just can't believe its actually happening.

I'm exhausted so I shall say goodnight...I may not be able to post again until after I get back home-if so, wish me well & pray for our safe arrival.

And once again, Canada Post proves itself to be worse than the mail system of a third world country. SERIOUSLY. Canada is advanced, has money, ect. IS there not something that could MAJORLY be done with the mailing system in Canada????? Its the biggest joke!!!!!!!!!!! I have one week until we'll be back in the States & THANK GOD. One reason I could never live in Canada is because of Canada Post....its really unbelievable.

We STILL don't have our interview letter.....and our interview was on March 27....

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR PACKAGE

aweeee you guys make me sad for what is to come for my fiance in less than 2 weeks.......moving over a thousand miles away from the nearest tim's...I think its one of the top things he's going to miss

Yeah-well hopefully you GET your interview letter We never did. Had to email Montreal for it, and only found out about it about a week and a half before. I would suggest, with how quickly Montreal is processing things, you go ahead and schedule. We got a medical only about a week & a half after we called. Not too bad.

Hope you get some more info soon!!!!

congrats!

I just noticed your wedding is the same day as my wedding.

We're like wedding twins. Go us!

Haha-thats awesome. I know you are married already, but are you doing a wedding on that date? Or is this your anniversary?

Yaaaaay!!! Congratulations! Just in time for hurricane season!

Congrats!!

Don't buy a double-wide.

Yeah, I lived on the coast (ironically in a trailer) when Hurricane Katrina hit & destroyed my city. We were spared though This time I'll be in a 3br brick house, but thanks for the warning hehe

wohhhooooo!!!!!!!!! some good news !!!

somehow, after having a day of watching liz chart and the various forum for at least 15 times.... it feels good to see something new coming !

that's awesome !!!!!!

Yes, it is nice to see a change on the chart-I know up until about a week ago, I spent many mintues of my life staring at that chart. I hope you find out your interview date soon!!!!!!!

VISA CAME TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Sweat, blood, tears and LOTS of money and here it is!!! I'm so excited-we COULD leave right now if we wanted to!! FINALLY!

yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't get the obsolete thing either but that's what they said to him.

So am I understanding this correctly...we can photocopy the longform and send it to Montreal and just take the original to show them? (i was told by the courthouse here that photocopying a certified document is illegal)

or

we submit the original longform and they will give it back to us at the interview? I have read on VJ here that they keep it.

We just had the interview in Montreal & they didn't ever take his longform original BC. You shouldn't have a prob with that at all.

We had our K-1 interview on the 27th also-but we left by 9:30am-so I guess we just missed you two! I'm so glad to read your story. Its exactly how we felt that day too! Now, four days later, we are STILL looking at each other & saying 'DID THAT JUST REALLY HAPPEN!?!?' If it weren't for God's peace we would have quit this process LONG ago-but it is SOOOO worth the wait!!!!!!!

I wish you blessings in everything!

Hi everyone-thank you for your well wishes! Yes, we're using U-pack to move our stuff across the border & to where I live... we're only using UHAUL to get it to the U-pack site.

They do still check your electronics at the door-they took my car remote & my digital picture keychain

Wrote on March 27th, 2008:

Interview day!! We woke to sunny skies and as soon as we left the hotel, we got a pretty heavy downpour of snow. We were the first ones at the US Consulate this morning. A couple arrived at the consulate, and as her cab drove off she screamed 'OMG! MY PURSE IS IN THE CAB WITH MY PASSPORT IN IT!!'..........POOR THEM! They did track it back though in time to get in the building.

At exactly 7:30am, the doors were opened and we were first in line. I don't know why it NEVER crossed my mind to bring ID, but I didn't have it. I was like "PEACE OUT STEVE, SEE YA BACK AT THE HOTEL" and Steve was left standing looking dumbstruck. I came back to the hotel and was in a brainfart. Where WAS my passport??? I don't know. I still don't know. I just couldn't leave Steve there alone, so I grabbed my MS drivers licence and headed back down to the consulate. Got taken through security and went downstairs to wait for the elevator, which was to be at 8:05am.

At 8:05am, the security guard came down and we were called up to get in the elevator. The security told me my 'husband' was already at gate 9. I walked in the room and there Steve stood-SO relieved to see me!!!

Thank God I did come back because I had to write a letter stating that I am free, clear and willing to marry him. Steve handed over all of the paperwork requested, no evidence though. She said we were approved and then we waited for him to be called for fingerprints, and pay his $131 American cash. He then waited for his interview, which was like 1 minute long or something.

I did not go in with him for that. They asked him:

-How we met

-When we decided to marry

-Why he decided to move down there (south)

-What is he going to do for work

-Has he ever been arrested

Simple enough, eh? So, we left with HUGE smiles on our faces and came back to the hotel (now it wasn't snowing, figures) and called EVERYONE!

Word to the wise, as most of you know, DO NO BRING BRIEFCASES!! ONLY BRING CLEAR BAGS-no electronics, including the remote for your car that is on your keychain. DON'T leave your purse or other belongings in the cab

The better organized you are, the better. I placed each separate document in its own malina folder, well labeled-they were impressed.

Now we have to get moved. I just reserved the U-pack moving company. Thankfully our rate went down about $200!!! I have less than two weeks to get everything packed up. Steve will be working another 5 days & he'll be done! We should be back home (to my home) by April 15th. We have one month & 9 days to plan the entire wedding.........EEK!!!

Blessings,

Libby

I feel ya. We just got had our interview yesterday & were approved-so I'm RELIEVED to be as done with the lawyer we have as possible.

Our lawyer was nice-but lets just say it took over 4 months to get Packet 3 back to Montreal because they wouldn't get back to me in a timely manner.

I was just as frustrated with you. I'm sorry you're having to go through this. If I could take it all back now, I would-and I would NOT have hired a lawyer.