Missy1

Perfect thanks!!!!

Wish you the best in your interview. When preparation and planning meets opportunity the result is always success and not luck. So I hope you will continue to prepare and plan for the interview in November.

Hi All,

A friend of mine needs some advice. She filed for 6 of her children. They were all approved and have been written to pay a visa fee. However, one of the children is now married. Should she let the National Visa Center now of this change? Would it slow the process down? Please give me some insight.

That's true!!! You might be fortunate to have the Green Card without interview. When I applied for AOS my application was mailed to missouri and then to CSC. Few weeks later I saw a letter in my mail box and inside it was my Green Card. What a smooth and easy sail.

Thanks guys!

Hello VJ family, I'd like to know if AOS can be approved without USCIS interview? I learnt that USCIS will conduct another interview with both spouse on a K1 visa before the AOS can then be approved. I don't know how true though!!!

Congratulations!!!

Usually it takes atleast 6months before approval in most K-visa type. Soon you will hear from them. Just hold on tight and keep praying for God to expediate the action. When my wife just filled then, we always get worried about when we will get approval but when the approval came, every other thing went so fast like the speed of light. So have faith.... your approval is on the way.

KC4them is right. Coz if your husband get the police certificate now and send it to you, he will have to get another one for the US consulate during the interview session before a visa can be issued ti him. So I'll rather have him wait till the application is approved and the consulate has invite him for the interview because the police certificate is just valid for 3 months.

I think Lagos is the only place where you can get the police certificate processed, though he can give his finger print in any local police station but they will have to send it to Lagos for processing which will take longer time and more money. It's advisable for him to get the certificate from Lagos.

I really think that we all need to be easy. If we all worked for USCIS, then I can see why a point of correction would be a big deal. This is "Missy" and my husband posted the original message. We are all learning together. VJ is not the immigration bible, and yes, there will be and are inaccurate information posted. All we can do here is share and compare each other's experiences with our own. If a post is posted and there is a difference of opinions and/or ideas, let's have that discussion positively.

K1 is employment authorized.....but only for 90days, then it expires. That is why you apply for the AOS and employment authorization at the same time.

adding on to a previous post!

The police clearance covers for every where you have lived in Nigeria. Although it does not state all the cities or state you have lived in Nigeria. It only reveals any criminal records in the Nigerian Police database. And if there's none, it will state so.

The clearance can be obtained at the Force Headquarters, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos at the cost of between 3000-5000 Naira depending on the bargaining power of your SO

Birth certificate are obtainable in any High Court or Local Government offices at the department of birth and death registry. But the High Court or Local Government office must be within the locality he was born. For instance, if your SO was born in Lagos Mainland locality in Lagos State, then he has to present a birth certificate from that Local Government office. Some people do request for both the birth certificate and certified birth certificate but the information on both documents must be the same. The certified birth certificate is more detailed. It shows both his parents names and when he was born.

When I went for the interview, I had both certificates but the Lady that attended to me only accepted the birth certificate. I will advice he get the birth certificate because he will still need it when he arrive the US. Except for an extrem evidence of difficulties that didn't allow his parents to register his birth when he was born.

Hello, I was just been curious about your husband arriving the US in March and has already found a job. That seems amazing to me and I'm happy for you. Please, I need to know if his visa type require work authorization or not?

Hey ZeeNusah you are right. I didn't find time to read the link you posted. But my write-up were not information nonetheless misleading. They were just my parochial thoughts and I expected to read other VJ members opinion to learn more about the K1 processes. I guess you didn't take it personal, we are all learning, I presumed!!

[...]

You can apply for social security as soon as you arrive the US but that's only when you are issued temporary work authorization on your I-94 at point of entry into the US. With this I-94 then you can apply for social security number at any social security administration office close to you and you will receive the SSN in two weeks from the day you apply. But if you were not issued a work authorization on your I-94, then you cannot apply for your SSN until your application for employment authorization (I-765) is approved. Then you will present this card at the social security administration office for your SSN before you can then search for jobs and begin some necessary things of life.

[...]

Not true.

K1 is work authorized so you do not need the temp EAD to get the SSN.

For K1s trying to get SSN without the temp EAD, take THIS DOCUMENT with you to the SSA office and direct them to Section C. It outlines that K1 is work authorized and does not need EAD to get the SSN.

You are correct but that's only when your I-94 is stamped with "employment authorized" at the point of entry else a social security number will not be issued. If on this case, with proper documents for a K1 visa and a social security number is issued then it will indicate "not valid for employment". Although I'm not 100% sure.

Social security as we all know enable you to pay tax, work and get the social security benefits. It’s also an identity number that is assigned only to you. Without this number life could be miserable in the US. You can’t open a bank account, build credit, go to school, get driver’s license etc. It simply means your stay in the US is not recognized. One of the benefits of life here in the US is to apply for social security number as soon as possible, if you have all the required documents.

Applying for SSN with K1/K3 visa is always a challenge but here are some ways you can get your SSN quickly:

You can apply for social security as soon as you arrive the US but that's only when you are issued temporary work authorization on your I-94 at point of entry into the US. With this I-94 then you can apply for social security number at any social security administration office close to you and you will receive the SSN in two weeks from the day you apply. But if you were not issued a work authorization on your I-94, then you cannot apply for your SSN until your application for employment authorization (I-765) is approved. Then you will present this card at the social security administration office for your SSN before you can then search for jobs and begin some necessary things of life.

For me, I had the SSN because I asked for the work authorization on my I-94 at the point of entry and then I applied for the social security number but for some reasons my name was typed wrongly on the immigration entry database which didn't correspondent with the information I gave the social security office. For that reason my SSN was delayed for about 8weeks. Eventually, when I got the SSN, the work authorization on my I-94 had less than 2weeks to expire but then I still did some job hunt, got some interviews but could not clinch any job because I had less than 2weeks work permit on the I-94. But now, I'm patiently waiting for the work authorization card before I can continue the job hunt again. The most painful moment was when I went to the department of motor vehicle (DMV) to apply for driver's license, though I had all the required documents on the 6point count, I was denied registering for the test after spending time to read the driver manual. I was told that I had less than 2weeks to the expiration of the work permit on the I-94 even with my marriage license and my SSN evidencing my legal continuous stay in the US. They told me that until my stay is legal in the United State with evidence of temporary Green Card, I won't be able to apply for driver's license. Funny enough, with my experience of job hunt, employers will first ask you for a driver's license before any other documentation showing your legal status.

I'm thinking even with the employment authorization (I-765) card, one might not be able to clinch on some jobs due to lack of driver's license and inability to drive to work. So I resolved to get my country driver's license and an International license. This has enabled me drive around the city and also prepares me for the working task ahead.

Please post your thoughts.....

I wish you journey mercy to Nigeria. But you need to know that all hotels close to the embassy are very expensive. Hotels like EKO Meridian Hotel, Federal Place Hotel are very close to the embassy but they are pretty expensive. What I will suggest is that you lodge in an hotel within another area maybe, mainland which is not too far to commute to the embassy on Victoria Island in the morning. Areas like Surulere and Ikeja have some good hotels at reasonable price. You can check out Haile Selassie Suites at Adetola Road, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos which is abiut 20minutes to the embassy. or Felona Hotel at Ajao Estate about 5minutes from the Airport and 40minutes to the embassy. You can also ask your relatives in Nigeria to research atleast 5 Hotels for you and then choose one you feel best fits the proximity to the embassy. But have in mind not to disclose the hotel of your choice till the moment you arrive Nigeria. Have a safe trip to Nigeria and back home.

Congratulation!!!! You deserve it after a long journey.

well fridays home.. hardest thing is adjusting his time.. It took a week Wow A week his been here now time decides to go fast for us.. For yesrs it went slowwwwwwww .. Now his on track.. He has already worked with my son in law a little to get soem experience under his belt.. so when he gets work permit he will be ready.. I thought our cost was almost over.. Boy did i get fooled now adjustment of status 1010.00 plus work permit about 900.00.. when will it stop.... All about money.. But his worth it all. He loves our food has not gotten sick from change yet.. He is adjusting well.. Just a little bored.. I have to go to work and he satys home .. Lucky I have enternet and he talks to his friends on line.. writes his songs.. I do wish all of you still waiting luck and patients... Its a long road and just because soem of our loved ones are here it does not mean we forget you that are still waiting.. We feel you..

I feel for your husband. When I first got here, it was pretty cold and bored that I felt like going back to Nigeria. My dear wife will go to work, I will be the only one at home, jumping from the TV after watching every scene on CNN to the computer and then to the kitchen. Sometimes I will get into a bus going to no destination and later back home. It was really bored, I must tell you the truth. So then I asked my family in Nigeria to send me my national and international license so I can drive around and then familiarize myself with the environment. Now I drive my wife to work and pick her up later when she's closed, sometimes I pick her for lunch and we enjoy the little moment together. I look forward to knowing the routes around the city, that alone make me busy in addition to studying to take some state job license examination.

So my advice to your husband are:

1. Watch TV especially CNN and other local News for broad information about the happenings within his environment and beyond

2. Browse the internet to chat with his friends and also watch some Nigeria TV station like NTA, STV, Channels etc on the internet for free: http://www.jumptv.com/en/node/88?MyJumpTV=1

3. Determine what he want to do after he gets all his documents and start researching about it. He might want to go to school or work right away, that depends on him. But he should be prepared for it

4. Walk around to know his vicinity. If possible go on a bus riding. I bet you, it's very interesting but he must be careful

5. Find out from DMV if he can drive with international driver's license and if yes, he should get one from Nigeria and start driving immediately. This will definitely help.

6. Subscribe for some sport station on your cable television especially sports like soccer on GOLTV and FSC

7. Then take him out to some pub on Friday to hang out with you even if he does not drink beer. The sight alone makes a lot of difference.

8. Get him some calling cards or subscribe to www.callingcardplus to buy some calling cards to Nigeria.

9. Visit some good family buffet together and teach him how to eat brockley and some Chinese food.

10. Sometimes buy him pizza maybe domino's or pizza hut.

11. Teach him road signs when you drive but be friendly when you teach him anything new so he won't feel second-rated

You can also think about so many things he likes and introduce it. But remember, whatever you do also take some pictures of it because you will definitely need some over-whelming evidence of your continuous relationship. I hope this will help.

Glad he is adjusting well.

The work permit is not $ 900 but included in the $ 1010 total for AOS.

Thanks becuz lawyer wants to charge seprate from that adjustment of staus

Why use a lawyer when you can simply do it on your own and pay no extra cost except the cost of mailing the application. I filed the AOS myself without bothering my wife. We didn't use a lawyer even for the I-129F. You can safe your money and utilize the information here at visajourney.com to submit your AOS application. But if you feel otherwise, then go get a lawyer.

US consulates in Nigeria are interested in the barcodes. As long as you follow the instructions on the form when filling it. That's the most important thing. When I did my interview, the lady took off the barcode page and gave it back to me. She said: "we don't need that as long as the form is filled"

So don't worry yourself about the barcode and fill the form carefully. Good luck.

That's a good one!!! I will give it a try, I hope it goes well.I will keep you guys posted when I start the process and the outcome. Onces again thank u'all

She's not coming here to the US with an immigrant visa as I'm not yet a US citizen. My wife and I want to invite her over on a non- immigrant visa for our wedding ceremony since we didn't had such ceremony when we got married civilly.

I'm just trying to imagine the possibilities of having her here for such occassion though she's not going to stay in the US. The whole senerio is that, my father is a US citizen and he'd petitioned for all my siblings but they won't get a visa until a visa number is available to them because of their age and that will definately be after the traditional marriage ceremony. My thoughts are :

1. Would the invitation for non- immigrant visa affect her status for the immigrant visa petitioned by my father.

2. Would the embassy falsly think this is a deliberate strategy for her to migrate here especially now that two of my younger siblings(below 21years) just got immigrant visa last week through my father's petition.

I'm really confused. I want her to attend my traditional marriage and at the same time I don't want to affect her chances of coming here when visa number becomes available to her case.

Hello VJ families, I came into the US on a K1 visa and I have applied to adjust my status since after my marriage. My wife and I got married civilly but now we are planning to have a big church wedding and also traditional marriage according to our native customs. I would like to invite my closest sibling to attend the ceremony but my questions are;

1.Does the US embassy recognize native/traditional marriage ceremony?

2.Would the US embassy regard the church and traditional marriage ceremonial, null and void considering our civil wedding as a legal union?

3.What are the chances of my sister getting a non-immigrant visa?

I will deeply appreciate any comments, contributions and/or advice. Thank you

Thank you very much. I feel much better now.

You are welcome. Of course it's all about VJ family