cwaf

Hello fellow January filers! I have a question that may seem a bit silly. When looking at the processing times for AOS for the different cities, which location should I look at? The one that I mailed my papers to? (Chicago) or the local office that will be performing my interview? (Indianapolis) We have not received our interview letter, but the biometrics are completed. I hope that I get to look at the Indy location because they are about a month faster than the Chicago location. hahaha But I am not getting my hopes up since the papers were mailed to that Chicago lockbox location.

And just another tidbit of information: another fellow January filer who is not participating in this particular forum, but we have become friends from another forum, has received his interview letter for May 7th in Detroit. Curiously, he had sent his AOS papers in without the Civil Surgeon packet and was prepared to send it after receiving an RFE for it. His interview letter told him to bring it to the interview and not mail it in. I thought that was odd, but wanted to share that information with the group, for whatever it is worth.

Our biometric appointments went smoothly for both my wife and step-daughter. I took the marriage license since the appointment letter was issued in my wife's new name but her passport displayed her old name. The worker took both in at the same time, and 15 minutes later, we were leaving! I was a bit surprised that I was told to "wait here" while they went down the hall, but it was fine with me.

oh..the petitioner wont go with the beneficiary inside? hhmmm...does anybody know what exsctly happens in biometrics?

I guess it depends from one USCIS office to another. In Alexandria, VA they allowed my husband to be with me during the biometrics. I was even asked about why my last name is different in my appointment letter from my passport and it was my husband who answered the lady.

it definitely sounds like each office handles things differently. In fact, it was I who asked the lady at the office if she needed the marriage license since the passport name did not match her married name. However, they were all very pleasant and I do not think your experience, no matter which office, will be troubling or scary!

Our biometric appointments went smoothly for both my wife and step-daughter. I took the marriage license since the appointment letter was issued in my wife's new name but her passport displayed her old name. The worker took both in at the same time, and 15 minutes later, we were leaving! I was a bit surprised that I was told to "wait here" while they went down the hall, but it was fine with me.

oh..the petitioner wont go with the beneficiary inside? hhmmm...does anybody know what exsctly happens in biometrics?

my wife explained to me: they both went back at the same time and they were taken to separate computers with different people. They each went over the paper that I had filled out for them, verifying that each line was correct as it was entered into the computer. Then the workers cleaned my wife's and step-daughter's hands, and the fingerprints were taken. First they did all four fingers together on one hand. Then they took the thumb print. Then they took each finger individually. After completing the one hand, they did the other in the same manner. Then each had their photo taken. They asked if the photo was ok, or if they wanted to retake it (I thought that was nice). After that, they asked my wife if she was satisfied with the service. (I believe this was a customer satisfaction survey).

They both came back out to me less than 15 minutes after going down the hallway, so it went very well. I hope all offices are as friendly as the Indianapolis office!

Our biometric appointments went smoothly for both my wife and step-daughter. I took the marriage license since the appointment letter was issued in my wife's new name but her passport displayed her old name. The worker took both in at the same time, and 15 minutes later, we were leaving! I was a bit surprised that I was told to "wait here" while they went down the hall, but it was fine with me.

just a question:

Aside from the biometrics letter appointment and ID during the bio appointment, is ther any thing else i need to bring? My biometrics appointment is next week.

Thanks!

we just had the biometrics yesterday. I was glad I took my NOA's as well as the appointment letter because we had to fill out a form that asked for information that the NOA had on it. When we first arrived, I had to surrender the two appointment letters (both wife and daughter) so I no longer had them to refer to.

Hello everyone. No new updates on our cases (wife's and step-daughter's). I mailed back the required information for the RFE's and they were received on Friday. According to the online status, none of our cases have been touched since Feb 3rd, so they have not yet processed my new information. Our biometrics are scheduled for next week--Feb 24th--so things are on course for us.

I have a question to those who already went through the interview in Kyiv. I have quite a lot of paper, material on proof of relationship. I was just wondering if I can organize it in the folder or should I just not worry about any of that stationary because they will take only papers.

I would appreciate any help. thanks.

Hi Marina....I suggest you bring several items for proof of relationship--especially if your fiance will not be attending the interview with you. If he can go, still bring several items along to show his previous visit(s), correspondence, photos of the two of you together in Ukraine, etc. We supplied about 20 photos, print outs of some of our Yahoo messenger chats, some of our emails, a couple of receipts from the US post office to show that I mailed things to her, a copy of a Christmas card she sent to me, plus the airline receipts, apartment rental receipt, and my travel itineraries from my 3 trips. ( the 3rd was for the interview and to bring my fiance and her daughter back home to me). It is better to have too much proof than not enough. I know it is cumbersome to carry all the papers and photos (arrange in plastic photo sleeves, if possible), but it will be worth it!

Should I be worried if I still haven't gotten the NOA1 for I-485 and the EAD? I received two RFE's since for I-485 and they said they will start the process of I-485 and EAD as soon as they get my initial evidence. I have the case numbers but didn't get any paper saying they received it. Is that a big deal?

I will mail the evidence that they need today.

Hi...I find it odd that they could send an RFE before sending the NOA since they would have to begin the process to even find out what to contact you about--but I am not a "government expert" on this process. Did your RFE have your case number on it? I do not have the copies of mine to check, but I would assume they have it. I know my RFEs had a bar code on it. If you find your case number and still have issues finding it online, private message me and I can try for you, too. Your case number should begin with MSC and when entering it online at https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/caseStatusSearchDisplay.do make sure to exclude the "-" .

We got our letters for the biometrics appointments for both: Feb 24th. (At least they put them on the same day at consecutive time slots!)

Unfortunately, we also received two RFE letters for the support documentation. Since I have my own small (and I mean small) business as well as full time employment, I had to mark the I-864 as "self employed" as well. That triggered them to request all my schedules and forms, so I printed out two complete sets of my taxes, signed them (did not want to forget that little detail!), copied all my 1099's and my W2 and mailed them in today. Curiously, they are sent to a location in Missouri while the original documents were all sent to Chicago.

On another note, we went to the SS office today to try to get her social security card reissued in her married name. However, since her visa/I-94 expired on January 12th, they said they could not change the card until AOS. I had our NOA's, but they still said NO. I know this will delay any possible state ID card or driver's license, as well, since we must present a valid I-94. It is not a huge issue, but it is frustrating and make things very inconvenient for the enxt several months. Things could be worse, though...she could still be in Ukraine and I could still be alone!

anybody knows if I need to mail a cover letter with the evidence for RFE? or is that yellow paper enough?

I just attached the yellow pages to my 2 stacks of papers, so I hope that was enough! it indicated what they were looking for, so it should be ok.

Thanks for your answer.

One thing is scaring me though. I don't think my husband ever signed his copy of taxes. I don't think it was a problem though. But if it was would they say it clearly?

I have the same problem for SSN. I wanted to change my name to my married name but I know I can't do it until we get some papers. I think EAD is enough as a proof though. So 3 months before getting a driver's license as well...

Well, if they have an issue with the tax form being unsigned, I am sure they will let you know. I know I saw something, somewhere, that said to make sure you send in signed tax forms, but it is really easy to forget to do that if you print them out from a software package like Taxcut! I hope you are correct about the EAD being sufficient for the change over.

We got our letters for the biometrics appointments for both: Feb 24th. (At least they put them on the same day at consecutive time slots!)

Unfortunately, we also received two RFE letters for the support documentation. Since I have my own small (and I mean small) business as well as full time employment, I had to mark the I-864 as "self employed" as well. That triggered them to request all my schedules and forms, so I printed out two complete sets of my taxes, signed them (did not want to forget that little detail!), copied all my 1099's and my W2 and mailed them in today. Curiously, they are sent to a location in Missouri while the original documents were all sent to Chicago.

On another note, we went to the SS office today to try to get her social security card reissued in her married name. However, since her visa/I-94 expired on January 12th, they said they could not change the card until AOS. I had our NOA's, but they still said NO. I know this will delay any possible state ID card or driver's license, as well, since we must present a valid I-94. It is not a huge issue, but it is frustrating and make things very inconvenient for the enxt several months. Things could be worse, though...she could still be in Ukraine and I could still be alone!

anybody knows if I need to mail a cover letter with the evidence for RFE? or is that yellow paper enough?

I just attached the yellow pages to my 2 stacks of papers, so I hope that was enough! it indicated what they were looking for, so it should be ok.

Hello again Feb-Filer-Friends,

Congratulations to Ray after all that waiting!

We sent our AOS paperwork on 22 Jan. It took longer than I'd hoped but our apartment flooded over new year so we had to move again (changing the address on all the forms I had prepared in advance - sigh). I haven't got the NOA1s yet, but I see that cwafs took nearly two weeks. The waiting is certainly less painful when you are married and living in the same house!

Good wishes to all x

Hello again, dear Scarlett!

I am sorry to hear about your flooding problem! I hope you did not have much damage to your belongings. The last update to our case numbers was on January 30th, so that was the mailing date (I assume) since I received them on Feb 2nd. I expect you will get yours this week! I have also begun posting in the January AOS files forum so you may want to join in there, as well. Of course, you do not have to join in there just because I am there! hahahaha

Take care of yourself and keep us updated!

Sorry cwaf, I missed adding you in the earlier update. Good luck and God bless always.

JANUARY 2009 AOS/EAD/AP JOURNEY

USR NAME           Filed     NOA1      BIOM APT     EAD     AP     INTRVW   GC RCVD

SteveAndTiff       01-02     01-13     01-27 
JulianDavid        01-03     01-08
ThaiStyleUSA       01-05     01-20     02-04
happy_girl         01-08     01-16     02-17
Andy-n-Maricar     01-08     01-14     02-06
zoharulz           01-08     01-20     01-30 
sj_soulm8ts        01-09     01-14     02-13     
sunnybear          01-09               02-06
Vernon Family      01-10     01-23     02-09
Barry and Jackie   01-11    
dbears             01-12     01-20
Maddy20            01-12
EnS                01-12     01-27
BTalley            01-13               01-26
john_dot           01-15     01-23     02-17
jr&belle           01-16
Eric & Althea      01-19     01-27
GloAndCole         01-20     01-28
LeaAndBen          01-20
cwaf               01-20     02-02
rajemr2119         01-23
janessnroland      01-24
Alex & Rachel      01-27
felb               01-27
caityrose          01-27
missleyte          01-27
jlvr               01-28
steveinsandiego    01-28
shes               01-30

thanks!

Hello everyone. I figured it was time for me to jump into the AOS forums. We mailed our AOS package on January 20th, and received our NOA's yesterday. I am filing for both my wife and my 18 year old stepdaughter. We received the 6 separate letters (NOA)---3 for each--for the work permit, advanced parole, and the I-485. We have not yet received the biometric appointment letters, but anticipate them arriving later this week.

I wish everyone success and speed in the processing of this next phase of documents!

Hello everyone. We received 6 letters from immigration yesterday: 3 each for my wife and her daughter. Each had one for the EAD, AP, and I-485. These are the initial NOA letters (I-797C), so we are in the system again!

Hello everyone. I mailed off our AOS packet today, so we shall see what happens and when!

I hope everyone is doing great!

I will be doing great next Tuesday

I hope it all goes smoothly for you both!!!! Congrats!

Hello everyone. I mailed off our AOS packet today, so we shall see what happens and when!

I hope everyone is doing great!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas time with their new love!

Sveta is learning her sports, now, and is a Pacers fan (not much to cheer about yet, but we will improve) and NASCAR fan.

LOL!! Way to turn her into a hick, cwaf!!

It looks like your ceremony was lovely cwaf! I hope your step-daughter gets used to it here...it's hard to make such a big change at that age, especially when she can't attend school or anything. I bet she'll feel better once she gets into classes of some sort and starts meeting people her own age.

:-) now now now...not just HICKS like NASCAR!! We had a great time at the Pacers game last night, too! How are things with you, Mr P?

The ceremony was short, sweet, and nice--just the way I hoped it would turn out! As for her daughter, I think she is going to be ok after a while. We just need to get her time occupied with something. She found out yesterday that one of my sisters is going to bake a Ukrainian Christmas cookie recipe for her as a present, and she thinks that is very thoughtful. I thanked my sister for trying to make her feel more welcome. :-) and the best part is, I will get to eat some of the cookies, too! hahaha or, at least, I had BETTER get some!

Don't stress too much about the date. You do NOT have to file the AOS by the K-1 expiration date. You can wait a year if you want to...it just means that Sveta can not re-enter the country or get a job for a bit.

Also, you can get the vaccinations done at ANY doctor (as long as they will do them...your family doctor will probably be willing if you explain the situation). So you could have them done at your family doctor with a standard co-pay, then mail the vaccination documentation to Dr. Arnold and he will transcribe it for you.

I would really like to get the work permit and travel approval as soon as posisble, so I am still planning on submitting before Jan 12, 2009. I spoke to my family doctor and have new-patient physicals scheduled and immunizations (covered by insurance) for January 5th and 6th (one each day). After that, I will probably pay the money and contact that Dr Arnold to have them complete the I-693.

On other notes, I have applied and obtained two new credit cards, each account has Sveta on it. I will begin buiding her credit now, as well as give her more identification and credence to our marraige. Of course, I told her she cannot HAVE the cards...hahahaha

My stepdaughter is having a bit of a time adjusting to things here. She will be 18 in January, she cannot work at this time, she cannot attend school yet, and her English classes have not yet begun. She is bored and moody, and even spoke about returning to Ukraine to live. However, yesterday she spoke to her aunt back in Ukraine and was told how bad the economy is there now (much worse than 2 months ago) and she would not have much chance to work there now, either. The only "plus' would be she could attend school there without worrying about learning English. Perhaps that may be an option after work and travel approval has come through. She could possibly return to Ukraine for an extended visit and atten the university there. That is yet to be determined and talked about. Sveta has no desire to move back to Ukraine and really likes it in Indy with me. so far, anyway! hahaha They met my large family at Thanksgiving time. I am one of 8 children, so there are a lot of people when all the family is together. They get a second dose of it on Dec 21st when my family gathers for Christmas. (My family celebrates either before or after Christmas since we have a difficult time doing it on Christmas Day.) Sveta is learning her sports, now, and is a Pacers fan (not much to cheer about yet, but we will improve) and NASCAR fan. She is struggling with football and the concepts of how it is played, but she will watch, with me, our Colts play anyway!

for anyone interested, here is a link to our wedding pictures.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?unam...&feat=email

I hope all is well and are not suffering any anxieties of the holidays and separation from family.

hello friends! We spent our 2 hours in SSN Office Purgatory today, and was partially succesful. Sveta was able to get her SSN number, but her daughter was denied because of not having some card for employment. The immigration officer at New York stamped both of their I-94s with the employment "OK", and Sveta was allowed to get the SSN based on that because she was on a K-1 visa. however, since her daughter was K-2, the same rules did not apply. Soooooo, now I have to get a Tx ID number for her to be able to claim her on my taxes for this year. We have to wait until her status has been adjusted, or the EAD is approved, to get her SSN card. SIGH

on the medical stuffs...I read the instructions from the USCIS form for the I-693 and here is what it said:

Section III. Frequently Asked Questions

2. What if I am a K nonimmigrant visa holder and

already had a medical exam overseas?

If you were admitted as a:

A. K-1 fiancé(e) or a K-2 child of a K-1 fiancé(e), or as a

B. K-3 spouse of a U.S. citizen or a K-4 child of a K-3

spouse of a U.S. citizen, and

C. You received a medical examination prior to

admission, then-

a. You are not required to have another medical

examination as long as your Form I-485,

Application to Register Permanent Residence or

Adjust Status, is filed within one year of your

overseas medical examination

b. You will, however, be required to complete Part

1, Information about you, and submit the

vaccination section of Part 2 with your

adjustment of status application. A designated

civil surgeon must complete the vaccination

section and Part 5, the Civil Surgeon's

Certification.

I know this is probably not new information for those who have been looking into it, but I do not know if an I-693 was filled out and submitted by the examining doctor in Ukraine. I assume one was, but it was in a sealed package that we no longer have since Immigration kept it. We do have the X-ray, though. So, I plan on just completing the top part (section 1) of the I-693, but the REAL question is do I really go to one of the civil surgeons listed for my city, or just to my family doctor? I guess I can go through the list provided and see if any are in my insurance network.

Unfortunately, what that all means is that you need a NEW I-693 to submit now. Some people have filed their AOS/EAD/AP without it and have been fine...some have gotten RFEs for the I-693, it seems pretty arbitrary. You can contact Dr. Arnold in Texas (the contact info is the in the pinned I-693 thread on the AOS forum) who will do the vaccination section long distance.

The other problem is that USCIS started requiring a TB skin test for all AOS petitioners as of 7/1. There was a one month grace period where they wouldn't RFE people who didn't have it, then they were absolutely required on 8/1/08. This posts a quandary for K-1 applications...we already had (or our new spouses had) X-rays done, which are more conclusive than the skin test. The skin test is cheaper and easier to do and tells you if there's been any exposure. If it comes back positive you have to get an X-ray. Since they try not to do too many X-rays, this is sensible in the long run...but it means those of us in the cross over time are kind of screwed since they haven't pushed this new requirement out to all of the embassies/foreign CSs.

well, I have been working at preparing the AOS documents. The medical one is going to be the sticking point since Sveta has a LOT of immunizations she is going to have to have since her records are terrible. She had many of them before, but Ukraine's medical records are terrible. Her daughter's are better because they have become better at records for the last 15 years, but prior to that, it is almost nonexistent. I know I am going to spend probably upwards of 300 to 400 to get both of them current with shots, and that does not even include the costs for the civil surgeon stuff. There is only one in my area in my insurance network, and he has not returned my call yet. I will submit my AOS on time, even if the 693 is not ready to go. I would rather have it on record as being submitted and get an RFE later, than be late sending it in. The holiday times are killing me, too. Plus, all the doctors I have called in my insurance network so far (including my OWN family doctor) are not accepting new patients until sometime next year. I am having a heck of a time finding a place I can get the shots done. I do not think Dr Arnold can help me yet since our immunization records are so incomplete.

hello friends! We spent our 2 hours in SSN Office Purgatory today, and was partially succesful. Sveta was able to get her SSN number, but her daughter was denied because of not having some card for employment. The immigration officer at New York stamped both of their I-94s with the employment "OK", and Sveta was allowed to get the SSN based on that because she was on a K-1 visa. however, since her daughter was K-2, the same rules did not apply. Soooooo, now I have to get a Tx ID number for her to be able to claim her on my taxes for this year. We have to wait until her status has been adjusted, or the EAD is approved, to get her SSN card. SIGH

on the medical stuffs...I read the instructions from the USCIS form for the I-693 and here is what it said:

Section III. Frequently Asked Questions

2. What if I am a K nonimmigrant visa holder and

already had a medical exam overseas?

If you were admitted as a:

A. K-1 fiancé(e) or a K-2 child of a K-1 fiancé(e), or as a

B. K-3 spouse of a U.S. citizen or a K-4 child of a K-3

spouse of a U.S. citizen, and

C. You received a medical examination prior to

admission, then-

a. You are not required to have another medical

examination as long as your Form I-485,

Application to Register Permanent Residence or

Adjust Status, is filed within one year of your

overseas medical examination

b. You will, however, be required to complete Part

1, Information about you, and submit the

vaccination section of Part 2 with your

adjustment of status application. A designated

civil surgeon must complete the vaccination

section and Part 5, the Civil Surgeon's

Certification.

I know this is probably not new information for those who have been looking into it, but I do not know if an I-693 was filled out and submitted by the examining doctor in Ukraine. I assume one was, but it was in a sealed package that we no longer have since Immigration kept it. We do have the X-ray, though. So, I plan on just completing the top part (section 1) of the I-693, but the REAL question is do I really go to one of the civil surgeons listed for my city, or just to my family doctor? I guess I can go through the list provided and see if any are in my insurance network.

Part 2. Medical examination (The civil surgeon completes this part)

1.

Examination

Date of First Examination

Date(s) of Follow-up Examination(s) if Required:

Date of Exam

Date of Exam

Date of Exam

Summary of Overall Findings:

the fun has begun AGAIN!

cwaf-you guys look very happy!

Technically you'll be out of compliance until they grant the AOS...I wouldn't want to wait, but I don't think you would have any problems if you did. I've read posts from several people over on the AOS board who waited a long time after the wedding (mostly for financial reasons...$1000 right after a huge move is a lot). We sent our packet off today...hopefully we'll hear something soon!!

we are happy! Your picture was terrific!

I know we will technically be in volation, but since they do not move quickly on AOS (or any other kind of request) they know they cannot prosecute since it definitely takes longer than the 90 days allowed for the K-1 visa. I think as long as you have filed for it (and it would make it easier if you have the NOA1 for it), everything is fine. And tell me about the 1000.00 being so much! I have to pay it twice since her daughter is here, too!

I look forward to hearing your progress so we, the group, can learn from YOU!

Delighted your beach wedding was so lovely B)

What is this 12 Jan deadline ? Do we have to file AOS within a certain time after the wedding?

For what it's worth I got a SS card in my maiden name already, just because it seems you can't do anything in America without it. I will of course have to change it next week (!) but it was very easy to get and I imagine just as easy to change.

Welcome back to reality

Is that the day that your I-94 says it expires? That is 90 days from your entry into the US...that's how long you have to get married. I think that technically, there isn't really a time limit on when you must file...but the longer you wait, the longer it takes to be able to re-enter, work, etc.

We finally made it home last night. I skipped out on Black Friday since I had no idea who to shop for or what to get! I thought sleep might be a bit more important! hahaha

Yes, that is the day her I-94 expires. I think the AOS has to be filed before that because the K-1 visa expires on that day, so unless the status is adjusted (or filed for), technically she will be in violation. I hope we can get everything sent off in time, so there will be no worries.

I am including a photo of us after the wedding--taken from my camera and not by the pro.

Hello again, all my friends! I write this note from Miami Beach, Florida, and today is our wedding day!! We will leave this hotel in about 2 1/2 hours and drive to Key West (almost 4 hours), and the weather appears to be cooperating today for our 5:15pm ceremony on the beach! I do not want to think about the AOS until I get back and make it through this next weekend---my large-family-delayed-Thanksgiving Day celebration. The medical stuff will be interesting for us since the K-1 visa did not require any documentation for immunizations. we have a list of the ones previously received by each, and that was all the instructions indicated were necessary. Of course, they had their physicals and Xrays, but no official forms for the immunizations.

I send my congratulations to all the newly married, and the soon-to-be-married! I am now only 8 hours from mine!

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! Hooooooraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! cwaf is getting married

THANKS! the weather was PERFECT! very little wind, 74F (23C for you foreigners! ), and a fabulous sunset! And, of course, my bride was gorgeous! I hope to be able to provide a wedding pic or two sometime next week, once the photographer can get them to me.

now for the tricky stuff....they said they would be mailing our marriage license to us in 3 or 4 weeks. (maybe sooner) That makes it very difficult to obtain SSN cards and get the AOS stuff in the mail before our January 12th deadline. We will get the paperwork ready, but I am wondering if we should proceed with obtaining the SSN cards now in her maiden name, and then get the corrected cards later. I hate duplicating efforts, but we may not have time, otherwise. opinions, please? (about our situation!)

sigh...we leave the warm weather of Miami Beach in 2 hours to start the long drive back home, where it is not quite so warm. It is time for us to experience what many others have had the last week or two---reality! hugs to all!

Hello again, all my friends! I write this note from Miami Beach, Florida, and today is our wedding day!! We will leave this hotel in about 2 1/2 hours and drive to Key West (almost 4 hours), and the weather appears to be cooperating today for our 5:15pm ceremony on the beach! I do not want to think about the AOS until I get back and make it through this next weekend---my large-family-delayed-Thanksgiving Day celebration. The medical stuff will be interesting for us since the K-1 visa did not require any documentation for immunizations. we have a list of the ones previously received by each, and that was all the instructions indicated were necessary. Of course, they had their physicals and Xrays, but no official forms for the immunizations.

I send my congratulations to all the newly married, and the soon-to-be-married! I am now only 8 hours from mine!