GarLeb

Thank you to everyone who helped and supported us through one of the most stressful times of our lives! 
We received the I-485 AOS approval letter online today, on Tet (Vietnamese New Year) no less!

Update: Got my EAD on the mail today! Not the combo card, my I-131 is still under review.

So my EAD expedite request was finally approved on December 28th and I received the combo card on January 6th. So glad I can now work and travel. All the best to everyone still waiting for their EAD 

Some good news I got before 2022 ended re: my EAD/AP. 
 
10/03/2022 - Priority Date
10/26/2022 - Biometrics Done
11/01/2022 - Expedite Request for EAD via Ask EMMA (Reason for expedite is financial loss to a company and person; my former employer of 8 years wanted me back ASAP) 
12/14/2022 - Received an e-mail they need additional information about the Expedite Request
12/16/2022 - Faxed docs requested 
12/23/2022 - Resent docs because of no response
12/30/2022 - Resent docs again
12/30/2022 - Card is Being Produced (Combo Card) 
 
I’ll edit the post for other updates. Hoping others get approved soon too! 🙏🏻

You’re in a rough spot between wedding and SS number
They like to see:
Marriage proof
Joint residence (lease, drivers license, “official” mail addressed to both of you)
Joint banking
Joint credit
Joint taxes
Joint insurance (usually auto and life and health)
Spouse named as beneficiary on retirement, life insurance
Joint bills (utility, cell, etc)
 
Many of these require SS number
 
So build the same package again starting with wedding/marriage
 
Cover letter listing attachments
Add to cover letter explaining the items pending social security number (bank, credit cards, being added as beneficiary to retirement and life insurance)
Marriage certificate (COPY)
4-5 wedding photos
1-2 sworn affidavits from someone who attended the wedding and who knows about and can describe your wedding, where you live together, and your relationship
Your leases (both)
Joint health insurance
Joint bills, any and any bills that come to you and your spouse separately with the same address
Joint cell account if you have one
Evidence that the two of you are expecting is a good idea, we brought it to our AOS interview and they added it to the pile. 
 
If there is anything not listed that is on the “like to see” list then add it.  Suggestion is to rebuild the whole package even though most of what is listed is already sent.  We empathize.  I remember those days.
 
Best of luck
 
 

Update: I received my EAD and SSN today! 
 
From biometrics till having the EAD and SSN in my hands only took 1 week (Dec 5 - biometrics). I'm honestly quite shocked by how quickly it got processed but nonetheless very grateful and glad I got it this fast. Hopefully everyone who's still waiting will get theirs soon!! 🙏🤞
 
Also, I did apply for AP as well but it didn't get approved with my EAD - still pending. 

Lurker here finally saying hello   Just want to mention this forum has been super informative through my AOS process! 
 
Concurrent filing for I-465, I-130, I-765, I-131 - sent to Chicago lockbox (where my lawyer is located)
Filed on Nov 3
NOA on Nov 4
Biometrics scheduled for Dec 5
Status for I-465 & I-765 changed to Case is being actively reviewed after my bio appt
Status for I-765 changed to Card is being produced on Dec 6
 
So far it's moving along pretty smoothly. Hopefully it'll stay that way 🙏

1. credit card, ask ur husband to add you as autorized user. or u can try bank of america for secure card ( if u dont want ur husband to add u) , $500 limit for 3-6 months ( they locked ur money in the bank ), and in 3 -6 months, they will release ur money, and it become normal credit card + credit limit increase to $1,500.  i can even open the credit card with passport only. no GC no EAD, no SS
 
2. sim card, pre paid at&t or t-mobile. passport only. after few months, i have friends, they added me on their family/ friends plan. cheaper. or ur husband to open a new account  ( post paid) for u under his name or ur name doesnt matter. its very easy and doable. 
 

Well we signed up for the "Hiring our Heroes: Career Forward" program for veterans and military spouses, and so far it seems good. They provide a free subscription to Coursera to complete a Google Career Certificate within 6 months, and after you complete it, they push out your profile and resume to partnered companies that are looking for these candidates, some of them big companies like Google, Amazon, etc. The companies partnered with Hiring our Heroes also reach out frequently asking if there are any candidates that recently completed the certificates in ordered to potentially hire them. As you are completing the certificates on your own time, they offer workshops to help you build up your resume, brush up your LinkedIn profile and prepare you for interviews as well. We decided for her to do the "IT Automation with Python Certification" as it would teach her the basics of programming and open up a lot of career paths. 
 
Something worth mentioning, since most people here speak foreign languages, you could try looking into the "Data Analytics" Google Career Certificate as there are many positions everywhere (Especially remote ones), and knowing another language could potentially get you a job. For example, if we type in "Portuguese Data" as keywords in a job searching website like Indeed or LinkedIn Jobs, we get a lot of positions for "Brazilian Portuguese Data Linguist", "Data Entry Specialist(Portuguese)", and "Portuguese Data Analyst", all which require a native level speaker of that language and some sort of data analytics experience, which the google career certificate could help you out with. (Most of these jobs pay very well, the average I saw was about $70k-$80K)
 
Even if you can't get into this Hiring our Heroes program, you would only have to pay about $40 per month for a subscription to Coursera and you could potentially finish one of these certificates in about 2 months if you put the time in(About 30 hours a week). For $80 to get upskilled with a certificate in a high paying field along with being a native level speaker in your language, that's a great deal!
I will update as we go along in the process.

Welcome to the forum, Peter, and congratulations on the visa.
 
Watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqMjMPlXzdA
 
Read this:
http://www.aclu.org/files/kyr/kyr_english.pdf
 
They're great sources for review, if you know some of it already.

I would look for local stores, or online, to find some staple foods that he's used to, and which might not be available in your local grocery.  Finding restaurants can also be a nice adventure, depending on where he's from. Food is a huge comfort when your partner is feeling homesick, he can keep it in the pantry for a special day. 
 
Also, check your local library's website for their online resources.  Many have Gale courses (which have quite a range of online courses), professionalization resources and language resources (duolingo, rosetta stone, mango).  Also, they might have Kanopy, which is an amazing streaming site with films and documentaries from around the world.  Later, if he decides to naturalize, many have Procitizen or other resources to prepare for the civics and language test.
 
My wife became a big fan of podcasts, so you can look around and see which ones might interest him, they're great especially if his first language isn't English, but also to get a feel for the dynamics of this country.
 
Good luck with everything!

The  IO (btw apparently USCIS uses the term ISO: immigration services officer) who posted this works N-400 cases. 
 
Insights I got from the Q/A portion of the post:
 
* Turnover among ISOs is high mostly because of bad managers: they micro manage and emphasize punishment for getting something meaningless  wrong versus reward for getting 99 percent of meaningful stuff right. 
 
* Marriage based N-400 cases with evidence showing both names on the accounts plus photos are the easiest cases to approve. The lack of such evidence is a high indication of fraud. 
 
* ISOs at field offices (FODs - field office directorates) get the N-400 case a day before the interview 
 
* the service centers process online N-400 cases faster than paper N-400 cases 
 
* at FODs, the least experienced ISOs prefer online N-400s, and the veteran ISOs prefer paper.  Given the high turnover of ISOs; and given the previous point, it is clear that online N-400 is better.  I will be the first to admit that this goes against my own oft posted biases (due to the high rate of errors with online N-400s).  
 
* This ISO will sometimes  RFE applicants who didn’t bring     bring the spouse’s evidence of U.S. and citizenship that the interview letter told them to bring 
 
* At N-400 interviews, this ISO occasionally reveals fraud with employment based green cards. This ISO was cagey about what triggers suspicion of fraud but volunteered that getting a EB gc for one type  of role such as researcher and then working 20 years say a cook raise suspicion of fraud. Immediately changing employers after getting the gc also triggers fraud but the ISO wasn’t willing to say how long a gc holder should stay with an employer. However (and this was new information for me) a mitigating factor can be if the employee worked for the sponsoring employer for years before the gc was issued, even if the employee resigned immediately after. This ISO advised people to retain records of employment with the sponsoring employer and have these ready for the N-400 interview 

* Waivers are reviewed and approved by committees  of ISOs. They are the among the most time consuming cases and approval is determined by a vote of the committee members. For me the takeaway was that USCIS is trying hard to avoid arbitrary decisions by a single individual that could mistakenly ruin lives.  In a sense for waivers USCIS seems to be splitting the burden of proof between applicant and USCIS, which is cool.  
 
* Managers pressure ISOs to make fast decisions on cases after interviews. I was surprised by this because we read so often about seemingly straightforward cases waiting months for a decision.  
 
* ISOs don’t get pick cases because if they did most was avoid the obviously difficult cases 
 
* This ISO admitted that there was bad blood between USCIS and CBP
 
* Some ISO roles  at USCIS require secret or even too secret security clearance 
 
* USCIS does look at all fraud tips and will stay with them until resolved. When I think how many divorces there are in general I am staggered by how much time USCIS must be spending on fraud reports by jilted petitioners.  
 
* Unsolicited evidence is looked at and can be helpful to an ISO and thus the case.   This went against everything I had believed since 2017 when I did my own N-400. Until today my knee jerk reaction was to wait for an RFE when there were errors found after the fact.  Now I believe the better course is to fix all the errors as soon as they are discovered. 
 
* most rogue ISOs (ISOs who abuse discretion) will transfer to CBP, ICE, and TSA
 
* INS and the early USCIS had the philosophy that every case is denial until the applicant changed their mind. The new philosophy is approve as many cases as possible. However some ISOs are still around from the old philosophy. So this accounts for why between two cases with thin evidence that are exactly the same, one gets approved fast as the other drags out: draw an old school ISO that case will go slow. 
 
* ISO1s obviously  get assigned the easier forms to work on. What surprised me is that N-400 is considered an easier form. You are more likely to draw an inexperienced ISO1 for an N-400 than an ISO2 who is in a higher pay grade. This explains why I see so many reports of N-400 interviews going off the rails. 
 
* This ISO does believe what many of U.S. has suspected: at NBC, cases filed before or during Covid are not getting as much priority as new cases. Regardless this ISO’s experience is that within FODs, the Covid backlog doesn’t get worked on except during non interview days. 
 
* We all understand that USCIS being fee based is underfunded because the fees have not increased (especially with double digit inflation). This ISO had a great idea: Congress should appropriate the money to fund USCIS, and in turn the fees USCIS collects should be sent back to Congress to be spent on what Congress sees fit. This way Congress would control the fees versus USCIS trying to raise them and then getting slapped down by a federal judge.  
 
* As is generally known, burden of proof falls on the applicant and not USCIS. What was new information for me was that most of the time the standard of proof required is merely “preponderance of evidence”(same level as civil suits in the U.S.). When fraud or crime are suspected the higher standard, “clear and convincing” is used. Rarely is the highest standard, “beyond a reasonable doubt” used such as  when s supervisor or lawyer are  involved. 
 
* cheating on N-400 civics tests happens more often than you’d think.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

He (immigrant) must complete a change of address form within 10 days of moving. It’s called AR11 and it can be done online.
 
You (USC) as a sponsor under I-864 must file form I-865 by mail (not available online) to inform USCIS of your address change.

Both EAD and my SSN arrived in the mail today

She can earn money from investments. She would have to file a tax return (to report the earnings) as a nonresident alien (1040NR) because she does not pass the greencard  or substantial presence tests. NRAs have a higher tax rate. (30% I think).
 
Or because she is married to a US citizen (I presume), she can file jointly with you despite not passing the tests to be a resident alien for IRS purposes. You submit a statement electing for her to be treated as a resident alien for tax purposes. A NRA can not file a joint return, but being married to a USC allows the perk of electing to be treated as a RA for income tax purposes. You will report worldwide income, including anything she earned abroad in 202, but she should be able to exclude her salary income (earned income) using the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and not be taxed on it.

@TinNhi you need to look into different banks. I opened accounts in my name with non-immigrant visa, so LPR wasn't the requirement. Especially if your spouse has SSN, it should be possible.
 
Have you tried the following banks?
Bank of America, Chase, TD Bank, US Bank, Wells Fargo.  
I had accounts in three of the banks from the list above. No issues opening with my foreign passport and valid visa / documentation.

The fee is now $35.

It's been a few years since @missads wrote a very helpful post about getting ACA insurance for immigrants over the age of 65.  The original post (linked below) is still a good read for anyone going through this process.  
 
I recently helped a relative apply for insurance through the ACA.  There is a lot of confusion regarding whether immigrants can use the ACA, is this a public charge, do they get medicaid or medicare, etc?  If you are over 65, many will assume that you simply get Medicare (as indicated by @missads's post).  Similarly, if you have lower income, people assume you will get Medicaid.  For new immigrants to the US, neither would apply (with few exceptions).  I will try to provide some information regarding this based on our own experience. 
 
We initially contacted a licensed insurance agent to go through this process.  The agent was familiar with the ACA, but was as unfortunately not familiar with immigrants applying for insurance through the ACA (mostly confusion regarding the public charge rule, which I guess is confusing by design).  The agent also said that a social security number and green card were required, but these documents are not required (as indicated in other posts in this forum as well).  Initially, we got short term insurance for the first few months, which was okay for medications, but had high deductibles, was subject to preexisting condition rules, had poor hospitalization coverage, and had higher premiums.  Thankfully, we did not need to use this insurance, but the lack of coverage and acceptance at most hospitals was something that was hanging over our heads. 
 
We then started looking into applying for insurance through the ACA.  We actually called the ACA help line and were told that we could apply, but that we would not get a subsidy since the applicant was an immigrant with no income (they thought that the subsidy could not be calculated since there was no income to base the subsidy off of)
 
At this point we figured we had nothing to lose, so we then applied for insurance through the ACA website, and were successful.  We received a decent subsidy as well.  This made both HMO and PPO plans very affordable (all were less than $300 a month, and many of the HMOs were less than $100 a month). 
 
In the Healthcare marketplace, plan availability and pricing varies state to state, and even zip code to zip code.  One plan may be $500 a month in one state/zip code, and the same plan may be $300 a month in another state/zip code, so your pricing may vary. 
 
1. What immigration statuses qualify for insurance through the ACA?
See link here: https://www.healthcare.gov/immigrants/immigration-status/
Note that this also includes applicants to certain statuses as well.
 
2. I am going through the adjustment of status/AOS process, am I eligible?
Yes: https://www.healthcare.gov/immigrants/immigration-status/
Applicants for any of these statuses qualify to use the Marketplace:
- Temporary Protected Status with Employment Authorization
- Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
- Victim of Trafficking Visa
- Adjustment to LPR Status
- Asylum (see note below)
- Withholding of Deportation, or Withholding of Removal, under the immigration laws or under the Convention against Torture (CAT) (see note)
 
This would include those who entered in on a K1/K2/K3 visa, as these are categories that will go through the adjustment of status (AOS) process.
 
3. What documentation do I need to prove immigration status?
The ACA application provides a list of acceptable immigration documents.
 
4. I have not received my physical green card, how can I prove my immigration status?
The ACA application list of acceptable immigration documents includes "Immigrant Visa with I-551 language" and "Temporary I-551 stamp".  It also includes"I-797 Notice of Action"
 
5. I am going through Adjustment of Status/AOS via K1 or via marriage in the US, how can I prove my immigration status?
The ACA application list of acceptable immigration documents includes "I-797 Notice of Action"
 
6. I am one of the handful of people who has a K3 visa, and will be going through Adjustment of Status/AOS process as well, how can I prove my immigration status?
The ACA application list of acceptable immigration documents includes "I-797 Notice of Action"
 
7. Why not just get Medicaid or Medicare?
Most new immigrants do not qualify for medicaid and/or medicare.  Medicare is a system that one must pay into (by working a certain amount of time in the US, if I am not mistaken).  Immigrants with less than five years of presence in the US are not eligible for Medicaid except for certain situations (See Medicaid website for more information)
 
8.  So I can't get medicaid, can I at least qualify for an ACA subsidy?
This is probably the most confusing part of the application and the ACA in general, but the answer is Yes, you may qualify for a subsidy based on your income. 
Reference: https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i8962
Alien lawfully present in the United States.
Certain aliens with household income below 100% of the federal poverty line are not eligible for Medicaid because of their immigration status.
You may qualify for the PTC if your household income is less than 100% of the federal poverty line if you meet all of the following requirements.
- You or an individual in your tax family enrolled in a qualified health plan through a Marketplace.
- The enrolled individual is lawfully present in the United States and is not eligible for Medicaid because of immigration status.
- You otherwise qualify as an applicable taxpayer (except for the federal poverty line percentage).
 
Since we met these requirements (enrolled in an ACA plan, will file taxes on our own/not as a dependent, and are not eligible for Medicaid), we qualified for a subsidy, subject to the calculations. 
 
9. How do I qualify for a subsidy? 
The ACA application will ask you for information regarding your estimated income for the year. There are many threads and forums that discuss how to estimate your income, so I won't go through that here.  It is understood that if you underestimate or overestimate your income, everything will get adjusted during when federal income taxes are filed.
 
When filling out the application, we indicated "No, I have not been denied medicaid" (because we never applied), but then answered "Yes" to "Were you found ineligible for Medicaid based on immigration status".  It is a bit confusing since we did not apply for Medicaid, but this seemed the closest since we knew that we were not eligible for Medicaid based on immigration status.  This is the key sequence of questions that will force the system to evaluate your application and calculate a subsidy based on being an immigrant who does not qualify for medicaid (as indicated on IRS form I-8962).  If you select "No" for "Were you found ineligible for Medicaid based on immigration status", your application will be forwarded to Medicaid, which can be problematic for a number of reasons, namely - delays (Medicaid takes a lot of time), you will likely be denied anyways (immigration status), potential issues related to being a public charge (still being litigated, but better to not deal with that if at all possible), and the system will show that you applied for Medicaid.
 
10.  I just came to the US, how do I prove my income (or lack thereof)?
If you arrived during the previous year (for example, you arrived in December 2019, and are applying for ACA insurance in 2020), you should file a tax return even if your income is $0.00.  This was also mentioned by @missads.  Make sure that the ACA applicant is not claimed as a dependent on someone else's taxes.  If they are claimed as a dependent, then the TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME will be used in the ACA subsidy calculations.
 
If you haven't filed taxes yet, the ACA has an "income worksheet" that can be used to prove income.  Since we had no income at the time of application, we write "$0.00" for the value, and then write an explanation below (where the form asks for any additional information).  We explained that the applicant was a new immigrant and did not have any income, and that they would file taxes at the appropriate time.  We also attached a copy of the visa and I-551 stamp indicate the date of entry.  Moving forward, you should file taxes each year (even if your income is $0.00), as this will be the standard way of proving income (or lack thereof). 
 
11.  I did not receive my SSN/SS card, how can I apply?
The ACA application does not require a social security number (the field is optional)
 
12.  When should I apply?
ASAP!  You have 60 days within a given "life event" to apply for insurance.  "Gaining lawful immigrant status" or "Gaining LPR status" (I don't recall exactly what the wording was) is an applicable life event.  If you apply before the 15th of the month, you will get insurance beginning the next month.  If you apply after the 15th, your insurance will be active after an additional month. 
For example:
If you apply on November 12, your insurance will be active December 1. 
If you apply on November 16, your insurance will be active January 1.
 
13. I just arrived to the US, and open enrollment is over, how do I apply?
See #11 above.  "Gaining lawful immigrant status" is a life event, so you can apply.  It is best to apply as soon as possible, as the clock begins the day you enter the US. 
 
14.  What about the public charge rule?
The public charge rule was in court when we went through this process.  However, many posts have indicated that taking ACA subsidies does not make one a public charge.  This also appears to be indicated here: https://www.healthcare.gov/immigrants/lawfully-present-immigrants/
Enrollment in a Marketplace plan (with or without premium tax credits) is not a public benefit under the public charge final rule.
Previously, this was also inferred to at this link as well: https://www.uscis.gov/news/public-charge-fact-sheet
 
15.  I want to get my SSN to make things simpler
There are many posts on VJ about SSNs not being sent in a timely manner, and SS office closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Please refer to these posts for guidance on obtaining a SS number.  The general theme, at the time of this writing, is that you can call the local SS office and plead your case.
 
16. People on VJ, among other places, say "why don't you just work?"
Many immigrants with LPR status are retired, so they have worked, but have incomes that are low enough to qualify for a subsidy.  Others may be looking for work, but still need coverage in case something happens. 
 
17.  Can I really file taxes even if my income is $0.00
Yes, the IRS allows you to file taxes even if your income is $0.00
 
Hopefully this helps.  Best of luck!
 

assuming they don’t get health insurance through work, start  at healthcare.gov and shop for plans.  
 
Bronze plans can cost under $100 / month in premiums. The maximum out of pocket cost for treatment is about $14,000 a year.  They can shop for a more expensive plan with lower maximum out of pocket costs and depending  on their income get a subsidy.  The mechanics of the subsidy are either it is paid as they go or is paid in the form of a tax refund. 
 

*** Moved from Bringing Family of USC forum to Your New Life In America forum, where insurance-related topics are discussed ***
 
 
Your parents may get health insurance coverage through ACA marketplace.  Check the threads below for more info --
 
 

We completed an approximately six year process from K1 -> AOS -> ROC -> Citizenship back in mid-August this year.  I updated our timeline back then, but I just felt the need to log in and take a moment to give thanks, so:

Thank you so much to VisaJourney and its community!  We seriously could not have done this without you. 
 
This is quite possibly the most useful and active forum on the internet.  Anytime we had a question, the answer could be found here and/or we could ask it ourselves and get a solid answer.  Those answers always came back same day, if not within seconds or minutes from posting.  Even the most obscure issues are solved here in a moments notice.  You've helped us save thousands of dollars avoiding the use of an immigration lawyer, and rescued us from millions of headaches or bouts of anxiety.  The knowledge here far exceeds anything that could've been paid for professionally, and all of it.. at no cost to us. 
 
The end-result: I get to be together with my wife, every day, and for the rest of my life.  Plus, she now has all of the same rights as any other American citizen, and soon... her passport will arrive in the mail and we can finally travel to places we've only ever dreamed of seeing.
 
I feel like the best way to continue giving thanks is to stick around and help other members of the community with the knowledge we've learned along the way from our experiences and from you.
 
Once again, and with the utmost appreciation and regard for all of you here, thank you!  I wish you all the best in your own visa journey and in your lives moving forward beyond it.

Good day,
Like i promised I came back to update whenever there is an update. I posted a question here on Sept 1 if its possible to expedite my AP, i followed @Family told me to email and contact a congressman, my husband and I talked to their representative, i contacted the embassy in the Philippines we waited and i upload proofs in my uscis account too, its a long 25 days for us when we started it and today few minutes ago our Request was Approved! We still have long way to go but pretty excited since we have a lot of planning to do before leaving the country. 
 
My english is really bad but i thank you VJ for guiding me, we still have long way to go. 

We were married on December 7th,2017 at Max's Restaurant in Quezon City (can't forget that date) and waited 3years,2 months and one day until we met again on Feb. 11th,2021 in San Francisco. Proof of her dead spouse held us up for over a YEAR,and then COVID. She has a fulltime job,getting used to living at a Rocky Mountain ski resort and will take her written driver's test this fall.  She had to stay 37 days straight at the Bayview hotel since if she would have gone back home after her medical exam, she would have been quarantined in her province for at least 2 weeks. Soooo we decided 37 days straight was the answer. Basically could only leave the hotel for embassy paperwork. After she received her visa,she had to stay at the Hilton or the Marriot since all the medium priced hotels were only for overseas workers. HAD TO PASS the COVID TEST upon entering the hotel and getting on the plane. if she had failed it would have been a financial disaster since everything was booked ahead of time. She had to pass every single time. I want to say that the real test of our relationship is how we talk to each other and really LISTEN to each other. I am 68 and she is 58 and neither of us has children but she has supported her 4 nieces and nephew by paying for their college,they call me uncle and I really do consider them as great kids. I see many of these posts and I just think to myself "if it is real....it will happen".

First, you can fill out your Timeline so the data can improve visajourney stats pages for everyone.
Assuming she is still in the Philippines, she does need the CFO.
 
Next is to get your K1 beneficiary here and get married and get the AOS filed within 90-days. See my Timeline POE review to get an idea of what I did to prepare my K1 fiancee for her POE.
 
Word of advice about Social Security, get the beneficiary's Social Security card as soon as the I-94 is available online, and before your marriage.
https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home
 
Also find the fastest way to get your marriage certificate. Her name change, joint account filings, etc. all depends on the marriage certificate. If you need recommendation, don't be shy considering Las Vegas. Good luck!