snoopy

My husband and I had our appointment on Sept. 19 in Los Angeles.

It all went very smooth; the interviewer was a very nice Asian young lady.

At first, she went thorough the whole application and verified all the information I had already provide in it, such as current address, mailing address, parents' names, E V E R Y thing, she went one by one on each question, when it came to my personal information she asked him to answer, not me, she asked him for my B-date, wedding date, if I was married before, anything you might think about, she asked us.

I didn't take my husband's last name, she asked me why, I answered and she seemed to be pleased with my respond. The last part, she asked for pictures, common accounts, I gave her my 401K where he's the beneficiary, life Insurance, Credit Card, joint Bank Account with both of our payroll deposits, I gave her the tax adjustment for the last 3 years. (We got married on 2/05/05, just on 2007 I became an U.S Citizen)

Make sure you had done the vaccinations, we didn't bring his to the appointment and our application was put in hold, which we didn't mind, we had been married for more than 3 years, he has all the documents to work and travel out of the country, so the delay will not affect us that much.

If you're trying to delay your AOS to be right after the two years so you won't have to pay extra $$$ for the removal of Conditions, this might work, just make sure you know what you're doing.

At the end I even had a change to ask her about an issue I have with 2 of my brothers who are about to lose their Green Card because they’re living in Colombia taking care of our mom, she even helped me with their case.

All I have to say is that if don’t have anything to hide, you don’t have to worry. Good luck to all of you, and thank you for ALL your help, I wouldn’t have done it without the help of this web-site and the nice people who care to help.

Hi campers! We had our AOS interview this morning. Everything went very well. Most of the questions were a bit odd in that the female officer (with another officer as witness) asked us to verify information she had in front of her - full name, birth date, city of birth, parents' names, etc. She also asked how and where we met. All of that went quite well, and she said nothing about needing extra vaccinations before approval.

However...... (why is there always a 'however' with our case???? ).... Though she said our case was approved as far as she was concerned, she said that one of the 'name checks' on Lorena had not been completed yet. Evidently, there are three checks that they do: they do a USA name check (FBI I would guess), a name check in the home country, and a third one internationally through Interpol. It's this third one they are waiting on. She said it could take three to six more weeks, which would put us close to our second anniversary. I asked about the conditional residency issue and she said that it is totally dependent on the approval date. So, theoretically, if you are approved one day before your second anniversary, you will be in conditional status for two years. On or after your second anniversary, you go straight to permanent resident. While she hedged a bit and said it was possible, since we would be so close to our second anniversary, they might go ahead and grant permanent residency, somehow I'm not buying it. We'll just hope that the Interpol check takes longer than normal. In any case, we will be notified when card production is ordered.

So, as always, we have (marginally) good news.

Charles

First of all congratulations on your approval, God knows how much we all want to see the end of this Journey, papers and papers and papers.

Parkpapa or anyone with any helpful information

Our interview is on September 19 (2 ½ weeks from now) and I had been worry about my husband’s vaccinations, to tell you the truth, they had been quite confusing for me, even more now with the new list to take in consideration, this is my dilemma.

My husband’s Medical appointment in Bogota was on January 5th, 2008, since then he have not had any other shots, what will be the best option for us to do?, I heard that the full medical is not necessary, I had been checking on line to locate a Public Health Center to save us a few bucks but do I still need to get them transcribed by the authorized doctor from the USC? Also, do we need to fill out the whole I-693? And where does it say the appropriate gender and age for the new ones? Anyone who had been through and is willing to give us any tips, we really appreciate it.

Thanks…….Ana and Juan

after the full medical fiasco at the interview... received an email from CRIS- card production ordered.

i still can't believe it... i hope its not a mistake.

anyhow, best of luck to everyone waiting for an interview..but just to be safe please get a full medical, especially if you are doing AOS after k-3

Ouchhh. Sorry to heard that.

Thank you so much for the information, we have the interview on Sept. 19 and I wassn't thinking on getting the medical for the same reason you didn't.

Thanks..... Ana

HI. I'm a US resident and my fiance is Colombian. We are planning on getting married and then moving to Colombia until i can become a US citizen because we are told the process would be too long if i we apply with me being just a resident. What worries me now is that we need to find a co-sponsor since i won't be filling taxes in the time i'll be living in Colombia. Those are the plans so far. I'm working in the Sates right now until i can save enough for the wedding next March. But I don't know if me living in Colombia could become an issue in my process of becoming a US Citizen.

Does any one have a better idea of what we could do? Maybe apply right now even as a resident? Help please this is very confusing!

It might be possible but is not that easy, I just became an US citizen last year and I have 2 brothers visiting from Colombia right now and both of them are Legal US Residents, last week when they came, the agent at the airport wanted to take the green cards away from both of them, one of them comes every six months and the other one every 11 months, we taught it was just enough to keep the card, for our surprise is not, I found very useful information in this link, you need to file a Re-entry permit I-131, $305.00 fee while you still in the States. Read this link http://www.antaoandchuang.com/i-keeping.html it may help you clear a lot of doubts.

Another thing is if you want to become a US, you DO need to have a continuous residence, you can’t be out for more than six months or your count of the 5 straight yrs. will start again. Don’t risk the change to be with your love one, my best advice, get plenty of information before doing anything, a little mistake of misinformation might have you doing the wrong things.

Good luck .... Ana

Congrats to Rambaldi, maelim and ssrose18 for getting approved!!! :dance:

Blues fairy, congrats on getting your interview notice...hope i get mine in the mail soon!

Thanks but no approvals yet, just the interview notice! But thanks for the early congrats

About time, good luck, just relax and be yourself.

Ana

There are a few of us left.

Tic toc tic toc...

There have to be something going on with the applicantions from California, I notice a few of the applications are in hold, Spirit Alight from a K-1, G&A has a K-3 visa and ssrose18 has a K-1 and of course my husband has a K-3 visa waiting for AOS, in my husband's personal case, he had not been touched since biometrics, and this was five months ago.

I'm happy for the ones who are done waiting, but come on, it's like making a long line and seeing people cutting you in the line. Does it make any sense?

Ana

For a minute there I though you had spoken to the same lady!! Now I see... I wasn't able to call last week but this week I will for sure. Hope to have more info then. FYI- not sure if I stated it before, but my call generated a "touch" on our AOS application according to CRIS. I was hoping this means it gets looked at quicker but I really doubt it.

Hi Maviwaro

Do you remember the short cuts to talk to an operator? I had been calling and haven't got any luck getting to talk to one.

Thank you..... Ana

(800) 375 – 5283

The lady I spoke to was really sweet but no new info came out. All I can say is that we don't have an approval notice (or an interview notice for that matter) before June 14 I'll be pushing the 180 day transfer process. Other than that it will be calling a couple of family members that work at USCIS to see if they can ask CSC to get the file off of the desk its sitting on.

Thanks Maviwaro, I'm just going to wait a few more days, if nothing, for sure I'll try that.

So I just got off the phone with (sigh) a REALLY NICE LADY at CSC... nothing new to update after trying the RFE trick but maybe, just maybe this will get the ball rolling on our approval sans-interview sometime before June.

Wouldn't THAT be awesome?!

Hola Maviwaro.

I checked your Timeline, woooow, you guys really had been waiting a long time to get an answer, I hope you get you process moving now, you had been a big help to a lot of lost sheeps like me

Can you please let me know what the RFE trick is? My husband’s AOS case had not been touch for more than 3 moths already; I would like to give it a try.

Thanks..... Ana & Juan

I filled the I-765 papers for my husband, I noticed I used the wrong code 6 weeks after we filled and requested an Info pass, we went to the appointment in L.A with the idea they'll be able to make an amendment in the system, I got surprise when the officer told us that the Chicago office will fix it for us, he even told us not to worry about it and to wait the 90 days the work permit requires to be approved, for my surprise, the same day in the afternoon I checked the USCIS on-line case status and his card was ordered. !! His EAD got approved!!

Did the Info pass have something to do? Who knows, his file were never touch until the same day of the appointment.

Ana

(c )(9 ) Based on the pending I-485.

(a )(6 ) is only used if you are applying for the EAD BEFORE filing the AOS, this costs $340, and for K-1 will result in a 90 day EAD card that expires 90 days after entry, and takes nearly 90 days to get. Essentially a useless EAD card.

SOMEONE......I need your help !!!please! ! I used the wrong code on my husband's I-765 application, he has a K-3 visa and we haven't received any RFE, but I want to do something before they do, we filled I-485 & I-765 together and I used category (a) (9) instead of © (9) and I have no idea what to do.

Anything I can still do? can they deny the work permit just for a letter?

Ana

At the same time as filing for AOS. As a K-3 holder filing for Adjustment of Status (AOS) you are eligible to file for an EAD at the same time. Your EAD packet can be filing along with your AOS packet and mailed together. You will file as category ©(9), "adjustment applicant"

HELLO EVERYONE IN COLOMBIA CLUB.

I HAVE AQUESTION, MY VISA IS A K3 AND WE ARE ALREADY WORKING ON PRICES FOR MY PLANE TICKETS.

DO WE HAVE TO BUY ROUND TRIP TICKETS OR ONE WAY TICKETS.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO ABOUT THIS? PLEASE HELP.

Hi Faith11

My husband came two months ago with a K-3 as well, go for the cheapest, ironically as I understand, round trip has a lower cost.

Ana

I apologise for the duplicate post (Colombia Club AOS)!!!!

Hi all, I have a question and am hoping that perhaps someone here has been in a similar situation. Sandy and I would like to travel to her hometown of Barranquilla, later this year. We had a difficult time exiting Bogota airport with her daughter as the document from the child's father was beyond the 60 day allowance (or so we where told). Sandy and I are both very nervous about traveling back to Colombia with the child, for fear of further complications at the airport when we exit Colombia again. Assuming she and her daughter both receive there AP document, my question is this:

We are now married and all AOS documents for Sandy and her daughter have been filed. Will we need another document from the father again to leave the country? Furthermore will this be a requirement every time we travel there???

The child is only 17 months old and the father has never been part of her life. We where able to get him to sign the initial removal document based on relieving him of his financial responsibility to the child, (had to get a lawyer for this).

Any clarification here would be greatly appreciated!

Hi Steve and Sandy

Yes, you will need a document from her dad every time the baby will leave Colombia, she's Colombian and will always have to deal with this, I got divorced when my daughter was just 3, my daughter was born here, we went back to Colombia after my divorce for 8 yrs, she has dual citizenship, her dad NEVER paid child support, I fell your frustration, it's very disappointing having to ask someone who had never care for your baby to sign a permit, BUT..... I learned that carrying an American passport you don't need this document from the parents at all, so what I did when I came back to live here in the US is that every time my daughter went to Colombia I sent her just with the American passport, and never again I had to deal with this issue again, unless she would stay for more than 3 months (that's another issue) when your wife becomes an US citizen, the baby will have an US passport at the same time and if things don't change, you guys won't have to deal with this anymore.

Good luck.... Ana

As for the multiple entries, I have the same thought....I'm just looking for verification. Thanks for the support!

Hi Parkpapa

Here is some information might help you clear your doubt, my husband is on a K-3 visa and "yes" he can leave as he please for 2 yrs until he gets his AOS approved.

13.6)...I just arrived in the United States as a K3, but if I have an emergency and need to return to my home country, can I return to the United States with no problems using my K3 visa? A..Yes. A K3/K4 is a multiple entry visa, and you may leave the United States and return using the same visa, even if you have applied for Adjustment of Status. Unlike a K1/K2, the K3/K4 does not need to obtain an "advance parole" document to reenter the United States, and applying for Adjustment of Status does not terminate the K3/K4 status.

Here is the link where you can find the information.

http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k3k4visa-enter.html

Good luck !!!

Ana & Juan

I spoke to soon. My wife received the 2x NOAs today, but when I search for them on the USCIS site it says that it can not find the cases. Has anyone else experienced this problem?

Thank you maviwaro and snoopy

Hi Matt.

I had read a few times in the forum that it's normal not to find your case on line before the Biometrics are done, so, I'm just going to wait a couple of weeks and will try again, I'll post it if it's how it works.

Ana & Juank

When I mailed my wife's AOS packet I made a mistake and did not request a delivery confirmation. Now I am checking my bank account each day waiting for the check to be cashed. How long does it normally take for USCIS to cash the check and send out a NOA? I sent the package on FEB 19. I'm just nervous that the package will not arrive there for some reason.

Hi Matt,

We sent our AOS on Feb 01, the check was cashed on the 11(Monday) but the funny thing is that the NOA1 is dated 02-08 (Friday), we got the letter on the 14, and the receipt for the money a day later, the 15. My husband had his biometrics this past Wednesday the 27.

I hope this can help you, my husband has a K-3 as well.

Good luck...... Ana & Juank

Hi Everyone...I finally have my AOS package in the mail. It turns out that b/c Oscar had his medical in January 2007, it was expired and he had to take another round of tests (HIV, SIF and TB) along with getting his vaccinations transferred to the right form. So we found a doctor here in Atlanta that did the whole thing for $125. This also gave me time to do my 2007 taxes and get the I-864 put together. Anyway...now the next leg of our journey begins.

I noticed that some of your spouses are getting Driver's Licenses. Oscar got his permit in December after 3 tries and yesterday he took his road test, but failed for driving too slow! And this guy drives a motorcycle like a maniac!! He's taking it again tomorrow.

Anyway, wish us luck.

Dre

Hi Andrea,

I noticed your husband arrived with a K-3 visa, I'm wondering how you guys got to have a Driver's permit if you don't have a SS# yet?

We sent our AOS package on Feb. 01 and it'll take a while before getting a work permit and then apply for a SS card. Here in California it's a MUST to have the SS before considering in applying for a D. License.

Thanks .......... Ana & Juank

So if anyone wants to get married before coming here, the CR1/IR1 visa is the way to go. Waiting less than 60 days to avoid the AOS fee and headache is worth it in my opinion, not to mention the getting a SS # hassle.

For me, I know the CR1 is hands down the best of the bunch, but all I cared about was getting my wife here quick. My attitude was the $1,000 was worth it for her to be here a month quicker. (It also let her know she was valued too. jeje)

Anyway, after I made the K3 decision I just quit reading. I was burnt out on reading about visas and doing paperwork. Now my question is: What are the SS# hassles and what are the other difficulties? Are there any surprises that I should know about? Is the AOS process really that bad?

I can 100% see how people wish they went K1. I know occasionally that bothered me seeing K1's get approved faster than K3's.

Hi Agentes

I couldn't agree more with you regarding $$$ Vs. having your honey here sooner, I checked around about the different types of visas and as you said, I stopped looking around, he's here with me and we didn’t have any problem in the process, we sent the AOS papers on Feb. 01. ( I hope things will go as good as the visa process did)

I think that as longest you have proofs (writing and pics) you shouldn't have any problems, we also have a plus in our process and that is that we had been married for 3 years, this means we won't have to go through the "remove of conditions" process.

I don't regret this process one bit, and I hope they won't take it away.\

Honestly I don't think its fear that as fiancé you get to have more privileges than an already husband/wife. I wish someone can give me a logic answer on this part.

Good luck to all....... Ana & Juank

We sent the AOS package today, I just hope everything turns out o.k, we checked the whole package like three times before sending it.

I'm praying we won't get a RFE.

Ana Juank

Does anyone have any tips regarding strategy on booking flights? I'll do some research of course but I thought maybe someone might have some ideas I should consider.

• What options do I have if I book the flights and then we are not approved on the 29th? Can the flights be changed? What is the fee?
• I don't have enough frequent flyer miles to buy 3 tickets. Can I use the miles I have and pay the balance with a credit card?
• Unless the fares are very high at the end of March (Easter week) that is when Bella and the kids will probably travel to the US.
• I will go down for the interview at the end of February and then return to accompany them home at the end of March. That means an extra ticket but I can't spare the time to go for the interview and then wait around for the visa unless I book the flights very close to the interview. That means if there is a snag in the visa delivery we have a problem.

Congratulations Bill, about time.

The best way to buy a cheap ticket? you need to shop around, check www.travelocity.com / www.expedia.com (month calendar displaying low fares) farecast.com (will predict if fare will drop of raise) and my favorite to check between different airlines www.seatgaru.com if you find a good deal with an airline, check that airline's web site too, sometimes they offer a lower fare, you might be lucky.

If you want to use your mileage, I believe you'll have to use the airline's web site.

Good luck..... Ana

and it went off without a hitch...except for us being HITCHED...

We would like to thank all of you for your friendships and support through all of this ...WE COULDN'T ASK FOR BETTER FRIENDS...

CONGRATULATIONS !!! Scott and Yenifer, you guys look great and happy on the pic. God bless your marriage.

Ana

I thought for sure we would hear about our interview appointment by today. It has been 3 1/2 weeks since we faxed in our response to package 3. So I waited on hold with DOS for 1 1/2 hours this morning until it finally dawned on me that they are not open today. It would have been nice if they told me that instead of telling me that my expected wait time was 15 minutes and please continue holding.

I'm sorry to heard that, I hope you get an answer this week, you guys had wait long enough.

Ana

I think similar questions have been asked before, but I could not find one that matched my exact situation.

Fernanda has her passport and visa with my last name. She has changed her name in Colombia, but she has not received a new Colombian ID card (cedula). Does anyone know if this will be a problem when she tries to leave? I thought she could just use her passport and that would be sufficient.

Hi Matt.

I can't really answer that question, I would suggest you ask Fernanda to go or call "EL DAS" (Immigration in Colombia), they are the ones who will determinate if she will be able to leave the country without having the "cedula" with the same last name, I assume that as longest she carries the marriage certificate she'll be fine, but the real thing is that in Colombia the wife doesn't take the husband's last name, if you want to be 100% sure, have her call "El Das" she definitely will need a "cedula" to leave Colombia, don’t play with fire.

Good luck.... Ana

Hi Ana,

I'm not sure about that... we went to the local public health department and paid for the booster Mària needed, $20. The paperwork transfer was completely free and the staff was extremely friendly. You might want to check it out in California.

Well... today the mail brought us her SS Card!! So that must mean that Lorena's is on its way...

Keep up the faith folks.

Thanks maviwaro.

I have a public health center close to where I live, I know they don't charge much for vaccinations, but, will they be able to transfer the information to the I-693A form without us taking the change of getting a RFE for it?. That will be cool.

Thanks.........Ana

Hi all.

I wanted to know if anyone here had use Dr. LE Arnold (from Texas) to do the vaccination’s transcript, from the overseas form to the I-693A.

My husband won't be here until the 29 of this month, he sent me an e-mail with the form and I'm thinking about using him to do the transcript and have it ready by the time he'll be here, I just need to know how long does it takes and how is the whole process, some kind of a review before considering him, that's why I haven't even called.

I live in Southern California, if someone knows a doctor who won't charge an arm and leg to do it, will be great too.

Thank you.

Ana