misspkm

This might seem like a strange question to many of you, but I really don't know the answer to this. Or I might just make it more complicated that what it is.

I am going home for a long wanted visit to Sweden. I miss it SO MUCH! I'll be spending 3 1/2 weeks with my family and friends and I am going to enjoy every single minute of it. My questions:

- My passport has my maiden name on it, so my ticket is booked with that name. Do I need to bring my marriage certificate for re-entry to the US?

- Do I need to bring my I-94 for my departure?

- Is there anything else I haven't even thought of asking?

Thanks guys!

with no more jobs to offer, professionel with degrees who had their jobs shipped to india now working McDonald's jobs, no health care for their citizens, the country going down with trillion$$$ in national debt. Unhapiness among the US population is skyrocketing compares to other nations. Over spending on luxuries we can't afford and greedy corporations who back us up with sub-prime loans, growing gap between the struggling middle class and the riches, the exhausting rat race for having more stuff than the Joneses now become a race just to stay above the water, broken families and children idolazing studid rock stars and models over their prozac filled parents who are drowned in credit card debt and over valued estates, China loaning us money so we can buy their own produced ####### at Walmart who hires illegal workers at discounted salaries.

Is it the end for our beautiful USA?

Well, no life isn't a dream right now... but I feel that you are experience "the grass is always greener on the other side". Yes, as immigrants to the US we are always going to compare it to what we left behind. But what we leave behind is also going to change.. I am sure that you will find that Canada is struggle right now too, just as the rest of the world.

I haven't lost my job, my home, or my life. So there are still people out there that are doing good.

I hope you can find a little glow of light somewhere to lift up your spirit. And Good luck to you.

Hi all! Long time no speak.

The reason behind this is that a single journey costs about twice as much as a round trip which I assume is because with business travel etc the journey may be open ended so they know that people will pay it whatever the price. Thanks for your help!

I found a one way ticket that was cheaper than the round trip. But Now I almost wish that I would have booked a round trip - going back maybe a year later... The reason is because the tickets to US from Sweden are cheaper than the tickets to Sweden from US. But I don't know how it is in your case. If you are planning to go home and visit after a year in the US than you might want to book a round trip, but it is just a suggestion...

Good luck with everything!

http://www.marriedtoamerica.blogspot.com

I have been blogging for my family in Sweden ever since I moved here in May 2008 so they can follow my everyday life, it is really nice! But I felt that I was not reaching out to everyone, something was missing...

- I figured it out... I need a blog for you guys! I need to share my experiences with you too, because sometimes you feel so lonely in your new situation (at least I do). I think that you guys are the only one that can really understand what it is like to leave your family and previous life behind you, because you have done it too... or are married to one that has. And I think that we all need some support!

I am writing about my new life in the States. I make observations about life and put a very personal twist to it.

I am sure as time passes by and I get more and more things written down you will be able to recognize feelings and thoughts about living in a new country with new people!

Please visit it sometime and don't hesitate to post comments on it.

http://www.marriedtoamerica.blogspot.com

Sounds Perfect!!

Hello you guys!

I just received a letter saying that our case has been moved to the California Service Center.

This is after I sent in a REF regarding some tax and income information that I had totally missed.

Does this mean that the REF was OK ? Or is this a bad thing??

When I was going through the K-1 process it was the Vermont Service Center...

Any comments?

Thank you all!

Thank you!!

Love you guys! So quick and so smooth... Don't know what I would do without you!!!

Thank you again

Hello there.

So far my experience with this whole K-1 process and now AOS process have been all good; up until today.

I received a REF saying that I did not fill out the I-485 properly, and off course they did not put what was missing in there. Now I am worried about it.

My questions are:

What is my USCIS status? - My K-1 accordingly to the I-94 was expired on Aug 21, 2008 am I still considered a K-1 status??? Or am I something else. In my mind I am nothing right now - just married to a USC. Please help.

Next question under "list your present husband/wife, kids..."

Should I list my husband, and is he then applying with me or not??? A bit confused here. He is a USC and does not have a A#... Please help.

Appreciate quick answers!! I am scared...

Thank's guys

I just have to live through this I guess...

This may not have anything to do with your question, but does your future employer know that you won't have your EAD in about 3 months or so? Just as a heads up.

Diana

No, I guess I just figured this out... But I am suppose to start on Monday... I'll have to be honest with them..

I just dying to hear that I can get around this some how, but it doesn't seem like it.. I read that there are extended authorizations... but nothing on how to get it.

My husband just had a surgery and is off work for 6 months - aka - no income.

I am just about to cry.. I can't believe that I missed this!

And I just got the best job ever - with great pay and benefits.. but I can't take it...

I thought Social security wanted to collect tax money as soon as they could?!

When I read stuff on the social security website there are so many different ways.. it is nothing this is right and this is wrong... It makes me frustrated.

Thank you guys anyway..

Please keep answering my questions - I want as many answers as I can get - even though they might all be the same.

I don't know but I think I am about to make a big misstake...

My K-1 visa expired in late august, but we haven't been able to afford paying for the green card until I got a job - And now I am about to start on monday... I thought that now that I am married it is ok? Or is that wrong?

I just sent in the AOS papers with the EAD today - hoping that I can pay it off with my upcoming paychecks.

Really I am not a K-1 visa holder anymore... just married to a USC

What should I do?

How long did it take for you guys to get your EAD?

Was it correct to send the whole package to the Chicago PO box?

Thank you guys!!

I want to change my name... no questions about it.

I will still have my family with or without their name!

I am just about to go through the whole SSN and AOS thing and I'm not 100% sure how I do this.. where do I change my name.. can I do it at the same time as I file for all of this? And if so is it just to put his name as lastname and attach a copy of the marrage license?

Have a good one everyone!

I am so glad that there are so many that have done this process before me.. I don't feel as lonley!!

Ohh you got married! CONGRATULATONS!

Thank you!!

Yeah it feels like 7th heaven!!

I see that you guys are going to see each other again pretty soon..

The best of luck to you both!!

When you file your AOS you can change your last name into your husband's so with filing your SSN so that you don't have to go back to SSN office many times. I guess you have to go to a loca SSN office near you or you can apply on-line for your SSN number.

Thanks!

But do I need to file for my SSN before I even start the AOS thing then???

I am all lost here it feels like..

You don't need the ss number to file AOS. The number will be usefull if you want to open a bank account or get a drivers license with a valid I-94. You can apply for the number later if you wish, when you get your EAD.

Ok.. cool.. so can I still put my husbands last name on my AOS application now then?

I will go to a local SSN office to apply for the SSN card and then I send in the AOS to a USCIS service center.. right?!? Do they charge a fee for the SSN or is it just the AOS that costs?

Thank's again.. and sorry for being so confused.

When you file your AOS you can change your last name into your husband's so with filing your SSN so that you don't have to go back to SSN office many times. I guess you have to go to a loca SSN office near you or you can apply on-line for your SSN number.

Thanks!

But do I need to file for my SSN before I even start the AOS thing then???

I am all lost here it feels like..

Hi!!!

I just got married to my wonderful husband and I am so happy!!! But I am not looking forward to the next paperwork process.. It feels like I don't understand this one as good as the K-1 process.

Here are some of my concerns:

I want to take my husbands last name. DO I change that now or do I have to file everything with my maiden name first and then file for a new SSN card? Or can I just attach a copy of my marrage licence right away?

Is it correct that I send my SSN papers to one place and my AOS' to another?

Hope one of you guys can help me!

Take care and have a wonderful night!

Seems like a normal set of mixed reactions to me. We've still got a few months to get through (all being well I hope to move the last week of August) and my emotions are all over the place too. It's hard to leave so much behind. You'll be fine. Just remember to breathe.

Thank You for your words... and Good Luck to the both of you!!!

Hello everyone!!

Looks like most of us has made progress.. I am so happy!!

I am moving on friday to live with my honey!! Just wanted to share my thoughts and feelings with all of you "pre moving"..

-I am excited to be with my Paul on a day to day basis now! We can finally start a real life together!!

-I am very sad to leave my family and friends behind.

-I am always wondering about the next step with the AOS

-When am I going to see these people at home again?!

-Are we ever going to move to Sweden?!

-Will I be happy in the US?!

-I love HIM!!!!

-We are getting married soon and my dress isn't even picked out yet!

-How can I cook for 70 people coming to the wedding?!

-How do I display food for 70 people?

All these feelings are so messed up. How can I be happy, excited, scared, sad, worried, at the same time?!?! It does not make any sens to me.. I can barely control my feelings anymore... and then I have a fiance who doesn't really care about the whole wedding stuff - he just want to have a fun party. Everything combined just drives me crazy!!!

Hopefully everything will all be ok in the end.

As many have pointed out from various experiences, its better to be prepared and NOT need it, rather than the other possibility. Think of the scrapbook as a keepsake from your efforts of immigration and moving. Don't just toss it aside as if it were a waste. Sorry to hear that the medical expenses were high, but I guess its just another hurdle to jump in order to be with your loved one. We all are making sacrifices, glad to hear yours were worth the trouble.

Yeah I know.. And off course I am glad I did the scrapbook -now I can show everyone at least a little bit of our times together! It is a really good memory!

It is just the stress you go through in order to get everything right.. and then they don't really care that much (it seems) in the end anyway. Money is just money.. it is just that we have a lot of it going out and not as much coming in at the moment... but time will change! And at least we will be together soon!! Thank you for your words.

Hello everyone..

I just wanted to share my story with you about my interview and medical.

I had the interview april 24th and my interview april 25th (yes that was ok).

Ok... here goes.

As I said my interview was on april 24th and everything went just fine..

I was inside the embassy for maybe an hour.. first I got to talk to a swedish girl who checked that I had all the papers that they needed such as: Receipt for the visa fee, passport, photos, I-134, and proof that my fiance had a job (only cared about the letter that his employer had written, not the W2's, paystubs or anything like that). And then I had to sit down again... and about 30 minutes later I got called up again to an american and he asked me how we met and for how long we had accually been together physically. Then that was it... Now they just need the medical from the doctor..

What made me pissed is that I worked on a very nice scrapbook from our times together for days!! And they didn't even take a look at it... didn't even ask for proofs..

The Medical is what pissing me off... now don't get me wrong.. I am all for bringing healthy people into the country.. but this medical was basically for people who don't have a working health care system - Not for me!! I already had everything I needed.. there have not ben an TB case in my country for ages - yet I have to pay $85 for an x-ray, another $85 for the HIV test.. COME ON!! What are the chanses for that?!?!?! and then $250 for the doctor to just go through my medical history... and fill in the blanks on a piece of paper... I know a bunch of people who could have done that for a piece of chocolate!!! A well.. it wasn't really time to argue the prize.. but it was brutal.. what are you guys paying for this stuff?? I just think it is time to change some of these rutines.. make them "normal" to us.

A well... I am happy that I am on my way. Booked my ticket for May 23rd.. so I have a few weeks now to say goodbye to people.. it is going to be hard - I don't know when I am going to see some of these people again.. huh..

Have a nice day everyone!!

Hey everyone!!!

Since We are all pretty much in the same stage of this process I was wondering if any one of you know what the Optional Form 167 is for... It said it was enclosed in the packet (3) I received but I can't find it. I printed out a OF-167 from the internet but there is nothing to sign.. or anything.. Do you guys have any idea what it is?

It is under the check box for Evidence of support..

Good luck to you all..

So happy for you Laura... now you can start with the wedding planning for real!!!

I just have to ask if anyone who got approved received the letter from the embassy??

I already received it! Isn't that crazy???

But what do I do.. I am still in the States?? Should I try to change my ticket and go home so I can come back sooner?? Please advise me!

Good Luck everyone with getting approved

My heart goes out to everyone who is still waiting for an approval.

Be strong - just think you are getting MARRIED THIS YEAR!!!

Just thinking about that makes me so excited!!!

Anyone have an input on some nice wedding ideas for a civil wedding?!

I'm sure you two are going to have a fantastic weekend!!! I hope this good fortune will follow you throughout the rest of this process.

Thank you so much!!

I am having my fingers crossed for everyone out there too!!!

I know you ALL deserve an approval NOW!! To wait is hard, but to wait and be apart is even harder, I am lucky that I could drop everything at home to be with my man during the wait. But I guess the wait isn't really over yet but I feel excited about the future now that we have gotten one step closer.

I even bought a new pair of shoes just now.. I felt like I had to celebrate a bit for myself before my honey gets home from work.

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Wow! Congratulations, that is simply amazing!

Thank you!!!

I am in chock!! It is like everything is just spinning around me...

I really have to cellebrate today!!

WOW.. my babe is getting a big kiss today!!!

-Yes I am visiting him while we are waiting.. I am probably going to get the letter from the embassy before I even get home to Sweden (April 7th) But that is ok I am just so :D right now I can't really put it to words.

Who knows how long I had to wait if I didn't have you guy to help me - THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!