Damian&Kelly

Another internet couple here. Met on pokerstars.com over 4 years ago.

I was unemployed when my husband had his interview. I actually never held a job at that point. My dad co-sponsored for us and we had no problem at all. They didn't even read over my I-134. They just put it aside and looked at my dad's. They asked for his pay check stubs and Tax transcripts. And all was good. London is only worried about the I-134 and sponsorship. And co-sponsor is good enough for them.

Just to ease your mind, tho I don't recommend it! My husband came May 2008 and we didn't apply for AOS until March 2009 and it got approved no problem, no RFE and my husbands medical was even expired. I'm still shocked.

The sooner the better and also the sooner you apply the sooner he will get approved and also the sooner he can become a US citizen. We wish we didn't wait because it was almost a waste of a whole year but we didn't have the money to apply.

Congrats to everyone!! Everything's going so quickly which is great to see!

Emma, Bucks County, not too far from me. Looking like table games will be coming soon, Hubby's looking into going to school to become a dealer, start at $40,000.

Another vote for Gatlinsburg, TN! That's where we went! It was beautiful! and We're thinking about going back next spring. We had our own private cabin with 2 Hot tubs and a pool table for cheaper then a hotel! We also saved loads because we had a kitchen so we spent the whole week cooking together.

Another one is Poconos, PA. Though I'm only an hours drive from there, we choose to drive 8 hours to TN, because TN was half the price.

My husband had no problem with EAD. Just needed EAD, Passport, Social Security Card/Number, Marriage Certificate, and 2 letters to prove residence. We just used bank statement with his name and address and the NOA which had his name and address also. They didn't argue when we had EAD tho everything I read said that he could get his license with the NOA, which is not the case for PA.

They were also very rude at the Harrisburg office! Kept telling my husband he was going to be deported. He had no clue what a K-1 was or what AOS was and was clueless about my husband's NOA for AOS. Just didn't like not knowing what's going on so just acted like he knew more then us. When I walked in with a huge folder of papers proving he's here legally and in the process of getting his green card. So much hassle! But yes EAD does work as proof.

AHH Sunday Roast!!

Now I can't wait to get back! Already told my husband I want a Gregg's Pasty a day and I'm happy. But now I added Sunday Roasts, Chip shop chips, Hula Hoops, Wheat Crunchies... and the list gos on!

We also have an "Irish" shop close which is very over priced but made my husband smile. Got him some Heinz beans, marmite, tea, and sweets of course.

We have haribo here but not the ones I liked in England, I can't find the strawbs here.

I actually live in Harrisburg, and been to penndot, not a good thing! It's a mess there. My husband went to get a PA Photo ID when he got here on the K-1, Well the K-1 had expired, I mean the I-94 expired, and we had the NOA from AOS. The man had no idea at all and told my husband he was here illegally, though we got married in 90 days and filed for AOS. So in conclusion you do need EAD to get a PA photo ID or a PA License/Permit.

PA has good and bad points.. Good: You can drive on your foreign license for 1 year. Bad: you can't get a PA license/ID without your EAD.

PA is one that wants to make sure you have legal status for either 1 year or 6 months, I forget which they told us. I do know that your I-94 has to be good for over 90 days.

As for the bank account, Here in PA, you can open a bank account just so you have a SSN, though it might vary from bank to bank. We just had trouble opening one because my husband had only one form of PA ID, They didn't want to except UK passport, green card, EAD, UK license... I had to argue with the guy. though he finally excepted his Green card and PA ID card but never asked for his SSN.

I'm in this same position, and every time I go to the UK I get hassled and held. Would taking my husband (UKC) in the non uk line cause a problem or make things easier?

Also do I have to change my name on my passport or can I just bring my marriage certificate?

Thanks.

Yes, everyone needs a police certificate from all the countries they lived for more than 6 months I believe. Not including the US.

You will need the I-134 for both you and your mother (co-sponsor)

Along with 3 years tax returns (W2s)

Letter from employer: stating what position, how long and salary

Pay check stubs

Bank statement

And also Birth certificate or passport to prove US citizenship

No payment is needed with the I-134.. The visa costs $131 at the interview.

You will also need

Proof of Relationship: Pictures, Passport stamps, Ticket stubs, etc..

An updated letter of intent from both of you.

Following his return to the UK:

He will need to get a police certificate : costs about 35GBP and takes about 2 weeks

He'll have to book a medical and get all his vaccinations

He will have to complete packet 3 and return DS forms right away and checklist when he's ready for an interview.

I wish you the best of luck!

I'm sorry to hear about your wife's accident, but am glad she's recovering.

As for the AOS, It's a lot easier than it looks. But with all the stresses of not being able to work and now your wife I understand how you feel.

You will need to fill out a new G-325A so it's updated. Seeing as you're married now and also your address is now here in the US.

As for the affividait of support, for the K-1 it was the I-134 but for AOS you need the I-864. But all the supporting documents are the same just you need most updated. : Letter from employer, Tax Returns (W2s) for 3 years, Pay check stubs, bank statement, and a copy of the birth certificate or passport.

The updated letter of intent only needs to be notarized if your interview takes place more than 4 months after the NOA2.

Sorry for the confusion.. The DS papers need sent back right away and the police certificate is valid 1 year.. I meant the I-134 and supporting documents. I'm sorry about that.

Also, though you probably don't want to think about it now, All the documents you need for the I-134 will work well for the I-864 when it comes time for AOS. I sent the same things with my I-864 just got updated letters and pay check stubs and had no problems at all. (even left out the letter from employer) Just thought I'd give the heads up because honestly I wish I looked into the AOS process while doing the K-1 because it would have saved me some time.

I believe you just need the updated letter of intent from the petitioner notarized. Please someone correct me if I'm wrong?! Keep in mind you'll want to wait to collect all the forms until closer to the time of the interview. Since he's coming in Feb gives you a good time to collect everything and prepare! I hope everything works out perfectly for the 2 of you and I wish you both the best of luck!!

London is by far more worried about the I-134 and supporting documents then the supporting documents of your ongoing relationship.

And also are more worried about the co-sponsor(when needed) then the sponsor(petitioner). They asked my husband for my I-134 then when told we had a co-sponsor just put mine aside, didn't even read through it and asked for our co-sponsor's I-134 (my dad). They also asked for the most recent tax return, 3 pay check stubs, and a letter from his employer. My husband also had 2 more years of tax returns, bank statement, and birth certificate all from my dad. I didn't have a job so didn't supply any other documents with my I-134 besides my birth certificate. As for Question 10 or 11: On my I-134 I put I do not intend, because I couldn't support my husband at the time and my dad put I do intent and then put room and board and necessities. London won't except the I-134 with i do not intend on the main sponsor's.

The smoking question is no big deal at all, seeing as my husband is a full time smoker and answered truthfully and had no problems at all.

As for the self harm, I wouldn't ever lie, but if you didn't have treatment, they have no proof that you self harmed at all. Unless they see the scars and question it. Honesty is the best policy tho, I've seen a few people have to go to further doctors after the medical to double check they won't self harm again.

I wish you the best of luck!

EAD when filed with AOS ($1010) is free well included in that $1010. When filed alone it's another $300+ dollars.

Congratulations!!

AOS is so much easier, not to mention better since you're together!

Doing well. Our next trip back is in sight so really looking forward to that and we're actually planning on moving back in a few years. My husband's really missing home, and I love England myself and can't wait!

How have you been doing? and adjusting?

I miss Greggs Cheese and Onion Pasties loads! I perfected my own. But they don't come close to Greggs. Where's that 'Bring Greggs to the US' petition?!

As for other English food, what I'd do for some chip shop chips and the bread! I found crumpets at a local shop and found some of the sweets, tea, marmite and heinz baked beans.

I told my husband that we're going to bring a suitcase home full of crisps, bread and cans of beans when we go back.

When filing for AOS ($1010) the AP and EAD can be filed with the AOS for free.

I believe that your Daughter is automatically a USC because you're her father? You have to register with the US. Maybe I'm wrong.

I'm unsure of how long you have to send in the paperwork they ask for. I always thought the sooner the better. My husband waited like 3 days and sent everything back together.

London is pretty easy when it comes to relationship proof, most people get asked a few questions but they don't even ask to see proof. When my husband had his interview, he had a huge folder of pictures, train tickets, booking passes, chat logs, and they didn't ask to see anything. They were more concerned that he'd be supported when he got here (I-134).

Wendy and John:

You mail just the forms they ask for (DS-230, 156, 156K etc) right away and then when you have everything on the checklist, you mail the checklist itself back. They will schedule an interview once they have the checklist. The checklist just states that you're ready for an interview. All the supporting documents (Birth certificate, police certificate, I-134, Passport etc...) get taken to the interview with you.

I think London stepped up some, and it's not taking near as long as it was. But I'm unsure. It's so unpredictable at times.

Just so you know Lesly, If you came to the US now and they turned you away, it wouldn't hurt your visa at all. But once the visa is in hand you can't come to the US without using it which means there's no turning back.

Best of luck to everyone and I hope London keeps speeding up!

First off I wanted to clarify, when holding onto packet 3, You still have to send in all the paper work they ask for and just hold onto the checklist.

As for the extending the NOA2, I believe it's automatic, but I'm unsure. and Yes, it doesn't say any where you need a notarized up to date letter of intent, but almost every interview I've seen that took place more than 4 months after NOA2 were required to have a notarized up to date letter of intent. Please keep in mind, if your holding the checklist, make sure all your paperwork is collected and dated as close to sending the checklist as possible.

As for working when you get here, I believe JFK airport still gives out the temp EAD stamp which allows work right away, I maybe wrong. but other then that you have to wait til you apply for AOS, and EAD (work permit) which is after the wedding, at the minute it's only taking about 1 month to get the EAD approved, but who knows what it will be like next year. It's so unpredictable!