nathandace

Good Luck!

Hi to all,

I sent off our I-130 today and started our Visa journey. Anyone else mailing theirs this week good luck to you and wish me well also. I used an attorney through Catholic Charities immigration law clinic. Their fees are based on your income. It is an hours drive from my home but to get help with this process it is well worth the drive. My husband and I have 2 problems we needed to address. First there is a huge age difference and second I married him close to when I divorced my ex-husband. The lawyer advised us both to write letters describing our relationship, how we met, etc. We also sent pictures of us together during my first visit, wedding pictures that also include his family, phone bills, emails and letters from friends. I had friends come to my house at different times to meet and talk to him on the web cam. I was legally separated from my ex-husband for 3 years and I sent a copy of my Judgment of Separate Maintenance as proof along with the actual divorce papers.

Now that the I-130 is in the mail I can relax and let God do the rest.

I forgot to mention the lawyer feels that in our case it is very important that I go to his interview so I will be making my third trip to Pakistan when the time comes.

I have heard of some people leaving it blank, printing the form with the info that fits in the boxes, and then neatly hand writing the information that does not fit in black ink. Im not 100% sure, but if you're able to confirm this info...then it may be useful to you. Dont quote me on that though. As I am having a similar situation.

Um I had to do a "supplemental sheet" with each bio form and attach it to the form. We can put people on the moon but cannot design a form that automatically adds a line. That's too hard.

Hi everyone,

currently having a problem with the new bio form that parents dates of birth over run the box and get truncated. My plan to overcome this was to write the dates of birth in the cover letter?

Has anyone else experienced this problem?

Regards,

Arch

hey all,

I'm getting ready to send off my AOS applications, hopefully everything will be said and done before the end of this week, beginning of next. I'm quite excited about that. Although I do have a question about my employment. I left work for a two month vacation with my fiance at the time prior to the interview for my visa (I ended up cutting my trip short to come back to canada for my interview, thats when I got my letter). My boss said I would still have my position available to me upon my arrival home, when I met with him before I left canada. I saw my boss when I got back to canada regarding my job, and explained that I had my Visa interview and would let him know the outcome. Either way I would be comming back to work if there was a waiting period involved after my interview. At this time to my knowledge, my position was still there. He did not say otherwise. That was the agreement between my boss and I. At my Interview, they asked about my job. I told them that I was still employed, and that I was suppose to meet with my boss upon my arival home, but then I had my interview so I will be seeing him again afterwords. That I was a cashier, etc. After the interview I called my fiance, my dad and my boss to let them know that my visa was approved. I told my boss the answer that I had said regarding my job at the interview, and confirmed that I would come back to work for the waiting period (if I had one) as per our agreement. He said that he had put my termination papers through when I had left in April for my vacation, because he assumed that I was not going to come back, because everything was going well for me. I was a little upset about that, but he said that if the USCIS contacted him that is what he would be telling them. So, on my AOS application my employment dates will be different from the ones I confirmed at the interview. I was wondering if this would be a problem when my applications are submitted, and when it comes time for the AOS interview? Have any of you been in a similar situation? or am I just worrying too much?

wow! that's crazy. Thanks for taking the time to respond!

Don't worry about the date so much. Numerous peoople have waited 1, 2, even 3 years to file AOS for whatever reason and were approved without any issues. USCIS understands that everybody's situation is different. $1010 is not a couple bucks, some people don't have the money to file. So they wait. Being out of status isn't a big deal as long as you don't come in contact with immigration.

My neighbor has been out of status since 1991, so she's been in the US illegally for 18 years. She finally had a hearing and with the help of a lawyer, a judge granted her a greencard based on her brother's I-130.

Thanks for you input thepizzadude. It was very helpful for me as well. the only reason I am using lawyers again is because my brother in law is in the military (he is our co signer), and my husband was in the military at the time. I had no way to get the forms and information to them so that they would be able to fill it in themselves, and my lawyers have everything on file. It was the most logical solution at the time. As of right now everything is rolling quite smoothly and on time. Im quite optimistic that everything will be submitted well in advance to my date. The only thing I would be relying on at this time would be the postal service. That was my biggest concearn and part of the reason why I was inquiring about the date in the first place. I just wanted to have a general idea of what to expect. You know? as a worst case scenario. Wthout any serious action being involved...because i definately do want to be considered out of status. As I said earlier, thank you everyone for your help!

Thank You!

hi all,

you all have been very helpful to me, but i still have more questions regarding my AOS application. for those of you who dont know... i was married on july 17. my fiance left for basic training on july 21, so I retained my lawyers again (so it would be done right) they began filling in my applications, my husbands, and his brothers (who is our co-signer). my issue is that my stamp in my passport/visa is for Oct 12. my lawyers just told me today(retained again on aug 17)that I need to book a medical(the medical place closest to here said take about two weeks for an appointment), and get more passport photos. Thats fine and all, and I understand why it has to be done. But I also have to allow for mailing time, you know? I guess my question is will anything happen if I go over the OCT 12 stamp in my passport/visa? is there some sort of extension? Is there anything that I can do? any help would be appreciated. thank you!

1. You do not need to "book a medical" if you already had a medical exam in Canada before your K1 interview. Most civil surgeons I have come across unnecessarily require you to take a 2nd medical exam to add to the lining in their pockets. You simply need a vaccination supplement on the I-693 filled out by a civil surgeon. Dr. L E Arnold in Texas will do that via mail for $30.
2. Regarding the "stamp on your visa", I assume you are talking about the date that occurs 90 days after your entry. You must marry before that date and would be wise to file AOS before that date or shortly afterwords as well. There is no extension.

rsn,

thank you for your advice. yes i had a medical exam in canada before my K1 interview. all my vaccinations are up to date, except for my third HPV shot (which I cant get until the end of this month)whats does a vaccination suppliment mean? this is the form my lawyers have given me to take with me once I book a second medical.

yes, that is what I was referring to. I left Canada on July 14, and my stamp is Oct 12. I am married already, have retained my lawyers again, and they have begun filling in the forms like i said, but my lawyers cant do anything further until i get a new set of passport photos to them, along with this medical information. as far as i know everything should be submitted by Oct 12, but just incase...what time frame would 'shortly after' consist of? just so i can have a general idea and not worry as much.

has anyone else been in a similar situation? or exceeded thier time line? if so would you be able to share experiences with me?

You might want to think hard about why you have a lawyer. Is your case unusual? If not, you can do this all yourself. You will end up doing it yourself anyway I suspect just to make sure your lawyer is making the right choices. I can't imagine what a lawyer is charging you on top of the $1010 fee you have to pay to USCIS. Save your money unless there is some compelling reason why you need lawyer for your case. AOS seems simple enough so I can't, offhand, fathom why one might be needed in your case.

As long as your vaccinations are up to date by the time you file, you should be fine. Like I said, you don't need to book a second medical. Have a look at the guides for K1 immigrants adjusting status.

I can't give you a safe "shortly after" date. Maybe a few days, who knows. Your status at that point is a little murky as far as I can tell, but I suspect if you don't file before that date you are out of status. Furthermore, your NOA1 is probably the only hard proof (aside from maybe a canceled check) that USCIS has accepted your app. I'm sure others have filed after this date without a problem, but I wouldn't take any chances, personally.

hi all,

you all have been very helpful to me, but i still have more questions regarding my AOS application. for those of you who dont know... i was married on july 17. my fiance left for basic training on july 21, so I retained my lawyers again (so it would be done right) they began filling in my applications, my husbands, and his brothers (who is our co-signer). my issue is that my stamp in my passport/visa is for Oct 12. my lawyers just told me today(retained again on aug 17)that I need to book a medical(the medical place closest to here said take about two weeks for an appointment), and get more passport photos. Thats fine and all, and I understand why it has to be done. But I also have to allow for mailing time, you know? I guess my question is will anything happen if I go over the OCT 12 stamp in my passport/visa? is there some sort of extension? Is there anything that I can do? any help would be appreciated. thank you!

1. You do not need to "book a medical" if you already had a medical exam in Canada before your K1 interview. Most civil surgeons I have come across unnecessarily require you to take a 2nd medical exam to add to the lining in their pockets. You simply need a vaccination supplement on the I-693 filled out by a civil surgeon. Dr. L E Arnold in Texas will do that via mail for $30.
2. Regarding the "stamp on your visa", I assume you are talking about the date that occurs 90 days after your entry. You must marry before that date and would be wise to file AOS before that date or shortly afterwords as well. There is no extension.

rsn,

thank you for your advice. yes i had a medical exam in canada before my K1 interview. all my vaccinations are up to date, except for my third HPV shot (which I cant get until the end of this month)whats does a vaccination suppliment mean? this is the form my lawyers have given me to take with me once I book a second medical.

yes, that is what I was referring to. I left Canada on July 14, and my stamp is Oct 12. I am married already, have retained my lawyers again, and they have begun filling in the forms like i said, but my lawyers cant do anything further until i get a new set of passport photos to them, along with this medical information. as far as i know everything should be submitted by Oct 12, but just incase...what time frame would 'shortly after' consist of? just so i can have a general idea and not worry as much.

has anyone else been in a similar situation? or exceeded thier time line? if so would you be able to share experiences with me?

hi all,

you all have been very helpful to me, but i still have more questions regarding my AOS application. for those of you who dont know... i was married on july 17. my fiance left for basic training on july 21, so I retained my lawyers again (so it would be done right) they began filling in my applications, my husbands, and his brothers (who is our co-signer). my issue is that my stamp in my passport/visa is for Oct 12. my lawyers just told me today(retained again on aug 17)that I need to book a medical(the medical place closest to here said take about two weeks for an appointment), and get more passport photos. Thats fine and all, and I understand why it has to be done. But I also have to allow for mailing time, you know? I guess my question is will anything happen if I go over the OCT 12 stamp in my passport/visa? is there some sort of extension? Is there anything that I can do? any help would be appreciated. thank you!

Technically, there is no 'deadline' to filing AOS, however once the I-94 expires your spouse is out of status and can be deported. As well, the more 'out of status' dates they collect the greater the consequences. Once they reach 180 out of status days if they leave the US - even with an advance parole - they will incur a 3 year ban and not be allowed back to the US. A year's worth of out of status days and that ban becomes 10 years of not being allowed back into the US. The whole time your partner is out of status they are 'at risk'. Once the application is filed they are again in status as "AOS applicants'. So, it is better to file sooner rather than later. Even though the fee is expensive it really needs to be one of your highest priorities.

My I-94 expires Oct 12, 2009. The reason why I am asking is my husband is doig his Basic Military Training and I have not heard from him yet, and Im not sure when he gets his first phone call to give me his address so I can send him the forms that he needs to fill in. I know he will be done his training Sept 21 so that would be the last possible date that I would wait until to send it in. I am planning on sending the AOS in sooner than that though. I just want to cover all my bases so to speak, and have options just incase. you know?

Hey All,

I was wondering if anyone knew what the latest possible time would be to apply for an AOS? I heard that it should be no longer than the date stamped in your passport. Was wondering if anyone knew if this was true or not?

Hey all,

Another quick question... All this information which you all have clairified for me is they way that the visa holder should be filling in these forms right? I'm the one who was issued the visa. Sorry Im overwhelmed. lol. Just wanted to clairify. Thanks!

Well I (the USC spouse) filled all of Karin's in for her - just being helpful I guess - they are from your point of view though (the foreign spouse). Except the I-864, it is from the USC/Spouse/Sponsor's point of view.

Thank you very much for your help! I appreciate it:)

Thank you furiousng for your help! I have a few more questions in responce to the information you have given me. For the Address C/O in Part 1, am I writing his name, and then the contact infomation? is that what you meant when you said 'your husband'? I would also like to clairify that I am suppose to fill in a new G-325A for myself, and not to use the previous one? I am the one who was issued the Visa.

C/O (Care of) is for people sharing a common receptacle (mailbox), they must use the address of the receptacle's owner and the "care of" address format:

JOHN DOE

C/O ROBERT SMITH

123 APPLE WAY

(According to USPS)

When you say 'previous' ones (as in previous forms) - you're referring to copies of ones you submitted before? (If so, fill out new ones.)

So I would fill in the first section of my form with my name and put my husbands in the C/O? Were staying with his parents. And yes when I say previous forms I am referring to the ones that I have sent in for the K1 application prior to my visa being issued.

Hey all,

Another quick question... All this information which you all have clairified for me is they way that the visa holder should be filling in these forms right? I'm the one who was issued the visa. Sorry Im overwhelmed. lol. Just wanted to clairify. Thanks!

I wish you the best.

Thank you KKHoliday!

I have finally made it to the US, and beginning to settle in. I was married on July 17, and my hubby left for his BMT with the Air Force on the 21st. It's was sad that he had to leave so soon, but we're thrilled that we are finally together at last! We're so happy! Now that things have finally settled down for us I began looking into the AOS application process. I have some questions. I was wondering if anyone who has been through this process already would be willing to help me out? I would greatly appreciate it.

1. I am located in CA for the time being, but the instructions state for K-1 fiance/I 129F applicants to send the AOS application to Chicago, IL lock box. Is this correct? Yes

2.Forms G-325A. Do I send both mine&my husbands? and would we be sending in the copies that we submitted earlier on in the process (to obtain the visa)? or should I be filling in new ones? Only yours as you not filing 1-130. Just include a copy of your 1-129f approval. Fill new ones as they have to be signed and dated

3.Form I 864. same question, do I submit copies of ones already submited ? or fill in new ones? Or if information has been updated would I submit the I 864 that was previously submitted with the new one as well? Unless he changed jobs, the info will remain the same. Just add recent pay stubbs and letter from employer.

4.What for are the USCIS looking for when they ask for the fiance petition approval? and am I suppose to detach the I 94 from my passport to be sent in? NOA 2 for i-129f. NO make a xerox copy of the i-94 and attach to the AOS application.

5.Do I use copies of the police clearance,vaccinations from the medical, and birth certificates that were submitted earlier for the AOS application? or am I required to get new ones? Police clearance not needed anymore (check though I may be wrong). If k1 medical is less than a year, have civil surgeon transcribe vaccination supplement onto i-693. Xerox of birth certificates are fine

My next set of questions have to do with filling in the AOS form itself

1.What do I put in for the section that says: Address C/O in Part 1? Your husband

2. for social serurity (also in part 1) would I put N/A or none? None unless you have been issued with one.

3.What do they mean by A#, will be issued one for AOS write none Date of Last arrival (would that be my trip out to be married?), depends on if that was the date you last passed a POE into the US Current USCIS status,K1 Expires on (is that the date on the 1 94 or the visa?)I-94

4.What do they mean by In what status did you last enter (would that be the type of visa I have?) in Part 3A. Yes

5. What is a Nonimmigrant Visa Number? The red number on your visa

6.in Part 3B. since I am married now, would I put my husbands information in there? If so what does the form mean if he is applying with me? Put no

Lastly I am at a different address that the information that was on my forms at the time of my interview (JULY 8th) will this cause a problem? do I need to file a change of address form? or will it be alright since I will be using the adress where im staying currently on the AOS application form? No need if your start AOS using your new address

Thank you in advance to anyone who is willing to conquor my questions in this post. lol. I apologize if there are any spelling errors.

Thank you furiousng for your help! I have a few more questions in responce to the information you have given me. For the Address C/O in Part 1, am I writing his name, and then the contact infomation? is that what you meant when you said 'your husband'? I would also like to clairify that I am suppose to fill in a new G-325A for myself, and not to use the previous one? I am the one who was issued the Visa.

moved from K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures to Adjustment of Status (Green Card) from Family Based Visas

this new forum is the appropriate forum for aos.

my bad, I havnt quite figured out the different forums and portals just yet. Thank you.

Hello fellow VJ members,

I have finally made it to the US, and beginning to settle in. I was married on July 17, and my hubby left for his BMT with the Air Force on the 21st. It's was sad that he had to leave so soon, but we're thrilled that we are finally together at last! We're so happy! Now that things have finally settled down for us I began looking into the AOS application process. I have some questions. I was wondering if anyone who has been through this process already would be willing to help me out? I would greatly appreciate it.

1. I am located in CA for the time being, but the instructions state for K-1 fiance/I 129F applicants to send the AOS application to Chicago, IL lock box. Is this correct?

2.Forms G-325A. Do I send both mine&my husbands? and would we be sending in the copies that we submitted earlier on in the process (to obtain the visa)? or should I be filling in new ones?

3.Form I 864. same question, do I submit copies of ones already submited ? or fill in new ones? Or if information has been updated would I submit the I 864 that was previously submitted with the new one as well?

4.What for are the USCIS looking for when they ask for the fiance petition approval? and am I suppose to detach the I 94 from my passport to be sent in?

5.Do I use copies of the police clearance,vaccinations from the medical, and birth certificates that were submitted earlier for the AOS application? or am I required to get new ones?

My next set of questions have to do with filling in the AOS form itself

1.What do I put in for the section that says: Address C/O in Part 1?

2. for social serurity (also in part 1) would I put N/A or none?

3.What do they mean by A#, Date of Last arrival (would that be my trip out to be married?), Current USCIS status, Expires on (is that the date on the 1 94 or the visa?)

4.What do they mean by In what status did you last enter (would that be the type of visa I have?) in Part 3A.

5. What is a Nonimmigrant Visa Number?

6.in Part 3B. since I am married now, would I put my husbands information in there? If so what does the form mean if he is applying with me?

Lastly I am at a different address that the information that was on my forms at the time of my interview (JULY 8th) will this cause a problem? do I need to file a change of address form? or will it be alright since I will be using the adress where im staying currently on the AOS application form?

Thank you in advance to anyone who is willing to conquor my questions in this post. lol. I apologize if there are any spelling errors.

If you wanted to mail your xray that is fine. You definitely won't require it at the POE. Your yellow sealed envelope has your immigration file in it, including your medical report. Part of the medical report is the x-ray report. Since immigration officers are not medically trained to review xrays they take the radiologists report's conclusions. Your x-ray is a nice souvenir that you can use as a baseline for your annual medical when you get a family doctor here in the US. You won't need it to enter the country.

Good luck at your POE.

Good to know, thanks so much Kathryn41.

hey all.

Everything went well for me at secondary inspection at Pearson. A customs officer took my folder that I was given before secondary inspection, I was told to take a seat, and I waited about an hour and a half (it was really busy there this morning). Then when my name was finally called the customs officer came over to me, asked me for my package, I gave it to him, asked me when I was getting married, I told him hopefully the 18 (this weekend) he said okay and that he was going to process my package and told me to take a seat and he would come back out to get me. He had also said when he came back that he would look through my bags, and then I would be on my way. He came back out, I put my bags up for him, he asked me standard questions that they normally ask at customs goods, alcohol, funds, etc...searched through my bags, had me pack them back up. He then gave me back the sheet of paper that was attached outside of my brown envelope, and my passport. Then he told me my 90 day dead line, and showed me the stamp and I-94. I thanked him, and he showed me where to exit. I didnt get printed, or my picture done. Im just really happy that it all went well. Now Im in Colorado awaiting my connecting flight to my final destination. Thank you all for your help and support.

If you wanted to mail your xray that is fine. You definitely won't require it at the POE. Your yellow sealed envelope has your immigration file in it, including your medical report. Part of the medical report is the x-ray report. Since immigration officers are not medically trained to review xrays they take the radiologists report's conclusions. Your x-ray is a nice souvenir that you can use as a baseline for your annual medical when you get a family doctor here in the US. You won't need it to enter the country.

Good luck at your POE.

Good to know, thanks so much Kathryn41.

Pearson is great for a POE i went thru there was so darn easy ... go for it won't be a problem

When i wnt thru there the place was empty and didn'n take too long .. they didnt even ask me any questions .. just took my fingerprints and a picture told me to have a seat about 15 minutes later i was on my way that was it.

All these positive experiences from people make me feel much more relieved. I do have one question while I am thinking of it though...has anyone ever mailed their xray to the address which they will be staying at, instead of bringing it with them? In the letter I got from the consulate it says that the xray is not required at the POE. Does anyone wish to share their experience regarding the xray? I am debating on what I should do tomorrow.

Good luck!!

Thank you! I'll be letting everyone know how it goes.

That doesnt seem so bad, so you go through the customs first? then the other inspection? like when you get called to the booth or counter I would let the person know that I want to activate my K1 visa, and then they would send me to the other place?or is there a whole separate line up to go through?Im so happy, anxious, and nervous at the same time that im trying to prepare myself

Toronto Pearson is a pre-clearance centre. So you leave the check-in area and go directly through Customs. Don't forget to fill out the I-94 form outside the Customs area first, as Sapphire says. When you get to the CBP Officer, tell them you are entering on a K-1 visa. They will direct you to the secondary inspection area, and that is where the processing will occur. There is no separate line.

Great! Thank you guys for all of your help! I booked my one way ticket this morning to leave on Tuesday. Im so anxious and Happy that things are finally falling into place. If I have more questions between now and then I will likely be posting them here:)

Nah, you don't need any money... that's what your fiance is for (hehehe)

Honestly, I drained my account tying off lose ends before I left. As a full time student paying her own way, there wasn't much left over after graduation, that's for sure.

The only question I was asked at the POE is if my fiance and I had married before trying to cross on the K-1. The guard flipped through the packet briefly but didn't really pay much attention to anything inside.

Thanks so much everyone! I know what you mean Hugglebuggles, Im almost at that point as well. It does become quite costly to take care of everything in order to take the next step in life. In the end it's well worth it though. Thats how I am looking at it! Its a relief knowing that Im not alone, and that there are others willing to help. And that some of you can relate to me or vice versa. I really appreciate it.

I crossed at Pearson on June 6th. My flight was at 4:15 p.m. and I got to the airport at around 12:30 p.m. I wanted to give myself about 4 hours or so because I wasn't sure how busy it would be and how long it would take. I also planned my flight so that I wouldn't have to be at the airport super early or on a busy day. Before I entered, I filled out the blue customs form and then also filled out a white I-94 form. They were both available at the little desk just outside of customs.

After a tearful goodbye with my Mom, I went through Customs in Terminal 1 (Air Canada). I told the 1st officer that I was moving to the U.S. on a K1 visa. He saw that I had been crying, asked me why I looked so nervous. I said I was just sad to be moving away from my family, and would be okay. He was really nice. Told me to relax a bit and make my way through to Secondary.

I went into Secondary and it was realllllly quiet. There was no one else in there. An officer took all my documents and opened up my envelope and started asking me questions and entering stuff in her computer. She asked me various questions all relating back to my packet. How did we meet, where I was moving, where my fiance's parent's were born(i actually didn't know the name of the cities and then she asked why my fiance had never taken me there [to the Phillipines] and I just said because we didn't want to go there at this point in time and she moved one) if we had married yet and maybe a few other questions that I can't recall. She was very stern and serious and a bit scary but mostly just serious. Then she took my fingerprints and the machine was having a hard time reading my fingers... she said it was because they were moist, but I didn't feel like they were moist... anywho, she got me some paper towels and then finally they worked. All this took about 25 minutes or so.

Then she told me to go over to the guy at the table so he could search my bag. I had 2 large suitcases, 1 EXTRA large duffle bag and a carry on suitcase. The agent was pretty friendly, but mostly just down to business. He asked me to take everything out of my bags... and I was a bit annoyed because it was a lot of stuff, so I just said.. well it's all clothes, shoes and purses and accessories and so he just sort of sifted through things and that was that. I fixed all my bags and then was on my way. That took another 25 minutes or so.

Overall I was in there just under an hour.

And that was that. It was definitely not easy, but I'm pretty sure they were so thorough with me because it was dead in there.

That doesnt seem so bad, so you go through the customs first? then the other inspection? like when you get called to the booth or counter I would let the person know that I want to activate my K1 visa, and then they would send me to the other place?or is there a whole separate line up to go through?Im so happy, anxious, and nervous at the same time that im trying to prepare myself

Hi all,

I was wondering if there was anyone out there who have used Pearson International Air Port to activate thier KI visa/cross the border/as a POE? (I apologize if I did not use terms correctly) My final Destination will be California, and I will be most likely on a connecting flight at somepoint. I was wondering if anyone who has used this air port, would like to share their expieriences with me? I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance.