Steve and Amara

Had a look at our case after months with a green card, just to see the new look. You've got to remember the categories fit many petitions and applications. If you mouse over the circles it tells what they are. My short interpretation:

Initial review-they're working on your case. (General review or just Review might be a better term)

Request for evidence- They sent you an RFE and are waiting on your response. Will go back to initial review when case resumes.

Testing and interview For naturalization applicants, I believe you take the test and interview sometimes the same day. An AOS applicant would get this status if an interview had been scheduled.

Decision-They've approved you probably and are generating the approval emails and letters.

Post decision activity-Whatever happens after a decision...like in a denial and they are working on deportation and you are filing a waiver. For approvals they are just doing paperwork and updating databases.

Document prodution/oath ceremony-They ordered your card. I would guess these last three happen pretty fast. Actually our EAD says post decision activity, so maybe after the card is issued, the status reverts back to the "post-decision" phase? Ah, something new to talk about. "After you got your card, what circle are you on?"

I don't think you will have to go through all the steps. You could get transfered to CSC and go from Initial Review to Decision is my guess. Interestingly, we never got an update for the approval of AOS...no email, no welcome letter, no card production ordered, but a green card arrived in the mail. So looking at our case online (new version), it says Initial Review. Out of curiosity I called and asked if they knew my husband had a green card. The lady said that sometimes the adjudicator just doesn't enter things in the system like they are supposed to for the updates. So it may not be the system, but the individual not doing their job.

Thanks so much for all the updates. Its amazing how much you "sleep better" when you have a bit of reassurance from others.

Cheers! Amara & Steve

Hi All,

So I am a little confused. Its been a few weeks since I logged onto the USCIS website to check if my AOS had been touched (it hasnt since the 08/17/09. ANYWAY, I log in and see that USCIS has updated their web page layout.

After logging in I got into my portfolio and click on the AOS, the new page says that my AOS in in its "initial review".

Im confused, because a few weeks go I had recieied a letter saying my AOS had been transfered to California and then back to USCIS Chicago for further processing. I had my finger printing done and have received my work authorisation permit card.

The new USCIS web page suggests that my AOS is still as yet to go through the following stages:

1. Request for evidence

Testing and interview

Decision

Post decision activity

Document prodution/oath ceremony

Can someone please explain.

ALSO, the processing times for the AOS on the USCIS website have been "down"/under construction. Can anyone let me know how long the wait time is for the AOS to be issued. We filed it in June 09.

Thank you.

Hi,

I entered as a K1, i have just had my EAD issued (the card) and my AOS has been transfered from Chicago.

I am moving, and I am attempting to fill the form in online (i will call and lodge a AR-11)

I am wondering, I was a K1, but I am no pending, what do I put down as my status.

EG:

If "Other", please specify...student/visitor/permanent/other etc.

I am not a permanent resident yet....

Sorry for delay. Here is the civil surgeon I used who charged $50 to transcribe the vaccination records with no full medical. (back in July 08)

Dr. Noel L. Smith

Foley Plaza Medical, PC

Suite 204 325 Broadway

10007

tel: 212 385 3730

I went to this guy, see my other thread. It was a very good place to go to, only $50.00 for the supplement, i had all the documents on me.

M

We'll you're entitiled to your opinion but on that note so am I; I am by the way 'a little bit more American' now.

My partner and I have been living and working abroad for years, we have no credit history together in America and as my US husband went to school in Canada and is now in his mid-late 20's, technically we were safer having a co-sponsor.

Marriage is a big commitment and in saying that if you are marrying someone without talking about it seriously then I think that should be the big flashing red light; not weather you need a co-sponsor. Everyone has their own reasons. If you are lucky enough to have a co-sponsor it shows that you have spoken about this with another person and they feel confident in supporting you. Sometimes having a co sponsor is a mature and responsible move.

Marriage has no price tag, if you're dedicated and in love you'll make it work...FOR RICHER OR FOR POORER.

...and thats just my opinion.

hi all,

Just some friendly information to share with you all in regards to my recent experiences when filing my AOS in NYC.

I am an Australian resident, I had my full medical in Melbourne,Australia. The doctor was the designated medical practitioner as set by the DOHS. The docter was Dr. Charles Okraglic.

1. Make sure you get a copy of the medical from the doctor after you have your medical check. The doctor will sign and seal one copy and then they should give you a copy. The doctor listed above wasnt aware that as a K1 holder you may need a copy of that medical to give to the civil surgeon when they transcribe your vaccination supplement as part of the I-634.

2. Get all your required vaccinations in Australia; thus you are able to claim them on Medicare or your own Private medical insurance.

3. Get the doctor to test you for TB; they do a skin test. The doctor will need to write on the medical form whether you tested postitive or not.

4. Bring your xrays to America with you. I had to do the skin test for TB, luckily it was all fine, though if I had shown a skin irritation, I would have required to show them my chest xrays or have more done.

5. Take a copy of all your vaccination records (originals if possible) to the civil surgeon.

6. If you are in the NYC area, go to Dr Noel Smith. 325 Broadway, NYC. He is a listed civil surgeon. Dr Smith did my vaccination supplement for $50.00 on the 29/5/09.

When I had spoken to the receptionist they had told me that possibly it would/could cost me anywhere from $175 - $250. When I went into the doctor, I explained to Dr Smith that I was up to date with my vaccinations etc. Dr Smith had a look at the copy of my medical in Australia and then completed the medical supplement, signed off on it, seal it in an envelope and gave me a copy. VERY EASY...

highly recommended!!!!

Remember to bring all paperwork with you and that you medical I-643 for your AOS will have you with (possibly) your new surname (if you choose to change your name).

ps.

NYC city hall require you to register for your marriage license at least a day before you GO INTO THE OFFICE WITH YOUR FIANCE/E. You have to do this online.

After your married, you can take the signed marriage license into City Hall (within 10 days) and have the certificate issued to you on the spot.

Certified copies can be done too ($25.00 for the first one, $15 for everyone after that).

Hi Garry and Alla, thanks for the information. Its great to get clear cut simple answers. Thank you.

I guess what is frustrating in this whole process is the somewhat differing stories people have; the information on the DHS websites is often different to the reality of what peoples experiences are.

I am interested though that you said that I could file for my SSN straight away. The VJ Forums and many peoples experiences have lead us to believe that we had to wait a few weeks for our arrival information to be updated on the DHS end. Direct quote VJ guide "you should also not file for a SSN too soon either.

You should wait 2 weeks after you arrived in the US before applying for a SSN. If you go too soon your

record of arrival will not be in the SAVE-ASVI system yet, and it will require manual verification from the

USCIS. As this will add weeks to the period it takes to process the SSN, it is advisable to attempt to wait the two weeks to be safe. If you have waited the 2 weeks and they tell you they can not verify you arrival record via the SAVE database, you may allow them to to process it (but remember the potential delay for manual verifications). You can ask if they will check the computer again for you in a few days or return personally to have them look again -- thus eliminating the manual verification. The manual verification will require the SSA office to file a G-845 with the USCIS".

I am interested to hear what others peoples experiences have been like when applying for a SSN.

Cheers.

Amara & Steve

When you enter the USA your entry is entered into the DHS "SAVE" system. This registers your legal entry. I guess it is in case you made a fake I-94 and fake entry stamp when you have a valid visa...go figure. Anyway, this system is updated every night (or should be unless there is some sort of malfunction). The K-1 is eligible for an SSN when you step off the plane, but the SS office will check the SAVE system to verify you entered legally. This IS NOT the SS system, it is a cross referenced data base. As long as you are in that system, and you should be the next business day, you are good to go.

Some VJ members have run into untrained clerks at the SS office (if you can imagine such a thing) who, rather than ask a supervisor, decide to make new laws all on their own. If you receive any trouble at the SS office demand to see a supervisor that knows the procedures. We had no trouble applying when the office opened the morning after Alla's arrival. Some members report more problems at small offices. Maybe. They do not come much smaller than Burlington VT, but the clerk there knew exactly what to do.

Apply in your maiden name, exactly as on your passport. They will tell you you need two forms of government ID, you have them in your passport. Your passport is an ID issued by your country, the K-1 is a photo ID issued by the USA. You are good to go!

VJ guidelines tend to be very conservative and, if anything, err on the side of caution. I do not fault them for that. But it should not be necessary for a K-1 to wait two weeks for an SSN.

When you apply for the SSN, you can call the next business day and receive your number, the card will be a week or so in coming. But the number is all you will ever need. Do not worry about the name on the card or the fact it will say "valid for employment only with DHS authorization". ALL SS cards require further authorization, even for citizens. The SS card is NOT a work authorization for anyone. It is not valid ID, it is, basically useless. I lost my SS card in 1973, never replaced it and have never needed it. The number will soon be committed to memory and you are good to go for life. The card may be of use to survivors after you pass away, who knows?

Thanks Gary and Alla! The information you provided was very much appreciated.

Cheers, Amara & Steve

Hi Garry and Alla, thanks for the information. Its great to get clear cut simple answers. Thank you.

I guess what is frustrating in this whole process is the somewhat differing stories people have; the information on the DHS websites is often different to the reality of what peoples experiences are.

I am interested though that you said that I could file for my SSN straight away. The VJ Forums and many peoples experiences have lead us to believe that we had to wait a few weeks for our arrival information to be updated on the DHS end. Direct quote VJ guide "you should also not file for a SSN too soon either.

You should wait 2 weeks after you arrived in the US before applying for a SSN. If you go too soon your

record of arrival will not be in the SAVE-ASVI system yet, and it will require manual verification from the

USCIS. As this will add weeks to the period it takes to process the SSN, it is advisable to attempt to wait the two weeks to be safe. If you have waited the 2 weeks and they tell you they can not verify you arrival record via the SAVE database, you may allow them to to process it (but remember the potential delay for manual verifications). You can ask if they will check the computer again for you in a few days or return personally to have them look again -- thus eliminating the manual verification. The manual verification will require the SSA office to file a G-845 with the USCIS".

I am interested to hear what others peoples experiences have been like when applying for a SSN.

Cheers.

Amara & Steve

HI All,

We have been reading through the instruction manual (haha) for the Employment Authorisation I-765.

We have a few questions; we've look through the VJ guides/forums, though unless we've missed it, we cant seem to find what we are after.

So, here it is:

I am a K1, I'll be entering the US; I'll wait 2 weeks then applying for my SSN (in my maiden name). After we have married on JUNE 6th we'll apply for an updated SSN with my married name on it.

We are looking at the Employment Authorisation Instrutions which state that

• If we file the EAD BEFORE we get married as K-1 Non Immigrant Fiancee of a US Citizen (a) (6) there will be a fee of $340.00 as its an initial card.

We have heard/read that if we wait and file for the EAD along with our AOS as a (C ) (9) (after we are married) there will be no fee as its included as part of the AOS fee.

Is this true, because the EAD instructions suggest otherwise?

• The EAD Instructions state that there is only a waiver of the $340.00 payment if you are are a AOS (C ) (9) who is RENEWING their EAD.

By reading through all of this, am I correct in thinking the following:

A) I must file for my EAD before I'm married (around the same time as my SNN) and there will be a fee of $340.00.

B ) I will send in for a renewal card when applying for AOS; and there will be no fee.

C) There is no way of avoiding the initial $340.00 fee.

Thanks guys! Not long now until we are getting married, we are very excited

Cheers,

Amara & Steve

You do need the second part filled out. It is usually not done for fiances in the original medical. Do you have records of the vaccinations that you received before the appointment? Call Dr. Arnold and she will tell you what you need for her to complete section 2. She's usually alot cheaper than other local civil surgeons. Her info is in my signature.

Hi there, thanks for the information. ‘Again though this information seems to conflict the information posted in the guides etc. The guide suggests that “the results of your k!/K2 medical were in the seald envelope that wsa brought with you fgrom your home country. The I-485 instructions suggest that no additional medical is require to fill the AOD within a year of the medical required to obtain a K1/K2. It says that you should simply send a copy of the I-693 (sheet that lists your vaccinations) that your doctor should have provided overseas when you had the medical.

Very confused.

If I were to obtain a copy of the doctors vacination records, and sent that in with my AOS would I still need a civil surgeon to complete the medical supplement?

HELP!

Thank you thank you thank you

My doctor in Australia who completed my medical did not give me a copy of my vaccination results.

Do I now need to get a Civil Surgeon in the USA to complete section 2?

Cheers.

Many thanks for your message.

Cheers

Hi guys,

Can anyone recomeend a particular Civil Surgeon in the NYC area....I have the list though I want to go to someone who possible wont jerk me around as much as all the others. I only require them to complete the vaccination section (as I have had a medical within the last year for me K1) and to sign off at the end.

Cheers and thank you.

How many threads are you going to start to get the same answers?

You may want to look at the other thread you started, people gave you a couple different CS's that offer relatively cheap exams. Sorry, but it seems that no CS's in NYC do just the vaccination supplement, they all want to do a full exam. I've called about 40 of them when my wife was going through it. Tough luck, but you can always drive 3.5 hours to Utica (and back) to save $100.

Here is your other thread: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=170825

Also, if you want to keep researching this, try using the search button.

Thanks for the “friendly” advice Eric-Pris, however as you would see from my original question, it wasn’t that I was wanting to just find a civil surgeon; rather I was wanting to find one that people have been to in the NYC area and can RECOMMEND. Yes we are researching using the SEARCH button, however one of the fantastic things about being part of a forum like this is you can hear current and up-to-date information from others.

Hi there,

Can the license that we sign on the day of the wedding be used to send in with the AOS or must we wait for the official document to be sent back after the wedding?

You cannot send in the marriage license, you have to send in the marriage certificate (after you marry).

\

ta!

Hi there,

Can the license that we sign on the day of the wedding be used to send in with the AOS or must we wait for the official document to be sent back after the wedding?

Does NY state require the fiancée (non US citizen) to have a SSN to apply for a marriage licence/permit?

I would just use the locator and call around!

https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=of...office_type=CIV

Thanks for the suggestion, but I am interested in going to someone who people can recommend.

Thanks.

Hi guys,

Can anyone recomeend a particular Civil Surgeon in the NYC area....I have the list though I want to go to someone who possible wont jerk me around as much as all the others. I only require them to complete the vaccination section (as I have had a medical within the last year for me K1) and to sign off at the end.

Cheers and thank you.

Most times you just need a social security number to open a bank account, saying that though each bank is different. If your fiancee has a bank account in the states I would try them first.

Great thanks for that, its a start!

I have read that I could apply for an Individual Tax Payer Identification Number (ITIN) issued by the Internal Revenue Service using the IRS Form W-7?

Anyone heard anything about in regards to a fiance on a K1 Visa in the process of filng for AOS (though not yet married).

Cheers!

Hi there,

Im the non-US citzen; when I arrive in America one of the first things I would like to do is open up a bank account. What have peoples experiences been? Have you had problems getting a bank account on a valid K1 Visa or AOS?

What documentation do they require?

Cheers in advance

-Amara

HI Guys,

I have heard that there is a new *updated* I-693 medical form, which means that everyone fills and completes this one....Is it true the I-692A no longer exists???

Very confused, where can I find offical information about this???

ta!

Try the CS locator: https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=of...office_type=CIV

Call around, the charges can vary tremendously.

Good luck

thank you again! I have heard that it can range fro $50.00 through to $300.00.

Also do you know where I find the Supplement A form?

Cheers

On the VJ guides, it states that if filing for AOS I-485, the fee for an I-765 is waivered (rather, it is included in the price of filing the I-485). Howevere, I have just read through the instruction guide for I-765, and it does not state that those who are changing status from a K1 and filing jointly with I-485 are exempt.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

cheers

Hi guys,

We are looking for a link or a list of civil surgeons in the New York City area who is able to sign the Supplement I-693a.

As we are trying to organise the appointment before I arrive in the USA.

Where do we find the I-693a supplement form??? Is it given at US customs? I cant seem to find it here on VJ or on the immigration/DHS website.

THANK-YOU!!!

heres the link of the surgeon locator, enter your zip code to find a surgeon nearest your area.

https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=of...office_type=CIV

thank you!

Hi guys,

I am a K1 visa holder, about to marry my US finace. I am in the process of filling in my I-765 work authorisation form. When it asks me to write in which category I am a bit confused! Am I a K1 category (sec 6) or EAD Applicant (Section 7)??

SO CONFUSED!!!!!!!!!

Thank you in advance!