tinyrosie

just out of curiosity, because my sayang is from Indoneisa too, what IS this police document for? Is the USCIS asking for my fiancee's police record? I just want to be prepared for whatever comes my way, as I am awaiting the NOA2

thanks

It's for interview at the US embassy in Jakarta, and also needed later for Adjustment of Status after your fiancee arrives in the US. You can tell your fiancee to start working on getting it, because it takes time. I was getting mine when still waiting for NOA2.

Um... no police certificate is required for AOS. If you've been arrested or convicted of something, you have to provide arrest and/or court records. The I-485 instructions do not ask for foreign police certificates for applicants adjusting from K-1 nonimmigrant fiance status. See the VJ AOS guide: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1k3aos

Oh really? I sent mine (copy of it anyway) when I applied for AOS because I read the instruction for I-485 downloaded from USCIS website. I do kinda remember that it was not on VJ check list for AOS though. I got my green card, so I guess I did it right (got an RFE but for totally different reason...) Anyways... the police certificate is asked for by the embassy. I really don't know what would happen if one just said "Sorry I don't have one because I can't get it", but I suspect it would not be a sufficient reason because many people have managed to get it. My husband and I agree that being fully prepared is totally worth it (one thing is for a peace of mind), and that's what we did when we were working on our K-1 and AOS. I started getting police certificates (one from Indonesia and one from Japan) way before we received our K-1 NOA2.

Best of luck to Estu and Torry

Hi everyone!

When I apply for my AOS... do I submit a copy of the marriage licence AND the marriage certificate?

What exactly needs to be certified?

We just got married in VA over the weekend, and the county clerk office said they usually certify a copy of the marriage licence. What exactly am I supposed to be submitting?

I realize that this is sort of a dumb question but obviously I don't want to hand in the wrong thing.

THANK YOU!

My husband and I got married in Texas, and our marriage license IS our marriage certificate. It was a marriage license when we first got it from the city office, but it became marriage certificate after we brought it to Justice of Peace for our marriage (the JP signed and put the marriage date on it). We got two certified copies from the JP the same day we got married, and sent one of them to USCIS for my AOS. As for the original marriage license/certificate, we didn't get it back until about 2 weeks after we got married because the JP office sent it to city office to be registered and then they mail it back to us.

That is in Texas though. Might be different in VA.

My husband cares more about design than I do (I am more functional). So we have pretty good-looking and up-to-date appliances -- all stainless steel look -- and they work well too. so I guess it depends. I notice that rented apartments have functional but not-so-good-looking appliances (hubby said not enough incentive for the owner to provide good looking ones). But I know what you mean about old-looking appliances they have here. My parents in law have them

And I agree that many things consume more energy here in the US. I lived in Japan for years and people do everything they can to save energy. Smaller and separated air conditioner/heater for each room, on-demand water heater, etc. Here, every house has centralized air conditioner/heater and huge hot water tank, which consume so much (unnecessary) energy.

just out of curiosity, because my sayang is from Indoneisa too, what IS this police document for? Is the USCIS asking for my fiancee's police record? I just want to be prepared for whatever comes my way, as I am awaiting the NOA2

thanks

It's for interview at the US embassy in Jakarta, and also needed later for Adjustment of Status after your fiancee arrives in the US. You can tell your fiancee to start working on getting it, because it takes time. I was getting mine when still waiting for NOA2.

Better get prepared with very strong and convincing reason though. Because other people have managed to get it, and the Embassy does ask for it during document screening prior to interview. It is also needed for AOS after your fiancee arrives in the US.

Good luck.

D

Just go to the local office where she currently lives and apply for a new KTP. Just tell the office she lost her previous KTP from her hometown (Negara) and now that she lives in her current place she wants to get a new ID from the current place instead. It should be fine.

I lived abroad for years and came back to Indonesia only a couple of months before K-1 petition was sent. At one point when I still lived abroad I lost my Indonesian local ID (KTP) and I asked my parents to get a new one for me on my behalf. No problem at all. So I believe there should be no problem for your fiancee too.

Ooh... PS:

She might want to contact her current RT and RW head to issue a letter to help her getting the new KTP. My parents did that for me.

Just go to the local office where she currently lives and apply for a new KTP. Just tell the office she lost her previous KTP from her hometown (Negara) and now that she lives in her current place she wants to get a new ID from the current place instead. It should be fine.

I lived abroad for years and came back to Indonesia only a couple of months before K-1 petition was sent. At one point when I still lived abroad I lost my Indonesian local ID (KTP) and I asked my parents to get a new one for me on my behalf. No problem at all. So I believe there should be no problem for your fiancee too.

It may take awhile to get the new local ID (KTP). I really hate to say this... but... you can speed up the process by "paying extra" (if you know what I mean...). I am not suggesting you doing that (I personally strongly against it...) but if you are running out of time, it's probably your only choice. The good news is, your fiancee needs to get police certificate from POLDA Bali (I believe it is located in Denpasar) instead of MABES POLRI (which is located in Jakarta) since she has lived only in Bali Island since age 16.

Best of luck to you

1. Computer with high speed internet.

2. Cell phone, so she will be able to exchange phone number to new friends she meets in the US and ofcourse to contact you wherever she is.

3. Taking her around the neighborhood. Show her the nearest grocery store, gym, parks, and things like that.

4. Build her confidence that she can do alot of things even when you are not around. Teach her how to use public transportation or even drive. I also found this very very important because it me gave sense of mobility and independence.

5. Find ways to meet people and make friends. I found that community college is a fun and safe place to do this, not to mention useful too! Can take English class or other classes that she is interested in, and make new friends from the classes.

Hope this helps

D

She does need a local ID (KTP) to make police certificate. Depends on where your fiancee has lived within Indonesia since age 16, here's what she should do:

1. If she has lived only in the same province since age 16, she only needs police certificate from provincial level police department (POLDA).

2. If he has lived in different provinces since age 16, she needs police certificate from national level police department (MABES POLRI).

The procedure to get either of those above is the same.

1. She needs to have a local ID (KTP) issued by the village level government office (LURAH) where she currently lives.

2. After she gets her KTP, she should go see head of RT and RW where she lives (just tell her this, she'll understand) to get a letter stating that she really is a local resident.

3. Bring the letter from RT and RW to the village level government office (LURAH) to get the a letter stating that she needs to get a police certificate.

4. After she gets the letter from LURAH, she has to bring the letter to district level police department (POLRES) office to get district-level police certificate (this certificate will be in Indonesian only). Tell the POLRES that she needs the police certificate to get police certificate in English as the requirement to obtain US visa. She should be able to get this certificate on the same day.

5. Bring the police certificate from POLRES to POLDA or to MABES POLRI (refer to my explanation above) to get the police certificate in English.

I know it's alot of things to do, but there is no way to get around this. Better start as soon as possible. Good luck

D

she is supposed to get her police information for the last year and she went to the police station today to get it but they said that she can not get it in the city she is living... and is the city she is living in now and has been for the last 3 years... they said she needs a local i.d. but she was raised in another city two hours away which is on the same island of bali and that is where she has her i.d. but they told her that since she doesnt have a local i.d. they will not give her a police certificate.... i dont know but that sounds either like the police are really stupid or they just have some weird rules there... it makes no sence!!! but i read the form i got from the jakarta embassy and it says on it "Police Certificate... Each applicant aged 16 or older must have police clearance from any country where the applicant resided for one year or more" and under that it says.. "Police Certificate for Indonesia is not required"?? please help i dont know what to do

Your wife should be able to get her SSN once she receives her EAD card, which usually arrives a few weeks after biometrics.

I was asked for certified marriage certificate too for biometrics appointment, just to show. At that time we brought all of our legal paperworks with us, so no problem. It should be fine once you bring yours.

Our AOS was transferred from Missouri to California too and we weren't called for interview. I think in most transferred cases, no interview is called for. But it is always good to be prepared, just in case. We all know how unpredictable USCIS can be. If you do have to go for an interview, it will be at the local office closest to your home.

Good luck

D

We have received I-797 receipt notices for I-485, EAD & AP. My wife didn't apply for her social security # during

her 90 day period prior to her I-94 expiring. What will we need to bring to our local Soc. Sec. Admin. office besides

her passport, certified marriage certificate and the I-797 receipts?

Also, we had a scheduled biometrics appointment at the local Application Support Center in St. Paul but my wife

was turned away since she didn't bring her certified marriage certificate. I spoke with an immigration attorney and

was told this was not a requirement for the biometrics appt. The office then told us to come back Saturday 9/05/09

but the office was closed for the Labor Day holiday. The agent did write in red ink we could come back Saturday so hopefully all will be fine if go back this Saturday.

I called the customer service support center and didn't get a clear answer on what we should do other than to mail

back the receipt notice and check the box saying my wife needs to reschedule.

Also, one more question, the receipt notice for the I-485 states, "your file has been reassigned to the California

Service Center for faster Does this mean that we will avoid a local interview in St. Paul at this stage

of our AOS?

CapitalOne sent me a mail offering credit card (low interest, no fees, no deposit) and my husband said it would be a good first step to build my credit score. So I started using the card a few months ago. My husband said how much you use your credit card has nothing to do with your credit score. But timely and full payments do. So I just use my CapitalOne card once a month (usually to buy gas about 30 dollars or so, which is very very small compared to the credit limit the bank gives me), and use the other credit card for other things (have another card that has same number as my husband's and it gives points). We pay the CapitalOne card bill fully every month.

Hope this helps.

D

Hi VJ friend. I plan to apply a credit card to start building my credit score. I check on capitalone website, they offer some credit cards for limited credit history with 22.7% APR. I know it's pretty high, but I'm not gonna use my credit card very often and want to paid off the bill every month, so I careless about the interest rate.

My question is: Is it a good thing if I paid off my credit card bill every month? OR do I need to pay less then bill's amount to have a good credit report? If the second choice will give a better credit report that means I need to find other credit card with decent APR.

Please share your experience/give your comments guys. Thanks in advance!!

You can also change your wife's name at Indonesian Embassy/Consulate in the US. If you live far from the embassy/consulate office, you can do it by mail. It's free of charge. If you do it by mail all you need is to provide the embassy/consulate with a return envelope addressed to yourself (postal fee fully paid, of course). Information about the forms and list of documents required for the process is available at the embassy/consulate website. We live in Dallas, TX and the nearest Indonesian consulate is in Houston. We had chance to go to Houston few weeks ago so we underwent the process in person. Took less than 30 minutes.

If you want to avoid dealing with bureaucrats in Indonesia (which I do), changing your wife's name in the US is probably the best. Besides, if her visa will be under her maiden name, then changing her name on her passport prior to departure to the US might cause a little complication at POE (just my guess though...).

Hope this helps.

D

You, my friend, unfortunately, have introduced and not avoided a lot of confusion by not changing the name before the visa was issued AND/OR by not filing the I130 in the married name with the copy of the updated passport.

Hmmmm......To get a name change (Indonesia) it has to be first done in the passport. Your wife does not need a new passport. What she needs to do is go to the Kantor Imigrasi office, pay 200,000 (rupes) and have her passport updated with her new name. They will put "True Name of Bearer" and add your last name as her last name then give it an official stamp. She will only need the marriage documents. We did this but BEFORE the visa was issued, which means the visa, green card, SS card, EAD, drivers license, etc are all in the updated name on the passport which is the married name.

I only know how to get the passport changed and that the documents reflect the name on the passport. I think you will have to research the name change after the fact for the green card and social security card and subsequent documents, all of which build from the visa and green card. Good luck.

Hey guys...

In order to reduce possible confusion during the CR1 process, my wife and I did not change her name.

She has visa in hand.

After she gets here and they issue a SS card and we get her settled.....How do we go about changing her name?

I imagine we would need to inform DHS, SSA, and go to her embassy here in the USA to get her a new passport.

Is there anything else need to be done?

Thanks for all the past help.

Thanks in advance for any help on this issue.

thx for response

figures it will create problems

we will have to fix that later as we have her visa...getting her here is most important

Hi All,

Just want to share a good news: my AOS has been approved! After 5 months of filing date, 2 biometrics, transfer from Missouri SC to California SC, and 1 (stupid) RFE, I find it pretty amazing. Thought it would take forever

For you who is still waiting, yours is coming soon! I think USCIS is working pretty fast now

D

I have police certificate from Japan, and there is no expiration date on it. It should not be any if you no longer live in Japan.

Hi. We are also wondering about getting the police clearance (certificate) from the Japanese embassy/consulate.

Is there an expiration date on the certificate? For example, this police certificate is only valid for 6 months starting from the day you receive it from the Japanese embassy/consulate.

Or is it for indefinite use? Could someone confirm this? Thanks!

Thanks for the informative reply! I am not really worried about the naturalization process because I don't have any plan to change my citizenship anytime soon. Basically just want to maintain the permanent residency status. I think I'll take a look of the I-131 and look for additional info about it. Thanks again!

It depends on the nature of employment and employer. You can even count the period of absence toward citizenship, without breaking the continuous residence requirement.

There are conditions that you must comply with, such as at least 365 days of continuous residence before applying with Form N-470, Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes, and your employment has to be specifically among those that qualify and are listed on the N470 form:

- On behalf of the U.S. Government.

- For the purpose of carrying on scientific research on behalf of an American institution of research.

- For the purpose of engaging in the development of foreign trade and commerce of the United States on behalf of an American firm or corporation or a subsidiary thereof.

- Necessary for the protection of property rights outside the United States of an American firm or corporation engaged in the development of foreign trade and commerce of the United States.

- On behalf of a public international organization of which the United States is a member.

- Solely because of my capacity as a clergyman or clergywoman, missionary, brother, nun or sister of a denomination or mission having a bona fide

organization in the United States.

and with I131 which allows you to stay overseas for periods longer than 1 year, without being considered as abandoning your GC when re-entering at POE.

Check these documents, form, requirements, who must apply with one, under what conditions:

I131 re-entry permit

N470 Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes

"how do I..?" guideline for permanent residents, available at: http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/B3eng.pdf

OOPPSS!! I mean April 2010

April 2009 or April 2010?

Hi All,

I am not so sure if I posted this topic in the right forum, but I thought I'd just give it a shot (To moderator: please kindly assist. Thank you )

I entered the US on K-1 visa and I am expecting to receive my conditional GC sometime soon. I recently found that there is a good chance I will get an exciting employment offer in Japan for two years, starting April 2009. My husband and I have discussed about this a little bit, and he is quite excited about moving to Japan together. However, we haven't really thought about the immigration issues, especially how the moving would affect my status here in the US. Maybe it's still too early to think about it, but I just want to plan ahead to avoid whatever problem we probably will face in the future because we do want to come back to the US later on. When we do come back to the US, I want to be able to go back as permanent resident. So my question is... what are our options?

Thank you!

Hi All,

I am not so sure if I posted this topic in the right forum, but I thought I'd just give it a shot (To moderator: please kindly assist. Thank you )

I entered the US on K-1 visa and I am expecting to receive my conditional GC sometime soon. I recently found that there is a good chance I will get an exciting employment offer in Japan for two years, starting April 2009. My husband and I have discussed about this a little bit, and he is quite excited about moving to Japan together. However, we haven't really thought about the immigration issues, especially how the moving would affect my status here in the US. Maybe it's still too early to think about it, but I just want to plan ahead to avoid whatever problem we probably will face in the future because we do want to come back to the US later on. When we do come back to the US, I want to be able to go back as permanent resident. So my question is... what are our options?

Thank you!

Thanks for all reponse.

My husband also told me to redo the medical exam just so we get this over with fast. I was just trying to see if there is another way (hate to pay that extra cost because of someone ELSE's fault... ). Guess there is no other way

Hi All,

I mailed my AOS end of January 2009, and on May 1 2009 I received an RFE from USCIS. It is said that there is no evidence of prior medical examination, so my I-693 is incomplete, and that I need to take more vaccines which in my vaccine history record are stated as "age inappropriate". Then at the second half of RFE, there is a long explanation of how medical examination should be completed, including TB test, HIV, etc (which I already have done all that in Indonesia!).

Before I sent my AOS package, I read the instruction for I-693 carefully and found that I didn't have to do another medical examination because I already had mine in Indonesia in October 2008 (that is less than 1 year from my AOS filing date). It is said all I needed to do was to submit my vaccine history record signed by a civil surgeon here in the US. I did go to see a civil surgeon here in the US, and they said I needed two vaccines (Td and MMR) to complete my vaccine history record (which I did, and paid 40 USD for it). The civil surgeon then gave me a sealed envelope addressed to USCIS. Inside the envelope was a copy of vaccine history record that I got from the doctor who performed my medical exam in Indonesia, and original Part 2 of I-693 (page 3, about vaccination) filled by the civil surgeon (which included the Td and MMR vaccine I had here in the US).

I am going to see the civil surgeon again and ask for more vaccines, and there should be no problem for that. But then how should I inform USCIS that I really did have my medical exam in Indonesia and provide an evidence? I really have no evidence of that whatsoever, except that one vaccine history record copy that I got from the doctor in Indonesia.

Please advise. Thank you

D

Hi everybody,

We are preparing ourselves for the next steps of our journey: after I enter the States. I read some info but I have a few questions.

1) I understand it's better/easier to apply for the SSN before getting married. Can we apply and get married the next day? or should we wait to have the SSN card in hand? My parents will join me in the States and will stay with us only for 2 weeks, so we may not have time to apply for the SSN priory to getting married because we would like to have our parents besides us for the marriage.

How much more difficult can it be when applying for the SSN after our marriage?

If you apply after marriage, means you can apply under your married name (assume you change your last name after you are married). But still you need to go back to SSN office after you receive your EAD to change your SSN status (from "not allowed to work" to "allowed to work"). I applied for my SSN before getting married (and received the card few weeks after we got married), and went back to SSN office to change my last name and work permit status altogether after I received my EAD. So either way, you need to go to SSN office twice.

2) If I'd like to apply for an internship would I need the SSN and the EAD? I'll be in the State middle of July and I spotted an internship I would be interested in that starts beginning at September. I don't know if I have any chance of getting it taking into consideration my situation with the official papers and the short time. Should I wait for the next internship opening session in January ?

I am not very sure if about unpaid internship. But if it is paid internship, you definetely need EAD. Otherwise you would be considered working illegally (and I don't think the employer would hire you if they knew you have no working permit by the time you need to start working for them).

3) When ordering our wedding invitations via an American website we were informed that we would also get a free marriage license and we really got it but should we trust it? Is it valid? For me it's strange to get one just like this..

As far as I know, the couple must apply for their marriage license themselves (that's what I and my husband did here in Texas). Although I read online that some states allow you to apply in advance by mail but still need to show up to pick up the license. I suggest you do a little research about the law in the state where you want to get married.

Thanks,

Stepha

Hello Everyone,

I am a US Citizen and I married my husband back in october. We filled our papers in the middle of february, his biometrics appointment was on March 16, he is getting desperate beacuse his Visa expires on April 14, 2009. He wants to know how soon could he expect his work authorization and after that the interview. Thanks for your responses.

04/26/2006 Met in the Dominican republic

10/15/2008 He arried in NYC with a Visa (we visited each other)

10/25/2008 got married in NYC

02/16/2009 Packaged received at uscis

02/23/2009 Notice date

03/16/2009 Biometric appointment

Please help........

I sent my AOS documents about 2 weeks before you did (end of January 2009) and just received my EAD two days ago (April 11 2009). And I am not sure if this would make you feel better but... I had some problems with my biometrics (had to do biometrics twice, each was about one month apart) and I thought it would delay the whole process to get AP, EAD and GC for much longer time, but apparently that was not the case (I received my AP and EAD within a reasonable time frame). So I am pretty sure your husband will receive his EAD in a few weeks (unless you get an RFE).

Good luck

Oooppsss... didn't notice that he came on a visitor visa. Thought he was adjusting from K-1. I can't say anything about the reasonable time frame for the EAD and GC then. Sorry about that

Hello Everyone,

I am a US Citizen and I married my husband back in october. We filled our papers in the middle of february, his biometrics appointment was on March 16, he is getting desperate beacuse his Visa expires on April 14, 2009. He wants to know how soon could he expect his work authorization and after that the interview. Thanks for your responses.

04/26/2006 Met in the Dominican republic

10/15/2008 He arried in NYC with a Visa (we visited each other)

10/25/2008 got married in NYC

02/16/2009 Packaged received at uscis

02/23/2009 Notice date

03/16/2009 Biometric appointment

Please help........

I sent my AOS documents about 2 weeks before you did (end of January 2009) and just received my EAD two days ago (April 11 2009). And I am not sure if this would make you feel better but... I had some problems with my biometrics (had to do biometrics twice, each was about one month apart) and I thought it would delay the whole process to get AP, EAD and GC for much longer time, but apparently that was not the case (I received my AP and EAD within a reasonable time frame). So I am pretty sure your husband will receive his EAD in a few weeks (unless you get an RFE).

Good luck

I apologize preemptively if my tone sounds patronizing, but from what I've gathered by reading this website, many of you may not be very familiar with Japanese food and cooking. I consider myself to be relatively knowledgeable on the subjects, and especially considering the threads that pop up here seeking advice for helping a Japanese spouse overcome homesickness, I wish to share what I know.

**********************************************

I'm of the opinion that when a couple from two cultures cohabit, the food they eat ought to be proportionate to that arrangement.

If your spouse is from Japan, you should find a source of Japanese ingredients for your spouse to use, and you should learn to cook some basic Japanese dishes yourself.

Seek out a local Asian or international foods grocer. Mixed in on the shelves amongst the Thai, Vietnamese, and Chinese products and whatnot, you should find an assortment of non-perishable Japanese basics to combine with fresh ingredients from the American supermarket. American supermarkets often have an 'international foods' aisle where you can find a few of these items, but they will likely be domestic versions of lesser quality and higher price. For example, the Stop & Shop nearby has packaged sheets of nori seaweed, imported in bulk from Japan and re-packaged in California for about $5 each. The Asian market sells the same basic product packaged in Japan for half the price. Tubs of domestic miso paste at Stop & Shop are twice the price of their larger Japanese counterparts at the Asian grocer's. This is common to nearly every Japanese product the Stop & Shop has. The Asian market also has certain Asian vegetables that are simply unavailable elsewhere nearby.

If you can't find an Asian grocer, and if you live in a part of America where even the most basic Japanese ingredients are unavailable, seek out a source on the Internet. There are many Japanese import companies in the United States from which you can mail-order these products from an online catalog.

Next chapter to soon follow…

I am not Japanese but I lived in Japan for six and half years before I married my husband and moved to the US. I like Japanese food alot and crave for it from time to time. With the help of a Japanese friend who has been living here longer than I do, I found a big Korean supermarket that has alot of Japanese ingredients with reasonable price (it's called H-mart and I think they have stores in other parts of the US too), and a small Japanese specialty store that sell not only packaged Japanese foods and ingredients but also fresh seafood for sashimi and sushi, fresh Japanese vegetables (like kyuri, mizuna, gobou, daikon, different kinds of kinoko, etc), and Japanese rice (imported from Japan, not the one from California).

So anyways... so far I cook only simple Japanese foods like oyakodon, kare rice, ebi furai, and japanese green bean salad. Next time maybe I will try making kinpira.

My husband (then fiance) got me round trip ticket, but no questions asked about it from the immigration of both countries (Indonesia and the US). So I'll say just go with the cheaper ticket (sometimes one-way is cheaper, sometimes otherwise.... depends on airline and travel season, I think).

D