mslady

Hello Mslady,

Congrats on your approved I-485, you are now free to travel in and out of the US as you please. You can file for citizenship in 2 years and 9 months from the day you became a permanent resident. I wish you the best in your future endeavours. I will be going to my home country on the 21st March. I'm excited, I haven't been there in over 10 years.

Thanks Losty...Congrats on yours too. That's great that you are going home, im sure you can't wait to see your family. I am so excited for me and happy for you too. It's like a new found freedom you know?!

It's great it'll take 2yr9months to apply for citizenship that means i'll be due in December 2012...yaayyy Great new whole life ahead of me. Thank you thank you thank you for your love and support and encouragement.

Thank you all for everything. I wish i had found this site sooner. I really apprecaite all the love and support here. Thanks guys!

When is a VAWA person eligibile to apply for citizenship after they receive permenant residence?

stil waiting since march 2006 .

Too long! Please call them and keep calling until you get an answer:

HOW TO CALL USCIS TO CHECK CASE STATUS

1-800-375-5283 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 6 - 1 - (receipt # (672)MSC-0000-000-0000) - 1 - 1 - 3 - 3 - 1 [please listen as the menu has changed]

A friend of mine called last week after she has been waiting for her fiance's I-29F approval, they approved their case immediately after she got off the phone from them. I thought it was weird cos they had been waiting for 4 months and they approved it after her phone call.

Hello All,

I don't know where to start and what to write. I have tears in my eyes and my whole body is shivering. I got my VAWA approved after 3 months and 10 days. Its really a big big surprise for me. Today God has blessed me after a long and painful journey. I never imagined when I entered in this country that one day I would have to suffer so much and that too beacuse of the person whom I loved so much. I never thought that he would do this to me. He has abused and humilated me so much and left me homeless without any support. I did not ate so many days, cried so much with so many sleepless nights. I left my job, my family, my carrier everything for that person and he has done this to me. But today God has blessed me and I can think about my life ahead. I thank you all very much for all your support. This forum is like a family which shares their feeling with each other. It has supported me a lot. I am looking forward for the next step.

Thank you all again so much and Good Luck for those waiting for their approavl. I will pray for you all.

Thanks

3 months? wow!!!! That's fast. I waited in agony for more than a year. You are lucky and blessed! It can only get better for you from now on. Count your blessings and don't ever forget to give thanks to God first. I am happy for you! Wish you the best *muah* *Hugs*

I went for my interview yesterday. Went with my lawyer.

The spanish lady was very nice and did not ask any interview questions. Only my name, DOB, when i came into the country and how i came. Then she proceeded to ask me the 20 legal questionnaire (the one in a paper), all which i said no. She asked my attorney if there was anything she would like to give, attorney gave her my job letter and pay stubs. She asked what typed of company it was and joked abit and since i worked in NY-she said "oh you work in NYC, see you around". She asked for my employment authorization back and said i wouldn't be needing it anymore. She brought out the stamp and said "i am going to approve your application". I had a big grin on my face which she saw clearly and she smiled back. She stamped my passport and waited for it to dry up...she continued to chat with my attorney about if we waited long or not. She wished me the best and said, "now you can move on" i responded...with a big sigh "YES!! MA'AM, THANK YOU. GOD BLESS YOU" And she led us out.

Yesterday was a very special day to me. Luckily, my church had a bible study event last night, so I went to church in the evening to give a donation and to thank God for his mercies during this past 2 years. It's been a long hard heart-broken time but i pulled through!

I will be visiting my country soon this summer. I called my whole family and my mom is so happy and everyone is so happy for me. I got so many phone calls...from people i have long forgotten i told. Everyone has been congratulating me - yesterday feels like my birthday, today feels even more like it

NOW MY MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION IS: When am i eligible to apply for citizenship?

Thank you all.

Didonyc, it looks like you got all the information you need. See my signature for my timeline. Please note: I had to pay about $1,000 filing fees and $200 health documents to be included in my form I485/I765.

That was a little shocker but i paid happily I am waiting to go on my interview now.

Does anyone have any idea what documents i need for the interview or what questions they ask?

I am posting this on behalf of a friend of mine.

Her fiance was refused visiting visa to come visit her twice. She made it down to visit him once.

Now she finally filed K1-Fiance Visa for him and was approved recently. They are preparing for interview now. Her question is : if they will allow her to go in with her fiance at the embassy.

She is flying down to her country to attend the interview with him. Will they allow both of them to go in? Not just the benefactor?

Also do you think the fact that they refused the guy 2ce before might affect his chances?

Also, what are the common questions they ask?

My friend was asking if they will allow her to go in with her fiance at the embassy. She is flying down to her country to attend the interview with him. So i guess this thread answers the question. They do allow both ofthem to go in? Not just the benefactor?

Can someone link me to the I-693a supplement form?

I want to print it and take to the doctor (just in case)

I can't seem to find it

Thanks for all the info guys.

I am using

Dr. Imaduddin Hashmi

427 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11218

(718) 306-5025

I did the test 2 years ago with him for $200 (i didn't know any better)

I have an appt to go in to him again (i couldn't get him on the phone) and see how much he tries to charge me (since he has my records already) any bulls**t and im leaving that office. I won't pay for than $50. Let's see how this goes

Lost inNJ, mine was touched 3 times too then it was approved. Fingers are crossed!!!

Mslady, yeah, I filed everything all over again and no, that is not a typo I paid the whole amount again $1,010 ... plus the cost for medical ... ohh and don't forget I couldn't work the entire time I was sorting this mess out so no money coming in . I had been told that I didn't need to refile the I-485 but once my EAD renewal was denied, I found out that I had to do it all over. As we all know there is no rhyme or reason behind the decisions that take place at that office. Maybe you need to do it over like I did, or maybe you don't like VAWA2006 - it's a pain either way.

Is it possible to ask for a fee waiver? Since my empl. authorization was denied i haven't been able to work on the books. I've been working cash only as a nanny. but i can't afford that...omigod! $1,010?? ohh wow

___

I just got off the phone with my lawyer (i had been trying to reach him for days now). He said to come in tomorrow to bring my birth certificate, passport & my approval letter. He confirmed what you said that i need to refile everything. *wheew*

I will go do my medical right away so i won't have to wait. Medical is like $250 right?

If you try to renew the EAD by itself, it WILL be denied. You have to file another I-485 to go with it. Below is basically what I did and it worked for me.

I sent another complete package (see below for the contents) to the Vermont center (where all VAWA apps go) and clearly marked the envelope VAWA in HUGE RED letters. I included a cover letter with a list of all the applications and this RE line at the beginning of the letter. "RE: Route with I-360 EAC123456789". I also stuck a post-it with that number on each application just in case things got separated (I wasn't taking chances).

I-485

G-325A -----> This has to be the 4 page one, there was an error on the site and I was just getting a 2 page at that time.

I-864W Intending Immigrant's Affidavit of Support Exemption

I-765 ------> option C(9)

Medical Exam --->you need to pay to have this done

Copy Marriage certificate

Copy of my birth certificate

Copy of his birth certificate --------> they need something to prove he is a citizen.

Copies of any expired EADs

Copy of the I-360

Copy of the Prima Facie ------> I think if you are due for a renewal you can also request one in this package.

you need to send all together with a check for total $1,010

I got my info from people on this forum, a paralegal at my crazy lawyers office (I told them I was too broke to pay for their services), and my friend's lawyer who didn't charge me a dime for her advice.

It looks like you had to refile everything.

I was told i wouldn't need to refile I-485 since my previous one is still pending.

I didn't know i would have to do all that again, including medical, etc. etc. I am hoping i don't. I know someone that didn't (vawa2006).

And $1,010??? Please tell me that's a type. How am i supposed to afford that

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Did you send an I-485 along with your pettition??? I'm just curios about what's next

Yesterday i received Email from uscis that my vawa petition got approved. after such a long and sad time I am sooooooo happy. My 1-360 took 15 months and 20 days to be approved. Thank God.

Hi, mine took 15 months also.

vawa-2006 told me to her attorney contacted USCIS for adjust status interview.

Will remind my attorney to do the same.

My I-360 got approved On Wednesday, October 7 after 15months. I am so happy. I waited and waited and wondered why so long!!!

I am so thankful to God. I didn't suffer in vain!!!!!

I have been told to be expecting an interview date now. I hope i don't wait too long for that.

I am a victim of abuse and currently going through the VAWA process.

My experience is detailed on my post #12 in this thread here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=121135

My attorney has asked that i provide at least one affidavit from a witness (i have two, the friend i moved in with and my brother).

But they have no idea how to write one, nor what format, me neither.

Does anyone know how? Can anyone provide me with a sample format or draft, where they can just plug in what they witnessed?

Please help.

I went through the VAWA process after being married for only 8 months. My ex assaulted me and was arrested for third degree assault. This was in July 2006. I believe that you can file the I-360 and I-485 concurrently - the pending I-485 would then allow you to file for a work permit at the same time. I filed my I-360 in Sept 2006 - it was approved in Oct 2007. I am still waiting for my interview (my I-485 was pending from the time my ex had filed for me - my attorneys had sent them a letter asking them to put a hold on it while the I-360 was being filed).

The agencies that I had contacted and who helped me (they may be able to point you in the right direction to get help in your area):

Sanctuary for Families: (212) 349-6009 (Family Court)

City Bar Justice Center: (212) 383-6600 (Immigration)

South Brooklyn Legal Services: (718) 237-5500 (Housing Court and Divorce Court)

Brooklyn Women's Services: (718) 748-1234 (Therapy)

Sanctuary helped me get my initial order of protection in Family Court. South Brooklyn helped me with Housing Court when the landlord tried to evict me - NY law allowed me to have the lease changed into my name even though the only name on the lease was my ex. Sanctuary gave me a grant to pay off the back rent once I could show them that I was working and would be able to pay the future rent. My ex took the plea deal in Criminal Court to avoid jail and I got two final orders of protection from both Family and Criminal Courts. South Brooklyn also helped me with my divorce (he had tried to get an annulment).

I also applied for, and got a brand new social security number from the Social Security Administration in my maiden name (domestic violence victims are allowed to apply for a new number - it is on their website).

Now, with all that said, your first priority is SAFETY! And you should also document everything. (In my case I had an arrest report and eye witnesses and many 911 calls from neighbors (he was on top of me in the hallway of my apartment building after he had succeeded in forcing me out of the apartment)). Talk to people who know your situation and those who have witnessed it firsthand and ask them to write affidavits on your behalf. Be honest and be strong.

ALL of my attorneys for everything were free of cost. My therapy was also free.

Good luck.

Hi vawa-2006, Borjou and Shona!!!! It's nice to see your posts and ur stories, it gives me hope as i went through something very similar.

Last year, I went through exactly what you all went though in ur case. 2007 was the worst year of my life. It was a rocky relationship to say the least. Mine was the worst i've ever heard anyone go through. Trouble started about 9 and half months after wedding too. He solicited women online alot. Brought women home when i wasn't home. I saw underwears that didn't belong to me, shoes that weren't my size...so much, so many. He was unusually loud and violent at any little argument. I don't know what gave him that over me or why i was so low for him, tho he's 12 years older but i always thought i was a though girl. Neigbours would call cops and even with my swollen lips from his fist, or being visibly shaken, teary and sweating i would tell them everything was fine when they came cos i was afraid of what might come after his arrest. I even miscarried a baby through all the abuse (which i may say now is a blessing cos i can't imagine how i would manage with a child in all of this now).

When it got so bad, i left to stay with a friend. He came there to harass me, cause a scene and got violent, he was arrested. When he got out, he filled for annulment based on lies, cancelled my AOS petition, emptied our bank account, we had a joint account where i put all most of my money as he "ordered", he emptied and closed it, threw all my remaining stuff on the side walk as apt was in his name. I was homeless, bruised, battered and humiliated. I continued to live with a friend until i was able to sort myself up and got a place 2 months ago. I am okay now, my only regret is that i wish i didn't cry so much and that i had gotten out and gotten help sooner. But i didn't know what to do and who to turn to. Plus he hid all my documents, including my passport. He had access and control over everything. I was so stupid.

Now, I have 2 police reports, an order of protection, photos, medical records of treatments, proof of his infidelity (computer chat screens i saved), written/email/txt msgs threats to me, saved voicemails and phone records.

I just got a lawyer now through my very supportive church and my lawyer just began to fix the case and he told me he is confident that i will be approved when all is done. So i have peace of mind (i guess). He just started this past week.

I am working extra hours to take my mind off the pain and to afford payments for everything that i need now, including the lawyer as i am paying out of my pocket.

Vawa-2006, thanks for posting all those information and phone numbers. I wish i had all the resources when all started. I did a search online but didn't get much. I guess i was going through so much at the time that nothing i did was productive. The sky is clearer now, i can see better, google search yield results these days...lol

I will PM you guys, as i am sure i will have questions as my case proceed. Please put me in your prayers.