PetersBride

Hi,

Thanks for the info. My husband is keen to get the license asap because the nature of his work requires driving a company/government vehicle. He didn't think employers will look fondly upon insuring someone with a UK license. He was trying to be proactive about the driver's licensing piece. By the way, DH went to the SSA office yesterday and will have his SSN in a few weeks. Now, if he can just land a job....

Thanks for your help!!!

PetersBride

1. get a job

2. go to a social security office to get his ssn, it's easy

2. wait for a green card and then go back to get your dl

Hi folks,

Really, I tried to figure this out on my own before resporting to your greater wisdom.... My husband received his EAD a few weeks ago. We thought that the number on the EAD was (equivalent to) his SSN. He went to apply for a driver's license today and discovered that it is not. What, then, do we do next? Any and all help is greatly appreciated. - PetersBride.

go to SSA and get an SSN

Thank you! I misunderstood the EAD. Boy, do I feel dumb...

Hi folks,

Really, I tried to figure this out on my own before resporting to your greater wisdom.... My husband received his EAD a few weeks ago. We thought that the number on the EAD was (equivalent to) his SSN. He went to apply for a driver's license today and discovered that it is not. What, then, do we do next? Any and all help is greatly appreciated. - PetersBride.

Hi! Thanks so much for your response! We appreciate it!

Hi Everyone, I apologize if this question is elsewhere. I did look to see if it was already posted...

My husband's I-94 has an expiry date of mid September. We were married 10 days after he arrived in June and filed paperwork about one week after we married, at the beginning of July. Can my husband stay in this country even if the fiance visa has expired? This is the only document aside from his EAD that has a date on it. We plan to call USCIS on the next business day, but I am hoping that one of you knowledgeable folks can help clarify things for us. Many thanks.

Yes this is normal. Once you get the NOA1 for the AOS filing, that serves as the unofficial temporary authorization. He can't leave until the AP or GC are in hand but you are fine.

Hi Everyone, I apologize if this question is elsewhere. I did look to see if it was already posted...

My husband's I-94 has an expiry date of mid September. We were married 10 days after he arrived in June and filed paperwork about one week after we married, at the beginning of July. Can my husband stay in this country even if the fiance visa has expired? This is the only document aside from his EAD that has a date on it. We plan to call USCIS on the next business day, but I am hoping that one of you knowledgeable folks can help clarify things for us. Many thanks.

Hi Folks,

Thanks so much for responding. My husband was getting worried and since my head is already spinning with back to work stuff, I wasn't clear on what the process is during this lag time. You've all healped to clarify the process and calm concerns. Thanks again!

Hi Everyone, I apologize if this question is elsewhere. I did look to see if it was already posted...

My husband's I-94 has an expiry date of mid September. We were married 10 days after he arrived in June and filed paperwork about one week after we married, at the beginning of July. Can my husband stay in this country even if the fiance visa has expired? This is the only document aside from his EAD that has a date on it. We plan to call USCIS on the next business day, but I am hoping that one of you knowledgeable folks can help clarify things for us. Many thanks.

I agree with Gary and Alla and would add that you should be consistent with whatever you put on all of your paperwork. Good luck!

If anyone who has filled out the I-129f from the UK can help me for this section. For question 15 it asks for state or province and then the country. We tried to fill it out together but were stuck on this question. He is from Scotland so do we put Scotland down for the country or do we put the UK. Also in the "state or province box," the UK doesn't have states, so do we put the county that his town is located in? thanks

Hi Goldylox,

My fiance and I felt the same confusion at the beginning of the process. We are still have the interview 'hoop' to jump through. In retrospect, it was not nearly as bad as it first seemed. Now is a good time to get started on the paperwork in order to marry in January 2009. If I've read your info correctly, you probably want to file the I-129F first (Vermont) for a K1 visa. VJ has been an excellent resource and I know that we could not have done it without having this valuable resource. Best of luck!

PetersBride

HI

Can i start by saying HEEELLLPPPPP.......... I am so confused.. I am a UK citizen and my partner is NJ US Citizen, We were married in NY in January 2009. We are just about to launch into the whole immigration process and i feel like i am completely out of my depth here. I really have no idea of which visa to apply for? from seeing everyones posts the CR1 looks the best? I am planning to go and visit him atthe end of May can i still go? Or would it be better to do the forms together whilst i am there?

I am just getting sooooooooo confused around it all please would someone help

Hi there! You can add us to your list!!!!! We were approved on 2/27!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NVC, here we come!

PeterBride

For everyone approved in Late FEB & MARCH!!! Congratulations!!!

We can fly through NVC - Let's do this together. Please keep everyone updated with your progress along the NVC Journey.

BEST OF LUCK TO EVERYONE

FYI: I called the service center using the *1 option and was actually able to speak to a real person in short order. My receipt number does not register because my file has not yet been looked at. I know I sounded anxious, but I was wondering why others could "see" their petition progress online when they appear to have filed roughly around my timeline. Patience, patience....

Hi,

Yes, I tried calling USCIS just this morning. The petition was received in VT on 11/7/08. The check was cashed a few days later. I can't get through to a real person when I call the USCIS. I just read on another posting that I should press *1, to get to a real human being. I will try this tomorrow morning.

Thanks for your input!

PetersBride

Hi Folks,

Every time I check on my petition's progress, I get a message that there is no such receipt number. I posted a few months ago on this site and, at the time, others were complaining that the USCIS website was down or somehow problematic. Now, I've noticed that January filers are able to monitor their petition. Why not me? Any ideas as to why?

Thanks,

PetersBride

Have you tried calling USCIS? Did you get your check (the one you sent with your I-129F petition) cashed? If you did get your check cashed and you keep getting an error with your receipt #, call USCIS and if the customer service pple don't help you, ask to speak to an Immigration Officer.

Good Luck!

ETA: If you recently sent your submission, give it two weeks before trying to check the case status online. I recently heard that CSC is behind on entering cases electronically into the system, maybe that is the case. Call USCIS.

Hi,

I tried calling USCIS this morning (Wednesday), at 8:05-10 am. What an exercise in frustration. I'm going to try the *1 option suggested. I'd be thrilled to get some information.

Best,

PetersBride

I just tried to call USCIS and I keep getting bumped out of the call loop. The recording kept telling me to call back between the hours of 8-6 Mon-Fri. It is 10:15 on a Tuesday morning. Anyone else having problems?

Hi Folks,

Every time I check on my petition's progress, I get a message that there is no such receipt number. I posted a few months ago on this site and, at the time, others were complaining that the USCIS website was down or somehow problematic. Now, I've noticed that January filers are able to monitor their petition. Why not me? Any ideas as to why?

Thanks,

PetersBride

Hi Everyone:

My fiance, Peter, and I submitted paperwork for the K1 in early November. I thought I'd put this question out there in hopes of putting my beloved at ease, or, at least give him a head start... The records for Peter's immunizations since childhood no longer exist. We are wondering what the expectation will be on the part of the London embassy's physician(s) when Peter finally reaches this phase of the visa process (God willing!). Will they want him to receive immunizations all over again? Has anyone ever encountered this questions or problem before and can you speak to what that of the US Embassy at London will likely do or request. Peter does have the scar on his arm to show proof that he did receive standard childhood vaccinations. He has his parents sign a letter verifying that he had, indeed, received such vaccinations. Unfortunately, I doubt such a letter would be acceptable with the US embassy...

Your input is appreciated!

PetersBride

There could be some issue with the site. check the link below

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=162512

Wow! You're fast! Thanks!

P.

Hi Everyone,

I'm just curious. I recently received my NOA1 on 11/14. It was received on 11/7 and my check was cashed on 11/11. I registered on USCIS.GOV in order to track my petition. When I enter my receipt number (yes, I double-triple-quadruple checked), I get a "validation error". Is it too soon for me to expect to see my case online?

Cheers,

PetersBride

Stuart and Courtney,

Congratulations and best wishes to you both!

PetersBride

Hi All,

Thanks for responding to my inquiry yesterday. I had a brain freeze and forgot that VJ has excellent resources in addition to your kind input. I forgot about the examples. Based on your responses, I think my application is acceptable.

Thanks again.

PetersBride

For the first one just put None if they haven't had a job outside of the States. For the second I would do the same if he hasn't had a job abroad.

Hi, Thanks for your quick reply. I should have clarified. My fiance is in England. Not here. I should still list "none" right?!

Hi Everyone,

It's my turn to be worried here.... I just want to be sure about this. I am typing the I-129F and I am confused by two sections:

Where it says "Applicant's last outside of the US of more than one year" Do I leave this blank if my fiance (beneficiary) has lived at his present address 5+ years?

Also,

Where it says, "Show below last occupation abroad if not shown above." My fiance has been in his present position for 5+ years. Prior to this current occupation, he held a different job with a different job title. What should I do here?

Your speedy response is appreciated as I want to send this off to my fiance to sign today....

Many thanks,

PetersBride

I live in the UK and my OH lives in America so I am going to be applying for a K1 visa to go over there. The way I've read guides and such it seems like the petitioner (which would be my OH) has to complete all the paperwork and compile the evidence to send off. Now my OH, bless him, doesn't really understand all the paperwork and all the processes. I have tried numerous times to explain it to him and have even sent him the link to this site. He understands the evidence stuff but that's about it. Can I fill all the paperwork out etc and just get him to sign the bits he needs to? I've been really swotting up on it and it would be better if I did it all. Thanks.

Hi, although I am just beginning the process myself, I can tell you that it took a few months to make sense of the paperwork. I had been reading directly from the US Immigration website. Then, I found VJ and I think I have finally "got it"! It took several conversations with my Sweetheart in order for the two of us to be on the "same page" about this immigration process. I wouldn't, at all, perceive your beloved's lack of understand as a lack of commitment at all. He may find the flow chart easier to follow, as it is a tad more 'visual' with less verbiage. Immigration is a complex process! I wish you good luck!

Hi,

I read this strand with great interest because my fiance and I are just about to begin filing. After getting engaged, our conversation turned to which country are we going to live in? Then, it turned to how are we going to figure out all of this immigration paperwork? (This is when we discovered VJ, which is a true blessing!) Talking about a wedding seemed like a guilty pleasure a short time ago with everything we were trying to understand with the visa process.

Now, wedding chat has become a topic that brings us joy. And, in the process, we have learned even more about each other, such as how similar our tastes are even with regard to weddings! I discovered how surprisingly uninformed I am about wedding planning, despite having been in two weddings! (I think I always thought that if I learned too much, it was the surest route to never finding my true love ) I am planning all of the aspects of a wedding that I have control over, such as wedding gown (I bought it already!), discussed my groom's kilt (rent vs. buy?), and picked out my maid of honor's outfit (I asked her to stand for me, too).

I have assembled a binder with ideas for flowers, cake, decor/color scheme. I have been in contact with a priest whom my fiance and I will meet when my fiance comes to visit next month. Although we cannot pick a date, we will have established our intent with someone whom I hope will provide us with a letter verifying our intent to marry at his church. My fiance and I will visit/dine at the two venues I have in mind for our reception.

I hope this is useful. Thanks to everyone who posted their responses. I am learning so much from all of you!

Does anyone have photographs of the lay out or how you set up your packet? With my illness I get overwhelmed with tons of details and I wish to do this correctly. I am a visual learner so any examples anyone can show me would be a huge help of how you set your packet up. I know we aren't to use staples. If you have tips on the exact name of office supplies you use to set yours up that would be also helpful. Thank you!

Dawn

Hi,

Thanks, NEDawn, for posting your question. I appreciate reading/seeing the responses from other posters!

Cheers,

PetersBride

Hi all. My fiance and I were talking on the phone last night and she is seriously considering moving over to the UK. Reason is that she's now starting to feel the pinch with the economy and is really worrried that it will get worse. Even though she has filed the K1, Lara may end up coming here to the UK instead.

Does anyone know what the process and immigration laws are for the UK? All I know is that it's quicker and easier but thats as far as it goes.If she did move over here it would only be herself, so no kids involved. Any info would be greatly appreciated on this one.

Thanks.

Hi, I read your post and have to chuckle because I have considered moving to the UK, as well. As Peter says, it would be "sod's luck" that as we finally find each other, the economy heads south. I know that this makes the whole move and resettlement process even more overwhelming. Peter and I have even considered Canada because I have dual citizenship. But, in the end, we decided to stay with the US. I sure wish the process of obtaining permanent residency was easier, though.

If I were you, I'd do a real analysis of what you wish to accomplish as a couple (i.e., home, family, career goals, and personal accomplishments, too) and think about your career options. Are Lara's skills easily transferrable? Would her skillset (teacher, architect, nurse, for example) be recognized by professional/credentialing organizations in the UK?

Look at the cost of living indexes for where you think you'd like to settle, etc., etc. In the end, if you folks decide later that you do wish to reside in the US, it is always an option to pursue this at that point. As the saying goes, the "grass always looks greener on the other side." Try to use some concrete information to help guide you. While you may discover that there are pros and cons for each place of residence and that, in the end, each pro/con has balanced itself out, at least you will have work through (if you haven't already and I am sure you have) what you both want.

Cheers!

You cannot be married and apply for a K1 visa. k1 visa is for fiances Only. If you get married before you get your K1, you will have to start all over again for a K3.

That is correct. If your wedding plans are the priority and will take a long time, you can set the date and complete the plans after the visa is in hand. He'll have six months to use the visa and three months to get married. If you can't plan a suitable wedding in nine months time, something's wrong. Lots of pre-planning can be done but it's unwise to set a date until the visa is in hand.

Thank you. This was my initial understanding. I was just trying to put the original poster's inquiry into context given what I currently understand. I think we'll be sticking with the K1 process then.

Cheers.