panterchen

Mimi,

when you wired the money did you make sure to tell BOA that all fees associated with this transaction should come out of your account? Typically, fees are assessed twice: once on your end and once on the recipient's end for international wires (typically another Euro 20-25). I knew that when I made my wire but in addition to having had all fees come out of my account I also wired more because the bank wasn't sure if it would work (I'm in the midwest. Not many international wires going on here)...So I ended up slightly overpaying and of course didn't get anything back...Oh well. Just make sure that they receive the amount they need and that you won't have to add another Euro 20 in exchange for another $35.

I just recently went through the BBG process myself and am currently undergoing the US naturalization process. I submitted my BBG request mid December and got approved in February. Then I had to wire the money, hear back from the consulate, get the BBG to the nearest consulate representative and pick it up...So I finally got it last week. It all takes some time and the consulate isn't too quick in forwarding things. Meanwhile...I started the US process in March when I knew that they allowed me the BBG. Because that isn't a sure thing either so you must have been pretty sure that you would get permission and it sounds like everything worked out on that end.

Anyways...best of luck through the rest of the process.

Sorry for the late answer...my decision date (approved) was 10/19/2011 but I got the approval letter 10/24/2011 and the card came 10/31/2011. Again, my online status didn't say anything other than "petition received" and I never got an email or anything when the decision was made.

Please add me to the vsc approved list. My letter that I got approved came yesterday even though my case wasn't updated online when I checked on Sunday. Finally!

Please add me to the vsc approved list. My letter that I got approved came yesterday even though my case wasn't updated online when I checked on Sunday. Finally!

Thanks for the info! I had no idea. Now it shows up but our file is still under Initial Review, ie laying around somewhere.

Still waiting and my case doesn't even show up online...(but I did get the NOA). Anyone in the same boat?

Hope I can find someone here who can help me on this. I have read pages over pages on the website of the "Auswaertiges Amt" and am just not able to find out what we have to do.

So here is some backgroud info:

1) My husband (US citizen) and I (German citizen) got married over two years ago and live in the US. I am a permanent resident here and have disclosed that to the German government (bin also "abgemeldet") and have also already changed my last name in Germany ("Formular zur Namensaenderung", via the German embassy in the US)

2) We are thinking about sending him over to Germany for a few months to live with my parents and take some German language classes. Meanwhile, I will stay in the US (have to work unfortunately). My parents would be willing to sponsor him.

Here are our questions:

a) Does he need a visa if he stays less than 3 months but is taking language classes?

b) What if he wants to stay longer than 3 months and take classes? Does he need a visa then or could he theoretically apply for an "Aufenthaltsgenehmigung" in Germany AFTER he came into the country? And do I need to be there with him for any reason if he has to apply?

I hope anyone has done this before and can let me know how this works! Any help is much appreciated.

Add my update, please.

I got NOA 1 in the mail about a week ago, dated 3/23/2011. Today I got the biometrics letter for Oklahoma City on 4/25/2011.

Please add me too!

I sent it in 3/18/2011 and it got delivered on 3/21/2011 to Vermont Service Center. Now waiting for NOA1 and cashing the check...

Got my EAD in the mail on Sat and started my job Monday thereafter. We were lucky it all worked out that well.

I basically started looking for a job on job boards about 1 month after I got here. I only had to send one application. Then phone interview, in person interview and that was it! Got the job.

Ohh I haven't been on here for quite some time. Was busy adjusting with work and moving, moving, moving...

Anyways...I found that baby question quite interesting. We are not planning on one yet but, of course, I had been thinking about it with regards to being so far away from home (I am the German who just received her GC here).

I assume you are the USC in Germany? Hmm... I find it quite interesting that you say you would want to have your baby born over there. Just from a family standpoint and where I would feel more comfortable I would probably want to go home (to Germany) to give birth.

Even though my English is close to perfect and I am sure medical service is great here as well (if you can afford it), I just would feel more comfortable in my own culture in such a special situation. I definitely would want my family (esp. my mom) to be there to help me with any kinds of concerns I have (because after all she has been through all that). I think my plan is going to be to become pregnant here in the US, stay as long as possible, and go to Germany maybe 2 months (can you fly while being pregnant) before the baby is born...

Danke, chibby! Bis bald

to everyone else: good luck on the remainder of your journey and especially your new life in the US!!

Got my gc in the mail today!! Wohoo!!

Guess my card had alr4eady been ordered as it was mailed today!!

So you received it or did your online status change? I was thinking about you, when I saw that Ailene & Larry just changed the spreadsheet, they received the card today and they got their approval just a day before you.

My status changed from welcome letter mailed to approval notice mailed. That has to be the card. Guess I will receive it soon! Finally. Compared to our k1 journey this was a piece of cake really!

Guess my card had alr4eady been ordered as it was mailed today!!

So you came on a K1 and already got married? Then you are right now not allowed to work until your EAD is approved and you will then get your SSN.

If you are not married yet then you can get it. I did, they didn't even ask question as of why. However, you do need it for opening up bank accounts, insurance and such.

Hey,

I don't know if this helps you but I think the fact that you got transferred to CSC in May is a good sign.

I got transferred there at the end of April and just had my AOS approved about a week ago with no interview. So I know your AOS takes a very very long time but there seems to be some movement. Hang in there!!

So maybe mien was already ordered then?! Because by that time I didn't check my status daily...

So wait, what comes first??

Is your first online status change "Welcome letter mailed" or "Card production ordered"?

I have gotten my welcome letter but so far I didn't see any card production message online...

It's not just Florida, but Oklahoma too. Chibby, are you sure you have to take a new test???

Just a note on the last post. When I was talking to the guy from the drivers license authority he said I should rather come when I have my gc as he could then just hand me out a US DL without another test. I don't know whether this true only for certain countries but he said with me using only the K1 I would have to have another dl test and the dl would only be temporary... Don't ask. I will just do what he said and then post here what happened.

Congrats for all of you who have had good news!!

Now that I will receive my GC soon what do I have to do with my I94 I got when I entered the US and which is still in my passport? I read that at the interview they remove it. Can I remove it or shouldn't I?

In contrast to what I expected I already got my GC approved yesterday. Welcome letter has been mailed!

Just for your info, I had just sent in the DS vaccination worksheet but had all my vaccinations completed before I left my home country and got no RFE for that.

Good luck everyone!

One question for you guys.

I already have a SSN number and need to get this changed to my married last name. At the SSN Office they told me I could do this once I have my EAD as it is then changed with DHS. SO now I would like to get this done (as I have my EAD) however since I am working I can't make it to the opening hours (9am-4pm). Can I send it all in via mail??? Did anyone here ever do this? I read the instructions and apparently it seems possible I just don't really know if this counts for non USC too and what kind of evidence I have to put with the letter.

Help would be appreciated!

My new work is exactly what I wanted to do back home and what my degree is in. So far it is going really well and it is fun.

I guess I was really lucky to find this company and get a job during the recession. It is a very small firm but provides me with great future oppotunities.