mamaronga

No

Thank you for the quick reply. Do you have a source for that? (The I-864 itself doesn't necessarily specify that answer...)

Hello!

My husband is currently a Permanent Resident with Conditions (we will be up for lifting Conditions in a little over 2 years). Our jobs do not offer us health care and we cannot afford private health care packages. However, we understand that the Affidavit of Support that was signed by myself and my co-sponsor means my spouse cannot receive medicaid or another federal subsidized health insurance, except for Emergency Medicaid. But what about state-subsidized health insurance? Could my spouse as a Permanent Resident be eligible for that? Has anyone in this forum ever been on state-subsidized health insurance while being a Permanent Resident and having a sponsor from the AOS application process?

How are other folks dealing with health insurance? Has anyone who has a AOS sponsor been able to be eligible for any state subsidized health insurance programs? If not, how have you been able to protect your sponsors for the AOS from the Government if you *cannot* afford private health insurance, and health costs arose that you could not afford?

I would love any advice or experiences possible. It feels very frustrating that there seem to be no health care options what-so-ever available to my spouse, just because he is a permanent resident--and yet, we cannot afford health insurance.

Thanks!

I too am curious about Health Insurance that is subsidized by the state. I understand that Permanent residents should not apply for medicaid as they will be ineligible (Medicaid will look at sponsor's income/assets when considering eligibility). However, I am unsure about my state's subsidized insurance-- does this apply to state programs as well? Does anyone have an experience using state subsidized health insurance as a Permanent resident?

THANKS!

Hello VJ family!

I searched the forums and only found 1 other post posted on this topic---so I wanted to see if there was more information out there!

My parents co-sponsored my spouse for his AOS because at the time I did not meet the federal government poverty guidelines. Now, 9 months after my spouse has become a permanent resident, I DO meet the poverty guidelines in order to be a sponsor for AOS. In the interest of getting my parents out of a position of responsibility earlier than the 2 years, 3 months we will need to wait until my spouse can be a citizen, I would like to know if there is a method of removing my parents as co-sponsors... As Myself, as the other co-sponsor, can now sponsor my spouse alone.

Is there any tool or method for doing this? I've read the I-864 and have found no information on this. If you have a link or a source, that would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much!

-Mamaronga

Green Card approved!

experience at Buffalo: Generally, too simple to be real. I think our interview was 5 minutes long, maximum, and consisted of our Interviewing officer confirming facts he already knew (both of our D.O.B.s, address, date of wedding, how many in attendance, how did we meet, etc... basically he said the fact and we were asked if it was true ....yes or no questions. easy enough!) We were a little stressed out about whether to take an interpreter or not---as it turned out we found a nice woman who did it ($25) for us...she really didn't need to do much since almost 99% of the questions were directed at me as the USC. But I think her presence helped the whole thing go quick and smoothly. we were also stressed out because we couldn't sleep the night before (nerves??) And they took a really long time to get us in there, for the interview, even though there was like no body in the waiting room! So 15 minutes after our scheduled appointment we started wondering if there's something wrong with our case! But then the guy called someone who wasn't even there yet, and we responded, "They aren't here, but we ARE!" and then he said he'd check on it. 5 minutes later he called us in...we swore in and he confirmed some info (as i wrote above).

Then he said "Yours is clearly a legitimate relationship so I don't want to hold you up any longer---your greencard has been approved". He put the stamp in his passport, which serves as a "temporary green card" good for 1 year for travel and work permission as well, but that the real green card will arrive in the mail in 2 weeks. he said nothing about it being a conditional 2 year GC...though I'm sure it'll say that on the card itself. he asked if we had any questions. nope! have a nice day! and we were out of there. i think it was 4, 5minutes maximum, SUPER QUICK. he did not look at a single thing we spent hours and hours and hooooouuurs preparing....whoa! he did mention: "It's good that you come prepared, however, some cases need more additional evidence than others" (basically saying that our case did not). However, he DID ask for our "marraige certificate" and a good thing i remembered this one--- when we sent in our AOS i sent a certified copy of our marraige cert.... or so i thought, but the state had sent us 2 different certificates---one yellow --5 copies of it...and one grey...aand with a seel and only one copy. and i neglected to send a copy of that one with our AOS! and that's the one he asked for at the interview. so ...that was lucky!!! i highly recommend that everyone send ALL kinds of marraige certificates recieved, or copies of them, not just one like we did!

so...surprisingly painless. i just wish we hadn't had to travel 7 hours (3.5 each way) and take 2 days off from work to do it! (couldn't we have done that over the phone???) hehe but i'm so HAPPY we both are...to not have to deal with this for another (nearly) 2 years!!!!

so, its all good. luck to all who have yet to do thier interviews!

thanks for all the support!!!

g'night

Katemunter: congrats on your little girl! yours is a unique case, I'm not sure what to do but I would call USCIS and ask them the "official policy" for a case like that...

Also, yes I know we'll bring our own passports and birth certificate originals...but our co-sponsor is my father for the Affidavit of support, Must I bring my Father's original passport? I'd feel bad asking him such a favor---and would rather not!

Do folks know if we need a "certified" or "professional" interpreter or would a bi-lingual friend work to help interprete for my husband? what have folks who recently had interviews done?

Luck to all who have interviews tomorrow!!

CONGRATS to all approved couples, I'm very happy for you all!

Like others have said, sorry I haven't been on here much, but very busy with work (and now preparing for the interview!) but I'm so glad you are all out there in cyber space and that we can all support each other.

We have our interview next week, Thursday January 14th!

A little nervous because my spouse's english isn't perfect and we're debating whether we need an interpreter, and if we do, whether it can be a bi-lingual (spanish/english) friend or if it has to be a "certified" or professional interpreter?

Also they ask for "originals" of all "supporting documents" that we submitted in the AOS application---does that mean the original passport of the co-sponsor of our Affidavit of Support for example....?? (i think that would be a lot to ask) or just originals of things like my spouse's and my passports, birth certificates, stuff like that?

Other than those 2 issues we're feeling pretty good to go...

will write up our experience afterwards...

good luck to all with interviews this week! go get 'em!

Hi all, thanks for your responses!

Okay, so, looks like we need a 3rd party interpreter to be on hand in case they don't let me as his spouse interpret for him.

BUT, does it need to be any kind of special "certified" interpreter, or just anyone who is confident in thier bi-lingual abilities?

Judging from what you all say, just anyone who is bi-lingual can do the job, it doesn't have to be a professional (they forced him to ask around in the waiting room for an interpreter? that's so annoying!)

I hope that we can find a friend to do it rather than pay some profession $100 for a half hour...! can't really spend more $ on this process...

THANKS!

Claire

Hello there!

I've been searching through the forums. I've found most people (out of few folks who've posted) to say that no, a spouse cannot be the interpreter for the potential beneficiary of a Green Card. However, 1) I've also heard from people that they have been the interpreter as the spouse and they got approved and 2) I have yet to read anything "official" from USCIS about whether or not the spouse can be the interpreter.

I am fluent in spanish, my spouse speaks some english but may not understand all questions.

Do you think we can just wing it and go in without an interpreter

The thing is, the interview is in a far away city where I don't know anyone who speaks spanish, and we wouldn't be able to afford to contract an interpreter I'm sure, even if we could find one!

our interview is in less than 1 week, PLEASE HELP! please share with me your experience...

anyone else out there have a fine experience helping to interpret for their spouse?? Or does USCIS turn away couples who don't bring a third-party interpreter?

THANKS!

Claire

I thought the visa journey community might be interested in this article:

http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2009/12...ductive-justice

Those of you who have already done the AOS interview... can you please help us with a few questions as we prep for our January interview?

1. can i as his spouse be his translator, or must it be a third party?

2. the Interview letter asked for a Medical exam and an Affidavit of support---but we already turned that in with our AOS application, so why would they ask? should we just bring a copy of what we have? (b/c we obviously don't have whatever was in the sealed envelope...)

3. They also ask for originals and copies of "supporting documents"-- don't they have this all from our AOS application? do we have to make a whole other copy of our application again? or what exactly are they referring to? (are they referring to the AOS application or the Interview)

4. What's the "documentation establishing eligibility for permanent residence status" is this all the NOA's that we got from the government throughout the whole process, or what is this?

thank you so very much for your help!

cheers

claire

hey all!

quick update.... Dec. 18th my husband received an email announcing his approval of Advance Parole and "card production" for his EAD. which I figured would take a month to get but it looks like folks are receiving the EAD cards pretty quickly after card production is announced (does that mean you get to work, for real????)

It's exciting how fast this is happening for many of us! I hope that everyone has this good luck and can get their approvals quickly.

Still not really sure all the details of preparing for the interview...it's one of our projects for vacation.

cheers to all

claire and cris

thanks folks!

Its the real deal!!!!

Yo, C.! This is correct, si man. The AOS process will almost certainly be as un-devious as our consulate was devious. And do join that October filers' thread, si man -- you'll find a lot of good support & sharing there. Stay in touch, si man.

do folks know about how long you have to wait for the green card after the interview? i'm guessing maybe my spouse will get his green card before his EAD, that would be cool!

also, can i be the interpreter as his wife or does it have to be a third party?

good luck to everyone ..i hope everyone gets their interview appointments soon!

how are folks preparing for the interviews???

cheers

claire

thanks inky, well we already submitted the Affidavit and the medical exam along with the rest of our AOS paperwork as that is what they required, is it not?

so i don't understand why any one would of NOT turned in these things already....

just want to clarify

__________

Hi ya'll!

I found you a little late...but we're Oct. filers too!

I was very glad to find this forum.

So my spouse and I turned in his AOS in October (Oct. 30 to be exact). AND... we already recieved a I-797C Notice of Action saying:

"REQUEST FOR APPLICANT TO APPEAR FOR INITIAL INTERVIEW" FOR "FORM 1-485 APPLICATION TO REGISTTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR ADJUST STATUS

and it's in January!

What is this? is this THE interview that you have and then a few weeks later get your greencard? or is this an EXTRA interview (the "initial interview" part makes me nervous) before the REAL interview just to get us to jump through more hoops? Anyone have a clear idea on this...? Should we we happy, thinking my spouse might get his green card in January if everything goes good at the interview? or is this a false alarm and really it's just an initial interview and the real interview will come at some unknown later date?

We'd REALLY appreciate your thoughts on this, those of you who know! (also even if we had an interview on Jan. 14, how quickly could he get his green card?)

PLUS: they ask for a "completed medical examination I 693" and "a complete affidavit of support form I 864" but that's all the stuff we turned in with the AOS application, so we don't need to bring it right? Maybe just a copy to be safe?

AND: And can I as his spouse also be his interpreter? (sure hope so!)

THANKS!

Claire and Cristhian

Hi ya'll!

I found you a little late...but we're Oct. filers too!

I was very glad to find this forum.

So my spouse and I turned in his AOS in October (Oct. 30 to be exact). AND... we already recieved a I-797C Notice of Action saying:

"REQUEST FOR APPLICANT TO APPEAR FOR INITIAL INTERVIEW" FOR "FORM 1-485 APPLICATION TO REGISTTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR ADJUST STATUS

and it's in January!

What is this? is this THE interview that you have and then a few weeks later get your greencard? or is this an EXTRA interview (the "initial interview" part makes me nervous) before the REAL interview just to get us to jump through more hoops? Anyone have a clear idea on this...? Should we we happy, thinking my spouse might get his green card in January if everything goes good at the interview? or is this a false alarm and really it's just an initial interview and the real interview will come at some unknown later date?

We'd REALLY appreciate your thoughts on this, those of you who know! (also even if we had an interview on Jan. 14, how quickly could he get his green card?)

PLUS: they ask for a "completed medical examination I 693" and "a complete affidavit of support form I 864" but that's all the stuff we turned in with the AOS application, so we don't need to bring it right? Maybe just a copy to be safe?

AND: And can I as his spouse also be his interpreter? (sure hope so!)

THANKS!

Claire and Cristhian

Hi all--friends in this WONDERFUL Forum.

So my spouse and I turned in his AOS in October (Oct. 30 to be exact, almost November so I've come to this thread). AND... we already received a I-797C Notice of Action saying:

"REQUEST FOR APPLICANT TO APPEAR FOR INITIAL INTERVIEW" FOR "FORM 1-485 APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR ADJUST STATUS"

and it's in January!

What is this? is this THE interview that you have and then a few weeks later get your green card? or is this an EXTRA interview (the "initial interview" part makes me nervous) before the REAL interview just to get us to jump through more hoops? Anyone have a clear idea on this...? Should we we happy, thinking my spouse might get his green card in January if everything goes good at the interview? or is this a false alarm and really it's just an initial interview and the real interview will come at some unknown later date? I'm uncertain just because the time lines all say it'll take at least 7 months to get the interview for the green card, so I'm confused as to why it happened so quick.

We'd REALLY appreciate your thoughts on this, those of you who know and have been through this, thank you thank you!

PLUS: they ask for a "completed medical examination I 693" and "a complete affidavit of support form I 864" but that's all the stuff we turned in with the AOS application, so we don't need to bring it right? Maybe just a copy to be safe?

And can I as his spouse also be his interpreter? (sure hope so!)

THANKS!

Claire and Cristhian

Hi all!

I was glad to find this forum.

So my spouse and I turned in his AOS in October (Oct. 30 to be exact, almost November so I've come to this thread). AND... we already recieved a I-797C Notice of Action saying:

"REQUEST FOR APPLICANT TO APPEAR FOR INITIAL INTERVIEW" FOR "FORM 1-485 APPLICATION TO REGISTTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR ADJUST STATUS

and it's in January!

What is this? is this THE interview that you have and then a few weeks later get your greencard? or is this an EXTRA interview (the "initial interview" part makes me nervous) before the REAL interview just to get us to jump through more hoops? Anyone have a clear idea on this...? Should we we happy, thinking my spouse might get his green card in January if everything goes good at the interview? or is this a false alarm and really it's just an initial interview and the real interview will come at some unknown later date?

We'd REALLY appreciate your thoughts on this, those of you who know!

THANKS!

Claire and Cristhian

If you apply under catagory A6 as a K1 visa holder the EAD would be linked to the K1 visa and the EAD would expire on the 90th day after arrival and you will have to pay the fee. If you apply under catagory C9 as a person filing for adjustment of status then the EAD will be valid for 1 year and there is no fee to pay as long as you are filing the EAD application along with or after you filed for AOS.

Tay

Hi tay, thanks for the clear response. wow! i totally mis-understood that form then, i mean, it's not exactly clear! i would have had *no* idea had i not looked here in visa journey! crazy! so now i cannot file today cuz my husband left for work and won't be back until 6pm.... grrrrrrrrrrrrrr! there's always something else...

thanks for your help!!!

Hi ---

I assumed that my spouse who entered on a K1 visa would fall under the (a)(6) category for EAD eligibility. however on a visa journey forum someone said it would acutally be ( c ) (9).

Please, can someone clarify this?

we want to file tomorrow!

Thanks

claire

I'm confused. it's really © (9)...? my husband is eligible because he was a k1 visa holder. but now he's my spouse, obviously, since we got married. i just assumed he'd be the (a)(6). please correct me if i'm wrong! as we are filing tomorrow!

Didn't your SO get a medical in Armenia? or is it Ecuador? why you put Armenia in timeline?, is you fiance here yet? if so there was no need to go to a doctor here in the USA at POE your fiance handed in the sealed envelope containing everything including the medical.

Some clinics here confuse you and make you have another exam just to get your money!. Who told you to get a doctor here in USA?.

Yes, my SO got his medical in Ecuador (for some reason the pull down menu doesn't let me choose Ecuador, I don't know why!), since he got a K1 visa.

however K1 visa holders must have vaccine supplements, that's why we are going to a designated civil surgeon to get that part of the form filled out (I693)

They are only charging $25 to fill out the form---it's the vaccines that cost!

that's why we want to avoid getting costly vaccines that aren't necessary to satisfy USCIS and get the AOS done.

Thanks for the responses, So we won't worry about getting the Heb B I guess, and also won't worry about submitting too much evidence with AOS.

Hi friends,

My understanding was that K1 visa holders only need:

Varicela

MMR

Tetnus

and PPD (tuberculosis test)

Now the lady from the clinic tells me he will need Hep B. hmmm. but the US approved doctor in Ecuador marked that that was "not age appropriate". And when reading documents elsewhere, it all says that Hep B is only until 18 years of age. But this lady insists! So should we just go with it, pay the extra $75-100 to "be safe"? or go with the knowledge we have from other sources?

Also, we got curious the other day.... it seems that not everyone gets an interview for AOS. is that the case? Do some folks receive their greencard (2 year) in the mail without having to go to an interview, or is there definitely an interview for everyone? Is it best to submit evidence with the AOS forms (photos, joint bank account etc...) or can most of that wait for the actual INTERVIEW?

I'd appreciate your ideas!

Thanks

claire

Hello Dear Friends at Visa Journey.

Although I've spent the whole night researching on VisaJourney, I unfortunately still have a lot of questions. I was hoping someone who has recently been researching to file, or someone who’s recently filed or further along in the process could help me clarify some/all of these doubts I have about our up/coming (very soon!) AOS application. I have tried to put them in an orderly/organized fashion to help make things clearer for up/coming readers.

Help is *much* appreciated!!

Cheers,

Claire

I-485 Questions

1. Part One asks, right under the I-94 # box, “Expires on” Is that “Expires on” referring to the I-94, meaning 3 months after he entered the US (the date written on the admittance stamp under the date admitted)? Or is it referring to the date that the Visa Expires (expiration date written on K1 visa)?

2. I’m assuming that the I-94 # is the number listed on it as “Number of admission” (in our 1-94 that’s in Spanish it’s the number right under “Numero de Admision”

3. The instructions don’t talk up the Proof of bonefide relationship much, not nearly as much as the I-129F. What do folks submit… joint leases, bank accounts, credit/debit cards, photos? (the list goes on to mortgages, large purchases, etc but come on! We’ve only been here a few weeks, and we’re broke! How are we supposed to buy a house together already?!?) What else to you submit you’re living together in a loving relationship? Is it important to submit as much proof as one must submit in the I-129F or is it not as big of a deal?

I-693 Medical Form

1. So we’re having some problems with the Vaccine Supplement (Part 2, Section 5). There’s no clinic in our city. The closest one wants to charge us $50 for initial visit, high fees for every vaccine my husband is missing (we’re pretty sure MMR and Varicela), plus a $125 fee for a medical to see the doctor. I insisted that we didn’t need a medical, didn’t need to see the doctor, as my husband came on a K- 1 and already had a medical exam with a doctor approved by US consulate in his home country! But she insisted that he would need to see the doctor. So are they just totally ripping people off and getting away from it because they are the closest Civil Surgeon in the area? Should they be reported?? (in a city even further away they told me they charge a fee of $25 to fill out the vaccine supplement. That seems more reasonable! But its FAR away….)

2. So, what we’ve collected from calling various civil surgeons is that my husband will need the following vaccines/tests in order to Adjust status:

A) Varicela

B) MMR

C) PPD (the test that …makes sure you don’t have Tuberculosis)

D) Tetanus (though… 2 clinics said he needs tetanus and 1 said no)

Does that information seem consistent with what everyone else has experienced? And what have been the general prices, for these vaccines and also for the Civil Surgeon filling out the form?

Cover Letter

1. In the name of WHO is the AOS application exactly…. My non-US husband or myself, or us BOTH? Who should write and sign the COVER LETTER for example?

I-864 Affidavit of Support

1. I have not filed taxes in the last 3 years (not enough income). So HOW can I answer question #25 on the I 864? There is no option for “did not file”. Should I just leave it blank? (As for proof of non-filing, is a written statement explaining good enough or do I need an official statement from the IRS?)

Advance Parole to Travel

1. Is it correct that my husband can apply for Advance Parole AFTER he submits his AOS, and still not have to pay the filing fee?

2. Does he need an EXACT date he wants to travel on? If he puts an exact date, can he ONLY travel on that date or will they give him general permission to travel?

3. Has anyone had problems coming back into the States after using Advance Parole to travel before receiving green card? Better to just stay put until receiving green card or ok to travel?

thanks for the quick replies you guys are GREAT!

1. you mentioned that he needs "basically the things needed for K-1"...meaning a copy of everything we used to get the K-1 visa...?

2. Bummer with the selective service....

3. the 1-94: the airline just gives it to you? should we ask for it, will they KNOW to give it to us, and if so, how? because looking on USCIS website there´s a form I-102 that costs like $300 just to the the 1-94 form! I don´t get it, so why would they give it to us for free on the plane? we don´t need to apply for it, for sure?

4. and a new one: VACCINATIONS! so as a K1 holder my fiance will NOT need to get another medical exam, correct? But he DOES need a vaccine supplement. How does that work? Is that something he can get in the US with a US docter looking at his vaccine cards from his country? Or must he get some kind of official document or form signed by a docter here in Ecuador his country? One person posted that "he needs his DS 3025 vaccination records from his medical". Would that be part of the medical exam paperwork that is probably included in our sealed package or is it a separate form we need to have a docter here fill out, if so, how does one find it? (i couldn´t find it on USCIS website)

THANK YOU KINDLY!!! abrazos....