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Not sure how open you'd be to it, but I wouldn't rule out northern New Jersey either. It can be quite a bit cheaper rent-wise than NYC and there's lots of reliable public transportation into the city. I live in Montclair and commute in to NYU by train twice a week (takes about 40 minutes). Hoboken and Jersey City are just across the Hudson River too (but they might be a little urban for what you're looking for).

It's definitely true that AOS applications are being processed fast - I just received an email from CRIS saying they've ordered production of my green card. Only took two months, no interview because my file went through CSC.

Just as an FYI - I only sent in a copy of the vaccination report from medical, I didn't have it re-transcribed. But I also didn't require Gardasil shots, not sure if that makes a difference.

Wishing you all speedy approvals on AP/EAD/AOS! And thanks to everyone for all the helpful advice and tips I found on this forum - couldn't have gotten through this process without you. I almost can't believe it will be, like, two years before I have to fill out and file and track any more paperwork. I feel like that's all I've been doing for the last year...

I sent my AOS package in May 28, received my AP a couple of weeks ago and my EAD card last week. Hopefully the process is just as quick for all of you. My file was transfered to California, so fingers crossed that that means no interview. The whole AOS process has been so much smoother and faster than than the K1 process - being together really helps.

But I hear you, Sapphire - I need to start working again, I'm going totally stir crazy!

Hopefully those of you who are about to file/have recently filed for AOS won't have to wait the whole three months for EAD/AP. The process seems to be pretty speedy at the moment, fyi. I was stunned on Monday when I got a USCIS email notice saying my EAD application had been approved. And I was just shocked this morning when the approved Advance Parole notice was waiting in my inbox. The NOA date for my AOS application was June 2. So, it took only about a month for both. Crazy!

Yep, I'm just sending a photocopy. I figure I can bring the original to the interview if needed.

We just received one certificate, but we didn't ask for a second. They should be able to give you two, will probably charge you for the second. You should ask when applying for the license.

They do give you the lovely certified certificate right there when you get married (you don't have to wait, it's printed before the ceremony - you and your witnesses are called up to a desk to sign everything beforehand) which is so convenient for AOS!

Hi - this is a little off-topic, but might be helpful.

I recently got married at the NYC City Clerks office in Manhattan. I'm suspecting that might be where you'll be going? If so - avoid Fridays. When we went to get our marriage license on a Tues, mid-morning, there was a five-minute wait for marriage ceremonies. When we went to get married on Friday, we arrived before the doors opened and still had to wait an hour.

They will also ask you about changing your name when you apply for the marriage license in NY. My understanding is that if you say yes to this it changes your name legally, but you can say no and still assume the name after. You might want to look into it a bit if you haven't already. I found the whole name-change thing very confusing, and in the end just decided to keep mine.

Hi Poprocks,

It's me! Sorry I'm a bit late in answering, I just got back from my honeymoon

I had suspected you were you, but wasn't entirely sure until I saw your new profile pic and read this post. It was kind of chaotic at the Dr.'s office that day and I didn't get to say good-bye. So glad you found the site and that the rest of the process has been smooth for you. Looks like you'll be joining us in the Northeast imminently!

I don't know what I would have done without VJ! Am actually going to SSN office and sending in my AOS application today, and am on here doing some last minute checks to make sure I have everything.

Thanks guys. I think I'll just wait until after I move (May 5!) to call and change my address. Hopefully I'll get a different operator. She was saying I had to keep assets in Canada in order for my credit card to remain active, and I started to worry about the whole resident vs. non-resident thing when it comes to taxes. But I'll be keeping my bank account open which is considered an asset, right? And it appears that most of you have done so without a problem.

I was really surprised by her answer actually. I expected her to react more like Bell did this morning when I called to cancel my internet and cell service. They were practically begging me to keep my account open... ("We should keep this account active for when you return to Canada" "Are you sure you won't be coming back?" "Well if you do, I really hope you'll come back to Bell!" and on, and on...)

I'm sure I've read here that people have kept their Canadian credit cards active once moving to the US, but I did a search and couldn't seem to find a specific thread addressing this.

I just called TD Visa, said I was looking at possibly moving to the US and asked if they could send my statements to the US address if I did so (because they apparently have to send paper statements). They told me that if I moved out of Canada I couldn't keep my Canadian cards. Is that true? Can I give them a family member's address in Canada, but still change my address to my US one with TD Bank (because they said it was fine for me to keep my chequing and savings accounts open)? Is that going to raise a flag or impact me at tax time?

I have a US Dollar card and was planning to use this for the first few months while in the US, transfering from CDN to US dollars and paying it off online as needed, while waiting for the exchange rate to get better.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Thanks for any advice!

Congrats on the interview date!

The letter of intent does not need to be notarized, nor does the new I-134.

You do not need to bring the DS 230 part 2, US citizen birth certificate or X-Ray. I brought a copy of I-129F package, recent flight stubs, phone bills, and pictures but they did not ask to see any of them.

It doesn't sound like either you or your fiance are divorced, but if so be sure to bring a certified copy, and photocopy, of the divorce decree. This is the one document of mine they scrutinized (they read the entire thing while I was standing there, the other forms and certificates they just glanced at and filed).

Congrats to all who were approved this week!!

As many others have noted, for us the decision was based on employment - he has a fantastic job in the US and can afford to support me for a bit until I get my EAD. He wouldn't find a comparable job here in Canada, and while my job isn't too shabby, we wouldn't enjoy the same quality of life.

That said, I had to resign today. A very bittersweet moment.

Has anyone had someone bring your belongings to you after you moved?

I'm activating my visa and flying to NJ in early May. Most of my stuff will fit into a couple of suitcases but I'll still have a few boxes (no furniture) that need to follow. Because they're mostly books, and thus really heavy, I'd prefer not to ship them via courier as it will be really expensive. My dad said he'd bring them when he drives down to visit in June. Is this even an option? If so, what would I need to give him to clear customs? (I'm a K1 - I suspect a copy of my activated visa and the 1-94 to start?).

Any help is appreciated.

I had my interview last Tuesday (April 7) and - according to Canada Post's tracking system - they haven't even put my visa in the mail yet. Darn four-day weekend....

Also keep in mind, the tracking system doesn't always work/get updated... I had my Visa and Canada Post website still said nothing found so it's not always accurate

Ah, good to know. Thanks!

I had my interview last Tuesday (April 7) and - according to Canada Post's tracking system - they haven't even put my visa in the mail yet. Darn four-day weekend....

^ YUP that looks like the official NOA2!!!!

Now I have all today to debate if I ask him to send it.

Man, this thing sure is getting pricey.

Has anyone else who had an interview in Montreal had to show them this?

Nope, they didn't ask me for the NOA2.

Question:

I read somewhere that it won't look good if you already had your ceremony because then you have to proof somehow that it wasn't legal.

Clearly I am not going to lie, but should I include photos of our wedding as proof of relationship??? Or is that opening a bag of worms??

That's not just a bag of snakes, that a HUGE bag of rattlesnakes!!! You had a wedding (albeit non-legal from what your timeline says) in Honduras... that might not look so good. Since you're applying for a K1 = FIANCE' Visa. I'd leave that part out. Technically, you can't apply for a Fiance Visa if you're already married. Yeah. Leave it out. Way out. Leave the info, etc. at home... for your own sake.

Totally agree with JulyBride. From what I've read here and from my experience, it's really doubtful they'll ask you for more relationship evidence anyway. Don't lie, but probably best not to give them any reason to question you about it.

i read somewhere somebody said that DS230 part II is needed.. where is the DS230 part II? im sure its not included in the packet 3 or interview letter right?im confused.

I didn't bring the DS230 part II to my interview last week, and no one asked for it. Same goes for the X-ray.

Ok, I am confused...need advice!!

The DS160 the one we filled out online when we sent back P3 back, correct? DO we need to fill it out again? Also, I have visited the US one more time since DS 160, so would I need to fill it out again because it has changed a bit??

AND, I am an idiot!! I only have pages 1, 2, 3 out of 4!! I have NO idea what is on Page 4 of 4 on the DS 160! No idea where it could be. What is on that page? Should I print out a while new one, with page 4 this time and bring ALL of the ones I have completed???

Last thing ....

We have the DS 156 that we were told not to sign and bring with us from out P3. So, we have to do a different one online and bring both?

Thanks all! Don;t worry, we are almost done

Hi Carrie,

I'm not sure about the DS160 - I know you don't have to redo to update it, but if you don't have all the pages it might be a good idea to redo and reprint. I brought two copies of the DS160 - she passed one back to me, and put the other one off to the side. All the work she did was on the DS156 (which is very similar, the DS160 was supposed to replace the DS156 but I think there might be some kinks).

It was the DS156K that was sent with package 3. Definitely bring that, unsigned. The DS156 is a different form, and be sure to complete it and bring two copies with you. I downloaded it from the US Dept. of State web site.

Don't worry about a recent trip to the US. I mentioned that I was in the US the weekend before my interview so it wasn't on my forms. She just waved her hand at me and said she was surprised I had listed as many trips as I had.

Any certificate - there was something on the back of my fiancee's divorce certificate that I almost missed copying. I suspect everyone's birth and police certificates probably look different too - mine were one-sided but that might not apply for everyone else.

Mine were b&w and were accepted. If there is anything on the back of a certificate, remember to photocopy both sides.

They only took one copy of my DS160 and DS156K, fyi. They did use both copies of the DS156.

Had my interview today and....approved!!!

I won't give a full review of my experience 'cause it pretty much mirrored what most others have written, but I'll highlight a couple of things for those with interviews coming up

I arrived at 7 am (in the rain) and was fourth in line. I left the consulate just after 9:30.

They accepted the new I-134 unnotarized, no questions asked.

My fiance had not filed his 2008 taxes - I took only his 2008 W2 and three paystubs, which were accepted (though I think the next set of interviews take place after the tax filing date has passed so this might not apply)

Make sure to bring two copies of DS156 - they take a copy of DS160, but seem to work from the DS156.

The actual 'interview' took about five minutes - she had me take an oath, read through some of our paperwork from the original application and looked at the photos (but didn't ask about them). Other than confirming a couple of things she had read, she really only asked me one question - how did we meet? That was it.

She did not give me back the photos from the original I-129F. I did get back my original birth certificate and the original divorce decree. They keep the original police certificate.

Everyone I dealt with was friendly and helpful. Just be organized and all will be fine.

Personally I wouldn't have it notarized, they told you that you didn't have to...so why would you?

Again, if you read my whole post you will see why I am worried. They SENT me the old forms and ASKED me if I had it notarized (on the checklist that I HAVE to bring with me) And I stated (checked) YES I DO HAVE IT NOTARIZED. So, they will see the NEW form and see it NOT notarized.

That is my concern. Paranoid? Perhaps. But this is US government and we ALL know everything has to be perfect.

Thats a good idea to print to the email saying it doesn't have to be notarized!!!!!

So, a lawyer doesn't have to notarize it??? Wow, I think here in Canada they do>??

Hi Carrie,

They sent me the old form and the same checklist as you. I have my interview on Tues. I'll let you know how it goes.