July09Bride

1 minute ago, Mike E said:

Easy? I know people who are waiting 2 or more years to get a new green card.  You are about to enter a Kafka hell.  

Ahhhhh... that's the kicker. It's easy to apply, but takes forever to get approved and the new card. Thank you for the insight!

1 minute ago, Mike E said:

The required supporting document is a copy of the 10 year green card. 

That is all?? That almost seems too easy...

Wow... it's been about 10 years since I was an active part of the VJ community. My husband is starting the process of renewing his Green Card. I was wondering what kind of supporting documents they are looking for at this point in the game? We've been married for 13 years, have a beautiful daughter, and have lived in the same house the entire time. I'm just not sure what to gather for this process. Thank you for any insight you may have on this process! I'm also looking for the USCIS processing times, and I can't seem to find it. Help!

Thanks, everyone!!

THANK you to everyone who helped us through our RFE. We got it sent in on April 23 ,and got a letter today, dated 5/3 that my husband was APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

His card has been ordered and all is good!!!

Thank you, again, to everyone for their kind words and support!!!

Krista

I traveled couple of times to different countries (not home country), I flew different airlines as well. It was fine, a little tricky getting on some of the flights, a few of the airline personnel are not at all familiar with the extension letter, they kept checking the letter and presumably the instructions on their system... A couple kept on asking me for the I-551 stamp, I actually got a stamp because I ended up with two NOAs with different receipt numbers (you can look under my other posts for that story). Ultimately, I think if you run into issues, you can always speak to a supervisor level person to get it resolved, I was only held up a little each time. I ended up in secondary inspection one time, but it was unrelated to my GC paperwork (my passport was mistakenly flagged as being reported lost/stolen). If you're thinking I'm an unlucky traveler, you'd be right

Cheers

yes I did, I went to Jamaica, granted my green was still valid for 10 days but I was asked for the extension letter...so no issues!

Thank you BOTH!!! This made both my husband and I feel much better. We drive to visit his family, and use the same crossing each time. This crossing is also a popular crossing for immigration (where he crossed with his K1), so I do't think we will have a problem.

Thank you again, VERY MUCH!!!

Krista

I think we got RFE'd for a reasons in case this helps anyone in the future: 1) We do not have children yet... nothing I can do about that... 2) I did not send actual IRS transcripts the first time around but just copies of Turbo Tax Returns with our names on them, I guess not good enough. 3) We had no lease or mortgage signed together. This is because I am a church worker and we have typically been provided with church-owned housing. I didn't explain this or support it the first time around, but sent in the explanation of lack of communal residence evidence with my RFE. As an overkill gesture we sent in a picture of us together from every month we'd been married in front of various landmarks.

I think this is what we fell in to, as well. So.... I ordered the transcripts for 2009 and 2010 on Monday, 4/2 and since we finished our 2011 taxes on Monday, and they have been accepted by the IRS (we file electronically), I ordered 2011 today. Guess I should have stuck with the transcripts, but didn't think about it back in the fall.

I've got a letter from the doctor and ultrasounds as recent as today.

The mortgage part I've got a letter written explaining the terms of our Re-Fi and why my husband isn't on the mortgage, but have copies from the paperwork he was required to sign stating that he is aware of the refinance.

So, hopefully with those three items and some additional insurance paperwork (samples of Explanations of Benefits), we'll get this done.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and insights!!!

Krista

Has anyone tried traveling to another country (or their home country) on the Temporary Piece of paper you are given while waiting for RoC to get completed? My husband and I would like to visit his family in Canada in May and don't want any troubles.

Thanks for any advice!

So, I've got... **SEE UPDATES**

1- our Tax information, and I guess I didn't include it the FIRST time, because we had submitted it every other time, guess we should have included it anyway. That'll be one of the first things I print out. ** UPDATE: We submitted this, but not actual IRS transcripts, but we've ordered those.

2- I will contact our insurance company, through my work for documents -- even though we are encouraged to print from the website (I already sent this in). But, I will request something from the company directly and send again. **UPDATE: I'm going to send documentation that shows when he had to go to the doctor and our names are on the paperwork.

3- We just re-financed our home, but because I bought the home on my own before we were married, the rules for the re-fi was that only I could re-fi under my own name. However, he had to sign off that I was doing this and with his approval (MI state laws). So, I will dig out those documents. **UPDATE: I'm including a letter stating the situation of the refi -- how only I could be on the re-fi due to the original purchase. However, I will be including docs that we both

had to sign.

4- We own the cars, so there's nothing there. I already included insurance cards for our cars that show both our names. **UPDATE: Don't have pink slips, best I've got are insurance cards.

5- I will contact my retirement person to see if she can get a formal document stating that he is my beneficiary there, too. **UPDATE: Forgot to do this... I'll be doing this tomorrow.

So, with those items, do you all think that would work??

Utility bills are not big deal, they are considered as secondary documents. The most important "primary" documents would be as follows :

1- IRS Tax Return Transcripts (Jointly Filed) for 2009, 2010 and even 2011 (If you guys have already filed)

2- For your case, the proof that you guys are expecting a baby/babies. It can be your OB/GYN's note with the signature. You can even create this kind of form & have him sign it.

3- Financial co-mingling, joint bank account statements & other financial documents etc... during his 2-year Conditional Residency.

4- House Mortgage / Deed & Car Payments etc...

5- Beneficiary (being your husband) of Your Life Insurance Policy, Your Health Insurance or some sort of Your Retirement Account or Your Pension Account etc......

So, I've got...

1- our Tax information, and I guess I didn't include it the FIRST time, because we had submitted it every other time, guess we should have included it anyway. That'll be one of the first things I print out.

2- I will contact our insurance company, through my work for documents -- even though we are encouraged to print from the website (I already sent this in). But, I will request something from the company directly and send again.

3- We just re-financed our home, but because I bought the home on my own before we were married, the rules for the re-fi was that only I could re-fi under my own name. However, he had to sign off that I was doing this and with his approval (MI state laws). So, I will dig out those documents.

4- We own the cars, so there's nothing there. I already included insurance cards for our cars that show both our names.

5- I will contact my retirement person to see if she can get a formal document stating that he is my beneficiary there, too.

So, with those items, do you all think that would work??

Joint tax filling for the two years would help, also if your husband is the beneficiary in your retirement account.

I did include the retirement paperwork, showing he is my beneficiary as well as my husband. We're thinking that the Re-Financing paperwork along with a letter from my OB/GYN regarding the baby due on 9/22/2012, as well as some changes we can make now regarding the utilities will work.

Thanks for the thoughts on the Tax Info, we'll definitely include that. =)

Does anyone else have any suggestions??

Unfortunately, we got an RFE. After 6 months of hearing nothing, I guess they decided to look over some files.

Here's our problem... I'm the US citizen and everything is in my name (utilities, etc.) because the house and everything was in my name before we got married. I changed my name to his last name and changed it on all the utilities.

Here's my question... do we change/add his name to the utilities? DO I send in information showing proof that my name was changed and therefore names were changed on the utilities?

Also, we have one shared savings account. I make 10x what my spouse makes, and therefore, I pay all the house bills and my bills (my credit cards) he pays some of the house bills and his bills (his credit cards). How do I show financial documents???

I already submitted our Insurance documents that we have through my work that has both of our names on it (they only print the subscriber's name on the insurance cards).

We are currently expecting our first child, so I know that is evidence, but how do I prove that? Letter from the doctor with ultrasound pics included?

I NEVER expected an RFE and now I'm stumped and could use some assistance.

Thank you,

Krista

Are you using the number on your Bio letter to check?

We made the same mistake... the two numbers are quite similar. Use the number at the top of your Biometrics letter. Good luck!

Okay... Since I'm on an iPad, I can't scroll to fix our dates.

Could someone help with this?? That is, unless I get to a computer first. lol

M husband got his biometrics letter... Scheduled for 10/31 in Detroit.

Thanks!!!

Adding July09Bride to CSC list When is the Receipt Date on your NOA letter? You need that date for the list

Added 9/26/11 as the receipt date! =)

California Service Center (25 applicants)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

CHANTEL..............08/31/11........09/02/11.......--/--/11........--/--/--....(K2)

BULGARICAN...........09/01/11........09/09/11.......09/30/11........--/--/--....

FOOLSKILL............09/02/11........09/06/11.......10/10/11........--/--/--....(Early Bio 9/21)

INKY.................09/03/11........09/06/11.......10/03/11........--/--/--....

INNEEDOFHELP.........09/07/11........09/09/11.......10/03/11........--/--/--....

ADIIANN..............09/09/11........09/1?/11.......10/19/11........--/--/--....

GUNDAS...............09/09/11........09/12/11.......10/03/11........--/--/--....(Early Bio 9/19)

INNA.................09/09/11........09/14/11.......10/05/11........--/--/--....

TANKGURL38...........09/09/11........09/12/11.......--/--/11........--/--/--....

FREYJA...............09/10/11........09/12/11.......10/03/11........--/--/--....

CHICAGOGUY 2.........09/12/11........09/??/11.......--/--/11........--/--/--....

MYPERFECTFLAW........09/12/11........09/19/11.......10/11/11........--/--/--....

TODSKIE82............09/12/11........09/15/11.......10/24/11........--/--/--....

LOVABLE81............09/13/11........09/15/11.......--/--/11........--/--/--....

DAVINCHI.............09/13/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/--....

MINNEW...............09/14/11........09/16/11.......10/24/11........--/--/--....

SELMA&ELVIR..........09/14/11........09/16/11.......10/21/11........--/--/--....

1LUVV................09/16/11........09/19/11.......--/--/11........--/--/--....

MATT & BING..........09/16/11........09/19/11.......10/24/11........--/--/--....

VA8688...............09/19/11........09/23/11.......--/--/11........--/--/--....

PURPLE22.............09/21/11........09/22/11.......--/--/11........--/--/--....

SIMPS................09/21/11........09/22/11.......--/--/11........--/--/--....

_HOPEFULLY...........09/21/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/--....

MIKE143..............09/22/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/--....

JULY09BRIDE..........09/24/11........09/26/11.......--/--/11........--/--/--....

Vermont Service Center (20 applicants)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

BMORE................09/01/11........09/06/11.......10/21/11........--/--/--....

CANADA2US............09/06/11........09/09/11.......09/30/11........--/--/--....

MISR.................09/06/11........09/09/11.......09/29/11........--/--/--....

CHERRYRED_04.........09/07/11........09/12/11.......--/--/11........--/--/--....

JEFF&MADZ............09/08/11........09/12/11.......10/12/11........--/--/--....

FLICKER..............09/09/11........09/13/11.......10/17/11........--/--/--....

FABILOUS.............09/09/11........09/12/11.......10/14/11........--/--/--....

JOHN & MARY..........09/12/11........09/16/11.......10/26/11........--/--/--....

JOSHUA EBBI..........09/12/11........09/15/11.......10/12/11........--/--/--....

KAT & A..............09/13/11........09/19/11.......--/--/11........--/--/--....

MONKEYJUICE..........09/14/11........09/19/11.......10/14/11........--/--/--....

ANNA1988.............09/15/11........09/16/11.......--/--/11........--/--/--....

KARENANDTREV.........09/15/11........09/19/11.......--/--/11........--/--/--....

ACINLOVE.............09/17/11........09/??/11.......--/--/11........--/--/--....

BABYROG..............09/19/11........09/22/11.......--/--/11........--/--/--....

DYLAN&DOUGLAS........09/20/11........09/23/11.......--/--/11........--/--/--....

ELLIE-AND-DAVID......09/20/11........09/23/11.......--/--/11........--/--/--....

BLUESTUMCGREW........09/22/11........09/26/11.......--/--/11........--/--/--....

BARCA................09/24/11........09/27/11.......--/--/11........--/--/--....

CACEREZ..............09/28/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/--....

IMPORTANT!

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So...

We filed I-751 on 9/24 through CSC.

Check cashed on 9/28.

NOA1 Reveived on 10/1.

Awaiting Biometrics appt. for hubby!

Wanted to say helloooooo... it's been a while. We're having my husbands Muy Bueno Mexican dip tonight with some nice beverages to go along with the dip & tortilla chips.

Ahh, gotcha - so in past years you have had Cdn income and that's why you've filed? No - once you file your exit return (meaning you won't have any Cdn $$ to report anymore)you don't have to file Cdn taxes every year.

Hey there! I know, longgggg time, no post. So, there's an EXIT return? I'm not sure my Canadian knows what or how to file an exit return. We're going for ROC in July of this year with Citizenship in 2012. Just trying to understand the next steps.

You can get married without a SSN...

I know. However I'd much rather avoid the hassle of maiden versus married if I go apply for it after I've technically changed my name. And my fiance's bank agreed to add me to his account without the SSN, but said they wanted it on file asap (as I explained it would be a couple of weeks for me to appear in the system, etc).

I honestly think I'm going to chance my AOS packet with the vaccination sheet from my medical and wait for them to issue an RFE if they want it transcribed. I read through a lot of threads and saw that it seemed like a pretty even split, and honestly, long as I have my EAD/AP, a small delay on the green card itself won't kill me.

I hope tomorrow goes well for you, darkchilde! Congrats on your wedding day, and best wishes to you.

Piece of advice, go for it without the medical transcription. ONLY if you get an interview, would I worry about the transcription.

I've read a bit about it. But I'm not going to get too focused on it. I'm concentrating on getting my stuff together to move in 5 weeks(people I have to notify, etc....) & planning the details of my wedding. That alone is making my mind spin. I'm sure I'll be watching any AOS thread's a little later!

But I think it's cool that a bunch of us will be filing in and around the same time.....

Will you be here for New Year's???

I think the next time I'll get a good nights sleep is after my interview . As the date comes closer .... I lose an hour of sleep . Last night i slept at 4 am after obsessing about all the paperwork. Sighs please tell me it's not just me

You're not the only one....I haven't been sleeping well for a while.

So... CDAgirlMI, how'd it go?????

Do you have any hobbies in particular?

I enjoy reading (but don't have as much time to do it, as I wish I had), I enjoy graphic design (working in PhotoShop), watching the Phoenix Suns (huge fan!), reading magazines like Real Simple. Not a great list, I know.

What are your favourite colours?

Bright Turquoise Blue is my favorite and also Dark Pink.

Do you decorate for Christmas? What colours do you use and what style (if any) do you like?

Our Christmas decorations are snowmen of all shapes & sizes (so, there's a lot of blue), the "Old Fashioned" Santa Claus, and our lights and bows outside are red, green, and white.

When you shop, what are your favourite things to shop for? Linens, books, clothing, perfume, skate board accessories etc etc

I love shopping for organizer things like funky & cute clips (the kind that seem spring loaded(???)), candles - I LOVE candles!!!, fun notepads, picture frames, oh... jewelry. Yeah, that about covers my trips out to the mall and other stores I frequent!

As for hobbies, I almost forgot about listening to music on my Zune player and playing with apps and games on my Android Phone (T-Mobile's Google G1)!!!

Steak tonight and my homemade Taco Salad tomorrow night. Yummy!!!!!

Do you have any hobbies in particular?

I enjoy reading (but don't have as much time to do it, as I wish I had), I enjoy graphic design (working in PhotoShop), watching the Phoenix Suns (huge fan!), reading magazines like Real Simple. Not a great list, I know.

What are your favourite colours?

Bright Turquoise Blue is my favorite and also Dark Pink.

Do you decorate for Christmas? What colours do you use and what style (if any) do you like?

Our Christmas decorations are snowmen of all shapes & sizes (so, there's a lot of blue), the "Old Fashioned" Santa Claus, and our lights and bows outside are red, green, and white.

When you shop, what are your favourite things to shop for? Linens, books, clothing, perfume, skate board accessories etc etc

I love shopping for organizer things like funky & cute clips (the kind that seem spring loaded(???)), candles - I LOVE candles!!!, fun notepads, picture frames, oh... jewelry. Yeah, that about covers my trips out to the mall and other stores I frequent!

Hmmm... maybe a Detroit (okay, SUBURBS!!!!) VJ New Year's Eve party??!! CDAgirlMI, we have a spare bedroom... I'd be willing to offer up our place ... perhaps if people are interested.

This could well be the biggest New Years Party in Michigan this year haha, I don't know anyone who's actually staying in town

Haha...that would be cool.

July...I'll definitley mention that to Matt!!

If I lived in Michigan, I would come to the party! (Was I invited? )

Absolutely!!!

My gosh...with everything that's gone/going on with this visa thing right now....I haven't even thought of New Years, haha.

I plan on moving to Michigan after Christmas...Sunday, Monday(???).

So with my fingers crossed I'll be spendig the first day of 2010 with my man, not thinking about having to go home & back to work on the following Monday!!!

Have fun in Chicago!!

Lol First girl in the history of the world to be excited about having New Years in Michigan I'm thinking haha Soon we'll be partial neighbors

Hmmm... maybe a Detroit (okay, SUBURBS!!!!) VJ New Year's Eve party??!! CDAgirlMI, we have a spare bedroom... I'd be willing to offer up our place ... perhaps if people are interested.

This could well be the biggest New Years Party in Michigan this year haha, I don't know anyone who's actually staying in town

LOL... no kidding!

My gosh...with everything that's gone/going on with this visa thing right now....I haven't even thought of New Years, haha.

I plan on moving to Michigan after Christmas...Sunday, Monday(???).

So with my fingers crossed I'll be spendig the first day of 2010 with my man, not thinking about having to go home & back to work on the following Monday!!!

Have fun in Chicago!!

Lol First girl in the history of the world to be excited about having New Years in Michigan I'm thinking haha Soon we'll be partial neighbors

Hmmm... maybe a Detroit (okay, SUBURBS!!!!) VJ New Year's Eve party??!! CDAgirlMI, we have a spare bedroom... I'd be willing to offer up our place ... perhaps if people are interested.

This could well be the biggest New Years Party in Michigan this year haha, I don't know anyone who's actually staying in town

Haha...that would be cool.

July...I'll definitley mention that to Matt!!

Let us know!