July09Bride

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.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to where to get cheap US style passport photos?

Walmart's are 14.99 for 2, and I'm not willing to pay that again.

I had got all the passport photos I needed all at once only to find out they have to be taken 6 months before the interview. I wish they didn't date stamp them

Costco... $4.99 for two pics! =) That's where I'm going for my new passport pics so my last name can match my "new" last name.

As my interview date gets closer I'm starting to get paranoid! I really wish I didn't stress out about things I can't control.

I've been reading things in the AOS forum lately (which I should avoid, since reading stories just seems to make me worried and stressed out) And I have a couple concerns.

1. I've read some people went to get a TB skin test before having the I-693 transcribed? Whats up with that? Is this just for people who have never had one, or didn't have it before the foreign medical? I had one as a child, which was negative, and it was recorded at my medical in Toronto. So, I didn't need to get another one done, right?

Nope. You're good to go!

2. I've read a couple people who brought the I-693 from doctor Arnold to the interview and it wasn't accepted since he is out of state. How should I prepare to argue against an IO who tries to tell me this? I can tell him I called several doctors in the area, which I did, but is there any other way to make my case? It seems like this happens in rare circumstances, I'm just worried. I wasn't able to find an willing civil surgeon in my area before, and I probably won't be able to find one after the interview either.

That's what you explain and bring your phone notes (stating which doctors you calles and their prices).

3. Security checks? I recently read a consulate review from here in Denver where the applicant was told they needed to run additional security checks on her before the green card could be issued. Its been 10 months and she is still waiting for an approval. Is this a remote possibility at all consulates, like getting stuck at NVC? I sure hope this isn't a weird Denver habit I need to dodge.

Hmmm... that's a new one!

Thanks for listening to me go crazy!

Huggles... beware of the AOS Forum! lolol

CONGRATULATIONS!!! How ironic... different Adjudication Officers, different requests in the SAME office! We were SO ready to give them pictures to keep, other items for them to add to our file, but he didn't ask for a single lick of anything, except for the paperwork. I'm kinda bummed. I wanted to show off our pictures!

So, July 2011, it is! Let's see... you, PopRocks, Huggles, and us (did I miss anyone??) -- watch out!!! LOL

After our wedding, we HAND-CARRIED the paperwork to the county offices and we got the certificate on the spot!!! So, call and see if, by chance, there is an option to hand-carry the paperwork after the ceremony. What's the worst that could happen, they say no? Perhaps, they'll say YES!! Good luck!

Yea!!!!! Duncan got his GC today in the mail! That was FAST!!!!! One week to the day of the interview, and the card is in hand! <sigh> Now, to focus on more important things... such as having a great life together without SO much paperwork (for a couple of years, at least)!

Looks good! Here's what we took...

***

For Starters

~ bring the USC (as required, since he entered on a K1 which is marriage based - so I HAVE to go this time)

~ his passport - required

~ transcription (I-693) for vax documents (required)

~ USC passport (to prove citizenship) - required

~ his original birth certificate - required

~ USC original birth certificate - required

~ copy of EVERYTHING submitted when initially filing for I-485 (AOS) - required

~ All NOAs and APs and EADs (and copies) - required

~ original certified version of our marriage license (and copies) - required

~ original and copies of his US SS Card

~ original and copies of USC SS Card (since I changed my name to his)

~ copies from his passport of his K1 Visa and I-94

~ copy of the check submitted to pay for EAD/AP/AOS

~ additional paystubs for USC (already submitted letter of employment, taxes, affidavit of support, etc.)

additionally...

Proof of Relationship/Establishing Eligibility for Lawful Permanent Residence status

~ pictures from wedding (extras for them to keep)

~ pictures from honeymoon (extras for them to keep)

~ pictures from a recent concert we went to (extras for them to keep)

~ USC health insurance form where he has been added

~ Flight ticket info from honeymoon with both of our names on it

~ Statement from HRDC with his adress as a US address

~ Statement from my financial insurance company, stating he is the beneficiary for my Life Insurance/Retirement Investment, should something happen to me

~ Statement from bank that he is my beneficiary for my bank accounts

~ Statement from bank that I am his beneficiary for his bank accounts

~ Statement from bank that he is applying for credit cards in US (mailed to his US address)

~ copy of the paper that came with one of credit cards showing I changed my name on my account to his last name

~ Auto insurance documents for both of our vehicles with both of our names on the insurance cards

~ Print out from cell phone compnay that has both of our names and our cell phones are part of the same account... eventhough T-Mobile won't add his name (they say it isn't necessary - UGH!!!)

~ Statement from the Office of Retirement Services from the State of Michigan stating that he is 100% sole beneficiary of my pension and also for a refund should anything happen to me

Beyond that, I'm not sure what else I could provide??!! Suggestions?

Anyone else from Canada go through AOS interviews after a K1? Is the sort of "stuff" we should bring? By the way, I have an original and 2 copies of everything listed above (except pictures).

My husband got his GC today. YEA!!! One week to the DAY from our interview. <sigh> Such relief!!!

I didn't send in a certified copy of my marriage certificate, just a regular copy. Although my AP and EAD were approved and I never received an RFE, I do have an interview coming up, so I suppose that may be part of the reason why. However, I really doubt it. The I-485 states "copy" not "certified copy." There have been people approved without sending a certified copy and without having an interview as well. But... they want you to bring a certified copy to the interview if you get one, as its on the list of requested documents, so who the heck knows.

I called Dr. Arnold today and decided to go with them for the I-693 transcription. I called the office and left my information and the lady who does the immigration stuff called me back within 10 minutes. It's only $30 and they pay the cost of sending it back to you. Since I have 3.5 weeks til my interview still, I think its the best option. I'm sick of calling confused civil surgeon offices in the area. I give up!

You are SOOOOOO lucky! She never called Duncan back and it took her 4 days to call me back, and that's after I called after waiting 3 days! Congrats on the cheap way out... compared to what we paid!

Add me to the list!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

November 20th!!!!!

THAT IS AWESOME!!!!! Congrats, girl!!! I remember how unsure you were of the timing of it all back in July, this is great for you!

OMG OMG OMG!!!!

My former in-laws are going to watch my kids so I can go!!

I just booked my flight!

I'll see all you November 20th people in Montreal!!!!!

OMG OMG OMG!!!!

EDIT: OMG it's going to be cold!!!

PERFECT!!!!!

Hey all... just remember... when you get into the elevator in MTL, DON'T turn around! You will actually exit out the back of the elevator. So, when you walk in to the elevator, you will already be facing the right way to get out.

The strage things we knew before and things we don't forget... like a ride in an elevator. No one said MTL was "normal".

Hi July09Bride,

That's great that you've been together for so many years and want a child for the right reasons...

I wish a lot more people would think like that, before they have children...

Understandable too, about things not getting any younger, so yeah, you would want to try for such, as soon as possible, despite the odds. Don't give up!

Likewise, my husband and I thought the same way, as we wern't getting any younger either (especially my husband who is a lot older...)

So despite the odds on our end, and after miscarriages and other difficulties along the way...We finally had our little one.....

It's good that you would consider adoption too, as so many children need families and homes to live in as well.

So...All the best in your endeavours for children...May you and your husband be blessed with such in your lives, in all ways possible!......

Ant (Imagining baby Duncans and Kristas running around...how cute!...)

Let's hope for little Kristas... lolol

I dont see any yellow

Aw man, it's on a hill.

We have to stand on the uphill.

Use your imagination... just to the left of the picture... there's a yellow post... about 4 feet high... about 6" around... honest... it's there!

Okay, someone mentioned to me that since we had an interview for AOS that the chances of having an interview for ROC is less. Is that really true, or just a false sense of hope I'm clinging to?? Does anyone know?

False sense of hope....but I would like to think I won't get an interview.

Thanks, good to know. But hey, it's nice to have goals, right? So, I'm thinking a goal for us would be to NOT have an interview...

When I looked at the ROC threads, I saw about one or two people even get an ROC interview. I think they're even more random than the AOS interviews. You don't need to provide financial support information at all for ROC, it's so lame the info you have to provide, unless the evidence you send in isn't suffice, OR you're one of the names they pull from a hat, I doubt you'll get, or 99% of people won't get an ROC interview.

Good to know. Thanks, Carla!

I went from being super happy to super sad in a few seconds time. This whole process just fvcks with your mind. Just last night we were talking about how hard the long distance is and how we can't wait to see eachother (he is coming on Thursday).

I am sitting here at work crying and I can't stop. I don't know what to do. I called my mom and she says she'll do anything to help us plan a wedding in a fast time. My dad's a minister ffs and could marry us in my friggin backyard on a 2 second notice.

Well yesterday was an emotionally charged day for everyone! I just wanted to update that Sean is going to the November 20th interview and then packing his bags to move down for Christmas. I told him if January 1 is too soon to get married he needs to pick another day before the 90 days runs out.

I don't know if I will be able to go to the interview with him- so I might need someone with a November 20th date to keep an eye on him for me lol!

That is AWESOME!!!!! That is truly great news, Arabella!!! Congrats! I hope you can make it to interview with him. I was there with my fiance' (at the time) and I totally embarrassed him by kissing him as soon as she said he was approved! It was a gut reaction, and the interviewer just smiled and giggled at us.

good morning guys

i was wondering, now forgive me if this was asked before; about the payment of the K1 i know that we pay at the interview but what forms of payment do they accept and also is it in american currency( i imagine it is)?

i could probably look this up somehow but i'm going crazy with midterms and this interview date

You pay a flat $131 in US funds, or you pay whatever the going rate is (read: whatever the consulate rate is) in Canadaian funds equal to $131 US. But, yes, cash. I think debit was accepted, but we were wary of that and stuck with US cash only.

We submitted an original copy (meaning, I had the certified copy in my hand as I placed it on the glass of the copier), and turned in the B/W copy version. At the AOS interview, we were asked for the original, and he verified/compared the copy I submitted to the original we brought with us and handed the original certified one back to us.

But, I believe at some point, we also submitted a certified version as well. It's all been a big blurrrrrr.....

I think that will be just fine Inky! congrats on getting that sorted out.

Ok, so 5 doctors later, still nothing for me. I'm getting pretty frustrated here. The problem is that nobody seems to really understand what USCIS requires. I've had everything from, "well no you NEED a new physical, USCIS requires it" to "if you had your immigration physical done in Canada its not valid or acceptable" to "ummm... whats an I-693?" I think I'm going to call doctor Arnold tomorrow. I tried.

If you have the time, take your vax form from your medical in TO, the instructions for the 693 (see section #3), and a blank form to one of the doctors' offices. That way, the office lady will SEE what you're talking about, and ask to actually SPEAK with the doctor. The lady in the front office where we went was CLUELESS, although the doctor had already told us what to do. ARGH!!! Otherwise, go for Dr. Arnold. When you call, ask for Tammy, as she's the one who takes care of all the immigration paperwork for his office.

Good luck, Huggles!!!

Thanks July. I think I'm just going to call Dr. Arnold tomorrow. The problem is that all the civil surgeons "in my area" are actually not very close to me at all. I don't want to drive 45 minutes, an hour, even 2 hours and go to an office just for them to tell me they can't help, know what I mean? The only civil surgeon close to me works at an abortion clinic... and really, all political considerations aside, I'm just not comfortable marching into an abortion clinic, regardless of what I'm there for. Something about it is a little unsettling to me. I'm just a little worried that the fact I used a doctor in Texas is going to come up as an issue in the interview.

I doubt it would even come up in your interview. But on the off chance that it would, simply explain to them that there are no offices near you able to do it and that the closest ones were trying to extort additional fees for an extra medical from you. Keep your list and notes from the doctors you called today and the prices they quoted you and for what services. That way, if it does come up, you can say this doctor said I needed to pay this amount for this service in order for him to transcribe my already valid medical from the visa.

Good call on keep track of the phone call notes!!! Yeah, remember to mention the one for $800... that's still gotta be the best price out there!!!

its so great that we all found out at once and we're all going through it together lol

Honestly, that is the BEST thing!!! Poprocks and I were in the same boat with Huggles right on our heels by not too much. It is SOOO nice to have the comaraderie especially as you go through this, no one else truly can grasp what all we go through during this process!

LOL... funny thing is, Poprocks and I (actually my husband) are only about 1-2 weeks apart on our AOS approval and Huggles is about 4 weeks behind me. So, in a couple of years time, when we need to go through the removal of conditions, there will be friends going through it all again together! SOOOOO NICE TO HAVE!!!!!

I think that will be just fine Inky! congrats on getting that sorted out.

Ok, so 5 doctors later, still nothing for me. I'm getting pretty frustrated here. The problem is that nobody seems to really understand what USCIS requires. I've had everything from, "well no you NEED a new physical, USCIS requires it" to "if you had your immigration physical done in Canada its not valid or acceptable" to "ummm... whats an I-693?" I think I'm going to call doctor Arnold tomorrow. I tried.

If you have the time, take your vax form from your medical in TO, the instructions for the 693 (see section #3), and a blank form to one of the doctors' offices. That way, the office lady will SEE what you're talking about, and ask to actually SPEAK with the doctor. The lady in the front office where we went was CLUELESS, although the doctor had already told us what to do. ARGH!!! Otherwise, go for Dr. Arnold. When you call, ask for Tammy, as she's the one who takes care of all the immigration paperwork for his office.

Good luck, Huggles!!!

Thanks July. I think I'm just going to call Dr. Arnold tomorrow. The problem is that all the civil surgeons "in my area" are actually not very close to me at all. I don't want to drive 45 minutes, an hour, even 2 hours and go to an office just for them to tell me they can't help, know what I mean? The only civil surgeon close to me works at an abortion clinic... and really, all political considerations aside, I'm just not comfortable marching into an abortion clinic, regardless of what I'm there for. Something about it is a little unsettling to me. I'm just a little worried that the fact I used a doctor in Texas is going to come up as an issue in the interview.

That came up as a discussion point in another thread, and I believe the person explained that NO ONE near them would do JUST the transcription... they all wanted medicals and full medical prices. Hope that helps.

Anyone know what the deal is with bringing a parent? My dad is going to drive me to Montreal, but is he able to come in and wait with me, or does he have to go and have many coffees at the nearest coffee shop?

PS - Hi November 6th interview buddies!!! It'll be nice to get through the morning together!

As the USC, I was able to go with my then fiance'. One of the VJ'rs I met (she was doing CR1) was there with her mom, so I'm thinking as long as it is a parent, he can go with you. HOWEVER, when we were there, the mom was allowed upstairs, but NOT to the interview windows, etc. Just inthe waiting area. Better than nothing, right??

Wow...I am going nuts reading this thread right now!!!!!

CONGRATS TO ALL OF YOU THAT GOT DATES!!!!!!

It's too late for me to call today, so I'll be dong it tomorrow. Hope for some good news!

**crossing fingers for you!!!**

ok now he's calling back the original number (the 202-663-1225)

*head desk* he's driving me insane!! LOL

(congrats bogartnoir!!!)

ok now he's calling back the original number (the 202-663-1225)

*head desk* he's driving me insane!! LOL

(congrats bogartnoir!!!)

OMFG OMFG NOVEMBER 20TH!!!11!1!!11 NOVEMBER 20TH!!! omfg

Heeeey, we're interview buddies!

YAY!!!

omg, why did i find this out at work!?!?? I'm going to vomit/pee my pants/get in trouble/have a heart attack

Me 3! We're inteview buddies too! November 20th is my sister's birthday and it's the day that New Moon comes out in theatres and it's my interview date! An awesome day!

I am trying to get someone to watch my kids so I can come to Canada to be with him. /crosses fingers

Haha, I definitely forgot that New Moon was coming out that day... Woo.

I definitely surprised Ben... Called him after work and I told him that I couldn't visit for Thanksgiving... that HE had to come to see ME before that for our interview! Yay.

There are a ton of us for the 20th. Pretty neat.

Called for my medical... They scheduled it for 7am... and I was so blinded by the fact that I had my interview that I didn't think about the four hour drive ahead of that... So I've called and left a message to see if I can possibly get one later in the day, haha.

Congrats to everyone scheduled! And definitely crossing fingers for those of you still waiting.

Unfortunately, it is a "regular doctor's office" and he sees the immigration patients in the morning, before regular office hours and then regular patients during office hours. As for your time... yeah, what a crock. That's ANOTHER first come, first serve. We had our appt. at 8:30, got there at 7 and STILL waited almost 1.5 hours before going back to make payment, turn in pics, etc. So, arrive around 6 or before!!!

Good luck!

LoL, Mel was at the medical when you were there with your husband. Her analogy of the situation was "Cattle Processing Plant".

Yep!!! Duncan said it was like going through a "cattle chute"!!! There were SOOOOO many people there that morning! lol When he was finally told where to go wait for the first thing (x-ray I think) I finally left and went to the Starbucks across the street!!! Met up with him about 4 hours later!!!

While I was at Starbucks, I finally joined VJ! So, had I known before, we could've met up!

I think that will be just fine Inky! congrats on getting that sorted out.

Ok, so 5 doctors later, still nothing for me. I'm getting pretty frustrated here. The problem is that nobody seems to really understand what USCIS requires. I've had everything from, "well no you NEED a new physical, USCIS requires it" to "if you had your immigration physical done in Canada its not valid or acceptable" to "ummm... whats an I-693?" I think I'm going to call doctor Arnold tomorrow. I tried.

If you have the time, take your vax form from your medical in TO, the instructions for the 693 (see section #3), and a blank form to one of the doctors' offices. That way, the office lady will SEE what you're talking about, and ask to actually SPEAK with the doctor. The lady in the front office where we went was CLUELESS, although the doctor had already told us what to do. ARGH!!! Otherwise, go for Dr. Arnold. When you call, ask for Tammy, as she's the one who takes care of all the immigration paperwork for his office.

Good luck, Huggles!!!