Nik+Heather

Found a new one by trolling another list. Here's what we have so far.

Arizona
City/ Town: Phoenix
Date of Service: 12/16/09
CS Name: Dr. Renuka Khurana, Maricopa County Department of Public Health
CS Tel. no: (They don't answer/return calls but...) (602) 506-6909 1645 E. Roosevelt, Phoenix, AZ 85006
Cost: $65 (Just for transcription - all vacc. up to date)
Vaccine Transcription only available: y
Turnaround time: 2 weeks to get appt.
Illinois
City/ Town: Joliet
Date of Service: 11/05/09
CS Name: Physicians Immediate Care - Chicago
CS Tel. no: Ph: (815) 823-8800, Fax: (815) 729-2178 (1360 Houbolt Road Joliet, IL 60431)
Cost: $25 (Just for transcription - all vacc. up to date)
Vaccine Transcription only available: y
Turnaround time: Same day appt.
North Carolina
City/Town: Chapel Hill, Garner, Roxboro
CS Name: Dr. Gonzalo A. Fernandez, Occupational Health Partners
CS Tel. no: Ph: (919) 661-0801 (all locations)
Cost: $25 (Just for transcription - all vacc. up to date)
Vaccine Transcription only available: y
Turnaround time: unk

Everything I have read (on my own and from others on VJ) is that it's a very grey area.
Someone emailed their embassy with the *exact* same situation, and got a "it depends" sort of answer, but also the warning that "Bottom line, you are not allowed to work in the US without a work permit." Which ended up being completely unhelpful.
It might be worth trying to find a free consultation with an immigration lawyer or two.

It's the second one. From the date of the issuance of the visa, you have 6 months to enter.
If you enter the day after it's issued, you have 90 days from entry to the US to marry (about 3 months after issuance).
If you enter the day before it expires (6 months later), you have 90 days from entry to the US to marry (up to 9 months after issuance).
If you enter on any day in between, you have 90 days from entry to the US to marry.
As you can see, the expiration of the visa only has to do with the entry to the US. Once entered, a different clock (the I-94 expiration date) starts, and it is always 90 days. I can see how it can be confusing, especially if the correct vocabulary isn't used.

So a lot of people have said this over and over, but people keep getting hung up on what the SSA says, or if JFK hands out stamps, or if they see any wiggle room in the I-9. The only way a K-1 can work as a K-1 (and not an adjustment applicant after marriage) is by applying for an EAD and paying the $340. It will arrive in ~60 days, and be valid until the I-94 expires. So, for all practical purposes it is just about useless because you'll have it, at BEST for 3 weeks before it expires and you have to stop working again.
Other helpful tips before proceeding to read below: DHS (Department of Homeland Security) is the encompassing body for CBP (Customs and Border Protection) and USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Service) CBP and USCIS are two different departments, and one cannot do the job of the other - so when a CBP official puts a stamp claiming to "authorize work" on to your passport, that is not the same as USCIS issuing an employment authorization document.
What's in the law is the ultimate source, the I-9 etc. is an interpretation of that. Here's what the law says http://ecfr.gpoacces...&idno=8#PartTop:
I would love to strain my eyes and try to follow the proper nested references for you to quote it to you properly, but It's so much easier if you just go to the eCFR and do a find on the words. I used the classification - you can see a lot about what the law actually has to say about your class of admission on a K visa there....It is clear here that no POE stamp makes a K-1 eligible to work. You need to apply for an EAD with the accompanying fee of $340.
You can use that same resource to go here and read: http://ecfr.gpoacces...54.2.1.1&idno=8 which supports the notion that CBP is not able to grant work authorization, rather the USCIS does.
Remember, (a)(6) is for fiance's, as in the above paragraph....

You can find it yourself if you google "ecfr" (for electronic Code of Federal Regulations) and then go under Title 8 for Aliens (&DHS) and then look under part 214 (Non-immigrants)

The discussion about what the SSA says in their memos (again, the SSA is not the USCIS, they are not under the USCIS, they are completely different part of the government, so they can't authorize work EITHER!) doesn't override federal law. The SSA gives SSNs to K-1 holders because of the above parts of the law which allows K-1s to apply for an EAD for $340. They are allowed to be issued a number without showing an EAD because someone tried to do "the right thing" by trying to streamline the process and allow K-1s to get their SSN in parallel with the EAD instead of having to wait for the EAD, and then go get the SSN in series, which took even LONGER to get working. You can read that in this OIG report which explains the whole thing here: http://www.ssa.gov/o...08-07-17044.pdf (Thanks I Quit!!)

Like others, Nik and I have struck out when trying to find (or even get to talk to someone!!) a CS who will transcribe the vaccinations without charging an arm and a leg.
I know there are some of you out there who have had some luck finding a CS who doesn't rip you off, but the experiences are scattered all over the place. Also, as was mentioned in another thread, maybe it's time the VJ community got together and used our experiences in this aspect to help each other out.
I think a pinned thread with a summary post every now and again is the best way, but SunDrop is trying something different - hopefully we can combine our collections!!
So, please let us know if you've found a good CS!

It's the second one. From the date of the issuance of the visa, you have 6 months to enter.
If you enter the day after it's issued, you have 90 days from entry to the US to marry (about 3 months after issuance).
If you enter the day before it expires (6 months later), you have 90 days from entry to the US to marry (up to 9 months after issuance).
If you enter on any day in between, you have 90 days from entry to the US to marry.
As you can see, the expiration of the visa only has to do with the entry to the US. Once entered, a different clock (the I-94 expiration date) starts, and it is always 90 days. I can see how it can be confusing, especially if the correct vocabulary isn't used.

Arizona
City/ Town: Phoenix
Date of Service: 12/16/09
CS Name: Dr. Renuka Khurana, Maricopa County Department of Public Health
CS Tel. no: (They don't answer/return calls but...) (602) 506-6909 1645 E. Roosevelt, Phoenix, AZ 85006
Cost: $65 (Just for transcription - all vacc. up to date)
Vaccine Transcription only available: y
Turnaround time: 2 weeks to get appt.
California
City/ Town: Sacramento
Date of Service: 11/25/09
CS Name: Dr. Mikhail Palatnik -ALLMED Medical Center
CS Tel. no: (916) 972 1100 (701 Howe Ave. Ste. C3 Sacramento, CA 95825)
Cost: $15 (Just for transcription - all vacc. up to date)
Vaccine Transcription only available: y
Turnaround time: arranged appointment date, done in less than an hour. also, given an exact copy of the 1-693 form.
**i did get 2 additional vaccinations here(MMR and Vericella) at $70 each- the most reasonable price i could find of all the 17 clinics i inquired within Sacramento.
City/ Town: San Jose (+1 good review)
Date of Service: 11/08/09
CS Name: Dr. Albert A. Gomez - Meridian Medical Group
CS Tel. no: Ph: (408) 729 5800 (1644 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose, CA 95116)
Cost: $10-$15 (Just for transcription - all vacc. up to date)
Vaccine Transcription only available: y
Turnaround time: 2 days
City/ Town: Santa Ana
Date of Service: 2/13/10
CS Name: Dr. Lohiya, M.D. Royal Medical Group
CS Tel. no: Ph: 714-444-4448 (1120 West WarnerSanta Ana, 92707)
Cost: $20 (Just for transcription - all vacc. up to date) $50 includes varicella titration test.
Vaccine Transcription only available: y
Turnaround time: 2 days
City/ Town: Torrance
Date of Service: Oct 2008
CS Name: Dr. Jeffrey A Ostriker
CS Tel. no: Ph: (310) 328-3421 (2406 Torrance Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90501)
Cost: $50 (Just for transcription - all vacc. up to date)
Vaccine Transcription only available: y
Turnaround time: ~2-3 business days
Colorado
City/Town: Colorado Springs
Date of Service: 04/15/09
CS Name: Expresscare Plus
CS Tel. no: (719 597 4200) 2141 Academy Circle, Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Cost $ 58 for the TB skin test, the transcription came for free
Vaccine Transcription only available: y
City/Town: Denver
Date of Service: 12/5/09 (just called - no appt to confirm yet)
CS Name: Dr. Clarence Kluck, Denver Occupational & Aviational Medicine Clinic
CS Tel. no: (303) 373-4456 3700 Havana Street, Suite 200, Denver, CO 80239
Cost $10 (Just for transcription)
Vaccine Transcription only available: y
Florida
City/Town: Dade City
Date of Service: 12/10/2009
CS Name: Dr. Bhupinder K Dhalla, Pasco County Health Department
CS Tel. no: (352) 521-1450
Cost: $20
Georgia
City/ Town: Marietta
CS Name: Dr. David Williams
CS Tel. no: Ph: 770-955-2046 (2799 Delk Rd Marietta, GA 30067
Cost: $40 (Just for transcription - all vacc. up to date)
Vaccine Transcription only available: y
Idaho
City/Town: Boise
CS Name: Dr. Edward H Newcombe
CS Tel. no: Ph: (208) 375-0722 2036 North Cole Road, Boise, ID 83704
Cost: $30
Vaccine Transcription only available: y
Turnaround time: Tuesday and Thursday Walk-in for transcription, not sure for additional services
Illinois (+3 recommendations)
City/ Town: Joliet
Date of Service: 11/05/09
CS Name: Physicians Immediate Care - Chicago
CS Tel. no: Ph: (815) 823-8800, Fax: (815) 729-2178 (1360 Houbolt Road Joliet, IL 60431)
Cost: $25 (Just for transcription - all vacc. up to date)
Vaccine Transcription only available: y
Turnaround time: Same day appt.
Indiana
City/Town: Lafayette, IN
Date of Service: 01/07/10
CS Name: Dr. William L. Bray, Regional Occupational Care Center
CS Tel. no: (765) 446-2450(1321 Unity Place,Suite A, Lafayette, IN 47905)
Cost: $75 (Transcription AND Physical - all vacc. up to date, except flu shot $20)
just checked TB (accepted my 3yrs old blood test result) and PRP( did not accept my 6 yrs old result, charged $17)
Turnaround time: arranged appointment date, done in less than an hour. also,
Maryland
City/Town: Bethesda, MD
Called 01/04/10
CS Name: Dr. Polly Steinberg
CS Tel. No: (301) 907-9550 (4905 Del Ray Avenue, Suite 302, Bethesda, MD 20814)
Cost: $30 (Just for transcription - all vacc. up to date)
Vaccine Transcription only available: y
City/ Town: Ellicott City/Columbia
CS Name: Dr. Mumtaz B Mehboob - 40 West Walk-In Medical Center
CS Tel. no: (410) 465-6300; 8455 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Cost: $115 (Full physical and vaccination transcription)
Vaccine Transcription only available: N
Turnaround time: Walk-in, they accept appointments on Friday; results completed in 2 days
Massachusetts
City/ Town: Boston
State: Massachusetts
Date of Service: 12/22/2009
CS Name: Dr. Brian Morris All One Health; The Summer Exchange Building
CS Tel. no: 617-357-4140 (101 Arch Street, Ste. 20, BOSTON, MA 02110)
Cost: $20
Vaccine Transcription only available: y
Turnaround time: While you wait
Michigan
City/ Town: Southfield
Date of Service: 2/9/10
CS Name: Dr. Howard S Goldberg
CS Tel. no: (248) 356-7726 (26771 West Twelve Mile Road, Suite 110, Southfield, MI 48034)
Cost: $35
Vaccine Transcription only available: y
Turnaround time: unk
Minnesota
City/ Town: St. Louis Park
Date of Service: 2007
CS Name: Dr. C.E Michael Oldenburg MD American Immigrations of Twin Cities Medical Clinic
CS Tel. no: 952-922-0169 (3601 Park Center Blvd., Suite 205 St. Louis Park, MN 55416)
Cost: $25 - $75
Vaccine Transcription only available: unkn
Turnaround time:
Nebraska
City/ Town: Omaha
CS Name: Dr. Rodney Czsplewski, Total Healthcare Associates, PC
CS Tel. no: (402) 330-7403; 14610 West Center Road, Omaha, NE 68144
Cost: "reasonable"
Vaccine Transcription only available: Y
Turnaround time: Tuesday and Thursdays
New Jersey
City/Town: Mountain Lakes
CS Name: Richard Schweitzer, MD, Mountain Lakes Medical Center
CS Tel. no: Ph: (973) 917-3200 (100 US Hwy 46 East, Building B, Suite 204, Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046)
Cost: ?? (I can't remember where I picked it up from... sorry - H
Vaccine Transcription only available: y
Turnaround time: unk
New York
City/Town: Manhattan
CS Name: Dr. Noel L Smith, Foley Plaza Medical
CS Tel. no: Ph: (212) 385-3730 325 Broadway, Room 204, New York, NY 10007
Cost: $50 Mixed reviews - call ahead
Vaccine Transcription only available: y
Turnaround time: unk
City/Town: Hopewell Junction
CS Name: Dr. Rabi Sinha
CS Tel. no: Ph: (845)226-4590, 45 Foster Road Hopewell Junction, NY 12533
Cost: $100, "office visit"
Vaccine Transcription but wanted to do full medical
Turnaround time: unk
North Carolina
City/Town: Chapel Hill, Garner, Roxboro
CS Name: Dr. Gonzalo A. Fernandez, Occupational Health Partners
CS Tel. no: Ph: (919) 661-0801 (all locations)
Cost: $25 (Just for transcription - all vacc. up to date)
Vaccine Transcription only available: y
Turnaround time: unk
City/Town: Charlotte
CS Name: Dr. Sonya Buchanan Concentra Medical Center
CS Tel. no: 704 338 1268 (1614 South Blvd 28203, 28208)
Cost: $40 (Just for transcription)
Vaccine Transcription only available: y
Pennsylvania
City/Town: Philadelphia
Date of Service: 1/16/10
CS Name: Dr. Emil P Sfedu, Executive Health Services, Inc.
716 North 24th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 235-3000
Cost: $35.00 (Just transcription) Shots (if required) range from $64.00-$266.00
Vaccine Transcription only: y
Turnaround time: 2-3 days for appt, same day service.
City/ Town: Norristown, Pennsylvania
Date of Service: 01/27/10
CS Name: Dr. Charles Cutler/Dr. Arthur Ersner
CS Tel. no: Ph: (610) 279-8300
Cost: $70 (Transcription,tb skin test,blood test,exam )
Turnaround time: arranged appointment date, done in less than an hour
Texas
City/ Town: Austin area
Date of Service: 12/8/09 (ish)
CS Name: Pro Med Emergency Clinic
CS Tel. no: Ph: 512-250-0424
Cost: $36 (Transcription only)
Vaccine Transcription only available: y
City/ Town: Dallas
Date of Service: 12/30/09
CS Name: Dr. Alfonso Ramirez
CS Tel. no: Ph: (214) 943-5773
Cost: $72 (Transcription,skin test,blood test )
- got my varicella vaccine from a public clinic $20
City/ Town: Houston
Date of Service: 01/06/2010
CS Name: Dr Bee Sun Lu
CS Tel. no: Ph: 713-622-0605
Cost: $150 (Full medical inc vaccination transcription)
City: Port Arthur
Date of Service: 01/22/10
CS Name: Dr. Hau P. Dang
CS Tel. no: Ph: 409-983-2033
Cost: $100 (medical transcription including tb skin test )
Vaccine Transcription only available:n
Turnaround time: Walk in,after 48 hrs, get the result and the sealed envelop
City/ Town: San Antonio, Tx
Date of Service: 02/05/10
CS Name: Dr. Alvarado - Texas MedClinic
CS Tel. no: Ph: (210) 927-5580
Cost: $174.00 (Transcription,tb skin test,blood test,exam ) - they may try to tell you it will be between 300.00 & 500.00 dollars but that is only if you do NOT have any of your vaccinations. With all vaccines current it will be much less.
Turnaround time: arranged appointment date, done in a little more than an hour, paperwork not ready for 3-5 business days due to waiting for lab results but this was the best deal I could find in town.
Utah
City/ Town: Salt Lake City
Date of Service: 08/31/09
CS Name: Dr. Michael Cobble - Canyons Medical Center
CS Tel. no: Ph: (801) 967-6886 (9355 South 1300 East, Sandy, UT 84094)
Cost: $25 (Just for transcription - but made me get a Hep B vacc at another clinic)
Vaccine Transcription only available: y
Turnaround time: Same day appt.
Virginia
City/Town: Alexandria
Date of service: Not done, but called 12/23/09
CS Name: Dr. Satar Ahmadi
CS Tel. no: (703) 751-7331 (5249 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22304)
Cost: $50 (Just for transcription with all vacc's up to date)
Turnaround time: Same day service
Washington
City/Town: Vancouver
Date of service: 1/28/10
CS Name: Dr. Torres
CS Tel. no: 503-224-0103
Cost: $10
Vaccine Transcription only available: y
Turnaround time: Same day service

Like others, Nik and I have struck out when trying to find (or even get to talk to someone!!) a CS who will transcribe the vaccinations without charging an arm and a leg.
I know there are some of you out there who have had some luck finding a CS who doesn't rip you off, but the experiences are scattered all over the place. Also, as was mentioned in another thread, maybe it's time the VJ community got together and used our experiences in this aspect to help each other out.
I think a pinned thread with a summary post every now and again is the best way, but SunDrop is trying something different - hopefully we can combine our collections!!
So, please let us know if you've found a good CS!

Like others, Nik and I have struck out when trying to find (or even get to talk to someone!!) a CS who will transcribe the vaccinations without charging an arm and a leg.
I know there are some of you out there who have had some luck finding a CS who doesn't rip you off, but the experiences are scattered all over the place. Also, as was mentioned in another thread, maybe it's time the VJ community got together and used our experiences in this aspect to help each other out.
I think a pinned thread with a summary post every now and again is the best way, but SunDrop is trying something different - hopefully we can combine our collections!!
So, please let us know if you've found a good CS!

It's the second one. From the date of the issuance of the visa, you have 6 months to enter.
If you enter the day after it's issued, you have 90 days from entry to the US to marry (about 3 months after issuance).
If you enter the day before it expires (6 months later), you have 90 days from entry to the US to marry (up to 9 months after issuance).
If you enter on any day in between, you have 90 days from entry to the US to marry.
As you can see, the expiration of the visa only has to do with the entry to the US. Once entered, a different clock (the I-94 expiration date) starts, and it is always 90 days. I can see how it can be confusing, especially if the correct vocabulary isn't used.

Personally, I don't think it's worn so badly that it needs to be replaced, provided the ID page is a bit more pristine (ie, no separation of any layers, or anything that could be argued to appear tampered with). Still very legible etc. That's how I would look at it if I were deciding personally on my own documentation - no idea what the consular officer would say, of course.
HOWEVER, that's a requirements perspective. I can see many more compelling preference/convenience reasons to get it done now:
I can tell you that it's a bit of a pain to get the sucker renewed once you are in the States, and you will need to renew anyway (it won't last you until US naturalization). First of all, the photos need to be signed by a "professional" who has known you for a somewhat extended period of time - I think 2 years? 3? I can't remember now. We just barely knew someone for that long when we sent in the paperwork.
Don't think you'll just wait until you get your US passport after Naturalization and end up like us, essentially without the option of attending a grandparent's funeral because you've let the passport expire -- Yes, we could have obtained emergency documents by flying/travelling to Los Angeles and then on to the UK, but the whole idea was a logistical nightmare. Besides, if you're going for dual citizenship you'll need to maintain both anyway.
Also another good reason to get the passport renewed now is that all of your immigration stuff will happen in the one passport. No need to try to remember where you filed the old one to get the I-94 data out of it etc.

I'm also in the camp that spouses of American citizens (at least) need not have any more "loyal" feelings towards the US than the desire to be geographically with their other half. In that, I agree that if it is convenient for the non usc spouse to become a citizen, then they should.
Alan, has Julian haxx0red your account??

And stop people from feeling the need to simply reply with "I agree with so and so" in order to try to tip the scales as it were when conflicting advice is given.
I guess I haven't been paying too much attention to the post reputation bar. I haven't seen it going crazy "for the fun of it" but I've not been going through all the forums much in the past couple days.

Wow, that really stinks. Waiting for that darn NOA2 is the pits, and then to have mistakes piled on! As if we aren't anxious enough about our OWN mistakes!
Hopefully the supervisor review yields an answer quickly.

It's the second one. From the date of the issuance of the visa, you have 6 months to enter.
If you enter the day after it's issued, you have 90 days from entry to the US to marry (about 3 months after issuance).
If you enter the day before it expires (6 months later), you have 90 days from entry to the US to marry (up to 9 months after issuance).
If you enter on any day in between, you have 90 days from entry to the US to marry.
As you can see, the expiration of the visa only has to do with the entry to the US. Once entered, a different clock (the I-94 expiration date) starts, and it is always 90 days. I can see how it can be confusing, especially if the correct vocabulary isn't used.

When I called to ask about mine, the guy told me that you have to look it up based on the case number on your biometrics letter (not NOA1) it sounded really strange to me, but we had misplaced (now found while looking for our W-2s) it so I wasn't able to confirm.
Update on our case: We have been transferred to our local office who will schedule an interview. I am alternating between confident and worried. Confident because we actually are indeed a married couple. Worried because we had an interview for the first GC, and Nik flubbed some questions ("I'm not good with dates") the first time around. I guess we will have to have a study session on important dates. Looks like almost everyone is being approved without interviews, so now I'm on the worried side. Also, I sort of thought that if they interviewed you for the first card you usually didn't get called in for the removal. Ergh.
Sorry I haven't been around cheering everyone on. Just not as interested in VJ when I'm not channeling my "I miss my guy because he's so far away, how do I get him here sooner" into forums addiction.

I'm sorry but a spousal visa is your only option. They have accused him of immigrant intent. he is unlikely to ever be permitted to get another visitor visa.

Well, one hadn't called us back, and since it was one at the county health department, we figured we'd go in person and stand in front of them to make our vaccination case. Turns out it was the right move - appt with the civil surgeon in two weeks at a relatively more reasonable price. They even checked his records and said they were all set.

Arizona
City/ Town: Phoenix
Date of Service: 12/16/09
CS Name: Dr. Renuka Khurana, Maricopa County Department of Public Health
CS Tel. no: (They don't answer/return calls but...) (602) 506-6909 1645 E. Roosevelt, Phoenix, AZ 85006
Cost: $65 (Just for transcription - all vacc. up to date)
Vaccine Transcription only available: y
Turnaround time: 2 weeks to get appt.

This is what is going on "behind the scenes."
You just have to wait until your petition is processed!

Because by law USCIS must start removal conditions as soon as they find out about the divorce if I-751 is not filed. The applicable law in this case is INA 216(b), with INA 216(b)(1)(A)(ii) describing your exact situation. To be exact, the law does not say that you must file I-751 as soon as divorce is final. Instead it says that your permanent resident status is terminated, because you violated the condition that you had on your status, at which point you become removable.

You were issued a "conditional" greencard. The "condition" being that you were married to a USC.
Once you are divorced you are no longer fulfilling the condition (like driving with a suspended licence). If ICE come across you while divorced, and whilst still on a conditional card, they CAN deport you for breaching the conditions of your greencard.
Now that you are divorced you MUST file ROC with a divorce waiver. Even if you re-married your ex-husband you would still have to file with a divorce waiver because you WERE divorced from the initial relationship. USCIS wouldn't allow that.
You were not required to "inform" USCIS about the divorce but you ARE required to file ROC, or leave the country and give up your greencard. Once you have a 10 year non-conditional greencard your divorce or remarriage isn't relevant. You don't need to tell USCIS if you re-marry, or divorce.. just change address.
Your ex-husband is also required to update his address (if he moves) by filing an i-865.

No, call deferred inspection - you can go to the one closest to you, it doesn't have to be where you came in, or even in an airport (though they are frequently near the airport). They are offices specifically for this sort of situation - to get paperwork worked out. It should be easy to see if it was stapled in at all - because there would be holes in the page!!
I do agree with what you were told that you should wait maybe a couple of weeks to be sure that your entry which was recorded electronically has filtered through the system and all of the databases updated.

The check finally cleared this morning. I think we are on our way!

It's so interesting how it's funny when other people squirm and freak out over stuff like this (OMG the mail is late!/obsessive tracking, etc), but then when you're the one in the hot seat - suddenly - not so funny!
I'm laughing at myself now, except when I remember no NOA1....yet....Argh.

I (petitioner) was strongly scolded for answering questions at our AOS interview. For the K-1 it is an interview of the beneficiary, so they should answer all questions unless the officer specifically requests the petitioner's input.