pacificleye

That's what i thought... So it all depend on what her taxes says, Thanx for your quick reply

I have a friend that Im helping with his AOS. I am pretty familiar with the whole process and since my case is similar to his He asked me for my help filling out his. Now the only difference is that his wife/USC has three kids but two of them live with their birthdad and only one lives full time with them. now she gets to have the other two every other weeks. Now my question is do they count the other two kids as part of their household even if they are taken care off by their birthdad??? The question is regarding the I-864. Also I believe they have to put down all the three kids name in questions asking for the beneficiary's relative (STEP KIDS) as well as the wife's name or else?(on the I-130)

Thanx in advance for any input...

Man I could not believe it. My card finally arrived this saturday, exactly 8 day after approval and card production order online via CRIS. The funny thing is that my status online still says pending on the I-130 and card production ordered on the I-485. I received my welcome letter and my wife aka USC spouse received the approval for the I-130:

One piece of advice to everyone else: DO NOT TRUST 100% THE USCIS WEBSITE FOR UPDATES... Most likely you will start having gray hair if relying on it. But it sure helps when it works so try to register regardless....

Now today I received the Green card in the simplest envelop, I even though it was a bill or a credit card offer, but I noticed the sender was from Lee's Summit, Missouri, which is where NBC in located at: That was the hint that I should not probably throw away or neglect the envelop lol. Man one thing I can state is that the card looks really high tech... Worth $1365 total cost, probably not, but it is a small sacrifice compared to all the doors this lil card opens for us from here one.

Next thing on y to do list is apply for a new SSN that does not have the stupid restriction... Then I am going to take care of an old ticket I have that I have not paid since 2004. I know I have a warrant out for it and I won't be able to renew my driver licence without it so let's get moving....

To every one else still waiting or about to start the waiting game, keep your heads up and stay positive. In time you will get to where you wanna be!

I', still gonna be around to help out as much as I can the same way people around here have been helping me. Good luck everyone!!!! Till December 2010 to remove conditions...

congrats!!!

Man I wonder what you did different than many others here. I'm so jaleous lol. Well congrats!!! I tried to get my passport stamped and asked for it just to get a " you don't need that because now the card gets faster to you. And you didn't ask and get yalls stamped... Ohh well, everyone with their luck. I should be happy to know that my card is coming... Many people still don't have that yet...

Has anyone else got one of these? Nice to know our $1010 is being spent on the really important things, huh?

I kind of expected my green card today but the mail is weird today.. normally they come in the afternoon, nothing came.. turns out they came in the morning and one of my mom-in-law's clients (people with altzheimer, she runs a carehome downstairs) took the mail apparently.. all we know is that a box has been delivered but no other mail that we know of, if we ask the guy, then he doesn't know anymore lol.. I so hope it wasn't there and that it comes tomorrow or a bit later, coz if it was, then hmm.. I have no idea what to do lol

Congrats on receiving the card. Hey JeroenAndMichelle, we were approve the same day I see. I'm too is waiting anxiously. I know Im approved already and there are a lot of people ready to settle just for a nice aproval notice, but I just wanna hold that little card that makes such a difference in people's life. I was hoping to receive it thusday, and even tho i's been about a week since aproval, but the wait seems like an eternity lol. Hopefully there is still Friday and Saturday lol

Congratulation. I guess your wife was just like I was: confident lol. In my case I just tried to b relaxed and enjoy the momment. It helps to be calm.... Good luck !!!

I had my appointment in Dallas as well. What is the address that the appointment letter has? Is it the one at Village at Bachman Lake?

If so you need to go before the interview day to be sure where is it, because its a little tiny place that does not even look like a immigration office at all!!!! It took us like 10 minutes to find the place, the good thing is that I was the only person in there and it did not even took 5 minutes to be done. Where do you live? Because depending of what direction you are coming from is going to take up to 2 or 3 hours to get to Dallas.

Yeah that the place Bachman Lake. That is one tricky place to get to. If it is the pLace you better get there early just so you can find the place. and it looks nothing like an office. But hte whole thing did not take that long tho. There probably about 20 people in there and they gave me a number after I filled out a form, then waited for my turn. The people there were nice especially the guy who took my picture and fingerprints. A little anecdot: In the form I filled out they asked for my height and my being light headed, I put down 10'11". So when he saw that he looked me up and down but not from my head but from the ceiling to my feet jokingly. All and all it took 10 to 15 min from when I got there... Take peoples advice here and try and be as early as possible, same for when you'll be going to the AOS interview, because for some reason,I think they make their places(USCIS) TRICKY to get to...

Hi everyone.We received our biometrics appointmehont ths week and scheduled april 16 at 8 am.We are 2 1/2 half hours away from dallas and dont know exactly where it is.Has anyone go their biometrics prior to schedule date?We are planning of going there before the appointment date so we wont be rushing in on april 16 waking up early and all that stuff.Just wondering if that is possible.Like going in around 10 am maybe?..

Thanks for any input..God bless everyone..

Hey I had my biometrics in Dallas. It was in November.

As to your traveling arrangment I would definitly try and go earlier, not only you have to factor in the morning commute but also the place is small and tricky to find. It is located in a crowded mall strips. There are a lot of stores and building in the same area so don't be affraid to ask for directions. To tell you how tricky, I lived just up the street from the the place( about 5-10min), still I could not find the place. I got of the care and started searching, but could not find it. Then I saw a security gard and asked him if he knew of the immigration office located around and he told me it was somewhere on the other side. I worked my way back in the parking lot to finally see the place. It is a tiny place and there is not big sign so just be patient and open your eyes, maybe you'll notice the sign that I did not lol... I would suggest to get there eing on Marsh lane. the sign was there. Now thatis if it is the same adress...

I came here as an F1 Student when I was in 12th grade.. So I know for a fact that F1 status is available for highschool students too.. But there is a catch to it. If you are on a f1 student, you have to pay tuition even if you are attending a public school.

IMHO, the school probably dropped the ball somewhere and you can get her back in status by contacting USCIS and filling out some forms... It is not the end of the world!!! Make an Infopass appointment with your local USCIS office and ask them for advise.

Woaw, thatI did not know. A while back we were trying to get one of my brother here to study in Highschool, but the embassy said they would not issue him a visa unless he had his highschool diploma. The other way was for him to find a family here that would invite him and he would then be eligible to be a foreign exchange student. That's what I love with this forum, you learn so much!!!! Thanks guys for the infos. Anywho, like well said it is not the end of the world. The INS would tell you to leave the country when out of status, but really all you have to do is find out where the ball was drop as said above either by infopass, or just file to get back in status. Itis easy, cost about $400, and takes up to 60 days. In my case I was back in status in less than 30 days. So good luck!!! You won't have to cheat after all lol!!!(jkd)

I'll submit my AOS. EAD, and AP application tommorrow, just wanna make sure what should i use for payment, personal check or money order?

Thanks!

I would use personal check especially if they have both your names on em. Otherwise it is up to you as long as you got the money right. If personal check, make sure they don't bounce.

The advantage with personals check, you know when USCIS got your money whereas money orders you have to keep the receipt and there is almost no way of knowing when USCIS cashed em.

On this one it would be your choice frangin!!!!!

I received NOAs for I-485 and I-765 today!! Yay! I'm happy! I thought it would take a few more days. But at the same time I'm worried because I haven't received NOA for I-130 yet! I thought I would receive all of them at once...

Well, my husband and I have not started living together yet. Although we included a letter in our packet asking them to mail all correspondence to my address (since my husband will move in with me in May), they might have mailed NOA to him. My husband hasn't received anything yet. I know I should probably be patient. Either I or he will receive it soon enough, but I'm just worried sick and my head started hurting!

The reason why we haven't started living together yet is because he goes to college in another state.

Is anyone in the same situation? Like not living with your spouse when you filed paperwork?

Any help, thoughts, or advice are all appreciated!

Well it all depend on what adress you put on each forms. If you put a different adress on one em that might be why you haven't received it yet. Do you happen to remember which adress was on the I-130? The best way would be to have the same adress on all of em.

My wife's sister was originally accepted on an f-1 student visa from Vietnam and enrolled in 11th grade in a public high school. After the 11th grade, she found another public high school that was willing to issue her another i-20 for enrollment in 12th grade. Upon preparation for college, her current high school contacted SEVIS to find out the best way for her to enter college. That was when SEVIS told her she has to return to her country immediately due to the fact she was out of status. SEVIS told her high school that they should not have issue her an i-20. Currently her high school is allowing her to finish high school and receive her diploma, which is 2 months from now.

I want to know the best way for her to continue her education in America. Would any college accept her? Does she need to find someone to get married with? How about adoption? She is currently under 18. Please let me know the best way. Your help is appreciated. Thanks.

Another way would be to try and get her back in status. I was out of status twice while I was an F-1 status. Just call Uscis hotline, and ask which form you should file. I have a question, how was she issued an I-20 when she went to the embassy? By that I mean which school was she suppose to attend? Depending on your answer, I might be able to help you with advice. But by any means, do not try and shortcut the system man...

Just because she is out of status means that it is game over. She could still be reinstated. It is one of the advantages of F-1 visa. You can fix it without having to go back home. That is why there is no expiration date per se on the I-94 which should say D/S ( DURATION OF STAY). As long as she wants to keep going to school she can be reinstated. Let me know man!

My wife's sister was originally accepted on an f-1 student visa from Vietnam and enrolled in 11th grade in a public high school. After the 11th grade, she found another public high school that was willing to issue her another i-20 for enrollment in 12th grade. Upon preparation for college, her current high school contacted SEVIS to find out the best way for her to enter college. That was when SEVIS told her she has to return to her country immediately due to the fact she was out of status. SEVIS told her high school that they should not have issue her an i-20. Currently her high school is allowing her to finish high school and receive her diploma, which is 2 months from now.

I want to know the best way for her to continue her education in America. Would any college accept her? Does she need to find someone to get married with? How about adoption? She is currently under 18. Please let me know the best way. Your help is appreciated. Thanks.

Another way would be to try and get her back in status. I was out of status twice while I was an F-1 status. Just call Uscis hotline, and ask which form you should file. I have a question, how was she issued an I-20 when she went to the embassy? By that I mean which school was she suppose to attend? Depending on your answer, I might be able to help you with advice. But by any means, do not try and shortcut the system man...

My wife's sister was originally accepted on an f-1 student visa from Vietnam and enrolled in 11th grade in a public high school. After the 11th grade, she found another public high school that was willing to issue her another i-20 for enrollment in 12th grade. Upon preparation for college, her current high school contacted SEVIS to find out the best way for her to enter college. That was when SEVIS told her she has to return to her country immediately due to the fact she was out of status. SEVIS told her high school that they should not have issue her an i-20. Currently her high school is allowing her to finish high school and receive her diploma, which is 2 months from now.

I want to know the best way for her to continue her education in America. Would any college accept her? Does she need to find someone to get married with? How about adoption? She is currently under 18. Please let me know the best way. Your help is appreciated. Thanks.

I'm sorry to hear that! But what kind of Highschool issue I-20 for F-1 visa? As far as I'm concerned, F-1 is for colleges and Universities, that might be why USCIS told you that she was out of status. I'm sorry that she was mislead like that. It is sad because she was just doing what she thought was right.

A bit lost while filling out I-485 form. FYI - My wife is the USC, I am filing for AOS.

Part 3, B:

"List your present husband/wife... "

* Family Name:

It would be her name as it appear in her ID. If she did indeed change her name then it would be her married name.

* A#

In my case I put N/A, since she is a USC

* Applying with you?

This one sounds tricky. She is applying as my SPONSOR but she's not applying for AOS. I am thinking I should check "NO"? Im not sure but "no" seems most likely.

Part 3, C:

"List your present and past membership or affiliation with every organization, association, fund, foundation, club, society, or similar group in United States or in other places since your 16th birthday.. "

In my case I just put the name of a charity I usually volunteer with, as well as society from school like Phi Theta Kappa. I don't think they ask work or school you attended. I think it is more related to places where a membership you got like brotherwood, charities

Thanks very much for your help!!

You are very welcome lol...

Has anyone ever been asked for the beneficiaries original birth certificate at AOS? All we have are copies since the embassy took her original at the K-1 interview. She's already in country so it's a bit late to go hunting down another original.

Any ideas or feedback?

In my case all I had was a copy of my BC, the one I sent with the AOS packet along with the traduction in english from french. Now at the interview I was not ask any of it. Usually it is the USC petitioner that is required the original. If you can get the original for the beneficiary it won't hurt to get it. But most likely they might not ask for it. I guess it depend on the IO.

In my case I decided not to try and get an original of my BC, and in case I was asked for it I would explain that where I'm from we don't have a BC per se, but rather an extract of the registred BC, which is just a copy of the original, so if they really wanted it I was going to get it then ( even if it meant being tagged with a RFE )since it is a hasle to get one while over sea!

hehe i told u and iam happy i could help..i know how scared i was and my buddies from the VJ group helped me a lot and gave me hope

so i guess we see us in december 2010 when we have to file removal together:-)))

if u have any questions u are welcome to mail me

take care

Well Alrighty man. I see us back in the trenchee together in 2010.

btw my 130 still show pending status..so dont be worried..u got the welcome letter and the card will be there in the next 10 days

Goldfee you the one who's encouragement helped me the most!!!! Especially when you told me of your experience. Thanx a lot!!!!!!!!!!!

During my whole time in there I was like "Ihope it is as easy as you said it was"....... And i don't think it could have been easier lol....

Hey you guys I just received my welcome notice, and my wife an approval notice for my I-130! I've been checking online but still nothing has moved since card production ordered on the I-485 on Monday, I-130 still shows pending. To tell you the truth I can care less at this very momment as long as I know I am approved. Was approved on Monday the 16th of March, so been 5 days. I'm guessing the card should be on the way... Monday maybe??? 1st thing I'll do is to head to the SS office and get the stupid restriction removed from my card by ordering a new one. I just wish I could find a job now lol. I swear it seems to me I was able to find a job everytime way easier when I was not allowed to work in the US lol. Maybe the economy is different but here in Texas it is not that bad compared to other staes. Anywho keep you posted when I get the Card(Green one).

Hey everyone!

I am putting together my AOS package (Canadian citizen/TN Visa married to US citizen), to include I-131. I don't have a specific travel date in mind, but I would like to be able to visit my family in Canada at some point in this process without having to wait for the Green Card. Should I make up some travel dates in order to complete the I-131? Luckily my family is within driving distance of where I live, so it's not like I have to purchase plane tickets or anything and I could easily make a quick trip with whatever dates I put in there. Any advice?

Thanks for your help

I read of someone who put to be determined or something like that. If you don't have a date no set date would do just fine. Unless someone has a better idea

Thank you for the long detailed post!!!

I'll have interview in irving, tx too! I'm kind of anxious. It was nice to hear about your experience.

Could you provide details on what evidence did you send in with your application and what else did you bring to the interview?

Thanks a lot!

Well with my application I sent in a copy of my birth certificate in french a copy translated in english, a copy of my wife's birth certificate, a copy of our marriage license, copies of my passport with the f1 visa and I 94 and the pages of my current new passport with my informations on it. As supporting doc we got my in-laws to write a letter saying that I am married to their daughter and we are happily arried and that they met my mom when she was her. We did not have a lease appartment so we got a letter saying that we live at a friends house and that he too knew that we were happilly married. Also copies of bank statments, credit card(we got one I just added her as a user), Greeting cards amd mail sent to both of us. I also went ahead and sent in copies of our IDs.

For the interview, I just prepared all of the above including the originals of all the copies I sent in with the application. All were asked tho were Ours IDs, my work permit, our social security cards and we also brought the album photo but made copies of the photos for her that she kept. That was it! I was surprised tho because she did not even mentioned our joint taxe for this year (2008) with we had just in case.

Also my wife did not file her 2007 taxes, but we had an excuse that she was dependent of her dad at the time and had his 1040 sowing her name as a relative. I was out of status from my f1 visa since April of last year and the only time she mention school was that on my visa the school name was an ELS center and asked me if I ever attended another institution to which I replied I did go to Grayson County College till 2006 then transferd to the Art Institute of Dallas. That was it did not ask about my current status or nothing.

We were lucky tho I guess because she place the oder for my card right there and then because we told her that we were wnating to get an appatment and its been three months that the place has been checking on my status and that they wont let us move in unless I am at least an green card holder. She said I know how it is to want your own place so I'm going ahead and as a courtesy to place your card produtcion order and if you are lucky they might even make it tonight( the card). When I later got home, got e-mail from CRIS saying that card prduction orderd and my I-130 and I-485 dates were changed to 03/16/2009 from 12/17/2008.

Hey futuregcholder, you are right we probably saw each other. I was there with my wife she is caucasian and I was the really dark skinned looking guy wearing a blue collar and button up shirt with dark blue pants and my wife was wearing a red shirt and black slacks pant. I was wearing glasses too...

I've been told the Dallas office is really a cool place to be interviewed at and overall it is true. I was worried there for a bit because as soon as she swore us in she was serious and did not wanted to converse despite me trying to spark the conversation ( I guess she was trying to concentrate on checking the files) but as soon as she saw that we were relaxed and smilling and laughing just plain excited she was more and more talkative. I'm guessing just try to relaxe and get your mind out of this whole process and just think about anything else besides the stress of the whole thing.

Thank you man. I already checked my portfolio on the USCIS website and It says Card production ordered on the I-485 the date has been updated to todays date. That was quick. But I should have expected it because the lady placed the order right in front of us.... Man I'm so happy we got this. Sorry if you think me post was long but I wanted to describe the details of my experience and share it with yall.

Hey There VJers!!!!! We have exciting news!!!! We got approved today Monday the 16th of March 2009.... My wife and I were both excited and nervous about it. Turn out to be a walk in the park so to speak. Here are the details on how it went. I'll try to describe it my best:

My wife and I decided to go early so even tho our interview was for 3:30PM, we left for Dallas around 10:30AM. We live 45 minutes north of Dallas in a small town called Denison/Sherman. We wanted to go on a shopping spree before the interview. We did and then around 2PM we started heading towards the place which was in Irving (Dallas sort of). Good thing we were early because the place was tricky to get to. The map we got from Mapquest was not that accurate and we did not have a GPS. Luckily, after some turn around and cul-de-sacs, we found the actual building and since we were more than 45 min early (50min to be exact), we sat in the car and waited an other 20min, then we went inside the building. We first went hrough securty check ( had to empty pockets and take off belts lol), then went upstairs to the actual lobby were a lady took our Interview notice and put it in a box and then she gave us a pager ( If you went to Olive Garden restaurents you know what I speak of, it is a Coaster call that vibrates and flashes when it is your turn). We sat down and there were about 5 or six other couples and/or families waiting. I guess we were the last people to get there because nobody else came after us in the lobby. We saw other couples being silent and just plain worried, but my wife and I were just being ourselves and talking and joking and looking relaxed ( which we were). After about 45 minutes (15 min after our interview time) we got called in. It was actually funny cuz the lady came to the computer and entered the next number then turned around to see who it was but we were the only couple left in the room so it drew a laughter. So she walked us into to the room and before we sat down she swore us in. she asked me to sit on the left and my wife on the right side (which i thought was weird-maybe it was OCD or something lol-I hope she's not reading this).

She first asked us for ID's, SS cards, work permit, travel doc (which i didn't apply for, so none for me), and my passport.

She then went on to ask my wife for my birthday and asked me, her.

She asked also how me met, when we got married (June, Friday the 13th, 2008.... I know right!!!!! what a lucky day!!!)

She then asked my wife how old she is, to which she replied 18. she then quickly hit back with "how old were you when you got married?"

My wife said 17. Then she was like did you bring the notorized letter signed by both your parents from when you went and applied for the marriage license. I was like we didn't need any notoized letter to get married. We just needed both her parents at the courthouse to sign their consent and show ID's. She was like I dont think so, you do need a notorized letter from both parents to get the permission to be married. She paused for a second then decided to go inquire about it to her supervisor. She came back and told us that we were right that the law changed and she didnt know about it.

She started telling me about the conditional GC and how to remove condition, at which moment i knew we were good. She then left the room 2 or 3 times when she noticed my wife was holding a photo album and said, "oh, you brought pictures! Let me see those." She was about to take the album away when I said to her if she needed copies of the pictures we made some for her. To which she said "ya give me the copies" then gave us back the album. She then asked my wife "how do your parents feel about you marrying outside your race?" (my wife is caucasian and I'm black). My wife just replied, "My parents raised me to see people by their personalities rather than the color of their skin. Plus my sister has two interracial children so..."

She said "thats good." Then added "Congratulation, I am approving you for the GC!!!! Everything looks good!!!"

She then went on to exlain again about the conditional GC, then asked if we had any questions. I asked her if she was going to keep my EAD, she said yes then I asked if I could get my passport stamped and she said I would not need it because she was going to place the card production order right now and it would be about 10 to 14 days till I get it in the mail. She said if I had an emergency I could come back with the aproval notice she gave me and they would then stamp it. She then looked at us and said " Yall just a happy couple, aren't yall?" with a big smile, then she said that was it and escorted us out back to the lobby and said "have a safe trip home!!!".

My wife and I were just so excited and relieved that it was over.... For now lol... All and all it took roughly about 10 to 20 minutes, we were in and out. She mostly flipped trough the folder and papers and beside her not knowing the law regarding marriage for under age in Texas, it was pretty easy. Easier than I thought. My wife later said that before we went through all that immigration stuff she had no clue what Immigrants have to go through to get legal and/or residency. She feels so bad for people going through all this, us included.

Thank you all for your support and prayers. It helped us a lot and I wish the best to all and everybody still waiting or about to start the waiting game. If you are true to your heart and just be yourselves, victory shall be yours!!!! .

Hey VJ's Brothers and Sisters... My interview is finally coming up soon. How Soon? Well Monday 16th of March 2009 to be exact. I hope everything goes fine. I've been reading different Interviews from fellow members and I somewhat feel confident that it will be alright. I mean my wife and I are Madly in love and have nothing to hide. It scares me tho a litle when I read some few Interviews where the interview is very complicated. Hopefully It'll be good. I'll keep yall posted on how it when. My interview will be In Dallas, Tx.

I was an International student adjusting to resident( permanent)

I will answer as far as I know. Hope these help...

Regarding our marriage:

Is there any special process in order for us to get married? We plan to marry within the United States, within our home state.

You really do not need anything extraordinary, just get infos regarding marriage where you live. In my case all My wife and I did was get a reservation with a judge in our area who married us after hours on a Friday( the 13th lol for real). We paid $120( Dallas Texas). In texas you have to apply for a marriage License( cost around $30) that takes 3days to get. Once you have the license, you have 30 days to get married or it will expire. Once you have it you can marry wherever you want as long as the person marrying you is licensed in the state of Texas. Then the judge( in my case) gives you certified copies of the marriage certificate while mailling( the judge still) the original marriage certificate back to the county court where you applied for the marriage licence for them to put it in their record then they will maill it back to you within couple of weeks. Now that the law here in Texas. So it is important that you go online and get infos on how to marry where you live.

Will we need a marriage lawyer, or can we just go to the county clerks office and do the paperwork to apply for a marriage license?

Again you really do not need a lawyer for it but if it makes you feel more comfortable it's your call.

Is it necessary for us to have a ceremony? (We are very frugal people and would rather use our money for medical school)

Again it is your call. In my case it was just the judge, My wife and I. We even had the judge take pictures for us with the signed marriage certificate lol. I guess that was a good move cuz we might need it at the interview for proof of bonafide marriage.

After getting married are there any things we should consider?

Well like Canadian_Wife well said just start thinking about the immigration process. It is not anything complicated when you do your research but it can be very tricky. So you gotta prepare yoourself and don't be affraid to ask question.

Regarding change of citizenship:

When will my gf be eligible to change her immigration status, which forms are part of the process?

In her case since it is similar to mine, you will need to file I-130 (petion for alien relative) for her since you are the USC: along with it you will need to file G-325A (Biographic Information + 1 passport style photo of you) wich has 4 page that are basically the same. She will also need to fill G-325A( wich again has 4 pages that are the same + 1 photo passport style of her)

She will have to fill I-485 adjustment to permanent resident. Along with that she will need a sponsor and fill I-864 (Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act). Also she will need to have her vaccination record book that she will need to do the Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (I-693) with a civil surgeon( you can find the list of all the civil surgeons near where you live by going to the USCIS.GOV website): If she does not have her medical record she might have to ask her parents to send her one or else the civil surgeon would have to give her the shots that are required ( pretty hefty price tag lol). Also she will need to file another g-325a( with of course another 1 photo passport style of her). Next are the necessary but not obligatory I-765 ( EAD aka Work permit in case she wanna work while waiting for GC, I did file for it cuz I am now F-1 out of status ) and I-131 (Application for Travel Document in case she wanna travel while waiting for her Green card, I did not fill one cuz I do not have plan to travel while waiting for GC) all of witch do not carry additional cost when adjusting.

I don't know if I have forgotten anything on my list. Check in the section on how to adjust DO IT YOURSELF PART OF THE FORUM. Another way would be to hire an attorney ( Expensive!!! and not necessary when you are well informed) and not have to worry about what document to file because they would have them. Now be carefull because there are some out htere that do not know what they are doing.

For all these form you can find on the USCIS.GOV website under IMMIGRATION FORMS. Download also the instructions on how to file each of them under the same link (very helpfull).

The fees are $355 for I-130 package( along with the g-325a from you and g-325a from your wife and 1 pic from you and 1 pic from your wife) and $1010 for I-485 package( along with another G-325a for your wife, I-765, I-693, I-864, I-131 if she plans on traveling in case her F-1 visa is expired in her passport that way she won't have to re apply for another visa when she wanna come back and worry about I-20 and stuff. She will need about 5 photo passport style with the I-485 package.

Do not take my word for it and please do your research. TRUST ME ! It'll help to research lol...

Are there any requirements needed of me in order for her immigration status to change (employment, salary reqs, etc)

That is what the I-864 (Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act. She will need you to make 125% over the poverty line of the current year. You can find that on USCIS website too under IMMIGRATION FORMS>Poverty Guidelines aka I-864P ( since it is you and your wife that would be for 2 people and according to the sate you live in ( different for each state) Now if you don't make that much money you can use yalls assets ( bank accounts, property etc...) I see that you have 200k saved up that should be more than enough even tho it is for medical school, it is still your money. Unless I'm wrong on that anyone??? Another way would be to have a friend or parent to be a joint sponsor in witch case they will also need to file I-864 ( In my case it was hard to find one because basically they are lyable for the beneficiary( your wife) in case she recieves any benefits from the gov until she becomes a USC( really not a big deal but really hard to find someone willing to basically co-sign it)

I've never been fond of taking pictures, so we unfortunately don't have too many pictures of us together, will this raise any red flags?

I am the same way too but I had to do it because that is something the Officer is intersted in in most case to believe the marriage so if she meets your parents or you meet hers just take a pic or two. Also if you do not have a lot of pics, have family and friends write letters saying that they know of your union and your relationship. That always works. Also e-mails and anything that proves that you are in a real relationship. You say that you lived together before marriage, anything from that period is good as gold( rental, valentine card marriage card anything that talks about you two)

Regarding finances:

When will she be eligible for in-state resident tuition?

Canadian ansered that.

Will there be any taxes or limitations on the money sent to her from her family?

I don't know anything about that. I know I have never had any problem with my dad sending me funds to pay school or living expenses.

Will her immigration status affect our ability to purchase a home in the near future? (current credit crisis notwithstanding)

It will be best if she gets her GC. Life is so much easier after. There are too many limitation with the F-1 status.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and help me out

You are more than welcome Brother. Welcome to our world ( of wait and pray and panic attacks lol!!!)

-M&C