H&V

Hello everyone,

This is probably a silly question but I've looked everywhere and all I've achieved so far is to get very confused.

We're moving in a couple of weeks (my husband is the USC and I'm the beneficiary) so I know we need to notify USCIS of our change of address. Would anybody be so kind as to list the steps to follow? I know I'm supposed to fill out a form AR-11 (within 10 days) but what about my husband? Does he need to fill out any forms? I read something about the sponsor on I-864 having to fill out a different form =/ (form I-865) Is that true? I'm confused because some websites say it's needed and others don't even mention it.

Also I know there's two ways to do it; to mail form AR-11 or to do it online.. I'm planning on doing it online so I just file form AR-11 and that's it? Or there's more steps to follow?

Thanks in advance!!

Correct, you need to do the AR-11. You need to do both postal and electronic since you are still in the process of AOS (from your timeline).

And also correct, since you are not yet a US citizen, your sponsor(s) need to fill out a I-865 form and mail it.

Yes, it is the red number on your K1 visa. Mine is 8 digits long.

As you are adjusting from a K1 visa, it will be category "c 9"

Just received an email from the USCIS and my Green Card has been approved! :dance:

Application Type: I485 , APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS

Current Status: Card production ordered.

On October 22, 2009, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.

No more USCIS and paperwork for two whole years!!

I think it is a good time to crack open a bottle of red wine!

Congrats!!! Whoo yeah - the first of the September spreadsheet - that's what I like to see!! Hopefully we will all follow you soon!!

If you have found this post from searching please check up-to-date info at www.dmvnow.com

The Virginia DMV gives you all the details you need: http://dmvnow.com/webdoc/citizen/drivers/applying.asp

Also there is an online copy of the driver's manual: http://dmvnow.com/webdoc/citizen/drivers/manual.asp

My experience is as a Brit adjusting from K1 visa to permanent residence. I was able to drive on my British license for 6 months in Virginia (I could not prove legal presence and therefore apply for a VA license until I had my EAD). I went to the DMV in Arlington, VA. Because my previous license was British (drives on left) I had to do full test (vision, theory, road skills).

Go in, someone checks you have all your documents (see here http://dmvnow.com/webdoc/pdf/dmv141.pdf) and application form, and registration card for your vehicle. You are given a ticket (I was given the wrong type at first, which added on another 30min). Take a seat.

Then you go up to the first desk, you need to show the documents again (passport, EAD, proof of address, British driving license, vehicle registration card, etc.).You are given a vision screening here and they take your picture.

Then you go down to the end of the building and do your theory test - 10 questions on road signs (you need 100%) then 25 questions based on the other stuff in the driver's manual (you need 80%). It is a touchscreen computer, but I think you can do it written or orally if you request. There was someone doing theirs having it translated for them in real-time.

Then you wait (and wait!) for an road skills test. You sign a form, then head to your car. The tester makes you get in then checks all your lights are working correctly. (I have heard that they may fail you if you do not put your seatbelt on before you put the keys in the ignition, but my tester did not seem to check). Then we went out for approx. 20min. My tester was fairly chatty which was a little distracting! There were traffic lights, turns, 3 stop signs, a roundabout and it was just like a regular drive (not like the British driving test!).

If you pass you come back into the center and wait for your temporary license (just a sheet of paper) as you have to wait for the actual card in the mail. It costs $4. All in all I was in there for 3.5 hours and it was very boring! Take a book (or the theory manual to revise)! My license is valid as long as my EAD, I will renew in a year with the GC.

You can take the tests again if you fail but it depends on your circumstances so check the website - it really is very useful!!

Whoo congrats Moira and Magpie!! I hope to be hot on your heels, hehe

Congrats Ellie! Super news!!

Just a quickie....

Interview this morning, all done and dusted, easy peasy and all that. Hardest bit was getting up to get the train at 5:40.

Back to it now, still no jobs for either of us. On top of that I need a root canal and a crown which is $800 (we said the initial price of $940 was too much, so they came back with that estimate. Gotta love haggling for health care) and the missus laptop just did an automatic update thing and killed it all. Only option was to format her hard drive so she lost all her photos, music, work, job apps, etc. And it still doesn't work. Awesome. Off to get her something to replace it, I guess.

Yay to all who got their interviews, not needed interviews, etc Looks like we all get 21 months without government interference (the guy this morning said the 2 years is from date of marriage rather than date of AOS)

Congrats on the interview! And I hope something comes up for you both soon job-wise.

Just wondering if that means expiry date on the green card reflects what the guy said to you - it would be your wedding date? Can any GC holders confirm/deny?

Congrats on the approvals everyone! Got my AP in hand today and EAC on Saturday which is a nice feeling. Now on with the driving test and job search!

Ooo and good luck for tomorrow Magpie - I'm sure you'll be fine!!

AOS approved today!!! :dancing: I'm over the moon :-). NOA2 type euphoria has hit again.

And here I thought I was having a sh**ty day. Came back from an outpatient surgery to fine an email from CRIS. YAY!!! Thank goodness I'm already on high otherwise I'd really miss that celebratory drink :-).

It looks like the next round of approval has started so I wouldn't be surprised to see some more by the end of the week.

Good luck everybody !!

That's awesome, congratulations!!

Whoo, got AP approval late last night!

Quick add - got a late night AP approval yesterday - yay!!

EAD card production ordered last night! Still nothing since NOA on AP though, which seems a bit odd since most people seem to get them at the same time. I hope they haven't lost it! But hey, I can start looking for a job yay!

EAD card production last night! (it went straight to that, no 'approval') Absolutely nothing yet on AP since NOA though, hoping it catches up soon so I can go travelling!

Congrats to everyone who received things this week! And Nich I'm glad you're back and feeling better (what you had sounded horrible!) happy anniversary and new home!

Congrats on the job Ellie! Can't believe I can finally start looking now too, I am contemplating a complete career change (there are tonnes of jobs in DC area but most in my area of experience need security clearance which requires citizenship...grrrr....) so we'll see what turns up!

this is a requirement for woman under 27 years of age, visit any local doctor, they will be able to do it for you, just an FYI this vaccine is really expensive....

INCORRECT - you are thinking of HPV

Like Kittyfang says it is for chicken pox so if you had that as a child you can get a waiver (the surgeon writes 'VH' for varicella history in the box.

If you haven't had chicken pox you need the vaccine. I don't know for sure but I can imagine you get the first one then you can give proof to a uscis surgeon and they can check the 'insufficient time interval' for not having completed the second shot yet (a lot of people do this for the HPV) then you can get the second shot on your own.

However, someone please correct me if you definitely have to get both shots for this one.

Didn't mean that to sound rude, I meant that as in 'I read that one first'

Hi.

I have an appointment as well in the alexandria asc however we really want to do an early walk-in as well.

What time did you go on Tuesday (We're planning on going on Tuesday too)?

Why do you need to provide SSN?

Is spouse allowed to accompany the applicant for biometric?

Thanks

TLNT

Answered by PM, read that first.

Yay! Congrats everyone who just got EADs and APs. It must feel great knowing you can get back out to the real world now! I'm so excited for you. If you don't mind saying please keep us updated with the work you find - I always find it really interesting the different things people do.

I'm hoping to hear something from uscis maybe this week or next, I've started updating my resume anyway. Good news is we aren't moving to Texas anymore (army changed their minds again) and I hopefully get my husband back this week yay!!

Hello everyone,

Something really weird happened.

I went from: initial review to Post-decision activity for my travel document.

Here is what I received:

Post-Decision Activity

On October 1, 2009, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I131 APPLICATION FOR USCIS TRAVEL DOCUMENT. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

For approved applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include USCIS sending notification of the approved application/petition to the National Visa Center or the Department of State. For denied applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include the processing of an appeal and/or motions to reopen or reconsider and revocations.

The thing is, I haven't received my biometrics appointment letter yet! I called USCIS and they said: The office may have decided you don't need to have your biometrics taken.

This doesn't make any sense to me? They need my fingerprints and picture for the document! Or am I wrong?

Has this happened to anyone before?

Thanks so much for your help!!!

Take care!

You don't need biometrics for AP, only for EAD and AOS.

It should be $1010 total, one check/cheque.

I had an update on my AOS this morning - but I think it was just a touch plus it changed the wording to say my case has arrived at CSC and is being processed. Just seemed a bit odd I wasn't expecting anything. Ah well, at least the email/mobile updates worked this time!

Would you mind adding my transfer date to the spreadsheet? It was on 23rd Sept.

OMG, OMG, OMG! I just got an email from CRIS. Card production ordered!!! I read it and re-read it to make sure. Yes, it's for the I-485. Yes, that means we're approved!

This is so strange as we only just got the AP letter and EAD card in the last couple weeks. We weren't expecting anything from them for another six weeks at least.

Of course I'm not relaxing until I get that card in my hot little hand. I know everything will work out and I know I worry too much. But there's been a part of me that's worried through this entire process that somehow we'll be one of the ones where it all goes terribly wrong and I would end up losing him. But it looks like it's a go!

Also, would someone mind updating our info on the spreadsheet? I'm sure others are checking and this info would certainly help morale!

*doing the happy dance*

Wow, congrats! Just 2 months, that is great news. I hope it starts a trend!

I would say yes anyways, because it's free! It's just one more form (that's easy) with evidence you are already sending in for AOS anyway so just duplicate it. You never know if you might have to go back for an emergency or whatnot. I'm not sure I plan on using my AP but I know I'll be a lot happier when I get it, just in case something happened to a family member or close friend.

WEEELLL WELL WELL....

I decided to go for a stroll down to the post box on this glorious Florida day (yay for the Autumn 80's and finally a cool breeze!!!) and was happy to see a notice that our case was transferred to Cali on the 23rd (The day we did our biometrics).

No email, no change on the website with regards to our status...just a letter that took 6 days to get here.

I think you're a little psychic emma. Anything else you'd like to predict? Florida state lottery numbers???

Yay congrats! There you go!

And congrats emma77 too!