H&V

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Na-na, now I'll get a jooob...that Offspring song's gonna be stuck in my head all day, now. I'm gonna start looking for joooooooooooooooooooooobs!

Magpie.

Congrats Magpie! (And thanks, I have that song stuck in my head now too!)

I can confirm it is the pretty much the same in VA as we got married there. The marriage license is the form you both have to go to the clerk's office with together, swear an oath and sign. After your marriage, your celebrant signs the license, then you can take it back to the clerk of court (we did this the next day) and they will take it and you can get as many certified copies as you want there and then (in Alexandria they were $2.50 each). Send one of those in with AOS - it has an embossed stamp in one corner so they know it's not a photocopy. We didn't have to wait for anything further from the court.

I wanted to post this link because I have just enrolled myself and I think it's a great idea - plus it gives you something to do if you are waiting for EAD/AOS! You need to be enrolled in DEERS and check your eligibility but you could get up to $6000-worth of training or college courses if your spouse is active duty.

https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa/

Check it out

I think I may have made a mistake with the Biometrics appointment I attended earlier today, hopefully someone can put my mind at ease.

When I arrived at the ASC I was asked to show my ID and to complete what must have been a signing in form, basically it asked you to fill out your name, address, alien number, SSN, case numbers etc etc. Near the bottom of this form you had to circle which "benefits" your case was applying for, I remember circling I-485 and I-765 but I don't remember circling I-131. I'm not sure if the I-131 was even in the list because naturally when I was filling out this form I was using the biometrics appointment letter as a reference. On the letter there was only the case numbers with the barcode for the I-765 and I-485.

Is I-131 printed on the signing in form and if so should I have circled it?

I'm pretty sure biometrics aren't required for AP/I-131. I did exactly the same as you, and yep only had barcodes for AOS and EAD on my ASC appointment letter too. In fact if you look at the NOAs, AOS and EAD both mention biometrics required next but AP doesn't - I really don't think they're needed. Also visajourney timelines don't have a space for it which convinces me! Hope that helps, someone please correct me if that's wrong?!

Totally normal for you to freak out a lil. I love your positive spin on it re: Not having a job yet. Just because you knew there was a possibility it doesn't mean that you cant be shocked that it's actually happened. You've had a crazy year! That's a lot to absorb just after you have started finding your feet.

BUT

I've heard absolutely fantastic things about SA, we were planning on going next year. My husband LOVES it there and said it is the only other place he would live besides Florida. And like John and mary said....the food is supposed to be fabulous.

And year round heat is a good thing....especially for us sunshineless blighty escapees!

I have heard great things about San Antonio and I am looking forward to going there next month for a visit, only going over night to see a band play which does seem a bit crazy as it is a 6hour drive from Dallas, I hope you will be happy there I am settling into Texas not such a bad place to be

Thanks guys, now I've had the chance to sleep on it it feels a little less daunting It's really, really good to hear the positive things people have to say about the place too, it will be an adventure discovering somewhere new and that's always fun. And if there's anything the immigration process has taught me so far it's that there are always things you can't control, to get what you want you have to have a lot of patience and be prepared to just go with the flow - I guess I'm well practised!

Biometrics done and dusted! John was able to get to the office just fine this morning; he even arrived an hour early, and they were happy to go ahead and see him at that time. The I-485 shows a touch online.

Also, H&V-- San Antonio is hot as blue blazes but it's such a great city. I used to live in Austin, and I miss the food every day! Texas beef brisket really is better than any other kind of BBQ in the US, and the Mexican food is authentic and amazing-- so much better than the bean-and-cheese slop you get in most parts of the country. Enjoy Texas!

Congrats on getting the bios done, always nice to tick things off huh?!

Thanks, yes I keep hearing good things about San Antonio, especially the food! I'm sure it'll be great and it's actually only gonna be for just over a year I think. But I only just got used to the heat/humidity of the DC summer, looks like I'll be getting more year-round now!

Oh goodness..what a day...after my little flurry of excitement at getting case transferred today, I also find out we ourselves are being transferred to San Antonio, TX courtesy of the US army - OH has been there for a week or so, was expecting to be posted back to DC but it's all changed last minute.

Sorry to be going off topic...just still a bit in shock - moved here, got married, honeymoon, was just starting to feel a bit more settled in and getting comfortable and off I have to go again, to somewhere I'd heard nothing about (google and wikipedia have been my friends today). I am really not complaining, of course I want to be with my man, I knew the risk that it could happen and obviously lots of other spouses have to deal with a LOT worse (I don't know how they cope). Just needed to vent a little, this year has already been rather surreal and it just seems it's going to continue. At least with the visa/AOS I don't have another job yet that I would have to quit!

Oh LADIES....

I am soooo jealous! Still no touches or anything yet......nor a transfer in sight. I dont mind not being transferred to CSC so much, I organised some paperwork today and have a folder labelled.....

"Proof I love my husband and didn't marry the messy devil just for a green card"

He'll see that when he gets home.

But I want someone to touch my EAD, the picture wont be pretty......but just being able to legitimately apply for work and get my license is something I have been looking forward too.

I'll update the spreadsheet now. Congrats!

Thanks, I have all my fingers crossed for you too!! I like the sound of your folder, haha - and at least you are prepared, I hadn't quite got round to that yet! I'm not sure if it was related to getting the biometrics done or not but you might see something this week, I hope so. Feel ya about the work situation, started looking for jobs this week and i would get all excited and then remember I couldn't apply yet - so annoying! EAD would be nice for the driving license too. Here's hoping for all of us..

Hi All ...

I wasn't asked for our marriage certificate when I got biometrics done ....

Ellie, I looked like an axe murderer in my pic too .... the lovely lady asked me if I wanted it taken again and I said "Nah ... it's not going to get any better with a second try ...."

I also got an email today (my first in this WHOLE process) telling me that I've been transferred to California for processing ... I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this means NO INTERVIEW!!!

Roll on the EAD - I never, ever thought that I would miss work!

Good luck Laura!

Ohhhhh, you got in before me H&V ... congrats!

Moira x

Hehe, USCIS sure are busy! Congrats too!!

Ooo I just checked USCIS website and I got transferred to CSC today! Maybe no interview??! Had another touch on the EAD too

I notice the email notification didn't work though...

Just completed my biometrics! Wasn't going to take my marriage certificate, but I am so glad I did because I was asked for it 3 times.

Glad that's done.

Good to hear Ellie! Our walk in was successful. We were not asked for the marriage cert. at all though.

I did a walk-in yesterday too, nice to have it out the way! I wasn't asked for the marriage cert either - how odd. Yay, we are all on our way...

Eeek! We are worried because John's biometrics appointment is tomorrow at 11AM in Atlanta... but half of Atlanta is underwater. Schools are even closed today; hundreds of roads are closed in the area. I hope that he'll be able to make it to the USCIS office tomorrow, but if not, I'm terrified that the bureaucratic nightmare will kick in and then someone in some Missouri processing center will decide that John has abandoned his application because they don't know that Atlanta is about to become Atlantis.

I'm sure it will be fine. I just freak out easily.

Whoa, just saw some of the pictures. Have you tried calling the office to see what they say about access? I'm sure it will be fine - something will work out and they can hardly blame you. Hope it goes ok.

Thought I'd add a thread because when I searched for walk-in biometrics info for the Alexandria VA ASC office on VJ not a lot came up. Just to let people know it is very easy to do an early walk-in here. The office is currently open Tues-Sun, 8am-4pm but check the USCIS website for up-to-date info. Also the website does not have any parking information but there is plenty of free parking right outside the building. You cannot take cell phones in so leave them in your car.

The ASC was very quiet (I went on a Tuesday). The first guard checks your ID and appointment letter (does not matter if you are early - even though the board above their head may say different!), you fill in a questionnaire (make sure you know your SSN if you have one) then you hand it all over again to a receptionist. Then there is a very short wait before the fingerprinting and photo. I think I was in and out in about 10-15min. Everyone was very efficient and friendly, plus it saved me an 8am appointment with bad traffic!

Greencard arrived in the mail today! say I have been a resident since 09-09-09

A very auspicious date! I bet you must feel so happy and relieved. Congratulations - celebrate!

Hear, hear.

Well, changing the subject I guess, I had some good news today - biometrics for AOS and EAD scheduled for 8th Oct. Things are rolling along it seems at the moment, fingers crossed it continues because I can sense my boredom setting in already, especially since new husband is away on army training for a few weeks. Doing the usual stuff like language classes, online courses, keeping fit etc. but its not quite the same as having a paying job. I am looking into volunteering too and have been reading posts about the legal situation before EAD - it still sounds a bit dodgy to me? As in, you can't expect any compensation or benefit, even if a benefit is showing on your resume that you were happy to something useful even though you couldn't work?? Any experiences in here?

Approved at interview wednesday morning and were told within 90 days, card production email on wednesday evening quotes 30 days, welcome notice arrives saturday, quotes within 3 weeks. Don't you lové this process

Congrats! Fab news!!

Just got back from honeymoon and had 3 shiny NOAs waiting for me - dated 8th September. Signed up for email updates but will not be holding my breath!

Hi all, not a long post, just asking to be added to the UK AOS spreadsheet please We had a wonderful outdoor wedding in North VA yesterday and are now thoroughly looking forward to married life. Oh, and more dealings with USCIS of course

Sent AOS+EAD+AP off today. For the notes I did HPV in the US and used Dr Arnold for I-693

Cheers all, good to see how people's timelines have be moving along on this next part of the journey and hope ours goes as smoothly. Lots of luck to us all!

Jacqui

Hi Ellie, I just realised this has happened to me too, though in my case they have stamped my I-94 for the day before I arrived.

What did you send in the end - just the flight itinerary? Did you write something on a cover letter too? How annoying is this!

Thanks,

Jacqui

Hi, we'll be doing AOS in about 4 weeks' time if all goes smoothly The thing is, my SO is army reserve, and we found out he's going to be active probably from mid-Sept. He had to tell his employer, they have to keep his job open but they won't really be his employer anymore. We will probably be doing AOS in the short gap between him leaving there and joining Army full-time.

My question is: do you think a copy of his military orders (when we get them) will be ok for the sponsor evidence for I-864? I am debating seeing if his employer might write him another letter (similar to one for I-134) but not sure they would. Has anyone else been in similar situation? Would we need anything other than the orders, and 3 years of tax transcripts? We could send pay stubs but they'd be for the old employer, so not sure that they would count.

I have been searching on here but haven't found quite this situation, but will keep looking. Thanks very much in advance for any advice.

Howdy all! Been a way for quite a while I realise, been having a quick catch up read - congrats to all the approvals! - and now just reading about poor Gemmie's POE - but well done on getting it resolved ok! Do these visa worries ever end??!

I am making the leap on Wednesday! After finishing up at my job, clearing out my flat and spending time with friends and family, it's come round quick. I am very excited/nervous - you know the score! I have a direct flight and POE at Dulles, so fingers crossed it goes ok. Wedding's not until the end of August so I have a few weeks to get settled at least (and find a dress!)

I'm sure I'll be back on here again a tonne what with SSN, driving licence and other fun and then onto AOS, wheee! Here we go again.....

Congrats Bob&Pat - such great news to hear!!

Aw Congrats Magpie! Best wishes for your new life

Good luck Moira - I'm geared up for that bittersweetness too, but I'm sure once you are there all will be happy! Safe travels!

And good luck Bob and Pat for tomorrow - I'm sure you will sail through!

PB&JAM- so sorry to hear your news today, like everyone has said we are all here for support and hope you find the strength to get through the waivers, it certainly sounds like it can be done. Wishing you all the luck with the process.

Good luck PB&JAM for tomorrow!!