Leo&Farah

What is BDP and ICE?

Hi, I've gotten some mixed replies on this and I'm really confused. While I am aware it is advisable to adjust ASAP, sometimes, things don't work as planned and can't be done in a timely manner. Speaking financially of course.

What I am concerned about is, I heard about this 180 day rule starting from POE that if AOS is done AFTER this much time has passed (180 days), there is a 3 year ban upon re-entry into the states even if you have AP or your GC in hand. Is this true?

What is the point of having AP and a GC if they just ban you anyway?

Can someone please clarify?

Burke County in NC required a social security number for both parties to apply for a license to get married. After calling up the register of deeds, they said if you are not eligible for one you can sign for an affidavit attesting to it.

However, K1 is eligible to one. You can apply within 2 weeks of landing so you are in their SAVE-ASVI(?) system, it worked for me. It took 7 days to get the SS card in the mail.

Wow, huge thanks for the great and informative responses and support.

I got the social security card using just my passport. The officer said if I had used my birth certificate the translation would have to be done by the social security office itself and that would take some time so she was making my life easier for me using the passport.

After 2 weeks I was in the system but they had to shorten my name on the social security card and cut off my middlename since my name is too bloody long (How sweet it is to be blessed with a super long name that cant fit in credit and debit cards, most flight tickets and the like).

I got the SS card within 7 days of applying, it was awesome getting it. I finally felt like I was getting some roots here. Its funny how a little small card can give you a feeling of belonging. I imagine owning a bank account and lease will also do the same.

We are holding off joint stuff till after the marriage and hoping to go back to the social security office to change my maiden name on it to my married name (Which will be much shorter hallelujah!). We got the marriage license yesterday and gonna tie the knot tomorrow!

I have a new concern though regarding social security. When I asked the officer in advance, the lady said that to change my SS card to my married name, I would need to be able to work or something. Long story short, she made me understand that I would either need my green card or EAD to change my name. We want to start our jointness bank, lease, cards etc immediately after marriage and apply for AOS in my married name but have to joint only once SS card has changed.

I have read some stories where some manage to change their social security card after marriage successfully. Is this still true, outdated or does the clerk not know what she is talking about? I would rather change my name on the SS card, joint everything and then apply for AOS instead of joint everything in maiden name, get AOS and GC and then change name on SS card and everything.

It would save alot of steps as well as alot of headaches with all the institutions that try to mess with my long #### maiden name. As it turns out, my NOA2 has shortened it one way, the social security card has shortened it another way. If other institutions get creative and shorten it another way, it will be like there are 3 different people walking around and my identity will be diluted and ambiguous.

Thanks in advance and happy birthday tomorrow NCWife!

Hi guys,

I'm in US now and got my SS card a few days ago. Now just gonna get ready for the wedding.

Anyway, just posting to encourage other fellow Malaysians to include a link to this thread on their signature so other Malaysians have easier access to it since I don't post as regularly anymore.

Good luck to those about to have their interview, feel free to share anything that would help others here.

Hi, thanks for all the responses so far guys.

No, we are not married yet. In NC you need a SS# to get a marriage certificate from both parties and both parties must be present. I contacted a clerk at Burke county and she confirmed it. She said if one party could not get a SS#, they would have to sign an affidavit saying they couldnt.

Since K1's are technically entitled to it, I doubt I could sign the affidavit since that is untrue and I know it. So our steps have been to get the SS#, apply for marriage license and then get married.

Hoping to pull it off and get SS# before 10 December, because we both want to be married on that date for sentimental reasons, hence asking how long it took to receive.

Done the two week waiting thing to get it in the system, so now hoping to do SS# tomm or next week to meet the deadline of 10 December. I hope we can make it =/

To apply for a SSN you will need to go to your local SSA office and bring the documents below. These

documents are proof of your eligibility to file for a SSN:

1. The SS-5 form you downloaded and filled out (they have some at the office if you forget).

2. your Passport (with the K-1 Visa in it)

3. your valid I-94

4. another form of valid ID (as defined in the SS-5 instructions)

5. You should also bring the document RM 00203.500 that you printed out

Hi guys, I'm US now and waited for two weeks per the guide for me to get on their SAVE-ASVI system.

My question is, the guides tell you to bring your passport and another form of valid ID as defined in SS-5. SS-5 states that to show age, you can bring your birth certificate. To show valid proof of ID, SS-5 states:

IDENTITY: We must see evidence of identity in your legal name. Your legal name will be shown

on the SSN card. Generally, we prefer to see documents issued in the U.S. Documents submitted to

establish identity must show your legal name AND provide biographical information (your date of

birth, age, or parents' names) and/or physical information (photograph, or physical description--

height, eye and hair color, etc.). Additionally, if you send a photo identity document but do not appear

in person, the document must show your biographical information (e.g., your date of birth, age, or

parents' names). To protect your Social Security card and number, identity documents must be of

recent issuance.

only thing I can think of that shows legalname and parents name is a birth certificate. But then the SS-5 continue to say:

WE CANNOT ACCEPT A BIRTH CERTIFICATE, HOSPITAL SOUVENIR BIRTH CERTIFICATE,

SOCIAL SECURITY CARD OR CARD STUB, OR A SOCIAL SECURITY RECORD as evidence

of identity.

I'm so lost. So I can;t show my bc as proof of identity and I already am bringing my passport but it wont show parents name for the purpose of evidence of ID. That's all I have at this point: bc and passport. I have a Malaysian equivalent of social security which is an identity card, but that does not show parents name either. Are they just not rigid in the application of this guideline even though its clearly stated? Will a bc and passport be enough?

Sorry for the confusion and all the questions but the nearest SS office is an hour away, so I wanna be sure. I dont want to call them as I heard most clerks arent even aware that a K1 fiance is entitled to a SS number, so that would be pointless.

I just want to doublecheck I have everything ready when we go down there tommorrow or next week.

PS: Also, how long did it take to receive your SS card in the mail? The guide says 2 weeks but my fiance's mom told me her friend's son's SS# took months to process.

I'm flying off tomm so this will be the last post from me in awhile, depending on how things are there and jet lag. Phew, a little nervous and I have a slight headache now, probably from all the excitement. It's ALOT to take in! I've tied up all my loose ends here and I'm now mentally, emotionally and physically ready to leave the country.

Adeese, if you have any further questions, I suggest checking out the Malaysian VJ thread. It is FULL of information and links, most of them embassy specific.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...199493&st=0

I am 99% sure they will not allow the cd or even put it in their comps. If they do, it is consulate specific and I suggest asking in the regional forums for your country's embassy. But traditionally, they won't do it as it could contain viruses and compromise their security and sensitive data plus their systems are probably set up for immigration stuff, not browsing.

I suggest printing out one chat log excerpt a month. If you talk alot, one small time frame of 4 hours a month should be 12 pages per month as it is.

Better yet, if you have emails, print directly from the inbox to show its not forged as chat logs don't have an interface like emails do and can be easily forged.

Good luck. Last post from me probably before I fly tomm. Bon voyage to me!

I keep getting this question asked from me, so for the Letter of Good Conduct, it usually takes a MONTH or so to process. Make sure you include a note in the package sent to Foreign Affairs that it is for the US embassy. They will know which one is needed. The letter of conduct is valid for 1 year for the embassy. I sent for mine after NOA1 and it was still valid for the interview 5 months later.

------------------------------

PACKET 3 includes:

THE checklist

Details on where to download the forms needed

A supplementary form which needs to be signed by the sponsor (and/or co-sponsor)

When you send back packet 3:

The checklist (signed and dated)

Form DS-230 Part I

Copy of your passport biographic page

------------------------------

PACKET 4 contains:

Appointment letter with interview date

List of panel physicians

4 forms for the physician to fill up

Medical instructions

Form DS 230 Part II

A supplementary form asking for countries visited in the last 10 years

When you go to the embassy bring along:

-Appointment letter

-Old and new passports

-2 US passport size photos

-DS 230 Part II (DO NOT SIGN)

-DS 156 x 2 (DO NOT SIGN)

-DS 156K (DO NOT SIGN)

-I-134 affidavit of support for sponsor and/or co-sponsor

-I-134 supporting documents in duplicate (2008 tax return, 2008 W2, latest pay stubs, letter from employer) for sponsor and/or co-sponsor

-Copy of birth cert and passport for any co-sponsors

-Supplementary form for I-134 (I call it food stamp form)

-Original beneficiary birth cert and copy with translation

-Copy of petitioner birth cert and passport

-Updated letter of intent from petitioner

-Original letter of good conduct

-Sealed medical envelope

-Copy of NOA2

-Evidence of relationship

-USD 131

PS:

1. Male beneficiaries have an additional form to fill up in duplicate, I think it is DS-157

2. Bring along a US passport photo for the medical, your passport, medical forms, you immunization list (if you have one) and the appointment letter

3. There is no need to bring the x-ray to the interview if you are not class A or class B for the medical (Class A and B have some problems that may need to be addressed before the visa is issued)

4. They only required one year tax return (latest) for I-134 from me

5. A Malaysian got asked for the petitioners original birth cert (if you an get it for the interview, bring it)

6. Do not bring photos in a photo album. It will not fit through the counter window

7. Birth certificate can ONLY be translated at a court or by a legal firm (lawyer). You CANNOT self translate it

It should fit in the overhead,or,like you said,you can put it in a tube and carry it that way,I have a few questions for you,how much money did it cost you for your medical,what shots did you need to get,where did you go to get the medical,how long did it take?right now,she is waiting on the conduct letter,then I hope it will not be long after that she gets interview date.And one more time,congrats on the visa,thats really good news.

My medical cost me RM260. I had to take a chest xray which cost RM20, an eye test for RM20 and the rest went to the panel physician who took a blood test testing for HIV and Syphilis. The medical took me a week because the results from the blood test had to go from Sabah to KL and back. Medical depends where you are located. With packet 4, they will provide you a list of panel physicians. There is 1 in KL, 1 in Sabah, 1 in Sarawak and 1 in Penang. Your medical could cost more or less depending where you are. I cant quote you an exact cost.

I had to take an MMR shot, that is it.

I'm definitely stuffing myself of things I will crave before leaving.

Hey I have another question concerning the flight. We're supposed to carry over the x-ray to show at POE. I'm only bringing a backpack as carry on for ease and since only one carry on is allowed on Asiana Airlines.

How did everyone travel with their x-ray? Can you roll it up and put it in some kinda tube? Where would it even fit in the cabin? o_O. Looks kinda too big for the pamphlet pocket infront of the seat.

Hi again,

I think the mental stress from a recent interview and packing to leave the country the first time within a week got to me. That or I'm an idiot. All this time, I had been worrying about excess weight because my bags went over the 23kg limit. I JUST found out after a day of packing and constant weighing that all this while, I had been trying to keep my bags under 23lbs.

I feel like a world class idiot. But at the same time, it means I can bring more stuff and worry less. It just boggles my mind how something which was actually 23lbs felt like 23kgs to me. It felt extremely heavy. Maybe I'm too tiny (I only weigh 80lbs, so each bag would be 2/3 of my weight).

I havent tried emailing them yet, I have the ticket booked for the 6th, this Friday. Maybe I'll email them after this. That's a good idea to have proof.

And nah, we'll be in Morganton, NC. I prefer quiet, country life hehe.

Thanks for the help so far!

Hi NCWife,

Wow, 70 lbs is heavy. I am flying United from Kota Kinabalu-Seoul-San Francisco-Charlotte NC (Yeah, what are the odds). It's 19 hours of flight, 33 hours of travel. So the airlines would be United (operated by Asiana Airlines)-United-United (operated by US Airways).

They said the baggage allowance depends on the first airlines you check in with, so that would be Asiana Airlines I guess. Keep trying to get customer service but it's all in Korean. I think max allowance are 2 bags each at 23kb (50lbs) max.

So when you paid excess baggage for those two 70lbs bags was it USD140 total or per bag? Read somewhere that United charged 150 per bag from 50lbs-70lbs. (overweight baggage). No idea how much Asiana will charge though.

I might look into freight, honestly not too sure. I think I will have 2 big bags and my backpack but their are borderline 50lbs.

Hehe, thanks =)

I just picked up my wedding dress today. I feel like a princess in it

A little queasy about the whole trip there. It's 33 hours of travel time wow.

Thanks for the answers. Less weight to carry makes a happier me.

Thanks for the advice. I think I understand the process more now.

On the subject of baggage, I'm afraid of having overweight bags.

Does anyone know any economical way to ship things from one country to another? I'm not even sure what it would be called. I think it goes by ship or something, not sure.

Any suggestions?

I am about to head to US to finally join Leo but I absolutely have no international travel experience.

There are three stops from where I am to where he lives but I am buying one ticket from United, which covers all three. I assume I'll be getting three separate boarding passes.

Each flight is under United but 2 of them are operated by different airlines: Asiana Airlines for the Asia part and US Airways for the domestic flight.

My question is, if I check in baggage at my first departure airport with United/Asiana Airlines, do I have to pick them up again at each airport and recheck them in again? Or does United handle the transits for checked baggage even though its operated by another airline? I'm so confused. I tried calling their customer support but can't seem to get a live person.

Some help for a newbie?

Thanks in advance.

Do we need to bring any relationship evidence like we presented at the interview to POE or is the sealed envelope enough?

I am trying to bring as little weight as possible and my relationship evidence weighs roughly 10 lbs.

Thanks!

Haha aww, penang assam laksa is the bomb. I am so gonna miss it there.

I bet THAT'S what I'm gonna crave when I'm pregnant. Poor Leo.

A big thanks to everyone for the well wishes.

As an update for fellow Malaysians, I have just submitted a new embassy review, since we don't get much of those.

Hi hooooooooo, hi hoooooooooooo, it's off to getting married I goooooooo!

Well I just flew back home at 12am last night. Finally back in my bubble and gonna start packing soon.

I've taken care of loose ends by submitting a review for my interview experience and consulate review. Anyone interested can view the Malaysian embassy review page.

El temp - They gave me a blue card after the interview, instructing me to go to VFS Centre at another building the next day. I went at 3-4pm and got my passport back, a sealed envelope and a pamphlet welcoming me to USA and congratulating me on my new status as a permanent resident? That was confusing but felt nice.

The visa is actually a print out on one page of your passport, has a pic and such, your name, DOB and name of petitioner. Validity date etc. It's pretty neat.

Just a whirl of activity now! Gotta book the ticket, pack, get rid of old stuff, pick up my wedding dress, make a few calls to friends. So much!

It went well!!

As an update, I have just submitted a new embassy review on Kuala Lumpur US embassy and my interview experience.

I wish more people going through it had submitted something as it would have been helpful. So hopefully those after, will give back to the site in their time of happiness.

You were right eltemp, we DID get excellent news, we got fantastic news

We got the visa and were approved. I think he had pretty much made up his mind before the interview based on the proof we gave, which was everything!

The reason why I think he made up his mind before was he said towards the end 'Please take a sea-oh congratulations your visa is approved, please take a seat". Like I should have known and taken for granted it was approved. That or I overwhelmed him with evidence, he lost a step.

He was a great, funny, sweet guy. No intimidation at all. Even commented how cute I looked in my kiddie passport taken oh 20 years ago.

I'll give a detailed review later on. Typing this from a hotel room and flying back home to pack for US tomm. If all goes well, I aam leaving by the 6th November!

Oh noes, I accidentally double posted because I was so excited!

Sorry admin guy!