amylou

Hi everyone,

Thank you for all the advice. We are looking into these options and going to start (re)building my credit. So frustrating since I have worked so hard to maintain good credit back home! I see the really high interest rates but I'll definitely be paying anything I put on off every month. I don't need a credit card - just credit!

As always I appreciate all the great help that I get here.

I signed up for freecreditreport.com, because I always monitored my credit back home in Canada. I expected things to be tied together... but they aren't. I have no credit history at all!

How do I start to build a credit history? I applied for a credit card via my bank and was declined... because of insufficient credit history. I have student loans back in Canada and had a good credit score while there. Now I am frustrated. Is there any way to merge my credit from back home? If not, then how can I build credit?

Thanks in advance.

Amy

Hi Everyone,

I'm posting really really behind things.... got very busy!

I received my AOS approval on December 23rd. Yay!!!

I hope those of you still waiting all hear good news soon.

Does anybody know how long does it take to get the SS card in the mail? I applied on Dec 17th. On the receipt I got, it says it takes about 2 weeks or so. But I wanna know if anybody here got theirs earlier than 2 weeks. Thank you!

I got mine back in about 10 days. I applied for mine before my GC too so that I would have it... so I've been able to start working as soon as i got my EAD. As soon as I get my GC in the mail I can then go and change my name on the SSN!

Got my EAD Card in the mail on December 16th...

AND I got the EMAIL stating that CARD PRODUCTION ORDERED on my AOS the same day!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO MEEEE!!

Congrats to all on the approvals, cards, and ILs!!!!

Got my SECOND email notification that EAD Card Production was ordered, on December 11th!!!

I hope I get it today or tomorrow!

45 days later....... Still no EAD approval!

What's going on? I see other ppl who filed before and after me getting approved right on the oct avg!?!

So frustrated.........

I bet you gets yours this week!!!

I have a question about getting a driver's license...

my Canadian license is going to expire in about a month. I was just going to get one here in VA.

I read over the DMV site... so if I take in my passport, with my I94 in it, and my marriage certificate, my SSN... etc etc will they let me get a VA license? Or will i have to wait for my GC?

Thank you!

Congratulations to all that have received their approvals! We haven't had a touch on our AOS since November 3rd.... I'm guessing we're going to have the same luck as we had when we were waiting for the NOA2 for the K-1 visa... which was not great... oh well! At least Nick is here this time

My AOS hadnt been touched since the 6th of nobember and then it was approved dec 8th without any touches the whole time.

Minnew has had tonnnnnnnnnnns of touches and hers isnt approved yet!

I think it really is just based on the person you get. They may be working on your file but just not scan it in as a touch or anything. Im pretty sure you will get your approval soon, likely without touches as some of us have had that happen.

You'll get it!! you are around the same dates as I am, and I just got my EAD and AP... so I bet yours comes any second!

I GOT MY EAD APPROVAL AND AP APPROVAL!!!

On December 8th I got the email notices! Card production for EAD ordered, and AP paperwork ordered!

YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH!

WOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

GUYS!!!

I got my NOA for initial interwiew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! on Monday,January 11, 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations!!!! We filed the same day!!!!! I hope mine comes soon too!!!!

Did you mail the AR-11 form or just filed it online? and did you also file the I-865 (Sponsor's Notice for Change of Address)? [/color]

I also mailed the AR-11, and the I-865. Too much is better than too little!

Thanks dear... OMG we're moving this weekend.. I still haven't received my bio letter.. Should I now change my address online?! Or just wait until we finally moved out?!

You could do the online one now. BUT make sure you sign up at the post office for Mail Forwarding! I sent in all my moving paperwork and changed my address online but they still sent my bio letter to my old address. Luckily we had the mail forwarded so I got it... just in time!

Well I had my biometrics appointment yesterday, in Alexandria, VA.

Things went well, and I'm glad one more step is done! Now more waiting!

Two things I want to mention for people still waiting for the bio appts....

1. Don't forget your marriage certificate! Bring an original certified copy if you can! I had to go back home for mine because I forgot it.

2. You can go early, even if it's 15 minutes it will make a difference. It seems like they schedule appts. in 1 hour blocks, so try to get there early and you will get through faster. I was there 15 minutes early (with all my paperwork) and no one was in front of me.

Congrats to everyone that had made progress this week!!

Got my Biometrics Appointment! November 18th!

How long does it take? I think some people said you can go in early.... mine is at 2pm, at the Alexandria, VA office...

EAD Card production ordered 11.12 & AP approved the same day. YAHOOOO!

See, every time I threaten to take it out on the mailman I get a new notice. Hahaha. That must have been all that was missing.

Yaaay

Oooh I see. I did have a hard time finding a civil surgeon to just do the vaccination part, and ended up paying over $400 because he insisted on updating all my boosters, even though they were fine. I just finally stopped arguing and let him do it, at least now for SURE I should have everything that I need! But yes, it was very difficult and very expensive.

Welcome amylou to our October group. I've added your data to our filers spreadsheet. Congrats on your transfer to CSC. Keep us posted on your progress.

Just one question, did you file the I693 with your AOS package?

Greg

Thanks for the welcome, and congratulations on your big news!

I filed the I693 Supplement, since I had my physical in July in Canada. Does that make a difference?

Amy

Some of you have gotten your Bio appointments already! We had our NOA on October 21... no biometrics appt. yet.... when should I worry???

Our I-485 was just transferred to the CSC today... I think this is a good thing?

Just wanted to share... mailed our paperwork in for AOS, got received on October 21st, and got our NOAs in the mail Friday!!!!

Too bad that they aren't in the USCIS system yet... but hopefully my EAD and AP will come back faster!

I got a crazy look from everyone within earshot when I said... "Wow I really wish you guys had Ketchup chips here...."

No one believed me they are the best. chips. ever. made.

Until hubby and I went to Montreal for the interview and I made him eat one... then he polished off the bag!

I JUST WANT SOME KETCHUP CHIPS!

I don't even know the last time I updated my FB status!

i hate when my friends make plans over FB... and I don't see it.. then they call me and say "Hey, so are you coming?" with no other intro than that.... Umm... am I coming WHERE........

I entered on a K-1 visa from Canada.

What exactly is the process for me to change my last name to my husband's now that we are married? Can I just start using my new name?

Thank you! That completely answers my question then. I was wondering, because we didn't sign or anything the marriage certificate, so then it must be the licence they need, and that is the same here in Arlington - $2.50 to get it certified.

Thank you so much for the help!

Amy

Hi everyone!

When I apply for my AOS... do I submit a copy of the marriage licence AND the marriage certificate?

What exactly needs to be certified?

We just got married in VA over the weekend, and the county clerk office said they usually certify a copy of the marriage licence. What exactly am I supposed to be submitting?

I realize that this is sort of a dumb question but obviously I don't want to hand in the wrong thing.

THANK YOU!

So what then would I write in the Date of Intended Departure and Length of Trip?