Lioncub4

I've searched through this site and read both the instructions from this site and the Selective Service site - but now I am confused!

Do I need to include a Status Information Letter from the Selective Service if I entered the US (in 2009)aged 43? The part that confuses me is on the application for the letter - the paragraph where you explain why you didn't register for selection.

REASON WHY YOU FAILED TO REGISTER WITH SELECTIVE SERVICE UPON

REACHING AGE 18 AND BEFORE REACHING AGE 26:

This doesn't apply to me because I was 43 - so do I still need to obtain this Status Information Letter prior to my N-400 application?

This is just my two pennies worth here - if I had a choice to do this all over again, I'd go down the CR1 route (rather than the K1 we opted for). Nick and Leftcoastlady have both given good advice and I agree, the CR1 means there is no AOS cost and time wasted in obtaining permission to work. I haven't looked at the processing times recently between K1 and CR1, but back in 2009, when I did it, there wasn't a great difference between the two. In a simplistic way (yes, each case is different), weigh up cost versus time to be together - K1+AOS (more cost but together sooner) versus CR1 (takes slightly longer but Green Card as soon as you get here). Saying that though, one point people sometimes forget when saying CR1 is cheaper in the long run - there is one guaranteed trip in order to get married, and this can cancel out the $1070 AOS fee in a flash! Bear this in mind if you are making your comparison based on $$$.

Here's their store locator: http://www.freshandeasy.com/stores/

My "nearest" one (here in Iowa) is in Arizona

And the one in Phoenix I went into didn't sell real bacon

I went into a real butcher a while back and asked for some back bacon - he knew what I was on about but didn't cut any because there wasn't the market for it! Really??? I'm sure there are loads of Americans who would prefer the real stuff over streaky - they just haven't been introduced to it yet!

It's been a while since I last posted on here, but this topic (and the replies that followed) is one close to my heart and I thought I would share my experiences in the hope it will help the OP (or anyone else for that matter). I totally agree and relate to all the replies said before - that things WILL get better. My situation mirrors your husband's in so many ways. I moved to the US (I'm the UKC) to be with my US wife and 2 month old son (I was waiting for the K1 visa while he was born) about 2 and a half years ago. We stayed with her father for the first month, which was difficult in so many ways. I thought once we got our own place everything would fall into place and I would feel happier. Actually the opposite happened and I got incredibly homesick to the point I was arguing with my wife over stupid things. At one point I even announced I was ready to move back to the UK just because I was so unhappy with the situation - new country, being a dad for the first time, no job, etc. I am so glad I stuck it out though!

Fast forward to today. I have a job that pays half what I earned in UK, I still get frustrated with the American way of doing things and I do miss a lot of the creature comforts from the old country (foods, TV programmes, friends and family). But my advice (which has already been said a number of times by previous posters) is - it DOES get better - a LOT. Once you get your own place, he gets a job, starts to make friends, and ultimately starts to live his life again - it will all start to settle down. There will be numerous times he will get frustrated with the American way, he will get homesick many times and he will just feel like a fish outta water! These are things he will have to get over and I don't think they will ever go away. Keep talking as a couple and listen to what bothers him the most. Then ask yourself what you can do to make it right? As an example if it is New Zealand foods he misses - then find either an international store close by or improvise with an American equivalent. Misses the rugby? Then subscribe to a cable TV channel that shows rugby.

In the end always remind him (and yourself) of the main reason he is here - to be with you because you love each other. Everything else is small compared to that. I wish you both the best and always know you have friends on VJ who have been here before!

And it just occurred to me that I have rarely seen a thread about Brits adjusting to life in the US that did not digress to a discussion about food!

This is so true! And to keep the ball rolling - I think I have seen the most expensive tin of Heinz baked beans ever!! $1.99 for a tin at World Market

Keep in mind that Stansted has limited public transport to London - the Stansted express will jack your travel costs, so anything you save in the air fare will be lost with the train to London! Heathrow has the best (and cheapest) travel costs to central London.

I see you are from Scotland(?) - have you thought of the sleeper train? Worked out cheaper by far for me when I went down for my medical.

You do need a certified copy of your marriage certificate for AOS.

And certified copies of any divorce decrees (if any) - for the K1 process, that is.

IRN BRU.

I live in the south, in Charlotte, NC, and you know what they sell at the Morrowcroft Harris Teeter? IRN BRU. It was like finding god in a bottle on aisle 5.

They actually have an entire UK type section, with brown sauce and biscuits and clotted cream and things. I thought Andrew was going to cry a little.

NOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I am so jealous you can get the old bamboo (Irn Bru). Tried loads of places in Phoenix without any luck. I'm getting serious withdrawals! My sentiments are with Andrew - every time I see a British product in the stores I get all glassy eyed!!

Oops - sorry to the OP for hijacking the topic!

Take them Mt. Dew...they'll get hooked and have a hard time getting it there...LOL.

You are so cruel Jill I love Mt Dew - but then again, I do miss my Irn Bru - best hangover cure in the world! And you are right about the salsa - why have sausages when you can have steak?

I think Lioncub meant Native American.. not East Indian.

Yep, thanks Nina for clearing that up - I meant Native American. My father-in-law collects Kachinas (the little 4" ones) and I think they look so different and unusual from your usual mantelpiece decoration. Just an idea.

After a few minutes, the system accepted her I-551 stamp after he said

it probably wouldn't go through without the "special number" found only

on the GC.

What special number?? Sheesh - I wonder what planet these SSA guys are from! If they mean the A# then obviously this is on the visa!

I'm very sorry, but i don't understand...

When we sent the first package to obtain the NOA1, we typed my "present adress" on the i-129f and g-325.

Now, once we will receive the NOA2, i will change my adress (and job).. So, i have to put on the DS-230 the new one? right?

Thank you again :-)

Oops - my mistake! Yes, put your new address and job on the DS230. You've already sent the G325. My mind was on my son terrorizing the cat when I replied to you!

Hi all,

I have my medical friday morning, and like I said I am actually kind of looking forward to it.

No idea why in truth (maybe it's the morning off work), is there anything that I should be aware of just to have an idea ahead of time?

Kind regards,

Barry

Hi Barry - you are a rare breed in that you are looking forward to it!! It's refreshing to hear that as in all matter or fact, it's really no big a deal. If you are on any medication, take it along with you as the doctor will ask if you are on anything. One piece of advice from my own experience - keep off the coffee and cigs (if either of these two vices apply to you) before you go in - I had three espressos before I went in and my blood pressure was understandably high (I thought I was safe, ah well benefit of hindsight). Do you have your immunization records? If not, the nurse will talk you through your options - if you are short of some jabs, my advice is to get them done there and then as the nurse will list them on the vaccination sheet (DS3025) at the same time. Oh, and make sure you get your copy of DS3025 - you'll need this for AOS later on.

Good luck on Friday and enjoy your day off work!

Thank you for your responses..

Son i will leave my job, and in the same time, change my adress.

Because i live in a military camp.

Should i change my adress on all the forms too?

or i keep the same adress i typed for the I-129?

In France, the post office can resend all the letters i will receive in my "old" adress to my "new adress"... So, i will receive the packages without change my adress...

I know, it's complicated

It's not complicated - it's almost a mirror of what I did (left job and moved to temporary accommodation while visa was being processed). If you know your new address at the time you apply to the embassy for your visa, then put this address down. On the G325 you have to list all addresses lived at in the past 5 years (I think this is the time span - but need to check). The last one listed will be your present address, and this should match up with the address you put on the DS 230.

I don't think it's too simple. If it is, mine's even simpler.

"We met on the internet in 2004 and first pet in person in Canada in 2009. Since then, there have been three visits, all taking place in the United States. We have come to the point in our relationship when we are ready to get married."

Short and sweet.

I wouldn't mention petting on the form - might get the adjudicator all worked up!

Seriously though - I agree, short and sweet is the answer. The adjudicator is looking for three things, when you met for the first time, when you met face to face, and a brief summary of how the relationship blossomed (god, I am getting romantic in my old age!) Doesn't have to be War and Peace.

My uncle's kids are grown up and married

Ahhhhhh - there I go presuming again!

How about some American Indian clothes/artifacts or figurines?

All,

once my fiance enters the states we have 90 days to marry. How long generally does it take to have a SSN issued for my finace. We will need this to marry.

Regards,

C

Hi, Apply at least 14 days after your fiance arrives up to a maximum of 72 days. If your fiance is not on the computer system when you apply, SSA will state it will take up to a further 4 weeks before they can verify you and issue a SSN. It took the SSA exactly a further 4 weeks to issue my SSN (from applying 15 days after I arrived in the US). I would advise, since you require the SSN for ID to get married, wait slightly longer than the minimum 14 days before applying - that way you stand a better chance of being on the system.

Hello VJ Friends,

I may have to visit extended family in London sometime in September (depends on if it works out with vacation or not). I generally plan to take clothes (t-shirts, shirts, etc) as gifts for my uncle and their kids. Do you guys have any other suggestion. I am not sure what are some things from US that are popular in UK. Are there any particular brand that I should consider? If not clothing, feel free to suggest other ideas which are good too (no electronic devices please, I am not so rich :) ).

I do apologize for posting non-immigration related question here but this is the only forum I'm familiar with and I've always gotten good answers here so I hope I can find good suggestion here this time too. Thank you for help!!!

Candy that you can't buy in the UK is often a good idea (especially for the kids) - and it's cheap!

Baseball caps or other American sports stuff (good for boys or girls I would say) like basketball tops, football jerseys. And you don't need to spend a great amount either - Walmart sell those for about $10-12.

Enjoy your stay in London - I wish it were us going!

You can do it before you are married - I have just done it and I am not married yet. However you need to wait 15 days after arrival into the US so your are in the system.

My best advice is to check the guides as there is one dedicated to getting an SSN.

Yep, I can confirm with Angel here - apply after a minimum of 14 days and a maximum of 72 days. I applied about 15 days after entering the US and even then, SSA couldn't verify I was on the system. I had to wait a further 4 weeks before I got my SSN. My advice is, if the SSA office say you aren't on the system, don't withdraw the application and wait the 4 weeks they state it takes to verify you and issue you a SSN.

There's something else i need? My fiance sent me the I-129F petition packet he sent the first time (we did everything duplicate), the originals of the boarding passes and itineraries, NOA2 (a copy since we need the original for the AOS) do i have to bring with me something of this packet or is something wrong if i bring it just in case and then bring back with me what officers don't need?

Hi Seven,

Your list looks to be fine - it is what I took to my interview. I also took a copy of the I-129F just to be on the safe side - you can never be over prepared for the interview! Take the original of the NOA2 in case they ask for it (they shouldn't ask for it, but you never know).

Good luck

I have a question concerning the form DS-230. I'm a French military and will leave my job the 08/30/2010.

What i have to write at the question 12 : Your Present Occupation..? Military or NONE?

It bothers me, because between the time we will receive the NOA2 and the time of the interview, my professional situation will change.

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List your occupation as it would be by the time you apply for the visa (i.e. the time you mail the DS-230 to the embassy). If you have left the military then put "unemployed".

Good luck - and your English looks fine to me :-)

Congratulations!

You must be very proud and thanks for the wonderful review. Makes me want to go through it myself now - 3 more years!

Crucially relevant trivia: In Spanish, "pedo" = a regular fart. "Pedito" = a small fart. "Pedote" = a large fart. I have a newfound respect for a language that so obviously cares about such a vital issue, si man.

Prolific perpetration is less important than caliber -- meaning that even one's pedito or pedo always smells like a pedote, si man.

This reminds me of this Billy Connolly show. Farts were/is one of his favourite topics! Translation is available where required - oh, and I don't apologize for his bad language!

So many differences between my beautiful wife and my ex.

One of them was that my ex would award me the movie title of: "THE UNFORGIVEN"

I was guilty no matter what I did, she just dreamed up excuses to complain & rant.

One of them was that I would receive a major-league barrage of insults if I farted, even a little one.

The ill-feeling from an episode like this would tend to last for days & weeks, I kid you not.

I don't fart any more or less than any other guy my age.

Those things happen to both sexes.

My wife always laughs whenever I cut one and gets extra flirty.

It means "I love you no matter what you do."

True love is when you can fart in bed and don't get kicked out of it!

hi there guys,,

i just have a quick question. i already recieved my advance parole in the mail, and on the uscis page it said DOCUMENT PRODUCTION/OATH OF CEREMONY.

my EAD was approved too and also on the uscis' page it said DOCUMENT PROD/ OATH of CEREMONY so i was waiting for the card itself to be mailed.. now i checked again my porfolio, it now said and back to POST DECISION ACTIVITY.

what does it mean?... the card was being produced already a day ago, now it's back to post decision activity? is there something wrong???

pls reply.

thanks,

jazz

The blue dot goes to Post Decision after something has been mailed out to you. Probably your EAD card(?)