Spiky

Ok, my wife is just about done filling out her AOS, but we have some questions...

First, this is the list we have to send away with the packet, hoping it's 100% correct:

- Payment in the amount of $1010 USD.

- I-485

- I-765

- I-131

- I-693

- G-325A and attachment

- 2 passport style photos

- copy of birth certificate

- copy of marriage certificate

- copy of non US Citizen Spouses 1-49 front and back, k-1, and biographic page

- copy of NOA2 "Approval" for I-129F

Also, the address, no matter WHERE you live in the US, goes to the Chicago address for priority mail?

Oh, and a question for the I-864: under question 21 about household size, do I put family/roomates that might be living in the household, or just beneficiaries in specific?

Lastly, there's a bit of a worry we have encountered... After going through the point of entry into the States and even after visiting an immigration office, we were given unclear information about how the AOS works out. We were told many different things, and no one had told us that one of the papers involved having a work permit... Now, my wife had found a job and started working a few months after entering, after receiving a SSN no problem. We thought as long as we got that it would be fine, until we saw what was in the paperwork. This was BEFORE we found out we had more paperwork to do to receive a Green Card (since we heard much differently from several other sources...) The job was then used to save UP for the $1010 for the AOS fee...

Will there be troubles when filing the papers because of this? We are sending out the I-765 regardless, especially because we are worried! Will this cause problems when filing and/or when taxes next year need to be done? Is she even allowed to fill out for taxes? Is she even able to file for taxes back in Canada next year, since we took so long in getting the AOS done (because we didn't know we had to do it...) and is currently considered an unemployed resident there (since the status wasn't changed yet)?

We had no idea that she was not allowed to work until then, we didn't know because officials were not clear on the information...

I'm sorry this is alot of questions, but we just want to be sure on these things before sending it out! Thank you for your help!

After much false information about how the AOS works, I finally went to an immigration office to get the details, only to be handed more paperwork (I thought that was all over and done with!) So, for K-1 visa entrance, these were the papers handed to me:

I-765

I-485

I-131

I-864

G-325A

Medicalexam papers (but no real clear instructions with what it even is)

And lastly, an I-130

On checking with the VisaJourney site, all these papers were included (with some optional), except the I-130 which makes no real sense. It does say "petition for alien relative" so is it just needed to redo, since the status has been changed from "alien fiance" to "alien relative"?

Also, I noticed there was a "employment authorization" paper in there. I thought it was alright to start working once you have received your SSN, or is it not legal until the forms are filled out?

What exactly is needed with the medical forms? I just received a vaccination list and a list of civil surgeons in the area.

Finally, since there are a couple different fees involved in these papers, can they be combined into one amount, or must they be kept seperate?

I know I should have come on here instead of listening to different people (officials) telling me different things about how a green card is received, and now I'm laying down all my questions on it so it can get done and processed, hopefully quickly. Thank you for all your help!

EDIT: I realize I have alot more question concerning this than what my topic header is.... I wrote it out too quickly.

Thank you! i will update as soon as everything is done!

One thing I forgot to add (won't let me edit twice for some reason...)

How long will the whole process take? Do you have to wait around until you get some confirmation or anything (thinking about how you had to come back from the medical appointment to pick up your results hours later).

Well, my interview for my K-1 visa is coming up and I'm very nervous, as I'm sure many are! For those who have passed the interview, I have some questions about the entire interview process...

-What is the overall atmosphere like? Will it be more of an interogation like a US officer at the border questioning why you are entering the country (some can be pretty mean and pushy :/), or are they quite casual, in the sense that they are friendly and easy-going as they ask you your questions?

-Are they strict about the planned wedding day? When I submitted my packet 3 I wrote down a date I plan to get married on, but as people know it always has a possibility of being pushed back because no one knows how the visa will turn out. My fiance and will bring in a reciept for our wedding/hotel booking with us, so hopefully it will be good to show that it is at least planned.

-Speaking of wedding dates, do you think they will be weary at all of us planning on having a tiny wedding? I'm sure people have small ones all the time, but you never know.

-Should I wear formal clothes? I'm assuming so, because I think of "interview" as something you do to impress a possible new employer.

-Anything other hints/tips I should know about (either than relax/stay calm)?

I can get pretty nervous in these situations, and hope I don't panic and start studdering or anything (I mean, this IS the thing that will make or break the visa!) So any help is appreciated with answering some of my concerns.

I've read on several different sites what is required. Some state a form (I-184 I think it was?) others just say "do up a letter". Does anyone have a sample of what exactly is needed, or out of personal experience what was done for that requirement? I know my fiance wants to get a notice from his employer, just to be on the safe side for proof, but is wanting some type of sample... It's a little open-ended with the choices for it, so it seems. Thanks!

One more question actually. I was looking at the AR-11 form, and it looks like it's ONLY if you already came into America? When I sent my consulate an email, they said just to email back the new address, so maybe no form is involved? Although I suppose I should phone the center....

That's great help! In Canada, we are supposed to fax out our packet so I guess Australia just involves mailing it? The example is great to use too! That's no problem now, just have to contact them about the address change (good to know it's not a "do not forward"). Thanks

https://evisaforms.state.gov/ds156.asp

First off, this form slightly confuses me... question 25's "Name and Telephone Numbers of Person in U.S. Who You Will Be Staying With or Visiting for Tourism or Business". It's for K-1 of course, so do I still fill out, except where my fiance lives? I'm not a tourist, nor moving for business, odd it would be stated that way. Number 32 and 33 are a little silly too. Since it's mainly stated for business that you would actually KNOW where you would be working. For me, however, I need the interview to go GOOD before thinking about looking for work! I suppose just fill out as "yes" followed by "will look for work once I move"? Same with school, I may take some college in the future, so should I leave both yes and no blank with an "undecided" in the blank?

Second part of my questions.... Right in the middle of finishing everything up and sending away packet 3 through fax today (yay!), my roomate decides it's time to move, so I have to go along with to a temporary location for a few months.... MOST inconvenient since it takes a few weeks to get your interview date sent! There is no way I can afford to get that information lost at the old location, so would it be best to go to the post office and pay for a full mail relocation, call the embassy and change addresses, or both? It's a pain, of course, but I can NOT lose that information! Perhaps too, the embassy could also be able to email me the interview time, if asked?

Thank you for all your help! My fiance and I are just about out of the water!

Right, just as I thought, thanks for clearing that up! Last question is how long abouts would the green card take to come through after the interview is over

(assuming all goes well, of course.)

Ok, everything is almost done here for me! Medical appointment is coming up, and I am hoping to go on a short, last 2 week trip to America before I go for my interview. I`m assuming this is alright to do? However, another idea in mind is to go on the trip shortly after I go for my interview, but when that`s done I can`t remember... I wouldn`t be able to leave America until I get a Green Card, I believe?

Just want to clear this up before I make plans

Wouldn't let me double edit so:

Well, the new link DOES state that it is the family one I need... I just wonder why the one site I was originally using for the application was charging over $50 more for the document than this site? I guess they just charge more... Think I'll go with the cheaper one, plus it was linked from the original travel.state.gov site.

Alright, got all I needed thanks!!

Thanks for the extension info! I figured a quick call could help extend things, just in case.

As for the Birth Certificate, still looking into it... The site linked is directly from travel.state.gov, but the one I was starting to fill out was on this site: http://www.vitalcertificates.ca Now, I'm trying to figure out which would be the better one to do... I'm assuming the one linked though. Hmmm on the linked site, the page won't continue with my email on it, because I can ONLY type in caps and then I get a pop up saying "check email". Good going whoever designed the form...

Ok, 2 questions here.....

First off, filling out for a replacement birth certificate online, and it lists if I want a "Family Information Certificate" or a "Individual Information Certificate". Now, packet 3 specifies that I need to have my parents names on the certificate, which is of course on the form I filled out, so would I need the "family" one, or the "individual" one? I'm thinking "family" can mean either family information on it, OR it could mean a copy issued or family, whereas "individual" could mean just info on me, or that the certificate is issued to myself? Just need a bit of clearing up on this, if it makes ANY sense whatsoever.

Secondly, my K1 has a due date that I am worried about.... I had to get resent my packet 3 since I did not receive the original, delaying the whole process by a month. Is there a possibility that the NVC can actually extend this time period if I called in? Just worried that my interview won't be scheduled till it's too late (still need my medical appointment), and that it may not make the time frame, even though it was not my fault at having this delay.

*WHEW* Thank you for clearing that up... As much as I want to be with my fiance, I was worried it would be WAY too much of a rush! Of course, the times can vary but I was checking the charts posted and even in the shortest amount of supposed time, it will still be ok.

Not to mention, I thought I remember reading that you ONLY get 3 months to move, not 6. I'm glad that I still have alot of time left! Thank you...

Ok first offf, as the topic states, today my fiance and I got a notice of approval, after waiting less than 3 months. Thing is, looking at the USCIS chart, we are already in the "post-decision" state, which is WAY after the interview. Does this mean we don't have to go through the interview process? Perhaps sent enough evidence/were easy to look into?

Another BIG question here: It is the end of October, and we were not expecting it to go through so fast, seeing as how most people waited around 5 months. We were planning for more a moving trip around spring, perhaps March or April. Does this mean I am forced to move to America even early than expected? How many months is it before I would for SURE have to move and marry? Our next trip planned was going to be me coming to America in January for a visit, but would this not be possible?? With the busy Christmas season just starting up too, I'm not sure if I would even be able to quit my job so soon too, not until at least after the end of January.

Sorry, I am just a little stressed, and confused with what our plans were going to be, judging at times, and being approved THIS fast! Just feels like I need more time to take care of some things, so I'm not sure how much time we have before I must move.

Answers and help on this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

Ah, sorry I forgot to mention it. She is from Canada.

One last question:

On the updated G-325a, where should our zip/postal code be listed under, address or country? I'm thinking under ``address``, but going along with how a letter is mailed, it's always right before the country, so would it be in the ``country`` spot, perhaps?

Ok, sounds like we are on our way.... My last question is, we have put together all of our proof of being together and have:

event tickets for each of us

4 plane tickets

6 transport ticket

10 photos

receipts for a store

Think that would be enough (that is, anyone else have this amount or less and been accepted?) or would we be denied and need even MORE than that? Or... is it just too much?

Oh, also she is Canadian, if that makes a difference with the amount needed (since I know every country has different requirements).

Hello, my fiancee and I are applying for our K1 visa, and I have a few question before we send it off. We

just want to make absolutely sure we did everything right!

First off, she'll be making one last trip to visit me in the states next week. However, we are trying

to decide if we should send out our papers before or after she comes. She can bring proof to the officer that she

intends to return with a letter form her employer and other bills, but I don't want her to be hassled even with such

proof if the officer has the info of a pending visa. The main reason we are thinking of sending it before, is because

it was signed last week and her passport photo was done 3 weeks ago (with no date on it, but do they even need a

date for it?) She has no intentions of staying in the states, we just want to visit one last time before the long wait

begins (as I am unable to visit her often).

So basically I'll set up my questions as so:

1) Does the passport photo NEED a date written on it? (since they always state having it sent within a month,

but I've only read that it needs to be put in a baggie with a name on it, not a date)

2) Is there an issue with sending away a paper if it was signed up to almsot 2 weeks ago when it gets

received?

3) Would it be an issue to send the papers away JUST before she leaves, so it gets there before she enters

the country and then I don't have to say that the papers were prepared when she was in the states? (since

she was not at the time)

4) How should the package be mailed out? Staples? Loose?

5) For those who have had their peitions accepted, how much proof (for photos and receipts etc) did you use?

6) Also, on the letter of intent, does a date need to be hand-written along with the signature or is a

typed-out date just fine?

Thank you!