hudons

Hi guys,

It's strange being back on VJ after 2 years but here we are. I have been browsing since we filed the I-751 on October 23rd but now I am posting because I would like your input on something. It seems we have a similar timeline to most of you: NOA 1 11/4/11, biometrics 12/14/11... but throughout this period I haven't been able to get my case status at the USCIS website. It doesn't recognize my receipt number. Have they lost my case? It's been a few months, you would think they have had time to input this information.

Thoughts?

Hi everyone,

I will file removal of conditions in September of this year,and I have plans to visit my parents in France in October. Am I allowed to travel while my removal fo conditions is in process. My green card is valid until January.

Thanks!

This was really helpful, thanks! I hadn't seen that website before, the one I had looked at made the whole process seem awfully overwhelming.

I'm also really pleased to hear that it is such a fast process, or at least it can be.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! (one of the best things about living in the US and my new favorite holiday!)

Now, I am waaaaay ahead of myself here - I still have another 2years before I can file N400 - but I would like to know as much about the process as I can ahead of time.

I am interested to know whether there are steps to take after taking the oath and becoming a citizen. I have noticed that on some people's stories they mention filing papers with their home countries. I fully appreciate that this is on a country by country basis but since I am clearly not the only british person here, does anybody know if there are papers I must file in the UK to maintain my citizenship there, or are there parties that should be informed out side the US?

Thanks for helping out a curious Brit. Who knows? I might not even be the only one wondering this!

This is awful. However it's in the past and you can put it behind you. Vj is fantastic because this isn't the first story like this I've seen on here, I hope you are able to find support from other members who have been through this. Take care x

We had 2 RFEs....

1 because we had filed an outdated version of form I765 and 1 because we had failed to supply evidence of I864 joint sponsors US citizenship.

The 864 one we had would not apply to you if you only have 1 sponsor.

However, they say that the most common reason for RFEs is forgetting to sign forms.

Good luck. I remember waiting for my RFE letter, it is nerve wracking.

They just need 2 forms of ID and one of them has to be the GC. I think they prefer GC and passport.

You will need to take your passport, green card and marriage certificate to your local social security office so you can update your status and your name.

Your application for change of name should verify because you have to put your maiden name on the SS5 form as well as your new name. Your marriage certificate is proof enough for them to change your name. Once you have a social security card with your new name on you can get pretty much anything with that name on....... bank accounts, driving license etc.

My mother-in-law is a manager with SSA so she explained all this to me. I also went through the process recently.

Anymore SSA questions I am happy to help.

Also, I ALWAYS carry a copy of my marriage license with me because my passport is in my maiden name. Just in case......

Congrats to everyone who's received their cards & approvals since I was here last!

Km, you should go and update SSA on your new status. I did this last week. Very quick and easy. I finally will get my SS card with no extra words on it. Very exciting.

Maybe you should read, ''Going Rogue, an American Nightmare'' by Sarah Palin.

jkjkj

lol.

If that was a book, I would already have read it. That woman baffles me. Can she even write? "I hear Europe is a wonderful country." I rest my case.

I'm reading Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton.

I figure it's a round about way of learning about US government and values, plus... I love a bit of scandal!

It's actually a really good book although I'm pretty sure she's omitted quite a lot of juicy stuff.

Evilmonkee, that's great news! Congratulations to you and your other half.

I received my green card in the mail yesterday! I never got any card production e-mails. I did get a notice this morning though, saying that my I-485 has been approved. Proof indeed that the online update system isn't too hot. But when it's all you have it's a great consolation.

I think it's time to put the tin foil hats away for a few years!

Best of luck to everyone who has upcoming interviews.

I'm pretty sure that if you can show them a copy of your driving record then you don't have to take the driving tests. At least in New Hampshire. That means a full history on DVLA headed paper. Obviously check with Texas.

The test is really easy compared to the British one.

Hi, first off, I don't know that your experience will be the same as you're in a different state but....

I got my drivers license in NH when I was here on J1 and renewed it with my EAD. Generally, you are allowed to drive for 60 days on your UK license (check with Texas DMV) so continue to do that. Call them and ask what you need to get a license.... I needed proof of NH residence, social security card and proof of status - passport, visa papers etc.

I was also required to take a written and practical test again because the DVLA wouldn't release my driving record to me from overseas. However, if you're still in the UK maybe you could start work on that before you leave. The test is easy but obviously it's easier to get your record sent over, or bring it with you.

If in doubt, call them. Non-US citizens have to attend the DMV to get a new license anyway.

Hope that helps!

Great news Rebacca and Phil!! CONGRATULATIONS!!

Joining the year and 9 months club.

I suggest that is what whoever starts the topic should call it when we all start removing conditions!

Also, thanks Greg for doing the research on the ADIT situation. Here's hoping we all receive our GCs soon!!

What a fantastic week!

Ok, so it seems I got a different e-mail from everyone else. I don't have a card production e-mail yet. I'm not too worried since they still haven't sent me a car production ordered mail for my EAD and I got that a month ago.

Does anyone know what this means? What is ADIT processing?

Application Type: I485 , APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS

Current Status: Notice mailed welcoming the new permanent resident.

On January 11, 2010, we mailed you a notice that we had registered this customer's new permanent resident status. Please follow any instructions on the notice. Your new permanent resident card should be mailed within 60 days following this registration or after you complete any ADIT processing referred to in the welcome notice, whichever is later.

I like to make english recipes too - surprise my husband... Still haven't quite got a good yorkshire pudding recipe for high altitude though.

My hubby and I want to take up cross country skiing... We have trails in walking distance from our house... We'd also planned to snow shoe too - we got snow shoes from family but my hubby's one's are too light... Will be good hobbies to get into... A few more months of winter left

Definitely do it!

There is also a habit I have picked up from my in-laws of endlessly browsing Craigslist. I got my skis on there, I got my snowshoes on there, I got my car on there. My boss got a free hot tub! You should check it out for new snowshoes!

Couldn't help but notice that your local office is Sacramento, CA though. Do you have snow there? Maybe Tahoe? You mentioned altitude so I gues that's it.

As for yorkshire pudding. I'm pretty sure that there's something different about the ingredients here. I can't get that to work properly either. Tastes good, looks like a fat pancake. Ooops.

Print the instructions for all the forms and read them RELIGIOUSLY.

Also, make sure you are using updated versions of all the forms. I got caught for that one. On uscis.gov there is a list of form editions they are currently accepting. Check it.

My prayers and best wishes are with all VJ-ers who have family in Haiti. This truly is a tragedy.

Well.... we work together now but before that I spent quite a lot of time looking for English recipes on the internet and trying to recreate them with American ingredients. I still haven't mastered treacle tart without Golden Syrup.

Also, he bought me a budgie. I taught it to ring a bell for food. Ha ha ha.

How sad does that sound! I guess we do what we can. I can't stand how many channels there are on TV here. I kinda just want a Sky box, I know how to work that!

I have now taken up cross country skiing. Great hobby you can do for free on trails. Obviously you have to live somewhere snowy for that.

Rebecca and Phil, you guys will be awesome! Good luck.

Let us know how it goes..... I'm sure you will anyway.

good job getting that sorted out laurelmike!

it seems that they require it for certain people and not others. i read somewhere that it was voluntary too.

we just have to jump through all the hoops. still..... it will be the last hoops for 1 year and 9 months!

Fantastic news Km. Did you receive your e-mail update yet?

I didn't get mine until this morning. Still no card production update though!

That's a wonderful approval story, Hudons! Congratulations and thank you for sharing it with us!

Thanks! I enjoyed reading your timeline, it made me laugh. My dad is from Scotland, I hope you enjoyed your time there. What a beautiful place. Best of luck with your journey, stick with the VJ crew, these guys are awesome!

Good luck today KM!! I look forward to hearing your news!

Congrats Kate! Good job taking your little girl with you!

So here's the good news: APPROVED!

I am so happy it doesn't even seem real yet.

We arrived in Manchester office 10 minutes early for the interview armed with 2 folders of everything we could find and 2 photo albums. It was really busy when we arrived, although because the office is so small there were only 2 other couples - both with attorneys.

A guy called us in about 15 minutes after the scheduled time and we followed him to his office. He didn't smile once but he was very professional. He told us to take a seat and asked for our passports. Immediately he tore my I-94 out of my passport which I took to be a good sign, I guess I was just hanging on to whatever positive signs I could. He then asked for my EAD and social security card, took a good luck at everything and asked what visa I arrived on. I told him J1, he asked what my program was, I told him and he asked for my IP-66. I don't know what an IP-66 is so I got a bit worried and gave him my DS-2019. He said that was what he wanted but they had changed the name of the form. (Other J1s remember this to save any unnecessary stress!)

He then asked us to raise our right hands and swore us in. He asked how long we had known each other, how long we had been married and where we met. He read out our address, my DOB and country of birth and asked if it was correct. He then showed me a page of I-485 with my signature on it and asked me if that was my signature. HE asked if it was only 2 of us living at that address, I said yes. He asked me all of the "Have you ever....." questions and ticked them as I answered. The whole time he never even looked at us, he was clicking things on his computer and writing on a form.

He asked my husband for his pay stubs and as he is an Americorps volunteer, commented that he was heeding Obama's words. He almost cracked a smile! He then said the name of our joint sponsor and asked who she was, my husband said it was his mother.

He pulled out a red stamp and made 2 stamps then gave our passports back with my EAD and SS card. Finally, he looked up and said "Your case is now approved, you are a conditional permanent resident." At which point I started crying and he explained all about renewal etc etc. Pretty embarassing but it was just such a relief.

That is all he asked. No questions about intent to marry on my J1, no questions about our personal life...... nothing. He didn't look at any of the evidence so we're pretty sure the case had been decided before we walked in to the room. Still better to be over-prepared.

Thank you so much to everyone who has put my mind at rest and helped me through this. I'll see you all in here in 1 year 9 months! It'll be a lovely VJ reunion! Best of luck to everyone with upcoming interviews, particularly Rebecca and Phil and other fellow J1-ers. You have nothing to worry about.