hostkiller

I got a letter asking for initial evidence regarding the I-864. I sent in my sponsor's recent tax returns (2007,2008,2009) only.

I called them and the lady told me to send in the return again.

Well my case maybe different but I think it's better to send something that you have filed or official.

I just got the biometric appointment letters. But the weird thing is I have got two of them and they are exactly the same. Anyways what is the next step after the biometric appointment?

So how do you know if your case is "touched" or someone is working on it? I have registered with USCIS website to update me for my cases' status and haven't gotten any update yet since I got my NOAs.

Got my 4 NOAs in mail today!!!

They cashed my checks last Friday and I have been checking my mail box like crazy over the weekend......

But o well that's the fun part of waiting game.

Biometrics and interview will be scheduled depending on your address on AOS forms.

Congrats on joining us!!! All the best!

Thank you so much for your help!

By the way is that you in your avatar? You look amazing!

So if I change my address later will I be able to go to an office that is near my new address?

OK I finally sent in my package 2 days ago and they (USPS) delivered it today. Hopefully everything goes well.

I have a question here, if we are gonna move in 2 months where should I have my biometric and interview done? I am now in San Antonio but may have a job offer up at Dallas.

I am confused about the A# as well. Should I use the one from my F1 visa or I should use the one from my OPT EAD card application? (Don't ask me why I applied for OPT. Just to be on the save side.)

Can anybody help to answer my question?

In my case I need a co-sponsor or joint sponsor to support me since neither me or my wife has made enough to meet the poverty line. So who should fill out the I-864 for me? My wife and her mom? Am I gonna use 2 I-864 forms?

- most of your questions have already been answered.

Treat each application individually (even though you are sending a whole package together) and for each application submit the evidence they want. Most likely the forms will get separated during processing and you don't want a RFE for something you should have submitted.

Car evidence is good, did you register it also together? Insurance card should also have both of your names on it.

Go with what you have now for evidence and start obtaining more in case you have an interview - taxes, same address on driver's licenses, lease (if in only one's name ask the landlord for a letter confirming both of you live at the same address)...

There is a civil surgeon locator somewhere on USCIS web site ( I think it's also linked here somewhere but can't find it right now). Call around and ask about the prices.

Thanks for your reply! I'll look for the guide for more information.

Here is another question. The last time I went to the DMV to renew my driver license they won't let me because my I-20 was about to expire (less than 6 month). What should I bring there this time? Marriage license?

Background:

I am a F-1 student just finished my study in last December and is on OPT (have a job) for right now. My visa won't expire until 2012. Me and my wife (USC) got married on the last Friday and we were so happy that we couldn't hold our tears in the wedding chapel! Anyways now I need help in putting my application together.

Forms that I am going to file:

1. I-130

2. G-325a

3. I-864

4. I-485

5. I-765

6. I-131

7. I-693

Questions:

1. For form I-130 we need to provide evidence of bona fide marriage. How much evidence should be enough? We have bought a car together and we are going to open a saving account under our names.
   
2. Do I have to submit my birth certificate for both of the I-130 and I-485?
   
3. About the medical exam, do I just make an appointment with a civil surgeon for immigration medical exam? How much would it costs? How long will it takes?
   

I just want to make sure I am filing the right forms and if I have any form missing please point me to the right direction. Thank you so much for your help in advance!

Thank you for all of your replies! My visa won't expire until 2012 so am I safe on that? Is it true that I can work with my OPT EAD while I file for AOS? Sorry for all the questions but I really have no clue and don't want to step on a landmine!

Ok just so everyone knows the difference. Visa is only to enter the US. Non-immigrant status is given to you when you go through immigration - the document you get in the border is I-94 which should say D/S (duration of status) meaning that as long as you keep going to school you are here legally (even if your visa has expired). So if you have a visa that expires in 2012 does you NO GOOD if you don't go to school or work on OPT.

Next issue, OPT given for a year (usually). The catch is that you have to find a job within 90 days that the OPT starts if you don't you have to leave the country or transfer to another school. I would suggest you save yourself and your love the headache and get married ASAP and file for adjustment of status.

Thanks for clearing it up for me! So if I get a job within 90 days that the OPT starts then I can stay until my OPT expire, right? In that period of time can I work, get married and file for AOS without violating any immigration law?

I think it's great if you're in a situation where you can keep working/studying during the AOS. You should maybe look at a small wedding first - maybe court house / wedding chapel - you'll have lots of time to plan a bigger wedding if that's what you want later.

Good Luck

Sounds like a good plan to me & my girlfriend!

Thank you for all of your replies! My visa won't expire until 2012 so am I safe on that? Is it true that I can work with my OPT EAD while I file for AOS? Sorry for all the questions but I really have no clue and don't want to step on a landmine!

Hey guys,

A little bit about myself. I am a F1 student and is graduating in December (which is next week). I have applied for OPT and the EAD has been ordered couple days ago. Me and my girlfriend have been together for more than 4 years and want to get marry some time during next year or some time before I have to leave the states. My questions are:

1. What are my options?
2. When is a good time to get marry?
3. When should I file for AOS?
4. Any other heads up?

I have been reading VJ and I know I can file for i130 & 485 at the same time. I just don't want to give a wrong impression to the officer who will interview us in the future. Any constructive comment is appreciated!

Hey guys,

A little bit about myself. I am a F1 student and is graduating in December (which is next week). I have applied for OPT and the EAD has been ordered couple days ago. Me and my girlfriend have been together for more than 4 years and want to get marry some time during next year or some time before I have to leave the states. My questions are:

1. What are my options?
2. When is a good time to get marry?
3. When should I file for AOS?
4. Any other heads up?

I have been reading VJ and I know I can file for i130 & 485 at the same time. I just don't want to give a wrong impression to the officer who will interview us in the future. Any constructive comment is appreciated!

well, you can get married anytime you want and also file AOS after you get married... and yes you would have to file I-130, I-485, I-693 (medical), I-131, I-864 concurrently.

i don't think the officer will have a bad impression on your marriage just cos you married as soon as you filed. in fact most people file their paperwork with 3weeks to 1 month of getting married..

Also since you have been together for 4 years, your body language will be in sync, you would know each other so well and the officer won't think you just met each other and married for convenience.

i'm also an F-1 student but in my case i didn't file for opt so i included I-765 when i filed...

good luck and don't worry everyone on VJ is here to help....

Thanks for your reply! So I can legally stay in the states until a decision has been made for my case after I get married and filed for AOS? Even though it may take more than one year?

Hey guys,

A little bit about myself. I am a F1 student and is graduating in December (which is next week). I have applied for OPT and the EAD has been ordered couple days ago. Me and my girlfriend have been together for more than 4 years and want to get marry some time during next year or some time before I have to leave the states. My questions are:

1. What are my options?
2. When is a good time to get marry?
3. When should I file for AOS?
4. Any other heads up?

I have been reading VJ and I know I can file for i130 & 485 at the same time. I just don't want to give a wrong impression to the officer who will interview us in the future. Any constructive comment is appreciated!