Eric_&_Off

My wife received her New York ID card today w/ an expiration date of 2020.

I'm glad I paid the $14 and did not listen to the New York DMV manager.

Not sure if we just lucked out or if the DMV manager gave us incorrect info. Either way - she now has it and we hopefully won't have to deal with the DMV again for a while.

Not sure I understand your comment. What's normal? That the state does not issue an ID even though the I-94 is valid at the time of the application? Or, am I misunderstanding the issue. Is the state issued ID only valid while the I-94 is valid? That doesn't seem to make sense though and I haven't read anything that indicates that is the case.

Or maybe you meant it is normal in every state for DMV workers to be wearing t-shirts with sayings on them and texting on their phones under their desks. Just kidding...

Thanks in advance for your insight.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Anyone else have a problem getting a state ID based on the I-94 date being "almost expired"?

The idiocy that is the New York State DMV made us wait over 2 hrs today to finally instruct us that contrary to what the NY DMV doc ID-44 (Proofs of Identity) states, my wife is not eligible for a non-driver ID because the last day of validity for her I-94 is today. NB: We filed for AOS last month so no 90-day issue.

I offered to show the receipt for the I-485, but was instructed that document is not on "their list" and could not be accepted. We were told she has to wait to get her green card. Are you kidding me!

My argument was, the I-94 is valid today which is my wife is applying. I was told that Albany would not process it and I should not pay the $14 (who cares, I just waited 2 hrs), because by the time Albany received it, the I-94 would no longer be valid - HUH? Where did it ever state that the I-94 must be valid at some point after application. This makes no sense, which I tried to explain, but explanation failed. Like an idiot, I paid my $14. Now we will wait before I contact the Albany office, since we will not probably receive the ID.

Has anyone else had this experience?

Gotta love the New York DMV workers too - wearing t-shirts with sayings on them, texting on their phones under their desks. What a class act!

I will keep everyone posted on the outcome.

Oh yeah, this experience was after we had to go to the social security office 2 times and 1 30-min phone call to get her social security card, even though we had everything the first time. Go New York!!!

Hi,

We are finishing my wife's adjustment of status papers and just had a couple of questions for the community.

(1) I read on this site - under tips for K1s adjusting status - that if the i-693 (medical exam) was done w/in 1 yr of the app to adjust that a new medical is not needed, HOWEVER, the applicant still needs to get something signed by a civil surgeon. Does anyone have any experience with this - is it needed? what does the civil surgeon provide? isn't the vaccination report from the I-693 medical sufficient? any other helpful advice?

(2) On the I-485 there is a place for a translator to sign. My wife understands English ok, but some items on the form are not that easy to understand or explain (mainly the yes / no questions re "have you ever" etc.). I have explained to her as best I can the meaning of each statement etc., but I am concerned that at the adjustment interview, the CIS interviewer speaks very quickly (and in some instances with a heavy accent). In other words - I want to preserve my wife's right to a translator at the interview. By not having a translator sign the I-485, does she lose the right to a translator at the interview?

Thanks in advance,

Eric & Off

Yes, planning on filing the I-131 (advance parole) and I-765 (EAD) as well.

Any advice on filing any of these docs would also be appreciated.

Also, one more question - my wife took my last name. So for the adjustment of status, AP, and EAD - she should use her married name (not her maiden name), correct?

Hi,

Good news here - passed the interview, arrived in the States, and just got married! A very busy couple of months to say the least. The advice from everyone on this forum has been fantastic. Thank you all.

Now, a few more questions... re AOS.

We moved into a new apt after my fiancee's arrival (moved from Manhattan to Queens). I know we need to file a change of address (AR-11 I believe) asap, but we just married and I want to file the Adjustment of Status application as soon as possible.

Should we be concerned about the change of address causing any problems receiving communications from the USCIS going forward? Or causing any delay due to the office our application will be assigned to? I seem to remember reading that some people's applications have been delayed due to this issue. Any experiences to share or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again,

Eric

Very excited - just got our interview date emailed to us - Jan. 19th!!!!

Hope everyone else hears soon too.

We sent in Packet 3 on Nov. 10th and are anxiously awaiting an interview date.

How did you manage to track the progression of your Packet 3 (Chiang Mai, interview queue etc.)?

Also, we would greatly appreciate if you would let us know when you hear abt an interview date. I'm planning on going over just before the interview, staying for 2 wks, before returning with my fiancee. I'm concerned abt the timing of the notification relative to the interview date - and having to buy a plane ticket and make other arrangements for the trip.

You're going to love Songkran! I was there last year and it was great. One word of advice - bring a waterproof camera for that day as there are some great pics to be had.

Hi,

We're almost ready to file our papers with the US Embassy in Bangkok, but I have one question re the I-134 Affidavit of Support. I apologize if this has been covered before, but I've done a fair bit of reading / searching and wasn't able to find it on VJ.

How do I answer Question 11 - that I "intend" or "do not intend"

... to make specific contributions to the support of the person named in item 3 (namely, my fiancee).

The question doesn't really make sense for a fiancee visa (or maybe I'm just missing something).

Thanks again for all the helpful information on this site, especially from this great group.

Hi,

We're almost ready to file our papers with the US Embassy in Bangkok, but I have one question re the I-134 Affidavit of Support. I apologize if this has been covered before, but I've done a fair bit of reading / searching and wasn't able to find it.

How do I answer Question 11 - that I "intend" or "do not intend"

... to make specific contributions to the support to the person named in item 3 (namely, my fiancee).

The question doesn't really make sense for a fiancee visa (or maybe I'm just missing something).

Thanks again for all the helpful information on this site, especially from this thread.

Eric - The topic of co-sponsors @ BKK has been discussed at great length in various threads here on VJ. Have a look and you will find some information. One example can be found here. You can certainly try w/ a joint sponsor, but the odds are not in your favor. A better bet may be to get married & go the CR1 route or wait until you have obtained a new job/source of income. Regarding assets, the ratio is 3:1. That is, $3 of assets = $1.

Thanks rsn! One quick follow up question to your comments - what do you mean by "Regarding assets, the ratio is 3:1." I've read before that you must have assets worth 5Xs the poverty rate (approx. $91k) in order to satisfy the requirement. Do you mean you need only 3Xs the poverty rate? Or is it more like 15Xs (3 x 5) the poverty rate???

Also, does anyone have any experience on how BKK treats retirement funds (401k & Roth accts)?

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this site and wanted to thank everyone in advance for all the great info on the Sawasdee forums.

I'm currently gathering info for Packet 3 (rec'd letter from NVC dated 8/25) and have a question about the I-134 Affidavit of Support.

Has anyone had experience in using evidence of assets (instead of income) to satisfy the I-134 requirement, ie. between jobs, starting a new business without a proven track record yet, etc. Or is this route doomed to AP or worse (if there is anything worse than that)?

Also, I've read on this forum that co-sponsors are not allowed (or rarely allowed) at the Bangkok Embassy for K-1 visas. Could someone point me to where the Embassy has stated this or to any examples where a co-sponsor was (or was not) allowed?

Thanks in advance for your help. Look forward to becoming an active member of the forum.

Congrats to those who've been granted visas and good luck to those on their way!

Best,

Eric & Off