Filing AOS on Monday

[misa 2]

Finally getting my AOS & EAD paperwork together and mailing it off to the Chicago lockbox on Monday. Any other Canadians filing next week?

Also a note on the vaccination supplement. I know that most of us received a copy from the panel physician in Canada but after reading people getting RFEs for not submitting an I-693A vaccination supplement, I'm biting the bullet and paying $45 to get it filled out tomorrow. I'm sure I could have found a cheaper civil surgeon but this one is closest to me. I still think it's ridiculous when USCIS has our original medical records AND most of us have the vaccination supplement from our medicals in Canada.

[Amanda-Lise 0]

we should hopefully be filing next week. Its been difficult to get to Dr Patel's office to get the supplement just because of hubbys work hours, but everything else is ready to go. So. Hopefully next week!

[misa 2]

Amanda-Lise, I was literally JUST at Dr. Patel's office 30 minutes ago! His receptionist is very nice and she did the I-693A and got him to sign it. She'll transcribe it directly from the vaccination supplement that you should have received at your Canadian medical. Took all of 3 minutes. She'll give you a photocopy and also a sealed copy in an envelope. It doesn't say "do not open" but I'm submitting it sealed just in case.

It'll be interesting to see our cases side by side since we're filing around the same time and will be going through the same local USCIS office (Norfolk, about 1.5 hours away) for things like biometrics, etc.

How are you enjoying Richmond?

Edited April 12, 2007 by misa

[Amanda-Lise 0]

I'm still trying to convince hubby that its best that we just pay the 45x3 rather than risk an RFE and hold up the whole process, but he still remains unconvinced, so in the end may end up sending it with just the forms given by the Dr in Canada. Our neighbors have actually gone through this process too, the husband is from the UK. I've already heard my fair share of norfolk horror stories. They've just applied to lift conditions.

I like the place, but it's driving me cat crazy, as I can't get out to do anything without hubby being there. Can't get my licence switched over until we have a bank statement proving residency. Still waiting on that. I think I'll feel much better when I can get out and explore, start volunteering, doing something.

How are you settling in?

[misa 2]

I didn't want to risk it so I paid the $45. Then again, you'd have to do it for yourself and your girls. Uh oh, what Norfolk horror stories have you heard?

I hear you on the not being able to get out to do much. I don't drive (don't have a license) and the city isn't set up for a whole lot of walking unless you live in the heart of The Fan district. I am within walking distance of Carytown but nothing to do there by myself.

When do you expect a bank statement? I just set up an account with Wachovia (they're everywhere here) and the location in Carytown didn't require an SSN or anything from me. I hope you get your bank statement soon!

I'm settling in okay and keeping myself busy with some design work I'm doing for some people in Canada. Plus having 6 animals here keeps me busy too so my days go by very quickly during the day. Plus I'm still not fully unpacked!

How are your girls liking their new home?

[Amanda-Lise 0]

The horror stories mostly revolve around the timelines, and some pretty rude personnel. I'm trying to keep in mind that they did this process over 2 yrs ago, it may well have changed.

Really? Wachovia here in Chesterfield wouldn't let me open my own account without a driver's licence, and we had to argue to get me added to his account. We just got the statement about a week before he added me, so probably another few weeks yet.

The girls love it here. Both are very much involved with their school, and are just nuts over the fact that elementary schools here have cheerleading. That starts in July. We all get to watch our house go up bit by bit, and while adore my mother in law, it will be a relief for everyone come may when we can close.

6 animals? yikes, that would keep you busy. What kind of animals?

[misa 2]

I hope for our sake the Norfolk office is better now!

The Wachovia on Cary St. let me open with just a passport and $100 cash! They put in a dummy number in lieu of an SSN or ITIN. It totally depends on the branch and who you're dealing with. They said when my status changes to come back and give them my SSN. Hopefully your banking woes will be over soon.

Glad the girls are doing well.

Yup, 6 animals. 5 cats and 1 dog. I brought 3 cats and a dog with me. The other two cats are my husband's cats.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Thats what the wachovia did in Arlington as well.

[jg_am 0]

We're hoping to have our AOS in by Monday. My wife never got her DS-whatever that you get when you cross the border, so we called the different offices that had tested her before her medical to get her history faxed to us(her yellow book only had a tetnus shot). The doctors she spoke to said she needed the whole medical but she knew we only needed info transfered to the supplement. After much time on the phone, we went to the doctor this morning and the nurse filled everything out we needed, like they knew exactly what they were doing. All the doctor had to do was sign the paper. Why the headache of the phone call? Ironically they called yesterday to cancel her appoinment because all their medical paper work gets returned because the regulations change. We said we just needed the supplement and as previously stated, everything was cool. We even took the insturctions from the I-485 just in case. So yes, we're sending everything this weekend. Since my wife wanted to save a few $ and not get a travel doc, we're not sending in an EAD either, which I'm fine with.

Oh, the doc's office said it'd be $75, but only charged us $50.

Edited April 13, 2007 by jg_am

[cdancer 0]

hi Misa....hows it going eh!

I have been so busy reorganizing our home, have had not much chance

to get on here! It would have been easier moving into a house that is

empty...

I still have had no biometrics appt as of yet! I have no idea why...

I went to Immigration in Portland and they said ...just wait!

after my 90 days are up then I can get their attention!

I hope to file my AOS by the end of the month!

cheers!

Denise

[misa 2]

I was going to send in EAD separately but after reading a few accounts in the Working/Travelling Prior to Greencard forum, it looks like people who filed separately aren't getting approved. Decided to buckle down and just get all the paperwork together and send it off at the same time.

Denise, I hope you get something regarding your EAD soon! It's already been 2.5 months!

[mwinburn 0]

I like the place, but it's driving me cat crazy, as I can't get out to do anything without hubby being there. Can't get my licence switched over until we have a bank statement proving residency. Still waiting on that. I think I'll feel much better when I can get out and explore, start volunteering, doing something.

Interesting. Never occurred to me that'd be a problem after my fiance got here. I think I might get lucky though since we did the dual-RBC account thing, so she already is on the US bank account statements. I can't imagine being stuck without being able to drive in a US city. Very few of them are actually set up well with public transportation or neighborhoods designed around walking.

[misa 2]

If anyone has a moment, can you look over my checklist for my package to see if I missed anything?

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=64064