January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?

[Pam&Josh 0]

I read that the discovery health national challenge (or whatever it is called) gives free memberships at a gym for a month. So I went on the website to sign up because it would definitely be good to do some kind of exercise... and apparently you can only subscribe if you are a US Citizen!!!

I can understand that some jobs are only for US citizens, national security and all that, but seriously, why shouldn't we be able to get that free membership?!

Welcome ABENITEZ!

We are the January filers of last year, there doesn't seem to be a new one this year. But you are all welcome in this thread

That's sucks!!! and I am sure we will run into that situation more than once from now!!

[Cecile and Bryan 0]

It's actually called the "National Body Challenge", so maybe it is sponsored by the government or something like that. I don't think it's the gym company who decided it's only for citizens. Still, I don't see why legal immigrants shouldn't be able to get this.

[Cecile and Bryan 0]

So, anyone knows the answer, if someone were to lie about the citizenship to get a free gym membership, would it be a federal offense?

I'm totally not going to do that because that would be stupid but I'm very curious!

[alb2009 0]

Can you consolidate the January VSC filers too? I wanted to do it but I am afraid to see the list shrinking and shrinking and then I'd be the only one left.

While it may be true that VSC approval is so much faster than CSC, waiting for a VSC approval feels like waiting and hoping and praying that my lottery ticket hits the jackpot. Every draw bring your hopes up and then when the day is over, your hopes just come crashing to the ground... then another drawing day comes and it gets your hopes up again... this is what makes the process so frustrating. I don't feel bad for myself, I feel bad for VSC filers who have filed before me with no approval yet and to all CSC filers still waiting for NOA2.

But in spite and despite of everything, I am still holding on to God's promise that everything will be made perfect in His own time.... God is never too early nor too late.. He is always RIGHT ON TIME!

I'm just curious how people plan their weddings with such uncertainty in this process. Any recommendations? I would actually like to have a nice wedding-- nothing rushed, but doing it in 3 months seems impossible, especially with most places booked by then. Need help!

[Alex & Rachel 78]

So I went to apply for my SSN today and was told that as a K-1 holder I can't have my SSN in my married name! Boo!

Welcome alb2009! As for planning a wedding - it's not recommended, but what I did was wait to see how long the process would take (compare yourself to another recent filer), then add on a couple of months, and set a date for round about then. When I filed this time last year, it seemed that applications through the UK were taking 8-9 months, so to be on the safe side I set a wedding date for 11 months later.

Alex and I will be able to apply for AOS this month. I already have work lined up, so I really hope my EAD arrives quickly once I file! I am so fortunate - I haven't even had to look for work!

[Pam&Josh 0]

So I went to apply for my SSN today and was told that as a K-1 holder I can't have my SSN in my married name! Boo!

Welcome alb2009! As for planning a wedding - it's not recommended, but what I did was wait to see how long the process would take (compare yourself to another recent filer), then add on a couple of months, and set a date for round about then. When I filed this time last year, it seemed that applications through the UK were taking 8-9 months, so to be on the safe side I set a wedding date for 11 months later.

Alex and I will be able to apply for AOS this month. I already have work lined up, so I really hope my EAD arrives quickly once I file! I am so fortunate - I haven't even had to look for work!

I don't understand what they told you that, you got married; so what is their problem?

When I got married, I went to the SS with my passeport and wedding certificate, I got it with my married name without any questions.

I am wondering if you had someone who just didn't know much about that visa? I remenber a lot of people saying how depending who you have, they can tell one thing, or the total opposite.

Good luck on filing for AOS, I am glad you have a work waiting for you! I hope you papers will move fast!!

[dbears 1]

I'm just curious how people plan their weddings with such uncertainty in this process. Any recommendations? I would actually like to have a nice wedding-- nothing rushed, but doing it in 3 months seems impossible, especially with most places booked by then. Need help!

Our wedding plans had been adjusted several times: the date, location, etc... when I got here, I even almost called it completely off but we were able to work our problems out, set a final wedding date, and had a beautiful wedding with only 3 weeks preparation. As Rachel said, try planning the wedding 10-11 months from date of filing or you could plan to have a civil wedding first and then plan a grander wedding when you are all settled... the most important thing is not the wedding, that is only one day, but the relationship and the love you and your partner share and will share for (hopefully) a lifetime.

So I went to apply for my SSN today and was told that as a K-1 holder I can't have my SSN in my married name! Boo!

Alex and I will be able to apply for AOS this month. I already have work lined up, so I really hope my EAD arrives quickly once I file! I am so fortunate - I haven't even had to look for work!

I truly happy that you will be able to file AOS this month and double happy that you already have a work waiting for you.

As for the problem with SSN, there is just a lot of them who don't know what they are doing.

[JeroenAndMichelle 28]

You'd think someone with two bachelor's degrees and almost a master's could find work. Not in Seattle...

I actually think it is one of the problems.. it is like everyone has a bachelor degree these days, so many people have it and it isn't really anything special any longer... to stand out, these days you really need a masters I think.

I said that to Bryan and he told me: "maybe you can lie and say you're a citizen if they ask, they won't find out". Which I am definitely NOT going to do! But I'm curious, would that be a federal offense to say I'm a US citizen just to get a free membership?

Unfortunately yes.. if we tell them we are a citizen while in fact we are not, and the feds/uscis finds out about this, then you will be put on a plane back to France again.. I also think they will not find out though but yah, better safe than sorry I think and do not try to find out yourself if they find out

[JeroenAndMichelle 28]

So I went to apply for my SSN today and was told that as a K-1 holder I can't have my SSN in my married name! Boo!

That is basically what I was afraid of.. a while back I already stated that it might be one of the reasons why they give some of us a hard time, because of the changed name and the changed name isn't the same as the one in the computers... It doesn't make any sense but I do think it is one of the reasons...It is also why I seriously think people should apply for their SSN before they marry.. changing your name afterward is free anyways.

I don't understand what they told you that, you got married; so what is their problem?

When I got married, I went to the SS with my passeport and wedding certificate, I got it with my married name without any questions.

I am wondering if you had someone who just didn't know much about that visa? I remenber a lot of people saying how depending who you have, they can tell one thing, or the total opposite.

Unfortunately a lot of people who got married and then asked for a SSN got into probs getting the actual SSN.. And yeah, it depends who you have but I do think they should advice people to get the SSN before marriage, just in case..

[JeroenAndMichelle 28]

Our wedding plans had been adjusted several times: the date, location, etc... when I got here, I even almost called it completely off but we were able to work our problems out, set a final wedding date, and had a beautiful wedding with only 3 weeks preparation.

I'm glad you guys could work it out... would be sad if you guys didn't (and a big loss of time with all that stressful waiting :S ).

the most important thing is not the wedding, that is only one day, but the relationship and the love you and your partner share and will share for (hopefully) a lifetime.

So true!!

[JeroenAndMichelle 28]

wah.. i just noticed... the Jan '09 filers at CSC made their own post..its about time, the month is almost oevr, i started to believe there were none lol

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=172678

[shes 0]

You got it right shes. You need to have your EAD card in order to have your driving licence.

I filed in october, and received my EAD in late december.All you need is your EAD card and SSN.

yeah thats wat i thought..whew! ey! seem like most of the january K1 filers are all here eh? yehey!!!!

[dbears 1]

So I went to apply for my SSN today and was told that as a K-1 holder I can't have my SSN in my married name! Boo!

That is basically what I was afraid of.. a while back I already stated that it might be one of the reasons why they give some of us a hard time, because of the changed name and the changed name isn't the same as the one in the computers... It doesn't make any sense but I do think it is one of the reasons...It is also why I seriously think people should apply for their SSN before they marry.. changing your name afterward is free anyways.

i never got my SSN, first the smithfield (the far away county) office told me i can't get SSN since i already married my petitioner and thus became a K3 ... then we went to the big city and they accepted my application but when they requested verification of my status from immigration my admission status did not match, apparently the immigration officer at my POE forgot to type "K1" on the admission status box and now i can't get the SSN since I-94 has long since expired and I now have to wait till i get EAD. ... but i am hoping it will be soon.

Our wedding plans had been adjusted several times: the date, location, etc... when I got here, I even almost called it completely off but we were able to work our problems out, set a final wedding date, and had a beautiful wedding with only 3 weeks preparation.

I'm glad you guys could work it out... would be sad if you guys didn't (and a big loss of time with all that stressful waiting :S ).

Christian counseling and loads of prayers did help us get through it and it did make our bond stronger.

I was glad we did not have enough money for return tickets that time or else I would have packed my stuffs, dragged my kids and was probably back in the Philippines by now... because we did not have enough money for plane fare, I was forced to give Ricky another chance and I am sure glad I did give him another chance, he has been the most wonderful husband so far.

[JeroenAndMichelle 28]

Christian counseling and loads of prayers did help us get through it and it did make our bond stronger.

I was glad we did not have enough money for return tickets that time or else I would have packed my stuffs, dragged my kids and was probably back in the Philippines by now... because we did not have enough money for plane fare, I was forced to give Ricky another chance and I am sure glad I did give him another chance, he has been the most wonderful husband so far.

wow that sounds pretty serious.. i can imagine you're glad you gave him another chance and that things are being good right now

on a different note... anyone knows how things are with taxes over 2008??

I mean, I always thought we had to file 2008 in either the US or our home country (that is if there is an agreement, I know there is one for most European countries). But now I also read different things and that we apparently do not need to file tax yet since we haven't been here long enough or something? I don't know but it confuses me a bit so now I am kind of wondering what you guys think we need to do.

[CourtAndGrey 0]

on a different note... anyone knows how things are with taxes over 2008??

I mean, I always thought we had to file 2008 in either the US or our home country (that is if there is an agreement, I know there is one for most European countries). But now I also read different things and that we apparently do not need to file tax yet since we haven't been here long enough or something? I don't know but it confuses me a bit so now I am kind of wondering what you guys think we need to do.

On that same note... the USC's claim differently now that we're married. I'm not sure how all this impacts taxes this year. Anyone with knowledge in this area?