February filers at CSC

[Scarlett 0]

Delighted your beach wedding was so lovely B)

What is this 12 Jan deadline ? Do we have to file AOS within a certain time after the wedding?

For what it's worth I got a SS card in my maiden name already, just because it seems you can't do anything in America without it. I will of course have to change it next week (!) but it was very easy to get and I imagine just as easy to change.

Welcome back to reality

[aravis227 1]

Delighted your beach wedding was so lovely B)

What is this 12 Jan deadline ? Do we have to file AOS within a certain time after the wedding?

For what it's worth I got a SS card in my maiden name already, just because it seems you can't do anything in America without it. I will of course have to change it next week (!) but it was very easy to get and I imagine just as easy to change.

Welcome back to reality

Is that the day that your I-94 says it expires? That is 90 days from your entry into the US...that's how long you have to get married. I think that technically, there isn't really a time limit on when you must file...but the longer you wait, the longer it takes to be able to re-enter, work, etc.

[cwaf 1]

Delighted your beach wedding was so lovely B)

What is this 12 Jan deadline ? Do we have to file AOS within a certain time after the wedding?

For what it's worth I got a SS card in my maiden name already, just because it seems you can't do anything in America without it. I will of course have to change it next week (!) but it was very easy to get and I imagine just as easy to change.

Welcome back to reality

Is that the day that your I-94 says it expires? That is 90 days from your entry into the US...that's how long you have to get married. I think that technically, there isn't really a time limit on when you must file...but the longer you wait, the longer it takes to be able to re-enter, work, etc.

We finally made it home last night. I skipped out on Black Friday since I had no idea who to shop for or what to get! I thought sleep might be a bit more important! hahaha

Yes, that is the day her I-94 expires. I think the AOS has to be filed before that because the K-1 visa expires on that day, so unless the status is adjusted (or filed for), technically she will be in violation. I hope we can get everything sent off in time, so there will be no worries.

I am including a photo of us after the wedding--taken from my camera and not by the pro.

[aravis227 1]

cwaf-you guys look very happy!

Technically you'll be out of compliance until they grant the AOS...I wouldn't want to wait, but I don't think you would have any problems if you did. I've read posts from several people over on the AOS board who waited a long time after the wedding (mostly for financial reasons...$1000 right after a huge move is a lot). We sent our packet off today...hopefully we'll hear something soon!!

[cwaf 1]

cwaf-you guys look very happy!

Technically you'll be out of compliance until they grant the AOS...I wouldn't want to wait, but I don't think you would have any problems if you did. I've read posts from several people over on the AOS board who waited a long time after the wedding (mostly for financial reasons...$1000 right after a huge move is a lot). We sent our packet off today...hopefully we'll hear something soon!!

we are happy! Your picture was terrific!

I know we will technically be in volation, but since they do not move quickly on AOS (or any other kind of request) they know they cannot prosecute since it definitely takes longer than the 90 days allowed for the K-1 visa. I think as long as you have filed for it (and it would make it easier if you have the NOA1 for it), everything is fine. And tell me about the 1000.00 being so much! I have to pay it twice since her daughter is here, too!

I look forward to hearing your progress so we, the group, can learn from YOU!

[aravis227 1]

cwaf-you guys look very happy!

Technically you'll be out of compliance until they grant the AOS...I wouldn't want to wait, but I don't think you would have any problems if you did. I've read posts from several people over on the AOS board who waited a long time after the wedding (mostly for financial reasons...$1000 right after a huge move is a lot). We sent our packet off today...hopefully we'll hear something soon!!

we are happy! Your picture was terrific!

I know we will technically be in volation, but since they do not move quickly on AOS (or any other kind of request) they know they cannot prosecute since it definitely takes longer than the 90 days allowed for the K-1 visa. I think as long as you have filed for it (and it would make it easier if you have the NOA1 for it), everything is fine. And tell me about the 1000.00 being so much! I have to pay it twice since her daughter is here, too!

I look forward to hearing your progress so we, the group, can learn from YOU!

Ouch on the paying double! I always forget that so many people are going through the process with kids. Our packet was received at the Chicago lockbox on Sundays (USPS verified it...how odd is that?), so now we're waiting for our NOAs and biometrics letter. From what I can tell over on the AOS forum most people receive them in 1-2 weeks. I'm already checking the mail for them, because you never know...they could be early!

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Ouch on the paying double! I always forget that so many people are going through the process with kids. Our packet was received at the Chicago lockbox on Sundays (USPS verified it...how odd is that?), so now we're waiting for our NOAs and biometrics letter. From what I can tell over on the AOS forum most people receive them in 1-2 weeks. I'm already checking the mail for them, because you never know...they could be early!

What did you end up sending I-693-wise? How did you get around the TST issue?

[Scarlett 0]

Hello friends. Nice to see your wedding pics. Me and my boy got married on Saturday and it was all just totally perfect - I loved every minute of it. We go on honeymoon on saturday, so will probably be filing the next batch of papers around christmas.

[aravis227 1]

Ouch on the paying double! I always forget that so many people are going through the process with kids. Our packet was received at the Chicago lockbox on Sundays (USPS verified it...how odd is that?), so now we're waiting for our NOAs and biometrics letter. From what I can tell over on the AOS forum most people receive them in 1-2 weeks. I'm already checking the mail for them, because you never know...they could be early!

What did you end up sending I-693-wise? How did you get around the TST issue?

I included the sealed I-693 envelope and a copy of the TST results. Hopefully we won't have any problems because he's already had the X-rays, which are more conclusive anyway. *crosses fingers* right now we're more worried about the EAD anyway, which I think they'll approve separately because it didn't require the medical stuff. We are looking at buying a house and being home all day is driving Dennis nuts!

[cwaf 1]

hello friends! We spent our 2 hours in SSN Office Purgatory today, and was partially succesful. Sveta was able to get her SSN number, but her daughter was denied because of not having some card for employment. The immigration officer at New York stamped both of their I-94s with the employment "OK", and Sveta was allowed to get the SSN based on that because she was on a K-1 visa. however, since her daughter was K-2, the same rules did not apply. Soooooo, now I have to get a Tx ID number for her to be able to claim her on my taxes for this year. We have to wait until her status has been adjusted, or the EAD is approved, to get her SSN card. SIGH

on the medical stuffs...I read the instructions from the USCIS form for the I-693 and here is what it said:

Section III. Frequently Asked Questions

2. What if I am a K nonimmigrant visa holder and

already had a medical exam overseas?

If you were admitted as a:

A. K-1 fiancé(e) or a K-2 child of a K-1 fiancé(e), or as a

B. K-3 spouse of a U.S. citizen or a K-4 child of a K-3

spouse of a U.S. citizen, and

C. You received a medical examination prior to

admission, then-

a. You are not required to have another medical

examination as long as your Form I-485,

Application to Register Permanent Residence or

Adjust Status, is filed within one year of your

overseas medical examination

b. You will, however, be required to complete Part

1, Information about you, and submit the

vaccination section of Part 2 with your

adjustment of status application. A designated

civil surgeon must complete the vaccination

section and Part 5, the Civil Surgeon's

Certification.

I know this is probably not new information for those who have been looking into it, but I do not know if an I-693 was filled out and submitted by the examining doctor in Ukraine. I assume one was, but it was in a sealed package that we no longer have since Immigration kept it. We do have the X-ray, though. So, I plan on just completing the top part (section 1) of the I-693, but the REAL question is do I really go to one of the civil surgeons listed for my city, or just to my family doctor? I guess I can go through the list provided and see if any are in my insurance network.

Part 2. Medical examination (The civil surgeon completes this part)

1.

Examination

Date of First Examination

Date(s) of Follow-up Examination(s) if Required:

Date of Exam

Date of Exam

Date of Exam

Summary of Overall Findings:

the fun has begun AGAIN!

Edited December 3, 2008 by cwaf

[aravis227 1]

hello friends! We spent our 2 hours in SSN Office Purgatory today, and was partially succesful. Sveta was able to get her SSN number, but her daughter was denied because of not having some card for employment. The immigration officer at New York stamped both of their I-94s with the employment "OK", and Sveta was allowed to get the SSN based on that because she was on a K-1 visa. however, since her daughter was K-2, the same rules did not apply. Soooooo, now I have to get a Tx ID number for her to be able to claim her on my taxes for this year. We have to wait until her status has been adjusted, or the EAD is approved, to get her SSN card. SIGH

on the medical stuffs...I read the instructions from the USCIS form for the I-693 and here is what it said:

Section III. Frequently Asked Questions

2. What if I am a K nonimmigrant visa holder and

already had a medical exam overseas?

If you were admitted as a:

A. K-1 fiancé(e) or a K-2 child of a K-1 fiancé(e), or as a

B. K-3 spouse of a U.S. citizen or a K-4 child of a K-3

spouse of a U.S. citizen, and

C. You received a medical examination prior to

admission, then-

a. You are not required to have another medical

examination as long as your Form I-485,

Application to Register Permanent Residence or

Adjust Status, is filed within one year of your

overseas medical examination

b. You will, however, be required to complete Part

1, Information about you, and submit the

vaccination section of Part 2 with your

adjustment of status application. A designated

civil surgeon must complete the vaccination

section and Part 5, the Civil Surgeon's

Certification.

I know this is probably not new information for those who have been looking into it, but I do not know if an I-693 was filled out and submitted by the examining doctor in Ukraine. I assume one was, but it was in a sealed package that we no longer have since Immigration kept it. We do have the X-ray, though. So, I plan on just completing the top part (section 1) of the I-693, but the REAL question is do I really go to one of the civil surgeons listed for my city, or just to my family doctor? I guess I can go through the list provided and see if any are in my insurance network.

Unfortunately, what that all means is that you need a NEW I-693 to submit now. Some people have filed their AOS/EAD/AP without it and have been fine...some have gotten RFEs for the I-693, it seems pretty arbitrary. You can contact Dr. Arnold in Texas (the contact info is the in the pinned I-693 thread on the AOS forum) who will do the vaccination section long distance.

The other problem is that USCIS started requiring a TB skin test for all AOS petitioners as of 7/1. There was a one month grace period where they wouldn't RFE people who didn't have it, then they were absolutely required on 8/1/08. This posts a quandary for K-1 applications...we already had (or our new spouses had) X-rays done, which are more conclusive than the skin test. The skin test is cheaper and easier to do and tells you if there's been any exposure. If it comes back positive you have to get an X-ray. Since they try not to do too many X-rays, this is sensible in the long run...but it means those of us in the cross over time are kind of screwed since they haven't pushed this new requirement out to all of the embassies/foreign CSs.

[cwaf 1]

hello friends! We spent our 2 hours in SSN Office Purgatory today, and was partially succesful. Sveta was able to get her SSN number, but her daughter was denied because of not having some card for employment. The immigration officer at New York stamped both of their I-94s with the employment "OK", and Sveta was allowed to get the SSN based on that because she was on a K-1 visa. however, since her daughter was K-2, the same rules did not apply. Soooooo, now I have to get a Tx ID number for her to be able to claim her on my taxes for this year. We have to wait until her status has been adjusted, or the EAD is approved, to get her SSN card. SIGH

on the medical stuffs...I read the instructions from the USCIS form for the I-693 and here is what it said:

Section III. Frequently Asked Questions

2. What if I am a K nonimmigrant visa holder and

already had a medical exam overseas?

If you were admitted as a:

A. K-1 fiancé(e) or a K-2 child of a K-1 fiancé(e), or as a

B. K-3 spouse of a U.S. citizen or a K-4 child of a K-3

spouse of a U.S. citizen, and

C. You received a medical examination prior to

admission, then-

a. You are not required to have another medical

examination as long as your Form I-485,

Application to Register Permanent Residence or

Adjust Status, is filed within one year of your

overseas medical examination

b. You will, however, be required to complete Part

1, Information about you, and submit the

vaccination section of Part 2 with your

adjustment of status application. A designated

civil surgeon must complete the vaccination

section and Part 5, the Civil Surgeon's

Certification.

I know this is probably not new information for those who have been looking into it, but I do not know if an I-693 was filled out and submitted by the examining doctor in Ukraine. I assume one was, but it was in a sealed package that we no longer have since Immigration kept it. We do have the X-ray, though. So, I plan on just completing the top part (section 1) of the I-693, but the REAL question is do I really go to one of the civil surgeons listed for my city, or just to my family doctor? I guess I can go through the list provided and see if any are in my insurance network.

Unfortunately, what that all means is that you need a NEW I-693 to submit now. Some people have filed their AOS/EAD/AP without it and have been fine...some have gotten RFEs for the I-693, it seems pretty arbitrary. You can contact Dr. Arnold in Texas (the contact info is the in the pinned I-693 thread on the AOS forum) who will do the vaccination section long distance.

The other problem is that USCIS started requiring a TB skin test for all AOS petitioners as of 7/1. There was a one month grace period where they wouldn't RFE people who didn't have it, then they were absolutely required on 8/1/08. This posts a quandary for K-1 applications...we already had (or our new spouses had) X-rays done, which are more conclusive than the skin test. The skin test is cheaper and easier to do and tells you if there's been any exposure. If it comes back positive you have to get an X-ray. Since they try not to do too many X-rays, this is sensible in the long run...but it means those of us in the cross over time are kind of screwed since they haven't pushed this new requirement out to all of the embassies/foreign CSs.

well, I have been working at preparing the AOS documents. The medical one is going to be the sticking point since Sveta has a LOT of immunizations she is going to have to have since her records are terrible. She had many of them before, but Ukraine's medical records are terrible. Her daughter's are better because they have become better at records for the last 15 years, but prior to that, it is almost nonexistent. I know I am going to spend probably upwards of 300 to 400 to get both of them current with shots, and that does not even include the costs for the civil surgeon stuff. There is only one in my area in my insurance network, and he has not returned my call yet. I will submit my AOS on time, even if the 693 is not ready to go. I would rather have it on record as being submitted and get an RFE later, than be late sending it in. The holiday times are killing me, too. Plus, all the doctors I have called in my insurance network so far (including my OWN family doctor) are not accepting new patients until sometime next year. I am having a heck of a time finding a place I can get the shots done. I do not think Dr Arnold can help me yet since our immunization records are so incomplete.

[aravis227 1]

Don't stress too much about the date. You do NOT have to file the AOS by the K-1 expiration date. You can wait a year if you want to...it just means that Sveta can not re-enter the country or get a job for a bit.

Also, you can get the vaccinations done at ANY doctor (as long as they will do them...your family doctor will probably be willing if you explain the situation). So you could have them done at your family doctor with a standard co-pay, then mail the vaccination documentation to Dr. Arnold and he will transcribe it for you.

[ray77755 0]

It has been awhile since I have read here. Happy to see this thread is still active and that most are together and married already.

I have had some problems but now should be able to obtain the visa middle of January.

[aravis227 1]

It has been awhile since I have read here. Happy to see this thread is still active and that most are together and married already.

I have had some problems but now should be able to obtain the visa middle of January.

Eek! What happened?