A few things we learnt

[Cécy 44]

There used to be a thread with some of the information gathered by that those who filed while being in the US under and other visa than a spouse visa.

I'll post them again here in case they can be of use to anyone.

Filing information

*The VJ guide to read http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...page=i130guide2

*On the I-485, Part 2, Application type: check the "a" box (an immigrant petition giving me an immediately available immigrant visa...)

*You need a G-325a for the USC and for the spouse

For the I-130 you need G325A for the US Citizen and the foreign spouse, and for the I-485 you need another G325A for the foreign spouse.

*You should provide proof of your bonafide relationship on top of the ongoing relationship to the application (as stated in the guides)

Medical

*A full medical exam by a civil surgeon is required.

*If in your country you have a vaccinations record, bring it , it will save you money, time and you will get poked less in your arms.

*If you feel like you don't have enough proof for your bona fide relationship, you can have an affidavit written by a 3rd person. Here is a thread with some examples: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/lofivers...php/t83684.html

Other useful information:

*For the female spouse: file with the name you plan to use after your marriage. If you change your mind later on you will have to send an other paper with a $300 fee, so it's something to think about.

*Some visa like some J-1 require you to go back home for two years, so make sure if it is your case of not and require a waiver if necessary.

[Heliosphan 1]

There used to be a thread with some of the information gathered by that those who filed while being in the US under and other visa than a spouse visa.

I'll post them again here in case they can be of use to anyone.

Filing information

*The VJ guide to read http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...page=i130guide2

*On the I-485, Part 2, Application type: check the "a" box (an immigrant petition giving me an immediately available immigrant visa...)

*You need a G-325a for the USC and for the spouse

For the I-130 you need G325A for the US Citizen and the foreign spouse, and for the I-485 you need another G325A for the foreign spouse.

*You should provide proof of your bonafide relationship on top of the ongoing relationship to the application (as stated in the guides)

Medical

*A full medical exam by a civil surgeon is required.

*If in your country you have a vaccinations record, bring it , it will save you money, time and you will get poked less in your arms.

*If you feel like you don't have enough proof for your bona fide relationship, you can have an affidavit written by a 3rd person. Here is a thread with some examples: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/lofivers...php/t83684.html

Other useful information:

*For the female spouse: file with the name you plan to use after your marriage. If you change your mind later on you will have to send an other paper with a $300 fee, so it's something to think about.

*Some visa like some J-1 require you to go back home for two years, so make sure if it is your case of not and require a waiver if necessary.

EXTREMELY HELPFUL!

Especially for the I-130, sending in the bona fides of your relationship on top of the I-130. The K1s don't have to but we do.

I sent in 1 G-325A form because I didn't realize an extra one was needed for the I-485. Hopefully there's a photocopying machine in the office that they can use instead of sending out an RFE

[Heliosphan 1]

Now that I think about it I doubt you need to repeat the G-325A (with the Paperwork Reduction Act).

Since the instructions for the G-325A are separate for both forms, each would ask for the file. But in one packet, I think you'll be fine with one G-325A per person.

[christera22 8]

Excellent post Cecy!! Thanks from my heart !! this will help me a lot regarding getting the recommendation letters !!

[Cécy 44]

Excellent post Cecy!! Thanks from my heart !! this will help me a lot regarding getting the recommendation letters !!

You're welcome, I made my own mistakes in the beginning and those who had been there longer helped me out, time to pass it on

If anyone has other tips to add, don't hesitate. There is a lot of little details involved.

Such as:

*If you came to the US under a visa that allowed you to obtain a SS card, then you don't need to reaply for one. The number you have on your SS card is good for life.

Just change to the married name if needed, then change the status once you have EAD, GreenCard, Citizenship.

In my state I had to wait until I received my EAD to change my name, but every place is different.

Edited June 20, 2008 by Cécy

[christera22 8]

Excellent post Cecy!! Thanks from my heart !! this will help me a lot regarding getting the recommendation letters !!

You're welcome, I made my own mistakes in the beginning and those who had been there longer helped me out, time to pass it on

If anyone has other tips to add, don't hesitate. There is a lot of little details involved.

Such as:

*If you came to the US under a visa that allowed you to obtain a SS card, then you don't need to reaply for one. The number you have on your SS card is good for life.

Just change to the married name if needed, then change the status once you have EAD, GreenCard, Citizenship.

In my state I had to wait until I received my EAD to change my name, but every place is different.

What do you mean by state to state it varies ! If someone is adjusting from B1/B2 then I think the normal rule is to :

apply for AOS, then get ur biometrics done and wait for the interview or no interview.Does this rule vary from state to state ??

Just curious to know how and when to apply for SSN ??

Also what do you need to submit for getting a Drivers License ?? Thanks !

[christera22 8]

Cecy sorry to bother u ......due to some reasons the link u gave http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...page=i130guide2 is showing error

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

Cecy sorry to bother u ......due to some reasons the link u gave http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...page=i130guide2 is showing error

The correct link is...

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...page=i130guide2

[Cécy 44]

Excellent post Cecy!! Thanks from my heart !! this will help me a lot regarding getting the recommendation letters !!

You're welcome, I made my own mistakes in the beginning and those who had been there longer helped me out, time to pass it on

If anyone has other tips to add, don't hesitate. There is a lot of little details involved.

Such as:

*If you came to the US under a visa that allowed you to obtain a SS card, then you don't need to reaply for one. The number you have on your SS card is good for life.

Just change to the married name if needed, then change the status once you have EAD, GreenCard, Citizenship.

In my state I had to wait until I received my EAD to change my name, but every place is different.

What do you mean by state to state it varies ! If someone is adjusting from B1/B2 then I think the normal rule is to :

apply for AOS, then get ur biometrics done and wait for the interview or no interview.Does this rule vary from state to state ??

Just curious to know how and when to apply for SSN ??

Also what do you need to submit for getting a Drivers License ?? Thanks !

I was talking about SS not AOS. Some people came to the US before, in my case I was here in the past with a J-1 and therefore had already obtained a SS card.

I've head in some state when you go to the Social Security with your social security card (obtained before AOS) you can get your name changed just like that (pretty rare though), in other offices they require you to have your EAD, and in other they want your green card. This is just to change the married name. I can not tell you when it comes to applying for a one under your AOS.

I never said that the AOS/biometrics/interview changed from state to state.

If you never has a SS card and that you came under a B1/B2 visa then you should wait until you have your EAD to apply for one.

[bluegreen 0]

Excellent post Cecy!! Thanks from my heart !! this will help me a lot regarding getting the recommendation letters !!

You're welcome, I made my own mistakes in the beginning and those who had been there longer helped me out, time to pass it on

If anyone has other tips to add, don't hesitate. There is a lot of little details involved.

Such as:

*If you came to the US under a visa that allowed you to obtain a SS card, then you don't need to reaply for one. The number you have on your SS card is good for life.

Just change to the married name if needed, then change the status once you have EAD, GreenCard, Citizenship.

In my state I had to wait until I received my EAD to change my name, but every place is different.

What do you mean by state to state it varies ! If someone is adjusting from B1/B2 then I think the normal rule is to :

apply for AOS, then get ur biometrics done and wait for the interview or no interview.Does this rule vary from state to state ??

Just curious to know how and when to apply for SSN ??

Also what do you need to submit for getting a Drivers License ?? Thanks !

I was talking about SS not AOS. Some people came to the US before, in my case I was here in the past with a J-1 and therefore had already obtained a SS card.

I've head in some state when you go to the Social Security with your social security card (obtained before AOS) you can get your name changed just like that (pretty rare though), in other offices they require you to have your EAD, and in other they want your green card. This is just to change the married name. I can not tell you when it comes to applying for a one under your AOS.

I never said that the AOS/biometrics/interview changed from state to state.

If you never has a SS card and that you came under a B1/B2 visa then you should wait until you have your EAD to apply for one.

Yes, I am here on a B2 (kind of - I'm Canadian so it is implied B2). I waited till I had my EAD to get my SSN. The DMV here in CO will not let me apply for my Driver's License till I have my Greencard. I am not sure if this is actually correct, but I don't have the heart to argue about it. They say they need evidence of a spousal visa or a Greencard.

[Cécy 44]

Yes, I am here on a B2 (kind of - I'm Canadian so it is implied B2). I waited till I had my EAD to get my SSN. The DMV here in CO will not let me apply for my Driver's License till I have my Greencard. I am not sure if this is actually correct, but I don't have the heart to argue about it. They say they need evidence of a spousal visa or a Greencard.

I've heard that story before.

Sometimes you just need to go to a different DMV, sometimes there is nothing you can do. States have their own legislation and on top of it, it depends on the person you talk to.

Usually a driving license can only be valid for the lengh of your visa, so if it's expired they won't give one to you.

Try somewhere else in case.

[christera22 8]

Thanks Cecy .... I understand ........... thanks for the replies. May God Bless You !! I will IM you soon !! Take Care !!

[Sofia08 0]

Hi! I'm doing AOS from J 1. My husband is a U.S. citizen by naturalization. The question is do we need submit the copy of his birth certificate or just the copy of the certificate of naturalization is enough? And what about the copy of his passport, I'm confused the copy of which one we actually need: the american or the one from the country where he was born in? Thanks in advance.

[Cécy 44]

Hi! I'm doing AOS from J 1. My husband is a U.S. citizen by naturalization. The question is do we need submit the copy of his birth certificate or just the copy of the certificate of naturalization is enough? And what about the copy of his passport, I'm confused the copy of which one we actually need: the american or the one from the country where he was born in? Thanks in advance.

If he was not born in the US I would provide both birth certificate and the certificate of naturalization as it is his US Citizenship that makes you eligible for AOS.

[Sofia08 0]

Thanks for your answer. The problem is his birth certificate isn't available. Reading the instructions to the forms I haven't seen that they require a birth certificate from a USC spouse by naturalization unlike a USC spouse by birth. It's just everybody includes one so I'm confused. And what copy of his passport do we need?