What Happens After AOS???

[meauxna 15]

In the mad visa chase, we often overlook the end goal, Permanent Resident status. This is what allows a non-USC to live, work and travel freely in/out of the US indefinitely. Many times, people don't know what their rights and responsibilities are as PRs, or what documents they'll hold to show that status (hint: one of them is called a Green Card).

I highly recommend the following links for the foreign AND US partners.

Now That You Are A Permanent Resident

Rules about what you can and can't do as a PR.

How Do I Remove the Conditions on Permanent Residence Based on Marriage?

If you've been married for less than 2 years when you become a PR.

Welcome to the United States- A Guide for New Immigrants

OK, seems a bit hokey, especially since you've got a USC partner to show you the ropes, but take a look! There are things in there that I never even considered!

Edited March 23, 2007 by meauxna

[AlmostMex 0]

Thanks for this Meauxna - it was a good, interesting read. I will have to share this with my husband. You always have such great info to share with us

[Collie 122]

Thanks for that

Kat

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Thanks Meauxna

I found it very interesting to read that Permanent Residents can vote in certain local elections as long as the elections are not restricted to US citizens. Now, I will have to find out where and when I am eligible to vote:-). Pretty cool.

[dmartmar 1]

In the mad visa chase, we often overlook the end goal, Permanent Resident status. This is what allows a non-USC to live, work and travel freely in/out of the US indefinitely.

So is this the end so many immigrants don't truly marry USCs for?

Or do they truly marry USCs out of "love?"

[MichelleandCraig 1]

omg. You know what dmartmar? Contrary to what you probably think right now, I'm not following you around on the boards to comment on your remarks....I'm simply clicking the active links and reading what I find interesting...but there you just happen to be with your sarcasm firmly in tow the vast majority of the time(from what I've read thus far anyway) What is UP with that?? Are you SO unhappy that it actually gives you a bit of boost to nitpick people to death?(now I know that one remark you just made above doesn't warrant all THAT that I just said...but this is a culmination of reading several of your posts.)

Quite obviously to most others(I would think) you took Meauxna's words out of context. I truly don't believe you are that dense. Just in case, I'll spell it out anyway. Meauxna, do please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think she meant:AFTER you marry,(out of love implied HERE) which can be either before or after immigration has actually taken place, the primary goal IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE IMMIGRATION PROCESS will be to obtain permanent residency.(and then lift conditions,etc etc) Now, was all that really necessary? No....not for most of us, but I believe it's layed out rather clearly now; not that it wasn't before. M.

[Jenn! 918]

I did not know my husband would have to register for the selective service.

[anya-D 8]

Thank you meauxna it's very useful!!! i'll have to bookmark it

[meauxna 15]

I'm glad this is useful for you!

Hopefully you will find things that you need to investigate further.. like the mandatory Selective Service registration (very important!). If you filed a form I-485, take a look at the back page information to decide if you still need to do a separate registration. SSS is very important if you plan on naturalizing in the future.

Same for the voting: proceed with caution! There are very FEW communities that have local voting registration, and the Elections Offices are not always as stringent as they should be in weeding out people who are not eligible to vote. Voting in a Federal election can also be a big problem if you intend to naturalize. I've got a friend in this boat now; she's been voting for years without realizing that she was not eligible. Her naturalization was denied and she's currently fighting the battle related to that.

dmartmar used my words to serve his point (sort of), but I'll stand by my post and purpose. I see many, many among us who are fixated on the visa as a means to be reunited, without understanding what their immigration goal is and what it means. The US has a lot more rules than other countries I've lived in, and learning the system is useful for anyone to be successful here.

Read that as you like; hopefully most of you get my meaning as I intend it.

[MichelleandCraig 1]

Right, good point Meauxna... I had missed that point in the beginning myself; I was a bit irritated at the time. True enough though...people are always focused on the visa...as you said, a means to be together which feels like(and is! or we wouldn't be doing this) the all-important thing...but in order to STAY together...the process needs to be complete. I don't think Craig has ever even read all of that...only some...I'll have to point it out to him. M.

[meauxna 15]

I don't think Craig has ever even read all of that...only some...I'll have to point it out to him. M.

I encourage you to do so, Michelle. It occured to me after reading your note that it might be helpful for situations like yours, where the newcomer is struggling with the adjustment. Having stuff like banking etc explained by someone other than one's significant other might help with that 'helpless' feeling that can come from moving to a new country (from my experience).

[meauxna 15]

<koff>

bump

[meauxna 15]

<koff>

It's time again!

[Peter Miami 0]

Hi Meauxna,

Thank you very much very important information.

Regards,

Peter Miami

[meauxna 15]

Goodness, where *does* the time go?!