Filling AOS after more than a year

[Bianca'n'Doug 0]

Hello all,

Im so glad I found this site. I feel like I am not alone!!

Im going to be sending my package probably next week.

What I need is some advice from someone that could bring me some light.

I've got to USA in april 2007 in a B-2 Visa (visitor) with my son and was granted a 6 months stay.

I first met my husband in June , and we got married in September.

At that time we've talked to a lawyer about getting my AOS started, but we couldn't really afford

all the fees and taxes for both me and my son (it adds up to almost $3000 just for the fees).

Well, turns out more than a year has passed and we still don't have the money.

Talking to friends and researshing on the internet we found out we have the possibility of filling for a

FEE WAIVER REQUEST so we are now in the process of gathering all the documents and information required

for the package.

It has been quite overwhelming for us because the guidelines say in order to have your Waiver request approved

you are required to prove your inability to pay, and one of the ways to to do so would be

demonstrating that your household income, on which taxes were paid for the most recent tax year, is at or below the poverty level.

We are above that line but still can not afford the fees and expenses related.

Since they say each case is unique and will be considered upon it’s own merits, we have decided to give it a try.

What we can not do is to keep going like this.

I know my chances are little but I do want to try.

I would appreciate if anyone here have any information or advice that could be helpful in our case.

Any information will be more than welcome as we are really lost here.

Thank you so much, and good luck to all of you!

Edited January 28, 2009 by bbella

[Kez/JWolf 6]

Hello all,

Im so glad I found this site. I feel like I am not alone!!

Im going to be sending my package probably next week.

What I need is some advice from someone that could bring me some light.

I've got to USA in april 2007 in a B-2 Visa (visitor) with my son and was granted a 6 months stay.

I first met my husband in June , and we got married in September.

At that time we've talked to a lawyer about getting my AOS started, but we couldn't really afford

all the fees and taxes for both me and my son (it adds up to almost $3000 just for the fees).

Well, turns out more than a year has passed and we still don't have the money.

Talking to friends and researshing on the internet we found out we have the possibility of filling for a

FEE WAIVER REQUEST so we are now in the process of gathering all the documents and information required

for the package.

It has been quite overwhelming for us because the guidelines say in order to have your Waiver request approved

you are required to prove your inability to pay, and one of the ways to to do so would be

demonstrating that your household income, on which taxes were paid for the most recent tax year, is at or below the poverty level.

We are above that line but still can not afford the fees and expenses related.

Since they say each case is unique and will be considered upon it's own merits, we have decided to give it a try.

What we can not do is to keep going like this.

I know my chances are little but I do want to try.

I would appreciate if anyone here have any information or advice that could be helpful in our case.

Any information will be more than welcome as we are really lost here.

Thank you so much, and good luck to all of you!

I have seen a few people try to get a fee wavier because of lack of money to pay. Not one of them has been approved. The problem seems to be that you have to prove your income is at or below the poverty line, if that is the case the you will not meet the income requirements for the sponsor (125% of the poverty line) and if you find a co-sponsor they may be asked to repay any fees.

You really do need to get your immigration status sorted out. As you are now here illegally and could be deported. Is there no way you could get a loan from family or a bank, or the USC take an extra job. You cant work and you wont have insurance for yourself or your child. Is your child in School?

You could try contacting Catholic Charities in your area to see if they can help or they may know of someone who can help, you dont have to be Catholic to get any help.

[ronald dallas 0]

I would ask you , where you found out about the fee waiver request. I would like to know more about it. thanks in advance for the information.

Hello all,

Im so glad I found this site. I feel like I am not alone!!

Im going to be sending my package probably next week.

What I need is some advice from someone that could bring me some light.

I've got to USA in april 2007 in a B-2 Visa (visitor) with my son and was granted a 6 months stay.

I first met my husband in June , and we got married in September.

At that time we've talked to a lawyer about getting my AOS started, but we couldn't really afford

all the fees and taxes for both me and my son (it adds up to almost $3000 just for the fees).

Well, turns out more than a year has passed and we still don't have the money.

Talking to friends and researshing on the internet we found out we have the possibility of filling for a

FEE WAIVER REQUEST so we are now in the process of gathering all the documents and information required

for the package.

It has been quite overwhelming for us because the guidelines say in order to have your Waiver request approved

you are required to prove your inability to pay, and one of the ways to to do so would be

demonstrating that your household income, on which taxes were paid for the most recent tax year, is at or below the poverty level.

We are above that line but still can not afford the fees and expenses related.

Since they say each case is unique and will be considered upon it’s own merits, we have decided to give it a try.

What we can not do is to keep going like this.

I know my chances are little but I do want to try.

I would appreciate if anyone here have any information or advice that could be helpful in our case.

Any information will be more than welcome as we are really lost here.

Thank you so much, and good luck to all of you!

[pushbrk 12,879]

Hello all,

Im so glad I found this site. I feel like I am not alone!!

Im going to be sending my package probably next week.

What I need is some advice from someone that could bring me some light.

I've got to USA in april 2007 in a B-2 Visa (visitor) with my son and was granted a 6 months stay.

I first met my husband in June , and we got married in September.

At that time we've talked to a lawyer about getting my AOS started, but we couldn't really afford

all the fees and taxes for both me and my son (it adds up to almost $3000 just for the fees).

Well, turns out more than a year has passed and we still don't have the money.

Talking to friends and researshing on the internet we found out we have the possibility of filling for a

FEE WAIVER REQUEST so we are now in the process of gathering all the documents and information required

for the package.

It has been quite overwhelming for us because the guidelines say in order to have your Waiver request approved

you are required to prove your inability to pay, and one of the ways to to do so would be

demonstrating that your household income, on which taxes were paid for the most recent tax year, is at or below the poverty level.

We are above that line but still can not afford the fees and expenses related.

Since they say each case is unique and will be considered upon it's own merits, we have decided to give it a try.

What we can not do is to keep going like this.

I know my chances are little but I do want to try.

I would appreciate if anyone here have any information or advice that could be helpful in our case.

Any information will be more than welcome as we are really lost here.

Thank you so much, and good luck to all of you!

I have seen a few people try to get a fee wavier because of lack of money to pay. Not one of them has been approved. The problem seems to be that you have to prove your income is at or below the poverty line, if that is the case the you will not meet the income requirements for the sponsor (125% of the poverty line) and if you find a co-sponsor they may be asked to repay any fees.

You really do need to get your immigration status sorted out. As you are now here illegally and could be deported. Is there no way you could get a loan from family or a bank, or the USC take an extra job. You cant work and you wont have insurance for yourself or your child. Is your child in School?

You could try contacting Catholic Charities in your area to see if they can help or they may know of someone who can help, you dont have to be Catholic to get any help.

All good ideas. Your overstay will be forgiven if you file and complete AOS. Time to change some priorities and take the action needed to file AOS.

[Bianca'n'Doug 0]

Hello all,

Im so glad I found this site. I feel like I am not alone!!

Im going to be sending my package probably next week.

What I need is some advice from someone that could bring me some light.

I've got to USA in april 2007 in a B-2 Visa (visitor) with my son and was granted a 6 months stay.

I first met my husband in June , and we got married in September.

At that time we've talked to a lawyer about getting my AOS started, but we couldn't really afford

all the fees and taxes for both me and my son (it adds up to almost $3000 just for the fees).

Well, turns out more than a year has passed and we still don't have the money.

Talking to friends and researshing on the internet we found out we have the possibility of filling for a

FEE WAIVER REQUEST so we are now in the process of gathering all the documents and information required

for the package.

It has been quite overwhelming for us because the guidelines say in order to have your Waiver request approved

you are required to prove your inability to pay, and one of the ways to to do so would be

demonstrating that your household income, on which taxes were paid for the most recent tax year, is at or below the poverty level.

We are above that line but still can not afford the fees and expenses related.

Since they say each case is unique and will be considered upon it's own merits, we have decided to give it a try.

What we can not do is to keep going like this.

I know my chances are little but I do want to try.

I would appreciate if anyone here have any information or advice that could be helpful in our case.

Any information will be more than welcome as we are really lost here.

Thank you so much, and good luck to all of you!

I have seen a few people try to get a fee wavier because of lack of money to pay. Not one of them has been approved. The problem seems to be that you have to prove your income is at or below the poverty line, if that is the case the you will not meet the income requirements for the sponsor (125% of the poverty line) and if you find a co-sponsor they may be asked to repay any fees.

You really do need to get your immigration status sorted out. As you are now here illegally and could be deported. Is there no way you could get a loan from family or a bank, or the USC take an extra job. You cant work and you wont have insurance for yourself or your child. Is your child in School?

You could try contacting Catholic Charities in your area to see if they can help or they may know of someone who can help, you dont have to be Catholic to get any help.

We are trying to get a loan but it's been really hard since my husband filled for bankruptcy just before we got married.

We are also trying to get help from family but with no success.

My son is attending school and will be graduating this year. He is 18yo now.

Thanks for your response!

[Bianca'n'Doug 0]

I would ask you , where you found out about the fee waiver request. I would like to know more about it. thanks in advance for the information.

Hello all,

Im so glad I found this site. I feel like I am not alone!!

Im going to be sending my package probably next week.

What I need is some advice from someone that could bring me some light.

I've got to USA in april 2007 in a B-2 Visa (visitor) with my son and was granted a 6 months stay.

I first met my husband in June , and we got married in September.

At that time we've talked to a lawyer about getting my AOS started, but we couldn't really afford

all the fees and taxes for both me and my son (it adds up to almost $3000 just for the fees).

Well, turns out more than a year has passed and we still don't have the money.

Talking to friends and researshing on the internet we found out we have the possibility of filling for a

FEE WAIVER REQUEST so we are now in the process of gathering all the documents and information required

for the package.

It has been quite overwhelming for us because the guidelines say in order to have your Waiver request approved

you are required to prove your inability to pay, and one of the ways to to do so would be

demonstrating that your household income, on which taxes were paid for the most recent tax year, is at or below the poverty level.

We are above that line but still can not afford the fees and expenses related.

Since they say each case is unique and will be considered upon it’s own merits, we have decided to give it a try.

What we can not do is to keep going like this.

I know my chances are little but I do want to try.

I would appreciate if anyone here have any information or advice that could be helpful in our case.

Any information will be more than welcome as we are really lost here.

Thank you so much, and good luck to all of you!

I have downloaded and read all the possible information I've found on filling for AOS.

You may find the guidelines for the FEE WAIVER REQUEST at the USCIS on this link

And you can find the FEE WAIVER REQUEST FORM HERE

Hope it helps!

[Mountain Climber 186]

I would ask you , where you found out about the fee waiver request. I would like to know more about it. thanks in advance for the information.

Hello all,

Im so glad I found this site. I feel like I am not alone!!

Im going to be sending my package probably next week.

What I need is some advice from someone that could bring me some light.

I've got to USA in april 2007 in a B-2 Visa (visitor) with my son and was granted a 6 months stay.

I first met my husband in June , and we got married in September.

At that time we've talked to a lawyer about getting my AOS started, but we couldn't really afford

all the fees and taxes for both me and my son (it adds up to almost $3000 just for the fees).

Well, turns out more than a year has passed and we still don't have the money.

Talking to friends and researshing on the internet we found out we have the possibility of filling for a

FEE WAIVER REQUEST so we are now in the process of gathering all the documents and information required

for the package.

It has been quite overwhelming for us because the guidelines say in order to have your Waiver request approved

you are required to prove your inability to pay, and one of the ways to to do so would be

demonstrating that your household income, on which taxes were paid for the most recent tax year, is at or below the poverty level.

We are above that line but still can not afford the fees and expenses related.

Since they say each case is unique and will be considered upon it’s own merits, we have decided to give it a try.

What we can not do is to keep going like this.

I know my chances are little but I do want to try.

I would appreciate if anyone here have any information or advice that could be helpful in our case.

Any information will be more than welcome as we are really lost here.

Thank you so much, and good luck to all of you!

I have downloaded and read all the possible information I've found on filling for AOS.

You may find the guidelines for the FEE WAIVER REQUEST at the USCIS on this link

And you can find the FEE WAIVER REQUEST FORM HERE

Hope it helps!

I would think that most of us here find the fees to be an expense we would rather not pay or had a hard time saving for. I paid fees for my wife and two children (K1/K2 and AOS) and I am not rich but sometimes you have to make sacrifices for the important things in life. I think most people going through the immigration process give up things to get things. I really do not think it is a good idea to expect the government to pay your immigration fees, since it was your decision to stay here. Just my opinion.

[Dakine 26]

I can't see a IO looking at a fee waiver recepient favorably unless he/she could see a "light at the end of the tunnel" showing a promise of the petitioner making a decent living!

We are seeing more and more peeps in deep "da kine" trying to make things meet these days. To me number one priorty is getting beneficiaries "lined up" up to work and help out!

If nothing better pay the $340 for EAD and get to work and save for the AOS.

[Bianca'n'Doug 0]

I would ask you , where you found out about the fee waiver request. I would like to know more about it. thanks in advance for the information.

Hello all,

Im so glad I found this site. I feel like I am not alone!!

Im going to be sending my package probably next week.

What I need is some advice from someone that could bring me some light.

I've got to USA in april 2007 in a B-2 Visa (visitor) with my son and was granted a 6 months stay.

I first met my husband in June , and we got married in September.

At that time we've talked to a lawyer about getting my AOS started, but we couldn't really afford

all the fees and taxes for both me and my son (it adds up to almost $3000 just for the fees).

Well, turns out more than a year has passed and we still don't have the money.

Talking to friends and researshing on the internet we found out we have the possibility of filling for a

FEE WAIVER REQUEST so we are now in the process of gathering all the documents and information required

for the package.

It has been quite overwhelming for us because the guidelines say in order to have your Waiver request approved

you are required to prove your inability to pay, and one of the ways to to do so would be

demonstrating that your household income, on which taxes were paid for the most recent tax year, is at or below the poverty level.

We are above that line but still can not afford the fees and expenses related.

Since they say each case is unique and will be considered upon it’s own merits, we have decided to give it a try.

What we can not do is to keep going like this.

I know my chances are little but I do want to try.

I would appreciate if anyone here have any information or advice that could be helpful in our case.

Any information will be more than welcome as we are really lost here.

Thank you so much, and good luck to all of you!

I have downloaded and read all the possible information I've found on filling for AOS.

You may find the guidelines for the FEE WAIVER REQUEST at the USCIS on this link

And you can find the FEE WAIVER REQUEST FORM HERE

Hope it helps!

I would think that most of us here find the fees to be an expense we would rather not pay or had a hard time saving for. I paid fees for my wife and two children (K1/K2 and AOS) and I am not rich but sometimes you have to make sacrifices for the important things in life. I think most people going through the immigration process give up things to get things. I really do not think it is a good idea to expect the government to pay your immigration fees, since it was your decision to stay here. Just my opinion.

The FEE WAIVER REQUEST GUIDELINES exist for a reason and the reason is exactly to determine either if one is eligible or not.

I would think the government - USCIS - is perfectly capable to determine if and individual is just having a hard time to save money to pay for the fees or if he legitimatly lack the means of doing so.

[teslas 0]

You mentioned your son is now 18? I'm afraid that you may have some new issues to deal with aside from your finances.

[Kez/JWolf 6]

You have said your son is about to Graduate and he is 18 years old, What is he going to do when he does not have a SSN and has nothing to prove he is here leaglly, (which he is not at this point). He will not be able to get a job, he will have dificulties getting into a college, he will have no US ID and so many places ask for ID.

You do need to get all these major issues sorted out now. Your future depends on it and your son and you run the risk of being deported and banned from the USA for 10 years.

[M. 0]

I would think that most of us here find the fees to be an expense we would rather not pay or had a hard time saving for. I paid fees for my wife and two children (K1/K2 and AOS) and I am not rich but sometimes you have to make sacrifices for the important things in life. I think most people going through the immigration process give up things to get things. I really do not think it is a good idea to expect the government to pay your immigration fees, since it was your decision to stay here. Just my opinion.

I'm in agreement here. My husband and I ate vegetables, beans, rice, and tofu for a month (cut our grocery bill to $49/wk) and kept the apt. at 60 degrees last month to save enough money to file to lift his Green Card conditions. We took up a collection from friends and family and sold every piece of make up, collectible souvenir, and other "luxury" items we owned on eBay. I'm in the middle of a clinical drug study/trial I signed up for through clinicconnections.com to help raise funds (though we managed to do it without the drug trial money) for this. He considered selling sperm.

Point is: when it is your Number ONE priority, you'll find a way. And this NEEDS to be your priority, above all else, if your son is about to turn 18 and you're both out of visa status. Hope my struggle with fund raising gave you some ideas, and good luck!

[Wabbit R 0]

Hi there! I agree with everyone. It is indeed expensive but you'll find in the end that every sacrifice you've made is all worth it. I didn't have to go through what you are going through but during the whole process my husband and I made a few cuts on our spending on other things to make the money for the AOS.

You should probably call the USCIS customer service to find out what you can do to not have to pay all of the fees at once. I am not sure about getting an EAD first because most EADs are filed after you file to AOS or simulatneously for the application for an EAD to be effective.

Look for a church or an organization in your area that caters to such needs as yours. Some of them offer to pay your bills/or give you enough for what you need in return for services you render to them.

And it is true what the others say, we give up things to get things... Get your immigration status straightened out before it is too late.

Hope this helps.

[Bianca'n'Doug 0]

UPDATE:

=======

Based in all we've read and learned from all of you we decided not to take the risk to apply for the FEE WAIVER.

Following the sugestions, my husband is selling some of his stuff on eBay and Craigslist.

Even his Cyclocross bike. It's sad to sell stuff you've worked so hard to get for so cheap but like many of you said It's all about priorities and we finally woke up for reality.

We still don't have all the money but we are almost there.

We are gathering all the paper work and we've a;ready seen the civil surgeon for the Medical Exam.

My son got the 5 vaccines he needed for free at a Community Center and I got mine at Safeway for a very good price.

If we get to sell a few more things I believe we will be able to file the AOS by the end of the month.

I appreciate all the comments and advice, they have been very helpful!

I will keep you all updated.

thank you all so much!