Anyone manage to get their AOS fee's waived

[Shannon And Marco 2]

Hi there VJers,

I had posted a couple of months back about some unfortunate turn of events. I am now hopelessly unemployed. I've been searching for work for over 4 months now! Its troubling to see that this is effecting a lot of people posting as well. I was denied for unemployment (which I'm fighting with a court date this month) Me and my husband are going to just cross our fingers and send out our AOS and ask for our fee to be waived. I was wondering if anyone has managed to get their fee waived?

We are hearing mixed comments. Some from lawyers, some from the italian consulate and some from immigration. All conflict with each other. Most about the AOS phantom "time limit" and fines associated with my husband being out of status. At the same time I'm seeing posts of people who are just casually waiting for their 2 year 9 month mark to finally do the AOS. We want to send our papers, but don't have the fee so we don't fit into the latter category. But we are scared of fines on top of an already hopeless fee payments. The lawyers said yes there would be fines of up to 3000 with the possiblility of deportation . The italian consulate in Baltimore said something similar to the lawyers. But the actual immigration office said nothing about fees, and that we had an unlimited amount of time. This is all so confusing when so many sources are saying such an extreme range of things. We don't know who to believe or trust with the right answers. The source I trust the most right now is you guys. The visajourneyers who have actually DONE THIS!!

Me and my husband are going to play the mega millions today!! If we win we'll pay all of your AOS fees!!!! and be much needed co sponsors to anyone who needs one!

We wish you all peace and happiness,

Shannon and Marco

[Old Dominion 26]

I take it that your husband did not obtain a work permit and thus can't help with the finances?

[Cino 5]

WELCOME TO USA. IF YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY, YOU CAN NOT APPLY !... THAT IS SO SIMPLE. USCIS DOES NOT GIVE A DAMN, IF YOU HAVE MONEY OR NOT.

GOOD LUCK....

[Bobby+Umit 161]

WELCOME TO USA. IF YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY, YOU CAN NOT APPLY !... THAT IS SO SIMPLE. USCIS DOES NOT GIVE A DAMN, IF YOU HAVE MONEY OR NOT.

GOOD LUCK....

Actually, they do.

to the OP:

Fee Waiver Guidance

[Kez/JWolf 6]

Yes there has been people on VJ who have applied for a fee wavier and got it. You need to include as much details about your finances as you can.

There is no fines for filing for AOS after your I-94 has expired, the only problem you have is that you are out of status and can not work or leave the US.

Apply as soon as you can and apply for the fee wavier.

Good Luck

[Old Dominion 26]

Even if you got the fee waived, how will you provide evidence that you can support him as his sponsor? Or, do you have a co-sponsor?

[Shannon And Marco 2]

I take it that your husband did not obtain a work permit and thus can't help with the finances?

No the work permit is included in the AOS, and thats what we're having trouble sending.

[Shannon And Marco 2]

Even if you got the fee waived, how will you provide evidence that you can support him as his sponsor? Or, do you have a co-sponsor?

My sister has offered to co sponsor us, but she can't give us the money for the fees, and we can't ask anyone else. I can't get a loan because I'm not working and my husband cannot work because his status isn't adjusted. Its such a mind numbing circle were stuck in.

[HighwayStar 0]

WELCOME TO USA. IF YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY, YOU CAN NOT APPLY !... THAT IS SO SIMPLE. USCIS DOES NOT GIVE A DAMN, IF YOU HAVE MONEY OR NOT.

GOOD LUCK....

Perhaps it would be a good idea to refrain from such comments if one has nothing useful to contribute... Marco and Shannon's situation is bad enough as it is without adding insult to injury.

[Shannon And Marco 2]

WELCOME TO USA. IF YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY, YOU CAN NOT APPLY !... THAT IS SO SIMPLE. USCIS DOES NOT GIVE A DAMN, IF YOU HAVE MONEY OR NOT.

GOOD LUCK....

Perhaps it would be a good idea to refrain from such comments if one has nothing useful to contribute... Marco and Shannon's situation is bad enough as it is without adding insult to injury.

Thanks HighwayStar!!! Right now I don't think we're the only ones. Infact I do recall similar postings, its sad to say. I'm hoping for some answers myself, and if my question can shed light on someone else in a similar situation. Truth be told, I've heard like I said above from all different sources and the source WE trust most is VJ. The lawyers only want money from people who don't have confidence/information to go at it alone. Its a confusing path to take but VJ has helped out more than everything else. I'm confident in the information we get here because almost every situation has been experienced, documented, and talked about in the forums. Personally I think the "system" is wacky and we all have to jump over enough hurdles (infact some hurdles are the same) and pay fee's for those hurdles!! Kinda sick. But regardless of the not so helpful comments, everyone has been supportive, and extremely helpful.

Thanks again for all the help and constructive comments!!

[Damian&Kelly 16]

I'm in a very similar situation. I can't find work and my husband is out of status. All we want is to file but don't have the money to do so. We live with my dad who would co-sponsor for us but he also pays rent and for all the bills and food so there's no way he could help us with the fee. this economy and being out of status is just sad and stressful! I wish you the best of luck, I haven't really looked into this fee wavier but am going to. We've been saving birthday money and I've been baby sitting, sickening, I feel like a teenager again! We're trying hard to file!

[rebeccajo 14]

Is it possible for those of you in these situations to take a cash advance on a credit card in order to file?

[Carlawarla 1]

WELCOME TO USA. IF YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY, YOU CAN NOT APPLY !... THAT IS SO SIMPLE. USCIS DOES NOT GIVE A DAMN, IF YOU HAVE MONEY OR NOT.

GOOD LUCK....

Perhaps it would be a good idea to refrain from such comments if one has nothing useful to contribute... Marco and Shannon's situation is bad enough as it is without adding insult to injury.

Thanks HighwayStar!!! Right now I don't think we're the only ones. Infact I do recall similar postings, its sad to say. I'm hoping for some answers myself, and if my question can shed light on someone else in a similar situation. Truth be told, I've heard like I said above from all different sources and the source WE trust most is VJ. The lawyers only want money from people who don't have confidence/information to go at it alone. Its a confusing path to take but VJ has helped out more than everything else. I'm confident in the information we get here because almost every situation has been experienced, documented, and talked about in the forums. Personally I think the "system" is wacky and we all have to jump over enough hurdles (infact some hurdles are the same) and pay fee's for those hurdles!! Kinda sick. But regardless of the not so helpful comments, everyone has been supportive, and extremely helpful.

Thanks again for all the help and constructive comments!!

I'm in a very similar situation. I can't find work and my husband is out of status. All we want is to file but don't have the money to do so. We live with my dad who would co-sponsor for us but he also pays rent and for all the bills and food so there's no way he could help us with the fee. this economy and being out of status is just sad and stressful! I wish you the best of luck, I haven't really looked into this fee wavier but am going to. We've been saving birthday money and I've been baby sitting, sickening, I feel like a teenager again! We're trying hard to file!

So sorry for both your situations. You're in my thoughts, and I hope you can find work soon!

[Shannon And Marco 2]

Is it possible for those of you in these situations to take a cash advance on a credit card in order to file?

Hi there, this is Marco writing...

Actually.. i got a credit card offer (the ONLY ONE.. and i think it's enough) 3 months ago and my credit limit is MUCH lower than the $1000 dollars that we need... they should increase my credit limit at my third statement.. Anyway the cash advance charges you with interest of 24%

But.. even if it would be possible for us to get a cash advance once my credit goes up... Does Shannon still need a job to prove the financial support? Does she need a letter from her employer (now she's without a job) ? And what about the previous months, when she's been unemployed for 4 months and we sent out nothing to the USCIS.. Do they want to know how we survived?

Actually we were thinking about: Once she finds a job, i think i have enough (maybe, i'm still a Newbie) credit score to ask for a small loan (the minimum they give out is $3000) and, with a job, paying back the money to the bank monthly but at least send out the AOS package...

Thank you for your advice anyway

Thank you for your an

[Shannon And Marco 2]

I'm in a very similar situation. I can't find work and my husband is out of status. All we want is to file but don't have the money to do so. We live with my dad who would co-sponsor for us but he also pays rent and for all the bills and food so there's no way he could help us with the fee. this economy and being out of status is just sad and stressful! I wish you the best of luck, I haven't really looked into this fee wavier but am going to. We've been saving birthday money and I've been baby sitting, sickening, I feel like a teenager again! We're trying hard to file!

Hi Kelly,

this is Marco writing... We are on the same boat and we're so sorry for that.. It's tough now.. Shannon has been sending out so many resume on craigslist but none replied to her emails. It is tricky because companies only want you to fill out applications online and most of them do not accept any paper anymore...

Anyway, ys we were thinking about the option of the fee wavier, i personally went to the immigration office here in Baltimore and they gave me 3 sheets with instructions for how to request a fee waved.

The fact is: It is hard to get approved and one of the requirements is to get assistance from the government with food stamps and so on. Shannon cannot ask for that. We have no kids and they don't give out that kind of assistance to single person. If we had a kid (which it would VERY TOUGH to support now) probably she would be able to ask for government assistance. Obviously, i'm no one at this time, i'm not eligible by default to any benefits from the government.

For all of the other suff, they want to see bills (utilities, medical, and so) and other proofs that i don't remember now (sorry). We would be pretty close to have everything, the only big thing, as i said, is the assistance that she doesn't have and probably she wont get at all...

At least this is what happens in Maryland.

What we say is "At least we have each other" I swear, the marriage to Shannon is the most beautiful thig that happened in 2008.. Even though we're in 2009, i still believe the same

But we want to believe that the things will (MUST!!) get better someday

Wish you all the best of luck!! And thank you so much for your reply