the economy jobs etc.

[miss g 1]

also does anyone know roughly how much the whole AOS is going to cost i was told to budget for $2500

[Big Papa Zone 93]

also does anyone know roughly how much the whole AOS is going to cost i was told to budget for $2500

How much!!?? I dunno how you'll run that up, Miss G. It's $1010 for the application itself, plus little bits & bobs like delivery, passport photos and the like. Or are you taking everyday living expenses (groceries etc) during the AOS process into account?

[Stinky Monkey 1]

wow $2500 how did you come to that figure it is $1010 for the forms maybe the $2500 is for the petition, medical jabs and aos

Hey now you know it is $1010 you can now go shopping with the balance!!!

[Big Papa Zone 93]

wow $2500 how did you come to that figure it is $1010 for the forms maybe the $2500 is for the petition, medical jabs and aos

Hey now you know it is $1010 you can now go shopping with the balance!!!

Wotcha Shazzaaaaaaaaaaaa!! You come back down to Earth yet, luv?

[Stinky Monkey 1]

wow $2500 how did you come to that figure it is $1010 for the forms maybe the $2500 is for the petition, medical jabs and aos

Hey now you know it is $1010 you can now go shopping with the balance!!!

Wotcha Shazzaaaaaaaaaaaa!! You come back down to Earth yet, luv?

hahahahahahah yeah was just warn out from the stressing before the interview and the anti climax of it all

Now the fun begins yay quit my job tomorrow cant wait!!!!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Excellent advice, Nich! Thanks hon.

I am 21 yrs old, and ......We are doing all our AOS research right now...... we have calculated all immediate costs.....

NO WAY! You're thinking and maturity are beyond your years. Gold star for you.

also does anyone know roughly how much the whole AOS is going to cost i was told to budget for $2500

Well, I keep a spreadsheet of the cost of the whole process. (of course hahaha ) So here's our US side of the process costs so far:

AOS/EAD/AP $1,010.00

Marriage license $68.00

Certified copy of ML $20.00

Wedding - 20 guests $190.00

Passport photos $10.00

Priority mail, certified USPS $9.40

drivers license $24.00

(Didn't do the I-693 or TB skin test, so if RFE comes we'll have costs there.)

That brings us to around $1331.

If you're bringing a child, then there are extra application fees.

[Stinky Monkey 1]

Excellent advice, Nich! Thanks hon.

I am 21 yrs old, and ......We are doing all our AOS research right now...... we have calculated all immediate costs.....

NO WAY! You're thinking and maturity are beyond your years. Gold star for you.

also does anyone know roughly how much the whole AOS is going to cost i was told to budget for $2500

Well, I keep a spreadsheet of the cost of the whole process. (of course hahaha ) So here's our US side of the process costs so far:

AOS/EAD/AP $1,010.00

Marriage license $68.00

Certified copy of ML $20.00

Wedding - 20 guests $190.00

Passport photos $10.00

Priority mail, certified USPS $9.40

drivers license $24.00

(Didn't do the I-693 or TB skin test, so if RFE comes we'll have costs there.)

That brings us to around $1331.

If you're bringing a child, then there are extra application fees.

Hey Nick if you can do a wedding for 20 guests for $190 do you want to be my wedding planner ??

[miss g 1]

the lawyer said $2,500 i guess thats also including getting the drivers licence sorted.. i dont know but its better to have higher expectations that way if it is cheaper than expected its a win win situation..

[Big Papa Zone 93]

the lawyer said $2,500

Aaah - the lawyer. That explains things. Miss G, you don't need a lawyer. Everything you need is right here.

[miss g 1]

she helped us fill the paperwork we dont have her retained anymore.. so its all gravy she just gave us a rough estimate, i did a google on her and she hasnt been qualified long so its ok

[MARM 7]

missg,

the best way to find out exactly how much $$$ you need immediately, make a "To Do after POE" List using the K-1 flowchart and it will help you a lot. AOS including EAD and AP filing costs $1010, but that is JUST THE FILING FEE. The fees for marriage license/ certified copy of marriage certificate/driver's license/I-693 transcription from a GS are dependent upon the state you live in. SSN is always free, so don't worry about those costs. But if you are budgeting a rental apartment or other living accommodations until you get an EAD and a job, then include those costs too, they were be specific to your state. $2,500 sounds like a sure safe bet, but if you want to want to narrow it down to exactly how much, then make a list (and the list will help you plan the most crucial initial few weeks after POE).

On a side note...Yaaaaaaaaaaaay! I got a gold star from Nich! Now tell me how you budgeted a 20-guest wedding for $190. Sounds awesome! We are going to do an entirely personal court ceremony and my parents have decided to take us and my siblings out for a grand dinner somewhere special that day, we could not be happier, but out of curiosity (and awe of course ) do share how you managed that!

[miss g 1]

thank u guys for the advice... i will defo start planning the aos budget, my fiance has sorted worked it out, hes the pedantic one and he got the lawyer she gave him all the info on what we need to do..

one thing i was wondering about is family planning is that free? or do you have to pay for stuff like the pill etc.. im trying to figure out what to do about that.. obviously we dont want to have a baby when things are crazy and unstable....

[Mags 112]

I think the best thing you can do, job wise, is not to be too fussy. I'm afraid that your experience from the UK doesn't mean very much - not unless you're in a big city where there are opportunities to follow your old career.

I know of a few people here in the UK forum who have had trouble in getting jobs. I really think it depends on where you are.

Small town America? Then I suggest taking what you can get. Don't turn up your nose at waiting tables and so on...it can be an excellent way to network. I did it when I first moved here and, not only does it pay well (if you're in a decent restaurant), it can lead to other opportunites. It got me "out there" and well known in my small town and lead to the really great job that I have now. I would not have gotten it if I hadn't been working in the other job.

I used to be a lab technologist in the UK - this was a well paid and highly specialised field. I moved to the USA and, after taking a year off (), I started working in a restaurant, working my way up to evening manager, and now I have a great job in a bank with excellent career prospects.

4 years ago I could never have seen me doing this type of work, but I am, and I really enjoy it.

So, be open minded and not snobby about what you won't do...and NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK. That's what gets you jobs over here, I've found.

Good luck!

Edited March 9, 2009 by Magenta

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hey Nick if you can do a wedding for 20 guests for $190 do you want to be my wedding planner ??

We'll I've got some great friends and family and it was casual/posh and put together in 5 days.

Friends house with huge screened patio complete with waterfall $0

G1 & G2 bought, printed, and mailed invitations while I was in UK. $0

C brought champagne flutes, 7 bottles of champagne left from her daughter's wedding, and the most awesome giant silver thing to ice it down. It looked like it came out of Buckingham palace. $0

M1 brought glass plates. $0

M2 coffee from Starbucks $0

G1 champagne punch $0

G2 china coffee cups $0

My sterling forks, lace tablecloth, & punchbowl $0

State district judge I've known since age 6 to marry us $0

Wedding cake and flowers $190

Very special little Sunday afternoon party...priceless!

[MARM 7]

Hey Nick if you can do a wedding for 20 guests for $190 do you want to be my wedding planner ??

We'll I've got some great friends and family and it was casual/posh and put together in 5 days.... Why does this not surprise me?

Very special little Sunday afternoon party...priceless!

Awesome!