UK AOS 2009 Thread

[Gemmie 142]

I love our UK AOS group. Thanks for the support, girls. I got a response from a job today asking me to come in for interview (as a counselor for girls aged 12-22 with emotional disorders - awesome benefits) but unfortunately it's an hour away by car, and that would mean my poor husband having to drive an hour there, then back.. and then the same for his own job, and then back to pick me up. 6 hours driving a day is not practical, but I told them that as soon as I get my license (and a car), I'll be in contact with them again.

Nich, I bet you were getting used to life without having to worry about all the documents and stashing evidence away. Good idea to start preparing now. I hope everything goes well at the hospital, let us know how it goes. Are you still in pain/discomfort?

Ellie, are you sure they want evidence of residence as in 'residence in the country'? I had the same problem. I brought my Green Card thinking that was all they needed, and then she told me that I needed to prove my ADDRESS, with something official with the address on, like a bank statement. I even asked if she would take a letter from the SS office but they have strict rules on what they'll accept, there should be an exact list of it in the manual/handbook. Good luck on the test

Fingers crossed for the rest of you.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I am expecting my EAD any day now. I am gagging at the bit to get back to work. The dilemma I have is trying to find a decent enough job that would atleast cover the cost of childcare and doesn't require me going into Boston just yet, which is unlikely as I'm looking for a finance job!

You should have it soon. Congratulations. I put your progress in the UK AOS Timeline on the 2010 page since it'll be 2010 when you get the GC.

[Ellie-and-David 38]

Ellie, are you sure they want evidence of residence as in 'residence in the country'? I had the same problem. I brought my Green Card thinking that was all they needed, and then she told me that I needed to prove my ADDRESS, with something official with the address on, like a bank statement. I even asked if she would take a letter from the SS office but they have strict rules on what they'll accept, there should be an exact list of it in the manual/handbook. Good luck on the test

Fingers crossed for the rest of you.

I took all of that with me and that was fine. I took a bank statement (I am a joint account holder) and a copy of our lease with us. I think they lost the scan they took of my greencard. I am so MAD! They let me take the learners permit test because I had everything with me, but just cancelled the production of the cards after they couldn't confirm I was a legal alien (It was a baaaaaad day, the computers were down, we had to wait for 2 hours....so i am hoping something got lost in technological translation.

Preparing to battle on Friday, and hoping they let me take my driving test! My car is staring at me (Thank you Mr IRS for the return) and begging me to take her out for a spin on my own....without the husband in the passenger seat, chucking his empty cigarette packets in the footwell!

[lovelyalex 99]

You should have it soon. Congratulations. I put your progress in the UK AOS Timeline on the 2010 page since it'll be 2010 when you get the GC.

Thanks!

[nickandkayte 0]

Just been transferred to CSC today. Yayyyy! How much longer till a EAD do you think? So desperate to get off my butt!

[lovelyalex 99]

out of interest, why do some cases get transferred? what does it mean exactly?

[Lisa and Ian 7]

Just been transferred to CSC today. Yayyyy! How much longer till a EAD do you think? So desperate to get off my butt!

Our EAD and AP were both handled at the first stop (Missouri) and our 485 went to CSC around the same time. Shouldn't be much longer, I wouldn't think.

[lirwin2000 0]

Hey..

Hoorah!!!! just noticed this UK AOS thread!! Feel more at home now!!

Just noticed n someones post that it says....."January 25, 2010: Early Walk-in biometrics completed, EAD approved" i've got my biometrics appointment but its not for like 3 weeks, do you guys know if i can just make an appointment and get it done early?? Will this speed up the process????

Also anyone had problems getting an SSN?? I was under the impression that i would be able to get one before my EAD was processed, i've been to the SSN office and there is some sort of hold up (got to verify docs or something... seems they cant find my immigration papers, or rather they say it hasn't been processed yet) grrrr so made an appointment with USCIS to check if they had them (they do.. well says its all there in the system) but this guy told me i couldn't get an SSN until i get my EAD??? is this true???? feeling very frustrated can't get bank account, drivers license, cant start building credit history etc... all making me feel very sad!!! (

Any thoughts????

PS whoever posted about teabags.. i've found surprisingly the "great value" one from walmart to be the best substitute!

Thanks

L

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

out of interest, why do some cases get transferred? what does it mean exactly?

A case will normally go to a local office for processing/interview. It seems like quite a few K1 cases get transferred to the California Service Center instead of a local office. Their GC gets approved without an interview or showing of marriage/relationship evidence. I haven't ever seen it officially explained but speculation is a K1 has had a recent interview to get the visa and it takes the work load off backlogged local offices.

Hoorah!!!! just noticed this UK AOS thread!! Feel more at home now!!

Just noticed n someones post that it says....."January 25, 2010: Early Walk-in biometrics completed, EAD approved" i've got my biometrics appointment but its not for like 3 weeks, do you guys know if i can just make an appointment and get it done early?? Will this speed up the process????(

You don't make an appointment. You just show up and "walk in". Take your appointment letter so they know you've cleared the hurdles to get to biometrics. Almost everyone is allowed in that does this, but it's up to your local office whether they are too busy to take you early or not.

Also anyone had problems getting an SSN?? I was under the impression that i would be able to get one before my EAD was processed, i've been to the SSN office and there is some sort of hold up (got to verify docs or something... seems they cant find my immigration papers, or rather they say it hasn't been processed yet) grrrr so made an appointment with USCIS to check if they had them (they do.. well says its all there in the system) but this guy told me i couldn't get an SSN until i get my EAD??? is this true???? feeling very frustrated can't get bank account, drivers license, cant start building credit history etc... all making me feel very sad!!!

Any thoughts????(

Yes people have trouble at various local SS offices. Some workers aren't real familiar with a K1 to know they are actually allowed a SSN. The other hold up is if the immigrant's name is not found in the database called SAVE which is basically a record of entry into the country. Names get entered from POE processing. That's why it's recommended to wait 10 days, to give some time to be entered in SAVE. Maybe the SS worker overlooked it. Maybe it got spelled wrong when entered and it has to match what is on the I-94 card. If they can't find the name, they send off for manual verification which can take weeks/months. Advice is often given that if you go early and your name can't be found, don't apply...just say "never mind" and go back in a few days and try again, hoping the name got entered. And some people need to ask a supervisor to step in and help. And sometimes the name just hasn't been entered by immigration so the manual verification is the only way. Some banks will let you have an account without the SSN if you explain it's coming. You have to go back and give them the number. And most states want more than a SSN to issue a driver license. Often EAD with 1 year of legal presence shown is what it takes to get one. But that is up to your state.

PS whoever posted about teabags.. i've found surprisingly the "great value" one from walmart to be the best substitute!

That was me. He bought some PG Tips at Kroger today, but I'll tell him about the WalMart brand. Thanks.

And welcome. I'll put you in the AOS spreadsheet soon.

Edited February 26, 2010 by Nich-Nick

[Gemmie 142]

About the SSN, I don't know whereabouts in the process you are but I found that I could get a SSN when I had my K1 visa in my passport, but as soon as it expired (after the 90 days), I had to wait for my Green Card. The woman didn't even seem to know what the EAD was. You ARE allowed one with the EAD but it's finding someone who knows about immigration, so if you get any trouble, I'd advise printing the conditions out from the USCIS website and asking to see a supervisor.

Also... this is what I learned last week, when you go to life the conditions on your SS card, give it a while before you use it for anything. I tried to use my SSN to get a learners permit and they said the number was on hold as I had recently changed my name and status.

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

Hewwo my lovelies My apologies for being so out of touch! Typing would be easier if not for Bean sitting on my monitor and letting his tail swish all over the screen.

Updates from me: I can't remember if I said or not that Knight's got into the Air National Guard . He did amazingly well on his ASVAB (he's over-qualified for what he wants to do) and he passed the medical with flying colours. The other lads thought he was a bit on the skinny side, so he joked that he had lost 300lbs and was the poster child for The Biggest Loser. He still has to get sworn in, so we're waiting for his dad to come down from the slope so that can be done. It'll be amazing if he gets to do it full-time, because they'll give use a housing allowance and all the other bells and whistles. The yuck side is that he'll be away from me for fourteen weeks, and I'll only be able to send him letters or hear the occasional phone call. The other yuck side is that he'll still need something to bring in income until they ship him out, and goodness knows when that'll be. He's applied everywhere right now...I mean, even something like a job at Fred Meyer would be more than enough to cover us for a while.

To Lirwin2000: I actually was able to obtain my SSN before I adjusted status as it's Alaskan law to have an SSN in order to get married. Knight and I actually ended up having our little wedding in San Antonio (thanks to the wonderful, wonderful Mama Nich), and we're having our big ceremony this year. In addition, I applied for my SSN roughly about ten days after arrival, or something like that. Thing is, I don't know that they'll let you have one unless it's the state's law to have one to get married.

Hugs to the lovely MARM -- I'm so glad that you guys are together so that you can at least cross this bridge together. Hopefully they're not going to keep you hanging for much longer.

Keep up the job search, Gemmie...I think persistence is the key. Be a pest to everyone .

Grats to everyone moving along! Good luck with the driving stuffs, Ellie .

Huggums to all!

Magpie.

[Ellie-and-David 38]

Did my Driving test today...

PASSED! BUT!

There was an issue with giving me my driving license card. Apparently USCIS has my maiden name in their database....even though they issued my Greencard in my MARRIED name. That is why my learners permit card was cancelled, because the DMV couldn't match all of my information up.

GRRR. So I have to go and make an infopass appointment to get that changed, then they can issue my license because everything will match. It's a wonder they gave me an SSN when on USCIS' database they have me in my maiden name.

Infopass appointment here I come.

[MARM 7]

Congrats to our lovely Magpie for Knight's success with the Air National Guard. I know there are some tough spots to deal with, but I am sure you both will work something out beautifully, the ANG will provide a window of opportunities and a host of benefits at the least.

Good news from our side: I got the job at the place I dreamed of... at a well-known hospital in the region! :dance: , even though it is not in my field, at least I will have the opportunities to move higher up the ladder internally.

In other great news...we got a response from the wonderful Cynthia at Senator ####### Durbin's office. She has always been on top of things for us and has never failed to be a source of comfort and positive information every time we needed her. We got the answer from her inquiry to USCIS, my husband's case has resumed processing ever since Feb 05, 2010, and he was eligible for an interview on Feb 17, 2010 (nothing like this shows up in the online case status) and that his I-765 is pending, but everything has resumed processing. Also, today we got this response IN ADDITION to a letter from USCIS...we got our interview date! Tuesday March 30, 2010 at 9 AM. Perfect timing, we have enough time to prepare everything carefully.

Gemmie: It is great that you got an offer for the interview, at least you know that your skills are valued in the job marketplace, so it won't be long until you find the one you are looking for, hope everything works out soon!

Nich: How are you feeling?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Nich is feeling really good. But next week may be a different story because I go back in the hospital for surgery on Wednesday. You know I had the worse case diverticulitis and had surgery in December to remove bad parts. They did a little temporary bypassing of some of my 'innerds'. So Wednesday is to put everything back to normal, now that I am fully healed. So it's actually something to look forward to even if I do have to go through surgery and be sore for awhile. It'll be one of those times when you don't want to cough or sneeze or have anybody make you laugh for a while.

Talking about driver license offices... They are so annoying probably in any state. We sat two or more hours at the local office just to get an address change done. They offer online address changing, which I did. But the 'alien' had to go in person and show his green card over again. I don't know why they don't keep a record of it in their system. If they verified it and gave him a 6 year license, then why can't they just mail him one with the different address and same expiration date? Anyway we amused ourselves figuring out how they could streamline their efficiency, talking to a Vietnamese immigrant, and watching (out the window) people taking their driving test do the parallel parking. How embarassing to have a large audience watching you. One lady was clueless how to do it. You get three tries, but each time she tried to do it driving in head first instead of backing in. It just didn't work for her. Well good job passing the test, but ARRGHH that your ducks weren't in a row because of crazy bureaucracy.

MARM...a job! And the case is moving again. I kinda wondered if they just didn't have it updated. But until somebody tells you, it's something to worry about.

Well Magpie, it'll be like old times not getting to be with your Knight for a while. You've done it before, but not quite the same if you can't call often. It sounds like a great opportunity.

Have a fun weekend everybody!

[MARM 7]

Did my Driving test today...

PASSED! BUT!

There was an issue with giving me my driving license card. Apparently USCIS has my maiden name in their database....even though they issued my Greencard in my MARRIED name. That is why my learners permit card was cancelled, because the DMV couldn't match all of my information up.

GRRR. So I have to go and make an infopass appointment to get that changed, then they can issue my license because everything will match. It's a wonder they gave me an SSN when on USCIS' database they have me in my maiden name.

Infopass appointment here I come.

Congrats on passing the driving test! Hopefully your InfoPass appointment will be fruitful and painless!