UK AOS 2009 Thread

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

I'm not going to do a walk-in bio since it's only next week, so eee!

And yes, there are guidelines on the medical stuff about how you don't have to do too much if you got all your shots in the UK, but I haven't gone through that process since I still needed my HPV. Would suggest that you poke someone who's done it...

and grats on getting biometrics done, Shaz. I'm right behind you!

And lol Ellie -- my cat's a bit of a plonker. He's figured out where the catnip is and how to open the drawer, but he still can't work out how to get it out of there. It's just funny to watch him. He also attacks the bed when I'm trying to tidy up the sheets.

Grats on the touch, Moira! Eee!

Magpie.

[mrs_sdp 0]

I'm not going to do a walk-in bio since it's only next week, so eee!

And yes, there are guidelines on the medical stuff about how you don't have to do too much if you got all your shots in the UK, but I haven't gone through that process since I still needed my HPV. Would suggest that you poke someone who's done it...

and grats on getting biometrics done, Shaz. I'm right behind you!

And lol Ellie -- my cat's a bit of a plonker. He's figured out where the catnip is and how to open the drawer, but he still can't work out how to get it out of there. It's just funny to watch him. He also attacks the bed when I'm trying to tidy up the sheets.

Grats on the touch, Moira! Eee!

Magpie.

Thanks magpie! Good luck for next week!

Thanks for the link to the spreadsheet Ellie - I signed up for Google and finally got it on screen!

Moira x

[pothergavel 0]

Well, well, well. What a day.

Biometrics all done today, so that's something else to add to the timeline. How do I add my timeline to the footer?! Can you access my timeline through clicking the appropriate button for adding to the spreadsheet? If not, i'll fill in the footer manually!

So California DMV - only place I can think of where I can drive without a licence all ok, but now i've passed their theory and practical tests, i'm not allowed a licence. Bah. Banned from driving til I get something with a date on it, or my EAD apparently. Aaaaaawesome.

[obbynox 0]

Awe...a big congratulations to all you guys, you all are moving so quickly now

I've sent out a copy of my marriage cert today with a cover note explaining they already have an original! I still think its strange...they're arranging my sons biometrics....yet i have to send further evidence. I will just have to be good and patient i guess

[mrs_sdp 0]

Hi all ....

Quick question .....

I haven't applied for my SS number or driving licence yet. Can I apply for both when EAD and AP come through or do I need to wait until I have the actual GC?

Also, how will I know if I don't need to have an interview?

I've been doing a bit of reading, but can't find anything that answers my question ...

Thanks in advance ...

Moira x

[mrs_sdp 0]

One other thing .... (sorry, my mind is going overtime now that I don't have the AOS docs to worry about!)

My passport - it's still in my maiden name. Will I need to replace this and change to my married name or can I continue to use it until it expires in 2016?

Probably a silly question ....

Thanks in advance ... again ...

Moira x

[Hannah+Vito 0]

Evening all!

How are we all doing? Well I hope?

Missed me?! Didn't think so!

Anyway, just a quick update as the missus has me busier now than I was when I was working in the UK. Maybe I should have checked that kind of information before we got married. Ah well

Biometrics appointment tomorrow, so hopefully that'll be over and done with without too many problems and I can get back to sitting and waiting for the mail to arrive again! I've done the timeline thing, and i'll try and be on here more often than not from here on in!

Hee hee....a busy husband is one that stays out of trouble ;-)

Pothergavel - Nich has very kindly set up a spreadsheet to keep track of the progress of UK AOS'ers. You can access this information here http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Ak...FLRWc&hl=en This spreadsheet helps to track trends and is there to give you and other UK filers an idea of how long your AOS journey is likely to take.

If you would like to be included on the spreadsheet can you PM me the relevant details, post on this topic again or fill in your timeline and i'll be happy to add you.

Must dash....kitten...power cord....teeth...electrocution impending.....

Good morning all!

can you please add some notes to my file?" Walk in bio, initially filed without noa2. "

thanks Hannah

No problem Hannah. I'll do it now for you.

Thanks by the way

Well, well, well. What a day.

Biometrics all done today, so that's something else to add to the timeline. How do I add my timeline to the footer?! Can you access my timeline through clicking the appropriate button for adding to the spreadsheet? If not, i'll fill in the footer manually!

So California DMV - only place I can think of where I can drive without a licence all ok, but now i've passed their theory and practical tests, i'm not allowed a licence. Bah. Banned from driving til I get something with a date on it, or my EAD apparently. Aaaaaawesome.

You will be wanting your EAD for that will have to go back later with green card though as if you use EAD its only valid for 1 yr like EAD, or however long your Greencard if you wait is valid for.

I finaly got my temp licence last friday on EAD in Culver dmv. so I know it works

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

Where I'm at (in the Alaska), they let me get my SS because it's required for marriage (but I went and got married in San Antonio anyhow). I've also been told by the DMV that as long as I have my SS number, I can get my driving license -- I already have an ID. And yes, you do have to change your passport, but because I can use my ID to travel within the US, I'm going to wait until I have my green card to pay for a passport. I also want to change my middle name, hence the wait until then (because it is, after all, £77+ to change it).

The temperature gauge in this house is so fiddly...it only changes depending on the temperature outside, and I can't make it go any higher. Brrrr...it's not horribly cold, but I'm still wearing a pair of tights under my jeans and a jersey over my shirt, not to mention a pair of socks over the tights. No wonder the cats just curl up all toastily and sleep the day away...maybe I should just sling Bean over my shoulders and use him as a scarf.

Magpie.

[mrs_sdp 0]

Where I'm at (in the Alaska), they let me get my SS because it's required for marriage (but I went and got married in San Antonio anyhow). I've also been told by the DMV that as long as I have my SS number, I can get my driving license -- I already have an ID. And yes, you do have to change your passport, but because I can use my ID to travel within the US, I'm going to wait until I have my green card to pay for a passport. I also want to change my middle name, hence the wait until then (because it is, after all, £77+ to change it).

The temperature gauge in this house is so fiddly...it only changes depending on the temperature outside, and I can't make it go any higher. Brrrr...it's not horribly cold, but I'm still wearing a pair of tights under my jeans and a jersey over my shirt, not to mention a pair of socks over the tights. No wonder the cats just curl up all toastily and sleep the day away...maybe I should just sling Bean over my shoulders and use him as a scarf.

Magpie.

Thanks Magpie ... I will wait until I received EAD and get my SS number and my driver's licence.

I was asking about the passport because I'd like to travel to Scotland next summer. Where did you get the £77 price to change the name? Where are you sending the passport off to?

Moira x

[Hannah+Vito 0]

Where I'm at (in the Alaska), they let me get my SS because it's required for marriage (but I went and got married in San Antonio anyhow). I've also been told by the DMV that as long as I have my SS number, I can get my driving license -- I already have an ID. And yes, you do have to change your passport, but because I can use my ID to travel within the US, I'm going to wait until I have my green card to pay for a passport. I also want to change my middle name, hence the wait until then (because it is, after all, £77+ to change it).

The temperature gauge in this house is so fiddly...it only changes depending on the temperature outside, and I can't make it go any higher. Brrrr...it's not horribly cold, but I'm still wearing a pair of tights under my jeans and a jersey over my shirt, not to mention a pair of socks over the tights. No wonder the cats just curl up all toastily and sleep the day away...maybe I should just sling Bean over my shoulders and use him as a scarf.

Magpie.

I would its what I used to do with my cat at home .......when she wasn't drooling like a dog

Where I'm at (in the Alaska), they let me get my SS because it's required for marriage (but I went and got married in San Antonio anyhow). I've also been told by the DMV that as long as I have my SS number, I can get my driving license -- I already have an ID. And yes, you do have to change your passport, but because I can use my ID to travel within the US, I'm going to wait until I have my green card to pay for a passport. I also want to change my middle name, hence the wait until then (because it is, after all, £77+ to change it).

The temperature gauge in this house is so fiddly...it only changes depending on the temperature outside, and I can't make it go any higher. Brrrr...it's not horribly cold, but I'm still wearing a pair of tights under my jeans and a jersey over my shirt, not to mention a pair of socks over the tights. No wonder the cats just curl up all toastily and sleep the day away...maybe I should just sling Bean over my shoulders and use him as a scarf.

Magpie.

Thanks Magpie ... I will wait until I received EAD and get my SS number and my driver's licence.

I was asking about the passport because I'd like to travel to Scotland next summer. Where did you get the £77 price to change the name? Where are you sending the passport off to?

Moira x

Think the office is in Washington... it looks like its expensive when I dared to peek at the sight

[pothergavel 0]

Thanks guys, Hannah especially.

It's just been so frustrating as a process - it doesn't help that every time I go there I usually end up having to wait an hour or so before I talk to someone. Who then tells me something wrong, or completely different to what I was told previously. But anyway.....

Here's a brief overview of my DMV experiences to date.

Went in 2 days after I arrived, couldn't do anything for me as I wasn't on the system. Needed a SSN to do that. However, I got a temporary driving license because of my UK permit.

Got the SSN very quickly, went back and got onto the system. Passed the written test, couldn't get booked in for a practical test for over a month because the kids were on vacation. Another temporary driving license.

Passed the driving test.

Now here's the problem. On my I-94, it has stamped in red 2nd September, 2009. They are taking that as when my visa runs out. Because of the wait for the test, there was less than 60 days left "on my visa". Therefore, I could only get another temporary one up until 1st September.

Now I don't have an EAD yet (only had the biometrics today) and this means I have a gap between now and when I can get a permanent license. And they wouldn't issue me another temporary one because (and this is the bit that really annoyed me) my visa has "expired", and I "shouldn't even still be in the country". Didn't help that those were direct quotes from the supervisor.

It's just frustrating that for any appointments from now on, the good lady is going to have to take time off work to do so. And no work means no money. Ugh. Preaching to the converted I know.

Anyway, rant over I think. Apologies!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hi all-- I've been gone all day to our new house. So many questions, but I'll try to comment.

The spreadsheet is here http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=p4x...HVG6dVoxmTGAKEg and it requires NO log in. Anybody in the world can view it. BUT if you have a google account or a gmail account, it sometimes takes you to a log in page first. Must be cookies on your computer or something. I have no idea why it will go straight to the spreadsheet for some and the log in page for others. Does both for me at various times.

Pothergavel--I can't add you to the spreadsheet because you have no VJ timeline. This is the link to your timeline: http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=61303

Obbynox- It is my understanding that you do each AOS application as a stand-alone application, meaning repeat any evidence. The only exception I can recall is that you can photocopy your Affidavit of Support rather than having an original signature and form for the K2 child. But we didn't do AOS for a child, so not too up on all the details.

Laura-- If you had all shots required for AOS in the UK, then you did not have to do an I-693. I can name over 20 people (like us) in 2009 who did not do an I-693 and got green cards without RFE. Sending in the DS-3025 immunization sheet from Knightsbridge is enough. A possible exception might be if you were getting a series of shots. If you got a shot that needed a booster 2 months later, and 5 months had passed before you filed AOS, they could ask you to get that booster in the US since it was due. If you had filed before the booster was due, they wouldn't check on it further and would trust that you would follow through on your own.

As to your question about the I-693 not being sealed. I'm am pretty positive that is is supposed to be sealed.

Moira-- It's too late for you to get a SSN at this time. Your I-94 has expired (90 days after entry). A K1 can get a SSN up until about 2 weeks prior to that I-94 date passing. After that you wait and show your EAD to prove you have at least a year in the US (EAD expiration) and are authorized to work.

Passport: I have read numerous posts that say you can use your old passport and carry a copy of your marriage certifcate to show the name change. Or you can use your green card to show the name change. There is a thread resurrected in the UK forum from time to time about the cost of getting a new UK passport through the British Embassy in Washington DC. It's like $350 or something now. You can trace the price increases through that thread. But if you renewed it while visiting the UK, it would be whatever your normal fee is over there.

Driving: That's all done by the State , not a federal government thing. So there's 50 sets of rules. In general, because of immigration reform, most states are requiring proof of at least 6 months of legality to remain in the US. A K1 has 90 days so they are out of luck until they have at least an EAD card showing 1 year allowed in the US. Once you are a legal resident (green card) you get a long-term normal license. The change is because people with some kind of temporary status...like a K1...could get a 6 year license. Then they would use that as ID and it would appear they were a USC as far as anybody looking at it could tell. I know Texas changed their laws last October and issues a license that says TEMPORARY VISITOR across it unless you have a green card and it expires when what you showed for temporary status in the US expires. Nick got a 1 year "visitor" license with his EAD. (Both expired same day.) After the GC, he went back and got a normal 6 year license.

Guess that's covered all the questions. Good luck to all of you with your individual needs, rants, and worries. It's going to all settle out soon.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Good morning!

A few questions I missed last night~~~

Moira, you will know you won't have an interview when your online status says something about your case being transferred or it says "pending at the office to which you were transferred." You will also get a notice in the mail from USCIS saying you were transferred to California Service Center for processing. Since you can't easily show up in California for an interview, it is assumed that when they approve your case, it will be without an interview. They could always transfer it back (rarely happens) so stash away a little pile of evidence of being married and living in the same house. I would drop things in a folder as they happened so it would be easier to find if needed--a card from Nick's mum addressed to both our names, letter from State Farm insurance with both our names, picture of us together at a party, papers from opening a joint bank account...

Laura asked for a cover letter. Mine is like this, but you may have different evidences, so edit to fit your submission:

DATE

USCIS

P.O. Box 805887

Chicago, IL 60680-4120

Re: Immediate Relative (Spouse) Family Based Adjustment of Status Application

(K-1 Visa holder) NAME, A# XXX XXXXXX

To Whom It May Concern:

Enclosed please find my Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status; Form I-765, Application For

Employment Authorization; Form I-131, Application for Travel Document; and supporting documents.

Contents include:

• Payment in the amount of $1010.00

• Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status

Photographs (2) of NAME

Photocopy of birth certificate of NAME

Photocopy of passport biographical page and K1 visa page

Photocopy Form DS-3025 Vaccination Documentation Worksheet

Form G-325A Biographic Information Sheet

Form I-864 Affidavit of Support with photocopies of supporting documents:

Employment letter from NAME

2007 Income tax return with W2

2006 and 2005 IRS tax transcripts

I-797 Notice of Action, I-129 Petition Approval Notice from USCIS

Certified copy of Marriage Certificate of NAMES

Form I-94 Arrival/Departure record

• Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization

Photographs (2) of NAME

Photocopy of passport biographical page and K1 visa page

Photocopy of Form I-94 Arrival/Departure record

•Form I-131, Application for Travel Document

Photographs (2) of NAME

Statement of circumstances that warrant issuance of advance parole

Photocopy of passport biographical page and K1 visa page

Photocopy of Form I-94 Arrival/Departure record

Copies of documents submitted are exact photocopies of unaltered documents and I understand that I may be required to submit original documents to an Immigration officer at a later date.

Yours sincerely,

NAME

[laura819 0]

Good morning!

A few questions I missed last night~~~

Moira, you will know you won't have an interview when your online status says something about your case being transferred or it says "pending at the office to which you were transferred." You will also get a notice in the mail from USCIS saying you were transferred to California Service Center for processing. Since you can't easily show up in California for an interview, it is assumed that when they approve your case, it will be without an interview. They could always transfer it back (rarely happens) so stash away a little pile of evidence of being married and living in the same house. I would drop things in a folder as they happened so it would be easier to find if needed--a card from Nick's mum addressed to both our names, letter from State Farm insurance with both our names, picture of us together at a party, papers from opening a joint bank account...

Laura asked for a cover letter. Mine is like this, but you may have different evidences, so edit to fit your submission:

DATE

USCIS

P.O. Box 805887

Chicago, IL 60680-4120

Re: Immediate Relative (Spouse) Family Based Adjustment of Status Application

(K-1 Visa holder) NAME, A# XXX XXXXXX

To Whom It May Concern:

Enclosed please find my Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status; Form I-765, Application For

Employment Authorization; Form I-131, Application for Travel Document; and supporting documents.

Contents include:

• Payment in the amount of $1010.00

• Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status

Photographs (2) of NAME

Photocopy of birth certificate of NAME

Photocopy of passport biographical page and K1 visa page

Photocopy Form DS-3025 Vaccination Documentation Worksheet

Form G-325A Biographic Information Sheet

Form I-864 Affidavit of Support with photocopies of supporting documents:

Employment letter from NAME

2007 Income tax return with W2

2006 and 2005 IRS tax transcripts

I-797 Notice of Action, I-129 Petition Approval Notice from USCIS

Certified copy of Marriage Certificate of NAMES

Form I-94 Arrival/Departure record

• Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization

Photographs (2) of NAME

Photocopy of passport biographical page and K1 visa page

Photocopy of Form I-94 Arrival/Departure record

•Form I-131, Application for Travel Document

Photographs (2) of NAME

Statement of circumstances that warrant issuance of advance parole

Photocopy of passport biographical page and K1 visa page

Photocopy of Form I-94 Arrival/Departure record

Copies of documents submitted are exact photocopies of unaltered documents and I understand that I may be required to submit original documents to an Immigration officer at a later date.

Yours sincerely,

NAME

Thank you! Life saver...as usual!

[obbynox 0]

Thanks Nich-Nick I didn't duplicate anything, strange they should ask for the marriage cert and nothing else. Anyway..another copy sent, will cross my fingers and see