Getting ready to submit AOS> some questions remaining!

[mamaronga 2]

Hello Dear Friends at Visa Journey.

Although I've spent the whole night researching on VisaJourney, I unfortunately still have a lot of questions. I was hoping someone who has recently been researching to file, or someone who’s recently filed or further along in the process could help me clarify some/all of these doubts I have about our up/coming (very soon!) AOS application. I have tried to put them in an orderly/organized fashion to help make things clearer for up/coming readers.

Help is *much* appreciated!!

Cheers,

Claire

I-485 Questions

1. Part One asks, right under the I-94 # box, “Expires on” Is that “Expires on” referring to the I-94, meaning 3 months after he entered the US (the date written on the admittance stamp under the date admitted)? Or is it referring to the date that the Visa Expires (expiration date written on K1 visa)?

2. I’m assuming that the I-94 # is the number listed on it as “Number of admission” (in our 1-94 that’s in Spanish it’s the number right under “Numero de Admision”

3. The instructions don’t talk up the Proof of bonefide relationship much, not nearly as much as the I-129F. What do folks submit… joint leases, bank accounts, credit/debit cards, photos? (the list goes on to mortgages, large purchases, etc but come on! We’ve only been here a few weeks, and we’re broke! How are we supposed to buy a house together already?!?) What else to you submit you’re living together in a loving relationship? Is it important to submit as much proof as one must submit in the I-129F or is it not as big of a deal?

I-693 Medical Form

1. So we’re having some problems with the Vaccine Supplement (Part 2, Section 5). There’s no clinic in our city. The closest one wants to charge us $50 for initial visit, high fees for every vaccine my husband is missing (we’re pretty sure MMR and Varicela), plus a $125 fee for a medical to see the doctor. I insisted that we didn’t need a medical, didn’t need to see the doctor, as my husband came on a K- 1 and already had a medical exam with a doctor approved by US consulate in his home country! But she insisted that he would need to see the doctor. So are they just totally ripping people off and getting away from it because they are the closest Civil Surgeon in the area? Should they be reported?? (in a city even further away they told me they charge a fee of $25 to fill out the vaccine supplement. That seems more reasonable! But its FAR away….)

2. So, what we’ve collected from calling various civil surgeons is that my husband will need the following vaccines/tests in order to Adjust status:

A) Varicela

B) MMR

C) PPD (the test that …makes sure you don’t have Tuberculosis)

D) Tetanus (though… 2 clinics said he needs tetanus and 1 said no)

Does that information seem consistent with what everyone else has experienced? And what have been the general prices, for these vaccines and also for the Civil Surgeon filling out the form?

Cover Letter

1. In the name of WHO is the AOS application exactly…. My non-US husband or myself, or us BOTH? Who should write and sign the COVER LETTER for example?

I-864 Affidavit of Support

1. I have not filed taxes in the last 3 years (not enough income). So HOW can I answer question #25 on the I 864? There is no option for “did not file”. Should I just leave it blank? (As for proof of non-filing, is a written statement explaining good enough or do I need an official statement from the IRS?)

Advance Parole to Travel

1. Is it correct that my husband can apply for Advance Parole AFTER he submits his AOS, and still not have to pay the filing fee?

2. Does he need an EXACT date he wants to travel on? If he puts an exact date, can he ONLY travel on that date or will they give him general permission to travel?

3. Has anyone had problems coming back into the States after using Advance Parole to travel before receiving green card? Better to just stay put until receiving green card or ok to travel?

[thepizzadude 26]

Hello Dear Friends at Visa Journey.

Although I've spent the whole night researching on VisaJourney, I unfortunately still have a lot of questions. I was hoping someone who has recently been researching to file, or someone who’s recently filed or further along in the process could help me clarify some/all of these doubts I have about our up/coming (very soon!) AOS application. I have tried to put them in an orderly/organized fashion to help make things clearer for up/coming readers.

Help is *much* appreciated!!

Cheers,

Claire

I-485 Questions

1. Part One asks, right under the I-94 # box, “Expires on” Is that “Expires on” referring to the I-94, meaning 3 months after he entered the US (the date written on the admittance stamp under the date admitted)? Or is it referring to the date that the Visa Expires (expiration date written on K1 visa)?

You are correct it is the date the I-94 expires 90 days after your entry date.

2. I’m assuming that the I-94 # is the number listed on it as “Number of admission” (in our 1-94 that’s in Spanish it’s the number right under “Numero de Admision”

The I-94 # is on the I-94 and it is a long number and yes it is Admission Number.

3. The instructions don’t talk up the Proof of bonefide relationship much, not nearly as much as the I-129F. What do folks submit… joint leases, bank accounts, credit/debit cards, photos? (the list goes on to mortgages, large purchases, etc but come on! We’ve only been here a few weeks, and we’re broke! How are we supposed to buy a house together already?!?) What else to you submit you’re living together in a loving relationship? Is it important to submit as much proof as one must submit in the I-129F or is it not as big of a deal?

You only need to send in what is requested in the instructions, it doesn't ask for proof of a bonafide relationship, you can take these things when you have an interview if you do.

I-693 Medical Form

1. So we’re having some problems with the Vaccine Supplement (Part 2, Section 5). There’s no clinic in our city. The closest one wants to charge us $50 for initial visit, high fees for every vaccine my husband is missing (we’re pretty sure MMR and Varicela), plus a $125 fee for a medical to see the doctor. I insisted that we didn’t need a medical, didn’t need to see the doctor, as my husband came on a K- 1 and already had a medical exam with a doctor approved by US consulate in his home country! But she insisted that he would need to see the doctor. So are they just totally ripping people off and getting away from it because they are the closest Civil Surgeon in the area? Should they be reported?? (in a city even further away they told me they charge a fee of $25 to fill out the vaccine supplement. That seems more reasonable! But its FAR away….)

Either make the long trip or use Dr Arnold, many on VJ have and have been satisfied with his help.

Dr. L. E. Arnold

4534 Westgate Boulevard, Suite 106

Austin, TX 78745

Tel: (512) 444-3131

Fax: (512) 447-4699

2. So, what we’ve collected from calling various civil surgeons is that my husband will need the following vaccines/tests in order to Adjust status:

A) Varicela

B) MMR

C) PPD (the test that …makes sure you don’t have Tuberculosis)

D) Tetanus (though… 2 clinics said he needs tetanus and 1 said no)

Does that information seem consistent with what everyone else has experienced? And what have been the general prices, for these vaccines and also for the Civil Surgeon filling out the form?

If he has a medical done in the past year he should not need another. Check with Dr Arnold for answers to these questions.

Cover Letter

1. In the name of WHO is the AOS application exactly…. My non-US husband or myself, or us BOTH? Who should write and sign the COVER LETTER for example?

When you file your non-US husband should be your US husband and the application is for him to adjust status, not you.

I-864 Affidavit of Support

1. I have not filed taxes in the last 3 years (not enough income). So HOW can I answer question #25 on the I 864? There is no option for “did not file”. Should I just leave it blank? (As for proof of non-filing, is a written statement explaining good enough or do I need an official statement from the IRS?)

How are you intending to sponsor you husband, assets or co-sponsor. You have to meet 125% of federal poverty levels. If you have not filed you will need a letter of explanation why.

Advance Parole to Travel

1. Is it correct that my husband can apply for Advance Parole AFTER he submits his AOS, and still not have to pay the filing fee?

Yes

2. Does he need an EXACT date he wants to travel on? If he puts an exact date, can he ONLY travel on that date or will they give him general permission to travel?

No

3. Has anyone had problems coming back into the States after using Advance Parole to travel before receiving green card? Better to just stay put until receiving green card or ok to travel?

With the advanced parole docs there should be no problems.

[SM&LP 0]

Well, you got your questions answered. But from experience, if he end up traveling to Ecuador - as it was my case - make sure he has plenty of photocopies of the Advance Parole document. In the Quito airport, every clerk that I had to go through were not familiar with that paper and wanted a copy and kept asking me if i was sure i was not going to get deported if i just travel with that paper.

[TBoneTX 45,291]

Yo, Claire!

3. (I-485) You won't have much proof-of-relationship at this stage, and it's understood. I was able to get C. onto the insurance for one car, and (by pulling teeth) onto my bank account. I enclosed an insurance slip & a deposit slip, which was more than was needed, and we didn't have an AOS interview. In short, don't sweat this.

1. (I-693) If I had one wish, it would be that criminal surgeons could be immediately reported with consequences. We used Dr. Arnold (who is in Suite #114, not #106); I understand that his office can do everything except transcribe the tuberculosis test. (Sidebar: Did your hubby have a "BCG" test as an infant or child? If so, this can cause false-positive results on a TB test now -- if he did have a BCG, tell everyone firmly!) You can likely get most of the necessary vaccinations at your county health department -- call ahead for requirements & costs. (Hint: If, when you show up there, they ask "is this for immigration purposes?" say "Eventually, it will be part of that, but we need it immediately for... (plausible medical reasons).") He WILL need tetanus.

1. (cover letter) Doesn't matter who signs the letter... BUT, bear in mind that if you phone USCIS later regarding the status of the application, hubby will also have to be on the line with you, because it's "his" application and USCIS will talk "only" with him.

(Advance Parole)

1. I very strongly urge you to file AOS and EAD and AP together!!! Do NOT split the filing-dates of the applications! For reasons large & small, it is WELL WORTH doing ALL TOGETHER -- and beg, borrow, or earn the $1,010 lump fee as a priority.

2. Put "unknown -- potential family emergencies" or similar. Don't put exact dates.

3. As long as he has accrued no overstays during previous visits to the U.S., is not a criminal, etc., he should be OK. AP (& EAD) took us approx. 45 days to receive; the green card came in around 3.5 months. AP can take longer to process at POEs. I took C. to Mexico one Saturday, and we watched semi-amusedly as the CBP dude at the land port bumbled through the processing for 40 minutes... and little did we know that our green card was IN THE MAIL to us at that very time. Go figger, si man.