Musing on AoS and USCIS

[Kittyfang 6]

As you may have noticed, I have been running like a chicken with its head cut off recently.

In the past, reading people's experience gave me a lot of faith in our own case.

But now that I am actually filing form, I'm a wreck.

Apart from overstaying and having a very small wedding (a few guests, a few pictures, because we're not rich and we're pretty private),

I don't think there will be any problems.

However, I would *love* to be a little bird, flying around at USCIS. That way I could know What They Want From Me!

We've established they don't care why you came, they don't care if you've worked,

Seems like the only thing they care about, is if you have a bona fides marriage.

We have a few bills together, we will have both names on cars, on house, on bank account, on taxes (for the interview)...

We're pretty simple, don't even have a cell phone...

...

Also, those phone rep at USCIS are there only to confuse us, I just know it.

/rant over

Edited October 15, 2009 by Kittyfang

[Old Dominion 26]

Good luck! Just be very careful to follow all of the directions when you submit. As you did not come in on a K visa, you'll need to submit an I-130 for an additional fee. The processing delay will give you time to assemble other evidences (photos and insurance documents, etc) before the interview. I don't think Canada makes things any easier for immigrants, but there are lots of lawyers making nice loonies over the confusion.

[Kittyfang 6]

Good luck! Just be very careful to follow all of the directions when you submit. As you did not come in on a K visa, you'll need to submit an I-130 for an additional fee. The processing delay will give you time to assemble other evidences (photos and insurance documents, etc) before the interview. I don't think Canada makes things any easier for immigrants, but there are lots of lawyers making nice loonies over the confusion.

Yeah, that's another thing. We won't be using a lawyer, we can't afford it. So I'm reading everything 10 times over.

[Kittyfang 6]

Good luck! Just be very careful to follow all of the directions when you submit. As you did not come in on a K visa, you'll need to submit an I-130 for an additional fee. The processing delay will give you time to assemble other evidences (photos and insurance documents, etc) before the interview. I don't think Canada makes things any easier for immigrants, but there are lots of lawyers making nice loonies over the confusion.

Yeah, that's another thing. We won't be using a lawyer, we can't afford it. So I'm reading everything 10 times over.

It's hard to figure out what to provide when you don't know what they want.

But I think they really want proof of relationship, so that's what we'll be giving.

[marie09 5]

I hear you - Kitty Fang!

We can't afford a lawyer either and i'm already thinking what if we miss something/mess something up... I'm already scared of the medical and of RFE's!

I'm getting married in 9 days and going to be going through this process oh so soon... It all seems stressful but hopefully all will go well for all of us and just think what a great place we'll all be in by this time next year assuming this all goes well...

[visacheck 3]

As you may have noticed, I have been running like a chicken with its head cut off recently.

In the past, reading people's experience gave me a lot of faith in our own case.

But now that I am actually filing form, I'm a wreck.

Apart from overstaying and having a very small wedding (a few guests, a few pictures, because we're not rich and we're pretty private),

I don't think there will be any problems.

However, I would *love* to be a little bird, flying around at USCIS. That way I could know What They Want From Me!

We've established they don't care why you came, they don't care if you've worked,

Seems like the only thing they care about, is if you have a bona fides marriage.

We have a few bills together, we will have both names on cars, on house, on bank account, on taxes (for the interview)...

We're pretty simple, don't even have a cell phone...

...

Also, those phone rep at USCIS are there only to confuse us, I just know it.

/rant over

its not the wedding that matters, its the marriage.

[Kittyfang 6]

As you may have noticed, I have been running like a chicken with its head cut off recently.

In the past, reading people's experience gave me a lot of faith in our own case.

But now that I am actually filing form, I'm a wreck.

Apart from overstaying and having a very small wedding (a few guests, a few pictures, because we're not rich and we're pretty private),

I don't think there will be any problems.

However, I would *love* to be a little bird, flying around at USCIS. That way I could know What They Want From Me!

We've established they don't care why you came, they don't care if you've worked,

Seems like the only thing they care about, is if you have a bona fides marriage.

We have a few bills together, we will have both names on cars, on house, on bank account, on taxes (for the interview)...

We're pretty simple, don't even have a cell phone...

...

Also, those phone rep at USCIS are there only to confuse us, I just know it.

/rant over

its not the wedding that matters, its the marriage.

Of course.

My husband and I both know it's real. We have bills in both our names and both out name on the house's deed, car's deed, once I get my EAD, we'll have bank accounts and taxes as well. We'll have affidavit from people that were at our weeding and that live on the same street as us.

I just hope it's good enough for them... Because right now, I'm such a wreck... We're both stressed out. We don't know if what we have, and will have is enough.

Edited October 15, 2009 by Kittyfang

[visacheck 3]

As you may have noticed, I have been running like a chicken with its head cut off recently.

In the past, reading people's experience gave me a lot of faith in our own case.

But now that I am actually filing form, I'm a wreck.

Apart from overstaying and having a very small wedding (a few guests, a few pictures, because we're not rich and we're pretty private),

I don't think there will be any problems.

However, I would *love* to be a little bird, flying around at USCIS. That way I could know What They Want From Me!

We've established they don't care why you came, they don't care if you've worked,

Seems like the only thing they care about, is if you have a bona fides marriage.

We have a few bills together, we will have both names on cars, on house, on bank account, on taxes (for the interview)...

We're pretty simple, don't even have a cell phone...

...

Also, those phone rep at USCIS are there only to confuse us, I just know it.

/rant over

its not the wedding that matters, its the marriage.

Of course.

My husband and I both know it's real. We have bills in both our names and both out name on the house's deed, car's deed, once I get my EAD, we'll have bank accounts and taxes as well. We'll have affidavit from people that were at our weeding and that live on the same street as us.

I just hope it's good enough for them... Because right now, I'm such a wreck... We're both stressed out. We don't know if what we have, and will have is enough.

When we filed for I-130 we pretty much have the same proof you have. We didnt have a lot. In fact my wife only had tax return for 2008 because she never worked before. When we filed I-130 she was new to the company and was working only for about 8 months. As long as poverty line is met, you shouldnt have a problem.

VJ'ers correct me if i am wrong but i think proof on Bonafide Marriage will be crucial on your AOS interview. I-130 is simply for the purposes of knowing if your husband is eligible to sponsor you, if he is financially stable. When a USC citizen files for I-129f (fiancee) what do they submit? emails, pics, plane tickets, phone bills, thats it. I mean c'mon... you are already married kittyfang. You live in the same house, bills under your name, etc.

Dont worry too much on not having enough proof right now. You still have enough time.

[Kittyfang 6]

As you may have noticed, I have been running like a chicken with its head cut off recently.

In the past, reading people's experience gave me a lot of faith in our own case.

But now that I am actually filing form, I'm a wreck.

Apart from overstaying and having a very small wedding (a few guests, a few pictures, because we're not rich and we're pretty private),

I don't think there will be any problems.

However, I would *love* to be a little bird, flying around at USCIS. That way I could know What They Want From Me!

We've established they don't care why you came, they don't care if you've worked,

Seems like the only thing they care about, is if you have a bona fides marriage.

We have a few bills together, we will have both names on cars, on house, on bank account, on taxes (for the interview)...

We're pretty simple, don't even have a cell phone...

...

Also, those phone rep at USCIS are there only to confuse us, I just know it.

/rant over

its not the wedding that matters, its the marriage.

Of course.

My husband and I both know it's real. We have bills in both our names and both out name on the house's deed, car's deed, once I get my EAD, we'll have bank accounts and taxes as well. We'll have affidavit from people that were at our weeding and that live on the same street as us.

I just hope it's good enough for them... Because right now, I'm such a wreck... We're both stressed out. We don't know if what we have, and will have is enough.

When we filed for I-130 we pretty much have the same proof you have. We didnt have a lot. In fact my wife only had tax return for 2008 because she never worked before. When we filed I-130 she was new to the company and was working only for about 8 months. As long as poverty line is met, you shouldnt have a problem.

VJ'ers correct me if i am wrong but i think proof on Bonafide Marriage will be crucial on your AOS interview. I-130 is simply for the purposes of knowing if your husband is eligible to sponsor you, if he is financially stable. When a USC citizen files for I-129f (fiancee) what do they submit? emails, pics, plane tickets, phone bills, thats it. I mean c'mon... you are already married kittyfang. You live in the same house, bills under your name, etc.

Dont worry too much on not having enough proof right now. You still have enough time.

Thank you. It's just all very overwhelming. The implications, if we get denied are just horrible, that I just can't even think about them. As for the poverty limit, we can't meet it, my husband doesn't make enough, but we have his mother as a co-sponsor... She meets the poverty line and she wants to help us.

If I understand you correctly, the crucial part is the interview. If we can present those proof, they should accept our petition?

We're already married, for two years, we have what they want. I need to calm down lol. But, thank you very much for sharing your experience with me. Makes me feel better about our situation.

Edited October 16, 2009 by Kittyfang

[Kittyfang 6]

I'm just hoping that the fact that some proof will have been acquired after I get my EAD won't be a problem. But then again, I can explain that without SSN, I can't have Bank account or Taxes (hence why we will have our taxes revised).

[Dave and Helena 0]

Apart from overstaying and having a very small wedding (a few guests, a few pictures, because we're not rich and we're pretty private),

I don't think there will be any problems.

I too had an overstay, not long but still. I actually felt much better once I had filed because I felt like at least I didn't have to worry about being "caught" for overstaying.

We had a very small wedding as well. We eloped to the beach with 4 friends (no family). I had two of those friends write the affidavits for us and one of the pictures we sent with our AOS was of the wedding with those two friends in the picture and named on the back. We had no problems with my AOS, no RFE:s or anything.

I could be wrong but I think they care more about evidence that has to do with money than pictures so your evidence of having your names on cars, house, bank account etc is great so don't worry, as long as you follow the instructions you'll be fine.

[Dave and Helena 0]

I'm just hoping that the fact that some proof will have been acquired after I get my EAD won't be a problem. But then again, I can explain that without SSN, I can't have Bank account or Taxes (hence why we will have our taxes revised).

Shouldn't you be able to be put on your husband's bank account without a SSN? Dave and I went to the bank today to finally change my name on our bank account from my maiden to my married name. They did not have my SSN since I didn't have it when he added me so we had that added as well.

[Kittyfang 6]

You guys are making me feel sooooo much better. I'm actually bookmarking this post so I can read it agian when I need to relax! :star:

As for the SSN, I was told some banks don't require it. Some do. I will call my husband's tomorrow and see what they say.

[trillium13 84]

I'm just hoping that the fact that some proof will have been acquired after I get my EAD won't be a problem. But then again, I can explain that without SSN, I can't have Bank account or Taxes (hence why we will have our taxes revised).

Shouldn't you be able to be put on your husband's bank account without a SSN? Dave and I went to the bank today to finally change my name on our bank account from my maiden to my married name. They did not have my SSN since I didn't have it when he added me so we had that added as well.

My bank wouldn't even add my husband when he got his SS#. He had to have a freaking driver's license.

Anywho, we didn't have a ton of evidence either. My husband adjusted from VWP (with significant overstay, I might add) We had a joint lease, he was an authorized user on my CC, beneficiary on a 401K of mine, other little #######. We had a lot of photos, which seemed to go over well. We had some affidavits too. We didn't have a lot of the "joint" stuff that others have because my husband didn't have a SS# either. USCIS does understand that part of it.

We were never asked about the overstay. Never asked about the VWP.

We worried ourselves sick. I lost a lot of weight before our interview because I couldn't even eat. I certainly wouldn't want to repeat this or recommend it to anyone. We stuck together though, and in the end our interview went super smoothly and now we can smile about it all. We cried when they told us we were approved at the interview. I'd never felt so relieved.

Hang in there, it's a lot to worry about, and you're certainly not alone!

[Kittyfang 6]

I'm just hoping that the fact that some proof will have been acquired after I get my EAD won't be a problem. But then again, I can explain that without SSN, I can't have Bank account or Taxes (hence why we will have our taxes revised).

Shouldn't you be able to be put on your husband's bank account without a SSN? Dave and I went to the bank today to finally change my name on our bank account from my maiden to my married name. They did not have my SSN since I didn't have it when he added me so we had that added as well.

My bank wouldn't even add my husband when he got his SS#. He had to have a freaking driver's license.

Anywho, we didn't have a ton of evidence either. My husband adjusted from VWP (with significant overstay, I might add) We had a joint lease, he was an authorized user on my CC, beneficiary on a 401K of mine, other little #######. We had a lot of photos, which seemed to go over well. We had some affidavits too. We didn't have a lot of the "joint" stuff that others have because my husband didn't have a SS# either. USCIS does understand that part of it.

We were never asked about the overstay. Never asked about the VWP.

We worried ourselves sick. I lost a lot of weight before our interview because I couldn't even eat. I certainly wouldn't want to repeat this or recommend it to anyone. We stuck together though, and in the end our interview went super smoothly and now we can smile about it all. We cried when they told us we were approved at the interview. I'd never felt so relieved.

Hang in there, it's a lot to worry about, and you're certainly not alone!

Thank you very much for replying and sharing your story. Along with the others, it made me feel a lot better.

That nagging little voice in the back of my head that likes to torture me is the reason I worry. The overstay was something that scared me at first. But, it seems like they don't really care, WHY and WHEN you came to the U.S... They just want to know you married for real.

I'm glad to hear that USCIS is understanding of certain situations. To an outsider any U.S. government organization is scary and seems to be made to scare people... rather than help them. But I'm glad to see that's not the case.

I'm glad to see that your evidences were enough. We will have some affidavits, my name on the house/car titles, taxes files jointly as well as joint bank account (once I receive EAD)... I think that normal couple have that, we're not that rich, so we have no other thing that would serve as proofs, but everyone that replied to this post seem to agree that they don't require more than you can submit.

I hope to file by November.

Edited October 16, 2009 by Kittyfang