November filers

[Pappillon 0]

Hi everybody!

We are getting ready to send I-485 and I-130 on the 18th of this month. And we've got a couple of questions.

My I-94 doesn't have an expiration date. What do I do?

In the I-485, part 1, very last question: Expires on (mm/dd/yyyy) - what expires? status? I-94? what do I write?

Also, I came here 2,5 years ago on J-1 visa, and before it expired we got married, though it has been 2 years since my visa expired. But only now we can apply for I-485 and !-130, cause they cost sooo much money. Do you think it's gonna matter too much?

Please, I really need the answers!!!

[dirtyweebesom 8]

My I-94 doesn't have an expiration date either. I arrived here on a F1 visa, and I think the I-94 expires when your visa does. Don't take my word for it, though. I'm new here, so you should wait and see what the more experienced members have to say.

As for your overstay, well, two years is a long time, but I've heard on here that overstays are always forgiven for change of status applications made by people who have married an American citizen. At least I hope that this is the case, as I also overstayed my visa. It wasn't as much as two years (only 3.5 months), but still...

When I sent off my application, I sent a cover letter explaining why I hadn't filed the paperwork before my visa expired, so maybe you could try that, too.

[marie09 5]

Hi everybody!

We are getting ready to send I-485 and I-130 on the 18th of this month. And we've got a couple of questions.

My I-94 doesn't have an expiration date. What do I do?

In the I-485, part 1, very last question: Expires on (mm/dd/yyyy) - what expires? status? I-94? what do I write?

Also, I came here 2,5 years ago on J-1 visa, and before it expired we got married, though it has been 2 years since my visa expired. But only now we can apply for I-485 and !-130, cause they cost sooo much money. Do you think it's gonna matter too much?

Please, I really need the answers!!!

Hey Pappillon,

You should start a thread with your situation so those that have been in similar situations can jump in with advice.

For the I-94 does it say D/S? - short form for duration of status. If so when it asks for I-94 expiration I would put D/S, they'll know what it means and then be sure to include copies of your I-94, DS 2019, visa etc... As that way they can always change it to be your DS2019 date if they choose.

I'm not sure about the overstay, most people seem to be fine, just don't leave the country till you have your green card. I think they care more about the marriage being legit and since you have a son i'm sure that won't be difficult to prove!

Good Luck!!!

Edited November 18, 2009 by marie09

[FortLaudy 10]

I have just joined VJ today and cannot thank the members and creators of this site enough! After much dreading of starting the AOS process, my husband and I finally got cracking on it and everyone advised us to hire a lawyer... But then we started doing some research and figured out that, sure, it's a bunch of papers we need to get together and a nasty medical, but if we followed the instructions meticulously it's not that hard at all... so we're just waiting now to find out if we saved a couple of thousand $'s or not by doing the paperwork ourselves, lol. all fingers crossed please!

[marie09 5]

I have just joined VJ today and cannot thank the members and creators of this site enough! After much dreading of starting the AOS process, my husband and I finally got cracking on it and everyone advised us to hire a lawyer... But then we started doing some research and figured out that, sure, it's a bunch of papers we need to get together and a nasty medical, but if we followed the instructions meticulously it's not that hard at all... so we're just waiting now to find out if we saved a couple of thousand $'s or not by doing the paperwork ourselves, lol. all fingers crossed please!

Hi Shani! Welcome to the thread and congrats on getting the AOS mailed off... We did it all ourselves too and are hoping everything works out just fine... Fingers crossed for all of us.

Also I saw on your signature that you were asking about your F1 status. I believe you can continue as an F1 student as your AOS is just in process it hasn't gone through yet. I believe there's other F1s on the board still studying... You may want to post a thread and get the official line on it from other F1s...

Good Luck!

[noirdior 0]

hey hey!! great news everybody!! NOA's received yesterday wooooooohooooooooooooooo im celebrating losing almost $1300!! Dont lose hope! Keep up and good luck! and for everybody that helped, GRACIAS, TOTALES!!!

[marie09 5]

Awesome Congrats!!!!

[joshandlisa2009 0]

Sending in AOS packet today! Took over a month to put it all together but it's done! My husband's TN-1 status expires at the end of February so we're hoping to have his EAD by then.

[marie09 5]

Hey Josh and Lisa,

Welcome to the November filers thread!

You must be so relieved to finally have the AOS in the mail!

Good Luck

[FortLaudy 10]

Just a question, if NOA's are received (wishful thinking yet, lol) does that mean there was no error in submitting our paperwork? or are RFE's sent after NOA's are? I'm waiting for the NOA's and so far I understand if that comes through we won't get RFE's ? So how bad is this waiting period? sheeezz, and it's just started !!!

About the F1 thing, well my husband and I discussed it and we both agree that it will be wiser to take next semester off (I'm allowed to take a semester off and still be in legal F1 status after I've been in F1 status and in good academic standing for 1 year - pretty cool of my school! ) and since I have not taken any time off and have been studying my butt off ever since coming over (3.91 GPA) and F1 status requires a 12 credit full time load per semester, we think it's wiser to take next semester off so that we can take a trip to visit the rest of my family (when/if AP is approved) and we want to buy a house soon and seeing that it's a buyer's market right now that's wise too and I can hopefully start working after receiving EAD and help out with the down payment/mortgage, also hoping by the end of next semester to be a "resident" and no longer "alien" (lol @ alien!!!) and pay in state fees, woop woop ! I've always wondered why people make the mistake of going out of status while on F1 visa, there are ways of taking a semester and also even a whole year off while "in" status...

Another question, why is the law so vague on the issue of working while waiting for EAD after NOA is received? Nobody seems to have a good answer, my friend told me that she was told by her lawyer that she was allowed to work as an "independent contractor" for promo modelling jobs/baby sitting/waitressing etc. while waiting for it, anybody know for sure if that's true?

So just as a side note for some sympathy: I had to get ALL those damn vaccination/immunization shots over 2 days cause evidently my parents didn't believe in vaccinations, and it wasn't required for my F1 visa application... strange huh? Anyhow, haven't been seriously sick a day in my life (knock on wood!) so no complaints except for definetely feeling a bit miff for a few days after those shots/blood donations. eeeek!

[marie09 5]

Hey Shani,

Congrats on your GPA! & That's awesome you get a semester off - cool of your school. And smart as you get to save on tuition. I had a work visa, which just finished a few days ago. But I have a grad school place for next fall - hoping to be a resident too by then - the cost difference is awesome

Sympathies over the vaccinations, they didn't accept my records - so 4 needles in 3 days for me too... Not fun I was just like lets get this done but was kindof surprised by how run down i was for a day or so later.

Agreed the waiting sucks especially as I can't work right now... Way too much time to be on VJ and check online. Also do not think i've ever gone to the gym so much before in my life! I know we can't work for a regular employer as we can't satisfy the I9 form. I'm sure someone on here would know the deal on independent contractors, maybe a loop hole?... Also since you still have F1 status maybe you could work on campus, or an internship etc...?

The RFE's seem to come after the NOA's unfortunately. I think they do a basic check b4 the NOA's - e.g check the forms valid etc... I noticed the RFE's seem to appear between 15 and 25 days after filing. Though technically can come at any time during the process. Most seem to be related to the I-864...

Fingers crossed for all of us!

[FortLaudy 10]

Hey Marie, what do you mean by "November 10th 2009: Notice date for I-485, I-130, I-765 & I-131"

The Notice date - was that the date printed on the actual NOA you received in the mail? I mean how do you get this "Notice date" not an email right? You heard nothing after submitting the paperwork until receiving the NOA's in the mail, correct? So please tell me to get off this pc and go to the gym or do some homework cause I will lose my mind in a few days more of waiting, lol... why did God make me so impatient?

[marie09 5]

Hey Marie, what do you mean by "November 10th 2009: Notice date for I-485, I-130, I-765 & I-131"

The Notice date - was that the date printed on the actual NOA you received in the mail? I mean how do you get this "Notice date" not an email right? You heard nothing after submitting the paperwork until receiving the NOA's in the mail, correct? So please tell me to get off this pc and go to the gym or do some homework cause I will lose my mind in a few days more of waiting, lol... why did God make me so impatient?

Lol! yeah the notice date was printed on top of the NOA's... They didn't arrive till the 14th though... It felt like forever and I was convinced during the wait that the mail man had lost them/misdelivered them! Apart from the checks being cashed we got no news until the NOA's showed up. So you're all good right now

Next after the NOA's is the biometrics letter but you don't get an e-mail or anything to show it's been mailed out... It's a surprise... I'm already like where is it? It can arrive any time after the NOA's... Except some people who filed like a month ago still don't have there biometrics letters so i have to learn to be patient!!!

Aw i'm so glad i'm not the only person thinking this wait is taking forever! I'm officially going to stay off the computer for a few hours now! Well that's the intention we'll see how long it lasts!

[dirtyweebesom 8]

My biometrics letter hasn't turned up either, Marie. I was really hoping it would turn up this week, but now I'm glad it's not here. One of my bloody wisdom teeth got infected a couple of days ago, so I'm getting the whole lot taken out next week - I really don't fancy going to get my biometrics photo taken with a big, swollen chipmunk face!

[marie09 5]

My biometrics letter hasn't turned up either, Marie. I was really hoping it would turn up this week, but now I'm glad it's not here. One of my bloody wisdom teeth got infected a couple of days ago, so I'm getting the whole lot taken out next week - I really don't fancy going to get my biometrics photo taken with a big, swollen chipmunk face!

Awww ouch! I had mine out earlier this year... It wasn't that bad really I got a general anesthetic... After I used the ice compresses all afternoon and evening after it totally worked and I didn't get that swollen, not too chipmunky... Some people didn't notice, though one side swelled up more than the other... But was a great excuse to eat lots of ice cream! Have a great weekend! And Good Luck...