AOS, EAD & AP from K1 - the Aussie way (doc list included)

[ATLR 2]

Hi everyone, this is a great link! I am still new in VJ but has been reading up a lot in this website. I had arrived in Miami in March 3 under K1 and my wedding is set on April 22. My fiance and I have been waiting for this day for 5 years. And there are still a lot to be done when I got here. I have a few questions, hope some of you will be able to help. That will be very much appreciated!

1. 2 weeks after my arrival here, I went down to the Social Security office in March 30th (last Tuesday), initially the officer rejected me right away for application of a SSN#, but I shoved the RM00203.500 right in her face and reluctantly she filed in my application (while throwing hints at me that I may just be here to earn the great US$ with a fake marriage!!!). Any way, after all data were in her system, she said it there is a name mismatch, I don't know how that happen because everything is file with my legal name in the USA format. So she said it will take 3 to 4 weeks to received my SS# and card if all records goes well. But I have read in VJ forum some people said you can get the SSN# immediately, just that the card will take a while to be mail to you, whereas some people said it will take 2 weeks to receive the SS# as well as the card. What is the kind of time frame that I should really look at? Or should I call them this week to ask for the SS# first?

2. For immigrants like us, do you really need a SS# to apply for stuffs like joint health insurance, utility, telephone services etc? Banks do not need my SS#, so my fiance and I already had a joint savings account, joint credit card, a letter from his condo management indicating my stay in his apartment is approve. I want to make sure because when it comes time for us to file for AOS, we want to provide as many evidences as possible and I am worry that if I really need a SS# to apply joint named account of any other nature, I may not get my my SS# on time if the Social Security office for some reason screw up my application.

3. There seems to be have some contradiction with the I-693. I had my checkup receipt, were given copies of my medical results and vaccination record by the civil surgeon in Singapore and in the form DS-3025, the column TD and MMR vaccination were ticked because the surgeon in Singapore determined that I need these 2 vaccinations only, the rest are ticked at the box 'Not Age Appropriate' and at the bottom the column with the wordings 'Vaccine history complete for each vaccine, all requirements met.' is ticked. So do I still need to go to a local surgeon here (Miami) and get them to fill in the I-693? If I still need to file I-693, I don't want to get rip off by the civil surgeons here and want to gather all the reasons to rebuke them if they insist on a full body checkup which can cost up to US$400 to US$500!!

4. Does anyone know of a honest civil surgeon around the Miami Beach area?

Sorry if I type too much here, any advise is very very much appreciated.

Thank you.

[alex and astrid 38]

Hi everyone, this is a great link! I am still new in VJ but has been reading up a lot in this website. I had arrived in Miami in March 3 under K1 and my wedding is set on April 22. My fiance and I have been waiting for this day for 5 years. And there are still a lot to be done when I got here. I have a few questions, hope some of you will be able to help. That will be very much appreciated!

1. 2 weeks after my arrival here, I went down to the Social Security office in March 30th (last Tuesday), initially the officer rejected me right away for application of a SSN#, but I shoved the RM00203.500 right in her face and reluctantly she filed in my application (while throwing hints at me that I may just be here to earn the great US$ with a fake marriage!!!). Any way, after all data were in her system, she said it there is a name mismatch, I don't know how that happen because everything is file with my legal name in the USA format. So she said it will take 3 to 4 weeks to received my SS# and card if all records goes well. But I have read in VJ forum some people said you can get the SSN# immediately, just that the card will take a while to be mail to you, whereas some people said it will take 2 weeks to receive the SS# as well as the card. What is the kind of time frame that I should really look at? Or should I call them this week to ask for the SS# first?

When I first got my Social Security Number, I did not know what the number was until I got the card. As far as I know, you don't get the number right away. I think wait at least a few weeks and then contact them if you have not received anything. They will not give you a number over the phone - because they probably can't, and because of the massive security problems that can cause.

2. For immigrants like us, do you really need a SS# to apply for stuffs like joint health insurance, utility, telephone services etc? Banks do not need my SS#, so my fiance and I already had a joint savings account, joint credit card, a letter from his condo management indicating my stay in his apartment is approve. I want to make sure because when it comes time for us to file for AOS, we want to provide as many evidences as possible and I am worry that if I really need a SS# to apply joint named account of any other nature, I may not get my my SS# on time if the Social Security office for some reason screw up my application.

A lot of things you do not need a social security number for, and if you do, a lot of companies will let you spouse or partner use their SNN and just have it in their name. My husband (well, back then he was still my boyfriend!) had to do that for my cell phone with Verizon. If stuff is joint, companies should be ok with only one partner having an SNN.

Anyways, when you file for AOS, you DO NOT need to provide them any evidence of your relationship, apart from the marriage certificate. So, in between filing your AOS and a possible interview, you have lots of time for your SSN to come through and get joint accounts etc with your spouse.

3. There seems to be have some contradiction with the I-693. I had my checkup receipt, were given copies of my medical results and vaccination record by the civil surgeon in Singapore and in the form DS-3025, the column TD and MMR vaccination were ticked because the surgeon in Singapore determined that I need these 2 vaccinations only, the rest are ticked at the box 'Not Age Appropriate' and at the bottom the column with the wordings 'Vaccine history complete for each vaccine, all requirements met.' is ticked. So do I still need to go to a local surgeon here (Miami) and get them to fill in the I-693? If I still need to file I-693, I don't want to get rip off by the civil surgeons here and want to gather all the reasons to rebuke them if they insist on a full body checkup which can cost up to US$400 to US$500!!

If your vaccinations are ticked as complete, then according to USCIS you can submit just the DS-3025. But, it looks like USCIS has a lot of untrained drones opening packets, and these drones do not understand what the K1 process and requirements. So, they are firing off RFE's when really they aren't needed. Or, USCIS are 'losing' peoples medicals in between POE and processing centers, and that is a whole other problem. So, a lot of people are getting the I-693 done as a precaution, even if their shots are complete. As for me, my DS-3025 was ticked as complete, so I just sent a copy of that. It's been nearly a month and no RFE yet. Fingers crossed!

4. Does anyone know of a honest civil surgeon around the Miami Beach area?

I'm in Los Angeles....sorry I can't help! There is a thread about good civil surgeons in this subforum, they may be able to help you.

Sorry if I type too much here, any advise is very very much appreciated.

Thank you.

[ATLR 2]

Hi all, I am a newbie and I am really nervous about this whole AOS thing and don't want anything to go wrong. After our wedding, it is going to be another crazy flurry of rushing about to get the AOS package ready. I have another question, hope you are able to help. My fiance and I decided to go ahead with the I-693 even though we have all the medical record on hand and it is less than a year, but can we get the I-693 done before our wedding (Apr 22) or should it be done after our wedding when we got our wedding certificate? And what is the name I should put in the form? My name in my passport or my married name?

Thanks!!

Edited April 7, 2010 by ATLR

[alex and astrid 38]

Hi all, I am a newbie and I am really nervous about this whole AOS thing and don't want anything to go wrong. After our wedding, it is going to be another crazy flurry of rushing about to get the AOS package ready. I have another question, hope you are able to help. My fiance and I decided to go ahead with the I-693 even though we have all the medical record on hand and it is less than a year, but can we get the I-693 done before our wedding (Apr 22) or should it be done after our wedding when we got our wedding certificate? And what is the name I should put in the form? My name in my passport or my married name?

Thanks!!

I believe that the date on the I-693 doesn't really matter. You are going to be filing ASAP after the wedding, so the date on the vaccination supplement is going to be fairly close to the AOS date anyway.

I also don't think it will matter what name is on it, maiden or married. Your medical is in your maiden name, as is a lot of the documentation that will be submitted on your AOS. Whoever is adjudicating your AOS will be able to see that you have had two names, and make the link between them.

[ATLR 2]

Yeah, that is what I thought so too. And better to get it done as soon as possible too. Thank you for your replies to my queries. You are such a dear. Hope you get your AOS approve soon!

I believe that the date on the I-693 doesn't really matter. You are going to be filing ASAP after the wedding, so the date on the vaccination supplement is going to be fairly close to the AOS date anyway.

I also don't think it will matter what name is on it, maiden or married. Your medical is in your maiden name, as is a lot of the documentation that will be submitted on your AOS. Whoever is adjudicating your AOS will be able to see that you have had two names, and make the link between them.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

okay guys,today i received my I-797C NOA transfer notice stating my case was transfered to California Service Center......

Still no letter for my Bio-metrics interview....is this normal...

Yeah this happens sometimes. I wouldn't worry about it too much. Have you registered to check it online? If so you would haven noticed a biometric notice on the online site. ALSO, please be aware that sometimes they list an RFE instead of biometrics.

Congrats on the transfer! Typically that means no interview

[Ravi_Beth 0]

that would be awesome if i do not have to take a interview....., i guess i will just wait....when you are talking online is it the USCIS website...???

[alex and astrid 38]

that would be awesome if i do not have to take a interview....., i guess i will just wait....when you are talking online is it the USCIS website...???

Yes, you can create a portfolio on there, put in your case numbers and get updates as to what is going on with your AOS. Though, the updates aren't always accurate. When I did my K1, it was stuck on initial review, even weeks after my visa was approved! So far for my AOS, the updates have been accurate

[alex and astrid 38]

To show you how much AOS is in my head - Last night, I dreamed I got an RFE because the tires on Alex's car were bald.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Giggles 1]

To show you how much AOS is in my head - Last night, I dreamed I got an RFE because the tires on Alex's car were bald.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

LMAO! Astrid, that is so darn funny!!

[Ravi_Beth 0]

i dont blame you astrid, i guess we all have had our share of nightmares

[alex and astrid 38]

LOL, when I woke up in the morning the first thing I did was tell Alex my dream....He just laughed and was like "Oh, babe.....you're a weirdo!"

[Giggles 1]

I sent my AOS, EAD and AP yesterday. What a relief to finally have all that done!

Now it's time to play the waiting game again.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I sent my AOS, EAD and AP yesterday. What a relief to finally have all that done!

Now it's time to play the waiting game again.

congrats!! You and I then are in the same timeline! I sent mine on Monday 12th so I'll keep an eye on your timeline. **fingers crossed** its quick for both of us

Heres the April AOS filers thread: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/249575-april-2010-filers-aos/

[alex and astrid 38]

Good luck to you both!! You're only about a month behind me, hopefully your AOS is as smooth as mine has been so far