cost of AOS?

[david b 2]

I should be getting my K1 very soon and will be leaving for the US in the next few months. I just wondered how much it costs to file for AOS, EAD and advanced parole?

I didn't think there would be many more fees to pay after all the K1 process! Silly me!

What other costs are coming my way.... in the way of fees I mean...I know I have still have more travel and the small matter of a wedding !

[markaspden 0]

I should be getting my K1 very soon and will be leaving for the US in the next few months. I just wondered how much it costs to file for AOS, EAD and advanced parole?

I didn't think there would be many more fees to pay after all the K1 process! Silly me!

What other costs are coming my way.... in the way of fees I mean...I know I have still have more travel and the small matter of a wedding !

Hi the cost of the aos in $1365 that is what i paid plus a medical if needed. The price includes aos and application for ead aswell

[Calypso 464]

I don't know if they have changed the filing fees recently but when my husband and I submitted my AOS in mid-January this year, our check had the amount of $ 1, 010. I adjusted from K1.

There is no need for the foreign wife to take another medical exam as long as she had hers less than a year from filing the AOS. Just have a few parts of Form I-693 completed and signed by a civil surgeon.

All the best for your AOS!

Edited March 24, 2010 by Calypso

[Bernie C 24]

Not if you file together.

You can file I-485, I-765, and I-131 all together for $1,010

In addition you would send I-693, G325A, and G-1145 (no charge for these).

For the I-864, it is my understanding from reading on the USCIS website that there is an additional $70 charge from the NVC when the I-864 is reviewed after approval by the USCIS but it says they send a bill later with instructions on how to pay.

So I am planning on forking over another $1,010 in the near future.

If you do not file the forms concurretly then its a different scenario and subject to additional fees.

We are planning to do this soon and have not done it yet so I am not an "expert" on the subject yet. Damn I sure hope I got it right

[Calypso 464]

Not if you file together.

You can file I-485, I-765, and I-131 all together for $1,010

In addition you would send I-693, G325A, and G-1145 (no charge for these).

For the I-864, it is my understanding from reading on the USCIS website that there is an additional $70 charge from the NVC when the I-864 is reviewed after approval by the USCIS but it says they send a bill later with instructions on how to pay.

So I am planning on forking over another $1,010 in the near future.

If you do not file the forms concurretly then its a different scenario and subject to additional fees.

We are planning to do this soon and have not done it yet so I am not an "expert" on the subject yet. Damn I sure hope I got it right

I haven't heard of an AOS from K1 being sent to or having to do with the NVC. Maybe you meant CR-1 because it comes with AOS. That's a totally different story.

If you send I-485 and get a receipt then decide to add I-765 and I-131 during the AOS processing, you don't have to pay again. Just attach a copy of the I-485 receipt together with your follow up I-765 and I-131.

Edited March 24, 2010 by Calypso

[Calypso 464]

In addition you would send I-693, G325A, and G-1145 (no charge for these).

The G-325A is a requirement, not a form for processing a benefit like I-485, I-765, or I-131. It reflects your biographic info.

The G-1145 is optional. You will receive texts and e-mails from the USCIS once they have assigned your receipt numbers when you attach this form.

You will pay a civil surgeon for the I-693.

[Bernie C 24]

I haven't heard of an AOS from K1 being sent to or having to do with the NVC. Maybe you meant CR-1 because it comes with AOS. That's a totally different story.

If you send I-485 and get a receipt then decide to add I-765 and I-131 during the AOS processing, you don't have to pay again. Just attach a copy of the I-485 receipt together with your follow up I-765 and I-131.

Hmmm - it says at the USCIS website that("When the I-130 and subsequent Affidavit of Support (AOS) form I-864 is filed abroad, at a U.S. embassy or consulate, this fee is not charged".

But when it is reviewed domestically there is a $70 fee from the NVC. I'm sure I am confused and not interpreting this correctly - sure would not be the first time!!!

Apprecaite your input!!!!!

[Nik+Heather 121]

Hmmm - it says at the USCIS website that("When the I-130 and subsequent Affidavit of Support (AOS) form I-864 is filed abroad, at a U.S. embassy or consulate, this fee is not charged".

But when it is reviewed domestically there is a $70 fee from the NVC. I'm sure I am confused and not interpreting this correctly - sure would not be the first time!!!

Apprecaite your input!!!!!

The NVC is National VISA Center. As AOS from within the US has nothing any longer to do with a VISA, there is no NVC processing or NVC fee. I think if you check your source again, it will have something to do with a CR-1 visa and not to do with adjusting from a K-1 visa in the US. Just to be clear, there is no additional $70 fee for adjustment from a K-1 visa.

For the costs, USCIS charges the 1010$ fee for filing. EAD and AP can be concurrently filed OR filed after the AOS and the fees for these filings will be waived. There are a number of other fees which are not at all standardized which may be required in order to gather the evidence to successfully file. For example - your certified marriage license may cost some money. You may have to do the I-693 and pay for the CS to do your transcription. Postage costs money...etc.

[david b 2]

Thanks for the replies, Wow, so over another $1000 still to go!

What happens if I don't file for AOS after getting married...although I will be filing for EAD as soon as possible so I suppose it makes sense to do it all at once... I'm guessing I can't get my EAD without the AOS?

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Thanks for the replies, Wow, so over another $1000 still to go!

What happens if I don't file for AOS after getting married...although I will be filing for EAD as soon as possible so I suppose it makes sense to do it all at once... I'm guessing I can't get my EAD without the AOS?

Correct. There is a small window where you could try to apply for an EAD prior to sending in the AOS, however, the cost to time ratio is too great, so just send it in with the AOS, the that ratio is much better. (like free to get)

[Nik+Heather 121]

Thanks for the replies, Wow, so over another $1000 still to go!

What happens if I don't file for AOS after getting married...although I will be filing for EAD as soon as possible so I suppose it makes sense to do it all at once... I'm guessing I can't get my EAD without the AOS?

Well, better to know now when you still have some flexibility in timing/saving than to get here and then go "oh ####### no money!" You have 6 months to use the visa once it's issued, and another 90 days after you enter the US before the "recommended" AOS filing date.

Also, it is not recommended that you delay filing for AOS beyond the 90 days on your I-94 issued when you enter on the K-1. We have had long and involved arguments discussions on VJ about what the law says regarding your legal status, and never did come to a conclusion on which we could all agree. Problem is that I think law enforcement has the same problem, and it's not something you'd particularly want to get neck deep into when the Sheriff is asking you for evidence of legal presence in the US. The lawyer you'd want to hire to get you out of the mess would cost more than just filing for AOS in the first place.

Even if you had to borrow the money to file for AOS, you would come out ahead financially in a few months as the EAD would enable you to add to your spouse's income sooner.

[Danu 19]

Hmmm - it says at the USCIS website that("When the I-130 and subsequent Affidavit of Support (AOS) form I-864 is filed abroad, at a U.S. embassy or consulate, this fee is not charged".

But when it is reviewed domestically there is a $70 fee from the NVC. I'm sure I am confused and not interpreting this correctly - sure would not be the first time!!!

Apprecaite your input!!!!!

I think the key to this is the I-130 which people who came in on K1's don't file. It would be for people who are adjusting from travel visa's or that type of thing I believe, but the K1's dont have to pay it.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I should be getting my K1 very soon and will be leaving for the US in the next few months. I just wondered how much it costs to file for AOS, EAD and advanced parole?

I didn't think there would be many more fees to pay after all the K1 process! Silly me!

What other costs are coming my way.... in the way of fees I mean...I know I have still have more travel and the small matter of a wedding !

The long and short of it is this.

As you are adjusting from a K1, the fee for AOS is $1010. You can also file the EAD (I-765) and AP (I-131) at the same time as AOS and the fees for those 2 are waived.

You may require your shots to be transcribed into an I-693 and that should only be around $50, hopefully less.

You can apply for an EAD on entry however it will only be valid until your I-94 expires (90 days) and it takes 60 or so days to get it. As it costs $340 to get the EAD prior to AOS, this is a complete was of money.

If you wait to file for AOS (which I have for several personal reasons) there are several things you need to be aware of:

1. The medical done for K1 is only valid for a year. If it expires before you file you will need to get a new one (around $200.. usually more)

2. If you file for the AP and the I-94 is expired by more than 180 days then you will get a 3 year ban on trying to re-enter (usually they won't approve it if it's the case but I believe it's happened before)

3. You can't leave the US until you have the AP or GC.

4. Can't work till you get the EAD

5. You cannot get a drivers licence. If you get a licence it's only valid until the I-94 expires. Sooner greencard, sooner licence

6. You will actually end up spending MORE money (I feel like I'm bleeding money :S) as you are supporting 2 people on 1 wage. It's pretty stressful

7. You still can get into trouble with ICE. You can't get deported, but they can make your life difficult.

8. BOREDOM.

Moral of the story save save save until you get there and have your fiance doing the same. File for AOS ASAP because you will definitely appreciate the freedom of being able to work, drive etc and you will assimilate faster.

Edited March 24, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony

[david b 2]

Thank you all again for all this info, it is so helpful. My fiance in the US doesn't work, she gets about 500 dollars a month for child minding but thats all. I am supporting her and myself from here and will be doing the same when I get work there..

I will be waiting and working here for as long as possible in order to save as much as I can before entering the US.

We will then marry within a month or sooner if possible and I will file for AOS, EAD etc ASAP.

She is living in a trailer that we bought last year and i will join her! I have heard the term trailer trash lol, but the place is really quite nice and we have had no trouble there. Plus it is the cheapest way to live until I can find work and we can get something better. I just wish I had a house to sell before leaving but I don't, I still live with my parents!

[Nik+Heather 121]

Thank you all again for all this info, it is so helpful. My fiance in the US doesn't work, she gets about 500 dollars a month for child minding but thats all. I am supporting her and myself from here and will be doing the same when I get work there..

I will be waiting and working here for as long as possible in order to save as much as I can before entering the US.

We will then marry within a month or sooner if possible and I will file for AOS, EAD etc ASAP.

She is living in a trailer that we bought last year and i will join her! I have heard the term trailer trash lol, but the place is really quite nice and we have had no trouble there. Plus it is the cheapest way to live until I can find work and we can get something better. I just wish I had a house to sell before leaving but I don't, I still live with my parents!

OK, well, check out the I-864 as well. Whoever cosponsored your visa will probably have to cosponsor your AOS. Maybe you know that already, but I want to make sure there are no surprises...