MAY 2010

[hoppla 1]

I'm thinking about bringing my school loan documents to our interview..

Hubby co-signed a private student loan with me and I thought that would be a good evidence of co-mingling of our finances.

I'm just wondering though.. as an F-1 student I had to complete a declaration of finances showing I had enough for tuition and living expenses..

so I'm a little afraid that showing USCIS that I took out a loan for tuition would be a bad thing.

What do you guys think? Should I include the loan as part of our evidence or leave it out?

I'm getting a little nervous now that the interview is only 5 days away..

Hmm...that's a tough one. If you have enough evidence already I would not bring it. What else are you bringing?

[barcelona 0]

I'm thinking about bringing my school loan documents to our interview..

Hubby co-signed a private student loan with me and I thought that would be a good evidence of co-mingling of our finances.

I'm just wondering though.. as an F-1 student I had to complete a declaration of finances showing I had enough for tuition and living expenses..

so I'm a little afraid that showing USCIS that I took out a loan for tuition would be a bad thing.

What do you guys think? Should I include the loan as part of our evidence or leave it out?

I'm getting a little nervous now that the interview is only 5 days away..

I would leave it out. Or maybe you can bring it with you just in case, but not show it to them unless you had to.

[engineer21 51]

Hmm...that's a tough one. If you have enough evidence already I would not bring it. What else are you bringing?

Marriage certificate of course

Cerficate of completion of catholic marriage prep

Joint bank account

Me as beneficiary of his 401K (print-out from internet.. not very official looking)

Me covered under his health insurance (also printout from his employee profile online, not very official looking)

Me as second driver on his car insurance

Contract with our wedding reception venue

Joint AAA membership

Joint gym membership

Joint BJs membership (print out from internet too)

Hotel receipts from our honeymoon

Pictures starting from when we were dating, when his mom met my mom, bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, wedding, all the way to the honeymoon and then some random pics from more recent weeks.

I'm just worried that some of the pieces of evidences are only printouts from internet/websites.. not actual letters/statements that were sent to us, mainly because we just thought of getting these things recently..

[hoppla 1]

Marriage certificate of course

Cerficate of completion of catholic marriage prep

Joint bank account

Me as beneficiary of his 401K (print-out from internet.. not very official looking)

Me covered under his health insurance (also printout from his employee profile online, not very official looking)

Me as second driver on his car insurance

Contract with our wedding reception venue

Joint AAA membership

Joint gym membership

Joint BJs membership (print out from internet too)

Hotel receipts from our honeymoon

Pictures starting from when we were dating, when his mom met my mom, bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, wedding, all the way to the honeymoon and then some random pics from more recent weeks.

I'm just worried that some of the pieces of evidences are only printouts from internet/websites.. not actual letters/statements that were sent to us, mainly because we just thought of getting these things recently..

It sounds to me that you have a lot of evidence. But look who's talking I don't have a lot at all. What about letters, cards sent to the both of you?

[Leigh Ann 8]

I wouldn't think the student loan is that big of a deal, but maybe that's just me. I don't think they're going to look to the validity of your prior visas in that sense. It seems like the justification for that is so that you won't expect US universities or the federal government to give you aid, but if you haven't done that, I can't imagine that it would be a big deal. And, the other thing is that the people that do the AOS interviews may or may not know exactly what the requirements are to get student visas since they probably aren't involved in that process at all. So they might see it and think nothing else about it.

[engineer21 51]

It sounds to me that you have a lot of evidence. But look who's talking I don't have a lot at all. What about letters, cards sent to the both of you?

Well we sort of have a lot, but I don't know how much internet print-outs really count..

Yes, I forgot to mention that we were going to bring a few wedding cards too because besa had mentioned them.. These weren't mailed to us though.. because they were all put into the cardbox at our reception.

I didn't think to keep any christmas cards mailed to us or anything like that..dang!

I wouldn't think the student loan is that big of a deal, but maybe that's just me. I don't think they're going to look to the validity of your prior visas in that sense. It seems like the justification for that is so that you won't expect US universities or the federal government to give you aid, but if you haven't done that, I can't imagine that it would be a big deal. And, the other thing is that the people that do the AOS interviews may or may not know exactly what the requirements are to get student visas since they probably aren't involved in that process at all. So they might see it and think nothing else about it.

Definitely no federal/gov't aid at all. Just a private student loan from citizen's bank that he cosigned for me because I can't take loans out on my own as an international student.

Edited July 21, 2010 by engineer21

[hoppla 1]

I think Leigh Ann has a valid point. They just want to make sure that you don't become a burden on the Uni/US. I would do what barcelona suggested, bring it along so you have it if needed.

I didn't think about saving cards etc. until recently. I have one from my mom (thank you card from when she stayed with us) and a wedding invitation we received. Our neighbors will write an affidavit, we hang out with them a lot. What about drivers licenses? Do you have one with the same address as your husband?

[Leigh Ann 8]

I think Leigh Ann has a valid point. They just want to make sure that you don't become a burden on the Uni/US. I would do what barcelona suggested, bring it along so you have it if needed.

Same, maybe don't volunteer it unless the person acts like something is missing. I think you have quite a lot though.

I read in some interview where they said any evidence of traveling together is really good--so if you flew to your honeymoon destination or something, that should be helpful.

None of our cards were mailed to us either, but they all have our names on them so I'm going to take them.

[engineer21 51]

I think Leigh Ann has a valid point. They just want to make sure that you don't become a burden on the Uni/US. I would do what barcelona suggested, bring it along so you have it if needed.

I didn't think about saving cards etc. until recently. I have one from my mom (thank you card from when she stayed with us) and a wedding invitation we received. Our neighbors will write an affidavit, we hang out with them a lot. What about drivers licenses? Do you have one with the same address as your husband?

Yeah I think Leigh Ann is right, they probably won't care as long as I haven't asked for/gotten federal financial aid or anything like that.. I will just bring it I think..

No, his driver's license still has his old address because massachusetts stopped updating addresses on the actual license. Now they just tell you to put a sticker in the back with your new address. So that's what hubby has on his license.. his own handwriting of his new address. I have our address on my license only because I got a new license when I changed my last name. He does have a USPS change of address confirmation from last year when we moved in together though.. Guess I can bring that along too. We do have our apt lease with both our names on it so that should be good probaby

I don't know how much evidence they would want.. kinda worried about the afternoon scheduling because of something here on VJ that said that they plan to grill you if you have an afternoon appt.

So weird all of this gathering of evidence. If it weren't for immigration I would never even think of having/keeping half of the things we have gathered as evidence

[engineer21 51]

Same, maybe don't volunteer it unless the person acts like something is missing. I think you have quite a lot though.

I read in some interview where they said any evidence of traveling together is really good--so if you flew to your honeymoon destination or something, that should be helpful.

None of our cards were mailed to us either, but they all have our names on them so I'm going to take them.

sigh.. unfortunately we didn't fly to our honeymoon. Spent most of our $$$ on the wedding and only drove up to new hampshire to stay mostly at his parent's vacation house. We have a couple of receipts from 2 different hotels we stayed at up there also. Reservation was under his name only though.. I did pay for one of the hotel bills.. I don't know.... there isn't much evidence of our honeymoon now that I think about it

We are taking a trip to pittsburg together in the beginning of August. First time hubby and I will actually fly somewhere together!!

So maybe I will bring our printout from orbitz showing this future trip??

Edited July 21, 2010 by engineer21

[hoppla 1]

So weird all of this gathering of evidence. If it weren't for immigration I would never even think of having/keeping half of the things we have gathered as evidence

I know, I never thought about this when we first started dating so I haven't saved anything. We haven't traveled together except for by car. We didn't have a big wedding, just the justice of the peace ceremony with two of our friends attending but now we are planning for the "real" wedding, destination wedding in Mexico next year...I'm getting so excited!!!

[Leigh Ann 8]

sigh.. unfortunately we didn't fly to our honeymoon. Spent most of our $$$ on the wedding and only drove up to new hampshire to stay mostly at his parent's vacation house. We have a couple of receipts from 2 different hotels we stayed at up there also. Reservation was under his name only though.. I did pay for one of the hotel bills.. I don't know.... there isn't much evidence of our honeymoon now that I think about it

We are taking a trip to pittsburg together in the beginning of August. First time hubby and I will actually fly somewhere together!!

So maybe I will bring our printout from orbitz showing this future trip??

I would definitely bring that!

Do you have the credit card bill/bank account statement that shows you paid for it even though it was in his name? Do you have anything else like that -- where something was in his name and you paid for it (or vice versa)? Gifts that you bought?

It is really weird - who keeps this random stuff around that proves some of what they want to see? Yet, that's the basis of why they expect it...b/c if you're a real couple, you'd have it.

Luckily, since we don't have much else in terms of commingled finances (that is tough when you don't have a SSN), we've flown back and forth between GA & Boston a couple of times (where I went to school). So, I'm hoping that will stand for a lot, though we do have some other evidence, just not a lot of the typical stuff.

I know, I never thought about this when we first started dating so I haven't saved anything. We haven't traveled together except for by car. We didn't have a big wedding, just the justice of the peace ceremony with two of our friends attending but now we are planning for the "real" wedding, destination wedding in Mexico next year...I'm getting so excited!!!

That sounds awesome!

We got married, and I had 3 job interviews the next week so I'm DYING to get somewhere for a honeymoon (really, I just want to lay on a beach. ).

[engineer21 51]

I know, I never thought about this when we first started dating so I haven't saved anything. We haven't traveled together except for by car. We didn't have a big wedding, just the justice of the peace ceremony with two of our friends attending but now we are planning for the "real" wedding, destination wedding in Mexico next year...I'm getting so excited!!!

Ooooo.. destination wedding. I love it! I'm slightly jealous heheh..

I'm still the "I can't believe our wedding day came and went already" stage.

how much planning have you done?

Btw, if you have contracts with some vendors already, I think that would be good evidence you can bring to the interview!

Happy planning! So excited for you

[engineer21 51]

I would definitely bring that!

Do you have the credit card bill/bank account statement that shows you paid for it even though it was in his name? Do you have anything else like that -- where something was in his name and you paid for it (or vice versa)? Gifts that you bought?

It is really weird - who keeps this random stuff around that proves some of what they want to see? Yet, that's the basis of why they expect it...b/c if you're a real couple, you'd have it.

Luckily, since we don't have much else in terms of commingled finances (that is tough when you don't have a SSN), we've flown back and forth between GA & Boston a couple of times (where I went to school). So, I'm hoping that will stand for a lot, though we do have some other evidence, just not a lot of the typical stuff.

That sounds awesome!

We got married, and I had 3 job interviews the next week so I'm DYING to get somewhere for a honeymoon (really, I just want to lay on a beach. ).

Yeah, I can print out my credit card statement that says I paid for one of the hotel stays.

I feel so torn between bringing enough evidence and too much evidence.

As it is I have 4 binders, one for copies of all the forms and documentation we initially submitted, one for originals of everything (BC, passports, etc) plus all the relationship evidence, one for copies of everything, and one for pictures.

I want to be ready to pull stuff out if they ask, but at the same time don't want to go overboard and cause suspicion.

Ack!! So confusing

Monday can't come soon enough..

May you get some beach time soon

Edited July 22, 2010 by engineer21

[hoppla 1]

Ooooo.. destination wedding. I love it! I'm slightly jealous heheh..

I'm still the "I can't believe our wedding day came and went already" stage.

how much planning have you done?

Btw, if you have contracts with some vendors already, I think that would be good evidence you can bring to the interview!

Happy planning! So excited for you

Yeah, it is more "us" than a church wedding and hubby doesn't want to wear a tuxedo We have just started the planning so no vendor contracts yet, only email conversations with the travel agent/destination wedding coordinator. It didn't feel real until I started planning with her about dates and resorts etc. but now I'm sooo excited! We couldn't decide if we should get married here or in Sweden and since a lot of people have to travel far anyway we thought that having it at the beach would be more fun for everyone