Sticker Shock-I-485 filing

[belgorod 0]

My bride and I were married on the 17th, and I have a question about something. I am navigating through all of the forms for adjustment of status, and when I do the math for:

the I485 itself

the Biometrics thing

The medical exam

Permission to work

Advanced parole (so she can run home to mom and dad when she's homesick)

The sticker price for all of this together, is almost $1000!

Ohmigod!

Can I spread out the expense by sending the advanced parole and permission to work thing a few weeks after I send the other stuff? Or is it better to send it all together?

Any advice?

Thanks.

P.S. My new bride does not speak English, so she is casting around for some Russian girlfriends to talk to and maybe visit with. I've tried to help her with this myself, but not much luck so far. Any ideas on that front?

[LaL 418]

do you really need a new medical? if you are within a year of the last one, you should not. The only item that IS suggested in that dept is the vaccination supplement.

you can choose to stagger the filing if you choose to, however for the EAD, i think i recall needing proof of filing AOS unless you file together. In that case you may need to wait for your NOA for AOS to file EAD. someone correct me here....

Also look at the processing times for your local office as well as stats here (see when others have gotten their interviews) you may find AOS is a pretty quick step and have no need for EAD or AP. The flipside to that is should you run into a lengthy wait for AOS or wind up in namechecks, best to have the EAD/AP in pocket to carry you the rest of the way.

[motu 6]

I would suggest not filing for EAD and Advance Parle - if you are strapped for cash then she shouldn't be spending all that money for flying home; also since she is trying to learn English - (my wife has been going to ESL school for 6 months and may needs another 6 months) you don't need to spend the money on EAD. Just do the I485 and save yourselves some money. Kharosh?

[Kez/JWolf 6]

I agree unless your wife is going to be looking for work as soon as she is able you can save money and not file for EAD... same with AP... if money is an issue how would you pay for flights and expenses....

If she came on a K1 then her medical from that is good for 1 year... all you need to do is get the Vaccination Supplement done by a civil surgeon in your are... call around and get the best price....

Good Luck

Kezzie

[cojosurfer 0]

I can offer our phone # for your wife. My wife is from Ukraine. Maybe a small conversation will make your wife feel at home? Congratulations our your marriage and your wife will be 'just fine'.

[Boiler 46,158]

P.S. My new bride does not speak English, so she is casting around for some Russian girlfriends to talk to and maybe visit with. I've tried to help her with this myself, but not much luck so far. Any ideas on that front?

Having read a few posts here, this may not be a good idea.

AP - well only if you leave the country, and a ticket will be a lot more.

EAD - often needed for other purposes than work, like getting a DL.

[Leasel7 1]

EAD - often needed for other purposes than work, like getting a DL.

Good point, the OP may want to check into requirements for getting a DL in his state. Of course, if his bride doesn't speak English, she may have trouble with the written part of the test.

In our case, the EAD would've been helpful for getting the DL, but not absolutely necessary. It ended up being a moot point anyway, because our AOS case was processed so quickly that they didn't bother issuing the EAD. $180 down the drain.

[Mrs. Forgetful 2]

Just to let you know a med exam can run anywhere between $75-$500 dollars depending on where you go and what all needs to be done. If she needs any vaccinations, they can go up to $400. My husband has already spent $375 and has one more vaccination today that's $75. So I hope she has all her shots!

[chuckandkim 0]

Hi OP...

1. Do file AOS first.

2. EAD: I don't recommend unless she has a job waiting for her already or plan to look for a job ASAP. Is her English any good? If you need to put her to work ASAP, then go ahead spend the money to make money soon. (crazy logic huh:D)

3. AP: Is she in an urgent need to go back home within the next few months? If not, then forget it! Wait for her 2-yrs conditioned GC.

4. I693 Vac-Sup: cost me $10 to have that sealed envelop done by a CS. You need to shop around and insist you will not need to do a full-med exam since you did once within the last 12 months already.

So... that should help you out a little bit if you are ok with not doing 2 and 3. 1 and 4 you must do!

Thanks...

[dagstorm 0]

Not sure of other states but in California, they have Driver's License test in Russian (and a few other languages also). Just something to keep in mind.

dagstorm