Slacking on the next steps...AOS

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Ah I see some of us who were "punished" by the Service while NOT being separated have gathered herein!

It's interesting to me why anyone would be in a big hurry for the AOS to get finished after receiving a green card. I mean, generally at that point, there is not a lot going on right?

Sidenote: AOS paperwork has been mailed

Good to hear it's been sent off.

Do you understand the process though? Do you understand what you just applied for?

[ECWilloughbys 7]

We've been married for a month today... we allowed ourselves a few weeks off and then the holidays happened, so now it's time to get this show on the road. I'm hoping it won't be as painful, since we have most of the info already. Just writing that $1070 check sounds like the hardest part at the moment!

[Jewel-8 21]

Just writing that $1070 check sounds like the hardest part at the moment!

It is! Then the wait can suck too. As long as you keep yourself busy time will fly by.

[Rob and Jill 82]

Ah I see some of us who were "punished" by the Service while NOT being separated have gathered herein!

Rob and Jill, on 07 January 2011 - 11:12 AM, said:

It's interesting to me why anyone would be in a big hurry for the AOS to get finished after receiving a green card. I mean, generally at that point, there is not a lot going on right?

Sidenote: AOS paperwork has been mailed

Good to hear it's been sent off.

Do you understand the process though? Do you understand what you just applied for?

Yes, I meant EAD. Sometimes all these damn abbreviations make me feel like I am talking to someone in the military. Between forms, form numbers, trying to figure out different guides that have completely different information on them and working, my brain is FRIED.

[TBoneTX 45,267]

my brain is FRIED.

Instructions to Authors: Please expand all abbreviations on first use. What does "FRIED" stand for -- fast-response immediate early defibrillator? (Got it, first try, si man!)

[LaL 418]

OK now with clarification that it was the EAD - I think I can answer that - having waited nearly 3 years for the AOS to complete processing. The longer one waits - the more concerned you get that something is *wrong* with one's file. It is just something one cannot ignore -especially with most greencards taking 4-7 months or whatever it is now. Back in those days - if the EAD was expiring and no greencard in hand - you had to file again, and pay a new fee. We paid for 3 EADs and 2 APs. We also moved during the processing, and that also caused some stress. They lose address changes on a GOOD day - much less with a tiny complication of pending status.

Had it been a year - I would agree with you - EAD in hand - no biggie really. Some hiccups can happen due to not having a greencard, but overall if yo are within normal ranges - don't sweat it.

[Robyn-n-Kris 72]

Fun to read this thread. I know when DH got here, soon as we were married we mailed ours out. Now we are ready for the ROC and we waited a bit on it. Mostly because by the time he gets his 10yr card we will be looking to move BACK to the UK. <headdesk> ah well. They don't have extensions here sadly

[Asila 10]

So um what happens if you miss the deadline? Um. Yes.

(I got really, really sick, I'll go into it all later).

[Jewel-8 21]

So um what happens if you miss the deadline? Um. Yes.

(I got really, really sick, I'll go into it all later).

Well, they are starting to be a bit harsher regarding people that are out of status. Just hurry up and file as soon as you can! Maybe include the reason in your cover letter? Hope you are filling better.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

So um what happens if you miss the deadline? Um. Yes.

(I got really, really sick, I'll go into it all later).

There's no deadline. But do it asap.

[Asila 10]

I finally had my surgery last week (seriously, it was a hell of a time) and since I've been feeling loads better, we managed to get the packet together and I think--think--we'll be ready to send it tomorrow. But yeah, major stress relief, thanks guys

[VanessaTony 3,567]

The main reason to get AOS out soon is so that you get that "LPR since" date started. Friend of mine filed his AOS WAY before me (around Jan/Feb 2010). I filed mine in April 2010 and got the card July 2010. My friend didn't get his until Sept 2010. So that's an extra 2 months he needs to wait to file ROC, an extra 2 months until he's eligible for naturalisation.

Backing that up a bit, I filed my AOS in April 2010 as I wrote before, but I got married Nov 2009 and my I-94 expired Dec 2009. So MY slackness actually cost me like 5 months! If I'd filed in Dec 2009 I could have had my card in March 2010. I could have got my drivers licence, I could have got a job.. lots of things I could have done but my slackness let me down (well actually personal situations arose that prevented filing but regardless...).

I found the AOS paperwork a lot easier than K1. Maybe it's because with the K1 it was the first time doing the "immigration thing" but with AOS you kinda have more of an idea. It also helped that I had this site to answer questions when needed and then I wrote the AOS thread with the doc list which helped me get it all in line. There was/is no AOS deadline from a K1 (VWP is a different matter) so I had time to read and read and read and get stuff together and really wrap my head around it.

I've already started a new guide for ROC so that when time comes for me to file ROC I have studied it all and have a good idea of what's needed. Don't know if any of you have looked into that but after K1 and after AOS ROC is WAY simple. It's basically just one form and then evidence of relationship. Phew!

Worst part of AOS, writing that cheque.. seriously, how many times does a person write a cheque for $1070 when they don't work? Luckily my husband does but it just felt weird to write a cheque for such a huge amount when I didn't have a job.. I felt like I was bleeding money.. ugh.

[Rob and Jill 82]

So um what happens if you miss the deadline? Um. Yes.

(I got really, really sick, I'll go into it all later).

You're fine! Just file it! We missed the 90 day window by a few days as well. No biggie! Glad you're feeling better! I wondered where you've been!

Instructions to Authors: Please expand all abbreviations on first use. What does "FRIED" stand for -- fast-response immediate early defibrillator? (Got it, first try, si man!)

LOL!

How about....

Freaking Really? It's ENOUGH DANG!

Edited January 18, 2011 by Rob and Jill

[ECWilloughbys 7]

Okay, we slacked a bit longer, but now I'm on it. A question: I was reading that we can file for his SSN now, before his I-94 expires, and thought maybe we could go in person next week, when I go and apply for my new card with my married name. I followed the link on the VJ guides about doing so. But #5 on document SS-5.pdf states:

"If you check “Legal Alien Not Allowed to Work” or “Other,” you must provide a document from a

U.S. Federal, State, or local government agency that explains why you need a Social Security number

and that you meet all the requirements for the government benefit. NOTE: Most agencies do not require

that you have a Social Security number. Contact us to see if your reason qualifies for a Social Security

number."

Do we need a letter? I thought this might be helpful for when I file my 2010 taxes, since we got married at the end of 2010. Should we just wait and send all our forms off together, and not go to the SS office in person? I'm more than a bit confused.

Edited February 1, 2011 by ECWilloughbys

[Jewel-8 21]

No, when you go in to the SSA just show the UK passport with the K1 in it. Everything the embassy and customs put into the passport(I-94?) will be enough for them to verify and enter into the computer.