Don't even know where to begin

[Valerita 0]

At this point, I have received so much differing information, I just don't even know where to turn to.

Fiance (on Student Visa) and I are getting married in June. We realize that we cannot do anything paperwork-wise until that point. But I just can't get any straight answers about the process. I know to file the I-485 and the I-130, but I don't know anything else. I don't know anything else we have to do, and I know its complicated.

Can anyone give me an overview of the process, and what we have to do? This is just getting scarier by the minute. My mother just called me, freaking out because someone told her a bunch of information (which sounded like a lot of false information). But I don't know what to say.

[Little_My 464]

Do you mean you plan to get married in June a year from now? The process itself is not as complicated as it might seem at a first glance, and you are right, there isn't really anything you can do until you are legally married. If you're not planning to do that until about a year from now, I wouldn't really start filling out the forms at this point. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the process as early as possible, and you can also start accumulating all the necessary supportive documentation and proof of valid relationship.

If you look at the "guides" section here on VJ, you'll find instructions for AOS from a non-immigrant visa which will explain in detail how the process works. From when you file, it will take roughly 5 months for her to receive he GC. You'll file the paperwork, apply for an EAD and AP if you want, get her biometrics taken (photo and fingerprints) and eventually have an interview. It's a lot of waiting and at times frustrating, but in the end not as difficult as it may seem.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Don't freak out! Here is the VJ Guide: http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2

Basically, you file a bunch of forms, get an appointment to take your fingerprints, an then you have an interview and you get you Greencard. There are, of course, always potential issues, but I would think it's more useful to mention specifically what you are concerned about, instead of just listing a bunch of potential "what-ifs."

[Ning 619]

At this point, I have received so much differing information, I just don't even know where to turn to.

Fiance (on Student Visa) and I are getting married in June. We realize that we cannot do anything paperwork-wise until that point. But I just can't get any straight answers about the process. I know to file the I-485 and the I-130, but I don't know anything else. I don't know anything else we have to do, and I know its complicated.

Can anyone give me an overview of the process, and what we have to do? This is just getting scarier by the minute. My mother just called me, freaking out because someone told her a bunch of information (which sounded like a lot of false information). But I don't know what to say.

Turn to V J. Ignore all the rest on the underinformed & misinformed. Except for your mother. You will need her to be prepared to help in the future.

The process requires a lot of thought & study. The straight answers are a product of your efforts.

Begin at the top of this page by reading the guides. Study the forums as well. See the example forms.

The more you learn about the correct methods the better off you are. This will help your situation with Mom as well. She just needs to feel you know whats up.

You could begin working on the forms at any time leaving the dates blank. Especially the 864 support form & probably how your mom will become a joint sponsor.

[Valerita 0]

Thank y'all for the links. I've just been surfing around here and I don't understand any of the abbreviations and such.

I really just want to get more familiar with the process. I think my mom is just working me up with the nerves. There's a lady we know whose daughter married a guy from India (who was on a K-1 visa), but they've messed up on a lot of things, so they're just scaring her.

I'll definitely be coming around here more often.

[Ning 619]

Thank y'all for the links. I've just been surfing around here and I don't understand any of the abbreviations and such.

I really just want to get more familiar with the process. I think my mom is just working me up with the nerves. There's a lady we know whose daughter married a guy from India (who was on a K-1 visa), but they've messed up on a lot of things, so they're just scaring her.

I'll definitely be coming around here more often.

Your case & situation will be unique. Do not let other cases cause you to be concerned. Cases involving India will have Zero to do with yours. Neither will any other K 1 type case.

Tell mom there is plenty of time to get the correct info & then proceed in the right manner under the laws.

[siasimba 9]

A lot of people on this forum is doing their immigration process from scratch. I didn't know anything about the immigration process but stayed on this forum for about a month and then got all the information and paper work ready. At first, I was a bit confused. But after reading through some guides and asking questions, it came pretty quickly. I wouldn't worry too much about the process. Take it from me, I thought it would be difficult and was about to hire a lawyer to do the paper work. However, After spending a few days on this forum, I realize it was a good idea I didn't hire a lawyer.

As long as you understand the english language well, you should not have any problems. As always, if you have any questions about application, just ask on the forum and there are plenty of people who will help you. Goodluck!

[trillium13 84]

Everything you need to know is in the guides that have already been posted. The process isn't complicated per se, but it does require you to put forth effort into doing some research, and to get everything done correctly. If you can read, follow directions, pay attention, and plan ahead, you won't have any problems. You will need to be organized and thorough. Unless you're the kind of person who needs a lot of hand holding, are disorganized, or have trouble reading and following direction, you will be just fine. This is a great place to get good reliable information, most of the time. Don't listen to anything that people tell you second or third or fourth hand. Often the people who have ongoing issues are those people who didn't get the process right from the beginning. What you want is very doable and has been done successfully many times.

[106206 15]

Valerita - I was in your situation about 3 months ago.

Today we are in good shape (we think!) with my wife's greencard interview due on 10/14.

Like others have said you need to invest some time and depending on how ambitious and detail oriented you are, you can get there sooner or later.

What we did was hire a good attorney for $350 to review everything we prepared. She had a few good catches and it was assuring to hear everything else was done right.

Read and re-read the process as it's laid out in the "guides' section here.

If you find an attorney to help you out, I have heard numerous times that it's much better to "file yourself" than to have the attorney's name on there. I am not sure if that's true but perhaps they are more lenient or less suspicious. Again just what I've heard.

Just take it one step at a time and plan on spending a LOT of time reading and getting prepared.

[EmmillJ 1]

Welcome to VJ Valerita! And yes, once you do your due diligence you'll find the process is not as scary. My husband and I got scared by our families into hiring a lawyer to do what we could have done ourselves. Coming to this site, asking questions, and reading others' timelines and experiences showed us that our lawyer was essentially scamming us and since then we've fired him and we're on our way. If you want a second opinion then, yes, get a lawyer o look over your paperwork, but at least when you meet with them you and your husband will be informed. This site is very useful b/c everyone here has gone through the process and the VJ members are very open and helpful. Good luck with your journey and congrats on your upcoming marriage!