How stressful is the AOS process?

[cananner 2]

My POE is next month, and my wedding is in February, but obviously we soon-to-be immigrants can never rest!

I'm wondering how demanding the process is after I've entered the US. I know that once I'm married, I have to apply for AOS, EAD, and AP and then wait. Is preparing all those forms as much of a project as preparing the initial K-1 petition?

I'm going to do more research and read the FAQ, but I just want a general idea from actual people.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

The AOS thread in my signature should help you.

It does APPEAR overwhelming when you look at the amount of forms but if you just open one form and work your way through it, then the next and next you realise it's no problem at all

I personally found AOS less stressful than the K1. K1 AOS'ers don't always have interviews (I didn't) so you basically file the paperwork and wait. Then go do biometrics then wait. Then interview or just get your GC in the mail. If you're one who will want to work ASAP it can be stressful waiting for the EAD or AP (around 2 months) but otherwise just relaxing (pretty boring sometimes I'll admit)

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Not particularly stressful at all - the issue for me was the boredom and the not knowing when I'd be authorized to work but it's so different then the K1 wait because you're together. The forms are very straight forward (AOS forum is very helpful - everyone is in the same boat).

You may or may not even have an interview (most seem not to) and frankly you're just killing time. It helps to have $$ socked away for the fee and for everyday living expenses so if you're not particularly worried about money, I would say enjoy it while you can, For me it was the only period in my adult life where I didn't have to work like a dog I slept in, got the hubster and kids off to school, made dinner, relaxed and played on the oomputer.

Not being able to visit my parents from Nov til March was a little rough on me, but in hindsight I shouldn't have complained/worried about it so much.....I phoned them all the time, but I was homesick and just couldn't help it. If you can find a volunteering opportunity to fill the time, it looks good on the resume and keeps your mind occupied.

Don't think you have a thing to worry about.

[frostiana 12]

My POE is next month, and my wedding is in February, but obviously we soon-to-be immigrants can never rest!

I'm wondering how demanding the process is after I've entered the US. I know that once I'm married, I have to apply for AOS, EAD, and AP and then wait. Is preparing all those forms as much of a project as preparing the initial K-1 petition?

I'm going to do more research and read the FAQ, but I just want a general idea from actual people.

The good news is you are finally together and can take care of the paperwork together in the same house! Plus most of the paperwork you already have fresh from the last submissions. FOr me it is stressful because I am finding it hard to know what answer are required to some questions. But thanks to this group of people I know I will get through it. I just got my SSN number and they put my first and middle name together with no space (as in 'gailmarie') so I guess i have to go there and do that again and I have to wait for a certified copy of the marriage certificate before I can complete my aos package... things like that are making the process stressful, we are toughened up after the first part that we've already gone through! We can do this!

[Udella&Wiz 325]

The good news is you are finally together and can take care of the paperwork together in the same house! Plus most of the paperwork you already have fresh from the last submissions. FOr me it is stressful because I am finding it hard to know what answer are required to some questions. But thanks to this group of people I know I will get through it. I just got my SSN number and they put my first and middle name together with no space (as in 'gailmarie') so I guess i have to go there and do that again and I have to wait for a certified copy of the marriage certificate before I can complete my aos package... things like that are making the process stressful, we are toughened up after the first part that we've already gone through! We can do this!

You know you don;t need you SSN for AOS - right?

[frostiana 12]

You know you don;t need you SSN for AOS - right?

Thank you ... yes I did know, but I was rushing to get it for medical benefits and also I went to get my driver's licence and was surprised to find out ... no S.S.N. equals no driver's licence in michigan. Everything is a learning curve!

I only hope I can give a little help in return for all the help I've received on here. Thanks again.

[Kimbear 53]

My POE is next month, and my wedding is in February, but obviously we soon-to-be immigrants can never rest!

I'm wondering how demanding the process is after I've entered the US. I know that once I'm married, I have to apply for AOS, EAD, and AP and then wait. Is preparing all those forms as much of a project as preparing the initial K-1 petition?

I'm going to do more research and read the FAQ, but I just want a general idea from actual people.

Not very stressful, its just more forms with more info that they want. alot of just updated stuff and the proofs you got married etc. Mostly pretty darn boring, espeically waitin for the EAD, and fingerprint appointment. Some get interviews some do not. Most of the time if your case is transfered to California you wont have an interview but it may take longer to get teh AOS then those who did have an interview.

Probably the no 1 problem most people had during this stage was with the medicals, and the i-693 or the lost medicals. Just make sure you have plenty of copies of your vaccination worksheet from the medical and you should be find. take your time breath and enjoy the fact your both together. There is no real rush to do the AOS, i actually waited like a month or so til i had my bank account, social seciruty card etc. to do it.

that was required of me to be added to hubbys pension insurance etc..so i waited for that and got printouts to send with the AOS as well. the more proof the better i always say!

Edited November 21, 2011 by Kimbear

[Paul H 4]

A tip that I got from these VJ forums...

Once you get your biometrics appointment letter to get your finger printing done for your AOS and EAD applications they will provide you with a date and time to go to your local USCIS Application Support Center. In our case they set it for 1:00pm on black Friday. I saw that others walked into their ASC early without any issues so Jenni and I went to our local ASC in Alexandria, VA a week early. We got there at 3:45, 15 minutes before closing and there was nobody else there. They processed us through with no questions asked and we were out in 5 minutes.

So if the date they give you is inconvenient or you just don't want to wait, try walking in early with your appointment letter, passport and marriage certificate in hand. I'm not sure if it will speed up your applications, but it doesn't hurt.

[Paul H 4]

Oh and a tip for getting your drivers license...

Jenni and I went to the Virginia DMV Saturday to get her drivers license. On a tip from these VJ forums I had her bring her AOS and EAD Notice of Action letters and the stamped and signed Biometrics appointment letter. At first we didn't show the DMV agent the NOA's and they were going to give Jenni a license that expires when her I-94 expires in January. Once I told her that we already applied for the AOS and EAD and showed the NOA's and Biometrics letters the agent said that she could make it a one year license instead.

It's amazing how many little bits of info you get from these forums makes such an impact!

[cananner 2]

The AOS thread in my signature should help you.

It does APPEAR overwhelming when you look at the amount of forms but if you just open one form and work your way through it, then the next and next you realise it's no problem at all

I personally found AOS less stressful than the K1. K1 AOS'ers don't always have interviews (I didn't) so you basically file the paperwork and wait. Then go do biometrics then wait. Then interview or just get your GC in the mail. If you're one who will want to work ASAP it can be stressful waiting for the EAD or AP (around 2 months) but otherwise just relaxing (pretty boring sometimes I'll admit)

i'm ready for boring/relaxing, it's ok!

[cananner 2]

Not particularly stressful at all - the issue for me was the boredom and the not knowing when I'd be authorized to work but it's so different then the K1 wait because you're together. The forms are very straight forward (AOS forum is very helpful - everyone is in the same boat).

You may or may not even have an interview (most seem not to) and frankly you're just killing time. It helps to have $$ socked away for the fee and for everyday living expenses so if you're not particularly worried about money, I would say enjoy it while you can, For me it was the only period in my adult life where I didn't have to work like a dog I slept in, got the hubster and kids off to school, made dinner, relaxed and played on the oomputer.

Not being able to visit my parents from Nov til March was a little rough on me, but in hindsight I shouldn't have complained/worried about it so much.....I phoned them all the time, but I was homesick and just couldn't help it. If you can find a volunteering opportunity to fill the time, it looks good on the resume and keeps your mind occupied.

Don't think you have a thing to worry about.

Thanks! My family and I will be meeting in the states in April so it won't be too bad. Good to know that the forms are straightforward, too.

The good news is you are finally together and can take care of the paperwork together in the same house! Plus most of the paperwork you already have fresh from the last submissions. FOr me it is stressful because I am finding it hard to know what answer are required to some questions. But thanks to this group of people I know I will get through it. I just got my SSN number and they put my first and middle name together with no space (as in 'gailmarie') so I guess i have to go there and do that again and I have to wait for a certified copy of the marriage certificate before I can complete my aos package... things like that are making the process stressful, we are toughened up after the first part that we've already gone through! We can do this!

yeah, being together will definitely help! Good luck with your process, I hope it gets better.

Not very stressful, its just more forms with more info that they want. alot of just updated stuff and the proofs you got married etc. Mostly pretty darn boring, espeically waitin for the EAD, and fingerprint appointment. Some get interviews some do not. Most of the time if your case is transfered to California you wont have an interview but it may take longer to get teh AOS then those who did have an interview.

Probably the no 1 problem most people had during this stage was with the medicals, and the i-693 or the lost medicals. Just make sure you have plenty of copies of your vaccination worksheet from the medical and you should be find. take your time breath and enjoy the fact your both together. There is no real rush to do the AOS, i actually waited like a month or so til i had my bank account, social seciruty card etc. to do it.

that was required of me to be added to hubbys pension insurance etc..so i waited for that and got printouts to send with the AOS as well. the more proof the better i always say!

Thanks! Good to know it's not necessary to go full speed ahead...

A tip that I got from these VJ forums...

Once you get your biometrics appointment letter to get your finger printing done for your AOS and EAD applications they will provide you with a date and time to go to your local USCIS Application Support Center. In our case they set it for 1:00pm on black Friday. I saw that others walked into their ASC early without any issues so Jenni and I went to our local ASC in Alexandria, VA a week early. We got there at 3:45, 15 minutes before closing and there was nobody else there. They processed us through with no questions asked and we were out in 5 minutes.

So if the date they give you is inconvenient or you just don't want to wait, try walking in early with your appointment letter, passport and marriage certificate in hand. I'm not sure if it will speed up your applications, but it doesn't hurt.

Oh wow, that's amazing!