what forms needed to file?

[emzie1007 0]

Hi guys. I have some questions which hopefully someone can answer for me! First off I am filing to change from F-1 student on a visa to GC as I mentioned in an earlier post. I was given a guide to follow which was very helpful to follow but I realize when reading other people's posts that not everyone indicates that they sent all the forms listed in the package. I am pretty sure I have to file for i-130 and i-485. Do I also have to include the biographic information form and the form that shows affidavit of financial support? Also, what about the medical examination?

[Little_My 464]

You need ALL the forms listed in that guide. The other people you are referring to might be going through a totally different process than you are, which means they are filling out different forms. You are adjusting from status from a non-immigrant visa within the US, and that process includes filing all the paperwork in the VJ guide. In addition remember to read all the formal instructions for all those forms to make sure none of the instructions haven't changed. The medical needs to be done before sending out the forms as you will need to include the medical paperwork in the package.

[emzie1007 0]

You need ALL the forms listed in that guide. The other people you are referring to might be going through a totally different process than you are, which means they are filling out different forms. You are adjusting from status from a non-immigrant visa within the US, and that process includes filing all the paperwork in the VJ guide. In addition remember to read all the formal instructions for all those forms to make sure none of the instructions haven't changed. The medical needs to be done before sending out the forms as you will need to include the medical paperwork in the package.

Thankyou very much. I really appreciate your help. Were you on an f-1 visa also?

[Little_My 464]

Yes, I adjusted status from an F1 and got my greencard last July.

[emzie1007 0]

Cool. I am glad I have spoken to someone who was in the same situation as me! Some of the stuff I feel is very confusing!

[Little_My 464]

Just stick with the VJ guide and the instructions for the forms, and you'll be fine. Start making a list for yourself of all the documents you'll need, and cross them over as you collect them. Note that you may need to get some things mailed from your home country, such as your original birth certificate, which may need to be translated if it is not in English. It's also a good idea to book the medical appointment as soon as possible to get that out of the way, as it can take a few weeks to get everything done if you happen to need vaccinations or a chest X-ray. It took us about a month or so to get everything together from when we began to collect all the docs.

[emzie1007 0]

Just stick with the VJ guide and the instructions for the forms, and you'll be fine. Start making a list for yourself of all the documents you'll need, and cross them over as you collect them. Note that you may need to get some things mailed from your home country, such as your original birth certificate, which may need to be translated if it is not in English. It's also a good idea to book the medical appointment as soon as possible to get that out of the way, as it can take a few weeks to get everything done if you happen to need vaccinations or a chest X-ray. It took us about a month or so to get everything together from when we began to collect all the docs.

Thanks a lot. Were you still in school when you filed? I am a little confused about what happens when I apply and I am still in school on a visa if that makes any sense. Does anything change and do I have to change anything?

[Little_My 464]

Nothing changes. You can continue going to school just as you have so far. You're no longer an F1 student once your AOS is pending, but it won't affect your right to study in the US. It's good to notify your international student office at the university about the AOS, but it won't really affect anything study-wise.

[Kindly Waiting 2]

Thank you Little_My for all the info. We are getting ready for AOS from F1. My husband is even considering not taking classes this semester since we will be filing in the next couple of weeks and will be out of F1 status and not required to take classes. Do you have any thoughts on this?

[Little_My 464]

Once AOS has been filed and received by USCIS, the beneficiary is no longer under F-1 status and therefore also not bound by F1 regulations. However, if the foreigner stops going to school, and AOS is denied, there won't be any F1 status to fall back on because the person stopped going to school. Personally I don't think it's necessarily a good idea to drop out before AOS has been filed and received by USCIS, but it won't really affect the process in either way, in my opinion. I came here to study and get a Master's degree so I never even considered stopping going to classes once I filed AOS, but many do, and I don't think it has any bearing on their AOS process.

[Kindly Waiting 2]

Thanks! He will continue with his studies too. Like you he came for his masters degree. Right now it is about finances. I

agree that it is better to continue with school while going through the process.