discouraging

[didopage 337]

I don't know for SF but yes, Paris is crazily expensive on that point. And public transportation, hmmm, you know, there's often some protests here in France. Healthcare is for sure a great point.

But I'm french, so by nature, I complain and often think some things are bad. If you decide to move here, be prepare to a lot of "pffffffff" and "rolalaaaaa!!" and complaining people! French are used to that so it's not chocking

I've never lived in SF, I just visited lots of time, and well, having the ocean near by, and the american/positive attitude around felt good.

What is your fiance study background? Do you think he would have difficulties to find a job offer in the Bay Area in his branch?

[Enigma11561 336]

Lets be realistic. Unless you have a strong desire to move to France, which it appears you do not have since you filed a K-1 for him to move here, you need to adjust your thinking. He comes here, you get married within the 90 days. Typically the fiancee will not be working during this adjustment period. You file for his AOS and in a few months he will receive his EAD that allows him to work LEGALLY. I know many people that started to work before that time, doing more or less menially jobs to help support the family, but also took this time to prepare resumes, search out the job market for appropriate positions and get established. The job market here is not the greatest, but better than in many other countries and there are jobs to be had. It just depends on what he is qualified for and be willing to take. He can be added on to your health insurance at work and be covered right away. I would not make decisions based solely on modes of transportation or health insurance plans. No matter where you will there will always be compromises.

[Helen Louise Pile 80]

post removed due to TOS violation

This is illegal. OP - you risk your husbands status in the US if you follow this terrible advice.

The big downside to a K1 visa is the inability of the immigrant to work while status is being adjusted. It shouldn't take a year, mine took about 6 weeks from when I applied, realistically expect a couple of months.

If your fiance plans to come in April you can both save money until then, have a frugal wedding and he can volunteer and/or start making connections in his field of employment so that when he gets his EAD and/or greencard he is in a great position to get a good job.

Best of luck!

Helen

Edited January 15, 2012 by Kathryn41
edited to remove quote violating TOS

[mr and mrs 187]

But I'm french, so by nature, I complain and often think some things are bad. If you decide to move here, be prepare to a lot of "pffffffff" and "rolalaaaaa!!" and complaining people! French are used to that so it's not chocking

one of the first times ive heard a french person self-identify in such an honest way! it is just a cultural thing, but it can come across as griping. but its force of habit.

a choice between SF and paris is tough. both are great cities (i agree public transport is much better in paris). both are hyper-expensive. i think coming to the US is probably the right thing to do since that was the plan. plus if your french skills are not that strong, thats gonna make adjusting to live more dufficult. though i am of the opinion that there is no better way to improve langauge than immersion! he could come for 3 yrs and get citizenship and then you could reassess the situation.

i wouldnt do anything too rash. see how you are feeling in march. b

[bigdog 376]

But I thought that the EAD was only temporary ( lasting for 90 days), or is that something else that I am recalling having read.

EAD is good till it shows expired or your AOS is finished. Don't have ours to look at turned it in.

[didopage 337]

one of the first times ive heard a french person self-identify in such an honest way! it is just a cultural thing, but it can come across as griping. but its force of habit.

I realized it by traveling in the US and UK. Staying there and being "surrounded" by people with a more positive attitude makes me complain less! That's even a game with my fiance now, when I complain, for him, I'm being french. (I don't deny it, I just work on being more optimistic)

modmodgirl, that's a though decision but as others said, don't take it too fast. And you already invested money and time in the K-1 visa...

[Darnell 8,478]

employment authorization after we apply for adjustment of status

EAD is free when filing with AOS

so

restudy those timelines, you've missed a bit.

pay attention to where the EAD is given before the greencard arrives.

Good Luck ! (and stuff)

[Darnell 8,478]

But I thought that the EAD was only temporary ( lasting for 90 days), or is that something else that I am recalling having read.

ya, much confusion there.

sorry. what you've written is not accurate.

there's 2 concepts on ead, aye?

1. filing before I-94 expires [pay monies, is useless to go this route]

2. filing WITH AOS [is free to apply with AOS] , EAD card arrive before green card.

can let us know which path you intend to choose?

[mr and mrs 187]

I realized it by traveling in the US and UK. Staying there and being "surrounded" by people with a more positive attitude makes me complain less! That's even a game with my fiance now, when I complain, for him, I'm being french. (I don't deny it, I just work on being more optimistic)

you might be my favorite french person EVER! so clever!

bisous xx.

[Linds&Youssef 56]

Before I started gathering evidence for our K-1 visa, I decided to consult an immigration attorney. The attorney told me that in general it takes around 8 - 10 months from the time you send your I-129F until the interview. From there, assuming all goes well, your fiance will receive a K-1 visa that's valid for entry to the US within 6 months and you have 90 days after he/she sets foot on American soil to get married and file the AOS (but this entire 90-day process must still fall within the 6 months for which the visa is valid). At the same time that you file the AOS to a marriage-based visa (conditional green card), you may also file the EAD (which gives your new spouse the right to work, upon receipt). It generally takes about 3 months to receive the EAD, though the conditional green card may take another couple of months after that. My attorney said that there's not really much point in filing for the AP (advanced parole--gives the spouse the right to travel outside the US before receiving the conditional green card) since you won't need it once the conditional green card is granted, and that in fact it really should not be applied for unless there are extenuating circumstances (i.e. there is a close relative who is terminally ill or a close relative such as a sister or other immediate family member who is getting married). But the good news is that the conditional green card should arrive within 6 months of the AOS application being submitted. So really the beneficiary spouse would only have a need for the AP for the handful of months between the AOS and receipt of the conditional green card. All in all, according to my attorney, the process from filing the I-129F to receipt of conditional green card should take approximately a year and a half, but can be as short as 13 months. This of course, depends on how long your processing center and consulate take, as well as how long it takes your spouse to get to the US and for you to get married and file the AOS.

In any case, your beneficiary fiance should be planning to bring some financial contribution to the table that can be used to help you get by during the three to four months that he/she is here before they're allowed to work. During that time, the beneficiary can be searching for work and have a job lined up for when they receive the EAD. Depending on his/her skills and your contacts in the community where you'll live, you may be able to help him or her by doing some of the initial leg-work to see what jobs are/will be available and start getting the word out. I know that's what I'm doing. I'm actually filing the I-129F at the end of this coming week, but I'm already looking for potential jobs for my fiance once he gets his EAD. He's planning to come with between $5K and $6K for initial expenses, and he's taking English classes starting in February to help him in his employability when he gets here (even though his English is fair now).

I hope this helps!

[ceadsearc 516]

Post removed due to TOS violations

But condoning or suggesting illegal activity is against the VJ terms of service so you should avoid giving such advice if you want to continue posting here.

Edited January 15, 2012 by Kathryn41
to remove quote violating TOS

[VanessaTony 3,567]

post removed for TOS violation.

It is not "terrible advise" it is ILLEGAL. Encouraging illegal activity is a violation of the VJ TOS and as such you have been reported.

Edited January 15, 2012 by Kathryn41
to remove quote violating TOS

[modmodgirl 2]

Merci! Thank you ... I have some good reading to do here on this thread. You all have taken time to write thoughtful replies thank you so much... I wish I could give each of you a flower for your time. (F) I think I actually have been agonizing over this too much and before I posted it I even got myself sick over it. . You all know how tough it is being in a long distance relationhsip and then to face more hurdles and red tape. I talked to my fiance today and he is going down to the town hall to find out about marriage there just to see the difference.

Yes, I know the French complain and the pfffft.sound I overhear when I visit or the oh la la.. is so classic. I can't imagine it would be any easier for me to work there, I'd be doing the dishwashing or babysitting instead of him.

He works at the Louvre at the information desk, it's not the best paying job, but it does cover his expenses. He also is doing data entry at another company. I have a teaching job here full time at a high school, with benefits, but the health insurance benefits for him would cost us $700 a month out of my paycheck. In France, if you are sick, you go to the doctor and pay a smaller copay if anything. Anyway, I would love to hear anyone else's story with how they dealt with the transition here. xo xo

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Before I started gathering evidence for our K-1 visa, I decided to consult an immigration attorney. ...

I hope this helps!

Your information is basically correct but I wanted to point out that the EAD a temporary measure just like AP. Once he gets the Greencard, he does not need EAD anymore, in the exact same way that AP is useless once the GC is issued. GC gives him the right to work by itself. Good luck.

[Helen Louise Pile 80]

post violating TOS has been removed

What you suggest is illegal so it does not matter what your personal opinion of the matter is. It's against VJ rules for you to suggest someone do that.

Edited January 15, 2012 by Kathryn41
to remove quote violating TOS