Any February 2012 filers?

[OrderofProtection 42]

The Embassy emailed to request his passport!!!! YAY!!!!

[Shezi 108]

Thanks and welcome back! Rob is probably going to wait to apply anywhere, just to be on the safe side. In the meantime, he is playing A LOT of video games.

I can relate.... lol!

The Embassy emailed to request his passport!!!! YAY!!!!

Sounds very optimistic Mary - hopefully you will know soon so you can arrange flight x

[Cori and Rob 55]

The Embassy emailed to request his passport!!!! YAY!!!!

Fingers crossed! That does sound like a good thing!

[soheil 9]

The Embassy emailed to request his passport!!!! YAY!!!!

Finally! Congrats

[SLMcT 5]

I can relate.... lol!

Me too!!! I consider myself a "Modern Housewife"!!! Cooking, cleaning, shopping, GYM, XBOX!!!!!

[Gavin + Heather 7]

The Embassy emailed to request his passport!!!! YAY!!!!

That's awesome news, taken awhile but...! I'm so happy that you'll be able to be together soon!

[Gavin + Heather 7]

Xbox is good If there is anyone with a query on xbox or iTunes accounts, I can tell you this...

Xbox: I had to contact Microsoft to migrate my xbox account from a UK to a US account. Part of this process involves them terminating your xbox live gold membership, but once the migration has gone through they give you a code to enter for the months that were left on your account beforehand. Redeem the code and your gold membership will be up and running. This also means you then have access to the US apps rather than the UK ones (which don't work over here, like BBC etc.)

iTunes: You can make the changes on a PC or on your apple device. You need to do this if you wish to have access to the US iTunes store, when you do this you'll not be able to update apps that are only available in country specific iTunes stores. You can if you wish change back to that country to update those apps, but you need a valid payment method that country setup on iTunes for it to work.

[Gavin + Heather 7]

Speaking of jobs, what are you guys doing about work? Rob has a few leads from friends who want to put him in contact with their employers, but he hasn't applied anywhere. When can a person apply? After getting the SSN? After the employment authorization goes through?

I did a bit of research on this before coming over as the company I work for wanted me to work remotely. I didn't find anything concrete on my situation, but there were a few mentions that said if you are working for a foreign company that doesn't have US offices and the money earned is going into a foreign account, then you're OK to do this kind of work. Again, I'm not saying this is 100% right.

As I understand it, you can do volunteer work. You need an EAD before you can apply for work. I think it's OK to send in a resume with a covering letter to companies. Maybe saying something like in the next couple of months I'll have my work authorization, please keep my resume on file should a position be available at that time. Well something like that, I'm sure you could come up with better wording.

[Gavin + Heather 7]

I got married

Picture! (I can't figure out how to embed a photo from Flickr into here, and it says it's too big to upload as it is... I don't feel like editing it smaller right now LOL)

Now we just have to wait for our marriage certificate, so that we can apply for my SSN, and get the ball rolling on the AOS paperwork. How long did it take you guys to prepare the package? I think we're going to start working on it this week. Any advice or anything I should know about that's important before getting started? I haven't really looked through the guides yet at all...

Congrats

The AOS stuff didn't take long to do at all. Most of the paperwork we already had copies of (tax forms, passport photocopies etc.) I already had my SSN so could fill that in, I don't think you had to have a SSN, it was just an optional box. The forms are pretty straight forward. I didn't personally bother with the permit to travel form, just the EAD and AOS forms. I think the key bits you need are...

Passport Copy: A copy of your passport showing your passport, K1 Visa, I-94 front and back.

Numbers: Some forms ask for your A number or Alien number, this is the A number on the K1 Visa, there is also a form that asks for an immigrant number I think - this is the Control Number on the K1 Visa.

Spouse Passport Copy: A copy of spouse's biographic page in the passport

Financial: Copy of tax forms, pay stubs, letter of employment

Photos: US passport photos, you'll need 2 per application, so 6 in total if you apply for EAD, Travel permit and AOS.

Marriage License: Certified copy

I think all the supporting information is copies, when you read through the form and instructions I think it says copies are good unless they specifically ask for an original, we did send an original certified copy of our marriage certificate - we got 6 certified copies as we didn't know how many we'd be sending off for things.

That's all I can think of for now.

[SLMcT 5]

Biometrics done! I think about 25 people all had an 8am appointment but I was out again by 8.30 Only potential problem I had was that I hadn't read anywhere that I had to take my marriage certificate as I had Travis on the form and McGregor on my passport so they needed to see proof...thankfully I carry a copy in my handbag so problem averted! So ladies...take note...if you want your married name...take your marriage certificate Also...at Baltimore anyway...it says on the letter not to bring cellphones so I left mine in the car...well EVERYONE had one!!! One person used it and got told not to so I guess you just aren't allowed to use them but they don't scan your bag or anything so you can take it in with you

[KTandTommy 31]

Congrats

The AOS stuff didn't take long to do at all. Most of the paperwork we already had copies of (tax forms, passport photocopies etc.) I already had my SSN so could fill that in, I don't think you had to have a SSN, it was just an optional box. The forms are pretty straight forward. I didn't personally bother with the permit to travel form, just the EAD and AOS forms. I think the key bits you need are...

Passport Copy: A copy of your passport showing your passport, K1 Visa, I-94 front and back.

Numbers: Some forms ask for your A number or Alien number, this is the A number on the K1 Visa, there is also a form that asks for an immigrant number I think - this is the Control Number on the K1 Visa.

Spouse Passport Copy: A copy of spouse's biographic page in the passport

Financial: Copy of tax forms, pay stubs, letter of employment

Photos: US passport photos, you'll need 2 per application, so 6 in total if you apply for EAD, Travel permit and AOS.

Marriage License: Certified copy

I think all the supporting information is copies, when you read through the form and instructions I think it says copies are good unless they specifically ask for an original, we did send an original certified copy of our marriage certificate - we got 6 certified copies as we didn't know how many we'd be sending off for things.

That's all I can think of for now.

Thanks Gavin!

We've been totally slacking since I got here...

I was supposed to send out Save-The-Dates for the big wedding, and do the AOS stuff right away... but I haven't done either yet! Need to crack down and start this week!

We got our marriage certificates (we ordered 6 certified copies too) last week, so I have a tonne to do now! Still need to go for my SSN and drivers license, which I'll do on Monday.

[Darkmoonfaerie 19]

Hi all,

I know that I've totally disappeared for a bit now, and I do apologize. My life has really just been hell for the past 6 months or so. I've had family medical issues, personal medical issues, a dead computer, trying to work two jobs with no computer (when both rely on a computer), and issues with removing my fiance's kids from England. I just wanted to pop in with a quick update. They went through multiple statements and rebuttals and his ex is still trying to block the move. She's not making sense in some of her statements and suddenly has decided that she'll keep the kids full time when she's never wanted them before. Things went to a hearing and I had to fly over to give a statement and be cross examined. The trip was pure misery. I got sick for the first week I was there, then we had court for 2 days. I really only got 3 days to enjoy my stay in the UK.

Due to a number of delays on the part of the court adviser and a few other things, we barely had 1/2 a full day of court in the two days I was there. They put me on the stand and started with my fiance, but had to stop after he was being cross examined for over an hour and on the stand for over 2.5 hours total that day. The next scheduled date is April. Thankfully they allowed me to give my statement first, as I can't make it back for April. I've had to write to London and ask for an extension of our petition based on the court dates. Our current petition expires Feb 1. I've not heard back from London, so may try to call this week to see if there is any news. Please keep fingers crossed for us. If we get approval to move, but the petition is not extended, then we will get married over the next few months and then apply for the spousal visa. We've weighed all the options and feel that it is in the best interest for everyone to make the move, so are praying that we're approved. I really hope everyone else is having a much easier process. I'll come back and get caught up on posts once I'm caught up on the work I've missed while I was abroad.

[Shezi 108]

Hi all,

I know that I've totally disappeared for a bit now, and I do apologize. My life has really just been hell for the past 6 months or so. I've had family medical issues, personal medical issues, a dead computer, trying to work two jobs with no computer (when both rely on a computer), and issues with removing my fiance's kids from England. I just wanted to pop in with a quick update. They went through multiple statements and rebuttals and his ex is still trying to block the move. She's not making sense in some of her statements and suddenly has decided that she'll keep the kids full time when she's never wanted them before. Things went to a hearing and I had to fly over to give a statement and be cross examined. The trip was pure misery. I got sick for the first week I was there, then we had court for 2 days. I really only got 3 days to enjoy my stay in the UK.

Due to a number of delays on the part of the court adviser and a few other things, we barely had 1/2 a full day of court in the two days I was there. They put me on the stand and started with my fiance, but had to stop after he was being cross examined for over an hour and on the stand for over 2.5 hours total that day. The next scheduled date is April. Thankfully they allowed me to give my statement first, as I can't make it back for April. I've had to write to London and ask for an extension of our petition based on the court dates. Our current petition expires Feb 1. I've not heard back from London, so may try to call this week to see if there is any news. Please keep fingers crossed for us. If we get approval to move, but the petition is not extended, then we will get married over the next few months and then apply for the spousal visa. We've weighed all the options and feel that it is in the best interest for everyone to make the move, so are praying that we're approved. I really hope everyone else is having a much easier process. I'll come back and get caught up on posts once I'm caught up on the work I've missed while I was abroad.

I'm so sorry to read all that you've been through Meg - it's such a shame when people just can't bring themselves to make the right choices - especially where children are involved! I hope you get your extension AND approval to remove the children and that things get a lot easier for you both this year

Shezi

[Darkmoonfaerie 19]

I'm so sorry to read all that you've been through Meg - it's such a shame when people just can't bring themselves to make the right choices - especially where children are involved! I hope you get your extension AND approval to remove the children and that things get a lot easier for you both this year

Shezi

Thank you! I'm looking forward to the night when I can actually sleep peacefully again. I haven't had one in ages with all of this stress. I really do love the boys as if they were my own and want the best for them. All factors considered, that best life will be here in the states.

[Michel and Kim 4]

Oh my, haven't been here in such a long time!

Mary - Congrats! Sounds so good

KT - I've seen your photo's on flickr, so awesome! Is Tommy covered in Tatttoos? Know the feeling of slacking. We just got me a debit card and that's it haha. Still need drivers, SSN etc. and we just sent out our AOS last Friday :s let's just say we're kinda comfortable : o)

SLMcT - Done and done! great progress!

Darkmoon - I'm so sorry to hear this. I wish you all the strength and peace in the world!

Edited January 16, 2013 by Michel and Kim