D.O.R.A.

[vincit_qui_se_vincit 0]

They didn't mention any date or time. I am not sure yet if I am going to apply for EAD as I already have H1B and don't want to spend another $350 for EAD/AP.

Thanks for the info.

You need neither EAD nor AP. You can work and travel on H-1 while AOS is pending. You can even renew H-1, if need be, while AOS is pending since it's based on dual intent.

Edited November 1, 2006 by vincit_qui_se_vincit

[Racer 0]

You need neither EAD nor AP. You can work and travel on H-1 while AOS is pending. You can even renew H-1, if need be, while AOS is pending since it's based on dual intent.

I can't currently travel on H1B, cause I changed my employer since I got my Visa stamped, so I would need to restamp my H1B visa with new employer.

I think I need to go outside of US to get H1B stamped again.

[Justice 0]

Okay, I am a bit lost with this whole D.O.R.A. thing.

I am living in Plano TX, just got my SSN card done so I can get my drivers licence etc. I will marry the 9th of december. After that we have to file for AOS.

Now is it possible to do this on the K1 visa? And if so, what paperwork must I prepare? I've seen so many D.O.R.A. pages it makes my head spin. I'd like to hear from someone who filed via D.O.R.A.

Thanks in advance!

[The_dip_sticks 0]

What is DORA? and why is it only for people that live in texas?

[cbd2cai 0]

Update on D.O.R.A.

I was checking on the D.O.R.A. information at USCIS (since it look like I'll be getting that ready for my husband to file soon) and found that they have updated their websites. Maybe someone else has posted this already but I thought I'd post it again since someone else was asking about it.

Edited November 14, 2006 by cbd2cai

[Delete This 0]

Okay, I am a bit lost with this whole D.O.R.A. thing.

I am living in Plano TX, just got my SSN card done so I can get my drivers licence etc. I will marry the 9th of december. After that we have to file for AOS.

Now is it possible to do this on the K1 visa? And if so, what paperwork must I prepare? I've seen so many D.O.R.A. pages it makes my head spin. I'd like to hear from someone who filed via D.O.R.A.

Thanks in advance!

I called The Texas DPS (Dept Of Public Safety) in Austin TX, and spoke to a customer service rep. I was told the DPS does not recognize the K1 Visa. Generally the DPS expects immigrants to complete the AOS process first. However, I was also told by the same customer service rep that the DPS officer at the local office can allow you to obtain your DL if you present K1 Visa, Unexpired I94 and certified marriage certificate. It's at the discretion of the DPS officer in charge.

[Justice 0]

I called The Texas DPS (Dept Of Public Safety) in Austin TX, and spoke to a customer service rep. I was told the DPS does not recognize the K1 Visa. Generally the DPS expects immigrants to complete the AOS process first. However, I was also told by the same customer service rep that the DPS officer at the local office can allow you to obtain your DL if you present K1 Visa, Unexpired I94 and certified marriage certificate. It's at the discretion of the DPS officer in charge.

I know I can't get my DL with just the K1. I need to have a green card / work permit first. I went over to the DMV and I now know that I can drive on my Dutch licence untill I have a green card or have a work permit.

My question was about D.O.R.A. though. Must have formulated the question a bit odd.

So, again:

Can or can't I file with dora with my K1? And if yes, what paperwork must I prepare? I've read though this thread, but no reply really has a list of things you need to file in Dallas (I live in Plano, so that's where I have to go).

Thanks in advance.

Edited November 14, 2006 by Justice

[cbd2cai 0]

I called The Texas DPS (Dept Of Public Safety) in Austin TX, and spoke to a customer service rep. I was told the DPS does not recognize the K1 Visa. Generally the DPS expects immigrants to complete the AOS process first. However, I was also told by the same customer service rep that the DPS officer at the local office can allow you to obtain your DL if you present K1 Visa, Unexpired I94 and certified marriage certificate. It's at the discretion of the DPS officer in charge.

I know I can't get my DL with just the K1. I need to have a green card / work permit first. I went over to the DMV and I now know that I can drive on my Dutch licence untill I have a green card or have a work permit.

My question was about D.O.R.A. though. Must have formulated the question a bit odd.

So, again:

Can or can't I file with dora with my K1? And if yes, what paperwork must I prepare? I've read though this thread, but no reply really has a list of things you need to file in Dallas (I live in Plano, so that's where I have to go).

Thanks in advance.

This is from the link I posted above:

Application To Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

Purpose of Form :

To apply to adjust your status to that of a permanent resident of the United States.

Number of Pages :

11

Edition Date :

4/1/06. 10/26/05, 4/22/05 versions also accepted.

Where to File :

Please see Special Instructions

Filing Fee :

$325.00

Special Instructions :

Note on Filing Fee:

Original fee plus $70.00 biometrics services fee if you are 14 years of age or older. If you are under 14 years of age, the fee is $225.00 with no biometric services fee. If you are 79 years of age or older, the fee is $325.00 with no biometrics services fee.

If you are applying for permanent residence based on having been admitted to the U.S. as a refugee, there is no application fee; however, applicants age 14 - 79 will still need to pay a $70.00 biometrics fee.

Note on Where to File:

For Individuals Living in the Jurisdiction of the:

Dallas District Office

El Paso District Office

Oklahoma City Sub Office

Effective October 23, 2006, if you are residing within the jurisdiction of the Dallas District Office,

and effective November 20, 2006, if you are residing within the jurisdiction of the El Paso District Office or

Oklahoma City Sub-Office, you must follow the special instructions in the Related Links section of his page.

Family-Based Applications

If you are filing for lawful permanent resident status based on a family relationship with a U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent

resident, file your I-485 at:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

P.O. Box 805887

Chicago, IL 60680-4120

Or, for non-United States Postal Service (USPS) deliveries (such as overnight delivery services):

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Attn: FBASI

427 S. LaSalle - 3rd Floor

Chicago, IL 60605-1098

Employment-Based Applications

If you are filing for lawful permanent resident status based on an offer of permanent employment in the United States, you should

submit your I-485 to:

USCIS Nebraska Service Center

P.O. Box 87485

Lincoln, NE 68501-7485

This includes an employment-based I-485 if you are filing a Form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker, concurrently with

your I-485, or an I-485 filing basedon a pending or an approved Form I-140.

Download I-485 (987KB PDF)

------------ Info from the related links section mentioned: -----------------------------------------------

Special Information on Filing Form I-485 for persons living in Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico

Special Information for persons living in the jurisdiction of:

DALLAS DISTRICT OFFICE

EL PASO DISTRICT OFFICE

OKLAHOMA CITY SUBOFFICE

Effective October 23, 2006, if you are residing within the jurisdiction of the Dallas District Office, and effective November 20, 2006, if you are residing within the jurisdiction of the El Paso District Office or Oklahoma City Sub-Office, you must follow the filing instructions below when submitting an application based on:

1) A family relationship with an immediately available immigrant visa;

2) A Diversity Visa lottery selection; or

3) A Special Immigrant status, excluding religious workers.

A. Location of filing and scheduling of appointment to file Form I-485 in person.

If you are filing the Form I-485 based on the criteria specified above, you must file in person at the office that corresponds to your jurisdiction. To file in person, you must obtain an appointment through InfoPass, an online appointment request system, which can be found at http://infopass.uscis.gov/. Once you have selected a date and time for the appointment, you should print the appointment notice, which shows the time, date and location of the appointment, and present it when appearing to file your Form I-485 in person.

B. Documents to bring to the Infopass appointment.

At the InfoPass appointment, you must bring the following documents:

1) Form I-485 with supporting documentation and/or evidence of eligibility (e.g. Form I-797, Notice of Action, or Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, or Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, if applicable, Form G-325A, Biographic Information, Form I-693, Medical Examination of Aliens Seeking Adjustment of Status, Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, etc.); and

2) Required fees in the form of a cashier’s check or money order made payable to Department of Homeland Security or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

-----------------------------------------------------------

That should give you a start.

Edited November 15, 2006 by cbd2cai

[Hershey 0]

I'm glad that there is a DORA thread in here, and that there are people who have done this process ahead.

I have my infopass appointment on monday for my I-485 and I'm a little nervous about it. I've read a lot of posts and it seemed that the DORA program is faster and easier, which I hope will be the same for me. I just have a couple of questions, though, and if someone, anyone knows anything about these things, I'd really appreciate to hear from yo:

1. Our appointment time is at 11:15 AM. Do we (my USC husband and I) have to be there hours before or can we just show up like 30 mins before?

2. What do we need to do when we get there?

3. Would the Immigration Officers make the interview right there and then? If so, what sort of questions do they ask?

4. If I filed for an EAD at the same day, how soon can they issue the same to me so that I can start working?

5. What other documents/evidence should we bring just in case they ask for it?

I hope that someone could help me out here. I'm sure that this interview will be easier than the k1 visa interview, but I'm still a little bit panicky, hehe. I would love to hear from you.

Thanks!

[Racer 0]

Just a quick update for my application..

Received 70 day after 80 days. Online status DOESN'T work, no update e-mails no nothing. Will get a appointment next year to find the status in person.

[cbd2cai 0]

Just a bump! Anyone can answer the question for Hersey?? I haven't filed yet but will be doing the same thing in a few weeks . . . hopefully!

[Inlove_tx 0]

Hi Hershey and cbd2cai, WELCOME TO OUR LITTLE DORA CORNER!!!

I have applied and received my card over a year ago, so I'm not that "fresh" anymore and don't know if things are still the same. But I can try and answer your questions!

1. I remember when we made the Infopass Appointment for the interview there was a suggested time to show up before the interview. Just follow the instructions and you will be ok! We showed up at 12.00 and our appointment was at 1.00pm, but we weren't called in until after 3.00pm...go figure! Better to be early and wait there, though, rather than be late and risk to lose your interview!

2. You will go through security (no camera phones allowed) and will give all of your documents at a lady behind a window. If everything you have is ok and nothing is missing, you will be ask to sit down and will be called for an interview shortly.

3. Yes, you will have the interview on the same day, provided that all of your documents are in order and there is nothing missing. They will also give you a list of documents right there at the window, with the order in which they need to be submitted. Just read it carefully, folllow the instructions, and you will be ok! It's important not to forget your and your husband's ID's, the check (when I had the interview, they didn't accept personal checks, just money orders or cashier's checks...don't know if they do now), passport-style pictures, have every forms correctly filled in and all the documents you need to prove a bona fide relationship. The questions they asked us were mostly about us and our relationship, how we met, how long we had been together, where do we live, and so on. They looked at all the pics we brought.

4. With DORA you cannot file for EAD or AP. Their goal is to complete every case within 90 days, therefore they are not allowed. If for any reason your case can't be completed within 90 days, they will send you a letter around the 70th-80th day with an appointment to go ahead and apply for EAD and/or AP.

5. It's been so long ago, I don't remember everything we brought. There should be lists of everything in the early pages of this thread, though. Just bring all the papers correctly filled in, the check, the passport pictures, and evidence of your relationship (pictures, joint bank accounts, joint utility bills, joint health insurance, joint rent, and so on).

Hope I answered all of your questions, and please let me know if you need anything else. GOOD LUCK ON YOUR INTERVIEW ON MONDAY, and let us go how it went!!!

Best wishes!

Racer: I'm sorry they didn't complete your case in 90 days, but congrats on the 70th day letter! At least you will be able to work and/or travel! When do you have you appointment?

Good luck everybody!

Edited December 6, 2006 by Inlove_tx

[Hershey 0]

Thank you so so so much Inlove_tx! I do appreciate all the infos. And it really helped... I don't feel as tense anymore, hehe. And about the EAD thing... thanks for clearing that up. I was thinking of the same thing but couldn't be certain about it. I guess I should go ahead and get my SSN since I still don't have one. I really hope they will be able to complete all cases in 90 days or less. I think we're ready for our interview on monday. We'll be there as early as we can. I hope everything goes well. I will let you know how it went.

Thanks so much again!

[Delete This 0]

Thank you so so so much Inlove_tx! I do appreciate all the infos. And it really helped... I don't feel as tense anymore, hehe. And about the EAD thing... thanks for clearing that up. I was thinking of the same thing but couldn't be certain about it. I guess I should go ahead and get my SSN since I still don't have one. I really hope they will be able to complete all cases in 90 days or less. I think we're ready for our interview on monday. We'll be there as early as we can. I hope everything goes well. I will let you know how it went.

Thanks so much again!

We had a DORA AOS interview 2weeks ago. Inlove tx did an excellent job describing the process. Regarding interview questions: My wife (k1) was asked 1 question. "What is your new address ?" I (USC) was asked only 1 question, "What is your wife's birthday?"

[Hershey 0]

Hi antoniostar! Its to nice to hear from someone who had just recently done this DORA process. I'm glad to hear that your application has gone so smoothly and easily. I hope they will ask us the same questions, and be as easy on us as they were on you, haha. Thanks and Goodluck on your application as well!