AOS from F1 to Marriage K1

[Rory UK 0]

Hey everyone,

What a great resource! Thank you for taking the time to set up and maintain something like this.

I've spent the last hour looking at previous posts and although they've helped me get a better idea of everything, I'm still a little lost. Although I'm sure it's all been said but please bare with me, all help is much appreciated.

- I came here in 2007 on a student F1 Visa from the UK.

- I graduated January this year with my bachelors.

- I've been on my OPT since then and it's set to expire in February 2013

- I met my girlfriend, April 2009, we've been together since then (barring a break up that lasted a couple of months before we got back together).

We obviously have photos/trips/gifts etc. that span back that whole time, but we haven't lived together during that time. We plan on getting married and as such I know I need an adjustment of status, and a little of what the process involves. I know it costs around $1490 in USCIS fees. I have no idea what to expect from the interview, no idea what biometrics are and if anyone can give me a basic timeline/overview of the whole process I would be sincerely grateful.

Thank you in advance

[Xanax 349]

First of all , you are not doing a "AOS marriage k-1"- I'm not sure what you meant by that, I assumed you just got a little confused

You will be adjusting your status based on marriage to a USC. You must marry before you can file for adjustment of status.

If you above in the guides section for adjustment of status you will get an idea of the timeline and everything that is required of you and your soon to be spouse.

The fees are approximately $1500 plus the medical fee which can be $100-500 or more depending on where you are and who you see ( you must have the medical done by a civil surgeon).

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You also have other options, you can pursue the k-1 visa or marry and pursue the CR-1 but you would have to leave the country and go back to your home country while they process and for your interview/ medical. The AOS option if you do not want / need to return to your home country ASAP is the best option (though it means you cannot leave before you have your AP or GC in hand).

If you read the guides then still have questions feel free to post them here.

[LindaC1990 23]

Congrats on the plan of getting married!

K1 is for Fiancé/Fiancée of U.S. citizen who lives abroad to apply. So it doesn't fit in your situation now.

Read this guide here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2

That tells you everything you need, the forms are confusing sometimes, post your question on here and people will help you.

A biometrics appointment is for catching your fingerprint and photograph. so the FBI can do a background check on you.

the Interview is for the officer to judge if your relationship is real or not then you will get approved for the green card.

Don't forget you will have to do a physical examination too.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

No one has yet mentioned that the "Adjustment of Status" is a procedure to go from your F-1 to Legal Permanent Resident, or Greencard holder. It lately has been taking 3-6 months.

[natalieblake 0]

Hey everyone,

What a great resource! Thank you for taking the time to set up and maintain something like this.

I've spent the last hour looking at previous posts and although they've helped me get a better idea of everything, I'm still a little lost. Although I'm sure it's all been said but please bare with me, all help is much appreciated.

- I came here in 2007 on a student F1 Visa from the UK.

- I graduated January this year with my bachelors.

- I've been on my OPT since then and it's set to expire in February 2013

- I met my girlfriend, April 2009, we've been together since then (barring a break up that lasted a couple of months before we got back together).

We obviously have photos/trips/gifts etc. that span back that whole time, but we haven't lived together during that time. We plan on getting married and as such I know I need an adjustment of status, and a little of what the process involves. I know it costs around $1490 in USCIS fees. I have no idea what to expect from the interview, no idea what biometrics are and if anyone can give me a basic timeline/overview of the whole process I would be sincerely grateful.

Thank you in advance

Hi Rory,

My husband is from the UK too. If you plan to get married before February 2013, I suggest that you submit the I-485, I-130, I-131 (travel), and I-485 together which gives you the total of the $1490 and believe me, the total is $1490. I started to doubt myself as we started to get through the paperwork (a USCIS officer had told me it was $1490) but as I read, I saw all of these other fees and well...it's just $1490 ha. Make sure you write the check (can be on a single check ONLY if you submit all of these documents together) to the full name listed and not just USCIS.

On the website (or you can just google 'general surgeons for uscis (area)' and it will direct you to the link in uscis) it will show you by area who qualifies as a general surgeon. We're in Denver and it was about $350. They give you a sealed envelope about a week after you see them that you just include with the check, and all the paperwork (passport photo, copy of birth certificate, etc.) into one huge packet.

We submitted it on June 29, 2012 (I overnighted it to the PO box, yeah, I know but I just wanted it there!) and we got confirmation about two weeks later that it was received on July 2, 2012. I also submitted a document with the initial packet to receive electronic notification (sorry I can't remember the name but as you download the forms from the website, you will see a link for it) and we got a text about a week later that said they received it and provided the case numbers. That sheet you receive in the mail saying they confirm it will also give you case numbers that you can then log in online to get updates from.

We then played the waiting game for about 2 more weeks where they sent us information on what day my husband should do the biometrics. This date was about 3 weeks from the date we received the letter. He went in and they took his picture and his fingerprints...that was it. We later found out that they sent this to the FBI to find criminal history etc. We then waited about 2.5 weeks and that is where we are now. In a span of two days (Aug 26-27, 2012), we got the approval for the I-131 (travel authorization, we're going to London for xmas), I-765 (work visa, which should arrive within the next 30 days), and have an interview set up for 4 weeks (September 25, 2012). In the case file online it shows the interview set against the I-485 but I believe that it essentially goes against the I-130 too (could be wrong).

I have added my husband to my bank account and cell phone bill. Since he doesn't have a Social Security Number I couldn't add him to the lease or really anything else but I read around and there is a lot of documentation on how to prove a bona fide marriage so I would read up on it. That is what you need to start preparing for if you are going to go this route. I have notarized affidavits from my family and friends that this is a true marriage and getting all of our pictures/tickets together of the trips and events we have done together.

My husband hasn't been able to work (we had no idea what we were doing when we decided to relocate to the US) so I suggest you either do this abroad and be separate for 6-12 months so you can work or be prepared to not work if you file this too close to your visa expiration. I don't see how anyone does this for just a 'friend' or someone they hardly know because it is tough on a relationship!

I hope this helps some and good luck! Please feel free to message me if you have any questions.

Natalie