April 2013 Filers

[CarlaDave 27]

Oy vey!

What a friggin day!

We had to go to the court to get a copy of my custody orders that mysteriously disappeared. The court 20 mins from me didn't have it so we had to go to the metro division over an hour away in Bakersfield. We waited in line, got a certified copy, and we were off. That was the easy part.

Since we were applying for Dave's SSN, we decided to apply at the office in Bakersfield. We waited for over 2 hours until our number was called. No biggie. We spent the time asking questions to prepare for our interview. Well, when they finally called our number guess who forgot Dave's birth certificate at home? UGHHHHHH!!!!!!! I completely forgot that first time applications require the birth certificate.

So, we had to drive over an hour back home to get his birth certificate. #######! It's not in the interview binder!! We searched for 20 minutes until Dave realized he still had it in his dresser drawer. Whew! We jumped back into the car for another 20 minute drive to a closer social security office and another 2 hour wait. It was pretty flawless. The man was really nice. When we told him our interview was in two weeks he said it's a good thing we came when we did & not wait until after the interview. He also added that the interview is not that hard. He told us to come back Tuesday to get a receipt with Dave's number so we can go to the DMV. Easy peasy!

Next we drove another 10 minutes to the DMV. We picked up an application for Dave (they're not available online due to the unique scan code) and a handbook to study. I went ahead and stood in line just to make sure we were clear on what Dave needed to do. For California, he will need to complete the application, make an appointment, and then sit for the written exam. When he passes, he can sit for his driving test anytime. There isn't a set wait period. He could go the next day if he wanted. She also recommended using the practice tests on the DMV website as a studying aid.

We're going next week for his learner's permit. My goal? Relax on the 4 hour drive to Fresno .. HA! HA! Yup, I'm making Dave drive. He decided to get his permit before the interview then the full license after.

So, needless to say, I am exhausted!

We're finalizing our interview binder this weekend and then I'm stepping away from this immigration stuff until the interview. This is so stressful! Even when you don't have anything related to the visa process you feel as though you should be doing/working on something.

Congrats Kiwivisa on your approval and to all that are receiving their EADs & GCs.

Ok, going to go collapse on the couch now!

[woods15 1]

Wow! Lots of great updates here... I've been busy with work (hooray!) so it's taken me away from this site and all my worrying. We are just waiting for our interview on the 10th... getting our binder together now.

Carla & Dave... ugh... sorry you had so much running around to do! I lived at DMV last week... they always wanted something else or told me whatever I had was unacceptable so I definitely feel your pain on the waiting, leaving, waiting cycle. We'll be at the end soon!

[discoverusa 277]

Thanks for sharing Carla.

I am surprised that they needed his birth certificate. I was able to apply with just a passport and EAD (although I had BC ready with translation if they asked for it). I guess it depends who you get. So is it possible to get the number even before the actual card arrives? How does it work?

[CarlaDave 27]

Wow! Lots of great updates here... I've been busy with work (hooray!) so it's taken me away from this site and all my worrying. We are just waiting for our interview on the 10th... getting our binder together now.

Carla & Dave... ugh... sorry you had so much running around to do! I lived at DMV last week... they always wanted something else or told me whatever I had was unacceptable so I definitely feel your pain on the waiting, leaving, waiting cycle. We'll be at the end soon!

We spent so much time at the SS office that we didn't want history to repeat itself at the DMV. That was why I went ahead and stood in line and asked all the questions in advance. We're prepared for that zoo now.

Thanks for sharing Carla.

I am surprised that they needed his birth certificate. I was able to apply with just a passport and EAD (although I had BC ready with translation if they asked for it). I guess it depends who you get. So is it possible to get the number even before the actual card arrives? How does it work?

Yes, it takes a couple of days after you apply but you can get the number (just not the card). They will print out a receipt and it will have it on there. The DMV only needs the number and not the card.

Once we get his SS card, I will need to send a copy of it to the IRS so they can marry that number with his ITIN.

[woods15 1]

UGH! I am the most annoyed.... USCIS cancelled our interview appointment AGAIN! "Unforseen circumstances" was their reason.

[Kpo87 1]

Hi all, just found this thread today, been very interesting reading everyone's journey so far. I am an April filer also, and it's reassuring to see where everyone is at.

Not sure how to add the timeline, but here is my journey so far.......

9th April 2013 - Application sent (i-765 i-130 i-485)

22nd April 2013 - received text and email saying they had received package, dated received on 12th April

25th April 2013 - received hard copies of NOA receipt for all 3 forms

26th April 2013 - received Biometrics appt for 13th May in New Orleans

13th May 2013 - Biometrics appt done

7th June 2013 - received NOA to appear for interview on 10th July in Jacksonville

22nd June 2013 - received NOA interview cancelled and rescheduled for 29th July

28th June 2013- received EAD in mail

[CarlaDave 27]

UGH! I am the most annoyed.... USCIS cancelled our interview appointment AGAIN! "Unforseen circumstances" was their reason.

OMG woods! I would be so pissed!! Keep the faith ... They can't keep canceling it forever! Is there another field office within driving distance? I would talk to a T2 rep on Monday to find out exactly what's going on. We feel horrible for you!

Hi all, just found this thread today, been very interesting reading everyone's journey so far. I am an April filer also, and it's reassuring to see where everyone is at.

Not sure how to add the timeline, but here is my journey so far.......

9th April 2013 - Application sent (i-765 i-130 i-485)

22nd April 2013 - received text and email saying they had received package, dated received on 12th April

25th April 2013 - received hard copies of NOA receipt for all 3 forms

26th April 2013 - received Biometrics appt for 13th May in New Orleans

13th May 2013 - Biometrics appt done

7th June 2013 - received NOA to appear for interview on 10th July in Jacksonville

22nd June 2013 - received NOA interview cancelled and rescheduled for 29th July

28th June 2013- received EAD in mail

Welcome, Kpo87! From where in Scotland? Dave is from Aberdeen

Just copy and paste what you posted into your signature. Also, under your account is the timeline feature. If you haven't done so already, you can plug your information in there.

Again, welcome to the group!

Edited June 30, 2013 by Carla & Dave

[Kpo87 1]

OMG woods! I would be so pissed!! Keep the faith ... They can't keep canceling it forever! Is there another field office within driving distance? I would talk to a T2 rep on Monday to find out exactly what's going on. We feel horrible for you!

Welcome, Kpo87! From where in Scotland? Dave is from Aberdeen

Just copy and paste what you posted into your signature. Also, under your account is the timeline feature. If you haven't done so already, you can plug your information in there.

Again, welcome to the group!

Ahhh a fellow scot ;-) I am from montrose, only 30 minutes from Aberdeen! How long has your husband been here?

Thank you for the warm welcome. It feels good to know that others are going through the same as me :-)

[CarlaDave 27]

Ahhh a fellow scot ;-) I am from montrose, only 30 minutes from Aberdeen! How long has your husband been here?

Thank you for the warm welcome. It feels good to know that others are going through the same as me :-)

Dave's been here since August 3rd. He intended to visit for only 2 weeks since he had to return back to the UK to start uni. I was then going to go to the UK in November for a 2 week holiday.

If you click the "Show" button next to 'spoiler' in our siggy, you'll see our expanded timeline.

Edited June 30, 2013 by Carla & Dave

[tashired 18]

UGH! I am the most annoyed.... USCIS cancelled our interview appointment AGAIN! "Unforseen circumstances" was their reason.

Yikes! Thats terrible, hopefully they get it sorted out. Everything happens for a reason...

[Caramel Swirl 54]

UGH! I am the most annoyed.... USCIS cancelled our interview appointment AGAIN! "Unforseen circumstances" was their reason.

Jeez that sucks!!!....hang in there though, it will all be done with soon.

[woods15 1]

Jeez that sucks!!!....hang in there though, it will all be done with soon.

Yikes! Thats terrible, hopefully they get it sorted out. Everything happens for a reason...

OMG woods! I would be so pissed!! Keep the faith ... They can't keep canceling it forever! Is there another field office within driving distance? I would talk to a T2 rep on Monday to find out exactly what's going on. We feel horrible for you!

Thanks guys! We've been talking about it and we are wondering maybe if its because we changed our address?? I didn't think they changed your offices when you did that... but we might call Tier 2 sometime the week to try and see if they can give us any insight. We only move 2 hours away from the office so it's not a big deal for us to drive to the interview in Baltimore. It's so frustrating when you have everything in line and work out time off and then the rug is just swept from under your feet.

[Kpo87 1]

Dave's been here since August 3rd. He intended to visit for only 2 weeks since he had to return back to the UK to start uni. I was then going to go to the UK in November for a 2 week holiday.

If you click the "Show" button next to 'spoiler' in our siggy, you'll see our expanded timeline.

Sounds like a very romantic journey you guys have been on :-) I think you just know when it's the 'one'. I'v been here since the end of December 2011 on a tourist visa. Married on the 31st December 2012. Couldn't be happier!! Would just like to get this process out of the way so we can start living a normal life together :-) I look forward to the day that I don't have to think about all of this stuff.

We moved into our first home together at the end of February, and we have a Scottish neighbour. We are popping up all over the place, hehe!!

[CarlaDave 27]

I posed this question in the March Filers thread but haven't received a response. Hopefully, someone here can answer this ...

Friday, Dave is taking his test for his DL (yay!). What we'd like to know is if he will have to relinquish his UK license? For those that have gotten their state drivers license, did you have to turn in your country license?

TIA!

[r7holybo 1]

I posed this question in the March Filers thread but haven't received a response. Hopefully, someone here can answer this ...

Friday, Dave is taking his test for his DL (yay!). What we'd like to know is if he will have to relinquish his UK license? For those that have gotten their state drivers license, did you have to turn in your country license?

TIA!

I didn't have to give up my UK license when I acquired an Arizona one a few years ago. However, when the UK license expires you may not be able to renew it if you don't still have a UK address. The forms required for renewal can only be sent out to a UK address. (I used my parents' address to renew anyway, since I think it's useful to keep both if possible).