Finally ready for AOS - Filing late.. Any experiences with this?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

If you want to file with the I-130, then do this. http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2

[Toshtishtash 1]

Thanks!

I have one more question. Obviously, the medical that I had in England 5 years ago is no longer valid... Do I have to have the medical 'before' I send off the paperwork, or will they send me instructions at a later date to do it like they did when I filed the K-1?

In the instructions, it says to include an I-693 but then below it, it says:

Your spouse may also be required to have a medical sometime during the AOS process. The medical must be done by a CIS accredited doctor. Your CIS office should give you a list of CIS accredited doctors in your area, if not check with your local office to get one. The medical exam can cost anywhere from $100-200 dollars, many physicians will not take a check, but only accept cash. Be prepared of the cost before your spouse gets this done. It would be wise to collect their vaccination information before going to the appointment as the doctor will need to have record of them. At the appointment your spouse will be tested for TB, AIDS and Syphilis. If they do the skin test for TB, they will be required to return to the CIS doctors office to have the site checked before they finish the exam paperwork. Note: Some CIS Offices allow you to schedule your appointment when you want, as long as it is done before the AOS appointment, check with your CIS office to see how they handle CIS medical exams before filing your AOS paperwork.

If I can, I would rather wait... I don't have the extra money for that as I assumed it would be done at a later date :/

Edited April 26, 2013 by Toshtishtash

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

No, you do the medical before. You find a Civil Surgeon on your own accord, get the exam done, and the Civil Surgeon will hand you a sealed envelope with the results and you send in the sealed envelope. You can find a civil surgeon locator on uscis.gov. Try to shoot for one that is $200 - the charge can vary.

If you don't do it now, they will send you a RFE which will delay your case. If you do the I-130/I-485 package, you will be all done in a few months, so the RFE for the medical would come after a few weeks, not really making much of a difference in cash flow.

Edited April 26, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[Toshtishtash 1]

No, you do the medical before. You find a Civil Surgeon on your own accord, get the exam done, and the Civil Surgeon will hand you a sealed envelope with the results and you send in the sealed envelope. You can find a civil surgeon locator on uscis.gov. Try to shoot for one that is $200 - the charge can vary.

If you don't do it now, they will send you a RFE which will delay your case. If you do the I-130/I-485 package, you will be all done in a few months, so the RFE for the medical would come after a few weeks, not really making much of a difference in cash flow.

Argh! Will it delay the EAD? Or the stuff that comes afterwards? Sorry for all the questions, but I never remember that being something that had to be sent with the initial paperwork.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Yes it will delay the EAD. It has to be sent now because your old one expired. Probably when you were figuring it out you weren't expecting to have an expired medical.

[Toshtishtash 1]

Yes it will delay the EAD. It has to be sent now because your old one expired. Probably when you were figuring it out you weren't expecting to have an expired medical.

Thank you Harpa I think it was probably more of a case of wishful thinking! My medical is scheduled for May 16th at the cost of $195.50

I have also decided to take a chance and file without the I-130... I figured if I do only get a 2 year one, when it is time to remove my conditions, there will be no money problems because I will actually be able to work. I am keeping my fingers crossed for the 10 year, but we will see.

Thank you so much again for your help! I missed this place!