May 2013 filers

[Vanitas 310]

I've been absent from VJ for awhile because I was no longer going stir-crazy... things started coming together in October/November for us. We are working with a lawyer (more to come on that later) which has been a blessing, but of course everything we do goes through her which I feel has slowed our process down at points.

At the end of November we got my interview date -- for the END of January!! We were heartbroken that we were over 2 months from the date. But then miracles happened - a January 14 date became available, THEN a January 2 interview date became available!!

I had my medical booked for last week, but because tracking down my immunization records proved to be frustrating/tricky, I had to delay until this coming Tuesday. Delaying it, though, hasn't affected the overall process.

Moving forward, my fiance and I talked about disengaging with our lawyer to do the AOS phase separately. I cannot remember what our contract stated when we signed it last April/May, but I am now under the impression (based on recent correspondence with her) that we are tied to her for the AOS... which for me, being a worry-wart, isn't the worst thing... it's just more money but I know I need to relax and just let things be.

In the meantime, I am still printing off all the necessary forms and copying the required documents (passport and birth cert) in case we sill are able to move forward for the AOS independent of our lawyer. We will need to apply for the 'Travel Document' to allow me to leave the U.S. during the AOS phase, as we have our wedding in Canada planned and obviously must attend. This, of course, all depends on whether or not we face any more delays or complications. Aside from the timing not being what we had hoped, everything else has been relatively smooth.

The one thing I am still unclear about is when I will be able to start work in the U.S. I know I will receive some sort of 'permit' that will allow me to work in the US, as well as travel freely to/from Canada -- but I think that comes with the Green Card, and according to the lawyer, I won't receive a G.C. until about 5 months after the AOS date.

Sometimes this process seems like one step forward, two steps back. It can be hard to shake the feeling of frustration and discontent, but I know this is all WORTH it... for some reason, though, I still need to remind myself to stay positive. Sometimes easier said than done, but yes indeed, this will all be worth it!

I hope fellow May Filers are moving along. It's a tough journey, but at least we are going through it with the ones we love.

As usual, the information is in the guides: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1k3aos

Specifically regarding Employment Authorization - you send in the I-765 along with all the other things in your I-485 package. You'll get a combined Advance Parole (Travel) and Employment Authorization card around 3 months after the NOA1. That card will let you travel outside of the States (but be warned, you may get pulled into secondary on your return unlike with a Green Card) and work legally.

Edited December 9, 2013 by Wheatley

[Vanitas 310]

Well, all that worry and fussing was for nothing. APPROVED!

[mb69 4]

Congratulations! ?

[godsrule 7]

Congrats

[sjs87 27]

As usual, the information is in the guides: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1k3aos

Specifically regarding Employment Authorization - you send in the I-765 along with all the other things in your I-485 package. You'll get a combined Advance Parole (Travel) and Employment Authorization card around 3 months after the NOA1. That card will let you travel outside of the States (but be warned, you may get pulled into secondary on your return unlike with a Green Card) and work legally.

Yes, we have figured that out now Wheatley. An AP is no walk in the park. We are facing added complications because when we got engaged officially last year, and then started this process, we (naively?!) thought I'd be able to be in the U.S. at least by December of this year. Well, timing hasn't been on our side. Since we assumed that the process wouldn't be as slow, I went ahead and planned a wedding (ceremony & reception) in Canada, as we expected to be legally married and I would have my Green Card by March 29, our Canadian wedding date. However, not only do we realize the G.C. won't be available in time, but the Advance Parole could take up to 3 months to receive -- and applying for an 'emergency travel document' isn't an option because a wedding would not be viewed as an emergency.

SO, I am likely to stay in Canada until our Canadian wedding, so I can enter the US on the K1 visa -- not risking waiting for the AP because if we don't get it in time, I'm stuck in the US and lost money on the wedding in Canada that we'd obviously have to cancel.

Hindsight is 20/20 -- guess I shouldn't have been so quick to plan a wedding in Canada, but like I said, couldn't have expected the government shutdown, or backlog at embassy in Vancouver (which is why I couldnt get an interview until late January in the first place), or other hiccups along the way. Just gotta stay positive and know that all these trials and struggles are for a very worthy reason!!

[Nurseling 34]

Well, all that worry and fussing was for nothing. APPROVED!

Congrats Ryan

[Nurseling 34]

Hi all

Finally here and hat a week it has been. Got here on the 2nd December since then I have had one trip to hospital for my son who is overly excited about the change of environment and wants to jump off everything he can climb on lol. Anyway he is fine just a bump on the head.

Friday just gone I filed for social security number it was very straight forward and didn't even wait in a que or anything. All they needed from me was just I-94 and my passport with the k1 visa in it. They told me my card will be with me in two weeks. When we get married just come in and do the name change with the marriage certificate. Straight forward.

This weekend I will be going to get my drivers leathers permit currently reading for the computer test again I was told they only need the I-94 passport with visa and 797 letter of approval. Things seem to be moving along well.

Just planning wedding stuff now.

Hope everyone else is getting along well.

[Ozgirl1981 78]

Well, all that worry and fussing was for nothing. APPROVED!

Woo Hooo Congrats. Now just breathe deeply !!!!!!!! So happy for you

Hi all

Finally here and hat a week it has been. Got here on the 2nd December since then I have had one trip to hospital for my son who is overly excited about the change of environment and wants to jump off everything he can climb on lol. Anyway he is fine just a bump on the head.

Friday just gone I filed for social security number it was very straight forward and didn't even wait in a que or anything. All they needed from me was just I-94 and my passport with the k1 visa in it. They told me my card will be with me in two weeks. When we get married just come in and do the name change with the marriage certificate. Straight forward.

This weekend I will be going to get my drivers leathers permit currently reading for the computer test again I was told they only need the I-94 passport with visa and 797 letter of approval. Things seem to be moving along well.

Just planning wedding stuff now.

Hope everyone else is getting along well.

Oh wow.. Sorry to hear about your son. I guess excitement can do funny things to us all.

Glad to hear everything else is running smoothly for you. Enjoy being with your love

Update from me...

As of 24hrs ago I finally received the information from my fiance (after 1 month and 1 day postal service) It was driving me insane. Just as we were organising a second package to be sent to me the first one arrived. The package got held up in customs for no reason. But glad it arrived.

I open it up, grabbed what i needed and sent it to Sydney straight away. According to the tracking, the package will be arriving at the Sydney embassy today, so in about 6-10 days, i should be getting packet 4 with interview date.

Thankfully no plans have been made for exact wedding or travel dates yet, but getting there before Christmas is out But it will happen now. Anyway, flying to USA with the 4 of us is going to be ALOT cheaper mid January.

Hope everyone has a great Christmas and a even happier New Year with the ones they love !!!!!

[Vanitas 310]

Thanks guys. Case has been recreated/updated today so they're working on it, it seems.

[Vanitas 310]

Yes, we have figured that out now Wheatley. An AP is no walk in the park. We are facing added complications because when we got engaged officially last year, and then started this process, we (naively?!) thought I'd be able to be in the U.S. at least by December of this year. Well, timing hasn't been on our side. Since we assumed that the process wouldn't be as slow, I went ahead and planned a wedding (ceremony & reception) in Canada, as we expected to be legally married and I would have my Green Card by March 29, our Canadian wedding date. However, not only do we realize the G.C. won't be available in time, but the Advance Parole could take up to 3 months to receive -- and applying for an 'emergency travel document' isn't an option because a wedding would not be viewed as an emergency.

SO, I am likely to stay in Canada until our Canadian wedding, so I can enter the US on the K1 visa -- not risking waiting for the AP because if we don't get it in time, I'm stuck in the US and lost money on the wedding in Canada that we'd obviously have to cancel.

Hindsight is 20/20 -- guess I shouldn't have been so quick to plan a wedding in Canada, but like I said, couldn't have expected the government shutdown, or backlog at embassy in Vancouver (which is why I couldnt get an interview until late January in the first place), or other hiccups along the way. Just gotta stay positive and know that all these trials and struggles are for a very worthy reason!!

Don't beat yourself up. It wasn't naive to think it'd all be sorted within a year - in fact that's usually pretty realistic. Between USCIS and the Embassies it usually does take a year. It just seems you got hit with delays and issues.

Obviously keep in mind your visa's expiration is 6 months from your Medical (so in my case for example, it expires May) so as long as that all falls within your timeframe then you can have your Canadian wedding but it must *not* be legal. If it is, that invalidates the K1 and means you'd need to restart and go down the CR-1 route. Think of it as I am - when I come back in a year or so (hopefully) with GC or at least AP in hand, I will be having a blessing and reception with my family. That's exactly the kind of thing you need to have this time around in Canada and then have the legal wedding (be it at a courthouse or otherwise) in the US to comply with the visa terms.

[Nurseling 34]

Woo Hooo Congrats. Now just breathe deeply !!!!!!!! So happy for you

Oh wow.. Sorry to hear about your son. I guess excitement can do funny things to us all.

Glad to hear everything else is running smoothly for you. Enjoy being with your love

Update from me...

As of 24hrs ago I finally received the information from my fiance (after 1 month and 1 day postal service) It was driving me insane. Just as we were organising a second package to be sent to me the first one arrived. The package got held up in customs for no reason. But glad it arrived.

I open it up, grabbed what i needed and sent it to Sydney straight away. According to the tracking, the package will be arriving at the Sydney embassy today, so in about 6-10 days, i should be getting packet 4 with interview date.

Thankfully no plans have been made for exact wedding or travel dates yet, but getting there before Christmas is out But it will happen now. Anyway, flying to USA with the 4 of us is going to be ALOT cheaper mid January.

Hope everyone has a great Christmas and a even happier New Year with the ones they love !!!!!

Thanks Ozgirl . Ever so glad to see you managed to get the package and send the papers off. Your right January would be a cheaper travel time. I am still gritting used to the lack of public transport here that's why I really have to get myself a drivers licence pronto.

Let us know when you get your interview date.

[Bambi & João 2]

Thanks Ozgirl . Ever so glad to see you managed to get the package and send the papers off. Your right January would be a cheaper travel time. I am still gritting used to the lack of public transport here that's why I really have to get myself a drivers licence pronto.

Let us know when you get your interview date.

The cheaper January travel is the positive I am looking at now, too. I don't see Christmas happening. It's just not the same over Skype, though. Still stuck in Administrative Processing here. So far Rio doesn't seem to be in any hurry. I think they have a copy an paste response for when I inquire because they DO NOT answer questions. I just get this "We have recently received the pending documentation. It was passed to the consular officer for review. Please wait our contact as soon as possible." Word for word exactly the same every time.

[Bambi & João 2]

CONFUSED!!!! Our case went from Administrative Processing. His interview was two weeks ago to READY again? WHY????????? Is this good or bad?

[Nurseling 34]

CONFUSED!!!! Our case went from Administrative Processing. His interview was two weeks ago to READY again? WHY????????? Is this good or bad?

Means they are doing something with your papers. The next notice you get will be visa issued.

Stay positive.

[Bambi & João 2]

That sounds promising!!!!!!!! Hopefully we get the visa soon!!