Boys meets girl, boy marries girl, USCIS tells boy to get girl a green card...

[casualsurfer 25]

The typical story that's probably been repeated untold number of times here.

First I want to say this forum is awesome! I was trying to navigate without an attorney (I figure I could read, I could write, why must an educated man hire an attorney to do something so simple?), and was feeling lost until I stumbled upon this forum.

Married a Taiwanese girl earlier this year in Indianapolis, trying to get her back here with a GC/PR (she's currently living in Taiwan). Filed I-130 but didn't know whether I need to file I-485 now or wait for notification, and whether to file it here or via AIT (the defacto "consulate/embassy" in Taiwan).

How about those fees eh? You'd think the INS (USCIS) would provide better service (24H hotline?) with that kind of price. Doesn't my tax dollar go there too?

[Hypnos 6,576]

An I-485 is for someone already present in the US. Your wife is in Taiwan, so cannot file an I-485.

[milimelo 4,486]

Umm, no - your tax dollars are not paying for processing. Your petition fees do.

[Hypnos 6,576]

USCIS is almost entirely self-funded, meaning that the fees you pay are those they use to pay for their expenses. It's one of the reasons USCIS remained open during the recent federal government shutdown.

[Darnell 8,478]

I am sorry, apologetic, that you had such a run-in with USCIS and they actually told you something.

However, if you'd like her to come visit you again, do note that Taiwan was recently given VWP status, so she could visit the ESTA website, get registered, and jump a plane with almost no effort on her part (or yours).

When you speak with USCIS again, be certain to give them some great food recipes (as the folk on the phone are f'ing clueless for actual immigration-related matters) and

remember - which forms to file varies with the foreigner's physical location.

[casualsurfer 25]

I am sorry, apologetic, that you had such a run-in with USCIS and they actually told you something.

However, if you'd like her to come visit you again, do note that Taiwan was recently given VWP status, so she could visit the ESTA website, get registered, and jump a plane with almost no effort on her part (or yours).

When you speak with USCIS again, be certain to give them some great food recipes (as the folk on the phone are f'ing clueless for actual immigration-related matters) and

remember - which forms to file varies with the foreigner's physical location.

Well I think the issue is that she originally entered the US to do sight seeing while visiting me. We decided that long distance relationship after almost 2 years really isn't that great, so we got married - the last time she came in the border guy told us to go to that side office at the freaking airport where they treat you like criminals (no racial profiling my @$$) and basically made my wife feel unwelcome here. Turns out she's been visiting "too often" and drew red flag, and they insisted that once she leaves we need to "follow the proper procedures and get her a visa/GC to enter the states as my wife and not as a visitor."

It's my first time dealing with these people and they really are a grumpy bunch

[Pitaya 2,577]

Welcome to the forum.