UK VJers Progress Update Thread

[chipmunk92 11]

When I woke up this morning CEAC still said "ready" but our case creation date had switched to today and it also switched to say "non-immigrant." Now it has just gone into administrative proceeding.

Feeling really discouraged as it does not seem that he will have the visa in time to fly out this weekend which we were hoping for

[MandEJ 46]

Life update: we got married on Friday and it was lovely. Also sent out AOS package and it was received in Chicago yesterday. And yesterday I also got my social security card through the Mail, so took a week to arrive - much speedier and smoother process I was expecting in all honesty.

I'm planning on opening a bank account later today and then start looking seriously at options for phone plans! We're also going to open a joint account with TD bank (where my husband has an account), so I guess that's on our to-do list for the next week or so.

I've started looking for jobs and have quite a few leads which is reassuring. Sort of hoping I get offered a contract soon and then can try and hurry the EAD along.

So far second week feels a lot less overwhelming and having got through most of my to-do list has a lot to do with that haha I enjoy anyone who gets to take their time with the process!

[AMZJ 61]

I received NOA1 for AOS, EAD, AP. I'm just waiting on my NOA1 so I can legally change my name on my ssn as can't do it with out in my state. I really wish I could actually start driving already, but unfortunately again... need EAD. Everything here is going well.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I'm just waiting on my NOA1 so I can legally change my name on my ssn as can't do it with out in my state.

Social Security is a federal agency so procedures wouldn't be different state to state. You might want to wait until you get EAD so you married name will be found in the SAVE database (after USCIS updates). Your new card would be in married name and without the "for work only with dhs authorization" words. Two things-one visit if you have one of those offices with ridiculously long waits.

[MandEJ 46]

Social Security is a federal agency so procedures wouldn't be different state to state. You might want to wait until you get EAD so you married name will be found in the SAVE database (after USCIS updates). Your new card would be in married name and without the "for work only with dhs authorization" words. Two things-one visit if you have one of those offices with ridiculously long waits.

I actually got my SS card through the mail and considering getting the first one took no time at all, I was thinking of going back in and getting my new name - does it screw things up if i do it before USCIS has dealt with my EAD/AP/AOS case? The Brooklyn office is so efficient, my first visit took very little time and it's not like I have much else to do during the day

[AndyR82 8]

Hello all, got a quick question I went for the biometrics for the AOS, 2 months on Friday. Is there any way I can check up on it's current status? I'm getting a little frustrated!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I actually got my SS card through the mail and considering getting the first one took no time at all, I was thinking of going back in and getting my new name - does it screw things up if i do it before USCIS has dealt with my EAD/AP/AOS case? The Brooklyn office is so efficient, my first visit took very little time and it's not like I have much else to do during the day

If your office is easy in and out, then give it a go. People are told so many different things depending on how trained the worker is. All they can say is no if they require finding your married name when they look up your status in the SAVE Database. USCIS has you under maiden name (K1 entry) until they approve EAD or AOS in your married name. But some people manage to get theirs changed so give it a try. Then go back when you get EAD and want to take those words off. Then go back again when you get greencard so SSA knows you are a permanent resident.

[Bn&Dw 1]

AOS and IV package sent to NVC today!!!

Still hopeful for a November interview....

Hey! I stayed away from this forum for a while. I just came to update my timeline. It is a funny coincidence but we posted everything today as well!

[JFH 12,190]

Hey! I stayed away from this forum for a while. I just came to update my timeline. It is a funny coincidence but we posted everything today as well!

I wondered what happened to you, my Nebraska waiting-room friend.

When are you hoping to move? Has your husband been deployed again?

[MandEJ 46]

If your office is easy in and out, then give it a go. People are told so many different things depending on how trained the worker is. All they can say is no if they require finding your married name when they look up your status in the SAVE Database. USCIS has you under maiden name (K1 entry) until they approve EAD or AOS in your married name. But some people manage to get theirs changed so give it a try. Then go back when you get EAD and want to take those words off. Then go back again when you get greencard so SSA knows you are a permanent resident.

Thanks!

Ugh so... bank account updates: I really want to try to avoid one with monthly fees because I don't have a job at the moment and I don't really want to commit to paying anything... I tried Capital One 360 but got a message saying they need more info from me with a phone number to call. I called it but just got an automated message saying they'd get back to me within 24 hours.

Then I tried Simple and same issue, need to confirm my identity... and the guy on the phone said he's not sure this is open at all to non citizens! This country is insane. Then I applied to Ally but I have to wait to hear back in 3 to 5 business days....

SO tomorrow I am going to go to Capital One (they have a very cool branch in Union Square) along with: passport (and visa), i-94, social security card, social security application that lists my address, marriage certificate (that lists my address and my husband), a receipt from Staples that lists my address, two bills in my husband's name and our address and also my i-797 from the i-129F which is obviously in my husband's name but lists the address AND lists my name as beneficiary of the i-129F..... I swear to god, if Capital does not work, I'm going to try every bank around Union Sq (which is a hub of banks, essentially everyone is there) and I will not stop until one lets me open an account.

It's crazy how difficult this is. I am here *legally*, I paid a lot of money to be here, if I can get a SSN without a hitch, opening a damn bank account should be a piece of cake! I want to give them thousands of $ and they're making it hard??? INSANE!! (I'm so upset by this and I cried earlier after the Simple rejection)

[JFH 12,190]

Have you tried Bank of America? I'm not recommending them myself, but a woman I am friends with managed to open one there before her visa was even issued. They wanted two forms of ID and not much more, if I recall. This was recently. She used the account to pay for things on her trips there to see her husband.

[MandEJ 46]

Have you tried Bank of America? I'm not recommending them myself, but a woman I am friends with managed to open one there before her visa was even issued. They wanted two forms of ID and not much more, if I recall. This was recently. She used the account to pay for things on her trips there to see her husband.

Thanks - I'm going to try BoA today. Oh the hurdles!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

It's crazy how difficult this is. I am here *legally*, I paid a lot of money to be here, if I can get a SSN without a hitch, opening a damn bank account should be a piece of cake! I want to give them thousands of $ and they're making it hard??? INSANE!! (I'm so upset by this and I cried earlier after the Simple rejection)

You have nothing on paper except a 90 day entry (I-94). Your visa is over and now invalid because you used it. It's not like a student or work visa that has several years validity or a spouse visa giving you greencard status. That's the problem.

Banks have their own laws from the government they have to comply with and one is identity of the customer. They have different requirements for immigrant and non-immigrant so they set up policies to avoid running afoul of the government. And a person with only 90 days to be in the country legally confuses them. Do go in person and do ask for a supervisor.

You'd have a better chance getting added to an established account with your spouse. And a joint account is a biggie to show at an AOS interview and submit when you remove conditions, so it helps your future immigration path.

Edited August 31, 2016 by Nich-Nick

[AndyR82 8]

I've managed to locate an update on my AOS, currently says they've received the fingerprint fee and a letter has been sent for the next step.

I have already been for the biometrics so I'm confused!!!

[yuna628 9,671]

Banks all generally follow the same rules - but what it comes down to is what the person handling the application is aware of and what each branch will personally allow. I hear that BoA and Wells Fargo are immigrant friendly. For us, I chose to add my husband to my account, so that we have an account jointly together. We use M&T which I think has branches in NYC. Had no problems doing so. I think there are more fuss adjusting paypal then it was opening an account. They only needed to see our certificate (we hadn't gotten the official copy from the clerk because it wasn't open yet, so they let us off with our 'souvenir' copy... but shh they weren't supposed to), my info and his passport. We do intend to open something with Wells Fargo soon.