K1 filers - we are filing for AOS currently - words of advice

[Suzanne and Gary 0]

Just thought I would give you some infomation as to what is down the road. WE thought getting the K1 visa approval was going to give us the stamp of approval for us starting a life together here and it is really only the start of things. We are trying to sort out the AOS and it is much harder to decifer than the K1. I am stressing out big time as my finances are questionable and can't believe that they would allow my fiancee in, we get married and still have to fight for approval and basically fill out the same information but in more detail and get the same medical stuff for him over again - the money just keeps flowing out. Would have liked to have read this while we were filling out the K1 so thought I would post our experience here so far for you to see. Don't think the K1 visa is the big approval. You've only just started. Lots of people get here and have to wait around for months - my fiancee filed for his social security card as soon as he got here a month ago and still hasn't got it because the printing machine is down. You can't do anything without that card first! He got a temporary work visa, but what company is going to hire you if you have to stop working til you get the EAD? HE has found something temporary a couple of days ago but don't know how long that will last. Good luck on your journeys, but know you have a lot more to do down the road to ensure your loved one stays.

[ELW 5]

Yes I can really understand what you are talking about! We just got our interview date and I'm already research all the things that have to get done once he comes here – SSN, marriage, activities for him while he waits to adjust (ESL classes, volunteer work, etc.), adding his name to joint accounts, credit cards, etc., AOS, EAD, driving license – and all the money it will cost and the time involved. Looks like getting settled here will be a LOT more work than just filing the I-129F and Affidavit of Support! BUT at least we will be together while doing it!

[GabachaYucateca 0]

Yikes! I know what you mean!

Luckily my father is chomping at the bit to get Edgar here and start chauffering him around to get all this stuff done.

[rebeccajo 14]

You don't need to get the 'same medical stuff' done over again (providing your visa medical is less than one year old).

You need to prove the proper vaccines and that is all.

[rebeccajo 14]

Yes I can really understand what you are talking about! We just got our interview date and I'm already research all the things that have to get done once he comes here – SSN, marriage, activities for him while he waits to adjust (ESL classes, volunteer work, etc.), adding his name to joint accounts, credit cards, etc., AOS, EAD, driving license – and all the money it will cost and the time involved. Looks like getting settled here will be a LOT more work than just filing the I-129F and Affidavit of Support! BUT at least we will be together while doing it!

See the part in bold?

That's some of the best advice I've seen around here lately.

I'm a big advocate of research, but not so much to the point that you get yourself all flustered. As we have moved through each phase of this process, I have researched the steps ahead. Those times I did not, I found myself blindsided (old-timers here will recall the story of my husband's entry without an I-94 - ack!).

Look ahead, but don't get yourself all in a stew over it. Get the fundamentals down and see if you are prepared. Definately analyze your finances and see if they will carry through to AOS.

Once you begin actual preparation of the I485 and corresponding I864, I don't believe most will find them that daunting. I found myself pulling papers from the I129F and I134 and moving them forward.

And do remember this - yes, you will be together. BUT life is life - your immigrant spouse needs to have one. They are counting on you to move them past this phase and into 'normalcy'. A greencard gives them that normalcy. And you need 'normalcy' as a couple. The ability to freely move, work, travel, borrow money, obtain an education. Many of these normal day-to-day activities are difficult or impossible without a greencard. Being 'together' - the difficulties of adjusting to married life - can be made more troublesome without your spouses proper immigrant status.

Be prepared (Scouts motto). Financially, emotionally and realistically.

Edited March 11, 2007 by rebeccajo

[ELW 5]

I'm a big advocate of research, but not so much to the point that you get yourself all flustered. And do remember this - yes, you will be together. BUT life is life

Thanks for more golden words of wisdom, rebeccajo! Yes there will be many adjustments to life together, but hopefully we will be mentally prepared.

I find all the research removes my tension because now I have the addresses, phone numbers, timings, fees, detailed notes on how to go about getting the SSN, ID card, ESL classes (ah! the bus outside my apartment goes straight to the campus! ), filing AOS etc., so I have peace of mind and can just sit back and just review/double check everything when the time comes. (Also it helps to be absolutely clear one what we're going to do first, second, third once he arrives.) Already started filling out the AOS/EAD forms heehee.

[Suzanne and Gary 0]

To clarify his medical situation, the only thing that was new was his vaccinations which he could have done in London but they were cheaper to do here. His medical in London was 5 weeks ago where he had his blood tests for Aids,syphillis,and small pox. They made him do it again in California, that is a rip off. WE called a couple of doctors and one insisted he had to have a full medical which would have been 1,000.00 which he does not need to pay for again.

As far as the research goes myself and my fiancee are reasonably intelligent people who filled out the K1 ourselves and got approved within 6 months not even any touches or problems. You can research yourself to death in this process but the point is that they make it a maze of confusion with constant twists and turns AKA inconsistancies like trying to overcharge for duplicate unneeded services. That is a scam in my opinion. No amount of research will justify the waste of money they make us pay to duplicate forms all over again. This process is a white collar nightmare. I can't believe the US is actaully a world power with such a messed up bureaucracy.

Yikes! I know what you mean!

Luckily my father is chomping at the bit to get Edgar here and start chauffering him around to get all this stuff done.

[rebeccajo 14]

Suzanne, no one can 'make' you pay $1000 for a medical. That's just piracy.

There's loads of anecdotal evidence on this board that 'shopping around' for a civil surgeon is usually necessary.

In your frustration over this process, I believe you are contradicting yourself when you state that "No amount of research will justify the waste of money they make us pay to duplicate forms all over again." Why wouldn't it be worthwhile to research to save the money and the effort?

It's very true the many parts of this process are redundant and a nuisance. But it's also true there's a way to play the game - one just needs to learn the rules.

[mybackpages 0]

I think what makes the AOS paperwork a little more difficult to sort through is that the form is used for all kinds of applicnts to adjust status (k-1, refugees, employment based etc). The k-1 petition is directly for the fiance visa, the I-485 is for everyone and you need a little research to make sure you are filling it out correctly for your specific classification. Then there is the EAD and AP to consider.

We should be mailing the packet off tomorrow (one month after arrial at POE). Today is the day for double checking (or I should say triple checking) the forms and evidence and re-reading the instructions.

[elyjack 0]

Personally, I think you have a very good point about the K1 visa and subsequent AOS. I always wondered about it myself. Much of it seems completely redundant, doesn't it? Why would they look at the information you give them, tell you that you can come in on a K1 visa to get married, and then turn around and look at what is essentially the same information and tell you that you can't stay?

[theresa 0]

I feel the same way about K1 and kind of regret that should have got married overseas and got K3 or direct filing. It shoud be much easier and quicker process for K1 visa holder to get adjusted to permanent resident status as INS already approved the intention of coming to US to get married and get green card. I do not feel too happy as tourist/employment non immigrant visa holders get green card as same way and time as Fiance visa holders who had filed and waited more than 6 months to come to US and followed the right way.

Edited March 12, 2007 by theresa

[together2love 0]

I feel the same way about K1 and kind of regret that should have got married overseas and got K3 or direct filing. It shoud be much easier and quicker process for K1 visa holder to get adjusted to permanent resident status as INS already approved the intention of coming to US to get married and get green card. I do not feel too happy as tourist/employment non immigrant visa holders get green card as same way and time as Fiance visa holders who had filed and waited more than 6 months to come to US and followed the right way.

Right, well this is not the case. K1 applicants have the highest chance that they will be transferred to CSC, which would most likely guarentee then a gc without an interview. So, really it is easier in a way for K1ers to apply for AOS. Tourist/employment non-immigrant peeps must go through the interview and don't have the luxury of even having the chance at the CSC transfer. So, not all is lost in going the K1 route. Plus, you are together through the AOS process, just one less strain on the relationship at this point. Everything is personal choice though. Good luck on the rest of your journey.

[athena_ny 1]

I feel the same way about K1 and kind of regret that should have got married overseas and got K3 or direct filing. It shoud be much easier and quicker process for K1 visa holder to get adjusted to permanent resident status as INS already approved the intention of coming to US to get married and get green card. I do not feel too happy as tourist/employment non immigrant visa holders get green card as same way and time as Fiance visa holders who had filed and waited more than 6 months to come to US and followed the right way.

Right, well this is not the case. K1 applicants have the highest chance that they will be transferred to CSC, which would most likely guarentee then a gc without an interview. So, really it is easier in a way for K1ers to apply for AOS. Tourist/employment non-immigrant peeps must go through the interview and don't have the luxury of even having the chance at the CSC transfer. So, not all is lost in going the K1 route. Plus, you are together through the AOS process, just one less strain on the relationship at this point. Everything is personal choice though. Good luck on the rest of your journey.

[notrepetiteashley 0]

As far as work, I'd reccommend a temp agency. They can help you find something usually and are understanding about time frames, etc.

Good luck

[Theresa&Rob 0]

I could relate to all of you in here, since I entered into the country in a K-1 visa. I thought having the visa is the end of the headache too until I knew about the AOS right after marriage. Gosh, it feels like filing for a visa all over again. One mistake I made was wait for my greencard then apply for my SSN. Now I am still waiting for it and can't do anything since I don't have my SSN yet..

Atleast now, I am with my husband while waiting.. Hopefully all would go well and finally I could get my gc soon..

Well, this is the way they made it and no matter how much we complain, we really can't do anything since it is the law, we just have to follow it...

Good luck to all...