Think it's all over when you're visa arrives???

[bbale 0]

Firstly hats off to visa journey for being an invaluable source of information to those (like us) who weren’t smart enough to appoint an immigration attorney.

Secondly enjoy your sigh of relief when your visa arrives as it will be a short-lived respite from the joys of dealing with the exceedingly knowledgeable (sorry what year is it again) chaps at USCIS

I guess the first thing to mention is do not bother doing what I did and flying a 3 hop (terribly expensive) journey to the mid west just so I could go via JFK in hope of getting I94 stamped work authorized for 90 days.

I did easily get a work stamp by the way which lasted until I invalidated it 6 days later.

Here’s what they don’t tell you.

You can’t apply for a work permit (1 year) until at the same time (or after) as you apply for adjustment of status.

You cant apply for adjustment of status until after you are married (obvious)

What they don’t tell you however is that as soon as you get married you nullify your visa and any temporary work authorization you might have.

There will therefore be a 1 to 3 month period (depending on processing times for status adjustment) when you don’t have any work authorization irrespective of whether you obtain a temporary work visa.

Also worthy of noting is that when you arrive apply for a social security number before you get married. Some states allow marriage without an SSN however you cant get an SSN after marriage without going via USCIS

Yes it is advisable to wait for two after arrival to ensure you appear on the “save” database however you cannot apply for a social security number after marrying unless your status has been adjusted.

Hence in short follow this time line

1. Don’t bother going via JFK to get work permit

2. Wait 2 weeks after arrival

3. Apply for social security number (this takes about two weeks) via local social security office. Go to their website www.socialsecurity.gov to download the form for New Social Security Card

4. Marry (If you haven’t already just gone home)

5. Send file of forms to USCIS being

a. I765 Employment Authorization ($180 for this baby)

b. I485 Adjust Status to LPR ($325 thank you very much)

c. G325a Biometric Services ($70 that’s for taking your fingerprints again even though they reside on immigration computer already)

d. I864 Affidavit of Support ($0 yes really, although you may recognize this as being almost identical to I134 Affidavit of Support) Still needs to be filled out again though in new format

e. Photocopy of Visa from Passport

f. Photocopy of I94 (arrival/departure card)

g. 4 x color photographs 2 each for 765 & 485

h. Copy of birth certificate

i. Separate Checks for processing fee’s is advisable so $180 for 765 & $395 for 485 & 325a

j. Medical Info (see below)

k. Copy of Wedding Certificate

6. Send package to address on I485 assuming you send all forms in one go

Form 485 clearly states that as a K1 you do not need a full medical only proof of vaccinations

This needs to be on a specific form of course only available from USCIS doctors (list on website) and of course every doctor I spoke to would not transfer Vaccination info from form they use at London medical onto correct sheet without of course you undergoing another full medical.

If you shop around you can get some doctors willing to transfer the data from your UK records although if not expect another $150 fee

I phoned a dozen and eventually found an emrgicare willing to do it for $36 while I waited

Don’t bother getting the vaccinations done at the London medical center as their paperwork doesn’t have any effect here either.

Sorry to be the bearer of ill tidings however fore warned is fore armed

[Yodrak 7]

bbale,

Who did tell you this highly debatable bit of questionable knowledge? Some people hear it from mis-informed SSA personnel, others from mis-informed or over-cautious employers.

Yodrak

.....

What they don't tell you however is that as soon as you get married you nullify your visa and any temporary work authorization you might have.

.....

[meauxna 15]

bbale,

Who did tell you this highly debatable bit of questionable knowledge? Some people hear it from mis-informed SSA personnel, others from mis-informed or over-cautious employers.

Yodrak

.....

What they don't tell you however is that as soon as you get married you nullify your visa and any temporary work authorization you might have.

.....

That is not the only misinformation in that post....

[TimsDaisy 0]

Frankly, I don't care if they tell us both to run backwards over hot coals while singing Yankee Doodle Dandy, so long as my fiance is next to me while we're running, I'll do it. Bring on the forms and the fees, so long as we're together.

[Niels Bohr 72]

For some unknown reason, I just felt like I wasted my time reading.

[Minya's wife 25]

Frankly, I don't care if they tell us both to run backwards over hot coals while singing Yankee Doodle Dandy, so long as my fiance is next to me while we're running, I'll do it. Bring on the forms and the fees, so long as we're together.

My feelings exactly!!!

[Peter 0]

bbale,

Who did tell you this highly debatable bit of questionable knowledge? Some people hear it from mis-informed SSA personnel, others from mis-informed or over-cautious employers.

Yodrak

.....

What they don't tell you however is that as soon as you get married you nullify your visa and any temporary work authorization you might have.

.....

Isn't that the truth? The minute you get married, the visa and work permit expires?

Did I miss something? That was one of the reasons I never actually went through JFK.

[TimsDaisy 0]

The visa just gets you in. The marriage is what makes you legal to be here (plus the requirement that within, what is it, 2 years? you begin AOS process - but better to do that ASAP).

Can't speak to the work part of it.

[meauxna 15]

The visa just gets you in. The marriage is what makes you legal to be here (plus the requirement that within, what is it, 2 years? you begin AOS process - but better to do that ASAP).

Can't speak to the work part of it.

Where did you get the 'within 2 years'?

Marriage does not confer any legal status.

[Peter 0]

The visa just gets you in. The marriage is what makes you legal to be here (plus the requirement that within, what is it, 2 years? you begin AOS process - but better to do that ASAP).

Can't speak to the work part of it.

lol

make sure you do the AOS ASAP after marriage. You'll be out of status the minute you marry.

[TimsDaisy 0]

It's not the minute you marry or you could be deported right away.

Most marriages occur on Saturdays. The government doesn't expect you to file with one hand while signing your license with the other.

Read #14 and 15 on the I-129F form, maybe that's where I got the 2 year language (applying it to the wrong part, but I believe I read it elsewhere as well).

But again, you aren't out of status the second you marry. That makes no sense.

The instructions advise you to apply "promptly."

[mybackpages 0]

Form 485 clearly states that as a K1 you do not need a full medical only proof of vaccinations

This needs to be on a specific form of course only available from USCIS doctors (list on website) and of course every doctor I spoke to would not transfer Vaccination info from form they use at London medical onto correct sheet without of course you undergoing another full medical.

If you shop around you can get some doctors willing to transfer the data from your UK records although if not expect another $150 fee

I phoned a dozen and eventually found an emrgicare willing to do it for $36 while I waited

Don't bother getting the vaccinations done at the London medical center as their paperwork doesn't have any effect here either.

Sorry to be the bearer of ill tidings however fore warned is fore armed

K-1 applicants for AOS do need to include the I-693A (or medical supplement) This form must be completed by a civil surgeon and the seal envelope included in the AOS paperwork. Any medical form showing proof of immunzations will work- whether from your private physicial or the medical facility authorized by the DOS for the interview. The civil surgeon willtell you if your list is complete or if more vaccinations are needed. If you need more the cicil surgeon can administer or you can go to any clinic and have them done, bring back proof to the civil surgeon. Sometimes vaccines are cheaper in the immigrant's own country.

[Yodrak 7]

Peter,

No. Sort of (the visa expires when the expiration date on it passes, if used before it expires it becomes totally useless upon marriage), no.

Yes.

Yodrak

Isn't that the truth? The minute you get married, the visa and work permit expires?

Did I miss something? That was one of the reasons I never actually went through JFK.

[Yodrak 7]

Peter,

You're out of status when the length of permitted stay (90 days) as stated on the I-94 passes. Regardless of when (or if) you marry.

Yodrak

.....

make sure you do the AOS ASAP after marriage. You'll be out of status the minute you marry.

[Jenn! 918]

Well, I sure am glad we got all of that cleared up!