What's next?

[TomLena 0]

Lena and I are happy to finally be together and spending our lives together. She arrived in early February and we've gotten married this past Sunday.

Our biggest challenge right now, which is one I'm sure most deal with in the early part after arrival, is that until she can get around on her own, get a job, etc., she really feels helpless. We want to expedite the steps necessary to get her 'on her feet' so to speak but are a little confused as to what's next in the process.

We're trying to accomplish the following:

1) Driving Priviliges:

Lena can get a Florida driver's license today if she passed the test, but it would expire on the same day that her K1 visa expires. The Florida DMV requires that we provide documentation from the immigration office that states that she can legally be in the USA beyond this date in order for them to process a license that is valid for a longer amount of time. They haven't been too specific on exactly what documentation they need - they just instruct us to bring in whatever immigration documents that we have. In either case, they will only issue licenses based on real dates that they see documented and that can be verified with the immigration officials. What can we do to either eliminate or reduce the lapse that would occur upon her visa expiration date? What do we need to apply for in order to get a document that states that her allowed stay is longer than what is currently on her visa?

2) Work Permit (or equivalant document allowing Lena to work): Anyone familiar with the K1 process knows that when the foreign fiance(e) arrives, she gets a work permit that is valid for the duration of his/her Visa. What can we do to eliminate or reduce the lapse that would occur upon her visa expiration date? What do we need to apply for in order to get an extension of her work priviliges.

3) Adjustment of Status: We are told this is required for Lena to be able to legally stay here. What is involved and how does it play into everything else we're trying to accomplish?

4) Social Security Number: What is required in order to get Lena an SSN? Any banks, credit card issuers, etc., that we've checked with require one to apply for accounts. We want to start building a credit background for her.

5) Advanced Parole: We understand this is needed if Lena wants to be able to leave the country for a short period of time to visit her family. What do we need to do to get this and how does it play into everything else we're trying to accomplish?

6) Green Card: We're not sure when a green card comes into play or when we need one as compared to a work permit and social security number. Can someone give us a quick rundown?

Thanks!

P.S. Does anyone know how many official copies of our marriage certificate that we will need for all of this or what a safe number is without going overboard (they charge per each one)?

Edited March 22, 2007 by TomLena

[YuAndDan 153]

1) Driving Priviliges:

Lena can get a Florida driver's license today if she passed the test, but it would expire on the same day that her K1 visa expires. The Florida DMV requires that we provide documentation from the immigration office that states that she can legally be in the USA beyond this date in order for them to process a license that is valid for a longer amount of time. They haven't been too specific on exactly what documentation they need - they just instruct us to bring in whatever immigration documents that we have. In either case, they will only issue licenses based on real dates that they see documented and that can be verified with the immigration officials. What can we do to either eliminate or reduce the lapse that would occur upon her visa expiration date? What do we need to apply for in order to get a document that states that her allowed stay is longer than what is currently on her visa?

Get married, and file for AOS, as well as EAD, many state require SSN, and (EAD or Green-card) to issue a drivers license. EAD can take a few months to get.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1k3ead

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1k3aos

2) Work Permit (or equivalant document allowing Lena to work): Anyone familiar with the K1 process knows that when the foreign fiance(e) arrives, she gets a work permit that is valid for the duration of his/her Visa. What can we do to eliminate or reduce the lapse that would occur upon her visa expiration date? What do we need to apply for in order to get an extension of her work priviliges.

EAD card is Employment Authorization

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1k3ead

3) Adjustment of Status: We are told this is required for Lena to be able to legally stay here. What is involved and how does it play into everything else we're trying to accomplish?

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1k3aos

http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k1k2visa-aos.html

4) Social Security Number: What is required in order to get Lena an SSN? Any banks, credit card issuers, etc., that we've checked with require one to apply for accounts. We want to start building a credit background for her.

K-1 holders can get SSN but need to do so within 75 days of entry, after that EAD or Green-Card is needed to get SSN.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...om&page=ssn

5) Advanced Parole: We understand this is needed if Lena wants to be able to leave the country for a short period of time to visit her family. What do we need to do to get this and how does it play into everything else we're trying to accomplish?

Again the guides have your answer.

http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k1k2visa-aos.html#6.7

6) Green Card: We're not sure when a green card comes into play or when we need one as compared to a work permit and social security number. Can someone give us a quick rundown?

The green card is a persons Permanent Resident Card, replaces EAD, and AP, And is the results of AOS.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1k3aos

http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k1k2visa-aos.html

The guides are your friends, all answers to your questions are in the guides, and FAQs

Does anyone know how many official copies of our marriage certificate that we will need for all of this or what a safe number is without going overboard (they charge per each one)?

Just one is needed for AOS, send a photo copy with the petition.

Edited March 22, 2007 by YuAndDan

[Killer_Clown_2009 0]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1k3aos

You really should start by reading this guide. Most of the things you want will require sending in the AOS (and EAD/AP applications).

You can get a SSN on a K-1 Visa, but you have to do it within a certain period of time (before K-1 expires) or she will have to wait for her EAD/ Green Card to arrive in order to get one.

[athena_ny 1]

1. My husband married on a tourist visa, but desperately wanted his license back (had it before - long story), so he decided to try taking the NOA we received on AOS, EAD, and I-130 to the DMV - basically them saying they'd received the petition and applications. The DMV officer okayed him for a license. 99% of the time this won't work, but try it. Otherwise, you'll have to wait for the EAD. As far as getting a doc saying her allowed stay is longer than the visa shows ... I don't know if that's possible. The best you can do is what I suggested, I'm afraid. FL is pretty tough about the DLs. (Not as bad as NY, though )

2. To minimize the lapse with the work permit, you need to apply for AOS/EAD asap. There's no real way of getting around some lapse - EAD takes about 3 months at best to receive. As far as an extension, I've heard of no such thing.

3. AOS is adjustment of status, terms used interchangeably - AOS is the green card application, basically. $395, and EAD and AP at this time can be filed along with it (each with a fee, of course). K1 is a nonimmigrant visa with immigrant intent - you're adjusting from nonimmigrant status to immigrant.

4. SSN - As long as her permission isn't up, you should be able to get one. You have to apply within 76 days of entry into the country, but must wait 2 weeks after arrival so that she will be in their system. If you've already married, you'll likely encounter difficulties - at worst, have her take off her ring and go to the SSA with her passport, visa, and I-94 (which should all be in the passport anyway). She shouldn't have a problem. If her I-94 has run out when you go to apply, you have to wait for the EAD.

5. You apply for AP with your AOS application. It's an interim benefit. It does not guarantee readmission into the country, it allows you to ask for it - readmission is up to the CBP officer at the POE. If she doesn't have any overstays, etc. she should be allowed back in but you can never bank on it. For example, my husband has a significant overstay so we didn't both. Some do, some don't - personal decision.

6. The green card comes after the EAD (employment authorization, if I didn't say it before). It comes when it comes. Some people adjucate in 4 months, others have been waiting for over a year (esp with the FBI security checks). This is what shows she's a permanent resident. EAD is good for a year, so hopefully your green card comes before the year runs out, but it doesn't always. Then you have to apply for a renewal to continue working - once you get the green card, you no longer need an EAD.

I married in Pinellas County, we got 2 with our application fee. That's all we needed - with AOS you send only copies, they want the original for the interview.

Lena and I are happy to finally be together and spending our lives together. She arrived in early February and we've gotten married this past Sunday.

Our biggest challenge right now, which is one I'm sure most deal with in the early part after arrival, is that until she can get around on her own, get a job, etc., she really feels helpless. We want to expedite the steps necessary to get her 'on her feet' so to speak but are a little confused as to what's next in the process.

We're trying to accomplish the following:

1) Driving Priviliges:

Lena can get a Florida driver's license today if she passed the test, but it would expire on the same day that her K1 visa expires. The Florida DMV requires that we provide documentation from the immigration office that states that she can legally be in the USA beyond this date in order for them to process a license that is valid for a longer amount of time. They haven't been too specific on exactly what documentation they need - they just instruct us to bring in whatever immigration documents that we have. In either case, they will only issue licenses based on real dates that they see documented and that can be verified with the immigration officials. What can we do to either eliminate or reduce the lapse that would occur upon her visa expiration date? What do we need to apply for in order to get a document that states that her allowed stay is longer than what is currently on her visa?

2) Work Permit (or equivalant document allowing Lena to work): Anyone familiar with the K1 process knows that when the foreign fiance(e) arrives, she gets a work permit that is valid for the duration of his/her Visa. What can we do to eliminate or reduce the lapse that would occur upon her visa expiration date? What do we need to apply for in order to get an extension of her work priviliges.

3) Adjustment of Status: We are told this is required for Lena to be able to legally stay here. What is involved and how does it play into everything else we're trying to accomplish?

4) Social Security Number: What is required in order to get Lena an SSN? Any banks, credit card issuers, etc., that we've checked with require one to apply for accounts. We want to start building a credit background for her.

5) Advanced Parole: We understand this is needed if Lena wants to be able to leave the country for a short period of time to visit her family. What do we need to do to get this and how does it play into everything else we're trying to accomplish?

6) Green Card: We're not sure when a green card comes into play or when we need one as compared to a work permit and social security number. Can someone give us a quick rundown?

Thanks!

P.S. Does anyone know how many official copies of our marriage certificate that we will need for all of this or what a safe number is without going overboard (they charge per each one)?