May 2017 AOS Filers

[papasmf 90]

I just realized that you meant getting into other countries with your Philippines passport, right? That I am not sure of how it works, probably depends on the country you are going to, sorry if I misunderstood in my previous reply 😊

[EMBELL_17 102]

36 minutes ago, Wiz_Fit said:

Glad to see everyone is moving along! Has anyone actually got a interview date as of yet? Just curious - assuming our interview wont be until February-April, but just curious?

 

Been waiting on the mail man to get here daily with the EAD but nothing yet  We did book out trip back to Philippines for December though at least! As far as travel, I had read some Caribbean countries allow spouses of US Citizens who had EAD/Adjustment status will let them come in without requiring a Visa due to being married to a US Citizen. Ideas? Like Mexico/Domincan, she would normally need a tourist visa for her passport but if she is married to me, and has her EAD and marriage certificate, they would let her enter essentially as a US citizen or "on my passport"? 

I don't see how having AP for USA would waive your need for a visa into other countries. The AP only gives you entry into USA. She will not be a citizen until 2 years after obtaining residence and right now, she is twice removed from that. Of course it depends on the country but I know that in Jamaica, it's a no unless her passport is exempted by way of her nationality.

[dannydan 32]

54 minutes ago, Wiz_Fit said:

Glad to see everyone is moving along! Has anyone actually got a interview date as of yet? Just curious - assuming our interview wont be until February-April, but just curious?

 

Been waiting on the mail man to get here daily with the EAD but nothing yet  We did book out trip back to Philippines for December though at least! As far as travel, I had read some Caribbean countries allow spouses of US Citizens who had EAD/Adjustment status will let them come in without requiring a Visa due to being married to a US Citizen. Ideas? Like Mexico/Domincan, she would normally need a tourist visa for her passport but if she is married to me, and has her EAD and marriage certificate, they would let her enter essentially as a US citizen or "on my passport"? 

I'm from Dominican Republic, unless she is a citizen, if she doesn't have a visa it's a no no.

[Wiz_Fit 26]

1 hour ago, EMBELL_17 said:

I don't see how having AP for USA would waive your need for a visa into other countries. The AP only gives you entry into USA. She will not be a citizen until 2 years after obtaining residence and right now, she is twice removed from that. Of course it depends on the country but I know that in Jamaica, it's a no unless her passport is exempted by way of her nationality.

Correct, we got them both

 

Gonna keep googling it, cause I remember reading it depending on the destination - issue was with tourism and Caribbean being a popular destination for US and with all the applicants, basically removing all of us from going to the Caribbean wasn't something they wanted to do. Article said with her green card and marriage certificate, it would allow her an condition to be considered under the same visa requirements as his/her spouse. Trying to find it again.

[Wiz_Fit 26]

1 hour ago, dannydan said:

I'm from Dominican Republic, unless she is a citizen, if she doesn't have a visa it's a no no.

Dominican was just a guess,  was more curious about Mexico. Just double checked and pretty sure she doesnt need to be a citizen for DR.

 

Quote

Any person who can legally travel or reside in the United States, Canada and the European Union (including Great Britain) does not need a Visa to visit the Dominican Republic for tourist purposes and can enter the Dominican Republic with a Tourist Card and a valid passport.

and 

Quote

If you are an American citizen or can legally travel or reside in the United States, you will need a passport valid for the time that you remain in the Dominican Republic, green card or visa for the United States (for non US citizens) and a tourist card that can be purchased online at https://www.dgii.gov.do/Tturistaweb/# or at any Dominican port of entry. The fee for the Tourist Card is US$10.00.

 

I remember at one point trying to get friends from Philippines to meet in DR, just based on them having a US visa but that may be a bit over the whole "travel or reside thing" but seems like they would be fine.

 

Will just do a bit more research on mexico and see, those responses are from domrep.org which came up on the google when I did a search for the embassy.

 

Edited July 20, 2017 by Wiz_Fit

[papasmf 90]

One other thing Wiz Fit, if your wife's AP is in her married last name and her passport is in her maiden name, bring a marriage certificate with you if you manage to travel outside the US to somewhere that allows it, other than and including Philippines - -also Philippines has countries that allow visiting by obtaining visa and sometimes without, just check individual country rules for US and Phil passports i'd say.  Could be that some countries allow spouses to enter with proof, it will be up to each country though, can always write their embassies to ask

Edited July 20, 2017 by papasmf

[Wiz_Fit 26]

1 hour ago, papasmf said:

One other thing Wiz Fit, if your wife's AP is in her married last name and her passport is in her maiden name, bring a marriage certificate with you if you manage to travel outside the US to somewhere that allows it, other than and including Philippines - -also Philippines has countries that allow visiting by obtaining visa and sometimes without, just check individual country rules for US and Phil passports i'd say.  Could be that some countries allow spouses to enter with proof, it will be up to each country though, can always write their embassies to ask

Gotcha makes sense. Found a few other boards who did just that, well just email/call embassy's first. She didn't change her last name as of yet so everything still matches. We figured we would wait and avoid any of that until everything was finalized after the interview(but doing tough stuff like this now... lol.) Also just in case she travels to meet family(they go internationally) without me after the AP, her visa's for those EU countries would still be good.

 

 

[Hawksquill 151]

Feeling very discouraged because I checked the Hartford, CT field office processing times for I-485 and they're just now getting to cases from October 2016!

 

Does your case automatically get sent to the field office closest to you, or can it be rerouted elsewhere? How do we know for sure that our case is in Hartford?

 

I'm really hoping we're not going to stuck at this snail's pace.  :/

[Ead87tx 85]

21 hours ago, Asakelove said:

Hey Papasmf, I think i will have to submit an inquiry too, our timeline is exactly same and I didn't notice my case was more than 75days too till I read your comment and counted the days on the calendar LOL...

Let us know as soon as you get an update...

 

If I may ask, which of the numbers did you call to submit the SR???

 

But I thought normal processing times is between 90-100 days?

[Hawksquill 151]

For those of you who did an expedite request based on a job offer, how did that work? Did you get a letter from the employer saying they'd hire you if/when you're authorized to work? 

 

Is there a form, or do you just call? I know you can do it over the phone, but then how do you submit proof of a job offer?  How long did it take after your expedite request to receive the EAD/AP card? 

 

And how did you even legally apply for a job if you don't technically have employment authorization yet?  It seems to be a required yes/no question and if you put no, most employers will automatically reject you. 

 

Would love to hear your experience and suggestions!  My husband is eager to get a job and the place he currently volunteers might be hiring soon, and we want to know how it all works!

[papasmf 90]

24 minutes ago, seal72 said:

But I thought normal processing times is between 90-100 days?

Read the note about EAD and 75 days here:

 

https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processingTimesDisplay.do;jsessionid=abcM1S3FxuUlwfXSxpI1v

 

 

[papasmf 90]

More specifically, it's referring to EAD and a pending application for it that hasn't had any update for more than 75 days (ours has said case received for over 75 days when I sent in the inquiry)

[Asakelove 72]

4 hours ago, seal72 said:

But I thought normal processing times is between 90-100 days?

I think 75-100 days...

[nikaero 131]

11 hours ago, Wiz_Fit said:

Glad to see everyone is moving along! Has anyone actually got a interview date as of yet? Just curious - assuming our interview wont be until February-April, but just curious?

 

Been waiting on the mail man to get here daily with the EAD but nothing yet  We did book out trip back to Philippines for December though at least! As far as travel, I had read some Caribbean countries allow spouses of US Citizens who had EAD/Adjustment status will let them come in without requiring a Visa due to being married to a US Citizen. Ideas? Like Mexico/Domincan, she would normally need a tourist visa for her passport but if she is married to me, and has her EAD and marriage certificate, they would let her enter essentially as a US citizen or "on my passport"? 

@Wiz_Fit, I have my interview on the 2nd of august... my PD is May 24th... Buffalo is a small office, that's probably why... I think from what I have seen on this forum for a while, most GC interviews are scheduled within 6 to 9 months so your wife might even get an interview before you go for your vacation... That way things would be more clear cut and cleaner... Good luck!!!

Edited July 21, 2017 by nikaero

[cc2867 24]

15 hours ago, Hawksquill said:

For those of you who did an expedite request based on a job offer, how did that work? Did you get a letter from the employer saying they'd hire you if/when you're authorized to work? 

 

Is there a form, or do you just call? I know you can do it over the phone, but then how do you submit proof of a job offer?  How long did it take after your expedite request to receive the EAD/AP card? 

 

And how did you even legally apply for a job if you don't technically have employment authorization yet?  It seems to be a required yes/no question and if you put no, most employers will automatically reject you. 

 

Would love to hear your experience and suggestions!  My husband is eager to get a job and the place he currently volunteers might be hiring soon, and we want to know how it all works!

I figured most of expediting EAD by searching this site for "expedite EAD"

 

Here's basically how it works:

Get a job offer letter in hand with start date

Contact  local congressman's office for assisting with expediting EAD ASAP.  You'll have to fill out a privacy release form that should be available on their website.  Provide congressman's office with copies of all my NOA's, and job offer letter.

After biometrics call USCIS requesting expedite EAD based on severe financial loss.

A few days after that you'll received a letter requesting evidence of severe financial loss

Fax USCIS your job offer letter and anything else relevent depending on your circumstances

A week or so after that you should receive notice of EAD card being produced (this means approval)

 

In my case, the congressman's office contacted USCIS before I received the RFE letter and my EAD was approved without me having to fax the job offer.

 

Hope this helps.