June 2017 I-129F Filers, Part IV

[D and T 569]

1 hour ago, LydiaP said:

Our status changed to ISSUED today! Now trying to find a reasonable ticket to purchase the moment Alex has that visa in his hands.

Congratulations Ms Lydia!!!

 

All the best to you both!

[Faisal1 235]

370 days. I started lawsuit against uscis 

[KBA 542]

17 minutes ago, Faisal1 said:

370 days. I started lawsuit against uscis 

Day 379 and I’ll probably be next 

[Little_Vixen 1,869]

53 minutes ago, Faisal1 said:

370 days. I started lawsuit against uscis 

 

35 minutes ago, KBA said:

Day 379 and I’ll probably be next 

Hugs to you both. I can't imagine what you are going through. All I can do is offer you digital support. 

[Faisal1 235]

5 hours ago, Little_Vixen said:

 

Hugs to you both. I can't imagine what you are going through. All I can do is offer you digital support. 

Well i  have been through more than this  but i am standing for my rights .. since NOA1. I didnt got any reply ..:(

[Lotts 1,433]

Howdy doody.

 

So, we finally got the $ for my AoS. What a struggle this has all been so far. 😑☹️

Can anyone give me a direction of fees and forms, please? I have NO idea what I'm doing now 😳

[britishandusa 446]

10 minutes ago, Dee elle said:

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2

Whoa. Wrong form. That’s to petition a relative. She needs I-845 for adjustment of status.

[britishandusa 446]

23 minutes ago, Lotts said:

Howdy doody.

 

So, we finally got the $ for my AoS. What a struggle this has all been so far. 😑☹️

Can anyone give me a direction of fees and forms, please? I have NO idea what I'm doing now 😳

Ignore the given link for I-130, that is NOT the right form. You need I-485 for adjustment of status since you came on a K1 visa. I can’t remember the number for AP or EAD but if you google it, it should come up!

[Lotts 1,433]

1 minute ago, britishandusa said:

Ignore the given link for I-130, that is NOT the right form. You need I-485 for adjustment of status since you came on a K1 visa. I can’t remember the number for AP or EAD but if you google it, it should come up!

Phew. Thank you so much.  💜

[Jeto 118]

Hey June crew! Saw a few wedding photos popping up so thought I would share our day.  

Had our official wedding last weekend and have spent the last 3 days putting the footage together to remember our special day! Hope ya'll enjoy

 

 

[Paul & Mallory 1,398]

12 hours ago, Lotts said:

Howdy doody.

 

So, we finally got the $ for my AoS. What a struggle this has all been so far. 😑☹️

Can anyone give me a direction of fees and forms, please? I have NO idea what I'm doing now 😳

The struggle is still real for most of us, don't fret!

 

Fill out the I-485 (AOS), and go ahead and fill out your I-131 and I-765 for Advanced Parole and your work permit/EAD. You have to pay for AP/EAD if you file those separately/not with AOS. We had a lot of anxiety completing our forms/packet to mail off, too. The main thing, other than the forms of course, is the new affidavit of support (I-864). A couple of the forms are lengthy. We had to really sit down and make sure we understood some of the questions, and had to Google/VJ some of them to make sure we were understanding correctly. So possibly be prepared for that and take it one at a time. The petitioner/USC will need to provide their 2017 tax transcript to go along with the affidavit of support. You'll need passport-style photos of yourself again (just you, not the petitioner), if you don't already have some spares. Obviously, copy of the marriage certificate.

 

I think that's the main things.... evidence, such as supporting your marriage and your residence in the US, doesn't come until later/interview time. So don't worry about getting all that together now. We felt like we had to, and then we sat down to put everything together and realized what was actually needed at this point. But we did start a separate file for those things that we'll probably need later so we'll have it, such as bank statements showing Paul on there with me, utility bills/accounts showing us both, etc.

 

You got this!!

[Lotts 1,433]

14 minutes ago, Paul & Mallory said:

The struggle is still real for most of us, don't fret!

 

Fill out the I-485 (AOS), and go ahead and fill out your I-131 and I-765 for Advanced Parole and your work permit/EAD. You have to pay for AP/EAD if you file those separately/not with AOS. We had a lot of anxiety completing our forms/packet to mail off, too. The main thing, other than the forms of course, is the new affidavit of support (I-864). A couple of the forms are lengthy. We had to really sit down and make sure we understood some of the questions, and had to Google/VJ some of them to make sure we were understanding correctly. So possibly be prepared for that and take it one at a time. The petitioner/USC will need to provide their 2017 tax transcript to go along with the affidavit of support. You'll need passport-style photos of yourself again (just you, not the petitioner), if you don't already have some spares. Obviously, copy of the marriage certificate.

 

I think that's the main things.... evidence, such as supporting your marriage and your residence in the US, doesn't come until later/interview time. So don't worry about getting all that together now. We felt like we had to, and then we sat down to put everything together and realized what was actually needed at this point. But we did start a separate file for those things that we'll probably need later so we'll have it, such as bank statements showing Paul on there with me, utility bills/accounts showing us both, etc.

 

You got this!!

You're the best! THANK YOU.

Is there a list anywhere of fees? What these abbreviations mean (EAD)? Is the work permit in with the AoS? We are pretty tight for money and doing all we can to get this all done but not leaving ourselves going without food and rent.

 

Oh god. I can't take all this stress again. My face is already breaking out with stress/dry patches. And it's all the bloody USCIS again... We all know how marvellous they are! 😑

 

I literally don't have anything yet apart from being a name on his cellphone bill. 😳 and the marriage certificate. We are currently living in his cousin's basement to try and save money for all of this. 😭 (He's an idiot and didn't save as much as he should have for the process. 😑) I feel bloody useless not being able to do anything. They have a rather nice pool here, so I'm making the most of that for now.

[Paul & Mallory 1,398]

13 minutes ago, Lotts said:

You're the best! THANK YOU.

Is there a list anywhere of fees? What these abbreviations mean (EAD)? Is the work permit in with the AoS? We are pretty tight for money and doing all we can to get this all done but not leaving ourselves going without food and rent.

 

Oh god. I can't take all this stress again. My face is already breaking out with stress/dry patches. And it's all the bloody USCIS again... We all know how marvellous they are! 😑

 

I literally don't have anything yet apart from being a name on his cellphone bill. 😳 and the marriage certificate. We are currently living in his cousin's basement to try and save money for all of this. 😭 (He's an idiot and didn't save as much as he should have for the process. 😑) I feel bloody useless not being able to do anything. They have a rather nice pool here, so I'm making the most of that for now.

The total fee for AOS is $1225.00 - it's $1140 for the form and $85 for biometrics, which can be paid in one payment totaling $1225.00. You can pay like you did for your I-129 (we paid money order for that), but they also have a credit card payment form now (which we used for our AOS). You can find the form here >> https://www.uscis.gov/g-1450 << if that's a better option. For full breakdown of the fees, you can go here >> https://www.uscis.gov/i-485.

 

EAD is your work permit (Employment Authorization Document). It allows you to apply for jobs and work while your AOS is pending/until you get your green card. It is a separate form >> https://www.uscis.gov/i-765 << but you can submit it along with your AOS (I-485) at no extra charge/fee. Same with your AP (Advanced Parole) >> https://www.uscis.gov/i-131 << which is your travel document. It's so you can leave the country and potentially re-enter the US while your AOS/green card is pending. This is also a separate form, but can also be submitted along with your AOS at no extra fee. I wouldn't recommend planning any trips/vacations during this time, in which you would need to use the AP, but most people get it in case of emergency. For instance, Paul wanted the ability to travel to Sweden until he gets his green card in case of a family emergency/death/etc. When you fill out the AP form, it asks questions specific to a trip you have already planned; that's okay, you don't have to give dates, etc., and we put the reason for travel as "in case of family emergency". Since it's free to file with your AOS, it doesn't hurt to have it just in case.

 

Don't worry about not having things in your names together yet - these things won't really be needed until AOS interview time anyway, so you can use the time while it's pending to accumulate things like that.

 

It's a lot! It definitely is. At least you are TOGETHER this time, and can face it side by side instead of an ocean apart. Paul is so ready to work and feel normal, and I completely understand that. At the same time, I know once he starts working our schedules may clash, and we'll miss all the time we have together now. So we're trying to focus on that. I know he goes a little stir crazy during my work days, but it's still so much better coming home to each other at the end of every day after being apart for so long before this.

 

Just take it one step at a time! Don't rush it, and just try to enjoy the time you have to integrate into your new home. Give yourself things to plan, look forward to, and accomplish in the meantime. Paul tries to find projects to work on during the week while I'm working. We live in the country so he can't really walk anywhere or get around on foot like he's used to in Gothenburg, but we do have Uber. If you're able to get out, give yourself goals. Conquer a certain part of town or other goal. Exercise is one of the best recommendations to kill time, since it's also a stress-reducer. Paul uses our treadmill a whole lot I fortunately work early and get home early, so unless it's raining, we try to get outside and go do something to get out of the house at least for a little while. Do some research - if you'll have to eventually retake any tests to get your license where you are, start brushing up on the local driving manual. Paul has to retake the skills and written test when the time comes, so he ordered an SC driver's manual so he can start reviewing it now. He does our meal/grocery shopping planning and coupons. Even little things will add up to occupy your time.

[Lotts 1,433]

16 minutes ago, Paul & Mallory said:

The total fee for AOS is $1225.00 - it's $1140 for the form and $85 for biometrics, which can be paid in one payment totaling $1225.00. You can pay like you did for your I-129 (we paid money order for that), but they also have a credit card payment form now (which we used for our AOS). You can find the form here >> https://www.uscis.gov/g-1450 << if that's a better option. For full breakdown of the fees, you can go here >> https://www.uscis.gov/i-485.

 

EAD is your work permit (Employment Authorization Document). It allows you to apply for jobs and work while your AOS is pending/until you get your green card. It is a separate form >> https://www.uscis.gov/i-765 << but you can submit it along with your AOS (I-485) at no extra charge/fee. Same with your AP (Advanced Parole) >> https://www.uscis.gov/i-131 << which is your travel document. It's so you can leave the country and potentially re-enter the US while your AOS/green card is pending. This is also a separate form, but can also be submitted along with your AOS at no extra fee. I wouldn't recommend planning any trips/vacations during this time, in which you would need to use the AP, but most people get it in case of emergency. For instance, Paul wanted the ability to travel to Sweden until he gets his green card in case of a family emergency/death/etc. When you fill out the AP form, it asks questions specific to a trip you have already planned; that's okay, you don't have to give dates, etc., and we put the reason for travel as "in case of family emergency". Since it's free to file with your AOS, it doesn't hurt to have it just in case.

 

Don't worry about not having things in your names together yet - these things won't really be needed until AOS interview time anyway, so you can use the time while it's pending to accumulate things like that.

 

It's a lot! It definitely is. At least you are TOGETHER this time, and can face it side by side instead of an ocean apart. Paul is so ready to work and feel normal, and I completely understand that. At the same time, I know once he starts working our schedules may clash, and we'll miss all the time we have together now. So we're trying to focus on that. I know he goes a little stir crazy during my work days, but it's still so much better coming home to each other at the end of every day after being apart for so long before this.

 

Just take it one step at a time! Don't rush it, and just try to enjoy the time you have to integrate into your new home. Give yourself things to plan, look forward to, and accomplish in the meantime. Paul tries to find projects to work on during the week while I'm working. We live in the country so he can't really walk anywhere or get around on foot like he's used to in Gothenburg, but we do have Uber. If you're able to get out, give yourself goals. Conquer a certain part of town or other goal. Exercise is one of the best recommendations to kill time, since it's also a stress-reducer. Paul uses our treadmill a whole lot I fortunately work early and get home early, so unless it's raining, we try to get outside and go do something to get out of the house at least for a little while. Do some research - if you'll have to eventually retake any tests to get your license where you are, start brushing up on the local driving manual. Paul has to retake the skills and written test when the time comes, so he ordered an SC driver's manual so he can start reviewing it now. He does our meal/grocery shopping planning and coupons. Even little things will add up to occupy your time.

This is great, thank you. 

Yeah, luckily, there is always someone home here so I have people to talk to, their kids are on summer vacation so they are always making noise or asking questions... never a dull moment here.

I wait for him to go home and escape the madness by going for a drive every night. Mainly for Pokémon Go (yeah, we are a couple of nerds) and the occasional Costco hotdog 😆 

I did win tickets to see the critics showing of Ant-Man and The Wasp, found a beautiful park nearby... I'm quite good at this free/cheap stuff lark.

 

Thank you again. I'm going to start on these forms. Would be nice to have a bigger income so we can get our own apartment and have our friends over. Even meet some new people. I just don't know what job to go for now. I've worked in retail since I was 15. Being 33 this year, I really don't want to be in that or the service industry anymore. I wanted to maybe get into news/photography... But I'm so worried now after what happened here in Annapolis. Baltimore getting the roughest city in the USA award for the second year in a row! 😒 

 

Sorry... I'm rambling. Haha

 

HOW ARE YOU GUYS GETTING ON? Had the inevitable married life toilet seat argument yet? 😆

[Paul & Mallory 1,398]

2 minutes ago, Lotts said:

This is great, thank you. 

Yeah, luckily, there is always someone home here so I have people to talk to, their kids are on summer vacation so they are always making noise or asking questions... never a dull moment here.

I wait for him to go home and escape the madness by going for a drive every night. Mainly for Pokémon Go (yeah, we are a couple of nerds) and the occasional Costco hotdog 😆 

I did win tickets to see the critics showing of Ant-Man and The Wasp, found a beautiful park nearby... I'm quite good at this free/cheap stuff lark.

 

Thank you again. I'm going to start on these forms. Would be nice to have a bigger income so we can get our own apartment and have our friends over. Even meet some new people. I just don't know what job to go for now. I've worked in retail since I was 15. Being 33 this year, I really don't want to be in that or the service industry anymore. I wanted to maybe get into news/photography... But I'm so worried now after what happened here in Annapolis. Baltimore getting the roughest city in the USA award for the second year in a row! 😒 

 

Sorry... I'm rambling. Haha

 

HOW ARE YOU GUYS GETTING ON? Had the inevitable married life toilet seat argument yet? 😆

I can understand that! I suppose either end of the spectrum would become monotonous - if you have shared living space, you'd probably appreciate some peace and quiet and solitude at some point. If you live alone, you'd probably appreciate some social contact from time to time. Paul does well as a lone wolf, but I know he's ready to build his own social bridges. He's been around my family and circle of friends, but I know it'll be good for him to form his own eventually. Those things come more naturally once you're able to be out and about on your own. Even just driving yourself somewhere by yourself, and of course working.

 

Any sort of job would be helpful with integration, even if it were part time or something you know you don't want to do forever. Paul's a chef, so I don't imagine he'll have too much difficulty getting back into a kitchen, but he knows he may have to start at the bottom again. Maybe wait tables for a bit. He joked about getting a part time job at our favorite Japanese takeout place, and then later commented that it wouldn't be such a bad idea because he's already used to it there, LOL. Every step is a step forward, even if you don't intend on standing there for very long.

 

Start doing some research about the job field(s) you're interested in within your area now. Even if you can't apply or interview for things yet, nothing says you can't do research. Find out what kind of requirements there are, become familiar with any companies you'd be interested in. That way when you are able to interview for things, you'll be well versed. See if there are any cheap or free online courses to brush up on things, especially things that would benefit your future job. Clean up or Americanize your resume so it'll be ready to go.

 

The toilet seat hasn't happened yet (it's one thing he's usually pretty conscious of, fortunately); but we did have to have a conversation about my kitchen towel I keep on the refrigerator handle that is NOT to be used to wipe down counters, and only to dry your hands, because he keeps moving it.  LOL