AOS Filing Fee Waver

[geowrian 22,338]

2 hours ago, geowrian said:

For family-based immmgrarion, there is no fee waiver for the I-485. Any application that requires an I-864 sponsor does not qualify for it.

Just wanted to say a thank you for nobody pointing out my disaster of a typo. I don’t usually post via phone.

[debbiedoo 2,339]

yeah where can all of us sign to to waive a fee that hits our bank accounts hard? The income guidelines are not that high, but if youre only making $20K (which i think might be close to the 125% for AOS for 2 person household) .... pretty much ANY amount is high. The initial $535 k1 filing fee is the easy fee.

 

this entire process, and presumably you researched it before jumping right in, is not only lengthy, but also expensive. And as mentioned above, just because you meet the income guidelines does not necessarily mean you can AFFORD the process.

 

Assuming it took roughly a year from filing the K1 to now preparing to file for AOS ... you could have saved $125-150 a month from your k1 filing date and had it covered and then some (extra for misc expenses)

 

a lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency, or in this case a fee waiver, on their part.

 

You also do not have to file AOS immediately. Start saving. File when you have the $.

[David & Diana R 1,005]

4 hours ago, RevGreen said:

 

Realistically? A few months. If I had $1500 to spare I obviously wouldn't be making this post. I don't know why people are criticizing me.

We are to marry this week, but she just wants to start working and having her own money sooner rather than later. Also we need to travel back to Thailand later this year.

Let's get real here.  CANCEL the trip to Thailand.  Do AOS.  Simple solution.

[debbiedoo 2,339]

9 minutes ago, David & Zoila said:

Let's get real here.  CANCEL the trip to Thailand.  Do AOS.  Simple solution.

Right? those plane tickets dont come cheap, i dont imagine .,..

[Umka36 781]

1 minute ago, debbiedoo said:

Right? those plane tickets dont come cheap, i dont imagine .,..

OP states that it's on his company's dime for the trip. However, I don't disagree with better planning when immigrating someone to the US.

[Sunnyland 639]

4 hours ago, RevGreen said:

Traveling to Thailand later this year for my job, so they are paying. It has no bearing on the AOS fee and why we can't afford it right now.

 

Not that it is the business of anybody here.

 

You can travel to Thailand but your spouse won't be allowed to re-enter the US unless she has her AP/EAD combo card in hand.

The sooner you guys file for AOS the sooner you will get her travel document. Remember that now those 2 documents are taking between 3 to 6 months to be approved.

AP= i-131 application for travel document

EAD= i-765 application for employment authorization

 

[geowrian 22,338]

I've been fortunate enough - and planned enough - to never carry a credit card balance. That said, paying via credit card is certainly on the table...the extra interest costs over the few months needed to gather the funds is insignificant compared to waiting longer for the EAD alone.

[rrobin0609 387]

How much money has your soon-to-be spouse saved up? Are the two of you able to pool some money together to pay for the AOS in full? Is it possible that a parent would be able to provide a partial loan?

[Umka36 781]

OP mentioned using the credit card option. OP, just remember that there will always be emergencies in life (financially and what not) but getting status for your wife should be on top of the priority list.

[Randyandyuni 2,682]

We ran into financial issues also, i tapped into my 401k

[Barry Krebs 13]

Then you might consider consular processing.  The new permanent resident then gets immediate work authorization.  That's what I did when I immigrated.  And the fees are slightly lower.  In any case, having a fee waiver for AOS defeats the purpose of meeting public charge requirements. That all being said,  better hope that you have co-sponsors for I-864 just in case.  And someone in US can who lend you the money for AOS should u choose this route to a green card.

[doggieandsam 765]

6 hours ago, geowrian said:

Just wanted to say a thank you for nobody pointing out my disaster of a typo. I don’t usually post via phone.

i didn't even see it!

[usmsbow 802]

35 minutes ago, Barry Krebs said:

Then you might consider consular processing.  The new permanent resident then gets immediate work authorization.  That's what I did when I immigrated.  And the fees are slightly lower.  In any case, having a fee waiver for AOS defeats the purpose of meeting public charge requirements. That all being said,  better hope that you have co-sponsors for I-864 just in case.  And someone in US can who lend you the money for AOS should u choose this route to a green card.

 

According to his timeline, they've already gone through the K-1 process and she's now here in the USA. Only option at this point is AOS. 

[Don Godwin 225]

10 hours ago, RevGreen said:

Hi there. Does anyone have experience in a fee waiver for the AOS? Advice? Technically I earn well above poverty guideline, but there is no chance we can afford the AOS fee now or any time in the foreseeable future.

There is nothing like a fee waiver when it comes to the important part of case processing especially when it's in NVC "AOS" it is very important to pay the AOS fee i had to pay almost another $500 i guess for AOS and IV because we paid for i-129 already after the petition was sent to texas center 

[JFH 12,191]

Another advantage of the CR-1 - they could have had two incomes from day one of her being here in the country. And no AOS to pay. Too late for the OP now but worth mentioning for the benefit of lurkers who have not started the process yet.