What takes the longest?

[rebex05 1]

I have read the guides and forums before anyone decides to tell me to read the guides. I was just curious from people's experience, what is the hardest thing to get done, or basically what takes the most time, for the AOS? I am trying to get it done in time before the fee increase and want to have it all ready. Is it hard to get in to see a civil surgeon to transcribe the vacinations to the I-693? Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!!!

[reeses16 8]

Hi! We've only just scheduled our interview, so I can't speak about the length of time for AOS. But for the I-1693 vaccine supplment, I sent a copy to my fiancee figuring he could get it done during his medical interview. I'm guessing the civil surgeon he uses should be USCIS approved since he will go to a facility approved by the Embassy to get his medical. Not sure if its worth the extra effort, but we though we'd try.

-DA

I have read the guides and forums before anyone decides to tell me to read the guides. I was just curious from people's experience, what is the hardest thing to get done, or basically what takes the most time, for the AOS? I am trying to get it done in time before the fee increase and want to have it all ready. Is it hard to get in to see a civil surgeon to transcribe the vacinations to the I-693? Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!!!

[sunset2005 0]

I would gather all the supporting documents the form asks for ahead of time so it will be ready to be mailed out.

[KarenCee 3]

To me, the part that took the most time was the FBI name check. My husband's name check was 9 months. Others have waited far longer and some are still waiting two years later. Definately get as much done now as you can and hopefully you can get it filed before the fee increase takes place which is on July 30, 2007.

[bora bora 1]

As far as mailing off the packet, I'd say getting everything together. My husband arrived in March and we mailed our paperwork out 2 days after we were married.

I made photocopies of everything (less than K1), filled out the forms, had my husband sign everything, make an appt with the civil surgeon and have his SECRETARY/NURSE transfer the vaccine information, and we were ready to go....besides the marriage certificate. Once we had that we mailed out the paperwork.

Prepare in advance - that's what will save you the most time.

I'd suggest NOT waiting for the marriage certificate to come in the mail - go the office and pick up your certified copes yourself - that saves time.

[cellarlily 0]

I think the hardest thing for us was to actually sit down and go through all the stuff. We had printed off the guide and all the forms, but that doesn't help much when you have so much going on all at once. Moving to a new country, unpacking and settling in, spending lots of time together...it all gets in the way of what you need to do.

So it's a good idea to get as much taken care of before your fiance(e) arrives in the country. You should have most of the information from the K1 visa process, so it's just a matter of getting your tax transcripts, getting married and getting a copy of your certificate, new passport photos for the non-USC and the vaccination supplement.

[bora bora 1]

I think the hardest thing for us was to actually sit down and go through all the stuff. We had printed off the guide and all the forms, but that doesn't help much when you have so much going on all at once. Moving to a new country, unpacking and settling in, spending lots of time together...it all gets in the way of what you need to do.

So it's a good idea to get as much taken care of before your fiance(e) arrives in the country. You should have most of the information from the K1 visa process, so it's just a matter of getting your tax transcripts, getting married and getting a copy of your certificate, new passport photos for the non-USC and the vaccination supplement.

You're right cellarlily. I also got a lot done at work .

My husband is learning English so I took control of the paperwork again (no problem for me) and just had him sign the papers. I first made a cover letter and then followed that so that I knew what to send.

I, of course, used VJ a lot and that's how I found out I had to have the I-693A. But it was much easier and faster for us to get the AOS package together than the K1.

[CanadaGirl 0]

I think for us it was getting everything together and getting it notarized. We needed a co sponsor and it was difficult to get her to take the time to fill out the forms, get the supporting document, meet her at the bank to get it notarized, etc.

The vaccination supplement was a breeze. Took maybe 20 minutes for us and I called that morning.

[cellarlily 0]

Yeah...me too. It was mostly because I don't have a printer or copy machine at home, but also because I tend to be 10,000 times more organized when I'm at work.

[rebex05 1]

Thank you all so much for your help. I am trying to get that stuff together so we can beat the July 30th deadline for price increase. Quick question... what is the current biometrics fee? I was trying to see what the actually price difference would be if filling after July 30 and before, because after you don't have the EAD or I-131 fees, but still the others which go up. Thanks!!! Oh and basically we need the vacination on the USCIS form even if he has his vac. card? I guess I will try and get that scheduled as soon as I can, but want to see what he brings with him.

[KarenCee 3]

Thank you all so much for your help. I am trying to get that stuff together so we can beat the July 30th deadline for price increase. Quick question... what is the current biometrics fee? I was trying to see what the actually price difference would be if filling after July 30 and before, because after you don't have the EAD or I-131 fees, but still the others which go up. Thanks!!! Oh and basically we need the vacination on the USCIS form even if he has his vac. card? I guess I will try and get that scheduled as soon as I can, but want to see what he brings with him.

Biometrics - as of today - is $70 and you can add that to the price of the current AOS fee of $325 for a total of $395 to write one check.

[rebex05 1]

Thank you all so much for your help. I am trying to get that stuff together so we can beat the July 30th deadline for price increase. Quick question... what is the current biometrics fee? I was trying to see what the actually price difference would be if filling after July 30 and before, because after you don't have the EAD or I-131 fees, but still the others which go up. Thanks!!! Oh and basically we need the vacination on the USCIS form even if he has his vac. card? I guess I will try and get that scheduled as soon as I can, but want to see what he brings with him.

Biometrics - as of today - is $70 and you can add that to the price of the current AOS fee of $325 for a total of $395 to write one check.

Thanks so much... so here is a quick question. Is the EAD and the advanced parole (I-131) on separate checks? Also are all those sent to one location... the Chicago lockbox? Thanks!

[divs76 0]

well, not really...getting the I 693A is a smooth and a fast process provided you have the copy of the vaccination summary report (DS 3025) and have the completed series ticked off on that form. Also, ensure that you have the clarification seeked from the doctor regarding the fees and service desired, as in a complete medical worth a couple hundred dollars is not required if the K1 fiance(e) had her medicals in 12 months time and the fees for transferring the vaccination history to the I 693 A supplement is never more than 50 USD.

I paid 30 usd and i had handed over the copy of the DS 3025 at the reception, returned 1 hour later and the supplement was handed over to me in a sealed envelope. I knew what it looked like.

[bora bora 1]

We didn't send out for the AP, but we sent 2 separate checks - one for AOS + biometrics and one for the EAD. Most people send the paperwork to Chicago - there are very few exceptions. Just check the guidelines for you but most likely it goes to Chicago.

I also don't have a printer/copier at home but I have one for free at work ... along with a fax machine .

[Miriam n Alain 3]

Don't forget that your fiance has the right to the Cuban adjustment law once he steps foot on us soil he can apply for permanent residency a year and a day after he gets here regardless of weather he came with a K1 visa. That means that even if you don't get married he can stay and after a year and a day apply for permanent residency and if you do get married he can adjust his status to permanent resident after a year and a day. Instead of having to wait 2 years like others to remove there condition