Club Colombia AOS!

[HAL 9000 96]

Yes, but let's also remember that they are here on a temporary, nonimmigrant visa - the K-4. Therein lies the big difference.

Again, reminding ourselves that the kids made it to the US on a valid visa is at the heart of the debate here.

Technically, then, they have been petitioned for already.

That is correct. The fact of the matter is that the K-4 visa is not in itself eligible for an AOS unless preceded by an approved I-130. Is there any information out there that allows a K-3 petitioner to co-petition for derivatives of the K-3? THAT, my friends, would save K-3 petitioners a LOT of time and potentially $urprises later on.

[HAL 9000 96]

I don't look at it this way....like the USCIS is trying to take advantage of anyone. We all have choices. Those of us who applied for K-3/K-4 did so because we wanted our wife/children to get here to the U.S. more quickly. The price we have to pay is filing I-130 and AOS for everyone. You can make the choice to go the IR-1/CR-1 route and avoid some of these problems and expenses if you want. It's a matter of choice.

So... a State Department approval on a Visa for a K-3 Spouse only obtains K-4 visas for the kids, but it does not provide for an eligibility basis for an AOS for the same kids on the USCIS part. Seems like quite a loophole for USCIS to take advantage of. At least they'll allow you to concurrently file the petitions and AOS forms concurrently. That way under the forthcoming circumstances they won't bleed you too much.

Government is government. Particular case differences and what each case nets a government agency is negligible in the case of one petitioning family; yet the windfall can be considered quite large when its applied on a system-wide basis. My only interest here is to increase the efficiency of the process by only having to contribute what is necessary, what can be streamlined under current and hopefully future regulations, and most importantly, not have a government agency accustumed to overcharging working class citizens in proportion to those that have no problem in paying. Immigration should be equally accessible to the working class as much as to those that earn a lot more.

In our particular case, the K-1 route ended up being more economical in terms of time, although we understood that, in our particular case, some extra money had to be made in order to adhere to current immigration labor laws while the AOS and the EAD was in process.

[HAL 9000 96]

It's just going to get expensive. But that's the commitment we all made when we decided to marry a Colombian.

HAHAHAHA!!

It would be expensive with anyone... technically all regulations apply pretty much the same to all visa applicants but we all know better.

[parkpapa 0]

Well, it's me here being stupid again. The I-485 asks for the visa number. Unless I'm blind, I'm not seeing a number that specifically says that it is THE visa number. There is a "control number" and there is another number in red print, but with no caption as to what it is. Also, if the "control number" is the visa number, they do a very poor job of differentiating between 0 (zero) and O (the letter). There are some that exactly the same 0 (zero) as other 0s on the page, and without a slash mark. And there are other characters in the number that have a slash through them as would be used on most documents to differentiate a zero from the letter O.

Sorry if that makes no sense but then again the printing on the visa makes no sense.

One other thing.... There is an "A#" handwritten on the I-94 and the visa. Is this the Alien number? If so, it is also very poorly identified and the customs officer said nothing about it to my wife.

Almost like they're intentionally trying to make things hard.

[TonyS 0]

Well, it's me here being stupid again. The I-485 asks for the visa number. Unless I'm blind, I'm not seeing a number that specifically says that it is THE visa number. There is a "control number" and there is another number in red print, but with no caption as to what it is. Also, if the "control number" is the visa number, they do a very poor job of differentiating between 0 (zero) and O (the letter). There are some that exactly the same 0 (zero) as other 0s on the page, and without a slash mark. And there are other characters in the number that have a slash through them as would be used on most documents to differentiate a zero from the letter O.

Sorry if that makes no sense but then again the printing on the visa makes no sense.

One other thing.... There is an "A#" handwritten on the I-94 and the visa. Is this the Alien number? If so, it is also very poorly identified and the customs officer said nothing about it to my wife.

Almost like they're intentionally trying to make things hard.

Certainly not stupid questions as I had the same ones! I did a search and the control number is the visa number and the A# on the I-94 ( It is also on the NOA2 ) is the alien number. I agree with you. I would think it would be easier to identify considering how important it is to get the paperwork correct.

TonyS

[TonyS 0]

Well, it's me here being stupid again. The I-485 asks for the visa number. Unless I'm blind, I'm not seeing a number that specifically says that it is THE visa number. There is a "control number" and there is another number in red print, but with no caption as to what it is. Also, if the "control number" is the visa number, they do a very poor job of differentiating between 0 (zero) and O (the letter). There are some that exactly the same 0 (zero) as other 0s on the page, and without a slash mark. And there are other characters in the number that have a slash through them as would be used on most documents to differentiate a zero from the letter O.

Sorry if that makes no sense but then again the printing on the visa makes no sense.

One other thing.... There is an "A#" handwritten on the I-94 and the visa. Is this the Alien number? If so, it is also very poorly identified and the customs officer said nothing about it to my wife.

Almost like they're intentionally trying to make things hard.

Sorry about the bad info on the visa number. This will make it clearer.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/lofivers...php/t63662.html

[HAL 9000 96]

Remember that the A# exists as far early as an NOA2 once your initial petition is approved. This should match the A# on the I-94.

Did the boys also receive A#s in their I-94s?

[OjosAzules 0]

Hi Everyone,

Sorry we disappeared for a while. Moving into a new apartment in NYC, starting from scratch with Furniture, getting married, etc... all came at once. Although we were married in April, I've finally had some time over the last two weeks to put all the documents for the AOS together. Everything seemed pretty straightforward. I've included a couple of extra bits of proof in the package for now for good measure.

I've included my latest paystub/wage statement from my employer which clearly shows tax status as now "married" and shows the number of dependents. I've included a print of my latest benefits statement from my employer which shows Silvia as covered under medical and dental as well as being the life insurance beneficiary.

Unfortunately I could not get a SS number for her in her new name (my last name). That was quite a Fiasco.

She was given an EAD stamp on arrival to the US. We then got married. We took the marriage certificate to the SS Office and asked for a SS Card. The SS office said that they could only give her a SS card in the name on her visa, and that we'd have to change the name on the visa at the USCIS office (all in the same building in NYC).

For the record, People at the SS office, nice people. People at the USCIS office, Not such nice people. The woman at the USCIS customer service desk was so annoyed at having to offer customer service that she refused to even look at me or respond to 2 good mornings. long story short, she wasn't having any of what we had to say. We went back to the SS office and they gave us a SS card in Silvia's Maiden name.

I'm confused on one thing though. We have the EAD stamp which actually expires soon (90 day validity). Is there any point on applying for a new one? Silvia is here on a K1. My thoughts are that the EAD would only be good as long as her K1 Visa is valid. And in 15 days it will no longer be valid.

[HAL 9000 96]

The more evidence you supply the better it will be. The SS card issue should not be a problem at all unless you guys want to have your last name on everything... and remember she can apply for a change in the SS records to reflect that change in name.

As for the EAD remember that it takes a while to process... chances are you could be getting it a week or two before the AOS is set. Unless you really need that extra income and deduct from Schedule A... the EAD could be a valid job-hunting expense... could be. I am no tax pro.

[parkpapa 0]

Remember that the A# exists as far early as an NOA2 once your initial petition is approved. This should match the A# on the I-94.

Did the boys also receive A#s in their I-94s?

Good tip. The A# was the one hand written on Lorena's I-94 and also handwritten at the top of her visa. The same number was handwritten on Juan's I-94, but not the visa, and nothing was written on Sergio's I-94. I assume that, since the entire petition process was in Lorena's name, all of the paperwork is associated with her, and nothing with the boys until I submit their I-130's. Evidently, from the other posts, and from another website I found, the RED number is the actual visa number.

I'm sure the following is listed somewhere else, but I'll go ahead and repeat it. I scheduled medical exams for Lorena and the boys ($165 for her and $145 each for the boys). The person I talked to said that we needed to bring current vaccination records, which we have, and also proof of a recent TB test (within 2 years for each person). Because it's been more than 2 years for Lorena (and the boys have never been tested), they are required to take what is called a "two step test". They will each get a skin test tomorrow morning, and have to return in 7 days to be examined. If nothing shows up, they will get ANOTHER skin test in the other arm, and have to return in 3 days. If all is well, then we can take the results to the medical exam. TB tests are available at our county health offices for $10.00 each.

We will be cutting things close, just as we did with the visa process! The rates increase on July 30, and the medical exams are scheduled for July 19. I REALLY don't like close deadlines!!! But, we'll get it done one way or the other.

Thanks again for the tips, maviwaro!

[waitingforher30 0]

Is there anyone in the Memphis area who has located a Civil Surgeon that will complete the I-693A without another complete physical? I have called everyone that the website lists and they all say they do not accept forms from overseas medical exams.

[HAL 9000 96]

Remember that the A# exists as far early as an NOA2 once your initial petition is approved. This should match the A# on the I-94.

Did the boys also receive A#s in their I-94s?

Good tip. The A# was the one hand written on Lorena's I-94 and also handwritten at the top of her visa. The same number was handwritten on Juan's I-94, but not the visa, and nothing was written on Sergio's I-94. I assume that, since the entire petition process was in Lorena's name, all of the paperwork is associated with her, and nothing with the boys until I submit their I-130's. Evidently, from the other posts, and from another website I found, the RED number is the actual visa number.

I'm sure the following is listed somewhere else, but I'll go ahead and repeat it. I scheduled medical exams for Lorena and the boys ($165 for her and $145 each for the boys). The person I talked to said that we needed to bring current vaccination records, which we have, and also proof of a recent TB test (within 2 years for each person). Because it's been more than 2 years for Lorena (and the boys have never been tested), they are required to take what is called a "two step test". They will each get a skin test tomorrow morning, and have to return in 7 days to be examined. If nothing shows up, they will get ANOTHER skin test in the other arm, and have to return in 3 days. If all is well, then we can take the results to the medical exam. TB tests are available at our county health offices for $10.00 each.

We will be cutting things close, just as we did with the visa process! The rates increase on July 30, and the medical exams are scheduled for July 19. I REALLY don't like close deadlines!!! But, we'll get it done one way or the other.

Thanks again for the tips, maviwaro!

Ahhh... so this bit of information about the A# on the boys' I-94s is definite proof that an A# has to be established for them at this time. An I-130 is most definitely needed for each of them, so get going so you can concurrently file it with the I-485 for them... So much for summer vacation! But then again, you guys are all together. I still have to wait 31 more days... even though they've been flying to tell you the truth.

[paisita411 0]

I may have posted this somewhere else, but it seems more appropriate here.

Can a K3 SPOUSE get a social security card before the AOS and EAD are approved? And how soon after filing for the EAD can he/she legally work?

Thanks,

Dre

[parkpapa 0]

I may have posted this somewhere else, but it seems more appropriate here.

Can a K3 SPOUSE get a social security card before the AOS and EAD are approved? And how soon after filing for the EAD can he/she legally work?

Thanks,

Dre

I have two sources that say no. You at least have to have the I-765 submitted and approved for EAD before you can apply for a social security card. You can send this in with your AOS packet if you choose to. I sent mine in first simply because it is taking some time to get the medical exams and stuff so I can submit the AOS packet.

[HAL 9000 96]

About 2-3 weeks post marriage we will go to the SSA to see if we can get Mària's SSN underway. I have read here before that K-1s are good to go on the number.