Finally Filing!

[Griffon76 0]

Hi all, after many months of getting paperwork and documents together, we are finally ready to file for AOS. I just wanted to ask if we are sending everything to the same place...

Are all these (I-130, I-485, I-864, I-765, I-131) sent together to the Chicago address? I was confused as I also saw mentioned the Vermont address for the I-130.

With regard to having proof that my husband didn't come here on a tourist visa with intent to marry, do we send that with everything or do we have it with us at the interview? (like proof of residency in Canada, return ticket and such)

One more question, we got married last August but waited to file as we didn't have all documents (everything was done at the last minute) and I didn't have a sufficient tax return the previous year (2005) so waited to get 2006s (which was delayed on all aspects) so will it be a cause for concern since we didn't file immediately? We did get married before his time was up for visiting.

We will be sending everything out Monday morning! We are so excited and relieved that we finally got it all together. Locating documents was very hard since he came here as a visitor, got married and if he went back to get the documents we needed, he would not have been allowed back to the USA. I certainly can understand the anxious feeling about whether we have all that is required and then the waiting...

I appreciate all your help. This site has been a wonderful resource!

[____ 0]

Hi all, after many months of getting paperwork and documents together, we are finally ready to file for AOS. I just wanted to ask if we are sending everything to the same place...

Are all these (I-130, I-485, I-864, I-765, I-131) sent together to the Chicago address? I was confused as I also saw mentioned the Vermont address for the I-130.

With regard to having proof that my husband didn't come here on a tourist visa with intent to marry, do we send that with everything or do we have it with us at the interview? (like proof of residency in Canada, return ticket and such)

One more question, we got married last August but waited to file as we didn't have all documents (everything was done at the last minute) and I didn't have a sufficient tax return the previous year (2005) so waited to get 2006s (which was delayed on all aspects) so will it be a cause for concern since we didn't file immediately? We did get married before his time was up for visiting.

We will be sending everything out Monday morning! We are so excited and relieved that we finally got it all together. Locating documents was very hard since he came here as a visitor, got married and if he went back to get the documents we needed, he would not have been allowed back to the USA. I certainly can understand the anxious feeling about whether we have all that is required and then the waiting...

I appreciate all your help. This site has been a wonderful resource!

The only cause for concern I have is, was he here illegally and for how long? I believe there are rules in place that penalize AOS applicants who have overstayed previous visas. You might want to check up on that :\

As far as sending out the papers goes, you send them all to Chicago in the same packet, including one check for all the fees. That is what I did, at least, and everything is going through just fine for me.

As far as proving that your husband did not come here with the intent to marry, I believe that sort of proof has to wait until the interview stage.

Unfortunately, your case sounds like you could benefit from the help of a lawyer. I'm not a big fan of lawyers as they rip you off, but your case might get complicated with the visitors visa / potential overstaying problems you've mentioned...

[Griffon76 0]

The only cause for concern I have is, was he here illegally and for how long? I believe there are rules in place that penalize AOS applicants who have overstayed previous visas. You might want to check up on that :\

Unfortunately, your case sounds like you could benefit from the help of a lawyer. I'm not a big fan of lawyers as they rip you off, but your case might get complicated with the visitors visa / potential overstaying problems you've mentioned...

Oh geez...I was under the impression (was told this by another VJ friend) that as long as we were married before his time was up, that he could stay and we could take the time to get his documents together. But he couldn't work, travel, that sort of thing. I know if we didn't get married before his time was up, he would have had to go back home and we would have filed for an F1.

[____ 0]

The only cause for concern I have is, was he here illegally and for how long? I believe there are rules in place that penalize AOS applicants who have overstayed previous visas. You might want to check up on that :\

Unfortunately, your case sounds like you could benefit from the help of a lawyer. I'm not a big fan of lawyers as they rip you off, but your case might get complicated with the visitors visa / potential overstaying problems you've mentioned...

Oh geez...I was under the impression (was told this by another VJ friend) that as long as we were married before his time was up, that he could stay and we could take the time to get his documents together. But he couldn't work, travel, that sort of thing. I know if we didn't get married before his time was up, he would have had to go back home and we would have filed for an F1.

You're probably right... I was completing Optional Practical Training when I got married so I didn't check on that. As long as his presence in the US was legal, I don't think you'll have any problem. I'm sure they'll ask questions about the fact he came here as a visitor, but you won't be the first people to meet in that manner. Best of luck with the filing

[Griffon76 0]

You're probably right... I was completing Optional Practical Training when I got married so I didn't check on that. As long as his presence in the US was legal, I don't think you'll have any problem. I'm sure they'll ask questions about the fact he came here as a visitor, but you won't be the first people to meet in that manner. Best of luck with the filing

Thanks! And best wishes for your upcoming interview!

[Jashley820 0]

Despite previous posts, I wouldn't recommend sending one cheque for all fees. I would send seperate cheques (indicating what form it pertains to in the 'memo' section) in case they have to return a form for some reason (i.e. missed signature). If you've sent them one cheque, then the whole package gets returned. It's a bit more of a pain than if you just got one form back.

Edited July 7, 2007 by Jashley820

[Marry American 0]

Despite previous posts, I wouldn't recommend sending one cheque for all fees. I would send seperate cheques (indicating what form it pertains to in the 'memo' section) in case they have to return a form for some reason (i.e. missed signature). If you've sent them one cheque, then the whole package gets returned. It's a bit more of a pain than if you just got one form back.

The AOS fee of $325 and the biometric fee can be on written on one check according to the government websites instructions for the 485. The rest of the checks should be written seperately.

[Jashley820 0]

Despite previous posts, I wouldn't recommend sending one cheque for all fees. I would send seperate cheques (indicating what form it pertains to in the 'memo' section) in case they have to return a form for some reason (i.e. missed signature). If you've sent them one cheque, then the whole package gets returned. It's a bit more of a pain than if you just got one form back.

The AOS fee of $325 and the biometric fee can be on written on one check according to the government websites instructions for the 485. The rest of the checks should be written seperately.

Exactly what I meant! Thanx for the Biometric clarification.

[Marry American 0]

The only cause for concern I have is, was he here illegally and for how long? I believe there are rules in place that penalize AOS applicants who have overstayed previous visas. You might want to check up on that :\

Unfortunately, your case sounds like you could benefit from the help of a lawyer. I'm not a big fan of lawyers as they rip you off, but your case might get complicated with the visitors visa / potential overstaying problems you've mentioned...

Oh geez...I was under the impression (was told this by another VJ friend) that as long as we were married before his time was up, that he could stay and we could take the time to get his documents together. But he couldn't work, travel, that sort of thing. I know if we didn't get married before his time was up, he would have had to go back home and we would have filed for an F1.

Here is a link to a visajourney topic. It is giving several replies from people on the length of time it took for them to get their visas. It also has a few people that came in on a tourist visa, overstayed and still received their visa in just a few months, Do not be discouraged.

overstay and visa in just a few months

[txgirl75 0]

I wrote individual checks and put them in a small ziplock bag with the pics paperclipped to the front page.

I overstayed my tourist visa (probably for a lot longer than you hubby), we were approved in 3 months. I wouldn't worry too much, just keep your evidence in a safe place for your interview

[Griffon76 0]

I wrote individual checks and put them in a small ziplock bag with the pics paperclipped to the front page.

I overstayed my tourist visa (probably for a lot longer than you hubby), we were approved in 3 months. I wouldn't worry too much, just keep your evidence in a safe place for your interview

Thanks for the advice and encouragement guys and gals! I will also make sure I use the separate checks for the appropriate docs in the zip bags with the photos. I've got everything laid out on the dining table with my checklist. Feels like preparing for summer camp! It will be so nice for hubby to get his EAD as he is bored being Mr. Mom and chauffer to a teen LOL. (I secretly love having dinner cooked and ready when I get home from work!!) He makes a better wife than I do!!

[____ 0]

Despite previous posts, I wouldn't recommend sending one cheque for all fees. I would send seperate cheques (indicating what form it pertains to in the 'memo' section) in case they have to return a form for some reason (i.e. missed signature). If you've sent them one cheque, then the whole package gets returned. It's a bit more of a pain than if you just got one form back.

The AOS fee of $325 and the biometric fee can be on written on one check according to the government websites instructions for the 485. The rest of the checks should be written seperately.

I called USCIS customer service and they recommended I send in one check, which is what I did. It worked fine for me.

[____ 0]

I wrote individual checks and put them in a small ziplock bag with the pics paperclipped to the front page.

I overstayed my tourist visa (probably for a lot longer than you hubby), we were approved in 3 months. I wouldn't worry too much, just keep your evidence in a safe place for your interview

Thanks for the advice and encouragement guys and gals! I will also make sure I use the separate checks for the appropriate docs in the zip bags with the photos. I've got everything laid out on the dining table with my checklist. Feels like preparing for summer camp! It will be so nice for hubby to get his EAD as he is bored being Mr. Mom and chauffer to a teen LOL. (I secretly love having dinner cooked and ready when I get home from work!!) He makes a better wife than I do!!

Well I don't know what the woman at USCIS customer service was on when she told me to just write out one check. Like I said previously, it worked fine for me. The check was cashed, my receipts all arrived on the same day and my AP and EAD came within five days of each other. So I'm guessing that the break down of the checks matters not at all.