Advice regarding K Visa Documents appreciated ...

[Robert Ward 2]

That is so amazingly helpful and reassuring. I've got everything in the list, obviously, but seeing it like that I instantly feel relaxed. Thank you. 

 

You flew out the next day?!?!? Full of envy. I've so much to sort here - flat sale, Ebaying, shipping etc - I won't get away till at least June, maybe later. That's the real headache and stress aspect.

 

Thanks again for the reassurance. 

 

(You glad you made the move? Easy to settle, find work etc?)

[Wuozopo 4,293]

14 minutes ago, Robert Ward said:

(You glad you made the move? Easy to settle, find work etc?)

K1s are not authorized to work. You apply for your greencard, work authorization, and a travel authorization. That’s going to take some months to get that work/travel (outside the US) permit. 
 

When is your interview? You didn’t fill out a timeline.

[Robert Ward 2]

Sorry about that, I wasn't really aware of the timeline. I've just filled it out as best i can but will go back to it when I've worked out mor dates. My interview is on March 18th.

 

Yes, I'm aware there's a wait till one can work and travel, but just curious as to the state of play when that happens.

[Ian88 41]

Yes, so as Wouzopo says there is a period of limbo with K1 were you can't really do a lot. I knew it was coming, so I saved up a lot of money to see me through, plus my Wife is very understanding of the situation. I was working on my AoS paperwork while waiting for the Interview, so when I arrived in the US I pretty much only needed my Marriage license to complete my application and mail it off. I booked a same day license and wedding appointment so we got married about 4 days after my arrival. 

 

I took a chance on my passport arriving back on time and booked a flight (which I could change free of charge) and luckily it worked out. I also took care of all my ebay/gumtree business, arranged for a small amount of shipping, and said my goodbyes from the time my Interview was booked so I was able to travel straight away. 

 

The nightmare that was covid delays aside, my immigration up until this point has been pretty smooth. I done all the paperwork myself so no attorney fees etc. I only made one big mistake, which was not getting my vaccines before or at the visa medical, which meant that I had to find a Dr here to give me another medical and sign it off, which cost me. Unfortunately I hadn't found this forum before I did this otherwise I would've been better informed.  

 

It was easy to settle - I had been here so many times before over the course of our relationship so was no real surprises.

[Wuozopo 4,293]

12 hours ago, Ian88 said:

I was working on my AoS paperwork while waiting for the Interview, so when I arrived in the US I pretty much only needed my Marriage license to complete my application and mail it off.

We did the same thing. All the AOS/EAD/AP paperwork was prepared before I arrived. We married on my 5th day in the US and sent off our AOS/EAD/AP about 3 days later. The sooner that gets done, the sooner you get your work permit and greencard. 
 

My advice to K1s:

1. Get your immunizations for AOS before your visa medical. Then you are signed off on everything and need no further medical exam or paperwork sign off in the US. Saves hassle and money.
2. Don’t just sit around moaning and checking case status. Look ahead to what’s required for the next step. Read the AOS forum and see where people messed up so you know not to make the same mistake. Start filling out the forms and asking your questions so that is all figured out and doesn’t delay you after the marriage.
3. Get your social security number shortly after US entry. A K1 is eligible for the first 76 days, then the window closes until the EAD card or greencard is issued. Apply in the name you used at POE entry even if you have married and changed you last name. You can change the SSN name later once you get your greencard. It’s free.
4. Apply for AOS/EAD/AP in your new married (if applicable). You will want your greencard issued in the name you intend to use in the US. A name change on a greencard will cost you $540, so get your intended name right the first time.

[Ian88 41]

2 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

Get your social security number shortly after US entry

I had my SSN appointment on Feb 2 but still haven’t received my card. Called them yesterday and they said it can take up to four weeks, even thought the guy at the SSA said two weeks. Starting to irk me now as basically everything you try to do here asks for a SSN.

Edited March 2, 2022 by Ian88

[Wuozopo 4,293]

2 hours ago, Ian88 said:

I had my SSN appointment on Feb 2 but still haven’t received my card. Called them yesterday and they said it can take up to four weeks, even thought the guy at the SSA said two weeks. Starting to irk me now as basically everything you try to do here asks for a SSN.

I see a lot of Brits who have to be manually verified because their name doesn’t show up in the SAVE database they check. Did they mention if they found you in the database?

[Ian88 41]

54 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

I see a lot of Brits who have to be manually verified because their name doesn’t show up in the SAVE database they check. Did they mention if they found you in the database?

I called the National SSA and they told me to call my local office. I did and they said my application is still pending with immigration and that I just have to wait patiently. It’s been 30 days since my appointment so I have no idea what the problem is. 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

36 minutes ago, Ian88 said:

I called the National SSA and they told me to call my local office. I did and they said my application is still pending with immigration and that I just have to wait patiently. It’s been 30 days since my appointment so I have no idea what the problem is. 

If they don’t find your name (which gets in the database by a passport scan at entry) then SSA local has to contact USCIS and get them to verify that you did enter the US etc, etc. That is manually verifying since your entry is not recorded in the database properly.  Some people eventually find that the local person never sent that in to be verified or it came back and and they never got back to finish processing your card. So keep on them to make sure they did their part. It could take 4 weeks after manual verification is sent to USCIS. Things to ask. Can you confirm what day my manual verification was sent to USCIS?  Have you received a response from USCIS yer?

 

My conspiracy theory. Something about scanning a British passport enters the name wrong in the database. If your scan entered IanRobert Smith, running your first and middle name together, then Ian Robert Smith is not found in the database. It’s not a match and has to get verified manually.

 

Do keep checking to make sure your returned verification isn’t on somebody’s desk under a week old Starbuck’s cup.

Edited March 2, 2022 by Wuozopo

[Robert Ward 2]

Hey guys, thank you for all this information. AOS is new to me but I'll get onto that immediately. I plan to contact my health centre for the two immunisations I need from the medical, so yes, have that in hand here rather than there. Ian88, your being so organised you were able to jet off and marry within days of being granted the visa is admirable. I should really be in a similar position all the time I've had to do so, but in fact I have certain commitments here anyway that will keep me busy for the next couple of months anyway, so I'm not going to stress and will take things step by step. I have money saved so I can take things easy there for a while at least. 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

16 hours ago, Robert Ward said:

Hey guys, thank you for all this information. AOS is new to me but I'll get onto that immediately. I plan to contact my health centre for the two immunisations I need from the medical, so yes, have that in hand here rather than there. Ian88, your being so organised you were able to jet off and marry within days of being granted the visa is admirable. I should really be in a similar position all the time I've had to do so, but in fact I have certain commitments here anyway that will keep me busy for the next couple of months anyway, so I'm not going to stress and will take things step by step. I have money saved so I can take things easy there for a while at least. 

I stayed in the UK for two months after getting the visa. I gave my 4 weeks notice at work. After quitting work, I wanted one full month to work on shutting down my UK life. I had two cars to sell, appliances, TVs, and the like to sell, give to friends, etc. And packing boxes to ship over…making inventory lists…ugh!  it was during that time my fiancé in the US did all the AOS paperwork. Then we had a little drama right before the move…her with a hurricane evacuation and damage and me breaking my collarbone and some ribs. But we still managed to pull off a nice little wedding, filing AOS, and getting a SSN in the first 2 weeks there. 

[Robert Ward 2]

Thanks again for this Wuozopo. It's good to have perspective. I'm probably over estimating how long the it will take to wrap up. Trying to do a lot now even before the interview. Just want to feel secure. And as you experienced, there's always the unexpected. Just hoping the world situation won't prevent me making the move.

[Ian88 41]

On 3/2/2022 at 12:14 PM, Wuozopo said:

If they don’t find your name (which gets in the database by a passport scan at entry) then SSA local has to contact USCIS and get them to verify that you did enter the US etc, etc. That is manually verifying since your entry is not recorded in the database properly.  Some people eventually find that the local person never sent that in to be verified or it came back and and they never got back to finish processing your card. So keep on them to make sure they did their part. It could take 4 weeks after manual verification is sent to USCIS. Things to ask. Can you confirm what day my manual verification was sent to USCIS?  Have you received a response from USCIS yer?

 

My conspiracy theory. Something about scanning a British passport enters the name wrong in the database. If your scan entered IanRobert Smith, running your first and middle name together, then Ian Robert Smith is not found in the database. It’s not a match and has to get verified manually.

 

Do keep checking to make sure your returned verification isn’t on somebody’s desk under a week old Starbuck’s cup.

Showed up today - 45 days after my appointment. 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

5 hours ago, Ian88 said:

Showed up today - 45 days after my appointment. 

👍 Good news! And a data point for this lot coming behind you.