Mark&Took

Airline tickets are always supposed to be booked in the name on the passport not the EAD/AP card. Thats why you had the problems. Book the tickets in the name on the passport and they will only ask to see the marriage cert when you enter back to the USA using the EAD/AP card.

Actually I don't recommend this. Having gotten married and legally changed her name if we use the name on an old passport that could create problems as that is not her legal name anymore. I think we will just carry the marriage cert. next time. Anyway, it all worked out. Im just trying to help others with our story.

My wife and I just returned from our first return trip to Thailand since her arrival last year. She has a EAD/AP combo card with her married last name on it and her Thai passport with her maiden (former) last name on it. She also had a state drivers license from our home state.

I had read it is no problem they will know we got married etc. and that I wouldn't need to take our marriage certificate with us. However, I thought it would be better to have more....not less documentation and planned to take it. But, that plan was foiled by my rush to leave.....oops! I had just returned from business trip the day before we left. I had a list of things to take but overlooked the marriage cert. in my rush to unpack and repack.

We got to the airport (Washington, Dulles) a few hours before our flight for check in and the airline agent immediately wanted to see a marriage cert. We had driven to DC from our home 4 hours away.....so we couldn't easily return home to get it. I was worried we would miss the flight while trying to get a fax copy either from our local gov't office or a relative going to our house.

The airline (Emirates), and probably most other airlines, were concerned about her ticket issued in her married name but the passport being her maiden name.....even with the combo EAD/AP card. They weren't worried about Customs and Immigration. They were worried that TSA wouldn't let her through security. I travel by air a lot and don't hold the TSA agents in very high regard. I knew if we wouldn't have much chance of explaining our way past them even though another gov't agency gave us the 'ok'. Maybe.....just maybe we could get a customs officer to come upstairs and explain things for us but let's be real......relying on a gov't worker to help you in a time crunch situation isn't good.

The TSA agent looked at my documents, only gave a my wife's a quick glance and let us through. I figured that was the hard part and we left the country. Foreign countries generally aren't as tough as the U.S. I figured if they saw an official looking card like the EAD/AP we would be ok......but they all wanted to see a passport....even for domestic in country flights. Showing her Thai I.D. card wouldn't help either....that's also in her maiden name.

I knew we could return with the card but the simple fact that we had tickets with her married name and her passport with her maiden name made every flight we took longer to check in as we had to explain and calls had to be made as we waited. We took 6 flights during our travel and every time we needed extra time at check in.

My recommendation to you, even though we were able to make our flights, is save the hassle and take your marriage certificate with you when traveling on the EAD/AP card. We now have her green card. We plan to either take our marriage cert next time or get her a Thai passport in her married name.....not sure which yet. That's my experience.

Good luck to all,

Mark&Took

I just wanted to give an update for those that were transfered to CSC for 'faster processing' last year and will probably get their green card with no interview. We filed in June 2012 our application was recieved the same month. One month later (July 2012) we received an NOA that our case was transfered to CSC for 'faster processing'.....lol. They recieved our case 7/30/12 and it had never been 'touched' since. I finally put in a service request this April 2013. I got the standard keep waiting letter earlier this month (May).

My wife was concerned about her EAD/AP expiring in August and wanted to send in the renewal paperwork early. She underestimated my laziness and I talked her into at least waiting until we returned from our vacation back to Thailand......I hate paperwork and was really hoping we would get lucky and not need to renew. I also wanted to contact my congressman or the ombudsman and see what they could do after we got back.....before doing the renewal paperwork.

A few days before our scheduled return to the U.S. we got the email.....our application was approved. Followed by another email.....card in production. Followed by another email....card mailed and a tracking number. Followed by another email.....card delivered, and we got it that day in the mail! We went from no info at all to emails almost every day until it arrived. Beware the package looked like junk mail from the U.S. Postal service and not the typical USCIS envelope.....so open everything while you are waiting!

Wow, so happy it's done at least for now. For those of you interviewing you will get your cards much quicker it seems. For those being transfered to the NBC (as they do now and not the CSC as I understand it) you will wait a looooong time but no interview. Better get that EAD/AP if you want to travel and don't already have it. Without AP (advance parole) you will not be able to leave the U.S. and return and waiting on the GC will be long......but you will get it you just have to be patient.

Good luck to all,

Mark&Took

Yeah we would have rather interviewed than waited a year too.

My wife made a funny observation yesterday. She can't believe they are taking this long.......I mean they've been doing this for what?....over 200 years now?......lol. You would think they would have a good process already.

May 8th will be 15 days for some answer to our service request. After that we go directly to the Ombudsman or a Congressman. I seriously do not want to do the paperwork to renew EAD/AP and drivers license......ugh.

Well, we are in the same boat. Transferred to CSC in July (July 24) for faster processing.......riiiight. I finally called today and got someone on the phone (not a tier 2 person.....I figure we will start there instead of skipping right to contacting our congressman). We put in a service request which takes 15 days. I assume business days so that will give us some kind of info by May 8th. I also made an account on the USCIS website, and signed up for text and email updates, it seems that last time out case was 'touched' was probably the day CSC received it July 28, 2012......ugh. Based on other posters here I'm expecting a keep waiting email with no real info. My next step will be calling a tier 2 person or making an info pass appointment. After hearing from those service requests I will contact our congressman. If they keep delaying me I will bug them to the point that they search and find my case and put it on top of the stack just to get me to stop checking!

This is so frustrating. My wifes EAD/AP expires in August. I haven't looked at any of this paperwork in almost a year and trying to get familiar with the process again sucks! As the date of EAD/AP expiration gets closer we will have to look into renewal....ugh.

I wish we would have just interviewed.....she would have had the GC already.

You're fine either way. AP or green card will for re-entry into the U.S.

Thanks! I think I read others were carrying a copy of their marriage cert. since the name on the passport is their maiden name and the name on the combo card or green card is the married name. Anyone feel the need to do that?

Just had a question for those members further along in the process. We have been back here in the U.S. since May. We married then and filed the next round of paperwork. It's been a nice break not thinking about this process and stressing over the next packet to be sent in for a while now.

My wife has her EAD/AP combo card in hand and we have the application in for a green card (hopefully get that after the first of the year).

My question is when we travel outside the U.S. now (planning a May trip) what documents does she need to get back in? I'm under the impression from other forums she will present her Thai passport and combo card. Is that right?

Another question is....let's say we get the Green card before May (I'm thinking we should....our packet was sent to California already with no interview) will she then present her Thai passport and Green card on return? Should she expect some secondary screening on re-entry while traveling with a Green card or combo card? I read some folks had trouble about 6 months to a year ago when the gov't switched to the combo card....apparently everyone in the gov't isn't on the same page....imagine that

The reason I ask is my Dad has me worried I need some other 'travel document'. He helped a lady and her husband immigrate as a volunteer with a church group. They were on a different track as some kind of refugees from Kosovo or Serbia years ago when they were at war. They were brought here by the U.S. gov't and given green cards on arrival. I tried to explain our process is different but he doesn't understand all the differences......but he did make me paranoid enough to post!....lol.

So, what do you guys travel with? Am I missing anything?

Thanks in advance,

Mark & Took

We arrived in the US on May 2. We have started to settle in. I went by the record of deeds office in my county to check on getting a marriage license. They need a SSN for each person, among other things.....or they gave us an affidavit to use for a person who is not eligible for a SSN. They asked if we had applied for a SSN yet (and we haven't) so they gave us the affidavit form for people who are ineligible for a SSN. They said we could use that to get the marriage license but only because we haven't applied for an SSN yet. I'm curious if anyone here has been through a similar experience. It doesn't seem right since we will be eligible for a SSN when we apply.

I read if we apply for a SSN it will probably take 2 weeks to get. It seems like we need to wait 2 weeks after entry to make sure Took is in the SAVE computer system, then apply for the SSN, then wait 2 more weeks to get it. Is that what most people do?

If we marry after getting a SSN we have to go back and change her name. I was hoping to marry first then get the SSN with the married name....saving a return trip to change it. Anyone know if that is possible?

Mark & Took

I provided my fiance with things to make the interview wait time a little less stressful also. In the clear pocket of the notebook, he had some gum (from the US--a subliminal hint that he could only have gotten this from me), some pens, Kleenex tissues, Chapstick, and a tny tube of hand sanitizer. I printed out some trivia about his new country, state, and city to read that might distract him a little. I wish now that I had also written a letter for him to open only during his waiting time in the embassy to tell him how much I love him and believe in him and all that mushy stuff.

Good luck in your immigration adventure.

Wow, I wish I would have thought to do that......or even read this early enough to do it....lol.

Took attended her interview and was approved on 3/22!!!

Thanks for the response and tips. Like others have said they most likely have their mind made up prior to the interview unless something really unusual happens in the interview. That is what I thought and what I told Took so she wouldn't be nervous. Here is how it went for her:

She was given an appointment time of 1pm in the email notification a few weeks prior to the interview, however, a few days before the interview the Embassy called her and asked her to show up early to turn in paperwork (originals). She was let in ahead of a line of About 30 people waiting. After turning in her papers she was told to come back at 12pm. It turns out she had to wait past her stated interview time (1pm) and was the last person to interview (close to 4pm I think). She said there were not that many people there but it seemed like most interviews were taking about an hour. I'm not sure if they were all K1's that day. Her questions were pretty close to what others have listed before and the person interviewing her was pleasant but also focused on the job of the interview (I believe she said she interviewed with a male officer). Here is what she was asked:

- how did we meet?

- how many times have I been there to see her?

- have we travelled abroad together?

- have I met her family?

- has she met my family?

- when did I get divorced?

- when did she divorce?

- how long was I married?

- do I have any kids?

- does she have any kids?

- does her ex know she will marry again?

- what do I do for work?

- what company do I work for?

- when does she plan to immigrate?

- when is my next trip to see her?

- what does she do for work currently?

She took extra pictures, Valentine cards, emails (between us and between her and my parents), chat logs, money transfer receipts (when I have sent money for expenses during this process). They didn't ask to see any of it. Maybe seeing she had it helped. She wanted to get a certified paper saying that she was single from her home district. I didn't think she needed it since it wasn't listed anywhere in the K-1 process however, having something extra can't hurt, and she had the time off to do it, so she went home to visit family and also got that......she turned it in with the original papers that morning. She was never asked for that paper (maybe because she turned it in....I don't know). I was under the impression that paper was probably for someone getting married in Thailand (which we will not do since it would void the K-1 application and make us re-file for a K-3). She did tell me another girl there that day was asked for that paper....but Took wasn't sure what kind of visa application she was interviewing for. Long story short, if you are not sure if you need something and cant get a firm yes or no answer then I say get the form.

Took interviewed on a Thursday. Unfortunately getting the visa is still a two business day process meaning she can't pick up her visa until Monday afternoon. They will give you an appointment time to pick up the visa. Took saw others waiting to pick up their visas the day she interviewed and it seems you will probably have to show up and wait up to a few hours that day as well so be prepared for that instead of a quick in and out.

On a side note be careful what you turn in. She said there was a girl there who had to come back for a second interview due to the fact that they saw the couple was arguing in the chat logs they turned in. Also the petitioner was still seeing and talking to his ex!

Good luck to those with interviews coming up! I hope something here helps you.

M&T

Anyone with a recent interview care to share your experience? I'm also interested in hearing your experience at your POE on entry into the U.S. How was it?

We would like to hear anything else you care to share from packing up and leaving Thailand, to the flight here, and settling in here in the U.S.

We have an interview coming up on March 22 and will share our experience. I have a trip planned to Thailand in April and we hope to move Took here in May. We plan to travel here together after closing her apt and fitting as much in suitcases as possible.....lol. Has anyone used a shipping company? I'm not sure if we will use one or not. I'm thinking most electronics and appliances will go to relatives or friends since they won't work here. The same for a few furniture pieces. It looks like just clothes and sentimental items will come here as everything else can be replaced. I'm trying to pack light to allow here more space. I think we can have 2 bags each @50lbs. per bag and a couple small carry on bags each.

Thanks in advance for the replies. Good luck to those with interviews coming up!

M&T

Hi Mark and Took, you might be looking around one month plus or minus from the date you submitted your packet 3 documents. I wish you all the best, and that your fiancee' would have a smooth time at the Embassy. The guy over there was very pleasant.

Congrats on getting visa!! I hope we get the same interview officer you had and things go that smooth for us. When do you plan to enter? What POE? I'm hoping Took and I can go through the same entry line together at the POE. I'll be curious how they treat you on entry. I'm the citizen and travel a lot for work and my experiences are 50/50.....sometimes nice, sometimes rude. You never know what you're gonna get. Good luck!

Thanks for the replies! We are hoping for middle of May interview or sooner. I wish I was there now. Recently someone has tried to break into Took's apt.....twice! I'm a little worried for her safety. I gave her some tips about leaving the tv on when gone and lights at night etc. Management at that place won't do anything like put up notices to have residents keep a look out. They think it will scare away future tenants and worry about money instead of people's safety! Man I hope they catch that person.....or I do!! We need to get this done her moved here.....c'mon IV unit.

Hey guys, me again. So we sent package 3 on 2/29 after finally getting the police certificate. It was sent EMS so they should get it today 3/1. For those of you that have already 'been there and done that' how long after they received your package 3 did you get the email with your interview date? I'm thinking an interview date mid May based on their published 75 day average wait.

Thanks in advance,

M&T

Thanks for the replies! I only asked because I read a few interview reviews where the interviewer seemed irritated that extra things were included. After reading package 3 instructions a few times it seems they don't want the petitioners photocopied passport or birth certificate....only the beneficiary traveling. That being said, we decided extra was better than having a delay, and included only those 2 things extra. If they get mad about something small like that then they need to take a serious vacation....lol. Anyway, thanks again and good luck to everyone waiting.....package 3 sent!

I also noticed a few of the DS forms are or will expire soon (1/31 and another 2/29). We will check back before mailing and use the newest forms. If something is out of date and not up to date online I hope they accept it.

Is anyone including a copy of the petitioners passport and birth certificate? It seems they only want that for the beneficiary but later they do seem to want marriage and divorce certificates for both of us. Just want to make sure I'm reading it right. We're doing the final assembly of package 3 tonight!...who whoooo....well, except for the police certificate, that should be in Monday or Tuesday.

Next time see if they will give you a passport with 50 pages. You can get those in US passports for I think the same cost. Not sure about UK.

After doing research I think we will use Skype when Took gets here. Although I did see their unlimited international plan is now $13.99/mo. Still a great deal as she can call any land line or mobile. Vonage is $25.99 a month after the first 3 months. Magic jack is cheap but everyone she would call in Thailand would need one AND high speed Internet. Even then many times the connection is not good. With magic jack you can call Thailand land and mobile phones for a per minute fee that would quickly add up to the cost of Skype......or more. Magic jack is most useful if you take it outside the U.S. and use it to call back to the U.S. (no per minute fee).....or call jack to jack free anywhere in the world. There are only a few countries you can call using the magic jack while in the U.S. calling outbound unlimited (no per minute fee).....like Canada, PR, Mexico, and US VI.....maybe a few others but not Thailand.

I'm switching to Skype. I hope this helps.

Anybody else get an email from skype today? I think this will effect the people who were grandfathered into their unlimited plan that they had back in 2009. Going from about $5 or $6 a month to $12.99. Just curious if anybody else got the email.

I don't use Skype, so I'm not familiar, but we have been using magic jack for the past year. I sent my fiance a magic jack that gives her a U.S. number. I can call that number or she can use it to call me and we talk all we want (as long as the Internet connection is good). I think to buy the device and first year sevice was $30, each year after its $20. She has to have a high speed internet connection for it to work.......which is really only weekday mornings up to about 10am and almost never on weekends. Not sure if that is just her building/area but by late morning or weekends the Internet is basically too busy and useless. I've been wondering how others are connecting with family/friends/loved ones in Thailand. We will need to figure out an economical way for her to talk to her family and friends when she gets here (parent dont have internet or computer).I travel a lot and have my own magic jack as well. I can call her Thai cell number for something like 1-3 cents a minute if I add money to my account. That connection is good and doesn't require her to have Internet.

Hope that helps. Looking forward to hearing what others are doing.

There are 250 'pay at post' post offices nationwide. Hopefully there is one close to her. We just paid and it was $350 USD as others have mentioned.

My fiancé tried to pay at her local post office and they knew nothing about it...do only certain post offices do this?

It has to be a 'pay at post' post office. There 250 of them nationwide. I am not familiar with that but when I said 'pay at post post office' to my fiancé she instantly knew what that was and paid in her city. She tried to get the police certificate locally too as others have in the past but apparently that changed a few years ago. She will have to that in Bangkok. We plan on her doing the medical on the same trip.

I have to add, as flight crew, there are two airports in the U.S. I try to avoid due to frequent delays 1) Chicago O'Hare and 2) JFK....in that order. I have not travelled to or from the Philippines but I do travel from NC to Thailand, out of RDU (Raleigh, NC), to visit my fiancé several times a year. I have entered (POE) at Detroit, Minneapolis, Washington D.C., and Atlanta with no problems. I would leave 4-6 hours for her to enter, clear customs/immigration and go through another security screening and make a connecting flight. I highly recommend no matter where she enters you be there to meet her and help her connect. To clear up something posted earlier Delta does not have their own customs/immigration hall. These are government facilities are used by all airlines. As for you helping her with her bags I don't think you will be able to do that unfortunately. After clearing customs she will have to claim her bags from the belt....in the customs area (there are carts down there and sometimes a few sky caps hoping for a tip when they help you). If she doesnt connect to another flight she will pass by more officers pulling people/bags for random screening then come out where the public meeting place is. If she has a connecting flight before you see her she will take her bags to another area, not far away, to be re-checked to her final destination.....they pull random bags for screening here too. There will be airline agents helping people re-check bags/scan bag tags for tracking. Then she will come out to the public area. These days even though you just came off a flight, on landing in the U.S., she will have to get re-screened at a security checkpoint before taking a domestic flight. These lines can be very long just like the customs lines. It just depends on how many flights arrive at the same time. They try to space them out to prevent traffic jams but planes get delayed and sometimes several arrive at the same time. I personally use kayak.com to find tickets and check schedules. You can also use e-skyguide.com for checking airline schedules (no buying tickets here) between airports. It shows every airline and every flight they have between city pairs and can be helpful too. 4-6 hours seems like a long time but it beats missing your flight or being stressed about time. Hey, if she gets lucky and breezes right through then just check the monitors for an earlier flight go to that gate and list yourself standby for that flight. Touring the city she lands in could be fun. Just remember after a long flight and major time change she will have a hard time being awake to enjoy those tours. For me going West I adjust pretty quick. Flying East is always much harder on my body clock. As for the drive from NYC to NC I think you know I-95 ain't no country drive....lol. And traffic around D.C. Can be a nightmare. The drive from Washington to NC isn't bad and if you live in ILM there are probably direct flights (there used to be anyway). Good luck!

Another piece of advice. If you find a ticket on a cheap airfare website and price on the real airline website is only a few bucks more.....buy from the airline. I had a bad experience once not being able to pick seats and when I needed to make a change the airline told me to call the website I bought the ticket on. It was horrible! The website was vayama.com.

We got VSC approval on 1/13/2012. The NVC received our package on 1/27/2012. Do I need to call them to see when it gets sent out to the Embassy or will they email me?

I-129F approved VSC 1/13/2012.......NVC received 1/27/2012.