rebex05

My husband actually called the USCIS to see if he could travel and he was told that his green card needed to be valid for 6 months (upon reentry into the USA). You might want to call them yourselves and see if this is the case, but unfortunately my understanding is that this is true for all green card holders. It does sound like you can travel once you get this letter (your AOS) that states this exactly. Sorry for the bad news, but do call them tomorrow and hopefully I am wrong. Good luck.

Yes, he can travel. I've left the US and returned twice with the extension letter. And if the new card isn't here by December I'll be doing it again.

WRT the biometrics..... what a lot of us have done is to do a walk-in when you receive your appointment letter. And I wouldn't put my life on hold just in case I'm called for an interview. That can be rescheduled also.

OH MY GOD, I am panicking after reading this. We will be filing my husband's AOS removal of conditions approximately on Nov. 12th, since his residency expires Feb. 6, 2010. However, we have planned a trip to Mexico from Nov. 14th through Nov. 29th. This is a huge problem because I did not know you could not travel unless you have a 6 month validity on green card. Is this true? We didn't know that!!!!

Ooh no, someone please please answer me.

We did not realize that we would not be able to travel unless my husband's green card is valid for 6 months (which ruined Christmas plans). Then I just read that once the USCIS receives your application the send you a I-797C Notice of Action which stated "Your alien card is extended one year - employment and travel authorized." If you have that does that mean that my husband would in fact be able to travel for 2 weeks to see family this Christmas or do we still have to wait til he gets his permanent residency? Also is it risky traveling when we might be waiting for biometrics or an interview (assuming those are impossible to reschedule)? Thanks to all who shed any light on this subject.

Real quick... if we missed that 10 day/30 day window, will there be a huge problem? I completely forgot to complete this with all the stuff going on with the moving and now am nervous about what will happen. Thanks!

When we filed for my husand's green card we lived at a different address than we are currently at, as we just bought a house. Do we need to change our address with immigration before completing the I-751? Thanks in advance for the help.

Beneficiary has to file the AR-11 [online] within 10 days of moving.Sponsor has to file the I-865 [snail mail] change within 30 days.

When we filed for my husand's green card we lived at a different address than we are currently at, as we just bought a house. Do we need to change our address with immigration before completing the I-751? Thanks in advance for the help.

Thanks for the reply. It helps to have an idea from others what their timelines have been. I think your suggestion is great that way we do not miss anything and have a worry free visit with his family.

Your biometrics appt. is usually set anywhere from 2 - 6 weeks after sending (and USCIS accepting) your petition. Most of us seem to have gotten an appt. around the 1 month mark, but this will vary depending on local office. If you are worried about having an appt. while you are gone, why don't you just prepare all the papers before hand and mail the petition out as soon as you come back or even on your way to the airport (providing you are not going for an extended stay). Yes, it will delay your process by 2 months, but this is a worry free. option.

My husband's green card will expire in January of next year. We are planning on traveling to see his family the end of this year returning about a month before the green card expires. I know that recommendation is to file anywhere within the 90 days before the green card expires. Would there be any chance that an interview or other appointment could be set before the green card expires? We do not want to buy tickets and then have an interview during the same time. What would anyone recommend? Also will it be difficult for him to reenter the US with a green card about to expire? Thanks in advance.

My husband is actually at yet another job interview, though he has not had many. It has been hard for him to get anything thus far and we are not sure why. Some have told him that he is not what they are looking for or that his English level is not good enough for the job. The hardest thing is the no possibility of contacting references as they are all in Cuba and calling there is crazy expensive, plus the language. He is pretty much looking for anything to get him work experience and then will go from there. Hopefully this interview will work in his favor.

Regarding your last question about the medical part. My husband also only had his vacination record that he brought from Cuba. We ended up finding the closest Civil Surgeon and called to ask questions. Then we took it in and they were able to fill out the necessary form for the AOS and give it to us the same day. We did not have to translate, though I am not sure if this is the case in all places. Good luck!

Ok this question is for anyone who applied for a K-1 Visa for Havana, Cuba because it works different in Cuba.

I received my I-129F approval letter, then I received the letter from NVC with the case number, I called the 1-800 number and scheduled my fiance's appointment and its July 7, 2008. Now if I call the NVC they say I don't have an appt scheduled and my fiance has not received anything in the mail or been contacted. Am I missing something?? I have read other posts regarding the IV bill fee being received and package 3 being received, I don't have any of that.

I downloaded the forms he needs online and we have everything done, can someone please give me advice or give me some insight into the process because I'm worried we did something wrong. THanks

This is not a problem that NVC does not have an interview scheduled because it is not with them anyway. The interview is at the US Interest Section In Habana, so as long as the consulate their has record of your interview then great. The 1-800 number is a line in the US for Cuban family to schedule appointments for their family (fiance included) to have interviews in Habana to be able to come here (whether that is a visit or to immigrate into the US). Package 3 is something your SO in Cuba will receive and must have before the interview. What I had to do was call the office in Habana to have my then fiance pick up packet 3 with all the paperwork for the interview (the actual fiance visa) and then once he got that I was able to call to schedule an interview date. He never would have got packet 3 because he never received the supposed telegram saying to pick it up, so good thing I called... but looks like you did it differently. I know others who have had similar problems, but eventually it all works out. Well, best of luck to you!

Thank you so much to all of you for the advise and sharing your own experiences. We are definitely prepared and will share with you all how it went. Thanks again!

My husband's interview is the 4th of February this Monday and I have a few questions. I of course am more nervous than he is and in the end it will all end well, but I just like to be overprepared I guess. On the interview letter it says that if you are not fluent in English to have an interpreter with you. Well my husband does great in English and can converse with little problem, but he is not necessarily fluent. It won't be a problem to go without an interpreter or will it? Also when bringing all the things they asked for on the letter is there a prefered method of organizing or just whatever works for us? Finally, what is the best piece of advice to give to someone going in for this interview? I think those are the biggest questions I had and do appreciate your help. Thanks!

probably figured this out by now but always tell the truth. they would not care if you went legally or not... but not sure what to tell you now. all i can say is it worked out for us.

My husband just received his AP that was issued November 1, 2007. We have yet to receive word of a scheduled interview. All we know know is that they recieved the RFE on October 26, 2007. We initially turned in our whole packet August 30, 2007. Basically we are trying to get information about actually traveling and called the 1-800 number but were told we couldn't really know. We are hoping to go out of the country from November 19 through November 29, so in less than two weeks, but of course do not want to miss the interview. We have looked at a lot of other cases and it seems that things are generally not that fast and we should be okay, but I wanted to see if any one had any insight or would advise not going even though we have not received a letter for the actual interview (wouldn't they give more warning?). Thanks so much for any one with any idea on the situation.

Thanks all for your replies. I guess just needed to vent a bit. We will most likely mail that off today if at all possible as we are going for biometrics shortly. Thanks!

So we received a letter in the mail from USCIS saying that we need to send more information. I know that you just have to follow what they ask for with the request letter back to the address. However, what they are asking for is something that we sent in the original packet and I know this because we made copies of everything we sent. They are asking for a copy (not original) of his passport with an english translation. My question is why would they request something they already have? Also is there a number to call them at to make sure this is the correct thing they need? Guess there is not much to do but follow the request, but really stinks that this will affect his entire process when we already did things right the first time. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks all for your replies. I guess all we can do is wait. Thanks again!

My question is this... will we receive a letter with the interview date before the biometrics or do we wait until after biometrics? Does anyone know about how long that could take (we are going through Denver, CO)? I am trying to plan a trip out of the country (USC), but of course need to be here for my husbands interview. Thanks in advance!

That would explain why there is no room for a notary... I kind of figured that much.

I am not the guy, but actually my fiance (at the time) was approved in that time. It was fast and we are hoping it will be just as fast for AOS .

I take it this affidavit of support, I-184, does not need to be notarized if there is no spot on the form? From what I remember for the last affidavit of support, the I-134, it needed to be notarized. I just want to double check before we send it in. Thanks in advance!

Thank you all so much for the help. I ended up going with the guy in Denver actually before I read these last responses. But as stated it beats the alternative of another medical exam fee of 350. Thanks again!!!

Thanks so much for the help!!! That makes more sense.

I have read the form instructions as well as the example given here on VJ. However I am still a bit confused. Is it necesarry to fill out and what exactly is it for? I take it as a K-1 visa holder he is eligible to file for the advanced parole which will help him if he has to travel before getting the green card? On the I-131 form it says what evidence does the applicant have to show that he/she is eligible for advanced parole. What exactly would that be? So if anyone has any ideas or direction how to fill that out please let me know. THANKS!!!

Hey all from Colorado, I have found Civil Surgeons in Colorado and have made the phone calls. The cheapest I have found is $75 and that was at several places. Does anyone know of a cheaper place that will not take too long to get the form filled out at? Oh and preferibly in the Metro Denver area, THANKS!!!

where can i find a list of civil surgeons in my area? i've looked on the USCIS website, and on here, but i'm not having any success... or do i have to call USCIS? i need to get my vaccination supplement for my AOS.

thx!

Use this link... https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=of...office_type=CIV. Good luck!

Yes that would have something to do with it. As stated before it is a political thing. As for Cuban cases being processed faster... from what I have seen around me the cases did pass through the CSC faster, but not always. And yes every country has it's things as someone else stated, but being that we have lived this (much more my husband as of August 7 ) extremely hard time for our relationship and communicating... but we made it work and are doing great. This is an interesting post for sure, thanks for posting.

Would this have anything to do with special attention Cubans receive?

http://www.cubasocialista.com/adjust1.htm

"Law number 89, known as the Cuban Adjustment act, was adopted by the US congress on the 2nd of November of 1966, under the Lyndon Johnson administration. It's main provisions was to change the legal status of the Cuban immigrants; to treat them as political refugees and to grant them political asylum; and as such provide them immediately with privileges that no other group enjoys, such as, automatic permanent residence status - all without review and without the usual waiting time.

This privileged law affords the Cuban illegal immigrant the opportunity, to work legally, to govt. welfare, to unemployment benefits, and to free medical care, things that the average immigrant by no means is entitled to."

It is mentioned many times on the I-485 that Cuban immigrants do not have to meet the same requirements as others do. I know the OP isn't there in his process yet, but if it applies to AOS, maybe it applies here, too.

I may be way off base here. I'm usually the one reading other's info, not the one supplying it .