Squonk

From the information/advice that I have gathered on the CFL website, I am under the impression that one should only submit what is asked for. Although the intentions are good, extra information can lead to additional questions/concerns on the part of the USCIS and thus result in delays. Throughout this process (K-1/K-2 and AOS) I only submitted the documents/information that was either stated in the instructions or asked for at the interview (GUZ). I never volunteered additional information. I will bring a slew of documents/information to my wife's AOS interview, but I plan to only submit what the IO asks for. Does anyone have an experience and/or advice to the contrary?

I know this may be a ridiculous question, but I was always taught that a question not asked is even more ridiculous. An aquaintance of mine who previously was the petitioner of a K-1 visa told me that all the fees paid to the US government in support of the K-1 visa petition and the AOS petition are tax deductible. I told him "no way". He said his tax guy was able to deduct them. Are these fees tax deductible?

Yeah, that's exactly what I am concerned about. Back in July 08, the Chinese Frontier officers challenged her original US K-1 visa. She had to get supervisor approval before they would let her leave. Her brother's wedding is in the summer. Her AOS interview is in February. Hopefully there will be no issues at the interview and her GC will be approved.

My wife would like to travel back to China to see her brother get married. As of this date she has her approved AP form. Although she has her GC interview scheduled for early February 2009, for my specific question, I am going to assume that the GC is delayed and is not approved/received in time for her trip. Has anybody had or knows of anyone who has had issues with travelling to China on AP? If so, can you please enlighten me as to what the issues were and how they were resolved? Thank you, -Squonk

Here is a link that might provide some additional information: http://www.visarite.com/Chinese_Passport_Name_Amendmant.htm

Well I guess I am one of the unlucky ones???? (the process has been pretty straight forward up to this point). My wife and step-son's 2yr GC interview is scheduled for February in Los Angeles. One of the line items on the NOA is for us to bring all documentation that proves a bonafide relationship. Keeping with the "everything and the kitchen sink" philosophy, sworn affidavits may prevent an RFE.

Does anyone have an example of an acceptable Affidavit of Support that shows information regarding personal knowledge of marriage/relationship? I understand that it may not be needed at the 2 yr GC interview, but I would like to have my parents and a few close friends submit one just in case. Thank you,

Thank you Randy. One of the line items on the NOA is for us to bring all the legal documentation that makes my wife and stepson eligible for AOS. After reading thru the USCIS website, the only document that I can identify is our Marriage certificate. The marriage makes them both eligible for AOS. But the Marriage certificate was identified on a separate line item in the NOA. Can you clarify as to what the other documents are, if any, that the USCIS is referring to?

After reading these posts, I am a little confused. We turned the GUZ K1/K2 package to the USCIS officer at the POE. Are we supposed to have this package in our possession when we go for the GC interview? I did not make any copies of the material inside because most of the items were sealed when it was turned over to the GUZ and the final package was sealed when the GUZ gave it back to us. The USCIS officer did not take my wife's xray. She told me to bring it to the GC interview. When I called the USCIS support line, they stated the xray should hve been received in by the USCIS officer with the GUZ data package.

I was elated to come home from work and find two letters from USCIS waiting for me. One for me wife and the other for her son. I thought they were the I-485 approval notices (they already received EAD and AP approval). The letters were not approval notices, but rather interview appointments. At first I was happy, but then I did some research and found that the USCIS typically waives the I-485 interviews unless they have a concern or there is an issue. I have a few questions: 1. In general, why does the USCIS require such an interview? What are they concerned with? 2. Reading thru the NOA, it appears the USCIS, like the DOS, requires us to bring a slew of documents. One of the line items on the NOA is for us to bring all the legal documentation that makes my wife and stepson eligible for AOS. After reading thru the USCIS website, the only document that I can identify is our Marriage certificate. The marriage makes them both eligible for AOS. But the Marriage certificate was identified on a separate line item in the NOA. What are the other documents that the USCIS is referring to? 3. My wife and stepson speak "OK" English, but certainly not interview quality. How intense is this interview? Should I seriously consider bringing an interpreter? Any comments/suggestions will greatly be appreciated. Thank you, -Sqounk PS Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and will have a blessed 2009

Brother don't I know this. I got to the ASC with what I thought was all required documents. All but the marriage license. They told me no problem just reschedule. No way, No how. I drove back home to get it. Luckily I live in nearby. But thankfully that is all in the past. My wife and her son got their Advanced Parole papers today and their EAD cards are being produced.

Yes, Mr Yang and his wife were invaluable. IMO, their contributions were among the many pieces that led to the successful granting of my wife and her son's visa. My lao po was also dead last. I spent nearly 5 hours in that coffee shop in the US Consulate bldg. The women who came down around 20 minutes before my wife did told me not to worry because the US Consulate always does the easy cases last. With it being lunchtime and all, the FAO's probably want to end the day on a good note B) . My wife had the "kitchen sink" with her, but her success lied in her ability to honestly and truthfully convince the FAO that her and her son belonged in the US with me and my daughter. Her interview was quick, to the point, and to the PINK. I concur, A true relationship always prevails.

Let me make sure that I understand this. My wife can legally go to work while her EAD is pending? She has NOA1 and biometrics complete for the I-765/I-485. She has her SSN. So this I-9 statement allows her to legally go to work? Where can I get a copy of this I-9 document? Do you think that this I-9 document can be used to renew her driver's permit? Her driver's permit expired when her visa expired. The CA DMV near my house stated that they will not renew it without an EAD card. Thank you, -Squonk

How long after the biometrics are taken does one receive the EAD? Also, if all 10 fingerprints are required for the GC, does that mean my step-son will not get his GC since only 2 prints were taken? Thanks, -Squonk

I attended the ACH on Monday prior to my fiancee's (now my wife) interview. I really had no questions to ask them. I certainly was not going to point out anything of suspicion and even if there was an issue, it was too late to do anything about it. So I simply went there to let them know that I was in GUZ to support my fiancee. When my number was called, I went to the window and spoke with a young, tall, white male. Asked him where I could some documents notarized and if he could "sneak-a-peak" at file and let me know if all was OK. He told where I could get my documents notarized and told me from what he saw on his computer monitor; there was nothing to be concerned about. I spent the next five minutes asking why he decided to become a FAO and what he did before that. I had my passport and my Evolution of Relationship Letter notarized. I believe the same FAO interviewed my fiancee. The Letter was not asked for, but the FAO did ask for proof of my trips to China and my passport was used as the evidence. The interview lasted about 6 minutes and was as benign as it could get. So in this game of uncertainty where the rules seem to change as fast as the second sweeps across the face of a clock, anything one can do to get an advantage is worth it.

I recently sent my AOS package in for my wife and my step-son. I have have evidence that the USCIS has cashed my check, so I assume that I unofficially have NOA1. Their visa's expire mid-October. If I do not receive an official NOA1 notice by that time, is it correct for me to assume that since my check has been cashed, their visa's have been extended until further notice? Thank you, -Squonk

For those of you with interviews coming up, I strongly reccommend staying at Mr. Yang's place. The personal service that he provided my fiancee and I was unequivacolly superior to any service that I have ever had before anywhere in the world. My fiancee, her son, and I rented a 2 bedroom apartment from him for 10 days. The apartment was very comfortable. Mr Yang escorted my wife to her medical exam and did not leave until he was absolutely certain that there was no issue. No charge Called him up and asked where an ATM was. He escorted me there. No charge. His wife evaluated my fiancee's paperwork and assisted in rewriting it because it was written sloppy. That took 3 hours. No charge. She evaluated my letter of Evolution of Relationship and told me that key points were missing and told me to rewrite it. No Charge I rewrote the letter. Do not know if this facilitated my fiancee's interview, but I did have the rewritten letter notarized by the US Consulate 5 days before the interview. It was not asked during the interview, but I am assuming that it was read and evaluated before hand. Mr. Yang and his wife evaluated my fiancee's passport picture and told her that it was too "glamorous" and that it needed to be retaken. He escorted us to the photo place. No Charge After the interview, Mr. Yang's wife tracked the progress of the K1/K2 visa thru EMS and informed us when it was ready. No Charge We ran out of bottled water, he promptly preplaced it. The light bulb burned out in the bathroom, he promptly replaced it. Their care and concern made the interview experience as comfortable as it could get. His name is Yang Jia Hua His cell numbers are 13724842886 or 13725270589. His website is http://www.yangjiahua.com His email is yang_jiahua@yahoo.com.cn Xie xie Mr Yang and your wife. -Squonk

I can not believe that I am stuck in box 1 of all the AOS forms (I-485, I-864, etc..). My wife wants to use her full Chinese name as her first name. USCIS stated that her name needs to appear as it does on the marriage certificate which shows her Chinese given name as her first name. USCIS also stated that I would need to hire an attorney to process a name change petition if she wanted to use any other name besides what is shown on the marriage certificate. Can anyone help me out here? Thank you, -Squonk

My fiancee, her 8 yr old son, and I went down to the SSA on August 1st. She had no problem in submitting her SS application. However, her son's application was denied because they needed additional information from USCIS regarding his age. They stated that the Chinese birth certificate was unacceptable because it was notarized. They also stated that his passport along with his active I-94 was unacceptable. The SSA was not clear about what information they needed, but they stated that the USCIS would know. I contacted the USCIS and they were clueless. Can anyone offer any suggestions? Thank you, -Squonk

Before this process, I thought I was a pretty sharp guy. But all these forms and instructions have got my head spinning. For those Spongebob fans, I feel like Patrick touching the orb of confusion (and he was not even touching it). The P4 K1/K2 applicant letter states to bring two copies of the DS-156 and two copies of the DS-157. Does 2 copies = 1 copy in English + 1 copy in Chinese? or Does it mean 2 copies in English + 2 copies in Chinese? OK, telegraphic code?? Where does one get this? My fiancee's 8 yr old son will be interviewing with her. Does a seperate DS-156, DS-156K, and GIV-24 have to filled for him?

Does anyone know what version of Adobe Acrobat you need to fill out the downloadable I-134 form (Rev 02/28/07)? I have version 5.0, but I can not get all the information into the text boxes on the form. Version 5.0 will not let me resize the text box nor will it let me resize the text. Thank you, -Squonk

Thanks, I feel a hell of a lot better now. Good thing is I am a month behind you, so maybe something will be revealed to me in this upcoming week and will make my pursuit of the answer just another of those things in life that one time had meaning.

Well, I called DHL and they stated that shipment 9347766702 cleared customs and was signed for on 3/17/08. I called DOS on 4/4/08 and they told me that GUZ still does not have the case yet. So, where or where can it be??? -Squonk

My case was loaded into the DOS/GUZ computer system on 1/16/2008. I have recently called the DOS a few times to check status. The DOS told me that my case is still with Chinese Customs. What exactly does this mean? I have sent several letters and packages to my fiancee and her family. Depending how I send the items, they get there between 10 and 21 days. I assume that these items have to clear customs too. Why does personal correspondence clear so much faster than the immigration paperwork? I thought that the immigration paperwork would be considered official US business and would bypass the customs procedures in any foreign country. Thank you, -Sqounk