beijingjj

Thanks everyone. I heard that as of a week ago it was still the old 10 question system.

Can anyone relay their experience with the naturalization interview, the final one before being sworn in as a naturalized US Citizen? Is preparing for it as simple as memorizing the 100 questions, or have they implemented the new, more comprehensive, test yet? Thanks.

First of all I think that once the SO is legally here, that's the biggest hurdle already jumped. Having said that, we've been particularly lucky. We filed the I-485 at the end of April, 2005. Fingerprint date was early July. AOS interview just happened a few days ago 8/05! Less than 4 months total! Our interview was at the Buffalo, NY office and I think they are much less busy than some of the other cities. There were only a few other people waiting there. The interview was very smooth, she only asked how we met and looked at some photos. Now that we have the temporary stamp in her passport we're off to DMV for her learner's permit!

We got our first AOS interview date Aug. 3 which is less than 4 months after filing! (I know it's unfair). We're both going overseas for my job in Sept. so this is excellent timing. My wife's English everyone would say is "good" and she follows normal conversations, but we're concerned about what sorts of questions the interviewer will ask and if she will understand. I remember reading somewhere (probably here) that I am not allowed to help translate, is that true? Are the questions in this interview purely to verify that we have a legitimate relationship, or will there be some complicated questions asking things like has she ever been a member of the Nazi party between 1939 and 1945 (or whatever)? For example, if that very question were asked, she wouldn't know what "Nazi" means, and probably would not know that "party" in this case means political party. Certainly talking about our relationship: how we met, where we've traveled, where we got married, etc. is all no problem for her. In the event that we do decide to have a translator on standby, does anyone know of any in the Buffalo, NY area who regularly do this sort of thing? Thanks, JJ

better check on visa requirements for Bahamas as well. We were going to go once but the visa application process (from China) would have taken 8 weeks with no gaurantee.

My wife's K-1 runs out in July but it looks like the I-485 will definitely not be approved by then. How can she legally stay here after the K-1 runs out? Thanks, BeijingJJ

Just did it yesterday. I'm sorry to say I don't remember which three but I believe the guy was saying it depends on your age as well. One thing to note though: he told us afterwards that most insurance companies will not pay for immigration physicals/innoculations, however some people get them first with their regular doctor as regular work, charge that to the insurance company, and then take the results to the civil surgeon. Could have saved some money that way and had a trusted doctor stick the needle in.

Well, I finally got my receipt for the I-485, exactly one month after sending it in. But now I have a new cause for concern. The notice, dated May 24, says that the next step is to get fingerprints done. HOWEVER, the online status says nothing about May 24 but instead says that on May 27 a request was sent for additional evidence or information. Now,have they just screwed up the dates on the web site and the request for additional evidence or information is the notice saying we need to do fingerprints, or is there an additional letter on the way... Oh well, time will tell, but just curious how other peoples' online statuses read. BeijingJJ

OK thanks, that sets my mind at ease a bit. One of my colleagues was theorizing that the reason everyone (just about) has to send their applications to Chicago is because they probably have a company who collects the money for them and sends the applications on to the appropriate regional centers. If that's true then the first step would be the check cashing. However, it's only been 2.5 weeks so far so I won't have a cow just yet. BJJJ

I overnight express mailed our I-485, et al just over two weeks ago. I verified the next day that it had arrived in Chicago, but now, over two weeks later, they still have not cashed the check which accompanied the documents. That's worrying to me. Does anyone remember how long it took for their checks to be cashed? At what point do I resubmit or follow up? BeijingJJ

After I send in the I-485 is an interview required before she can receive her temporary green card, or does she automatically get something in the mail first? What does this interview consist of, and am I allowed to be there? Do the vaccinations for the vaccination supplement have to be done by a civil surgeon or can our family doctor do them? I can't seem to find any official information on this.

Thought I would add my Virginia experience My fiancee got her Learner's permit before she even had her K-1 visa, let alone resident status. She was here on a tourist visa. We were able to do this because all they require besides a passport is an approved I-797 and proof of residence. Her name was on my apartment lease as a cohabitant. That was all it took. If you dig into the VA DMV web site you can find all the requirements. Make sure you take originals of everything. I took copies the first time and had to make a second trip.

After reading visajourney.com I am still a little confused and concerned. From the USCIS charts it looks like they are now processing I-485 applications from one year ago. My soon-to-be wife's K-1 visa is good for 90 days (or maybe it was 180). We'll be submitting her I-485 next week. If it take USCIS one year to reply to this application, how can she legally stay here in the interim? Do K-1s fall into a different (faster) category? Also, we are most likely moving in less than 4 months. Should I use my parents' address as a more permanent one? Thanks again, BeijingJJ

Again , pardon my ignorance, but: 1. Which three AOS forms? Is I-485 one of three? 2. What is EAD and AP? 3. Can she apply for SSN before we've married? and finally, 4. Is this part of the process outlined anywhere? Thanks again! BeijingJJ

Do we need to separately apply for a SSN or is that automatic?