amerchin

I just don't get it! Texas is processing I-751 applications that were filed in January 17, 2008 (this year) and Vermont is processing applications from September 23, 2007 (last year). Since Texas is now four months ahead in processing why is it that Vermont is where they're sending applications to from Texas????????? I guess I'll never figure them out!

Congrats on your marriage! It took about 2 to 3 weeks for my wife to receive the SS card. So... your call as to do it or not and maybe go there again. Remember after the AOS goes thru you will have to go back with the GC and remove the conditions printed on the SS card as well.

Congrats!

Yes its a leap but... Vermont and Nebraska still has to catch up. Here's the comparison of the other sites for the I-751: California - Processing: January 17, 2008 Nebraska - Processing: August 11, 2007 Texas - Processing: January 17, 2008 Vermont - Processing: September 23, 2007 If only Vermont was as the same pace as California and Texas, our application would be looked at now. I wonder if the people who were transferred from Texas to Vermont get to be transferred back since Texas is now faster than Vermont???

Congrats! Waiting for 10 year GC for half a year and wife is antsy already.

Congrats thru the next stage of waiting!

Ditto to what was said above. I had no problem at the Chinatown branch getting the SSN. Although it did take some time for them to check out the information at the back of the office. Every SS Office is different and it also depends on who is at the window. The offices near Chinatown should be more informed or have more experience on this matter. The window clerks still have to go to the back of the office to a desk person for them to check on the info they have on the computer. To save a little time, once you get to the SS office look for the machine that will give you a waiting number. Then wait for your number to come up via the screen. The number will also be flashing at the window that will serving you. It's also better to fill out the short form ahead of time. We brought her passport, marriage certificate (since she took my last name), Notarized and translated birth certificate. We were married 2 weeks after her arrival and went to the SS office the same week. I timed that so that she would have been rested and comfortable by then and that the SS office would have her listed in their computer. So enjoy yourselves first before running around doing this and that! I hope the both of you have discussed which last name she prefers. Some Chinese women will want to keep their own name. In NY you have three choices: 1) Keep her name as is 2) take your name or 3) Her name-your name. They will not allow for her to take her last name as a middle name and yours for a last name. It will have to be together with "-" in between. I suggest that you get married first and then go to the SS Office, banks, etc. unless you're rich or have a lot of time to take off from work. I would take as many days in a row and have it all done in one shot rather than to do everything twice and change her name. I hate standing or sitting around waiting to be served. Usually you would have wasted at least half a day in one office. Fill out the forms for AOS and send it to Vermont. If you're lucky your forms will be sent to California and no interview is required. If not then they will send you an interview date. It is the 10 year GC that an interview is usually not required. Once you receive her two year GC then go back to the SS Office to remove the restriction "Valid for work only with DHS Authorization". The next step is to bring the SS card (Original not copy), her passport, and GC to the DMV for a permit for a license or a state ID.

Congrats over another hurdle!

That is fast! If only the decision on the cases were just as fast. Good luck on your case.

This is just a question for anyone who wishes to answer what they would do if they were to be in this situation. Let's say that you have filed for the 10 year GC but haven't received it yet. You have approached the three years living here in the states. Would you wait until you have received the GC first or file for citizenship first and hope the GC will arrive soon?

Congrats! There's been a few postings on a visitor's visa on Candle. It all depends on how many family and financial ties they have in their country. If the US feels they might disappear in the US or overstay their visit, a visa will be denied. As for how long it will take who knows (don't forget about name check)? Those who have applied for the visas can comment more about timeline and price.

Congratulations! We went to the SSA to remove it and had them issue a new one. If a new employer ask to see it in to future you won't have to explain why you still have the restrictions across the top of the card. If you haven't already started building a folder to collect evidence of accounts and other things with both of your names on it, do so now. Make a list of what else you can open or add her name to. Then start throwing all that evidence in the folder in which you'll need to file for the I-751. When the time comes to file for the adjustment of status you won't have to start from scratch to search for the docs that you'll need. At that time all you'll have to do is list the all the evidence you threw in the folder that you're submitting and fill out the form.

Congrats to you all for getting the 10 year GC! Now I have hope in getting the 10 year GC for my wife sooner than what the USCIS VSC site is stating since they have the processing date of April 2007.

Bring your appointment letter and her passport. All the info is on the letter. Just follow the instructions on the notice. They will take her picture and fingerprints. Write down her parents names and info if you don't remember it. There's a short form to fill out when you enter the facilities. Name, address, phone number, height, eye and hair color, and parents names are what I remember.

Yes, it's normal and they will send the biometrics letter with another number different from the NOA that you received. Input that number and you will see your status. It won't really tell you much except that they received it and it's being process. They will contact you if they need anything else, etc. At that point it's another waiting period until they get to processing your application. You can look at everyone's timeline for this waiting period. You can go back to the USCIS site to see which applications they're processing at your center that they received from last year 2007. Good luck!

No Problem at all. It's even better if it's a joint checking account that has both you and your wife's name on it. More proof of joint ownership. That's what we did. If your bank has an online banking website you can start checking that site starting in two weeks after sending in the application to see if its been cashed. Then print the check front and back for future proof of payment if your bank provides that online service. The back of the cashed check should have a case number written that USCIS assign to your application. I couldn't read what they wrote on my check but other members here was able to read theirs. Good luck! Use the following guidelines when you prepare your check or money order for the Form I-751 and the biometric service fee: 1. The check or money order must be drawn on a bank or other financial institution located in the United States and must be payable in U.S. currency; and 2. Make the check or money order payable to U.S.Department of Homeland Security NOTE: Please spell out U.S. Department of Homeland Security; do not use the initials "USDHS" or "DHS."

After all that heartache and frustration, finally a complete turn around in emotions. Congrats to you both!

No photo is required! Copy the front and back of her soon to be expired green card. I also made a copy of her passport and driver license/ID. Two Photos are for the military and people not physically living in the United States at the present time.

I-129F - K1,2,3,4 California - 10/8/07 Nebraska - NA Texas - NA Vermont - 10/18/08 I-130 C - 8/19/07 N - NA T - NA V - 1/30/07 I-131 C - 9/14/07 N - 1/16/08 T - 1/16/08 V - 10/30/07 I-751 C - 8/18/07 N - 2/16/07 T - 6/30/07 V - 3/1/07 I-765 C - 1/29/08 N - 1/29/08 T - 1/29/08 V - 1/29/08 I checked the USCIS site really quick so there might or might not be any mistakes date wise. Vermont has gotten back to the same march 1st after going backwards to February last month. I still don't get why some Texas I-751 apps were sent to Vermont when now Texas beats Vermont by 3 months. I guess we'll never figure them out!

I would agree to wait the 30 days before contacting them because they'll just ignore your plea for an infopass before that. I wouldn't doubt if there was a typo on the address by them in which case would be sent back for them to correct. Hang in there just a little bit longer!

Congratulations for another successful hurdle jump!

Congratulations to you! With what we pay in application fees over and over again all of us should have special and personal deliveries of the GCs.

I bought folders with the two holes on top. Punched holes on all docs to be placed in it. Tabs to indicate where each item is (passport copy, taxes, etc.). Big label on front of folder with her name, A number, and application type (I-485, I-751, etc.). There was a tab on the side of that folder which I labeled the same way. This way all of the evidence is inside the folder and nothing is loose that they can lose and send you a rfe for. This will be easier for them to go through your files.I duplicated this for my own records so that I know exactly what I did if they have any questions later. They way I look at it is that, yes this will take a lot more time to do. If you were the government worker and you see a folder neatly set up and easy to look for the evidence and one with just a stack of papers loose which one do you think they'll pick up to do first? The other thing I did was to put the application type in bold on the address label so that they can separate the application even before they open the envelope. I of course don't know how much waiting time that saves us but one less day in waiting is better than ???

Congrats on your no interview GC!

Congrats! It seems like they're being approved now in bunches.