Randy W

This rebate is dependent only on getting a Social Security number. K-1's, and CR-1/2's are eligible (for an SS card) as soon as their information is in the computer. K-2/3/4 are eligible when they get an EAD card (normally within 90 days)

What the heck? It's worth reading again! I think it's the first time we've heard that it was due to an effort to keep illegal immigrants from getting rebates. The IRS has also talked about a tax credit worksheet for next year that might help.

As what should be?

Pink is good, white is a denial. Yes, the key is exactly what is on the blue slips.

Exactly why I wouldn't put a whole lot of effort into adding her to the bill. If they let you do it, fine. Otherwise, don't worry about it. But it is on several lists of relationship evidence, but usually for AOS in the states.

. . uh, no. I think it must be the financial issue, unless they are claiming "not a bona-fide relationship". But a guarantor? Maybe they're asking for testimonials. What do the blue-slips say? Do you mean the third time for the same application? They must be this side of a white slip by now. A lawyer here won't be able to do anything until the case is returned to the states and a NOID (notice of intent to deny) issued

lol....not all at the same time of course! All I know is that this is a good cause for celebration. btw........Do any of you have an idea on whether or not he will be able to bring his laptop with him when he makes the trip? He's taking his passport to the embassy tomorrow. Have him check the power supply to see if it allows 110-220 volt input, switchable or automatic.

Oops - But I believe a similar 10 year rule applies there as well

Another subject here, but - This seems to say that your ex would have to be eligible on her own (by having been married to you for 10 years - correct?) in order to draw benefits How Divorce may effect your Public benefits

There IS an EMS label you can print here in the US or China: http://www.usps.com/international/expressm...ternational.htm It is called Express Mail International in the US and available in many countries.

If I understand correctly, the accrual does not need to take place during the marriage. Nor does it require a ten year wait. The 'new, and presumably, sweet little wife' need only be married to the old geezer, I mean, primary wage earner, for one year. That was the reason for the carefully worded question I submitted about spouses. Look carefully at the portion of reply that I chose to post: "Generally, a spouse must be married to the worker for one year (or nine months if a widow or widower) before he or she can get benefits on the primary wage earner¡¯s record. " Granted, it says 'Generally.' Nor was I questioning the I-864. I am discussing spouses, NOT run-aways, not widows, not widowers and not divorced people. None of them are spouses and they all have their own circumstances and consequently, their own rules. Two different subjects here - my comment was about the accrual of the spouse's own SS credits - yours was about the eligibility of the spouse for benefits on the primary wage earner¡¯s record. If she's working, then yes she accrues SS credits whether she's married or not. If she's NOT working, she can still accrue credits if her husband is working. The 10 year period affects whether she can draw benefits on her own and your liability under the I-864. I that if you're still married, that the only way she can draw benefits on your account is if your are drawing benefits yourself.

Charlie is a fictional Chinese guy played by a white guy. Full of stereotypes. Earl Derr Biggers actually created the character based in part on an actual Hawaiian policeman. Full of stereotypes for sure. And it didn't stop with Asians. Remember his sidekick Birmingham Brown? Funny as hell, but probably wouldn't pass the PC smell test today. I did use to love watching those old Chan movies along with Basil Rathbone's Sherlock Holmes on Sunday afternoons when I was a kid. Don't forget Shirley Temple. And Mickey Rooney as Andy Hardy. Tarzan too. and his mate

In order to be covered by SS or Medicare, one must "earn enough Social Security credits to be insured for benefits (i.e., 40 credits or 10 years of work in employment covered by Social Security)". Any credits that her husband accrues during their marriage are accrued by her, also (to a maximum of 4 credits every year). So after 10 years of marriage, as long as you've earned enough for 4 SS credits every year, you're off the hook for the I-864, and she is eligible for welfare/medicare, etc. Without ever having worked. The survivor's benefits are another story that others have already commented on.

No problem - go ahead and apply http://www.justice.gov/olc/meanstst10.htm

Yes -go for the 10 year card by delaying the application. I'd give it a couple of months after they arrive to be on the safe side. Even so, you can apply for EAD before you send in the AOS application to be safe there, as well. Remember that they will not be eligible for an SS card until one of the two is received, and the green card can take up to 2 or 3 years.

Are you saying they're asking for your marriage certificate with the notary seal?

There is only a 90 day window for this to happen. Unfortunately, there is no way around the two fees in this case. One more way the USCIS rewards themselves for inefficiency.

The applications MUST be filed within 90 days of the expiration date of EACH green card. As long as the expiration dates are close enough that he can do that, yes - he can put the daughter on the mother's application and pay only one fee.

No - you are verifying David's suggestion. They are both already at GUZ - GUZ will make it a CR1 (provided it is within a reasonable time frame as defined by them), unless you e-mail them to specify otherwise. The I-824 is a USCIS form, and has no effect in GUZ. It tells the USCIS to go ahead and forward the I-130 to GUZ, but your I-130 is already there.

It was third on the Alta Vista list for "Charlie Chan proverbs" - one more reason I prefer Alta Vista to Google.

http://charliechanfamily.tripod.com/id6.html "Accidents can happen, if planned that way"

The I-130 can be passed along for a GUZ interview even if the K-3 is filed, but you must file the I-824 Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition and pay a $340 fee. DavidZixuan has suggested that you may be able to simply wait until the I-130 has already been forwarded to GUZ, and then file the I-129F. You would lose a little (or all) of the time advantage in doing this, however. I don't know that we've seen anyone actually try this. Whether to file the I-129F after the I-130 is a personal choice. Your mileage may vary.

pending = wait

The written test can be taken with an interpreter that you supply. For the driving test, no interpreter is allowed, but pointing is all that is needed. I have copies of 4 pages from the Chinese phone book - practice tests. The older (2005) Washington state handbook comes in both English and Chinese - they line up page-by-page, whereas the new one doesn't line up so well. Texas doesn't have one in Chinese. If you want any of these, send me a PM with your email address.

Yes - all K-1's are "work authorized" until the I-94 expires. The stamp doesn't provide anything that the I-94 doesn't already provide, except in the eyes of an overly-cautious employer