riki37421

What a wonderful way to begin the Chinese New Year!! Congratulations to you and your wife, Carl. Eric

The thought of my wife driving (let alone in the snow) has caused me to wake up screaming in the night. Three visits to China where I was forced to let her drive was more than I could handle.. Fortunately, I've been able to convince her to wait till spring to get her license. Of course, not without me making other concessions such as buying her a new bedroom set.

Thanks, in retrospect, seemed like a dumb question. But wanted to make sure....

Congrats to the both of you, now the real fun begins.

Section II of the instructions details what you need to provide. Basically, letter from employer, copy of most recent Federal tax form (I sent the complete 1040 with all schedules), Letter from Bank, any investments you may have (I sent my most recent stock account statement). I don't think you need to send pay stubs. Good luck.

Hello all, I am in the process of finishing up my AOS packet and I understand I/we are required to complete G-325A, Biographic Information sheet. Are we required to complete all 4 pages, as we had done for our P-4? Or just one form? Thank you.

This is exactly what we are planning. I tried USPS, DHL, FEDEX, several smaller moving companies, SanteFe moving I mentioned above. All of the rates were simply outragerous. The most vialable way that we found was what you have found exactly, use China EMS. They are expensive , but can still be insured, have a good reliable track of sucessful delivery and not losing things. They are however, a bit slow. We sorted her clothing and assorted goods with this time frame in mind. What did she need right now opposed to what she would need later or would be "nice to have." If any other alternatives are found, please let us know. Best of luck 169836[/snapback] Actually we sent a few of her boxes about a month prior to her interview, it was a bit risky, but I felt comfortable we would pass, so the boxes were there when returned to US.

We used China Post (CP) for clothes, shoes, books, etc... I think we paid 1,200 RMB (approx $150? USD), I estimate she had about 100lbs of stuff at least, thats what my sore back tells me.. Only drawback is that it takes about 5-6 weeks for the boxes to arrive in the US. I suggest insuring the boxes, to date we shipped 8 boxes, and none have been lost, but just to be on the safe side, its a small price to pay.. Hope that helps.

Chinashawn: Seems like alot of people are having difficulties with SSA, my problems were a result of incompetancy at the SSA. I suggest you go back to SSA as soon as you can and inquire to what the delay is and how its being resolved. We were able to resolve our issues with a more competent SSA employee, however we ended up re-filing and my SO finally got her SS card 10 days later, all totaled took us about 5 weeks to get her SS card. Geesh!! Good luck

Understood. Thanks again.

I-693 won't be necessary. If you have health insurance, it will be cheaper to get the shots through your family doctor first, then just bring proof that they were administered when you go to the CS. (Our CS office stated they don't give the shots anyway, and I HAD to have them done elsewhere, and just bring in proof - but that varies from Dr. to Dr. either way, elsewhere will be much cheaper). The CS gets paid for just looking at the proof, putting some x's and signing a form, sealing it and handing it to you. What a world. 165151[/snapback] just to clarify, all I need to do is get the required shots, take the vaccine records to the CS and have them sign the supplelental vaccine form which will be submitted along with my I-485, correct? Thanks for your patience!!

My SO hasn't got any shots, so if she gets these from the CS, is the only form I need to submit with the I-485 or do I still need to have the I-693 signed too?

I'm a bit confused here, when you say "supplemental" you are referring to the vaccination report or the I-693. All of the Civil surgeons in the maryland area I've contacted are indicating that my SO needs a physical and the 3 vaccines. Most are quoting me around 350-400 for both...help me out here, thanks.

I feel all your pain. As a follow up to my earlier post, we ended up going back to SSA office only to learn someone with a "similar name" had applied for a SSN fairly recently too ( she wouldn't give me any specifics). So that was the cause of our delay. Yet, we received no letter or calls from DHS or SSA to inform us of this. When I said my SO's VISA and I-94 number were unique, so who cares if their names are similar, there shouldnt have been a delay, the female SSA employee just shrugged her shoulders...That seems to be a typical response lately. To make a long story short, she informed us the problem has now been resolved in the computer and she told us it would be about another 10 days to receive the SSN. Hope they get it right this time. Lol.

We've been waiting close to a month now for my SO's SSN card. After two weeks I called the SSa and they said they could not give me a specific date as to when it will arrive, mention something to the effect that they were waiting on clearance from DHS. Any one have similar problem? We plan to go back to the SSA office where we applied for the card, then office to get our marriage license.

This question came up as we were preparing to depart for US. Ultimately we decided to report only new item purchased prior to departing that were still in new boxes or wrappers. We didn't claim her old clothes, shoes, personals, etc. We had no difficulties.

Went to different SSA office today, no trouble filing for SS Card with just the passport and I-94. My faith has been temporarily restored in our Gov't bureacracy. Thanks guys.

You may want to print out the references Frank gives and take them with you. The SSA is as bad as he indicates-maybe worse. It took me 11 months to get my wifes SSN because someone screwed up, lost the application and then would not let me reapply because " It isn't lost, we just don't know where it is" It took my congressman and finding out that I used to coach with her boss to get it straightened out--and ultimately get her terminated. Good luck! 156410[/snapback] Thaks Trigg and Frank, plan on going armed to a different SSA office Monday with printouts of SSA policies from those links you posted. We shall not be denied! Regards, Eric

Thanks for the advice. Thats exactly what just happened to me and my SO, the woman working at the SSA informed us that without an EAD card or stamp, my SO was unable to apply for the SS card. When I questioned her and another employee there, she gave me some canned response that the computer drop down menu asked for second form of documentation, which was an EAD. However, when I informed her the K-1 acts as temporary EAD, she got a bit angry and gave me "I just told you that you need an EAD", then handed me some DHS phone numbers. Typical Government mentality, lazy, uninformed, and can't think outside of the box or use common sense.

I'd like to take my SO to the local SSA office nearby today and apply for her SSN, do I need a stamped EAD to do this. I looked at my SO's Passport and all she has is a I-94 stapled to inside of it. Would this along with her translated birth certificate suffice? Any prompt response would be appreciated. Eric

Dumb question, whats is an EAD and where would I find this stamp? Her passport? Guess i need to get educated on all the terms/acronyms now that my SO's in country...

If you have a Friday interview your passport/VISA will be ready for pickup on Monday at the Post. Provided there are no difficulties with your VISA...

I think very little time is spent looking at this particular form, In fact I lost the addresses to some of my family members on a piece of paper I brought along with me to china to fill out this form, and just put tdown their city and state. We had no difficulties. Good luck to you.

Congrats to both of you!! Eric

Congrats on your safe trip home. We leave tomorrow for USA and arrive in Chicago, hope to read your comments before we leave. Eric