jdogg

As always, thanks for your advice. I will let the in-laws know to ask for a translator if needed and have the return ticket/information handy.

We brought tickets for my in-laws who have their B-2 visa and are coming over for a 4-month visit this summer. Their POE is San Francisco. Anyone with any recent experience on how long of a stay does SF POE usually grant? How to ensure the in-laws get at least 6 months? Since the in-laws don't speak a lick of English, any suggestion or advice on ensuring a smooth POE experience would be appreciated. Thanks, jdogg

Both in-laws got their B-2s yesterday. They said it was very easy for them. The VO asked only 3 questions while spend most of the time typing away on his PC. The 3 questions are: 1) are you still working? 2) what's your retirement income (to my Mother-in-law) and 3) show me your property ownership document. The VO didn't ask for ANY of the materials we prepared (i.e. invitation letter, finanical documents, photos, etc.). In fact, the only thing he asked to see is the property ownership document. He didn't even ask to see any proof for the other 2 questions he had asked. The in-laws joked to me that the VO seemed in a hurry to go to lunch So, if anything, try to schedule an interview before lunch ( Anyway, the in-laws said it was a good expereience. And more importantly, the wife is very happy. {edit} fixed quote tags

The State Department came out with an new application replacing DS-156 and DS-157. The new application is DS-160 and it needs to be completed online. And I believe they are no longer accepting DS-156 and DS-157 after 3/1/2010. I did DS-160 for my in-laws last week. HORRIBLE experience. Just remember to save every single page before moving on to the next page. The system will timeout randomly (even though it says it will wait 20 minutes before timing you out) and if you did not save, you get to start over again.

We live in MinnSNOWta, so we filed with California.

Hi, We had filed for the 10-year card on 11/21/09 and was told yesterday that it's ordered into production. About 60 days. I have been very careful setting the wife's expectation and had told her it would take 1 year. Now, the wife is very happy and I look like the hero :-) Good luck to all who are still waiting! John

Hi, We are bringing my wife's parents to America for a visit. It will be an extend visit in the range of 3-6 months. Although they are both in relative good health, I am reluctant to have them here without some form of health coverage. Anyone has some insight and/or personal experience in dealing with this? Thanks in advance for your input.

Hi all, We are planning on having the in-laws (both of them) over for a visit during the summer months. Would appreciate it if someone could point me in the right direction/resouces on how to bring the in-laws over for a 3-month visit. Happy New Year!

Anyone know how would the IRS determine whether you are a non-resident alien or not? My wife and I both have a SSN and filed jointly, but she didn't get her GC until Feb of 08. So, does it then exclude both of you, and you have to wait until 2008 tax season to claim credit on you 2008 taxes? Or will you individually get the $600, and then be able to claim $600 credit for you 2008 taxes filed next year.

right on, LeeFisher Thanks for everyone's well wishes and past help. Could not have done it without this forum. You guys are the best!!

Well, it took 14 months, but the wife finally get her 2 year GC in the mail yesterday. Verified the name is spelled correctly. She is also very happy that we saved some $$s on EAD and AP. Good timing too since I am planning a trip to Seattle, now we can go to Vancover B.C. for some good chinese food. Our case was transferred to CSC during 1/07, biometrics during 2/07, heard nothing until last Tuesday when USCIS indicated they had sent the welcome letter, got the card in one week (with no notice about card production). In fact, she got both the welcome letter and the card on the same date. Before we relax and enjoy our brief USCIS-free life until we file for removal of condition, is there anything that we should be doing now to prepare for the condition removal filing? Good luck to all who are still waiting. It may take longer than what is reasonable, but it's still worth it.

Got this in the email today. I think I am getting close after more than a year since we filed. Still have questions though - the verbiage seems to indicate there are other steps (ADIT processing, etc.) that need to be taken. Is that true or is it generic language USCIS uses to cover all situations. What I am getting at is this- Should I celebrate with the wife now (what perfect timing, valentine's day) or is it still premature? Application Type: I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS Current Status: Notice mailed welcoming the new permanent resident. On February 12, 2008, we mailed you a notice that we had registered this customer's new permanent resident status. Please follow any instructions on the notice. Your new permanent resident card should be mailed within 60 days following this registration or after you complete any ADIT processing referred to in the welcome notice, whichever is later. If you move before you get your new card call customer service. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. Just follow the link below to register. Thanks,

This link is not working. Any other ones? never mind, he found it

Thanks Stats. I am going to make a infopass appointment to see if I can get somewhere. It will be tough since I have not waited as long as some others on the forum.

It has been a year since my wife's I485 was transfered to CSC. I called last week to check on the status and received the following email yesterday: The processing of your case has been delayed. A check of our records establishes that your case is not yet ready for decision, as the required investigation into your background remains open. Until the background investigation is completed, we cannot move forward on your case. These background checks are required to be completed on all applicants who apply for the immigration benefit you are seeking. We will make every effort to make a decision on this case as soon as the background checks are complete. If you do not receive a decision or other notice of action from us within 6 months of this letter, please contact us by calling our customer service number provided below. What does delayed mean? Is USCIS still working the case or just blowing her off? Is she officially in name check hell? Will an appointment or anything speed things up? Thanks

I was in your shoes this time last year, but I have not heard anything since then. Good luck to you, it could go very quick or it may be the start of a long wait.

Depends, my wife has been stuck on this for close to a year now. Good luck to you.

My wife sent in the I-485 to the Chicago lock box in Jan of 07. She completed her bio-metrics in Feb and the case was transfered to CSC in late Feb. Since the case has been transfered, we have not heard anything from USCIS. I've noticed on this forum that most members are getting their GC in about 6 months. So I scheduled a info pass and was told that she is in name check. Should I be concerned? Am I in name check hell? What can I do to speed things up? Thanks in advance for your input.

No, just AOS. Do you think there is a connection between applying for EAD and AP and the timing for AOS?

My wife received the "we are transfering your case to CA" letter and had her ASO biometrics apointment in early Feb. of this year. Now, it has been over 4 months with no other touches, (no interview, Request for Info., etc). Any advice on what could be going on? How can she "speed" this thing up? Thanks and good luck to all.

Hi, Hope all is well!! I plan to take my wife on a Cruise to Mexico in mid-March and wondering if anyone has some thoughts on what she would need to go to Mexico and re-enter the U.S. She is currently applying for AOS. In fact, her Biometics is next week. However, she did not apply for AP. So I am thinking at the minimum, she needs to apply for AP and maybe even a Mexican Visa. Any thoughts? How long does AP application take to process? How about a Mexican Visa? Thanks,

Hi all, I am filing EAD with the AOS application. I am wondering other than the 1-page I-765 form and the $180 (ouch!) check, what else do I need to include with the EAD portion of the application? Specifically, 1. Do I need to include 2 more passport style photos, in addition to the 2 included for I-485? 2. Do I need to include another copy of the Form I-94 with I-765? Thanks, John

In the AOS form I-485, they ask for the non-immigrant Visa number. I am looking at my wife's k-1 Visa, there are 2 numbers that look like Visa numbers and I don't know which one to use. - One is called Control Number with a total of 14 digits (looks like a mixture of digits and letters) - The other one is in red located towards the bottom right of the Visa and consists of 8 digits (no letters) Can anyone tell me which one is the Visa number? Thanks!

In Minnesota, even the Department of Health charges $50 to transcribe the information from the yellow book to the vacc. supplemental form AND they only do it once a week for 2 hours. Not very convenient. Settled on a CS who can do it on Saturday for $75, basically to transcribe the information and listen to her heart and lungs. Other CS wanted anywhere between $110 to $260 for a physical that we don't need. Not falling for it

My SO, now wife, had her vaccination done in China (we have the yellow book), does anyone have any experiences dealing with Civil Surgeons in this situation? How can we get the Civil Surgeon to complete the Vacc. Supplemental form without getting shots again. Thanks!