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Yeah, they increased the fees last November, I filed my case right before that. Got lucky on that.

Yeah, the 8- digit number is your visa number.

Thanks Randy.

We sent back our further evidence for our RFE and got this email from USCIS today. What exactly is the national benefits center and why is my case there? Anyone have this experience? If so, what happened? Here's the text of the email: Application Type: I485 , APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS Current Status: Response to request for evidence received, and case processing has resumed. On May 6, 2008, we received your response to our request for evidence. We will notify you by mail when we make a decision or if we need something from you. If you move while this case is pending, call customer service. You should expect to receive a written decision or written update within 60 days of the date we received your response unless fingerprint processing or an interview are standard parts of case processing and have not yet been completed, in which case you can use our processing dates to estimate when this case will be done. This case is at our NATIONAL BENEFITS CENTER location. Follow the link below to check processing dates. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. Just follow the link below to register.

Thanks for the help everyone. LeeFisher3 The reason I used the I-864a is because my mom is elderly and lives with us in the same household so she qualifies as a household member. I know most people don't have this situation, but I think I'm using the correct form. Threadbare I'm mostly concerned about the time. The 87 days rule really scared us! We are fine with giving them whatever they want but it seems like we don't have the two things they are asking for. I'm also a little ticked off that it seems they didn't actually read either the I-864 or the I-864a that I filled out which explains the two issues. The I-864 included all the information I used to file taxes for 2007 minus W-2's because my chinese employer did not issue them. I noted this in my original submission but they must have missed it because they are asking me for W-2's. The I-864a is the same since my mom's income comes from an IRA and I filled out she was retired since 2002. Again, it seems like they didn't even read the form since they are asking for an employer letter. Our real concern now is that if we send them the same info again will they take the time to read it and understand the situation or just throw it back in the RFE file. Randy W Thanks, that is good advice. I will include monthly checks that my mom receives, maybe that will convince them of the source of her income. Right I meant 1040's not 1044's for my own returns for the last two years. I have original tax transcripts from the IRS for the last three years from my mom.

Just got a yellow letter in the mail from USCIS: I'm totally confused as to what they want from me: I submitted the I-864 for myself Including tax returns (1044's) for 2007, 2006, and a letter explaining why I didn't file in 2005 (I was working in China at the time). and the I-864a for my mother who lives with us in the same household. Including tax transcripts from the IRS for 2006, 2005, and 2004. (She hadn't filed 2007 when I sent the I-485) The letter says the office is unable to complete the I-485 without initial evidence. It says I need to submit all supporting tax documentation for the I-864: (w-2's, 1099's etc.) But since I was working in China I don't have W-2's. But I did submit 1044's with the I-864. It also says the household member failed to submit proof of current income. Well, my mom is retired but receives a pension and her annual income of many times the poverty line was submitted with her tax transcripts from the IRS for the last three years. The letter says I should provide proof in the form of a letter from her employer and current pay stubs. But due to the nature of her income, she doesn't have those. Now I am totally confused about what to re-send to the Department of Homeland Security. I have 87 days to submit the information, but I really have no idea what they want me to send. Does my mother need to be employed to count as a sponsor? Doesn't it matter that her income is many times the poverty level for the last 3 years? How should I explain that I don't have W-2's? I'm worried because the letter says failure to submit the evidence will result in a denial. Any advice?

Hi everyone. We are just about to mail out the AOS package. But, I thought I'd double check just a few things that were less than clear. 1. On the I-864, I'm supposed to check the first box in part one, right? It says: "This I-864 is from: I am the petitioner. I filed or am filing for the immigration of my relative." 2. What is the required number of passport photos for the whole package? I was figuring it was six. Two for the I-485, two for the EAD, two for the AP. Is that right? 3.What about notarizations this time around? I got the I-864 (mine) and the I-864a(household member) forms notarized. Does anything else require notarization? 4. And lastly, am I correct that there is no need to include the police clearance certificate that we got for the K-1 visa. It seems like we never even used that. Thanks for the help.

From page 3 of the I-864A. I, the sponsor, my name, in consideration of the household member's promise to support the following intending immigrant(s) and to be jointly and severally liable for any obligations I incur under the affidavit of support, promise to complete and file an affidavit of support on behalf of the following __________ (Indicate number) named intending immigrant(s). What do you think the blank means? What number? Underneath this statement there is a box where you write the name of the immigrant, DOB, A number, and SS number. Should I write "one" indicating that the household member is only supporting one immigrant or should I write the A number again in this box? Any thoughts?

Brian & Kathy For us, it was this step that was the most frustrating. NVC to P3. We watched people who filed near our date or later get their p3's earlier. It seemed like we were all alone, and our file was lost. People who have lived in China for a while know that there is a black hole called customs on their end. Things go in and percolate for a while and then pop out, but there is no guarantee of when this might happen. In our case we waited almost four months before we got word that GUZ had our physical file. All I can say is that you have to wait and there is no way to check up on where your file might be. It is very frustrating, but hopefully like us, you can look back and laugh on it one day. Just keep riding it out. Good luck

I'm about to file the AOS package, but I'm wondering if I shouldn't wait until I file taxes for 2007. I made significantly more money last year than the one before, but I also have a household member with a considerable income that will fill out the I-864A. Any thoughts?

Great news! I only hope to be so lucky.

What have people been doing for part 3: Intended date of departure and expected length of trip? We don't have any specific plans, should we make a guess or leave it blank? Also, I assume we don't need to provide a separate sheet for explanation of how we qualify for AP because we are filing the I-485 together. Is that right?

Great news Dave and Christine. As always, I am so jealous of you, but also happy for you. It seems like you guys are always so lucky with the process. Congrats and have a happy marriage!

I also see the note now about the EAD and the AP. I should read better before I ask questions. Sorry everyone.

Thanks Randy, I just saw a sample form that said write "K1 visa holder" under the USCIS status question. That sounds right doesn't it?

Ok, got married, got social security card, got state ID. Started assembling package for I-485. A few questions: 1. Is the fee really $1010 for only the I-485 form? Why does all my previous research on the FAQ's say that the fees are 300 and some dollars. Just want to make sure before I give away more money. The way I understand it now, it is $1010 plus the AP and EAD bringing the grand total to something around 1400 dollars. Am I right? 2. What should I put under current USCIS status (part 1 of the I-485)? Thanks in advance.

Essential! Lonely planet USA guidebook in Chinese. I guess you could get this from Amazon, but it really helps them understand new stuff in their own language. Iris got it for less than 100 kuai in Beijing. It makes for good reading and introduces them to where they are in the country and some of what they can expect. The downside is that it's a big bulky book.

Thanks everyone. We ended up finding an Indian doctor near us that didn't try to screw us. We paid 65 dollars for the doctor's appointment, which was the minimum fee and nothing for transcribing the information. Iris also needed a booster for chicken pox because her records were lost as a child, but I don't think that would apply to anyone else. The doctor was nice about it and didn't argue or haggle about anything. But, still, anyone know why an "international vaccination" book still needs to be transcribed? Isn't that the meaning of international that you can use it in different nations? Ok, I'm done complaining, on to the next step.

Hi. I know Michael just wrote about this in a previous post, but I'm having difficulty understanding. I called around to a lot of places and I'm getting prices like 110, 180, 225 for the I-693a vaccination supplement. Anyone have experience on this? I thought I could call and get a price, but did you guys have to go in to each place and haggle with them? I made it clear that we just needed the vaccinations transcribed but I don't know if they really understand. All these prices seem to be higher than anyone else paid. If anyone did this in Chicago, can you please share your experience? Thanks in advance.

Good question. I had the same one. Interestingly, there always seems to be a Dave just ahead of me in the process.

I've been reading about this supplement, but I still don't quite understand. So, the I-693 is in the brown sealed envelope or K1 doesn't need the I-693? What about the supplement? How does one go about getting that? My wife did her vaccinations and medical in Beijing and has the yellow book. Will she need to do anything else before filing for AOS?

Ha. Just don't tell the Mrs. you're going back for another one.

Calling all Illinois people of experience and wisdom: Is it possible to get the state ID and driver's license at the same time? Why do you need a state ID if you have a driver's license? So, the earliest you can get it is after getting the SSN#, right?

Just a tip. You will need a notarized birth certificate after you pass the interview and return to the states, so make sure you have some extras done to avoid a lot of trouble later.

In answer to your first question. I've heard other people say that 4 days before the interview is good. (Be sure to get advice of others though, because we had the medical exams done in Beijing before we went down to GUZ). We arrived the day before the interview. Don't worry about the hotels. Just contact Mr. Yang and he will sort it out. When we went he led us to another hotel across the park (she will see), that was cheaper and nicer. Just a five minute walk to the consulate. Good luck on the interview! She'll do fine.