AZwolfman

In most cases, I think we sweat the interview too much. This is natural. Basically it seems they want you to show that you are a couple in love and intend to get married and live together. We showed about a dozen pictures, 2 emails, some evidences that I had been to China such as plane tickets, hotel room bill, tickets from Great Wall, etc. Don't worry so much. You will be fine. If possible, take some pics with you and her whole family.

Actually, I think you have it covered. But she should be sure and bring her official birth certificate with her. She will need it later.

Now here is something that might be do-able - as one of a package of several attention-getting avenues. B)

Remember Kevin? He appeared as a spokesperson for our plight on an Aaron Brown CNN report. A few days later his sweetheart had her visa. How about Mick and Owen's visit to GZ consulate to talk to Richard Adams? Shortly afterward, visas were issued and 2 more pics were removed from the GZ dartboard. The Angry Texan went to GZ determined not to leave without some answers. His fiancee mysteriously received EMS and visa soon after his arrival. What about Markimwating, who was perhaps the most proactive CFL member ever? The visadelays.com was originally his brainchild. Soon after its inception - precluded by much letter writing, faxing, phoning, emailing to the gov't officials - Mark's fiancee received her visa and you never heard from him again. JonInDenver even went to his congressman and was able to get them to rattle some cages. Visa received. One more pic removed from the GZ dartboard. Eric? Visa received and still here because he wants to help, but how did he get to be such an authority on the BCIS? That's easy - Every single day his agenda was to get his fiancee home, and he querried so many officers for information, and did so much research on how to get his fiancee home, that he eventually came to be more informed than the officers themselves. Eventually visa received and one more pic removed from the GZ dartboard. I have mentioned only a few of the more proactive past members, but hopefully I have illustrated my feeling that you have to make getting that visa your number one priority. You need to contact someone - or institute part of a definite plan toward achieving this goal - each day. Most of the things you do, the people you contact, the faxes and emails you send will have absolutely no singular result. But all your actions together WILL. Make them know that you will not disappear until you have visa in hand. Make them want to give you the visa so you will go away. I suspect that after a while, every time someone got a letter from Eric, they would say, "Oh no, not Eric again. Won't someone please give him his D!@# visa so he will go away and leave us alone!"' He made his problem THEIR problem. Media attention is only one avenue you should explore. If you can get it, fine; if you can't get it, don't stop the pressure in other ways. Lawsuit? I am against that. I think the time, effort, and money would be better spent making yourself and your plight known to each official.

Actually, I'm wondering if that was just a myth

that is correct

"passport" pic. You can find the size specs in the I-485 or I-765 instructions.

Yes, I capitalized the 'IF's' so ChinaDave would be sure and notice them.

We were able to receive our certified copy of the marriage certificate a week after the wedding (the chapel recorded it the day after the wedding, and I ordered the certified copy online). Then we filed our I-485 (AOS) and I-765 (EAD application) simultaneously at the local INS office. They told us to return with ID and receipt a week later and she would receive her work card. Then we can go to the SS office and get SSN the same day. So, IF you have everything ready and IF nothing goes wrong and IF you file in person at your local INS office, and IF it has the same timeline as our local INS office in LV, then Sarah should be able to work 2 to 3 weeks after the wedding.

Yes, we went to one of the doctors in our zip code. $75 for filling out the form, blood and TB test, and another $60 to the county health clinic for 2 vaccinations.

We filed our I-485 in person at the local INS yesterday. Only the wife's G-325 was required. But we also filed the I-765 at the same time. Therefore they did require 4 photos (and I did ask specifically if all 4 photos were necessary) one set for the 485 and one set for the 765.

$75 to fill out form and give blood test and TB test, and then Dr. sent us to county health clinic where they charged $60 to give 2 vaccinations. ($135 total) Then we return 2 days later to see results of blood test and TB test and pick up completed I-693 supplement form (one copy for us and one copy in sealed envelope for BCIS).

The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Yes, I agree. You new folks should read the old posts when you have the time - especially posts from the time period of December 2002 when the process was at a standstill, through March when we began to see the results of our combined pressure. B)

keep the faith. the process is (although slowly) moving again.

congratulations, Nicole! another "hold" released.

I read this also. How typically confusing of the BCIS. We will be presenting our 485 package in person at the local office tomorrow. I will have checkbook handy just in case the fingerprint fee is required at that time.

In the past, she had been one of the nice helpful people at DOS. . . I heard that she had been reassigned after being "too helpful" to us. . . don't know if that is true.

It would seem the application of policy is different in different Social Security Offices. Here we got married, went to the office, they refused to issue a card because Li had yet to be entered into the computer system by BCIS. They still refuse to issue the card until that happens. definitely different policies in different SSN offices. We got married, went to SS office and was told cannot get SSN without filing for EAD with local BCIS office. My suspicion is that there is a varying degree of ignorance among the various SS offices and officers. Maybe it would help to take the 'memo' to the SS office.

Very confusing indeed! My understanding is, no, after you are married you cannot get the temp. You need to file the I-765 EAD. But there seems to be conflicting info even on this. Stay tuned, as I will be filing the I-485 and I-765 on Monday at my local BCIS office. I will let you all know what happens.

In my case, it is just a matter of a 20-minute drive across town. But I have to line up outside, and at 7:30 AM an officer hands out a limited number of tickets. You have to have a ticket to go inside. There is a phone number written on the outside door of the building, which used to be answered by a real person. But now it just leads to the phone computer prompts.

Much has changed since the "old days" of the mid 90's when interNIC was the only show in town and charged $70 biannually for each domain name. I have used GoDaddy to register my domain names for the last 3 years. The price is just $8.95/year, they are quick, and it is very easy to make changes in your DNS if you should ever decide to change your host. Web hosting price does not include the domain name. Domain name is something you choose and register with a domain registar company such as GoDaddy. There is one registar I would definitely stay away from: Network Solutions, aka NetSol, a Veri Sign company. They are expensive, elusive, shady, and difficult to make changes or discontinue. If you have any specific technical questions in re setting up your website, PM me.

You are correct Tom. We have the visa and are in the States. What we are dealing with now is headaches related to AOS and EAD. Right you are! Headaches with EAD, SSN, and AOS! This is what you have to look forward to after your fiancee is here. But the bright side is that you will be together as you work through stage two of the BCIS nightmare.

Most likely, the lawyer will just be put on hold or told 'case still pending'

BE CAREFUL!! I have heard of such scams, both on this forum and in the news media. Check out thoroughly before you act.

Cangratulations, T. Could this be an indication that the 'on hold' cases are finally about to be released?