WHAT HAPPENS AFTER K-1?

After that pretty STRESSFUL K-1 process, we have closed the distance and finally together. Our son was happy to be with his papa again. IT WAS ALL WORTH IT. No more goodbyes. No more shedding tears for me at the airport every time.

As we all know, we only have 90 days to see if this relationship will really work out and ready to step forward to the next level, MARRIAGE. Or else, I will go back to Philippines and all those months of work to get the visa will all go to waste. Future plans will be shattered, and hearts will be broken. :'( Geez, so much drama. LOL. Glad, We survived it.

I did not have much relatives close by, so as he. We just went to Reno with our boy, and two other people as witnesses. Looked online on where to get a marriage license, I was surprised there was plenty of them there, even if it was already late at night. In the office, they asked for our IDs, I showed our passports, his driver license, our birth certificates and I also brought my I-94. We got married the next day, and that's it. WE'RE MARRIED, I'm MRS now. So, that was 44 days after my arrival.

In some states or county, if you apply for SSN, they will ask for your green card. Luckily, in the county where we were, they issued SSN before green card, as long as your I-94 has not yet expired. Aside from I-94, I also showed them my passport/visa, NOA1 and NOA2 from K-1 process, and marriage certificate so I can use my married last name. And we got our SSN after two weeks. Next...

The Adjustment Of Status (AOS) Process

In other terms, I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence. It was somehow less stressful than Fiancé visa application process, but took longer to process. Some asks when should they file for AOS. Well, as soon as your visa expires, or else, you'll be out-of-status. As usual, I prepared my cover letter, here's a sample:

Unlike other applicants, my cover letter is a little different, I did not apply for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) nor Advance Parole (AP or Form I-512). Some prefer to apply for EAD/AP together with the AOS application since it has no fees. And if you're planning to either work or travel before your green card arrives, these documents would help and they're free when applied together with this application. Luckily, I did not need to do either before I obtain my green card.

Our AOS Timeline

Application sent --- September 10, 2016 They received it September 13, 2016

Biometrics Schedule --- October 14, 2016 My biometrics experience was quick. Not much applicant inside, maybe just about three. How long it takes to get it done depends on your location. Mine maybe just about ten minutes or less.

Ready to be Scheduled for an Interview --- October 24, 2016 I checked my status online a week after, and it changed ten days after my biometrics. You can check your status here at the USCIS Case Status Online.

Notice to Appear for Initial Interview --- March 16, 2017 Received a letter from DHS-USCIS for the schedule of my interview. In the letter, they state that if your eligibility is based on marriage, spouse must come to the interview. There's also a checklist in the letter that tells you what items or additional papers to bring. What I prepared to bring are the following: 1. Interview Notice and government issued photo-id 2. Birth certificates (mine, my husband's and our kid's BC) 3. Petitioner's US citizenship evidence e.g. Driver License 4. Our marriage certificate and Petitioner's divorce decree/s for each previous marriages 5. Evidence of relationship: tax returns, rental agreement, insurance documents, some pictures.

Interview Schedule --- April 25, 2017 My interview took place in Sacramento, CA. We just spent about half hour inside. In addition to all the documents I prepared, we also brought with us our son and my eight-month baby bump. :P LOL, can't leave our son and my belly alone in the house, no way! Okay! So, the interview itself lasted for fifteen minutes (or less.) The consul took the original copy of my St. Lukes Medical Documentation. He asked my husband when is my date of birth. Then, asked us how did we meet. That's it. He told us that we're approved and my green card will arrive within two weeks from interview. Thanked him and we left. ;)

Approval Notice --- April 26, 2017 I got a letter from NBC-USCIS to notify me that my application for permanent residence has been approved.

Two-Year Permanent Resident Card Received --- May 3, 2017

So, I got my card. Yay!!! Just about a week after the interview. I am now a legal resident of my husband's country. Cheers!

'Til the next paperwork, that'd be within 90 days before my two-year green card expires. See ya! Hear ya! Read ya! <3

---xx---

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT A LEGAL ADVICE. This article and other visa related posts in this site are all based on our personal experience. And does not guarantee visa application approval. Proud Palaweña is not responsible for a declined application.