Russian K-1 timing and process

[catzenmouse]

Congrats on the quick SSN! Amazing how it is so easy for one person and a true nightmare for another. Hope all is going well for the family!

Ken

[Turboguy]

You may already know this but make sure Evia's name is on your mailbox or they may not deliver it.

[Goombah]

Just a quick status update:  Things have been going well.  We have been busy at Eye Doctors, general doctors (for cold and cough), shopping, etc.  So far they have eaten 10 lbs of oranges and a dozen or so grapefruits!  School supplies for Nastya set me back $110 - I had NO idea they needed so many things these days.  They have been sleeping a lot, like 10+ hours a day, but that is fine.

We went roller skating yesterday for several hours.  Evia fell once, hard, and bruised both her palm pads (never seen anyone with black & blue palms before).

So far, shopping trips have been quite modest - each bought a pair of jeans and a few tops, and I insisted each get a good pair of walking shoes (New Balance).

House is a mess, but we are starting to clean it up today.  Need to go visit my divorce lawyer this afternoon for some followup papers, and Evia is going to join me.

Our weather has been unseasonably good, with highs near 60 yesterday.  Today it is cloudy and Evia asked where the Sun was.  I told her it was winter and she exclaimed "Oh yeah, I forgot!"  (this is not like Omsk in December!).

Cheers,

Kevin

[catzenmouse]

Hey Kevin,

 Glad it has been going well for you all! Keep us in the loop on how things are going.

Ken

[Goombah]

FYI - Evia got her State ID in the mail yesterday.  The license office told us it would take about 2 months due to INS checks.  It actually took about 2 weeks.  She is unclear about what to use it for - so I simply explained it is functionally equivalent to her internal passport in Russia.  That seemed to suffice.

Everything remains well on track, although she is growing increasingly nervous about her English skill and frustrated when she finds herself just nodding instead of responding to questions.

Kevin

[Goombah]

Update:

Evia received her SSN card a week or so ago.  I was overjoyed, she was like "ok?  so?".

3 weeks from now I'll be a married man again!  (Wedding is on the 23rd).

Questions:

What are the next paperwork steps?  Do I need to fill out a I-485 for both her and Nastya?  Should I e-file their I-131's?  What problems should I expect with either?  Does the I-484 go back to Nebraska?

Just starting to think of the next steps, and seeing if I might not be able to get them started the day after the wedding...

Kevin

[Voyageur]

Kevin:  Yes, you need to file two I-485 forms, two (Advanced Parole) I-131 forms. Check out the Visa Journey webiste, but be careful to only use the latest forms - these are not the fillable forms on the Visa Journey website, at least for the I-485 form..

You can file all of these applications at once, but remember, these are three different types of applications that each require it's stand-alone "booklet" of information. The address to send these forms to, for everyone, is to Chicago.

I recommend that you go to the USCIS website to ensure that you have the latest forms and fees. It will set you back about $ 1,000 USD (or so) if you want work authorization, advanced parole and adjustment of status for your wife and stepdaughter.

FWIW, this step is easier in the data and forms than the K1-K2 Visa, IMHO.

We just got notice for my wife's Green Card in the mail.. she got this without any interview. I sent the package in the second week of October 2005, as an example of out timelines.  Relax and enjoy your wedding!

[Vaughn]

Just starting to think of the next steps, and seeing if I might not be able to get them started the day after the wedding...

Kevin, here's something you might want to do before the wedding: if you haven't already applied for your marriage license, be sure to pay for two original marriage certificates - as you'll be submitting one with your AOS application, and having only one will leave you with none - saving you a trip to the County Courthouse later.

Another glitch that some applicants overlook - when submitting the Affidavit of Support, Nastya will piggyback with Evia on the form I-864 - but two of those, identical in every way - must be submitted, and each must be notarized separately; that is, do not get one notarized and simply make a copy of it. One of each, with raised seal notarizations, will become a part of Evia's and Nastya's separate files.

Most of all, savor your last few weeks of bachelorhood, and as Voyageur suggests, relax and enjoy your approaching day!

Vaughn

 

[Goombah]

Thanks for the warning on the extra licenses.  Here in Missouri I deal with that after the marriage - the state keeps the original and provides a certified copy for our records.  Extra copies are available for $9 each.

Normally the minister fills out the paperwork and mails it to the Recorder of Deed's office - but we are going to hand deliver it, pick up 3-4 copies, then visit the SSN office and state license bureau the next day.  I'm hoping that we can get her state-id reissued immediately with the updated information via the license office.  That will simplify her life a few days later at the airport.  Otherwise we will need to take a copy of the marriage license with us as proof of her name change since her tickets are in her new name.

Kevin

[Vaughn]

Otherwise we will need to take a copy of the marriage license with us as proof of her name change since her tickets are in her new name.

 

Nyet, Kevin, only the Marriage Certificate proves the name change. Tickets? Did I miss something? Travel agents I deal with recommend tickets in the Russian last name, so as to match the Russian passport, but I suppose you could always present the marriage certificate to explain why the ticket reads Mrs. Goombah! It's gutsy to purchase tickets before even applying for Advance Parole - is this what you've done?

Vaughn

[Goombah]

Vaughn -

Me bad, should have said "Certifide Marriage Certificate".  This is only a domestic flight to Hawaii, not international, so the advanced parole shouldn't come into play - we are not going to be going through any customs or immigration areas.

Kevin

[Vaughn]

Very nice! Hawaii. If you're going to be on Oahu, don't miss the North Shore - Haleiwa, Sunset, Waimea. When I was younger, daring and foolish, I tried surfing those beaches, much more challenging than the East Coast slop and West Coast point breaks.

You've given me a good idea for the near future.

Vaughn

[Noleman]

Can anyone walk me through the steps of documents and interviews ie; 129's, 134's, etc. and their approximate time frames for reviews and approvals.

 

[bbernard]