British Expatriate Network

hi all,

well i just wanted to bring up a couple of things, of which many i am sure will be interested.

i just filed my adjustment of status within the usa from "Tourist I-94w" to permanant resident, many of you said this was not possible within the states, i would like to tell you that it is. The ins official didn't even ask me any questions at all. We had to file our paperwork at the local ins office, and it took olny 10mins in total. so to cut a long story short it is possible to live and work within the usa whilst you are attempting to get your green card whilst married, instead of doing it with one partner in the uk and one in the usa, if anyone wants to know the exact details as it is a little complicated, e-mail me at luc001@europe.com

smile

hey mate, wasn't me who told you it couldn't be done, cos I like you did it exactly like that.

Luke, showtime is at the AOS interview not the filing. They never ask questions at filing. Good luck to you, though. Are you thinking of getting a lawyer to help you through the interview?

Manc, I suspect that you were unmarried when you arrived in the US and got married on the "spur of the moment"? The unique thing about Luke's case is that he was already married to his USC wife, which makes the whole immigrent intent/"I just changed my mind" thing a little trickier to deal with.

I did the same thing also Luke,but Ameriscot is quite right,you've got the hard part ahead of you yet...just filing the AOS papers are easy

Were you already married when you came into the US, FLB?

sorry..only just saw the posting ! No l got married here

don't want to be arguementative, but i'm not sure if any of you are aware of what the ins do and donot allow, when i went to fill the ins official told both me and my wife that what we had done was perfectly fine and that all the rest was simply a formality, i have spoken to countless ins officials and a lawyer and they all concur that what i have done is perfectly legal, above board and straight forward. So contrary to opions on this board the only dept that i had to worry about was customs and not ins as they work totally apart and once i am in the country ins only care that i am in a legal and loving marriage. it expressly permits changing your status in the usa on the ins website, even if i have entered to country under a i-94, even if a work, etc.. etc.., and there are specific paragraphs detailing this. I just want others to not be mislead. Prehaps ins has changed since you guys went through the process, and contrary to popular belief ins has actually relaxed laws and have infact improved their service in light of 9/11.

I think you may have been misled Luke...it certainly isn't a "formality" that you're adjustment of status application will be approved,you will have to be interviewed about your application,and interviewed a second time,when you apply to have the conditions removed after 2 years.I'm well aware of the procedure,as it wasn't too long ago that l did it myself, and whoever told you that it was a formality is totally wrong.

I have to agree with the rest, Luke. They will tell you it's just a formality but they are not that person from "the back" that comes out to get you and then asks you if you KNEW when you entered that you were planning to stay. I don't think they will kick you out, but I don't think they will hug you and offer you a dinner either. They may be a bit upset you lied when you entered, and question you a bit about it. In the end, you will be fine I imagine, but don't get smug about it.. they can still ship ya home and tell you to do it the right way.
Manc and I are lucky, it all went smoothly and we are one year into the 2yr conditional status.. but we have a friend here in town from Nottingham, and he started the process 8 months before us, and still has not gotten word back after the interview. He keeps having to go back for work auth. and has no word about his adjustment.
It's a totally differen ball game for everyone.
good luck!
MLB

yeah you're probably right in some respects, but i have been married to my wife for almost 4 yrs so i wont have a conditional status as you only have that if you are married 2yrs or less. Also i've just learnt that my wife is pregnant.

second, and i am so amazed at this i WANT someone to tell me i am wrong, i am going to get my work permit tomorrow, bear in mind i filed on the 14th of march, thats super quick. one month.

anyway one step at a time.

Well done Luke on all counts smile

Congrats Luke!!!!!!! Oohhh a baby! You're gonna love it!

and hey, I am glad you are all sorted and can be here with her and get a job. Its not a bad life if you put some work into it and are in love. smile

Luke congrats on the baby.

so did your american wifey enjoy altrincham?

yeah she loved it, i guess you don't get anything like it here in florida or in the states