The Greencard

I got my 10 year greencard a week ago! Yayyy! Six months ago, I went to the USCIS to have my fingerprint and picture taken. Then according to my notice, I had to wait six months for the decision. Did you know that I really waited exactly six months?I applied for Petition to Remove the Conditions of Residence in short, I used form I-751. Since I live in Florida, my service center should be in Vermont and the processing time is 6 months. As of today, the fee for this application is $590. If you are planning to apply for I-751, you can do it by following the instructions in USCIS.GOV. It is not complicated. Make sure that you insert the needed requirements, correct payments, sent all the needed proofs, and able to write legibly. Make sure also that you read the instructions carefully. Proof read and re-check your papers. Everything will turn out okay. You do not need to pay a lawyer to do all these stuff! But, if you prefer to have a lawyer, that is your prerogative. Either way, as long as all the documents are true and correct, approval is a positive end result! Good Luck everyone!

Naturalization Eligibility

My most googled topic in this blog is about immigration. I lost track of writing the latest info about it since I got busy with my job. But, here I am inspired to share my knowledge about certain common questions. Am I eligible to become a US Citizen?

Take note of the following:

If you are at least 18 years old and a Permanent Resident of the United States and have been issued a Permanent Resident Card with the following status:

Have been a Permanent Resident for less than three years? NOPE! You are not eligible to apply for a naturalization. It is strictly THREE YEARS. Meaning, less than three years NOT QUALIFIED!

*If you are my reader, you know that I am talking about my case : with permanent residence card, married to a US citizen. Other case, I did talk about that in my other posts. Feel free to search it in all my blogs. Thanks for stopping by.

Avoid Immigration Scammers

Just this month, the USCIS used Facebook and Twitter to spread awareness that Immigration Scammers are out there! We all should be watchful! The need to detect and protect ourselves from dishonest practices of Immigration Scammers are the main focus of USCIS.

Recently, USCIS launched the Unauthorized Practice of Immigration Law (UPIL) Initiative. They tapped some government agencies to identify resources and help avoid the immigration services scams out there. Let us all armed ourselves with all the knowledge using USCIS.GOV.Check these articles in their Website before you start hiring an Immigration Service:

1. The top things to know before and after filing an application or petition
2. A list of common immigration services scams
3. State-by-state information on where you can report an immigration services scam
4. Advice on finding authorized legal help
5. Information on becoming an authorized legal immigration service provider
6. Educational tools you can print and share

If you have all the legal papers, if you follow the instructions, your application is alright. If you are not confident, you can hire an Immigration Services BUT, make sure they are authorized by USCIS.

Immigration Scams: Beware

It's not truly hard to transact business in the Immigration. Based from experience, as long as you have Authentic and Legal Documents to support your application, approval is just a snap of a finger! I have my Petition approved for less than 4 months, had my scheduled interview the following month and approved on the spot. Basically, in 6 months my flight to the US was scheduled flawlessly.My husband initiate the Petition papers and I basically did all the follow-up such as the filing and submission of all the documents needed. We never hire an Immigration Lawyer. We based all information from uscis.gov website. I download the latest forms, filled it up and submit with all the supporting documents needed which was clearly specified in the detailed instructions. To read and understand the instructions are key to a fast approval. When you plan to hire a Lawyer, chances are you will spend more than what you are set to spend. If you hire a wrong lawyer, your application will be Delayed, Cost you unnecessary fees and possibly lead you to deportation proceedings. Just Empower yourselves by using the online educational resources of uscis.gov from now on okay?

Most Googled Topic

I noticed that the most googled topic among my posts are the immigration posts about 1-485 which was about an Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status in the US. It was actually a guide based on how to process such case. I will be updating some information about it since it was done three years ago. I will be posting more immigration related topic too. You actually can process everything without the need of a lawyer as long as you have all the authentic papers to support your case. USCIS guide is very clear and easy to follow.If you have the time to do it also. It is easy to process it by yourself and during the interview, you will have the 100% chances because you know your case well. Keep all your records, document all your activities with the help of pictures, receipts and more. This way, expect that your processing will be fast. Good luck to y'all.

Green Philippine Passport : A Problem ?

It has been a long time that I did not update my Free Account in Visa Journey so, I made a visit few days ago and update my time line. I stayed in that site most of the time for almost three years sharing what I knew about processing K1 Visa. In that site, we help each other and we share and exchange information for free. My 129-F was approved 4 months and my green card was approved less than 3 months. No lawyers. I made friends and some of them I keep in touch with from time to time.

Two days ago, one of my friends from that Website (Elena) asked me about my passport because she was worried with hers. She had "Green Philippine Passport" and she will be returning to the Philippines this October. She was aware of the passport advisory which was passed on through email that "green passport" will be valid only up to January 2010.

If you have the same problem, just click this link to ease your worries away: FALSE INFORMATION ON PASSPORTS BEING CIRCULATED

Take note:

• The information is false.
• Green Passport will be honored as a bonafide travel document until it expires.
• They advised that holders of non-machine readable passports should be replace to avoid future inconvenience.
• This is not mandatory.
• They advise all Filipinos to keep your documents in order.
• And check the validity of your passport before booking any travels.

I hope you read the link for thorough information about the subject.

1-485 Form and Guidelines

I already share a sample of the cover letter that I made for I-485 Application to Adjust Status specifically for K1 Visa Holder. Now, to help you more, I am giving you a link to the forms and guidelines directly from USCIS website.

• Instructions For I-485, Application To Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
• I-485, Application To Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

It is not really hard to process any immigration papers as long as you follow the guidelines even if you do it by yourself. It just needs proper understanding and arranging the LEGAL papers to show to the Immigration Officers. Just read thoroughly the guidelines and simple following of instruction would yield to a successful result. I know you can, because I did it myself and I made it. Good luck.

Cover Letter For I-485

I know a lot of women out there specially my "kababayan" are searching for a sample Cover Letter for I-485 Application for Adjustment of Status. Now, this will vary according to your visa application. And since I entered as K1 or Fiancee Visa, this is how I make my Cover Letter. I hope it will help you. You can add more proofs with it if you want to. As long as it is relevant to your application. If you have some questions regarding "HOW TO" in filing fiancee visa, I am not an expert but, I can help you with that.

I-485 COVER LETTER

( YOUR ADDRESS HERE)


United States Department of Homeland Security
Citizenship and Immigration Services
ATTN: AOS
131 SOUTH DEARBORN – 3rd FLOOR
CHICAGO, IL 60603-5520

(DATE)

Nature of the submission: I-485 ORIGINAL SUBMISSION

To Whom It May Concern:

Enclosed please find my Form I-485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR ADJUST STATUS

Contents include:
- I-485 Application with Payment Casher’s Check) in the amount of $ 1,010.00
(Biometrics fee included)
- I-797 Notice Of Action (Approval Notice) with I-797C Notice of Action Receipt
- Copy of my Birth Certificate
- 2 Passport Size Pictures With my name and A # at the back
- Copy of my Passport (Biographical Page) and Copy of K1 Visa with Entry Stamp
- Copy of Form I-94 (Front and Back)
- Original Copy of Marriage Certificate with Photocopy of Wedding Pictures
- Medical Form l-693 A ( in sealed envelope by the Civil Surgeon)
with Supporting DS 3025 Form Vaccination Documentation Worksheet
- Form G-325A, Biographic Information Sheets (5 pages)
- 1-864 Affidavit of Support (petitioner)
* Federal Income Tax Return for the Past 3 years, including W2’s and
Social Security Benefit Statements for the past 3 years
* Copy of Most Recent Pay Stubs ( December and January)
* Copy of Passport with Biographical Page (US Citizen)
- Form I-765 Application with Result Documents on Previous Application
* 2 Passport Size Pictures With my name and A # at the back
* Copy of my passport (Biographical Page) and Copy of K1 Visa with Entry Stamp
* Copy of Form I-94 (Front and Back)
*Copy of Marriage Certificate with Photocopy of Wedding Pictures

Copies of documents submitted are exact photocopies of unaltered documents.
Thank you and hoping for a favorable action of my application.

Sincerely yours,

(your name here)

* I-485 Forms and Guidelines

Legal Rights

Now, let me cite some legal matters here. The United States Immigration System is very complex, very costly and is always changing. I knew because I am still in the process of doing my papers. Even how careful you are in accomplishing the forms, typographical error sometimes occur. The worst scenario will be if it comes from them. What would you do? Your Financial resources will be at stake and the processing is really stressful. My advise? Get a lawyer. Heading to NC? I am recommending one for you and they are really expert on Immigration Law NC. They can offer a complete range of immigration legal services like Family-based Green Cards for Spouses, Children, Parents and Siblings of U.S. Citizens,Employment-based Green Cards,Visas for Fiance's of U.S. Citizens and all Types of Non-Immigrant Work Visas just to name a few. Not only that, they are also expert and knowledgeable when it comes to charges pertaining to DWI NC or Driving While Impaired. You don't want to be in jail and lose your driver's license don't you? Why take a risk? If you are on this situation and you knew in your heart that you deserve a fair trial then hire a lawyer. Hire them. If you are in need of a Criminal Attorney NC look no further. They are here to help and they will give you justice. Check them out.