English88

So we've decided a date (8th of May) for our courthouse wedding.

I think I'm eligible for one-step adjustment option (i.e. filing I-130 and I-485 at the same time) - is this correct?

To recap, I'm on an L1 visa, living in the US with my fiancee.

ian-mstm

Yes. Those are the two major forms, but it's not just them... there are a whole pile of forms (and backup documentation) that must be concurrently submitted and paid for.

Ian

English88

Hi Ian,

I'm vaguely aware of the backup documentation required but do you know which other USCIS forms are needed?

Jerni

A fair few

1. I-130
2. G-325a (one for you and one for your wife)
3. I-864
4. I-485
5. I-765
6. I-131
7. I-693 - you'll need to go for a medical to get this one completed
8. G-1145 (optional)

You file all of these along with all the supporting documents in one packet via the USCIS Chicago Lockbox.

English88

Excellent, thank you.

English88

Would I be correct in thinking that I do not need to apply for an Advance Parole Document via the i-131 because I have a valid L1 visa (until August 2017)?

BunnyGirl

You don't NEED to but it's free so why not? Means you'd be able to leave the country if something happened to your L1 job.

English88

Makes sense, thanks.

Another question I have pertains to the i-864a form. I need to fill this out as I'm fairly sure my fiancee (soon to be wife's) salary for last year does not go above the requirement to sponsor me. She is now an accountant but was working as a server last year and most of the her money were tips that probably weren't all declared.

Anyway, the i-864a form asks me about federal income tax information but I've not been living here long enough to have filed so what do I do here?

Edit: May have answered my own question - found this:

The intending immigrant does not need to execute an I-864A unless he or she has a derivative spouse or child who will be accompanying the intending immigrant. Only household members who execute an I-864A must include a copy of their tax return for the prior tax year. Therefore, if the couple is recently married and did not file a joint tax return in the prior year, simply include the sponsor's last tax return and indicate the alien spouse's current income on line 24b. No proof of the intending immigrant's current or past income is required beyond establishing that it is lawful and will continue.

hungryhorace

Agreed. I filed the AP with my AOS package, despite holding an L1-A visa. It's free, so why wouldn't you do it? It's a no brainer.

ian-mstm

Her income last year is largely irrelevant. What's important, is her current income. If her current income is above the 125% requirement, it'll be fine. Even if her tax return shows below that level, it won't much matter if she is currently making above that level. She should provide proof of her current income level.

Ian

English88

Thanks for all the advice everyone. We've decided to bring the "ceremony" forward to this Friday so I'll be married in 2 days (we already have the license - picked it up last Friday) then driving up to Savannah, GA for a long weekend.

I've filled out most of the USCIS forms already, just need to add signatures and dates and then book an appointment with a Civil Surgeon.

Thanks again for the advice - this forum is awesome.

BunnyGirl

Congrats and good luck for Friday!

Guindalf

Civil Surgeon?????





Best of luck to you anyway!

Pulaski

Where you go for your adjustment or visa-related medical if you are already in the US.

S Folinsky

OP is doing a stateside adjustment, not a visa application.