My AOS interview experience - Indianapolis

[lesthatsri 9]

Hello everybody:

I opened this thread to share my AOS interview experience with all of you:

My husband and I got married on April 24th, 2014 and filed for AOS on June 13th, 2014. (I entered the country on a J-1 visa that expired on March 17th, 2014). He is an over the road truck driver and we only see each other 4 or 5 days each month. At the time we filed our paperwork we didn't have a place of our own (We were living with friends) and we got an apartment one month before the interview.

Our interview was scheduled for 9:30am on September 5th, at the Indianapolis office.

We arrived early (around 9:10am) and the office was somewhat crowded. We handed in our appointment letter and waited for some minutes. The IO called my name and made me go in by myself first. I followed her to her office, and she made me take the oath and notified me that my interview was being recorded. She asked for my passport, driver license/SS card and any documents issued by USCIS, and then confirmed my identity. She asked me for my name and I explained to her that my maiden name was one and that I wanted to change my name to my husband's, which was the reason why I filed all my documents in that name. Then she asked me about my address, which I recently changed. When my husband and I got an apartment we filed a change of address online (August 18th) and two days later I received a letter from USCIS confirming the change of address. However, the IO couldn't find it, and I explained to her where I was living before and showed her the change of address letter from USCIS. She took note of the new address and replaced it on my original form. She also asked me all the NO questions (criminal history, terrorism, etc) that were in the I-485 form. Every time I said something she would made a check on my original application.

She asked me about my last travel information and the amount of J-1 visas I had. She checked my passport for four J-1 visas and I explained to her that I was doing Work and Travel programs during my college years. She asked me what kind of jobs I did under the J-1 visa and where. After this she started asking me about my relationship with my husband:

- When and where did you meet?

- When did you meet for the first time in person?

- When did you get married? Where was the ceremony?

- Where was the ceremony?

- Who performed the ceremony?

- What did you do after the wedding?

- How many people attended the wedding?

- Were your families at the wedding?

- Where did you live after the wedding?

- What does your husband do for a living?

- Are you currently working?

There were some other questions I don't remember anymore, and most likely came along after one of my comments.

I tried to answer each question accurately and giving as many details as I could without sounding confusing. I was a little nervous, but the IO seemed to enjoy my story and that made me comfortable to give her more information. At the end she asked me if I had additional documentation and if I wanted to show her something.

I took 40 pictures with me, our wedding photo book (I designed the book with pictures from our marriage and send it to print as a book, with a customized cover), an engraved box with our names (where we keep our memorabilia), new bills, lease agreement and a letter from his employer. The IO took some of the pictures, the ones where friends and family were shown mostly, and told me that it was all and that now she was going to call my husband in. He came in the office alone and I waited outside.

With my husband she basically reviewed all my answers. After they were done she gave him a paper where it says: You have been recommended for approval. We were so excited.

Around 5pm in the afternoon my I-485 status in my case status changed to Card production and his I-130 changed to "Post Decision activity" where they described that they mailed the notice that his petition was approved.

We got approved and now we can rest from USCIS for one year and 9 months, until ROC.

Thanks for all the help and support that VJ users have given us. We couldn't have done it without you.!!!

Best of luck for all of you that are waiting for your interviews.

Edited September 9, 2014 by lesthatsri

[Lena&Islam 9]

Thank you for sharing!

[vitoralves 4]

Congratulations. I'm adjusting from the same kind of j1 as you. I hope my interview goes that smooth too

[Pitaya 2,576]

~Moved from WST-based AOS to WST-based AOS Progress Forum~

[Poulette 155]

Congratulations! And thanks for sharing.

Btw, we got married the same day.

[ozraiel 0]

Congratulations

[hellostranger57 18]

Congratulations!!!!

Our interview is tomorrow and we are also hoping for good news!

[PUer2017 0]

Congratulation and thanks for sharing this with us. My interview will also take place at Indy office....

[pinksquare 0]

Thank you for sharing! And thank you again for helping with my question before

Best wishes!

[Camelot13 63]

Congratulations and thanks for sharing! We were married on May 10th and filed June 6, but are still waiting for our interview notification. Our lawyer said he inquired with the local office and they were only on March filers so it may be a while.

[supergirl20141 6]

Congratulations

[sweet cakes 326]

Congrats! And enjoy the 21 month vacation from dealing with uscis.

[Tormentis 2]

Congrats!

[icv21 110]

Congrats!!!! I remember you were one of the first people to write to me in this forum when I needed help with the translations. I'm happy to hear everything went well for you