OK, according to directions here in this forum you should put the fee for the AOS and for the work permit together into one check and that is what we did. But we just got a I-797C Notice of Action stating "Rejection Notice" because of non payment of $180. But that fee was in our check, the total amount I cannot remember at the moment.

Just now I tried going to the payment link here in the forum, but the link goes to a non-functioning government page.

I called but could not get a person. Basically it looks like the government is going to charge us TWICE and I really cannot afford that.

What do I do and why did this happen?

With the rejection letter was included one of my original I-765's and one original photo of my wife.

Did they return the check to you?
How much was the check total? perhaps you made an error in the amount.
Has the check been cashed?

How many I-765 forms did you send? You state "With the rejection letter was included one of my original I-765's"

Sorry to hear this happened. As a rule.. I dont believe everything I read in the FAQ or guides... or for the most part much of what many say in the forums unless it was a personal experience and not just guessing or thinking they know.

Was the check cashed or returned?


~Eric~

No, the check was not returned.

I have no idea how many copies of the form we sent in. I included the amount that the guides here say we should, however many that is. I just don't remember.

I'm sorry to hear that! You send one check for both AOS and EAD? You should have sent separate checks!! It seems to me that this is the problem.

Simonne

Matt,

Too late for you now, but for the benefit of other readers
- I always send separate checks, one for each application requiring a fee. I'm surprised to read in your post that VJ recommends otherwise.
- I always make a photocopy of the complete application - including the check.

As for what you can do now, it depends a lot on what is most important to you.
- if time is of the essence, send the I-765 back with a check for the required fee
- if money is of the essence, wait a while to see if the check is deposited or if the I-485 is returned also. Then act accordingly.

Yodrak

You will most likely get the AOS packet back too.... for incorrect amount on check...

Sorry to hear this has happened to you Matt.... you dont need this right now...

Kezzie

A number of things could have caused this problem.

You dont know how many copies of I-765 you sent. If you sent more than one, they might have considered them more than one application while taking a quick look on your paperwork and when they compared the number of total applications to the amount on your check, decided that you have not paid enough.

Sending a single check for all applications may also have causd this. As far as I know, EADs are processed at MSC while the AOS application is either transferred to CSC or your local office. So there should be separate checks for EA application and AOS, however, you can write a single check for AOS + Biometrics (as per instructions on the I-485).

I agree with Yodrak and Kezzie, if time is more important then send the I-765 back with the correct payment. But Kezzie is also right, you probably will get the AOS application returned too so maybe just wait a few days and see if it is returned, then send both together...this time with separate checks!

JahanXChris,

The I-485 as well as the I-765 both go from the Chicago Lockbox to the NBC proper in Missouri. The NBC does some of the I-485 processing before deciding to sent them to the CSC or the District or Sub office for completion.

The checks are taken and deposited by the folks in Chicago before moving the cases to Missouri. (Or, as in this case, back to the applicant.)

Yodrak

Doesn't it say in the instructions to ONLY put EAD fee on one check and then the AOS and FINGERPRINTING fee on another check? That is two separate cases so why put everything on one check.

Not as far as I could tell, but I sent 2 separate checks figuring the 2 applications might go to different people to be processed.

To the OP, do you have online banking? I would check with my bank to see if the check has been cashed and if so what the amount was. Are you sure you included enough for the biometrics fee?

beccaogingi,

The checks are taken off the submissions (and deposited) as soon as the submissions are opened, part of the inspection for completeness. They do not remain with the applications for the weeks or months the applications sit on the shelf waiting to be given to a case officer for processing.

Yodrak

Thank you for the clarification Yodrak, much appreciated.

AOS has not been sent back. Just received confirmation they have our AOS paperwork.

I sent in another check for the I-765, by the way.