Successful green card approval in 2.5 months : Family based marriage to us citizen application

[rowilsonwik 0]

Hi there to those people who are applying for a green card based on marriage to a US citizen

I decided to write this post to explain how I received my green card in only 2 and a half months.

It literally went like clock work.

November 20 2009- Submitted I-485 (including I-765 Work Authorization) and I-130 together

November 30 2009- Received HS letter confirming they received my application

November 30 2009- Received Homeland Security (HS) letter about appointment date for biometrics

December 18 2009- Biometrics completed

December 23 2009- Submitted I-131 Application for Travel Document

December 27 2009- Received HS letter confirming they received my I-131 application

January 10 2010- Received HS letter about appointment date for Green Card interview: February 9

January 21 2010- I-131 approved

January 27 2010- I-765 work authorization approved

February 9 2010- Green Card Interview approved. Green Card Received!!

The whole process took 82 days in total . My application was dealt mainly through the Los Angeles office.

As for the interview, my wife and I studied up on all the questions making sure we knew what potentially could have been asked. Reading some of the forums, we read that some officers can ask very personal questions to our amazement, so trust me, we wanted to know everything what we could expect. Our documents were meticulously organized right down to color tabs and everything. We have only been married a short time, so most of our evidence were photos, letters and email correspondence, references from family and friends, cards, receipts from gifts, joint accounts and a lease agreement. We found the officer was keen to see more accounts/utility bills etc in joint names but as we don't have any of these yet (we only had a bank account and a lease agreement), our relationship evidence was suffice. Also, I shouldn't have to say this, but we are a legitimate married couple and that was no doubt obvious to the case officer involved.

He asked us a couple of questions confirming who we said we were on paper, asked us how we met and when we got married and was happy with that. 10 minutes later he shook our hands and congratulated us with the approval of my green card. Literally that simple.

As I said, the process took only 2.5 months and since then, I have applied and received my work permit, obtained my driver's license and recently gained full time employment. My life in the US has officially begun and I am able to direct my energies to my personal goals and my family.

I would love to help out others who are just about to enter the process of applying. Everything from what documents to submit as evidence of relationship, how to fill in the forms, which forms to fill in, best method of payments, interview prep, how to submit your application , literally everything I know as someone who was thoroughly prepared, been through the process and was successfully approved his Green Card.

Good luck on your application and feel free to drop me a line if you require any help.

cheers Ro

[rowilsonwik 0]

Hi there to those people who are applying for a green card based on marriage to a US citizen

I decided to write this post to explain how I received my green card in only 2 and a half months. I arrived in the U.S with a visitors visa

It literally went like clock work.

November 20 2009- Submitted I-485 (including I-765 Work Authorization) and I-130 together

November 30 2009- Received HS letter confirming they received my application

November 30 2009- Received Homeland Security (HS) letter about appointment date for biometrics

December 18 2009- Biometrics completed

December 23 2009- Submitted I-131 Application for Travel Document

December 27 2009- Received HS letter confirming they received my I-131 application

January 10 2010- Received HS letter about appointment date for Green Card interview: February 9

January 21 2010- I-131 approved

January 27 2010- I-765 work authorization approved

February 9 2010- Green Card Interview approved. Green Card Received!!

The whole process took 82 days in total . My application was dealt mainly through the Los Angeles office.

As for the interview, my wife and I studied up on all the questions making sure we knew what potentially could have been asked. Reading some of the forums, we read that some officers can ask very personal questions to our amazement, so trust me, we wanted to know everything what we could expect. Our documents were meticulously organized right down to color tabs and everything. We have only been married a short time, so most of our evidence were photos, letters and email correspondence, references from family and friends, cards, receipts from gifts, joint accounts and a lease agreement. We found the officer was keen to see more accounts/utility bills etc in joint names but as we don't have any of these yet (we only had a bank account and a lease agreement), our relationship evidence was suffice. Also, I shouldn't have to say this, but we are a legitimate married couple and that was no doubt obvious to the case officer involved.

He asked us a couple of questions confirming who we said we were on paper, asked us how we met and when we got married and was happy with that. 10 minutes later he shook our hands and congratulated us with the approval of my green card. Literally that simple.

As I said, the process took only 2.5 months and since then, I have applied and received my work permit, obtained my driver's license and recently gained full time employment. My life in the US has officially begun and I am able to direct my energies to my personal goals and my family.

I would love to help out others who are just about to enter the process of applying. Everything from what documents to submit as evidence of relationship, how to fill in the forms, which forms to fill in, best method of payments, interview prep, how to submit your application , literally everything I know as someone who was thoroughly prepared, been through the process and was successfully approved his Green Card.

Good luck on your application and feel free to drop me a line if you require any help.

cheers Ro

[John and Camie 39]

Congrats!

My formula? Do everything right down to the letter, then grab a pair of dice and roll 'em!

[Markieboy 104]

Wow! Congratulations on such a smooth processing of your green card!

My wife and I are basically in the same situation as you. She and I also meticulously arranged our AOS package...going over every line of every page...more than 10 times! I'm certain my wife's AOS will be approved. It will be a bonus if it's approved in less than three months.

Thanks again for your timeline. It was great and encouraging reading your story.

Regards

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Why did you file the I-131 after AOS?? Why didn't you file it together? It's not needed once you have the greencard so wasted postage there.

Congrats on an easy process.

I have reported this thread to be merged with the one you posted in the AOS from Student etc forum as this thread DOES NOT apply to AOS from family visas.

Edited March 3, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Duplicate thread moved from AOS from family visa and merged with existing thread here as OP adjusted from a visitor's visa

[choongchoong 1]

wow~ what a smooth process!!

Congrats! I'm so happy for you.

I'm also on the same page as you married to USC and preparing my AOS.

My husband is the petitioner and I'm the beneficiary. (let's say his name is John, my name is Mary)

==On the form I-130, C. Information about your alien relaive(continued)

17. List husband/wife and all children of your relative.

(Name) , (relationship) , (date of birth ) , (country of birth)

Mary , husband , hubby's birthday , write where he born

Is this correct? (I'm confusing.)

==22.complete the information below if your relative is in the United States and will apply for adjustment of status.

(city) , (state)

Should I put what city I live or nearest USCIS office where I reside? (I'm in US)

Any advice highly appreciated.

Again, congrats for your smooth sailing~~~!!!

[Laura & Kyle 16]

==On the form I-130, C. Information about your alien relaive(continued)

17. List husband/wife and all children of your relative.

(Name) , (relationship) , (date of birth ) , (country of birth)

Mary , husband , hubby's birthday , write where he born

Is this correct? (I'm confusing.)

==22.complete the information below if your relative is in the United States and will apply for adjustment of status.

(city) , (state)

Should I put what city I live or nearest USCIS office where I reside? (I'm in US)

Any advice highly appreciated.

Again, congrats for your smooth sailing~~~!!!

1. you are his wife, not his husband. your date of birth, your country of birth

2. what city, state you currently reside in.

Use the example forms you can find on this website to help you further.. I know they helped me out a bunch!

[daffydill 0]

congratulations Ro on your speedy success!

[choongchoong 1]

1. you are his wife, not his husband. your date of birth, your country of birth

2. what city, state you currently reside in.

Use the example forms you can find on this website to help you further.. I know they helped me out a bunch!

Thanks, laura and kyle.

I checked an example of form I-130 shows that husband's name even though he is the petitioner. That's why I was confused.

Thank you so much. That helps me a lot.

[lovelyalex 99]

I beat you by one day for a speedy aproval! 81 days!

[prakashpcs 0]

Thanks all for the info provided in this thread and All the best to those who are waiting for approval.

I am in USA currently on L1 visa. I will marry a US citizen next month. I want to apply for a permanent residency and seek your help.

I am not sure if I can travel but I will be travelling to India in January for 3 weeks starting 10th Jan.

I have few questions:

Should I go for an Attorney ? How much will they charge?

I am not willing to go to an attroney due to their high fees, but i will go thru them in case if it is very difficult to file by myself.

Since i am travelling to India on 10th Jan, should I marry 90 days before that so that i will have my EAD before I go for a vacation?

I don't have any issue if i get my EAD by feb but I want all other documentation and proceeding (ex: biometric test) done before January.

Please suggest what should be my timeline?

I guess if I marry and file by end of october i should have my Biometrics done by end of December and I am good to go as I can't do anything except waiting for the card to arrive.

In the mean time, my wife will be staying with her parents as i will be looking for a job in her city after I get my EAD, will it be an issue as the addresses will be different?

Please help me with the answers,

Thanks

Prakash

[AF-Wife 181]

I beat you by one day for a speedy aproval! 81 days!

57 days

[DandT14 272]

2 year old thread. If we ignore it, it might go away.

[kcoyclay1 98]

My son was approved in 66 days. I was shocked. Application received on June 22 and interview approved Aug 29. Got his EAD on Aug 30 and GC in hand Sept 7.