Ajustment of status initial interview

[sleepy in Seattle 3]

We completed the adjustment of status forms and I was given a date to come in for the biometrics, that had been done no problem, now we received a letter indicating that we have to come in for an interview (Ajustment of status initial interview). What is that all about and is it common?

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

We completed the adjustment of status forms and I was given a date to come in for the biometrics, that had been done no problem, now we received a letter indicating that we have to come in for an interview (Ajustment of status initial interview). What is that all about and is it common?

Yeah, it happens in about half of the K1 AOS cases. It's usually nothing to worry about. My wife and I went through it, and it was thoroughly painless. Showed them some documents, answered some questions, showed them some evidence (joint bank accounts, letters, medical insurance EOB's - stuff a married couple has), showed them some photos, blah, blah, blah, You're approved, welcome to America. That was pretty much it.

Spend some time in the AOS from Family Based Visas forum for further info:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/7-adjustment-of-status-green-card-from-family-based-visas/

[TBoneTX 45,550]

To add to Jim's excellent answer: a very sharp immigration attorney recently told me that 10% of AOS and ROC (Removal of Conditions) applicants must be interviewed, by statute. Interviews for this purpose are typically perfunctory ("painless," as Jim elegantly calls it).

The AOS forum here is excellent, and you'll learn a lot from it. I'll now "report" this thread so that it can be moved there, where it belongs.

[sleepy in Seattle 3]

Yeah, it happens in about half of the K1 AOS cases. It's usually nothing to worry about. My wife and I went through it, and it was thoroughly painless. Showed them some documents, answered some questions, showed them some evidence (joint bank accounts, letters, medical insurance EOB's - stuff a married couple has), showed them some photos, blah, blah, blah, You're approved, welcome to America. That was pretty much it.

Spend some time in the AOS from Family Based Visas forum for further info:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/7-adjustment-of-status-green-card-from-family-based-visas/

Thank you for letting me know, it just seems like a never ending headech. We have joint bank account and marriage certif, his health insurance coverage cards one for him and one for me, I guess will have to print up our wedding pic's sooner than later. Does this ever end!

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

To add to Jim's excellent answer: a very sharp immigration attorney recently told me that 10% of AOS and ROC (Removal of Conditions) applicants must be interviewed, by statute. Interviews for this purpose are typically perfunctory ("painless," as Jim elegantly calls it).

The AOS forum here is excellent, and you'll learn a lot from it. I'll now "report" this thread so that it can be moved there, where it belongs.

I can believe that. Our interview seemed to be just for a quota. We appeared to be pre-approved, and it lasted 5 minutes. They asked for none of the evidence we brought with us. The USCIS office is 5 hours away from us, but it gave us a night out alone together anyway. Quite painless indeed.

[sleepy in Seattle 3]

To add to Jim's excellent answer: a very sharp immigration attorney recently told me that 10% of AOS and ROC (Removal of Conditions) applicants must be interviewed, by statute. Interviews for this purpose are typically perfunctory ("painless," as Jim elegantly calls it).

The AOS forum here is excellent, and you'll learn a lot from it. I'll now "report" this thread so that it can be moved there, where it belongs.

Thank you

I can believe that. Our interview seemed to be just for a quota. We appeared to be pre-approved, and it lasted 5 minutes. They asked for none of the evidence we brought with us. The USCIS office is 5 hours away from us, but it gave us a night out alone together anyway. Quite painless indeed.

This is good to know and I thank you for sharing this info.

[Otto 83]

** Topic may be most appropriate in our "Adjustment of Status (Green Card) from Family Based Visas" forum (rather than K-1 Visa Proc/Procedures); moving thread there.

[Maleman 5]

Our process was painless. On the other hand, we were well prepared for all areas of discussion, plus a more than adequate amount of proof of marriage details. However, consider yourselves very fortunate! We are still in limbo pertaining to our verbally approved AOS interview, because they cannot find our biometrics information. Even after they processed my wife’s EAD card with the information they collected! Thus, I have no idea how long this dilemma will take to get rectified. As always, we know to take the proper steps and have faith that all will be resolved.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Thank you for letting me know, it just seems like a never ending headech. We have joint bank account and marriage certif, his health insurance coverage cards one for him and one for me, I guess will have to print up our wedding pic's sooner than later. Does this ever end!

Yeah, it usually ends when the alien becomes a US citizen UNLESS they decide to petition for another family member, in which case it starts over from the beginning.

[sleepy in Seattle 3]

Yeah, it usually ends when the alien becomes a US citizen UNLESS they decide to petition for another family member, in which case it starts over from the beginning.

please I don't even want to think of all that we have been through already, lol to start another one would be insane.

[san diego 407]

To add to Jim's excellent answer: a very sharp immigration attorney recently told me that 10% of AOS and ROC (Removal of Conditions) applicants must be interviewed, by statute. Interviews for this purpose are typically perfunctory ("painless," as Jim elegantly calls it).

The AOS forum here is excellent, and you'll learn a lot from it. I'll now "report" this thread so that it can be moved there, where it belongs.

10% would be nice. However, judging from the VJers, more than half undergo interview. Just seems strange. I wished that was the case as I don't want to go through another interview.

[newlyweds2010 208]

Please do not underestimate the interview, though. Although many VJ members said that it is a piece of cake, you have to bear in mind that you need to support your case and go to the interview with all the documents indicated in the letter you received. The last thing you want is to give the IO the idea that there is something wrong in your relationship.

Edited June 4, 2011 by newlyweds2010

[francastor 1]

wait I'm confused, only 10% of applicants are required to have an interview? Seems extremely low, unless you guys are talking about something else (interview before actual interview).

[newlyweds2010 208]

10% is the statutory percentage (provided there is such a rule stating that). obviously nothing stops USCIS from having EVERYBODY interview, or 20%, or 55%, or 73%, or etc. etc.

Minimum 10%.

Edited June 4, 2011 by newlyweds2010

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

wait I'm confused, only 10% of applicants are required to have an interview? Seems extremely low, unless you guys are talking about something else (interview before actual interview).

TBoneTX was saying that an immigration lawyer told him there was a statutory requirement for a minimum of 10% of applicants to be interviewed. I've never seen this particular statute, so I don't know if it's true. If it's true then it would be explain why some people seem to be selected for an interview when there are clearly questions that need to be addressed, while others seem to be selected entirely at random.

I've also never seen an official publication that indicated what percentage of K1's are selected for an interview. My gut feeling, from reading people's stories on VJ, is that it's about half, but I could be way off. It could be much higher or much lower. I think the prudent course of action for any K1 submitting an AOS application is to expect and prepare for an interview.