I-485/I-130 approved in less than 5 months. Don't lose hope!

[chemistryde 0]

Dear all,

our I-485/I-130 was approved yesterday, right after our interview. My green card is being produced right now. Hard to believe but we were actually really surprised by how fast the government processed our application. Don't give up!

Review of our interview appointment yesterday, March 10, 2014 at the USCIS office in Irving, Tx:

Our appointment was at 8:45, we showed up quite early at 8:00. At 8:15, the immigration officer greeted us and showed us the way to his office. We were sworn in and sat down. He was incredible courteous and friendly. He went over my I-485 application just to confirm my identity. He then asked my husband the same questions. Then he asked us to describe each other briefly, how and when we met, when we started to date, if we met each others families and when we decided to get married. All seemed like polite small talk with the immigration officer being very attentive but not intimidating at all!
Then he asked us if we brought any additional material for him to look at so we handed him joint credit card statements, joint checking account statements, beneficiary designation forms, joint lease agreement and pictures taken of us and/or with friends over the last years. He kept most of the pictures (but asked if he could, he did not keep originals though) and then left the room to take copies of all the other forms we brought.
That's it, when he came back he said that he certainly does not need any more evidence and said that we should receive the card in the mail within the next 1-2 weeks. Overall an extremely positive experience.

Timeline:

09-23-2013: Got married in Washington, DC

10-15-2013: Mailed I-130/I-485 to Chicago lockbox

10-21-2013: Receipt numbers sent via text, checks cleared

10-24-2013: NOA1 received (I-485 & I-130)

11-14-2013: Biometrics Appointment

11-21-2013: I-485 case status changed to "Testing and Interview"

02-13-2014: Interview noticed received

03-10-2014: Interview at USCIS office in Irving, Tx (office for DFW area)

03-10-2014: I-485/I-130 approved, Green Card in production

[islandgirl80 28]

What are the forms that you sent? Just the I-485 and I-130?

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from Family-based AOS to Work, Student & Tourist-based AOS Progress Forum~

~Adjusting from student/training visa~

Edited March 11, 2014 by A&B

[chemistryde 0]

What are the forms that you sent? Just the I-485 and I-130?

Haha no, the whole package (around 400 pages total including evidence). Discussed in detail here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/405528-check-list-for-i-130-i-485-packages/