August 2015 Filers

[judefabulous 26]

So we actually received a text and email that the case was updated today. That's two days after we received the notice by mail that we have an interview. So definitely don't take the case updates online to heart when there could very well be something in your postal future!

I'm starting to get very nervous about the fact we fly back to see my family the day after our scheduled interview (my sister is due to give birth and it's also my mum's 50th birthday, hence why the flights were booked). We've already had to pay $500 to move them around, because we were advised by a lawyer we consulted with that the process should be done and dusted in 3/4 months. Stupid for him to have given us that advice really, but it was his experience with the clients he'd finished packages for and sent of for them. We just consulted with him on our situation and did the paperwork ourselves.

Anyway, now I'm just worried because I've heard that as soon as you get approved for the I-485 that your Advance Parole becomes invalid and if you try to re-enter the country with it that you might not be let back in. This really makes me freak out, because I can't wait around for the Green Card to come in the mail as we'll actually be getting on a bus to head down to LA (where the flights to the UK are direct and cheaper) at 10pm on the interview day. I've heard that you can get a temporary I-551 stamp in your passport, but all the cases I've read are from people who already have the welcome letter and have shown it at an infopass appointment. );

If you are approved at the spot...ask for a stamp and show your flight schedule...it will be stamped...don't be nervous...as long as your relationship is genuine...you will be fine.

[KASH2011 382]

Got approved today from interview waiver - just checked the USCIS site. No text or email!

I even had an RFE mid-september.

Fingers crossed guys <3

Congrats!

[annarom 4]

Got approved today from interview waiver - just checked the USCIS site. No text or email!

I even had an RFE mid-september.

Fingers crossed guys <3

Congrats

Everyday checking USCIS website and hoping to see the same

[3rd 84]

Hi,

The office was quite nice. Parking is expensive in the lot across the street. Street parking is there, but hard to fine. I would leave early. Bridge traffic is a pain. Security was nice. They ask the basic questions like where do you live, how you spent birthday, how you meet and ask those questions on the I-485. You have to submit all new evidence (pictures, bills, financials, insurance). I would suggest making a copy for them yourself.

By the way, they put a hole in her AP card. It is now invalid. Hope it does not interfere with your travel plans. I would suggest you renew your passport in England if it is expiring soon.

I figured that parking would be expensive, it is all over The City. Thanks for the basics, always interesting to see what kind of things you'll be asked. As far as I was aware, you don't technically have to submit anything unless they specifically ask for it, but I do know that it's good practise to take along copies of things for them regardless. We just got a health insurance plan and we've got a few more photos that we want to give them, along with anything else we can get together.

They put a hole in her AP card? Is that standard practise? I've never heard of that happening before. My passport isn't due to expire either, I only got a new one last year before my trip because the picture was old.

Got approved today from interview waiver - just checked the USCIS site. No text or email!

I even had an RFE mid-september.

Fingers crossed guys <3

Congratulations!

Congratulations on your Interview Date!

As for the traveling dilemma, don't worry about it. When we were approved on the spot, the officer took my husband's EAD card away and stamped the I-551 stamp in his UK passport. That stamp works EXACTLY like a green card, it will allow you to travel, and proves that you will now be an official permanent resident.

I'm definitely feeling more at ease about the stamp if we get approved on the spot, but if we don't it's what's causing me to worry. If it happens about 20 minutes after the interview it wouldn't be a big deal either, but days after and we'll already have left the country and that's where the issues are. Hopefully it won't come to that!

If you are approved at the spot...ask for a stamp and show your flight schedule...it will be stamped...don't be nervous...as long as your relationship is genuine...you will be fine.

I'm not nervous about the interview as much as I am the flight situation. My husband and I are rock solid! It's mainly just making sure I can get an I-551 stamp if I'm not approved on the spot.

[safwan44 0]

Hi all - I filed my I130/I485 jointly in July '15. I sent the package to the Chicago Lockbox location. When I filed, we were in Houston, TX and later moved to Chicago, IL. I filled an AR-11 form as well to update the address. My case currently says "Case Is Ready To Be Scheduled For An Interview". It has been like this since September '15. I am not sure why it's taking so long. I have seen some other people on this forum who have applied at the same time or even after me and also live in the same city but they got their interviews and also the GC. I called the customer service and also submitted an inquiry but no avail. They just ask me to wait.

Any advise would help.

[morkie 0]

I went on interview yesterday and it was a one tough interview than i expecting.It took us 60 mins for the interview the Iso didnt take any i94 or ny work permit that worried me alot.I check on my status perhaps every hours after the interview since some ppl got approved just a few hour after.I just got approved this morning at 10:30am such a relief so now i can rest from the whole uscis thing for a while.

Thanks to everyone that shared their experience here and good luck to everyone

[3rd 84]

I went on interview yesterday and it was a one tough interview than i expecting.It took us 60 mins for the interview the Iso didnt take any i94 or ny work permit that worried me alot.I check on my status perhaps every hours after the interview since some ppl got approved just a few hour after.I just got approved this morning at 10:30am such a relief so now i can rest from the whole uscis thing for a while.

Thanks to everyone that shared their experience here and good luck to everyone

Congratulations! I need to start getting all the things together for my own interview in 2 weeks time. ?

[Mrs.Hull210 24]

I went on interview yesterday and it was a one tough interview than i expecting.It took us 60 mins for the interview the Iso didnt take any i94 or ny work permit that worried me alot.I check on my status perhaps every hours after the interview since some ppl got approved just a few hour after.I just got approved this morning at 10:30am such a relief so now i can rest from the whole uscis thing for a while.

Thanks to everyone that shared their experience here and good luck to everyone

Oh gosh, I had one of those tough interviews too! Nerve Racking huh?! So glad that you got your bit of good news though, so a very huge Congratulations!!!

[KASH2011 382]

I went on interview yesterday and it was a one tough interview than i expecting.It took us 60 mins for the interview the Iso didnt take any i94 or ny work permit that worried me alot.I check on my status perhaps every hours after the interview since some ppl got approved just a few hour after.I just got approved this morning at 10:30am such a relief so now i can rest from the whole uscis thing for a while.

Thanks to everyone that shared their experience here and good luck to everyone

Congrats!

[3rd 84]

Oh gosh, I had one of those tough interviews too! Nerve Racking huh?! So glad that you got your bit of good news though, so a very huge Congratulations!!!

I meant to ask you what kinda questions you had and the general experience of your interview! Would I be able to inbox you?

[Tina&Seb 10]

Hi all-

We received a text this morning that we were sent an RFE on Feb 26th. I'm not sure what it's for although I suspect the Medical exam as it would be expired now, but I'll post again when we know for sure.

Feeling a bit bummed that this will prolong things but trying to stay positive...

[3rd 84]

Hi all-

We received a text this morning that we were sent an RFE on Feb 26th. I'm not sure what it's for although I suspect the Medical exam as it would be expired now, but I'll post again when we know for sure.

Feeling a bit bummed that this will prolong things but trying to stay positive...

Don't panic too much, it could be something super simple. But don't worry a great deal about the delay, I've seen people get RFE's and overtake timelines on people without them multiple times. As long as you deal with it promptly and get it sent off as soon as you're able it shouldn't have a big impact on getting your interview.

[Tina&Seb 10]

3rd thanks for the encouragement..it really helps as this gets to be very overwhelming.

So here's an update on the RFE we finally received today for my husbands AOS and I'm the USC.

The "other" box was checked at the end and it asked for:

1. Provide passport photos for petitioner (my name- USC)

2. Provide G325 for the petitioner (my name- USC)

3. Provide G325 for the petitioner (my name-USC) (yes it's listed twice)

4. Provide page #9 with all of your vaccinations using the form I-693, edition 3/30/2015. Notes: the form must be sealed and needs to be completed by a USCIS civil surgeon.

5. Provide bonafides of your marriage: bills,photos, leases, signed affidavits etc.

We are a bit confused on a few things, I thought my husband applying for the AOS was the petitioner and I didn't think that I also needed to provide the G325 (unless I missed this in the instructions?)

My husband went right to a civil surgeon today to complete again page 9. And we submitted our marriage license with the initial application but we were going to save the photos and bonafides for the interview.

Overall it seems like a bit strange and I'm really hoping this doesn't pro long things.

Edited March 3, 2016 by Tina & Seb

[3rd 84]

3rd thanks for the encouragement..it really helps as this gets to be very overwhelming.

So here's an update on the RFE we finally received today for my husbands AOS and I'm the USC.

The "other" box was checked at the end and it asked for:

1. Provide passport photos for petitioner (my name- USC)

2. Provide G325 for the petitioner (my name- USC)

3. Provide G325 for the petitioner (my name-USC) (yes it's listed twice)

4. Provide page #9 with all of your vaccinations using the form I-693, edition 3/30/2015. Notes: the form must be sealed and needs to be completed by a USCIS civil surgeon.

5. Provide bonafides of your marriage: bills,photos, leases, signed affidavits etc.

We are a bit confused on a few things, I thought my husband applying for the AOS was the petitioner and I didn't think that I also needed to provide the G325 (unless I missed this in the instructions?)

My husband went right to a civil surgeon today to complete again page 9. And we submitted our marriage license with the initial application but we were going to save the photos and bonafides for the interview.

Overall it seems like a bit strange and I'm really hoping this doesn't pro long things.

Nothing strange about it, you're the petitioner and you're required to also send passport photos and the G-325 with your information. Did you already do the medical before this point but didn't include it in your AOS package?

As for the bonfides of your marriage, I'd be better safe than sorry and send some copies of your photos and maybe a letter for a joint bank account/bills, etc. They'll still ask for this at the interview stage but you don't want to receive another RFE because you didn't full respond to this one and prolong the process further.

[Tina&Seb 10]

He sent in his medical already but maybe they need it updated now? I sent in my g325 for the initial 129f application but I didn't think it was required now for his 485.

We are going to re send it all now anyway! Good to hear this isn't so out of the ordinary..