February 2017 AOS Filers

[permathought 4]

10 hours ago, gallegamericana said:

Hi all! I've been reading these posts all month and they've been very helpful. Finally chiming in with a few questions. Any help is appreciated.

 

My husband came to the US with me in 2015 on an F1 visa. We got married on December 30, 2016.

 

Application sent (I-130, I-485, I-765): 02/20/2017

Application received: 02/21/2017

Checks cashed: 02/28/2017

Text NOA1: 03/01/2017

Paper NOA1: 03/06/2017

Sent I-131 (we forgot to!) -03/08/17

RFE message for I-485 posted on USCIS check my status: 03/10/2017 -Haven't received paper RFE

Biometrics letter received: 03/10/2017

Biometrics scheduled: 03/24/2017

 

So, it's my understanding that the whole AOS process is put on hold for now and restarts once we send in our RFE paperwork. I am assuming it is because I only sent my W2s for the 2016 year and not my tax returns. I'm currently working on my tax returns with my accountant, but I've hit a road block because my husband and I were married on December 30, 2016. Technically I have to file as married now, but I don't know how to file! Jointly or separately? He never worked, but would have to get an ITIN in order for us to file jointly and I'm unsure if he can still file as exempt on his F1 if we file separately, now that we are married. 

 

Does anyone have any insight on how they filed their 2016 returns having gotten married?

I'm also assuming they will be asking for my tax returns, but it could be something else!

 

I'm just a little worried because we have a family event in his home country in July.

 

My wife and I filled for her ITIN well before we began this process.  While here visiting in the states, we went into a local IRS office with that year's tax return ready to file. We also included her petition for her ITIN (I can't remember the form number now). You'll need to bring the foriegner or immigrant's passport and/or other forms of valid ID. They will ask you some questions, make a copy of the passport and that gets sent in for revision.  Maybe like six weeks later you'll get your ITIN number and return or deduction.  So, you can go ahead and file jointly and apply for the ITIN at the same time.

 

 

[amyNJ 13]

10 hours ago, Becci391 said:

I'm really pissed right now.

Been waiting for almost 3 weeks niw and haven't heard anything from USCIS. Didn't even receive a text message or an email.

And don't tell me that I have to wait. People get their messages or emails a couple of days after USCIS received their application.

This means that I'm assuming that USCIS never received my application. Going to send the paperwork again tomorrow. I can't and don't want to wait longer.

Sorry but this really makes me angry. We already had to send my paperwork again when I applied for my K1 visa because it got lost somewhere between Atlanta and Chicago.

And now the same happens AGAIN?!?!

 

 

 

 I did not receive the NOA a couple of days later. 
I sent on January 14, I knew they received the package on January 18, but I received the text message and e-mail until January 27 and I received the letter a week later. I was desperate. 
It takes between 2 and 4 weeks. 
However, I read about cases which they received the fingerprint appointment first, which makes sense because my fingerprint appointment letter came next day after I received the NOA letter. 

 

[Becci391 339]

Just now, amyNJ said:

 I did not receive the NOA a couple of days later. 
I sent on January 14, I knew they received the package on January 18, but I received the text message and e-mail until January 27 and I received the letter a week later. I was desperate. 
It takes between 2 and 4 weeks. 
However, I read about cases which they received the fingerprint appointment first, which makes sense because my fingerprint appointment letter came next day after I received the NOA letter. 

 

It's been almost 3 weeks since USCIS received my application...no check cashed, no NOA1 and no text message/email so far...?

[gallegamericana 8]

18 hours ago, Agnesrsn said:

Hi, I am not an accountant and maybe at the end the one you are working with will/should have that knowledge to help you out.  But, My husband looked into it for us and he mentioned that it is much easier to file jointly. Also if your husband has no incomes you might need to pay less tax ( as you are household of two now rather than one) which might be helpful overall. My husband is using a TurboTax programme but it is a payable stuff unfortunately. Also the tricky part is with the visa status. I am not sure if his visa type will have any impact on your joined taxes once you married.

Sorry, I realise that this is not very helpful post but maybe looking into some available programmes will help you out with the right directions. 

 

Good news is that the earning are mainly needed to your green card if RFE you received have nothing to do with AP you still should be able to progress at least that part of your case and fingers crossed get the card on time for your travel!

Said that I would not delay the taxes respond green card is the most important document of them all.

 

Good luck and I hope all will work out well for you with your AOS, AP and travels

 

Thanks for sharing your experience! I guess I have to be patient and see what the RFE actually asks for before freaking out. In the meantime, I've decided to file married, but filing separately to move forward with my return (even though it's a more expensive option) and have my husband file as an F1 student with no income (aka he doesn't have to file, but will send his exempt form to the IRS) and we can always amend down the road if we want our money back!

[carlos7 3]

Hey guys,

Does anyone knows if I can get a SSN while I'm waiting for the interview? Or do i need to have at least the EAD? 

[Becci391 339]

1 minute ago, carlos7 said:

Hey guys,

Does anyone knows if I can get a SSN while I'm waiting for the interview? Or do i need to have at least the EAD? 

I went to the Social Security office with my passport (plus valid visa), original marriage certificate and a copy of the I-94.

My SSN was in the mail 8 days after I applied for one. 

I applied for AOS almost 1 week after I received my SSN.

[Californiansunset 332]

3 hours ago, carlos7 said:

Hey guys,

Does anyone knows if I can get a SSN while I'm waiting for the interview? Or do i need to have at least the EAD? 

It depends how many days you have left on your I-94. If it is expired they likely won't issue a SSN and you will have to wait for your EAD. Even if you still have some time left but it's getting close to your I-94 expiry date (usually less than two weeks left on the I-94) they might refuse to issue a SSN. It all depends on your I-94. 

[carlos7 3]

9 hours ago, Becci391 said:

I went to the Social Security office with my passport (plus valid visa), original marriage certificate and a copy of the I-94.

My SSN was in the mail 8 days after I applied for one. 

I applied for AOS almost 1 week after I received my SSN.

My F1 visa expires next week and I am currently in the process of getting my green card. I fear if I apply with my F1 USCIS will consider my green card case abandonment and I'll have to start over and spend more money. Thank you for your suggestion though, I wish I knew that before I applied!

 

5 hours ago, Californiansunset said:

It depends how many days you have left on your I-94. If it is expired they likely won't issue a SSN and you will have to wait for your EAD. Even if you still have some time left but it's getting close to your I-94 expiry date (usually less than two weeks left on the I-94) they might refuse to issue a SSN. It all depends on your I-94. 

Since I entered the country with an F1 visa, my I-94 does not have an expiration date (shows "d/s" where expiration date would be). Thanks for you're suggestion and replying!

[Gingerspike 55]

Hello to all February filers!

 

I just want to know if I should start worrying already. We sent our I-485 (AOS based on marriage) and I-765 (EAD) on February 24 and USPS tracking number said the Chicago lockbox received it the next day, Feb. 25. But until now, I haven't heard anything from USCIS still. We also sent an e-notif form. I read here that some got notifications from USCIS as early as three days. It is now almost three weeks without anything from them. I sent an email to their lockbox support to check but they said they will reply (if ever) within 15 days. Our check hasn't been cashed out as well.

 

I was wondering if the state where you filed from influence when they will process the papers. I am from California adjusting my status from a K1 visa. Is there someone who has similar experience with me? I appreciate all helpful advices. Thank you.

[Becci391 339]

8 minutes ago, Gingerspike said:

Hello to all February filers!

 

I just want to know if I should start worrying already. We sent our I-485 (AOS based on marriage) and I-765 (EAD) on February 24 and USPS tracking number said the Chicago lockbox received it the next day, Feb. 25. But until now, I haven't heard anything from USCIS still. We also sent an e-notif form. I read here that some got notifications from USCIS as early as three days. It is now almost three weeks without anything from them. I sent an email to their lockbox support to check but they said they will reply (if ever) within 15 days. Our check hasn't been cashed out as well.

 

I was wondering if the state where you filed from influence when they will process the papers. I am from California adjusting my status from a K1 visa. Is there someone who has similar experience with me? I appreciate all helpful advices. Thank you.

Hey,

 

I am in the same situation.

Got a call from USCIS yesterday and apparently there is a backlog at the Chicago lockbox facility. I was told to wait until 30 days have passed and that I should call USCIS on day 30 (March 21st for the both of us) if we haven't received any NOA1s by March 21st.

We just have to wait a little longer but hopefully we will get our NOA1s soon.

Edited March 14, 2017 by Becci391

[Gingerspike 55]

4 minutes ago, Becci391 said:

Hey,

 

I am in the same situation.

Got a call from USCIS yesterday and apparently there is a backlog at the Chicago lockbox facility. I was told to wait until 30 days have passed and that I should call USCIS on day 30 (March 21st for the both of us) if we haven't received any NOA1s by March 21st.

We just have to wait a little longer but hopefully we will get our NOA1s soon.

Thank you very much, Becci. I, somehow, breathed a sigh of relief. I'll take note of your advice and will call them on 21st, on the dot. Good luck to you too!

[Becci391 339]

2 minutes ago, Gingerspike said:

Thank you very much, Becci. I, somehow, breathed a sigh of relief. I'll take note of your advice and will call them on 21st, on the dot. Good luck to you too!

Thank you.

 

It happened to us when my fiance filed for my K1 visa. After a call we found out that our application never made it to USCIS. It got lost somewhere between Atlanta and Chicago. That's why I am nervous. I don't want that happen again. But we are prepared if we have to send the documents again.

[Gingerspike 55]

7 minutes ago, Becci391 said:

Thank you.

 

It happened to us when my fiance filed for my K1 visa. After a call we found out that our application never made it to USCIS. It got lost somewhere between Atlanta and Chicago. That's why I am nervous. I don't want that happen again. But we are prepared if we have to send the documents again.

Oh, that's a bummer. Sorry to hear that. I didn't know that it could happen. Thank you for giving me a heads up to guard our papers and make sure to have a NOA within a month. That's really nerve-wracking. Now I'm nervous too, lol!

[Sabazou 18]

About to give up and ship out a second packet. Been 28 days since we mailed it and USPS can't tell me whether or not they delivered the package and calls to USCIS have been less than helpful. Will wait until next week and then if nothing I'm shipping another one out.

[Becci391 339]

1 hour ago, Sabazou said:

About to give up and ship out a second packet. Been 28 days since we mailed it and USPS can't tell me whether or not they delivered the package and calls to USCIS have been less than helpful. Will wait until next week and then if nothing I'm shipping another one out.

Wait until Thursday and call USCIS. Tell them you've been waitig for 30 days now and that you haven't received your NOA1 yet. That's what the woman on the phone told me yesterday. I have to wait one more week and then I will call them again. She told me that on day 30 they can connect you to someone at the Lockbox facility. She also told me that there is a backlog. Maybe this is why it takes so long for us to receive NOA1.

Edited March 14, 2017 by Becci391