April 2019 AOS Filers(merged)

[pittfiler 27]

USPS informed delivery says I either expect to receive the green card today or tomorrow (if they are too lazy to deliver it today, as what happened some time ago for EAD card). I have benefited a lot through this forum and I didn't see a lot of Pittsburgh filers, so I would like to share my timeline and experiences.

 

As a same-sex marriage couple, we kinda worried about AOS at the beginning for recent immigration policies. Yet we are too young and too POOR to hire a lawyer, so we decided to file AOS ourselves since I don't have any complications. This is my timeline:

Pittsburgh, PA

04.16.2019 applications sent through Fedex (485,765,130)

04.18.2019 10:30 am application arrived

04.23.2019 5pm credit card charged

04.24.2019 midnight received text and email notification

04.29.2019 paper receipt received

05.03.2019 notice of biometrics (notice date: 04.26 appointment date: 05.17)

05.06.2019 biometrics walk in successful, 485 same day fingerprint review complete, 765 the following day complete

05.10.2019 485 ready to schedule for interview 

06.19.2019 interview was scheduled

06.24.2019 interview notice received, interview at 07.26 11:15am

07.26.2019 interview and IO recommended for approval，the same day 485 changed to interview competed, case must be reviewed

08.01.2019 485 changed to new card is being produced

08.05.2019 card mailed out, USPS/USCIS notified me with tracking number on 08.06.2019

 

Interview day:

Got there early and took one minute to go through security. There is a couple ahead of us having some complicated immigration case so we didn't get called in until one hour later than scheduled time. Folks, remember to have some breakfast if yours is scheduled around noon. Anyways, the interview itself was straightforward. The marriage certificate, passports and state DLs are requested to see. The IO asked EVERY SINGLE question on 485 and 130. They apparently know very well how each country works ( I was asked about why I didn't join communist party and why no military training during college). We were asked about each other's birthdays/parents names/parents locations. They requested more evidence but since we submitted a lot (although they didn't have time to review them beforehand), we only gave them updated bank statements, leases, insurances and explained why we didn't file tax jointly. Then the IO went ahead to explain removal of conditions and will recommend for approval. Took probably 20-30 min in total. One thing I must suggest tho, DON'T expect them to approve the case the same day. Although some people gets online update to approved the same day of interview, but most people had theirs approved several days or weeks after. I was expecting same day online approval, so I had a lot of anxiety when the case is updated to "interview completed and case must be reviewed". Anyways, we are done with USCIS for 21 months, good luck to you guys and see you guys in two years!

 

 

Edited August 7, 2019 by pittfiler

[johnnyI129F 86]

2 hours ago, KandN said:

For my EAD expedite they sent the fax instructions by regular mail so I’d assume it is also possible in your case.

Thanks , I requested to expedite both Green card and EAD , lets see how is it goes .

[Wilson KE 48]

Hi,how long does it take for  after USCIS notifies you that they have received your RFIE to case scheduled for interview?

[Nashvan 133]

2 minutes ago, Wilson KE said:

Hi,how long does it take for  after USCIS notifies you that they have received your RFIE to case scheduled for interview?

They received my RFIE on June 28 and it hasn't updated since. I've never seen Case is Ready to this day. However, my FO tends to issue Case is Ready when an interview has been scheduled so I'm not expecting it to update anytime soon.

[Spardasa 78]

1 minute ago, Vans said:

They received my RFIE on June 28 and it hasn't updated since. I've never seen Case is Ready to this day. However, my FO tends to issue Case is Ready when an interview has been scheduled so I'm not expecting it to update anytime soon.

Maybe next year for our FO?

[johnnyI129F 86]

11 minutes ago, Wilson KE said:

Hi,how long does it take for  after USCIS notifies you that they have received your RFIE to case scheduled for interview?

It depends on luck firstly and where you located 2ndly , it varies from 3 month to 15 month .. 

[Nashvan 133]

2 minutes ago, Spardasa said:

Maybe next year for our FO?

Looks like it will be a New Year gift, or Christmas if lucky.

[Jaime'n'Jenny 8]

4 hours ago, pittfiler said:

USPS informed delivery says I either expect to receive the green card today or tomorrow (if they are too lazy to deliver it today, as what happened some time ago for EAD card). I have benefited a lot through this forum and I didn't see a lot of Pittsburgh filers, so I would like to share my timeline and experiences.

 

As a same-sex marriage couple, we kinda worried about AOS at the beginning for recent immigration policies. Yet we are too young and too POOR to hire a lawyer, so we decided to file AOS ourselves since I don't have any complications. This is my timeline:

Pittsburgh, PA

04.16.2019 applications sent through Fedex (485,765,130)

04.18.2019 10:30 am application arrived

04.23.2019 5pm credit card charged

04.24.2019 midnight received text and email notification

04.29.2019 paper receipt received

05.03.2019 notice of biometrics (notice date: 04.26 appointment date: 05.17)

05.06.2019 biometrics walk in successful, 485 same day fingerprint review complete, 765 the following day complete

05.10.2019 485 ready to schedule for interview 

06.19.2019 interview was scheduled

06.24.2019 interview notice received, interview at 07.26 11:15am

07.26.2019 interview and IO recommended for approval，the same day 485 changed to interview competed, case must be reviewed

08.01.2019 485 changed to new card is being produced

08.05.2019 card mailed out, USPS/USCIS notified me with tracking number on 08.06.2019

 

Interview day:

Got there early and took one minute to go through security. There is a couple ahead of us having some complicated immigration case so we didn't get called in until one hour later than scheduled time. Folks, remember to have some breakfast if yours is scheduled around noon. Anyways, the interview itself was straightforward. The marriage certificate, passports and state DLs are requested to see. The IO asked EVERY SINGLE question on 485 and 130. They apparently know very well how each country works ( I was asked about why I didn't join communist party and why no military training during college). We were asked about each other's birthdays/parents names/parents locations. They requested more evidence but since we submitted a lot (although they didn't have time to review them beforehand), we only gave them updated bank statements, leases, insurances and explained why we didn't file tax jointly. Then the IO went ahead to explain removal of conditions and will recommend for approval. Took probably 20-30 min in total. One thing I must suggest tho, DON'T expect them to approve the case the same day. Although some people gets online update to approved the same day of interview, but most people had theirs approved several days or weeks after. I was expecting same day online approval, so I had a lot of anxiety when the case is updated to "interview completed and case must be reviewed". Anyways, we are done with USCIS for 21 months, good luck to you guys and see you guys in two years!

 

 

Congratulations!!  I am also in a same-sex marriage couple.  Reading your post gives me hope! 

[Chris & Lucas 33]

4 hours ago, Vans said:

They received my RFIE on June 28 and it hasn't updated since. I've never seen Case is Ready to this day. However, my FO tends to issue Case is Ready when an interview has been scheduled so I'm not expecting it to update anytime soon.

They received my rfie on July 9th. No status update since then either. At least the max waiting for EAD is 5 months now, so most April fillers should hear good news by September. 

[ATLLN 26]

At 5 am today we received the following email:

 

Application Type: I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR ADJUST STATUS 

Your Case Status: Testing and Interview 

As of August 9, 2019, we are ready to schedule your Form I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR ADJUST STATUS, Receipt Number MSCXxxxxxxx, for an interview. We will schedule your interview and send you a notice. Please follow any instructions in the notice. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address. 

 

Nothing had changed in the system since our April 24 filing, but maybe that scary red letter about the i693 was a good sign last week. Either we will get the interview appointment soon or we will remain in "ready" for the next 11-25 months minus 108 days based on Charlotte processing times. 

 

Sending good vibes to everyone!

 

[march16filer 153]

2 hours ago, ATLLN said:

At 5 am today we received the following email:

 

Application Type: I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR ADJUST STATUS 

Your Case Status: Testing and Interview 

As of August 9, 2019, we are ready to schedule your Form I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR ADJUST STATUS, Receipt Number MSCXxxxxxxx, for an interview. We will schedule your interview and send you a notice. Please follow any instructions in the notice. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address. 

 

Nothing had changed in the system since our April 24 filing, but maybe that scary red letter about the i693 was a good sign last week. Either we will get the interview appointment soon or we will remain in "ready" for the next 11-25 months minus 108 days based on Charlotte processing times. 

 

Sending good vibes to everyone!

 

 

We just got the same update this morning. We have also received our EAD/AP combo card yesterday after filed for an emergency AP last week. Have you received your EAD yet?

[ATLLN 26]

1 hour ago, march16filer said:

We just got the same update this morning. We have also received our EAD/AP combo card yesterday after filed for an emergency AP last week. Have you received your EAD yet?

No EAD or AP yet. We didn't ask for expedited since we didn't believe we qualified based on USCIS criteria. It's been radio silence since May when we had biometrics letter and appointment. Then out of nowhere came the letter about the 693 last week. Now the status is changed in their system to ready for interview. Hoping 11-25 months in Charlotte magically becomes 108 days. Our luck couldn't be that good. 

Edited August 10, 2019 by ATLLN

[my&aaron 54]

I'm not sure if this has been shared but they just reduced the processing time for EAD (-with a pending I-485 application) down to 2.5-5 months!!!

[d24v 200]

54 minutes ago, my&aaron said:

I'm not sure if this has been shared but they just reduced the processing time for EAD (-with a pending I-485 application) down to 2.5-5 months!!!

It’s come up a few times.

 

I would caution you (and anyone!) to keep their hopes not too high; half of the March group is now past date and able to make an inquiry, and when they are calling USCIS, are still hearing 6-8 months. It seems like more people are getting interviews for their GC and skipping over EAD/AP than receiving them in the order this process originally intended.

 

 

[my&aaron 54]

2 minutes ago, d24v said:

It’s come up a few times.

 

I would caution you (and anyone!) to keep their hopes not too high; half of the March group is now past date and able to make an inquiry, and when they are calling USCIS, are still hearing 6-8 months. It seems like more people are getting interviews for their GC and skipping over EAD/AP than receiving them in the order this process originally intended.

 

 

Oh yea, for sure. And I already got mine after expediting so I always think I got lucky.