Green Card was approved in 3 months, my AOS story

[itscarly 114]

Hi! I used a lot of vj information to filed for aos and I wanted to share with you my experience and my aos package.

 

I'm from Argentina and I came to America in November with a J1 visa (summer work travel program), after dating my husband for a year, we got married on May 7th. According to my visa, I had to go back home before June 30th and even though I married a US citizen and I knew if I overstayed it was going to be waived, I was still so worried that I filed for AoS asap (June 19th).

A few things I'm going to say before I talk about my application is that I think 50% was pure luck, it was filing at the right time and date. The other 50% making sure nothing in my application could make the officer doubt and ask for more information or evidence. I made sure everything was disclosed and explained, it must have been either a pain in the ### or a blessing for whoever that took my case cause it was 400 pages long lol. Also the fact that my office was Reno helped a lot, I went twice for biometrics and interview and there was no one, the parking lot was empty, so they're pretty low on cases there. I didn't get help from a lawyer 'cause I considered my case was simple, it wasn't worth the money, we were on lockdown so I didn't have much else to do but getting obsessed with sending the perfect application, visiting hundreds of VJs topics and watching youtube videos. 

 

Another thing, specifically for I130 is that I was scared because my husband and I are in our early 20s, we got married a year after meeting each other, 7 months out of those 12 we were in a long distance relationship, he still lived with his parents, we both had part time jobs, we don't own anything, so we had to prove our love by telling them our story. How meant to be we are, how we clicked instantly, how we talked 3 hours a day every day, how I told him he could come to visit me and the next day he went to get his passport and bought flight tickets to see me, how we can't imagine being away from each other, that we did it for 7 months and we don't want to do it ever again, how we have plans for the future, etc. Our bonafide evidence was full of stories and we attached them with tickets, passes, reservations, photos, invitations. By the time of the interview we did gather a lot of primary evidence and the officer that interviewed us was more than pleased.

 

 

 

This was my package main cover letter

 

Quote

 

Via FedEx
USCIS
Attn: FBAS
131 South Dearborn - 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517

June 19, 2020

RE: Concurrent Filing. Forms I-130, I-130A, I-485, I-864, I-693, I-944, and I-765.
Nature of the submission: Original Submission
Petitioner: xxxx
Beneficiary: xxxxx

Dear Sir/Madam:

Please find enclosed concurrent filing of forms: I-130, Petition for Alien Relative; I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary; Evidence of Bona Fide Marriage; I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status; I-864, Affidavit of Support; I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record; I-944, Declaration of Self-Sufficiency; Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.

Table of Contents

Part A.
I-130 & I-130A, Petition for Alien Relative and Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary.
Personal Check: $535.00 for Form I-130;
G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance;
2 passport-style photos of Petitioner;
2 passport-style photos of Beneficiary;
Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative;
Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary;
Copy of Petitioner's birth certificate;
Copy of Beneficiary's birth certificate (translation and original language);
Copy of Petitioner's U.S. passport all pages;
Copy of Beneficiary's passport biographic page;
Copy of Marriage Certificate.

Part B.
Evidence of Bona Fide Marriage
Joint Bank Account statement;
Joint Health Insurance enrollment letter and card;
Affidavits (2);
Relationship Letter by Petitioner;
Album of Photos by Beneficiary; (has social media posts and chats; visit to my country with photos, boarding passes, visa stamps, photos with my family; chats on messenger and whatsapp; hotels and campgrounds booking receipts; facetime screen captures; phone conversation history; hockey games and concerts tickets; formal events together; pictures with his family in America; pictures from different trips; marriage announcement to family and friends; wedding pictures)

 

How We Met
Pictures………………………………………………………………… 01

 

San Francisco Trip #1
Instagram and iMessage chat……………………………02

 

San Francisco Trip #2
Pictures and chats……………………………………………….04

 

Long-Distance Relationship
Video chat screen captures…………………………………05
Whatsapp photos screen captures…………………….07
Call history and Instagram chat………...……………….08
Whatsapp chat……………………………………………………….09

 

Trip To Argentina
Whatsapp chat………………………………………………………11
Petitioner’s entry/exit passport stamp………………12
Photos………………………………………………………………….. 13
Social media posts………………………………………………16

 

Long-Distance Again
Whatsapp chat………………………………………………………19
Whatsapp photos screen captures…………………….21

 

Road Trip in America
Beneficiary’s I-94 and online boarding pass………22
Photos…………………………………………………………………....23
Social media posts………………………………………………..24
Campground reservation confirmation………………25
Hotel booking reservation confirmation…………….26
Hockey game tickets and hotel reservation confirmation…27

 

Living Together
Photos…………………………………………………………………….30
Christmas party invitation and social media posts...31
Whatsapp photos screen captures....…………………33
Photos and social media posts……………………………34
Valentine’s day concert tickets…..…………..……………38

 

Last Trip of the Season
Photos……………………………………………………………………..39
Hotel booking reservation confirmation……………..40
Police report…………………………………………………………….41

How COVID-19 Changed our Plans
Photos…………………………………………………………………...42
STRAVA website screen capture..………………………43
The proposal………………………………………………………….44
Marriage announcement………………………………………45

 

Marriage
Wedding Photos……………………………………………………..46
Marriage Certificate………………………………………………..48
Hotel booking reservation confirmation……………….49

 

Part C.
I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
Personal Check: $1,225.00 for Form I-485 and Form I-765;
G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance;
2 Passport style photos of Beneficiary;
Form I-485, Adjustment of Status;
Additional Information Letter: Beneficiary’s Passport and Visas with:
Copy of Beneficiary's passport biographic page;
Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record;
Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record History;
Copy of Form DS-2019 from 2019-2020 J1 Exchange Visitor Program;
Copy of Job offer for 2019-2020 J1 Exchange Visitor Program;
Copy of Performance review from 2019-2020 J1 Exchange Visitor Program;
Police Report of stolen Passport;
Copy of Emergency Passport biographic page and cover;
Copy of Emergency Passport Payment Receipt;
U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires email;
Argentina Legislation and Official Notice from 03/26/2020. Specifically: Decree No. 274/20 about the prohibition of entry to residents in the country that are abroad and to Argentinians residing abroad;
Argentina Legislation and Official Notice from 04/01/2020. Specifically: Extension of Decree No. 274/20;
Canceled flight screenshot;
The U.S. Department of State's Office of Private Sector Exchange’s letter explaining Two-Month Extension for Exchange Visitors;
Good Standing letter by Beneficiary’s sponsor;
Copy of Form DS-2019 from 2018-2019 J1 Exchange Visitor Program;
Copy of Passport page with admission stamp and copy of passport page with nonimmigrant J1 visa from 2018-2019 J1 Exchange Visitor Program; 
Copy of Job offer for 2018-2019 J1 Exchange Visitor Program;
Copy of Performance review from 2018-2019 J1 Exchange Visitor Program;
Copy of Passport page with B-2 Tourist visa;
Additional Information Letter: Page 6 of 20, Part 3, Items Numbers 15 to 18. Employment History.
Copy of Beneficiary's birth certificate (translation and original language);
Copy of Marriage Certificate;

Part D.
I-864, Affidavit of Support
Form I-864, Affidavit of Support;
Petitioner’s most recent individual Federal income tax return (2019);
Petitioner’s most recent Form W-2 (2019);
Petitioner’s 2018 individual Federal income tax return;
Petitioner’s 2018 Form W-2;
Additional Information Letter: Page 5 of 10, Part 6, Item number 23.a. The petitioner was not required to file a Federal Income Tax Return in 2017;
Petitioner’s 2017 Form W-2;
Petitioner’s Pay Stubs;
Copy of Petitioner's passport biographic page;
Copy of Petitioner's birth certificate;
Copy of Marriage Certificate;

Part E.
I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (Sealed envelope)

Part F.
I-944, Declaration of Self-Sufficiency
G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance;
Form I-944, Declaration of Self-Sufficiency;

Household
Copy of Marriage Certificate;

Household Income
Additional Information Letter: Page 3 of 18, Part 3, Item Number 1. Household members IRS transcripts;
Explanation and screen captures of IRS website;
Copy of Certified Mail and Return Receipt to IRS;
Screen captures of the “Policy Manual > Volume 8 - Admissibility > Part G - Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility > Chapter 9 - Assets, Resources, and Financial Status”;
Beneficiary’s most recent individual Federal income tax return (2019);
Beneficiary’s most recent Form W-2 (2019);
Petitioner’s most recent individual Federal income tax return (2019);
Petitioner’s most recent Form W-2 (2019);
Copy of Social Security Cards;

Credit Report and Score
Additional Information Letter: Page 6 of 18, Part 3, Item Number 11. Beneficiary’s U.S. Credit Report and Score;
Screen captures of nationwide credit reporting agency: Experian;
Declined request for pre-qualification for a Credit One Bank credit card;
Beneficiary’s mobile phone bills history;
Beneficiary’s gym 6-month membership agreement;
Beneficiary’s health insurance payment screen capture;

Health Insurance
Beneficiary’s proof of current health care coverage letter;
Screen capture of Medical Enrollment with Enrollment Period;
Annual Deductible information (circled);

Education and Skills
High School and Higher Degree
Additional Information Letter: Page 11 of 18, Part 4, Items Numbers 2 and 3. Beneficiary’s University Diploma;
IEE (NACES) evaluation: University and High School education;
Beneficiary’s University Education Transcript: translation, and original language;
Certificate of Degree Processing (translation and original language);
Beneficiary’s High School Diploma: translation, and original language;
Beneficiary’s High School Transcript: translation, and original language;
Occupational Skill
Training Course in Basic First AID and CPR Certificate translation and original language;
California Food Handler Training Certificate Program;
English and other Language Skills
Additional Information Letter: Page 13 of 18, Part 4, Item Number 5. English and Other Language Skills;
Proof of English Proficiency: First Certificate in English Council of Europe Level B2;
Proof of English Proficiency: transcripts from High School and University with English classes (circled).

Part G.
I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance;
2 Passport style photos of Beneficiary;
Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization;
Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record;
Copy of Beneficiary's passport biographic page;

Copies of the documents submitted are photocopies of unaltered documents and we understand that we may be required to submit or present original documents to an immigration or consular officer at a later date.

Thank you for your consideration of the above application. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions regarding this application packet.

Sincerely,
 

(my signature and date) (my husbands signature and date)

 

 

I had to explain a few things when I filed:

1. During a road trip all my forms of identification were stolen, so I lost my passport with my visa stamp and my country ids. Thankfully, I was able to get an emergency passport and sent that in the package with an explanation of what happened and secondary proof that I was here legally such as letters from my sponsors, employers, job reviews and flight tickets.

 

2. I was given an extension of my visa because of the pandemic, so I sent a letter from my sponsor that explains the extension and extra information on why I was given this extension (the borders of my country were closed and all my flights were canceled)

 

3. My husband was a dependent of him mom for 2017 tax returns so we wrote a letter that his mom signed.

 

4. I944 was intense haha, we couldn't get IRS transcripts before sending the application because at that time IRS offices were closed, so we sent the biggest WE TRIED letter, where we stated that we received no answer from IRS so we were going to send 1040s and W2s.

 

5. We didn't have a credit score or report because none of us has credit cars, loans, car, leases, anything. We're still pretty young and we haven't thought all that out yet (we should soon). So we explained that, we sent transunion letter saying we didn't have any of that, screenshots of the experian website saying they couldn't find me and I tried to get a credit card online and I didn't qualified.

 

6. For Education, I did an evaluation of my college transcripts with a NACES authorized agency (IEE), also I graduated from college but I came to America before i could sign my diploma so I don't have my diploma with me and that's the way I can prove I graduated, what I sent to prove I graduated was a certified letter by my college that stated that I did in fact finish college. The evaluation agency wrote that my degree was incomplete because they didn't accept the certified letter but I sent everything in my I944, cause why not.

 

7.I didn't send proof I know how to speak Spanish because that's my native language and in my transcripts from school we don't call Spanish classes that, we call them Language classes. I wrote a letter swearing I know Spanish and that's it.

 

When I filed I was afraid that my husband's tax return were going to look bad, because in 2019 he made a little over the percentage he had to make to sponsor me, in 2018 he made half of that percentage and in 2017 he was a minor and was a dependent of his mom. Still I sent all that information because if I disclosed it first it means I'm ahead of any questions they can ask us. That's just my mindset, I know a lot of people believe it's better to just put the last tax return information and that's fine. Also when we filed, my husband was unemployed and so was I (pandemic related), so we sent his last pay stubs and that's all. (He did have a part time job but that didn't make enough to support me at that time and he didn't file for unemployment)

 

Another thing is that (PLEASE DONT DO IT) I worked in the past unauthorized, this was way before I met my husband and I didn't think of the consequences, I had no idea at some point it could come back to bite me. So, I disclosed it, I said from what date to what date and in I485 I said yes to working unauthorized and violating the terms of conditions of my nonimmigrant status.

 

 

So this was my timeline

 

Quote

June 19: sent AoS package

June 22: AoS in Chicago lockbox

July 13: received NOA letters

July 28: received biometrics appointment letter

August 13: biometrics appointment

August 19: case ready to be scheduled for an interview update

August 21: interview was scheduled

September 25: interview

September 25: we ordered your new card update I485

September 28: case was approved update I130

September 28: case was approved update I485

 

and here's what I sent the June 2020 filers group and hour after the interview:

 

 

Quote

So, our interview was at 11:30, Reno office, we went in at 11:15 and waited to be called until 11:40. The interview officer was super nice, he asked us the typical COVID-19 questions, then we took the oath and the interview started.

 

For what I could see the forms were reorganized in this order: I-485, I-944, I-864, I-765 and I-130.

 

He went through my I-485 and asked what’s my name, date of birth, address, previous address, if I’m currently employed, my parents names, how many times I’ve been married and date of marriage. Then he asked my husband his name, if he’s currently employed and how many times he’s been married. Also he had to add to my form that I was part of an organization because I didn’t write it in the original submission. Then he went through the yes/no questions, probably asked me 10 of those. I said yes to two of them (i had already disclosed it and explained it in the application I sent).

 

Finally he went through the rest of the forms and asked us if we had any type of paperwork/receipts/statements with both of our names or the address we share in it. We gave him our life insurances, health insurance, tax transcripts (we didn’t filed jointly but the transcripts had the same address), my military spouse card, joint bank account statements, his paystubs, my medical/pharmacy bills and that’s it.

He said “that should be enough, we are going to finish the background check and in an hour I should be able to approve you guys”. We left the building at 12:05. An hour later my online status for i-485 changed to “new card is being produced”. For I-765 my online status is fingerprints have been taken and I-130 case was received, I don’t think it matters anymore though.

 

And that's it. Right now, I have a job offer and I'm waiting for my green card to arrive. I'm excited about the winter, being with my husband without having to think of visas, uscis, forms, is great. I did get only the conditional green card, so in 2 years I'll have to do this again hahah.

 

I hope this long post helps you, please let me know if you have any questions, this was my experience, probably had a few mistakes, it's not perfect, I was just very lucky this process went as smoothly as it did. Thank you thank you thank you VJ members for answering all my questions and giving me so much information!

 

 

 

 

[nendu 87]

Thank for for sharing this. Congratulations. 

[Celebi 137]

Thank you for this and congratulations for the fast TAT  

[SusnOwen 160]

Congrats, and thanks for sharing!

[Ceci1121 1]

Big cong!!! And thanks for sharing :) 

[Permagc 2]

Congratulations 

[Orangesapples 1,954]

Congrats! 

 

Make sure you start working on your credit score, it matters all lot. The sooner you start the better. 

[Duke & Marie 1,389]

Wow fast.... congrats... but very jealous I filed mine in April and nothing 

[Ed&Midori1031 330]

Congrats!

[little immigrant 801]

Congratulations! 

[bradoony 54]

Hi Carly! It is so nice to hear a positive and beautiful story like yours. Honestly, reading this gave me chills because this is so much similar to my story and experience.  I am June filler as well and our interview is scheduled , even we have same timeline relationship lol   I have heard now many people getting trough the process faster if they don't use a lawyer and filled everything perfectly so USCIS do not send REF.  Congratulation and enjoy your time in US. 

[mymarriagejourney 113]

Ours was also fast, a bit over 2 months, and we have a 21 year age difference. Been married over 8 years now and he’s now a citizen. I’m glad to be done with immigration but still check in here from time to time. Congratulations!

[itscarly 114]

On 9/28/2020 at 9:50 PM, Orangesapples said:

Congrats! 

 

Make sure you start working on your credit score, it matters all lot. The sooner you start the better. 

Thank you, we’re getting credit cards soon! 

[itscarly 114]

On 9/28/2020 at 11:00 PM, Duke & Marie said:

Wow fast.... congrats... but very jealous I filed mine in April and nothing 

Hopefully things speed up and you get some news too!

[itscarly 114]

On 9/29/2020 at 9:08 AM, bradoony said:

Hi Carly! It is so nice to hear a positive and beautiful story like yours. Honestly, reading this gave me chills because this is so much similar to my story and experience.  I am June filler as well and our interview is scheduled , even we have same timeline relationship lol   I have heard now many people getting trough the process faster if they don't use a lawyer and filled everything perfectly so USCIS do not send REF.  Congratulation and enjoy your time in US. 

thank you so much! I’m sure your interview is going to go great, best of luck ❤️