September 2022 - AOS Filers

[Sarge2155 4,570]

Hello September 2022 AOS filers another month another round of AOS submissions,  Please be aware that this checklist is NOT all inclusive and you must consult the USCIS website to crosscheck this checklist against/with. The AOS process has been confusing since the pandemic hit, not to mention the added politics. So please I want to stress that you only use this check sheet as a starting point and guide if you will. The USCIS site will be the final guide. Please ensure that you check your forms for the correct versions and editions because if you use the wrong forms USCIS will reject your application and send it back to you. This is easily checked on the USCIS website prior to downloading your forms. You should also ONLY download your forms from the USCIS website.  The current and correct fees can also be ascertained from the USCIS website .

 

Just a side note before we get started  USCIS may decouple Forms I-765 and Form I-131 if filed jointly with Form I-485. Here is the quoted text taken directly from the USCIS website. "To improve efficiency and reduce Form I-765 processing times for Form I-485 applicants, USCIS may decouple Forms I-765 from Forms I-131 filed at the same time. Effective Feb. 1, 2022, when possible, we will adjudicate an applicant's Form I-765 first. If we approve it, we will issue an Employment Authorization Document without any notation about advanced parole. We will adjudicate the Form I-131 separately and if we approve it, we will issue an advance parole document". I know this is old news, but I thought it would be good to include it here for your knowledge.

 

What this means is some people elect to include three (3) copies of their marriage license / certificates one attached to each form (I-485, I-765 and I-131 respectively). I do not know of anyone receiving an RFE for a marriage license/certificate missing on the I-765 or the I-131 since USCIS has started doing this new way of adjudicating the AOS (the marriage license / certificate with form I-485 is required though). This is an age old concern that has been in play before this new way USCIS started adjudicating these forms. Some filers including me when I filed the AOS back in 2019 sent in three (3) copies of their marriage licenses / certificates. I did it then because of peace of mind and there were some RFEs given out for missing licenses / certificates (back then).  USCIS also used to issue Combo Cards, Employment Authorization Document and Advance Parole (EAD and AP combined in the same card). I've seen now where they have issued an EAD without the AP.  Whether you include three (3) copies of your marriage license / certificate is going to be your individual call when you file your AOS.  Having said that let's get into the checklist: 

 

 

AOS Checklist

• Cover Letter listing Table of Contents
• Check Payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security - $1,225.00 (this includes the Bio-metrics fee) 

 

Form I-485 (completed and signed by non-US Citizen/beneficiary)

• Form G-1145  
• Copy of beneficiary's Passport with biographical page 
• Copy of beneficiary's K1 Visa from Passport and entry stamp 
• Copy of NOA2 Approval letter (from K1 process) 
• I-94 
• Copy of beneficiary's Birth Certificate 
• translation of birth certificate (if needed)
• Certified copy of Marriage License or Certificate
• Passport Photos (2) name written on the back 
• Copy of DS-3025   

 

Form I-864 (completed and signed by USC) (goes with form I-485)

• Proof of USC's citizenship (copy of birth certificate, copy of passport bio page, or other)
•  Current tax year 2021 and (optional 2020 , 2019) Tax Return (with W-2) or Transcripts (transcripts are better if you can get them)
• Employment Verification letter (updated one - not the one used during K1 process) 
• Pay stubs (last 3 months)   

 

Form I-765 (completed and signed by non-US Citizen/beneficiary)

• Copy of beneficiary's Passport with biographical page 
• Copy of beneficiary's K1 Visa from Passport and entry stamp 
• I-94 
• Passport Photos (2) name written on the back 
• Copy of NOA2 (from K1 process)
• Be sure to use the correct filing code of (c)(9) if this code applies to you. The I-765 instructions explains all the codes in detail. If you are filing under a different code (other than (c)(9) the fee for your AOS will not be correct and USCIS will reject your entire packet.

 

Form I-131 (completed and signed by non-US Citizen/beneficiary)

• Copy of beneficiary's Passport with biographical page 
• Copy of beneficiary's K1 Visa from Passport and entry stamp 
• I-94 
• Passport Photos (2) name written on the back 
• Copy of NOA2 (from K1 process    

 

Be sure to double check for the current fees as fees do sometimes increase and they can change on a dime so please check. Additionally, check the forms as listed above i.e., current version and or edition date, there have been many changes to various forms. Consider sending tax transcripts instead of the 1040, and W2's. Also consider preparing a cover letter for each form in addition to the main cover letter. 

Make sure you send long form birth certificates and not the short form.  Hope this helps in your preparation of your AOS. When in doubt ask questions.

 

Please consider filing the I-131 and the I-765 even if you don't think you'll need them right now. You never know what changes your life will have on down the road, so I recommend you file these two forms from the start. There is no extra charge to file them with your AOS and it's better to submit them all at once.  There has been much confusion coming out of USCIS, partly due to Covid-19 and partly self-inflicted. This confusion filters on down to the people filing for AOS. The above listing is subject to change at a moment’s notice so please check, recheck and check again BEFORE you send off your packet for any last-minute changes.

 

 

Congratulations on a successful submission of your AOS packet!

Edited September 5, 2022 by Sarge2155

[Mackay 41]

I'm in!

NOA for all 3 today. (I-485, I-765, I-131.) Consecutive NOA numbers as well. 

[Sarge2155 4,570]

1 hour ago, Mackay said:

I'm in!

NOA for all 3 today. (I-485, I-765, I-131.) Consecutive NOA numbers as well. 

Yes you are in there!

[Mackay 41]

15 hours ago, Mackay said:

I'm in!

NOA for all 3 today. (I-485, I-765, I-131.) Consecutive NOA numbers as well. 

Update: I have IOE numbers, just in case anyone was wondering, and check cashed today!

[Mackay 41]

Update: Biometrics appointment notice for 485. 765 received; appt. Oct 4, 2022!

               

[CelloLover 26]

On 9/24/2022 at 11:14 AM, Mackay said:

Update: Biometrics appointment notice for 485. 765 received; appt. Oct 4, 2022!

               

Congrats!

I think there may be a mistake in your Timeline. Your Timeline for AOS says Interview Date is 10/04/2022, however this is your biometrics date.

Also, I noticed your CIS office for AOS says San Bernadino CA. Where did you get this information from?

[Mackay 41]

5 minutes ago, CelloLover said:

Congrats!

I think there may be a mistake in your Timeline. Your Timeline for AOS says Interview Date is 10/04/2022, however this is your biometrics date.

Also, I noticed your CIS office for AOS says San Bernardino CA. Where did you get this information from?

Just changed it to "Bio date" for 10/4. My Bio is being done in Riverside, but I don't see it listed. I put SB a while ago as it was the closest. Just found out about the Riverside office. 

[Dann_tgh 19]

AOS package received 09/15/2022 

9/20/2022 NOAs received 

9/21/2022 biometrics reuse notice 

9/29/2022 Request for more evidence on I-130. Requested beneficiary’s I-130A signed. 
9/30/2022 USCIS received evidence requested. 

[Qui 82]

Hi! We sent our packet to USCIS yesterday. I know it’ll probably be received by Monday or so. @Sarge2155 I still can’t see an October 2022 AOS Filers thread. Do you know if we have one?

[Sarge2155 4,570]

2 hours ago, Qui said:

Hi! We sent our packet to USCIS yesterday. I know it’ll probably be received by Monday or so. @Sarge2155 I still can’t see an October 2022 AOS Filers thread. Do you know if we have one?

Here you go:

 

 

[Mackay 41]

Got RFE'd, USCIS wants proof that I am a US Citizen. Unbelievable! I guess I didn't include this in the packet. Said I can upload document (Passport Biographic page, BC, etc.) on USCIS site. Completed this today! Onward... 

[Sarge2155 4,570]

38 minutes ago, Mackay said:

Got RFE'd, USCIS wants proof that I am a US Citizen. Unbelievable! I guess I didn't include this in the packet. Said I can upload document (Passport Biographic page, BC, etc.) on USCIS site. Completed this today! Onward... 

Yeah you are back in the saddle, at least you know that they are looking at your case!

[Mackay 41]

FYI, Just got a notification that our I-485 has been approved. My packet has been sent to San Bernardino field office. 

 

From the notice:

"Your Case Status: Decision

"On November 27, 2022, we approved your Form I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR ADJUST STATUS, Receipt Number IOE09175xxxxx, and sent you an approval notice. Please follow the instructions in your notice. If you do not receive your approval notice by December 27, 2022, please go to www.uscis.gov/e-request to request a copy of the notice. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address."

 

Things are moving along nicely!

[Sarge2155 4,570]

@Mackay

Congratulations, now make sure you start or continue to gather your ROC documents and proofs. Your ROC packet will be much more detailed than the AOS! Enjoy the two year break from USCIS!

[Chancy 6,233]

3 hours ago, Mackay said:

Just got a notification that our I-485 has been approved.

 

Congratulations!  That was super fast!  Your case might be the VJ record holder for post-COVID AOS cases 🥇