March 2023 - AOS Filers

[CJPinEcuador 396]

Starting the group off since I didn’t see one made and we just sent off our paperwork today. Copied below from last month’s group:
 

Hello March 2023 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 AOSwill 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 AOSpacket!

[CJPinEcuador 396]

Created this thread for my fellow March 2023 AOS filers.

So far: Mailed (Texas Lockbox): March 4th, 2023.

 

And the wait begins! Hoping this all goes smoother and faster than the K-1 process. Even if it doesn’t, at least we are waiting it out together in the same place this time! 

 

Previously: April 2021 K1 filer, VOH December 2022, US entrance January 2023, Married February 2023, Back at it with USCIS March 2023.

[centric23 95]

33 minutes ago, CJPinEcuador said:

 

Created this thread for my fellow March 2023 AOS filers.

So far: Mailed (Texas Lockbox): March 4th, 2023.

 

And the wait begins! Hoping this all goes smoother and faster than the K-1 process. Even if it doesn’t, at least we are waiting it out together in the same place this time! 

 

Previously: April 2021 K1 filer, VOH December 2022, US entrance January 2023, Married February 2023, Back at it with USCIS March 2023.

Welcome to the other side!

[Ms. Clarke 32]

 

I’m so overwhelmed. 😩 that initial check list is extensive and it can change at any moment. Omg ! So I started my I-485 form . I have a question, about the recent immigration history. Number 19 travel document number used at last arrival. Where so I get this number from ? 
number 23a. Place of last arrival in to the United States. There was a layover before the final destination. So do the want the point of entry airport ? Last think it says attach a copy of  I-797 for underlying petition. I don’t think that was in the check list up top. 
many help and clarification is greatly appreciated! 
 

 

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[CJPinEcuador 396]

2 hours ago, Ms. Clarke said:

 

 

I’m so overwhelmed. 😩 that initial check list is extensive and it can change at any moment. Omg ! So I started my I-485 form . I have a question, about the recent immigration history. Number 19 travel document number used at last arrival. Where so I get this number from ? 
number 23a. Place of last arrival in to the United States. There was a layover before the final destination. So do the want the point of entry airport ? Last think it says attach a copy of  I-797 for underlying petition. I don’t think that was in the check list up top. 
many help and clarification is greatly appreciated! 
 

 

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If you put a passport number, you don’t need to worry about the travel document number. 
 

Use the POE.

 

We did send a copy of the I-129F approval notice with all 3 forms (I-485, I-131, I-765) as we saw it included on other lists. 
 

Our paperwork won’t be received until tomorrow, so we are still waiting to see if we run into any problems right off the bat. The list is definitely a long one, though it was a lot less than we sent in for the I-129F. If anything I’m worried our application packets this time all seemed too small in comparison haha. We shall see! 

[Ms. Clarke 32]

Should the I-765 eligibility category be (c)( 9)( ) since we are filling it with the aos I-495 application. It’s an extra parentheses that is left blank . Is that correct. 
????????

[Ms. Clarke 32]

What does class of admission mean? 

[CJPinEcuador 396]

20 hours ago, Ms. Clarke said:

Should the I-765 eligibility category be (c)( 9)( ) since we are filling it with the aos I-495 application. It’s an extra parentheses that is left blank . Is that correct. 
????????

That or C09 is also recommended by some

20 hours ago, Ms. Clarke said:

What does class of admission mean? 

I don’t remember that question specifically. Which form and page is it on? 

[CJPinEcuador 396]

Update so far and hoping to see others join our month soon:

-February 10, 2023: Married

-March 4, 2023: Sent I-485, I-131 and I-765 by Mail

-March 7, 2023: Delivered at USCIS; Date listed as Received by USCIS

-March 10, 2023: Receipt numbers received by text, money entry posted in account 

-March 13, 2023: Money taken from account

-March 14, 2023: Received all 3 notices in the mail

-March 17, 2023: “Biometric appointment scheduled” case change for I-485

-March 18, 2023: USCIS login mail received 

-April 6, 2023: Biometric Appointment in San Antonio, TX for I-485 and I-765

 

Hoping the EAD will come as quickly as others have seen recently. 

[centric23 95]

On 3/19/2023 at 11:34 AM, CJPinEcuador said:

Update so far and hoping to see others join our month soon:

-February 10, 2023: Married

-March 4, 2023: Sent I-485, I-131 and I-765 by Mail

-March 7, 2023: Delivered at USCIS; Date listed as Received by USCIS

-March 10, 2023: Receipt numbers received by text, money entry posted in account 

-March 13, 2023: Money taken from account

-March 14, 2023: Received all 3 notices in the mail

-March 17, 2023: “Biometric appointment scheduled” case change for I-485

-March 18, 2023: USCIS login mail received 

-April 6, 2023: Biometric Appointment in San Antonio, TX for I-485 and I-765

 

Hoping the EAD will come as quickly as others have seen recently. 

Some people have tried walking in for biometric appointment and had success. Although we didn't, our office was pretty empty and I'm sure they would've taken someone who tried.

[CJPinEcuador 396]

Just now, centric23 said:

Some people have tried walking in for biometric appointment and had success. Although we didn't, our office was pretty empty and I'm sure they would've taken someone who tried.

I have seen others post about that, but it’s a 2.5 hour drive from where we live, so we probably won’t make the drive unless we are sure we can get in or we happen to already be in the area beforehand. Thanks for the tip! 

[Parallel Oddling 44]

Hello all,

 

Sent AOS & AP package in the mail overnight to the Chicago Mail Box - March 6, 2023

NOA1 for AOS - March 7, 2023

NOA1 for AP - March 7, 2023

Received physical mail about both AOS & AP application/case(s): both start with IOE - March 16, 2023

 

Hoping everyone is ready for the ride!

[IRP 20]

starting this journey again.

-Sent AOS docs thru Mail: 24th/3 (phoenix lockbox)

-Received/ picked up from the mail box : 27th march 2023. 

still waiting to hear from them .  hopefully soon 

[CJPinEcuador 396]

On 3/22/2023 at 8:38 AM, centric23 said:

Some people have tried walking in for biometric appointment and had success. Although we didn't, our office was pretty empty and I'm sure they would've taken someone who tried.

We ended up doing this today. The ASC center we needed to go to is 2.5 hours from our house, but I had work in the same city today so my husband asked at the door if he could do his today. They allowed it and our status changed to Active Review an hour after for EAD and AOS. Back to the wait game now! 

[China girl 21]

I had my biometrics appointment yesterday, it was so fast. About an hour later, status changed to Active Review. I hope EAD is approved soon.