January 2025 AOS Filers

[OldUser 10,024]

1 hour ago, SL2024 said:

My wife was at the SSA yesterday for an appointment so she asked on my behalf and she got told that I needed to book an appointment to update the SSN card. So I rang the local SSA office and booked an appointment for in 3 weeks time.

Yes, sadly most of SSA locations now require appointment.

[KoreaninHawaii 113]

7 hours ago, Aserc said:

Didnt do anything at all. It just came in the mail.. i was hoping to ask about that here after my residency card arrives but they beat me to it! So i guess USCIS coordinated with SSA and they are faster in changing the document. ETA of my residency card will be on Sat as per USPS.

 

I read on some other sites or posts on reddit tho that some states do not do it automatically. Some did go to SSA and updated their cards.  

 

Congratulations on the positive result of the interview! 

 

 

 

 

I see. Would save me a trip if my state does this as well but we shall see.

Thank you! Hopefully now me and wife can enjoy our vacation now. 🥰

[KoreaninHawaii 113]

4 hours ago, OldUser said:

It depends whether you checked box on I-485 to get new SSN card and whether you get lucky.

If you don't receive it within a month, just get appointment at SSA and get replacement card. Typically you can fill form SS-5 to get replacement card with no DHS wording on it.

 

Why is it important? 

Because you never want to show GC to employer. Many HRs don't understand how immigration works. Especially with 2 year GC, they start freaking out when it expires and ask for new GC and or don't believe the extension letters.

 

So the best course of action is showing unrestricted SS card and valid DL / state ID for I-9. Employer cannot demand to see GC, they must accept List B + List C documents which SS cars and DL are.

I did receive her SS card from this method but I also am aware they seemed to also stopped processing SS cards this way too from new applicants.

[KoreaninHawaii 113]

4 hours ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

 

Yes ours is July 23rd!  

 

Great news and thank you for sharing!!  When you handed the sealed I-693, did you explain it was because of the missing Polio vaccine?

So when we both sat down after being sworn in she had asked if we had any more evidence to give and when I had mentioned about the vaccine she seemed a bit confused even after I mentioned the USCIS page asks for it now. Wasn't given too much trouble she looked over it and scanned it and that was that.

Also of note seems like my USCIS office the biometrics and interview are actually on 2 different floors of the building and while the 7 couple who came in the same time as our appointment checked in they didn't seem to follow that order. If I remember correctly the second to last couple to check in went in first and while me and my wife were the 3rd to check in we were the fourth couple to check in. 

I also remembered so other questions I was asked like how many time had I gone to Philippines,  do you plan on living in my state the whole time, has my family met her yet.

Thank you! Wife was worried about remember lots of info but in the end it was mostly me asked questions 🤣

As of the time of writing this while she did verbally approve us it still is not reflected in myUSCIS but it hasn't been 24 hours yet so maybe later today.

Edited again: so we just checked now it is currently sitting at case decision. 💓

Edited July 1 by KoreaninHawaii

[Edward and Jaycel 1,959]

4 minutes ago, KoreaninHawaii said:

So when we both sat down after being sworn in she had asked if we had any more evidence to give and when I had mentioned about the vaccine she seemed a bit confused even after I mentioned the USCIS page asks for it now. Wasn't given too much trouble she looked over it and scanned it and that was that.

Also of note seems like my USCIS office the biometrics and interview are actually on 2 different floors of the building and while the 7 couple who came in the same time as our appointment checked in they didn't seem to follow that order. If I remember correctly the second to last couple to check in went in first and while me and my wife were the 3rd to check in we were the fourth couple to check in. 

I also remembered so other questions I was asked like how many time had I gone to Philippines,  do you plan on living in my state the whole time, has my family met her yet.

Thank you! Wife was worried about remember lots of info but in the end it was mostly me asked questions 🤣

As of the time of writing this while she did verbally approve us it still is not reflected in myUSCIS but it hasn't been 24 hours yet so maybe later today.

 

Ok good to know! Thank you and we hope the approval comes quickly!  

[KoreaninHawaii 113]

Does anyone have any experience of traveling domestically while your GC was approved but you do not have it yet?

[Edward and Jaycel 1,959]

24 minutes ago, KoreaninHawaii said:

Does anyone have any experience of traveling domestically while your GC was approved but you do not have it yet?

 

This is from a Google search so take it for what it's worth:

 

Your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card is not automatically invalidated as a REAL ID when your green card is approved. Your EAD card remains valid until its expiration date, even after you become a green card holder. You can continue to use it for REAL ID purposes, such as for domestic air travel, until it expires. Once it expires, you'll need to rely on your green card (Permanent Resident Card) or other acceptable forms of ID for REAL ID purposes. 

Here's why:

EAD and REAL ID:

An EAD card can be used to obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card, as it proves lawful presence in the U.S. 

REAL ID and Green Card:

A green card (Permanent Resident Card) is also an acceptable form of ID for REAL ID purposes. 

Validity:

The EAD card remains valid until its expiration date, regardless of the status change to permanent resident. 

Future Use:

After your EAD expires, you can use your green card as your REAL ID. 

[KoreaninHawaii 113]

8 minutes ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

 

This is from a Google search so take it for what it's worth:

 

Your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card is not automatically invalidated as a REAL ID when your green card is approved. Your EAD card remains valid until its expiration date, even after you become a green card holder. You can continue to use it for REAL ID purposes, such as for domestic air travel, until it expires. Once it expires, you'll need to rely on your green card (Permanent Resident Card) or other acceptable forms of ID for REAL ID purposes. 

Here's why:

EAD and REAL ID:

An EAD card can be used to obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card, as it proves lawful presence in the U.S. 

REAL ID and Green Card:

A green card (Permanent Resident Card) is also an acceptable form of ID for REAL ID purposes. 

Validity:

The EAD card remains valid until its expiration date, regardless of the status change to permanent resident. 

Future Use:

After your EAD expires, you can use your green card as your REAL ID. 

I was also thinking since I am staying with family on my vacation I was going to ask one of my friends to check my mail while I am gone and if it comes to mail it to one of my family members via USPS Priority Mail Express. He is a good friend of mine so I trust him to be able to check and send for me. 

[SL2024 300]

55 minutes ago, KoreaninHawaii said:

Does anyone have any experience of traveling domestically while your GC was approved but you do not have it yet?

 

Personally I wouldn't travel until I had the green card physically in hand. When we went to Wyoming last month I used the EAD to travel (as it's a form of Real ID) but that was the week before the week of my AOS interview and the approval. I received the green card around 12 days after my interview.

[Edward and Jaycel 1,959]

6 minutes ago, SL2024 said:

 

Personally I wouldn't travel until I had the green card physically in hand. When we went to Wyoming last month I used the EAD to travel (as it's a form of Real ID) but that was the week before the week of my AOS interview and the approval. I received the green card around 12 days after my interview.

 

Despite what I posted above.... I agree with @SL2024 as I am on the overly-cautious side when it comes to this stuff. I have a very low risk tolerance.

[KoreaninHawaii 113]

8 minutes ago, SL2024 said:

 

Personally I wouldn't travel until I had the green card physically in hand. When we went to Wyoming last month I used the EAD to travel (as it's a form of Real ID) but that was the week before the week of my AOS interview and the approval. I received the green card around 12 days after my interview.

 

1 minute ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

 

Despite what I posted above.... I agree with @SL2024 as I am on the overly-cautious side when it comes to this stuff. I have a very low risk tolerance.

Even me. I hadn't exactly planned on this timing and some of my family already took time off and whatnot and cancelling the tickets would also be a no go. My wife case currently says awaiting decision and as much as I hate to say it I hope it does stay like that for a least a month till we come back lol. We have her EAD and State ID (Real ID ready) and if the card does come I can have someone mail it to me via the fastest USPS as an option. 

[KoreaninHawaii 113]

Wife case on myuscis was updated to approved though the notice states she may be required to do biometrics again

[Edward and Jaycel 1,959]

12 hours ago, KoreaninHawaii said:

Wife case on myuscis was updated to approved though the notice states she may be required to do biometrics again

That's boilerplate language - Congrats!!! 🎉

[Aserc 71]

On 7/1/2025 at 10:15 AM, OldUser said:

It depends whether you checked box on I-485 to get new SSN card and whether you get lucky.

If you don't receive it within a month, just get appointment at SSA and get replacement card. Typically you can fill form SS-5 to get replacement card with no DHS wording on it.

 

Why is it important? 

Because you never want to show GC to employer. Many HRs don't understand how immigration works. Especially with 2 year GC, they start freaking out when it expires and ask for new GC and or don't believe the extension letters.

 

So the best course of action is showing unrestricted SS card and valid DL / state ID for I-9. Employer cannot demand to see GC, they must accept List B + List C documents which SS cars and DL are.

 Good to know, so I can just send a copy of my new SS card then to my current employer.

 

And yes I may be one of the lucky few to have the SS card sent without updating it, my research was a mix reviews of some getting it automatically by mail and some having to really go in there for appointment, even the officer in USCIS informing them that they have to do so. probably differs from state to state!

[Aserc 71]

13 hours ago, KoreaninHawaii said:

Wife case on myuscis was updated to approved though the notice states she may be required to do biometrics again

wohooo!!! thats great news. @Edward and Jaycel is right about those notice, that got me a bit stressful earlier.. like what??? why do I need more biometrics... i think its just by default. Hopefully your new SS card will be sent same as mine, it was less than 3 days after the approval on system I think.

 

My card will be arriving today too! its currently inside a USPS delivery truck lol... just having fun seeing the tracking, finally we are all so close on this 1st chapter of paperworks... and next will be after 18 months again (extension)... 

 

@Edward and Jaycel you guys got this! we all will!

 

would it be nice for us to gather one day and do a celebratory dinner for all this hardwork! HAHAHHA.