DC2011

Update - Guess I jumped the gun. Yesterday I found a "Congratulations" letter in the mail dated 1/20/15. It took about 55 days to receive a response. Glad that I don't have to wait on the phone with USCIS next week.

All the best to those still waiting.

Hoping to hear from other recent filers who received an RFE. I submitted my (admittedly light, in hindsight) application to remove conditions in April 2014. Heard nothing until November 2014, when I received word from USCIS that we (wife and I) were required to supplement our application with additional information to establish the bona fides of our marriage. The notice said we had until January 31st to reply. We quickly gathered additional documents (tax transcripts, monthly joint bank statements from date of marriage forward, health insurance/401k/IRA beneficiary forms, affidavits, etc.) and sent the package to the Vermont Service Center. Our package arrived and was signed for on December 1st. We are approaching 60 days now. I haven't heard anything, nothing has been updated on the USCIS website, and I don't think there is much point calling because I think it likely that I'll just be told that 60 days have not yet passed.

So I'm curious - are other recent filers who received RFEs in the same position? Any idea how long this usually takes? At what point should I become concerned and/or take proactive steps?

Thanks in advance.

Hoping to hear from other April filers who received an RFE. I submitted my (admittedly light, in hindsight) application to remove conditions in April 2014. Heard nothing until November 2014, when I received word from USCIS that we (wife and I) were required to supplement our application with additional information to establish the bona fides of our marriage. The notice said we had until January 31st to reply. We quickly gathered additional documents (tax transcripts, monthly joint bank statements from date of marriage forward, health insurance/401k/IRA beneficiary forms, affidavits, etc.) and sent the package to the Vermont Service Center. Our package arrived and was signed for on December 1st. We are approaching 60 days now. I haven't heard anything, nothing has been updated on the USCIS website, and I don't think there is much point calling because I think it likely that I'll just be told that 60 days have not yet passed.

So I'm curious - are other April filers who received RFEs in the same position? Any idea how long this usually takes? At what point should I become concerned and/or take proactive steps?

Thanks in advance.

I received NOA on 4/17. No bio yet too. This appears to be a common occurrence. I called USCIS today and placed a service request to check the status of my application. It didn't take long to connect with a CSR (approx. 3 minutes). Let's hope that no bio letter = no need to drive to ASC center.

I received a response from USCIS today. A pleasant surprise.

"A review of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) records indicates that your biometric information is current, and it is not necessary for you to appear at an Application Support Center (ASC) for a biometrics appointment at this time. The biometrics fee will not be refunded. USCIS will contact you if updated biometric information or any other additional information is needed to process your petition."

I did not attempt an early walk-in (I never received the bio notice). My adjustment of status biometrics was completed in May 2012. One can only assume that USCIS has changed its policy on biometrics for ROC.

I still don't have my case #, though. I can either sit tight and wait for my card to arrive or call USCIS and wait a few hours to speak to a Tier II CSR.

I haven't heard anything about the Bio (I filed on 4/13), should I call USCIS??

I received NOA on 4/17. No bio yet too. This appears to be a common occurrence. I called USCIS today and placed a service request to check the status of my application. It didn't take long to connect with a CSR (approx. 3 minutes). Let's hope that no bio letter = no need to drive to ASC center.

You say he requested your passport as proof of entry...did you mean proof of inspection?

Does your passport have a stamp from your last entry?

Oh, and Congratulations! And thanks for the report.

I'm assuming he asked for my passport to check for a stamp (i.e., proof of lawful entry/inspection). Once he flipped to the right page he immediately handed back my passport. The last time I entered the U.S. I was admitted in F1 OPT status, so there was a stamp in my passport from U.S. Customs at the Toronto POE. Of course, if I had driven across the border there would not have been stamp, but I doubt that would cause any problems after a short explanation.

All,

I found other interview experiences really interesting and though I would post mine. My wife and I had our AOS interview in the Washington, DC field office on June 26th at 1:30. We arrived exactly at 12:45 and quickly passed through security and checked in. We waited for about 45 minutes before being called in by an IO. We sat down and the IO explained the purpose of the AOS interview. We then stood to swear to tell the truth. The IO began with my wife (USC) and confirmed biographical info (name, date of birth, place of employment, ssn, etc.). He never once asked for any proof of her U.S. citizenship. He then asked me the same basic questions, including the last time I entered the U.S. He requested my passport for proof of entry. He then asked me all the questions on the I-485 application (intend to overthrow the government, etc.) After I answered no to each question, the IO asked us how/when we met (5 years ago at grad school) and whether she had met my family and I had met hers. We answered yes, and he turned to his computer. The IO then asked if we had any other supporting documentation to provide. My wife handed him a stack of documents (lease, bills, some letters, etc.) He placed the documents into our folder without looking at them. The IO then said he was approving our application and explained ROC. The entire process took no more than 15 minutes. Very easy. I received emails from USCIS confirming production of my green card later that evening.

HOWEVER, important note regarding long form birth certificates. We submitted my short form Ontario birth certificate and only afterwards realized we made a mistake. I called the hotline and was told to wait for an RFE, which never came. I thought it best to go ahead an order it anyways, which turned out to be a good move. During our interview the IO specifically asked for my long form birth certificate and seemed genuinely surprised when we pulled out a copy. After he said he was appoving our application, I asked him what would have happened if I hadn't ordered the long form. He replied that we would have had to come back at a later date before he could approve the application. So at the very least make sure you get the long form before the interview.

Overall, a relatively painless process. Less than 90 days in total. All the info on VJ was very helpful. Thank you!

Just received notification that my interview is June 26th (Washington DC field office). AOS package mailed in early April. Biometrics done on May 10th. No information on AP or EAD. Really surprised how fast the process has been so far - I thought DC would have a huge backlog of applicants.

JDH - I posted earlier today about this issue. Sent in Ontario short form not realizing long form even existed. Just wondering whether you submitted application for EAD with your I-485 package, and if so, whether you have it yet. I ordered my long form and received it less than a week later. My only concern with getting an RFE is slowing down the EAD process.

In any event, I'm cautiously optimistic if you haven't received RFE yet...

Hello all,

Thank you in advance for your assistance. At the beginning of the month I submitted I-130, I-485, I-131 and I-765 to adjust status. I've already received the various I-797C's (NOAs) with notice dates of April 6th and I have my biometric scheduled for about three weeks from now. Notwithstanding the fact that I tripled checked everything, I somehow managed to include a copy of my Ontario short form birth certificate rather than my long form birth certificate. As soon as I realized my mistake I ordered the long form. I received it a few days ago.

My question is this: Should I mail a copy of my long form birth certificate along with a letter explaining the situation to the USCIS office where the NOAs were sent from? I've called NCSC twice now. The first time I was told to make an appointment at my local office and explain the situation to them (my appointment is tentatively scheduled for tomorrow morning). The second time I was told to simply mail in the long form birth certificate and that there was no need to speak to someone in person. They aren't terribly helpful.

I'm currently on OPT. My work authorization expires in 92 days. I know that an RFE can prolong the EAD process (from what I've read online), so I'm trying to be proactive and supplement my file accordingly. I think it is ridiculous that there isn't a way to fix this problem, especially since I already have the additional evidence in my possession.

Any suggestions on what to do? I'm hoping that even if I get an RFE my EAD will be approved in the next three months. I've looked at various timelines and it appears that more likely than not I should be alright. But in general I worry a lot about this process.

Thanks again.

Hello,

First time I've posted. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

I am a Canadian who is currently in the U.S. pursuing graduate studies while in F1 status. My girlfriend (U.S. citizen) and I recently became engaged. We would prefer to wait approximately a year to get married for financial reasons but will do so earlier for immigration purposes if necessary.

We've been looking at the costs associated with adjusting my staus to that of a LPR. It certainly isn't cheap. However, there is a strong possibility I will obtain a position in my chosen field by the time I graduate (May 2011). I could then be working on OPT starting sometime this summer. At that point the cost of getting married and adjusting my status won't be an issue. If I don't find suitable employment we will most likely move to Canada.

My questions are as follows:

1. May I apply for an extension of my student status (i.e. OPT application) while engaged?

2. Are there any problems adjusting status during the OPT year?

Thank you again.