pathway2gc

Received approval letter yesterday in the mail dated 8/27. So happy Good luck to all those who are waiting. Hoping for more approvals!

Received biometrics appt scheduled on 6/18.

Received NOA today, dated 5/13/2013. Check cashed too. Just waiting for biometrics notice.

My check got cashed!! Woke up to a text this morning from my husband saying it had cleared! It says the posted date was 5/13 (yesterday), but when I went to bed at midnight last night, it was most definitely not there Regardless, I'm happy. Hopefully the NOA letter arrives soon, so I can cancel my InfoPass appointment which is a 6 hour drive away

That's great! You should receive your NOA soon!

Mine was delivered today. Hopefully they won't let the check sit on there for too long.

Please add me. I just mailed in a 3 pounder today. Expected to arrive at CSC postal box on Monday. Good luck to all of us! Hoping for an RFE-less May filers!

My GC is in production Let's see if they let me back in the country.. for some reason, right now I am not even worried anymore. It will work out, it has so far. I'll give you all an update on my next entry experience in 2 weeks

Congrats!

I passed my driving test!! wooohooo!! i'm now all set LOL except for the fact that ssa probably didn't update my name

-__- i need to go back to the office and ask them and bug them D:< the dmv lady told me to bug them because since

my name on the GC changed, it must be changed in the system as well and SSA is just so that's the ONLY problem i have right now ^^

but u know, at least my GC is under my married name just the DL under the maiden xD it doesn't matter as long as i have the DL and i can drive more confidently now xD

Good luck on your PT License!!! ^^ and yay for h.moon!!! today (07/10/2011) is our first year wedding anniv!!! bbq cook out LOL

Thanks, and happy belated anniversary! Hope you get to fix your name issue with SSA soon.

You check choice "A." If your read between the parens, it says "if you have attached a petition which would make visa number immediately available..."

Yes, that's what I answered as well.

Thanks so much pathway2gc!

I have a question .. On the i485 form where it says "USCIS status" , if my tourist visa has been expired for ten years what is the appropriate terminology to use?

Also if filing i485 and i130 together as is suggested, I am unsure of what option to choose on i485 part 2 on the basis of my application... Since obviously no petition was approved yet as I'm filing them together.

Thanks so much for the guidance!

I answered 'visitor' on that part, I can't remember what I answered on the basis of aos. You can check the guides here.

Hi all!

Thank you so much everyone for sharing your experiences with this process as someone who is getting ready to go through the process very soon this has been incredibly helpful. My husband and I are trying to decide whether we should go to an attorney to do the paperwork. We are familiar with the process but we are wondering, are there any of you who did the adjustment of status process without an attorney?

I am a tourist visa over stayer (close to 10 years) so this may be a little different of an experience than for some of you. Would love to hear from those of you who had an attorney and what you felt were the benefits/drawbacks from that and if you didn't have an attorney what the benefits and drawbacks were.

If there is a particular thread or forum that I should post this on instead of this one to learn more about the process please let me know!

Thanks so very much!

We were in the same situation. I overstayed for almost 8 years because I was petitioned for EB2 in 2003 but was denied due to employer's ability to pay. Me and hubby went to see a lawyer for consultation, and she told us that my case is not that complicated. So we decided to do it ourselves. As long as you don't have prior convictions or anything from the I-485 form questions that you answered 'yes', then you should be fine. Most important thing, is you tell the truth. I was petitioned by my stepdad 18 years ago and I kind of forgotten about it, but I was asked about it and they have that application included in my 5-inches thick file.

I didn't find out about Visa Journey until after I have submitted my packet. People here are very helpful and supportive.

Good luck on your journey.

State licensure? Good luck!! (are you an RN?) That's great for your hubby's business!

To those who will have their interviews!! Yep, good luck! ^^ Still don't forget to share the good news!

How was the driving test? Hope everything went well. I'm applying for Physical Therapist license. It's pretty nerve wracking, I can't wait to pass the test so we could go for our much awaited honeymoon

good luck!!

i miss this thread being busy LOL i'm gonna start working on monday! yay yay yay!

and i called dmv this early afternoon to check if there's any earlier driving test appointment.

guess what? i got in for tomorrow LMAO i was speechless and didn't even know there's a saturday

appointment.. ^^

how are you guys?

Good luck on your driving test tomorrow. I've been busy too preparing for my state licensure test and working part-time. Hubby's biz is busiest on summertime (he does carpet cleaning).

Congrats to those who got their green cards and good luck to those awaiting for their interviews.

Congrats Luis25! and to all who got their interview dates- congrats and good luck. I only submitted 2009 tax returns but brought 2010 tax returns with me during the interview but she didn't ask for it.

This post is like not really off topic, but I just want to say that I did not regret even for a second that I have joined this community. You guys have been my stress reliever. It's really nice to see other people's journey, and go along with them. See their improvements, etc. This is not just monitoring each other's case status, but we have shared some thing more I'm really thankful! (Especially in this thread! this is like my home thread! LOL)

I just can't wait to see everyone who joined this thread to have an "APPROVED!!" status! It just proves that no man is an island..LOL <3

PS: I really don't think I couldn't have done it (as smooth as possible) without your support!! (idk why i got cheesy and i feel the need to post this xD) i will probably see some of you in the ROC thread in the next two years, yeah? ^^

Very well said

Thank you......everything will be fine I have faith in God I have to admit im nervous,I have a big test today of the human heart for school and ###### I couldn't concentrate I was only thinking the left ventricle of the heart and the interview, the aorta its the main artery of the immigration oh geez im failling the test if I keep thinking like that LOL

Good luck on your interview tomorrow. Let us know how it went ok.

Congrats Kabayan!!! I knew it was gonna be good news!

Thank you friend! I'm soo happy it's over, for a while. Call or pm me sometime, maybe we could meet up.

Congratulations!!!!!

Thank you and good luck on your interview.

OMG CONGRATULATIONS!! <3

Thanks Liz!

Congratulations!!!!!

Thank you and good luck on your journey.

We do not have a Green Card in hand, all we did was the interview yesterday and today we got an email and text that the card is in production.

Green Card Approved today.

Card/ Document Production

On June 17, 2011, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service at

Congrats! I got the text and email today as well, card production ordered.

Updating.... I just got text and email- Card Production Ordered! You guys called it! Me and hubby both have a feeling that we passed, but with no assurance from the IO. We're soooooo happy! Thank you VJ for all the support and advise. We went through this journey without a lawyer, and just like what everyone has said, just tell the truth. Good luck to those who are gonna have their interview.

Question for Everyone....

Does the Status list help you, is it of good use?

Please let me know either good or bad...!

Yes, I find it very helpful. Your effort is very much appreciated.

I post more on the other thread (AOS March 2011) since I'm adjusting from visitor, but i visit this thread often.

Ok guys, we had our interview today.

We were scheduled at 9:45am, got there at 9:43am. Went though security, and were told to go to 2/f, rm 200. We dropped off the appointment letter at the window, and few minutes later someone picked it up. There were a few applicants waiting in the room, and another couple with their kids showed up. They're here on VJ too, but AOSing from family. We exchanged emails before. So me and hubby waited for about 25 minutes, we were talking about some funny stuff so we were laughing and giggling in the waiting area. I went to use the restroom and right when I was walking back into the waiting area, an Asian officer called my name and the other VJer's name. We were told to go to the next room, we were instructed to follow her and she told the other couple to wait in the room. We followed her into her office, she asked for our passports and ID's, and sworn us in. She looked strict but pleasant. She then went through my application form, asked for my full name, husband's name, current address, birthday. She asked for my birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decree (finalized in 2004). She was checking my application form and copies I submitted as she go though my original documents. She then asked if I have been arrested before, committed a crime, engaged in terrorism/ prostitution, all the questions in the application, which I answered no. She asked when was the last time I entered the States, if I ever leave after that, she asked for my I-94. She asked if I've been to the States prior to my last entry, I said yes, and stayed here for 2 months. She then ask about my previous petitions. I told her I was offered a good paying job and was petitioned for I-140 just before my I-94 expired in 2003. Unfortunately, it got denied because of the employer's ability to pay. She then asked about another petition, which I wasn't so sure about. She mentioned a family petition, and I mentioned my stepdad's name. She said yes, and i told her I was aged out/above 18 when my mom married my stepdad. That was 18 YEARS AGO! She just said ok. I kind of mentioned something about my file being so thick, no wonder, they have all my previous application even from 18 years ago. She said in a joking way, "it's all about you today."

She then turned to my husband, asked him his full name, birthday, name of parents. Asked if this is his first marriage, he said "yes and my last." She then went through his I-864, asked if he has a co-sponsor, his dad, asked if he's a US Citizen, looked on my file for his dad's birth certificate. She finally found it. She checked all the infos on the forms. She asked him where his father work at, how many people living in his household, and how may people living in our household. She asked for any documents we have, I showed her the ffg:

-Joint checking account

-Joint Auto insurance

-phone bill

-credit card statement

-hubby's business checking account (most of our bills are paid from that account)

-photos (She wanted me to hold on to it)

She asked if she could keep them, I told her I made copies, so she took the copies and made notes and highlighted my names on the bills. She asked if we have any health insurance, my hubby said no. She asked what if one of you gets sick, hubby said we can't afford it right now. I told her I'm in the process of getting my healthcare professional license, and hopefully get that soon and get hired so I could include him in the insurance.

She then asked for the pictures. I showed her our wedding photo book. We have like 40 pics from our wedding and reception. She was very impressed and asked if it was done professionally, I said no, my best friend made it for me and my hubby, she also made all our invitations, thank you cards, my bridal bouquet, and bouquet centerpieces. She then pointed on one of the pics and asked who it was, we both told his grandparents, and his dad. She mentioned that my hubby looks just like his dad She saw a picture with my family, I told her that's my mom with my stepdad, and they've been married for almost 18 years now. She flipped through our album and asked if I have some pictures that she can attach to my file. I asked how many she needs, she just said it doesn't matter, so I gave her 3.

She asked my hubby how we met. We met online in June 2006. We exchanged a few emails and met in person. We told her details of our first few dates, that i met his whole family a week later, and then he met my parents the day after I met his family. She wrote down some notes.

She then stamped my application and asked me to sign. She said she'll check my application one more time and if she missed anything, we'll hear back from her or we'll receive it in the mail. She didn't say anything about removal of conditions, or approving my application, but she kept my I-94.

Overall, it was an easy and pleasant interview experience. We just wish she would have told us if our file is approvable or not.

Now the waiting game begins again, but me and hubby are confident, but still hoping and praying to hear from them soon.

To all VJers:

Great News and a Happy Anniversary to us!!!

We had a really good interview, and it went really smooth. But the best news of the day was that the decision was not made today, but will be made tomorrow. The agent was nice enough to look into this matter for us and we are thankful for it. Do you want to know why? Well its a long story and we will keep it short. But we may be helpful to a lot of people in the process later on.

Take a close look at our timeline, if you notice that my wife entered the U.S. on March 21, 2009. And the key here is, that we got married on June 17, 2009. That means that tomorrow is our anniversary. And we got a good anniversary present today. After my wife arrived, I was laid off from a very good job. We were ready to file AOS but we delayed the process until now due to we did not know if we would be able to pass the income requirements. I did not get back to a good income like I had before until August 2010. We thought that there would be penalties for waiting so long to file the AOS. We married within the 90 days after my wife's arrival though. This was important in todays interview, because the agent did inform us that her decision would most likely be approved, but that she would allow her decision to be made tomorrow so that she would have no conditions on her status.

Anyway other than that the interview went smooth.

We had our interview at the local office in San Jose, CA on Monterey Rd. It is about 7 minutes drive from our home. We arrived at 9:55a, our appt was at 10:15a. We went as a family (my wife, 18 yr old daughter, 15 month old son and myself) so this took us a while to get in through the security (like an airport). Not many people were around. No long lines, and most of the waiting rooms were empty. We went upstairs to the 2nd floor, by elevator, and went to RM. 200 and put our interview letter in a window labeled "Appointment Letters". Minutes later we could see someone grabbing our letter. Then at about 10:15a a lady agent comes out and calls one applicant (who was with her husband) who is also a member here on VJ (my wife and her have been talking), and the lady agent also called my wife's name as well. The agent escorted all of us to another room (RM 219), and asked my wife and I to have a seat, and she then took the other couple in for their interview. They came out (with smiles of course ) at about 10:45a. At 10:50a we were called by the same agent. We were immediately sworn in. Then she asked some basic questions to check off on her sheet. She asked for some original documents like the my son's birth certificate, our marriage certificate, my wife's birth certificate, and her late husbands death certificate. This is when she asked told us that she would consider making her decision tomorrow rather than today so that there would be no conditions.

After we discussed that she asked my wife if there were any health issues. She then asked a range of legal questions (about 10-12 questions). Have you committed a crime?...Are you a part of a communist party??...Do you want to blow up America...etc. As my wife said no to all, the agent checked off her form. She then asked "Is there any other evidence you have for me?" We handed her many things:

1. Bank Statements

2. Car Insurance

3. Health Insurance

4. Lease Agreement

5. Costco Membership

6. Photos

7. I mentioned we own a car together

Then we looked at the agent and she looked like this So we slowed down, but we had much more to pile up on her desk if she needed it. She then looked through our pics. She smiled and said my son looks like me. She then asked if she could keep some of our pics, and we gave her the ones she wanted plus ones that we picked out for her....lol. She then said she would make her decision and we should hear something soon. We thanked her more than once, and we were on our way at 11:15a. Our appointment took about 25 minutes. And it was easy. There were no problems or anything to be concerned about, and we are happy to be able to skip a step. All and all, its been a great Anniversary present.

Hi! First of all, congratulations and happy anniversary. We were that couple that you met. You have a beautiful family

Our interview went well as well, almost same as yours, and she took my I-94. But she told us that she'll check on my application one more time and if she missed anything then we'll hear from them. She didn't really say she'll gonna approve us, but me and hubby thought we did good, we showed everything that she asked for. She made me sign something that she stamped, but she didn't say anything about removal of conditions either. So, we are hoping she'll make all the approvals and decisions tomorrow. I'll be posting the details of our interview on AOS March filers (AOS from visitor, student, work) since I'm adjusting from visitor visa.

Congrats again!

thank you!! i feel like floating xD no sleep + happiness LOL

good luck to all who will have their interview!! you know you hold nothing

but the truth so don't be afraid!

Congrats girl! I'm so happy for you!

GREEN CARD ARRIVED TODAY!!! Security features of the card looks awesome..

Congrats again friend! Our interview is tomorrow pls pray for us. Everybody's saying we should be good cuz we've together for so long.

Yes, it's very costly - but nowhere near as costly as having our application denied because we fail to appear in our interview because the field office never got the notice that we re-scheduled, and then having to go through the hassle of refiling. Also, since I will be in Finland at the time when this would happen, I would effectively be stuck there - my AP would no longer be valid, and I could not return to the U.S. if our case was denied, even if we could prove that we had re-scheduled it and it was not our fault that the information did not reach the IO at NYC field office.

So. All things considered, I still think the least stress and hassle for us is by just flying in for that damn interview. It is partly our fault for planning the wedding for July with a pending AOS, but in all honesty I really did not expect us to get an interview anytime before August, after carefully reviewing several different timelines for NYC filers. There are so many from November - February still waiting to get an appointment, that I was almost certain that we would not get one until later in the fall.. obviously, I was wrong. So now all we can do is try to make the situation work somehow. Canceling the wedding is really not an option either at this point, so.. NYC - Helsinki - NYC - Helsinki - NYC it is.

..And, as I am trying to find some kind of a silver lining in this situation, I keep thinking that they could have scheduled the interview for Friday, July 29th - our wedding is on July 30th. At least July 20th makes it possible for us to fly in to NYC and still make it back to appear in our own wedding..

I'll do the same thing if I was in your situation