Daniel and Laura

So in Colombia, you have 2 last names... the green card only says one of his last names. I can't remember when we did the application if we put one or two so it may very well be our fault for not putting both names. My husband's Colombian passport says both names. We left for Colombia last week and are coming back to the states tomorrow. we brought extra documentation (marriage license, SSN has both names, K1 visa approval with both names and same alien # etc) so hopefully we won't have any problems.

When we get back, we are thinking we should change the green card to match everything else... anyone done this? will they charge the $365 listed on the USCIS website? Should we even bother? Any thoughts, advice, and experience would be appreciated! thanks!

Glad you got some answers! We just went through the same thing but finally did get the green card. EVERY time you call USCIS, ask them to transfer you to tier 2 officer. after they do a service request, they only have a certain amount of time to give some sort of response. I don't know how much this actually helps, but with both AOS and our K1, I contacted my congressman and THEY got me results and answers much faster than USCIS. I don't know if that puts the pressure on, or maybe its coincidence, but with 2 days of talking to my congressman, they approved us. So give that a shot if you want to try to be proactive. you never know. GOOD LUCK!!

I remember the feeling... not fun I know

If you filed in December, its just 2 more months and you can start doing something about the process.

At 6 months you can ask USCIS to do a "service request." You can also contact your local congressman and ask them for help. They were a HUGE help to me and my fiance. They told me we were approved before the USCIS did!!

Hang in there!

So what is the stamp for the passport? Do we need it? People talk about IO taking their I-94 or something but if we were approved without interview and the green card will just be mailed... is there anything else we need to do?

We want to travel to Bogota in April, does my husband just travel with his passport and green card and thats it? Just want to make sure we're prepared. Thanks!!

Thank you for your prompt response. What telephone number should I call?

Thanks again

Archie

Call 1-800-375-5283. Definitely tell them you want to be transfered to tier 2 customer service. The first person you get will just read a script to you. Since you're at 6 months, they should do a "service request" for you.

We filed in August as well and had been very concerned but we were approved today I contacted my congressman to get results. You should give it a try if you don't get anywhere with USCIS. Good luck!

Nope we never tried anything but a little patience. I could see other timelines in Cincinnati and some got green cards asap and there are some still waiting for over a year.

Good luck and I hope you hear something real soon too.

So you'll never believe this... WE WERE APPROVED TODAY!!!

Well you wont believe this... WE WERE APPROVED TODAY!!!!

We got the email saying that they are starting production on our green card

I'm telling you... I'm pretty sure the congressmen are the answer. I had contacted mine just yesterday and faxed them all of our info and they called USCIS today, and we got the email today. They helped us out with the I-129 too. I don't know if it was coincidence or they were able to push it though since I haven't talked to them since yesterday. But if you haven't contacted your congressman, I HIGHLY suggest it!

And yeah I think you're right about the employment based from out of the U.S. one being 60 months, not family based. I must have read it wrong or selected the wrong option or something.

I really hope your son get the good news soon! Thanks and good luck!!

Nope we never tried anything but a little patience. I could see other timelines in Cincinnati and some got green cards asap and there are some still waiting for over a year.

Good luck and I hope you hear something real soon too.

Thanks I'm going to try to be more patient and chilled out. The important thing is we are together. Perspective, Perspective

Gosh I understand what you mean., our case got transferred to CSC and it stayed there for about 5 or 6 months and I thought we would not have an interview but then we got the letter that our interview would be in January 2012. The lady that interviewed us said she could not make a decision so we left unhappy as we have been prepared from the very beginning to the final end. So USCIS sent us a letter saying about 3 weeks ago that your case is being reviewed and if you don't hear from us after 6 months contact USCIS. I thought OMGGGGGGG 6 more months of this not knowing anything. But unfortunately this is what we had to do. Then today, I got the text message about our case and of course I came here first LOL before anything as I knew members here could tell me what I may or may not needed to hear. So glad for Visa Journey I really am.

Ours has been at CSC for 6 months now so maybe we'll get something soon. When we called USCIS last time, they said they WOULD give us an answer but April 1st. I'm not sure what that means or if I should even trust that.

I contacted my congressman bc they were so helpful with our fiance visa status. I am hoping they can help again. Did you guys try that at all? Has anyone tried that for the AOS?

Thanks me too! I see you filed in November so hopefully they finish yours soon also!

Congratulations!!

I know processing times can vary...but did they give any reason for it taking a whole year? its only been about 8 months for us but I've started kinda freaking out... am I being ridiculous? Did you guys attempt anything to expedite the process? Just wanting some ideas to keep my mind from thinking the worst and worrying too much.

Again, so happy for you both!

MAN! and I thought worrying would be over after the I-129 interview! Guess not. They haven't touched my case since 10-5-11. CSC is processing December cases as of last week and I filed in August! No interview... No RFE... NADA!! I see 5 months as processing time for 2 of you... anyone else wait a longer time?

The only paper response I have received was the 797 saying the got it, the BIO documentation/appt, and the one saying they transfered it to CSC for "expedited processing" (what a joke!)

The last document I got for the I-485 was the transfer notice and that was in October.

Any ideas?

Question... the official USCIS avg for processing I-485s was 4.5 months not that long ago correct? I know it can vary and people have waited a year or so. I called in January at our 4.5 month mark, we were told CSC was working cases filed in June. So we gave it another month and called again to have them do a service request and were told we'd get a response in 15 days. NOPE. We waited ANOTHER month to call to see what was going on. They said they were working cases from DECEMBER huh?? We filed in August. Did we just get skipped? Does that happen?

They promised us a decision by April 1st, we'll see if that holds water. I contacted my congressman regardless to see if they can help like they did with our fiance visa. So we'll see what happens there.

Also... happened to notice on the USCIS website that the CSC avg for processing AOS is now 60 months is that for real? has anyone else seen or heard that?

Sorry my computer is acting up!

In order to get a drivers license that lasts a year, you need your employment authorization card/approval. We did the same thing. My husbands first license was only good for a few months (till his visa expired)and they gave us the year one after we got approved for the I-765.

Now this is in FL so I suppose it could be different in N.C. but thats the answer I've got. Hope it helps!

Ok, I am confused. We filed our AOS paperwork and received notification in February of that and we have a biometrics appointment booked for next week. However today I finally got my NC driving license and the lady told me that she could only issue a temporary one because I am not a permanent resident yet, and it will only be valid until the KL visa expires. My question is how long is the AOS process going to take (roughly - I guess that may be like saying how long is a piece of string) and also is there another way to get a permanent driving license? If so what documents would you need to show? Hope that makes sense.

Thanks!

Once you are "one month past processing time" THEN you can actually do something. The service centers won't lift a finger until then. If it lists processing time for K-1 as 5 months, you'll have to wait till its been 6 months, then you contact congressmen and try to get the ball rolling.

The wait sucks and I cried every time I talked to the USCIS people. When I first started, I was thinking the process would take 5 months OVERALL and was stressing out at 3 months too. Then I found this site and realized how long the wait would actually be. Just be patient and use your time to research your next steps instead of stressing.

You can do it!

If the Canadian citizen visits the states and then gets married to his fiance on this visit, they should file the I-130 correct? When doing that...

does the Canadian HAVE to remain in the states or does he need to file the I-131...

and does he have to file the I-765 at that time as well in order to work...

or does he have to wait until approval on the I-130 and then file the I-485 with the I-131 and I-765?

This is not for me but for my friend who is getting married to a Canadian and filing without a lawyer's help. Thanks for any info!

oh my goodness I'm really sorry! I remember crying so many times. I started calling and contacting my congressman at 5 months and was told I had to wait until a month outside processing times. At 6 months we finally got the approval. I'm pretty sure that the congress person is what pushed things through for us. the vermont center was completely incompetent...the day I found out about the approval, the first tier customer service at the vermont center told me I'd have to wait an additional 30 days for a response, even though the congress person said I had already been approved. They transferred me to a "second tier" customer service person who said "oh yeah, you were approved 2 days ago, you should get the NOA2 in the mail really soon." I was like, seriously?!?!? I don't know what is wrong with these people. I noticed you said your congress person was useless...it might be that your case was given to a useless congressional aide. try the again... this is their job to help us, especially if they want to get reelected! Good luck with everything!

Buenas buenas! dudas como siempre! me llego una notificacion que me aprobaron el permiso de trabajo, pero aun no la greencard! y pues que ya me enviaron dicho permiso, y aun no ha llegado, qeuria saber si con este qeu viene en camino puedo reanudar mi licencia de conduccion qeu se vencio al cumplir los 3 meses de la visa K1

Cuanto tiempo despues se demora en llegar la greencard?

El I-94 le da permiso para estar en el país legalmente si no se ha casado con el ciudadano americano. Cuando el beneficiario se casa dentro del período de 90 días, inmediatamente de una forma legaliza su estadía hasta que reciba la residencia permanente. Para viajar dentro de los EE.UU., usted puede mostrar el pasaporte como identificación sin ningún problema.

Diana

Gracias de nuevo!!!! jejejeje

No, esa guía es solo para informarle a los aplicantes el mínimo que deben ganar anualmente para poder aplicar por otra persona. También tienen la opción de esperar y aunque el USCIS no tiene fecha límite después de haberse casado dentro del período de 90 días, traten de aplicar por el Ajuste lo más pronto que puedan para que luego no vayan a tener algún problema con su estado migratorio.

Diana

Y por ejemplo yo ya mande todo el paquete para cambiar mi status, pero mi I-94 se vence este 3 de Octubre, ya no puedo manejar; mejor dicho! para viajar dentro de USA van a mirar mi pasaporte, y si miran el I-94 y que esta vencido! que puede pasar?

If you want to get both of your names on your lease, all you need is that Social Security Card. BUT be prepared for them to require an additional deposit We did that when my husband applied to be on the lease. He has 0 credit because he just got here, so they wanted a hefty deposit. If its finacially possible for both of you to be on the lease, I would suggest doing it when you can. Not only as a proof of your living together but its an opportunity for you to start building credit in your own name which will definitely be useful in the future.

I'm the USC and they wouldn't change my name either at the bank without a photo ID with my new name. crazy. red tape sucks! Getting the social security card for my husband has been the EASIEST thing so far! and its one of the few things thats FREE in this process! Go get it!

Hola Todos! bueno les cuento que hoy tuve la impresion de huellas digitales! los llamado Biometrics! tons mi pregunta es que se vence mi I94, con el cual saque la Licencia de conducción, y por ende esta tambien se vence! existe alguna posibilidad de renovar mi licencia a pesar que el I94 se vence y no tener otro documento que acredite que mis documentos están en proceso de aprobación?

Thanks for all of your input everyone We already filed for AOS and have our NOA1 for it so we will just bring that with us. (We got a FL Drivers Lisence but they have it to expire the same day as the I-94. so stupid.) Hopefully the next set of paperwork will come soon! Thanks again!