moSu

It is ok to continue or transfer school while you are in States with valid I-20 but if you leave the country for vacation, you'll have to renew your student visa. You won't be able to come back to States with your expired student visa.

Hi Guys,

Just want to share the good news and experience.

We checked in at the counter on the 8th floor at 8:00am. Our appointment is at 8:15am. Our IO called us in at 8:35am. The interview lasted about 40 minutes, at 9:15am. The questionaires are similar to any other interviews so we're just going to share our experience.

1. We prepared all the supporting documents that we can think of - 2 feet of documents including one personal photo album and one wedding album.

2. We prepared copies of what had been sent with the application - She was asking for some of it. Although we know that we sent them, we didn't mention it. We just gave her what she requested.

Our strategy is to make sure if the IO ask for something, we want to be able to give it to her. Eventhough she only saw half an inch of our documents, the preparation was still worth it. Mo has 2 kids with his ex-gf and we both have never met each other's parents. The IO had no problem with both issues and she even felt sorry for him that he don't get to see his kids anymore. She was really impressed with how organized our documents were. The IO took my EAD and I-94. She then sent us out to the waiting area. A few minutes later, she called us to the counter, passed me my passport with a red stamp on it. I'm greened!

Good luck guys!!

Best Wishes,

moSu

I'm from Queens, N.Y., I sent out my application for AOS, together with I-130, I-864, and I-7?(employment authorization). USCIS received it on Aug 26, 2011.

Anyways, so far I received my NOAS and did my biometrics on 9/21. I've been anxiously checking the mail everyday since biometrics, and haven't yet received my EAD card or even a production notice from the USCIS.gov website. I haven't received any interview notice as of yet either.

I'm really hoping to receive either one very soon, cause waiting and wondering is a pain in the butt. So I was wondering how my fellow New Yorkers are doing with your AOS application and progress yet?

Hi Kristal,

Below is the thread for New Yorkers.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/300454-new-york-city-aos-timeline-interviews/page__st__315

Best Wishes,

moSu

Is it necessary to have Affidavits from friends or relatives?

My interview probably was among the roughest for various reasons but my case is slightly more comple than others. Here is it My Interview

Don't take my experience as the norm. Even with the differences in my case (I am older than my husband) etc, my whole journey was quite uneventful but the experience that I had at interview was not like anyone elses. For example when I went to room 810 at Federal Plaza on the 8th Floor, the receptionist immediately engaged us in conversation about marriage and the uselessness of marriage. She was making a lot of comments about marriage being a waste of time and it was silly to spend a lot of money on a marriage that could fail. Wierd small talk for a unit that was for those adjusting status. Then the Officer was clearly in a bad mood or took her job soo seriously that she was not allowed to smile. She was hostile from the start and seemed really peeed off to have us in the office. Maybe she had a bad long weekend.

The best advice I can give you is to review your forms with your spouse. My husband and I didnt really sit down and go over the forms as much as I wanted also if you dont know something just say so. My husband was so nervous he just volunteered information that had no relevance to the situation at all. I love him but at that point I could have strangled him (lovingly)

Hi Myopia,

I'm sorry that you have to go through this. I'm sure the feeling is devastating. Hang in there! If you look on the bright side, at least she didn't deny you on the spot. I hope you'll get your green card approval after you sent in the RFE. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Best Wishes,

moSu

It happens.. Mine too No worries.. You'll receive your EAD in your mail very soon..

Good Luck and All the BEST!! I'm sure you guys are very nervous for tomorrow but try to get some sleep tonight..

Hope to hear good news from you guys tomorrow ^^

Thanks I was actually hoping for garden city, because I heard they are tough in federal plaza. Also did u get ur ead card? I did my biometrics last week and still waiting for ead and interview letter

You're welcome. I heard they're tough everywhere. Lol! It really comes down to us by providing enough and efficient evidence to proove that the relationship is genuine and how lucky we are with the Interview Officers (If they're nice and if they're in a good mood)

Yes, I received my EAD card. You can check my timeline.

Hi Kristal,

To my surprise, the interview letter arrived in my mailbox today. The interview will be at Federal Plaza, same as Myopia, at 8:15 am...

Best Wishes,

moSu

Would like to add something to our AOS journey - We haven't been receiving text msges and email notifications since our NOAs, which is weird.

Mosu where are they sending u? I'm in Richmond hill queens.

We don't know yet. It only stated 'On September 26, 2011, we mailed you an appointment notice for an interview for November 1, 2011, at NATIONAL BENEFITS CENTER.' I believe the venue will be stated in the interview letter. We will let you know once we received it

Hi All,

We got our status updated online for an interview on November 1st.. We live in Forest Hills, Queens..

Congratulations to all who had got their Green Card approved and Good Luck to VJers who have upcoming interviews.. For VJers who are waiting for their interview letters patiently, we hope you'll hear something soon..

We're nervous now... Have to start putting all the papers together..

Best Wishes,

moSu

Hi All,

It's been a while... Congratulations to all who had got their Green Card approved.. We got our status updated online for an interview on November 1st.. We're nervous now...

Have to start putting all the papers together..

Kevzil,

This forum is for VJers adjusting from student, work and tourist visa.. I do realize that the other May forum has mixed VJers.. I think you can post and share your experience here as well... After all, we're all supporting each other going through this process. GOOD LUCK to you !!

Best Wishes,

moSu

You can find your answers at this forum. It's timeline for New Yorkers http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/300454-new-york-city-aos-timeline-interviews/page__st__255

Good Luck on your AOS journey!

Best Wishes,

moSu

my wife and i filed for AOS I-485 in may......we got our EAD work authorization in June, but haven't heard anything yet from USCIS regarding our green card status....a friend who had his biometric last week had already gotten his EAD work authorization in 5 days later/after.....i wanna know if any may filers heard anything yet from USCIS yet?

This link has all the updates from May filers http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/309207-may-aos-filers/page__st__480

Update: Green card is in production

Congratulations! Must be a huge RELIEVE.. Now you can enjoy Finland with no worries..

Wish you all the happiness,

moSu

Most of the schools and Universities in my country do not mail transcripts. They just issue them to students. The system is different from States so there is no way my Uni will mail it to WES. So what I did was when i picked up my transcript, I asked the admin people to seal it in an envelope. I went to DHL, told the lady to put University address under the 'FROM' column. Everything went smooth. Not sure if this will work for you. Good Luck!

Best wishes,

moSu

She can ask a friend or relative to mail it for her. That's if there's no other choice.

She is currently in the USA with me and the wedding is next month. https://www.wes.org/ is the organization most colleges us to evaluate foreign transcripts and degrees. She is going for a medical assistant certificate which has no discount for residency and is a one year cert.

Most of the schools and Universities in my country do not mail transcripts. They just issue them to students. The system is different from States so there is no way my Uni will mail it to WES. So what I did was when i picked up my transcript, I asked the admin people to seal it in an envelope. I went to DHL, told the lady to put University address under the 'FROM' column. Everything went smooth. Not sure if this will work for you. Good Luck!

Best wishes,

moSu

whoahhhhhhhhh..sorry my bad in my last message....wow! u r so lucky! so u r only waiting for ur I-485 only now???geeezz... Hope mine would be the same too....and so u have no interview for ur 130 huh?wow!!!!

Hi Kevzil,

I thought you were adjusting from K-1 cause on the left window, it says K-1. So I'm guessing you're adjusting from F-1? So do I. I thought there is only one interview for the AOS process.

Best Wishes,

moSu

05/07 - Chicago lockbox via USPS express mail.

05/09 - Received and signed by J.C

05/13 - USCIS acceptance email

05/13 - Check cashed

05/18 - NOA in the mail

05/27 - Biometric appt received for 06/15

05/27 - Walk-in done Fingerprints and pictures for i485 and i765

05/27 - Request for more evidence

06/06 - Request send

07/12 - EAD Card/ Document Production (Ordered)

07/15 - EAD Card/ Document Production (Send by mail)

what does this mean??? i got 2 updates for card prodcution?

Hi,

Mine was the same too. My EAD status was updated 3 times.

July 5th - Card Production

July 8th - Card Production

July 12th - Post Decision Activity

Then I received my EAD/AP card July 15th. I believe you should be receiving your card soon.

Best wishes,

moSu

I'm applying green card based on marriage to USC. I am currently on F-1 visa.

This is a summary of my application timeline.

04/10/2011: I-130 received @ Chicago lockbox

04/12/2011: Confirmation email & texts received

05/17/2011: I-485,I-765 & I-131 received @ Chicago lockbox

05/23/2011: Confirmation email & texts received.

07/14/2011: I walked in for biometrics without an appointment. They took my fingerprints.

07/14/2011: Received email & Text that I-130 was approved.That was few hours after I did my biometrics.

07/15/2011: Received email & Text that I-131 & I-765 were approved on 7/14/2011 and my EAD production was ordered. They were approved the same day I had biometrics

Wow... even I-130?.. That's pretty unsual! Congratulations though... Seems like things are moving for you now..

07/14/2011: So today I walked in to Application service center in St.Paul,MN and told them that I didnt get a biometrics appointment. They told me they were going to mail an appointment for 8/1/2011. They told me they can do it now if I did mind. They took my fingerprints. It was such a relief. yay!

I'm sorry to hear that you didn't receive your biometrics appointment but at the same time I'm glad you took the initiative to go to Application Service and they took immediate action upon your request. I hope everything goes smooth from here for you.

Best wishes,

moSu

It's possible that his I-864 will be accepted without questioning it. It's also possible they'll discover the children and conclude that his I-864 is insufficient. They may send an RFE asking him to clarify whether his children have reached the age of majority. If he doesn't qualify with his children included in his household size then they may ask for a joint sponsor. It's also possible they won't send an RFE, but the issue will be raised at the interview.

If I were in your shoes, I'd line up a joint sponsor and have their affidavit and supporting documents ready to submit when needed. If USCIS brings up the kids, either in an RFE or at the interview, be absolutely honest about them (i.e., don't deny they exist), and say they weren't listed on the I-864 because your attorney advised you that they didn't need to be listed.

Thank you so much for the reply.

He earns 6 figures, which is still enough for the household size; USC, beneficiary, and 2 children (4 years old and 2 years old, not living with us).

Yes, definitely no lies. We will prepare email printouts with our attorney as proof; that we did asked about this matter.

Thank you so much again for your time and replies. I'm hoping for no RFEs so the process won't be delayed.

moSu

Take another look at the instructions for item 21d. The children must have reached the "age of majority", in addition to not being claimed as dependents on the tax return. The "age of majority" in most states is 18.

OMG! I can't believe this.. We actually consulted the lawyer on this..

What should we do now?

Yes, the kids need to be listed. The reason is that should something happen to their mom, your USC will be financially responsible for them.

I'm still confused. I reread the instructions and from my understanding, they don't have to be listed if they are not filed as dependent in USC income tax returns. Below are the instructions and I think the wordings in RED applies to USC.

How do I count household size?

Your household size includes yourself and the following individuals, no matter where they live: any spouse, any dependent children under the age of 21, any other dependents listed on your most recent Federal income tax return, all persons being sponsored in this affidavit of support, and any immigrants previously sponsored with a Form I-864 or Form I-864 EZ affidavit of support whom you are still obligated to support. If necessary to meet the income requirements to be a sponsor, you may include additional relatives (adult children, parents, or siblings) as part of your household size as long as they have the same principle residence as you and promise to use their income and resources in support of the intending immigrant(s).

21d - Enter the number of unmarried children you have who are under age 21, even if you do not have legal custody of these children. You may exclude any unmarried children under 21, if these children have reached majority under the law of their place of domicile and you do not claim them as dependents on your income tax returns.

I read the instructions again and again; unless 21d if these children have reached majority under the law of their place of domicile and you do not claim them as dependents on your income tax returns - both requirements are needed.

We were confused in the beginning too, if to list or not to list his children as part of household size. We consulted the lawyer and she said no. We already sent our packet and there is nothing we can do about it at this point. I'm worried now. I hope this issue won't be a 'problem' to our AOS.

Thank you for your time.

moSu

moSu