j18

I know the controversy of VWP approvals has been a hot topic on this website, so I'm hoping my following experience will help with concerns.

STATE FILED FOR APPLICATION: NEW YORK / SUFFOLK COUNTY / LONG ISLAND

LOCAL FILING OFFICE: HOLTSVILLE USCIS OFFICE

I wrote this whole article basically explaining our entire story, so any others whom read it can compare their situation to ours.

This will be messy as I haven't had any sleep for 24 hours when writing this.

First, our back story;

We originally met each other online on a game called "Habbo Hotel" we instantly became friends. However a few years passed and we lost contact with eachother. It wasn't until January of 2010 that we came into contact again. It was fate. Nicole (MY WIFE) said she had a dream that I came to the United States randomly, which is very strange because we lost contact around 2007. So Nicole decided to go online one day, on msn, and we instantly hit it off again and started talking. Then we arranged to meet up with one another, she couldn't come to England, because of college, so I decided to go visit her as a friend in New York.

The flight was booked for October 16th ( a day before my birthday ), before this date, my Mother had a stroke in April of 2010, Nicole was there for me through my Mothers entire recovery. Phone calls and text messages, helped me through it. She also kindly sent a huge boquet of flowers for my Mother, whilst she was in hospital recovering.

When October came, the nerves were high, we were both going to meet eachother literally around the corner. When the day came, I couldn't sleep, I was on the phone to Nicole from 4am british standard time, till my flight departure of 10am.

When I landed at JFK, she was holding a sign which was a love-heart in the shape of the British flag. As soon as I saw her, my heart raced, I knew instantly, just seeing her that she was the girl for me. The weeks passed and I extended my stay by taking more time off from work. We then decided to get engaged, because it felt so right and we are so happy with each other. We then married in December of 2010.

The Application:

We sent out our application a MONTH after my VWP expired. My VWP expired January 14th 2011, we sent out our package roughly around the start of February 2011.

We then received all of our NOA for I-130 I-485 and I-864. We never sent our Medical in at the time of applying, due to the lack of funds, it wasn't until March that we received an Request For Evidence, for my Medical Examination. We had one done, and sent it back April 18th. We then sent out my application for EAD around April time, due to being incorrectly informed by USCIS of the cost of the EAD CARD.

We then got my EAD card in June, my appointment letter also came in June, for July 13th (Today).

With my EAD card I was able to get my Social Security Number, it also helped us get a joint bank account and I was able to add my name to my wifes Verizon bill.

The Social Security Card was branded with, "AUTHORIZED FOR WORK VIA DHS APPROVAL"

The Interview

We arrived at 7:40am, checked ourselves in to the lady at the front desk, of the Holtsville USCIS office, she was very friendly and helped relax my nerves. My wife was calm, I was nervous due to our situation. We were interviewed around 8:30am, my appointment was for 8:00am.

I wore black pants and a white polo shirt, so nothing too formal. My wife "dressy" jeans, with a black top and jeweled sandals.

The I.O swore us both in, she then asked us both to take a seat. She seemed very lovely. She asked one question to my Wife, about our marriage;

How did a girl from Port Jefferson, meet a guy from England?

My wifes answer was lovely, made me feel so happy just listening to her talk about me like that.

- She then asked if we had any photos. We brought an album of literally any photos we had taken together or with family, there were A LOT from different days and celebrations. The I.O flipped through them, whilst talking to us, like any person would.

She then asked us to pick two photos to go on file, one picture of us during our wedding celebration. The other of us just normal and together. Baring in mind we had a town hall wedding.

She asked for proof of employment from my Wife, she asked if I had ever worked whilst in the united states. (I hadn't.)

She then asked for any proof of joint accounts we had together. We showed her a letter from Verizon, with both our names in the letterhead, we also showed her a Citizens bank letter addressed to both of us, this showed a joint bank account.

She then went down the list of questions which I had previously answered when sending off the I-485, I answered "NO" to all of them.

Then she went through the talk of citizenship, and how I had to apply on the military drafting website. (For all men 25 and under I believe)

Then she stamped my passport with a temporary "Green-card" stamp and said your actual card should arrive within 10 - 14 days.

"Welcome to the United States"

In short, if you're truly in love and married, you came here with good intentions and not intentions to marry... You should be fine. I was personally told by the USCIS officer that VWP applicants have just as much of a chance to adjust their status, as any other visa application does.

Thank you VJ for your helpful forum users. I hope this helps all of you.

Congrats!!! our interview is on aug 19th hope it goes smoothly! How did you have your passport stamped? I thought they dont do that anymore. did you ask for one or she stamped it her self?

Hi samvilles... Yea that is kinda weired. I filed on May 26th i did my biometrics on Jun16 and I got my letter for interview last week for aug 19th .. I still havent received my ead card though. But I have heard a lot of people are getting interview letter before ead card. Why did you file I 130 before than 485 and 765? normally you are suppose to file them together, i wonder if that is the reason for the delay? I wish you hear something soon!

So today waking up, feeling fed up as usual because we haven't heard a thing. Nicole (my wife) leaves to go to work, as usual.

Then suddenly, my iPhone decides to beep the Metal Gear Solid text tone, I take a look assuming it was Nicole. "358-42" Who the heck is that? I think to myself.

Then I see, "Your USCIS case status has updated for: MSC*******" blahblahblah...

Anyways July 13th is our big interview day! I had to tell everyone, it's finally around the corner...!

SO EXCITED.

Congrats! when did you file?

mommylawstudent, good to hear! Can you post your time line so other users that might have filed around your date could have an rough idea!

Well, I've got good news today. I received the e-mail and text message this morning from USCIS confirming that they have received the packet. That takes a lot of stress off. Now I'm just waiting for the checks to clear and to get the confirmation/receipts in the mail.

An updated timeline for my application:

03/24/2011: Married at the courthouse, Oktibbeha County, MS.

05/12/2011: AOS packet sent to Chicago Lockbox facility via USPS Priority Mail.

05/14/2011: (Day 1): Package delivered to lockbox.

06/03/2011: (Day 21): Email + text confirmation of receipt of forms.

Hi,

WoW that took almost 3 weeks just for them to send you a notice that they received the packet. That is a long time, I have seen others get the notice fairly quickly. Now this makes me nervous! I hope you process from now on moves more quickly!

Thanks

Hello Everyone,

I live in minnesota and we filed the papers in may also(may23) it was received at the lockbox on may 25th. havent yet received NOA, and nor is the check cashed(LoL its the first time i am waiting for money to leave my bank account). Normally i have heared it is taking about 3-4months for the whole process to be finished. anyone from Mn who has filed before me and have the timeline would really help me figure out how long my files will take. also does anyone know whats the luckiest case, that is which case was the fastest to be received and approved. Also is one state quicker than the other or it dosent matter where you live?

Thanks

Hi dtudtu,

Welcome aboard to May 2011 filers! Where are you filing from? Let's wait together.. I have a long way to go because i'm filing from NY.

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Hi,

I live in minnesota and we filed the papers in may also(may23) it was received at the lockbox on may 25th. havent yet received NOA, and nor is the check cashed(LoL its the first time i am waiting for money to leave my bank account). Normally i have heared it is taking about 3-4months for the whole process to be finished. anyone from Mn who has filed before me and have the timeline would really help me figure out how long my files will take. also does anyone know whats the luckiest case, that is which case was the fastest to be received and approved. Also is one state quicker than the other or it dosent matter where you live?

Thanks