Pickle

ok. Thanks. Can I write just "Unemployed" on the employer name and address box if I was a student and not working for a certain period of time? thanks

Since they do not want you to leave any "gaps" in dates, that is exactly what I did. You can write "Student" where they ask for occupation.

That sounds fine. I mean as long as they have processed my applications and put them in the system I think we are good Worst case scenario they will send RFEs etc but I am more than happy to provide them with information knowing that this does not delay my employment card processing. I really need to start working as soon as possible to support my wife who is the only one working at the moment. If I get my employment card I won't mind at all waiting for the green card processing even if it takes a long time.

I'm with you on that. I think that is what is driving people crazy--the long wait without really having much to do (even though people keep themselves busy, it's not the same as when you have a job where you have to stay focused that makes the time go by faster). I am fortunate to be working right now (EAD based on F1 OPT). If it weren't for that, I would have gone insane waiting! I hope you get your employment card approved quickly!

I've got some good news guys We received our NOA1 through email this morning! Our package was delivered to USCIS last Wednesday 9/24 and I also checked all 4 cases on USCIS.gov and they are all in initial review except i485 (Application to adjust status) which is still in acceptance. I am guessing initial review means the applications were checked for completion and they are fine right?

Chiming in from the August filers If you mean that everything was fine in regards to filing, etc, then yes it seems like you are fine. They will reject your application during the acceptance stage if anything was wrong with your filing. However, if you were asking if everything is fine in regards to the documents you submitted, then at this point there is no telling. The initial review is when they check if you have all the documents they are looking for and it is the step where you will typically receive an RFE if they want to see more evidence/if you did not submit a required document.

But in saying all this, they can probably still do whatever they want whenever they want. From what I've seen here on VJ, you cannot always trust the online status. Some people already have their green card, but their status never changed from acceptance.

Sorry I somewhat went of on a tangent here. Just thought I would share what I've seen/what I know. Hope everything goes well for you!

I mean, I have the original copy but not a certified copy of that. I sent one with the AOS package. I should have asked for two copies at first hehe

I think you will find this thread useful (if you have not already seen it): http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/504527-certified-copy-of-marriage-certificate-for-aos-interview/ If I understand correctly, you have the "original" certified copy, right? You made a copy of that "original" and that is what you sent in with your application? If so, then it sounds to me like you are good to go, no? This a good point you are bringing up, I think I should request another certified copy of our marriage certificate. I only have one, and I don't know if they are going to take that at the interview.

Apologies for the late response. Theres a large list of things you need for the interview. Some of them are forms already submitted so it is non requiered for most of us. The EAD if any, document used to enter the US and i-94. Birth certificate for both sponsor and immigrant. Proof of citizenship for the sponsor. Copy of certified marriage document.

Supporting evidence of your relationship, such as copies of any documentation regarding joint assets or liabilities you and your spouse may have toghether.

And certified translation for each foreign document.

Well. I have all of them except the copy of our marriage certificate.

No worries! Thank you for sharing with us. Why don't you have a copy of your marriage certificate yet? Does it just take a long time in your state to receive it? I did not even know you can submit your AOS without it. I would think that it would be quite an important part of your documents you have to take with you.

Joining the forum, I'm at the testing and interview stage from Sept 17th no change on my EAD application did not apply for AP.

Welcome, Soares! Glad to hear you are also on Testing and Interview. Keep us updated with your case!

Thank you very much.

My application was sent on August 12 and it seems to me that USCIS received my application on August 18 and I got my biometrics done on September 12.

My interview is on November 10.

I don't have job offer in hand and so I wouldn't apply AP and EAD again.

If you guys want to know what the interview letter says or the list of the things to take with us, I would like to share. Just let me know.

That is fast, a little less than three months since you filed. Congrats!

If you'd like to share, we would definitely like to know

Less than three months--I would say that is pretty fast (or depending on your local office, that might be average, but definitely not slow!). You can look at other August filer's timelines here to see how fast (and slow!) the process can be for different people: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/509305-august-2014-filers/

I think California is moving very fast.

It certainly looks like it. I've noticed that on older filer threads as well.

Yep, send a photocopy if you can (read the instructions very carefully), because you'll need the originals later for the NVC stage.

Just a correction here, there is not an NVC stage like with CR-1/IR-1 for AOS from WST visas. Not trying to be nitpicky here, just don't want OP to freak out about a stage that does not exist for AOS

Pickle, looks like me and you are the not so lucky ones here.....

I've noticed, and this waiting game is frustrating. I hope it is just because our local offices are backlogged, and not anything about our applications. We will get there though, hang in there! It reminds me, I wonder if Barron has gotten her other NOA's yet?! Last time I've seen she only had the one NOA.

Hi Pickle,

I called ph to USCIS today and I was told that they didn't receive my application for I-765 and I-131. Do I have to apply I-765 and I-131 again ?

And I got my interview letter and the interview is supposed to be on November 10, 2014.

Since my interview is already scheduled, do I need to apply EAD again ? Will I still need EAD after I get green card ?

If I don't apply EAD and I-131 again, will it affect my green card process and interview ?

Thank you

Congrats on getting the interview letter! When did you submit your application?

You will not need an EAD once you get your green card. And your I-131 is just something that allows you to travel outside the US while your AOS application is pending. Therefore if you do not have a job offer in hand, or have to desperately travel outside the country, I would say you do not have to send in I-765 and I-131. Your interview date is only a little bit over a month away, and in most cases it takes longer than that to get the EAD and AP.

It will not affect your green card process, since it is optional to apply for EAD and AP.

@jbarrett, that was extremely fast, that's wonderful! Last night I saw an email coming through from USCIS, I was so excited! Turned out it was only a "status update" regarding my address I changed a few days ago. Not much of an update. But hey, at least I know they definitely have my new address now!

To answer your question: working in the US is possible for many, but it's not possible for most. It is not as easy as just "apply for a visa." Here are all the possible ways people work in the US: www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/working-us. The H1B visa is a popular one (I don't have any stats, just an observation), but it certainly is not an easy route.

@saamlee, that is great! Your case is moving fast! Well, since you are the first person on here that got the letter, I don't think any of us can really give you accurate advice since we don't know what the letter says. If it uses the word "and" when listing the items, you should probably take everything. If the use the word "or" listing the items, then you don't have to. Probably best to take as much as possible, you don't want to get an RFE at the interview! Would you mind sharing with us what the letter says?

Hello everybody,

I am also an August filer and I got the receipts for I-485 and I-130 and got my biometrics done already.

But I haven't got my EAD receipt letter. Do you guys have any ideas why I still don't get my receipt yet ? And what should I do ? I am getting worried.

Thank you

Hi Coco, and welcome here! I assume you mean the NOA for form I-765? If it has been a month since you filed, then you can call NCSC (customer service). 1-800-375-5283.

Please fill in your timeline (see our signatures at the bottom of each person's post) so that we can see what you have done and when. That way we can help and advise you better

So are you wanting to work or study in the US? You say you have been "looking at open university," but you posted in the work visa forum.

Not to rain on anyone's parade whose status recently changed to "Testing and Interview," but in some cases even that does not mean much. I've seen people waiting months to actually get the appointment after the status has changed. Now I know that it means that your case is moving forward and that you are in line to be scheduled, which is great. I guess what I'm getting at is that even though you are stressed about your case not getting to testing and interview, there are also people in that stage that are just as stressed because they are not getting their appointment letter. So basically I'm trying to find a silver lining...in a weird sense I guess in every step of this process there is something different to be worried about.

Moni, so you are not going to file for AOS right now? It sounds like you are only going to apply for the extension for now? Keep in mind that you do not have to hire a lawyer. It is an unnecessary expense. You can do all the paperwork yourself using VJ as your source of information. People tend to use lawyers when they have complicated cases (criminal records, overstay, etc.) Also, applying for an EAD is free with your AOS application.

To answer your question: no, you will not lose your OPT status after you get married. I am also on OPT right now, pending AOS.

I know. Are you in California too?

If only. I am in Oklahoma, and the local office here is waaaay backlogged (yup, in Oklahoma). So I'm not holding my breath, I'll be lucky if I hear something in the next week.

oh thanks for the notice. So all i have to do is change the address online and the i-865 right?

That's right. I'm doing that today as well, we are moving tomorrow!

Listed was Jackson,ms. Walked in dallas,tx

I see. I didn't know that was possible, that's great that you were able to do that!

I did do a walk in at dallas because I was in the area. =)

Oh okay, I was not aware that you can do a walk-in at an office other than your local office. Just out of curiosity, what office was listed on your biometrics appointment letter?

Hi guys! Joining this thread. Here's my timeline:

8/15 - Filed I-485, I-130 & I-765 concurrently

8/18 - NOA received

9/10 - Walk In Biometric @ Santa Ana, CA

9/18 - Case status changed to "Ready for Interview Scheduling"

9/24 - Case status update: Interview scheduled for October 31st!

Our interview is on halloween day!! We should just show up in our interview in our matching halloween costumes! Lol.

It's all happening so fast! Did anyone here get an interview date already? It seems like Santa Ana's on it....

WOW! So fast! This just proves my theory about California I made in a previous post. California offices are on a roll!

Yes, there is one other person on here so far that got an interview date.

I just got an email for the interview date. It's on October 28. I have to wait a full month again.

Is it very important to update the address? Because when i first filed everything i used my in laws house address. But now i moved out. I go every week to visit them

Here is a thread about that where I posted some links you will find useful: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/515466-what-to-do-when-moving-during-aos/

Congrats on the interview date!