zaira

I am an October/November filer. I submitted my application for removal of conditions at the end of October, the check was cashed on 11/01 and my biometrics appointment was on 11/26. Yesterday (2/24) I received the letter saying that my application was approved! My application was processed by the California Service Center. I hope everyone will get good news soon!

I think it is up to the officer to determine the bona-fide of the marriage! The most important is you are approved! Congrats!

I was just confused about the fact that they didn't interview us together. But we were waiting there long enough to notice another couple in a similar situation earlier. Anyway, I'm glad it all went smoothly. I just got my email earlier that I was approved and I should receive my card within 60 days!!

We had our interview at the Boston office today. I thought it was common for couples to be called in together at this stage, but they called my husband (the sponsor) in first with the documents. I had put the folders together, so he was a bit confused. They got me into the room after a little while (~20 minutes). All she asked me were the standard questions on terrorism, polygamy, etc. At the end she said that we were approved and she had ordered the card. She kept my I-94 and EAD/AP card (which I've only received last week).

Is it common to take the sponsor in first for questioning?

Thanks everyone for the help! I couldn't believe everything went so smoothly and quickly.

@pot121, did you check your application status on the USCIS website? I think the message on there should change after you get approved.

@Little_My, great idea to make an infopass appointment now. Thanks for all the info.

Thanks for the reply! How does traveling on AP work, do I still surrender my I-94 when I leave the country?

If I get approved at the interview, but don't have the green card in hand by January 31, should I ask for a I-551 stamp?

I apologize for all the basic questions. I'm excited the process is finally moving forward and I'm not stuck in the US anymore .

This is the situation, I have just received an email that my travel document has been approved, so I finally have my advance parole. I would like to travel on January 31, but my interview is on January 19. Would it be ok to buy the plane tickets, are there any situations under which I wouldn't be able to leave the US? Say I get approved at the interview, but I don't have the green card yet, or I get rejected at the interview? Thanks!

I had the same question. My interview is scheduled for January 19, but I haven't received any updates on my EAD or AP. I had the biometrics appt on December 2. Everything is moving a lot faster than I was expecting. I sent the package in on October 29.

I sent mine out Oct 29! I got the email and text message confirmations, and the checks have been cashed. I checked the status online and we're in the "initial review" stage. Good luck!

Hi Zaira, seems to me like you did a good job)

According to address-today I send mine at the same one, so it should be correct Anyway soon I will find out for sure)))

Regarding I-130 I put 1 photo of my husband, and 1 of myself)I've just Checked filing instructions, and curious why did you put 2?

That's weird. I put one, not sure why the cover letter says two. I have 7 photos total (1 for I-130, 2 for I-485, 2 for I-765, 2 for I-131). Thanks for noticing that!

Good luck with everything!

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone with more experience would like to take a look at my cover letters and materials I am including and see if you have any comments. I hope this will also be helpful for other people in my situation who are adjusting from an F-1 visa after marriage. I've found other cover letters online very helpful.

I'm filing I-130, I-485, I-131 and I-765 at the same time.

Everything will be sent by express mail to:

USCIS

131 South Dearborn – 3rd Floor

Chicago, IL 60603-5517

Cover letter for the whole package

Dear Sir/Madam:

Enclosed please find the following contents:

I-130, Petition for Alien Relative and evidence

I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status and evidence

I-765, Application for Employment Authorization

I-131, Application for Travel Document

Please contact us if you have any questions. Thank you very much for your help.

Sincerely,

X & Y

Cover letter for I-130

Dear Sir/Madam:

Enclosed please find the form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative for X (alien spouse) and supporting documents.

Contents include:

1.Check for $420.00 (Filing fee for I-130)

2.Cover letter of the contents

3.Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative

4.Form G1145 E-Notification of application/petition acceptance.

5.Copy of U.S. Citizen’s birth certificate

6.Copy of marriage certificate

7.Form G-325A, Biographic Information for U.S. Citizen Petitioner

8.One Passport style photograph for U.S. Citizen

9.Form G-325A, Biographic Information for Alien Spouse

10.Two Passport style photographs for Alien Spouse

11.Evidence of bona fide marriage:

a.Copy of joint bank statement of husband and wife

b.Copy of apartment lease agreement for joint tenancy of husband and wife and lease extension.

c.Copy of renter’s insurance with both names

d.Pictures with descriptions

Copies of documents submitted are exact photocopies of unaltered documents and I understand that I may be required to submit original documents to an Immigration or Consular officer at a later date. Please feel free to contact me, if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Y

Cover letter for I-485

Dear Sir/Madam:

Enclosed please find my form I-485 Application for Immediate Relative (Spouse) Family-Based Adjustment of Status and supporting documents.

Contents include:

1.Check for $1,070 (filing fee for form I-485, $985 + Biometrics fee, $85)

2.Cover letter of the contents

3.Form I-485 Application for Immediate Relative (Spouse) Family-Based Adjustment of Status

4.Form G1145 E-Notification of application/petition acceptance.

5.Copy of Beneficiary’s Passport (Biographical Page and Entry Stamps)

6.Copy of Beneficiary’s Form I-94 (Front and Back)

7.Copy of Beneficiary’s Birth Certificate and translation

8.Copy of Beneficiary’s I-20 forms (4 forms, pages 1 and 3 for each)

9.Two Passport style photographs for Non-U.S. Citizen

10.Medical Form I-693 (Sealed envelope by the Civil Surgeon)

11.I-864, Affidavit of Support and Supporting documents

a.Form I-864 filed by US Citizen Petitioner

b.3 most recent Tax Transcripts from IRS (2010, 2009, 2008)

c.Most recent paystub

d.Letter from employer

12.Form I-131, Application for Travel Document

a.Form I-131 filed by Beneficiary

b.Two Passport style photographs for Non-US citizen

c.Copy of Beneficiary’s Passport (Biographical Page, Visa and I-94)

13.Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization

a.Form I-765 filed by Beneficiary

b.Copy of Beneficiary’s Passport (Biographical Page and Visa)

c.Copy of Beneficiary’s Form I-94 (Front and Back)

d.Copy of Beneficiary’s previous EAD card

e.Two Passport style photographs for Non-US Citizen

Copies of documents submitted are exact photocopies of unaltered documents and I understand that I may be required to submit original documents to an Immigration or Consular officer at a later date. Please feel free to contact me, if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

X

I had a great experience with Dr. Edna Butaney in Boston. After reading online about some awful experiences with some of the other civil surgeons in the area, I was a bit nervous. I had to have the whole medical exam for the I-693 done. I already had all the required shots (if you go after October 1 you need a flu shot). Since my PPD had been positive in the past and I had a proof of that, she didn't do it again and just sent me to get a chest x-ray. All in all, very friendly and well informed about the process, paperwork was ready very quickly. Fee was $180.

City/ Town: Boston, MA

CS Name: Dr. Edna C A Butaney

CS Tel. no: (617) 262-2416

Address: 388 Commonwealth Avenue, Unit B-2, Boston, MA 02215

Hi JT,

It's good that you're also doing your own research! I'm in a similar situation, I'm on an F-1 visa graduating in June 2012. I just got married to my husband who is a USC and we're in the process of filing the adjustment of status application. Based on my experience, I would advise you to first get married in the US, file for adjustment of status and advance parole and only travel to Taiwan if the advance parole comes in time. Once your fiance starts her adjustment of status application and gets her advance parole she will no longer need an F-1 visa or an I-20 to enter the US [somebody please correct me if I'm wrong!]. Travelling to Taiwan to renew the F-1 visa seems like just a waste of time and money for me.

Good luck!

Z