HollyV

I had my AOS interview Oct 16. I was approved pending FBI name clearance (oh yay!) Should i apply for AP? i am REALLY wanting to get home sometime in the next few months. Anyone else done this? It's just so hard to figure out if i should do this or not.... my luck, i'd apply for it, then my GC would get approved....

Thanks for your responses. However, I went to create an e-file account and this was part of the instructions after you file:

"You MUST contact the BCIS National Customer Service Center, if instructed to do so on your Confirmation Receipt notice, at 1-800-375-5283 [TTY 1-800-767-1833] to schedule an appointment with your local Application Support Center using your Confirmation Receipt notice or your official Receipt Notice (I-797). The Application Support Center will collect a digital photograph, signature, and fingerprint from you at your appointment."

I know it says "if instructed to" but does that mean that some people have to appear in person while other's don't? Is it just a random selection? Why would they collect photos, signatures and fingerprints from some people and not others? I don't understand. Does anyone know?

i think what they are talking about is the biometrics. They sent me a notice to let me know when to go to the application support centre. Most likely they'll send you a notice too. I think you'd be just fine to e-file your app.

This is in regards to form I-765 but it applies to all forms I guess. Has anyone tried e-filing any forms at all and how was it? Almost every form requires supporting documents to be sent in, which I guess they will match up with your e-file record. Wouldn't it be better to send in everything together and not do e-file? Even if you do e-file (which gets the form to them faster) but if they don't get your supporting documents in the mail, it doesn't make the process go any faster right? I'm just trying to determine the benefit of e-filing. Any thoughts?

Benefit of e-filing, in my opinion, is that you can pay with a credit card. We had a hard time putting together all the money for the AOS package, so the e-file was a welcome option. I e-filed my I-765 (after filing for AOS), and had no problems at all. I wasn't required to send in any supporting documents for the I-765 either. So in my situation, e-filing worked out perfect.

Holly*

Love your pic!

Hi everyone. Just curious as to what other people have done. My interview for AOS is Oct 16. You think it will cause any problems that my passport is in my maiden name and all of my apps were done in my married name? I'm going to add my married name to my passport when i am able to travel to canada again. I hate the thought of my passport travelling in the mail, so i'd rather do it in person. (Our marriage certificate got lost in the mail .... but we do have one now ). Thanks.

*Holly

i sent mine in with the inital AOS/I-130 package

Holly,

My husband and I were quite surprised at the grilling we received during the interview, bring everything and anything to show his stability and be prepared to answer a lot of questions about your visits.

Sit closer to the back of the waiting room so you can hear your name called.

Good luck.

OOh i've been workin around the clock getting everything together. All of our pictures have the dates printed on them. I wasn't working at the time (i quit my job in june of 05), so i was basically "free" to travel. I have lots of "proof" to my ties at home during this time. Is it advisable to bring all of the mortgage paperwork to the interview?

I am aware of any "problems" you think this will cause me at my interview, and i appreciate you bringing it to my attention. That is why i have torn the house apart looking for that receipt, and finding the reunion invitation.

OK good. As long as you're aware of these issues, it sounds like you're all set to go for the interview. Its best to be overprepared for these things.

PS: Sorry everyone for off-topic posting.

Agreed, overpreparedness (is that even a word!?) is a good thing here. Thanks to everyone for the advice! I think i MAY be able to sleep tonight, knowing that I have everything i need. And regarding my original topic (about the SSN), i'm just going to wait for the EAD and/or the AOS interview. I am going to the bank tomorrow, so hopefully they'll help me out. All of my other evidence should be enough. I will also be asking friends/family/neighbours to write an affidavit of sorts to say that we live together etc... We are raising a puppy together, maybe i should bring her along to the interview just kidding of course. Thanks again to everyone who has posted here. I don't know where i'd be without the wonderful people of VJ.

(a somewhat calmer and more relaxed) Holly

Holly, no matter what they stamped in your passport, you entered the USA with immigration intent, without the necessary visa. You got away with it for now, but what you did was not legal and you will have to face up to that eventually. Its probably best to figure this out before you have your interview.

Actually, i didn't. We had our wedding in Nov of 2005. Originally, we were going to go the k-1 route. Our marriage license got lost in the mail (true story) and we didn't get it until march. During this time, i had been flying back and forth, never with any intent to stay. In April, we had our ceremony. After our reception in May I flew down to visit again (which i told the officer in immigration). When i arrived, my husband told me that he had just closed on a house..... i called the info line, they advised me to go the i-130/i-485 route, that way i could stay in the US with my husband. I have found my return receipts for my intended flight back, and also have proof of a family reunion i was planning on attending in July. Please do not accuse me of such a thing. I am aware of any "problems" you think this will cause me at my interview, and i appreciate you bringing it to my attention. That is why i have torn the house apart looking for that receipt, and finding the reunion invitation.

I didn't need a visa to enter the US. The class listed on my passport is "n/c". Which i later found out to mean, "not controlled."

That's right! You entered illegally!

illegally? Yea, you're gunna have to explain that to me. Everytime i've visited the US (same goes for both my parents and my brother) our passports have been stamped like this. I've been to the US before i even knew my now husband existed and it was stamped the same way. My parents flew to Florida for vacation one year, same thing. So we're all illegals?? please explain..........

I don't understand why banks have no problem to open accounts for wet backs...

Racist comments are unnecessary in this thread thanks.

... or you get a Social Security card with the info that you are not authorized to accept employment. And then you file for a new one once you have your EAD.

So which sense makes the green card which states that you are not allowed to work?

Such a thing exists?

If she checked off on the DS-230 and was issued an immigrant visa, it's possible she could have an SSN but never received the card. If she does have an inmmigrant visa, not a K-3 she needs to go into an SSA office.

Holly remind us what you have, but I was under the impression you entered on a tourist visa. Do I remember incorrectly?

I didn't need a visa to enter the US. The class listed on my passport is "n/c". Which i later found out to mean, "not controlled."

First of all, dear dr_lha, I don't see a racist comment.

"Wet back" is a derogatory term for a Mexican, which is used as a racist slur whether the person its being aimed at is legal or not. You might not think its racist, but that is just because you are ignorant of the offense it causes.

What I am talking about is the truth and yes, such a thing exists.

Coo... never heard of it. Link?

i just visited the ssa website. And yes, such a thing exists. Just wondering if it would be worthwhile at all.....

http://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/cards.htm

you don't need to have EAD in order to apply for a SSN.

Exactly how does one get a SSN without EAD then?

Note that despite what Holly's timeline says, she doesn't have a K3 visa IIRC.

**changes made to signature/timeline**

Here is a list that my IO gave us, my interview was in San Antonio, the same as yours will be.

Awesome. thanks for the info!

I work for the bank also... and i know it is required by the US Patriot Act, we still go ahead and open an account for customers. As long as, they have 2 valid ID's. And also, you don't need to have EAD in order to apply for a SSN.

What else can i use then????

Why don't you have a SSN?

No EAD

There are many banks that don't require a SSN in order for you to be added into someone's acct. Who do you bank with, if i may ask??? and if they still ask for it.. tell them you have applied for one and haven't received it and soon you receive it you will have your account updated !!!

He's with a local credit union here in austin. I don't know about that though.... i'm not going to get into the habit of lying about anything. I haven't applied for one yet, as i can't. We are going in to talk to someone one on one tomorrow morning. If nothing else, i will (try) and get a letter from them stating that we were in and we were inquiring about adding me to his account.

Starting to stress here..... I have no SSN, so therefore, my husband cannot add me to his bank account, nor can my name be put on any of the utility bills Our joint evidence for our interview next month is nil. He has contacted the bank via email about this, and we have the reply printed out. Also, we have contacted all of our utility providers, and have printouts from all of them as well. (Everyone requires a SSN) You think it should be sufficient evidence that we are atleast TRYING to add me to his accounts?? Would letters from family/friends/neighbours be ok? Anyone else have this problem? I'll just pray that my EAD comes in before the interview, then i can get the darn SSN.........

You will be able to travel if either of the following are true:

1. They stamp your passport at the interview

2. You get your Green Card in the mail

As long as you're not held up by namecheck, you should have your Green Card within a few weeks of the interview.

Thanks for the info, as always. you've always giving me so much help. thanks again.

Hi everyone.... i'm having my AOS interview in a couple on weeks (YAY) Just curious about one thing. If i get approved (fingers crossed) would i be able to travel outside the US relatively soon thereafter? Seems like i should be able to.... I would love to get home to see family before i (hopefully) start working.

*Holly

BTW - you could get trouble for this:

April 21, 2006- We get married in the Florida Keys

May 13, 2006- Wedding reception in Canada for my family and friends

May 16, 2006- I enter US via Newark NJ. (VWP) No questions asked.

So you entered the US after you were married on a visitor visa (whatever Canadians get, I know its not the VWP, but something else)? This is breaking the law as you're not supposed to have immigration intent when you enter the USA, unless you have a visa that specifically allows you to immigrate (e.g. K-1, K-3, H-1B). In your interview they may well pick up on this and ask you to prove that your didn't have immigration intent when you last entered the USA.

When i went through customs, he asked me what i was going to the US for, i said to be with my husband, he then welcomed me to the US (?!).... now, of course, i have no proof of this, but that is what was said. When i got here (the US) i noticed that i could file for the i-130 and 1-485 at the same time, so that's what i did. Originally, i had planned on returning to Canada, and going through the K-3, then AOS process. How can you prove that though?

BTW - you could get trouble for this:

April 21, 2006- We get married in the Florida Keys

May 13, 2006- Wedding reception in Canada for my family and friends

May 16, 2006- I enter US via Newark NJ. (VWP) No questions asked.

So you entered the US after you were married on a visitor visa (whatever Canadians get, I know its not the VWP, but something else)? This is breaking the law as you're not supposed to have immigration intent when you enter the USA, unless you have a visa that specifically allows you to immigrate (e.g. K-1, K-3, H-1B). In your interview they may well pick up on this and ask you to prove that your didn't have immigration intent when you last entered the USA.

When i went through customs, he asked me what i was going to the US for, i said to be with my husband, he then welcomed me to the US (?!).... now, of course, i have no proof of this, but that is what was said. When i got here (the US) i noticed that i could file for the i-130 and 1-485 at the same time, so that's what i did. Originally, i had planned on returning to Canada, and going through the K-3, then AOS process. How can you prove that though?

the stamp in my passport reads "n/c" which means, "not controlled".

You don't show anything that indicates that you have a K-3 application in. Your method of entry was the VWP, not a visa.

Yes, i'm aware of that.... I sent the k-3 application in June 26th..... along with my aos application.

how can you apply for AOS and K3 at the same time? They're 2 different processes. One you're in the country (AOS) and one you're not (K3)

The two CAN be filed together. The "guide" section here on VJ explains it all, under the heading "us citizen and spouse both live/reside in US" You don't need to be outside of the country to apply for a k-3.

I know the old saying about making assumptions, but am i wrong in assuming that my k-3 will be approved before my initial aos interview? My interview is set for oct 16. (i applied for both at the same time.)

*Holly*

My I-765 was sent to MSC. So when checking the processing dates, i should be looking at the National Benefits Centre, right? Or do i look under my district office (San Antoio), or the TSC? Just wanted a rough idea of how long i have to wait. Someday i will understand all of this. It sure can get confusing

*Holly

I haven't been touched since way before our biometrics either so you aren't alone. I think that they are just having problems. Who knows maybe one day we'll open our mail and have an EAD card without even knowing we got it!!!

Diana

I like the way you think! Hope you hear something soon!

I think they are having problems with their databases linking information. Someone posted about this today on the AOS board. You can always call them.

Good Luck.

i hadn't seen that post Thanks for pointing that out to me.

is it odd that my ead app was not touched the day i had my biometrics? I read on here once that everytime they scan your app, it's a touch. My ead hasn't been touched since i sent it in..... maybe i'm just over thinking everything, seems to happen a lot while on this journey...... Thanks for any insight.

I just had my biometrics for my ead done 8/5. now what? Is there a long wait. I see a lot of ppl got approved within days of their biometrics, this the norm? I've got a job waiting for me, i'm so anxious to get back to work!!

You might get lucky, you might not. Patience is the key.

I'm still waiting for my EAD, and did biometrics 2 weeks before you, and fully expect to end up having to go get my iEAD. Hey at least being pessimistic, its nicer when you're surprised!

oh i fully expect the worst, then, like you said, its nice when you get surprised. Patience patience patience.... seems to be the word most associated with this process......

I just had my biometrics for my ead done 8/5. now what? Is there a long wait. I see a lot of ppl got approved within days of their biometrics, this the norm? I've got a job waiting for me, i'm so anxious to get back to work!!