Zach&Lara

4 minutes ago, begood said:

i see in your timeline that you received your naturalization cenrtificate 2 weeks after your oath ? how? is not the day of  oath is the same day when USCIS  they give everybody the certificate ?

I received my Naturalization Certificate the day of my oath ceremony. The timeline is in reference to when I received my Naturalization Certificate back after applying for my passport; its usually sent separately from the passport. I got the passport first, then received the Naturalization Certificate a couple days later. 

I can see how that would be confusing.

On 8/23/2017 at 6:53 PM, JoannaV said:

I automatically received a new one, which is identical to my old one except for the issued date.

@CookieCat, pretty sure cards received due to a change in information aren't supposed to count to your lifetime total!

I didn't receive a new card. He just asked to see my SS card because he thought it still had the DHS words on them. I told him it didn't-I had them removed once I received my green card. Although I didn't receive a new card (he just updated my status in the system), this encounter was counted towards my lifetime total, but oh well....

14 hours ago, kargul38 said:

is there anyone waiting for N400 Interview in Charlotte? Can anyone give me a idea how long exactly its taking in Charlotte NC for getting interview letter after the case inline. Please share your experience in Charlotte NC. is there any website i can see current status to determine approximately date? 

 

  

Hey there!

I definitely understand your frustration here. I am a December 2016 filer whose local office is Charlotte, and I just recently received my notification for interview on June 19th, and got my interview letter June 24th. My interview is scheduled for July 26th. I agree, I was very frustrated as to why this was taking so long. I had been in line since Feb 28th, and didn't hear anything till just recently. 

I followed other VJ members timelines whose office was in Charlotte as well. Its taking at least 6 months from filing to getting an interview notification, not even the interview letter. For example, since I filed in December, i didn't get a notification until June (roughly 5 months and some days). Its been that way for other Charlotte filers. So January filers should be getting interview notifications this month and so on. I am not sure what month you filed in, but I would go by this timeline. Its been that way as far back as August 2016. The recent rise in N-400 applications and the disaster that the ELIS system caused is probably whats causing Charlotte to be so backlogged.

Hang in there!

41 minutes ago, burnabrenna said:

There aren't a lot of Charlotte filers, so I was definitely searching around to find people's cases to follow when we submitted ours as well! Hopefully you guys will get an interview date soon! 

Thanks! We're really hoping so!

16 hours ago, burnabrenna said:

My husband has his interview today and it went well! His oath is scheduled for this coming Tuesday the 6th. I will update with more information about the interview as soon as he gets home!

Congrats to both of you! I am a December filer and my field office is in Charlotte as well. I have been following your case quietly, haha. Haven't received my interview letter yet, but I saw that you received your letter in April for an interview in May, but you had to reschedule it. From the look of things, December filers should be getting their interview letters this month, fingers crossed! Didn't see any Charlotte filers in the November thread, so hopefully they got their letters last month for an interview this month. Ah, we just need things to move quickly haha, but this whole process requires a WHOLE lot of patience.

I agree as the above post says. You don't need such evidence. You are not applying on the 3-year rule but the 5-year rule. Good luck on your interview 

22 minutes ago, bearmirus said:

At least you do not have to worry about it now. I'm curious to see if you will use a felt pen to sign your name on the passport photo you sent with your application. 

 

Thanks! 

You know, actually the instructions said to print your name and your A-number lightly on the back of the passport photographs, with a pencil or a felt tip pen. I used a pencil.

I am a December filer and I included 2 passport pictures with my application. I just felt weird not sending any passport pictures, idk, I'm a little paranoid about such things, haha. 

Congrats on getting approved!

Please can someone add us to the list as well. Not sure how to do it. Thanks!!!

V-J NAME- Zach&Lara

DATE OF I-751-09/27/13

NOA1 DATE- 09/30/13

BIOMETRICS- 11/5/13

APPROVED- 03/13/13

We were transferred from VSC to CSC on 10/16/13

Is the EAD enough to remove the notation "Valid for work only with DHS Authorization" on the SS card, or is the green card required first?

Nope its not sufficient. I tried to do that before I got my green card and I was told I couldn't. I had to wait to get it before i removed the restrictions.

I didn't need to send a certified copy of the marriage license. I just sent a copy and immigration was okay with that. however, we took the certified copy with us to the interview and they never even asked for it.

Thank You all so much!- Zach

What can I say? I thank You LORD! I am in awe of YOU! I am beyond excited right now! Its been almost two weeks since we had our interview and I just got a text that my 'Card was in production!' :thumbs: Its been a looong two weeks and I am soo grateful to God! I just wanted to share my experience with you all, about my interview on 03/15/2012.

Our interview was at 0830am and we were there at 0800am with our lawyer. We had gone through security and everything. We got our ticket number and we were sitting and waiting with our lawyer at 0800am. Then our number was called and then a woman approached us (yikes! we didn't want woman! ) and she had this mean look on her face. We tried to make small talk and smile but she was soo rigid. Anyways, we walked in with our lawyer and immediately she asked for our ID's, social security card, passports, I-20's (Since I was adjusting from an F-1 status). We gave that to her and then she swore us in. Our lawyer sat in the back. She then asked me the I-485 questions i.e are you a terrorist, in a communist party, etc. And of course the answer was no. She wasn't smiling at all! So, then she asked us the basics, e.g. name, address, when we first met and how we met, how many times we had visited each other(cos we lived in two different states for some time) etc.

So she asked for the evidence and we presented that to her. We had a joint bank account, life insurance policies, joint credit card, pictures, affidavits from our parents, flight itineries, emails and cards we sent to each other etc. But apparently, it wasn't enough for her. She complained about everything we gave her and she also tried to poke holed into our story. she complained that Zach's (my husband) parents weren't in the pictures and we explained that they lived in wisconsin and that the scheduling was tight for them but that I had met them and the rest of his family and we planned to visit them over the summer and have a small celebration, but that wasn't good enough for her. She had issues with why we had a life insurance policy and that our bank account didn't tell her anything. I mean what was this woman's problem?? We just got married, I mean we have utility bills together and we pay bills through our joint account. I mean its not a lot, but we haven't even been married 6 months. So we wouldn't have a whole lot. She took my passport and EAD card and made copies. She gave me back my passport with my I-94 card still in it, and she gave me my EAD card as well (!) I was so sad. Then, she said we would get a letter in the mail. She sat there typing in her computer, didn't even look at us as we got up to leave I mean, I thought i had been denied. Zach didn't have a good feeling about it either. But we just hoped and prayed and our lawyer told us it was gonna be okay. Hmph! It was very hard believing that then.

I just wanted to wish everyone the very best with their paperwork and that The Lord DOES ANSWER PRAYERS! Thanks!!!! ROC: Dec 2013! I can rest till then!

They really don't have to take your I-94 card. I mean that card is just to show and tell them that you came into the country legally and that you were inspected. You can't really guage your decision based on them taking your I-94 or not. There are plenty cases were it wasn't taken and the couples were approved and still got their green card. Best Wishes!

he can't. It's YOUR process. They're not supposed to talk to anyone but you or your nominated agent (if you put a lawyers info on the form for example). So YOU need to call

You know I was gonna say something, but I didn't want to be mean or anything. Its your process you have to be on your toes about it. Regardless of what happens, he's still gonna be a USC. You? Not so much. So you need to call!!!!!

WOOHOO we were approved, you can read my review on my timeline page.

I saw her put the approved stamp on my papers and she also gave as an approval letter and said the GC should arrive within 2-4 weeks.

Two hours later I've also received an email that today they mailed me a notice that they have approved my I-485.

I asked her if I can get the I-551 stamp because I have an important wedding back home on April 1st but she said I can't because they only do that for serious emergencies... She said my EAD+AP card is no longer valid and that I can't leave the country until I receive the GC. That was a little disappointing but I was wondering if you guys can share how long did it take for you to receive the GC in the mail after the interview? Do you think I will get it in 2 weeks?

You should get it in 10 days at most. You should reaceive it fairly quickly since they already mailed you a notice that the 485 was approved. They seem pretty quicK. Congrats!

Hi Everyone.

My wife is undergoing AOS.

We filed on Feb 9th, 2012.

Finally the case went from "Acceptance" to "Initial Review"

Today we got an SMS/Email stating the following:

"On March 8, 2012, we transferred this case I485 APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS to another office for processing and sent you a notice explaining this action. Please follow any instructions provided on the notice. We will notify you by mail when a decision is made."

Does this translate to transfer to CSC or is it open to interpretation (until we actually get the notice stating where it was transferred).

Thanks,

Chigs

Just means it was transferred to another office for processing. The CSC i think. No worries. With what I know, most of this type cases don't get an interview. They just send the green card after it says 'green card production' online. But not all though. May still get an interview. Best wishes.

i was an F1 student but working off campus i was picked up from my place by ICE and they released me on my own accord i am waiting for a court date ad one of the charges arrained before me is claiming false US citizenship because they called my job and asked for the I-9 am wondering if i can win this case apparently am going to be married to a citizen but i do not know if i will be able to get my green card or even work permit when i file

Claiming US Citizenship is the absolute worst thing to do in this country. I was on F-1 but I didn't dare break their rules or work when not allowed to; cos at the end of the day, I knew that If i decided to stay in this country and live and work here, I had to follow their rules. And now that I am adjusting my status, I have no problems, cos i FOLLOWED THE RULES TO THE LATTER. Wish you the best though.

one of my friends OPT got rejected .he did masters in unaccredited school. what r the option for him to stay back back here.

1. does his SEVIP is active?

2.can he transfer to other school, he has admission in other school?

This one is beyond me. First, how did he get a visa for an unaccredited school? Hes out of status 60 days after he graduates. He would need to re apply for a new student visa to an ACCREDITED school and thereby getting a new 1-20.

I am here on a student visa which doesn't expire until May 2013; however, after this semester I will only have 8 hours remaining to graduate. I am on a golf scholarship and want to stay here after I graduate. From what I understand my visa will become void when I graduate and stop going to school. What are my options to stay?

Also I have thought about the OPT, but I am unsure about how that works. I understand I have to get a job which is directly related to my major. Any advice about that? I am a recreation major and would like to work at a country club or a golf course.

Next question is I have a girlfriend who is a US citizen, we met at junior college in February 2009, i was here for around a year and 7 months before I met her. I wasn't planning on staying here after college but as things have turned out I would like to. We have been dating for nearly two years and she has been home with me to Scotland the past two Christmases. If i was to get a OPT and we got married while I was on a OPT, can I apply for an AOS?

I have done everything by the book to get my student visa and have stuck to the regulations of it so would there be any problem? Also do I need to take 12 hours at college for my visa to be valid?

Thanks in advance for your help!

If You got married while on OPT, You could file your AOS. That way, when your EAD Card arrives, it doesn't interrupt your work. If You have maintained your status as a student, there should be no problems whatsoever. Use your International student advisor to apply for an OPT. I know mine did when I was on f-1 and that greatly helped me. If you and your girlfriend feel like marriage is the next step, then absolutely, you can file AOS

Hello VJ folks. My wife and I attended our AOS interview today at the Detroit USICS Office and we were not approved. We provided the officer the following evidences to the interview; our wedding album, an additional album with random photos before and after the wedding, a letter from the bank stating when we opened our bank account together and information about our debit cards, a notarized sworn affidavit from my mother-in-law stating how she met me and confirming that our marriage is legit, and 4 copies of our personal correspondence. She asked us about our bank statements but we opened our bank account 5 days before the interview and we have not received any bank statement yet. She checked the pictures really quick and then asked the both of us the basic questions like how you met? we met online on a Yahoo chat room 2 years ago, how you became a couple? we gave a brief explanation, when you first met in person? on august 6th 2011, Where did you stay after your arrival to the united states? at my wife's place, etc. Then we went through the standard questions of form I-485 which all answers were no and finally she said that we cant get aprroved today because she's got to make some background checks in order to approve our application and that they will inform us via mail about the final decision or whether they need something else from us. However, at the end of the interview she was explaining to me how to remove my conditions before my 2 year green card expires and then we both signed a paper about the conditional green card. The interview lasted about 20 to 30 minutes. We are confused and worried because the officer returned my passport and I-94 with no stamp or highlights at all. Does this mean we would probably have a stokes interview? Or would they ask for further evidence? We would really appreciate your help and advice guys. Thanks in advance.

Oh come on! I was soo scared reading this! Its sad when I see fellow VJ members panic about not getting approved. Its common. Most are not approved on the spot. They may feel like they need to look into it more, and then bam! You get aproved. No worries. Oh just reading through now, I see you got approved! CONGRATS!!!!!!

Congrats! Mines tomorrow. Preparing for it and stuff.

I do not intend this to be taken as scolding. Its just info. It's water under the bridge, but before making decisions like those check to see what to do first. As LaineB said, you could have walked in earlier and explained that you cannot make that date. You NEED that letter. Call and request a duplicate copy from a tier 2 officer.

You took the words RIGHT OUT OF MY MOUTH. You should have tried to do a walk-in and explaining to them that you couldn't make that date.

hello guys, I am writing this share with with you the interview experience that I had in Centennial, Colorado. My appointment was at 9.45. My wife and I got there at 9.30. we were asked to take a seat and wait to be called in. We were called in and we swore to say the truth. The first set of questions was about the basic personal information ( name, address.....). Then the officer started asking how we got married and how we met. She asked if we had anything that has both names I gave her, internet, dish, life insurance, gym, lease and some other stuff. She asked me if I drive, I said yes and she asked if I have car insurance and I said no. That was where she started digging, I told her that my wife had insurance with this company before we got married. She wanted us to give the exact dates of everything.

It was ok and the IO said that she would review our application and make decision. What's that mean? Are we denied or what ? by the way she didn't take my EAD which was weird

I appreciate your replies

Sometimes they dont take the EAD card back. I agree with kcoyclay1, sometimes they are junior officers and they need to get back to their supervisors or something like that. I wish you all the best. But I think u're fine. Best wishes.

Hi all,

Our AOS interview is set for tomorrow and we're nervous, but ready to get this done! Thanks for all the great accounts of all of your experiences. It has really put our minds at ease. I'll be sure to post up our own experience in hopes that it will help others.

Good luck to you both!