mattjones2856

Hi all,

I sent back the info requested in an RFE for my I-485 application a couple of weeks ago and now my status has been updated with the message: "Notice mailed welcoming new permanent resident". Does this mean I am approved and good to go, even without an interview? The small print says something about "further ADIT processing referred to in the welcoming notice". Does that mean the interview or the FBI name check or what?

I dont want to get my hopes up too much if there may be more hurdles ahead!!!

Thanks,

Matt

Hi all,

I have to mail a response to an RFE and I just wanted to clarify a couple of points.

Whats the best way to send it? USPS priority mail? First class with delivery confirmation? I want to know that its got there but I am always wary about sending something that requires a signature in case they dont have anyone there to sign for it and it gets bounced back to me!

It doesnt explicitly state what address it needs to go to - it just has a small box with their mailing address in the bottom right hand corner (somewhere in Califonria, presumably because my case got transferred). Is this where I send it to?

Also, I saw on the package assembly guide that it says to use the envelope provided for RFE's. I didnt get a special envelope. Will this be a problem?

Thanks,

Matt

Boris,

I was in the same boat as you after reading that question, having had a J-1 visa in the past. I put "no" to having had work authorization before and they approved it with no problem.

On the bright side, you already have a SSN so as soon as you recive the EAD you can start work without having to wait another few weeks for more paperwork to be processed!

Hi all,

Admittedly I may be getting ahead of myself a little bit but I am starting to get antsy!! I got an email today from the USCIS case tracking website saying that my AP had been approved. I checked my account and saw that my EAD application had also been touched today. Of course, now I am frantically checking every email that comes in hoping that I will get the EAD approval one next!!

My question is, does the email saying that my case is approved entitle me to begin work. I am fortunate in that I already have an SSN from when I worked on a student J-1 visa a few years ago. As I understand it I will be mailed an approval notice and then the EAD card itself but does the fact that I know my case is approved entitle me to start work and then sort out the paperwork with my employer later? Or do I need to wait until I can present the EAD card to my employer?

Many thanks,

Matt

Hi all,

I recently found out, through this forum, that all I-765 applications are processed through the National Benefits Center. Previously I thought each District Office handled local cases so I could understand why some people had a shorter wait than others.

But if all the cases are processed in one place and in the order they are received, how come some people get their cases processed before others with an earlier date?

I'm sure I have seen some recent approvals in peoples timelines who had NOA dates after mine, yet my case hasnt been touched since I had my biometrics taken in early July.

Is there something I am missing about why some cases take longer than others?

Dont get me wrong, I am happy for anyone who has had their approval quickly, but its just very frustrating playing the waiting game!!

Many thanks,

Matt

Is there a name on the mailbox? If so, is your name on the mailbox too?

Are you using a P.O. box? If so, is your name on the account too?

If there is a name associated with the mailbox and your's is not, they will not deliver it.

We are aware that our "card or document" was originally returned because our name was not on our mailbox--even though we've gotten all our other USCIS mail at that address. Anyway, after we realized the problem, we put our name on the mailbox and informed the post office that we do indeed live there. This was all before our infopass appointment...so the USPS has no excuse this time.

How did you inform the post office that you live there? Did you call your local post office or their general helpline number 1-800-ASK-USPS?

All this talk of the USPS not delivering EAD's is adding to my waiting stress!! I am staying with my in-laws so their mailbox is presumably in their family name so I want to make sure that I have all my bases covered when USCIS finally pull their fingers out and approve my EAD!

-Matt

Hi all,

I filed my AOS along with the I-765 and I-131 forms in June and received a receipt date of June 20th for all three cases. I have also had my biometrics taken in July in Philadelphia. I have been trying to track the processing dates on the USCIS website but I am not sure which set of dates I should be looking at.

I assumed all three cases would be processed through the Philadelphia district office but as of July 17th, when the dates were last updated, they were supposed to be processing I-131 cases dated June 20th but my case has not yet been touched.

Reading through this forum, I saw one post that said that EAD cases were processed through the National Benefits Office. Is this also true of the AP cases? And if so, why do the local offices even list processing dates for these cases?

Can anyone give me a clue where I should be looking?

Many thanks,

Matt

Hi all,

Sorry if this is a stupid question but I cant work out whether or not I should mail the instruction sheets that come at the start of each form in with my AOS package.

For example, form I-485 downloaded from the USCIS website is 11 pages total but only the last 4 pages are actual information to be filled out by me. Do I just mail the last four pages or do I need to mail all of it?

Obviously common sense would be that they could only possibly be interested in the pages with my actual information on but I have to ask as I am always afraid that the person opening my package is gonna be looking for a reason to send it back to me!

Paranoid! Who told you I was paranoid?!?!

Many thanks,

Matt

Hi all,

I am planning to file all my AOS forms together (I-485, I-765 etc.) and I am trying to work our how many checks I need to write!

For form I-765, the USCIS website states:

Filing Fee: $180 base fee, plus $70 biometrics services fee if you have not already been fingerprinted for another immigration benefit.

Now, I will be including a check for $70 for biometrics along with form I-485. Do I need another $70 check to go with my $180 I-765 fee or does one biometrics fee cover both?

Many thanks.

Matt

Hi all,

I was planning to file form I-131 with my AOS package so that I would be able to make short trips home (2 weeks or so) if I wanted to or in the event of an emergency. However, I see that the form requires you to give a specific date for your intended trip and then asks that you provide information to justify the issuance of the Advance Parole.

As of right now I dont have a specific journey in mind, I would just like to have the option to make a visit home if needed. Is this possible and if so how would I answer these questions?

Thanks for any advice.

Matt

Thanks for the advice.

I see what you mean about the applying for a visa and not work authorisation but I am sure that the work authorisation was part of it. My memory is a little hazy as to what documents I actually had but I know that I had the usual visa stamp in the passport that is the same basic design as the K-1 but says J-1 instead. I also had some other document in triplicate that, I think, had one copy go to immigration at the POE, one copy stapled into my passport during my stay and another one that went to the Social Security office when I got my SSN. I think that might have been my EAD. I still have my original social security card that I got six years ago and that says "Not valid for work without permission" or words to that effect. Thats what makes me think I had some form of EAD before.

Just to clarify, the J-1 visa allows students to visit the US and work for up to three months, normally during the summer vacation from university.

You guys are probably right in that they only want to know if you have done this specific process before but I am concerned that it will raise a flag if they see I have a SSN but have not (apparently) had work authorization before.

Matt

Hi all,

I am currently putting together my I-485 AOS package and I have a question about the form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.

One of the questions asks "Have you ever applied for employment authorization from USCIS?" Now, a few years ago, when I was a student, I worked in the US on a J-1 visa so I am guessing that this counts as a yes. It then asks which USCIS office I applied to and says to atttach all documentation. As I did it through an organization that helps students with the paperwork to get the visa, I have no idea which office it would have gone through. I do know that the visa was issued by the London embassy but I dont know if this counts as the USCIS office. Also, the only documentation I still have is the J-1 visa that is in my passport.

I am guessing its a long shot that anyone else will have been in the same circumstances as me but I would be grateful for any suggestions as to how I should answer these questions.

Many thanks,

Matt

Hi all,

I am a little confused about vaccination requirements. At my medical the nurse was all set to give me the injections I needed when at the last minute, while rifling through paperwork, she realised that I was a K1 visa so didnt need to have them right now. She said I would need them further down the process, I am guessing for AOS, but I could just get them done locally or in the US.

Now at the time, AOS seemed a long way away and I was just grateful for the reprieve from being a human pin cushion!! But now that my flight to the US is less than a month away, I am starting to think about it more.

When I am actually required to show that I am fully vaccinated, is it for AOS or is there a chance I could be asked about it at the POE?

Is it expensive to get it done in the US or am I best off paying a local doctor here to do it (I am not registered with a GP, I never bothered reregistering with anyone after I left Uni five years ago)? Also, would the doctor need to provide me with any special sort of "receipt" or something to satisfy the Americans that I have had them done?

Many thanks,

Matt

Yea, it was the same experience for me and I thought there seemed to be something missing too! In fact, I'm not sure the lady even said anything to the effect of "Your approved", maybe just that everything was all in order and where to go for the courier thing.

Anyway, the point is, your all good and I'm sure you will have your visa very shortly! Congrats!!

Well, how are you flying here? Is it a one-way ticket? Because if it's not (as it's ridiculous that return flights are usually cheaper) and you're planning on abandoning the return part of your journey, why not make the ticket's return be the day before you get covered on your fiance's insurance? That way your travel ins might cover you up until you marry.

But check around as I have no clue what coming on a return ticket implies.

Yea, thats an interesting thought but it seems kinda risky. I mean, insurance companies are notorious for worming their way out of paying and I'm sure it wouldnt take much digging to work out that I had no intention of returning to the UK, therefore invalidating my insurance.

Also, your right about the whole return ticket being cheaper than one way, it just doesnt make any sense!! I called up BA to ask about if its acceptable to buy a return ticket instead of a more expensive one way ticket and the lady said "Yes, but I didnt say that!". No wonder they overbook flights then end up getting caught out and having to bump people to a later flight.

Thanks for this guys, very useful info!!

To be honest, I'm surprised this isnt covered in a Guide or FAQ (unless I missed it!!!). Considering how expensive US medical costs are its something everybody will need to consider before they set off for the US. Any VJ Webmaster folks out there?!

Thanks,

Matt

Hi all,

Does anyone know what a K1 Visa immigrant needs to do about medical insurance when they enter the States? During past visits I have just had travel insurance to cover that sort of thing but I doubt an ordinary policy would cover someone who intends to immigrate. I checked the insurance I normally get and they said that they only cover trips that begin and end in the UK, so that would rule them out for a start.

I think that once we are married I will be covered by my partners insurance, but how do I ensure I am covered for the couple of months before that?

Any advice or others experiences would be gretaly appreciated!

Thanks,

Matt

Hi all,

I understand that as part of filing for the AOS I will be required to go to my local USCIS service center to have my fingerprints taken and that when they are ready to process this part of the application, they send you an appointment letter. Does the letter give you a specific date and time that you have to attend the service center or does it just say that they are ready to process you and that you can come in any time? Also, if it gives a specific date can you change this if it is not convenient or would that seriously delay your application?

Many thanks,

Matt