Terry J

Hi everyone,

I offer my congratulations to those who have already received the positive notification. I wish the rest of the group a VERY speedy response!

I'm also here to say that I got my case notification a few moments ago and expect to receive my new green card in the mail!!! Very excited :-)

Can someone please update the list/my username? Thanks to all.

Has anyone traveled overseas since applied for I751?

My husband and I are planning a European trip in Sep and wondering if there would be any problem when re entering the US.

I traveled to Canada at the end of June and had no issues when returning to the US. As long as you have the extension letter with expired GC, you're good to go! Enjoy your trip :-)

Hey guys, I am applying for a Schengen visa, and need to send them both my green card and I-751 Notice. If I don't receive the docs back by the day when my Biometrics appointment is scheduled, can I still go through Biometrics with a copy of I-751 and my NY ID?

They don't ask for the I-751 NOA. They want the original I-797C NOA (Biometrics letter) as it contains bar codes that they use for scanning purposes during your appointment.

Also, they asked for my green card even though I showed they my drivers' license. Not sure if the other posters who already had their bio appt can chime in if they had the same ask about the green card.

This morning, I decided to try a walk-in prior to my scheduled biometrics appt next Monday and I got through! A very nice man was at the reception and let me through, saying that I needed to wait until the other people who had their appt at the time I entered was processed. I was in and out in about 40 minutes.

California Service Center (32 applicants, 0 approved - 0%)

Good morning to all!!

I just got my NOA yesterday afternoon.

Have a great day!!!

Congrats! In order to update the list, what's the receipt date indicated on the NOA?

Hi! The notice date is 3/26/16 and yes I received it very quickly. I hope this bodes well for the rest of the process. I also hope that no one has to go through a rough experience or arduous wait!

Congrats on receiving your biometrics appointment. That was quick! Do you know when it was sent out to you? The date, that is, when it was printed to be sent.

I updated my information/timeline to include the Bio appointment notice I received today! My appointment is scheduled for April 11 @ 11 am.

California Service Center (28 applicants, 0 approved - 0%)

VJName..............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date....Biometrics.....Approved
GABS1314..............03/01/16......03/03/16......04/01/16......--/--/--
Z.S.C.................03/01/16......03/03/16......03/29/16......--/--/--
DIP694................03/04/16......03/07/16......03/31/16......--/--/-- (Walk-in early bio: 03/22/16)
GERALDBONUS...........03/07/16......03/08/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
AALNAMAR..............03/07/16......03/09/16......04/01/16......--/--/--
B & D.................03/09/16......03/11/16......04/08/16......--/--/--
EMYARDY...............03/09/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
MELINA+RODRIGO........03/10/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
SAT6865...............03/10/16......03/14/16......04/08/16......--/--/--
DTORREJON.............03/11/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
WILLYLIN..............03/12/16......03/18/16......04/07/16......--/--/--
YULIYA LIPINA.........03/12/16......03/19/16......04/07/16......--/--/--
RJBNTSK...............03/14/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
JD&COCONUT............03/14/16......03/15/16......04/06/16......--/--/--
IHWIFEY...............03/14/16......03/16/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
HAITILOVE13...........03/15/16......03/21/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
VIKC07................03/16/16......03/16/16......04/05/16......--/--/--
WINSH.................03/16/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
CEMI..................03/16/16......03/17/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
MICHESOUF.............03/19/16......03/21/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
JENAFID...............03/19/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
UKUSAK1...............03/19/16......03/23/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
MIKEGREENE............03/21/16......03/24/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
TERRY J...............03/22/16......03/23/16......04/11/16......--/--/--
SUNSHINESTATE2013.....03/24/16......03/25/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
R & L.................03/28/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
SUPER KING............03/28/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
NIT407................03/30/16......--/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--

Vermont Service Center (18 applicants, 0 approved - 0%)

VJName..............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date....Biometrics.....Approved
CYBELINE..............03/02/16......03/07/16......04/07/16......--/--/--
HZ101.................03/03/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
AMBER.................03/03/16......03/08/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
SAB2913...............03/04/16......03/08/16......04/04/16......--/--/-- (Walk-in early bio: 03/28/16)
OZY2020...............03/08/16......03/10/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
GENESIS4300...........03/08/16......03/09/16......04/04/16......--/--/--
NTCB..................03/10/16......03/14/16......--/--/--......--/--/--
ARCANGEL87............03/10/16......03/14/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
ANNIE1................03/15/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
REGINAGLENN...........03/17/16......03/22/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
ASK2MUCH..............03/17/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
MARA2109..............03/17/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
LILAY.................03/18/16......03/21/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
F&C...................03/19/16......03/22/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
FRANKEL...............03/21/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
SANDF.................03/22/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
SAMMY87...............03/28/16......03/30/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
YILEES................03/30/16......--/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--

IMPORTANT!

* Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.
* Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.
* Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.
* Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted.
* Please check that you have not deleted anyone's NAME & DATA.

Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application.
NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter.
Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment.
Approved = The Date your case was approved.

* Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list.
* When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly.
* If you cannot add your information yourself, please ask another VJ member to help you do so.

Any other March filers get their NOAs yet?

Yep, the mailman just delivered it! Receipt date is 3/23/16!

Can I ask that you update it for me please (TERRY J)? Thanks!

Good morning,

We sent in our kitchen sink I-751 package to the CSC on 3/22 and it was received the following day, 3/23.

Wishing everyone here a speedy and successful processing with no RFE's!

California Service Center (20 applicants, 0 approved - 0%)

VJName..............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date....Biometrics.....Approved
GABS1314..............03/01/16......03/03/16......04/01/16......--/--/--
DIP694................03/04/16......03/07/16......03/31/16......--/--/-- (Walk-in early bio: 03/22/16)
GERALDBONUS...........03/07/16......03/08/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
AALNAMAR..............03/07/16......03/09/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
B & D.................03/09/16......03/11/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
EMYARDY...............03/09/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
MELINA+RODRIGO........03/10/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
WILLYLIN..............03/12/16......03/18/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
YULIYA LIPINA.........03/12/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
RJBNTSK...............03/14/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
IHWIFEY...............03/14/16......03/16/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
HAITILOVE13...........03/15/16......03/21/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
VIKC07................03/16/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
WINSH.................03/16/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
MICHESOUF.............03/19/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
JENAFID...............03/19/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
UKUSAK1...............03/19/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
MIKEGREENE............03/21/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--

TERRY J...............03/22/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--

SUNSHINESTATE2013.....03/24/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--

Vermont Service Center (13 applicants, 0 approved - 0%)

VJName..............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date....Biometrics.....Approved
CYBELINE..............03/02/16......03/07/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
HZ101.................03/03/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
AMBER.................03/03/16......03/08/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
SAB2913...............03/04/16......03/08/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
OZY2020...............03/08/16......03/10/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
GENESIS4300...........03/09/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
REGINAGLENN...........03/17/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
ASK2MUCH..............03/17/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
ARCANGEL87............03/10/16......03/14/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
ANNIE1................03/15/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
LILIAY................03/18/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
F&C...................03/19/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--
FRANKEL...............03/21/16......03/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--


IMPORTANT!

* Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.
* Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.
* Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.
* Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted.
* Please check that you have not deleted anyone's NAME & DATA.

Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application.
NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter.
Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment.
Approved = The Date your case was approved.

* Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list.
* When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly.
* If you cannot add your information yourself, please ask another VJ member to help you do so.

Dear Visajourney, I need your help. Tried to look for an answer here, but did not find anything.

I am Canadian and finally got my CR1 visa, need to activate it before Nov 10th.

Few very important questions:

1. I am going to USA for few days on July 4th. Can I enter without activating my Visa?

2. On August 7th we are going to South America for about 5 months. The plan is the following:

- On August 7th, drive Montreal to Plattsburgh, activate my visa,

- Fly Plattsburgh-Miami-Lima

- In January 2015, fly Lima-LA and start my new life in USA (so I will not come back to Canada at all from South America)

Does it sound like a good plan? I will activate my visa, but will be outside of USA for about 5-6 months.

3. Taxes for 2014. Do I file in USA or Canada? I will have no income starting August 2014, so I will have 0 income as US resident for 2014?

4. Any other potential problems with either USA or Canada by doing all of the above?

Thank you very much!

1. If you enter the US on July 4th you will be required to use the visa/present the embassy packet. With the visa presented and processed at the POE, will you get the temporary green card stamped in your passport. As well you have 6 months from the date of issue of the visa to enter the US.

2. When you enter the US, it usually takes about 4-6 weeks to receive the physical green card at the US address they have on file for you. Note that the I-551 stamp in your passport is only good for a year as it is a temporary green card but that will cover your ins and outs of the US until you return in Jan 2015. Hopefully you'll receive the physical green card prior to your departure to SA.

3. For 2014, you will file what is called a departure tax return in Canada. It's a normal tax return and you will report all income earned for 2014 in Canada but you will also report that you are no longer a Canadian resident as of the date you were issued your visa. If you have RRSP's or TFSA's you need to get educated on how to handle them once you are no longer a Canadian resident for tax purposes because there are strict rules on how the IRS views both kinds of plans.

As well if you used your RRSP funds to purchase a home via the HBP you are required to repay the remaining balance in full or declare the balance as income on the 2014 tax return.

You are also required to file a 2014 tax return in the US even if you had no income via a joint tax return with your US spouse. Consult with a tax specialist if you are still unsure because the rules are aplenty.

4. The only potential stress is that you'll be out of the US for 5-6 months and you may get some additional questions when you return and face immigration at the airport.

Hi,

I was wondering, do I still have to submit evidence of a bonafide marriage with my I-485 if I already have an approved I-130?

the I-130 was approved a few days ago, and we are switching form consular processing to AOS.

I will still include the marriage certificate but do I need to include rental leases and everything else that proves that the marriage is real? I thought that since my I-130 was approved there would not be a need to send these documents again.

Please advise. Thank you

AOS from B2

You don't send bonafide evidence for an I-485. Make sure to attach a photocopy of the approved I-130 notice with your I-485. I would also explain on the cover letter that you are requesting that your approved I-130 be joined with your I-485 application.

In the interim, your I-130 may very likely be shipped to the NVC as they think you're still going through consular processing. Once it arrives at the NVC you will need to contact them and tell them you are now in the US and processing stateside and to ship your file back to USCIS.

You should bring any new bonafide marriage evidence to the interview in the event the IO asks for it.

You would also bring the originals of the bonafide marriage evidence you submitted with the I-130 just in case as well.

yes Terry you are spot on, there so many people on these forums who are bitter about it for some reason.. I didn't even know about the adjustment of status option until well after I filed my i130 (ten months after) and was visiting my husband in the US when I made an info pass appt and found out from the immigration officer about it. She actually said I should have done it all along to make my process easier. When i came on here and innocently asked about it, i was attacked it was the first time I had found the forum so I was shocked. A few people reached out privately and told me not to listen to them and go ahead with it. By the way You can actually file the AOS without an approved i130 NOA, i did with just the pending NOA and it worked for me. I filed in Nov and got my greencard two days ago.

Hi Gia,

That's correct that people can also file the I-485 with a pending I-130. I did that as well. As you can see by my signature, my AOS approval was delayed by a month because of a mix up with the I-130 being shipped to the NVC by mistake. Thankfully it all got sorted out fairly quickly.

I've seen too many posts on VJ in relation the subject matter of the OP's turn into a ridiculous and heated exchange due to misinformation provided by some posters.

I really wish some people on VJ would not scare others who are currently in the US legally as a visitor and came in initially with a visitor's intent and subsequently decide to change gears from consular processing to AOS.

Once the border official let you in and you did not lie to them at the point of entry, you have nothing to fear.

Even though the I-130 that you filed suggests immigrant intent, and if you are admitted to the US and decide to switch to AOS you can file immediately if you wish.

Make sure to include a copy of your approved I-130 when you file for AOS.

Several on VJ including myself have successfully switched from consular processing to AOS stateside - without preconceived intent and without issue.

Without a doubt, people may have done this with fraudulent intent, but what they do does not concern your situation.

Congratulations

I managed my Canadian based consulting business while I was physically in the US processing through AOS and while waiting for my EAD. I declared that I was currently employed on my AOS application as a self-employed consultant. Zero issue at the interview - the IO didn't even ask what I did for a living.

You should be ok to manage the UK based business while you in the US.

As for your question about opening a US subsidiary it would likely be easier once you get permanent residency but I would suggest you consult the state laws concerning what is required to open an LLC.

Great! I will follow your help regarding the address. Also just got off the phone and booked a test for Monday in an authorized Civil Surgeon near us. She said it will cost $140 for Physical test and if my husband can't show any immunization records then it will cost around an additional $500 for the vaccination!! I wonder what vaccination he might need without any records. Is that a fare price? Thanks

Thanks for the well wishes!

As for the cost of vaccinations, once you determine which vaccinations you need, please check with your state health department before getting them done by the civil surgeon. The health department is usually a lot cheaper. I find the $500 a bit ridiculous that the civil surgeon wants to charge you.

I needed to have a couple of immunizations done, and I went the to the NY Health Department and I paid $40 for both of them. I just provided the civil surgeon with a record of the shots the NY health dept. gave me and he noted it on the I-693.

Thanks Harpa I just undertoood that I-130 is for petition and If I choose Part 2 A. then concurrent filing makes sence. Great! Do you know I should put his address in Holland on all these forms or my (our) current address in San Diego where I am sure won't change the entire time through the process, although he still has an address in Holland but he will be living in my address. Thanks!

You put your US address of residence for all forms.

Got my tracking number! Thank you everyone!!!!!!!

I just received my GC this afternoon. If all goes well, you may get yours tomorrow

Hello everyone and thank you for reading my post.

I have married a US citizen and applied for my gc 10 weeks ago. I have had my biometrics appointment in may and I am awaiting my EAD and my notice for my interview date. I don't know when this will be though. I am pretty homesick and would like to return home for a few weeks.

How long does it take for an AP to go through?

How long can I stay out of the US?

What will happen to my aos? Will it be frozen and no progress will be made until I come back?

Will I not get my EAD if I leave before then?

Thanks guys

Nye

I am assuming you applied for AP when you filed for AOS? If yes:

AP/EAD usually takes about 60-90 days to get an approval from the date you filed. Mine took 69 days to be approved.

You can stay out of the US as long as needed but you must return for the interview or request the interview to be rescheduled. Many wouldn't advise an extended use of the AP while you're still going through the AOS process unless it's absolutely necessary.

If you travel with an AP, nothing negative happens with your AOS as long as you return for your scheduled interview.

Do NOT leave the US without an AP document in hand. If you do this, it is considered that you abandoned your AOS and you will forfeit the right to re-apply from within the US. You will not be able to re-enter the US, and will have to go through consular processing.

I got an email this morning saying the following:

"On June 27, 2014, we mailed the new card directly to the address we have on file."

I have seen people on here they get a tracking number. I did not get one. Is that normal?

You'll get another e-mail likely at the end of this afternoon between 5-7 p.m. and you can log online to case status to get the actual tracking number

The green cards and EAD's are mailed from Kentucky via USPS.

Congrats Terry J

Thanks so much

Two cents from a Canadian who hired a lawyer as our case was not 100% straightforward.

I managed to seriously reduce what the lawyer would normally charge because I completed all of the forms myself and he just reviewed my work and supporting documents My lawyer was pretty impressed at how organized I was.

I had no RFE's, I had no issues at the interview and on the day of the interview the IO was ready to approve me but he was missing my I-130 which we had front-loaded. I just got approved today.

Suffice it to say, even based on your marriage after entry circumstance, you likely don't need a lawyer if you feel competent enough to fill our the forms yourself and take the time to carefully read the guide for each form. That's the key, take your time when completing the forms and making sure you submit all the required documentation.

Best of luck to you in the AOS process!

Thank God I was approved for my green card this morning after over a month of suspense! I also got the text/e-mail notification that my green card has been mailed

It's great to read that others from this thread were also approved recently.

Wow @virgi1988 - yours was intense with two interview but I'm glad that it all worked out in the end.

hi got my social in the mail today!!

Congrats! I also received mine in the mail today!

i hope u didnt go to another social office because only the one on pierrepont in brooklyn issues card i went to anohter office and they only deal with ssi people i went back to where i apply on 6/6/2013 and still no number has been generated as yet smdh good thing though she updated my application with my green card so i dont have any restriction on it so im just waiting now arghhhhh

I made the mistake of doing just that. I went to the local office in Staten Island and being told the same thing; that the Brooklyn Pierrepoint location is the only one that actually issues cards. The person told me I needed to go back there to deal with it. She couldn't see if an SSN had been generated. I will wait another week and then go there...very annoying since I now live on Staten Island!