Beefheart

On 5/17/2021 at 9:35 PM, Michael_88 said:

That is exactly what I did! The joke in all of that worry was the officer didn't even request to see her birth certificate or the passport I'd brought. I would advise you still bring it though opposed to walking in empty handed.

Thanks for your reply! I'm actually only seeing it for the first time right now, the morning after my interview. 

We actually found her birth certificate after turning the house upside down but, just like you, my interviewing officer didn't even ask to see her passport or birth certificate. Bit of a fuss over nothing in the end, but always better to be prepared!

On 4/15/2021 at 5:24 PM, Michael_88 said:

Hey Visa Journey!

 

I will be having my N-400 interview soon. My question is, my wife was born in the U.S. but doesn't have a copy of her birth certificate. If we can't get a copy of it before my interview could we use a copy of the bio graphic page of her passport to show proof of her being a U.S. citizen by birth? Much Thanks!

 

 

 

How did you get on with this?

I have my interview next week and we cannot find my wife's Birth Certificate...

At this juncture, I have little option other than to take her passport and hope for the best.

Congratulations! A welcome surprise after not hearing a peep about even am interview.

After a few hiccups with the doctor sending the wrong edition of my medical records to USCIS (twice!), I have finally been approved. Received a confirmation letter today, dated on the 17th -- St Patrick's Day -- so an easy date to remember when it comes to filing for citizenship in a little under three year's time.

My surname was spelled incorrectly on the letter however (the first time during all correspondence with USCIS). Should I be concerned or is my greencard more than likely to show my correct name as on the EAD/AP combo card?

Still no update on the app, either, or indication that my card is being produced. . .

I'd strongly advise to take as many photos as possible which evidence your bona-fide relationship. The IO may not ask to see them, but it certainty won't hurt to have them should you be asked to provide proof of your relationship.

Had my interview today.

It seems that USCIS had lost or misplaced a couple of forms which were supplied with my original packet (Marriage certificate; my wife's G-325a). After a rocky start, things went well and the IO was pleasant and easy-going, yet still professional.
Case has been put on hold, however, as the medical I supplied was filled out on the wrong edition of the form (an updated version had been released two-and-a-half-weeks prior to having my examination). This meant the gonorrhoea section was incomplete as it differs considerably on the old and new edition of the medical form -- frustrated that this error wasn't caught by the doctor as he was the one initially filling out the form, although I am also kicking myself for not having double checked the matter with my copy.

Bit down about the whole scenario after heading off first thing this morning with high hopes this would all be done and dusted. Will be visiting the doctor tomorrow to see if either:

a) he has a negative result for gonorrhoea testing (if it was carried out) which he can supply evidence of and reprint my results on the new edition of the medical examination form

or

b) I will have to have a separate gonorrhoea test done and signed off on the updated forms

It never ends...

Good afternoon, all.

Please note: I have read and re-read the forum's step-by-step guide, the USCIS's numerous requirements and eligibility documents, etc.,  but am still unclear on when, exactly, I am able to apply for Citizenship.

Given that my wife and I have been married for 3 years+ and providing my upcoming AOS interview is successful, how soon after receiving my (ten-year) green card am I eligible to submit form N-400?

Although I will have been residing continuously in the US for over 3 years -- albeit as a non-resident alien -- and will possess a ten-year green card, do I still have to accrue 3 years+ as a 'permanent' resident before being eligible to apply or am I go to go as soon as I receive my green card?

Sorry if the answer to this appears obvious; I've been going around in circles trying to decipher the intricacies of USCIS phrasing and am none-the-wiser for it.

Any solid and accurate information most appreciated.

Best,

Mark

28 minutes ago, kaysee said:

After 280 days of waiting, my husbands interview has finally been scheduled for February 15th. I got the update online. 

Goodluck everyone

Good morning, and congratulations!

I haven't really even been checking the occasional email notifications I've been receiving over the past few months, but chose to read yours. 

Just checked on the app and my interview has also been scheduled for early next month! Joy of joys! 

Now to read up on interview experiences in my area and update my wife and I's folder of evidence of our ongoing relationship (sounds weird wording it that way). Thank you for inadvertently having me check on my status. 

Good luck to all those still waiting.

So, how long does a case have to have been active before you can file the online case enquiry? In other words, what constitutes the normal processing time (it seems to differ vastly by location and is always conflicting from one source to the next)?

I've been on the 'case is ready to be scheduled for interview' since July 31st (filed during the last week of April). I live in California (LA County) but have no idea if that means I should be looking at the California service centre as a guide ( processing cases from April 2015?!?!?) or Chicago (where I filed) which states they're processing cases from November 2016. 

My receipt number starts with MSC, so does this mean it's at neither of the aforementioned locations and is just collecting dust somewhere?

I'm so confused.

1 hour ago, Rachelberry said:

I've been stuck at "ready to Schedule' since 27June2017..... I feel your pain!!!

 

Maybe this week will be our week???

 

 

Same here. Although mine is July 31st.

Fingers (and toes) crossed.

Been stuck at 'case ready to be scheduled for interview' since July 31st; almost three months with no movement whatsoever. I'm growing increasingly impatient and a little disillusioned, given the amount of April filers having received their green card already.

4 minutes ago, TheSkywalkers said:

There is still a chance that you are going to be interviewed. It does not matter how long you've been married. 

But since you have been married for more than 2yrs, when you get your greencard, it will be a 10yr greencard and not just the 2yr greencard.

Hello there. Thanks for the reply.

Yeah, I was already aware of that; kind of offsets the whole having waited to sort out the EAD/AP for so long and all the inconveniences that went with it (not being able to work legally, and having been unable to return home for a family funeral). At least I won't have to worry about filing ROC down the line.

Suppose there's still no rhyme or reason to how they decide who and when to interview AOS claimants. At least I can spend Christmas in Wales this year.

The wait continues!

1 minute ago, TheSkywalkers said:

 

So, this may be a slightly redundant question or, similarly, quite obvious. But, as my wife and I had been married longer than two years before I finally got around to filing the AOS package is it, therefore, more likely (or even mandatory) that I won't get an interview?

I received my EAD/AP approximately two months ago, and my status has been at the 'ready to be scheduled for an interview' stage since July 31st.

Am I basically looking at foregoing an interview and, thus, waiting longer for approval owing to the increased likelihood that USCIS don't feel the need to verify the validity of our marriage?

Hope everyone who filed in April has had successful developments on their cases!

22 hours ago, Katrin.TX said:

Hey everybody,

 

I am back on visajourney after moving across this massive country and switching jobs. Glad to see that so many people had good news!

I of course also had to switch field offices because of my move. Does anybody have experience with switching offices? Will it take longer?

 

I haven't heard anything in 2 months (after receiving the "Case is ready to be scheduled..." notification). Hope they haven't forgotten about me.

I wouldn't worry about the duration of time that's passed. I've been waiting almost six weeks, myself. I don't expect to hear anything for a while.

You might be in the camp that ends up not having to attend an interview, which is a relief to many, but the obvious drawback is that the process for approval normally takes longer as a result of foregoing said interview.

Good luck!

Good morning, one and all.

Great to hear so many of us April filers have seen progress with our cases; a welcomed relief for all involved and peace of mind. Sorry to also hear a fair few are experiencing setbacks and are coming up against the proverbial brick wall. The worm will turn soon enough, just hang on in there.

I'm aware that there's no hard and fast rule for any stage of the process, and that processing times vary greatly on situation and location. However, I was wondering if there's an average time any April filers have experienced regarding the wait time between a case being 'ready to be scheduled for interview' and actually receiving an interview date? I'm already fed up with checking multiple times a day for that elusive update and am just anxious to hear of news.

29 minutes ago, OBGYNKENOBI said:

hi everyone! great to hear about everyone's progress out here... well, for me, finally after 2 service requests and 1 infopass, i was finally done with biometrics. no update on all the cases yet as of today..so the waiting continues... its just so disappointing that the only thing and reason the uscis gave me when i went for an appointment why it has taken so long to have the bio scheduled?! well, mustve been lost or misplaced somewhere on the shelves, and she even said i shouldve been done by now and couldve gotten updates on all cases...sigh..well, at least its done now.

have a great week everyone!

Good to hear you've made some progress at last.

I wouldn't believe a word of what USCIS say regarding your biometrics. I only received an appointment when my congressman's office stepped in. The lady who was handling my case at the congressman's office printed off my appointment letter on a Friday (14th) for me to take to my appointment the following Monday (17th), which was very fortunate given that the appointment letter USCIS finally got around to sending me arrived yesterday (21st) a full four days after my appointment,

10 minutes ago, RandB said:

Hi Everyone!

 

I had my green card interview today. It went really well! We got there 30 mins early. Our appointment was at 9 and we got called in for our appointment at 9:30.

 

Our officer was really nice! He was cracking jokes and laughing. Our interview was short: around 10 mins. He didn't really ask us any questions about our relationship except for how we met. He also went through all the questions I had to check at the I-485 application ("Have you ever committed a crime..."). He collected our marriage certificate and the other documents we brought as proof. He said he had never seen an application processed so fast before - only 3 months! He ended the interview with saying that he'd finish up our application today and I should expect my card in the mail next week.

 

Just now I got a notice on my USCIS app saying my card is being produced. Yay! This was the San Jose, CA USCIS office.

Huge congratulations. 3 months is ridiculously quick, by all accounts. And, I won't lie: I am extremely jealous.

EAD/AP combo-card arrived earlier today. Quite a quick turnaround after getting my congressman involved - 11 days!

1 hour ago, Omoba said:

Tanx

Of course; my pleasure.

1 hour ago, flaps said:

It is noted on my EAD card that it also acts as my advance parole.

 

As far as I can see it should be fine to travel but with all the immigration stuff in the news I am a little nervous and looking for stories/experiences from anyone who has used this recently. Most likely Philly or Newark.

 

Thanks

There's a thread on here (possibly a page or two back) written by someone who has travelled twice, recently, with no problems whatsoever (once to the Uk). The individual is also in the process of AOS and has an overstay of almost 3 years, so you should be absolutely fine.

The post suggests reading into the Case of Arrabally so as to put your mind at ease.

22 minutes ago, Ninatica said:

Thanks a million 👍

You're welcome.

District 2: Ted Poe (Atascosita, Baytown, Crosby, Dayton, Huffman, Humble, Kingwood, La Porte, eastern Sheldon, Spring)
District 7: John Culberson (West Houston, Memorial Villages, Bellaire, West University Place, west and northwest areas of county)
District 9: Al Green (no, not that Al Green) (Alief, Southwest Houston, Houston's Southside)
District 10: Michael McCaul (Northwest)
District 18: Sheila Jackson Lee (Downtown Houston, Bush IAH, northwest and northeast Houston, inner portions of Houston's Southside)

District 22: Pete Olson (Clear Lake City, NASA Johnson Space Center, Ellington Field, southern and central Pasadena, Deer Park)
District 29: Gene Green (Aldine, Channelview, East Houston, Fall Creek portion of Humble, Galena Park, Jacinto City, northern Pasadena, North Shore, western Sheldon, South Houston)

3 hours ago, Omoba said:

Day 86 and still no update. I think the processing for April filers is pretty slow. I already put in a SR a couple days ago, and so far, I still haven't gotten any update. 

I tried to search for my congressman, but I'm not getting any result. Who resides in Houston, Texas (Harris county), and knows who the congressman is?

Waiting feels like forever 😐. I refresh the uscis website every single hour of the day. I'm tired of not being able to work, It sometimes feels like it's never going to come.

I'm tired of even applying for jobs ahead of time, as I keep telling potential employers I'm still expecting my EAD. Sometimes, I tell some I have it already, just so they won't just pull the plug like others, but the moment they start showing more interest earlier than expected,  then I pull the plug myself,  by telling them I'm not available to start immediately because I'm on vacation.

"Akunamatata" is what my wife says to me every morning on her way to work, and I just try to force out a fake smile.

 

I know it will happen, but the question is, WHEN? 

You're going to need to work out which district you're in within Harris County, as it appears they're all represented by a different congressman/congresswoman.

Districts 2, 7, 9, 10, 18, 22, and 29 all fall within Harris County.

I too have an overstay approaching three years and was recently approved for my EAD/AP combo card (yesterday, in fact). This news does make me feel less uneasy at the prospect of travelling before getting my greencard, but I'm still debating whether to return to the UK for one of my best friend's weddings in a little over a month or to forgo it and hope my AOS is approved before Christmas.

51 minutes ago, strider4 said:

Wow, finally! Congrats! Fingers crossed for the rest of the process.

Thank you kindly.