ALIENRJ187

On 9/9/2018 at 11:32 PM, ALIENRJ187 said:

So my wife and I bought tickets to South Korea for early next year. Upon reading some information on the consulate website we may have an issue.

 

"For nationalities other than the U.S., individuals must submit original of their U.S. permanent resident card or valid U.S. visa - the visa itself must not have expired. Stay extensions or change of status in the U.S. approved by USCIS is not accepted as a valid U.S.visa."

 

This concerns us since obviously her green card is expired, but we have the 18 month extension letter with us. Im concerned she might not get the visa and we could bone our trip. What to do in this situation?

7 hours ago, NikV said:

reach out to consulate in USA. call or email them and get it clarified.

So I called embassy on Monday in DC when I couldn't get through to my more local consulate.  They said it would be okay to use the extension letter with the expired green card.  Also since it could be considered a transit visa since Korea is only the first stop on our journey, we might not even need a visa at all.  I'm looking more into it to be sure, but even if we have to pay for the visa I don't mind.  I called the local consulate again and they answered and stated the same thing the DC agent stated, that it's okay to use the extension letter.  They even directed me to the website for the application and gave instructions how far in advance to submit it with our evidences of future travels out of Korea (which has been common for us in other Asian countries as well).  I don't think we will have to go for an interview as it's at least a two hour drive to the consulate, but if so I know we would do it.  We will be submitting proof up the ying yang cause this trip is something we have wanted for a long time.

So things are looking good there.

Side note @starsky when going over our 18 month extension letter, it was not the actual extension letter.  It was the gray version that said the 18 month extension letter is coming eventually.  I'm sure I confused this along with others recently.  Thankfully our trip can use the 12 month letter and still be in the safe zone if the 18 month letter doesn't come in time for it.  We might go get an I-551 stamp in the passport when it gets closer to our leaving date to have that added proof there for our travels.

So my wife and I bought tickets to South Korea for early next year. Upon reading some information on the consulate website we may have an issue.

"For nationalities other than the U.S., individuals must submit original of their U.S. permanent resident card or valid U.S. visa - the visa itself must not have expired. Stay extensions or change of status in the U.S. approved by USCIS is not accepted as a valid U.S.visa."

This concerns us since obviously her green card is expired, but we have the 18 month extension letter with us. Im concerned she might not get the visa and we could bone our trip. What to do in this situation?

Ended up getting our 18 month extension letter today.  Notice dated 8/18, received by us 8/27.

On 8/24/2018 at 7:05 AM, Sean and Kristina said:

@ALIENRJ187 I see in my UPS daily digest that we have a USCIS letter arriving today. I'm assuming it's the 18 month extension letter and since we're on the same timeline you should get yours this week, too. 

@Sean and Kristina I've been checking my Daily Digest and haven't seen any hint of our letter coming yet, I'm sure it will be coming soon though as most CSC filers has been.  Was yours the 18 month extension as well?

On 6/15/2018 at 11:27 AM, Zinaburst said:

Not sure who is updating the table.

 

If you want to include my data:

Posted on: may 24

delivered on may 26

no checks were cashed

no NOA

This thread is generally for people who filed for ROC in February 2018.  Here is the link for people who filed in May 2018:  May be better able to follow current trends on that thread with people with similar timelines: 

Best of luck

On 6/14/2018 at 10:00 AM, starsky said:

I would not be too concerned. The ratio of people who leave those boxes blank to those that put N/A in them is about even. It's unlikely based on what others have said here on VJ.

This is good to know, gives me a lot of relief.  Thanks!

So I'm thumbing through our copy of the petition and realized we didn't mark anything for the children category.  Now we don't have any kids, but we didn't even mark N/A in those boxes.  I don't recall if we did that on the AoS section or not but our AoS went through with no problems.  Is this a possibility for getting an RFE or delaying the application whenever they finally get around to it? 

On the chance that there may be kids in the future before this gets approved, would I then have to mark that yes there are children despite not having any when initially submitting the application?

@starsky I looked at the list of documents we can use for verification and it shows we can use the driver's license and social security card, so no green card would be necessary in this situation.  So I think we are just going to go that route to not cause any hassle seeing as the GC is expired.  I don't expect random employers to know about the I-797 allowing an extra 12 months of verification, so I think it best to try to ignore that option completely.  Since we have both other items needed we will go that route for now.  Thanks for the heads up though, if it comes down to it I can let them know it's not required to provide the original documents that we showed last time.

Found out we can use her driver's license and updated social security card for the I-9.  Wife is upset that we can't use the I-797 notice that says she is still valid since we had to work so hard for it and want to put it to good use.  I explained that most companies are not going to be knowledgeable in these USCIS types of things and since it's technically not on the list, their could be issues we don't want to deal with.  At least it's one thing solved.

So we have a new payroll company at work (my wife works with me) and they are making everyone fill out an I-9, yet another USCIS form to verify and what not.  Just making sure everyone is legal to work.  Of course it happens during this process when the Green Card is expired (which would have been the only document needed to verify my wife is legit with this company)  Since it is expired, we cannot use it alone.  Other additional documents can include copies of drivers license or social security card.  They also say you can use a foreign passport with I-551 stamp.  Unfortunately we don't have the stamps since it hasn't been a year out yet.  We only have the letter verifying we are good for another 12 months of permanent resident status during our application process.  I am thinking we can use the Green Card, copy of the I-797 stating everything is good for another 12 months, drivers license and social security card so there can be no mistake on the company's end and she doesn't end up getting let go.  Just more drama to deal with...bleghh.

10 hours ago, Danielle and Jake said:

 

Thanks, we'll give that a try on Monday. Do you simply just ask "May I please speak to a Tier 2 representative?"? I feel like they'd just shut us down and tell us no.

I've never actually had to call before so I'm not exactly sure.  I'd go through it once with whoever answers and see if they can help.  If not call back again and get another person and ask right away for a Tier 2.  That'd be how I do it if it was me.

19 hours ago, Danielle and Jake said:

How do you contact a Tier 2? I've tried calling before, even submitting an online inquiry. Problem is, since it's technically my wife as the applicant, they won't talk to me unless she's there. It's a little hard because I'm not sure what hours you can call and my wife's work schedule.

There should be a number of the letter you got when they accepted your petition.  To call with inquiries.  I'm not at home at the moment to find the number.  Yes it will have to be your wife who calls since it is her name on the petition.   They work typical government hours, 9-5 roughly should be standard government hours, so right in the middle and you'll be fine.  She could try calling on her lunch break if that helps.  If the person on the line can't help ask to speak to a Tier 2 who tend to have more access to certain kinds of information.

On 5/30/2018 at 3:12 AM, Danielle and Jake said:

Still haven't gotten anything from USCIS. Signed up for informed delivery, and I submitted an inquiry online. I'm just nervous they lost it or something.

I'd contact a Tier 2 and see what's going on.  It's possible it got delivered to the wrong address or lost in transit somehow.  There are still a total of 8 people from CSC on our filing list who haven't been updated about Biometrics status.  I'd ask them what they are doing since they may be in the same situation.  Either way since you haven't heard anything in months since submitting initially and getting the NOA1, I'd definitely call and find out why you haven't gotten a letter yet.

7 hours ago, lululola said:

USCIS did collect my first biometrics when I applied for my 2 year green card. I don't really know the specific reason as to why mine didn't get waived. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that I have a USCIS location 10 minutes away from my home, or perhaps I'm just *special*.

I have a location about 15 minutes away from my house, and we were waived.  I don't think location even matters.  It's probably just randomized somehow like, every 5th person in the giant stack gets fingerprinted, the rest just use the old ones.  Just a way to clear the backlog.

15 minutes ago, ysollatorin said:

I am new to the forums.   I have an odd situation,  i hope someone can help me out as i am a bit confused.  I am a Green card  holder and have had my biometrics  (appointment was back in march 2018)  taken for the process of conditions removal and to receive my 10 year green card. I have the letter explaining the 1 year extension.   

My dilemma is this,   I only hold a learners drivers permit and wanted to take my driving test soon,  ( in 4-6 weeks - soon).  I took the 5 hour prerequisite class last night and the guy holding  the class informed me I would not be able to take my test  as there is an expired date on my learners permit,  because of the conditional green card expiring.  I would therefor need to get that updated, before i can use that permit to take my driving test.  I am aware that i will not be receiving my 10 year green card for 12-15 months.  What do i do?  Waiting that long to take my test is not an option. Has anyone else been in this situation?  Any help would be great,thanks.

You cannot take the test with an expired learners permit.  Same as you would not be able to legally drive without an unexpired drivers license.  You would need to get a new learner's permit which would allow you to take the test.  Whether you can get that or not depends on your state guidelines for renewing with expired status, which I am not familiar with.  Couldn't hurt to go to the DMV with your current NY state ID card (if you have one for NY which it looks like you are from) and see if you can take the test for another learner's permit.  I personally wouldn't mention the expired GC or even show it unless they ask about it, only say your permit expired and want another one.  If they ask for GC, then show it and explain.

5 hours ago, i_love_rain said:

It looks USPS lost my mail. Informed delivery says i have a mail from USCIS on 5/12 and still I haven't seen it in my mailbox.... I contacted USPS and they told me to wait 7 days..

The post office once put my USCIS letter into the neighbors mailbox instead of mine.  Our boxes are right next to each other.  If you have a similar situation I'd ask your neighbor and see if they have it by chance.

12 hours ago, SSNT9777 said:

I'm running into a difficult situation trying to schedule our interview at the Jakarta consulate. We cant find out how to pay the DS 160 fee - the packet 3 instructions lead us to a website, but when we try to pay it just gives us a confirmation sheet with barcode, no way to take payment or schedule an appointment? The embassys answers just redirect back to the original instructions. Anyone else had this issue?

From when we did this three years ago, here is what my wife remembers.

She went to the bank called Standard Chartered Bank and paid the fee there.  She thinks you can also do it at Permata Bank.  I believe you are supposed to take the confirmation sheet with the barcode to the bank, where you can pay it is my understanding.  You will have to fill out a special visa form/slip there when going in so the government knows they got the money.  Go to the bank and ask them, they go through this often.  You need to bring the receipt that you paid with you to the embassy (along with all the other files you will take to your interview).  They should ask for the proof of payment when you go to the interview.

Remember this was three years ago, so it might not be accurate anymore, but it is what we had to do so I hope it works for you too.  Try calling each of those banks and asking, they go through it routinely.  Also couldn't help to call the US Embassy if possible as they should know too.

Finally got to check the mail on my break and it is the biometrics notice.  We don't have to get biometrics, going to use her old fingerprints from last time like the other notices here!!!  Dated 5/5, received today of course.  What good news.  I'm sure most notice receivers are feeling wonderful today because of it.  Now only 11 months before we can file the N-400 as our next big hurdle.

14 hours ago, tirzajogja said:

Hey all. Is this topic is still going? I'm the beneficiary and we have received our NOA 1 for K1 Visa on April 2018. 

 

And @ALIENRJ187 I saw your timeline and wow!! You received the visa super fast. Hopefully this year the process will be going smoothly too. USCIS is still working on November 2017 fillers now.

Unfortunately things are not going as fast as they were two years ago.  I have a friend who submitted in January 2018 for I-129F and they haven't gotten to her stuff yet.  They also submitted to CSC, but everything is backlogged everywhere.  So it's at least a 5-7 months wait from what I hear.  Better than AoS people, the wait for us is near 18 months last I checked.  Either way glad to have another Indonesian on board!

I just signed up for USPS informed delivery yesterday.  Today being my first official day using the program, it shows we are getting our letter in today!  I'm hoping they are using our old fingerprints.  Following what @mjiang said, we have been out of the country since getting the green card and were scanned at POE each time.  Hopefully that means we won't have to go in.  Of course it comes when working a double shift today.  I'll find out ASAP so we can give @starsky some more work with the table

Edit: Going home at 6 on my break to find out the news, another 3.5 hours to go!

Edit 2: This is the busiest this place has been on a Saturday since the end of February!

So I made an account at the new USCIS setup website.  After having to bleed a goat over a bed of fresh arugula, conquer Pac-Man with a perfect score and spinning around naked 10 times while crying and punching myself in the face, I finally got to input my 77-digit password with no less than 35 special characters, none of which can repeat.  After doing all that, I've learned that my case hasn't changed since I submitted anything, which I also knew before I had to split my soul into seven Horcruxes for the info.  It's seriously that bad to make an account there.  And if I lose my one time login password or accidentally don't capitalize a letter on one of the 42 personal questions which you must answer ALL of, I have to defile myself in front of no less than 10 FBI agents while they throw popcorn at me. 

It's going to be a long wait.

On 5/6/2018 at 7:58 AM, Danielle and Jake said:

Probably a dumb question, but does a state ID count? She doesn't drive, so she just has a Wisconsin State ID (which looks the same as a driver's license), and her GC, obviously. I'm just scared to risk it, but I'd rather get this new passport business done with sooner, rather than later (since we only have about 5.5 months of the photos and guarantor signatures being valid).

A state ID would count as it is not required to have a driver's license in our state.  Some proof of identification that the state can trust, the state ID would be fine.

I'm like you, I want to get it done today and be done with it and not worry about it.  Unfortunately it doesn't work out that way in this situation.  Since you have some time to kill while they are valid, and we have no idea how long USCIS is going to take, it'd be okay to wait a few months before submitting to update the passport if you really felt you wanted to bring the passport with you to biometrics.

15 hours ago, Danielle and Jake said:

So my wife and I got back from our vacation just fine (we were worried our biometrics appointment might be scheduled, but we're in the CSC group, so no idea when/if that's happening). Now I have another question/concern. My wife's Canadian passport will expire next year, and we need to renew it. During our trip we went to a place in Canada where they do all that stuff to ask our questions, because we're going to have to do it by mail from the US. Since her current passport was before we were married and therefore in her maiden name, the lady at the center said we need to file for a new one altogether in her married name. We have everything gathered for that, signed, copies of documents, etc.

 

The reason we are looking into doing this sooner rather than later is because of the stamp we will likely need to get since I highly doubt the I-751 will be completed in the one year extension period (if I recall correctly, if it's nearing the end of that period and USCIS is still working on it, then you make an infopass appointment at your local office and get a stamp on your passport). So if her passport expires in a year, it's probably a better idea to get it renewed and everything before we go through that, so she has a 10 year passport to stamp.

 

My question is do we need her current passport for biometrics? I can't remember from  when we did AOS and it could be different for ROC, but in order to do her new passport by mail, we need to send her old one in, and I think the passport office in Canada said 4-6 weeks to complete the process. We'd rather get this done sooner, rather than later, since all the passport photos, guarantor signed documents are valid for only 6 months, but I'm concerned that we won't get biometrics in that time, or we need her current passport for that biometrics when the time comes. Her new passport would be in her married name, which since her GC is like that as well, will be nice because we won't need to carry around our marriage certificate when traveling to "connect the dots" in case we get a border guard who isn't completely sure of what's going on (we had that for her K1 visa, it took 5 guards at the border reading from a little book on how to do everything).

 

Should we be concerned? Can we just send away for her new passport now, or should we wait until after biometrics?

Is the passport necessary for biometrics?  Shouldn't the green card and state ID be enough?  The passport you have now does not have all the up to date info on it that the Green Card or even the driver's license should have.  I'd hold off a little bit and see what the hell is going on with processing times with CSC before you make your decision.  

@starsky you actually have my name down twice on the list for CSC filers.  The one with the blank space for NOA1 can be erased.  The one that is correct and up to date is the first one dated 2/20 with NOA1 on 3/2.

As for the recent AR-11 talks, I submitted mine after we submitted for RoC (which was over a year after we actually moved).  We did the form for her when moving, but forgot that me the USC has to fill one out as well.  I got the response form less than two weeks later with no issues.

So I've been gone for over a week on vacation and come back to over 200 new posts I missed on various topics.  I too am getting the USCIS cannot provide you with information for your case.  Still no CSC biometrics yet huh, that's disappointing.  At least most VSC people are making some progress.  Seems like waiting for that 3rd year and then applying for naturalization is the fastest way to go.  Keeping in good spirits though!