Cloop

Congrats to all of them who got approved or news finally

@-Shana-: I wrote some posts ago my experience, plus what they seems to be interested on more. The vaccinations shouldn't be a big deal (if you got all the required one along your K-1 visa process). They might be more interested about TB and RPR.

Hi, Congrats!

They didn't say anything about the medical being expired? I haven't even gotten an interview date yet, but I know my medical expired this month. i'm wondering if I should just get a new medical done(spending all the money) when I get the interview date so when they do ask for it in the interview, I won't have to worry about getting a RFE or anything.

Thanks! No, they didn't say anything about the medical visit expired (the previous month), but that's up to the officer.

By the way I filed the form I-693 along the form I-485, so when my medical visit was totally valid yet. The problem as I explained was the pages of the form I-693 missing and a thing not filled in a page.

Going deeper about medical visit, form I-693 and civil surgeon, what I seen/understood, the "big deal" are the TB and RPR. I think all of us coming here with a K-1 visa, get those tests done (I got them in my country with the medical visit), but we don't get any record about that (just the form DS-3025 and chest X-ray; well, unless you are positive to those tests). So, even if the fact that no records "means" that the tests were negative and the chest X-ray are a confirmation of negative test results, they want some kind of proof anyway and here they come up the form I-693 (that has a section for those) and the civil surgeon.

Plus, the civil surgeon may try to make you do those tests again not seeing any paper about them, but there is a section on the form I-693 instructions saying that if you got a K-1 (as well as K-2, K-3 and K-4) visa, you are not required to have another medical examination here in the U.S. as long as you file your Form I-485 within one year of an overseas medical examination (because you already had a medical examination prior to admission and of course if the tests were negative...if there are positive records, the things can totally change then). But that could become a big deal if the civil surgeon seems don't trust and wanna give you those tests again anyway (that's the main reason why it took over 3 hours yesterday to get a complete form I-693...I totally had to explain to them how it works and that they had to simply state that I got those tests during the medical visit in my country prior to admission).

The vaccinations are not a problem because they simply copy from the form DS-3025 (and if you miss some, they will do them).

Thanks to everyone!

Now the status is case approved today I really wonder how they manage those updates. Yesterday the card was on production, today my case is approved (it should be the opposite, but it's not the first time that I see the updates pushed in the wrong order).

@-Shana-: the form I-693 had 5 pages (now it has 9 pages because they updated it) and the civil surgeon did just the first and the last page. So they were missing 3 pages, plus a thing on the first page wasn't filled.

The form I-693 is not mandatory, but it's highly recommended to file and a civil surgeon has to do it.

It's needed just to make some research to find a civil surgeon not so much expensive. Here in my city after several calls the prices were from $60 to $300! But I read about people paying just 15-20 dollars (it depends city by city).

I had my interview today and few ago I seen: "New card is being produced"

Now, my interview experience:

We arrived around 45 minutes earlier, the first going in and the officer called us like after 20-30 minutes of waiting.

He asked to me where I live, wanted to see our IDs, then he asked us how we met. Other questions about if I was working and what job, if I had a SSN...I provided him my letter of employment, copies of our IDs and SSN.

Then he asked about our wedding, where we married, how many people were there and we shown our wedding photo album. He asked who were the people in some pics, then if we had pics other than the wedding one. We shown him another photo album with pics of birthdays, trips, etc. Checked our marriage certificate and our birth certificates.

He asked more stuff about the first time we met, if we gone in some restaurant, at home, etc...and I described a little the first time we met in person.

He didn't ask about utility bills, bank account statements, etc like they marked in that letter I received a couple of days ago (see my previous post above).

Now the "funny" part! He said the form I-693 was incomplete and shown me what it was missing, so my case was gonna be held and he gave me time until June to provide them a complete form I-693.

I was a little like what?! I checked my copy of that form and he was right (my bad by a side to not check when the doctor issued it, but you guys know how many things are needed to do after married to apply for the AOS, etc, so stuff like that can happen). Then I said to him: "Why didn't I get any RFE then along all those months"?! Plus in that letter they sent some days ago (see my previous post above), it says that checking my case, they wanted me to bring what marked in the list....the form I-693 was in the list, but not marked, so again why didn't they notify me anything about that?! The officer smiling kinda embarrassed said that he didn't know. Then he added that if we could get that form today, we could have gone back and drop it to him. That was nice and we decided to do it right today.

My sensation was that along all these months my case was just getting dust on a desk and maybe they checked it right before the interview. I mean, I don't know how often it happens, but it's weird that I didn't get any RFE after I filed all the forms, meanwhile I got my EAD combo card approved, no mention about that form being incomplete in that letter received few days ago, but then the day of the interview it comes up.

So, we gone to the doctor who issued the form I-693, we explained them the problem and it started the looong blahblahblah and some arguing because now my medical visit tied to my K-1 visa was expired on the end of February, so they wanted to make a new visit, blahblahblah. I marked that it was their mistake and they had to fix it right today, no new medical visit, etc (because at the time they did that form my medical visit was valid yet, so...).

Without go too deeply in details, it literally took 3 hours or more to get a new complete form I-693! By the way I got it in the way I wanted, like it was right to do.

We gone back to the USCIS office, dropped the form I-693 (together with a letter printed out by the officer when we left after the interview stating we needed to provide that form within June) to the officer and left.

By the way the officer has been nice with us, the interview was smooth and I'm glad they made a decision right today

Good luck to everyone with your cases!!!

My wife and I have the interview the next week and today I got a RFE :-/

There is a list of documents and just 2 checked (so that I have to bring). The 2 checked are this RFE letter plus a photo ID and evidence of relationship (bank statements, tax return, etc).

Now, is it normal they sent you and RFE or something like that right before the interview?

I'm a little surprised because I already sent all those documents when I applied on May 2015, just not a photo ID because at that time I couldn't get one yet (but I had the SSN and all the rest).

If this RFE is not normal, should I suppose they lost some documents that I sent?

It's not a problem because I already have all the stuff to bring to the interview, I'm just curious about if that RFE is normal when you are close to the interview date (like a memo of what you should bring) or not.

Thanks!

Thanks guys!

I will let you know how the interview will be (even if it misses a month yet).

Hope everyone else will get good news soon!!!

Got another update right today saying: "...we scheduled you for your interview and mailed you an interview notice for Receipt Number...".

The interview is for the end of March. My questions are:

1. So, now it's sure my wife and I will have an interview, right?

2. My medical visit will expire in few days. Is it gonna be a problem when I will have my interview?

3. I already sent bunch of wedding pics, joint bank account statements, insurances, etc when I filed the form I-485 in May. It's a good idea to bring a copy of everything again, right? I should bring things from when we married to the interview day pretty close, right? Or just the same things I sent to them when I filed for the form I-485?

Thanks!

I got news finally! Right today I got this update: 'Case Is Ready To Be Scheduled For An Interview'! Finally!!!

Here what I did since my last posts...

On beginning of February I contacted a congressman in my area, I got a call immediately the day after from his office and the lady said she was gonna send me a Privacy Release Form to fill and send back to her.

After pretty close a week, I contacted him again because I didn't receive anything (it was strange looking at how fast they contacted me back and knowing my medical visit tied to my previous K-1 visa was gonna expire on the end of month), asking if it was possible to get that form via fax or email. She called me again immediately the day after saying that was strange because they sent the form and that she was gonna send the form immediately via fax. I got it, filled and send back (a couple of days ago).

Today I finally got that update!!!

Now, I don't know if contacting the congressman helped or if it was just my time finally, but if you are in my same situation (no updates since May), I suggest you to contact the congressman in your area.

A question: the fact my case is ready to be scheduled for an interview means that I will get an interview for sure or might I get directly approved eventually?

To speed things up she could have faxed the form (privacy release) to you or do it online if available.

No, you should do either or and not both at the same time because it causes confusion and neither the congressman/woman nor the

senator like it. Wait for the first inquiry and if no results contact the senator in 30 days.

Thanks, always helpful!

Congrats to those who continue to get approved.

Thanks for the answers!

I contacted via email a congressman the other day and a lady from his office called me the morning after. I was surprised how fast they contacted me back.

She said they will send me a form to fill and send back to them, so they can figure out what's going on with my case.

I didn't know about this procedure, so my question is: is that normal?

Plus, should I go up and contact a senator as well? Because I'm worried that form to fill and send back to the congressman would make me waste just other time (my medical visit expires for the end of the month and I said that in the email sent to the congressman too).

Congratulations to all of them who got approved or some good news!

I'm some grrr instead. I got an answer about my service request online and that's the main part: "Due to workload factors not related to your case, USCIS anticipates a delay in completing your case. Presently, we anticipate that delay to be approximately 6 months from the date of this notice".

My medical visit tied to the previous K-1 visa will expire in a month pretty close. And if it will take around other 6 months, the risk is that also my EAD card will expire! I don't wanna be in the situation to have to fill forms and forms again or spend more money for new medical visit, etc (that would be really unfair...just because "their workload" without any explaination).

I think it's time to contact a congressman. Any help about what to write in the email in particular or the best way to report the situation to the congressman? Thanks!

Thanks for your answers!

@beejerson805: what's a NOIW?

I'm gonna explain shortly my situation. I sent the application for the form I-485 in May (together with the I-765 and I-131, they got approved months ago, got my EAD card and I'm working, so no problem about that) providing bunch of documents more like bank account statements, credit card statements, wedding pics, insurances in common, etc...I didn't get any RFE and I followed all the steps correctly (last thing the biometrics appointment in June).

I already checked my local office processing time months ago and it says 4 months (plus there is also a specific date on July 2015). So, I called the USCIS the firt time in October (5 months after my application, over the 4 months of the office processing time) and the lady said me that the office was late on the applications and they were processing the April applicants at that time. She ended saying to wait other 30-45 days more, then try to hear for some news again eventually. I waited that time and called again in November (because still no news). Another lady said me pretty close the same things. So I waited over 30 days again ending up with over 8 months from my application. I decided to file then a service request online the other day, plus the day after I called the USCIS again without get any news.

That's why I'm considering to contact a congressman. Probably it's time to do it.

Plus if I'm not wrong, the medical visit I had during my visa (K-1) process lasts 1 year. If so, it will expire in 2 months pretty close and I don't wanna end up having to get another medical visit, etc just because they are being kinda lazy on processing the applications.

I called today the USCIS again (after I waited the 45 days more they suggested the last November) and no news yet.

I also filed a service request online on their website the other day, but it said I should expect some answer for February 8.

Now, because they are over 8 months since I applied for the Form I-485 and my last update is still "fingerprint fee received..." (on May), I'm evaluating to contact a congressman. Can someone help me with that? Those are my questions:

1. Should I (alien citizen) contact the congressman or my wife (U.S. citizen)?

2. If I contact the congressman via email, what info should I provide to him/her?

Thanks!

OK, I found the answer to my question above reading all the instructions. It's needed to fill the section 3 (Reverification and Rehires) of the form I-9 before my EAD expires.

It says: "For employees who provide an employment authorization expiration date in Section 1, employers must reverify employment authorization on or before the date provided.", so it can be done immediately when I get my green card or it's needed to wait a date close to my EAD card expiration date? Just to be sure...

Other question: when making the reverification filling the section 3, the field B "Date of Rehire" must be filled (using the date of reverification)? In other words, for now my employer should hire me just until my EAD card expiration date, then he has to rehire me, or he can hire me directly for 5 years let's say and then when filling the section 3 leave the field B blank? So, the rehiring is mandatory (in relation to my EAD card expiration date) or not?

@Biller we were posting at the same time, so I seen just now your answer thanks.

Thank you!

Another question: So, checking "An alien authorized to work until (expiration date, if applicable, mm/dd/yyyy)", then when I will get my green card, my employer and me have to fill the form I-9 again (checking "A lawful permanent resident (Alien Registration Number/USCIS Number)" then)? Or will we need to fill the I-9 again when my EAD card expires (making a reverification)?

Thank you guys for your answers, but:

1. I already have a SSN (I applied and got it immediately after the wedding);

2. I already know about the W-2, tax stuff with married plus 0, married plus 1, etc...

What I need to know is: do my employer and me need to fill the form I-9? If so, in the section 1 where it gives the options "...A lawful permanent resident (Alien Registration Number/USCIS Number)...An alien authorized to work until (expiration date, if applicable, mm/dd/yyyy)", whick one should I mark?

Then, are there other "special forms" (looking at me as alien) to fill other than the I-9?

Hello,

finally I got a job! Monday will be my first day and I'm not totally sure about the papers that need to be filled.

I come from a K-1 visa, I got my EAD card a couple of months ago, but I didn't get the green card yet.

I think a form I-9 needs to be filled the first day of paid work by me and within the 3rd day by my employer, but my employer said kinda no (he wasn't really sure) and that confused me.

It will be a full-time job with some insurance paid, etc...let's say the usual stuff (here in the U.S.).

So, which forms do I need to fill eventually?

Thanks!

p.s.: sorry if it's the wrong section, but I thought it was the right one in relation to my situation (K-1 and AOS).

I called right today (because my last update is still "fingerprint fee received...") and the lady said me that they are processing now the cases filed on April 14. So I guess it will take at least a month or more yet.

Thanks for your answer!

He is an adult and he is not claimed as a dependent on her tax return.

So, looking at what you say, it's needed to report changes to the USCIS just when there are dependents on the sponsor, right?

I applied for the AOS on May. At that time we were just my wife and me, so she stated just us on the affidavit of support.

Now her son is gonna live with us. Should we notify that to the USCIS? If so, what's the procedure?

Thanks!

p.s.: I didn't get the green card yet.

p.p.s.: More in general, is it needed to update the USCIS every time there are some changes in the family (new babies, etc)? If so, until you become a U.S. citizen eventually, or what?

The biometric fee is for the biometric services appointment (they will take your fingerprints and pics) that you will get in a next step.

The biographic information form (G-325A) is about your info (name, parents, etc...if you come from the K-1 visa process, you already used the form G-325A).

Yes, but not sure how to let them know other than infopass. It's best to ask in the AOS forum to have an answer from someone

who knows.

Ok, thank you

Today I called the USCIS to try to get some news about the AOS and the lady asked for my application number and zip code, then she said that in average it can take 4 months to get some news after the application. So, being over 5 months in my case, she did a request and she said the center that is taking care of my application has a delay on the applicants from April 19.

She suggested to me to wait 30-45 days more, but I can call any time for updates. Let's see if I get some news in the next 30 days.

Are there many people within this forum whom are still awaiting an update on your AOS from when you originally submitted it back in May?

Me! My last update: "On May 14, 2015, we accepted the fingerprint fee for your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status...".

I didn't get any RFE as well as any update about a potential interview. By the way, on May I sent together with the form I-485 the wedding pics, joint bank account statements, etc.

I have a question for you guys. When I filed for the I-485, etc on May, we were just my wife and me, so she stated just us on the affidavit of support. Now her son is gonna live with us. Should we notify that to the USCIS? If so, what's the procedure? Thanks!

Congrats to all of them who got the GC approved

My last update is always the one got on May.

I have a question for you guys. When I filed for the I-485, etc on May, we were just my wife and me, so she stated just us about the affidavit of support. Now her son is gonna live with us. Should we notify that to the USCIS? If so, what's the procedure? Thanks!

Thanks !

If you filed for EAD and AP then yes, by all means make a service request

or have the petitioner contact the senator/congressman to make an inquiry, and/or get a job offer and request an expedite submitting proof

to USCIS.

If you only filed for the I-485, then no, 100 days is too early. They are backlogged and you may get an interview waiver letter in 2-3 months

which means your GC can take a total of 12-14+ months. If they want to interview you then you get an interview letter which is a faster process

to get your GC.

I filed for EAD/AP card (I already received that) and I-485. I didn't get an interview letter (probably because I sent everything when I filed for I-485...wedding pics, joint bank account statements, etc), so it seems I have just to wait.