AMS94

Dear Forum, I am a DV2016 winner (already in the US on F1-OPT) and my interview is scheduled for early September...I have completed ALL of the pre-requisite steps, except for the interview, however I have moved house a few times and cannot locate my original receipt for the $330 Adjustment of Status fee (was paid in late 2015).

I have a very good scanned copy of the original receipt (which I took when I received it), but do not have the actual original piece of paper. I understand this is very important and is required in the interview...any advice as to what I should do? Is it possible to get a replacement ? pay again?

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/diversity-visa/instructions-for-selectees/adjustment-fee.html

Appreciate any advice you can provide.

Thank You!

Hi Susie - thanks so much for the advice. I will NOT be travelling. Getting my greencard is far too important to risk for a short holiday at home.

Should I call USCIS for their advice ?

without meaning to be controversial, I also used the "Ask a Lawyer" function (on this web site), explained my situation and asked for pointed advice, and this is the response I got:

"Applying to renew your F 1 visa while your lottery visa is pending is not going to jeopardize your AOS process. Until your AOS is approved, and approvals will not likely start until sometime in October 2015, your renewal of the F 1 visa with your OPT is no issue at all. Once your AOS is approved, your F 1 is ended, since it is no longer necessary, but for now it is still required and would not interfere with the AOS." and "...because your AOS is not going to be approved for some time, you can get the F-1 renewed, because you need it renewed anyhow until the AOS is approved. They will see it is pending in their system when they approve the F1 and OPT and then when your AOS comes up in October or November 2015, that is when they will approve your AOS can cancel the F-1".

Help.

Perhaps another "wrinkle" or consideration ? - my current F1 visa expires in line with my studies which finish this week...of course I have already submitted for OPT (back in April) and have my receipt and updated I-20 (from my school). Updated I-20 is based on completing 1 year of OPT with a start of employment date set to Aug 10th 2015 (which gave me a break between end of study and start of work)...

So, in one sense I always had to get my F1 renewed. And before knowing about my DV lottery win, I planned a trip home before returning to the USA with a renewed F1 to do my OPT year...

Am still in 2 minds about whether to travel home (on Saturday)...

I spoke with my school registrar and they advised calling USCIS with my OPT case number and explaining what had happened and seeking their advice about travelling home.

Any further help from anyone would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Hmmm. This is a difficult and really unintended situation to be in.

I am already in the U.S. (now) on an approved F1 visa- linked to my studies and I have a new I-20 issued from my School in line with moving onto OPT and I'm following that process to the letter. My start of emoyment date is set for early August and my OPT application is in process...

I plan to go to home for a short holiday and already have an appointment set at the U.S. Consulate in Melbourne and will have all of the correct paperwork to get my F1 renewed...and when I scheduled that interview I was NOT aware of my DV2016 winning status...(scheduled the interview back in April).

So, now - I guess I need to decide whether I should travel home....

When the interview was set up (for the F1 renewal I certainly had NO intention of coming back for immigration ! It was (is) to get back and do my one year OPT.

Would appreciate any more advice as I am keen go home (have not been home for over a year) and I did a lot of research to establish it would be perfectly fine to go home as OPT-pending, with all the right paper work (I-20 etc).

This really is a complicated but unintended consequence from winning !

Help

Thanks so much!

thanks SusieQQQ - now I'm worried...my flight is scheduled for next Saturday and I don't want to put my greencard in jeopardy. I've also registered on that forum but have an issue where I can't post anything - is there any other way to get her advice?

really appreciate your help!

thank you

thanks SusieQQQ; a quick update:

I did go to USCIS Field Office in New York where I live, but they were not so helpful...I left with the impression that I could go ahead and submit my application NOW, but from all my reading, I don't see how that is possible? I.e. need to wait until my case number becomes current on the bulletin (I am #815 in Oceania)...

I am trying to go back and ask them again more specifically about when to start the I-485 application/submission, but appreciate any further advice.

Also on your comment about "Bear in mind you will need to remain in status all the time until your number is current to be able to successfully adjust status" - I am graduating next week (yeah)...and am going home to Australia for 2 weeks. My OPT application is submitted and I have the "notice of submission" - form I-765 receipt notice (Form I-797) and when in Australia I will renew my F-1 student visa. Assume this in no way compromises my ability to proceed with change of status later in the year/early next year? I have always been "in status" and have returned home a few times since I started my course and every time I have had to go the local consulate at home and get my F-1 student visa renewed (with accompanying I-20)...

Appreciate any advice!

Thank You

Dear Forum Members, am looking for advice on how to proceed with my Adjustment of Status...

Am currently living in NYC, on F1 visa. Expect to graduate in July then will start one year OPT in August 2015...

I was selected in the DV 2016 lottery, and have submitted my DS-260, and next step is to "go and meet an Immigration Officer at USCIS in NYC"...

Have done a lot of research, and understand that it would be an "Adjustment of Status" procedure that I would follow.

I have scheduled an initial meeting at USCIS on June 1 (next Monday) but don't know exactly what to expect. I am following the procedure at:

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/diversity-visa/instructions-for-selectees/adjustment.html

I have my education records (high school diploma), WES-equivalent certification for GPA, birth certificate (certified copy), my lottery advice letter, DS 260 submission receipt. I will go to the USCIS office in NYC and show them these documents and ask about what to do next...

My questions are:

- what should I expect at this initial meeting?

- what should I try to achieve in this initial meeting?

- do I need to bring more documents, or any other required materials?

- do I need legal advice or should I engage legal counsel BEFORE even this first meeting?

I do not expect this is an actual interview, but rather an initial "screening" step, or just a chance for me to confirm with USCIS that I have everything I need to proceed.

My rank (in Oceania) is 815.

I would appreciate any advice!

Thank You

Adam