EE&MY

This is a great list. I'm reviewing ours now as our interview is tomorrow morning and our lists are very similar. 

Anyone know if we need to bring copies of documents from initial AOS filing?

12 minutes ago, SRulla said:

Hi guys,

 

we've been trying to add me to my husbands bank account at Chase but got denied. They said that I need a proof of residency and my passport. For a proof of residency they accept utility bills or a state id. They won't accept our lease. We don't have utility bills under my name cause I don't have a bank account in the US. And I can't get a state id without a utility bill or bank statement. But it's advised to show a joint bank account at the Greencard interview. I feel stuck in a loop where I can't get one without the other. Does anyone know whether different banks have different requirements or what else I could do? We're in Chicago, Illinois and I do have a SSN number. 

 

Thanks for your help!

Stef

Sorry to hear you had this trouble. I would try a different Chase location and if you have more trouble, ask for a manager. We added my husband to my Chase accounts (also in Chicago) with no problem at all, before we even filed for his AOS. He did not have a green card OR even a state ID at the time. We took his passport, Social Security card, our lease, marriage certificate (though I don't think they even looked at this), and his translated birth certificate (don't remember if they looked at this), and they added him to all my accounts on the spot. If it helps, we went to the Chase branch at 1825 W. Lawrence (over a year ago). 

Also, you can get a state ID without utility bills (we have also done this successfully), however they wouldn't issue my husband an ID until he received his EAD (they would have taken green card too, whichever he got first). Though the main page of the Illinois DMV site lists utility bills/bank statements as proof of residency, they also accept many other documents for this as well, including leases. The full list is here: http://ilsos.net/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_x173.pdf

I believe we needed one item each from A, B, C, and D, but I know we used our lease for D.

Long story short, we had to wait no time at all to get him on my bank accounts, and had to wait forever to get him an ID. 

Hope this helps!

Update on our service request:

Two days after we called, our SR was assigned and completed. I didn't get any notification but saw it through checking the app. It said an update had been sent. We got it in the mail Wednesday. It literally says nothing--our case is still pending and they can't tell us when it will be completed. 

So frustrating. What's the point of an SR?

FYI, we got e-notification yesterday that our EAD/AP card has been mailed! That's just two days after approval! I'm shocked it was sent so quickly!

22 minutes ago, jimjilbangbang said:

So did you actually get the physical EAD card yet?

Noooo....we just got e-notification yesterday. I'll update here when we receive the actual card. 

Are we the first EAD in this group?

3 hours ago, jimjilbangbang said:

"On February 13, 2017, we received your response to our Request for Evidence for your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status, Receipt Number MSCXXXXXXXX. 

Our National Benefits Center office will begin working on your case again. 

We will mail you a decision or notify you if we need something from you. 

If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address."

 

What to expect next, my folks? ?

I've had this status on our AOS since January 11. We did receive EAD and AP approval, but no change to the above status since 1/11. I guess we just wait.

14 hours ago, Mthldou said:

Thanks for your response! How long did it take for them to approve the EAD after they received the RFE response ?

RFE response received 1/11

EAD/AP approval e-notification 2/13

4 hours ago, Mthldou said:

Hey!

congrats!!

when did you send back the RFE? what was it for?

im still waiting on them to go over my response and make a decision  

Hi Mthldou,

Our RFE was really confusing. The letter said we had submitted secondary evidence of birth record instead of initial evidence. However, what we had submitted was precisely the initial evidence required for Turkey (along with a certified English translation). We called several times trying to get clarification of what they wanted--whether our original evidence had just been overloooked/misplaced or whether they were asking for something completely different. The agents at the call center couldn't help much and all just suggested we send the original documents again. So that's what we did, plus including a printout of the web page showing that document is the required birth record for Turkey. 

I haven't been sure if this was the correct response, but am hoping the EAD/AP approval means they accepted it. Fingers crossed I guess. 

1 hour ago, sebastianshaw said:

 

Congrats for the EAD, it would be helpful and save a lot of questions directed at you if you update your signature/timeline.

 

 

1 hour ago, lleaka said:

Nice to meet you too.

 

Congrats !!! I believe you are the first ead for this group. It's exciting to see congress . 

Thanks! I guess I'm in the wrong group since we're adjusting from K1. Sorry for any confusion. 

Also, my timeline is updated. 

Good luck to everyone!

Hi everyone,

I'm late to this party. How is everyone's case moving along?

We're adjusting from K1. Filed for AOS, EAD, and advanced parole--NOA December 2. Had an RFE (for something we had already sent), biometrics on 1/4, and just received emails for approvals for EAD and travel this morning. 

Nice to "meet" you all!

On 1/23/2017 at 3:16 AM, AH&ZK said:

Hello! Thanks for posting this information EE&MY, I am in a similar situation, but we've been checking the site since mid-December and more than a month later - no interview dates have been available. Any advice?  We also were told (after getting in touch with someone at the Consulate) that we should schedule the interview before filling out the DS-160 but everywhere else it says to fill out the DS-160 first. We've done this now, but I am wondering whether it had any bearing on what available dates we could see!

Hi, I'm trying to remember since it's been a year now...but I am pretty sure we had to complete the DS-160 before we could even get into the appointment scheduling site. There was a number on the DS-160 confirmation that we needed. But you're saying you were able to get in without that?

As far as wait time, I got in pretty quickly, but I know others who checked for several weeks before finding anything. Keep trying, though I suspect things may have slowed down with everything that's been going on since then.  Good luck!

4 hours ago, cyanmavi said:

There is an add-on for Firefox called Check4change that automatically refreshes the page every x minutes you want and alerts you to any changes. Interviews seem to be available once a month or so, for 2 or 3 months ahead and for a very short time before people grab them all. It is possible you missed that brief period of time. I would think that you cannot schedule an interview before filling out the DS-160 first since the usvisa-info website asks for the confirmation number. It should not take that long to fill out anyway, and you have already done it so no problems there. Unfortunately it is quite a hassle to try to schedule the interview. Best of luck to you!

This is good to know! I might use it for our AOS case status tracker. Do you know if it's secure to use on sites that contain personal information (case numbers, etc.)?

Hi y'all! Got an update (though a bit late).

My fiance had his interview last Wednesday.......and he was approved! It was such a relief and after being there, it's so funny to see how stressed and over prepared we were (if anyone can really be over prepared!)

Congratulations on all those who recently got approved as well I feel like this is kinda a graduation day.

I'm sooooo happy over the moon ....am approved tnx my novembr family for ur help it means alot ....

Congratulations to you both!

Thank you so much! And good luck with the interview today

Thank you! We were approved!

APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He said they were really nice and he was in and out of there in under two hours.

They asked him:

-How we met

-About our brothers and sisters

-Have we met each other's parents

-What are our wedding plans

Now Sunday, we will say good bye for the last time, and then figure out his flights to the US!

Good luck !! We will be waiting for the review !!! Best of luck

What a long journey. Bless you!

Thank you demelat and Shawn&Jaque! He is in the Embassy now and I am just going crazy waiting at the hotel. I know everyone here is probably sleeping, but I"m posting to keep myself busy....I'll post an update as soon as possible after he returns.

Hi y'all! Got an update (though a bit late).

My fiance had his interview last Wednesday.......and he was approved!

Congratulations!

You should know that not all embassies request the same support documents so people who have processed through other countries may not be providing you with the correct answer for Turkey. Once the embassy in Ankara has your petition, they will email you instructions for the next steps.

If you want to get started in advance, here is what Ankara requests (this is copied exactly from the instructions):

"To substantiate the information regarding income and resources the sponsor should attach two or more of the following items to the affidavit:

1. Copies of his or her latest federal income tax return;

2. Copies of his or her latest W-2 forms

3. A statement from his or her employer showing salary and the length and permanency of employment;

4. A statement from an officer of a bank regarding his or her account, the date the account was opened, and the present balance;

5. Any other evidence adequate to establish financial ability to carry out his or her undertaking toward the applicant for what might be an indefinite period of time.

The affidavit of support to be submitted must be Form I-134 and must be accompanied by the most recent year’s tax return form. Co-sponsors should also include a copy of their US passports or green cards to their I-134 form."

Hope this helps!

16 hours til interview................!

Well, family crisis averted and we made it to Ankara for the medical and interview! As of this afternoon, medical complete! Now just waiting for Thursday morning's interview! Nervous and excited. This last-minute trip was stressful, but I am SO glad I came and we can be together for all this.

Hi everyone. Just an update. My fiance arrived this past Thursday. She was able to get through immigration without any trouble. I was worried because she had no way to talk to me, her phone wouldn't connect to the wifi. When she arrived in Atlanta she was able to find me, which was amazing. She has loved every minute here so far, she has loved every restaurant i've taken her to and every store. We went to Taco Bell on Friday, she was a little scared because she thought it would be spicy. I had her get a crunchwrap and she liked it.

The past day we have been doing a lot of wedding planning. It is also interesting, I have probably spoken 10 minutes worth of English in the past 4 days. But I think it has really helped my Portuguese, I even had a dream that was completely in Portuguese. I am at work and all I want to do is spend more time with her. But I need to make that money for our wedding lol.

Great news! So happy for you!

APPROVED !!!

Congratulations!

Aisha and Niman crashed tonight at 7pm. it is great to see them here, sleeping......

Yes I am exhausted, and somewhat still annoyed, but seeing them here, sleeping........

Nothing else need be said---

Congratulations! So happy they are there with you finally!

approved!! very few questions??

Congratulations!

Sorry if I missed anyone else. I've been MIA having some major paper bag moments, leading to me getting an emergency plane ticket today to fly to Turkey tomorrow. Major crisis going on with fiance's mother and her health. Hoping she is ok and really hoping I can still get him to his interview next week. As of now, the interview is up in the air. On top of that, his interview is in Ankara where there have been 3 major terrorist bombings in the last few months.

I was not planning to be there now, but I'm hoping this will all lead to me being told good news in person on April 7 (though the embassy says I can't enter for the interview itself).

So any support, prayers, karma, good juju, or whatever you each believe in, will be greatly appreciated! I couldn't have gotten this far without this group, so thank you all.

Had my interview this morning and we got APPROVED!! YAYYY

super happy!!!

Hooray!! Parabéns!!

APPROVED!! waiting for passport with visa now!!

Congratulations!!

Driving to Vancouver tomorrow for the Friday medical in advance of Tuesday's interview D: Lol I'm more nervous about it than she is.

Good luck tomorrow! Keep us posted!

Yessss APPROVED!!!!

Congratulations!!

Thank you, and sorry guys I'm still in Uganda haven't been online much.

Words of wisdom are don't overthink anything to the point your stressing. The process itself was pretty simple,

Congratulations!!

tomorrow my interview

Any news yet Sam??

After all this waiting, I finally have a date to look forward to for my fiance to arrive here. She will be here on March 31st. We will be getting married on May 7th.

Congrats! That's so exciting!

I'm happy to say---WE GOT APPROVED God is good! I was about to faint/throw up/pee my pants the entire morning and time before the interview.

Congratulations Steph!

Thank you everyone for all of the support over the last few months, especially to those few who went the extra mile to deal with really making things as crystal clear as possible. I've been in Uganda and then me and eve flew to Kenya together, she had her interview this morning and has passed!!!

Congratulations!

Fiance will be here Friday. ??? how's everybody doing

Only a few more days...so exciting!

Hey, everyone! Arrived back in Rio yesterday, tomorrow I'll do my medical exams (blood test + X-ray + doctor appointment) and get a new copy of my birth certificate. Tuesday will be the D day, my interview!!!

I'm so scared of forgetting a document. I think I got too many documents, and copies of everything, I'm kinda paranoid with all the stories I read of people whose interviews were postponed for forgetting documents. That wouldn't be cool, to say the least.

So happy to hear all the happy endings of you guys!!! Ours is soon, too =)

Hopefully by the end of April we will be a married couple of kikis!

Good luck tomorrow on your interview!! And tell us all about it afterwards!

Countdown has begun

T minus

5 Days 18 Hours 28 Minutes

Till lift off

Only a few more days for you too! I can't wait to be in all of your shoes!

Jaime & Aisha (and awesome Niman), habesha, and njwright....Congratulations!!

Jaime, that was quite the "paper bag" story...I was stressed just reading it! But as you said, for all of you, all that matters is that you're APPROVED. Happy for all you guys and hoping I'm in your boat on April 7!

NOA2 FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So happy for you...finally!

Has no one still heard from Kehinde???

Now that I've gotten further in the process, I'm answering myself for the benefit of future Ankara people looking for these answers....

1. It took me a week and a half of refreshing the website before I was able to see any interview dates available. When I did get through, there was one date, seven weeks in the future. I don't know if this is typical or if this was a random cancellation opening up. We took it, of course.

2. The embassy let us know that only the beneficiary is allowed to attend the interview. No family members, no US citizen petitioners.

Hope this helps. Good luck everyone!

I know each Embassy is different, but I didn't receive my packet 3 right away either. I ended up filling out the DS-160 form and submitting it. AS SOON as I did that (within 24 hours), I received packet 3 and next steps information from our embassy. It could have been a coincidence, but I feel like submitting that form triggered a response from our embassy.

Good luck!

Approved today, so happy

Congrats!

NOA2!!!!! NOA2!!!!! We were approved yesterday! Worth the wait! Happy Friday all

Hooray! Finally! Congrats!

INTERVIEW

5 Days 1 Hour 00 Minutes

That's crazy. I can't imagine how I'm going to feel when it's that close? Are you actually attending the interview with her? I just found out our embassy does not allow me to attend with him which makes me extra nervous.