Casprushly

Finally have an update after over a year.

I got an update notice saying my application to remove conditions is successful and my card will be sent within 60 days! Just for reference I have not filed for naturalization with this application and have not had any updates about transfers to local office that some people are reporting.

38 minutes ago, BarbaraL said:

Hello I’m a California filer. And I got my biometric appointment super quick. I got them taken on December 29th. And that’s the last thing I heard. I haven’t gotten any other notices or anything else ;-(. I guess we will have to wait a very long time. I check the USCIS app daily. It no changes to my status. 

Wait time is almost a year for most people. If you've had biometrics, it's just a waiting game now.

20 minutes ago, brien0512 said:

My husband n i are planning to go to bahamas for vacation this april n my greencard will expired this feb... do u think im going to have problem on entering bahamas n going back to US?

No problems traveling with the expired green card as long as you have the receipt extension 797 letter as well. Then you are fine for another year on top of the expiry date, no need for stamps or anything. If you've not had your biometrics then you may want to make sure your appointment doesn't clash though or walk in early etc.

7 hours ago, Jjjb said:

My biometrics is tomorrow on the 9th and the government just shut down. I shouldn't be worried right? Just go in as normal?

USCIS is NOT affected in anyway by a government shutdown, it is funded almost entirely by the fees we pay. All field offices are open as normal and you should go to all appointments. Nothing to worry about at all.

56 minutes ago, RHAS100 said:

Morning everyone

 

For those who have had their biometrics appointment, did they give you a sticker for your green card to show it's extended? A colleague from work is currently renewing a ten-year green card and she got given a sticker to show when her current card is extended to but I did not. They took my photo, fingerprints and signature and told me I could leave. 

 

Also, when I look at my case status on USCIS it's still in Received status. 

 

Just wanting to check I've not missed something. 

 

Happy Friday! 

I also did not get a sticker but you don't need one. Just make sure you have a copy of your receipt handy. I already renewed my PA drivers license with just the I-797, passport, green card and old license. No issues at all.

My case also still states received status with no updates. I would not be worried at all. Just in case things go wrong though make sure you have your biometrics receipt somewhere safe.

1 hour ago, divorcedgayman said:

That must be it! Do you / does anyone know if they are doing fingerprint matching on the spot?

As soon as my fingerprints were taken, the computer had a message "searching for matches." I was curious whether they were doing background check on the spot, or they were simply trying to match with the old fingerprints?

Yes this is exactly right, the guy at the Pittsburgh office explained. This biometrics is simply to confirm you are the same person who applied for conditional residency 2 years ago. They check your fingerprints, signature, ID and photo. It's a fraud prevention thing. Totally normal.

Also so they have an up to date photo

Also for those people who were worried about the late sponsor change of address stuff that came up on the forum before, I-865. We got the receipt for my wife yesterday. The application was a year and a half late, no problems, no fines, no issues, as expected. So if you forgot just submit late with an apology and everything will be fine. I suspect if they find you first it won't be.

Just got back from my biometrics, whole thing took longer to get through security than the actual biometrics! It was just an ID verification, 2 minutes total. Now just waiting and hoping I don't need another interview. I honestly don't see why I would but you never know.

2 minutes ago, samoak7 said:

If you see the I - 751 Instructions it says Check or Money Order I think processing a Cashier's Check by USCIS's legacy systems might be the Issue here. I sent them a Check for 680$ and on my Bank Statement It appears as a EFT(electronic funds transfer) meaning it looks like you used your debit card but with the Routing and Account Numbers on your check so the Check Images won't appear in your Bank Transaction. I think if you get a Cashier's Check I'm not sure if the way the Routing Numbers and Account Numbers that appear on the Cashier's Check is the same as your regular Check which might cause their Systems to not process your payment. I suggest that you just Write them a Check with your A # on it. Good Luck!

Cashiers checks work just fine usually. I have used them for every single application because I do not have personal checks. All USCIS care about is getting the money before they process anything. If you write a check that bounces they would have to wait for it to clear before processing. Using the check info to process EFT is instant for them to see the funds are available. Cashiers checks are guaranteed by the bank and process immediately.

If you want peace of mind at seeing your check clear then use personal but cashiers work fine too.

1 hour ago, JDBLB said:

I actually didn't include every single month of our bank statement..I did like January, April, June, August...etc thinking they just need to see it's ongoing. Hmm. Also include our saving account statement and those are short anyway.

 

we actually filled up the new form last night and it's EXACTLY the same form only the expiry date is different.

 

we both took today off so it works out well that we can put the packet together and make a call to USCIS just to confirm that's what they want regarding our case. Unrelated to this forum but we both took today off for my HSG procedure, the one they check uterus and tubes, we've been trying for a baby but no luck so getting some testing done...I'm actually nervous cause people said the procedure is painful...good luck to me! Haha! 

 I only attached 4 months worth of statements for bank account, shared credit card, investment account, savings accounts etc. If they want more they will ask. I strongly doubt they will with the amount of additional evidence I have supplied.

11 hours ago, JDBLB said:

It says "the proper fee is not attached. Please compare the amount you have sent with the amount required."

 

im really confused. I sent one check $680. I checked my bank account and that's exactly how much was taken from my account when I ordered a cashiers check. So they want two checks?! They did not return my original check so I cannot see. But it certainly is $680.

 

Why is this his happening to me????!!!

Really sorry to hear how tough this is for you.

I think the advice you have got so far is good. Go to the bank and explain and see if you can get the money back. Then resend the application with a personal check. Or even two checks for separate filing and biometrics if it makes you feel better. As for the packet, mine was not nearly as thick as some, maybe 3/4" but I paper clipped each relevant section together and put the whole evidence packet in a folder with an itemized list written on the front. The check and cover letter were paper clipped to the front so the first thing you see is the check on top. I also took a photo of my check and my packet so I could confirm, just for my own sanity, that the payment amount, payee and address were correct. 

Good luck, remember you have a lot of support here, for questions or just to vent about the antiquated system we are all forced to use.

Again, the shutdown does not affect USCIS, no field offices will be closed and no non-employment based visa will be affected. At worst some applications may be delayed, and only if the shutdown goes on for a while. Even USPS will be open since it is also not entirely government funded, so even your mail will be delivered.

1 hour ago, Amhara said:

I supposed with a government shut down looming, I don't want our biometrics letter to be in the mail.  I would rather it be issued next week or whenever we are sure the government is functioning again!  

 

I just wanted to add, for the K-1 and AOS, we used money orders to pay for the fees.  The service centers seemed to take longer to cash the money order than those of my same filer threads, but it didn't seem to affect the processing of our case.

I believe government shutdown does not affect USCIS, DHS etc. only agencies which rely on government funding. Realistically most departments plan for these things anyway and have money to cover the shutdown time. I used to work as a contractor for the DoE in the last shutdown and didn't come close to missing a day of work or paycheck because we had a surplus saved up. I wouldn't worry about this.

8 hours ago, Roy&Chanel said:

I sent out mine via express priority on 6 Jan, it reaches them on a Monday 8th Jan, and I received it today, bout a week and half. 

 

Thanks, very helpful, I'll keep a look out next week

3 hours ago, Roy&Chanel said:

Here's what I did, I submitted the Form I-865, a copy of AR-11 confirmation (You can download it via USCIS or you can print the email confirmation), a cover letter of explanation explaining why I sent it in late.

I used USPS Express Priority, certified mail, and request for a return receipt (requesting signature from USCIS). It costs 11 dollars-ish, certified mail and return receipt is an additional of 3 dollars.

I have just received a notice letter addressed to my USC Spouse from Texas since that is the place where we update address. 

Hope that helps.

Just out of interest while I'm waiting for some kind of confirmation. How long did it take for you to get a reply? I sent the I-865 on 01/08/18

2 hours ago, JDBLB said:

Thank you so much for your advice..so like I mentioned, I used a cashiers check so I can't track to see if they cashed it or not..today I decided to go to the bank to see if there's a way to check the status of that check. And UNFORTUNATELY, they did NOT cash my check  I ordered the check on 12/20 and sent my packet to VSC that day. It's been almost a month and they didn't cash it. It is not normal right? Something must have gone wrong but I don't know what is it...I doubt they even received my packet since the post office was "having issue showing it as delivered on the customers end."  I'm so sad  would you still suggest me to wait even though even the check is not cashed at this point? 

Any ideas and suggestions are appreciated. 

If it makes you feel better I also used a cashiers check, because the government seems to be the only entity backward enough to still need paper checks! And I went to the bank to check records. They were very nice and supportive and spent 20 minutes looking only to tell me they could find no record of it clearing... I was as you are, very disappointed since it had been about 10 days. Then next morning in the mail was my NOA! Don't lose faith. It's a stressful process that unfortunately not many people understand well enough to be supportive, but that's why I come here.

Just added myself to the list, hopefully I did it right

1 minute ago, brien0512 said:

Now im freakin out... do i need to send copy of AR-11 with it? 

It's really not a big deal. I have had big anxiety about this whole process but this is really not a big deal, I promise. If you did the AR-11 online you should have email confirmation, you can attach a copy of that if you like. Technically the I-865 is just a form but I also sent my purchase agreement for my home, the letter, and my NOA copy. Mostly I just wanted to show that all the dates for moving matched up and we have been living together continually etc. Like I said, anxious. I can share the letter text with you if it helps. The I-751 will not be affected if you did the AR-11, that's the important thing. It's not like you are trying to claim benefits etc so you have done nothing wrong. 

4 minutes ago, brien0512 said:

I enter in k1 visa n we bought a house last july 2017 n we move in to our new house september 2017 n we only file change of address online n my husband didnt file any change of address to uscis coz we dont know bout this things...but we submitted change of address letter from the bank n usps with our new address as part of our ROC evidence... do my husband need to report it even were already late?

Even if it's late I highly recommend filing it asap. I attached a copy of my NOA for reference and a cover letter to explain the mistake. There is no charge and its a very simple form. Better to admit to your honest mistake rather than hoping it doesn't get found out.

5 minutes ago, Amhara said:

Hi!  If your visa require a USC to "financially sponsor" you (or the foreign resident) then the USC sponsor needs to update their address with the USCIS, too.  Fiancee and spousal visas that received GC's would be in this category.  When the fiance married and they AOS'd or when the spousal visa was completed with the foreign spouse entering the US, then the USC spouse is bound to ensure that the new permanent resident would not be dependent on welfare (essentially).  So since your in-law sponsored you, and they did not move, I don't think you need to file it.

 

The form for updating the sponsor's address is the Form I-865.  I don't think it's such a big deal to have missed filing it, but there is no time like the present for someone to do so!  I forgot to submit it, but now at least the USCIS sees that both our addresses are the same!  Since you two bought a house together, you probably included that evidence in the ROC packet, so you should be fine.

 

What service center are you and when did you file?

Sorry, I should have been more specific, this is correct. My wife is my sponsor and a US citizen. I just didn't realize about I=865 until I read this forum. As far as I can tell there is a fine for not doing it on time but they generally only assess that if they are the ones who catch you. It was a year and a half late but we are correcting this now. You should make sure this is up to date because they will almost certainly notice during the I-751 process. On the plus side the I-751 came to my address no problem even before we filed the I-865. So as long as you have your address up to date there should be no processing problems.

Hi everyone,

I was a part of the forum a while back for my conditional 2 year green card and just remembered to come back and check out the I-751 forum now.

I filed 12/06/17

got my NOA 12/24/17 dated 12/11/17

and just got my biometrics scheduled for 01/23/18 in Pittsburgh PA

so far very painless... although we moved house a year ago and although I filed the online change of address form we didn't realize my wife had to fill out a separate form so thanks to reading through this thread we saw our mistake and just did that with a copy of my NOA receipt and a very nicely worded apology letter.

Hi guys,

I have an update on my interview in Pittsburgh PA from Thursday 02/18.

I was a little worried that the center would be closed after there was a snow storm the night before but everything was fine that morning. Interview was at 9:30am so got there nice and early. Had a breakfast at a nearby Panera so we would be in plenty of time. Walked into the center 30 mins early and barely had time to sit down before we were called a little early. Our lawyer was going through security so we had to wait a minute for her.

Pittsburgh is a small center so my lawyer used to be on first name terms with all of the officers but apparently they had recently promoted a few new ones so she had not met our officer before.

The interview started off just verifying various information about each other from the petition, full names, DOB, places of birth etc. Then she asked what evidence we had brought to verify the marriage and I had brought a lot. We basically overwhelmed her with joint bank statements, 2 years worth of joint leases, joint bills but by far the biggest thing was our joint 2015 tax return with all of our income statements. I have the advantage of having lived in the US for 4 years and already be working first with a J-1 visa and now with my EAD card. Also since it is tax season right now we were able to file a joint tax statement prior to the interview which was a huge piece of evidence and I would recommend above all other evidence if you are in a position to do it.

We had a legal wedding ceremony in August at the Pittsburgh municipal court, but we also made a proper day of it, we dressed up in a suit and white dress (not the real wedding dress) invited my friends and her family (none of my family could make it though), then we booked a nice meal and had a friend of ours with a nice camera take some wedding photos in Grandview park overlooking the city. We also had a formal ceremony and reception with as many of my friends and family who could make it in December, but the officer actually paid more attention to the first ceremony so it is definitely worth putting in a little effort to dress up, book a small reception (meal at a restaurant) and take some formal looking photos, even though my family were not there. It didn't cost a lot and was very little effort and looks much better than just showing up with random witnesses.

What really threw me off was when after all that she asked if we had any other evidence to support our marriage, which seemed a little aggressive... but my lawyer chimed in to reassure us that we had already done that and the officer agreed so it was not meant to be like that. I think I was just nervous.

Then went through the standard security questions, got several questions about my J-1 visa and the 2 year home return clause for which I had a no objection waiver. She just wanted to make sure I had completed that. Then we added some relationship photos to add to the file, we brought about 90 over the 2 years we had lived together, she selected a few examples to keep and then we were done.

Overall the officer was nice, but very hard to read. She seemed to go from friendly and chatty to formal and serious very rapidly and it threw me off a little and made me worry I'd said something wrong. She also would not say whether she was going to approve us at the time as she had to do some checks first, which I guess is normal but a little disconcerting. Outside the building my lawyer quickly assured us that we were perfect and there was no way we were not approved. Then within an hour I had an update saying my card was approved so just waiting to receive it now.

Sorry for the long post but if you are in Pittsburgh and waiting for an interview hopefully it is especially helpful.

Overall the interview was 25 mins

Hey, I have almost exactly the same timeline as you it seems and also from the UK. I had an RFE (for my birth certificate) and still had my EAD/AP in early December and just got scheduled for interview on Feb 18th. I'm in Pittsburgh though so seems a lot less busy. Also I am moving from a J-1 not a K-1 so I'm finding my timeline is a bit different from most. As suggested check out the September forum and fill out the timeline too.

Hey,

Just noticed your post while searching for anyone going through the Pittsburgh office. I've been in Pitt for about 2.5 years now, best city I've ever been in! If you're looking for fun I suggest taking up a winter sport. My wife got me into snowboarding when I first moved here and it's awesome. Check out Boyce park for cheaper rental and easy learning! Maybe being in Switzerland you already have experience with that though, so check out Seven Springs and Hidden Valley or my personal favorite, Holiday Valley in Western NY. Really cool place but a bit of a drive. Otherwise I suggest driving up to Erie to see the lake, maybe wait until summer for that tough. Have you got an interview scheduled yet? I just got my notice for 02/18!

I'll write up my experience afterwards but I have a lawyer going with me and she said that the Pittsburgh office is really small and there are about 4 officers working all of whom my lawyer has worked with a bunch of times. She said she really doesn't see it being a big deal, so I'm not especially worried about it. More worried it's going to be a blizzard and the office will be closed and I'll have to reschedule, but if that happens I already have the day off work so I'll just go snowboarding instead... silver lining.

Just got my interview date for 02/18/2016 at the Pittsburgh office!

Speaking of driving licences, just wondering if anyone knows do us beneficiaries with our home country driving licenses have to take a driving test here in the US or can i simply apply for a state license to replace my current UK driving license?

Thanks

In PA apparently you have to get a learners permit and have someone with you in the car until you can take a full test.....

Lucky for me I started off in NJ where they took one look at my UK drivers license. I might has well have handed over my library card since they had no idea what it was and don't even get me started on trying to explain how in the UK we have a card and a paper part too!!. Amazingly, they just seemed to take my word that it was a UK license gave me a quick eye test and a written test and I was driving that afternoon....