Babamalik87

I know this is an older post but in case anyone is in this situation and is looking through forums for some hope, I sent my ead renewal in January. Just yesterday I received 2 emails, one saying that my ead renewal case had been closed (instant panic) but the other saying that my I-485 has been approved and card has been ordered. Delighted, sometimes a long wait doesn't always mean bad news! 

Yeah it ended up working today about 8 days after I got it ? Hopefully won't take too long fingers crossed. Need to call and ask if am eligible for the automatic 180 day extension if my renewal isn't approved in time 

Hi everyone!

so as my AOS is still pending since December 2015 I have applied to renew my ead which expires march 1st 2017.

i just sent it 2 weeks ago which was so late and I expected it to expire before I get my new one but anyways. I received the I797c today saying that the case has been received, however the receipt number isn't recognised on the case status website, I first tried it when they emailed me last week but decided to wait until I got the notice in the mail, still no luck though. Any experience with this? 

I also noticed that the actual notice doesn't have a received date or a notice date on it which I found strange. Anyone experienced either of these before?

and last question would the 180 day extension apply to me? (Category c09) 

photos attached of the notice including the info regarding automatic 180 day extension.

thanks guys sorry for long posting! ?

35 minutes ago, Ebunoluwa said:

Call in to request an EAD renewal expedite, our renewal process is dated in my signature.

Well at the minute I've just sent off my EAD renewal this week so think it's too soon. Really didn't expect to have to renew it if im honest. Maybe I was being unrealistic lol

9 hours ago, bokins said:

How is it going, any update about it?

Nope unfortunately, have now sent service requests for both the I-130 and I-485 as we haven't heard anything about the I-130 since we received the receipt notice in December 2015. They said that there isn't a problem with it or the I-485, they said they have on their system that we have been to the interview and everything is pending as normal. But they said that due to the fees going up they had a huge amount of applications come in so that's why it's taking longer. They told my husband it was with the national benefits centre but I thought it was with okc since that's where I had my biometrics and interview. But yeah I've just had to send off for my I-765 renewal which makes me sad a little:( so stressed about it all feel like I'm in limbo without an approval or denial. As of now the last I have heard from USCIS was the response to our service request in January 

So we got an email and text from our post office account things (My USPS) saying certified mail piece just arrived at our local facility. Probably will be delivered tomorrow, doesn't say where it is from and only has one scan it seems like and that was it arriving in Tulsa. I feel sick with worry that it might be from USCIS as I've only heard of denials being sent via certified mail so nervous and confused because the officer told us she was happy with our evidence and everything. Really hoping it's from someone else. Fingers crossed

We had a similar issue. we even got the same exact response. we made an info pass appointment, and within 30 minutes the guy said "your green card is approved". We had to push him a little bit, he wanted to just waive us off, but once he got the actual physical immigration file he saw whatever the issue was. Without that file they just give you the same info as the customer service line.

Harry

Hmm so maybe making an infopass appointment is the way to go, so that we can't be brushed off. Hearing your experience has made me feel a lot better. Thank you for the advice

Thank you for the advice and It doesn't sound stupid, it's helpful and reassuring ?I thought about doing that but wasn't sure if I was being dramatic! Think I'll do that, I know these things take time but it's hard to be patient when it's your marriage and life you know? But trying to stay positive, after all she did say everything looked fine. Think I'll make an info pass pretty soon and see what they say!

So we had our interview on 19th August, officer said it was fine she just wanted to double check our financial stuff because she didn't feel like doing math before 9am (fair enough) but said it looks fine and she will let us know by mail if she needs anything from us. I asked her was our evidence okay and she said everything was fine so we asked so does that mean if the financial stuff is fine then we're good? She said that's exactly what it means. We left feeling good, she gave us a letter on how to remove conditions in 2 years time but didn't take my EAD or anything.

We still haven't heard anything, put in a service request and got a response on October 11 and it was a generic response I guess?

'Thank you for contacting USCIS concerning the above-referenced application. Below is a summary of what we have found and how the issue has been resolved or additional actions required.

What We Have Done

USCIS has reviewed your Service Request. According to USCIS records, your application is still pending. At this time, we anticipate you should receive a decision or other notice from USCIS within 180 days of this notice. Please be advised that posted processing times are goals based on Field Office averages. These goals are subject to change and can vary from office to office. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by delays in processing.

What You Can Do

If you do not receive a decision or other notice from USCIS by the time specified above, please contact the National Customer Service Center at the phone number below.

USCIS is committed to adjudicating immigration applications in a timely manner, efficiently and in the order received. We hope this information is helpful. If we may be of further assistance, please let us know.'

No updates online as they stopped doing online updates for our case a month after we filed. I-130 still showing received December 2015 and I-485 still showing response to rfe received January 2016 so not expecting much from that.

I've been nervously checking the mail everyday hoping for anything from them

Any advice? Guess there's not much to do but wait but I can't help but worry, husband is in the military so he can't move to my home country if we were denied and I'm just so worried. Even though she said it's fine, I won't believe it until I have it in writing!

Sorry that this is long but I think I needed to vent, our office is Oklahoma City, the website says they are processing January cases now, we filed in December last year so can't help but worry!

I completely agree with you, in our experience it was better to lay all our cards on the table and let the lady know we were nervous. I apologized in advance for rambling as I do that when I'm nervous, my husband is the opposite and so she said not to worry at all and at least we even each other out. I can't speak for every case of course but being up front and respectful seems to be the best option. After all they've probably seen and heard it all so can read people very well anyway whether we like it or not lol!

No problem at all, I think sometimes we hear too much about the negative experiences of interviews rather than the positive so wanted to throw some positivity out there just in case!

I'm probably talking to myself right now but I'm so on edge I don't care at this point ? Since we had our interview on a Friday, the true wait begins now that it's a new working day! Wish I could track it online, they stopped updating ours online when it got transferred to OKC since my biometrics we only got updated via the mail!

Seemed like an approval to me. Congrats in advance!

Thank you! I really hope so, now the wait to hear back from them with the final decision!

No problem hopefully it will help someone, I know I was reading these forums for months before our interview for advice and what to expect!

Thank you both, we're hoping so!

So we had our AOS interview today in Oklahoma City! I thought I would share our experience and get some opinions on how you all think it went!

So here goes, sorry kind of hyper so if this isn't typed so well I apologise!

Basic facts about our relationship:

9 year age difference

Met online

US Citizen has been married more than once

Okay so, the lady that interviewed us was lovely.

She swore us in and told us to sit, she asked if we were okay and took our ID and said she has a lot of questions for us, she said they may seem strange but she has to check them off and told us not to worry.

She confirmed our names, parents' names and asked us to confirm each others date of births. She then asked us how we met, when, and also when we met in person, how many times did we meet before marrying.

Why did we decide to get married during this trip, where we got married, why that date and how many times did we visit that state before (she was checking to see that we said at least twice, marriage license and wedding)

She then asked my husband about his divorces and if he thought this was the one and he said definitely this time. She was happy enough with that and we had a laugh about some things, she said it isn't easy being married in the military and she really hopes this is it for him. Not in a rude way though.

She asked if we had any documents for her, husband got a new job so we gave her an updated I-864 and I-864A , we live with mother in law and her income meets the requirements alone. She didn't keep the forms but took mother in laws W2, tax documents and pay stubs, we gave her our tax return but she gave us it back. I'm assuming she only kept mother in laws documents as husband just started his job so it isn't completely reliable. We explained that we kept mother in law on it even though we meet the requirements due to him just starting and she said that's fine and thanked us for that. Mother in law was on it from the beginning anyway so only husband's job was new again I'm assuming this is why she kept the original I-864 etc.

She asked me when I met his family and it was during my first trip here in 2013, she was pleased with this as we had told her some stories just in general conversation so it must of let her know it added up I don't know but I was happy with that.

She asked if we had anything for her so we gave her 2 folders, one with joint financial things such as bank statements, Sams Club memberships, furniture bills, life insurance, VA dependent documents etc and another folder with proof of gifts, financial support from each other during relationship, cards, hotel bookings, flights etc. We also gave her 100+ photos, she looked through them all and chose her 'favourites' for our file. There was a photo of my husband, myself and my mother in law, she pointed to her and asked me who it was. At this point I relaxed a little as she was smiling looking through our evidence (cards and photos etc)

We talked a lot but she didn't really have to ask much as we were giving her plenty of info as it came up in conversation, I apologized for rambling as I do it when I get nervous and she said 'no this makes my job way easier so go on' I also apologized if some of the proof I submitted seemed pointless but I wanted to add anything that showed ongoing relationship and she said no it's fine don't worry.

I also explained that we don't have joint lease or bills as we live with MIL and just give her money each month and she said that makes sense and is fine.

She asked the questions to do with illegal activity etc and then we laughed as I said I can't lie and would be a horrible spy and she said even better because I deal with a lot of lies and she could tell I was sincere (which was great to hear as again it makes you relax)

We also laughed about the photos because she said she's received some explicit photos and we agreed any really couple would not want those images in public!!

We talked for a bit more, really laid back and she was so nice. She then gave me a letter that explained the 2 year green card and when and how to file for removal of conditions. She said it's just to check in as we may be living in my home country by then etc and basically it's to see if we want the 10 year green card. She told us it would make our lives easier to gather our evidence for the next interview in 2 years time as each life event happened. She advised to leave a note of the date to file for removal of conditions on every calendar, phone etc we have so that when the time comes alarm bells ring to file so we don't miss the time frame!

She said she just needs to double check mother in law's income meets everything but said it looks like it does but she didn't want to do math before 9am and laughed which we understood. So I asked her 'so is everything besides that okay like our proof and everything?' she said yes exactly that, she said if she needs anything else for the I-864 she will mail us but she doubts she will need anything more as it looks good. So I said so we should be okay? and she smiled and said yep and that was it! I almost hugged her but switched to a handshake, husband made a joke about it and she said not to worry she got a hug yesterday, we said thank you and said we were so happy and she was like good and was smiling, she walked us out and told us to enjoy the rest of our day.

So that was it, I feel it went really well! I hope this means we are definitely going to get approved! Hope this helps anyone who has their interview coming up.

I know people say this all the time, but honestly as long as you are honest and a legit couple you will be fine. The questions aren't hard, they are questions any true couple will know. Our interviewer was so nice, which may have helped us but still.

So now!

Does anyone have any opinions? How do you all think this went? Does it sound like a good sign??

I know she said she just needs to double check the I-864 but it wasn't an approval either and I don't want to get ahead of myself!

I apologize that this is so long!

Thank you! I wasn't sure is all, was worried because we don't have our own place we wouldn't have enough joint documents but literally anything from our relationship we've gathered up as I feel every little bit helps!

Also have him listed as an additional card holder on my credit card

Hi everyone!

So my husband and I have our interview tomorrow at 7.45am so we are leaving for Oklahoma City tonight, so nervous but excited!

I think we have mostly everything but are we missing anything? Here's what I have

- Copies of I-130 and I-485 just in case they need it

-I-864 and I-864a including:

W2, joint tax return and pay checks from the past few months

also have husband's mother's W2, 2 most recent pay stubs and most recent tax return

-Passports

-My birth certificate

-Marriage Certificate

-Husband's divorce decree

-My EAD card

For evidence of our relationship we have:

-Flight confirmations and tickets of travel together

-Hotel bookings

-transport bookings used during trips

-Emails showing communication with owner of a holiday home we rented for a few weeks confirming joint payment on it

-Letter from VA showing that I'm his spouse

-Copy of military life insurance showing me as spouse and my enrollment in DEERS (don't have tricare yet due to money)

-Joint bank statements from past few months

-Sams club membership cards

-Joint tax return

-Cards given to each other for birthdays etc

-Copies of messages congratulating us on marriage

-Copies of messages from his homecoming from deployment from my family and friends

-Print outs of email confirmations and amazon orders showing gifts to each other

-Copies of Western Union and Paypal transactions showing financial support from him

-Over 100 photos of us (only one with other people as we eloped)

-Copy of his orders for annual training showing he is married with 1 dependent (me although doesn't specify a name)

I think that's all we have! I still don't feel it's enough though!

We live with his mother and just pay her in cash for rent so no joint lease or bills besides Sams and USAA.

Also I'm 21 and he's 29, how big of an issue will this be? I met him whilst he was stationed in Europe (Everything was legal no worries about that) but we met online (really helps our case I know) and I know I married young so I'm afraid they'll not take us serious! But trust me I would not move from Ireland to the US for someone I wasn't serious about lol, he's in National Guard after being discharged from Active Duty so can't leave the US for a few years, hence me moving here.

Sorry so long and ranty (not even a word I know) but so nervous! any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you for your reply, yes we have all our paperwork from our taxes, that's a great idea I didn't think about that! Thank you so much.

Quick question regarding evidence for the AOS interview, what would count as evidence?

I'm really worried as I don't think we have enough, we got married in November and all we have is

-pictures

-bank account

-taxes

-payments made on a bed with both names on it

- tickets and hotels over our relationship

-I'm listed as his spouse on his VA paperwork

-listed as a dependent on his national guard stuff

We both have prepaid phones as we couldn't afford contracts when I first got here as husband had just gotten out of the military after 8 years and was looking for work. Which is also why we have no bills or a lease in both names because we're living with his mother at her home, we give her rent money but nothing in writing. I don't drive so I'm not on his car insurance and i haven't got health insurance yet need to enroll in tricare (he's in the national guard now)

But yeah I'm nervous I don't feel like this is enough, doesn't help that I'm 21 and he's 29. We only had a small wedding because we were unemployed at the time and just eloped, we got photos done though that was the one thing we weren't skimping on.

Is there anything else we can bring? We went through a year long deployment before I got here and really don't want to be apart again, which I'm sure everyone on here can relate to!

Thank you for reassuring me! That's exactly what I needed to here honestly. I'll admit I can be a bit of a control freak due to anxiety so having absolutely zero control puts me on edge lol. Thanks again that's great to here, so just a waiting game now ☺️

Just realized I wrote 'here' instead of 'hear' ?

Thank you for reassuring me! That's exactly what I needed to here honestly. I'll admit I can be a bit of a control freak due to anxiety so having absolutely zero control puts me on edge lol. Thanks again that's great to here, so just a waiting game now ☺️

Thanks for the reply! I really hope so, think I've just been doing too much reading and reading all the horror stories lol

Update!

I was actually waiting for a call from a tier 2 rep today (when I was originally transferred they were too busy)

So the lady checked everything and said that my case said-

- ready to be scheduled

- interview scheduled (this is for the original date 13th June)

- interview descheduled

She then put in a service request and said that I should get a response by June 22 which is actually after the date the interview was scheduled for.

So am I right in taking this as a good sign? The interview being 'descheduled' before the 13th would be more likely to mean that they were going to reschedule us rather than if they cancelled it the day of which I would think would lead to them just thinking we had abandoned our application or am I assuming too much?? Sorry just trying to be positive! Or should I be worried that we won't receive a response to the service request until 22nd June which would be after the interview date had passed?

Thank you once again.

Sorry if this is in the wrong place!

So after my account being locked for reasons I do not know I've finally figured out how to log back in!

My husband and I received an interview appointment letter on 8th may (addressed May 4th) the interview date was for 13th June, unfortunately my husband left this weekend for annual training with the national guard in a different state and was impossible for him to get out of it. So we sent the appointment letter back along with his national guard schedule, proof of him actually being in the national guard and also a letter requesting a reschedule, explaining the situation and apologising for any inconvenience caused.

It was signed for at the okc office may 10th but still no response at all (I only know it was signed for as I requested proof of delivery from post office) I'm really worried because the interview date they gave us is on the 13th and I don't have a license or any way to get to Oklahoma City without my husband. I'm so scared that our case will be closed or abandoned, is there anything else I should be doing? My husband called and spoke to tier 2 a week or 2 ago and they said that they can't give him a new date yet as its not them who decides, which we knew of course and he also said that they've received it and to just wait.

I'm just wondering though is it ok if we haven't heard anything by the original interview date? I'm not sure if they normally send a receipt notice saying that they've received a reschedule request.

Sorry this is so long and thank you for any advice!