Yaztalksalot

15 minutes ago, doggieandsam said:

great news yaz! i am in the thick of preparing my documents for my own interview in a couple of weeks!

Ah! Exciting! Let me know how you get on at the interview, I'm sure it will be smooth sailing for you  

Thank you!!!   @doggieandsam @Queen30 @Limonata

I was so surprised at how straight forward it was yesterday, I expected a lot more personal questions about my relationship. I've written a blog post about it: https://yaztalksalot.wordpress.com/2018/08/16/aos-interview-were-approved/ 

My case status has already changed to card being produced, so hopefully it arrives soon! Good luck to everybody still on their journey! Thank you for all your support, it has made this process so much easier!

Yaz XOXO.

23 minutes ago, Limonata said:

Green card received! Thanks to everyone in this forum. Helped us a whole lot. @Yaztalksalot goodluck on your interview tomorrow!

Glad you have got your green card!! Enjoy the next two years off! I had my interview today, also approved. So just waiting for the card now 😁😁

2 hours ago, Queen30 said:

Guys I was putting together my EAD Renewal Application and I found the letter in which my EAD card came in.

At the very bottom it has two (2) barcodes and it states “ use this tear-off portion to speed your application for an extension or replacement card” 

 

1). Did anyone mail that off with your renewal application ?

2). Was the process speedy in receiving a NOA1?  

 

 

I mailed mine and I got my NOA1 and biometrics confirmation that i didn't need to redo them fairly quickly! I attached it at the front of my packets  Definitely send it in 

21 hours ago, GazLisa said:

Hi,I am flying too the Uk for a holiday in December with my American spouse for the first time since I have obtained my EAD and travel combo card,I’m flying using British airways I assume as I’m currently waiting for my green card interview I won’t need ESTA too re-enter the United States,I will be taking the official marriage certificate and all USCIS paperwork we have as further evidence of my current immigrant status.

Has anyone else recently flown back too England using advanced parole 

Hey! I'm from the UK also,  in March I went home using AP. Flew British Airways also  Had absolutely no issues! Took my marriage certificate as my passport is still in my maiden name, passport, my NOA1 for AOS, and the combo card. Was a very smooth process coming back in! 

Wrote about my entire experience on my blog if you want full details of the process: 

https://yaztalksalot.wordpress.com/2018/03/24/using-advanced-parole-leaving-the-usa-whilst-aos-is-pending/

Enjoy your trip

22 hours ago, Limonata said:

Hi folks! 

 

Just wanted to provide an update regarding our interview yesterday at USCIS San Antonio, TX 

 

We went into USCIS 30 mins earlier than our scheduled time. My husband and I decided to attend  in formal business attire. There are a lot of people in business attire, mostly people coming in for the interview, but there are also people in casual clothes, seems like those who are there to make an inquiry. 

 

We go thru typical airport security screening, we were able to take our phones with us provided that you put it through the scanner. We were asked to remove anything we have in our pockets and any jewelry we are wearing.

 

After the security screening, my husband was asked to wait in the waiting room while i was asked to queue up on the reception line to sign in for my interview. I gave my interview notice and the receptionist in turn gave it back to me with my number and was told to wait in the waiting room and wait for my number or name to be called. 

 

We waited for a few minutes and then we were called in for the interview by our immig officer. I offered a firm handshake and introduced myself and my husband, which she gladly took notice. We were also told that there will be another officer with her on the interview for training purposes. 

 

We went inside the interview room and then the officer proceeded to give us a brief agenda of what she will go through. 

 

We were sworn in and the she proceeded to ask questions from the AOS form we submitted. Just basic questions like my name, birthday address etc. She then started asking about the typical yes/no questions in the AOS form. 

 

After that, she asked about my current job here in the US, she looked into my file and was surprised that it is the same job i have  prior to moving to the US. (I work for a g500 company )She asked if my company transferred my employment from the Philippines to the US. I told her that i was fortunate enough that my company supported my move and that they decided to put my role on hold until my EAD is approved so i can reapply and keep the same job as well as keep my tenure. I was asked to show her my i-9 submission form to confirm my registration date with my EAD. 

 

She also asked if i have been to the US before we moved(5 times) and how long was the longest one(1 month). She asked if my husband and i went together on those trips( only once for Christmas vacation ).  She also asked if i still have a valid b1/b2 visa at the time we filed for K1(yes i did) 

 

Next question, she asked was how we met, which i answered. We’ve been living together since 2006 in my home country  and she asked my husband why it took him so long to get me here. We were laughing because the officer was joking about how long my husband took his sweet time before proposing.  She also about why we don’t have kids after being together for more than 12 years. 

 

She then asked for new evidence we would like to include in our file. We told her we have an updated i864 that now includes 2016 and 2017 taxes. She said our affidavit of support has already been approved from what we have submitted but she appreciated the updated i864 and took it along with the new tax forms and added it to our file. 

 

Next she had asked for us to show her documents proving our marriage. It helped that we had it in a clear file folder so we just flipped thru the documents in front of her. She took the following documents:

- renewed lease agreements with our names

- joint checking and savings accounts 

- each of our 401k beneficiaries page

- each of our insurance beneficiaries page

- approved report of marriage (we registered our marriage on my home country)

- car insurance 

- both of our driver’s license copies showing the same address 

- joint 2017 tax returns 

 

i offered her other documents like my husband’s job offer, recent pay stubs, etc but she doesnt need it. 

 

She also didnt ask to see the originals or what we submitted like marriage license, birth certificates, etc

 

She started going through the RoC/naturalization  process and told us to expect my green card in the mail in 2-3 weeks. I wanted to hear her say it so i asked her explicitly. I said, so does this mean you are approving our application?  She said Yes! You have my approval for AOS.  We were so happy and we thanked her for her time. 

 

We head out for lunch and we realized that she didnt give us any written note saying we have been approved. She didn’t get my fingerprints nor stamped my passport with something. We were getting worried. 

 

But today, I received a notification from USCIS that my card is in production! Yay! We thought we were dreaming lol. 

 

Sorry for the long post but i just want to be thorough in the hopes that it may help someone else. Best of wishes to everyone here!

So happy for you!!

Thank you very much for such a detailed account of what happened at the interview, this has made me feel a lot more prepared for mine on Wednesday!!

Congratulations!! 

15 minutes ago, Limonata said:

Yaaaay! Thanks for this @Yaztalksalot ! You are the best! 

 

I went through our docs using your checklist and we have about 90% of what you have. We don’t have some of the bills under both our names because some companies don’t allow another person to be added. We also only have lease agreement because we are currently renting. That should still be ok right? 

 

Aside from the ones you listed, we are also bringing our 401k where we are listed as each other’s beneficiary. 

You are very welcome!! 

Yes, that sounds absolutely perfect, I'm sure you will have more than enough! 😁 Let me know how your interview goes, very excited for you!! 

Hey everyone, 

Hope you are all having a nice weekend  I've pulled together a blog post of everything I've included in my AOS Interview folder.

https://yaztalksalot.wordpress.com/2018/08/04/aos-interview-checklist/ 

I used the list on the interview notice and just sort of built it out from there .This is just what I'm personally taking, you may take more than me, you may take less, but a few people wanted to see my checklist so figured this was the easiest way to share  

Hope it's helpful!

Yaz XOXO.

@Limonata @doggieandsam @KatieAndNaimah 

9 minutes ago, Limonata said:

Thank you! Didn’t mean to rush you on anything but just want to let you know that i do find your blogpost extremely helpful. 😊

 

My interview is on Aug 8. We will also be bringing an updated affidavit of support(as i’ve seen on other AOS adjusters who just had their interviews)  because my husband changed jobs late 2017. 

Aw no worries at all, nice to know people are eager for me to post - good motivator to write!  So glad you find it helpful!! Ah that's really exciting, yours will be here before you know it! I look forward to hearing how it goes!!

5 minutes ago, KatieAndNaimah said:

@Yaztalksalot you're our resident guru. thank you! 🙌🙌🙌

Aww! ❤️ This process is so insane if you're doing it by yourself, always nice to have a support group! I'll pop the list on the thread this weekend then, so everybody can have a read through!

2 minutes ago, doggieandsam said:

i'd be interested to see your final list too please

Of course, will send over to you too  

On 8/1/2018 at 10:41 AM, Queen30 said:

Thanks Hun!

what did you put for your current immigration status or category? 

No worries love! Same as before, C09

16 minutes ago, Limonata said:

@Yaztalksalot i have been waiting for your blogpost on what you would be bringing to the interview 😊 

 

would you also be bringing your own employment documents? Such as W-4, i-9 submission, paystubs, health plan, insurance, etc

Hello! My interview is on August 15, so I'll try get the blog post out the same day if not the next. Will drop you a message with it once it's live

From the docs you listed, I'll be bringing my EAD/AP card, a couple of paystubs, we're on my husbands health plan so we will be bringing that and I'll be bringing my life insurance documents that list my husband as the beneficiary. I've not had a W2 from my work yet! I'm planning on putting the folder of everything together this weekend, so once I've figured out exactly what I'm bringing I can message you with my final list if that's helpful for you?

5 minutes ago, Queen30 said:

 Good Evening Yaztalksalot 

I have a quick question if you don’t mind. 

When yousubmitted for EAD renewal application , the fees are waived. 

Is the Biometrics fee waived as well ($85)? Or the only form of payment is mailing the application off? 

 

Thank You! 

 

.

Good Evening! 

Yes the fees are wavied including the biometircs too. The only expense is sending the application off itself, is correct just make sure you put a copy of your NOA1 for AOS in the packet and I stated that it was a renewal due to AOS still pending on my cover letter too!! Had no issues 😊 good luck!! Hope you hear from your GC soon and the renewal isn't necessary! 

13 minutes ago, Visitor User said:

Do you think the interview date will be in August 2018?

I honestly don't know. Depends on your local office and when they have availability. Best just to wait for the letter  

Just now, Visitor User said:

Interview letter this week in the mail?

 

Not only I-765 did not update but I never got my EAD. 

Might be this week, but could be next just keep your eye out for it  but it should arrive soon! 

I've heard that can happen, you wont need EAD now anyway if they've scheduled your GC interview. 

1 hour ago, Visitor User said:

My I-765 still says: Case was received at the 10/4/17. Why?

 

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL *** 

There has been a recent processing action taken on your case. 

Receipt Number: MSC**** 

Application Type: I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR ADJUST STATUS 

Your Case Status: Testing and Interview 

As of July 31, 2018, we are ready to schedule your Form I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR ADJUST STATUS, Receipt Number MSC**** for an interview. We will schedule your interview and send you a notice. Please follow any instructions in the notice. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address. 

If your case status indicates that you are currently in this step, you have either been scheduled for an interview or are in line to be scheduled for an interview. The amount of time your application will remain in this step will vary by office and is largely determined by the number of cases ahead of yours. The interview notice will have specifics about time, location and anything you will need to bring to your interview. If your application remains pending beyond our normal processing times (as shown below) please contact our national customer service center at 1-800-375-5283. Please note that not every application/applicant will require an interview. In some instances, an interview is required by regulation and others an interview is requested because USCIS has determined that this is the most efficient means to determine eligibility. For a naturalization application the interview will include your taking the required English and/or Civics tests (unless exempt or waived). 
 

• Log-in to your myUSCIS account to view your case history and understand what you can expect to happen next on your case.
• Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at under Check Processing Times.

Sincerely,

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

You should get your letter in the post with your interview date on it. Mine never updated either after I got the email. It's still sitting at "We're scheduling your interview" which it has been at since November last year. Congrats, one step closer to getting your green card

10 hours ago, CaptNaimerica said:

Woooo!!! So excited for you! (And me too, knowing that our timelines are so similar)

YAAAY! Drop me a message once you've heard back lovely!!  

9 hours ago, doggieandsam said:

hey yaz, great to hear your case is moving along finally. i am preparing to send in my EAD/AP renewal soon. would you mind sharing with me a list of contents for the renewal packet please? thanks!

Hey! I know, finally! Fingers crossed you hear back about yours soon! Sure, I have a full list of everything I included on my blog https://yaztalksalot.wordpress.com/2018/06/22/renewing-ap-ead-aos-from-k1-visa-still-pending/ (I'm sure I included more than was necessary, but I just wanted to be safe than sorry and the whole process moved pretty speedy for me!) If you've got any questions, feel free to drop me a message!!  

9 hours ago, doggieandsam said:

somebody reported on here that they also got their interview scheduled after sending in their EAD/AP renewal, so I wonder if  maybe that reminded USCIS that their case is still pending. i wonder if maybe that may explain why the AOS interview got scheduled almost immediately after them receiving the EAD/AP renewal packet.

Yes, I thought the timing was very coincidental!! 

Hey Everyone, 

Just to let you know 10 MONTHS after filing. My AOS interview has finally been scheduled. I'm adjusting from a K1 visa, and my local office is Long Island, New York! I've included my full timeline before, for anyone that is in the same boat. Good luck to everyone else still waiting, fingers crossed your interviews get scheduled soon! I will write back once I've had my interview, it isn't until the 8/15, so a little bit of time yet  I did apply for my EAD/AP renewal as it said to apply 180 days in advance of your card expiring, and it happened to coincide with my AOS interview being scheduled, but i've kept all the dates in there just incase anyone is also going through the renewal process and wants to see those dates

5 hours ago, CaptNaimerica said:

10.5 ... to 29..... oh my. well the only bright side I can see, is maybe by the time we get the our interview and our green card it won't be conditional since it would've taken so long!

Positive thinking, I like that haha!!  I never thought about that aspect of it taking longer! Happy Friday, keep me updated with your progress!! 

22 hours ago, CaptNaimerica said:

Just dropping by to see if anyone in the NY area has received their interview? As of January 8th, my status has been "We are scheduling your interview" :/

I'm also from the NY area, my status has been sitting at ready to schedule for interview since November 2017  I checked the processing times for Long Island, NY and it said anywhere from 10.5 months to 29 months... bit ridiculous really! 

27 minutes ago, SamSam85 said:

Is “Aos pending” good enough for immigration officials? Or they require underlying status? 

Well "AOS pending" is the short way of putting it, technically anyone adjusting from a K1 visa (fiance visa) who has their EAD, would be 'EAD holder under category C09', which means: An alien who is in the process of permanent residence and is adjusting status from nonimmigrant visa to immigrant (temporary to permanent). The only times I've been asked for my immigration status, was for work - and they had zero problems with that explanation and the EAD card itself, and the second for filing joint taxes with my husband, which in that situation you're classed as a resident despite not having the GC yet. Prior to having my EAD, I was never asked except for on the paperwork to actually file AOS at which point my I-94 was still valid so I put 'K1 Visa Holder'. 

Unfortunately I can't speak to the exact ins and outs for your situation as it's a different visa you're adjusting from, but that's just my experience as the spouse of a US citizen so far! Hope that helps  

8 hours ago, SamSam85 said:

Do you need to pay the fees again? What are the required documents?

You do not need to pay the fees again if your I-485 is still pending, you just need to include a copy of your NOA1 to confirm that fact. There's a really helpful thread on here that outlines all the necessary documents. Think it's the 3rd or 4th reply on the chain, there is a list of everything you need to send

13 hours ago, doggieandsam said:

I know! So frustrating because a lot of 2018 filers have already been interviewed at the DC office!!!

 

Once we send the renewal, don't we just need to get NOA for that and we are good? Or you mean we have to wait for a physical card again?

Providing you've applied for your renewal, your NOA2 for your original EAD, extends your authorization by 180 days if for some reason you've not received your new card by the time your existing one expires. But, yes you will get a new card as the AP isn't extended by the NOA2, so they will have to reissue a new combo card so that you're able to travel  I'm hoping that I reapply and sometime in the next couple of months I get my GC interview, so there wont even be a need to send me a new card, just getting the application in to be on the safe side!!

4 minutes ago, doggieandsam said:

I am still waiting as well from Washington DC local office. I am mentally preparing myself for EAD / AP renewal soon as well. 

Ugh! It's so infuriating, I've got both my packets ready to send off next week, as that will be 180 days prior to my EAD/AP expiring - just holding out hope that they maybe get back to me in that week haha! But extremely doubtful! 

Just now, SamSam85 said:

from F1, finished school few months back and waiting for EAD/Interview. AOS pending is a limbo state.

Yeah it's really annoying being a 'resident' but not being a resident! But what ya gonna do, I thought this was gonna happen as NY state takes so long to process, just wanted to check in and see if anyone had heard anything! Good luck with your EAD