Eli

Didn't I say so ktos? Congratulations!!

I definitely recognize you from k1 moz, you have a very stretchy striking photo

I'm sure we'll be cheering each other on citizenship next year!

Eli

Thanks for adding me mozplay! But let's change that blank into a date now, because I JUST GOT MY APPROVAL EMAIL! :dance:

ktos and flutter95, you're next on the list!

Eli

UserName.........Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date.....Biometrics......Approved

Silke....................04/27/09...........04/28/09........06/27/09.........07/20/09

elwintro...............05/01/09...........05/04/09........07/06/09.........07/20/09

laperu..................05/01/09...........05/04/09........07/02/09.........07/29/09

alli.......................05/05/09...........05/06/09........07/03/09.........08/12/09

ready4ONE..........05/09/09...........05/11/09........07/07/09.........07/29/09

featherB..............05/09/09...........05/11/09........07/15/09.........08/12/09

Jolene551............05/09/09...........05/22/09........07/07/09.........08/12/09

Eli........................05/11/09...........05/15/09........07/28/09..........08/13/09

ktos.....................05/22/09...........05/27/09........07/09/09..........--/--/--

flutter95..............05/22/09...........--/--/--.........07/22/09..........--/--/--

heishe..................05/22/09...........05/26/09........07/01/09.........07/24/09

liebi810................05/26/09...........05/28/09........07/16/09.........08/12/09

elmcitymaven.......06/02/09............06/09/09........07/03/09.........--/--/--

sophiadun ............05/18/09............05/2?/09........07/02/09........--/--/--

VSC May Filers

UserName.........Date of I-751....NOA1 Date.....Biometrics......Approved

scooby06.............05/01/09..........05/16/09.........06/09/09........--/--/--

venusfire503.........05/01/09..........05/14/09........06/12/09.........--/--/--

mozplay...............05/04/09..........05/07/09.........06/11/09........--/--/--

fozzie..................05/08/09..........05/13/09.........06/12/09........--/--/--

jane2009 .............05/12/09.........05/15/09..........--/--/--..........--/--/--

little4ele...............05/24/09.........05/29/09.........07/06/09........--/--/--

DaFlava..............05/26/09..........05/29/09.........07/02/09........--/--/--

LisalovestheUSA ....05/27/09.........06/01/09.........06/30/09........--/--/--

celikkanat..............--/--/--..........--/--/--...........--/--/--........--/--/--

IMPORTANT!

Before you edit this list, please make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set

to Rich Text Editor. DO NOT JUST COPY AND PASTE. You can change your Text

Editor as follows:

1. Click on My Controls at the top of the page.

2. Click on Board settings at the lower left of the page.

3. In the drop down box under Posting Settings, change the type of editor

from Standard to Rich Text.

4. Save this change by clicking on the "Change my Account Options" button.

Then go to the most recently posted version of this list (go to the last post and

scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags at the beginning AND END of

your reply.

* Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.

* Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted. (A common

mistake is somehow screwing up so you have <b> and </b> HTML tags in these very

instructions instead of actual boldfaced text.)

REMEMBER: "Date of I-751" is the date you sent your petition - NOT the date it

arrived at the service center. "NOA1 Date" is the 'Notice Date' shown on the NOA1 —

NOT the date you received it.

I didn't catch on that this was the May 2009 filer's thread, so I'm adding my name to the list of those waiting, and my congratulations to those who are getting their green cards in the mail! WHOO!

-Elizabeth

Never mind my last question - venusfire503 just asked the same thing, and this just reminded me that you can see updates that aren't status changes - looks like mine was touched yesterday! All is good!

Eli

Hey Gang,

I started this thread about two weeks ago in a panic over my biometrics appointment and I wanted to post this update so anyone in a similar situation has the assurance of my experience. I went to Infopass and the officer there had me fill out an AR-11, the USCIS form to change your address. I wasn't familiar with this form, but this is key for those of us who have to move while dealing with the USCIS!

From the USCIS Website:

Non-U.S. Citizens

If you have moved, you need to follow two different steps:

Step 1: File a Form AR-11 (This changes your address in our master database.);

Step 2: If you have a pending case, you must also file a Change of Address online or call our National Customer Service Center at (800) 375-5283. (This changes your address for the specific application you have submitted.)

Calling or going online to change your address is not enough, you also MUST fill out the AR-11 (there's no filing fee). Here's the link to the current (as of 07-30-09) form: Form AR-11

The USCIS webpage for online change of address says that it completes both of the above steps. It says on the online case status website that if you move while case is pending, call customer service and doesn't mention AR-11 or Change Address Online. BOGUS. Do phone/online and AR-11 to help insure that they don't keep mailing to the old address like they did for me. Heck, change it online, and by phone, AND by AR-11 if you have the time.

Now that that's cleared up, Infopass also told me to go to get my Biometrics taken any time and take the appointment notice for the wrong office along (Biometrics are taken at it's own office here in Sacramento, I'm not sure how common that is but the Spokane, WA field office did it all in the same place). I got there at 2pm and there were only two people ahead of me, I was in and out super quick.

The next day I got a new biometrics appointment letter in the mail for Sacramento. Being as my Biometrics are already done, I sure hope to goodness that everything is sorted out! My final question is - does the case status online reflect that biometrics is taken? My status still says "case received and pending" and they sent me a notice which I should follow. I'm still a little paranoid that they'll somehow say that I missed my appointment.

Thanks all for your reassurance! Good luck and happy processing!

Eli

Okay guys, thank you a TON for the infopass recommendation, and featherB for your personal experience on this one. I got an infopass scheduled for 7:45 Monday morning, so hopefully we can get it all settled out first thing next week and move on. I wasn't familiar with infopass and now I feel SO much better knowing I can talk to someone in person and get it worked out. Thanks so much!

Eli

I am really upset. I filed my petition May 12th. I moved out of state and changed my address on June 16th. I received a letter confirming the address change. 45 days from file date went by with no biometrics appointment letter. I called the USCIS on July 1st to ask they have my new local office to send me a Biometrics appointment. Today a letter made it to me through USPS forwarding land, from my old address in Seattle, which has an appointment for me at my OLD local office. The letter is dated July 7th, which means they set up an appointment at the old address 21 DAYS after they confirmed my new address! The appointment is for July 29th, which is 13 days away. I called USCIS again, and the woman on the phone who didn't have a clue finally said what I need to do is check the reschedule box and send the appointment notice back to Seattle, who will apparently be able to reschedule me to my new local office ... which sounds fishy to me.

My concern is that the soonest possible time I could have the letter back to them now is on Monday, which gives them less than 9 days to sort out the reschedule request before my appointment there. As we all know, if I miss that appointment my petition is considered ABANDONED, which is a ridiculous hassle I do not want to deal with if at all humanly possible. I don't trust them to reschedule my appointment in less than 9 days - I've never had any luck with them figuring things out reasonably - hence this problem.

It seems like my options are as follows:

-Mail back the appointment letter with a reschedule request and PRAY TO GOD they get it figured out before my appointment

-Fly back to Seattle and just go to the appointment in the wrong state

I'm not sure if there are any other good options so I'm turning to you guys in hopes that there is some kind of consensus on what would be the best course of action. I need to figure this out ASAP so that I can get that appointment letter back for rescheduling on Monday if that's the thing to do. I'd hate to burn money I don't have right now on flying to Seattle if I don't have to, but if that appointment gets missed I'd be out a ton more money hiring a lawyer to appeal the abandonment of my case. It's ultimately a miracle I even got this appointment letter considering they aren't supposed to be forwarded. God I'm pissed they screwed up the address

Please, PLEASE offer me your advice!

Eli

Hey All,

I'm still waiting on my biometrics appointment letter. I'm not sure if things have gotten screwy because hubby and I moved states about a month after sending our application. I updated my address online and got a letter from USCIS confirming it. It's been about 50 days - does anyone have any advice for me so that I don't fall through the cracks and get forgotten? I've tried calling the misinformation line but it's been a couple years since I've called and I can't figure out how to get to a person. And of course my I-797C receipt number doesn't work for case status like everyone else. I appreciate the help!

Eli

Hey

In terms of the address issues this is normal, see this thread. They should be sending notices to the address you put on the I-751 as far as I'm aware. You should include a copy of your change of address form and note why you have included it.

For the addresses, simply list ALL the addresses where you resided since you got your green card. It sounds like thats three addresses for you, so on a separate page put "Addendum to Part 3 Question 9" or something similar and then list the full addresses. Should be pretty simple

Elizabeth

Abbie,

The first thing you need to do is make an Infopass appointment. This is a meeting with an immigration officer who will review your case with you, listen to your situation, and explain the course of action you need to pursue. Here are the instructions for booking an infopass appointment, I recommend you do this right now. When you go to your appointment you need to take ALL of your documentation with you, including all notices the USCIS has sent you. If you do not demonstrate to the USCIS that you are still pursuing the case they will start removal proceedings against you to have you deported. I'm not trying to scare you, but this is your situation at the moment and you need to take it seriously. Because of the complicated nature of your case and the conflicting information from USCIS about the status of your case, we really can't help you until you get some more information from an immigration officer. Infopass appointments are free, and it will give you an opportunity to have your questions answered directly by someone much more knowledgeable and will give you a direction to pursue. Schedule it now and you can get back on track and get this taken care of.

Good luck!

Elizabeth

My husband and I have done the whole process ourselves and did we have the minor complication of needing to find a sponsor, but it has all been a relatively straightforward process and many people here on VJ file themselves. The Guides will help you organize your petition and we are here to help with any questions that come up along the way. I would personally never use a lawyer for this process because of the cost and the delays it can cause if your lawyer isn't timely about getting you back notices/RFE's, but since you've used the lawyer up to this point you know how responsible he/she is. With the I-751 you essentially collect all the of the evidence yourself (the hard part), hand it over to the lawyer who charges you a hefty fee to mail it in and receive the response. However if the lawyer had performed well in the past, you have the money to burn, and it's worth the piece of mind, there is no reason to not hire the lawyer.

Elizabeth

Thank you so much for your advice guys Not notarizing will help me get this all out quicker. I'm starting to feel a little anxious because all we have is a joint lease, joint bank account, joint tax returns, and health insurance, in addition to other evidence like the affidavits by friends and photos. *Sigh* - I hate how much stress this puts on us to meet their idea of proving our marriage. We don't have much as college students, and it makes me feel like we're insufficiently married in the USCIS's eyes.

Eli

Congratulations!!!

Thanks for your experience, Nick. Sounds like people are still getting jerked around by the USCIS plenty. My question still stands as to having the affidavits notarized.

I see from reading this site, not much has changed with the I-751, they are still playing around, but do understand, as long as you have that expired green card and one year extension, they cannot deport your loved ones. But they cannot go to school, work, or travel either.

So you are saying that while the application is processing and I have the NOA I can't work or go to school? That's going to cause some serious hardship - I'm in the middle of my college degree, I can't just stop going to classes, not to mention to mention how much financial trouble that will cause. Can anyone else weigh in, please?

Eli

Hello All!

After 2-years freedom from the USCIS, it's back to paperwork for me. I'm getting the documents ready for my application and I'm wondering how critical it is to have the statements from friends notarized. The sample forms here on VJ certainly indicate that being notarized is appropriate, but it's not explicitly stated on the I-751 instructions that I saw. I'd hate to inconvenience my friends if it's not necessary (only notaries here are at the banks which are only open 9-5), but if it is I'm gonna have to start inconveniencing them real quick (I know the guide says the friend's statements are optional, but it's listed on the I-751 instructions so I'm going to include them). Also, for the check, do I write one combined check for the fee and biometrics, or a separate check for each one? I can't remember what we did before.

I'm also curious as to how your status exists while your case is pending - I understand that the NOA extends your resident/employment eligibility, is that correct? What about travel - leaving the US is out of the question while it's pending, or does NOA+expired green card still give you the ability to leave the US and return?

Thanks a bunch!

Eli

Exactly what misa said - Vancouver is AWESOME. Everything will be okay, at the end of it you'll be just like me - "I lost how much sleep and sanity over THAT?! That was EASY!!"

Just be calm, straightforward and friendly with your interviewing officer. GOOD LUCK

-eli-

VJ Friends!

I got the wonderful email today saying my I-864 was approved and card production ordered! For those of you who missed my previous posts, our application got held up after the interview because hubby wasn't accepted at a sponsor and we had to go on the co-sponsor hunt. It took the Spokane district office about a week from receiving our co-sponsor's I-864 to approving it. I have to say my big, BIG THANKS to everyone on VJ - I was so heartbroken after the interview because we were stuck for who to ask to co-sponsor. You guys all have great advice and are so sweet I wish all of life was like VJ - a community of people who can help each other with their experience - you guys all rock for taking the time to contribute.

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY VVVVVVVVJJJJJJJJJJ!! :dance:

-eli-

This is an interesting question. My hubby, the USC, is actually a dually, USC by birth and Canadian citizen (do we have a short-form for this? CAC? ) by naturalization. He was into college in Washington state and I hadn't started in BC, although I'd been accepted into universities in 3 different provinces. We decided it made more sense for me to fall behind a year in school rather than have him transfer. He also feels the job market will be better for the two of us in the USA (him-economics and me-civil engineering). He had only lived in the GTA area in Canada and he wasn't impressed (I don't blame him) and I grew up in rural Ontario, and being adventurous left home after high school for Kamloops, BC, so moving again to WA wasn't a big deal, just another adventure. We'll finish school in the USA and then go where the money takes us, be it anywhere in the USA or the world, as we are quite the globetrotters (especially him, he's lived in Wisconsin, Arizona, Japan, India, Canada, and we've visited China where his dad teaches english). We do ultimately want to buy some land in Montana and retire there someday!

-Eli-

Melytha- guessing from the fact that the local office on your profile is Vermont, I am going to make the guess that Vermont is the state you will be planning on marrying in. This link should give you some information about obtaining a marriage license in Vermont (every state is different). My then fiance and I were able to pick up a marriage license when I went to visit him (Washington State) before my K1 interview. We wanted to get married ASAP as well, our only delay after my entry was trying to find someone to marry us in our small town. The only judge circuited between courts in the nearby cities on a daily basis and was very booked, so it took almost 9 days before we could catch him with a free moment. We got to sit in on a DUI and a Minor with Possesion he was presiding over before he got to us - quite the interesting story now

-Eli-

I am so relieved to finally say - I have a sponsor! Two weeks ago hubby's income was not accepted at our AOS interview. After biting our nails and swallowing some pride, we asked his sister if she and her boyfriend could sponsor us. After consulting a lawyer, they agreed. The district office should hopefully receive their completed I-864 by the end of next week! Hubby and I are planning a trip back to Canada for a week in the middle of July for my dad's birthday, now we know we can actually make concrete plans as I should have my card by then. I've also been job hunting as I received my EAD card in the mail about a week ago. It's always from one worry to the next, but at least there aren't many big ones left!

-Eli-

Hello friends!

Read this on Sympatico/MSN today and wanted to share it as a heads up to everyone who is making an EI claim.

Link to Full Story

Service Canada, which processes things such as employment insurance benefits, says its clients have been receiving e-mails asking for data purportedly needed to expedite a claim. In reality, the e-mails form the basis for an identity theft scam.

-Eli-

how long do you have to re-submit the I-864?

I dont know about your personal situation so forgive me if I seem to be getting personal.......

was your income counted or is there a way for you to increase somewhere to make up the difference? how short were you?

Congrats on being almost there tho......good luck getting it all wrapped up

We have 90 days to submit the I-864. I had a very modest income last year in Canada, but my understanding is that my income can only be counted if it is continuing, which it is not as I left the job when I moved to the USA. I haven't been able to work since without any work authorization. I got an email yesterday morning stating my EAD had been approved, so if we have trouble finding someone to sponsor us and I find a full-time job quickly, I don't know if we could have them reconsider my husband's sponsorship considering my added income. He works part time and receives a number of private and university based scholarships for university which we anticipated would also be considered income. We were told that the scholarships don't count towards income, and without that we were short about $4000. Alas.

-Eli-

Back and rested up from our AOS interview in Spokane. Only glitch was hubby's income was not accepted, so we need to find a new sponsor for the I-864. Aside from this, the interview was very good and we were told that as soon as we could submit a new I-864 with different (richer) sponsor, we would get our approval. This is going to be rather tricky for my husband as he does not have any family to ask, and is a college student so all of his acquaintances work part-time - if at all. He has an uncle who could potentially help - except this uncle has not heard from hubby in a few months and not seen him in a couple years! He also found out about our marriage through the family grapevine too (not a terribly close family ) so it will be a very awkward request, but it's either swallow the embarrassment or I get deported. If the uncle doesn't work out than I guess the next option is taking out an ad in the local newspaper!

In need of some more luck,

-Eli-

Wow, isn't that unusually fast from mailing your application until your interview? That's wonderful! Best of luck!!

Carla

It is very fast, I have to believe not many people go through Spokane! Most people in Washington state are closer to Seattle. Thanks for the good luck and advice. I've got everything sorted together and just popping on one last time before bed, then it's up early and away we go!

Thanks Mo for the suggestion of bringing mail addressed to me at hubby's place. I'll grab something to take along!

We are hoping to make a day trip out of our trip to Spokane. I'll let you all know how it goes when we get home Wednesday afternoon/evening. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE SUPPORT!

-Eli-

Gosh I am so nervous!

I have everything together that they require on the happy checklist (including hubby, lol), but I haven't started on the "supporting evidence." I'll be down to Kinkos later to photocopy our apartment lease and joint health insurance plan. We've got statements for a joint bank account, and that's about it. I still have the pictures of us together that I used for the K-1 interview in Canada, and a couple more of us with his brother that were taken since then. I was thinking of writing up a letter on behalf of another couple we are friends with to the effect that they spend time with us frequently and that we appear to be a genuine couple, then have them sign it. We don't have much more new evidence since the K-1 interview as I have only been here about 4 months. Recommendations on evidence are welcome

Spokane's about 1.5 hours away and the interview is at 11:15am, so that gives me...oh...about 42 hours until we leave home.

AHHHHHHHH!

Wish us luck, and wish me some patience!

-Eli-