clauandgio

Go with your spouse

Patience I had my biometrics in January and I had to wait until July to get an update in my case. I received the letter for the interview the first days of July, and had the interview 4 days ago you are still on time

On 8/2/2017 at 2:54 PM, Mthldou said:

Wichita Kansas 
9:45 but got called at 10:15. Only ones in the waiting room, couple before us got separated but not us. 
Very warm and welcoming lady swore us in, asked questions from the forms, names, address, SSn , and asked if we had additional proof. We have her 
-jointly filed taxes 
-lease 
-credit card statement 
-pictures 

At the end she thanked us for organizing our paper work and being nice and polite. Recommended for approval, explained about the conditional green card and said we should get it in the mail in 30 days or less and that was it!!

Congrats!!!  My status changed to Card has been mailed after 3 days of the  painful interview  I know you will see yours soon  

On 7/31/2017 at 10:08 PM, Going through said:

 

No ring receipt--well, normally people don't keep this in the first place...it's not like your husband was planning on asking for a refund on the ring later on, right?

 

LOL we laughed at this! You were right  after 4 days, the status changed to card has been mailed! Thank you so much for your support!

Thank you for your replies! after 3 days of the interview we got a message saying the card has been mailed! So I guess there is no need of the rfe after all

I dis not see this question at all while filling the form. That explains a lot lol. I had my interview for the green card 4 days ago and the officer asked about my J1. (I worked for 3 months in 2011). He asked me for a copy of my old passport with thr visa and the stamps showing that I didnt stay iligally after the visa expired. I didnt have my old passport with me, so he said he will send me a RFE letter to send that evidence.

After a few hours I received a message from USCIS saying that my green card was being produced and no RFE letter on its way.

Dont stress out about it, make copies of the passport, visa and stamps and add it to your file

22 minutes ago, Going through said:

It's quite possible, and it has happened before to others here.  Perhaps your case was passed to a supervisor and the supervisor deemed the extra document was unnecessary after all. 

My husband thought about that, but I wasn't sure. Now I know it has happened before We literally had way to many pictures showing better proof of our relationship than a utility bill with both of our names.

Thank you so much! I am happier now

4 minutes ago, Going through said:

 

It sounds like you got a message at the end after your interview that your card is being produced---think about it...they wouldn't begin to produce a green card for you unless you were approved  

 

Another original of your birth certificate is a good thing to have, anyhow, in your possession.  Keep it in a safe place incase you ever need it again for further immigration purposes (citizenship, etc.).

I know, right? But is that even possible? To just change their minds and approve it? I guess I will have to wait to find out And totally agree with having extra BC with me!  Thanks for your reply! 

Hello, I had my interview today and I didn't get approved. The whole story is here: 

The officer said he was going to send as a RFE letter and IF I get approved, I would get the 2 year GC and blah blah...

But 8hrs later, I got an update on the USCIS case status saying: "Your New Card is being Produced. On July 31, 2017 we ordered your new card for Receipt Number MSCxxxxx and will mail it to the address you gave us". So is that normal even if we need to wait for the RFE letter? Or is just that the online page sucks (which I have read a lot about that). Or maaaaybe the officer took time to review the evidence we gave him and changed his mind?

If anyone has experienced this, I would appreciate your comments :) Thanks! 

I had my interview today. I shipped my BC from Peru but the officer gave it back to me because he said he already have one and doesnt need it  All the stress for no reason lol. Anyway, if you want to read about my not so good interview, the link is here...

Thanks for your quick replies and being so nice though  

I had my interview today at 8:15. The wait was horrible but at the end of the day it was not the worst part (2 hrs waiting). I didn't get the green card approved  

We arrived at 7:30, waited in line for security check (they do allow cellphones inside), then we proceeded to ¨check in¨ and by the time they gave us our number, it was 8am already. Waited until 10am. 

He asked my husband where, how and when we met, when and where we got married, his parents name, my full name and my DOB. That´s it. Then he asked me some basic information about myself and my parents and when and where we got married. (We answered correctly)

Also, he asked about my J1 visa I had in 2011. I know it was my fault and that´s why I felt so bad when he requested my old passport. He needed to see that I returned home in the period of time before It expired (of course I did) BUT I completely forgot about my old passport and I left it at home. He said that he was going to need a copy of that. Finally, he asked me all the weird questions about prostitution and illegal things that I answered  before on the I-485 form. 

He said he was going to mail us a RFE, and that he needed to see more evidence of our relationship. He gave us some examples like the receipt of the wedding rings (which we don't have), the lease agreement (which we can´t add my name on it because my father in law is the co signer and the complex said that they couldn't add a 3rd person), bank transactions (we had a ¨bank statement or we thought we had, but it was only a bank form saying that the checking and savings account is under both of our names -we don't have credit cards), etc.

We did have renters insurance, car insurance (both under our names), bills with his name on it and other with mines but none showed both names (I hate you Spectrum).

I had 80 pictures with me, I gave him those after all his speech (timeline since the day I arrived, got married, and the past year living together). I vlog almost every day, so those pictures were very genuine. They were screenshots of my vlogs so they were very "really life" pictures. (us eating together, goofying around in different places, at home, with friends, with family, at Disney, etc). Literally it was a summary of our whole year together (we just celebrated our first anniversary) but he didn't even look at those. He only got them and added them to the big chunky file he had.

He repeated one more time about the RFE letter, and said that if I get approved I would get a 2 year GC blah blah...

I was holding my tears already. We left the office, I had the Walk of Shame and hubby was trying to keep me for not crying in the office in front of everybody. We got to the car and I literally exploded in tears for the next hour or so. 

Fast-forward 8 hrs, I just woke up for a well needed nap to see that I got an update on my case. "Oh, the RFE thingy" I thought. But my USCIS Case Status said: "Your New Card is being Produced. On July 31, 2017 we ordered your new card for Receipt Number MSCxxxxx and will mail it to the address you gave us". What??? I honestly don´t know what to think lol I don't know if they really approved the case already? Am I going to get the RFE letter? Are my eyes red and sore for no reason? I thought my case would change to RFE, not card is being produced. Is it a glitch in the system? Or maybe the guy saw the pictures and thought well, they do live together and the 80+ pictures are proof of that? Or is okay to get that message even when I am expecting a RFE letter in 10 days?  

If anyone read all my story, THANKS! I really needed to vent <3 Please if someone can clear my doubts I would highly appreciate it Thanks you for being so awesome! 

Thanks for the replies! I can breath again  I will be getting a new BC from my country, hopefully it arrives before the interview. If not, now I know that I can submit it after Have a wonderful day! 

I need your help asap !!  I posted a topic but I know you guys are the best of the best. Please any advice? 

Hi! I have my GC interview in Orlando Field Office in 6 days (Monday). As I was getting all the documents ready I realized I need to bring the ORIGINAL birth certificate.

(My mistake) I sent the original certified copy (in Spanish and translated) with the I-486 Package and I currently don't have any other original certified copy with me.

I do have the copy of the original certified copy and the translation, but I don't know if that's going to be enough for them. 

Could my process be ruined because of having a black and white copy of the original certified BC? 

I really dont know what to do!! Please, any advice or similar experience will be appreciated! 

On 6/28/2017 at 8:11 PM, avenajolic said:

What does your status say on USCIS webpage? Mine says my interview has been scheduled. Also, I got the NOA for the interview requesting the same as you. 

It still says: Fingerprint Fee Was Received

On 6/28/2017 at 8:14 PM, enxhi96 said:

Mine was give or take the same way. It's not a fancy letter but yes it is for the green card interview . You spouse HAS to be there with you at the interview. You are married now so that's why they refer to form I-130 rather than I-129F since it's adjustment of status of a spouse, not a fiance. Good luck!!! You're almost done!

On 7/3/2017 at 3:40 PM, LionessDeon said:

 

 

Those interviewing go over all questions and information on the I-485 (I-130) application forms.  They will ask those.

Didn't you file the I-485?  Yes your spouse needs to attend.

Oh okay I was just wondering because I thought that I-130 and I-485 were different forms! My bad

AAHHH Can't wait for the interview in 2 weeks!

3 hours ago, lmcatl said:

Interview this morning in Atlanta - Approved on the spot!  Card has been ordered!

IO asked me the questions from the I-485.  The only questions asked of my spouse were his name, address and DOB.  The only question about our relationship was where did we meet.

We worked with an attorney and they prepared a packet of our supporting documentation which I think helped considerably.  The documents were organized into sections (Federal, Financial, Personal) and even had the two hole at top binding that matched with the USCIS filing system.  

Based on this forum I had learned that the missing gonorrhea test could be a problem so I reviewed my receipt from the civil surgeon.  I found that it had been missed from the initial packet so I went back, got the test performed and the packet recreated.  Being able to hand in the newly completed sealed medical envelope made a good impression on the IO.

 

Thanks to everyone who contributes here and good luck to those whose cases are pending.

 

 

Congrats!!

Hi....so today I received a letter from the Orlando Field Office USDHS asking me to appear at their office at the end of July.

It says that I need to bring the letter, passport, birth certificate, Affidavit of Support, etc. 

But I have 3 questions...

1) Why does the letter look so informal ? It looks like a Word page I could print myself comparing to the NOAs in the past. (lol)

2) It only says that IF my spouse is petitioning for me on Form 1-130, he should be there and I should take proof of relationship. I didn't file the form 1-130, so my question is...does he have to be there? 

3) Is this the famous letter for the Green Card Interview?

Thanks for clearing this up for me ! 

Wow congrats to all of the GC holders! It's nice to see some updates here

On 5/27/2017 at 11:44 PM, rsilva said:

Our case is still on "Fingerprint Fee Received" since November 16th.  We did biometrics on 12/6 and got the EAD card in February.  It seems like a lot of people who filed after us are already approved.  Anybody still in this situation?

I filed after you but still waiting. Hoping to get an update in July or August. Patience

Edit: Lol I just saw my timeline and we filed November 16th too xD haha but hang on! our time will come

7 minutes ago, Suss&Camm said:

At least not yet! It hasn't been transferred from NBC to the local office yet. You might still get a direct approval from the NBC.

Oh alright. I hope it takes less than a year because I don't want to renew the EAD card  lol 

On 3/8/2017 at 4:04 PM, loveMDE said:

I'm on the same boat?☹️?

On 3/8/2017 at 1:59 PM, DianaLucena said:

Hi Vince! Thanks for your response. I don't need it for the interview or medical (I think) but I thought it was weird that we didn't received the letter since almost everyone in this thread has received it. But as long as I don't need it for the AOS I think it's ok, there shouldn't be any problem then

I don't know why we all worried so much for that letter. I never got it. I created the account on the ...travel.gov page and followed all the steps. They created the electronic voucher and i went to the bank with that to pay for the interview fee. Everything went fine. 

20 hours ago, MiaTher said:

Thank you! Yes if you get an interview definitely make sure to show them as many bills you guys have together as possible, but keep in mind it's also important to know the most important key info about each other and your relationship. You'll probably hear sooner than four months about whether you'll have an interview or not. Good luck! ?

Thank you!! 

On 3/14/2017 at 2:42 PM, Suss&Camm said:

Did you get a "ready to schedule for interview" yet? If you didn't your i-485 is still at the NBC and you might get a direct approval, without interview - as I did. If it has been transferred, you'll either get an interview waiver or a scheduled interview from your local office (so in that case check those timelines).

Nope, it still says Fingerprint Fee was received. That means it doesn't matter how fast/slow the Orlando office works?

2 hours ago, mnm0908 said:

Wow VJ is really dry today. lol what's going on? Most of y'all are working now? ?

Hahaha this made me laugh! I just got the car insurance! The first quotes were like $300 a month, C-R-A-Z-Y. I found a good one at $99 with renters insurance Feeling like a boss now  

Wow! I am from Peru and as soon as I got my k1 visa, I read about possible interviews at POE. When I got there (my husband was allowed to be next to me in Visitors line) I was very nervous, but at least I knew what to say and what to avoid. They only asked if I was going to get married, I said yes, and they let me go. 

OP, I am sorry you had to experience the frustration. Hope you can make it work after this...

but seriously, how could somebody honestly mess up with such an easy answer! If you are interested in something, you read about it to make everything perfect. I cant believe he thought he could joke with immigration officers.

On 3/9/2017 at 0:34 PM, Rick & Apple said:

No, you are not doing anything wrong. You just have not been in the U.S. long enough for them to have a history of residences to verify your identity.

The same thing happened for my wife. Have your spouse set up an account. It will report packages sent to the address. It doesn't matter what name.

Thanks for your reply! I was going to do it the next day with his information but surprise for me, I got my EAD card on Friday

On 3/9/2017 at 2:23 PM, sabellic said:

I just checked my email and was greeted with this!  

On March 7, 2017, we approved your Form I765, APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION, Receipt Number MSC

 

 

CONGRAAATSSSS!!!! 

On 3/10/2017 at 8:19 PM, MiaTher said:

Ok guys, interview went well, and I was approved on the spot! ?

 

I'll try not to ramble. : Interview was scheduled at 11:30, we arrived at 11 sharp. There were only a few people before us but we waited a whole hour before we were called in, so finally around 12:20 we went in. First thing the officer asked for was our IDs, I gave him my passport and husband gave his DL, officer made copies, then we walked to his office, and he apologized about the long wait. He took a look at our initial packet and asked us to confirm that we were there because I was applying for a green card based on marriage, we answered yes, and then we were sworn in. 

He reviewed our documents, then said he was going to ask us about our marriage and asked if we had any more documents for him as proof of our marriage (we said yes and handed him bank statements, photos, cards from family and friends, etc).  

 

He began by asking my husband what was my full legal name, and my husband was so nervous he forgot my last name! Keep in mind I have two legal last names, so he forgot the first one and said the second one instead, the officer half chuckled and said it was odd that he didn't know my name, but continued with the questions. He asked him basic info, his DOB, address, when we got married, phone number, where he worked. Then asked him what my DOB was, and he answered the wrong year (at this point I couldn't believe my husband was so nervous to the point he was forgetting info he already knows about me ??) so the officer was not pleased with his answers so far. He asked me if my husband's answer was right and so I answered the correct year. Then he asked him about our relationship: when we met, where, how long before we got serious, what our dating period was like (if we went for coffee, movies, dinner, etc) when we moved in together, and if he proposed officially. 

 

He then asked me about our living situation, what do we do on a daily basis, when we're at home, do we go out, where, what did we do yesterday, what did we do last weekend, who cooks, who cleans. He mentioned my English was very good, and asked me if I had been in the US when I was younger (I said yes, I've come to the US on short visits since I was 6). He then checked the bank statements and went through our photos (we printed about 68 lol ?), he joked about how my hair hasn't always been purple (current color). So he kept some photos and there were so many that he didn't even finish going through all of them, said he didn't need to see more lol. And he said it was a good thing we had so many pictures because it was odd that my husband didn't know my full name, to which my husband responded that he was nervous, and I mentioned that he sometimes has trouble pronouncing my last names because they're Spanish names (which is true), so the officer chuckled. He then asked me the Yes or No questions, and when I moved in with my husband. Then asked me when was my last entry into the US. He kept my original I-94.  He took our bank statements and went out to make copies of them. He came back and said he was going to approve our case, gave me a welcome letter and a letter explaining the conditional residence and removal of conditions, and that I would receive my green card in the next couple of weeks. And we were out. The interview itself was probably about 25 minutes, the rest was him looking at our paperwork, so we left the office at around 1 pm. 

 

I know I said I wouldn't ramble but I tend to do that lol sorry about that. Overall the IO was nice, not harsh, and smiled and made casual comments throughout, but still kept a serious and professional demeanor, which I'm sure is what is expected of any IO.

 

So guys, those of you who came here on K-1 visas, I'm sure you will have even easier interviews than mine. Good luck to all of you! ?

Congrats!!! Thanks for your story lol I can totally picture my husband messing up with some basic information! Specially our anniversary date because we did the ceremony on June and the legal thing on July. But congrats for getting it approve! I think the key, as you mentioned it earlier, is to have BUNCH of evidence

I cannot believe that I was gone for 4 days and when I open the forum, there are like 10 new pages! Insane! Congrats to EVERYONE!! it seems like a good group got the EAD combo card (including myself)  Now the real wait begins....lol I don't know if I am correct but it will be 4-6 months before any other update in our i-485 case? 

18 hours ago, Dublindave said:

@Suss&Camm That trick for the USPS you showed me is so cool. I Can see my combo card will be here on Friday. Only took 8 days.....

I couldnt find the post but I tried to create an account, and they said it was impossible to verify my identity. I checked if I could do it at the office but they require a US passport, GC or DL and I don't have any. How did you set up your account? maybe I am doing something wrong lol I want to see when the card is arriving

On 3/7/2017 at 8:42 PM, flowers851 said:

Am in the same position lol

I think I am going to do it just because is free lol and it's nice to have have the possibility of traveling anytime without the GC.

14 hours ago, kumakun said:

Has anyone here received their EAD or AP approval this week? Looking at the timelines looks like no one has received notification of approval in the last three days. We're on Day 92 from the date of our NOA1 and shivering with antici...PATION. 

Nope  I received the approval online last friday, but I got the letter this week.

12 hours ago, sabellic said:

I'm very happy right now! We managed to open our first joint bank account We did it online with Capital One. They had to call me to verify my identity and asked me a few questions. In a few days my card will arrive in the mail!

Yayyy!! Congrats! It is going to feel good to have a card with you We just added my name to his account (after 2 denials). 

20 minutes ago, Harold_Oakland said:

Day 100 for EAD. We put a service request in after 75 days. They don't seem to work. Perhaps we should attempt to do that again.

There are people that submitted 2-3 service requests  I think you should do it  Although, it seems they are taking +100 days to approve the petitions.

I just found out that I can still apply for the Travel Document and wave the fee because my I-485 is still pending. 

Note: You do not need to pay an additional fee for Form I-131 if:

• You are filing Form I-131 Application Type B or D;
• You filed a Form I-485 with a fee on/after July 30, 2007; and
• Your Form I-485 is still pending.

https://www.uscis.gov/i-131

Has anybody tried this? Thanks for your replies I am still wondering if I should do it or not.

On 3/4/2017 at 7:03 PM, dannnn77 said:

UGH!!! Day 95, I can't take it! Just submitted 2nd service request, no response to first, filed 02/24

They took 106 days for my ead update...hang in there