strider4

9 hours ago, Abhi138 said:

Congratulations to you and to your family. I'm assuming you are adjusting from F1 or H1B Visa ,since you have filed for your I-130 too. i'm still waiting for my interview and the San Francisco office is processing applications from August of last year .It seems like a long wait for me but it gives me hope that you had your interview pretty fast compared to the processing time at your local office which is processing cases from November 2016. Well please keep in my prayers and good luck to you and your family.

Hey there! I'm also adjusting from a student visa (J-1) and SF is my field office as well.  From what I have heard it takes a loooooong time to get an interview at the bay area offices.  Let's hope we get it soon.

Did your I-485 status change to "case ready to be scheduled for interview' yet?

Thanks!

19 hours ago, PinkCandy said:

Hi, everyone 

I just want to let you know that my I-130 and I-485 have been approved. Our interview was last week, July 12th at the Raleigh Durham office. The approval notice for I-130 was delivered Monday and the I-485/Welcome Notice was received today.

Our interview was okay. Tbh, I cannot say that it was good because of two things: my anxiety and the mini-argument at the end between IO and our lawyer.

So, after we swore in, Immigration Officer explained to us that there will be two parts of that interview: first is going through the forms and verifying all the information and second will be our story. Everything was going well on the first part, we answered each question without any problem. When it was time for the second part, which was about our story, my nervousness got me, I froze!! I was only able to say 3 sentences and my mind stopped. It should have been very easy because I did not have a reason to be scared but my anxiety got the best of me. Good thing my husband was able to do it and I was able to redeem myself at the end but recalling it now still makes me want to punch myself :)))) 

Anyway, after all questions were asked IO told us that he is going to approve us. At this point I was already relieved,however, before the it actually finished,  IO and our lawyer had an argument about my married name so despite hearing earlier the word "approved", we left the office without anything in our hands, not even a paper that says " we will review your file", nothing. In short, we were left hanging. I think the IO got upset on the argument so he just told us to wait for the decision in the mail, that's it. Two days of agony and I did not hear anything from them until I received an email on the third day with a change of online status that says card is in production for my I-485 case, whew!!! Thank you very much dear God!

On Tuesday, my status changed to card was mailed to me and if the delivery period will be the same as my EAD's, I will get the greencard tomorrow. 

By the way, when I received the welcome notice today, I read it more than 10 times. In bold letters it said, "WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA". 
It felt so good reading it again and again because I have been waiting for this moment for a long time and finally, it is here!!!

Good luck everyone!!! 
I am sending you the all the good vibes that you need!! 

(Hi @nikaero, my update above as promised

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My advice on those who will have interview soon:
--- STOP READING about interview horror stories. You will not benefit anything from it but anxiety. 

--- At least, 3 days before the interview, do not read anymore experiences of other people. Focus on calming your mind and spirit. 

--- Not all interviews about your relationship are on a Q&A format, some IO would want you to narrate your story. That's what happened to us.

--- Your relationship is real, you have nothing to hide so you got this!! 



 

Congratulations!  I have been lurking silently in the March thread up until now (My packet was mailed on March 29 but my PD is April 03, so I post actively).

I had one question though:

Did your I-485 case status change directly from 'fingerprint fee received' to 'interview is scheduled' or did it transition to 'case ready to be scheduled for interview' first? Thanks and congratulations once again!  

17 hours ago, tahir123 said:

Hey, I didn't know about this, thanks!

 

On a separate note, I just got an update saying our case is ready to be scheduled for an interview. It's crazy how our case went from getting an RFIE back in April and it took us over 2 months to reply because they kept returning the RFIE notice as "undeliverable by USPS" to now being scheduled for an interview within 10 days!

 

Anyone have an idea roughly how long it takes to receive the notice in the mail?

17 hours ago, Sabazou said:

Finally got an update on our I-485 petition. Interview is ready to be scheduled!!

Strangely, our EAD and AP petitions are still unchanged. Wonder if we will just end up getting those in the mail sometime soon.

w00t w00t! April filers going strong! Congrats both of you!

20 hours ago, Beefheart said:

Tell me about it; at least I can say it's been anything but boring!
So, first off, I called USCIS and raised a service request to expedite my EAD on the grounds that I have a job offer and any further delay would result in my enduring considerable financial hardship. This was logged into the system and four days later I received email receipt of my SR, along with a request to provide evidence of my job offer to USCIS via the fax number stated in the email. During this four day interlude, I had gone to my congressman's website, filled out a release form (allowing the congressman's office access to your immigration applications, personal details, etc.), and also submitted a request that the congressman's office contact USCIS to expedite my EAD; I also provided a brief cover letter and evidence in the form of my job offer letter, and NOAs for both EAD and AOS. Everything progressed very quickly after this point.

Almost immediately after completing my biometrics earlier today, I refreshed my USCIS phone app. and received confirmation that my EAD card is being produced!

June 6th: USCIS expedite request
June 8th: Congressman's office expedite request
June 10th: Evidence sent to USCIS
June 13th: AP approved 
June 17th: Biometrics 
June 17th: EAD card ordered

Wow, finally! Congrats! Fingers crossed for the rest of the process.

3 hours ago, Moonchan93 said:

Seriously feeling at a lost my  possible adjurication date keeps changing on my profile/timeline  also "As of July 5, 2017, your inquiry about the status of your Employment Authorization application, referral number (SR number) , is currently not assigned for processing."  it seems they've not even touched it  also i tried to expedite my case got told i had a job offer  the company never pulled through and gave me said job offer they just kept passing me through department  to basically get  a dead end     The USCIS asked if i  could send them proof of personal income loss so i provided the bills from my  emergency surgery they then asked  can you give us evidence of a job lined up  and .. i couldnt do that  mainly because  the company were being ... a bunch of you know whats   also  I DIDN'T APPLY FOR JOBS BECAUSE I CAN'T WORK AND I DIDN'T WANT  TO BE BIT IN THE BEHIND  BY  LAWS
As you can tell ...  I'm hacked off... Just a LITTLE bit ... I feel like ive just been messed around frankly... I'm sorry that i'm whining I know the world doesn't revolve around me, Sorry

It's alright to vent.  We are here to help each other through; whether if it means enlightening others about procedures/policies, responding to questions, sharing experience or simply hearing each other out. It's an excruciatingly long and frustrating journey; we're here to remind each other it will be over, sooner or later (probably later for the majority of us  ), resulting a positive outcome. Hang in there! 

@tato2017 Thank you for providing a helpful overview!  This is going to help a lot of J-1s who are not subject to the 2-year rule (as I had no idea how they would go about their case).

2 hours ago, danielharris627 said:

 

Thanks for your response. I'm not subject to the two year rule so I think it should be a little smoother for me. Hopefully, I will submit mine before the 30 day grace period runs out so I should be able to just stay in the country. Even if I go over my 30 day grace period, as far as I can tell, this is forgiven if you are adjusting status.I don't believe mine is very complicated so I shouldn't need a lawyer (can't really afford one either lol!)

 

A couple more questions, did you submit your I-693 along with your package, or are/can you submit it at a later date? And how long did it take you to fill everything out?

 

Thanks!

Yes, I did submit my I-693 with it. I think you can submit it later i.e. bring it along at the interview (https://my.uscis.gov/helpcenter/article/when-should-i-submit-form-i-693-to-uscis). The post above by tato2017 pretty much sums all that is required by J-1s.  

12 minutes ago, danielharris627 said:

 

Great, I think I get you.

 

So, I am also on a J1 visa (which is soon to run out). So, I should submit both the I-130 and I-485, correct? And if you don't mind me asking, how much was the total cost for you? As I believe you are doing the same as I would be...did you also apply for EAD and AP?

Thanks!

Here's thee USCIS fee structure for forms:

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/our-fees

Please note they make changes from time to time.

It cost us $535 for the I-130 and $1225 (biometrics fee $85+ form fee $1140) for the I-485. We also retained a lawyer so that's separate expense. Yes, I applied for the EAD and AP; there's no fee for both of them as long as you file them together with your I-130 and I-485 packet.

You might want to consult a lawyer if your J-1 is running out, as in my case I had applied for a 2-year rule waiver and I'm not sure what's the case with J-1s who don't have the 2-year rule applicable upon them. People who come on visit visas and then due to change in circumstances, file for a green card, are able to stay while their application is pending decision. I was told I cannot stay in the country like such nonimmigrant visa holders and therefore my application must be adjudicated before I run out of J-1 status.

Secondly, I cannot use my EAD and AP as that would violate my J-1 status and bar me from registering at my university as well as working on campus. Our lawyer just made us do it so that she was able to gauge if they're touching our case from time to time.

Therefore, you'd have to discuss your J-1 circumstances with a lawyer just to be sure you can stay while your application is pending.

As for filing, I don't think retaining a lawyer is necessary since it's a straightforward process, unless it involves a complicated history.

1 hour ago, danielharris627 said:

Hi OP,

 

I was looking at the link you provided http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1k3aos but also stumbled across someone else linking this: http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2 which has confused me a little as the second link includes an I-130. Can you tell me if you submitted an I-130 or if you know what it is exactly?

 

Thanks

Hello,

I submitted both I-130 and I-485, also known as concurrent filing.

The I-130, petition for alien relative, is filed by the US citizen/GC holder (petitioner) who wants to sponsor their relative (spouse, parents etc) while the I-485 is the application to register for permanent residence (adjustment of status) filed by that relative (applicant) based on the approved I-130. 

Concurrent filing is possible if it's being done for an immediate relative whose living in the US, by the US citizen, since they do not have visa quotas.

From what I know, if a US citizen's relative is abroad, they cannot simultaneously file both forms and would rather have to file the I-130 first (folks who have been through consular processing, please correct me if I'm wrong).

I-130 is the first step toward getting a Green Card, regardless of concurrent filing.

Hope this helps.  

13 hours ago, yutekao said:

My wife just received her Interview Letter for I-485 from the USCIS!!!!

 

But still haven't heard anything from I-765 and I-131.....Do we need to call the USCIS and check with them?

 

 

Congrats!  

4 hours ago, kaysee said:

April filer just Got an update that EAD card is being produced 

But there was no update on The AP 

Congrats! They didn't update my AP status either, even they mailed approval NOAs for both and the card also says the same i.e. it serves as AP.

4 hours ago, Beefheart said:

You'll have the AP validity statement included on the bottom of your EAD.

 

I'm still concerned because I had an approval notice for my AP but haven't had any update on my EAD. I can't find any other instances of it happening this way around.

I'm pretty sure they accidentally updated your AP status instead of EAD. Their online system is clunky.  Hopefully you'll be receiving the combo card soon.  

My mother-in-law also has a PD in April (3 days after mine) but she hasn't received her AP yet, and she has to be back by the end of July to wind up things back home, in order to move to the US. She has been here for 5.5 months now and needs to be back to take care of a few matters.

I was hoping to ask does the 75-90 day rule apply to requesting an expedite for AP? If not, could we raise a service request inquiring about the the status, now that her case is over 90 days?

I'm wondering maybe they're delaying it cuz they'd simply process her green card directly, something similar to what I have observed for some people who didn't hear about their EAD/AP but got the letter for their interview. In that case, it'd be great and works extremely well for her.   I'm assuming parents get AOS approved much sooner than spouses of USC.

Also, would she get her interview waived? I don't see a lot of people discussing IR-5 timelines for cases filed from within the US (maybe I'm not looking at the right subforums?) so we've no clue if she'd be called for an interview as is the case with consular filing.

Thanks in advance!  

3 hours ago, oj1 said:

INTERVIEW IS SCHEDULED.....mixed feelings right now

 

Sent in my AOS, EAD, and I-130 application on April 4th 2017

but funny enough no EAD before i got the interview for august 15th

 

Yay! Congrats!  

13 hours ago, nikaero said:

hopefully its not too long of a wait... i used to worry about seeing December 2016 filers waiting for EADs but i got lucky and my interview is scheduled for August 2nd so now its the tension of everything going smoothly on that one day that can decide my life lol...

Your timeline gives the rest of us hope that we'd hear good news soon, hopefully.  Good luck with the interview!  

7 hours ago, Beefheart said:

Seems like your signature was either too big to fit in the box, or was not legible when scanned on the system. To avoid problems, USCIS simply waive your signature. Nothing to worry about.

You're right. I looked it up and found out the same: if the line (i.e.  I-765 form field for the signature) crosses the signature, the system rejects it. 

7 hours ago, Bryonym said:

Congratulations!! 

Thanks!

3 hours ago, nikaero said:

congratulations... i dont think anything thats waived would be a problem especially coming from USCIS... now the final wait begins, huh?

Thanks! Yep, now the actual wait begins; don't know how long that's going to be. It does worry me to see some November and December filers waiting, let alone those who have filed in 2017.  Oh well it is what it is. 

Hey everyone,

I received my combo card today (eh, yesterday; checked my mail today). It's the old design.  

However in place of the signature, it says "Signature Waived". Is this normal? I distinctly remember signing at the biometrics appointment as well as on my application. I have an awfully long signature, in case that could be the reason. 

8 hours ago, zilionyte.egle said:

Hey guys! 

Just to give you some hope - today my online application status changed - we are scheduled for interview on August 11th. My office is LA. So things are moving quickly. No news about EAD/AP though, but probably shouldn't expect that anymore. 

 

5 hours ago, Shushulsan said:

Last night my case change to "EAD card was mailed to me". It first went to production on 06/30/2017, then said "case was approved" on 07/03/2017. And now, 3 days later, it says it was mailed. God knows when it would be here or if USPS will lose it, lol.

Congrats both of you!  

1 hour ago, RandB said:

I am starting to prepare for my AOS interview and figuring out which documents I need to bring. Two weeks left!

1 hour ago, nikaero said:

best of luck to you... i got almost 4 weeks left...

Good luck! Eagerly waiting to hear about your interview experience.  

To be precise, this is what I'm referring to: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1k3aos

You might have already gone through this page, but just in case someone in our situation (F-1/J-1) stumbles upon this thread before going through any other info, this would be a great starting point. 

14 minutes ago, Jahcharlotte said:

My J-1 finishes this month. I got married back in April but didn't apply yet as I was told my J1 would be void and I would have lost my job (have taught here for the last 5 years). I am trying to put the paperwork together now, seeing as the school year has now finished but every time I look at the instructions, there is another form to fill out with more money to spend. I want to have it in the mail tomorrow if possible.

It's indeed complicated while doing AOS on a J-1. We hired a lawyer to submit our application; although the process is quite straightforward.  See how simple it is, we filed the AOS application for my mother-in-law on our own, shortly after we filed my application . Plus I had also filed on my own for the 2-year rule waiver, so now we think we should have just done it ourselves and saved money .

We were unsure if I'd be violating my student status if I apply for it soon, but our lawyer pointed us to the policies governing cases such as ours to clear our confusion. Although she did make us apply for my EAD and AP, I cannot use it in order to keep my J-1 intact.  She merely wanted us to do it so that we are able to monitor progress (although it's not that approval of I-485 can be predicted by when one gets EAD/AP approval) . 

Also, after applying I can't extend my DS-2019 either (even I do end up facing delay of a semester or two, in my graduate program); it stays "frozen" over the date specified on the DS-2019, prior to applying for AOS.

As for the instructions/required documents, VJ is an extremely helpful resource to get you started for what you're required to submit in the AOS packet. The required documentation is the same for all marriage-based cases; except that we J-1s have to add either the State Department Advisory opinion (if the 2-year rule doesn't apply to you) or the 212(e) waiver (if it's applicable). Good luck!  

9 hours ago, Katrin.TX said:

My case is ready to be scheduled for an interview! EAD card should be here this week. And I'm on day 73 and had an RFE. 

 

Maybe Texas is just very fast at the moment or I was so annoying that they're trying to get rid of me 😅

 

Just putting it out there as hope for others! Try to use all methods to make them go faster. Call them, file a service request, talk to your congressman/woman. Go out there and be annoying! 

2 hours ago, nikaero said:

hey guys... I filed on may 24th from Buffalo and my interview is already scheduled for August 2nd which will be 70 days from PD. I was worried about getting my EAD in hand before leaving for India at the end of August and now I'm kind of scared at how fast they scheduled my interview... hopefully i can travel with a green card instead of an EAD... sending out positive vibes to everyone who is waiting... I'm posting on here because no one in the may filers group have seen updates like mine yet hope that's ok...

Yay! This is encouraging.  Good luck guys!

1 hour ago, Snorkel378 said:

Luckily she is not subject to the 2 year, it says on her visa.

That's great! I had to go through all that and wouldn't wish it upon anyone.

16 hours ago, Snorkel378 said:

My wife will be adjusting from a J-1 in fact gonna mail off our paperwork before the weekend

Woohoo! More power to us!  Good luck to you guys.  Did she go through the 2-year waiver process before this?

25 minutes ago, Dutchie2016 said:

I'm adjusting from F-! status and my kids from F-2. We filed March 8th 2017 and our interview will be July 27th.

Awesome! Good luck for the interview! Please keep us posted. 

1 hour ago, lmenko said:

We are adjusting from F1, filed in November, but agree about lack of organization and active posting of people adjusting from non-family based visa, so have also been mainly following the AOS family based forums

Yes, I think many folks aren't adjusting from student visas, so I was wondering what if we have longer processing times, since family based adjustments are from K-1s for which they have already been interviewed, had background checks done i.e. undergone the whole process. Has your interview been scheduled?

12 minutes ago, Scandi said:

There are two different subforums for AOS, one for those who adjust from "family based visas" (this is where you see most K-1ers) and the other is for those adjusting from "tourist, student or work visas". So even if both categories are adjusting because of marriage/family, only one is adjusting from family based visa (your visa isn't a family based one for example). 

 

I know people tend to mix those two categories up and end up in the "wrong" thread so I just figured I'd post this here, although it's certainly not the end of the world. 

Lol I knew that subforum is not for my category, but I didn't see an active April 2017 filers thread in this subforum. Therefore, I just decided to lurk in the other subforum.   Plus they are quite active with posting the updates. 

Hey everyone,

I have been mostly lurking in the family-based immigration sub-forum. Since the applicants are mostly K-1s, I thought I should ask around for any J-1s/F-1s like me adjusting status via marriage based immigration.  You can refer to my timeline in the signature .

Good luck!

3 minutes ago, lovewins2016 said:

Wow! Congrats, @strider4!

 

If I may ask, was this EAD approval with or without an expedite request? Thank you.

Thanks!  It was without an expedite request as it was within a 90-day timeframe. So, I was going to request an expedite next week though, had it not been updated.