sremlif

1 hour ago, T&EFre said:

Quick update. Oath ceremony scheduled for March 6. I can see the finish line. What a journey it’s been.

Congratulations - very happy for you! It has been a wild ride 😄

3 minutes ago, Markip1 said:

I had my interview same day as you, at the same office, (albeit it on the 8th floor at the Brooklyn office). I've been to Federal Plaza several times now and it's always been super quiet, so I was shocked to see what a s***show it was outside at 8am when we arrived. Large crowd outside, and some of the guards were actually getting a bit physical and shoving people around. Managed to get myself and my wife inside through security and eventually got to the waiting room on the 8th floor. Like you, they only wanted to interview me despite having a pending I-751, but they did allow my wife to wait in the waiting room for me at least. 

 

My officer was friendly and not at all cranky, but basically I had the same experience as you - I passed all the N-400 tests but was told that the I-751 had to be reviewed over the next few days (she called it 'getting waived') before the N-400 could be approved, and that I should expect to hear about an oath ceremony at some point soon (I assuming this will be weeks though).

 

My I-751 file was on her desk throughout the interview too, but she didn't look at it at all, and I wasn't asked to provide any evidence whatsoever from either my I-751 or N-400 applications other than showing her my Green Card. Honestly, I sat longer in the waiting room than I was in the interview room for. I'm looking at this positively in that the officer was so brief, casual and honestly, quite ambivalent about the whole thing because it's a pretty straightforward case and there's nothing much to worry about. I'll still be glad when my case status updates online though!

 

I'll be glad to be done with USCIS. I don't know if this is a New York thing, but every encounter with them seems to involved a cranky, angry, short tempered individual!

Thanks for sharing your experience - I see you are from the UK too  

I checked my status this morning and the N400 was updated to Oath Ceremony Will Be Scheduled!! Interestingly, the I-751 was listed as Appeal/Motion Was Dismissed! I assume they just cancel / dismiss that case since the N400 is approved - again, seems unconventional to me but seems to be resolved.

I totally agree with you on the chaos outside in the morning - the two officers manning the lines were pretty rude to everyone they encountered. I am just grateful to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel! 

I think you should get approval within the next day or two - keeping my fingers crossed for you!
 

13 hours ago, cd37 said:

When did you get married ? If it less than two years from date of marriage to i 485 approval then file i 90. When you get reciept, get a i 551 stamp in your passport.

 

I had similar situation. Filed i 90 and was approved in less than 5 months.Good luck.

Yes - I've been married for less than 2 years. 

Can you advise on what I should put for Class of Admission on the I-90 form? And what about Date of Admission? 

Hi All,

I attended my AOS interview last Friday and was promptly approved. I received my approval notice in the mail this Monday and notification that my green card was in production shortly thereafter. I followed updates closely once it had been dispatched via USPS and was excited to come home today to find a Priority Mail envelope waiting for me! Just when I thought I’m done with USCIS for a couple of years I discover that they’ve issued me a ten year green card rather than the conditional card I should receive due to being married less than 2 years!!
 

I'm trying to wrap my head around the next steps, and here's what I understand so far:

 - I'll need to file an I-90 due to USCIS error and mail the green card along with a written explanation - not sure what other proof I’ll need to provide at this point? Is it worth me filing online or by mail?

 - My EAD expired Jan 7, 2020 but since I’d filed for renewal of EAD and AP - I had an extension letter making employment authorization valid until July 2020. However, since I’m now a LPR I am unsure what this means for my current EAD? Technically I’d assume that the renewal has been cancelled altogether and the existing extension is nullified?

 - I assume the green card I received today is useless due to the incorrect expiry date, and cannot be used to prove employment authorization?

 - I looked into scheduling an InfoPass appointment online to see if I can use my AOS approval notice to get an I-551 stamp in my passport, but this is no longer possible to arrange online anymore. Can I call USCIS and arrange a visit that way?

 - I am unsure what the current processing time is for I-90 but expect this will take months to rectify?

It seems this is a frequent error caused by USCIS, so I’d appreciate any advice from users that have been in the same situation!

Greetings VJ Users!
 

After a 14-month wait, we've received our interview letter for AOS from K1 visa. 

I've been reading up on next steps in preparation for the interview next month, and had a few questions that I hoped you may be able to help with:

• The interview letter mentions bringing the I-693 medical form, unless submitted already. Since these were handed over at POE when I entered on my K1, would I need to do anything here? I have a copy of my vaccination record from my medical appointment with Knightsbridge Doctors in London. Would a copy of this suffice?

• I received a police caution in 2006, and have previously submitted a police certificate and SAR for my AOS application. I understand I would need to request a new police certificate and SAR, as I have visited the UK since entering the US (using my AP back in April 2019 for 7 days). I do have an existing police certificate and SAR but these are 18 months old, so I’m assuming these are useless in this instance?

• Proof of living together - we have faced some challenges in adding myself to the lease agreement for our apartment. We live in NYC and the management company in charge of our building are notoriously bad with communication. Despite numerous phone calls and emails dating back to October 2018 - we have been unable to add me to the lease. As it stands our lease was due for renewal in October 2019 but we still have not received a new lease agreement (now 2 months past the renewal date!).. Is it worthwhile bringing proof of email correspondence highlighting our attempts at trying to add me to the lease? We can supplement proof of living together with joint credit card and Bank statements mailed to our address

• I've read that it is recommended to bring copies of previous AOS and K1 applications. Is it worthwhile to include all previously submitted evidence with this (photos, message logs, affidavit of support, etc.)? Or just the actual paperwork?

Has anyone recently travelled into JFK airport using advanced parole?

I'm curious as to whether you were directed to the first time visitor / non-VWP visitor line or directed to the automated passport control kiosks?

The first time I returned to the US using AP, I was directed to the automated passport control kiosks but discovered my combo card was not able to be scanned in order to collect a receipt, so I had to explain to the CBP officer my situation and they then alerted another officer to escort me to secondary screening. 

Just wondering what other people's experience has been with this. 

Thank you, @HRQX - this is really helpful!

Greetings VJ Users!

I am renewing my EAD/AP combo card, and hoped previous renewal filers could help review my checklist and answer the below questions relating to the I-765 form:

Checklist (for both I-765 and I-131)

• G-1145 e-notification forms
• Cover Letters
• EAD/AP tear-off page photocopies
• I-765 + I-131 forms
• I-485 NOA1 photocopies
• 2 passport photos per form (4 total)
• EAD/AP combo card (front and back) photocopies
• I-94 photocopies

I-765, Q22: Date of last arrival into the USA? Although a seemingly straightforward question, I visited family in the UK during April 2019 (on my current AP, after filing for AOS). Would I therefore put the entry as the date I returned after this trip, or is this question alluding to my initial entry when I first arrived on my K1 visa? 

I-765, Q24: Immigration Status at last arrival into the US? As above, my most recent arrival was upon returning from a brief vacation in April 2019 using my existing AP card, so would I list I-131 as my status? Or K1 since my AOS is still pending?

I-765, Q25: What is your current immigration status? Since my AOS is still pending, would I put 'no status', or should I list my K1 status?

Hello

My spouse (US Citizen) and I (beneficiary currently pending AOS) visited a tax preparer today in NYC regarding filing for 2018 and I feel we may have been given incorrect advice regarding my situation.

For reference, I arrived in the USA on July 26, 2018 and understand I am classed as a resident under the IRS substantial presence test for tax purposes. Prior to this I was in full-time employment in the UK, throughout 2018, but resigned once I left to migrate to the US on my K1 visa. 

When meeting with the tax preparer, I brought along my P45 documents from my previous job in the UK. They glanced over it before stating that I would not need to declare any foreign income as only US citizens need to do this. I mentioned the substantial presence test and they said I hadn't earned any income in the US to declare, so wasn't necessary for the purpose of filing my US taxes.

At this point I was pretty confused as their advice went against everything I read/heard elsewhere, so I thanked them and left. Is there any truth to what they have said, or should I begin looking for another tax preparer that has experience dealing with K1 immigrants / foreign income?

Thank you all for your input - as suggested I sent over an abundance of evidence including I-94 record, letter from the airline stating I did not travel on the outbound flight, the original flight cancellation confirmation email, bank statements showing me spending money in the USA for the past 3 months, doctor/dental visits, etc. and finally a letter from my spouse attesting to my continuous presence in the USA.

It all seems to have worked in out favorably as I received notification today of approval on my I-131 and I-765 - just under 3 weeks from when they received my evidence in response to their request! 

Hi All

In dire need of some advice here...

I received an RFE in the mail today (dated Nov 28, 2018) that USCIS have reason to believe I departed the USA on Oct 8, 2018. They have requested I submit evidence proving I was indeed in the USA (such as a letter from the airline stating I was not on the flight in question, doctor visits, etc.).

For the record, as I know many of you will ask: I did cancel my outbound flight upon arriving into the USA, that I booked when I made arrangements to immigrate to the USA in order to get married. I also checked my I-94 repeatedly (last time was 5 mins ago) to ensure my travel history did not list me as having left the country and this looks to be in order as the last recorded entry shows me entering the USA back in July 2018 on my K1. 

I am in the process of figuring out how to gather all of the required evidence, but would appreciate any advice or tips 😖

9 minutes ago, K1visaHopeful said:

Can you show us a copy of your I131 coverpage with table of contents? If it's an RFIE it's a document you're missing and maybe we can help sort it out before the paper copy arrives.

Sure thing! That would be really helpful. I sent the following with my I-131 application:

• Completed I-131 application form
• 2 Passport Photos
• Copy of passport biographical page
• Copy of K1 Visa
• Copy of electronic I-94

Payment was also sent for my entire AOS packet which was accepted and cashed the following week, so really not sure what I might be missing here.

In terms of an actual coverpage, I only submitted one for all three applications (I-485, I-765 and I-131) but separated each form and evidence into a separate folder which I marked accordingly.

Hi All,

Thought I would post in this thread as I checked my USCIS account this evening and noticed my I-131 application has been updated with the following: 

Request for Initial Evidence Was Mailed

On November 28, 2018, we mailed a request for initial evidence for your Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, Receipt Number MSCxxxxxxxxxx. The request for evidence explains what we need from you. We will not take action on your case until we receive the evidence or the deadline to submit it expires. Please follow the instructions in the request for evidence. If you do not receive your request for evidence by December 28, 2018, please go to www.uscis.gov/e-request to request a copy of the notice. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

I am still awaiting the letter in the mail which will detail what this RFIE refers to, but am devastated as I understand this will "reset" my PD 😥 

I checked through my application (I made copies prior to mailing it) and am honestly unsure as to what could be the issue. The only thing that stands out is that I did not include an explanation as to why I was requesting AP (Part 7 on the application), although I was under the impression this was not required for AOS applications.

For the record, both my I-765 and I-485 have seemingly gone through smoothly thus far, and currently show as "Fingerprint Review Was Completed" in my USCIS account.

Will be sure to keep you all updated on developments as I imagine this is going to be a bit of a headache moving forward...

I am getting the Amazon ad pop-up on iPhone when using both Chrome and Safari 😩

Hello to all October AOS filers - it is good to see some familiar faces in here! 😀

I know the I-485 is sent to a local office for processing but wondered what happens with EAD and AP. We received our biometrics appointment letter this week and it states our I-485 and I-765 is processing at the National Benefits Center (the case numbers begin with MSC).

Will we receive notification if/when our cases are transferred? I’m noticed that processing at the NBC for EAD is taking up to a month longer than the other service centers (according to the USCIS processing times site). Has anyone else received notification of their EAD/AP processing at other service centers, i.e, Chicago, etc.?

I received my biometrics appointment letter in the mail today and had a couple of questions...

Will my EAD/AP remain in processing at the NBC or will it be transferred to another center (CSC, TSC, etc.) I may be getting my information mixed up but I thought I'd read somewhere that the biometrics letter will list the service center where your cases will be processed after arriving at the NBC. Mine simply says it's being processed at the NBC.

Also, the appointment letter only makes reference to my I-485 and I-765 applications. I take it no biometrics are required for AP as this comes as a combo card with the EAD?

Hi All,

Following this thread now as we filed AOS a couple of weeks ago 😁

I noticed all of our forms (AOS, EAD and AP) have been sent to the National Benefits Center (as the case numbers begin with MSC). Was this the case for those of you that have been approved for EAD/AP already?

I'm just conscious that processing seems to be taking up to a month longer at this center than the others - at least according to the USCIS processing times site.

On 9/28/2018 at 5:10 PM, linuxma said:

hi guys after i sent my aos package i got message with 3 case numbers only AP case number work others it's kept showing this "

Validation Error(s)
You must correct the following error(s) before proceeding:

"

is this normal guys

 

Thanks

I've been experiencing the same issue (I received NOA1 hard copies on Friday), but from what I've read here on VJ, this seems to be a normal circumstance and should be sorted soon!

17 hours ago, TNJ17 said:

Include all the documents you are including for AP on EAD as well. Each form you are filing is its own package. Did you already get SSN? I include a copy of my SS card with my application too. Not required but I added anyways. 

Thanks for the tip. I noticed on the special instructions document on the USCIS website that it states the following:

3. You must submit the following documents.
A. A copy of at least one of the following documents: Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record (front and back), a 
printout of your electronic Form I-94 from www.cbp.gov/i94, passport, or other travel document. If you are filing 
Form I-765 under the (c)(9) category, copies of any of the above are not required.

I assumed as I am filing under (c)(9) no other supporting documents would be required?

Hi All,

We are planning to file our AOS packet on Monday and have spent the past week gathering the required documents and completing all necessary paperwork.

We've put together the following checklist (included in our cover letter) and are feeling quite sure all is there but wanted to post here to see if anyone recommended including anything else? 🤔

AOS Contents

- Check payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security for $1,225 (Form and Biometric Services Fee)

- G-1145 Notification of application/petition acceptance

- Form I-485 Application to Adjust Status including the following supporting documents:
- 2 passport style photos of applicant
- Copy of birth certificate
- Copy of Passport biographical page
- Copy of K1 Visa
- Copy of electronic I-94
- Copy of NOA2 from I-129F
- Certified copy of marriage certificate

- Copy of UK police certificate and SAR documents (relates to police caution from 2006)
- Copy of Vaccination Document Worksheet (DS-3025)

- Form I-864 Affidavit of Support including the following supporting documents:
- Tax Transcript from IRS for 2017
- Pay stubs for past 6 months
- Employer Letter

- Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization including the following supporting documents:
- 2 passport-style photos of applicant

-  Form I-131 Application for travel document (Advanced parole) including the following supporting documents:
- 2 passport style photos of applicant
- Copy of passport biographical page
- Copy of K-1 visa
- Copy of electronic I-94

Hi All

We are currently trying  to get our heads around AOS from K1 and had a couple of questions regarding the next steps...

We married today at the city clerk's office in Manhattan and were issued with a marriage certificate after the ceremony.

Can we send in a photocopied version of this with form I-485? Or should we request a certified copy and send that in? Also, will a short version suffice, or will we need the longer certificate that includes witness name(s)? 

43 minutes ago, gomes + MF said:

Hello all,

My fiance is arriving tomorrow (YAY!) and we are aiming on doing the civil marriage procedure ASAP (online application to license -> marriage license -> at least 24 hours -> civil marriage ceremony at City Clerk's Office).

It is stated that we must have at least 2 witnesses during the ceremony.

Our question is: how many witnesses can we have in there?

I have been inviting many of close and special friends, yet I am not sure what is physically allowed and can't find this information anywhere.

If anyone knows the answer to this, please let me know!

 

PS If you have been through the civil marriage ceremony at City Clerk's office, please feel free to share helpful tips we might need/may not have considered!

 

Thanks!

 

My fiancée and I are planning to marry at the Manhattan City Clerks office and when we applied for our licence last week we asked about limits for witnesses and were told by the staff member assisting us that "there is no limit". A somewhat ambiguous response, as I'm sure there would be an issue if we showed up with 100 people! However, most of the parties that were there had 10-15 witnesses with them so I'd say that seems like a sensible amount.

10 hours ago, Spetty&Wiz said:

Can I ask.....how long did it take to get your Visa and passport back?

It took 9 days from my interview to receive the visa (I collected in person from the DX Depot in central London).