JasonGG

Just a little update of our AOS journey
Filed on 18 July,
NOA 20July
Biometric 10 Aug
Interview today 25 Sept
Status changed : New card for i-485 is being processed few hours after the interview.
 
We had interview 13:45 it was so relax and officer was so nice. No pressure
 
Then when we are done, he said that within 30 days I will get something back.
 
When we were otw back home my USCIS app showed "new card is being processed"
 
Overall it's been 3 months
I haven't got anything back for my AP nor EAD but GC I'll take that 😂

Hi Everyone, having my green card interview today. Everything was great. The interviewer doesn't ask lots of question, except the "have you" questions in I-485 form. Aside from that, the only questions that she asked is everything that was stated in the form. Such as, the address, name, birthday, parents name and phone number. There was one tricky question asked, where did you work now? That's all question asked. Aside from that, she only asked to see pictures, and anything that we have together. We gave health, life and dental insurance, phone bills and 401K (he put me as the beneficiary). 
 
After the interview, the status changed to "Interview was completed and my case must be reviewed". 3 hours after that, it change to "New card is being produced". Btw, the officer didn't say that we got approved. She only said that the green card that I will receive is only two years conditional green card and I need to file for Removing of Conditions 90 days before my conditional green card expired. She gave us a paper as attached below. That is how we knew that we got approved  

Good luck for those who will be having interview soon. And hopefully everyone in July AOS filers will get an interview date or the combo card soon! ❤️❤️❤️ 
 

With expediting, you take your file out of pile A, and it gets moved to pile B. The problem with this, is that SO many people are trying to expedite which means it might be about the same time to start the whole expediting process which is therefore slowing that process down, compared to waiting for your file to get to the top of Pile A.
 
I know it's stressful not working , being here since June myself, but I've just decided to enjoy the last big chunk of free time before retirement 50 years later. Taking courses, studying for future courses, joining clubs etc. I just don't want to deal with more paperwork tbh! Ha ha . I feel like these 3/ nearly 4 months has flown by for us personally.

Congratulations @Ana Maria you guys will be sailing through to your interview soon! I might just have to ask to use your address soon  VA/DC is moving at snails pace and that's being generous. 
 
Congratulations! @JasonGG
@Jiga @JasonGG has his interview date and they are in the baltimore area. 

Woke up this morning to an email saying there was a change in our status.  Logged on to USCIS and it said my wife and daughter's green card interview was scheduled!  I am shocked we could get an interview so quickly at the Baltimore office (filed in July and biometrics August 9).  The website doesn't say what the date is, just that a letter will be sent.  Hopefully this is not a mistake!
 
Jason

I called USCIS and it's not a mistake.  The agent I spoke to couldn't provide the interview date, though.

Hello . So like I promised . I had my interview today at Charlotte NC . It was very fast , first after the security you have to wait in the information office there they give us our number for the appointment and they directed us to the appointment waiting room .
The officer was very nice and kind
She asked first for our passports and my husband (citizen) ID. 
1-She asked to my husband where and when we met .
2- she asked when and where we get married
3- when we arrived in the USA with the k1 visa and k2 and where
4-she asked my husband if he knows my father and my mother names
5- she asked my hubby my city of birth and citizenship
6- if he knows my daughter (k2) birthday
7-she asked our address here in the USA
8- she asked to my daughter my husband Full name
And after it was just security questions
She asked if I had more docs to add to our case
I just brought wedding pictures she looks at them and kept one( she said she loves my dress 😉)
She took our pictures and fingerprints
And said she going to review all the docs and make her decision.🤝
She was very friendly I was very blessed.
On my way home 30mn after I checked on the app and surpriiiiiiiiiiiise
And my status changed to
"  new card is being processed...."
Very blessed day thank Jesus 
My miracle .🙏🏿
 
 
 

Thank you for this comprehensive report, which will surely help others.
Your persistence and patience are admirable.

I wanted to share my wife's experience getting a driver's license in Maryland while adjusting status from a K-1 visa.  Our experience is Maryland specific, so other states may have different rules.  From our experience and talking to others in Maryland, it is a difficult process in Maryland and not everyone will have the same outcome.  Just be persistent!
 
My wife has a Vietnamese license, so she skipped the learner's permit step.  Still had to take a 3-hour drug and alcohol course and exam.  After submitting paperwork, paying $120 for MVA-approved translation of her Vietnamese license, passing the written test, and then passing the driving skills test . . . a 2 week process . . . we met with a supervisor for photo and final review to print the license.  When he handed her the temporary paper license, it had an expiration date that was the same day as her I-94 in just 5 weeks!  I asked about a longer license and he said that we could come back before Sept. 30.  Once we are "in the system" we "might" be able to request an 8-month license.
 
Since my wife wanted to take classes this fall she needed a driver's license beyond Sept 30.  She couldn't register and pay tuition hoping that she "might" be able to drive to school after October 1.  He shrugged his shoulders.  He said if I didn't like it, I was welcome to get another ticket and ask someone else.
 
I did just that.  Three hours later, the MVA was closed and my wife, daughter, and I were the only people waiting.  We saw several people talking about us and wondering what we were doing.  A supervisor walked over and asked what we were waiting for and if we had a number.  Apparently, our number was never entered into the queue!  I explained the situation and she asked if we could come back tomorrow.  I said no.  We have waited 3 hours to be seen now.
 
That evening, we spoke to 3 additional supervisors before we got one who knew what to do.  We were there for an 1 1/2  hours after the MVA branch closed.  They re-scanned all her paperwork (SSN, I-797, marriage license, utility bills, etc).  However, they were unable to delete the "erroneous" 5-week license without the original supervisor who had already gone home or the help of headquarters staff.  We still had to return the following morning to complete the process.
 
The next morning, I got another number, waited about 15 minutes, and the supervisor we worked with the night before saw us and called us to an empty window.  An hour later, my wife had a new temporary paper license with an April 2019 expiration date.  The supervisor waived the fee for the 8-month license and it should arrive next week.  The 5-week license arrived in the mail today and is valid until the other arrives.  We can return with her EAD (December hopefully) for a 1-year extension that should get us to the green card and the 8-year duration license.
 
So . . . I can certainly understand why so many people are having trouble in Maryland.  Three supervisors insisted she was only eligible for a license valid until her I-94 expired.  If my wife had gone alone or if I had not been persistent, she would not have gotten the 8-month license.  We'd been to the MVA 8 times since July, so many of the staff recognized us and a couple were sympathetic and I think tried to help a little more than normal.  For most MVA employees, we were just a number, though.  Several were very abrupt and rude until the last supervisor explained that they were mistaken.  Only then were they kinder to us.
 
A very long and frustrating process!  You really are at their mercy regardless of whether you are right or wrong.  Just be persistent and know that there is at least one person in Annapolis who can help in this situation.
 
Jason
 
 
 
 

Congratulations!
 
I remember you on another forum asking about our Maryland DMV experience. I am happy you were persistent and it all worked out for your wife! Hope she enjoys her classes!
 
My husband got his 8 month temp license in Maryland, as well, without an EAD after he applied for AOS 
 
 

Maryland can be fussy with K1s that don't have an EAD yet. It's correct that if you show up with just a K1 and I94 (good for 90 days) any license they give out will just expire at the end of the 90 days. I've seen people been successful when they go in having filed for AOS and not received the EAD yet, but it varies. However if you start the process after you have an EAD, it's quite easy and all the hassle of the rude and largely ignorant employees can be avoided. If you go with an EAD, and pass the tests, you get a 1yr license, and then can upgrade it to full upon receiving the green card.

I wanted to share my wife's experience getting a driver's license in Maryland while adjusting status from a K-1 visa.  Our experience is Maryland specific, so other states may have different rules.  From our experience and talking to others in Maryland, it is a difficult process in Maryland and not everyone will have the same outcome.  Just be persistent!
 
My wife has a Vietnamese license, so she skipped the learner's permit step.  Still had to take a 3-hour drug and alcohol course and exam.  After submitting paperwork, paying $120 for MVA-approved translation of her Vietnamese license, passing the written test, and then passing the driving skills test . . . a 2 week process . . . we met with a supervisor for photo and final review to print the license.  When he handed her the temporary paper license, it had an expiration date that was the same day as her I-94 in just 5 weeks!  I asked about a longer license and he said that we could come back before Sept. 30.  Once we are "in the system" we "might" be able to request an 8-month license.
 
Since my wife wanted to take classes this fall she needed a driver's license beyond Sept 30.  She couldn't register and pay tuition hoping that she "might" be able to drive to school after October 1.  He shrugged his shoulders.  He said if I didn't like it, I was welcome to get another ticket and ask someone else.
 
I did just that.  Three hours later, the MVA was closed and my wife, daughter, and I were the only people waiting.  We saw several people talking about us and wondering what we were doing.  A supervisor walked over and asked what we were waiting for and if we had a number.  Apparently, our number was never entered into the queue!  I explained the situation and she asked if we could come back tomorrow.  I said no.  We have waited 3 hours to be seen now.
 
That evening, we spoke to 3 additional supervisors before we got one who knew what to do.  We were there for an 1 1/2  hours after the MVA branch closed.  They re-scanned all her paperwork (SSN, I-797, marriage license, utility bills, etc).  However, they were unable to delete the "erroneous" 5-week license without the original supervisor who had already gone home or the help of headquarters staff.  We still had to return the following morning to complete the process.
 
The next morning, I got another number, waited about 15 minutes, and the supervisor we worked with the night before saw us and called us to an empty window.  An hour later, my wife had a new temporary paper license with an April 2019 expiration date.  The supervisor waived the fee for the 8-month license and it should arrive next week.  The 5-week license arrived in the mail today and is valid until the other arrives.  We can return with her EAD (December hopefully) for a 1-year extension that should get us to the green card and the 8-year duration license.
 
So . . . I can certainly understand why so many people are having trouble in Maryland.  Three supervisors insisted she was only eligible for a license valid until her I-94 expired.  If my wife had gone alone or if I had not been persistent, she would not have gotten the 8-month license.  We'd been to the MVA 8 times since July, so many of the staff recognized us and a couple were sympathetic and I think tried to help a little more than normal.  For most MVA employees, we were just a number, though.  Several were very abrupt and rude until the last supervisor explained that they were mistaken.  Only then were they kinder to us.
 
A very long and frustrating process!  You really are at their mercy regardless of whether you are right or wrong.  Just be persistent and know that there is at least one person in Annapolis who can help in this situation.
 
Jason
 
 
 
 

I wanted to share my wife's experience getting a driver's license in Maryland while adjusting status from a K-1 visa.  Our experience is Maryland specific, so other states may have different rules.  From our experience and talking to others in Maryland, it is a difficult process in Maryland and not everyone will have the same outcome.  Just be persistent!
 
My wife has a Vietnamese license, so she skipped the learner's permit step.  Still had to take a 3-hour drug and alcohol course and exam.  After submitting paperwork, paying $120 for MVA-approved translation of her Vietnamese license, passing the written test, and then passing the driving skills test . . . a 2 week process . . . we met with a supervisor for photo and final review to print the license.  When he handed her the temporary paper license, it had an expiration date that was the same day as her I-94 in just 5 weeks!  I asked about a longer license and he said that we could come back before Sept. 30.  Once we are "in the system" we "might" be able to request an 8-month license.
 
Since my wife wanted to take classes this fall she needed a driver's license beyond Sept 30.  She couldn't register and pay tuition hoping that she "might" be able to drive to school after October 1.  He shrugged his shoulders.  He said if I didn't like it, I was welcome to get another ticket and ask someone else.
 
I did just that.  Three hours later, the MVA was closed and my wife, daughter, and I were the only people waiting.  We saw several people talking about us and wondering what we were doing.  A supervisor walked over and asked what we were waiting for and if we had a number.  Apparently, our number was never entered into the queue!  I explained the situation and she asked if we could come back tomorrow.  I said no.  We have waited 3 hours to be seen now.
 
That evening, we spoke to 3 additional supervisors before we got one who knew what to do.  We were there for an 1 1/2  hours after the MVA branch closed.  They re-scanned all her paperwork (SSN, I-797, marriage license, utility bills, etc).  However, they were unable to delete the "erroneous" 5-week license without the original supervisor who had already gone home or the help of headquarters staff.  We still had to return the following morning to complete the process.
 
The next morning, I got another number, waited about 15 minutes, and the supervisor we worked with the night before saw us and called us to an empty window.  An hour later, my wife had a new temporary paper license with an April 2019 expiration date.  The supervisor waived the fee for the 8-month license and it should arrive next week.  The 5-week license arrived in the mail today and is valid until the other arrives.  We can return with her EAD (December hopefully) for a 1-year extension that should get us to the green card and the 8-year duration license.
 
So . . . I can certainly understand why so many people are having trouble in Maryland.  Three supervisors insisted she was only eligible for a license valid until her I-94 expired.  If my wife had gone alone or if I had not been persistent, she would not have gotten the 8-month license.  We'd been to the MVA 8 times since July, so many of the staff recognized us and a couple were sympathetic and I think tried to help a little more than normal.  For most MVA employees, we were just a number, though.  Several were very abrupt and rude until the last supervisor explained that they were mistaken.  Only then were they kinder to us.
 
A very long and frustrating process!  You really are at their mercy regardless of whether you are right or wrong.  Just be persistent and know that there is at least one person in Annapolis who can help in this situation.
 
Jason
 
 
 
 

That message essentially doesn't mean much. We never even had that message and some people never get any online updates.
 
We went straight from case was received (for 6 months) to interview has been scheduled (2 days before we received our interview notice).  Baltimore seems to be taking about 7-9 months for interviews these days. We still have friends waiting for their interview from October Filing of AOS. 

Our interview took 7 months from the date file and our Greencard arrived 8 months  after our file date. 

Good Luck!! Hopefully she passes this next time! 

Thank you for posting this AshMarty!  My wife is also going through the process at the Annapolis MVA.  I was worried that she would eceive a license that is only valid until the I-94 expires (end of September) as some have suggested.
 
We have her NOA1, I-94, passport, SS#, utility bills, insurance policy, bank statements, Vietnamese driver's license,  and 3-hour drug and alcohol course certificate.  On the first visit, they took her photo, generated a license number, and administered the vision test, but requested a certified translation of her Vietnamese license.  The translation has to come from a MVA registered translator.  Four days and $120 later, we had the translation.  We met with the same very pleasant MVA employee who generated the ticket needed to take the written (computer) test.
 
She failed her first attempt at the written test. She took it in Vietnamese, but it is just a Google Translate version of the English test.  She said many of the questions/answers made no sense.  She's taking it again in a few days and will take the English version.  Then she must pass the driving test.  Hopefully she can get this completed before the Fall semester begins so she can drive herself to ESL classes at the community college.
 
Jason
 

Again with this informed delivery Lmfao... i'd be freaking out!!!!  

Yep!
That's the letter
It typically comes 3-8 days after the NOA1 copy arrives in the mail
Everyone is at Missouri
That's NBC- they process the paperwork for EAD/AP and then when you finish biometrics and your case has no RFEs, they send it to your local USCIS for interviews

When my wife went through the K1 process, her son was had a problem with the medical (he had PTB when younger and they required him to go through another treatment process before giving him a clear medical certificate).  Since the treatment took over six months, my wife completed the process and came to the US while her son stayed in the Philippines for treatment.  Once he got a clear medical, my wife completed a Power of Attorney form for her sister and her sister completed the process including taking my stepson to the interview. The Power of Attorney may not have been necessary for just the interview but the Philippines has requirements for citizens immigrating out and with the POA in place we had no problems with the process.

I just got back from Vietnam and the interview with my fiancee. The single status paper is definitely not needed! 
 
Happy to say we got approved very easily! Thanks everyone on VisaJourney and especially @frontgear and @Nle!!! Review will come shortly. @CharlieTshiab if you have any questions feel free to message me any time!

My fiancee was approved a couple days ago. Yay!
I want to add our experience to the knowledge base here to potentially help others in the future. All the typical steps and procedures can already be found through search so I just want to clarify on some points I that I initially had questions about through this process.
 
Things I did differently:
 
I did not send in my fiancee's birth certificate in the I-129F application. This was something I had some initial questions about.
 
The I-134 my fiancee submitted was of a scanned signature not a "live" (blue ink) signature.
Long story to this was that I sent my fiancee just the i134 page that includes my "live" signature thinking she can just print out the other pages in Vietnam. Though when she printed them out the paper quality was whiter and the sheet was larger than the page that I sent her. So for uniformity she just scanned the signature page and submitted that, which was fine as we were approved. Though she did have the original signature page too if it was needed.
 
I, the sponsor, did not attend the interview with my fiancee in HCMC. Of course, we had all our papers fully prepped and organized, practiced for the interview questions and we also had a engagement ceremony (dam hoi/dinh hon) a few months prior. We were confident in our case and thought our evidence was strong and was ready to provide more if needed on the off chance of getting a blue slip.
 
Questions during the ~5min interview:
- How did you meet?
- How did your first in person meeting go?
- How many times did the sponsor come to Vietnam?
- Do you have pictures of the 4th trip / when we did the engagement ceremony?  - Fiancee handed over a stack of pictures and the CO reviewed them.
- Where will you have your wedding?
- Who on both sides of the family attended the engagement ceremony?

It has been great to see several August filers already interviewing and receiving approvals!  We have been waiting for Package 3 from the consulate in Ho Chi Minh City since our case arrived there and the status changed to "Ready" on April 2.   Vietnam requires that we wait for the letter/package before scheduling the medical exam and interview.  I e-mailed them Monday to ask them to e-mail it, but they said we had to wait for it to arrive by snail mail.  This morning, I checked the CEAC website and the "Case Last Updated" date changed from April 2 to April 6.  Could this mean the consulate mailed the letter today?  Just wondering what "updates" could be happening.  Thanks and good luck to everyone! - Jason
 

Hi:
 
https://www.uscis.gov/news/save-goes-completely-paperless
 
Hope this helps people who think they should wait 14 days or whatever amount of days to apply for Social security when entering the US under K-1

Still pinching myself that he is really here to stay. Every second of this journey has been worth the wait. Thank you visa journey friends for helping me survive the ride!