Fibina

We went in for the AOS interview yesterday. We were scheduled for 9:45, but we got there a bit early. We went in at about 9:30, went through the security check and were told to check in. The immigration officer was already waiting for us at the window, and he told me that I would go in with him and later he'll bring my husband in too. We went into his office, I was sworn in, and then he checked my identity (passport, drivers license, fingerprints, photo). Before we started, he let me know that he won't be able to give me approval on the spot because the original K1 application was missing from the file and he had put in a request to get it from another office. He then went over my application asking for my name, date of birth and confirming a lot of information I had put in initially. Most of the questions had yes or no answers. He then asked about how my husband and I had met. That was it. No need for any of the documents I prepared, they did not even talk to my husband. We were in and out in half an hour. We're now waiting for my file to be complete so that they can approve it. The tracker changed this morning to "Interview Was Completed And My Case Must Be Reviewed". Good luck everyone, hopefully, more approvals will come soon.

I just got my interview notification in the mail yesterday. I'm adjusting from K1, and my field office is Saint Albans, VT.

- I-485 received date Dec 22, 2017

- Request for initial interview notice date: March 21, 2018

- Received in the mail: March 26

- Received email update and case tracker updated on March 27

Still no updates from EAD/AP.

19 hours ago, cherryblossoms916 said:

I took your advice also. Just to found out they sent a document last 3/9 , wondering what it is. I’ve checking my applications on the case tracker app and uscis site but it says application received. This made my day! how more accurate is this uscis account than to case tracker site or app?

I have no idea, it seems like it might be showing some extra information but to be honest I wouldn't know how much more accurate it is. It seems like a newer platform with more functionality - since it lets you submit forms online and such.

3 minutes ago, Rmsean said:

ok. so i took your advise and checked the site. i noticed that my aos says I'm being scheduled for an interview and i765 says they mailed me something and it didn't deliver but they sent it again. 

That's pretty exciting. I bet you can call them and find out more info about what they sent based on that information. Good luck!

I just signed up on https://myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov/ - hoping to find out more info about my case, and it turns out there are updates that only show up in that system. My I-485 shows as "We are scheduling your interview" as of February 5th even though the Case Status page I was using so far, https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do still says "Fingerprint Fee Was Received" from Dec 28th. 

Maybe this will help someone to get a little bit of hope, it certainly made my day better.

Happy Sunday!

Here are a few thoughts about moving to Vermont on a K1 visa. When I was doing my research, I did not find a lot of information specific to Vermont, so maybe this will help someone.

Social Security Administration - this was very painless both when I first applied and when I went in to change my name after we got married. I had all my paperwork prepared according to their website and the VJ guide, and I did not encounter any issue at all. I used the Burlington, VT SSA office, and it was quite easy. I went in, got a number, waited for my turn for about 10 minutes the first time and about 20 minutes the second time. A very nice lady took my application and paperwork, asked some question about it and then informed me that I would get my social security card in the mail in two weeks. I got it within the week both times.

DMV - I first scheduled my written test using their General Information Phone Number and was able to get an appointment relatively quickly (within two business days). I went into the South Burlington office, and I got an application form at the check-in desk and proceeded the Exams office. After filling in my application and having my required paperwork with me, I took my exam on paper (their online system was out of order for the day). I passed the test, and he was sent back to the check-in desk along with my application and the paperwork. I got a number and waited to be called. I waited for maximum 5 minutes, and I was then invited to one of the counters where a lovely lady took my application. She informed me that I could not get a drivers license with an expiration date extending over the expiration date of my I-94 which was the proof of my lawful status at the time. She then proceeded with my application, and I got a learner's permit, expiring on the same date as my I-94. She also let me know that I could schedule the road test as soon as I felt ready to take it. I was able to make an appointment for the road test using their online scheduling form, and a week later I went in, together with my husband. For the road test, you must be accompanied by another person, over 25, with a valid drivers license. The guy I took the road test with informed me once again that the expiration date on my drivers will have to match the I-94. The road test consisted of verifying that the emergency brake works, driving around a bit, a hill start, turning around according to the VT drivers manual and parallel parking. I passed, and I went back to the check-in desk. I got a number, and I barely got to sit down and was called to one of the counters. Now, this is where it gets very interesting. The guy processing my paperwork was, it seemed to me at least, familiar with the K1 visa and the process of adjusting status. He asked me if I had applied and if I got my EAD already. I said that I had applied but did not have the EAD yet, though I had my I-797C forms. He checked his manual, verified with his supervisor and then let me know it was good that I had the I-797C on me because based on it I can get the two years permit.  This saved me from being stuck at home not being able to drive for a while until I got my EAD, an extra trip to the DMV and surely some money for a new permit.

Getting Married - This was the easiest of all. You don't need a social security number, and it is as easy as going to the city hall and getting the license. Changing my last name was pretty easy too. There's nothing on the marriage certificate that indicates the name change. Based on the marriage certificate I was able to change it with the SSA and get the drivers license in my married name. All my AOS/EAD/AP paperwork was filed in my married name as well. Until I get to change my passport to the new name, I will need to carry the marriage certificate with me whenever I need to prove identity.

Keeping busy - this is not related to the visa process at all but has contributed to my sanity during the first few weeks after I moved. Being stuck and home in freezing weather I was very excited to get a library pass and have access to many, many free resources. The Green Mountain Library Consortium has a rich collection of online resources. All I had to do for my library pass is to go into my local library with my ID and some mail proving I'm a resident.

It was very heartwarming to discover how friendly Vermont people are, and how they mostly want to help you. I just got the appointment for the biometrics, and once I learn more about the process, I will post updates. 

If anyone else has tips or thoughts about this, please reply to this thread.

20 hours ago, Orkey said:

That's a great news! Things are really moving fast, I am happy for you . I read you got your Colorado driver's license with your NOA1 too. I hope that will be the case here in Atlanta also,  cos I can't wait to get my license . 

I was able to get my drivers license with my NOA1 in Vermont as well. I did not expect it though after 2 different people told me that I could not get a driver license with a validity longer than my I-94, which expires at the beginning of February. I was extremely lucky that the third person I talked to was familiar with the K1 rules, checked the DMV manual and found that the I-797C form from the AOS or EAD application (NOA1) is considered proof of lawful status for a K1 and he was able to give me a licence that is valid for two years. 

Best of luck!

I just got my biometrics appointment today, scheduled for the 1/26. Our NOAs are dated 12/28

15 hours ago, Pizzaislife said:

My husband's biometrics appointment is tomorrow! So far it seems like this is moving a little faster than the K-1 petition. 

 

Anyone know how long it's currently taking to receive the combo card? 

 

Thanks! 

Looking at the EAD timelines, it seems like it can take anywhere from 2 to 3 months from NOA. The VJ Stats reports 90 days from NOA, and it seems like the trend is going downward. The AP stats and timelines look very similar too.

Hoping for the best case scenario!  

On 12/29/2017 at 2:44 PM, Fibina said:

Hi everybody! We sent our AOS package on 12/20 and it was delivered at the Chicago lockbox on the 23rd. We're still waiting to hear back for a confirmation and we're still a hopeful for a December NOA date. 

Today I got emails informing me that USCIS accepted and routed to the USCIS National Benefits Center for processing our applications. I guess this means moving over to the January thread but will be keeping an eye on this one as well.

Good luck!

Hi everybody! We sent our AOS package on 12/20 and it was delivered at the Chicago lockbox on the 23rd. We're still waiting to hear back for a confirmation and we're still a hopeful for a December NOA date. 

2 hours ago, Shia and Ash said:

Thanks mighty836!

Do you have an idea how long it would take for me to get an ssn or how much the ssn would cost?

 

I applied for a SSN last Tuesday and had it in the mail today (one week later). It is free to apply for it and the VJ info on it is very good: http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn.

I believe this means Visa In Other Passport and should not affect you in any way in the future. 

12 minutes ago, Estibaliz said:

Ok, cool, thanks for letting me know!

I did some adjustment to the settings, so glad to see it worked, since I can be a bit dumb at times with those tech things... though I'm very DYI too and always manage to fix things

Ha ha, no problem. Let me know if you need any help with any of it, I do tech things for a living so I may be able to help. Or at least keep me busy

17 minutes ago, Estibaliz said:

I know, I do the same thing once in a while. I try not to obsess too much about it, though

 

I'm trying to share the archive with the cases again. Can someone tell me if you can see that (no privacy issues)?

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1C9ooCSdiBh2W7HG-2aogdXG7P-FkXMa0asKzAkRnBP4/edit#gid=596225990

 

I was able to get into the spreadsheet, no issues. Thanks for sharing!