DanyalW

Hi everyone! Applied 6th May online. Got immediate notice that it was received, biometrics will be reused, and that the case is actively being reviewed (I think this is normal for online filers). Does anyone feel that the process is speeding up? I have an I751 pending for over a year now, wondering if my N400 will be processed first!

On 7/28/2018 at 11:08 PM, GWANG said:

May I know if you submitted the i-693 with vaccination copy at the interview?  I submitted my original DS3025 vaccination document along with my i485.  All I have is copy left.  I am wondering what should I do if I receive the same notice as you did.  Hope your GC has come through by now.  Thanks for your attention in advance. 

Hey! Did you ever find out about this? I also have the DS3025, so I am wondering if this is fine or if I should try and get a i-693 (vaccination pages) filled out?

Thanks!

UPDATE: 

It seems now that USCIS have  flagged my case to be expedited, because everything is moving along quickly. The day after the biometrics appointment my status on the AOS changed to "ready to be scheduled for interview", and my EAD has been printed and shipped (so for the record, they did not complete the EAD without the fingerprints after all). 

I don't have the card in hand, but I'm hoping in the next few days it's delivered. I also don't have an appointment yet, but I'm hoping soon. It may be that the National Benefits Center neglected my case, and since it's been handed to the Detroit Field Office they are now expediting it because they can see nothing was done on it for 6 months. 

For anyone in this situation in the future: If your biometrics is late, continue calling USCIS until someone makes a note of it. The fact that things seem expedited now means I may have in fact been overlooked. Also, make an online profile. It may just have just be coincidence, but there were no online updates on my case or any actions after the NOA1...shortly after I made an online profile and activated my email and mobile updates, my EAD got approved. So I'm not sure if this made me more visible in the system, or if I was just nearly outside of processing time for the EAD and got flagged (and only then they realized I hadn't even gone for biometrics). 

Hey everyone! I wanted to please find out how long you waited for your interviews to be scheduled from the time your status changed to "ready to be scheduled".

Thanks!

1 hour ago, Greek said:

Hey man I have been following your posts for a while you are very active and good job for helping a lot of people. EAD doesn't need your fingerprints per say. This is what they do as part of your C9 category which you need fingerprint background check for your adjustment of status. Now the fact that this guy is 180 days in and hasn't gone for bio metrics is crazy. However, they can issue EAD without background check. I currently have an EAD without ever going to a bio metrics appointment. That's why USCIS says again and again we review requests on a case to case basis. 

Update...I finally received an appointment for the biometrics next week! And, surprise, surprise...they sent me my SSN card as well! But, still no actual EAD card... I would have thought the SSN is after the EAD or AOS? Everything seems to be a mess with this tbh. 

2 minutes ago, K1visaHopeful said:

Just make sure that when you call you ask to speak to a Tier 2 agent off the bat. A Tier 2 agent will, if they can't help you directly, be able to schedule an Infopass as generally you cannot schedule an Infopass on your own online anymore.

Thanks! Can I just straight out ask for a tier 2 agent, or is there some explanation that would justify it (or make the process easier) - like I'm outside of processing time? Or I received an EAD notice without biometrics/ online updates, etc... 

My last experience calling in they were very insistent that nothing was wrong with my case and that there was nothing they could do - even though I suspected that my biometrics was already VERY delayed. Now it's been over 180 days. 

1 minute ago, C90 said:

Never heard before that they used your K1 biometrics for AOS/EAD/AP, but I just typed 'EAD without biometrics' in the search bar and I got way more topics then expected! Apparently this is not the first time USCIS is messing up.

 

Info pass is a gamble, but in your situation you could def do that (if the call with USCIS doesn't go anywhere, otherwise it's a waste of your time) 

The girl that had the topic yesterday said the officer was rude and just told her to be patient. Weird enough within 24 hours she did have her biometrics appointment in the mail, she's still not sure if that was cause of the appointment or just coincidence. But she was a November 2018 filer, so her situation was already very different, since you're (almost) outside normal processing time.

Start with calling USCIS on Monday and if that doesn't go anywhere ask for an Info Pass appointment.

Thanks! Will do, and will post updates for anyone else who may be stuck like this with misleading approvals. 

The really stressful part is that I do plan to travel in April...so it's very important I have a valid AP. I also need my SSN so my husband and I can file our taxes jointly... anyway, let me not start ranting. I'm sure we are all (mostly) in these situations. 

2 minutes ago, C90 said:

 

I was wondering if they could somehow use the fingerprints and background check from my K1 approval process....but wishful thinking! 

I've seen that some people book an info pass appointment, and you mentioned this earlier as well. Would this help my situation?

1 minute ago, C90 said:

Weirdly enough I read an exact same case on here yesterday of someone who got the I-797's for EAD/AP without biometrics. 1 day after she went in for an info pass appointment she got the biometrics letter, but it's still not clear what's happening.

 

Fact is, your EAD/AP can't be approved since that involves background checks that are done based on your biometrics. So I would call them asap cause it could cause a lot of trouble if you get your EAD/AP without actual biometrics. I can imagine if they find out they made a mistake they can revoke your card what would mean you'd have to stop working right away not to mention what would happen if you'd be traveling with an, at that moment, invalid AP.

 

It's also possible they're sending out I-797's by mistake, since you're the second person to come forward with this story in 2 days. Still best to call USCIS on Monday

Thanks so much. I will call as soon as possible. 

1 minute ago, K1visaHopeful said:

All very strange. You havent had biometrics at all? They wont be able to issue your card. 

I would call and ask how you would be approved without a photo and fingerprints for the security checks.

1) status updates are totally unreliable. But I doubt your EAD has really been approved then. 

2) yes call. The original officer that you spoke with is clueless as biometrics should happen with 30 days of your NOA1.

 

We are talking about an original EAD though and not a replacement right?

 

Thanks for replying.

Yes, the original from an AOS application (from K1 visa). I received the official approval in the mail (but no email or online updates at all - just the approval for EAD and the Travel Document). No biometrics appointment! Can you really query biometrics after 30 days?? I must try phone again. I did recently and I waited on the line over an hour, and by that time it was 9pm so lines close. 

Hey everyone,

I received an approval for my EAD on 7th February 2019. This was after 180+ days processing time and without being asked to go for biometrics - so already strange. My case status online hasn't been updated and I haven't received the actual card. 

My questions are:

1) Can my card be delayed because my case hasn't been updated online (even though I received the approval notice in the mail). 

2) Should I be calling and asking for the biometrics appointment? I did call a few months ago (after waiting more than 100 days) and they told me that it wasn't long enough to log a case request for biometrics (or EAD at that time). 

Thanks,

Danyal

Hi @Lin2018,

I wanted to follow up with you again about this - what exactly is a service request? When I called and told them I hadn't received my biometrics (and I STILL haven't), they told me that my case is not outside of processing times, so there's nothing they can do. However, if I have to wait until 6 months just to request biometrics, surely that is going to make the whole process A LOT longer? So I just wanted to ask exactly what you asked for that ended up helping.

Thanks!

Thanks so much! Did you just call the general USCIS number?

Hi everyone,

I wanted to find out if anyone is experiencing delays in biometrics appointments? I filed my AOS almost 3 months ago and I haven't received a biometrics appointment yet. This seems highly unusual as most people receive their appointment in 3-5 weeks. Who should I contact about this if it is highly unusual?

Thanks!

Danyal

I disabled Java, but it really messed up the form for some reason! Is there another solution to this? 

Thanks! I will have the German original, just trying to figure out if I also need an original hardcopy of the translation. Did you have the originals of your translations in addition to the foreign language original?

Hi Everyone  

I am hoping to please get some advice from more seasoned members. 

One of my police clearance certificates is in German. I will get it translated by a certified translator, but my question is: would I need them to send me an original, notarized copy of the translation or is an email copy fine? I would use this for my K1 visa and then for the green card application and citizenship - so if I need it for any one of these applications, it would be worth getting it now (as I only lived in Germany for a while and am not returning). 

Many thanks,

Danyal

1 minute ago, Wibblet said:

I am filling out the affidavit of support and on the form it asks for an A-number. If I'm not mistaken, that number is on the NOA 2 right? I'm at work right now so I don't have the NOA 2 but I remember seeing it (I think). Would that be the A-number I put on forms from now on? Thank you!

I think the A-number is on the NOA1 as well. 

I'm not sure if this is helpful, but I already had my B1/B2 before applying for the K1 and I've been coming in and out no problem - no one at customs has ever even asked me about the pending K1, although I have always had all documents, etc ready to go. Last year I also applied for my B1/B2 to be extended (as I am staying with my fiance in the states now, mostly). Long story - I had to go home anyway and didn't end up using the extension - but I made the application for one and it was successfully received (they didn't deny it). In that application I was honest and said that it would be strenuous for us to be apart for so long since the visa processing times have recently been extended due to new immigration policies. I made the argument that we are wanting to do things legally and would never risk deportation (hence the K1 application), and that the tourist visa is purely for visitation. Then of course I was able to show that I am still a registered doctoral student with university of cape town (my ties back home), and also showed that I have funds/income to support myself in the states without work (my fiance also signed a letter saying that he would provide housing for me while I am here in the States). Basically, long story short, there is nothing illegal about visiting while the K1 is pending - you just have to make the effort to address any concerns in advance for misuse of the visa. I think that you actually have a pending K1 application is proof that you are not intending to abuse the tourist visa! 

1 hour ago, S_and_K_K1 said:

Hi all, I am sorry if it was already discussed but...
When they ask for police records for the interview I know that I need to bring one from Russia (I am from Russia). 

Do I also have to bring one from the US? (It was the only country where I resided for over 6 months beside Russia). 

 

I have seen contradicting comments regarding this, so I wanted ot figure it out once and for all. 

Thank you!

I am wondering the same thing. I have spent a lot of time in the States on a B1/B2 visa, but never 6+ months at a time (I think the most was 4.5 months before I went home and came back). In total though, I have been here easily 12+ months over the past few years. Any advice would be very helpful! Thanks!

1 minute ago, injejo14 said:

Ah, i see... the I-864 is for the CR/IR - anyways, same concept, "affidavit of support" -- i just looked at the I-134, i don't see anywhere on the instructions where you would be required to submit more than one yr return. 

Yes, I actually just noticed as well that it's not required. It seems a little less strict for the K1 visa. 

Thanks for the help. 

1 minute ago, injejo14 said:

Providing copies of the 2nd and 3rd most recent tax return is optional on the I-864. 

As far as I can tell, Form I-134 is for the K1 visa and I-864 is for AOS. I don't know what the difference is between them, but thanks! Maybe it is the same for the I-134. I will look into it more. 

Thank you! I hope that's the case. 

So we wouldn't need tax records at all with pay slips and an employment contract?

Has she looked here: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home

Hi everyone,

I wanted to find out whether my fiance qualifies as a sponsor. He earns above 125% of the poverty line, but he is a medical intern, which means that he has only been earning an income from June. Prior to this he was a student, so this will be his first tax year as well. 

I know to be a sponsor they ask for 3 years of tax returns. How will this work in our situation? Will one of year income be enough to sponsor me? Will it be a problem that he has not had an income prior to this year? Also, his contract here is only for one year. He will sign another contract in March, but for now it is just one year of income - should we get a co-sponsor to be safe?

Thanks in advance for you time.