zamardii12

It's been a very long time since we received any updates on our status, but today we received a letter saying...

"Congratulations! USCIS approved your request to remove the conditions on your permanent resident status" You are deemed to be a lawful permanent resident of the United States as of the date of your original admission or adjustment of status. You should receive a new Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551, also known as a Green Card) within 60 days...."

Does this mean we can file for her citizenship now? The N-400? I'm asking because we didn't have a 2nd interview or anything... Just seems like a bunch of steps have been skipped. I remember filing and her having a biometric appointments over a year ago and that's the last thing I remember. 

3 minutes ago, Jorge V said:

We didn't do anything to move along the case as processing times for our service center crawled up to like 24-30 months, so I wasn't able to request an update from USCIS since we were still within "normal processing times."

 

As far as the extension goes, once our 18 month extension letter expired we began to request I-551 passport stamps as we needed to travel outside of the US frequently. The stamp is required for international travel once your letter expires as USCIS won't issue more extension letters and airlines won't let you board without proof of status. If you don't plan to travel then the I-551 stamp isn't required as you remain in status. If you do plan on traveling then you should call USCIS, say "infopass", and request an appointment for the passport stamp. Note that it takes 30-40 days to get an appointment so you shouldn't leave it to the last minute.

I am going to file the N-400 online right now and see what happens. Tired of this waiting. Can't get through to anyone at USCIS either... or rather I could but I wasn't given a call back by a Tier 2 rep yet. 

On 12/14/2022 at 12:41 PM, Jorge V said:

As others have mentioned, waiting 2+ years for I751 is common. We waited 3.5 years for ours. We also filed N400 as soon as we could, but it didn't seem to speed things up in our case. Here's our timeline in case it might help you:

 

Jun 2019 - Submitted I751, got 18 month extension letter
Aug 2019 - Biometrics
Sep 2019 - Status changed to "Case is ready to be scheduled for an interview"
Jun 2020 - Submitted N400
Jan 2021 - Got biometrics reuse notice for N400
Mar 2021 - 18 month extension letter expired
Mar 2021 - present - Got total of four I-551 passport stamps as we travel internationally frequently by calling and saying "infopass"
Oct 2022 - N400 interview scheduled
Nov 2022 - Combo interview

Dec 2022 - Oath ceremony

So after your 18 month extension period expired after the i751 did you do anything or did you just continue to wait until you got word that you need to go for your next interview? 

We've already had 1 interview, and have since done biometrics, and basically at this point we are just waiting to get word on our second interview. Just not sure if anything needs to be done if our extensions for her temporary green card are about to expire...  When I login to our USCIS account online the last thing I see is:

Response To USCIS' Request For Evidence Was Received

On April 25, 2018, we received your response to our Request for Evidence for your Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), Receipt Number *******. USCIS has begun working on your case again. We will send you a decision or notify you if we need something from you. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

1 hour ago, Rocio0010 said:

As others have stated, your timeline in the first post is not clear, so probably the officer is also confused (but alas! even if they are not confused, tier 1 officers do not know much about your case).

 

Your last update was the biometrics.. in 2021. People have been waiting longer than that. Have you filed for N400?

 

If the extension letter expires, you can get an I-551 appointment. About 30 days prior to expiration, call and say "info pass". If you want to know what's the hold up, request a tier 2 officer.

Haven't filed N-400. I got no indication that that is something I could do since I haven't heard anything other than the green card extensions. Like I said we've submitted the i-751, and the last thing we did was the biometrics after the i-751 and haven't heard anything since other than two extensions for her temp green card. Not sure what other information would help. I've asked for tier 2 help but haven't gotten the call back yet. 

9 minutes ago, Mike E said:

Call USCIS again, say info pass and request a tier 2 officer call you.  

 

Could you clarify this a little? Do I say "Info Pass" to the automated system? 

26 minutes ago, Mike E said:

Please update your visa journey timeline.  
 

Has I-485 been filed?  

I-485 was filed back in 2018.  i-751 was received by USCIS January of 2021. Had fingerprints done July of 2021 and that is the last thing that was done. Haven't heard anything since. 

I called USCIS and they could only tell me they forwarded our case to the NVC back in 2018s. NVC tells me in a response to when I asked about this using their 'Public Inquiry Form" that I need to contact the consulate and i'm like "what does our consulate have to do with getting the 2nd interview done?"

We received two green card extensions during COVID... we did our first interview a while ago and waiting for the second... nobody can tell me what our status is. I am afraid the green card will expire and we haven't been told anything about a second interview or anything. What should I do to get a actual status update? The USCIS account online only says the same thing that our case was approved back in 2018... we've had our first interview already but waiting on second. 

I emailed the NVC and USCIS could only tell me they forward our case to the NVC back in 2018 and can't get anyone to tell us our status. We received two green card extensions during COVID... we did our first interview a while ago and waiting for the second... nobody can tell me what our status is. I am afraid the green card will expire and we haven't been told anything about a second interview or anything. 

10 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Has she applied to renew her passport?

That's what I don't know how to do. Specifically how to renew her European passport from the United States. There are embassies where this is possible, but it's hard to believe that I would physically have to fly to one of these four locations to renew a passport. I am really tired of having our second interview delayed all the time b/c of COVID, but we I guess need to renew her foreign passport somehow. 

Going to keep this brief.

• My wife came here (USA) on a fiancé Visa 4 years ago.
• We've had our first interview, but b/c of COVID 2nd interview has been delayed twice and we just keep getting sent Green Card validity extension papers. Hers are good until end of January as of this moment.
• We want to travel back to Europe in January, but her passport from her origin country expires this November and since our 2nd interview keeps getting delayed it's unlikely she'll get her American Passport before January.

So my main question is can we exit and enter the US using her expired European passport, but a valid green card? If so what do we need to bring with us to travel? 

I am curious how long it was from the day USCIS received your I-751 did you actually get charged? I know everything is slow now but i'd like an estimate. 

Thanks! 

My wife and I just realized we have 21 days left to file the I-751. How are we looking as far as time? Should we be okay if we send it in this week? As long as we don't see it late we aren't violating any rules right even if we don't hear a response before her expiration date of her Green Card? Which is January 31st. 

Just now, geowrian said:

The marriage certificate is a legal name change document recognized by the local, state, and federal government. A Social Security Card is needed for some government services, but is not a legal name change document.

 

Write that you want them to do: update the name on the I-485, I-131, and I-765 to Abc Xyz for cases MSCXXXXX MSCXXXX and MSCXXXX.

Do I even have a case number or do I have to receive a NOA first? USCIS just received our info yesterday in the mail so I don't have anything except eh copies of everything I sent them. 

22 hours ago, geowrian said:

2) Unfortunately I'm not sure about requesting your own SSC when you also requested one via the I-765. I did the I-765 shortly before that was even an option (it was added to the form in late 2017).

 

4) I would send a letter to USCIS to have them update the I-485 and other forms to use the married name if that is what you want the EAD and green card in. Changing it afterwards is close to a year wait  for the I-90 to process, and around $500 to do so.

If the EAD is issued in her maiden name, they will want to issue the card in the same name. You may or may not be able to get them to issue it in a married name at that point...it should be consistent but there's always so many different experiences in changing the name with a marriage certificate as a non-USC. It took me 3 visits to get the right employee to do it...the other 2 employees refused to do so until the name in DHS was updated (i.e. when they issue an EAD or green card).

This is all very confusing. I mean, how could I have possibly asked for her name for the Green Card and EAD if her passport and I-94 among a million other things is all under her maiden name. I didn't have a SSN for her by the time I filed the I-485 so I thought it would have been an even bigger issue putting her maiden name on the paperwork when she isn't shown anywhere with her married name. I wouldn't even know what to write in the letter:

"Hi USCIS, it's me again, but I wanted you to change the name for my wife to (her married name) even though we don't have anything that says she has changed her name. We are married and she would like my last name, but..."

I just don't know what to even write in this letter. 

6 minutes ago, geowrian said:

2) Correct. One must be a legal alien authorized to work to apply for an SSN*. A K-1 holder in status meets this (they are technically permitted to apply for an EAD in the 90 day period, although this is impractical with current timelines). After the 90 days, they no longer meet this criteria until they have an EAD or green card.

*Rare exceptions apply if an SSN is necessary for certain specific circumstances.

 

3) There is no filing fee for the I-765 (EAD) or I-131 (AP) when filed due to AOS. You can file for them concurrently with the I-485, or you can send the I-485's NOA1 in lieu of payment if sent aftertwards. See the I-485 instructions, page 16. Personally I would do it myself...never truest USCIS to do things ASAP. A simple SSA trip is likely to be faster IMO.

 

4) A marriage certificate is a legal name change document. She can change it at any time. I highly suggest completing the I-485 and other forms using a married name as that is what they will issue the documents in. If she has an EAD with the new name, they will issue the SSC in that name as well.

2. Okay so I have to clarify something. I completely forgot that I did in fact send in the I-765 with our I-485. So in that case I did ask them to request a SSN on our behalf... I checked the box on the I-765 for that. So in that case should we just wait for them to send it to us? In other words if I get the EAD before I get the SSN then could I go to the SSN office myself or do I HAVE to wait because I checked that box on the I-765?

4. All of her paperwork was submitted with her maiden name, so at this point would I be correct in saying we need to wait for the SSN to arrive to change it or will that cause an issue with a in-process I-485 application? 

59 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Okay...a few issues here.

1) She needed to have applied for the card in the first 76 days of entry on the K-1 visa (90 days - 14 days of legal status required). No idea why they told you to wait until the I-94 expired...that's just outright wrong.

2) She now needs to wait for an EAD (or green card) to get an SSN. She can do this herself with the EAD.

3) An SSN is not needed for the I-485.

4) USCIS does not issue SSNs. Only the SSA does so. The I-765 includes a question to have USCIS request one on her behalf automatically once the EAD is approved.

5) The I-485 does not ask about an SSN except providing it if you have one. The I-765 lets you have USCIS request one on her behalf.

6) ETA for an EAD is ~4-6 months right now.

7) Two websites:

  a) https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do

  b) https://myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov/

1. Appreciate the info. Yes I know she should have applied in the first 76 days, but I only knew that after the fact unfortunately. We got too hung up on the fact that she was here and we were planning the wedding. We tried applying 2 weeks ago but it was too close to the I-94 expiration so the person told her to come back after the I-94 expires. 

2. So at this stage she can't get a SSN without the EAD? If we get a Notice of Action that our I-485 is in processing couldn't she get a SSN that way or do we have to wait for the EAD for sure? Only asking because the person at the SSN office made it sound like she just needs to come back after the 25th and that's it. 

3. I will wait a month and then do the EAD so we can get her a SSN, but if we do wait a little (since I can't afford the filing fee at the moment) should I have USCIS ask for a SSN on my behalf or should we do it ourselves after filing the EAD (in case it's faster that way)?

4. Also, given out current situation when should she change her name? After she gets the SSN?  

So, our I-485 should arrive today to the Chicago office (it's also the day of my wife's I-94 expiration) and one thing I am confused about. About 2 weeks ago she went to the local Social Security office to get a SSN but they couldn't give it to her... they told her to come back after her I-94 has expired. So, today is the day the I-94 expires but I also indicated on the I-485 itself that I wanted them to send her a SSN card. So since I did that how long does that take for her to get her card from them? She still needs to change her name too so at this point should we just wait for USCIS to send us a SSN or can she herself go into an office? My only concern about her going in now is that we already indicated we wanted a card sent to us on the I-485 itself so do we just have to wait now? If so, how long does that take? Also, what website if any do I check status of her AOS while in progress? I know during the K1 process there were a bunch of places to see progress at varying stages and was curious what I could find online from here-on-out. 

Thanks again. 

On 8/6/2018 at 10:07 AM, Michelle M said:

I used the credit card option and it worked just fine.  I think it is a relative new option. 

This is important... do you (or anyone here) know how long it took USCIS to charge your card for the full amount after you sent it? So for example, if I were to send in my I-485 on Saturday how many days would it take for them to charge the card? 

2 hours ago, K1visaHopeful said:

Firstly, Did you send an I864 to her for her interview or did you send an I134? A K1 Visa requires an I134 not an I864. They are very different documents. Check what form you have first and then I'll comment 

My mistake. Almost mailed them the I-134. I filled out the I-864 and should be good now. Thanks. 

Thanks for the responses. Had one more question:

The I-485 requires a I-864 (Affidavit of Support). Can I send a copy of the one I sent to her for her Visa interview which hasn't changed at all over the last 5 months? The date for the signature is 5 months old, but I could just reprint the last page if need-be so I can sign it with a fresh signature. 

1 minute ago, K1visaHopeful said:

Yes as it doesnt seem like you have much of a choice if your not willing to try to obtain her copy that she left at "home" at this moment before you apply for AOS. Is it a possibility that you can get that copy in the near future AFTER you apply for AOS BUT BY THE TIME you get an RFE?

Or yes, and this^^^^.

You need that DS3025 to avoid having to redo the medical and submit a i693.

28 minutes ago, Gibus said:

Try to contact the place where you got your medical done see if they can email you a copy of the DS3025.

So I should call the doctor's office of where she got her medical examination done? Or should I call the US embassy in the country? 

11 hours ago, K1visaHopeful said:

 

So you're saying since we don't have the DS3025 that we should just submit the I-485 without her medical and just wait for the RFE? I want to sent out the I-485 this week and I don't think we can get a medical done so soon again, and I don't want her to get shots she already got.

We are filling out the I-485 and my fiance's I-94 expires next Thursday so we want to submit the I-485 by the end of this week so...

1. Since her I-94 expires next week, what happens when I submit the I-485? Her status with the K1 is technically past after 90 days, but we did get married and have a marriage certificate so do we need anything for her to prove she is legally here? I am just scared that I know the I-485 process takes months so I just want to make sure she is fine legally after the 25th of this month. The K1 visa requirement technically and the condition upon entering the US is that you get married within 90 days, since we have done that nothing can happen at this point bad with us right? 
2. Since she had shots and her medical done in Hungary before she came to the states I understand that she doesn't need a new doctor examination, but do I just not send anything involving her shots or medical along with the I-485? Do we need to have the results of the test from Hungary and send it or something? I am asking this because she left the results of the test at home. 

I may have more questions pop up, but that's all I can think of for now. 

Thanks so much for the help. 

2 minutes ago, geowrian said:

She needs an EAD (or green card) to get one now.

You must have at least 14 days of legal status remaining in order to apply for an SSN. It sounds like she may have met/passed this threshold.

What do you mean? So she needs the green card now first before applying for a SSN? So her expiration of her I-94 is not a big deal then is it? 

We are now filling out the I-485 and we are two weeks away from my wife's I-94 from expiring. She went to the Social Security office to apply for a SSN but was told no and that she needs to come back after the I-94 has expired which is October 25th. That doesn't make any sense to me. All we have done is gotten married and we are on the next step. Should we already have a SSN? Will we get one after we send in the I-485? Is it a problem she doesn't have a SSN yet?