ScottishTom

52 minutes ago, C90 said:

Did you also apply I-765 and I-131? (EAD and AP) 

 

If not, check the processing times of your local office (CA has a lot). I know most of them have like at least a year wait for interviews, but yours could be different. If you're not outside normal processing times there's nothing you can do except sit back, relax and wait for your interview. The status online doesn't always change.

 

If you did apply EAD/AP, you should check the processing times for NBC. They're currently working on September filers, so you should get your combo card soon (if applied) If you're outside normal processing times with NBC, you can request an inquiry online.

We applied for the I-765 but not the I-131

Is this the correct website to check? - https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

if so, on the drop down for I-765 should I select National benefits Center or California Services Center?

if I request an inquiry online does someone actually answer it stating why it might be delayed?

fingers crossed it comes soon, would just be great to see some movement on the darn thing! Unfortunately sitting back and relaxing isn’t so easy with just one income!

Hey

We submitted our I130/485 (AOS from VWP - marriage to USC) packet back in September. A couple of weeks later we had the biometrics appointment. And since then we have unfortunately heard nothing (The online check status didn't move from 'we received your biometric fee' either, it just stayed the same as it did before the biometrics.

We're in CA so I know the process takes a little longer here so it seems - but should I be doing anything in the meantime? Is it worth calling or following up with anyone?

On 12/18/2018 at 1:51 PM, hoangthaihuy said:

Have you checked the status on the uscis website?

Hey, 

Yes I checked online and it still says...On date, we accepted the fingerprint fee for your form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence, my other says, On Date, we received your Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization...

Nothing mentions by biometrics taking place...

On 12/18/2018 at 2:22 PM, Pumpkin said:

I had my biometrics done for my EAD in June 2018 and I still never got an update for my application until now.

 

Odd thing is, my interview for AOS came in first which was actually scheduled earlier today. I asked the officer assigned to us about my EAD application and he said it wasn't even in their system though I'm checking the status now on their website and it still says "Case Was Received", so.... at this point, who knows. The interview earlier went well, however, and he said i'll be getting my Green Card in the mail soon so I didn't really pursue the status of my EAD application since my Green Card will basically function similarly.

 

I hope you get yours soon without a problem though!

So nothing changed after your did your biometrics? It still said they received your fingerprint fee, and your EAD application - but never changed to say they did your biometrics?

On 12/13/2018 at 2:18 PM, hoangthaihuy said:

6+ months for EAD if you don't have a job offer to get it expedited.

But still, you're under the mercy of our USCIS overlord to expedite it or not.

You will receive the confirmation that your fingerprint has completed prolly tonight.

I did my biometrics a couple of weeks ago, and still have received confirmation. Is this normal? do I get an email, something in the mail etc?

Hey

So I just completed my biometrics appointment, which was the easiest and quickest part of this whole process.  (However, nothing has updated online on the case status to say I did my fingerprints? - It just says my fingerprint fee was accepted)

I know there are not set dates, but does anyone know what the next step. I guess the case is going through there background check currently.  What happens next?

Can anyone say when I might ROUGHLY expect my EAD? We're struggling a little financially with the one income, and so being able to help by bringing in a wage would help greatly!  I know there isnt one solid timeframe, but Im hoping for a rough window here in CA?

For anyone that knows, what happens once they complete a background check? Is there something that happens after? Do you get a notification saying the background check was complete? I thought the next step after biometrics was the EAD issuing, following by the 'Your case is ready to be scheduled' etc.?

5 hours ago, Ben&Zian said:

 

Generally check and all will get cashed first. 1-2 weeks is normal for NOA's, but even 30 days isn't unheard of.

Do you know how long it usually takes for the check to cash, and for the text notifications to take place?

Once a package is sent; is there a usual time frame for how long until you get the text/email updates to say it’s been received, how long until checks and money orders get cashed, and how long the paper NOAs take to arrive?

Ive got everything on there over 6 months currently, but yeah, Ive left off anything under - but it leaves a weird two year hole in my address history, but I can explain in person if need be.

I also have a PO Box that I have used the whole time, and that address is on my DL. Do you think I should include that somewhere even though Ive obviously never lived there?

Hey, 

On various forms (I-130a, I-485) it asks me to list me previous addresses for the last 5 years within the states.  My question is this - For a year/year and a half I didn't really have a permanent address, I was just bouncing around craigslist subleases, airbnb's etc - as for a while it ended up being a cheaper alternative, and I just used a PO Box for my mail.

Should I include all of these addresses? As there may be over 30? Or do I just included addresses that ive actually, like, lived in and made a home?

11 hours ago, Cati23 said:

Did you have a social security number at the time you worked illegally?? If No then there’s no reason of mentioning it anywhere or else you calling for trouble,, 

Yes, I have a valid social security number, and I have used this whilst working, and paid taxes against the money earned on this social.

10 hours ago, hell0w0rld08 said:

don't mention any unauthorized work, you are asking for trouble by doing so. 

I appreciate this, but I'm not looking at lying os misguiding anyone especially during immigration. I worked, I made that decision, and so I'm going to declare it on my I-485 as to the best of my understanding, any work done whilst not under status is forgiven when marriage occurs. I worked one job continuously whilst out of status and so this is the one job I will be mentioning in my explanation of why.

7 hours ago, MacUK said:

Lying to immigration is asking for a lot more trouble

I agree, and will definitely not be doing so.

Has anyone else submitted a statement attached to answering yes to either of these questions?

Hi all, 

I don't want to start a thread to discuss, or to do anything that may cause any friction by discussing any work taking place in the US without authorization, so I'm hoping I can use this as a thread to have any user potentially message me privately with their experiences to these questions.

They discuss the working in the US without authorization, and violating terms and conditions of nonimmigrant status - which I unfortunately have.  I have ticked yes to both of these questions, but if anyone else who has also ticked yes to these might consider messaging me, I would like to just talk to anyone who has, and in particular I have questions regarding the extra explanations the form requests regarding these answers, and formatting of such a document etc.

I hope this is ok to ask, if not - please delete the thread!

2 hours ago, Chocobo said:

Hi all,

 

Just curious to hear what everyone has done (or will be doing) in terms of timeframes for your medical exam.  I'm calling around the USCIS approved doctors in my area and getting info about prices and stuff.  Knowing how some doctors get booked up way in advance, I'm kind of surprised that many of the doctors I've called don't actually schedule appointments and do it on a walk-in basis.

 

I'm glad that one place I spoke with mentioned the new TB test requirements as of 10/01/18.  That place is now charging $550 USD (cash) for their exams because of the change to their TB test procedures.

 

Anyways, what have your experiences been?  Or, if you're still in the process, when will you plan to schedule your appt?  

Do you have any more data on the new TB requirements as I have to get mine in the next couple of weeks.  The cheapest I was able to find was around $425, but I called locally and everything was over $550, so I went further afield to some of the lesser populated parts of town, and found one for $425 but I called before the 1st and didn't know about new requirements

Whereabouts did you file?

Im not in the same boat, but we are about to file - so this isn't good to hear

Hey

On passport photos for I130 and I1485, can anyone tell me whether or not we need to write names, dates etc on the back of them? Some places seem to indicate yes, some indicate no - some indicate they may need to be notarized?

Just looking for a definitive opinion!

Thank you for all of your answers on this! 

Hi all, 

Sorry to dredge this thread up again, but I have a question with he I-485 relating to my case.

Part 3, Question 1 is: Have you ever applied for an immigrant visa to obtain permanent resident status at a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate abroad?

Having submitted an old 130/application that was never finished, would this count as a yes? Or does this only apply if I actually went with a purpose of gaining an immigrant visa (I never have, I arrived on VWP, which was done online).

2 hours ago, mushroomspore said:

Lol that part confuses everyone, but at the same time, the instructions ARE kinda clear.

 

PART 5, ITEM 1: You put "1" since that's for "persons sponsored in this affidavit". That's only you, the intending immigrant. 

 

All persons in items 2-7 are people who are NOT being sponsored in the I-864 but are claimed as dependents by whoever is filling out the form.

 

PART 5, ITEM 2: Wife puts "1" for herself. She is the petitioner and not an immigrant, so she counts as "not being sponsored".

 

PART 5, ITEM 3: You put "0" because you already counted yourself in item 1. Instructions say to not count yourself twice. Furthermore, you are the one being sponsored. So you don't even count in this category of people for the household. This particular item is typically more for joint sponsors with spouses. Example, my dad-in-law is our joint sponsor. He had to put "1" in this box because he is married, but his wife is a US citizen and is NOT an immigrant who needs sponsoring. 

 

Hope that made sense. Your household size is "2" in item 8.

 

 

Im glad others get confused on it too!  I think Kinda clear is the best way to put it!

I think everything you put makes sense, I did exactly as you mentioned, and it feels right so thats what we are going to go with lol!

Hey again everyone!

Almost done with the forms, so I can stop frustrating everyone with my questions lol! I have some questions on the I-864 that I want some clarity on! Can anyone help?

Part 3 - Question 1: I am sponsoring the principal immigrant named in Part 2. (We ticked yes, as thats that case - but then just under this in 4a it asks for family member 1's name. Do we put my details in this box too, or is this just for people that tick no to the first questions?

Part 5 - Household size - this is where we are most confused.  So first off it says do not count any member of your household more than once.

• Number 1 asks to provide the number you entered in Part 3, item 29 (We put one, as my wife is sponsoring just me, her husband)
• then it says persons NOT sponsored in this affidavit 
• Number 2 says yourself (This would be my wife?, so we put a 1 in the box?)
• Number 3 says, If you are currently married, enter '1' for your spouse. (My wife is married, to me, so do we put a one in here too? The one we entered in item 1, was for me too, so do we put zero so its not counted twice? Or if we put a 1 in this box - will I not then be sponsored, as this box is under the persons NOT sponsored section. SO CONFUSING!!

We dont have any children so nothing to worry about in those boxes!  

Any advice would definitely help as were very confused by this section!

9 hours ago, JoelThai said:

 

2 3/4" is correct.   My apologies for causing confusion.  😕

Haha thank you for this, I spent a good 30 minutes looking for 2 1'4 thinking I was going crazy! 

1 hour ago, JoelThai said:

Although this may not answer all your questions, if you have not already done so, review the USCIS Form Filing Tips.   

 

https://www.uscis.gov/forms-filing-tips

 

In my personal experience, when I filed my I-129f, I did the following and was processed quickly and without RFE...

 

1) Attached Payment to the top with a paper clip

2) I placed separator (title pages) between major sections of my submission.  I used Avery Colored tabs at the bottom of the separator pages.  (The filing instructions state:"Sticky tabs assist in locating items listed as attachments. For easy filing, place the tabs on the bottom of the page, not the side.")

3) I placed passport photos in a small ziplock type bag which was taped to a full size page to avoid possible loss.   I wrote in pencil on the back side of the photo the name of the person appearing in the photo.

4) Photos for proof of relationship were also placed in a sandwich sized ziplock bag as in question 3.

 

Per the form filing instructions, I use a two hole punch (2 1/4" Center - Sparco #00785)  and ACCO Prong Fasteners (#12990) to secure my documents together.   I used the two hole punch to punch holes into the top back portion of a letter sized Manilla Folder, placing the ACCO fastener through the back of the folder, and then placing the documents into the folder and secured to the folder by the ACCO fastener.   It made for a secure, protective and compact submission that is easily dismantled if necessary.

 

Your remaining questions did not apply for the I-129f, so hopefully others can share their experiences...

 

Thank you for this, I just ordered some letter sized manilla folders and some Acco 2 3/4 (I couldn't find the 2 1/4) fasteners to copy this procedure! Maybe a dumb questions, but do you remember roughly how close to the top of the document you hole punched them? (I want to make sure I dont destroy anything on any off the documents information!)

For the sticky tabs, did you label the tabs? Or just leave therm blank? And did you have them sticking out at all? (Im guessing so, but wanted to check - being a little paranoid)

And, I assume you labeled the front of each manilla folder with what was inside?

1 hour ago, Andreafitz said:

Standard photocopy is fine. Checked this with a lawyer in advance of sending my application in

Thank you, big help and avoids having to pay for more certified copies!

1 hour ago, dandk said:

And here is the formal guide on how to send in your packet from USCIS.

 

https://www.uscis.gov/forms-filing-tips

 

 

Hey, this link doesn't seem to work unfortunately

I know there are a lot of topics on here, and on google too but nothing seems to give a concise amount of information on how to exactly put the package together.

so, a few main questions

1 - How did everyone attach their check or money order? To a piece of paper? (Did you use a paper clip or a staple?) 

2 - I know not to use staples on any of the forms, but did you use separators to indicate different forms and documents, out just place them one after the other without separation?

3 - How did you attach passport photos? I have seen some places mention to leave them loose and others say put them in a ziplock and staple them to a piece of paper? How did you do it?

4 - And the same question for photos for proof of bonafide marriage - how did you attach these? Loose, or in a bag? How did you attach the bag?

5 - How did you separate the I-130 documents and I-485 documents? folders? elastic bands? Ive seen mentions of each and others.

6 - Did you do a seperate folder our band for the I-130 and I-485 and include all the medical examine and proof of support in the I-485, or did you give these their own separate folder?

Hopefully this will get us some clarity!