Lana&Ivy

So I just got a text saying my application was received. I have a case number and the I797 is coming in the mail. Still no cashed check yet…. I’m assuming checks probably take longer to cash…. At least it’s getting somewhere 😅

That was fast.
Got my text message today. 2 days after package was delivered by FEDEX. (WAC receipt #)
 
2021-08-01 - my 90 day window opened
2021-08-02 - FEDEX'd my package
2021-08-03 - E Quintana signed for my package
2021-08-05 - TEXT message: Case was received (WAC#)

That was fast.
Got my text message today. 2 days after package was delivered by FEDEX. (WAC receipt #)
 
2021-08-01 - my 90 day window opened
2021-08-02 - FEDEX'd my package
2021-08-03 - E Quintana signed for my package
2021-08-05 - TEXT message: Case was received (WAC#)

Whelp! Mailed my wife out today. Looked it over, reviewed it, reread it, reviewed it again, etc... lol Mailed it out to the PO BOX and should be there tomorrow. Told my wife realistically I don't expect them to check it out tomorrow, or anything until next week so.... We Wait... haha
 

Really heartening to hear such a quick turnaround - best of luck! We're based in San Diego so we'll probably end up in WAC too once we file. 

That was fast.
Got my text message today. 2 days after package was delivered by FEDEX. (WAC receipt #)
 
2021-08-01 - my 90 day window opened
2021-08-02 - FEDEX'd my package
2021-08-03 - E Quintana signed for my package
2021-08-05 - TEXT message: Case was received (WAC#)

Hi Gang! 
 
Here we go again!! I already see some familiar names in this thread from AOS and K1 before that! What a journey.
 
I'm leaving the US in early September for 2 months. REALLY hoping that NOA/extension letter gets here before then since my return date is after my GC expires. I would love to have the letter with me when I go - save my husband the pressure of having to bring it to me in Canada!  Current timelines seem to have NOAs arrive within a few weeks, so fingers crossed for all of us. 🙂
 
GO TEAM!
 
2021-08-01 - my 90 day window opened
2021-08-02 - FEDEX'd my package
2021-08-03 - E Quintana signed for my package
 
Waiting on the "received" text now.  

Hi Gang! 
 
Here we go again!! I already see some familiar names in this thread from AOS and K1 before that! What a journey.
 
I'm leaving the US in early September for 2 months. REALLY hoping that NOA/extension letter gets here before then since my return date is after my GC expires. I would love to have the letter with me when I go - save my husband the pressure of having to bring it to me in Canada!  Current timelines seem to have NOAs arrive within a few weeks, so fingers crossed for all of us. 🙂
 
GO TEAM!
 
2021-08-01 - my 90 day window opened
2021-08-02 - FEDEX'd my package
2021-08-03 - E Quintana signed for my package
 
Waiting on the "received" text now.  

I am a K-1 visa entrant currently in the process of AOS.  I applied for the AB 60 license in order to not wait for green card or EAD given the wait times for that documentation.  
 
FYI: the AB 60 is NOT exclusively for illegal immigrants.  It is most definitely for those of us who are pending status.
 
This is an outline of my experience, I thought it may be helpful for others.
 
Wednesday, August 14th: 
·      DMV appointment in Pasadena
·      Filled out application online
·      Offered my unexpired passport, utility bill, and certified copy of marriage certificate (as name change doc)
·      I-94 due to expire about 35 days from appointment date.  I showed it to one person, no one else asked.  
·      No one wanted to see my Canadian Driver License
 
Took vision test and written test during initial appointment.  It was explained to me that my documents needed to go to secondary review, which they told me is standard.  I was told to call the DMV at a specific phone number in 5 business days, in order to set the review in motion.  I was told the review takes a few weeks, and that they would then mail me the learner’s permit and I would be able to book a behind the wheel test.
 
Monday, August 19th:
·      Got impatient and phoned the secondary review number after 3 business days rather than waiting the full 5 days
·      The investigator I spoke to was doubtful he would have my application so soon after my DMV appointment, but he did have it
·      He reviewed the documents I had submitted, and then put me on hold for 15-20 minutes as he processed the application
·      He then told me my application was being sent to LA County from Sacramento for the actual secondary review and that I would receive a letter in the mail within 30 days with an interview date, time and location in order to verify my documents. 
 
Monday, September 9th:
·      Received appointment letter in the mail stating that my interview was scheduled for Sept 19th in Mission Hills.  10 days away. Not such a long wait after all
·      The letter listed the documentation that I was required to bring to the interview, the list was verbatim was is listed on the DMV website for what to bring in order to apply for AB 60 license
 
Thursday, September 19th:
·      Showed up 25 minutes early for my interview in Mission Hills.  It was not at a regular DMV, but in a DMV Investigative office.  No one else was in the waiting room
·      The sergeant came out to the waiting room and requested the original and certified copies of the residency and identification documents I had brought with me.  She took: Social Security Card, Passport, I-485 NOA1, Marriage Certificate, & utility bill with both my name and my husband’s on it.  She took the documents and left me in the waiting room
·      A few minutes later, she came back and invited me into the interview room.  She returned my original docs and proceeded to ask me questions.  
o   Have you ever been charged with driving without a license
o   What is your full name
o   What is your birth date
o   What is your address
o   What is your phone number
·      She told me she was going to send my file back to Sacramento and to expect two letters in the mail
o   In 2-3 weeks a letter from the investigative unit stating they have completed their investigation
o   In 4-6 weeks, a letter from Sacremento with my learner’s permit in it  
·      She told me I could attempt to book my behind-the-wheel test before the permit arrives in the mail.  Once I’m in the system, that should be possible
 
Monday, October 28th,
·      Received a letter from Sacramento Investigations Division saying I am approved to continue the application process and have made it through secondary review.  I am to make an appointment with my local DMV to continue the process.  No learner’s permit was in the envelope.  I had been told by TWO different people that it would be in the mail.
·      Went online to make an office appointment.  The soonest I could find was about a 2 hour 40 minute drive from my Los Angeles home on November 4th.  In one week.  All the local DMVs were end of January for the 1st available appointment.  
·      I phoned the DMV to find out exactly what completing the process means, and what steps I can take to expedite the process.  Yanette, the agent I spoke with, was very helpful and even booked my road test for me while I was on the phone.  She was able to book it the same day as my office appointment but an hour later so I can walk from the permit counter right to the behind the wheel counter.  Let’s hope that works.
 
October 30th, 2019
·      AOS Interview today.  Approved. Should have the green card in a week.  At this rate I could’ve just gotten the REAL ID license.  BUT, that would’ve expired with the 2-year green card.  The AB 60 is supposedly good for 5 years, so potentially I could keep it until I gain citizenship.  I’m not sure of the ramifications of that though, if there are any.
·      2nd letter from the DMV arrived today.  The one that was supposed to arrive 2-3 weeks after my appointment with the sergeant.  It told me to expect a letter from Sacramento – which I’d already received days earlier.
 
November 4, 2019
·      My office appointment at the Lake Isabella DMV was scheduled for 14:40. We arrived in town at 12pm, and I went in to the DMV to see if I could squeeze in a bit earlier.  I was the only person in line and managed to complete my office appointment less than 10 minutes from the time I walked in.  I didn’t have to give them any ID, just my receipt from my initial appointment, but I did have everything with me, including the letter from DMV Investigation unit stating that my secondary review was complete and my documents were approved.
·      The agent told me that unfortunately, he couldn’t bump up the behind the wheel test and I’d have to wait until the 1540 scheduled appointment.  No problem!
·      Went back at 1530 for the behind the wheel test.  It was a quick drive around Lake Isabella, and I passed.  The Examiner was VERY kind and made me feel totally at ease.  They gave me an Interim C license to use until my real license arrives in the mail.  The interim license expires on January 2, 2020.
 
From first appointment to secondary review to licensed driver, I waited 82 days.  My AOS was approved incredibly quickly for the LA office.  I would recommend the AB 60 even though I ended up getting it the same time as the green card.  If I hadn't gone through secondary review, which doesn't always happen, I would've been driving since august.  ALSO: The drive to Lake Isabella was totally worth it.

Green card received. No signature required. My wife was actually worried she might have to speak to an American Postal Worker as it was my day in the office))))  Thanks to everyone who replied.

Thank you for this  detailed post. Very interesting to know the timeline of the process. 

Ah, a man who does his RESEARCH.. how refreshing! VJ can be so damaging to people because of the ‘scare mongers’ giving out false information without actually basing it on anything.
 
Ive used my AB60 in a number of government agencies and even travelled to Hawaii with it. So far I’ve not been taken off to a dark room and interrogated about my status 😂👍.
 
Best of luck with the AB60 application process. Be persistent if they kick up a fuss at the DMV, make sure you provide them a copy of THEIR GUIDELINES.

And there it is.  Thank you to everyone in this thread for taking this journey with me.  I'm looking forward to seeing you all sail through smoothly.
 
Edited to say: Status updated on new site only, I was prompted to check by emails from USCIS about having taken action on my case.  Old site still says "Interview Was Scheduled".

It almost feels like he was trying to ruffle some feathers by trying to make you feel afraid.  I have seen this happen quite often in jobs similar to his.

Interview scheduled on December 10th! Anchorage, Alaska. Just got letter in the mail, website still hasn't updated.
 
Noa1 July 18th
Biometrics August 13th (Austin, Tx)
My husband deployed so i moved on Alaska to stay with his parents. Our case was transferred here. Good luck guys! I hope everyone will get the date of interview soon.

And there it is.  Thank you to everyone in this thread for taking this journey with me.  I'm looking forward to seeing you all sail through smoothly.
 
Edited to say: Status updated on new site only, I was prompted to check by emails from USCIS about having taken action on my case.  Old site still says "Interview Was Scheduled".

October 31, 2019
New Card Is Being Produced
 
On October 31, 2019, we ordered your new card for Receipt Number  and will mail it to the address you gave us. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

And there it is.  Thank you to everyone in this thread for taking this journey with me.  I'm looking forward to seeing you all sail through smoothly.
 
Edited to say: Status updated on new site only, I was prompted to check by emails from USCIS about having taken action on my case.  Old site still says "Interview Was Scheduled".

Many thanks for that Boris.   I'm looking back over the interviews, and saw most reps had the decency to provide some indication of approval for the people.   They handed us a letter saying "You have completed your interview.   USCIS is unable to complete your case at this time.  Your case is being continued until a final decision can be made.  Please see below for further explanation."
then there are three check boxes and ours is the first one........."Your case is being held for review.  At this time, USCIS does not required any further information or documents from you. "  then basically goes on to say they may ask for more info or another interview and that they'll notify us.
 

We had our AOS interview this morning.  Our officer said we are approved.  
Neither site has updated yet.

And there it is.  Thank you to everyone in this thread for taking this journey with me.  I'm looking forward to seeing you all sail through smoothly.
 
Edited to say: Status updated on new site only, I was prompted to check by emails from USCIS about having taken action on my case.  Old site still says "Interview Was Scheduled".

Quite honestly, it depends on who your IO is.  They seem to each look for their own "telltale signs" of a real relationship.  Our officer really focussed on my name change, that i was on the car insurance and health insurance.  He didn't ask about dates aside from relationship dates.  I truly couldn't have planned for what I got outside of knowing every detail on my application.  My mother's place of birth threw me and I got lectured for it.  My case definitely is not the norm, and was similar to a case someone from the Philadelphia office recently posted about.  Just be honest and know about your life.  And your spouse's life.

Just returned from our interview. Recommended for approval. She said she would try to have the approval in the system by the end of the day. The young woman who interviewed us was very professional. Make sure you talk to your spouse about means tested benefits, food stamps, and other welfare programs. My wife was asked if she planned on using any of these benefits specifically and my wife looked at me like "WT& is she talking about." :-)))) I told the interviewer that my wife had no idea about the concept of food stamps or welfare. Overall positive experience. The only bad thing is when we got there (St. Louis) there was no line or system to decide who is next to check in. The applicants had to police themselves. That isn't always going to work. Good luck to everyone else.

And there it is.  Thank you to everyone in this thread for taking this journey with me.  I'm looking forward to seeing you all sail through smoothly.
 
Edited to say: Status updated on new site only, I was prompted to check by emails from USCIS about having taken action on my case.  Old site still says "Interview Was Scheduled".

And there it is.  Thank you to everyone in this thread for taking this journey with me.  I'm looking forward to seeing you all sail through smoothly.
 
Edited to say: Status updated on new site only, I was prompted to check by emails from USCIS about having taken action on my case.  Old site still says "Interview Was Scheduled".