Michaela K.

6 hours ago, Rearviewmirror said:

Sorry you had a cruddy final interview experience. I'm also waiting on YSC, so hope that negative officer moves on before I'm interviewing. Congratulations on your approval and never having to deal with USCIS again!

Thank you! Fingers crossed you hear something soon and it's much easier than mine! It's crazy that every person's experience can be so different depending on who you get at the interview..

On 4/27/2023 at 10:29 AM, interprime said:

Wow, been quiet round here for a few months. Guess I'll chime in to say that I'm still waiting on my application at YSC. According to the processing times on the USCIS website, it'll be July at the earliest before I hear anything. Been stuck on the biometrics re-used notice since June of 2021. So, yeah, I guess I'll just continue waiting for the Potomac Center to get it together. Just sucks getting the worst draw of all the service centers for this. Any other YSC filers hear anything to date?

I had YSC as well and it took forever. I finally had my interview last week. It was a combo interview for my citizenship as well. The interviewer we got was tough. Before we went there I was more nervous about the test than the interview part just because I felt like we had so much more evidence than we had for the first GC (now we own house, cars together etc. ) and thought our case was easy... and yet the interviewer kept asking for more and didn't seem to be satisfied the whole time, even wrote down all the months/years my husband and I were mentioning about how/when we met and our lives to make sure our timelines lined up. Asked so many questions, lots of details. So when we got to the citizenship test questions, it felt so quick and easy compared to the interview itself. I got approved but I just felt down when I was leaving. I'm glad this process is done and we won't have to deal with this anymore.

I just filed last night and got a notice and biometrics waiver today. Filing based on being LPR and married to US citizen for 3 years. Still waiting for ROC interview as well (filed April 2021). I'm hoping it won't take too long as it seems my local office is pretty quick. Good luck everyone!

Package sent 4/13, delivered 4/15. Just got a text today saying they received the case! We got Potomac service center (YSC). The wait times don't look that great (20-21 months per USCIS website). 

Back to the forums after 2 years. We just mailed our packet today. I hope I filled out everything correctly. Good luck everyone! 😊

5 hours ago, Shiran said:

I do not believe this is quite correct. SS card says "Valid for work only with DHS Authorization" EAD is that authorization. So, if you have EAD you keep using your original SSN card with restriction words on it. Once you get green card, you may ask for new SS card issued that doesn't have the restriction. SS tax withholding are employer responsibility, as is verifying your authorized for employment status. Employers have to file form I-9 for everyone they employ. Be extremely careful they do not check "Employee is a citizen"  box until you are naturalized. There was a case recently where AoS was denied along with life time bar for misrepresentation because during interview woman stated she signed I-9 with "I am a citizen" checkbox marked erroneously by the employer. 

Good point! The EAD and DHS authorization didn't link in my head. I think I saw some people had another wording on their SS cards that literally said they are not allowed to work, nothing about the DHS authorization. I'm not sure what visa they were on when they got their first SS card but I'd assume those would be the ones who would need to go get that wording changed/removed anyway. 

I double checked the SS card information and it says to make sure that your employer uses the exact name and SS number for you as shown on your SS card since the SS office records everyone's earnings based on that information - that's what I was referring to by saying they get information from employers and it could be a red flag if you're earning money but their system says you shouldn't. But I guess it would apply only to those whose SS card says "cannot work at all" instead of can work with DHS author.

23 hours ago, Patience089 said:

Quick question:

Do we need to do anything with our Social Security Card once the work auth arrived?

Depends. If you marked on the EAD form that you want to request a new ssn card automatically then you should just get it in the mail without going to the ss office. 

Otherwise, it is your responsibility to inform SS office about change in your legal status or name change etc., it's all stated on the paper that came with the initial SS card.

With EAD, you should make sure your SS card has the wording restricting work removed. My understanding is that the employers inform SS office that you're working because it's counted towards your social securiy/retirement whatever they call it later. So if you didn't get the work restriction removed from the SS card and then started working, SSA basically still has in the system that you're not supposed to work since you didn't change it then it'll be a red flag for them and they may take further steps. 

Anyone please correct me if I'm wrong

40 minutes ago, Kyle&Ana said:

Did that and she said is the medical exams she wants and i explained that to her but she saiys if they cannot find it then i will have to complete another one 

Oh ok. I'm sorry you're dealing with this and hope they'll find it! 

It's just weird because technically if our medical exams were not ok, we would never get K1 visa. I assumed that's why they give us only a copy of the vaccinations DS3025 and not copies of the whole thing. Also the instructions require only DS3025 and not everything. So confusing...

41 minutes ago, Kyle&Ana said:

They dint give a copy just the vaccination sheet and then sealed envelopessss

Sorry i will answer later i am just feeling bad and sad and God always i thing with this process

Everyone gets only the sealed envelope for the port of entry and then you should get a copy of DS3025 for yourself as a proof that you have all the vaccinations done. If you have the vaccination record = DS3025 form and it's marked on there that the applicant completed vaccination requirements then you should give them a copy of that and should be fine (at least that is my understanding). Rules here:

2 hours ago, Ghadji said:

Hi!

I am not a March Filer but I am a May one.

I had a question for those who have already had their interviews.

Our interview is 9/10 and we are adjusting from K1 and on the interview form it says to bring I-693 (medical form) unless previously submitted,

When my husband arrived in America the port of entry officer took all his medical forms and did not give anything back to him, so we are worried we are missing something.

Do we need to go and have another medical exam done here in the US before his interview, or did the port of entry already submit his I-693 when he took the sealed packet?

What did any other K visa adjusters do for this form for the interview?

Any help is appreciated!

It depends. Basically, K1 don't need to do I-693 here in the US, as long as their medical in their home country was complete. So did he get all the mandatory vaccinations back home already? Does he have a copy of DS3025 from his medical? It should show on there. 

E.g. my medical was complete with all the vaccinations back home, so I just had to submit the sealed embassy envelope at the port of entry. I have a copy of DS3025 for my own reference and I included a copy of it in the AOS package just in case but it is not necessary as they should get the same thing and more in the sealed envelope. No need to do anything else. I already had my interview and no one asked about it.

Edit: official istructions: 

On 8/3/2019 at 5:11 PM, AOK said:

Just got notified that my interview has been scheduled!!! Only 5 days ago it updated to “case is ready to be scheduled for an interview” and now it has been scheduled! Just waiting for the letter now with the date on it. In other people’s experience how far out do they usually schedule the interviews, like when should I expect it to be - is it usually about a month away or can it be longer? I still haven’t got my EAD/AP so very very excited at the GC interview is coming up! 

I think it's usually about 1-2 months away. Mine was scheduled on May 15th (it's when the status changed online), interview was on June 24th

19 hours ago, americaninlove said:

then an hour later gets an email saying that they tried to reach him to schedule but there was no answer. He was literally sitting on the couch with his phone the whole time. 

If his phone never rang, I'd try to make sure they have a correct number on his file. Also, next time he calls tell them about this issue so maybe they can come up with another solution if this happens again. Or give them also your number so they have 2 options to try. 

It's weird, I personally never had an issue. I had a call back from tier2 multiple times. Even one time I was on the phone with someone else and they just called in that moment, I was so mad at myself cause I thought I'd have to go through a tier1 and the wait again but luckily they tried to call me again a few minutes later

Hey guys, I noticed a few people getting their GC interview sooner than they expected. I got mine in 4 months instead of 7-8 as was listed on USCIS website. A December filer I know in a different state was expecting interview around November from USCIS estimates. She just got scheduled for August! I saw a few more people mentioning it on VJ as well.

So fingers crossed that your wait for GC interview will be also much shorter than they're stating on the website 🤞. That way hopefully a lot of EAD/AP can get cancelled and people in the slower offices can get theirs sooner. Hang in there! 

One more thought on EAD/AP times, here on VJ I noticed, there is no way of indicating that you got your GC first and therefore your EAD/AP was cancelled. I personally deleted all the information from the EAD/AP section so it doesn't look like I filed and never go my EAD/AP but I'm sure not every person is that diligent 

22 hours ago, SerbCA said:

Soo I just looked at informed delivery and I have a letter from USCIS coming.

 

It says page one of one and is dated july 24th (the day I had the intreview)

 

I am presuming that's the formal approval letter and not the actual green card?  Since on the website (that still just says Cse was approved) it says they will email me my approval notice.

 

Also just curious, how does the actual letter with the green card inside look?

Yes, it should be just a notice saying you're approved. The actual GC comes in a bigger envelope with red stripes, it'll be mailed as a priority mail and you'll get a tracking number for it from your case status. Inside, it's more like a packet with some information about your rights and your GC and then a letter with attached GC

2 hours ago, FINUSA said:

Ikr! my status havent change to anything in uscis website tho. Not even that biometricks where sheluded nor taken. Status is same as it was after they did reserv my applications. I have to keep good track now, cause seems if it starts look that again they do mistace then i need call them. 😃

Did you call them and ask if they received your biometrics ok? If tier 1 can't see and just tells you that you're still within normal processing times, ask to speak with tier 2. For me and a few people after they called and asked, status actually changed a few days later. Maybe it was a coincidence but it never hurts to try.

Also, which website are you looking at your case on? The "myUSCIS" website never changed status for me. Only the "case status online" tracker semi worked

43 minutes ago, paulsquare said:

When to expect the welcome letter, approval notice and green card to receive after interview (on the spot approval)?

My interview was 6/24, status changed to card being produced 6/25, notice came 6/28, GC came 7/1. Not sure though if it's the same for everyone 

22 hours ago, Rylee said:

Thank you for taking the time to type that up, I really appreciate it!

Unfortunately most of that isn't available/doesn't apply to us, except mail addressed to him and beneficiary on my 401k. 😓 I do like the idea of the conversations with his family and vice versa, I'll definitely do that.

 

I'm so glad your Adjustment of Status got approved -- thank you for your advice!

You're welcome and thank you! I think 401k beneficiary is valuable too because it shows an asset that has both of you on it. The mail addressed to him may seem silly and not that significant but the officer took all of it from us and you never know, it may help. Definitely doesn't hurt anything.

Also, our officer asked about car ownership/insurance in both names, which we didn't have. And he said when it comes to the evidence, it's better to see something from the whole period of marriage and not just one month prior to the interview. That people just grab bills from their counter that month instead of collecting it the whole time. So if you do the conversations or any bills/statements, try to bring one from each month or every other month to show consistency I guess. He didn't say it's bad to have something just from one month, but it makes their decision easier I think. 

Otherwise, don't worry. We had lots of stuff and I felt so nervous and worried that we don't have enough anyway. I think it's normal! I saw some people bringing much less to the interview and they got approved without any problem.

Edit: Just saw your interview is today, good luck!

13 hours ago, Rylee said:

Hi March filers! Hope all is well for you guys I'm sure this has been asked ad nauseum already, but I'm doing a final look at our documentation to prove our bonafide relationship for our interview on Thursday. I was feeling good about it, but now that it's getting closer, I'm starting to worry we don't have a compelling case. We have:
- Lease agreement with our names on it
- Lease addendum for the puppy we adopted (& papers from the vet)
- Joint health insurance

- Joint checking account

- My credit card account with him as an authorized user

- Wedding certificate
- Weekend trips together (train tickets, hotel bookings, concert tickets)
- Plenty of photos together, text messages, etc.
- Also it's a stretch, but I was actually on Say Yes to the Dress and we'll be planning a *proper* wedding with that dress once we get the GC. Would I be able to use that?

 

Can you guys think of anything else to include or am I worrying over nothing lol?

Hi, we had similar items like you. In addition to that, we had each other as beneficiaries on our life insurances, his 401K.

We're planning a "proper wedding" next year as well so we had contracts with some vendors we already booked, contract from our save the dates photo session.

If you have utility, phone or internet bills with both of your names, you can bring those. If you have renter's insurance with both names, you can bring that.

Also, you can bring any mail addressed to him with your address on it showing he really lives there (I brought a mail from SS office, USPS, macys and some other stores I ordered from.)

In addition to photos, I made screenshots of any facebook/instagram posts where his family tagged me or us with comments, text messages with his mom/sister - I personally think that shows much more than just photos.

If you have also dental/vision insurance, bring those. Pretty much anything you can think of.

I think you will be fine but if you have/can get more stuff, it's always better to bring it and not need it than the other way. Good luck!

36 minutes ago, FemmeFatal said:

im so frustrated about calling the USCIS idk what to click on the options they have. should I just click 1 ,1 2 2?

Call 1-800-375-5283, then 1, 1, 1, then enter your case number (starts with 672 probably). After you listen to information about your case, press 3. There is no voice prompt to press 3, it is a hidden option to talk to officer
 

On 7/10/2019 at 9:05 AM, FemmeFatal said:

Do you have your EAD now with you?

No, I got my green card first so there was no need for EAD

By any chance do you know what to fill in the VJ timeline for EAD and AP if I got my GC first? I don't see any option for them being cancelled. Should I just leave them blank? I'm just thinking, wouldn't it mess up the timeline for others though? 

23 hours ago, Kyle&Ana said:

Guys got my interview letter in mail on saturday! August 5th and like i am nearby St. Louis even though i live in Illinois and i thought my office would be chicago Isn't is Missouri, St. Louis! 

 

Can ppl that had their interview give me some advice.

 

I started to gather pics, documents, mail in the same address, proof of car, health insurance, joint account, phone bills and well i dont know what else with us just having 4 months married! We also living with our in laws so no proof about lease, bills and etc and previous to that we just had 1 month living in our last residence so were no chances to add me on those bills!!!

 

i am excited and nervous hajaj!! 

I had my interview last week and besides what you already named I also brought my and his life insurance with us being each others beneficiaries, statements of benefits from my husbands work that showed us both having health and dental insurance through him, his 401k showing me as a beneficiary. Then I did screenshots of some facebook posts with pictures from family events in which my husband's sisters tagged us in + my posts - in my opinion it shows much more than just pictures because of all the comments our families/friends made etc. Screenshots of conversations between me and my husband's family (meeting up, them congratulating) and also me and my husband. Then I brought contracts and receipts for deposits for wedding venue, photographer etc. since we're doing a "proper" wedding celebration next year. Flight tickets from trips together. And as someone said, I'd definitely bring written and signed statements from your in laws saying you live with them and that the lease and utilities are in their name. Good luck!

3 minutes ago, FINUSA said:

really? well this was new info, since airline said i need have ether green card or ad. this is some good news then

Yes, you can fly within the USA. I flew just with my passport to California last month and I'm flying domestically to a wedding next month. At the airport they will want to see just your passport - the name in your passport has to match your name on the flight ticket!! Even if you may have changed your last name after marriage. Sometimes you may run into someone who will want you to show for your legal status here - so always carry your NOA for I485 and your certified copy of marriage certificate/license (that's what you're supposed to do anyway until you have GC). I personally carry a copy of NOA all the time but when flying I always bring the original as well just to be safe.

You need AP or GC just for flights outside the US because without them you wouldn't be able to get back.

8 hours ago, BananaButton5 said:

omg what! I hope our case gets transferred to Kansas City! Our office is St. Louis, and so far it's slow! 

Yeah, I saw the time estimates for St. Louis were double the time compared to KC. We live in between those two towns and we were just lucky our zip code falls under KC office and not St. Louis one. Good luck to you!