my&aaron

Literally just submitted ours one hour ago lol I finally did it after much procrastination  😅
Make sure you fill this out everyone! Great way to track https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uJwpaHzGIuuvbVMXK5h-F8KH3hCh88kMxpxC4uOJOk8/edit?usp=sharing

Literally just submitted ours one hour ago lol I finally did it after much procrastination  😅
Make sure you fill this out everyone! Great way to track https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uJwpaHzGIuuvbVMXK5h-F8KH3hCh88kMxpxC4uOJOk8/edit?usp=sharing

Hi everyone! Make sure you update this google sheet with your status as well. People from the previous months have done a great job filling theirs out so we know how long to expect so let's do the same! 
 https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uJwpaHzGIuuvbVMXK5h-F8KH3hCh88kMxpxC4uOJOk8/edit?usp=sharing

I feel like this is kind of a debate over semantics here. What people commonly say is not neccesarily indicative of what is factually correct...(as any frequent VJ user can testify!)
 
If I'm asked to describe what I am, I say I'm English and that I'm from England...but that doesn't negate me also being European and from Europe...or from being a human and from planet earth. We're not limited to how wide we want to branch...but geographically, yes, I'm from the East Midlands, in England, in Great Britain, in Europe (and so on and so forth).
 
Sorry @Pooley, this conversation has gone way off route. Good luck to you and your husband.

Unemployment is not public assistance as it is funded by insurance payments made by employers. So this will not be a problem. 

Below is my additional form format. I had over 10 employers so lol Just got my green card so I guess this format I did was accepted.
 
Attachment with additional information for
I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary
 
Spouse Beneficiary Name: Abc
A-Number: A-abc
 
Page Number: 2; Part Number: 2
Employment History: Employer 3 
The spouse beneficiary has additional employment history that could not fit on the form.
 
Name of Employer/Company: 
Address: 
Occupation: 
 
Date From: 
Date To: 
 
 

I also adjusted from F1-OPT so I can speak from my experience. See below for the answers in red - I hope it helps!
 
FORM I-131:
- Part 3. Page 2. Item 1 and 2: Date of Intended Departure and Expected Length of Trip (in days): I don't know the date of when I'm planning to travel outside of the US yet so therefor also don't know the length of the trip. Do I leave this blank/N/A? What do I put here? 
 
- Part 7. Page 4: On a separate sheet of paper, explain how you qualify for an Advance Parole Document, and what circumstances warrant issuance of advance parole. Include copies of any documents you wish considered. (See instructions):
Do you guys have any advice on how to "explain how one qualifies for Advance Parole"? lol. 
You do not need to answer this. 
 
FORM I-765:
- Part 1. Page 1. Item 1.a: I am applying for (select only one box):
√ Initial permission to accept employment.
- Replacement of lost, stolen, or damaged employment authorization document or correction my employment authorization document NOT DUE to US Citizenship and Immigration Services error.
- Renewal of my permission to accept employment. Attach a copy of your previous employment authorization document. 
 
I selected the "initial permission to accept employment" because I thought that this is a different case (Adjustment of Status through spouse) than me applying for a renewal of my EAD that I got through being an F1 student. Did I interpret this correctly? You are correct. 
 
- Part 2. Page 3. Item 25: "Your current Immigration Status or Category (for examples, B-2 visitor, F-1 student, parolee, deferred action, or no status or category)": I put "F-1 STUDENT ON OPT. Should I put something different?
Yes. Or just F-1 Student 
 
- Part 2. Page 3. Item 27: Eligibility Category: Would it be (c)(9)?
Yes.
 
FORM I-485:
- Part 1. Page 2. Item 19: "Nonimmigrant Visa Number from this Passport": So I have two passports from my foreign country (one is expired and one is current). The one that has my expired VISA in it is the expired passport. The one I used at my last arrival is my current passport that doesn't contain the VISA number in it. Should I include the Nonimmigrant Visa Number in the answer of item 19 even though it isn't in reference to "this Passport"?
 
- Part 1. Page 3. Item 24: "What is your current immigration status (if it has changed since your arrival?": At my arrival I was still in school and hadn't graduated yet. It was F1 at the time, but is it now F1 on OPT? Now that I am on an OPT but my VISA has expired.. what is my current immigration status? 
You are still an F-1 Student, just now on OPT. So put F-1 Student. 
 
- Part 2. Page 3. Item NOTE: "Attach a copy of the Form I-797 receipt or approval notice for the underlying petition or application, as appropriate.": Isn't this only applicable in the case of when someone files just an I-130 instead of a concurrent I-130 and I-485?
Not needed. 
 
- Part 5. Page 7. Item 10: "Is your current spouse applying with you?": Thats a no right? Because he is a US Citizen and doesn't "need" to apply for a permanent residence? 
You are correct. 
 
FORM I-130/FORM I-130A/I-485:
- Mailing Address: Me and my husband are a little worried about having our mailing address be the same as our physical address just because we don't know if we will be living at our place for longer than the next 3 months. We were thinking that the USCIS would send all the documents to our mailing address only right? Therefore we were planning on putting my husband's parent's address (in Texas) on the forms instead of our physical address. Would this be the safe option? Has anyone done that before?
 
- Employment History: item #: 42. - 49.b: Like I said, I'm on an OPT but because I am a freelance video artist, I have had multiple gigs (+7) over the course of this year since I have gotten my OPT but I have NEVER worked anywhere as a Full Time or Part Time employee. Should I list all the gigs I have done titling the Employer: "Self Employed" and Address: my home address and Occupation: OPT Freelance Video for _____(company) ? or should I title the Employer: the employer I did the gig for and state the Occupation as: OPT Freelance Video? I have also worked at my school as a teacher assistant multiple times for multiple teachers, so I am guessing I should include all those as well?
 
Someone recommended me to fill out Employer 1 as OPT-F1-STUDENT-ACADEMIC and state the Date to: time that my OPT started and Date from: PRESENT and then just start at Employer 2 on the most recent gig I did, but I'm really not sure about that suggestion..
 
- Additional Information: So on almost every form there is a section to include additional information for Previous Employers or Previous Home Addresses. The thing that confuses me is what item number to refer to (together with the page number and part number). How did you guys gather what item number to put in?
My examples: 
- (I-485) For address history
3. a. Page Number: 4
3.b. Part Number: 3 
3.c. Item Number: leave blank 
3.d. 
Address History: Physical Address 3
 
Address
 
Date From: 
Date To: 
 
4. a/b/c/: same as 3.
4.d.
Address History: Physical Address 4 
 
 
Address
 
Date From: 
Date To: 
 
Continue with the physical address 5,6,7. 
 
 

Hi there,
I just recently requested to expedite my EAD under "severe financial loss" like you. However, the reason I gave to the agent when I called to expedite was a pending job offer, after being passed over for another two because of not having the EAD. They emailed me back very quickly asking to fax over the job offer so I would suggest you start looking for one now as it seems like a more legitimate excuse (-to them). I am compiling my files now, and I plan to mention our financial difficulties (outstanding loans, insurance coverage, etc.) as well in the cover letter, in addition to the job offer letter. 

Had our interview today in Charlotte, NC and got approved on the spot! I will share the documents and details of the interview later today after work for those that are having theirs soon. It's been quite a journey this past six months - we are beyond happy!!! 

Our interview was WAY better than we expected. To be honest, I had been extremely nervous this past month even though I know we were prepared. 
 
Our officer was very friendly and made us both feel at ease. She definitely studied our application, as she shared that she had a good understanding of what kind of couple we were before us coming in. She also read our affidavit letter of support (which I didn't think they usually do!!!) - she was going though our photos and then asked whether our friend, who wrote the letter, was in these photos (!!!). 
 
A majority of her questions were to confirm our answers from both the I-130 and I-485 forms. She also asked if we wanted to submit new documents and then collected everything I shared with her (see my list below for our bona fide docs we brought). There was only one question that not form-related was "how did you guys meet?" and that was it! 
 
My advice to everyone is to come in prepared with documents, and be your normal self. If you didn't remember something, don't panic - we are not perfect! Dress business casual - you don't have to go business professional. 
 
Here's our bona fide docs. I also brought a copy of our I-865 financial form and supporting docs. 
Joint Bank Accounts  Insurance Copy of the Lease - Rental Contract Utility Bills Selected Photos Documenting Relationship Travel Itineraries: Incoming Wedding Plan  Proof of Co-ownership of Pet Affidavit Letter of Support

Our interview was WAY better than we expected. To be honest, I had been extremely nervous this past month even though I know we were prepared. 
 
Our officer was very friendly and made us both feel at ease. She definitely studied our application, as she shared that she had a good understanding of what kind of couple we were before us coming in. She also read our affidavit letter of support (which I didn't think they usually do!!!) - she was going though our photos and then asked whether our friend, who wrote the letter, was in these photos (!!!). 
 
A majority of her questions were to confirm our answers from both the I-130 and I-485 forms. She also asked if we wanted to submit new documents and then collected everything I shared with her (see my list below for our bona fide docs we brought). There was only one question that not form-related was "how did you guys meet?" and that was it! 
 
My advice to everyone is to come in prepared with documents, and be your normal self. If you didn't remember something, don't panic - we are not perfect! Dress business casual - you don't have to go business professional. 
 
Here's our bona fide docs. I also brought a copy of our I-865 financial form and supporting docs. 
Joint Bank Accounts  Insurance Copy of the Lease - Rental Contract Utility Bills Selected Photos Documenting Relationship Travel Itineraries: Incoming Wedding Plan  Proof of Co-ownership of Pet Affidavit Letter of Support

Waiting for your sharing of info! Congratulations 🎈 
I wonder why it was moved backwards:(

Had our interview today in Charlotte, NC and got approved on the spot! I will share the documents and details of the interview later today after work for those that are having theirs soon. It's been quite a journey this past six months - we are beyond happy!!! 

Had our interview today in Charlotte, NC and got approved on the spot! I will share the documents and details of the interview later today after work for those that are having theirs soon. It's been quite a journey this past six months - we are beyond happy!!! 

Had our interview today in Charlotte, NC and got approved on the spot! I will share the documents and details of the interview later today after work for those that are having theirs soon. It's been quite a journey this past six months - we are beyond happy!!! 

Had our interview today in Charlotte, NC and got approved on the spot! I will share the documents and details of the interview later today after work for those that are having theirs soon. It's been quite a journey this past six months - we are beyond happy!!! 

Had our interview today in Charlotte, NC and got approved on the spot! I will share the documents and details of the interview later today after work for those that are having theirs soon. It's been quite a journey this past six months - we are beyond happy!!! 

Had our interview today in Charlotte, NC and got approved on the spot! I will share the documents and details of the interview later today after work for those that are having theirs soon. It's been quite a journey this past six months - we are beyond happy!!! 

I had my interview today.It went well(Approved).Just wondering how long it takes for case status to change online,its still on "interview scheduled"

Hi there,
 
Yes, I received my EAD after expediting for it and then my interview was also scheduled for next month! You can check out my timeline in the signature section.

Hi there, fellow Charlotte here. Ours is scheduled for Sept. 23. When's yours?

Hi there, has he started looking for jobs yet? I wouldn't wait until you get EAD to start applying because it would take quite a bit before you start to hear back for interviews. For me personally, I started job search as soon as we submitted our visa application package. My typical day would include researching into the job market in my area, looking into networking opportunities, scheduling meetings with recruiters, while working on some professional skills like coding, certifications, etc.
This period of time is hard for everyone involved, and my ambition and support from husband really got me going, and I just kept going. I hope that helps. Virtual hugs to you!

Hi there, has he started looking for jobs yet? I wouldn't wait until you get EAD to start applying because it would take quite a bit before you start to hear back for interviews. For me personally, I started job search as soon as we submitted our visa application package. My typical day would include researching into the job market in my area, looking into networking opportunities, scheduling meetings with recruiters, while working on some professional skills like coding, certifications, etc.
This period of time is hard for everyone involved, and my ambition and support from husband really got me going, and I just kept going. I hope that helps. Virtual hugs to you!

Heyyyy!!! Mine did too! I’m also in Charlotte NC. I filed 4/16/19

Yup. You can see my timeline on my signature section.