DWolf

7 hours ago, Southern_Belle07 said:

I just chatted with a live representative, she said EAD got approved yesterday and it will be mailed to me. How long does it take before it comes in the mail? My tracker has not changed status yet.

Same boat as you.  Got approved on Oct 29 according to USCIS rep. but no online updates as of Oct 30th.

Keep us updated on any changes and I will too.  I think I’m following it more closely than my wife. 🤣

8 hours ago, Lizzady said:

Did you chat with an actual person? If so, how? Or, was it "Emma"? 

Yes. Live person.

Go in the EMMA chat during USCIS business hours and type something like “Talk to a representative”, it will ask to switch to Live Chat.  There was no wait and I did see the rep’s name and ID number.  Yes, ID number was there too, don’t know why it’s blurred out for some.  I screenshot the whole chat.

So...pretty interesting.  Contacted USCIS via online chat to ask for an update on my wife’s I-765 and I-131 because we still see “Case Received” since May 24th.  We were planning to do an expedite request soon.  Was told by the rep she was approved yesterday (Oct 29)!  That’s 158 days/little over 5 months.  Hoping to see the official letter and actual card soon!

Also interesting, our I-485 is in “RFE Received” online status (rep sees that too) but the rep said she was put in the interview scheduling queue.

Aren’t EAD and APs handled at the National Benefits Center in Missouri and are separate from a AOS I-485 which are sent to the field office?  It’s so weird to me that there are EADs and APs approved quicker than some of us and we filed before other folks?

On 10/26/2019 at 12:28 AM, Chris & Lucas said:

I had a similar situation. I had an RFIE as well for my birth certificate (still unsure why since I sent it originally with the translation). But it’s good that now you placed an inquiry. My EAD got approved about 2 weeks after I place the inquiry. Good luck! 

How long had you been waiting when you placed an inquiry?  Was it during the normal processing time or after?

My wife has been waiting 150 days + and the end of a November would’ve been our “out of process” inquiry time at 6.5 months.  They just extended everything to 7.5 months but I’m think I’m going to file an inquiry anyway.

Hi all,

We’re on Day 20 of a RFE REVIEW per USCIS’ online status.  They received everything and it is what I assume is an easy review (wanted to see proof of not subject to 212E so we sent a DS-2019).  What has been everyone’s turnaround times with this as I’ve seen some reviews complete within a few days and here we are almost a month.

We also just received the I-693 Medical Courtesy letter this past Monday.  But why would USCIS send this if we’re not even in the “Ready to be scheduled Interview” status?  Anyone have experience with this?  Should our online status be adjusting soon?  We filed the AOS packet back on May 24.  Still waiting for a EAD/AP card that we will either expedite or case inquire in November about.

8 hours ago, emm21717 said:

Anyone here from Baltimore?? Filing AOS from K1?!

We’re in the DC area.  We filed around May 28/29.  Had biometrics done in late June.  We are in RFE Review status since Oct 5th but we got a medical exam courtesy letter recently.  They have only updated the I-485 case online and there hasn’t been anything else on my wife’s EAD or AP cases.

I'm hoping we get an interview scheduled soon.  It’s rough when you’re in a populated area because it seems like things move slower.

We just received the I-693 Medical Courtesy letter in the mail, yet our USCIS online case status for the I-485 is still pending the RFE Response review.  This is the start of the third week (so two weeks have passed) since they acknowledged receiving the RFE Response.

What has been everyone’s experience with interview scheduling or online case updates once you receive the courtesy letter?  Does this mean the RFE Review is complete?

2 hours ago, DaehanMingukManse said:

Not too long ago, I was so desperate, that I requested an expedite through EMMA with no job offer in hand.  Today, I was so shocked because I was expecting an email from them asking for additional information but instead, I got an email saying a "New card is being produced".  I still can't believe my eyes. Is this a glitch? If this is true, I feel like my I-765 application was already on queue for them to adjudicate and my expedite request "poked" their dear hearts to finally gave it to me. 

 

 

Please keep us updated if you receive the card.  My wife might go this route if they don’t send they don’t send the EAD/AP combo card by November.

We got our RFE letter in about four days.  They tend to ask for redundant and obvious information unless you neglect to include it in your initial package.  For example, they asked about my wife’s two year residency requirement, but they already had copies of her two visas stating she wasn’t subject to it..so we just sent that again along with a DS-2019. We responded immediately and they posted that the RFE Response was “received” and now the case is back to processing.

They acknowledged receiving the RFE on Oct 5th so this will be the third week since the update. Hoping things move forward.

On 10/12/2019 at 9:53 PM, Dibang said:

Can we add new cases beyond Beam30? 

I had filed on July 31 and biometrics done Aug 23.

 

I'm sure there are others in DC-NOVA interested in tracking progress. 

 

We filed for my wife on May 29th, 2019 for the whole AOS package (I-485, I-130, I-131, etc).  Did biometrics on June 24th. Received RFE on September 30th, responded soon after and USCIS acknowledged response on October 5th and it’s still “in review”.  We live in Arlington, VA. I work for the USG in Virginia so I understand the federal ineptitude at times but USCIS is embarrassing.  The USG agencies are like different companies...so it’s hard to work across agencies unless you’re overseas or in a position that deals with cross agency relationships.

USCIS hasn’t updated the other online forms since May 29th beyond the Case received.  They only do changes on the I-485 form.

We’re waiting on the EAD/AP unless they skip that and go directly to interview.  I’m mostly frustrated that the timelines are all over the place.  You read other parts of the forum and people are processed real quick and it has been insanely frustrating with waiting...

How does their process work?  Is our stuff reviewed in Missouri?  Or is it sent to a local field office for review?

For those of you who received RFEs, what has been your timeline for USCIS to update your case after acknowledging they received your evidence?  Is it also contingent on the location?  We sent our RFE Response to the NBC (or whatever it’s called) in Missouri.

My wife is kind of in the timeline expected to receive her EAD/AP card but the RFE (despite sending the response back quickly and USCIS acknowledging) I feel might give USCIS more time to be lazy and delay moving our case forward.

Also, our RFE evidence was pretty simple.  Should be something easy for them to acknowledge and move our case forward.

we filed everything in late May.  RFE letter received and response sent/received in early October.

We're in Northern Virginia.  Heart of the USG...

We filed for my Wife's AOS (I-485, I-130, I-131, I-765) in late May.  Had a Biometrics Interview in June, just returned a RFE Response (regarding her Exchange Status and 212(e) which she is not subject to, the USCIS officer also completed overlooked her two visa copies in our original submission in there that state she's not subject to it) and now it's being "Reviewed".  They should have access to SEVIS so they should easily be able to see who is subject to those rules.

8 hours ago, MarioM said:

Hello All, 

 

Our greencard appointment is 10/28/2019. I know I am tempting fate by saying this, but we really want to leave the country on Nov 10 for a family vacation in Mexico. 

 

Assuming we are approved can they Stamp her passport in the office? I have heard that is an option to allow travel / re-entry. It seems like if you are approved the card is produced fairly quickly. But it would be great to get something in the office so we don't have to wait. Anyone ever hear of anything like this? Thanks!

I've heard varying cases where it can take up to a month to get your physical Green Card.  It might be best to contact USCIS and speak to an IO to see if there's an option to get a stamp at a local office through an InfoPASS meeting.  If a stamp exists...

I wouldn't tempt fate unless you get something official.  You'll get held up in secondary and USG systems are sometimes "slow" and not inter-connected as you might think they are.

On 10/8/2019 at 4:25 PM, Lizzady said:

My PD is May 28th, I received my receipts within a week of filing, my bio appointment notice less than 2 weeks. The actual Bio app date was June 28th, literally a month to the day of my PD. 

I have heard NOTHING since, not an update of any kind, not even that my prints were reviewed. Zilch. Zero.

My case still sits at "case received"-"finger print fee received"...I'm at 133 days...no EAD/AP/RFE (yet), or interview scheduled. 

So, I wouldn't worry about you Bio being delayed. I've actually seen a lot of people with a delayed BIO actually getting EAD approval, or an interview shortly after the delayed BIO app... Where as my bio was done within a month of filing and I've got nothing.

We're in the same boat as you.  Waiting on an Interview and USCIS has only updated our I-485 Case Online, our I-130, I-765, and I-131 all still state "Receipt has been Sent" or whatever.  When my wife got her Biometrics done in June, they said they'd use them for all the forms.

I believe once you hit 6.5 months of your filing date, you can request a Case Inquiry for EAD/AP because that is their processing time for those documents. (4.5 - 6.5 months).  Right around the 4.5 month mark is when we received a RFE ONLY on the I-485, we responded quickly, USCIS updated to acknowledge the RFE Response "Review" Online and now we're back in limbo for ANYTHING.

I also spoke to the DHS Ombudsman Office just to get a familiarization.  Don't know if anything has any experience with them, but they are an internal mechanism to ensure that USCIS is being held responsible to their timelines and/or correct their mistakes.

Where are you filing out of?

Out of curiosity:

We filed the whole AOS Packet along with EAD + AP.

My understanding is when they took the Biometrics for AOS, it also applies for EAD + AP.  However, our only online case updates were for the I-485, the EAD + AP have been on "Receipt was sent" since they got the applications.  Yes, we've gotten the receipts and all.

We did get a RFE and responded (just this week), once again, this was only tied to the I-485 and didn't mention the EAD + AP but once again, I guess this is a whole "package deal".

Should we call to check in on our EAD + AP status?  We're within the 4.5 - 6.5 month timeframe.  By late November/early Dec will be 6.5 months for the EAD + AP (we filed in late May).

RFE came quick thankfully.

Turned out they wanted evidence that she is not subject to 212(e): Two year residency requirement.

Yeah, the officer completely overlooked her two visa copies I submitted that each said "BEARER IS  NOT SUBJECT TO SECTION 212(E)".  As well as her DS-2019.  🙄

Guess I'll just resend those copies with the cover letter and highlighter marking the areas.

Thanks Violax and Andruha!

1 hour ago, Andruha said:

That is what I did with my Birth Certificate. I just put the proper New York language and signed it.

 

"Pursuant to CPLR Rule 2101(b) regarding translation of documents, I, __________< translated the foregoing document from _______ into English. I do hereby certify that I am competent to translate from ______ into English, and that this document is true, accurate, complete and faithful word-for-word translation of the original document to the best of my knowledge and belief" 

Thanks!  We had something along these lines and a friend signed it but who knows?  Been hearing that USCIS is not finding a paragraph like that signed by a random person (friend, yourself, etc) acceptable and they want it “certified”.  

We got in touch with a USCIS immigration officer but they claim they can’t see what the RFE is for until after two weeks when you can do an e-Request. I’m frustrated because we sent TONS of evidence so I figure they lost something.

i delayed my long-term business trip. Don’t feel comfortable leaving while this RFE lingers and we have do way of knowing what they want.  Would a RFE for just a I-485 also delay the EAD and Advanced Travel Parole?

5 hours ago, AFA said:

The translation has to be certified with a translators signature, stamp and a statement similar to this one: 

 

"I, the undersigned,(translator's name here), a sworn translator of the English language registered in the list of sworn translators of the Ministry of Justice under number TP/xxx/xx, hereby certify that the above text is a true, accurate and complete translation of the original (language of original copy here) document presented to me."

 

 

So we definitely have a statement like that and a signature, but no official seal/stamp.  We had a friend do it for us.

I've heard you can get the translation certified through some online websites and that is acceptable enough to USCIS?  Or do we need to go find some place that would notarize or give me some fancy gold foil stamp?

Extremely annoying to us.  Especially because I have a business trip coming up and we don't have any idea what the RFE entails.  Can I call USCIS and would they tell me over the phone what the RFE is asking for?

Congrats to you all getting interviews lined up!

I-485 (I-130, I-765, I-131, etc.) and everything else for my Brazilian wife (lives here after being an Au Pair).  USCIS confirmed receipt on May 29/30 and we got our receipts soon after.  Did the Biometrics around June 24th I believe.  Like many of you, they never changed the status from "fee received".  We're in the Virginia/Washington DC area.

Just got notice of a RFE (for I-485 specifically) being sent out and they updated the case online to reflect that (9/26).  We can't think of what this is for?  Anyone got any ideas?  People getting RFEs for stupid stuff?  We submitted TONS of relationship evidence (photos, joint bills, health insurance cards with our names on them, etc.), no problems with affidavit of support as I submitted three years of taxes and I can definitely support her financially with my salary.  Submitted all the photos.  We got her I-693 medical done but have heard that they can ask for it during the interview and send out courtesy letters instead (would we get a RFE notice now if they're sending a courtesy letter?  Seems like this has changed over the past few years from my research).

They also are only giving us about two weeks to get the RFE response back.

The only thing we can think of is maybe her Birth Certificate translation?  We had a friend do the translation based on a template online...been reading that USCIS sometimes doesn't like those and wants a "certified" copy.

5 minutes ago, eckoin said:

Huh, good to know. I would have thought it doesn't matter whatsoever, as long as you continue to fulfill your contractual obligations under the J status. 

 

Similarly to how one would be able to maintain a student or a work status while waiting for AOS. 

 

I suppose having to be unmarried to apply to the program in the first place, does put a restriction. Thanks for the explanation! 

Yup, while you're in the AOS limbo period of changing Status (i.e. getting your Green Card), my understanding is you can still fulfill the obligations of your current status whether it be Student, Work, etc.

How the companies themselves handle the marriage to a USCIT is then contingent on the company.  A lot of Au Pairs (both some of my wife's friends and some stories on Facebook/Forums/Etc.) either end up leaving the program early or wrap up their contract.  Either way, they're in the "Pending Status" AOS limbo.

Thanks everyone for the replies and comments!!! 😊

1 minute ago, eckoin said:

How come? Do you have to be unmarried to be an au pair? 

I believe to initially apply, get the J1 Status and Visa, you must be unmarried in your home country and under 26 (or 27?)... however if you meet a USCIT in the US during your program and get married then you should file an AOS ASAP.  It then depends on the AU Pair company's policy (there's many companies) on whether they continue working until the end of their contract.  My understanding is that they can...

11 minutes ago, Unidentified said:

So she didn't even tell her host family that she was going to get married? Well, she did the right thing eventually as getting married during your Au Pair Program is a sure way of losing your status. 

She did.  They have a really good relationship and have been understanding the whole way through.  She only had about three months left with them anyways.

Usually then it's up to the Au Pairs to tell their company (if not told by the host family) of their marriage to a US Cit (in our case, my wife was told by the host family that it was up to her to tell her local coordinator).  Mostly because the companies do not want to be legally "responsible" for the Au Pair anymore.  I guess it varies from Au Pair company-to-company, but some continue to finish out their contract.  One of my wife's friends who also had a good relationship with her family was suddenly kicked out of the home after telling her host mom she got engaged...she did a complete 180.

Thank you Ben&Zian!
No "homestay"...she's exempt from the two year residency (212(e)?)...most Au Pairs are.  It's clearly labeled on some of documents we're submitting.