lgb2015

SRC and received my 48 month extension letter yesterday. 

Hi all, I received my extension letter today.

Packet received by USCIS: 11/08

Text received with application number: 11/10

Check cashed: 11/15

Notice dated: 11/16

Notice received: 11/19

I'll update if/when I hear about biometrics.

Good luck everyone!

I received a text from USCIS this evening with my receipt number - SRC, so Texas Service Center. My packet was delivered to Phoenix lockbox on Tuesday (11/08). Check hasn't been cashed yet.

21 minutes ago, Meg101 said:

I sent the packet out on 11/02/22 and USCIS received it 11/04. I was given a receipt number which I’ve entered into the app to track my case and the notification there says they have mailed me a receipt notice. (Is this the NOA1?) my receipt number begins LIN does that have any reference/meaning? ☺️

Yes, the receipt notice will be your extension letter. Did you receive an email or text with your receipt number?

On 11/3/2022 at 9:04 PM, Mr & Mrs O said:

Sent our packet via USPS to Phoenix on 10/28. Got text notification today 11/3. Tracked the case # and says USCIS received in on 11/1 - Receipt number begins with MSC 

 

Now we wait 🥰

@Mr & Mrs O did you receive your extension letter yet? 

18 minutes ago, Letspaintcookies said:

I'm still debating. With bank/credit card/ car loan/ car registrations/ the military stuff/ drivers licenses/ lease/ bills and everything one sided I would end up with about 500 pages evidence 😳

We are a military family too - it's a LOT! Ours was about 200 pages overall. I went for quarterly bills, and for our credit card bills I was able to send a summary statement that showed transactions in both our names, but not 10 pages per statement! I think showing 8 quarterly statements covering 2 years demonstrates shared finances just as much as submitting all of them. That's personal opinion though, and I totally understand why people want to submit everything! I just kept thinking 'quality over quantity'. We'll see! I'll definitely share here is a get a RFE (although that wouldn't be for e while!) then others will know in the future. 

I just submitted my packet this morning! Such a relief to have it out the door, and will be even nicer once the extension letter arrives and I can relax a bit. Good luck everyone!! 

4 hours ago, Letspaintcookies said:

Glad to see us all coming back together here 😁

 

 

Soooo big question: each and every bank statement/ utility bill etc or one for each quarter?

 

We're talking about 33 bank statements with 8 pages each. 262 pages only for bank statements. Sounds completely like overkill but I know that USCIS says to send as much as possible.

@Letspaintcookies I just did quarterly statements from when we got married - present.

On 11/6/2022 at 7:11 AM, JeanneAdil said:

military are required to give POA to spouse (or relative ) before deploying

u should have the POA and submit copy of it with you signing in his steed putting POA by the signature place

Thank you. Yes, I have POA, but wanted him to be able to sign himself ideally. I think it would just look better, even though there's a good reason.

We ended up doing as Mike suggested and I managed to print a copy of his signed page that he completed overseas. I linked the USCIS guidance above showing this is acceptable - just in case anyone is looking at this thread later for advice!

17 minutes ago, Mike E said:

not true. 
 

See https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-announces-flexibility-in-submitting-required-signatures-during-covid-19-national-emergency

 

Here is my advice:

 

Your husband should print the page of I-751 that requires his signature, sign and date it, and send you over message or email a legible photo of that entire page.
 

 You should then crop the photo to the 8.5 X 11 aspect ratio, print it, and if there is a line for your signature, sign and date that. 

Thank you, Mike! This prompted me to explore more and it looks like this 2020 signature flexibility became permanent policy in July 2022. I'll see if we can make this happen. 

https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-extends-covid-19-related-flexibilities-0

40 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

 I like your idea to simplify it. That’s exactly what I would chose to,do. 
if the date was extremely critical, they would ask for a witness or notary to watch him sign. 
 

EDIT: After thinking about it, I think it would also be fine to put the date he signed. You prepared everything early. Most do. As long as USCIS receives it during the specified timeframe is what matters, not the date you finished your submission.

Thank you for the reassurance! I'm sure it would be fine too, I'm just overthinking over here . 

Hello, 

I am eligible to submit my I-751 today. My packet it pretty much ready to go and I was hoping to mail it tomorrow using UPS. My husband is in the military and currently deployed overseas. A few weeks ago before he left I asked him to sign the signature page of my application, but he didn't put a date. Should I put the date he originally signed (which was a few weeks ago, before he deployed) or put tomorrow's date, which is when I will sign, date and send the packet? I'm not trying to do anything sneaky, but there was no other way to have him sign our joint petition. I would love to know any thoughts or experience. Thank you!

10 hours ago, Krish. said:

Do you still remember when did you got your biometrics appointment letter?

I think it was early-mid December.

I'm from the UK, my husband added me to Chase and American Express credit cards, as well as his Chase Checking Account without SSN. They just put my passport number instead. 

4 hours ago, werrerr said:

I have my biometrics in a couple of days! It looks like they take fingerprints and a photo? What is the photo used for? I'm asking because I'm trying to decide if this is a makeup situation or not (super annoying with a mask on). I'm willing to deal with the makeup stuff if it's going to be on my green card for the next 10 years, but if it's for security purposes and I won't ever see it again, then I might go without makeup...

It will be the picture on your green card! Prepare as necessary   

Hi, my husband is active duty and my green card just got approved this week - for the I-864 we originally included:

- LES from the previous 6 months of employment

- 2019 IRS Tax return transcript (from IRS website)

- 2019 IRS wage and income transcript (from IRS website)

- 2019 W2

We took 2020 W2 and certificate of military compensation to the interview last week as extra documentation just in case, but didn't need them.

Good luck!

@noap98 hello! I am a UK citizen and I just had my AOS interview this week. I arrived on a visitor visa a year ago, was never intending to stay. 3 cancelled flights later (and a whole lot of other factors) we started talking about best options and decided we would apply to adjust my status. It's been a difficult year (as it has for many!), and I can totally see why many on this site recommend the spousal visa, however these are exceptional times and I understand your predicament. I'd be more than happy to answer any questions or share more of my experience of the I-130/I-145 AOS process if that would be helpful. 

2 hours ago, yoda one for me said:

I got a 'case closed, benefit received by other means' sort of message a month or so after I got my green card, as I ended up with that first. I treated that as being as good as an approval message for the sake of VJ numbers.

Oh that sounds good - thanks a lot for sharing your experience!

We had our AOS interview yesterday. We arrived about 20 minutes before our interview and had no issues getting in the building. Once we arrived we had to 'check in' at a window and I had my biometrics taken again (photo and 2 finger prints). We then waited for our interview, which started only about 5 minutes after our appointment time. I would arrive 15-20 mins early and I'm sure you'll be absolutely fine.

We took originals of birth certificates, passports, marriage certificate (I also took originals of some of the I-944 documents, e.g. education certificates). I also had a copy of absolutely everything we submitted originally, and also extra evidence collected since we submitted (joint bank statements, photos, tax info, etc). If you don't have something they're asking for (e.g. I-94), as someone said above just take whatever you do have (passport with entry stamp / traveler record). 

Just follow their instructions and you'll be fine! Best of luck!

Hi lovely people! I had my AOS interview today. I completed biometrics but never received the EAD/AP, so seemed to skip that step in the process (I'm grateful for it!) and I suppose they will never show as approved or rejected? I was just wondering how to reflect this in my timeline so that I don't skew the numbers. I want to reflect it in the best way, as I know so many people (including myself!) check timelines and approval estimates.

Thank you!

16 hours ago, Dyzl said:

THANK YOU! I was looking at this earlier today, I thought it might be a bug.

 

So I just have to pay the I-130 + I-485 fees? I wish they would specify this on the I-485/I-765 fees on their respective pages....

 

 

You're welcome! We submitted two separate checks, but I see others have done differently. Good luck! 

I-130 is $535 

I-485 is $1,225 ($1,140 for the I-485 + $85 for biometrics = include together in one check)

I-765 is free if filing with I-485 to adjust status. Same for I-131 if you file that also. 

The online calculator can be a bit confusing. This is how I completed it to show that I-765 is free with I-485:

Good luck! This process is confusing and frustrating at many points - you'll be ok!

@PBabz you can also try joining the US Foreign Military Spouse groups on Facebook (there are a couple). People there will have been in the same situation as you and can give good advice I'm sure! 

3 hours ago, Annevilwill said:

Hi!! thanks, its actually helpful! I do have idea for most of them, I did them as a child. but apparently hospital can just issue the lab result but cannot give me any vaccination certificate, is that ok? with just test result for antibodies can I go to medical check up and the surgent will issue for me the vaccination certificate? 

The laboratory test is confirmation of your immunity, so I think that would be fine! You could always ask the doctor when you call to make your appointment just to double check. Good luck!

Just in case this is helpful for anyone: after my medical I went home and read all the USCIS and CDC guidelines again regarding vaccinations and immigration. I then shared the relevant sections with the doctor that explains that 'An applicant who provides a reliable written or oral history of varicella disease does not require laboratory confirmation or further vaccination. ' After this he said he was happy to write VH on my form and I was not required to have the vaccine or a lab test. I will update here is there is any RFE or anything that comes from my interview! 

@Annevilwill the CDC guidelines for civil surgeons completing I-693 Medicals are as follows:

• Review the applicant’s medical history and vaccination records.
• Assess the applicant’s needs, if any, for laboratory confirmation of immunity.
• Determine the vaccines the applicant needs based on his or her age, records, documented immunity, and information provided in Table 1.
• Assess for contraindications and precautions that might apply to the applicant.
• Administer vaccines, if indicated.
• Complete the applicant’s Form I-693 and give it to the applicant in a sealed envelope for USCIS, in addition to a copy for the applicant to keep.

If you do not have written vaccination records then I think they will have no choice but to either give you the lab tests to show immunity, or give you the vaccine. If you have an idea of what vaccines you've had then it will be cheaper to just have the lab tests for the more certain ones. For the ones you're not sure about you could ask the doctor for his advice. If you have time you could research lab test options in your area. If you find a cheaper option you could get the test for everything before your medical and it might save you time/effort later. Sorry I can't be more helpful!

30 minutes ago, Js2020 said:

I will have my biometrics nextweek too! Yeyyy goodluck to us! Let me know how did it go. I am filing as a same sex couple.

Oh that's great!! Yes definitely good luck to us 😊 I'll let you know how it goes. 

7 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

It's not fishy.  It's normal for services that are not covered by health insurance.

Thanks for clarifying!