maisfree

Hi @twilighthorse, 
 
When is your interview and have you gone already? I was in the same exact situation. My AOS interview was scheduled on Oct 7th in Hartford CT (closer to my MAILING address with my in-laws) and not in Boston MA where we actually live. We attended, and the immigration officer told us she can't interview us because our resident address is outside of her jurisdiction. She updated the mailing address to be our residential address in Boston MA and now waiting for the interview to be rescheduled in Boston .... been over a month now and no news. We made a two hour trip for this interview that basically did not happen, even stayed overnight for this. Looks like you'd have to make an even longer trip. I'd hate to see you have the same terrible experience as we did! 

@maisfree Thanks for the reply. We ended up trying our luck and going for the interview at the mailing address. In my case while it was very far away, it was still in the same state. The interviewer initially refused to interview us because it was in the wrong jurisdiction, but I had proof that the appropriate change of address had been filed and listed the new address correctly, its just that they used the mailing address for the interview location instead of the physical address. After much back and forth, we were lucky enough and managed to convince the the interviewer to interview us and then they said they would update the address and forward our entire package and everything to the new jurisdiction in order for them to make the final determination on next steps. So am still in a bit of a holding pattern.
 

Super late update, but we just received the approval letter for both I-130 and I-485. 
 
Our interview was supposed to be March 25th and got cancelled. So they rescheduled to Sept 8th.
 
Our officer was very nice and at the end of interview, he reassured us that he didn’t find anything wrong with our case and that he will approve. 3 hours after, I got the notification from the case tracker “NEW CARD IS BEING PRODUCED” 😄
 
On Sept 11th, status was changed to “Card was mailed to me”. My husband finally received his GC on Sept 16th. Since USCIS is starting to increase their fees, I was worried that we would need to save up more $$$ to renew his GC in 2 years.. I was so shocked when I saw his GC expire in 2030! We were approved for the 10-year GC!!
 
Good luck to those still waiting for an update. Wishing you all the best.

Finally and thanks to God , my interview notice arrived today , my appointment is on October 7th 🙏

My case update says that the AOS interview was scheduled as of today!! Waiting for the letter with an actual interview date. We currently live in Boston but the case is being handled in Hartford, CT. Initially it was scheduled to be on April 29th and got canceled due to covid. 

My case update says that the AOS interview was scheduled as of today!! Waiting for the letter with an actual interview date. We currently live in Boston but the case is being handled in Hartford, CT. Initially it was scheduled to be on April 29th and got canceled due to covid. 

My case update says that the AOS interview was scheduled as of today!! Waiting for the letter with an actual interview date. We currently live in Boston but the case is being handled in Hartford, CT. Initially it was scheduled to be on April 29th and got canceled due to covid. 

My case update says that the AOS interview was scheduled as of today!! Waiting for the letter with an actual interview date. We currently live in Boston but the case is being handled in Hartford, CT. Initially it was scheduled to be on April 29th and got canceled due to covid. 

Hi guys, 
Originally my husband’s interview was suppose to be on March but got cancelled cause of covid and got rescheduled on sept 1 at 10am.
We arrived 15 mins early they wouldn’t let anyone in earlier than 15 mins. Security checked for our IDs and must wear a mask. We sat and waited for 45 mins to be called in. After we were seated the interviewer told us we will talking virtually basically we will be in a room with an ipad on and talk through a video call while he will be in another room. He asked us for any proofs we have about our relationship and etc. we gave him a stack pill of evidence haha. He asked about some yes or no questions. Asked my husband about my name and birthday, his families name, where did we meet, how long have we dated, he made my husband name out my relatives on the picture we gave and etc. It lasted about an hour time went by fast and we got approved away. He gave us a paper about “conditional permanent residence” stating that we have to come back And apply for 750 within 90 days before it expires and get another biometrics and interview to prove again our relationship and financial status. 
 

My case update says that the AOS interview was scheduled as of today!! Waiting for the letter with an actual interview date. We currently live in Boston but the case is being handled in Hartford, CT. Initially it was scheduled to be on April 29th and got canceled due to covid. 

@emeline29  Similar situation here as well. We have had 2 cancellations. Status now shows scheduled as at yesterday.  Cheers!

Newark!🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️
Case ready to be scheduled for interview since September, 2019.

Received interview date for October 7th. 
I’m in NY so I’ll be going to Federal Plaza.  I made an inquiring 2 weeks prior to receiving my interview date since the processing time had already exceeded. 

After three cancellations, I just got notice on the app that my interview is scheduled! We’re in Denver. I was just about to start my EAD renewal this week so I’m glad I don’t have to worry about it!

If I-20 expires AFTER you file for AOS, you will be fine. Make sure to plan ahead so you at least have the notice of action letters from the USCIS before your I-20 expires. Two and a half months should be plenty of time. Yes, you can stay in the U.S. as your AOS will be pending at that time. 
 
I see. I understand. That's such a horrible situation - they should've supported you given the circumstances. As for employment or traveling outside the U.S., you will have to wait for up to 5 months or so for EAD/AP combo card. 
 

I just want to say as a fellow former PhD student, I am so sorry that you are in this situation. I absolutely hear you when you say you just had enough. But on a positive note - Congratulations on your engagement!!
 
I definitely would like others to comment on this, but from my understanding, you should be able to file for concurrent I-130/I-485/I-765/I-131 after you get married. I'd suggest you do this while you are still in F-1 status with an unexpired I-20. Definitely avoid traveling outside the U.S. after you apply for AOS until you get your EAD/AP combo card.
 
Regarding whether you will have trouble with not completing the PhD ... as an immediate relative of USC, what you need to prove to the USCIS most importantly is your bona fide marriage. A friend of mine ended up not passing her PhD qualifying exam, left with a terminal Masters degree and worked under OPT then filed for AOS after getting married to a USC spouse. She got a GC last year. Her situation might not be exactly the same as yours, but I don't believe she got any RFEs on not getting a PhD from being on F-1 visa. Just in case though, it might be wise for you to go for consultation with an immigration attorney and ask if there will be any issues. Some will do for free while others will charge ~$100, it does not mean you are hiring them to work on your case. 
 
As for your PhD program giving you a hard time about classes being "expired" and requiring you to take more classes - personally I think that's absolutely ridiculous. I assume you spoke to your thesis committee or department chair and they aren't being helpful either? There's a supportive community for PhD students on Twitter (follow @academicchatter, @openacademics, #PhDchat...) -  you could ask them about your issue even anonymously and see what they suggest. 
 
I wish you the best of luck!!! 

@AffableAndy Great news! Thankfully, my I-765 got approved as of this morning! I just checked the status online and says new card is being produced!!! While I am relieved that it is not necessary to submit my expedite request in the end, I want to thank you for all your input and advice involving this process which may be helpful for others in a similar situation. Thank you again. I hope you have a great week! 
 
Sincerely,
 
Mai 

Very happy for you! That's great news!

@AffableAndy Great news! Thankfully, my I-765 got approved as of this morning! I just checked the status online and says new card is being produced!!! While I am relieved that it is not necessary to submit my expedite request in the end, I want to thank you for all your input and advice involving this process which may be helpful for others in a similar situation. Thank you again. I hope you have a great week! 
 
Sincerely,
 
Mai 

@AffableAndy Great news! Thankfully, my I-765 got approved as of this morning! I just checked the status online and says new card is being produced!!! While I am relieved that it is not necessary to submit my expedite request in the end, I want to thank you for all your input and advice involving this process which may be helpful for others in a similar situation. Thank you again. I hope you have a great week! 
 
Sincerely,
 
Mai 

@AffableAndy Great news! Thankfully, my I-765 got approved as of this morning! I just checked the status online and says new card is being produced!!! While I am relieved that it is not necessary to submit my expedite request in the end, I want to thank you for all your input and advice involving this process which may be helpful for others in a similar situation. Thank you again. I hope you have a great week! 
 
Sincerely,
 
Mai 

From a university perspective, talk to  your PI right away - they may need time to formulate some kind of plan. What if you had a baby/medical condition that caused you to leave for a few months? Surely they have some kind of mechanism in place to ensure that they can keep their funding stream for a few months. 
 
I think beyond that you will be fine, it is just very important that the letter says the job will remain open for you. You could also point out (if you do) that you use your position for health insurance and retirement benefits. All the best, let us know how it goes!

Certainty the recommendation now is to seek an expedite, not that difficult to do and you never know.
 
Remember the basis is financial hardship in your case.
 
 

You would need EAD to work voluntarily.

@maisfree, here is a slightly more comprehensive timeline of what I did. Just for context, I filed on 02/12/19 and had a job offer starting 08/05/19. When I put my AOS paperwork in, the estimate was that I'd get it in 4 months. By the end of may, the estimate had gone to about 6 months.
 
05/29/19 - Called USCIS to request an expedite. The lady put a request in, I got a number, but there was no follow up email.
06/10/19 - Called USCIS to follow up. Apparently there was an error inputting the request, so the person on the phone put a new request in.
06/14/19 - Get email requesting evidence of severe financial loss. This was a Friday afternoon, so I waited till Monday morning to fax evidence to them.
06/17/19 - Faxed a package containing: (1) cover letter with all relevant details (2) email from USCIS (3) Job offer letter (4) background check from employer. (yours will differ)
06/22/19 - Get an approval letter in the mail.
06/24/19 - EAD arrived in the mail.

I'd suggest you get a letter from your PI stating that the job is going to remain open and be held for you until your immigration paperwork comes through, rather than anything about research productivity going down, as the former is more relevant to your request. 

I work in a research lab as well. Just a non-immigration related warning: at my institution, there is a total ban on volunteers subsequently getting paid to do the same/similar work. This is to prevent labs from taking advantage of people who want to work there, but also means that if you were to continue working voluntarily after the termination of your employment, it would be very hard to re-employ you after the paperwork comes through. Make sure you have a conversation with HR about what you can/can't do if there is a gap in your employment to prevent issues down the road!