badwolfxi

Great news today 3/6/24, Case Approved! application to adjust status I-485. This was two days after they received the RFE for sending evidence of a shared marital life. So my assumptions were correct that the RFE was a way to bypass the interview.

Received RFE today 2/27, they are requesting evidence of shared marital life together, basic stuff like shared property, names on lease, joint bank accounts and tax returns, photos of the marriage ceremony.
 
I assume these are being requested as a chance to bypass the interview.

Great news today 3/6/24, Case Approved! application to adjust status I-485. This was two days after they received the RFE for sending evidence of a shared marital life. So my assumptions were correct that the RFE was a way to bypass the interview.

Great news today 3/6/24, Case Approved! application to adjust status I-485. This was two days after they received the RFE for sending evidence of a shared marital life. So my assumptions were correct that the RFE was a way to bypass the interview.

We've already gathered the requested documents and are mailing it out today. I did a Google search and this specific RFE has been issued many times before to other people. And after they responded to the RFE, a few weeks later their cases were approved.
 
So we'll just send this out and I'll report back when we hear from them again.

Received RFE today 2/27, they are requesting evidence of shared marital life together, basic stuff like shared property, names on lease, joint bank accounts and tax returns, photos of the marriage ceremony.
 
I assume these are being requested as a chance to bypass the interview.

Thank you for your insight, it's just been hard to navigate this process, the wait for our K1 visa was longer than most (663 days) so I just get frustrated thinking we have been put on the back burner again. Hopefully we will get some much needed updates soon!

You're not the only one waiting for the AOS I-485, we are at the same point in the process as well. Also if you look further you can see that only a select few here in the October filers have already received their green cards. They got lucky, it happens, no one can really explain or know what they're doing at USCIS Field offices. I don't believe in any sort of trick like sending unsolicited evidence or what have you. The AOS has never been a quick process, when we started this we always expected like anywhere between 6-14 months.
 
We're not anywhere near outside normal processing times, so keep your head up, we're all just waiting for the processing to finish up.

You're not the only one waiting for the AOS I-485, we are at the same point in the process as well. Also if you look further you can see that only a select few here in the October filers have already received their green cards. They got lucky, it happens, no one can really explain or know what they're doing at USCIS Field offices. I don't believe in any sort of trick like sending unsolicited evidence or what have you. The AOS has never been a quick process, when we started this we always expected like anywhere between 6-14 months.
 
We're not anywhere near outside normal processing times, so keep your head up, we're all just waiting for the processing to finish up.

That's not a "mystery email". That's your invitation from the embassy to go take your medical. Why are you saying this is dark? Print the email out, I'm sure there's your case number somewhere in the emails, print anything that has your case number, take all the obvious documents you have, schedule a medical appointment. Take the medical, then show up at the interview with medical results. Khalas.

This is the correct advice, we also printed out the email, actually asked them if the email printout would be okay and they said yes. Called the clinic and scheduled an appointment.

Hello!! I did not receive an email with my case number along with my name as the beneficiary. I only received the one that stated my interview. However, I still proceeded with the medical appointment. I printed the email that I got. Attached the email from NVC that my case is sent to Doha US Embassy and they accepted it. 

You  filed I-765 with the 485? I read somewhere to wait for 485 receipt and then turn  in 765 with receipt from 485.

(Welcome Message stolen from September 2023 group)
Hello October 2023 AOS filers another month another round of AOS submissions,  Please be aware that this checklist is NOT all-inclusive and you must consult the USCIS website to crosscheck this checklist against/with. The AOS process has been confusing since the pandemic hit, not to mention the added politics. So please I want to stress that you only use this check sheet as a starting point and guide if you will. The USCIS site will be the final guide. Please ensure that you check your forms for the correct versions and editions because if you use the wrong forms USCIS will reject your application and send it back to you. This is easily checked on the USCIS website prior to downloading your forms. You should also ONLY download your forms from the USCIS website.  The current and correct fees can also be ascertained from the USCIS website.
 
Just a side note before we get started  USCIS may decouple Forms I-765 and Form I-131 if filed jointly with Form I-485. Here is the quoted text taken directly from the USCIS website. "To improve efficiency and reduce Form I-765 processing times for Form I-485 applicants, USCIS may decouple Form I-765 from Form I-131 filed at the same time. Effective Feb. 1, 2022, when possible, we will adjudicate an applicant's Form I-765 first. If we approve it, we will issue an Employment Authorization Document without any notation about advanced parole. We will adjudicate Form I-131 separately and if we approve it, we will issue an advance parole document". I know this is old news, but I thought it would be good to include it here for your knowledge.
 
What this means is some people elect to include three (3) copies of their marriage license/certificates one attached to each form (I-485, I-765 and I-131 respectively). I do not know of anyone receiving an RFE for a marriage license/certificate missing on the I-765 or the I-131 since USCIS has started doing this new way of adjudicating the AOS (the marriage license/certificate with form I-485 is required though). This is an age-old concern that has been in play before this new way USCIS started adjudicating these forms. Some filers including me when I filed the AOS back in 2019 sent in three (3) copies of their marriage licenses/certificates. I did it then because of peace of mind and there were some RFEs given out for missing licenses/certificates (back then).  USCIS also used to issue Combo Cards, Employment Authorization Document, and Advance Parole (EAD and AP combined in the same card). I've seen now where they have issued an EAD without the AP.  Whether you include three (3) copies of your marriage license/certificate is going to be your individual call when you file your AOS.  Having said that let's get into the checklist: 
 
 
AOS Checklist
Cover Letter listing Table of Contents Check Payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security - $1,225.00 (this includes the Bio-metrics fee,  also be aware that fees are supposed to increase in the near future so please double-check before you send your packet off!)   
Form I-485 (completed and signed by non-US Citizen/beneficiary)
Form G-1145   Copy of beneficiary's Passport with biographical page  Copy of beneficiary's K1 Visa from Passport and entry stamp  Copy of NOA2 Approval letter (from K1 process)  I-94  Copy of beneficiary's Birth Certificate  translation of birth certificate (if needed) Certified copy of Marriage License or Certificate Passport Photos (2) name written on the back  Copy of DS-3025     
Form I-864 (completed and signed by USC) (goes with form I-485)
Proof of USC's citizenship (copy of birth certificate, copy of passport bio page, or other)  Current tax year 2022 and (optional 2021, 2020) Tax Return (with W-2) or Transcripts (transcripts are better if you can get them) Employment Verification Letter (updated one - not the one used during the K1 process)  Pay stubs (last 3 months)     
Form I-765 (completed and signed by non-US Citizen/beneficiary)
Copy of beneficiary's Passport with biographical page  Copy of beneficiary's K1 Visa from Passport and entry stamp  I-94  Passport Photos (2) name written on the back  Copy of NOA2 (from K1 process) Be sure to use the correct filing code of (c)(9) if this code applies to you. The I-765 instructions explain all the codes in detail. If you are filing under a different code (other than (c)(9) the fee for your AOS will not be correct and USCIS will reject your entire packet.  
Form I-131 (completed and signed by non-US Citizen/beneficiary)
Copy of beneficiary's Passport with biographical page  Copy of beneficiary's K1 Visa from Passport and entry stamp  I-94  Passport Photos (2) name written on the back  Copy of NOA2 (from K1 process      
Be sure to double-check for the current fees as fees do sometimes increase and they can change on a dime so please check. Additionally, check the forms as listed above i.e., current version and or edition date, there have been many changes to various forms. Consider sending tax transcripts instead of the 1040, and W2s. Also, consider preparing a cover letter for each form in addition to the main cover letter. 
Make sure you send long-form birth certificates and not the short form.  Hope this helps in your preparation of your AOS. When in doubt ask questions.
 
Please consider filing the I-131 and the I-765 even if you don't think you'll need them right now. You never know what changes your life will have down the road, so I recommend you file these two forms from the start. There is no extra charge to file them with your AOS and it's better to submit them all at once.  There has been much confusion coming out of USCIS, partly due to Covid-19 and partly self-inflicted. This confusion filters on down to the people filing for AOS. The above listing is subject to change at a moment’s notice so please check, recheck, and check again BEFORE you send off your packet for any last-minute changes.
 
 
Congratulations on the successful submission of your AOS packet!

I thought I would write a quick post about my experience of obtaining a Drivers' license in Wisconsin, for any other K1 beneficiaries who move to the Badger state. This is mostly just a brief timeline, calling out things I would have liked to have known before I started the process.
 
First point is, pretty much all foreign drivers have to obtain a new license by taking a test. There are exemptions for only a few countries (Germany, France, Korea, Taiwan and Canada, I believe, but there may be more). Being from the UK and having driven my entire life on the left hand side, I had no choice but to take a new test. You can drive on a foreign license for 60 days “from the point that you establish residence”. I never got a straight answer on what “establishing residence” meant, however I always took it to mean 60 days from when you satisfy the criteria the state of Wisconsin has set out for you to be able to prove that you are resident. Here is a link to all of the documentation requirements https://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/dmv/shared/bds316-english.pdf - in my case, I took establishing residence to be 60 days from when I got the second piece of evidence that would prove my residence. The documents are kind of weird and include signing up for various services - in my case I used bank account and cycle sharing welcome letters - so it is worth signing up for things like that whilst you have free time! You must get an instruction permit before you can take your road test. To get an instruction permit, you must complete the knowledge test. It is pretty straightforward and consists of 15 road sign recognition questions, and 50 road procedure/safety questions - all are multiple choice (signs out of 4 and other questions out of 3, if I recall), and the pass mark is 80%. There are apps available to practice on and also reading the WI driver handbook gives you a lot of good information. For newbies to the US, though, there are also a couple of immigration hurdles to jump - yahoo!  Firstly, you will need a social security number. This is important - the Wisconsin DOT website definitely makes it seem like you can obtain a DL without an SSN, with the provision of the SSN just determining whether it is a “REAL ID” or not. Since I wasn’t bothered about having a REAL ID, I went to the DMV before I had an SSN. I got a long way through the process (including taking the knowledge test), before I was told that I couldn’t go any further since I didn’t have an SSN. At this point I had already spoken to and had my application cleared by one agent (and had extensive email correspondence with the “legal presence team”), and it was then denied by a second agent and a manger - so word of warning also some agents don’t appear to know the rules. I was then told that if you are someone who is eligible for an SSN (as K1’s are), it is not possible to obtain a DL without an SSN. This would appear to be the case even if you are in the unfortunate position of having been timed out of getting an SSN - so again, getting that SSN is really really important! Secondly, you will need your I-797s from your AoS/EAD/AP application - so don’t bother going along until you have these. They need these to verify your immigration status (my verification included multiple internal DMV emails sent to the wrong mailboxes and cost me three hours of my life - but that was just unusual I suspect). Hopefully after this, you should have your instruction permit - congrats! This allows you to drive at any time with a licensed spouse or instructor in the car. You can book your road test immediately, but you need to wait a week in order to take it, presumably to fit some lessons in… My experience of the road test: The practical portion was very pleasant. My examiner was incredibly professional and friendly and put me at ease. The test took around 10 minutes(!) and consisted of driving around the neighbourhood that the DMV is located in, as well as backing along a curb, a Y-turn and hill stop including correct wheel alignment. At the end of my test he informed me that I had passed. I did most of my learning just driving in the wild and watching Youtube videos. I’d guess this would be enough for most experienced drivers, but I would recommend reading the Wisconsin Drivers’ manual from cover to cover, in order to understand certain rules and situations which may not exist in your home country. After you pass, you are instructed to go into the DMV building and start a whole new DL application - yep, including providing again all the documents that you have already provided them. This wasn’t something I was aware of (your confirmation email only instructs you to bring your instruction permit), and perhaps is buried somewhere in the WiDOT website, but it is at least not obvious. So while I was waiting in line, my wife had to scurry across the city to get my immigration paperwork. So, please, bring all the documentation you brought to your instruction permit application back for your road test. After that, pay your fee and boom, you’re done. Congrats, you can now resume your life without stressing about how you will get to places.  
This was probably a bit long-winded and will only be relevant to a tiny fraction of the users of this site, but in the spirit of helping people out I just wanted to get down a few things that I wished I had known beforehand. Hope it helps someone out there!

Hello there! After 81 days, finally got my case number. Status is still "At NVC". Next shipping date will be August 1 and 2 so hopefully by that time, ours will change into "In Transit" and then be ready soon. Basically right now, just trying to prepare everything that I have available.
 
August is just around the corner! Excited for both of you!
Hey are you also processing your k1 here in Doha? How's your case going?

I hope everyone from this category has all been able to schedule and/or be approved! May you all be reunited with your partners soon! 

Congratulations guys! My case status is still at Ready I hope we going to get the response regarding the interview date soonest

Thanks so much!
We booked flights for August because she wanted to wait until the visa was in her hands to put in her notice at work. And also we didn't want to book flights until we were certain that she has the visa in hand. It works out for us since it gives her time to sort out her moving here.
 
I'm glad you found my review helpful, I hope you can use the information for guidance when you get your interview
 
Yeah just be patient with the NVC stage, it does seem like things started to slow down a bit over there. Just make sure they know to send your case to Doha embassy and hopefully you will avoid additional delays.

Hey everyone I just wanted to update that CEAC has now been updated to approved as of today 21-May-2023.
 
After the interview on the 16th, she was given a "soft" 221g white slip and instructions to provide evidence we've met within the last two years. Yeah I know, something we probably should have compiled with the rest of the documents we prepared for her interview. This one just went right over our heads. Within a day and a half we prepared a three inch thick folder of the requested evidence and she shipped it over. It was received on the 18th and now today the status changed to approved.
 
It's been a crazy ride, still not quite over yet but it feels so good knowing all the hard work we put into this will not go to waste.

ugh yeah NVC needs to do better at identifying the proper embassy to send it to. They seem to make this mistake a lot. But hey we have our case at the Doha Embassy now!!
 
I'll walk you through everything we did, first we sent an email to the doha embassy, the email you need to contact is ivconsulardoha@state.gov. There was the automated response which stated for case transfer what we need to send. The next day we send another email and we included all those attachments listed, it took them about 10 days to respond to the email, which during that time we sent 4 more emails, either on her behalf or mine. They're still qataris at the end of the day, they just speak english, you know how it is, just have to keep bugging them until they respond. Anyway, after 10 days they respond to the first email we sent, the one where we didn't include any of the attachments. In the email they only asked for her Residency Permit. A few days later, the date on our case was updated on CEAC and a day after that, the letters at the end of the case number changed from MNL to DOH. Indicating that it is now in possession of the Doha Embassy.
 
Here are my tips to you, okay if you want to acquire your national address certificate, I believe she did it through the Metrash app, and had to pay a small fee as well, it is issued by moi. By the way, we did send an email to the embassy it was mistakenly sent to as well and informed them that we are requesting a case transfer from the Doha Embassy and let them know that this request is being made by the applicant.
 
If you haven't started sending emails now, DO IT. They take a while to respond, send an email with what you have, just the residency permit? That's okay, draft up an email, be clear and concise on what you need, which is to take your interview at the doha embassy, include case number and names of both of you, attach the permit and send it on through. Later when you figured out how to download national address certificate, send another email and include that and the residency permit again. I will ask my fiancee when she gets home about how exactly she got the national address certificate and reply back to you.
 
I hope this all helps, if you need clarification or help, let me know.
 
 

Just an update if anyone was curious what's going on here. Received a response from NVC stating that there was insufficient proof of eligibility due to lack of proof of residency or work visa. So they requested we submit documents like her residency permit or work visa via the inquiry form. She sent me her residency permit, along with work visa and the national address certification so I attached all that to the inquiry form and sent it over. Hopefully that is sufficient for them.

Just an update if anyone was curious what's going on here. Received a response from NVC stating that there was insufficient proof of eligibility due to lack of proof of residency or work visa. So they requested we submit documents like her residency permit or work visa via the inquiry form. She sent me her residency permit, along with work visa and the national address certification so I attached all that to the inquiry form and sent it over. Hopefully that is sufficient for them.

Just an appreciation post. My Polish fiancée got her K1 visa approved (it’s all in my timeline 😊). We filed in October 2021. It’s been a long process but we’re nearly there. A lot of people here provided the great guides and timely helpful responses when I had questions.
 
Thank you to all the kind people.
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Hey everyone I just wanted to update that CEAC has now been updated to approved as of today 21-May-2023.
 
After the interview on the 16th, she was given a "soft" 221g white slip and instructions to provide evidence we've met within the last two years. Yeah I know, something we probably should have compiled with the rest of the documents we prepared for her interview. This one just went right over our heads. Within a day and a half we prepared a three inch thick folder of the requested evidence and she shipped it over. It was received on the 18th and now today the status changed to approved.
 
It's been a crazy ride, still not quite over yet but it feels so good knowing all the hard work we put into this will not go to waste.