MerryMentor
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Posts posted by MerryMentor
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On 6/23/2020 at 2:07 PM, samdog said:
USCIS cashed our checks today. Does that mean that they have the forms they need and that someone has reviewed them for mistakes?
Of course, anything missing and/or extra they need will be requested via an RFE later. Just wondering if cashing checks means we're officially in the line. Hopefully they start sending biometric appointments in July
Congratulations you’re in!
On 6/24/2020 at 7:42 PM, samdog said:Update: We received 4 text messages and case numbers; one each for I-130, I-485, I-765, and I-131 today. (no emails or physical mail yet)
Only one of us received all the texts, the other didn't - even though we filed two separate G-1145 forms with I-130 and I-485 packets different email/text details.
Yeah same for us as well.
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3 hours ago, taximan683 said:
How long does it take to receive an appointment for fingerprints after the accept your i-485?
If no RFE I hope
Usually within a month, but due to pandemic there have been no appointments since March. So there is a big backlog. Once ASC’s open on July 13 biometrics will be scheduled.
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1 minute ago, samdog said:
@MerryMentor Now that we're sending checks, no other forms needed right? Just place the check where G-1450 was for the card payment last time?
Yes, just two checks. One for I130 and one for AOS. Make sure to put exact amount on each check.
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4 minutes ago, samdog said:
Thanks.
Do you mean the individual I-797C papers that I received for I-130, I-485, I-765, I-131? (We have them in the packet right now, but only copies of them; we were thinking of keeping the originals with us since they all say "Applicant Copy".)
Should they be right next to the green paper outside the I-130 and I-485 packets? Or close to the forms that they correspond to?
You can keep the originals.
keep them right behind the Corresponding cover letters.
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3 minutes ago, samdog said:
Hey @MerryMentor and others, do you know if our submission should say RESUBMISSION or ORIGINAL SUBMISSION? It was rejected due to credit card issues (fraud alert algorithms) last week.
Resubmission, make sure to include the rejection notice from the previous submission.
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Just now, samdog said:
Thanks. Will wait until we have the NOA then.
USCIS will send our entire packet back, right? Just thinking, if we can't re-submit without NOA then at least we can re-use the evidence that was sent with I-130 and I-485 if they send everything back. (Hopefully soon.)
We can only hope nothing is missing. You can even reuse the same forms if you’re confident there are no mistakes. Sometimes USCIS will reorganize your documents, keep them that way when you resubmit.
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Just now, samdog said:
Yeah I saw that. There is no updated form on the website as of today, so hopefully they either update it quick or don't update for a couple weeks. We plan to resubmit as soon as we are able to.
Good luck, don’t stress too much over it. I know it is easier said than done when you put so much work in putting together the application.
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Just now, samdog said:
We haven't received NOA just yet. So we should wait to re-submit you think? Who knows when we will get anything back from USCIS.
That is also a tricky question, let’s hope everything comes back soon. And yes, you need to include a copy of NOA with the resubmission.
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2 minutes ago, samdog said:
I wish, but this time we will send checks for sure. I'm shocked that Chase denied the charges outright without even confirming with us - and yet when actual fraud happens I have to dispute it with someone. Lesson learned; never use credit cards for important government things.
It sucks. Anyways, make sure all forms are up to date when you resubmit, I know i765 was about to expire by May 31. So double check that beforehand to avoid a rejection.
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8 minutes ago, samdog said:
Couple questions:
1) Is it possible for me (foreign spouse beneficiary) to pay the fees for I-130 and I-485? Or does it say anywhere that the US Citizen petitioner has to pay fees?
2a) We haven't received official rejection notice yet - but we will get it because of non-payment of fees (Chase cannot re-process the charge, and USCIS won't re-attempt to charge). Can we submit another packet right away?
2b) Our re-submission will still be "original submission" right?
1) You can pay the fees, try using personal checks or call the bank ahead so they know credit card will be charged.
2) Yes.
3) it should be a resubmission, make sure you include the NOA with it.
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1 hour ago, samdog said:
Welp Chase declined the charge attempt from USCIS. Looks like we’re gonna have to resubmit all over. Fuckin hell
I’m sorry, this happens more often than not with the credit cards. I thought you were sending checks.
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1 hour ago, Rambava said:
Any approvals for the April filers!? I am checking the numbers around me constantly only to see a lot of people getting RFE. And the remaining ones have no action on it. Rarely seeing an approval. So just wondering.
I’ve seen a few I765 approvals, most likely OPT EADs. I’ve also seen some 131 approvals, but I don’t think they are part of AOS packages, but renewals or something.
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3 minutes ago, samdog said:
I know that USCIS has a list of websites that do this, but do you know which is the cheapest option I can get?
Thanks, we will keep some f&f on standby for this. We have submitted photos of us with friends and family, celebrating holidays and vacations, and of both our parents meeting each other. We also have travel documents for trips we took together over the years. Hopefully these are enough but you never know; they could ask for more in which case we have to be prepared.
Thanks, will do.
I don’t know which is the cheapest one, but I used ECE and they have option for course wise evaluation and just the degree evaluation. Just evaluation of degrees is much cheaper but you will have to check what is Acceptable USCIS.
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23 minutes ago, samdog said:
Thanks, fingers crossed from here on out! They will most likely ask us to provide foreign bachelor's equivalency and some co-mingling of finances (we got married earlier this month so only had joint utilities, auto insurance, and for co-residency we had driver's licenses with same address and a letter from the city stating that we've been living together since early-2018)
And then there's I-693 of course, which I am thinking of getting from the doctor in about a month or so - since as far as I remember it'll be valid for up to 2 years from NOA1 date (I think?)
Yes the medical exam is valid for 2 years, but you should wait until your case is ready to be scheduled for interview or until they RFE for the medical, which is different than the courtesy letter. Make sure to get the education equivalency done as soon as you can, it can sometimes take few months.
You also might want some family and friends write an affidavit regarding your Bona fide marriage and have them ready to be notarized in case USCIS asks for more proof of Bona fide marriage. -
18 minutes ago, samdog said:
I have them already, “Visa Tracker” and Lawfully. Is that what you meant by case tracker?
Yep, loooong wait ahead. At what stage do we breathe a sigh of relief? I’m guessing there will be some RFE for I-693 and maybe (but hopefully not) some other things, but is NOA1 or NOA2 the stage where we know that we’re “in line” so to say?
Yes, I think for Android it’s visa tracker and for iOS it’s case tracker.
once you get your first NOA that’s a good sign. Based on what I’ve seen, you’ll get a courtesy letter for I-693 to bring it with you for the interview and hopefully within 60 days and basic requests for initial information if any.
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5 minutes ago, samdog said:
Chicago lockbox received our package on Tue 5/26 and the signature confirmation just says “signed by L Lockbox”
Is this normal? I thought a person would sign their name there.
also, any idea when we would be notified via email/text? We send separate G-1145 forms for 130/485 packages.
1)Yes it’s normal.
2)You should expect a response within 30 days, if you don’t then you can contact USCIS. It can be sooner, but you shouldn’t worry if it take more than a few weeks.
From now it’s going to be a long waiting game, so just relax and hope everything goes well.
Download case tracker and lawfully apps to notify you when you have any updates.
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11 minutes ago, samdog said:
@MerryMentor Should we file separate G-1450s for the I-130 packet and I-485 packet? Or just one common G-1450 outside both packets along with G-1145? Also, any preference for credit card vs. check? We have listed credit card details in both right now.
Some page on simple citizen seems to suggest sending separate G-1450s for I-130 packet and I-485 packet.
Also make sure you put the correct amount of payment for each form, they outright reject the forms if the amounts are wrong.
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7 minutes ago, samdog said:
@MerryMentor Should we file separate G-1450s for the I-130 packet and I-485 packet? Or just one common G-1450 outside both packets along with G-1145? Also, any preference for credit card vs. check? We have listed credit card details in both right now.
Some page on simple citizen seems to suggest sending separate G-1450s for I-130 packet and I-485 packet.
I like to go with Checks, one for 130 packet and one for 485. Also, That way you don’t need G-1450. And then include two G-1145s, with sponsors info on 1145 attached with i130 and beneficiaries info on the one attached to 485.
Even though we included two G-1145s only the beneficiary got texts and not the sponsor. So if they lose one you still have 50% chance of getting texts.
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6 minutes ago, samdog said:
Umm I still don't understand I'm afraid; sorry. Should I just not write about my foreign high school and bachelor's in I-944?
My masters degree is from the US, and I am doing another full-time masters degree right now (evenings/weekends) and working on full-time CPT. I have NOT included anything from this degree and just said that I will graduate in December 2020.
You should include the degrees, but get the equivalency for them done for the interview or if they issue RFE for that. For now just submit the degree certificates and transcripts.
F1 to AOS
in Adjustment of Status Case Filing and Progress Reports
Posted
No, nothing yet. I’ve seen some posts where April and March filers have gotten biometric notices. I believe it depends on the number of applications that are under the jurisdiction of your ASC. I guess we have to wait patiently, nothing we can do about it 😔.