7 minutes ago, Allaboutwaiting said:

That's a good sign.

Have you called customer service to inquire about the rescheduled interview?

Well, the agent told us to wait at least a month so we were patiently waiting and did not call to inquire. It has now just been a month but instead of receiving the rescheduled interview letter, we received this bad news instead. We will call in their business hours tomorrow first thing in the morning!!!!!!

Gosh.. I just put in the receipt number of I-485 in Case Status on USCIS website and it shows interview was rescheduled on December 8th and to wait for the rescheduled interview letter in the mail. I am so confused. 

42 minutes ago, MicahPsencik said:

My wife and I had a similar issue. We moved to another state, updated the USCIS with our new address and received their confirmation of them receiving our new address change a month before the initial interview date. Once a change of address is processed and recognized by the USCIS all pending interviews and appointments are SUPPOSEDLY cancelled and rescheduled to the local USCIS office in your new city/state etc. This NEVER HAPPENED. Interview was never rescheduled and they terminated all pending processes stating we had abandoned our case. This resulted in my wife having to quit her job and drivers license expiring because she wasn't able to renew it because no active approved AOS. We had to refile EVERYTHING, pay all the fees again and wait. That was six months ago. Yesterday the USCIS site showed the renewed work permit is being generated and mailed. So once we get the AOS approval we can find her a new job and renew her DL.  

 

 

OMG, I am so sorry that happened to you. I don't know how this is possible in such an advanced nation. Worse is that no compensation is offered for loss of income, the filing fee that is paid again, and the time it takes. When you received the denial letter, did you just start filing the second paperwork right away or did y'all try to appeal or speak to an officer? 

2 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Call USCIS and say "infopass" at the prompt.  When a human answers, tell them it is an emergency.

Will do! Thank you so much. 

3 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

I would call them ASAP and get an emergency infopass appoint to explain the situation to them.  If that fails, then I would find a good attorney.  It seems USCIS makes this mistake more often than people might think.  Good Luck. 

Thank you for responding! When I Google emergency infopass appointment, "emergency advance parole" results show up. I can request that for this error case as well, right? (even if I have no travel coming up)

Hello VJ community, I am in severe disbelief and confusion as to why this happened. I am anxious and I really could use this community's help. 

We had our interview for December 13 but we were traveling internationally during that period so we called USCIS to reschedule the interview (number that was provided on the interview notice to reschedule). A friendly agent wrote down the reason, said someone will be contacting us within a month/sending us a new interview date, and we were provided with a case number.

After coming back from travel, we still had not received a letter or call but it had not been a month so we were not concerned. However, today we received the denied application letter in the mail.

Apparently there is no way to turn it back besides filing a motion. They've only given 18 days for my spouse's employment/parole to end and 33 days to leave the country unless provided with evidence that I-485 is still pending. 

Can someone help? Will calling the USCIS and providing them with the case number show that this was an error? Or is there no way of solving this without hiring a lawyer? 

3 hours ago, Mike E said:

Her passport. 
 

I’ve heard of AP holders being asked for marriage certs, I-485 receipts, and I-131 approval notices. 

Gotcha. I guess we'll carry those. Better to be safe than sorry!

20 minutes ago, Mike E said:

2/3 times that my wife used her combo card she was sent to secondary.  There were zero questions.  
 

1/3 times she was not sent to secondary but it was a preclearance station (Abu Dhabi).  She was questioned: “where is your husband?”

 

I’ve never heard of CBP denying admission to an AP holder.  I’ve heard of airlines denting boarding.

 

And I’ve heard of people who lose their AP documents.  Only one has ever reported a successfully outcome.  
 

With Omicron, odds are high they it you reschedule your travel to return less than ten days before your interview, your interview will be rescheduled.  

What else did your wife carry besides the combo card? Better to be safe by carrying copies of the official letters sent by USCIS (NOA, I-693, interview notice, etc)?

We actually return 10 days after the currently scheduled interview but 3 weeks before our 2 year marriage anniversary. Do I just state that I may be gone for longer and I would prefer a date in February?

We finally got an interview next month but it is 1 month before our marriage anniversary. The interview date also falls between our planned travel outside the United States. I have a couple basic questions:

• When we call them to reschedule, could the planned travel be a strong enough excuse for them to approve it? How do we make sure the postponed interview falls after our 2 year marriage anniversary?
• For people who have traveled outside the US on their combo card (travel/work), has it been easy to come back to the US or does it warrant some questioning? (my spouse is currently employed, if it matters)

19 hours ago, Co6aka said:

Straight from the "mouth" of the IRS:

 

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/how-do-i-apply-for-an-itin

How do I apply for an ITIN?

You can file Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), with your federal income tax return. You must also include original documentation or certified copies from the issuing agency to prove identity and foreign status.

If you qualify for an exception, then file Form W-7 with your proof of identity and foreign status documents and supporting documentation for the exception.

Where to apply?

Option 1

Mail your W-7, tax return, proof of identity, and foreign status documents to:

Internal Revenue Service
Austin Service Center
ITIN Operation
P.O. Box 149342
Austin, TX 78714-9342

You will only file a tax return to the address above once, when you file Form W-7 to get an ITIN. In subsequent years, when you have an ITIN, you will file your tax return as directed in the form instructions.

If you will need your original documents for any purpose within 14 weeks of submitting your ITIN application, you may wish to apply in person at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center or CAA. You may also choose to submit certified copies of documents from the issuing agency instead of original documents. Original documents you submit will be returned to you at the mailing address shown on your Form W-7. You don't need to provide a return envelope. Applicants are permitted to include a prepaid Express Mail or courier envelope for faster return delivery of their documents. The IRS will then return the documents in the envelope provided by the applicant. If your original documents aren’t returned within 14 weeks, you can call the IRS at 800-908-9982 (U.S. only) or for international, call 267-941-1000 (this is not a toll-free number).

Option 2

Apply for an ITIN in-person using the services of an IRS-authorized Certifying Acceptance Agent. This will prevent you from having to mail your proof of identity and foreign status documents.

Option 3

Make an appointment at a designated IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center. This will also prevent you from having to mail your proof of identity and foreign status document 

After processing, the IRS will issue your ITIN through the mail.

When should I apply?

You can apply for an ITIN any time during the year when you have a filing or reporting requirement. At a minimum, you should complete Form W-7 when you are ready to file your federal income tax return by the return's prescribed due date. If the tax return you attach to Form W-7 is filed after the return's due date, you may owe interest and/or penalties.

Applying for ITIN is not the same as having an ITIN, correct? This means.. even if I file for her ITIN along with the taxes, we still can't file it jointly since we won't have an ITIN/SSN number for her? Sorry for these questions. Just trying to understand it fully. 

On 10/11/2021 at 11:25 AM, Crazy Cat said:

No.  The spouse MUST have either a valid SSN or valid ITIN to file a joint return.  In addition, You can file for an ITIN only when filing taxes or submitting a tax report.

Since I am filing taxes, I can file for her ITIN along with the taxes? I'm just trying to get the clear picture. Or are you saying I really cannot file a joint return because there is no SSN and no ITIN (hence, I would have to do it as married, filing separately)?

And that would also mean we cannot get the $1400 + $600 stimulus checks for her, correct?

On 10/5/2021 at 6:05 PM, Co6aka said:

Why can't you file that way and include ITIN applications?  (Federal, and state if necessary.)  Then you can update the tax authorities as soon as you receive the SSN. (You'll probably receive the SSN before they even look at your returns.)

My spouse does not have an ITIN, and applying for an ITIN now would take more time than to receive the SSN. Is there another way to file as "married, filing jointly" without the ITIN/SSN? Maybe a placeholder until we get the SSN? Anything of that nature - permitted? 

On 9/30/2021 at 10:49 PM, Chancy said:

 

No guaranteed timeframe.  But based on the reports from other VJ members, if you do not get your SSN a month after EAD approval, book an appointment at an SSA office to apply for SSN in person.

 

Dang it, I guess I won't be able to "married, filing jointly" the taxes that are due October 10th 😐

On 9/19/2021 at 3:41 PM, Crazy Cat said:

No, the Social Security card comes separately.....from the Social Security Administration.  Your request/application will be passed to them from USCIS. 

Is there an expected timeframe for the SS card to arrive after receiving the combo EAD/AP card? I read somewhere that it could be a week after, but I'm sure it takes longer now in the current pandemic?

On 9/18/2021 at 2:28 PM, Crazy Cat said:

If you didn't already apply for a SS card when you completed your I-765 or I-485, you will have to apply with Social Security.  Social Security cards are issued by the Social Security Administration, not USCIS. 

We checked the box on the application where it asked if we wanted to apply for the SS card. Does that mean that the SS card will be coming along with the I-765 and I-131 acceptance?

So happy to see changes in our case! It's been quite a while. Should we expect the SSN card with the EAD? Or do we have to go to the SSA to apply for it separately?

10 hours ago, mnewportland said:

Hi! We first filed in June 2019 and I wanted to work as soon as possible. I contacted our senator's office to expediate my work permit and I provided them with an employment offer. They contacted USCIS on my behalf and in August of the same year, just two month after we filed and a couple weeks after the biometrics was done my work permit and advance parole got approved. 

 

So the place that offered you employment waited two months for you to receive the work permit? 

On 9/8/2021 at 12:59 AM, Jorgedig said:

If your spouse came on a K-1 visa, the very first thing you should have done after the flight landed was to apply for an SSN.   Why didn't you at least apply for an ITIN so that you could file taxes jointly?

 

Congressperson/senator cannot speed up any part of the process,  or influence a decision.  They can simply inquire on your behalf, and often receive the same info you have access to.

1. She came as a B2 (tourist visa)
2. I didn't realize the process would be so slow, hence we did not apply for ITIN. I was told that by the time we get ITIN, we would already be close to receiving an SSN

Our case was received in September last year (2020). Yes, the RFE delayed the process but when the I-944 was scrapped, shouldn't our case have moved faster? (that is what delayed it in the first place)

After getting in touch with live agents via chat three times in three months, they were able to put it in inquiry and my spouse finally got a biometrics appointment done in July 2021. I have filed a tax extension because my spouse's SSN is still not here and we wanted to file jointly. Next month is the deadline for that tax extension. This is taking so long

This brings me to my question- has anyone had any luck contacting their state rep/congressman to get it moving quicker? My wife would really like to work to contribute to our finances, travel abroad, and have some sort of local ID. 

10 hours ago, catmom said:

No updates yet. Hopefully it does not take 2-3 more months, I need this to be over so I can get a job!!! 😬

Ha, my wife is in the same situation as yourself! She also wants to travel abroad so she wants the travel permit before December too. Hopefully!

On 7/14/2021 at 8:35 AM, catmom said:

Finally, congrats!!! I had mine last week and 7 days later my status updated to "ready to be scheduled for interview" so I am hoping we don't have too much longer until we get scheduled. At this point I do not think I will be getting an EAD.

Status just changed yesterday to "ready to be scheduled for interview." Do you have any updates yet? I'm guessing it could take at least another 2-3 months.

Houston here. 

We applied in September 2020, received RFE request in December, sent RFE in March 2021, and we received biometrics today (July 2021). 

On 7/2/2021 at 7:17 PM, Listen97 said:

It was the number listed in the forums and I just said technical support to talk to an agent.

Just received biometrics appointment letter today! It mentioned biometrics for I-485 and I-765. 

The first time I was 36 in queue and the second time I was 16.

After being connected to a rep/agent, saying "hi" and being asked to verify name/DoB/address, it shows me "problems processing last request" and then the annoying Disconnected from Live Chat. Am I the only one experiencing this?

28 minutes ago, Listen97 said:

We got our biometrics appt letter today. Not sure if it was just time or if the phone call and email made any difference. Haven't heard anything about our I-765 we sent along with the RFE however so will be calling again when it's been 30 days.

What number and email did you contact them on? Live Chat with Emma has been so frustrating. It also keeps disconnecting my chat this week.