Gatekeeper

I’m not American, but I was an expat in several different countries throughout my studies and career. Based on my experience, what you feel is very normal, and the better your experience abroad was, the harder adjusting back to your home country is. It doesn’t necessarily has to do with public transportation or food specifically. These differences that you feel on this particulier topics are a symptom more than a cause.
i read somewhere, long ago, that the time one needs to adjust back to one’s home culture after a great experience abroad is as long as the time you spent there (ie you spent 2 years in country A, you’ll need 2 years to re-adjust to your home country).
Almost every expat goes through that phase, especially after the 1st experience abroad. But it will wear out eventually, you’ll stop comparing everything to the former country where you lived. 
Going back home is known to be the same process as the one you (probably) went through while adjusting to your new country abroad (the homesickness feeling with its sequential steps eventually ending into adjusting and thriving in your new home).
So hang in there, it will get better!

I imported unaccompanied effects while my AOS was still pending. Also contacted CBP to ask the question about the process but never received a clear answer: didn’t seem to be an issue to them.
 
The transport company I used wasn’t sure either, because it was the 1st time they did this (with a pending AOS). Their clients usually move with a work visa of some kind.
 
What we did was to wait for my AOS receipt notice to arrive and provided it along with other usual papers. I imported the goods under my maiden name (not my married name).
 
On the USC form 3299 “Declaration for free entry of unaccompanied articles”, Part II, section 9, regarding residency status, I selected the “Visiting the US” because I arrived on an ESTA (not a K-1) and adjusted status afterward. You will need to carefully select which status is yours with a K-1 (I assume “non-resident”, but someone needs to confirm you this).
 
On the  USC form called “Supplemental declaration for unaccompanied personal and household effects”, I was able to provide a Residence Alien number (section 9), as I had already received it with my AOS Receipt notice. For social security number I entered “N/A”. In section 7 “Reason for moving”, I indicated I was married to a US citizen, date and status of my AOS filing (status being pending), receipt notice number and (again) USCIS Alien Number.
 
I was very nervous of course, while waiting for my shipment to arrive, but everything went perfectly well, no issue at all!

I also imported (separately) my 2 cats which had remained in my country of origin (as I hadn’t planned to stay in the US when I arrived on my ESTA). And everything went very smoothly there too.

Please bear in mind that I can’t confirm that this is the way to do it as per USC requirements since they don’t list any for a situation like ours, having a pending AOS, I can only share what worked for me.
 
Just be very careful to properly select the answers which apply to you on the USC forms, and be very thorough in checking that you are NOT importing any forbidden item by mistake when you’ll be packing, and make sure you do NOT forget to declare anything on the packing list/ inventory.
 
Hope this helps!

I imported unaccompanied effects while my AOS was still pending. Also contacted CBP to ask the question about the process but never received a clear answer: didn’t seem to be an issue to them.
 
The transport company I used wasn’t sure either, because it was the 1st time they did this (with a pending AOS). Their clients usually move with a work visa of some kind.
 
What we did was to wait for my AOS receipt notice to arrive and provided it along with other usual papers. I imported the goods under my maiden name (not my married name).
 
On the USC form 3299 “Declaration for free entry of unaccompanied articles”, Part II, section 9, regarding residency status, I selected the “Visiting the US” because I arrived on an ESTA (not a K-1) and adjusted status afterward. You will need to carefully select which status is yours with a K-1 (I assume “non-resident”, but someone needs to confirm you this).
 
On the  USC form called “Supplemental declaration for unaccompanied personal and household effects”, I was able to provide a Residence Alien number (section 9), as I had already received it with my AOS Receipt notice. For social security number I entered “N/A”. In section 7 “Reason for moving”, I indicated I was married to a US citizen, date and status of my AOS filing (status being pending), receipt notice number and (again) USCIS Alien Number.
 
I was very nervous of course, while waiting for my shipment to arrive, but everything went perfectly well, no issue at all!

I also imported (separately) my 2 cats which had remained in my country of origin (as I hadn’t planned to stay in the US when I arrived on my ESTA). And everything went very smoothly there too.

Please bear in mind that I can’t confirm that this is the way to do it as per USC requirements since they don’t list any for a situation like ours, having a pending AOS, I can only share what worked for me.
 
Just be very careful to properly select the answers which apply to you on the USC forms, and be very thorough in checking that you are NOT importing any forbidden item by mistake when you’ll be packing, and make sure you do NOT forget to declare anything on the packing list/ inventory.
 
Hope this helps!

It was exactly the same for me today! Approved on the spot after a 20-minute interview. The agent was serious and to the point until he told us we were approved and would get our card in a week or 2. Then he became very friendly and started chatting with us about the fact that we traveled a lot (we had provided the flight tickets of the 40 occasions on which we had met before our wedding. We love travelling😊) etc… And our status changes to « card being produced » as we went out of the office! 

I’m not American, but I was an expat in several different countries throughout my studies and career. Based on my experience, what you feel is very normal, and the better your experience abroad was, the harder adjusting back to your home country is. It doesn’t necessarily has to do with public transportation or food specifically. These differences that you feel on this particulier topics are a symptom more than a cause.
i read somewhere, long ago, that the time one needs to adjust back to one’s home culture after a great experience abroad is as long as the time you spent there (ie you spent 2 years in country A, you’ll need 2 years to re-adjust to your home country).
Almost every expat goes through that phase, especially after the 1st experience abroad. But it will wear out eventually, you’ll stop comparing everything to the former country where you lived. 
Going back home is known to be the same process as the one you (probably) went through while adjusting to your new country abroad (the homesickness feeling with its sequential steps eventually ending into adjusting and thriving in your new home).
So hang in there, it will get better!

I’m not American, but I was an expat in several different countries throughout my studies and career. Based on my experience, what you feel is very normal, and the better your experience abroad was, the harder adjusting back to your home country is. It doesn’t necessarily has to do with public transportation or food specifically. These differences that you feel on this particulier topics are a symptom more than a cause.
i read somewhere, long ago, that the time one needs to adjust back to one’s home culture after a great experience abroad is as long as the time you spent there (ie you spent 2 years in country A, you’ll need 2 years to re-adjust to your home country).
Almost every expat goes through that phase, especially after the 1st experience abroad. But it will wear out eventually, you’ll stop comparing everything to the former country where you lived. 
Going back home is known to be the same process as the one you (probably) went through while adjusting to your new country abroad (the homesickness feeling with its sequential steps eventually ending into adjusting and thriving in your new home).
So hang in there, it will get better!

I’m not American, but I was an expat in several different countries throughout my studies and career. Based on my experience, what you feel is very normal, and the better your experience abroad was, the harder adjusting back to your home country is. It doesn’t necessarily has to do with public transportation or food specifically. These differences that you feel on this particulier topics are a symptom more than a cause.
i read somewhere, long ago, that the time one needs to adjust back to one’s home culture after a great experience abroad is as long as the time you spent there (ie you spent 2 years in country A, you’ll need 2 years to re-adjust to your home country).
Almost every expat goes through that phase, especially after the 1st experience abroad. But it will wear out eventually, you’ll stop comparing everything to the former country where you lived. 
Going back home is known to be the same process as the one you (probably) went through while adjusting to your new country abroad (the homesickness feeling with its sequential steps eventually ending into adjusting and thriving in your new home).
So hang in there, it will get better!

I’m not American, but I was an expat in several different countries throughout my studies and career. Based on my experience, what you feel is very normal, and the better your experience abroad was, the harder adjusting back to your home country is. It doesn’t necessarily has to do with public transportation or food specifically. These differences that you feel on this particulier topics are a symptom more than a cause.
i read somewhere, long ago, that the time one needs to adjust back to one’s home culture after a great experience abroad is as long as the time you spent there (ie you spent 2 years in country A, you’ll need 2 years to re-adjust to your home country).
Almost every expat goes through that phase, especially after the 1st experience abroad. But it will wear out eventually, you’ll stop comparing everything to the former country where you lived. 
Going back home is known to be the same process as the one you (probably) went through while adjusting to your new country abroad (the homesickness feeling with its sequential steps eventually ending into adjusting and thriving in your new home).
So hang in there, it will get better!

I’m not American, but I was an expat in several different countries throughout my studies and career. Based on my experience, what you feel is very normal, and the better your experience abroad was, the harder adjusting back to your home country is. It doesn’t necessarily has to do with public transportation or food specifically. These differences that you feel on this particulier topics are a symptom more than a cause.
i read somewhere, long ago, that the time one needs to adjust back to one’s home culture after a great experience abroad is as long as the time you spent there (ie you spent 2 years in country A, you’ll need 2 years to re-adjust to your home country).
Almost every expat goes through that phase, especially after the 1st experience abroad. But it will wear out eventually, you’ll stop comparing everything to the former country where you lived. 
Going back home is known to be the same process as the one you (probably) went through while adjusting to your new country abroad (the homesickness feeling with its sequential steps eventually ending into adjusting and thriving in your new home).
So hang in there, it will get better!

Green card received today!🥳🥳🥳🥳
AOS interview took place on October 22nd.
This is the end of the 1st big chapter of our visa journey (until ROC).
Good luck to everyone of you who are still waiting to get their green cards!

It was exactly the same for me today! Approved on the spot after a 20-minute interview. The agent was serious and to the point until he told us we were approved and would get our card in a week or 2. Then he became very friendly and started chatting with us about the fact that we traveled a lot (we had provided the flight tickets of the 40 occasions on which we had met before our wedding. We love travelling😊) etc… And our status changes to « card being produced » as we went out of the office! 

It was exactly the same for me today! Approved on the spot after a 20-minute interview. The agent was serious and to the point until he told us we were approved and would get our card in a week or 2. Then he became very friendly and started chatting with us about the fact that we traveled a lot (we had provided the flight tickets of the 40 occasions on which we had met before our wedding. We love travelling😊) etc… And our status changes to « card being produced » as we went out of the office! 

10/22

Got the EAD now, just after my post of desperation! Relieved. Hope the same relief goes out to everyone else who hasn't received it, the struggle is real!

Congrats! Top up your ice cream with melted chocolate and whipped cream, you deserve it!😛

Congrats! Top up your ice cream with melted chocolate and whipped cream, you deserve it!😛

Thanks for the info and reminder about timeline update (will do so right now)!

Sounds the same as Nevada. Wife had license issued until 90 days expired( I-94), then was invalid until ead card showed up. Then they issued it until the EAD card expired 1 year later, then we went back after she received green card and they issued the full term 8 year license.

I can confirm what was said here. Once you file for AOS, you cannot get a local driver licence until you get your EAD or Greencard. In Pennsylvania where I am, there is even an additional requirement for non US citizen to have accrued 1 year of lawful presence before you can apply for a DL! 
until then, you are not allowed to drive, even if you have a DL from your country of origin. It’s not fun, but it is what it is.

My case is now showing that I’m scheduled for an interview since today! Haven’t received the official letter yet, should arrive very soon.
my bio took place on August 5th 
case ready to be scheduled for an interview approx. 1week later

My case is now showing that I’m scheduled for an interview since today! Haven’t received the official letter yet, should arrive very soon.
my bio took place on August 5th 
case ready to be scheduled for an interview approx. 1week later

One question: did you include your spouse revenues?...What I wonder is how showing a household negative “account” (total household revenues minus expenses) makes sense since when applying for AOS and filing affidavit of support, you gave proof that your spouse could financially support both of you...Unless there has been a change of circumstances on your spouse side, revenue wise?...
Maybe some of the “experienced”/older members of VJ could shed some lights on this?
 

I finally received my bio appointment! Woohoo!
well, our lawyer received it. The original hasn’t reached our mailbox yet (that’s one advantage of using a lawyer for filing AOS: as the lawyer receives a copy of all notices too, you’re sure not to miss any).
 

Probably something I can easily fix.  Let me know next week, if so!

Hopefully fixed.  Let me know next week when these go out!  Fixed for both EAD and AP.