Artuicune

Currently still in review. Any people that have updates from the last couple months? 

I have my EAD and AP valid 2 yrs (until April 2025), so at this point I hope to get the green card soon or get a 10yr green card immediately next February haha!

On 3/14/2023 at 9:31 AM, SeamusO said:

Mine updated last night to “card was produced” so hopefully won’t be too long until it shows up in the letter box

On 3/18/2023 at 10:22 PM, lidiahxo said:

Ughh mine has been sitting at "card is being produced" since March 9 and I don't know what the hold up is... I'm so thankful it's been approved so quickly but I have trust issues with USCIS...I sometimes get scared that the card will just never show.. you never know with them  

Did either of you receive your card yet? Fingers crossed for you both!

4 hours ago, PNWUnited said:

Has anyone tried to go in for their biometrics appointment early with a printed version of the appointment letter from the USCIS account, or do they need the original letter?

I had the actual letter already, but as long as they can find the info they need, I don't see why they would be difficult about it. I guess if your field office allows early walk-ins, you should be fine.

On 3/30/2023 at 8:37 AM, Shay2022 said:

My EAD got approved this morning. 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾My PD is Dec. 19,2022 

Regular processing, or did you file for expedited processing? Congrats!

On 3/22/2023 at 4:42 PM, Eric10112021 said:

It took two months exactly from date mailed to AOS approval.  We live in Nebraska and it is marriage based AOS from K1.  Our case went straight to National Benefits Center and was never forwarded to local field office.

Congrats on the fast processing!
How is it marked if the case is forwarded to a field office? I cannot find anything in myUSCIS indicating it has been forwarded, so is it correct to assume it is still in NBC then?

On 2/11/2023 at 10:20 AM, Artuicune said:

Joining the January filers for AOS + EAD + AP

 

AOS Package sent (Chicago Lockbox): 01/23

Package delivered: 01/25

Credit card charged: 01/27

I-797C notices dates: 01/27

Biometrics scheduled (notice): 02/04

Biometrics appointment: 02/23

RFE (I-864 missing petitioning sponsor's proof of citizenship): 02/10 --> responded via myUSCIS on 02/11

 

I am considering if it is worth it to try and do an early walk-in next week for my biometrics, or if it is better to just wait for the appointment.

Update:
Biometrics were done on 02/14
RFE marked as received on 02/21
Submitted an expedite request via senate office (they submitted the request as well as the info) on 02/24

Still haven't received anything new. I figure that one of the reasons I did not get my EAD approved right after the biometrics was the RFE, as I feared. Anyone have experience recently on how long it takes them to respond to the expedite request? I heard people mention 2 months for the full process?
Another worry I have is how the senate staffer submitted the request, as she was quite pessimistic from the start, saying that under K1 you cannot ensure you get expedited. I am not sure she called, I rather think she might have submitted it via email or fax.

3 minutes ago, Boiler said:

All they can do is pass it on on your behalf

 

Expedite timelines are much longer now, obviously varies but seem to be around 2 months 

Oh, I thought this was for self-submitted. I was under the impression that through a congressperson (with a caseworker which "is good", as stated in the first post) it would be faster still.

Is this 2 month timeline between filing for expedite and receiving card in the mail? Can I at any point expect some kind of update in my myUSCIS account, or is it basically hoping for the best until you get message of approval?

On 10/29/2021 at 6:58 PM, chancecody said:

1. Contact a member of your congress (house.gov for a Congressman or senate.gov for your Senator). Go to the chosen member of congress’ website and look for “help with a federal agency”
2. Fill out the Privacy Release Form found on your member of congress’ website. This step is a must. The PRF form will explain to you why.
3. Write a signed letter of hardship addressed to USCIS NBC explaining why it is important to expedite your case in as much detail as possible. For help writing a hardship letter, see this: https://www.kolkocasey.com/immigration-and-firm-news/how-do-i-write-a-hardship-letter
4. You will also need to include any supporting documents that may assist in supporting your letter (USCIS needs a pending job offer letter that has an expiration date in an official letterhead). PROOF IS NEEDED. Do NOT expedite secretly hoping that USCIS will not ask for evidence. THEY WILL ASK FOR EVIDENCE.
5. Fax or email your Privacy Release form, signed letter of hardship and proof of financial loss such as a pending job offer to your member of congress. 
6. Wait for a caseworker at your member of congress to contact you within 24 business hours. If you have not heard back from them, call them after 24 business hours telling them that you faxed the Privacy Release form, hardship letter and supporting documentation.
7. You will be approved within 7 days if your caseworker is good and knows who to call. If you are not getting a good resolution with your first chosen member of congress, contact someone else after 7 days. My first caseworker at Sen Jacky Rosen’s office in Nevada just kept sending emails to USCIS and I lost 3 weeks. After I got fed up with her, I contacted Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto’s office and within 1 week I got the EAD approved. It is because the caseworker at Sen Masto’s office actually picked up the PHONE and called instead of the other caseworker who likes to send email which USCIS likes to ignore.
8. Do not contact multiple members of congress at the same time as if all of them are working on the same case, there is duplication of efforts and your case will be further delayed. The PRF form will ask you if you have contacted another member of congress and if you say yes, they will not help you (and you cannot lie as they will know).

I kind of followed this plan. We live in DC and my husband works at the senate office of a different state, so he asked internally if we could submit the expedite request via his office. We found the person in charge, and she filed the expedite request, including evidence of financial hardship for the company as well as me, on Fri Feb 24. However, based on her emails, I don't think she did anything but the bare minimum, as in, not calling but just filing it for me.

So far, I still haven't heard anything from USCIS or from her. You mentioned a 7-day process if the office does their job well, so that makes me think that the person in charge did not do much except for file. I also cannot track what is happening currently. Does anybody know if you expedite your EAD request, does the EAD timeline in myUSCIS update at any point, or only when they approve it? I am considering emailing this office again or instead contacting the delegate for DC, as maybe their office would be actually putting in more work? Any recommendations?

4 hours ago, centric23 said:

Case changes to that immediately, then around 7PM EST it changed to approved. Check back towards the end of the day

It did not for me, unfortunately. Although that may also be because of the RFE which I submitted 3 days before that, which they might not have reviewed yet.

I did get a new message in my USCIS account at the I485 today saying: "response received on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 3:10 p.m. EST. We will review the evidence." I assume they only today started processing the answer to the RFE. Slim chance that after it is processed, they might provide my EAD. I'm not sure if I want to request the expedite now or wait a couple days to see what happens with that.

I had an appointment for biometrics on Feb. 23, but did early walk-in on Feb. 14 (12.40 pm). 

Status changed to actively reviewing immediately after, but unfortunately no changes since then. I'm afraid we will not be one of the lucky ones to get it approved quickly.

On 2/6/2023 at 3:11 PM, ComboMeal said:

Hi all,

 

Sent 485/765/131 package to Chicago PO box 1/3/23

Received 1/5/23

Credit card charged 1/6/23

Texts received 1/7/23

Online account letter received 1/11/23 (approximate)

Biometric appointment scheduled (for 2/3/23) 1/14/23

Walked in early for biometrics 1/19/23

Work permit approved 1/27/23

Work permit produced 2/1/23

Work permit received 2/4/23

 

Thanks for the guidance.

Seems like the early walk-in for the biometrics might be worth a try, which office did you go? Did they give you any trouble coming before your scheduled appointment?

Joining the January filers for AOS + EAD + AP

AOS Package sent (Chicago Lockbox): 01/23

Package delivered: 01/25

Credit card charged: 01/27

I-797C notices dates: 01/27

Biometrics scheduled (notice): 02/04

Biometrics appointment: 02/23

RFE (I-864 missing petitioning sponsor's proof of citizenship): 02/10 --> responded via myUSCIS on 02/11

I am considering if it is worth it to try and do an early walk-in next week for my biometrics, or if it is better to just wait for the appointment.

In the copy you get from the doctor, there is a copy of the from DS 3025, so you can add a copy of that.

5 minutes ago, Sou said:

 Nvm i looked at the instructions for the form  693. I read it wrong. Its just the vaccination requirements that you’ll have to proof again??

Sorry for the confusion.

 

What if I am a K nonimmigrant visa holder and already had a medical examination overseas?
If you were admitted as a:
A. K-1 fiancé(e) or a K-2 child of a K-1 fiancé(e); or
B. K-3 spouse of a U.S. citizen or a K-4 child of a K-3 spouse of a U.S. citizen; and
C. You received a medical examination prior to admission, then:
(1) You are not required to have another medical examination as long as you file your Form I-485 within one year of an overseas medical examination; and
(a) The panel physician did not find a class A medical condition during your overseas examination; or
(b) The panel physician did find a class A medical condition, you received a waiver of inadmissibility, and
you have complied with the terms and conditions of the waiver.
(2) Even if a new medical examination is not required, you must still show proof that you complied with the vaccination requirements. If the vaccination record (DS 3025) was not properly completed and included as part of the original overseas medical examination report, you will need to have the Part 10. Vaccination Record completed by a designated civil surgeon. In this case, you must submit Parts 1. - 5., 7., and 10.
of Form I-693.

Right, i have read this before as well. What confuses me still is whether you still need to provide vaccination records. If all were completed before/at the medical in origin country, do you still need to provide a new vaccination record, or is this only if part of your vaccinations were not completed at the time of the medical?

I find the wording a bit confusing.

Just now, Sou said:

Oh waaw okay thank you! I just had one more question about the medical. Did you ask for a copy of the medical results so you’ll be able to submit that with the form I-485? (So there is no medical check needed in the US). 

I did not ask for a second copy, but you receive a personal copy in any case in a smaller envelope with your results.

I don't think it's necessary to include the medical with the I-485 as long as you're doing AOS soon after entry I thought, since we have done one prior entry? Can anyone confirm this?

On 1/8/2023 at 4:56 PM, Sou said:

Thank you for the info! I might do that too. But where did you see that the wait times for the doctor was 5-6 weeks? Can i also ask you how long after the medical exam you had your interview? 

Nika P is right, I just checked the reservation roster.

Regarding my interview, I had my interview 7 days after the doctor appointment, because I took an estimated guess on when I would get the interview and booked the appointment in advance.

2 hours ago, Sou said:

Thank you for the reply! When did you schedule your medical exam? Did you do it after you received the NOA2 or when you received the welcome letter? Im making a timelime of the whole progress and its a bit confusing on when to do things.

Thank you! I’ll make sure to get the varicella shot at my doctor before the medical exam.

I scheduled it in advance, before getting the welcome letter. I noticed that the wait time for the doctor was about 5-6 weeks, and I expected to receive the welcome letter before the first available appointment based on VJ timelines. Turned out I was right, as I got the welcome letter about a week before my appointment. Depending on how fast you want to move things along, it might be worth to book in advance.

1 hour ago, Sou said:

Hi! I was wondering the same questions you asked for u as well! It has been a few months and I wonder how it went for u? 

For me, all went well. I went to the doctor in Brussels. The X-ray went fast, but I had to wait for 40 min or so for the doctor, even though I had an appointment.

I had varicella as a kid, so I only needed a flu shot, which I went to buy during the medical exam. 

5 hours ago, Yorkie62 said:

This was more or less the basis for my expedite (timing details in signature). Although anecdotally it seems like many many more people are expediting since last March and USCIS are taking longer and being stricter.

Good to know someone was successful with the same strategy.
Overall, seems like we will just do our best to compile a compelling case for USCIS to expedite the EAD, that's all we can do.

10 hours ago, Mike E said:

Our philosophy is to not lie (especially to federal employees) to obtain a benefit.  
 

You are seeing the pitfalls of K-1.  You knew that, or should have known  that.  There were no shortage of people here advising others to not go the K-1 route.  

Unfortunately, I did not read through this whole forum before deciding to go the K-1 route. If I had all this information at the time, we might have decided for marriage visa. It is what it is, now we can just try to use the hand we have dealt ourselves.

8 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

What in the world is “self-marry”?

In DC, you can self-officiate your wedding (as well in Colorado, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania apparently). 

8 hours ago, Boiler said:

Lawyer or not as always is a personal choice, your money, this is a DIY site but obviously there are situations where legal help is needed. This does not seem to be such a case. Be aware that Lawyers have staff and it would be odd for a Lawyer to deal with a simple case. Assuming you are comfortable dealing with the paperwork it will inevitably be quicker if you do it yourself, a Lawyer is not going to have it as their prime focus.

Thanks, that's very useful insight.

19 hours ago, mari04 said:

You can expedite EAD based on the job offer. I would prepare AOS package as much as possible now. Get married immediately after arrival, get urgent marriage certificate, send the package along with EAD card. Once they issue NOA on the EAD, apply for expedite based on the job offer. This is absolutely 100% valid reason for the EAD expedite. You may actually make it for March deadline. 

Thanks for the encouragement! Does getting the marriage certificate always take that long then? I was not aware you could get it urgently.

5 hours ago, Ontarkie said:

Not new at all. It's been this way for the last 15 yrs i've been on VJ. It's more like you got lucky that you had someone who was clueless and didn't think by getting married you voided your visa. That is one of the biggest issue and why some many of us say to get the social before marriage. It just saves a headache.

Are the courthouse and SSA connected then, otherwise how would they even know? 

Anyway, we now are planning to self-marry. We can get the forms before, first get SSN and then submit the paperwork afterwards.

6 hours ago, Mike E said:

Since you have a job offer, and thus will have future income, I suggest that while saving money through DIY is virtuous, a DIY I-765 expedite might be penny wise and pound foolish. So I would be now lining up a lawyer to takeover the entire I-485 process, with  the lawyer understanding that you want I-765 expedited and if necessary litigated.

Thanks for the general info. I will look into hiring a lawyer to do this. If you have any indication on where to start searching for one, it would be appreciated, as I don't have any experience with lawyers.

1 hour ago, Jorgedig said:

Expediting under financial loss can be a catch-22, as your spouse is expected to be able to financially sponsor you.  See how that might backfire?

I understand and agree that this is true. However, afaik the income treshold my spouse is expected to meet is determined nation-wide, right? So living in HCOL area still has implications, and I had hoped that it could be used as part of the argument when expediting the process.

2 hours ago, Marieke H said:

If you go to the SSA after your marriage, they likely will not be able to issue a SSN to you, because the records in the system (from when you entered the country) do not match your current status (you are married, while you entered the country as single). You would then need to wait until you have some kind of government issued documentation (and EAD or green card) before they can issue a SSN.

Thanks for pointing this out, I will adjust my planning accordingly. SSN on 2 business days later, and getting married afterwards.

5 minutes ago, Kanja said:

By any chance does this job have anything to do with healthcare? I’ve anecdotally heard that they are more likely to expedite EADs for healthcare workers and healthcare fields due to the shortage in labor since the pandemic. 

Unfortunately no, it is as application scientist for a biotechnology company, although their devices are used in healthcare research (cancer etc.)

3 minutes ago, Kanja said:

I doubt the financial loss argument will be enough. Your spouse had to submit documents basically indicating they were Financially able to support you (with or without a sponsor). 

I appreciate your argument, and I am aware it is not at all airtight, but I do not know of alternatives. I could argue that there is also financial loss in it for the company that would be employing me, as they would lose a skilled worker of have to wait a long period in which they will be short an employee? If you have any further suggestions, they are very welcome.