SandyR

Happy news for us!  Finally got notice of interview!!!  No date that I can see so I guess we wait for letter!  Yahoo!  I think we are the last ones in the group.  

4 hours ago, slavaskii said:

As an update, I just got a notification that our interview was scheduled. Anyone know if we should get a notice of when the interview is on the USCIS account, or usually how far out they are? Of course, after two years of submitting, it will be scheduled during my final law exams / bar prep 😂

oh wow!  well, hey, it is finally here!  I wish I could say we got same notice, but we didn't.  but congratulations to you! and best of luck on the exams!  keep us posted on how the interview goes.  oh and BTW how far out was it scheduled?

Hello!  Still nothing on our end.  the MyProgress tab is useless.  has gone from 2 weeks to 1 week back to 2 months and now 'your case is taking longer than expected'.  But it does say at step 3 - waiting for interview (if necessary).  

We did call and found out our case is at the local office.  For whatever that is worth.  Am hopeful it will be soon though.  I would think/hope that if it is in local office, it is to be expected soon?  

Well mine went from 2 weeks to one week to now nothing.  Says it is taking longer than expected.  So we just keep waiting.  🤷‍♀️

Wow - thanks for this.  I just looked and it says ours should have a decision in 1 week!  We are in WI so I guess it is national.

Hopefully you have good news coming soon.  

Did you ever get the EAD?  We did get a combo card in July I think.

Looking forward to some holiday cheer soon!  Hopefully for all of us.

29 minutes ago, slavaskii said:

Any more August 2022 updates? Still pretty much silent here - I keep checking the timelines, and for whatever reason, those who filed after July 2022 in DC are now delayed (everyone else seemed pretty standard to finish AOS 11-13 months). I did notice, however, that the "RFE Received" date for the I-864 (requested last year, shortly after receipt of the AOS package) 'updated' to Sept. 2023. My understanding is that this means someone actually looked at the packet; however, it's been well over a month since that update, and I would've expected something more immediate.

 

Is this just another waiting game until we can file an inquiry in May 2024? Given that it's already been 14 months and there's now an updated RFE Received, any chance we can do some inquiry sooner (possibly, 60 days after that RFE update, i.e., mid/late November)? Again, after the disaster that was the I-129F slowdowns, I really feel like being proactive is the solution here; maybe a congressional inquiry instead at the end of the 60 days? TIA

 

Edit: Separately, what's the protocol for when you approach your 2 year anniversary but do not have the I-485 approved yet? I understand you can file ROC with a conditional GC 90 days prior to the conditional GC's expiration, but when you don't have the GC yet, do you take any action at all? For us that will be early May, likely before we could even submit an 'out of processing time' inquiry for the I-485.

Nothing much happening with us either. He did get a combo card in July so I guess that’s good. Have you called him to inquire at all? I wonder if that does anything. I was wondering if I called in at least somebody would look at the file, and maybe that would prompt some thing, but I doubt it. Well at least we are together with our loved ones.  

33 minutes ago, quinnscribe said:

We didn't get a notice before, just a "please send us this". What did your pre-notice look like?

 

There's only 1 in range of us so we have one choice, unless we feel like taking a train or bus for a couple hours. (Which we would do for the interview in Buffalo but would be expensive and effortful given an overnight stay in a hotel, and that pricing difference would outweigh savings most likely.)

attached is the notice we received.  so we got the exam and are just sitting on it.  hopefully not for too long!

2 hours ago, quinnscribe said:

Update: no action on EAD/AP, but we got the request for the I-693 medical form today. It wants a sealed copy of one. But he did the K-1 exam overseas already and got this handled, AND we were told there's an extended validity due to processing time.

did you get a notice prior to the RFE asking you to get medical?  We got a notice saying get the 693 but hold it for either interview or RFE.  

and, as recommended, get it done and hopefully you are on the way to a green card.  Note that everyone charges different prices for the 693 medical.  I called about 6 places and picked the cheapest.

did you try calling and asking about the medical RFE?  

It's odd that the cost of the exam varies depending upon who you go to.  I have found costs from $165 to $350.  The letter said get exam and wait for interview or RFE if no interview required.  Praying for no interview and just mailing in the results.  

I am still confused as to if everyone applying for AOS has to get the exam done in the US.  or were we just unlucky?

but we have the appointment for this week (yeah).  so moving forward.  

thank you all

22 minutes ago, noobjections said:

I’m unfamiliar with K-1 rules but are you allowed to do your medicals outside the country? 
 

Within the US you’re entitled to a copy and the sealed document to send to USCIS. You might have to do it again within the US. 

For k-1 you must do a medical in local country.  But seems odd they wouldn’t give a copy of exam.  Ya, might have to repeat. 

1 minute ago, OldUser said:

It's BS. I did medical exam (for AOS) and received both sealed envelope and copy. I believe you're entitled to get it by law. I would be concerned about this doctor and whether paperwork from him is done correctly.

It’s from india.  They don’t follow rules very well.  We have asked 3 times.  Will call uscis and ask for guidance. 

We tried getting a copy and we’re told we couldn’t have a copy.  So everyone else received a copy after exam for K-1?

We received a notice asking for our I – 693. We did not get a copy of that after the medical because they said we were not allowed to have a copy. What is everyone doing about the form? I’m assuming we have to pay for another medical?

Thank you for your expertise!  Do you have a masters degree in immigration?  😂  I'm thankful for all the help and support I've received.  

I will get the AOS in today.  It should be easy enough.  Thanks for the heads up on form change.  I don't need any more challenges!

I'll get it to the post office today or tomorrow and then wait.  again.  but actually, the wait with him being in the house is not as bad as the last wait.  

thanks again!

On 12/3/2022 at 4:56 PM, Family said:

Pay the fee and spend a moment putting together a strong showing of joint life 

Don’t forget to complete the I-130 A

I just filed the I-130 online.  That was nice!  Had to upload the I-130A and other info.  I can pretty much send in the same I-485, etc. as I did a couple of months ago - but will make the appropriate changes.  However, was wondering if I should wait a bit?  Is there any reason to submit it ASAP?  any chance the I-130 would be denied?  I don't see how since we are eligible, but if there is any chance it would be denied, I don't want to send in the $1225 which would also be for nothing if they denied my I-130.  I think the scrutiny would come in the interview.  Any thoughts?  Many thanks.

10 hours ago, Family said:

Your withdrawal was not “partial” and you no longer have the I-129 F as an approved petition , it was cancelled/ voided IT’S GONE. 
 

Do yourself a favor and either do more research or get a few consultations before you risk it. 

 

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-103

Withdrawal. An applicant or petitioner may withdraw a benefit request at any time until a decision is issued by USCIS or, in the case of an approved petition, until the person is admitted or granted adjustment or change of status, based on the petition. However, a withdrawal may not be retracted

Thank you.  I appreciate your help.  I did pay for consultations through this site and the immigration lawyer said I do not need to apply for the I-130 since we were married within the 90 days after he entered the US.  I got two consultations.  Do you think it is possible the partner lawyers available through this site are not knowledgeable enough or don't put enough thought into it?  Maybe I'll try a third lawyer.  ugh.  

Right - we married within 90 days - just over 100 days ago.  Not sure why I have to file an I-130.  When I look on USCIS website, it doesn't say anything about a deadline for filing the 485.  It seems that we just need another 485 and be prepared for questioning.  

3 hours ago, Family said:

I strongly recommend you now add an I-130 to the new I-485 packet. Withdrawal at any stage renders the petition itself void…and though your packet without the I-130 may get past the mailroom, it will ultimately be denied without the new I-130. 

 

Really?  so I have to pay the I-130 fee and the AOS fee of $1285?

Thank you all so much!  I did not withdraw the 129f.  And I did not give a reason.  I know we will be heavily scrutinized during the interview but that is ok.  We will get through it.  

I will refile the AOS this week.  I am curious why when we called USCIS they don't show it being denied and had no idea what had happened. 

We will get through this.  Just a bit more of a wait and more money.  oh well.

Thank you all for your help and advice.  There is so much conflicting info out there (even from experts).   

And my advice - don't get caught up with what people are telling you - it gets into your head and you do stupid things.  ugh.

have a great day all!  

1 hour ago, OldUser said:

Where did you read it, could you provide links? USCIS is not known for providing refunds of any sorts. I don't think it's possible to get any refunds from them.

Yes, I agree.  I just read it on some blog - don't remember where.  

1 hour ago, Crazy Cat said:

The USCIS rep is wrong.  I would immediately file a new I-485 package along with a new I-131 and I-765.  There are no re-funds.  Why would there be? 

 

BTW, an I-130 is needed only if you failed to marry within 90 days.

Hey - thank you.  We did marry within 90 days so no I-130.  You wouldn't bother with the 290b then?  go straight to refile of the whole package and pay the $1225 again?

I was amazed at how quickly they denied the 485 after receiving my letter when we wait forever for any other type of response!  kind of funny in a sick sort of way!

I am in need of some advice.  I brought my husband (then fiancé) here on I-129f and we were married.  We then filed the AOS packet.  Well, I got a little crazy and freaked out and sent a letter to the local office saying  I wanted to withdraw sponsorship.  I immediately regretted it and sent another letter saying I was just scared of the process and was not in a good state, etc. etc.  and that I definitely wanted to continue with my sponsorship.  Well, a week later we got a denial of our 485 because sponsor withdrew.  The back said we can file I-290B within 30 days.  I consulted one of the resources that you can pay for on this site and the lawyer said that it was probably a waste of time to file the 290 and just to refile the whole thing from scratch.  Now the 290 has a $675 fee and the 485 has a $1225 fee.  I guess it doesn't matter in the end.  But also wondered about a partial refund on my first 485.  I've read people getting that but not sure if that is a real thing.

ALSO, to make matters more confusing (for me), we called USCIS and the woman told me that if we didn't file an I-130 after we got married, the 485 would be denied.  I don't think we need to file an I-130 if we filed I-129f and got married within 90 days.  

Anyway, we were married in August if that means anything.  Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.  I'm just not sure what to do.  Thank you.

7 hours ago, BreakTheDistance said:

Hey everyone,

 

Has anyone successfully applied for their driving license? Wondering what documents you provided? My I-94 has expired but would showing NOA1 for AOS be sufficient along with foreign passport, bank statement letter and social security letter?

 

I live in Connecticut if that helps!

 

Thank you to all

Every state is different.  In WI we can't get until AOS is approved.  Here is what you need for Connecticut:  https://portal.ct.gov/dmv/licenses-permits-ids/get-a-drivers-license-ct?language=en_US

Hubby had biometrics today in Milwaukee.  Took a few minutes.  No one said anything to him other than biometrics.  By the time we got home status was changed to 'actively being reviewed'.    Now we wait.  Like everyone else!  But it's all good