TUC

Just took my wife and 2 step daughters to their biometrics appointments today at Louisville, Kentucky ASC. By far the easiest step yet! Their appointment was scheduled at 9:00am. We arrived at 8:22 and they let us in and processed up immediately. Took maybe 10 minutes to complete biometrics on all of them. They did print and photos on my wife, and only photos for the girls. The ladies working there were extremely nice and professional! Immediately after the appointment our case status changed to “case being actively reviewed by USCIS”

documents we took:

-copy of biometrics appointment letter for each (bring the original, not a copy)

-completed applicants informations worksheet (AIW) (this is the form included along with the biometrics appointment notice you receive. 
-passport (or any other government ID)

***make sure you bring the hard copies of everything. They will not accept electronic forms. I watched them turn someone away for not having the hard original biometrics appointment letter and AIW form. 
 

8 hours ago, Geraldin said:

Almost a month has passed, is there any news, have they accepted your form?
I also want to make one affidavit for 2 people, but I’m a little worried

yes, forms were accepted and fees were processed. Biometrics is scheduled for all and we have our appointment on may 1st. 

On 4/16/2024 at 7:01 AM, jamaicangyal91 said:

Hey don't listen to that individual(Timona) .  I had the same issue. He was more "worried" about me using a third party than my actual experience.  Ridiculous.  Keep in mind i was also using my uscis account.  Nothing is wrong with using Lawfully and case tracker!  IGNORE him! After another week my case was finally showing. It was received 3/28 , got txt messages and emails from 4/4 -4/5. Got another txt message on the 11th. When i checked online,they are re using my biometrics for the i485/i765 and my "case is actively being reviewed " which I know doesn't mean anything lol

Did they eventually sneed the hard copy of your I-797C NOA1 for the I-485? (The one with the online access code) for some reason i still haven’t received the one or my wife which is the number that originally wasnt working in the system. However I have received the online access code for my 2 step daughters. IDK why my wife’s case number seems to be lagging behind in the system. I even received the biometrics appointment in the mail today for all 3, but still no access code for my wife.

Just received the hard cope of NOA1 for both of my k2s in the mail today. My wife’s hasn’t come yet, but I think hers is just behind a few days, since it also took longer for her receipt number to show any status in the system. 
 

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR THOSE WITH K2 AOS!! :

You will want to make a separate my USCIS account for each k2. It will not let you track multiple people’s cases on one account. (I learned this the hard way because I put the access code for my stepdaughters case into my wife’s account, and when I tried to enter another it wouldn’t allow it) 

so just make sure you are creating a separate account for each immigrant, even children. Also if anyone knows if I can remove the case from my wife’s account and just create a new one let me know. Since now my wife’s account with her email has turned into my step daughters account. 

7 hours ago, OldUser said:

Wife should be more active about her immigration and manage cases herself. You can offer help / oversee the process. 

Yes I agree! Tell her that lol 🙃😂

35 minutes ago, Izzymael said:

You should talk to Emma on Monday, the USCIS virtual assistant, and type "live agent". She will connect you with someone who'll ask you questions about your case, then you can ask her for your access code. I did that yesterday and was able to reschedule my biometrics appointment to an earlier date.

perfect, thanks! Does it need to be my wife to make the call since it’s her case, or can I call on her behalf and get the access code? 

On 4/8/2024 at 11:07 AM, Izzymael said:

How long did it take for your case to go from "Case Was Received and A Receipt Notice Was Sent" to "Biometrics appointment scheduled"?

took exactly 2 weeks for me. Mine was received on March 29th, and it changed to biometrics appointment scheduled yesterday April 12. Now I just have to figure out when the biometrics appointment is because I don’t have an online access code yet.

Update: 

I put the code in again and it’s working now. Guess it just needed time to process in the system. 

34 minutes ago, Timona said:

Giving data to third parties isn't something I'd recommend. 

Noted. That being said, any reccomendation on what to do about the invalid receipt number ?

20 minutes ago, Timona said:

Case tracker isn't an official USCIS website. Why people still use this is beyond me. 

 

Go and create an online USCIS account. Those 3rd party sites don't get information unless USCIS updates it. Basically, they pull information, from the USCIS account, using your receipts numbers that you provided them. So, if USCIS updates, they pick it up later and update. If no update from USCIS, then no update from 3rd party sites. So, why not just use your USCIS account??

I am aware the case tracker is a third party site, but it is quick and easy to check the status of all my cases with one click of an icon so that is why I use it. 

Yes I do have an online USCIS account and I did input the number directly into my USCIS account and it also came up as invalid as stated in my original post.

Yesterday I received all the receipt numbers for all the forms filed from AOS. I went to enter all 9 into my case tracker soI can keep an eye on them. All of them came up except one, which is for one of the I-485s (i had K1, and 2 K2s), when I type in the receipt number it says, “The receipt number entered is invalid.” I also tried entering into the uscis website directly and got a similar response. Should I be concerned, or try to contact USCIS about it? I double, and triple checked and I am entering it exactly as it was given to me.

Received all our NOA1 (I-797C) via text today 04-09-2024. So we waited 10 days from the date they received out package at the phoenix lockbox. Now just waiting for the hard copy in the mail.

We received 9 total receipt numbers (3 petitioners, and 3 forms each) at this point I’m not sure which number belongs to which person they all came to my wife phone with no names to identify each one, but we will see when they mail the hard copies. But i put them all into the case tracker so i know which one belongs to which form.

My package arrived at the Phoenix lockbox on Friday March 29th, and today on April 5, exactly 1 week later the charge hit my credit card

Still no NOA1 yet, but I’m glad all 3 charges went through on my credit card.  Thank god none of them got marked as fraud. I was a bit worried using form G-1450 because I was submitting 3 separate AOS packages for my k1, and two k2’s. 

Mailed AOS package for my wife and 2 step children Thursday, March 28. Package was received Friday, March 29.

will update when payment is approved and NOA1 is received. 
 

I did use form G-1450 credit card payment for all 3. I’m a little nervous about 3 large payments coming out at the same time, and my bank marking it as fraud.

16 hours ago, Etherial said:

yes  Try Walgreens

I bit the bullet and paid Walgreens. It ended up being about $107 for 18 photos. ( I have my wife, and 2 daughters) so 3 immigrants total. It’s was 16.99 per 2 photos, but I talked the guy into giving me 30% discount.

that being said I did learn one thing when it was too late. If you tell them at Walgreens the photos are for an Indian passport they will give you 4 photos instead of 2. So my suggestion to everyone else is to say that so you can save a little money. Immigration is expensive.

On 3/26/2024 at 1:23 AM, K1visaHopeful said:

I864 needs to be filed out for each immigrant. They are not exact copies so you cannot attach a copy of your K1s I864 to each K2s I485. Each K2 needs their own I864 with THEIR info as the primary immigrant. 

If you actually join the VJ K1 AOS filing month for the month you will be filing and the month prior, you can get easy answers to all of these and you can look at many many many many coverletters.

You can also look at the VJ guides. 

 

Anything with an X is not needed and should NOT be sent unless marked with a question asking what you meant. I'm sure you can figure that part out as it's likely just a missnaming of a document. 

 

Ensure you have read the instructions for every form. By what you've compiled, you've likely misunderstood the instructions for, especially the I864. How one fills it out is statistically one of the biggest errors in this process. How you fill it out AND what documents you send is based on your personal financial situation. Exact documents to support your exact amounts in the form. Nothing MORE and nothing LESS. Useless docs get you RFE.

 

Lots of posts on the I864 and especially the generic RFEs one receives. Those will be good reads for you. 

54 minutes ago, K1visaHopeful said:

Yes that's the part where I'm confused because no where in the instructions does it say you can check more than one box UNLESS you choose "NO" and I never have because my understanding was that you couldn't. They definitely need to include punctuation after each question to claim "and".

That was always my understanding so that's why I have explained it as I have. Sorry to confuse if I haven't been clear but I think you understand what I meant. 

Your call entirely. I've never had an issue either.

I’ll be the Guinea pig lol. Will absolutely update if I do get an RFE. 
 

thanks for your help. USCIS directions are not always clear.

8 hours ago, Family said:

Yes , multiple choices allowed. Remember the form is used by Sponsor / Petitioner who MUST check  yes for the principal K-1 AND Q 2 for K-2 family members. Those may accompany OR follow to join …

Additionally Joint Sponsors use the same form and they may only be needed for SOME of the immigrants. …example Petitioner/ Sponsor can cover K-1 and one child , a Joint Sponsor would only come in for Fam Member 2.

Ok I think this answers my question. Since I’m the original I-864 I checked both boxes and put my wife as principal immigrant and k2 children and additional people immigrating. 
 

so then a photocopy should be sufficient. 
 

although maybe there a multiple correct answers. Im sure if I chose to check only box one on my wife’s I-864. Then only box 2 on the I-864 for each K2, then it may work too. Idk

i think I’m just going to stick with checking both boxes and submitting photocopy method. 

On 3/26/2024 at 1:23 AM, K1visaHopeful said:

I864 needs to be filed out for each immigrant. They are not exact copies so you cannot attach a copy of your K1s I864 to each K2s I485. Each K2 needs their own I864 with THEIR info as the primary immigrant. 

If you actually join the VJ K1 AOS filing month for the month you will be filing and the month prior, you can get easy answers to all of these and you can look at many many many many coverletters.

You can also look at the VJ guides. 

 

Anything with an X is not needed and should NOT be sent unless marked with a question asking what you meant. I'm sure you can figure that part out as it's likely just a missnaming of a document. 

 

Ensure you have read the instructions for every form. By what you've compiled, you've likely misunderstood the instructions for, especially the I864. How one fills it out is statistically one of the biggest errors in this process. How you fill it out AND what documents you send is based on your personal financial situation. Exact documents to support your exact amounts in the form. Nothing MORE and nothing LESS. Useless docs get you RFE.

 

Lots of posts on the I864 and especially the generic RFEs one receives. Those will be good reads for you. 

After further research and browsing the topics you directed me to and also the guides on the website they all say that a copy of the I-864 is just fine for the k2 derivatives, and that it is not necessary to fill out an additional I-864 for each of them. 

23 minutes ago, OldUser said:

Why 6?

 

Only two passport photos (not even a set) needed as far as I know?

because in all the checklists it says “2 passport photos” for I-485, I-131, and I-765

Is it actually necessary to have 6 copies of the passport photos? They’re charging me 16.99 for each set 😮‍💨

Is it actually necessary to have 6 copies of the passport photos? They’re charging me 16.99 for each set 😮‍💨

28 minutes ago, K1visaHopeful said:

I864 needs to be filed out for each immigrant. They are not exact copies so you cannot attach a copy of your K1s I864 to each K2s I485. Each K2 needs their own I864 with THEIR info as the primary immigrant. 

If you actually join the VJ K1 AOS filing month for the month you will be filing and the month prior, you can get easy answers to all of these and you can look at many many many many coverletters.

You can also look at the VJ guides. 

 

Anything with an X is not needed and should NOT be sent unless marked with a question asking what you meant. I'm sure you can figure that part out as it's likely just a missnaming of a document. 

 

Ensure you have read the instructions for every form. By what you've compiled, you've likely misunderstood the instructions for, especially the I864. How one fills it out is statistically one of the biggest errors in this process. How you fill it out AND what documents you send is based on your personal financial situation. Exact documents to support your exact amounts in the form. Nothing MORE and nothing LESS. Useless docs get you RFE.

 

Lots of posts on the I864 and especially the generic RFEs one receives. Those will be good reads for you. 

Awesome thank you!!

Hey! I’m in my final days of preparing my AOS package. As you all know fees go up April 1st, so i’m working to get everything done before then. And correctly so I don’t get my package sent back and end up paying double fees.

I’ve browsed this site, USCIS website, and many other facebook groups looking for lists of all nessesary documents. If you have already submitted your package or if you have good knowledge could you please take the time to look over my lists and let me know if you think I may be missing anything?

My Fiancée and her 2 daughters (age 9 and 11) arrived in The USA mid January, we were married in early February and I have been working on AOS since then. So   I am submitting I-485, I-765, I-131 individually for each of them, and filling out one I-864 for my wife, and attaching copy’s of that to each of the kids packages.

Below I will copy and paste my cover letter so you can easily see each document I’ve added. (Some documents are different for children so I will add both)

I-864

1.) G-1145 E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance (1 page)

2.) PassPort Photos (1 Page)

3.) form I-864(10 pages)

4.) Supporting Evidence:

-US Citizen passport (1 page)

-US Citizen Birth certificate and relating document (2 pages)

-US Citizen Social Security Card (1 page)

-Tax transcripts for 2021, 2022, 2023 (15 pages)

-2023 W2 (1 page)

-Pay stubs (11 pages)

I-485 (K1)

1.) G-1450 Authorization for Credit Card Transactions (1 page)

2.) G-1145 E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance (1 page)

3.) PassPort Photos (1 Page)

4.) form I-485(20 pages)

5.) Supporting Evidence:

-Birth certificate and Translation (3 pages)

-Passport (1page)

-Social Security Card (1page)

-K1 Visa (1 page)

-I-94 stamp (1 page)

-I-94 (1 page)

-USA Flight (1 page)

-I-797 (1 page)

-DS-3025 (2 pages)

-Marriage certificate + ceremony documents (3 pages)

-photos (2 pages)

-Health Insurance (1 page)

-Apartment lease (1 page)

-Renter’s Insurance (1 page)

I-485 (k2)

1.) G-1450 Authorization for Credit Card Transactions (1 page)

2.) G-1145 E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance (1 page)

3.) PassPort Photos (1 Page)

4.) form I-485(20 pages)

5.) Supporting Evidence:

-Birth certificate and Translation (3 pages)

-Passport (1page)

-K2 Visa (1 page)

-I-94 stamp

-I-94

-USA Flight

-I-797

-DS-3025

-Marriage certificate + ceremony documents (3 pages)

-photos (2 pages)

-Health Insurance

-School Enrollment Document

-Apartment Lease (Primary Immigrant’s/Mother’s)

-Renter’s Insurance (Primary Immigrant’s/Mother’s)

I-765

1.) G-1145 E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance (1 page)

2.) PassPort Photos (1 Page)

3.) form I-765(7 pages)

4.) Supporting Evidence:

-Passport (1page)

-K1 Visa (1 page)

-I-94 stamp (1 page)

-I-94 (1 page)

-Social Security Card (1page)

-I-797 (1 page)

-Marriage certificate (1 page)

I-131

1.) G-1145 E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance (1 page)

2.) PassPort Photos (1 Page)

3.) form I-131(5 pages)

4.) Supporting Evidence:

-Birth certificate and Translation (3 pages)

-Passport (1page)

-K1 Visa (1 page)

-I-94 stamp (1 page)

-I-94 (1 page)

-I-797 (1page)

-Marriage certificate(1 page)

I realize this is a ton of information! So thank you for anyone who has taken the time to read through the it and double check things for me. I am also posting this in hopes i have managed to collect all the proper documents and others can use it as a guide to make the process easier! Please give me any pointer or suggestions you may have! 

9 hours ago, Mixel96 said:

What do you mean by Index your evidence ?

thank you for your reply

Okay, that is another way of doing it and different from what’s described on the USCIS instructions.. 

the 2 hole punch way was the way I was told when I submitted my I-129F, I was also was under the impression that leaving all the paper as it was with only a large black Clip to hold it all together was also acceptable.

On 3/24/2023 at 5:26 PM, VisaSaurus said:

I've seen several different styles of K1 Visa packets.  Binders with sheet protectors, top fastener style, folder with paper clips, etc.

What did you use and why?  What is preferred in 2023 since they seem to be scanner more and more now?

2 hole punch the top of all the documents and use the metal fasteners. You can buy them at an office supply store. This is the preferred method and will make their job much easier. 
 

don’t put any extra sheet protector, sticky notes, paper clips or anything like that. You want a flat smooth surface on all the papers so they can easily be scanned into their system.

As far as protecting the documents I just put the fastened documents into one big plastic/waterproof, clear,  zip up folder and mailed that inside of a normal USPS BOX.

goodluck!