waitingbee

Hey guys,

My wife got her AP in the mail today, and there is a slight chance we will be using it to go back to Canada to visit her father (even though our interview is on 2/12).

The AP papers have her married name on them, but her passport and all other ID still has her maiden name. Are we OK if we bring along our marriage license as proof of her name change? Both the AP and her passport have a photo of her.

Also, I think I heard that she can get her passport name changed at the Canadian Consulate in the US. Anyone know if that is true? Thanks!

I will be in the same situation as you when my lucky day comes and I get my AP! Anyway, being proactive I called the Canadian consulate nearest me (Chicago) and was informed that they no longer stamp the passport indicating a name change in the observations section and I would need to apply for a whole new passport. The consulate said that it is fine to travel with the marriage license and it should not be a problem. I plan on applying for a new passport when I go back to visit this summer, I am hopeful I will have AP by then!!

Soory I ahould say, get everything together to apply for my passport renewal, like photos (which are different dimensions than the US ones and they are really picky about them so where better to get them taken than in Canada, guarantor signature, etc) and mail it all off once I am back in the USA.

Hey guys,

My wife got her AP in the mail today, and there is a slight chance we will be using it to go back to Canada to visit her father (even though our interview is on 2/12).

The AP papers have her married name on them, but her passport and all other ID still has her maiden name. Are we OK if we bring along our marriage license as proof of her name change? Both the AP and her passport have a photo of her.

Also, I think I heard that she can get her passport name changed at the Canadian Consulate in the US. Anyone know if that is true? Thanks!

I will be in the same situation as you when my lucky day comes and I get my AP! Anyway, being proactive I called the Canadian consulate nearest me (Chicago) and was informed that they no longer stamp the passport indicating a name change in the observations section and I would need to apply for a whole new passport. The consulate said that it is fine to travel with the marriage license and it should not be a problem. I plan on applying for a new passport when I go back to visit this summer, I am hopeful I will have AP by then!!

Is this the correct link to check the status online?

https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/caseStatusSearchDisplay.do

We received all 3 of our NOAs for AOS and our receipt numbers begin with MSC. The system says there is no record. Any ideas? Thanks all!

I mailed in my AOS/AP/EAD on Oct 4, 2007. I still cannot see my AP receipt # online, nor can I add it to my online portfolio. The AOS and EAD I can see, which I presume happened since my biometrics, although that still took 4 weeks after bio to show up. I did call the USCIS prior to the receipt #s showing up and they said, "those MSC numbers sometimes just don't show up" To put your mind at ease you can call USCIS, they should transfer you to a 2nd level (or whatever the correct terminolgy is) IO and they will verify that everything is in the system, but you still won't be able to see it. Very frustrating, but so is the whole process. Good luck!

So we did our first biometric appointment on 12/3/07. Approximately 2 weeks ago we receive another notice asking to go for second fingerprint on 01/04/08 (code 1) as fbi could not read the finger print. We went ahead and did walk in on 12/19/07. But we never get any touch in the LUD. Is this normal? I read in other forum and said that there should be a touch after the biometrc. Should I schedule an infopass and ask?

I had my biometrics on 11/02/2007. My AOS and EAD were not visible on the online system until 11/29/2007 (both touched that day). I am presuming that was after they received my biometrics, which took almost 4 weeks.

So the NOA stated that it would take 90 days to process EAD. My question is is it 90 days from the receipt date or the notice date? Thanks.

From the receipt date. Hopefully you will get yours in the 90 days, I still have not, day 95 and counting...........

I went to the local office today and was told that my EAD was approved on Dec 28th (not visible on the website). As for the card production, there would be a huge backlog. But they cold not explain why I have not even received the letter for the biometrics appointment ... maybe there is something wrong with the San Jose queue in there "system" scheduling the appointments?

Doesn't your fingerprint need to be on the EAD card though? How can then process the card without the print??

I cannot find anything previously posted and am just kind of wondering about name checks for cases transferred to CSC. Will CSC let you know that you are approved (presuming that you do not need an interview) once they have already completed the name check or will they send you a letter/email stating that you have been approved pending name check? Just sitting here waiting and trying to get mentally prepared.........

Hello,

My name is Panika and I am new to Visa Journey. I am from Thailand and have been in the US studying English for 8 months. My boyfriend (U.S. Citizen) asked me to marry him and I am going to be applying for Adjustment of Status (AOS).

My US Student Visa is valid for 5 years as long as I am studying, but I graduated from my English program on 12/21/08. If I am not studying, the Student Visa requires I leave the US within 60 days. That would be on 2/19/08. What does this deadline mean exactly? Do we have to marry by then, or file the paperwork, or how firm is this date?

Thanks,

Panika

Hi, this is just my thoughts. Do not overstay your visa, you want to make things as painless as possible for the long road ahead. If you want to adjust your status you will have to be married. Since you did not enter the US with the intent to marry, but to study, you should be fine and be able to avoid the K1 route. I personally left the country and went the K1 route, but know others who got married on their F1s and are now in AOS (all is fine according to their immigration lawyers advice, they did not overstay). If you marry by 2/19/08 and file paperwork you should be fine. Good luck to you!

and maybe can be used in our favor...

I start an internship this Monday. I still have my Temporary EAD until January 20th and the company sent me an I-9 form( employment eligibility verification). It is a department of homeland security form and reading through the explanations of the form here is what I found.

"Employers must complete Section 2 by examining evidence of identity and employment eligibility within three (3) business days of the date employment begins. If employees are authorized to work, but are unable to present the required document(s) within three business days, they must present a receipt for the application of the document(s) within three business days and the actual document(s) within ninety (90) days."

Does anybody else at all find that interesting?

I believe this is referring to if you are already work authorized and simply need a replacement document (ie: you lost it but you are legally eligible to work). Quite different than a possible interpretation of "I received my NOA and now I only need to produce the EAD within 90 days". I am sure there is some nuance I have missed here, but this has come up before, and others can correct/add to this.

Adding : perhaps it also pertains to those getting renewals.

Probably..I shall be praying for my EAD to arrive before the 20th so I wouldn't stop the employment. So help me God!

Oh shoot...looking at your timeline...your EAD got approved 2 days after the biometrics? maybe there IS hope

Oh and how did you find out about the approval? email?

Way to read the fine print! As I interpret this, you are good to go if you have applied for you renewal EAD and have NOA1 to show them. Congrats on the internship!

On 2nd thought as I read your timeline, I am not sure about your work status. As I understand it, all K1s are "work authorized" for the 90 day validity period of the visa. Some are issued the I-551, others are not. I was not, but when I went to the SS office to do my name change (I already had a SS number from previous work in the US), they said that my number was work authorized (from the K1), I just did not have the paper proof of being work authorized. So I am not sure in your case since after the expiration of the K1 I don't believe you are work authorized any more until your EAD comes. One thing you could do is go down to the SS office and ask them how long your number is work authorized for, that may help. This is just my thoughts, if anyone can correct me please do.

and maybe can be used in our favor...

I start an internship this Monday. I still have my Temporary EAD until January 20th and the company sent me an I-9 form( employment eligibility verification). It is a department of homeland security form and reading through the explanations of the form here is what I found.

"Employers must complete Section 2 by examining evidence of identity and employment eligibility within three (3) business days of the date employment begins. If employees are authorized to work, but are unable to present the required document(s) within three business days, they must present a receipt for the application of the document(s) within three business days and the actual document(s) within ninety (90) days."

Does anybody else at all find that interesting?

I believe this is referring to if you are already work authorized and simply need a replacement document (ie: you lost it but you are legally eligible to work). Quite different than a possible interpretation of "I received my NOA and now I only need to produce the EAD within 90 days". I am sure there is some nuance I have missed here, but this has come up before, and others can correct/add to this.

Adding : perhaps it also pertains to those getting renewals.

Probably..I shall be praying for my EAD to arrive before the 20th so I wouldn't stop the employment. So help me God!

Oh shoot...looking at your timeline...your EAD got approved 2 days after the biometrics? maybe there IS hope

Oh and how did you find out about the approval? email?

Way to read the fine print! As I interpret this, you are good to go if you have applied for you renewal EAD and have NOA1 to show them. Congrats on the internship!

Hi everyone,

I received the AOS interview appointment letter, but still no news about my ead. Is that normal?, I need to work.

I have not received my EAD or AP yet either. I applied for both on Oct 5, 2007, bio Nov 2, 2007. I went to my local office (Chicago) on Friday (day 91) to enquire about my EAD and the officer said, "it has just barely been 90 days, it was the holidays, etc" she said that she would send an email to the NBC and call me early this week to let me know. I remain cautiously optimistic that I will get it this week, because I really need to get back to work and have had enough of my life being on hold because of the USCIS! Anyway, I have backup plan #2, left a message with my local congressman and will call again tomorrow. They were very helpful when my K1 NOA2 was past the 6 month mark, seems like my purpose in life is to wait!

Good luck to you, please put up a timeline so we know your progress.

I wouldn't think they would find it THAT odd, though you will possibly be questioned to make sure she didn't have intent on marrying you when she first entered the US. It is weird they have her a B1 and not just let her enter on VWP... Anywho, assuming she says yes to marriage and to living in the US, once you got married, she couldn't leave the US again until you have filed AOS and recieved AP if you want to just directly file AOS rather than have her return home and file for a spousal visa. Sorry, that was kinda confusing If it were me, I would return back to canada and file either a K1 and then return and marry in the US OR marry while she is currently here and then return and file a spousal visa. I would do this primarily so I could get my stuff and wrap up life in canada

yah sometimes i really wonder if the customs and border people really know the laws. i mean i have tried to read and read them and they read like bad ikea furniture assembly instructions lol. i really feel if you come across the border 5 times in two weeks you would get different paperwork, visas and answers everytime. just like the second time she visited, they grilled her for over 2 hours before issuing a B-2, the next time it only took 15 minutes of questioning to get a B-1. and yah a grumpy border agent makes for a long day i find.

but on a fiance' visa is she allowed visits while the paperwork is processed?

I met my fiance while working in the US on TN status. I returned to Canada waited 9 long months until I was finally issued a K1, came back and we got married. I am now stuck in AOS. I was never sure either about visiting during the K1 process. I did come to the US once for a family wedding and was nervous crossing the border, but they never said anything. Somehow I figured they could see that I applied for a K1 (by this time I had been waiting over 6 months for my approval-NOA2), but I am not sure if the computer system is that sophisticated. It was for a wedding and not to visit my fiance though. While long, depressing, etc. it is really better to get the correct visa, the wait is nothing in the long scheme of things.

The way I figure it is if she can prove that she has ties to Canada, like a job, lease etc, then it shouldn't be a problem. It might just come down to the mood of the border guard, who knows. My fiance came to see me in Canada. He told them his intent to visit, that we we engaged, etc and they justed wanted to know verbally that he was going back to the USA.

Hello guys..

Just wondering how come until now i don't have any reply from USCIS about my case it was resumed last december 5 since i recieved RFE is it normal? and about my AP application how come when i enter my AP recieot # it says that it is not valid...is the USCIS working it?i dont know what to think right now..i even have a bad dreams about my case... im getting paranoid here hahaha is there anyone who have the same problem or im alone?

I also cannot check my AP on the USCIS site, I can check my EAD and AOS, though. My receipt dates are Oct 5, 2007. I have called the USCIS and when I told the operator that the site says that my case is invalid on the online system they transferred me to someone who told me that it was all in the system (they looked it up based on my name, address, etc) but the service centers are backlogged and do not enter in some cases into the online system!

I am probably just as paranoid and worry about my case too, try to keep positive, we will all get approved soon!

Hi All,

Ok so here is th story:

My EAD is long overdue ... we sent in the application at the end of July (AOS - I130, I485 and I765). The receipt date on my NOA is July 31 2007, however it seems that they are using the date on the NOA which is September 5 2007. Anyway that isn't even the problem. Anyway you look at it, it is over the said 90 days. I made an infopass appointment (I live in Vegas by the way) and they said there was nothing they could do and I should call the 1800 number. So I went home and did that and they put in a service request. Anyway today I got a letter that states:

"The status of this service request is:

Based on your request we researched the status of this case. We are actively processing this case. However, we have to perform additional review on this case and this has caused a loinger processing timre. If you do not receive a decision or other notice of action from us within 6 months of this letter, please call customer service at the number provided below."

Has anyone ever gotten this type of letter before? And is there anything I can do but wait? My CRIS hasn't been updated since September 5th.

Thanks for all responses.

Maybe contact your congressman, they may be able to help you through this nightmare. Good luck!

Hi everyone,

My biometrics were taken on Nov.29th 2007, i have not received any notification and the online status has not changed after that date, what is the next step? just wait? for how long?

You are not alone. I have a receipt date of Oct 5, 2007 for I-765 based on adjustment of status I-485, I entered on a K1 and got married within the 90 days. I have been waiting nearly 90 days, had my bio on Nov 2. I have called a few times and most recently they told me to wait 90-120 days ad that the 11 weeks is just a rough estimate, not a guarantee! Anyway, I have an appointment on Friday at my local office since I fail to believe that my my EAD will show up in the next 2 days. It is really frustrating!

Thanks for the response...

I went for an Infopass on Dec 18th and they don't me that that office does not issue EADs / temp EADs and I'd have to wait and call the 1800 #.

What is your adjustment of status based on, for example, did you come in on a K1, etc? This sounds horrible, I hope that something can be done about it soon.

Sorry, I looked back on your old posts and answered my own question. Have you got AP yet? Is the F1 status and overstay a problem did the USCIS say?

Thanks for the response...

I went for an Infopass on Dec 18th and they don't me that that office does not issue EADs / temp EADs and I'd have to wait and call the 1800 #.

What is your adjustment of status based on, for example, did you come in on a K1, etc? This sounds horrible, I hope that something can be done about it soon.

I have made my appointment and am going to my local office on Friday, this will be passed the 90 days for my EAD. Does anyone know what they can do for me?

Thanks in advance for your replies!

In our experience with the Phoenix suboffice (which is notoriously unhelpful), the local office won't help you unless it's been 90 days from their receipt date. If it's not a big project to visit the office, you can at least find out if everything is on track, but don't be disappointed if they tell you to come back when it's been 90 days. I had a peek at your timeline, and it looks like the receipt date for your EAD application is October 11, is that right? In that case, it won't be 90 days until January 9 (or something like that). Unless you meant that October 11 is the date you received the notice, but the receipt date is earlier than that. I know that these are details, but the USCIS is all about details if it means they don't have to help you!

If it has been 90 days and everything is in order, your local office contacts the service center that is processing the application. In most cases, if it's a straightforward application (i.e., RFEs or other issues), the EAD should be issued shortly thereafter, like within a week or two.

Good luck!

Thanks for your replies. To answer your question, on my receipt notice the date received is October 5 (Notice date is Oct 11). I am going down there, hopefully someone can help me get back to work.

Also, my receipt number for my AP does not work online, I have also called about this and they said that it is in the system and just to wait for the AP to come in the mail, has this happened to anyone, where one receipt number is in the online system and the other is not??

Thanks again!!

I have made my appointment and am going to my local office on Friday, this will be passed the 90 days for my EAD. Does anyone know what they can do for me?

Thanks in advance for your replies!

Has anyone else been waiting 80+ (84 for me) days and still not received their EAD? I had my bio on 11/02/07. It is all in the system as confirmed by my 2 phone calls to the USCIS. Just wondering, but it is probably just my luck, took 6+ months for my K1 NOA2 to come, with no RFEs, so I guess I am right on schedule.