PNWUnited

Not sure what country you’re from but for Canada they need a long form birth certificate so that it shows the parental information (not typically found on the short form).

Not sure what country you’re from but for Canada they need a long form birth certificate so that it shows the parental information (not typically found on the short form).

Update: By 2:30pm yesterday his case status was approved!!!!!!! I can't believe it. No interview, 2 RFEs (1 for medical, 1 for marriage certificate/USC spouse birth certificate, even tho I sent both of them in with the original application) I'm so so happy! Hoping the card comes in the mail quick so we can take a 2 year long break from USCIS

Hi everyone! 
 
I filed AOS June 23rd (I am in Michigan, so maybe that is part of the reason?) and I got the EAD approval notice today! 
 
It was under the documents section in my USCIS account, the case status has NOT changed yet, though!
 
I had just read online, I believe yesterday on Reddit *and* on this app called Lawfully that USCIS has been approving applications and adding the documents under the "documents section" but they only update the actual case status a week or so later.
 
So - if any of you are waiting for your approvals, I thought I'd share this tip that I've found with you and I hope it helps even one person! ❤️
 
 
Ps: I've attached a screenshot of what it looks like in my own account in case anyone needs to see. 

@PNWUnited No, my husband didn’t get an RFE (but he did have to submit the vaccination part of I-693 with his initial application since he didn’t have a DS-3025; though he didn’t do the whole medical again) nor courtesy letter I see people post about. After the biometrics the next thing we got was approval of AOS in May. 

My i-485 finally got approved yesterday 07/13/2023... Saw it on the website. Filing date: 03/02/2023

I wanted to address the negative attitudes we have seen on the rise recently in the upper/ immigration forums towards those who ask beginner/ simple questions, or have unusually fast or slow VisaJourneys.

First, there is a tone difference between the Progress forums- which are mostly for support and cheerleading, and the Info forums, which are mostly to have questions answered.   While all our forums are supposed to be welcoming to all and friendly, this is especially important in the Progress forums, which are not to discuss politics, or be negative towards  those fortunate to have their case dealt with quickly, or  critical of those who voice sadness about their own slow progress. These forums are there to uplift eachother!

Secondly- in the info forums, you may get bad news.  When a question is asked, our members are encouraged to answer truthfully, even if this may not be what the Op wants to hear, because it is important to be informed.  However, the emphasis is still on being welcoming and friendly.  If you need to give bad news, do so gently, and stick to facts; constructive criticism of the Op's plans ARE allowed, but the emphasis is on constructive.  No need to dwell on mistakes (or tell members they should be on 90 Day Fiance- that is a personal attack and automatic suspension), or  illegal actions in the past- instead, encourage and explain legal options for the future.  And ONLY legal options- as per our TOS, VJ does not support, condone or encourage illegal (immigration) actions, and such posts will be removed.

Ultimately, we are here to help all members, old and new, easy cases and complicated, those who write a fact filled bullet point post and those who are panicking and don't make much sense in their first post. Yes, sometimes questions can be easily googled, or answered via a search of our forums.  But if you feel that way, just scroll past- no need to criticise the OP for asking the question. 

I noticed for everyone filing at Chicago it takes a verrrryyyy looooonggg time. Prepare yourself to wait 6- 8 months 😪

AOS  was Approved in 61 days. 
 
K1 visa, applying for AOS
 
Got married Feb 14, 2023
 
Sent i-485, i-684, i-765, and i-131 together to Chicago Lockbox on March 14, 2023 
 
The packet was received on March 16, 2023
 
NOA 1 were issued for all of these forms on March 23, 2023, from the field office, Lee's Summit, MO 
 
Biometric Notice issued on March 24, 2023, for April 11, 2023
 
RFE issued for initial evidence on March 30, 2023, for forms i-684 and i-485. This was my printing mistake. My printer did not print the last line on the form where it says the edition date and the serial number of the form. I was asked to print them again and send them. They did accept the originally submitted form and started processing them. My advice when you are filling out the form is do not just start filling the form online. Download the form on your computer and make sure that you open it using Adobe and fill it up. That way you will not encounter any form fill-up or printing mistakes. I could have avoided this mistake and avoided the RFE all the way.  
 
I uploaded RFE response on USCIS online account the next day and sent the hard copy within 48 hrs.  
 
"RFE response received" case status was updated on April 5, 2023
 
Biometric was done on April 11, 2023, Case status changed to "Actively Processing" right away. 
 
Form i-765, EAD , Work Authorization, Approved on April 13, 2023
 
EAD physical card received in the mail on April 24, 2023
 
i-485 status changed to "Approved" on May 16, 2023 (Total 61 days from the received date, March 16, 2023)
 
i-485 status changed to "Card Produced" on Friday, May 19, 2023
 
Today is Sunday, May 21, 2023, waiting to receive the physical card in the mail. 
 
I find the "Case Tracker" App very useful for a quick update on your status. I also find USCIS online account very useful too for case status and downloading the letters/notices and uploading the response.
 

AOS approved today! EAD and AP never approved. No RFE, no interview. San Antonio, TX field office. 
 
Timeline:
-February 10, 2023: Married
-March 4, 2023: Sent I-485, I-131 and I-765 by Mail
-March 7, 2023: Delivered at USCIS; Date listed as Received by USCIS
-March 10, 2023: Receipt numbers received by text, money entry posted in account 
-March 13, 2023: Money taken from account
-March 14, 2023: Received all 3 notices in the mail
-March 17, 2023: “Biometric appointment scheduled” case change for I-485
-March 18, 2023: USCIS login mail received 
-March 30, 2023: Biometric Appointment in San Antonio (original 4/6/23, walked in to do it early), Active review for AOS and EAD
-April 17, 2023: Chat with Emma to expedite I-765 EAD, expedite request created. AOS case still at NBC. 
-April 24, 2023: email received with EAD expedite instructions. 
-May 3, 2023: expedite for EAD response sent
-May 9, 3023: expedite for EAD response sent again just in case 
-May 25, 2023: AOS approved (79 days after submission) 

package delivered 3/26
receipt notice date 3/24 on the system (notification came through 3/28)
Biometrics scheduled 3/31 scheduled as 4/17
Biometrics 4/17 ( tried walk in but they said no) 
EAD approved 4/25 

Thanks! As near as we could tell, yeah, we asked a lawyer what they thought the reason was since we didn't want to mess it up (we'd done everything up until this point by ourselves) and he said he didn't think anything was missing from the packet but to just sent them over our 2022 taxes and that should do it, which it did! Seems a bit daft if you ask me given they had the previous few years, but thankfully it didn't create a huge delay.

Technically we submitted out packet end of Feb but had to resend it so I figured I would post these here as well for those following: 
AOS packet submitted 2/24
Notice in the mail with packet returned 3/17 (silly mistake on check, just needed to mail a new one)
New check and packet arrived at lockbox 3/19 (Sunday)
Text Notices 3/21
Check cashed 3/23
Notices in mail 3/27
Access code 3/29 (Appt scheduled for 4/12)
Biometrics appointment letter in mail 4/4
Biometrics appt early walk-in 4/5 (Seattle, WA 7:30am - they were super nice!)
Case status currently at actively reviewing 

We ended up doing this today. The ASC center we needed to go to is 2.5 hours from our house, but I had work in the same city today so my husband asked at the door if he could do his today. They allowed it and our status changed to Active Review an hour after for EAD and AOS. Back to the wait game now! 

Hello all,
 
Sent AOS & AP package in the mail overnight to the Chicago Mail Box - March 6, 2023
NOA1 for AOS - March 7, 2023
NOA1 for AP - March 7, 2023
Received physical mail about both AOS & AP application/case(s): both start with IOE - March 16, 2023
 
Hoping everyone is ready for the ride!

Created this thread for my fellow March 2023 AOS filers.

So far: Mailed (Texas Lockbox): March 4th, 2023.
 
And the wait begins! Hoping this all goes smoother and faster than the K-1 process. Even if it doesn’t, at least we are waiting it out together in the same place this time! 
 
Previously: April 2021 K1 filer, VOH December 2022, US entrance January 2023, Married February 2023, Back at it with USCIS March 2023.

I had my biometrics appointment yesterday, it was so fast. About an hour later, status changed to Active Review. I hope EAD is approved soon. 

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.

Woke up this morning 6am Cali time to three emails in the middle of the night and an approved EAD! Status shows card being produced.  thank you God!!

Update so far and hoping to see others join our month soon:
-February 10, 2023: Married
-March 4, 2023: Sent I-485, I-131 and I-765 by Mail
-March 7, 2023: Delivered at USCIS; Date listed as Received by USCIS
-March 10, 2023: Receipt numbers received by text, money entry posted in account 
-March 13, 2023: Money taken from account
-March 14, 2023: Received all 3 notices in the mail
-March 17, 2023: “Biometric appointment scheduled” case change for I-485
-March 18, 2023: USCIS login mail received 
-April 6, 2023: Biometric Appointment in San Antonio, TX for I-485 and I-765
 
Hoping the EAD will come as quickly as others have seen recently. 

Some people have tried walking in for biometric appointment and had success. Although we didn't, our office was pretty empty and I'm sure they would've taken someone who tried.

Just figured I’d put my timeline update in here for any that are silently tracking timelines:
-interview date for K1 visa on October 6, 2022 - PO verbally said approved but needed to submit a certified doc. 221g issued ONLY.
- doc arrived at third party document facility Oct 7th.
*** Doc was shipped from the US so I used FedEx hoping to get it in their hands before Thanksgiving on Oct 10th. Later I learned the facility only picks up on Mondays and Thursday’s anyways, so keep that in mind in case you are ever debating if you need to spend more on faster delivery (if using a different courier)
- Oct 13th: sent them email to inform them they it should have arrived. 
- Oct 21st: reply from Montreal saying it takes a few days to reach them after it’s shipped and a generic reply saying once docs are received and review is complete, I’ll get further details.
*** they also said using a different courier may cause longer mail processing delays (it just didn’t make sense for us to use their courier unfortunately)
-Oct 27: emailed Montreal to see if they could at least confirm they have my document and that it’s not lost somewhere 
- Nov 7: reply from consulate with a generic reply, and the same closing statement that I’ll receive more info once complete. The shot answer is no, they cannot.
- Nov 22: googled the address of the third party mail site and it came up as Clippers. We called them and had confirmation that the document was passed on to the embassy and in fact picked up.
- Nov 24: emailed them asking if I should just send another document with their courier and if they would be easier to process.
- Nov 29: status changed to application received 
- Dec 5: sorta ignored my question BUT the closing statement now changed to “your passport and sealed visa packet will be returned to you as soon as the visa is issued” instead of the regular “we cannot predict when the processing of your visa will be compete blah blah blah.. we will contact you as soon as it’s complete”. This made me think it should be any day now..
-Dec 7th: status changed to application approved 
- Dec 8th: status changed to issued in the morning
- tracking emailed on Dec 8th (few hours after status changed) and updated on the courier website.
- Dec 12 visa arrived in Vancouver BC literally as soon as the post office opened. Received an email that it was ready for pick up by 9:30am.
- Fiancé crossed at Blaine/Peace arch border and the border agents were SUPER nice. Went inside for 30 minutes while they went through the paperwork, didn’t even need to look through all the stuff in the cars (Canadian vehicle was not being imported at the time). 

Total 9 weeks and 4 days until visa in hand (this included 2 holidays - Thanksgiving and Remembrance Day).
 
Glad to not be dealing with Montreal anymore and I’m wishing the best of luck to anyone else waiting on them!!! Hopefully this helps some other soul looking for a timeline, cause I was surely was!
 
 

After being in AP for 120 days with no DS-5535, I finally got approved. I'm so happy to be done with this. Now I'm waiting on my passport to be returned.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! What an awesome way to kick off the new year  

I've checked this site religiously to specifically see your progress. WHO IS CUTTING THE ONIONS 🥹 CONGRATULATIONS!!