KPC

hi,

i am currently on H1B and have applied for AOS, EAD and AP.

Once I get my EAD, do i "HAVE" to work on EAD or can I continue to work on H1B?

What are the pros and cons if i decide to use any one of them?

thanks.

If your H1B is valid then yes you can continue to use it for work authorization and to enter and leave the country without need of AP.

The EAD means that if you lose your H1B status, then you can still work in the United States (eg. you get laid off or leave your employer who is sponsoring the H1B).

However, if you lose your H1B status, then remember that you will not be able to use it to re-enter the USA. If you are planning a trip abroad, then until your AOS is complete, then you will require Advance Parole (AP).

I would make it in 2 separate checks, one for I485 and the other for I130.

I agree with map1map..my husband wrote two separate checks, and we didn't have any problems.

Tay, I DID make an Infopass appointment and when I asked the IO what I could do about being away for July SHE was the one who told me to write a letter to them.

Thank you for your advice everyone however it is moot as I received my Interview letter today and it is scheduled for June 30th

Perfect timing! Good luck at the interview!

We had our interview in Detroit two days ago and we got approved on the spot! I am so happy!!! She stamped my passport also because she said that USCIS is changing their computers and the card production will take a little longer. It was so easy and we were in and out in 20 minutes. Now we can relax for the next two years...

Thank you for all the help in this forum!

Well done! Congrats!

My hubby was approved. We are ecstactic! If you guys remember right, I had a posting last week worrying about any unseen issues given that he had tried to adjust before with a prior marriage but later abandoned the petition after separating with his ex-wife. He did not attend that interview (second interview after two years of no response on the first interview) and was subsequently denied (as his application was considered abandoned).

Our appointment was at 8.30am in Newark. We got there at about 8am and handed in our notice. We decided we did not need a lawyer as we had tonnes of files documenting our life together. We were asked whether we have a lawyer, said no and then were asked to wait in the next waiting room (I guess those whose lawyers were already there and those who did not have lawyers were asked to go directly there). While waiting, we heard the sounds of chains outside and saw chained prisoners passing outside the waiting room. It was quite horrifying! We were the fourth couple to be interviewed. (We could see that the first couple was separated and questioned separately). Interestingly, our IO took a different approach. She called us to the window and first asked for all forms of ID, marriage cert, divorce decree and proof of life together. We gave her bank, credit card and 401K statements, joint auto, life and health insurance policies, lease with both our names, affidavits from friends, utility bills will both names and all our photos. She took out one wedding photo and then told us that the way she works is that she likes to put the file together before calling us in for the interview. After about 15 minutes, she called us in and swore us in. She asked the questions on the biographical, asked me how I met my husband, said that she noted that we were from the same country and asked what the naming culture is. (that was an interesting question). She also asked my husband whether he has met my parents and what their names are. She mentioned that I had a British accent even though I am not British. She then asked my husband what happened with his first marriage and he explained that it went south after 4 years of marriage. She did not prod any further. She then explained that she would approve my visa petition on his behalf and that we were now moving on to the adjustment part. She proceeded to ask him the standard questions on the I-485 application and my husband, anxious to get over with it was answering "yes" before she finished the questions. Lol! She asked him to wait until she finished the questions. After that, she mentioned that she was going to get her stamp to approve the adjustment. She came back, re-opened the file and then asked her whether we would like to wait while she completed the final security check. We waited and at the time I decided to use the restroom is when she called my husband to return the passports and explain how to remove conditions. I came back in the middle of the conversation and she told me she had adjusted him. :-) She asked whether we had any other questions, I asked her whether they stamp the passports and she said they no longer do that as we would receive the green card soon. She wished us a nice day. Two things were in our favor today...we had a really nice IO and we had documentation to back up our marriage. She was impressed at the amount of documentation we had and how well organized it was. I felt bad for the couple in the cubicle behind us as the IO seemed to be grilling them mercilessly. Our journey is over for the next 21 months. I wish everyone the best as they go through their processes!

Thanks for sharing your experience, and congrats!

I just got my NOA welcome notice stating the my green card and work permit were approved. Yahooooo!!!! I filed my AOS last week of March. Is anyone here got an NOA from March 2009 filer as well???

Congrats! You have one of the fastest approvals I've seen..how exciting!

I'm sure your card will arrive soon..it looks like they usually come 5-7 days after the Welcome letter. Be sure to let us know when you get it! Same to you, Sarah n Robbie! Hope everyone's well on this lovely evening!!

Well, it is 12 days already, but if nothing gets to me by the end of May, I'll schedule an InfoPass:D

Indeed it has been; sorry if my post made it seem like I wasn't paying attention to your timeline! I should have said "they usually come 5-7 days after the Welcome Letter so yours is sure to come soon"!

We got the Welcome letter and I-130 approval notices today!! Woohoo!!

There's only one more step for the time being:) Actually receive the plastic:) I did not yet, but should any day now.

I'm sure your card will arrive soon..it looks like they usually come 5-7 days after the Welcome letter. Be sure to let us know when you get it! Same to you, Sarah n Robbie! Hope everyone's well on this lovely evening!!

We got the Welcome letter and I-130 approval notices today!! Woohoo!!

Thanks everyone for providing such wonderful information on these forums!!

My husband's AOS Interview is scheduled on 07/07/09.

In our Interview Letter, they are requiring the Petitioner's (my) birth certificate. I lost my birth certificate many yrs ago & would have to travel back to India to get one...

I received my citizenship in 2003, but my Birth certificate was not required at the time w/ my application. What do I do? Will my husband be denied his Permenant Residency if I can't provide a Birth Certificate?

Is there something else I can provide in lieu of the Birth Certificate? Can someone provide a similar experience?

Thanks again...

PGM

I don't know if this helps, but our IO didn't ask for my (the petitioner's) birth certificate at the interview. I haven't seen many instances in other member's interview experience stories where the individual was asked to present it; you will certainly want to have your passport to prove your citizenship, but it's unlikely that they'll ask for your birth certificate. That's just my two cents, but perhaps someone else feels differently?

I know i'm a bit late, but Congrats KPC!

Thanks, Sarah! Congrats on getting the Welcome Letter! I'm hopeful Chris's comes early next week..

Congratulations

Congrats!!

Hi all - I think I posted this in the wrong forum - so here is my question again - please help!

I am preparing my forms for AOS from H1B (my husband is a USC). I am currently working here in the US with my H1B visa, but am unsure as to how long I will have this job (and therefore this visa..). Should I include an AP with my application just to have the papers in case my H1B terminates before I get the GC? If I receive the AP, can I still use my H1B for travel? I have no specific plans to travel, but I want to be able to do so if I need, and since I am already paying for the AP in the I-485 packet I thought I could include it there. Does this make sense - or is it a bad idea?

This is my last form - and then I can file my AOS - woo hoo!

Thanks for any suggestions you may have regarding the AP!

I wondered that myself - I am a L1B, currently with AOS pending, however I have switched employers and still have my L1 visa stamp in my passport.

Ignoring the legality of using the L1B to re-enter the US, is the employer obligated to inform USCIS that my L1B status is no longer valid? Just curious.

@shee: I'd apply for the AP, there is no harm in doing so - its included in the cost of the I485 so why not?

CONGRADS to Chris on getting APPROVED for his green card and I know you guys have been waiting for 2 months after your interview and glad it all got resolved. I think that infopass triggered the approval, and that gives me hope too that I will get my approval for my green card, since it has been 2 months of waiting after the interview and another month, of me getting a RFE and still havent heard anything yet so I hope to hear something and it has been a month since I responded to my RFE I for last month. Enjoy and go and celebrate.

And thanks, Canadianmade..I'm sure yours will be approved soon, too, but another infopass appointment couldn't hurt. Know we're thinking about you!

Thank you KPC and I do hope we will be approved soon, and I am thinking about contacting our congressman and go about another infopass appointment again. CONGRADS once again and at least your done with USCIS for 2yrs.

Good luck with the congressman or infopass..I think both are good options.

Quick question, guys: our I-485 and I-130 both were touched today, but no updates were made (i.e. the 485 still says card production ordered and the 130 still says case received and pending). Is that weird? Should the status have changed since they were touched? Sorry if this is a stupid question; this has just never happened with our portfolio; whenever it's touched, the status changes! Thanks!

I'm back from interview at Phoenix, Az and thank to our Almighty God everything turned out good, I'm approved for two year green card. The IO is very nice. I guess if i'm not mistaken he's a korean. No grilling question at all he just asked us like if we have any joint account and of course I gave him our joint bank account and our health insurance that my hubby had from his job. Thank you so much visa journey for all the support and well wishers. I love you guys. I'm just so happy today and thankful to God

I knew it. You did it. Congratulations!

Way to go! Congrats!

How exciting! Congrats!

Congratulations

Congrats! How exciting!

CONGRADS to Chris on getting APPROVED for his green card and I know you guys have been waiting for 2 months after your interview and glad it all got resolved. I think that infopass triggered the approval, and that gives me hope too that I will get my approval for my green card, since it has been 2 months of waiting after the interview and another month, of me getting a RFE and still havent heard anything yet so I hope to hear something and it has been a month since I responded to my RFE I for last month. Enjoy and go and celebrate.

And thanks, Canadianmade..I'm sure yours will be approved soon, too, but another infopass appointment couldn't hurt. Know we're thinking about you!

COngrats

Wow..congrats! Having waited two months for an approval of my husband's case, I certainly don't blame you for getting that vaccine done immediately! Well done!

Good luck, we had ours today and it was a piece of cake....sending you good approval vibes!!!

Good luck!!

Thecanukgirl, congratulations!!!

Mario2008, good luck to you guys and to us, too - our interview is today, leaving in an hour or so

Congratulations, and good luck to those having interviews today!

I'm so happy I'm almost crying. Thank you so much, everyone on the November filers list and on VJ, for your help and support during this process. We couldn't have done it without you!

For those waiting, I know it's frustrating and it totally sucks, but yours will come soon!

CONGRADS to Chris on getting APPROVED for his green card and I know you guys have been waiting for 2 months after your interview and glad it all got resolved. I think that infopass triggered the approval, and that gives me hope too that I will get my approval for my green card, since it has been 2 months of waiting after the interview and another month, of me getting a RFE and still havent heard anything yet so I hope to hear something and it has been a month since I responded to my RFE I for last month. Enjoy and go and celebrate.

Congrats KPC!

Canadianmade, do they still have your original passport?

Thanks! I'm so excited!

There you go Sarah! In about a week or so you'll get the approval NOa and welcoming the new immigrant letter:)

KPC, it will come! At least now you know is not because of you, something you said or did not say at the interview.

Thanks for the encouragement, map1map! I'm hopeful that lazy supervisor gets off his/her behind and approves us already!!

Ok, sorry to keep being the only person to post on the November filers page, but Chris's green card was ordered today!! We finally got approved!!

Application Type: I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS

Current Status: Card production ordered.

On May 13, 2009, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. Just follow the link below to register.

I'm so happy I'm almost crying. Thank you so much, everyone on the November filers list and on VJ, for your help and support during this process. We couldn't have done it without you!

For those waiting, I know it's frustrating and it totally sucks, but yours will come soon!

I applied for AOS on 2007. The last letter I received from USCIS Jan 2009 informed me that my case is still processing. Before this letter, I called them first week of Jan 2009 and I told the customer service rep that it was over a year already since I last received letter from USCIS about my application (Jan 2008). My husband and I had been calling since July 2008 to check my application and they just told us that it was transferred to CSC and processing, told us the same thing we found on the website. I just called and was told it's still processing. What should we do? It's been so long. Do we need to make infopass? With the infopass, will we be able to talk to an immigration officer? Any advice? Thanks

We were able to talk to an immigration officer at our infopass appointment..granted, she didn't give us a lot of info, but we did get to talk to one. Good luck!

There you go Sarah! In about a week or so you'll get the approval NOa and welcoming the new immigrant letter:)

KPC, it will come! At least now you know is not because of you, something you said or did not say at the interview.

Thanks for the encouragement, map1map! I'm hopeful that lazy supervisor gets off his/her behind and approves us already!!