dash-tx

don't worry about working illegally at this point.

Just put all information down on the form. Don't omit anything. They won't ask you about working or not. When you marry a USC, all those things (being out-of-status and working) are forgiven.

good luck!

That wasn't one single question asked about relationship or anything else. He only confirmed the information on the application.

I believed this was accomplished by the great work of my lawyer, who put a very detailed package together with all the evidence we could gather.

Sounds like you had the same guy we had Apr 17. Only one half question "About your 2008 W2s, wh...oh, never mind, got them." We did it without a lawyer, just with the help from various boards, and our experience at the interview was pretty much identical.

Great! This guy was white, tall, blond, talked on a slow pace.

can you see your case online?

I haven't been able to see none of my receipts online. It just says case not found.

My USC husband is a physician, and is employed by his own holding company. So his paychecks are cut by himself, and his employer is himself. I am wondering what to submit with the 864 as evidence in addition to tax returns. A letter from his employer or his paychecks aren't very convincing. He has federal tax returns that show well over the poverty limit, so I'm wondering if I should just send those in instead.

Also, I am wondering if the I864 also requires supporting documentation like a copy of my passport or birthcertificate. I will be sending those docs in with the concurrently filed I-485, but I am wondering if the 864 packet should have its own copies.

Any help is much appreciated!

My joint sponsor was self-employed. We only sent his tax returns. The lawyer asked for Company Financial statments, Profit/Loss, but he didn't had that.

Great, congratulation!!! May I ask what papers you had with you at interview? Did you had originals and copy too? Did he kept any paper from you?

Car title, car insurance, renters insurance, bank statments, utility bills, cable bills, netflix, cancelled rent payment checks - all of these documents had both of our names on them.

I brought all originals for what I had submitted with the application.

He didn't ask to see any originals - he didn't even look at my passport, only glanced at Drivers License. ( I had sent copies of all of these with the application.)

He also didn't keep anything I brought - just used what he already had.

dash-tx

Cool

Is that a brand new building USCIS is in?

yes, it just opened in January. It looks real nice on the inside - looks like an airport lobby.

Cool

Is that a brand new building USCIS is in?

Yes, it just opened in January. It looks really nice - like an airport lobby.

surely i'm not the only one?

I'm a FEB09 filler and just got approved! I'm very excited.

If you want to read about my experience at the interview check out the Dallas, TX Review Section.

Good luck to everyone!

dash-tx

Hello all VJers!

Just wanted to share my interview experience with you! I'm so glad so many people shared their experience that helped me a lot!

Our appointment was at 9:30pm at the Irving, TX office. We arrived with our lawyer at 9:20am and the office was full.

We got one of the "restaurant" buzzers and sat down to wait. About 20min later someone called my name.

The officer was a white male on his mid thirties. He sworn us in and asked us to sit.

He calmly explained all that he was going to do:

Part 1 - go through the application

Part 2 - talk about the relationship

Asked if we had any question, we said no and he started stating the information on the application as I confirmed it was correct. (full name, address, country and place of birth, parents names, wife's name etc)

He only went through the first few pages and jumped to the Affidavit of Support. Confirmed a bit of information and then said all looked good.

He looked at the evidence we had initially submitted: bills, affidavits from friends, pictures, etc.

He seemed to be measuring us every time he looked at us. He did that briefly and commented that we had sent many pictures and read the affidavits from friends for about 15 seconds.

He then said that all looked good and that I was approved. He checked to make sure I had passed the Security Background check and explained removal of conditions and told me to expect the card in 2 to 3 weeks.

That wasn't one single question asked about relationship or anything else. He only confirmed the information on the application.

I believed this was accomplished by the great work of my lawyer, who put a very detailed package together with all the evidence we could gather.

I was really tense about the whole process and had no idea it was going to be this easy. Thank God for that.

Just some facts for you guys still going through your process:

I'm the immigrant (male).

My wife is USC. She is 10 years older than me and we both had been married before.

We didn't have any pictures with her family, but had lots of pictures with friends and with my brother.

We are very happy and are now going to plan a trip overseas together!

Good luck to everyone waiting on your interview!

dash-tx

Hi, im new to this forums and seem very helpful, i have the following problem, i entered the us as a tourist back in 2000 and overstayed I married 8 years later to a us citizen

the only problem is that my i-94 was lost and my only legal proof of entry is this old crusty stamped passport, i have heard that uscis is no longer accepting expired visas as a valid proof of entry

and i am still inside the US... should i start packing up?

That's not a problem. You should send copies of your old passport and you'll need to file form I-102 Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival/Departure Record. This form will get you a replacement Form I-94.

It'll cost some extra money and time for this form, but it can be done.

Good luck!

Dash-tx Good 4U.....When I checking ur case kind look the same with me.....just did my Biometrics March 31...waiting while counting days...did my Bio dfw...hopeful will get GC instead of EAD...Good News always encourage people who are waiting....came as F-1 Done with my school...need to start working now.....wifey been very supportive by working bring bread home...

Hey AFZ212,

Get ready for your interview. The're moving fast. I don't think I'll be getting my EAD

b4 interview either. I got my NOA for interview just 20 days after biometrics.

They sent me to Fort Worth to do my biometrics though.

where r u from?

good luck with your process!

This might be a very stupid question but for some reason I can't find the answer on my own. The Point of Entry, is that the first destination you arrive at or the final one?

In my case, I go from Kyiv to Chicago-Ohare. My travel route is Kiev-JFK, JFK-Chicago. So is Chicago the POE or JFK?

Thanks for the answers in advance and for patience with the stupid question .

The POE is the place where you go through immigration inspection in the US. This is done on the first US airport you arrive at. Your POE will be JFK.

Hi everybody.I have been reading this forum over a year.it helped me a lot so far.now its time to remove my conditions on my green card but i have a question.I am planning to send my document with my attorney but I am gonna prepaire everything ready and go and give him the package.and the reason that I am thinking of doing this is one day they put our mails into another mail box by mistake and we got it when we went to pay the rent to the leasing office so I am very worried that this may happen again.I know that it is not necessary in removing cond. cases to do with an attorney but since they are getting a cpoy of everything i would think that if I dont get the papers my attorney will get it and let me know.

what do you guys think?

is there any other way of doing this just to make sure i get the mails on time cos I dont wanna risk mailing get lost in another box and not having it.or do you guys think that one i send the papers is there any way of regist.to the website and follow up the case status like do you guys know they you are getting the letter for fingerprint on the updates.?

I share your same worry. The good thing about using the attorney is they getting everything. My attorney receives the letters one day before me.

My apartment complex mail get mixed up all the time. I've had that happen to me in the PO box I have at the post office also. Maybe you can negotiate a lower rate with your attorney just to do that. I think it's a good idea to be on the safe side.

The online update has been moving really slow. I already have my interview scheduled and still can't see anything online.

Good luck to you.

I will be sure to fully document our Stokes interview and share it with you here (for future interviewees) -- hopefully we'll pass.

Thanks!

Okay, I'm a bit late in updating this since it happened almost 2 years ago, but I got an email from someone using the site who asked for an update so I'll write this up now. I really appreciated the stories I read here before the interview -- it was comforting to know people had gone through the process and were successful. We got through it too.

As I said in the previous post, our first interview went poorly due to a lack of preparation. Some of the things that were asked for during the first interview that we didn't have:

- our actual apartment lease (not just documentation of rent paid from a joint account). The lawyer told me not to bring the lease because it only had my name on it.

Thank you for your detailed post.

I'll be going to my initial interview in a month and wanted to ask your opnion.

I also don't have a lease agreement with both of our names. The lease is only in my name (I'm the beneficiary).

I have proof of rent being paid from our joint check account and I also have all bills (eletric, tv, etc) with both of our names on it.

I can't add my wife's name to the lease, since it was inittaily done this way and she had credit problems in the past.

What do you suggest i do? is not having the lease realy a big deal even if you have bank and other bills together?

Thanks for your help!

dash-tx

I got mine yesterday also!!! We don't have the EAD either!! We filed 2/9/2009 and our interview date is May 5, 2009. I have seen ones get their EAD 2 weeks before their interview so hopefully we get ours before the interview

where are you having your interview?

You are so lucky. I live in the Dallas area too, came of the F1 visa about 5 years ago and got married this year. Was thinking of sending in my AOS package soon but i was still waiting to go for the medical exam. Did you send your AOS package with the I-693 (medical exam form)?

I won't be using a lawyer coz i can't afford one right now.

Hi naksah,

Yes, i did send the I-693 together with my application.

You should do that too and appply right away since they are moving so fast.

Good luck!

dash-tx

I can't say that they did my case as fast as yours, but I think it was reasonable. I got the interview 9 months after we applied. Good for you Dash-tx I hope you get approved!!! BTW you never answer my question of why you were no so happy with your lawyer....

Hi jade-arb,

I'm sorry I missed your question. My lawyer is ok, I just don't think he's been around for a long time and won't know people in the uscis office as yours did.

I don't feel he's confident everything will be ok or that he will fight to make things right if needed be. It's like if it all depends on the immigration officer.

I hope I'll have a nice interview as you did!

I seems that just recently (since December) Dallas office started moving fast.

Thanks for your post with all the details about your interview!

Good luck!

Good morning Vj´s I still didnt understand why I cannot see my case online on the uscis webiste ..... the reciept numer starts with WAC followed by 10 numbers .... I have my log in name ......and that stuff be they still showing this message Customer Portfolio Insert Failed

Attempting to add a case that does not exist. Check the app receipt number. ..

Is it really possible for the k3 beginers to check the case online ? the recipt numer that they ask for is the one that comes with the I 797c paper right ? or I should wait for anyother number ? I want to know if at least they have already touched my I 130 petition like everyone else do here in vj .

Help me please

Ola!

Immigration has not been adding the cases online. I have already done biometrics, got all my notcies back and already have my interview schedule and still can't see my case online.

My lawyer mentioned that is the case with all of his clients.

Just wanted to let you know you aren't the only one with this problem.

Tchau!

dash-tx

Dallas, TX rocks!!! Got NOA for interview yesterday.

Look at my timeline: I applied in February/09!

I don't even have my EAD yet and I still can't see my case online.

Interview will be exactly 3 months from the date we applied.

My lawyer mentioned that another client of his also had it all done in 3 months here in Dallas. He was very surprised too on how fast they are moving over here.

I'm excited but anxious and nervous about the interview. We don't have many pictures to show.

Just wanted to share this if anyone here just applied in DALLAS, TX - get ready.

Good luck!

Dash-tx

Dallas, TX rocks!!! Got NOA for interview yesterday.

Look at my timeline: I applied in February!

I don't even have my EAD yet. Interview will be exactly 3 months from the date we applied.

I heard someone else in Dallas also had it all done in 3 months.

I'm excited but anxious and nervous about the interview. We don't have many pictures to show.

Just wanted to share this if anyone here just applied in DALLAS, TX - get ready.

Good luck!

Dash-tx

Hi there!

Yes, you can change your CAN number to US ssn and you should do that.

Just having one late payment with long history is way better than starting a new credit history. The late payment will follow you, but it won't matter. I do not know how it works for the Canadian credit.

For the US credit report, you need to first update your number with Target, then get on the 3 credit bureaus website and look for information on correcting mistakes on your file. You'll have to send them a copy of your DL, SSN, Utility bill etc proving that your SSN is the correct number to be in your report. On the letter just say that the CAN number was used by mistake by a financial company and now you would like to update your file with your SSN.

They should reply to the letter and after a while you should check your credit to make sure it got updated.

In case you don't know the three companies are: Experian, Transunion, Equifax.

Good luck!

I had an appointment there too today at 1:30, and we did not leave till 4:30. My hubby and i totally were so nervous and messed up on some answers but at the end. the IO said that though not completely convinced, was going to approve the case w conditions, gave us the welcome letter, and said it should b in mail in 2 to 8 weeks!!! Our case status has not changed yet though, and hubby is a wreck coz he messed up coz he is dyslesic (sp)...i cant believe it until i get card production notice...congrts though - we probably saw each other

Hi 'futuregcholder',

Could you give us details on the questions you were asked?

Thanks!

Thank you for the long detailed post!!!

I'll have interview in irving, tx too! I'm kind of anxious. It was nice to hear about your experience.

Could you provide details on what evidence did you send in with your application and what else did you bring to the interview?

Thanks a lot!

Hi VJ Family, so my Green Card has been approved and should be with me next week. My question now is, how do i build a credit rating here in America? I tried applying for a couple of the lower end credit cards before i received my GC but nothing.. should i try again now? Say a $300 limit, use it, and pay off the full balance... over and over. Is that a speedy/steady way to build credit?

My goal is to have a good enough credit rating so that starting in 2010, if i so wished i can access school loans, car payments, and eventually in a few years a mortgage on a house for my Wife and I.

Any advice? I'm 20 so trying to get my head around the whole thing!

Thanks in advance,

Richard

Richard,

Make sure you get your credit going before you become 21 years old. You'll get a much higher FICO score later on (5 to 7 years from now) if you opened you 1st card before 21.

I came to the US when I was 19 and my first card was a bank of america student credit card. You can find application for it on colleges or on the bank itself. Just apply for a student card, since they know you're in school and assume you have no credit history. (even if you are not in school right now, go ahead and do that. List the name of the school you plan on atending.)

After you get the card, use only half of the credit limit available and pay-off every month in full. It's probably a good idea to use it to pay montlhy bills like cell-phone, eletric etc.

After about 6 to 8 months on that card, apply for a regular card. Use it the same way and don't apply for another one for at least one year.

Maybe after that apply for a Walmart, Costco, Furniture store type of card.

Like some other people have posted, becoming a authorized user on somebody else's card helps a lot too. Their good credit will help you build your history.

It takes time to have a great credit rating, but start now and you'll have it. I did it and was worth it.

PS: You don't need any kind of immigration status to get a credit history. All you need is a Social Security number.

I've known some people that even got a good credit history without a SSN, just using he ITIN number.

Let me know if you have any questions.

dash-tx

Jade_Arb,

Thank you, thank you, and thank you so much for the detailed post about your interview! :-)

I'm really worried about mine, and it gives me some peace to read about your experience!

I just have a few more questions if you don't mind...

- Had you sent a lot of pictures with your application?

did he look at more pictures that you brought? What kind of pictures did you have?

- So the only documents with both of your names were the bank statement and the kitty vacines??

Did he look at any addtl documents?

- Could you share the name of your lawyer? He/she seems to be great! I already have a lawyer, but I'm not too happy with him.

Thanks again for your time sharing all this information!

Congratulations!!! I'm really happy for you two!!!

dash-tx

We will have our interview in a week, I would like to know if my husband needs to get a second employment letter for the interview, we submitted it with all the forms back in June, is it necessary to get a other one with this month date??

My husband has the pay stubs and he still working in the same place

Hi There!

I was just wondering how your interview went this morning. I should have my interviews in the irving office also in a few months. If you could share details of the interview that would be great!

Thanks!

She didnt say whether the case was approved or not.

You didn't ask?

She didnt give us a chance to ask, she was not so friendly

Hi Alexandria!

Could you share the questions you were asked on the 2nd interview?

Thanks!