gerrymeridamx

We got an online AOS approval notification today. Yesterday our notification said the card was in production. Today the online status backed up to decision. I am sure it is all moving forward but there was one part of the notification that I didn't understand it says "Your new permanent resident card should be mailed within 60 days following this registration or after you complete any ADIT processing referred to in the welcome notice, whichever is later." We don't know what the ADIT processing is. Can someone explain?

The USCIS site says "On February 2, 2010, 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." It says it could take 30 days to receive it but it just takes a few days, right? It seems like people in this forum got it quickly after they were approved.

We got AP in the mail this morn, nice but since we aren't going anywhere soon what we really want is the EAD. Roberto started applying for jobs last Friday. Criss cross your fingers that we get something soon. Three months is a long time to live with no work.

Whoo! Hoo! Finally.

On January 27, 2010, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I765 APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION.

Since you did that, have you received notice that they resumed processing on your case? If so, we'll do the same.

No, not yet. We sent the medical in with the letter on Thursday and it hasn't been touched yet. My fingers and toes are crossed that it worked. I read through forums from early 09 and 08 that had the same RFE and some just sent back in parts of the I-693 that had the vaccines and others send in a whole new medical and they are all approved by now. Since I am leaving today to go to Costa Rica for three weeks and Roberto is staying here I wanted to make sure it was handled as completely as possible before I left the country. I'd hate for him to get another RFE while I'm gone. I really never imagined getting one in the first place but it is so common at this stage.

Welcome to all the newer December filers.

We just got our RFE in the mail and it requests a full medical I was hoping it would only want those three sections filled out. Since I have an infopass appointment scheduled for tomorrow morning at 7:30am, I'll ask about it. On the bright side, there's a civil surgeon only a mile or so away who will do the full medical for $125. That's WAAAY better than this other civil surgeon who wanted $250 just to fill out the vaccination part.

Bummer NatPatBen, As you know from another forum we had the same issue. In our infopass meeting the adjudicator told us to just send in another copy of the I-693 shot record and a note explaining that K1's dont have to do another full medical. We were nervous and we are really wanting the EAD fast because Roberto needs to work soon so we went to get another full medical. I think $125 sounds like a great price. I called all over the state and found two that did it for 125 but they were busy the day we needed to get it done. I do think it is crazy that so so so many people have gotten that RFE for the past two months. We never go a clear answer by calling the USCIS and the adjudicator at the Infopass meeting said it's so common for immigration to lose the medical. how strange. They should let us carry it then or at least a second copy of it to put in the AOS package.

I want to join the December AOS filing party. Roberto and I filed on December 2nd and went to biometrics on the 28th. Biometrics were really fast in Louisville because we were the only ones there. We got an RFE in the mail on the 28th for the I-693. We got a full new medical and transcription and sent it all off on the 31st. So now for the wait. But it looks like we have great company to wait with us

Best of luck to everyone!

My Hubby came to the USA Dec 3, 2009 as CR1 we applied for his social security card on Dec 4, and they gave us a letter saying it could take up to 4 weeks for them to verify his information, We are still waiting how long should it usually take it???

It took us 4 weeks. The day he applied they told him it would take four weeks and it came right on the day they said it would.

Did you use a CS in el paso, and if so who did you use?

There are two CS clinics in Juarez and we used:

CLINICA MEDICA INTERNACIONAL

Yes, it is my understanding that if you get an RFE, your processing on the derivative benefits (EAD, AP) also stops.

Thanks, we should get the RFE cleared up soon as we just got another complete medical today. We will send it in on Thursday after we get the T B test read. It is really frustrating to do everything exactly the way it is supposed to be done and still get an RFE. The adjudicator I talked to today in person in the USCIS office was so cavalier and shrugged when he said that it is common for the medical to "get lost" at the POE.

We got an RFE for a missing medical exam (which apparently was never forwarded from my husband's POE) but my husband has already had biometrics. Will we have to get the EAD cleared before he gets his EAD? Or will that just have to be cleared before they proceed with processing his I-485. We are clearing it up as quickly as we can but I am hoping the RFE didn't slow down the EAD process.

We went to the Infopass meeting this morning and spoke to an adjudicator who told us that we should just photo copy the parts of the I-693 that the Civil Surgeon filled out (which is really just the vaccine transcription) and to write a letter to include with the RFE explaining that K-1 visa recipients do not need to repeat medical. He also told me to include a transcript of the law that states:

"Per Section 1245.5 in the Code of Federal Regulations, a medical

examination shall not be required of an applicant for adjustment of

status who entered the United States as a non-immigrant spouse,

fiancée, or fiancée of a United States citizen or the child of such an

alien as defined in section 101(a)(15)(K) of the Act and §214.2(k) of

8 CFR chapter I if the applicant was medically examined prior to, and

as a condition of, the issuance of the non-immigrant visa; provided

that the medical examination occurred not more than 1 year prior to

the date of application for adjustment of status."

He said that "frequently" the medical envelope turned in at the POE is lost. He said he doesn't know that to be the situation in our case but he suspects that is the problem. He said that by copying and resubmitting the vaccine transcript and sending and explanation is a first step. He said it is possible that we will get a second RFE and have to do a full medical again anyway.

My husband and I left the Infopass appointment and sat in our parked car and talked. We decided that we didn't want to risk a second RFE. We called all of the Civil Surgeons in the area and found the cheapest one that could give us an appointment today. We went ahead and got another fum medical for another $150.

What a bummer. I guess spending the extra $150.00 will give me some peace of mind that we will not get a second RFE. I don't suppose I will include the copy of the law in my letter in response to the RFE though because that is water under the bridge.

Seems as if alot of November filers are getting RFEs for the I-693. Possible explanations:

1) The USCIS has all of a sudden gotten much worse at losing documents, particularly the I-693; (doubtful)

or

2) The guidelines the adjudicators have been given have changed.

Reading the instructions, possible explanations:

A) Changes to Special Instructions:

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD

"Editions: Current edition is 10/14/2009. Previous editions (Edition 06/05/2008) will be accepted for medical assessments conducted on or before December 31, 2009 only for medical exams conducted on or after November 1, 2009 that utilize the Tuberculin Skin Screening Test (TST). If a civil surgeon utilizes an IGRA test to fulfill the initial TB screening test requirement, the civil surgeon MUST use the October 14, 2009 edition of Form I-693 to record the IGRA result. On or after January 1, 2010, the results of the medical examinations must be recorded on the October 14, 2009 edition of Form I-693 irrespective of the TB test used."

Perhaps if the TB test is the wrong (IGRA) on the old form? Or if the panel physician medical exam record shows the wrong TB test? When Rin went through AOS last year, she had to have the newer TB test being done at that time (TST).

B) More strict enforcement on dotting I's and crossing T's (errors on report, envelope not properly sealed, unsigned forms, etc, etc, etc - who knows???)

C) USCIS wanting the medical on their forms versus the State Department's forms that came from overseas? Perhaps their are now discrepancies between the two and the USCIS is no longer accepting the foreign medical forms from all consulates?

We used the newest form 10/14/09.

So our RFE is not because of that. Our Infopass meeting is at 9:30 tomorrow so hopefully USCIS will tell us what to do.

What does your rfe says? did it specify you need to fill out certain parts? or did it ask u for another full medical?

It says ""Submit a properly completed and signed Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, (Rev. 06/05/08 or later) for the applicant on Form I-485. The medical examination must be conducted by a civil surgeon who has been designated by USCIS. The medical must be issued less than one year prior to the filing date of Form I-485."

It is not clear to me if they want another full medical or if they just want another I-693 filled out and another transcription. That is why we got the infopass meeting because I am not sure what it is that is missing since I know we sent in the transcription in the packet.

Those of you who included an I-693 and still received an RFE, did you have the form completely filled out or just the vaccination history? It may be that they lost a lot of medicals exam results (YELLOW ENVELOPES) and they want the whole form filled out.

Another question for you... did any of you have Dr. Arnold transcribe your vaccinations or did you use a local CS?

Answering these questions may help us determine what is triggering these RFE's.

Add us to the list of RFE's for I-693. We are November filers. My husband (then fiance) entered on a K1.

My husband used a local CS for the transcription of his vaccines .

He also filled out the Part 1 and the CS filled out the vaccination history and certification part which are pages 3 and 5 of the form.

The CS didn't fill out section 1 and 2 of the Part 2 Medical Exam of the form.

This morning we got back from driving 4 hours to our biometrics appointment and were so happy all the way home. We got home to an RFE in the mailbox and made an infopass appointment for tomorrow (another 4 hours of driving). We called USCIS and they said they aren't sure what to say except to get an infopass appointment. I really hope the solution isn't to pay again for medical because the first medical in Juarez was so expensive and the vaccine transcription alone from the CS was $175. Christmas is a terrible time to have hundreds of dollars of unexpected expenses.

Please let me know if anyone gets any information on why this is happening and what we should do.

I was wondering if someone can help clear something up. We received an RFE in the mail today asking for a properly completed I-693 Medical Exam and Vaccine Record filled out by a civil surgeon. We already sent one in. It was sealed by the civil surgeon as per the instructions. Do we need to go back to the doctor and ask them to do another one? We have a copy that he gave us that is not sealed can we just send the photo copy. I am very frustrated because we live an hour from the civil surgeon who is out of the office until after New Year and we live an hour and a half from the closest USCIS office. We just went there today for biometrics. If we had known about the RFE we could have asked them to clarify today. Both my husband and I have called USCIS and both got different answers. I was told to go back to the doctor and get him to fill out a new I-693 and my husband was told to get an Infopass appointment and go ask USCIS what to do. I suspect the real reason for the RFE is because my husband has a K-1 visa that does not require a second medical exam upon entering and so the I-693 just includes a transcription of the vaccination records and the doctor's signature. The civil surgeon originally didn't want to just transcribe the vaccine record and insisted for two days that my husband would have to get another medical exam...until I went in and explained that he didn't need another one.

Can someone help with ideas if what we should do next? Has someone been in a similar situation? Should we go to Infopass or get another medical appointment with a civil surgeon?

Stephen and others,

I need some advice. My husband and I are finishing all of the paperwork for AOS. He just had a physical in Juarez last month to get his K1. The ONLY Civil Surgeon within hours of our home said that he will not fill out the Form I-693 unless he can perform another physical. We said that Roberto doesn't need another physical he just needs a few vaccines. I read on VJ that we don't need a new physical. I also called USCIS and they said that I don't need a new physical. Roberto went today to the doctor and they gave him the shots he is missing and they took blood. They told him to return on Thursday for the exam and the results. They are charging him over $300.00. I plan to go with him when he returns on Thursday. What can I say or what can I take with me to convince the doctor that Roberto does not need a new physical but to please fill out Form I-693.

Genny

Sorry im guessing a little here 'cause you are ahead of most of us in this process. did you make a copy of his vaccinations he got b4 the interview? if so i would take it with you. i know ive seen this type of concern b4 here on vj so just go to the AOS section and go to the bottom of the page and type in the search bar key words like - already been vaccinated or another physical or civil surgeon said - but thats the way i found out most of my concerns here. or just ask in the AOS forum. sorry i cant help much 'cause your already ahead of us in the process mari joe

Thanks Mari Joe,

He does have a copy of the vaccines and they do not intend to administer more vaccines. They only gave him the three he was missing. What they do insist upon is giving him another full physical and charging him for it even though he just had one with a civil surgeon in Juarez Mexico. I'll looking through AOS forums to see if I can find an answer.

Stephen and others,

I need some advice. My husband and I are finishing all of the paperwork for AOS. He just had a physical in Juarez last month to get his K1. The ONLY Civil Surgeon within hours of our home said that he will not fill out the Form I-693 unless he can perform another physical. We said that Roberto doesn't need another physical he just needs a few vaccines. I read on VJ that we don't need a new physical. I also called USCIS and they said that I don't need a new physical. Roberto went today to the doctor and they gave him the shots he is missing and they took blood. They told him to return on Thursday for the exam and the results. They are charging him over $300.00. I plan to go with him when he returns on Thursday. What can I say or what can I take with me to convince the doctor that Roberto does not need a new physical but to please fill out Form I-693.

Genny

I know this is not something you guys are thinking about at this point but TRY to get a copy of your physical to carry with you from Juarez. The ONE Civil surgeon withing hours of here is making Roberto pay again for another physical. They insist that they will not fill out his records for AOS unless he has it redone. I have seen several forums on VJ that talk about the Civil Surgeons so it is not uncommon for them to ask that you do it again even though USCIS does not require two physicals. It is costing us another $300.00 and two days of tests and shots.

Thanks Genny.

Are paper clips and staples ok to use?

Yes we used both.

Which DS156K Form are you using for Juarez Andrea?

The one from the website says that form expires in 05/31/2004

There is one from the state.gov website that is the current version, but it does not have the Ciudad Juarez seal. It does expire in 09/30/2010

Let me know

I am not sure we were going to fill that out tonight. I will have to look into it.

Sandi, Genny, Chinman

Which version of the DS156K did you guys fill out?

Roberto filled out this one: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/82063.pdf

Ok well as some of you know we made it to Juarez. It was a very special moment when we were able to see each other again. We spent some time with each other and then went to dinner and to the mall...which I'll have to post a pic of later because quite frankly is hilarious!

So this morning we woke up really early and were like what the heck lets go see if the medical office is open (today is a holiday here) and guess what it was...and he is there right now. one day early! I think this will be good. Anyways I waited until he entered the building and then took a courageous voyage across the street to a Starbucks and came back to the hotel.

Fingers crossed and lots of prayers please

Sandi

Yeah Sandi! I am so glad you guys are ahead of schedule. Roberto made it through POE Houston this morning. He said he'll give me the details later but it was no problem.

Wow Sandi this means you guys might be out of Juarez a day early. Right?

Well, the time has arrived and I will be leaving tomorrow morning to Juarez. The nerves are starting to kick in this morning. Like I said before I have been really calm this week and now I am on pins and needles. I know that I have everything in the way of the paperwork...at least I hope I do.

I am just wondering how much cash I should be bringing with me. I know the banks will be closed on Monday and I am not sure if I can use my debit/credit card there. Does anyone know?

Phew...one more wake up and I will be on my way.........

Sandi

YEAH! Sandi you guys are gonna do great. I am so excited for you. Roberto comes to KY tomorrow. I wish it weren't so cold. I hope he likes it here. We will get married in the courthouse later this week and we are having a ceremony with my family in Florida on the 24th of Dec. I am hoping he breezes through the POE.

Genny

Sandi,

You guys are gonna do great.

Roberto was in the army too in Mexico. It is very common there. They didn't even ask him a question about it.

Of course he mentioned his service on the DS I-157

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/79964.pdf

But they never asked him about it.

I am very excited for you both. Your long wait is almost over.

Genny

He

Congrats Chinman and Ale on getting your visa in hand.

Roberto got his tickets to the US last night and he will arrive here on Nov 2nd with POE in Houston.

Yipppeee! The long wait is almost over. We are probably going to get married in the courthouse here

in town and have a ceremony with the family on Xmas Eve.