Luckygoat

Congrats, I am sooo happy for u!

Haha! I am not at the dream stage yet but i do feel like i don't have all the paperwork together lol. I got a touch on my i-130 and i-485 as well on the 23rd what is with that? Mine still says initial review too . are you nervous? I am so nervous i have a little over a week!! I hope i get approved same day so i don't have to sit around more and stress!

lol I guess everyone got touches on the 23rd. Im kinda feeling like I don't have all my paperwork either. im going to look over everything again in a min. I am thinkin about coping everything and making a big stack for the interviewer to have and then just show him the original in the same order. I heard they are impress when your prepared like that and make their job easy.

My last touch was the 23rd on my I-130 and I-485, and on the 15th for the EAD. But they all still say initial review, so... *shrug* I'm not really holding my breath at this stage. And my interview is on Tuesday so it doesn't matter anymore.

I had a dream about the interview last night. They said I'd brought the wrong paperwork so I had to go home and reschedule another interview for June. I'm thinking about it way too much, obviously!

Oh wow ur interview is literally right there. lol, im excited for u. I cant wait until everyone in our group is done and we can share stories. Me and my wife was doing some final preparation today, printing out photos. We just need to get a bank statement with our new address and we're ready. what your paper work looking like?

My (part-time) job starts the first Monday of May, so that's a little over a week. CPT takes a week to process. So, to be on the safe side, I decided to go ahead and apply for it so that I will definitely have some kind of work authorization when I start. My interview isn't until mid-May, and although I was hopefully estimating that the EAD would arrive by the end of this month, I didn't want to take the chance. Also, a lot of people on VJ were saying they may have even put the EAD on hold since the interview was coming up. (Although I did call the USCIS hotline and they said that was not the case.)

Yea im suppose to start my new job tuesday and some how thought that they wadnt ask for work permit since they hired me, well im required to show a work permit my first day. lol. So im hoping I get my EAD in the mail monday lol. If not then I told them I would have to wait until the following weeks after my interview. I am going to ask the interviewer to stamp my passport because a stamp is good for work as well.

Weeeeeee! :dance: I just got a text from USCIS this afternoon saying "Your case MSCXXXXXXXXXX is now updated. Check "My Case Status" at www.uscis.gov."

And when I logged in (using my iPhone cuz I was out and about) it turns out it was the I-765. The status had jumped from "Initial Review" (which it had been stuck on for 2 months) to "Document production or Oath Ceremony". The status message says:

"On April 23, 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. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283."

Funny thing is, just yesterday I had submitted papers to apply for CPT, and since CPT requires you to add an "internship" class to the schedule I had to pay the late fee because it's so late in the quarter. If only I'd waited another day!!

Oh really, thats good. I got some touches on the 23rd but none of the EAD. Why did u bother applyin for the CPT? I bet you will have your greencard or your EAD before your CPT. My friend had their interview last month and there EAD came in just days before...I am hoping the samething happens with me.

Has anyone heard anything on their EAD?

Sure, it's here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/235083-january-2010-aos-filers/page__st__2010

hey I just read it so did they even called your husband and daugther in to interview u guys together? I think they may have given u a bit of a harder time because of u rprevious experience. but the interview sounds successful to me. Congrats.

Hi Everyone,

We had our interview today, everything went well and we were approved! The IO was very friendly to us, the interview took about 20mins and at the end I was given an approval letter and he explain when we should file for ROC. He also took my EAD and I-94, he then said to use the letter as proof(for employers) until the green card arrives in the mail.

I think we are one of the better groups on VJ and hopefully all of us would be able to get back into the group in 2012!!

Good luck to those of you who have upcoming interviews. Try to stay clam........oh one more thing if you submitted a well organize file from the beginning with lots of information, you may not be ask for too much supporting documentation photos, bills etc.. (the IO did not ask us for anything but IDs)

Hey bro congrats. Im happy it all worked out for you.

I had a lease, joint bank account, gas bill, car insurance, health insurance, dental insurance, my daughter's report card, an invitation to a wedding addressed to both of us, a thank you letter addressed to both of us for judging speeches at our county's academic pentathlon, wedding cards, cell phone records, chat/email records, flight stubs from visits and photos.

The interview didn't turn out exactly the way that I hoped, though I'm optimistic. I posted the review on the Canada forum AOS thread and on the January 2010 filers thread, if you want to take a look.

Can u post a link? ill try to find it tho

Will do!

I'm also going to post information about going through the process with my 11 year old daughter. I haven't been able to find ANY information about questions they actually ask children. However, my daughter got her OWN interview notice and separate interview time, so although I'm sure they will take us all in at the same time, I'm also sure they plan on asking her a few questions. She's a little nervous about it though!

@ shes a little nervous about it. Thats cute. I'm sure they will give her a hard time and drill her with questions and dates. lol j/k. Thats weird that she has a seperate interview but it will probably be the easiest part of the whole process. lol

It says on the interview notice specifically to bring a copy of everything that you submitted with your application. If you have filed your 2009 tax return, it would be a good idea to bring it (along with a copy) to the interview.

Really? My interview letter says to bring all those things only if you havent submit them already. The only thing I think you need to bring is your original birth cerif, passport, travel docs, and marriage certif

If you file for the EAD while on F-1, can you do work that isn't OPT? As in, if I'm studying exercise science can I go off campus and work as a bank teller or something if i get approved for the EAD?

I didn't bother sending in the EAD application with my packet cos I was under the impression I could only do OPT work, but if that's not the case I may have to send off the application.

You should have sent in your EAD as well. F1 students can work with EAD during the adjusting process, even if it is not OPT. I should have my EAD next week and I start my first job the following. I am still a student as well.

OPT work means it has to be related to your field of study because OPT is considered a part of the F1 student visa. Therefore, you cannot work in McDonalds or in the mall.

With an EAD, you are free to work anywhere you want.

I do not think that is correct. I know tones of F1 students who work on there OPT in areas that do not have anything to do with their degree. I think OPT is intended to be used so that the student can get work experience in his/her field but that doesnt mean you cant use it to work to McDonalds or as a bank teller.

I finally got my interview letter! Woohooo!! Hadn't checked the mailbox yesterday, but hubby grabbed the mail on our way out today and handed it all to me. As soon as I saw the oh-so-anticipated envelope I screamed! (scared him and he asked what was wrong, then laughed when I explained)

Congrats...gud luck

its good to see other student visa applying. My husband will become citizen only next month. We already got our I 130 approved. and our visa number available and now I could apply I 485

So, its good to see other f1 to I 485 filers..I will have to apply only in May filers but its encouraging to see u guys

Yes it is. I hope everything go well with us. I will keep my progress posted here to help others.

I was looking at the documents to bring part on my interview letter and it says "All travel documents used to enter the United States" and it says my I-94 but i don't have that anymore i got rid of it 3 years ago not knowing that i had to keep it. I don't have my train ticket either because it was 3 years ago. Is that going to make a difference? Does anyone else even still have it either?

I still have my I-94, they normally staple it to your password. but I think they meant visas, I-20's etc when they said other documents used to enter the US, no tickets. I dont kno what to say about not havin the I-94, I mean its not like they can reject u because if not having it.

For a February 2010 filer, I just got my Interview date notice in mail, yesterday for early May. Just can't wait for EAD approval and receipt to get on with our lives. I keeping seeing suitable jobs advertised and just let them pass.

Hey congrats on the interview. We are on the same date. Make everyone get back here post when its all done. im so excited im tickin off dates on my calendar

So i called the RCMP back today like she asked me too. They were so rude! I am so irritated. I guess i am going to have to figure it out on my own. I guess a canadian immigrating to the US doesn't get treated nicely! I am so sick of rude people lol.

Whats RCMP. No one migrating to the US is treated nicely..lol.

I will try and give a timeline but this may not be accurate. I will talk to my wife again tonight to see if there are more details I am leaving out.

Prior to March 2009 - My wife talks to some lawyers checked her DS-2019 (which she says she may have thrown away) and said that the two year rule did not apply and that she could go to China and get her F1 visa.

March 13th 2009 - We met. My wife was currently holding a J1 visa.

June 2009 - My wife went to China.

June-August 2009 - My wife obtains F1 visa

August 2009 - My wife came back from China on F1 visa

September 5th - I ask her to marry me

December 21st - We are married

January 2010 - We sent out I 130, I485 and supporting documents

April 1st 2010 - We interview and I 130 is approved. However the I485 is not approved because of 2 year stipulation

If you need any more details than please let me know. I appreciate all the help and advice.

Did she go back to china just to get a F1 visa, just to come back to the US to get adjust? Just asking because thats what it looks like.

Your best bet would have to be to contact a lawyer on this situation. I do not recommend anyone who has been denied to try figure anything out themselves.

I would just do as luckygoat suggested and bring a statement of some sort with me. Because I'm not sure sealed records make a difference when it comes to federal agencies like USCIS. I don't know though.... It just wouldn't be good to get caught out in a lie and have to explain it later. Better to just have the paperwork with you, and don't volunteer the info unless they specifically ask for it. It's such a minor issue as well I really don't see them making a big deal out of it.

Sorry for all those typos...damn I type bad

Anyway yeah, best thing to do is be prepared but do not volunteer to give the information considering you did not state anything about it on your application.

But I am almost certain that if you say no, the interviewer would not dig into anything. They interview so much people I highly doubt they have time to worry about your old sealed records.

Yeah i called the RCMP in the city where it happened and she told me that she couldn't find anything on me. did you state on one of your forms that you were arrested for something? If not do i just have to get something stating they didn't find me in the system?

yea i sent a writing statement that I was arrested and the I was never charged and the record was seal, along with a record search stating that nothing was found. I am sooooo happy this didnt affect be getting a job becuz when I was arrested I was finger printed and for the banking job I just got I had to get finger printed so I was 100% something would show it although I had it sealed...but I guess not.

If the lady can send you something, it would be best to carry something to state no record was found, just to be on the safe side because it does say that at the bottom of the appointment letter. If you cant get it dont worry about, just dont let them know, its not big deal becuz u was a juvenile plus it wasnt here so they cant possibly find out about it.

Haha!! Yeah the only thing though is under Canadian law those were erased when i turned 18 so technically i have no criminal record because they are sealed so i don't know. I am so nervous about it. Did everyone get that letter attached to there interview letter? Yeah i was never charged or ticketed or anything just the drunk tank lol. Sounds so funny to me now!

if the record is sealed then u will need jus a normal police criminal search statin that no record was found. I had to do the samething but my misdermainor happened here in the US so it was easy for me to just go to the county and pay 5 dollars for a search.

I got my interview letter today YAY! on the downside it says if you have ever been arrested but not charged with anything then i need to bring a statement by the officer blah blah blah. I was arrested like 3 times when i was 14,15,16 so long ago but i was never charged with anything so does that mean i have to bring something saying i wasn't charged with anything. 2 of them were for underage drinking so there not big deals just stupid kid stuff. I don't want this to reflect on me now considering clearly i am not the same person i was when i was a teenager my nickname now is mother teresa lol. what do i do

lmfao #### off. I just read this whole thing. @ mother teresa. SURE!

but congrats on gettin ur interview...im so happy ery1 in the crew is goin well so far. Ur interview is b4 mine so I will be drilling you.

I got my interview letter today YAY! on the downside it says if you have ever been arrested but not charged with anything then i need to bring a statement by the officer blah blah blah. I was arrested like 3 times when i was 14,15,16 so long ago but i was never charged with anything so does that mean i have to bring something saying i wasn't charged with anything. 2 of them were for underage drinking so there not big deals just stupid kid stuff. I don't want this to reflect on me now considering clearly i am not the same person i was when i was a teenager my nickname now is mother teresa lol. what do i do

if it wasnt in america, I wadnt worry about it.

As long as you have photographs that track you relationship over a period of time you should be fine. For example, we don't have a wedding album. We got married in Las Vegas quite quickly, so there are only a few photos of the ceremony and the only people in attendance were my sisters-in-law and a couple of friends. But we have lots of other photos from various trips back and forth, there are pics of me with his family, him with my family, Christmases, birthdays, Halloween... As long as you have a good amount of photos that show you guys with family and friends, it should be fine. And if you don't, get out the digital camera now and take snaps this weekend, or on whatever days between now and the interview that you're with family and friends.

What I found when I was organizing my photos is that a lot of the first year of our relationship is just "us" and nobody else. Because even though he visited my family, and I visited his, we were mostly together doing sight-seeing or hanging out at the park, and everyone else was in work or school. So the family snaps are all much later, and there aren't as many of them.

kool. we have a good amount but not a drastic amount becuz were not picture ppl but we do have picx thru out our 2 years, and pics from holidays with her family members

about what u said about start takin picx, I dont recommend no one to do that becuz i just read somewhere of a couple being denied because they had tons a pictures that they apparently took a few days b4 the interview and the officer picked up on it because the wife's hair style/color/length didnt change once through out the photos and they were claimin that some of th epics were taken years ago. lol