AOSBEGINSJULY31's US Immigration Timeline

Petitioner's Name: dk Beneficiary's Name: tm VJ Member: AOSBEGINSJULY31 Country: Armenia Last Updated: 2008-01-20 Add Comment to Timeline Register or log in to follow this timeline

Immigration Checklist for dk & tm:

Dept of State Other Visa:     USCIS I-485 Petition:   USCIS I-765 Petition:       USCIS I-131 Petition:       USCIS I-751 Petition:   USCIS N-400 Petition:

Other Visa Event Date NVC Received : NVC Left : Consulate Received : Packet 3 Received : Packet 3 Sent : Packet 4 Received : Interview Date : Interview Result : Second Interview (If Required): Second Interview Result: Visa Received : US Entry : Comments :

Adjustment of Status Event Date CIS Office : Oklahoma City OK Date Filed : 2007-08-14 NOA Date : 2007-09-13 RFE(s) : 2007-12-03 Bio. Appt. : 2007-10-17 AOS Transfer** : Interview Date : 2007-08-14 Submit Review Approval / Denial Date : 2007-08-14 Approved : Yes Got I551 Stamp : No Greencard Received: Comments : We had our second DORA appointment today and it went much better than the first. The first time we went we had personal checks instead of the required cashier check/money order. We had received incorrect directions via the support/questions phone line about them accepting personal checks. It seems it is very very important to question all procedures, prices, etc surrounding the DORA program as many reps (both local and at the support number) do not seem to be that familiar with the DORA proram. Furhter the lady at the window was not the most courteous. Anyways, we were in at 8:10, turned in our I-485 and I-130. They made copies of our IDs and took my wife's passport. We were then instructed to wait while I believe they verified that the forms were all in order, money orders, etc. We were then called back to the window and given our 'Congratulations' letter telling us the time of our interview was at 11:30. We then left and went and had breakfast. Probably actually in the office maybe 30 - 40 minutes total the first time. There was another couple present that assumed the same thing we did about the I-765 and I-131. We read the instructions for each and they note that they are free if submitted concurrently with the I-485. Unfortunately, according to the information we received today, this does not apply to the DORA program. Only applies if you are mailing in your application. Fortunately we had the instructions with us and loaned them to the couple that was arguing the point that they were free. We gave the instructions to the lady at the window. She read them, took them somewhere else, and came back after a minute or two and said that the free filing does not apply to the DORA program. We came back to the new waiting room just before 11:00. They asked us to be at least 20 minutes early, I guess in case they were ahead of schedule. We waited for about 35 - 40 minutes before being called in to the interview. The interviewer was very courteous. We went through several of our documents just verifying information. She either noted or changed my wife's name to include her new married name and we moved forward. She checked a few of our tax forms for W2s/etc. Also we put on there that my wife was working, which as we all know is a no - no since she didn't have any work authorization. The interviewer suggested she quit immediately (several times) to avoid being deported. She verified a few of the I485 questions and had my wife initial beside some of her answers (namely the prostitution, food stamps, lieing to government officials, terrorism (Are you a terrorist? I almost giggled aloud)). At the end of the interview she returned my wife's passport (without a stamp!!) and said we were APPROVED. She also said that since my wife's name was not a common name (eg John Smith) that her processing time (background checks/etc) would probably go much quicker. Our interview process seemed to last only 15 to 20 minutes, if that. It went really fast. Finally I asked about the I-765 and I-131. I specifically asked if they were free if we mailed them even though we did the DORA. She said no. Further she said that it was probably in our best interest not to submit them since they cost so much and we were pretty much already approved. She said my wife would receive her green card probably about the same time that she would get any employment authorization. Basically she said, don't waste your time/money. My wife let her boss know that she had to quit. It'll hurt us a bit to be without that extra income, but we'll survive. It would be a lot worse if she was deported. Lessons Learned: Follow the instructions on your DORA appointment sheet, they override any other instructions for specific forms. Also the interviewer was pretty courteous to us about the interview questions. I believe my wifes extra work on documenting our marriage helped. We are fortunate that we have been together nearly 2 years and have had time to acquire property together as well as have travelled together. I think both of these help cement the fact that we were indeed married, and not doing this for convenience. They are picky, but if you dot all your I's and cross all your T's, it seemed to go pretty smoothly. Make it easy on them by doing all the paperwork correctly, being ready to go sure seemed to help.

Employment Authorization Document Event Date CIS Office : Chicago National Office Filing Method : Mail Filing Instance : First Date Filed : 2007-09-22 NOA Date : RFE(s) : Bio. Appt. : Approved Date : Date Card Received : Comments : Processing Estimates/Stats : Based on timeline data, your EAD may be adjudicated between November 9, 2007 and December 6, 2007*. If this date range has passed or your application is past due per USCIS processing times then you should consider calling the USCIS to inquire on your petition. If you have been approved please update your timeline.

Advance Parole Event Date CIS Office : Filing Method :   Filing Instance : First Date Filed : 2007-09-22 NOA Date : RFE(s) : Date Received : Comments : Processing Estimates/Stats : Based on timeline data, your AP may be adjudicated between January 20, 2008 and February 9, 2008*. If this date range has passed or your application is past due per USCIS processing times then you should consider calling the USCIS to inquire on your petition. If you have been approved please update your timeline.

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*Notice about estimates: The estimates are based off averages of other members recent experiences
(documented in their timelines) for the same benefit/petition/application at the same filing location.
Individual results may vary as every case is not always 'average'. Past performance does not necessarily
predict future results. The 'as early as date' may change over time based on current reported processing
times from members. There have historically been cases where a benefit/petition/application processing
briefly slows down or stops and this can not be predicted. Use these dates as reference only and do not
rely on them for planning. As always you should check the USCIS processing times to see if your application
is past due.

** Not all cases are transfered

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