AOS'rs...

[CDAgirlMI 51]

Just had my interview today -- got approved! Simple, didn't ask a lot of questions, although we did come over prepared. For those going in for their interviews -- bring your copy of the AOS that you sent in along with originals and anything that you have joint together. Also bring photos! Our officer loved those. And of course, smile, be positive and show that you two love each other... because that's what we did!

Congrats!

[Arabella 4]

Arabella - I just included a letter with my vaccination worksheet - I think a well written letter helps a lot to avoid the RFE. I'd take your chances and if you get RFE'd then look into getting it transcribed. It's worth a shot.

I just wrote the letter. I highlighted and attached the instruction page, and then highlighted and attached the vaccination documentation that has Dr. Seidon's signature, date of medical, our case number, Sean's name, etc. right on it.

I hope they take this. If not, they need to change their requirements/instructions!

[Sam and Ben 2]

They find their ways out of it, if they choose. It's been lost, misfiled, not completed... whatever. In my case, my vaccination record actually wasn't complete - Dr. Seiden missed the fact that I didn't have my second full MMR set.

Either way, hope it works for you.

[Arabella 4]

They find their ways out of it, if they choose. It's been lost, misfiled, not completed... whatever. In my case, my vaccination record actually wasn't complete - Dr. Seiden missed the fact that I didn't have my second full MMR set.

Either way, hope it works for you.

Well I have a copy of the shots from Dr. Seidon in case they "lost" the originals. Although I only see one date for MMR. Should there be 2 dates for MMR?

[supremecomplex 8]

This may be a stupid question, but I was wondering -- since I'm already approved for a Green Card but don't actually HAVE it in hand, would I still be able to travel to Portland to Vegas on a plane using my Canadian passport? I'm not too sure if I'll be getting it yet (I received a notification that it's being produced, but I don't know how long that is going to take) but since I'm only traveling in the US, would it be okay?

Edited May 18, 2010 by supremecomplex

[The_Dude 1,142]

I don't really want to chase around these doctors and end up paying for a service that isn't even necessary. The I-693 instructions say that as long as we submitted a DS 3025 with the overseas medical, that we don't need to have a civil surgeon transcribe the shot records. It says only to do that if the DS 3025 was not properly completed with the overseas medical. So I am going to take my chances and submit just the copy of his immunization records, along with a photocopy of the I-693 instructions, and a letter explaining that we have the medical completed overseas. If they RFE me, then I will worry about it.

Don't worry about getting the transcription done until you know if you will get an interview or not. They will not necissarily give you an RFE for just sending the vaccination worksheet in, but they will ask for it at the interview. I have only heard of one person getting an RFE for not including the i-693.

A lot of civil surgeons either don't fully understand the process, or really just trying to rip you off. The medical that you get for the visa is good for one year, period.

[TimandJoyce 1]

Yeah Arabella, I didn't send one in either..just the sheet they gave me at the time of my medical. I didn't get an RFE, and my case was transferred. I would send that in as is. I would also check around for Civil Surgeons, and find one that understand what you need to do...just in case. That way IF you get RFE'd or IF there is an interview, you'll know exactly where to go to get it done.

[jessiewu 0]

This may be a stupid question, but I was wondering -- since I'm already approved for a Green Card but don't actually HAVE it in hand, would I still be able to travel to Portland to Vegas on a plane using my Canadian passport? I'm not too sure if I'll be getting it yet (I received a notification that it's being produced, but I don't know how long that is going to take) but since I'm only traveling in the US, would it be okay?

Within US is fine. We were told today by USCIS that for international travel if green card is in production, I have to wait to have it in hand before leaving the country even if I have AP, so annoying!

[TimandJoyce 1]

This may be a stupid question, but I was wondering -- since I'm already approved for a Green Card but don't actually HAVE it in hand, would I still be able to travel to Portland to Vegas on a plane using my Canadian passport? I'm not too sure if I'll be getting it yet (I received a notification that it's being produced, but I don't know how long that is going to take) but since I'm only traveling in the US, would it be okay?

If your travelling only in the States, chances are you wouldn't need to show your passport, unless that is your only identification. Tim and I flew to Florida last month, and I showed my new SC DL. Which also meant I had my boarding passes in my married name.

When we go to Canada later this fall, my boarding passes will be in the name my passport is in. Thankfully, I renew it next Apr...so it will be in my new name then

[Sam and Ben 2]

Within US is fine. We were told today by USCIS that for international travel if green card is in production, I have to wait to have it in hand before leaving the country even if I have AP, so annoying!

Um, I certainly hope that isn't the case.

I'm leaving in a week and a half for Ohio, then heading across the border for a week after that. The GC is taking its sweet time coming to me, despite multiple production notices... so I'd hope the AP would be good no matter what.

[jessiewu 0]

Just had my interview today, thought I would share my experience since I have been away from here for so long!! Our interview was at 10:45am, but weren't called till 11:15am. She was friendly, and the whole interview was more like chatting than an interview, here is what we talked about:

How we met

When did we start dating

How he proposed

Our financial arrangement (we don't have joint account, but we showed her our bank statement to prove that he gave me "allowance" haha since I don't have my EAD yet)

Our wedding (showed her pictures, she asked why our parents weren't there we explained that they are planning something in Asia in July, and showed her our plane tickets)

Who is the better cook

other documents we have to prove relationship (we showed her car insurance, health insurance, phone bills that have our names together)

She didn't ask for anything that are on the appointment letter, we even offered to her but she said she didn't need to see them. Eventhough she didn't quiz us, but I think she was paying attention to how we interact with each other instead of what paper we have. Then she went throught the list of questions like being a communist or terrorist. She was going kinda fast and mummbling, maybe because she knew it's standard proceedure and people just say no anyways? So at one point I didn't realize she had finished asking one question that I didn't reply no right away (I think it was about exporting drugs or something, really couldn't hear her well ...) Hope that's not a biggie. At the end, she said that she need to review the file more, if we don't hear any request for info within a week, then we can assume that we are approved. So guess still need our fingers crossed!!

Hope this helps

Edited May 18, 2010 by jessiewu

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Congrats on the approval Supreme! And I hope you hear some good news soon jessie- glad it was a good experience

Arabella, if you want to do some more reading on the I-693 the AOS forum is flooded with threads about it. A lot of people receive RFE's for not sending it, and a lot of people don't have an issue- it's pretty much a shot in the dark. There has been a theory floating around that apparently USCIS has hired a bunch of temps to open and look over AOS packages to ensure all the information is included. Often these temps aren't completely aware of what is required, especially from someone adjusting from a K-1, so there is an RFE sent for a form or medical that isn't really needed. Also, on occasion they "misplace" the medical, in which case you either need to have a new medical, or have the I-693 which shows you've had a medical within the last year and have all the required vaccinations. This really isn't something you can control at all.

Personally I didn't send it and It wasn't a problem. I never wrote a special letter or mentioned anything about it in the packet either. I had an interview and it was on the list of required documents and I didn't even need it then. So basically it's up to you. If you don't have a problem with getting an RFE for it, then go ahead and send the packet without it. I figured that if they accepted it without the form I could save myself some money and a really big hassle!

[kuro 0]

Um, I certainly hope that isn't the case.

I'm leaving in a week and a half for Ohio, then heading across the border for a week after that. The GC is taking its sweet time coming to me, despite multiple production notices... so I'd hope the AP would be good no matter what.

I think I might end up using my AP as well to go visit my parents. My GC was only ordered last week and I doubt I will get it in time for my travel plans. I will be driving across the border back to Canada. I hope they don't give me any trouble as my Cdn passport is in my maiden name and my AP is in my married name. I will bring the Welcome letter and marriage certificate, too, just in case.

[Danu 19]

Congrats on the approval Supreme! And I hope you hear some good news soon jessie- glad it was a good experience

Arabella, if you want to do some more reading on the I-693 the AOS forum is flooded with threads about it. A lot of people receive RFE's for not sending it, and a lot of people don't have an issue- it's pretty much a shot in the dark. There has been a theory floating around that apparently USCIS has hired a bunch of temps to open and look over AOS packages to ensure all the information is included. Often these temps aren't completely aware of what is required, especially from someone adjusting from a K-1, so there is an RFE sent for a form or medical that isn't really needed. Also, on occasion they "misplace" the medical, in which case you either need to have a new medical, or have the I-693 which shows you've had a medical within the last year and have all the required vaccinations. This really isn't something you can control at all.

Personally I didn't send it and It wasn't a problem. I never wrote a special letter or mentioned anything about it in the packet either. I had an interview and it was on the list of required documents and I didn't even need it then. So basically it's up to you. If you don't have a problem with getting an RFE for it, then go ahead and send the packet without it. I figured that if they accepted it without the form I could save myself some money and a really big hassle!

Ditto, but others have been asked at the interview, so I just got mine done before hand just incase, only cost me $50 to do, and I figured if they did ask for it then I wouldnt have to worry about sending it back in to get the GC approved. I didn't even send the original from Dr. Saiden, I photocopied it and sent the copy in. I still have the original here.

[Arabella 4]

Congrats on the approval Supreme! And I hope you hear some good news soon jessie- glad it was a good experience

Arabella, if you want to do some more reading on the I-693 the AOS forum is flooded with threads about it. A lot of people receive RFE's for not sending it, and a lot of people don't have an issue- it's pretty much a shot in the dark. There has been a theory floating around that apparently USCIS has hired a bunch of temps to open and look over AOS packages to ensure all the information is included. Often these temps aren't completely aware of what is required, especially from someone adjusting from a K-1, so there is an RFE sent for a form or medical that isn't really needed. Also, on occasion they "misplace" the medical, in which case you either need to have a new medical, or have the I-693 which shows you've had a medical within the last year and have all the required vaccinations. This really isn't something you can control at all.

Personally I didn't send it and It wasn't a problem. I never wrote a special letter or mentioned anything about it in the packet either. I had an interview and it was on the list of required documents and I didn't even need it then. So basically it's up to you. If you don't have a problem with getting an RFE for it, then go ahead and send the packet without it. I figured that if they accepted it without the form I could save myself some money and a really big hassle!

I was actually saying to Sean that perhaps the reason people get RFE's is because they have new people or temps looking at the folders and they just go off a checklist. That's why I highlighted the instructions, and printed out an explanation with a summary. I'm sending it off today, so I'll cross my fingers that it gets approved!

Also about the passport photos, the guides here on VJ say to send in 2 passport photos, not 6. I couldn't convince Sean that we needed 6 over the 2 that the guides state we need. So he just got the 2. Anyone else just send it 2 passport photos with AOS??

AOS Assembley Guide