Any February 2012 filers?

[Gavin + Heather 7]

Hi guys!

Congratulations KT and Tommy!

So happy to be here and everything is going good. Except they told me I had to wait 3-4 weeks for my SSN.... I really need it beacuse my fiancé lease is up soon and we wanted to find a new place together which is really hard for me without and SSN..... We are getting married in January so no AOS yet.

Gavin, one question. Is it correct that I can't apply for a drivers license before I have NOA1 from the AOS? How I understand it is that the I-94 and the visa is not enough?

It does depend on the DMV for your state. I think I read somewhere that it was possible to get a driver's license without NOA1, but it would not be something I would rely on. NOA1, my driving license, passport and a bank statement showing my name and address was what I took with me. They need proof you live in the state - Again this was just the DMV for Virginia, others might be different.

On the DMV for Virginia website it had a little wizard that you could go through to make sure you had the paperwork you needed before going. Here's the link for the VA one https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/apps/documentbuilder/intro.aspx

On the SSN, 2 weeks after POE is what most people say about going to the SSN office to apply. I applied after a week and they had me on the system, then it took another week for it to come through the post.

[Gavin + Heather 7]

We finally got our AOS out today. We were a bit delayed with it because the incorrect spelling on Rob's social security card created some problems with the bank, so we couldn't get money transferred over for the AOS fees. But that's all straightened out, and everything is finally on it's way to USCIS. I kinda have some unrealistic hopes that it will get to the USCIS today, given that the post office is only a mile from the lockbox. Wishful (and silly) thinking

Congrats on moving on to the next waiting step, although I've no problem waiting now that I'm with Heather

ConGrats! I sent my package out yesterday from New Jersey.

Congrats on moving on to the next phase of waiting, no where near as bad as the K1 wait

[Gavin + Heather 7]

Yesterday I had my biometrics appointment at 3pm in Alexandria, VA. I think I left the office at 3:11pm! Really quick appointment.

The unfortunate thing about our appointment time was that we always seem to be on the side of the road with traffic. On the way back we definitely hit rush hour too, it took us just over 2 hours to get there and over 3 and a half hours to get back.

Anyway, back to the biometrics. On arriving I had get in a queue/line, when I went up to the desk I had to show the appointment letter, ID (I used my VA driver's license, but I had my passport if needed) and the lady checks your hands. If you have any cuts etc that prevent them taking finger prints they will turn you away to reschedule.

She also asked if I had my mobile phone on me and if I did I was told that I have to turn it off. I left mine in the car with Heather - you are not supposed to take people in with you to the waiting area because of limited space. So Heather was going to wait in the car and read a book. Other people in the office did have people with them, so I don't know how strict they are on this, when I went they were not that busy.

The lady then gave me a form to fill in.

The form was fairly basic...

Surname

Forename

Middle Name

Alien Number or SSN

Case Number - The USCIS number that was on the NOA1, same as what will be on your appointment letter

Maiden name details

I think that was it. I then had to queue/line up again to see the same lady. She checks the form, your ID and then gives you ticket with a number on it to wait to be called - I was lucky as there were a couple of people that take the prints just standing around her desk, so one of them just took me straight back to get them done.

The process is straight forward, they take a copy of your fingers and thumb print for both hands. Then take individual prints of each finger, once they were done I just had to take a seat to have my photo taken. I was asked if I was happy with the photo - I guess this probably ends up on the green card?

That was it, all done.

[Shezi 108]

ConGrats! I sent my package out yesterday from New Jersey.

Just received a receipt from USCIS for my AOS application though the case status isn't yet updated... they have, however, 'cashed the check'

[MissK 5]

It does depend on the DMV for your state. I think I read somewhere that it was possible to get a driver's license without NOA1, but it would not be something I would rely on. NOA1, my driving license, passport and a bank statement showing my name and address was what I took with me. They need proof you live in the state - Again this was just the DMV for Virginia, others might be different.

On the DMV for Virginia website it had a little wizard that you could go through to make sure you had the paperwork you needed before going. Here's the link for the VA one https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/apps/documentbuilder/intro.aspx

On the SSN, 2 weeks after POE is what most people say about going to the SSN office to apply. I applied after a week and they had me on the system, then it took another week for it to come through the post.

Sorry, I should have mentioned that I asked because I know you are in Virginia and I am too;)

Thank you for the link!

[Gavin + Heather 7]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that I asked because I know you are in Virginia and I am too;)

Thank you for the link!

Cool, no worries - I just like to say that I'm talking about Virginia anyway, just so that anyone else looking at it in the future knows which state also

[soheil 9]

A silly question for those who have sent their AOS package: did you guys send only 2 passport-style photos with your whole package or 2 photos for each application (2 for AOS, 2 for EAD and 2 for AP = 6)?

[X Factor 1,112]

I believe you need to send only 2 with the entire package. But I attached an extra 2 with my EAD application for a total of 4.

[Cori and Rob 55]

A silly question for those who have sent their AOS package: did you guys send only 2 passport-style photos with your whole package or 2 photos for each application (2 for AOS, 2 for EAD and 2 for AP = 6)?

That's a hard one to answer, because it seems like there is no consistency in answers across the boards. The last few threads I saw before I sent off our package is that you'll need 2 for AOS, 2 for employment authorization, and 2 for AP. We submitted 6 in total, but I truly cannot say if that was the right thing to do. The one argument for sending that many is that each application is processed separately, so they need individual pictures. I have no idea if this is true. I say more is better!

Edited December 21, 2012 by Cori and Rob

[Shezi 108]

That's a hard one to answer, because it seems like there is no consitency in answers across the boards. The last few threads I saw before I sent off our package is that you'll need 2 for AOS, 2 for employment authorization, and 2 for AP. We submitted 6 in total, but I truly cannot say if that was the right thing to do. The one argument for sending that many is that each application is processed separately, so they need individual pictures. I have no idea if this is true. I say more is better!

I thought the same but still only sent 4!

Just checked the USCIS website and my receipt numbers have been loaded into the system. It's ages now since I checked the website every day (remember that???)... don't think I'm going to look again for a while

[soheil 9]

That's a hard one to answer, because it seems like there is no consistency in answers across the boards. The last few threads I saw before I sent off our package is that you'll need 2 for AOS, 2 for employment authorization, and 2 for AP. We submitted 6 in total, but I truly cannot say if that was the right thing to do. The one argument for sending that many is that each application is processed separately, so they need individual pictures. I have no idea if this is true. I say more is better!

Exactly! This is the argument in my mind for sending 6 photos. But, with the technology these days, you would think that they will scan the photos and use them whenever they want. Anyhow, 4 extra photos compared to the tons of extra evidence we sent with our I-129F package seems nothing, so I will send 6 photos just to be on the safe side

Just checked the USCIS website and my receipt numbers have been loaded into the system. It's ages now since I checked the website every day (remember that???)... don't think I'm going to look again for a while

Oh, those old days

[X Factor 1,112]

Let's keep everyone updated and see if there is an RFE for sending less than 6. That way we can help new AOS filers.

[Gavin + Heather 7]

Let's keep everyone updated and see if there is an RFE for sending less than 6. That way we can help new AOS filers.

Good idea. I only sent in for AOS and EAD and I only sent 2 photos for AOS as I had 2 to hand. I believe you do need 2 per application that requires photos. So I should have sent 4, but I'm hoping AOS works out quickly so I don't have to worry about EAD.

[at long last 58]

I sent 6 because it made sense when we were told each application goes to separate department. I of the over kill opinion. Just checked USCIS and I-485 showing acceptance and my I-102, I-765, and I-131 showing initial review. Here we go again. Oh Joy, Oh bliss...

Terri

[Gavin + Heather 7]

Have a great Christmas everyone!