Filed AOS Packet - any thoughts on our situation?

[mconfes 0]

Hello...i'd appreciate any constructive feedback on our AOS situation:

I'm a US Citizen and my wife is an F-1 student here in the US (not in school anymore). She's been out of status for the last few years and we've been married for almost 3 years and have a 2 year old daughter.

I just filed the I-130/I-485/I-765 with all of the other forms (I-325A, I-693 and I-864) - about $2000 in fees including biometrics and the doctor check-up for the 693.

Questions:

1. I filed the entire packet at the Chicago lock box per USCIS instructions and the instructions on the form. Should this have been filed at the Nebraska facility?

2. Will this delay the processing?

3. I made sure to sign everything, filled out all of the forms to the best of my ability, paid the right fees, cover letters on all forms, etc. What will happen if I filled out something wrong (put her married name instead of maiden name, etc)? Will this delay things?

4. I didn't include an explanitory letter. Is it too late to send an explanitory letter to ammend to my file/case?

That's all of the major questions I can think of for now. Any input is appreciated.

[athena_ny 1]

Hello...i'd appreciate any constructive feedback on our AOS situation:

I'm a US Citizen and my wife is an F-1 student here in the US (not in school anymore). She's been out of status for the last few years and we've been married for almost 3 years and have a 2 year old daughter.

I just filed the I-130/I-485/I-765 with all of the other forms (I-325A, I-693 and I-864) - about $2000 in fees including biometrics and the doctor check-up for the 693.

Questions:

1. I filed the entire packet at the Chicago lock box per USCIS instructions and the instructions on the form. Should this have been filed at the Nebraska facility?

2. Will this delay the processing?

3. I made sure to sign everything, filled out all of the forms to the best of my ability, paid the right fees, cover letters on all forms, etc. What will happen if I filled out something wrong (put her married name instead of maiden name, etc)? Will this delay things?

4. I didn't include an explanitory letter. Is it too late to send an explanitory letter to ammend to my file/case?

That's all of the major questions I can think of for now. Any input is appreciated.

1. Chicago is the correct place.

2. Since it's correct, no.

3. If you put her married name, the green card will come in her married name. If you put her maiden name, it will come in the maiden name. Sometimes you can correct this at the interview.

4. Why do you need an explanation letter? USCIS received an I-130/I485 packet. They do this all the time. They know what it's for.

[mconfes 0]

One more question to add - the most important one: How long should I expect to wait for my interview and possible approval. We'd like to visit her family in Indonesia in June/July. Is this realistic?

[athena_ny 1]

One more question to add - the most important one: How long should I expect to wait for my interview and possible approval. We'd like to visit her family in Indonesia in June/July. Is this realistic?

Probably not. If you applied for AP, maybe, but with an overstay it's really not a good idea to travel on AP anyway. With the current backlog, applications are taking a little longer. My husband and I had the quickest turnaround from applying to interview (7 weeks) and he received his green card at 9 weeks, but this was before the fee increases that have slowed down the process quite a bit. Check your local offices processing times here on VJ, that may give you a better idea, but I wouldn't plan anything until green card is in hand.

[mconfes 0]

Thanks. I appreciate the feedback. For Chicago, the avg days to interview is 113 days. Is the best case scenario that we would receive our approval and I-551 stamp as early as 130 days?

[MarkNAshley 0]

Thanks. I appreciate the feedback. For Chicago, the avg days to interview is 113 days. Is the best case scenario that we would receive our approval and I-551 stamp as early as 130 days?

That would be best case scenario...everyone is in the same boat so its just a matter of watching to everyone elses info. There is a topic on here called FEB 2008 AOS filers...find that thread and join...its an easy way to watch everyones progress.

[msu17 0]

Keep in mind that even after the greencard interview, you may not get the greencard if her name matches something in the FBI name check. Some people here have been waiting for years to clear. Make sure to file for her temp. work permit in case something like this happens. It's included in the AOS price.

[mconfes 0]

Thanks for the info - I'll find the Feb AOS thread. Very cool.

I read up a little on the FBI name check. Is it common for the name check to hold things up a while? We both have pretty unique name so I doubt we'd run into the duplicate issue.

Thoughts?

[Dan J 277]

Thanks for the info - I'll find the Feb AOS thread. Very cool.

I read up a little on the FBI name check. Is it common for the name check to hold things up a while? We both have pretty unique name so I doubt we'd run into the duplicate issue.

Thoughts?

Its not really the USC's name that gets checked. Having a unique name will probably get you through name checks faster, however, if the name sounds similar to another more common name it could take awhile.

[mconfes 0]

Thanks.

This may sound like an stupid question but how do I check for the NOA1? InfoPass, does it come in the mail, or can I find out online?

[Dan J 277]

Thanks.

This may sound like an stupid question but how do I check for the NOA1? InfoPass, does it come in the mail, or can I find out online?

Its the notice you get in the mail.

[mconfes 0]

Thanks. I'll be on the lookout!

[mconfes 0]

UPDATE: Received 3 NOAs today (130/485/765). Now waiting on biometrics.

Questions:

1. Is it a good sign to receive the NOAs? Does it mean anything other than the case has been entered and a file number created?

2. My wife's last name is hyphonated with her maiden name and my last name "maiden-married" This is how it appears on her passport and drivers license. The NOAs arrived with her name displayed differently on each receipt.

a. The 130 has the maiden-married name.

b. The 765 has the married name only.

c. The 485 has the maiden name only.

Does anyone know if this is an issue?

Thanks for any help.

[Dan J 277]

UPDATE: Received 3 NOAs today (130/485/765). Now waiting on biometrics.

Questions:

1. Is it a good sign to receive the NOAs? Does it mean anything other than the case has been entered and a file number created?

2. My wife's last name is hyphonated with her maiden name and my last name "maiden-married" This is how it appears on her passport and drivers license. The NOAs arrived with her name displayed differently on each receipt.

a. The 130 has the maiden-married name.

b. The 765 has the married name only.

c. The 485 has the maiden name only.

Does anyone know if this is an issue?

Thanks for any help.

1. You can use the case numbers to see the progress online, but it basically means they now have the case and you have a file number.

2. Likely a clerical error. You should call them to have it corrected. If its not corrected asap, you can run into problems. They won't accept your ID at biometrics if it doesn't match the name on the case.

[mconfes 0]

Thanks for the feedback. I will call them ASAP to inquire.

1. What's the easiest and quickest way to talk with the right person about your case? Just call the main USCIS number? Or is there a better way?

Also, I tried to look up my cases online and I get an error saying that my file isn't found.

2. Does it just take them awhile to update the online files?