Seattle AOS interview today

[happylove 0]

Today my husband and I went to the AOS initial interview. It was in the Seattle office. Here are some facts then I will explain more:

1) We have a 20 year age difference between us -- I am the older one (woman).

2) We brought in car and health insurance in both our names

3) We brought in bills that my husband has paid in the last two months since he has been working

4) We brought in utility bills in both of our names

5) photos

and our file in general from before is quite large, as the officer commented.

We were asked about how we met which was online. But it was seven years ago. I met him for two 1/2 weeks in his country. He came here on a K-1 fiance visa. We have been married for 9 months. We have not had a wedding ceremony as yet other than the courthouse ceremony. We have not had a honeymoon yet, although we plan to go to Paris-Vienna when we can afford it.

The officer seemed confused because my husband told her that he proposed after he got here - which was true, but obviously he asked me to marry him when I went to visit him otherwise he would not have come here on a fiance visa. But the officer (woman) seemed to take isssue with that.

We only recently shared our bank accounts with each other and we do not have statements, but we submitted letters from the banks. The officer didn't seem to like it that we did not have bank statements.

She did comment in a positive way however, that my husband is not likely to become a public charge.

She did not take his EAD from him (my husband commented that if he was going to get approved, why she didnt take his EAD from him?????)

She said that if she needs anything else, she will contact us in 1 or 2 months, otherwise it will be longer than 1 or 2 months if my husband is either approved or denied.

Q: From the information I have given, do you think my husband can get approved?

If he is denied, is there hope for appeal? What about her not taking his EAD?

I am worried, because I did not get good vibes from the officer. I wonder if we should get an Inforpass and take in our bank statements when they arrive, or take in any other information to try to minimize chances for denial.

Thanks to all who might offer their opinion

Edited October 24, 2008 by LandofTreesWoman

[cdn_in_wa 1]

Today my husband and I went to the AOS initial interview. It was in the Seattle office. Here are some facts then I will explain more:

1) We have a 20 year age difference between us -- I am the older one (woman).

2) We brought in car and health insurance in both our names

3) We brought in bills that my husband has paid in the last two months since he has been working

4) We brought in utility bills in both of our names

5) photos

and our file in general from before is quite large, as the officer commented.

We were asked about how we met which was online. But it was seven years ago. I met him for two 1/2 weeks in his country. He came here on a K-1 fiance visa. We have been married for 9 months. We have not had a wedding ceremony as yet other than the courthouse ceremony. We have not had a honeymoon yet, although we plan to go to Paris-Vienna when we can afford it.

The officer seemed confused because my husband told her that he proposed after he got here - which was true, but obviously he asked me to marry him when I went to visit him otherwise he would not have come here on a fiance visa. But the officer (woman) seemed to take isssue with that.

We only recently shared our bank accounts with each other and we do not have statements, but we submitted letters from the banks. The officer didn't seem to like it that we did not have bank statements.

She did comment in a positive way however, that my husband is not likely to become a public charge.

She did not take his EAD from him (my husband commented that if he was going to get approved, why she didnt take his EAD from him?????)

She said that if she needs anything else, she will contact us in 1 or 2 months, otherwise it will be longer than 1 or 2 months if my husband is either approved or denied.

Q: From the information I have given, do you think my husband can get approved?

If he is denied, is there hope for appeal? What about her not taking his EAD?

I am worried, because I did not get good vibes from the officer. I wonder if we should get an Inforpass and take in our bank statements when they arrive, or take in any other information to try to minimize chances for denial.

Thanks to all who might offer their opinion

We were interviewed in Seattle last Friday. We were told 'approved pending review'. We did not have to hand in our AP (we had no EAD). We were told it would probably be a month until we had GC.

It sounds like they will review your case and may require you to attend a second interview. Your case does have some red flags for the IO.

I wouldn't panic, they haven't denied you yet. Your evidence of bona fide marriage sounds like it was a little slim. Work on building that up and expect either an RFE or a second (Stokes) interview.

With luck, you won't need any of it, but if you do, you'll be prepared.

[Jon&Lindsey 0]

I'm not sure why you were not approved, but I would think that she did not take your husband's EAD because if she wasn't going to approve you there and then, he would need it to continue working pending the decision. I don't think it is necessarily a bad sign, he just needs it to prove he is allowed to work before he gets the actual GC/passport stamp. We also have a 20 year age difference (although I am the younger, not my husband), and the interviewer didn't make any comment about that when she approved us yesterday. Best of luck, I hope everything works out for you.

[happylove 0]

Thank you Jon and Lindsey

Do you think that we didn't pass right away because we didn't have bank statements? I wonder if that was it, or if there was more? Do you think that when we do get a bank statement that we should bring it in?

Also, if they were going to deny us for certain, would they have done it today? I am feeling very worried and upset.

Thanks

I'm not sure why you were not approved, but I would think that she did not take your husband's EAD because if she wasn't going to approve you there and then, he would need it to continue working pending the decision. I don't think it is necessarily a bad sign, he just needs it to prove he is allowed to work before he gets the actual GC/passport stamp. We also have a 20 year age difference (although I am the younger, not my husband), and the interviewer didn't make any comment about that when she approved us yesterday. Best of luck, I hope everything works out for you.

Edited October 25, 2008 by LandofTreesWoman

[Jon&Lindsey 0]

I really don't know why. We only took our joint check book, as we don't have paper statements, and that seemed fine for our IO, and the only other evidence we had was a joint lease and letters from friends, as well as photos. We were really nervous about the evidence and also as I adjusted from the VWP, and we even researched what a Stokes interview would be. This actually made us feel better, as the questions were things that we would obviously both know (like about the house we live in) and would be easy for anyone genuinely married, so of course it would not be pleasant, but should go ok even if this happens to you.

[happylove 0]

I was wondering, what is VWP? Also, do you have any suggestions where I can find good preparation information for the Stokes interview?

I really don't know why. We only took our joint check book, as we don't have paper statements, and that seemed fine for our IO, and the only other evidence we had was a joint lease and letters from friends, as well as photos. We were really nervous about the evidence and also as I adjusted from the VWP, and we even researched what a Stokes interview would be. This actually made us feel better, as the questions were things that we would obviously both know (like about the house we live in) and would be easy for anyone genuinely married, so of course it would not be pleasant, but should go ok even if this happens to you.

[FromJapan 0]

Ditto. What's VWP? I read your post and it scared me. I went into our bed room woke up my wife and went looking for bank statements. We had heated argument afterward because we couldn't find the statement from wamu. This is just god awful. I am afraid and can't sleep.

PS

my wife is a saint. she forgives all my misbehaving. I wish USCIS would take that sort of thing as an evidence

Edited October 25, 2008 by FromJapan

[Lili 3]

VWP= Visa Waiver Program.

Some countries do not need a tourist visa.

[Heliosphan 1]

Ditto. What's VWP? I read your post and it scared me. I went into our bed room woke up my wife and went looking for bank statements. We had heated argument afterward because we couldn't find the statement from wamu. This is just god awful. I am afraid and can't sleep.

PS

my wife is a saint. she forgives all my misbehaving. I wish USCIS would take that sort of thing as an evidence

relax, you still have a while to go

[Old Dominion 26]

Today my husband and I went to the AOS initial interview. It was in the Seattle office. Here are some facts then I will explain more:

1) We have a 20 year age difference between us -- I am the older one (woman).

2) We brought in car and health insurance in both our names

3) We brought in bills that my husband has paid in the last two months since he has been working

4) We brought in utility bills in both of our names

5) photos

and our file in general from before is quite large, as the officer commented.

We were asked about how we met which was online. But it was seven years ago. I met him for two 1/2 weeks in his country. He came here on a K-1 fiance visa. We have been married for 9 months. We have not had a wedding ceremony as yet other than the courthouse ceremony. We have not had a honeymoon yet, although we plan to go to Paris-Vienna when we can afford it.

The officer seemed confused because my husband told her that he proposed after he got here - which was true, but obviously he asked me to marry him when I went to visit him otherwise he would not have come here on a fiance visa. But the officer (woman) seemed to take isssue with that.

We only recently shared our bank accounts with each other and we do not have statements, but we submitted letters from the banks. The officer didn't seem to like it that we did not have bank statements.

She did comment in a positive way however, that my husband is not likely to become a public charge.

She did not take his EAD from him (my husband commented that if he was going to get approved, why she didnt take his EAD from him?????)

She said that if she needs anything else, she will contact us in 1 or 2 months, otherwise it will be longer than 1 or 2 months if my husband is either approved or denied.

Q: From the information I have given, do you think my husband can get approved?

If he is denied, is there hope for appeal? What about her not taking his EAD?

I am worried, because I did not get good vibes from the officer. I wonder if we should get an Inforpass and take in our bank statements when they arrive, or take in any other information to try to minimize chances for denial.

Thanks to all who might offer their opinion

I don't think they take the EAD away any longer. At least in our case, August. 2008

[Jon&Lindsey 0]

I was wondering, what is VWP? Also, do you have any suggestions where I can find good preparation information for the Stokes interview?

I really don't know why. We only took our joint check book, as we don't have paper statements, and that seemed fine for our IO, and the only other evidence we had was a joint lease and letters from friends, as well as photos. We were really nervous about the evidence and also as I adjusted from the VWP, and we even researched what a Stokes interview would be. This actually made us feel better, as the questions were things that we would obviously both know (like about the house we live in) and would be easy for anyone genuinely married, so of course it would not be pleasant, but should go ok even if this happens to you.

Like the others said, VWP is a visitor visa, not K1, so a potential red flag in my case. They did take my EAD away at our interview on Thursday, but like I said, I don't think this is necessarily a bad sign for you. I agree with cdn in wa on your other thread that you have several potential red flags and the bank statements alone were probably not why you did not get immediate approval. This is the site I looked at that made me feel a bit better if we did end up having a Stokes interview - http://www.***removed***/greencard/familyba...-interview.html. It's all stuff you shouldn't have a problem knowing if you really are married, so you should pass fine if you do end up having one.