UK AOS 2009 Thread

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

Okay, you guys... I am freaking out because we still don't have the EAD or AP. Everything was moving so quickly-- we were transferred to the CSC almost immediately. However, the last time we were touched was on 9/24, the day after John's biometrics, and that touch was only on the AOS. We sent our stuff in on August 17th!! Is it too early to call and check on what's going on?

After things were moving so quickly, I agree that a call wouldn't hurt. I don't think you should be too worried, though -- for a while, I was sitting on my hands and wondering why it was taking so long. There were no touches, no email updates -- the one touch on the 15th October, and a letter came my way! I really hope that they move things along soon for you guys -- and for everyone else, too!

And teehee, Ellie and Moira -- just drive really carefully. My instructor passed me because she could see I was a decent driver but I'd picked up lots of bad habits since I'd taken my test. Speed limits and whatnot are different, especially the intersections. I happily had enough time watching Knight drive so I got used to being on the weird side of the road before I took my test.

Magpie.

[Gemmie 142]

Change your "Filing For' to approved, Magpie.

[Bob and Patricia 0]

And teehee, Ellie and Moira -- just drive really carefully. My instructor passed me because she could see I was a decent driver but I'd picked up lots of bad habits since I'd taken my test. Speed limits and whatnot are different, especially the intersections. I happily had enough time watching Knight drive so I got used to being on the weird side of the road before I took my test.

Magpie.

Pat has gotten lots of time riding and getting used to the weird side of the road. She's in no hurry to get her license although that will change when she goes to work. She hates 4-way stops and wishes we'd do round abouts here.

Bob

Obligatory AOS note... paper work filed and waiting. (We delayed.. no particular hurry)

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

And teehee, Ellie and Moira -- just drive really carefully. My instructor passed me because she could see I was a decent driver but I'd picked up lots of bad habits since I'd taken my test. Speed limits and whatnot are different, especially the intersections. I happily had enough time watching Knight drive so I got used to being on the weird side of the road before I took my test.

Magpie.

Pat has gotten lots of time riding and getting used to the weird side of the road. She's in no hurry to get her license although that will change when she goes to work. She hates 4-way stops and wishes we'd do round abouts here.

Bob

Obligatory AOS note... paper work filed and waiting. (We delayed.. no particular hurry)

Thankums for that reminder, Gemmie!

And Bob, you gave me the giggles there -- I also wanted roundabouts so very badly here instead of playing the "who's going to go?" game at intersections. We have maybe four (two being recent) roundabouts here, all in Anchorage, and the number of directional signs sitting around it is hysterical (take a look). The signs in the picture look like there's fewer than I've actually seen, but imagine the "one way" and then times that by twenty. Sadly though, up here, roundabouts when it gets icy and snowy can be treacherous, especially if someone panics while attempting to navigate one. The majority of people I know here have joined the Ditch Diver's Association ( there's no such organisation, but I've heard the phrased used!), seasoned drivers and newbies alike, when the vehicle decides it doesn't like black ice and the only way to avoid cars is to aim for a ditch. I don't know what people here would do if they saw the kind of roundabouts you get in Paris. If you think driving in busy parts of England is bad, imagine what it would be like there.

Magpie.

[Ellie-and-David 38]

And teehee, Ellie and Moira -- just drive really carefully. My instructor passed me because she could see I was a decent driver but I'd picked up lots of bad habits since I'd taken my test. Speed limits and whatnot are different, especially the intersections. I happily had enough time watching Knight drive so I got used to being on the weird side of the road before I took my test.

Magpie.

Ugh, I never drove in England because I couldn't get a handle on manual transmission, but now I am learning in an automatic (pick up truck at that!) I am really comfortable! I did some driving Sunday and had to deal with a 4 way intersection. In the end I stuck my nose out and went because the guessing game was driving me INSANE.

It's all 4 lane roads here in Tampa, really busy and scary. I figure...what better place to learn...EEEEEEEK. I miss roundabouts!

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

Ugh, I never drove in England because I couldn't get a handle on manual transmission, but now I am learning in an automatic (pick up truck at that!) I am really comfortable! I did some driving Sunday and had to deal with a 4 way intersection. In the end I stuck my nose out and went because the guessing game was driving me INSANE.

It's all 4 lane roads here in Tampa, really busy and scary. I figure...what better place to learn...EEEEEEEK. I miss roundabouts!

I actually miss driving a manual transmission, and I've been driving around in Knight's tank of a truck. I also miss my little Volkswagen Polo! Trying to parallel park in the truck feels like a mammoth task, but I'm getting better at it.

And, technically, with the four-way stops, if everyone arrives at the same time, they should let the person on the right go first...but then that turns into an endless cycle of waiting-for-the-person-on-the-right. Sticking your nose out and edging out cautiously before accelerating slowly is the best way to do it I've found, so it sounds like you're doing well .

Anchorage has a lot of one-way roads which are also four lanes wide, and it gets messy when Knight's telling me to get in the lane to the right and I end up in the wrong one, and then have to correct and upset people around me because they're filling up the other lanes. My driving examiner (sorry, not instructor) was actually quite impressed that I had gone from one road system to another, drove decently, and didn't hit anything vital (like a pedestrian).

Magpie.

[Gemmie 142]

Hey girls, it says my AOS case has been transferred to a "USCIS office"... what does that mean? It was transferred to CA a few weeks ago.

[John & Mary 1]

Well, I called, and it was the same old "we have no additional information" song and dance. At this rate, we're probably going to get the green card before the EAD! It's a good thing John didn't have his heart set on going back to the UK for Christmas...

[Ellie-and-David 38]

Hey girls, it says my AOS case has been transferred to a "USCIS office"... what does that mean? It was transferred to CA a few weeks ago.

HMMMMMM, I was under the (maybe incorrect) impression that this means that the AOS has gone back to your local office.

It might be worth calling and asking for clarification. I dont trust them danged email updates sometimes..... Or any information I have to give

Well, I called, and it was the same old "we have no additional information" song and dance. At this rate, we're probably going to get the green card before the EAD! It's a good thing John didn't have his heart set on going back to the UK for Christmas...

UGH I'm so sorry. I figured they would feed you the standard line

I hope you get some information soon.....

[JimandChristy 1,689]

Hey girls, it says my AOS case has been transferred to a "USCIS office"... what does that mean? It was transferred to CA a few weeks ago.

Gemmie I received the same email over three weeks ago, it just means the CSC has acknowledged that it has received your file, into their records and is now being processed. It doesn't mean it has been transferred to your "Local Office"

Well, I called, and it was the same old "we have no additional information" song and dance. At this rate, we're probably going to get the green card before the EAD! It's a good thing John didn't have his heart set on going back to the UK for Christmas...

Sorry to hear that, touch wood your AOS will be approved in the next few days.

[Ellie-and-David 38]

Hey girls, it says my AOS case has been transferred to a "USCIS office"... what does that mean? It was transferred to CA a few weeks ago.

Gemmie I received the same email over three weeks ago, it just means the CSC has acknowledged that it has received your file, into their records and is now being processed. It doesn't mean it has been transferred to your "Local Office"

Well, I called, and it was the same old "we have no additional information" song and dance. At this rate, we're probably going to get the green card before the EAD! It's a good thing John didn't have his heart set on going back to the UK for Christmas...

Sorry to hear that, touch wood your AOS will be approved in the next few days.

AHA Jim is right! See Gemmie, i told you not to trust what I say! ;-)

[Gemmie 142]

It's alright Ellie, I was thinking the same thing. ("Nooooo don't send it back, keep it in California!")

Well, I called, and it was the same old "we have no additional information" song and dance. At this rate, we're probably going to get the green card before the EAD! It's a good thing John didn't have his heart set on going back to the UK for Christmas...

There's still over 9 weeks until Christmas, I'm sure you'll hear something soon. It's not common lately for it to take over a month once biometrics are done but it's still not beyond processing times. Hang in there.

I'm dying to book tickets to the UK but don't want to risk it until I have the AP (or preferably green card). My family and friends keep asking me for information and there's nothing I can say other than "hopefully".

[JimandChristy 1,689]

Just received an email from the USCIS and my Green Card has been approved! :dance:

Application Type: I485 , APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS

Current Status: Card production ordered.

On October 22, 2009, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.

No more USCIS and paperwork for two whole years!!

I think it is a good time to crack open a bottle of red wine!

Edited October 22, 2009 by JimandChristy

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

Eeeeeeeeeee, congratulations! That's wonderful news go have fun!

And John and Mary, I really hope your thingy gets moving along, too. Huggums!

Magpie.

[Zoe and Hal 0]

Hi everyone, I haven't really posted on here in a long time but i've been vaguely following and see a lot of congrats are due!

Anyway, I have a bit of a problem, not really sure what to do so I thought I'd see if anyone has any ideas... We sent our AOS in April, got transferred in June and now we're still waiting... I've booked a trip to leave the US over xmas in my married name but my passport is in my maiden name. If I renew it and I don't get the old one back, does it matter I no longer have the original K1 visa as I don't have my gc? I can't see why it should but I'm worried I'm missing something... Any advice on whether to wait/change passport would be greatly appreciated. Obviously hoping the gc will arrive soon but not holding my breath.... Thanks!