Our USCIS experience ~happy ending

babi · July 14, 2006

Since I haven't written much on this forum, but I've read it very often and found it extremely helpful, I would like to share with you our USCIS experience as well.

Our story, short: we were married 3 and a half years ago, filed in 485 back in dec 2002 and havent heard from them till January this year when I heard that we were denied based on no show to our interview last year in July! WHAAT?? My phone almost dropped when I heard that. We had to move in 2004 and even though I called and submitted the change of address form, they have not updated their file. Even though my EAD came on the new address, for some reason the interview letter was sent to the old address or thats what they are claiming. For whoever has to move, be aware and make sure they have updated their data base for each case pending. I called and wrote to NBC many times and got the same answer file is pending, even after I was presumly denied!!! We went for an info pass appointment a week before the scheduled interview (that we did not know about), and the officer told us to be patient because our file is still pending in missouri, he didnt mention anything about being scheduled for an interview. So my advise is, dont believe that you are getting the right answer from the info pass, phone or website. My receipt notice shows the file still pending on their website even today.

Anyway we reapplied in March this year the whole nine yards again, and fortunatelly had our interview yesterday which was approved!!! Since we were married for almost 4 years they gave me permanent residency, thank god we dont have to go through this nightmare again, although now it is much faster and better than before.

We were scheduled for 9:30 am, but called in only at about 11 am. The officer was very nice and polite and after he swore us in, he asked for the tax return for 2005 and why we didnt show up last year, we ofcourse gave him the answers why and he seemed to understand. He asked for evidence of our marriage, so we gave him our leases (past 5 years), joint account, life insurance, 401k, health insurance with us being each others beneficiary and also pictures from our wedding and in general he kept 3 from each album. He asked my hubby how he met me and when did he decide to ask me to marry him, and me the address, and the 'no' questions. It must have lasted about 10 mins and we were done and passport stamped! Hoooray!

So dont be nervous, be prepared, have copies of everything you have together and smile you will get it!!

Thanks for all your wonderful inputs and I apologize for the long post. Good luck to you all!