AOS Filers October 2009

[Stinkerpotsam 6]

Hi Everyone, thank you for all the prayers.... My husband and I had our interview this morning. The interview went very well. The officer was very pleasant and friendly. She only asked my husband (the beneficiary) of pg 3 of I-485 and asked when did we get marry, who attended the wedding and how we met. The interview was lasted only about 10 minutes. She said she approved my husband's application and took away his EAD and AP.. and the INS will mail the Green card within 90 days. She gave us 2 papers: approval notice and notice to conditional...

She went over how to remove the conditional residence in 2 years....

It was not as bad as i thought it will be...

YAY... no more INS for 2 years (I hope)... for everyone thats gonna go for interview next week or this month... good luck and you guys will do just fine....

thanks to all my friends in VJ

First Congrats!!!

But second WAIT!! Do they take your EAD and AP if they approve you right then??? What do you use to work and how do you travel?? We've got plans to go to Ireland for a family gathering in May and they wouldn't have the card to us by them (our interview is the 14th). Guess we'll need to discuss this with them at the time.

[RebeccaAndPhil 5]

CONGRATS richelmichael!!

[Greg001 0]

First Congrats!!!

But second WAIT!! Do they take your EAD and AP if they approve you right then??? What do you use to work and how do you travel?? We've got plans to go to Ireland for a family gathering in May and they wouldn't have the card to us by them (our interview is the 14th). Guess we'll need to discuss this with them at the time.

Hi Stinkerpotsam, I believe you can ask for an I-551 stamp in your passport. That should work for reentry into US and employment authorization.

[ranchomesa 0]

First Congrats!!!

But second WAIT!! Do they take your EAD and AP if they approve you right then??? What do you use to work and how do you travel?? We've got plans to go to Ireland for a family gathering in May and they wouldn't have the card to us by them (our interview is the 14th). Guess we'll need to discuss this with them at the time.

Hi Stinkerpotsam, yes the officer took my husband EAD and AP. She didnt stamp his passport, but she gave 2 papers which stated his I-485 has been approved and the other paper it stated it is a conditional permanent resident which needs to be removed in 2 years. We asked about what to use for work and travel. She told us, the approval can be used as work permit, but she suggested to not leave the country until he gets the actual green card in the mail. It should arrive approximately 90 days, cuz we were planning to leave out of the country in Feb, but I guess we are going to wait until he gets the actual card, dont want to jeopardize anything...

hope this helps...

[RichelRichel 1]

Thank you RebeccaAndPhil, Greg01, and to everyone out here, this thread was really a big help for me. Now I can relax for a year and 9months until the next filing again but it's just how it is eh?

For those who are still waiting, hang in there. Keep the faith alive though it's really hard sometimes. God bless us all.

[monicaolivo 0]

Good luck to anyone go has interviews this week.

[savaleta 0]

Hi everyone. we received two texts last night that my husbands gc and ead card had been ordered!!! We are so excited. Why bother sending the updated EAD card now right? Oh well. I am so thankful for Visa Journey. I don't know how I would've survived the past 18 months!!

[RebeccaAndPhil 5]

Hi everyone. we received two texts last night that my husbands gc and ead card had been ordered!!! We are so excited. Why bother sending the updated EAD card now right? Oh well. I am so thankful for Visa Journey. I don't know how I would've survived the past 18 months!!

Congrats, that's great!!

[savaleta 0]

Congrats, that's great!!

Thanks for your support!!

[Djohn 0]

Hi everybody, sorry if i haven't been on here for a while. Too busy at work. I wanna congrats everybody who got approved on their case and who received their GC!

Btw, our interview is on Jan 13th, which is next week.. We are getting our stuff all together. Hope everything goes well! I know all of you will keep my hopes up.

Edited January 7, 2010 by Djohn

[hakuna_matata2 0]

Hello everyone, Im sorry havent signed in for a while and for a few days now I havent been able to sign in I couldnt recall my password. And the VJ's password system doesnt seem to be working so I decided to create a new username. Hakuna matata 2 is in the house... so" more no worries " Ps. That's what it means.. Hakuna matata.. no worries commonly used Swahili phrase and a theme song in the lion king

Firstly I would like to congratulate everyone who got their approvals and for the well wishing. I hope Greg001's Iv went well today. Mine went fine, I had all our papers put together and a scrap book with some photos and apart from my I-94 and passport I didnt provide any new documents, I didnt get to show my birth certificate either . Everything is officer dependent, the important thing was I got my GC approved and already my status online has been updated :dance:

On January 7, 2010, 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 xxxxxxxxx

Our IV experience:

We reached at the offices 9:15 am, 15 minutes early at the Columbus OH DO, processed and we waited to be called in. 15 minutes past our IV apt I noticed that the Security officer hadn't taken our IV notification letter. We assumed she scanned it (my USC SP had his citizen letter scanned so assumed thats what they always do) when we showed her the first time but I later saw there was a box where she was supposed to place the interview letters and it was clearly marked. So I went over and handed it again to the security officer and waited to be called in. Our Immigration officer was a very nice young lady and she had seen us sitting waiting in the lobby a couple of times when she was passing. I tried to keep myself preoccupied by reading my book.. the waiting was nerve wrecking. My USC spouse was called in first and was grilled for info for approx 30 minutes. Then I was called into the room which had a video camera, sworn in and provided my passport where she took my I-94 out. My SP was told to stay in the room but given a different chair out of the view of the camera.I was asked to verify the answers in the forms then asked an array of questions. How did we met? where was I living at that time? When did he visit me? Who is still in school? Did we have a religious marriage ceremony..I butchered this question was supposed to say Yes, I said No then had to correct it by explaining it was a religious one had a Sheikh/Imam over xyz. How many laptops, cars do we own? Whats his work schedule like. Within 10 minutes we were asked if we had any documents or photos we wanted to add to the file which we declined. Then she told us we were approved she gave me back the IV letter to keep in my records and to expect an Approval letter within a few days and will receive a conditional GC within a month.

So when we got to the car my SP told me his side of the story... He was sworn in told that he will be interviewed first then I will be interviewed later and if any discrepancies become apparent we will discuss them together... there is nothing to worry about.. Scary scenario . He verified his information on the forms then was asked how we met, when, and he decided to go into detail to tell her more about his trip he took to visit me. Was asked about his family in detail, my family where do they live, how many siblings, etc? Has he met any of my relatives where and when. Asked about his work, Insurance policy, etc. The interesting point is he wasnt expecting this he thought I would get all the grilling .Apart from that he was asked some random questions like when was the last time we had a formal dinner, number of cars & laptops we possess etc.

All I can say is it was a pleasant experience and be ready to be asked any question and as it's a the real deal there is nothing to worry about.

Wish you all the best with your upcoming IV's!! :dance:

Edited January 8, 2010 by hakuna_matata2

[RebeccaAndPhil 5]

Hello everyone, Im sorry havent signed in for a while and for a few days now I havent been able to sign in I couldnt recall my password. And the VJ's password system doesnt seem to be working so I decided to create a new username. Hakuna matata 2 is in the house... so" more no worries " Ps. That's what it means.. Hakuna matata.. no worries commonly used Swahili phrase and a theme song in the lion king

Firstly I would like to congratulate everyone who got their approvals and for the well wishing. I hope Greg001's Iv went well today. Mine went fine, I had all our papers put together and a scrap book with some photos and apart from my I-94 and passport I didnt provide any new documents, I didnt get to show my birth certificate either . Everything is officer dependent, the important thing was I got my GC approved and already my status online has been updated :dance:

Our IV experience:

We reached at the offices 9:15 am, 15 minutes early at the Columbus OH DO, processed and we waited to be called in. 15 minutes past our IV apt I noticed that the Security officer hadn't taken our IV notification letter. We assumed she scanned it (my USC SP had his citizen letter scanned so assumed thats what they always do) when we showed her the first time but I later saw there was a box where she was supposed to place the interview letters and it was clearly marked. So I went over and handed it again to the security officer and waited to be called in. Our Immigration officer was a very nice young lady and she had seen us sitting waiting in the lobby a couple of times when she was passing. I tried to keep myself preoccupied by reading my book.. the waiting was nerve wrecking. My USC spouse was called in first and was grilled for info for approx 30 minutes. Then I was called into the room which had a video camera, sworn in and provided my passport where she took my I-94 out. My SP was told to stay in the room but given a different chair out of the view of the camera.I was asked to verify the answers in the forms then asked an array of questions. How did we met? where was I living at that time? When did he visit me? Who is still in school? Did we have a religious marriage ceremony..I butchered this question was supposed to say Yes, I said No then had to correct it by explaining it was a religious one had a Sheikh/Imam over xyz. How many laptops, cars do we own? Whats his work schedule like. Within 10 minutes we were asked if we had any documents or photos we wanted to add to the file which we declined. Then she told us we were approved she gave me back the IV letter to keep in my records and to expect an Approval letter within a few days and will receive a conditional GC within a month.

So when we got to the car my SP told me his side of the story... He was sworn in told that he will be interviewed first then I will be interviewed later and if any discrepancies become apparent we will discuss them together... there is nothing to worry about.. Scary scenario . He verified his information on the forms then was asked how we met, when, and he decided to go into detail to tell her more about his trip he took to visit me. Was asked about his family in detail, my family where do they live, how many siblings, etc? Has he met any of my relatives where and when. Asked about his work, Insurance policy, etc. The interesting point is he wasnt expecting this he thought I would get all the grilling .Apart from that he was asked some random questions like when was the last time we had a formal dinner, number of cars & laptops we possess etc.

All I can say is it was a pleasant experience and be ready to be asked any question and as it's a the real deal there is nothing to worry about.

Wish you all the best with your upcoming IV's!! :dance:

Wow they really grilled you guys!! It's so crazy how each interview experience is SO different!!! Anyway, CONGRATS on the approval! :thumbs:

[hakuna_matata2 0]

Wow they really grilled you guys!! It's so crazy how each interview experience is SO different!!! Anyway, CONGRATS on the approval! :thumbs:

They sure did!! They were doing there job and when I reflect back... got a new tale to share and laugh about Thanks rebecca.

There was something else I wanted to share regarding SSN and DL once you got your EAD. I know each state has different rules. I applied for my SSN first right after I got my EAD. Then I went to Main DMV bureau in columbus waited in line the officer there only wanted to give me a 1yr DL based on my EAD.. I tried to reason with her and tell her I have applied for PR and showed her my notice but said" no maam you pay $25 now and later once you get your GC apply again or wait for a year". So I politely declined to renew my license and told her I will wait for my DL I want driving anyway since it expired and when you look at the expenses it wasnt worth it .... that means I will be paying a total $50 in the long run and OHIO has implemented a new state law that if you havent renewed your license within 1month you get to pay a $20 fine.... that would be a total of $70 in the long run. And the hassle of waiting inline for approx another 20-30 minutes to have it renewed again. Instead my husband suggested us to go to a locally owned DMV, and give them a try. I went with the same documents as well as the same letter of SSN application and my expired DL. The lady there called Main DMV office spoke with a knowledgeable operator read my documents to her with the dates etc. And was told by the operator that I was eligible for a 4yr DL. And with taxes I paid 47 dollars instead.

I just wanted to share this as it may save anyone the hassle of getting a 1yr DL instead of 4. Time is money

Edited January 8, 2010 by hakuna_matata2

[laurelmike 0]

Congrats Hakuna Matata. Nice to know that your interview went well

Now, we await Greg's review......

[hakuna_matata2 0]

Wow they really grilled you guys!! It's so crazy how each interview experience is SO different!!! Anyway, CONGRATS on the approval! :thumbs:

They sure did!! They were doing there job and when I reflect back... got a new tale to share and laugh about Thanks rebecca.

There was something else I wanted to share regarding applying for your SSN and DL once you get your EAD. I know each state has different rules and criterias may differ but I see no harm if you give this approach try to get you a 4yr DL than a 1yr one and the hassle of renewing it. Time is money:thumbs: .

I applied for my SSN first right after I got my EAD. Then I went to Main DMV bureau in Columbus waited in line the officer there only wanted to give me a 1yr DL based on my EAD.. I tried to reason with her and tell her I have applied for PR and showed her my notice but said" no maam you pay $25 now and later once you get your GC you can apply again or wait for a year". So, I politely declined to renew my license and told her that I will wait for my GC. In reality I havent been driving since my DL expired and when you look at the expenses it wasnt worth it .... that means I will be paying a total $50 in the long run in OHIO a new state law was implemented that if you havent renewed your license within 1month of it's expire date you get to pay a $20 fine.... that would be a total of $70 in the long run. Aded with the hassle of waiting inline for approx another 20-30 minutes to have it renewed again. A big NO NO. Instead my husband suggested that I should go to a locally owned DMV, and give them a try. I went with the same documents as well as the same letter of SSN application and my expired DL. The lady there called Main DMV office spoke with a knowledgeable operator read my documents to her with the dates including the EAD etc. And was told by the operator that I was eligible for a 4yr DL. And with taxes I paid 47 dollars instead.

Thanks Laurelmike, I hope Greg's went well too.