AOS Approved (I-1485)

[shellyalex 0]

Thanks to EVERYONE AT VISA JOURNEY!!

My AOS was recently approved (Federal Plaza,Manhattan,New York) and so I wanted to share our experience in hopes that it could help others. Everything went very smoothly from start to finish and it was definitely a result of the good advice (of a dear friend) I found on this website.

We put together our package following the visajourney guides *to the letter*. The instructions that come with the immigration forms are very confusing and if that was all we'd had to go by then I'm sure we would have messed up. So the visajourney guides were a huge help. We did everything, even if it seemed redundant or necessary. Our package contained:

I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status: Checklist

Payment in the amount of $1,010.00

Filled out Form I-485 with the following evidence:

Copy Passport (biographic page)

Copy of Visa (biographic page)

Copy of I-94 (front and back copies)

Copy of birth certificate

Copy of marriage certificate

Copy of Notice of Action for I-130

Letter from U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirming upgrade on Form I-130

Copy of birth certificate (son)

Filled out G-325A (all 4 pages) with 2 passport style photos

I-693, Medical Examination - vaccination supplement

I-864 Affidavit of Support with the following supporting documentation:

Taxes - 2008/2007/2006 (attached are W2's and 1099's)

Copy of birth certificate

Naturalization certificate

Copy of U.S passport biographic page

We mailed the package in late July (7/28) and received our NOA on 3 August. We never got any RFEs . My biometrics appt was scheduled 9/2/09 (btw I did an early walk-in - 8/22). I did not apply of EAD nor AP as I'm not working and taking care of our 2 year old son and yes it's tough on one salary but it goes along with a lot of sacrifice.

Our interview was scheduled for November 24th (we just had it this week)! We were shocked that it all happened so quickly- just about 3 months after they received our package. And we'd checked the processing times for our local office (New York) and based on what we saw we thought we wouldn't hear anything until early next year.

For the interview we brought a copy of our original package, our passports, some wedding pictures (only a few but they included both our families and the wedding party), some nice cards that we received (addressed to both of us), a copy of our cell phone bill and my most recent paystubs. We really don't have any joint property at all ( as I'm unemployed and no one will include my name without a SSN) so I was worried that our evidence was a bit skimpy.

But the interview went really well! Our interviewer was professional but also very pleasant. He basically just asked him to verify that he still works at the same place for the past 3 years. Then he asked me for our marriage certificate, my passport and birth certificate and he also wanted to see our son's birth certificate. He asked the yes/no questions that are on the application He never asked for an additional evidence,photos, joint accounts, nothing at all. And that was it! He said that he believed us and that we are nice people and then he stamped a big red APPROVED on our package and my passport (10 year green card). He said we'll get the green card in a few weeks. He also joked and said it's not green it's gold. Thats it! It took about 15-20 minutes total and we spent most.

The best advice I can give to the next person is to follow the advice on this site and be as thorough as possible. Don't make any assumptions about what you do or don't need. I felt so silly making 2 and 3 copies of the same documents to all be put into the same envelope, but in the end it was worth it because our package was well organized and we didn't get any questions about it (as he says I saw no red flags). Take the extra time to do it right the first time. Good luck to everyone! and HAPPY THANKSGIVING

[We Got 2 0]

Shellyalex Congratulations and Happy Thanksgiving!

Our interview is next month here in Newark, NJ and our folder is ready (weights like 90 lbs)

[shellyalex 0]

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving. Once you have all your documentation you guys will be fine and be approved.

[IstanBulls 1]

Congratulations Shellyalex

Happy Thanksgiving!

[newlyweds 0]

congrats!

[edp333 9]

Congrats and thanks for sharing your experience for VJers to read.

[PrinceandPrincess 0]

Congratulations!

[RebeccaAndPhil 5]

Congrats!!!!

[marie09 5]

Congratulations and thanks for sharing!

[Mountain Climber 186]

Great news!!! Congrats :thumbs:

[philabride 0]

I have been reading problems people are facing on this website, and it is really good to read a success story like yours.

That means they are doing their jobs, and if you file correctly, it can be approved so smoothly.

Congrats!!!

[shellyalex 0]

Thanks to all of you and good luck to the rest of you on your journey I know you will be successful and yes once filed accurately and truthful there should not be any problems.

Cheers

[NatPatBen 3]

Thanks for posting your detailed experience & congratulations!