Our Atlanta Interview

[Indo_mommy 0]

Our interview was scheduled for 8.30 in the morning and we got there around 7.30 AM and were told to wait outside until 8. We went back inside and went up to 5th floor at exactly 8 AM and we waited. Around 8.15 my name was called (well the lady called someone else's name at first but when that person didn't show up, she called my name instead). My husband and I went inside to last booth on the left side and she introduced her self. Officer Martin...she was nice and sworn us then copy our IDs. She asked me my parents name, my birth date, the questions from I-485 that I answered all No. Asked if I'm working now and I said no, also she asked my husband the names and birth dates of his two sons from first marriage. She took my I-94 out from my passport and she also wrote on my I-485 that we're expecting and wrote the expected due date there. She asked to see proof our us living together so I handed her the phone bills, letter from my husband's employer regarding our health insurance coverage, bank statements, etc with both our names in it. She even asked if I have a letter from my OB/GYN. Oh btw, she never ask to see the 2005 tax returns or the new affidavit of support.

She keeps all of that and asked if we have the Medical Examination Supplement (Form I-693A) and I told her no because I already handed all of that documents when I first entered the States in that brown sealed envelope and since we filed within one year since that medical exam I do not need a new medical exam in the States. She just nodded and said she understand that and even showed me the medical forms my doctor in Indonesia filled out (DS-3025 the Vaccination Documentation Worksheet) and said that form was issued by the U.S Department of State and they need a civil surgeon here to fill a new one out for me. Not a whole medical exam she said just the Vaccination supplement. I guess she's talking about the Form I-693A which I never get since I have the vaccination record from my medical exam and I though that should be enough. She gave us until November 30th to send that back also she printed out a letter that said "This office is unable to complete the processing of your application/petition without further information from you. Please read this form carefully and comply with all of the instructions below. Please submit all required documents to the address appearing on the notice...." She check the box that says Medical Examination Supplement (Form I-693A) so I guess this is our RFE? She gave me an envelope with their Atlanta's office address and said that the civil surgeon will give me a sealed envelope which I should not open and mail it to them.

I was devastated and felt so upset because I had heard from people who had gone thru their interview and also from Indonesia that all the need is the copy of my vaccination record which I already have and I didn't get any RFE after we submitted our AOS. But my husband tried to assured me that it's gonna be okay and that she even said we should get our green card soon after that. "I had already gone thru these paperwork before you guys came in so I already know you pretty much have everything we wanted except for the vaccination supplement and I already decided who to be hard to!" She was actually really nice and even said she went to high school in Dothan but because of that whole vaccination thing I just became so upset and pretty much speechless.

Does any of you had to go thru the same thing? Would you mind sharing your experience? How long does it normally take for them to approve you after you mailed that form in?

Thank you guys now I need to go lay down since I have a badly swollen ankles.

Maureen

[Kez/JWolf 6]

So sorry you are upset over your interview.... try to get the I-693a as soon as you can, I am sure you will get good news soon after that....

Sounds like your interview officer was friendly...

Kezzie

[*Robert* 2]

Awww Maureen, so sorry to hear about your problems with the I-693A. I know many people who got their GC w/o submitting an I-693A with their AOS application, and only sent in their DS-3025. That's why I went ahead and got an I-693A and sent it in with Chutima's AOS package.

I hope you can get everything resolved quickly. We were able to get an I-693A for free, by taking her DS-3025 to a civil surgeon and having them transcribe it. I have heard others having to pay anywhere from $10 up to get it done. Just depends on who you go see.

[rebeccajo 14]

Maureen, *big hug*, what a pain that is!

Sounds to me though like it should be simple to solve. Like Robert said, you just need to see a civil surgeon here in the states and have them fill out the I-693A. Did she give you a copy of your DS-3025?

Like Kezzie says, you had a nice interviewer. I'm sure once you send the I-693A in, you'll have your greencard in no time.

[Indo_mommy 0]

So sorry you are upset over your interview.... try to get the I-693a as soon as you can, I am sure you will get good news soon after that....

Sounds like your interview officer was friendly...

Kezzie

Thank you Kezzie, what's upseting is to get this far and so close...but my husband was right when he said this is the only glitch we had so far these journey and we should be okay.

Take care!

Awww Maureen, so sorry to hear about your problems with the I-693A. I know many people who got their GC w/o submitting an I-693A with their AOS application, and only sent in their DS-3025. That's why I went ahead and got an I-693A and sent it in with Chutima's AOS package.

I hope you can get everything resolved quickly. We were able to get an I-693A for free, by taking her DS-3025 to a civil surgeon and having them transcribe it. I have heard others having to pay anywhere from $10 up to get it done. Just depends on who you go see.

That's good to hear that you could get Chutima's I-693A for free Robert and I sure do hope your journey will be go fast and smoothly. One thing we learn is it is better to be overly prepared lol.

Unfortunately the closest Civil Surgeon we have here is about 35 minutes away in another town and James had called them today. They said they normally charge $250 for that with another medical exam. He explained that based on the information given by the USCIS officer, we do not need another medical exam just to have them transfer the vaccination record I have. The person who answered the call said she need to talk to the doctor first and call us back tomorrow. I don't have the copy of my DS-3025 but I do have a form from the hospital where I had my medical with the list of all the vaccinations they gave me then so I guess I'll just have to take this with me.

Thank you Robert!

[rebelheart 0]

so sorry to hear that .. after interview RFE maureen.... but if you could send in back asap your RFE reply won't make any delay for your GC to come.

I took the chance as well of doing the DS-3025 form, many people advices, i read says you don't need to. But when i did go for it, the only vaccine they need me to get is the TDshot and it didn't cost me any. But the transfer of the DS-3025 "plus" TDshot vaccine certification letter that i got the shot from our insurance clinic .... the registered surgeon of USCIS only asked me for $20 fee.

So glad to know ... there's nice officer in Atlanta, me & my son are waiting for our interview schedule letter notice for now. Hopefully we already completely comply with every documents after that RFE by email.

Gudluck for your soonest GC arrival , atleast .... you finished everything and you know what you missed than guessing like we did when we received the RFE notice in email.

Edited September 1, 2006 by rebelheart

[pipitastro 0]

Sorry to hear that...I hope everything will go well.... that just reminded me to get my second set of vaccinations done, just in case... good luck though....

[Indo_mommy 0]

Maureen, *big hug*, what a pain that is!

Sounds to me though like it should be simple to solve. Like Robert said, you just need to see a civil surgeon here in the states and have them fill out the I-693A. Did she give you a copy of your DS-3025?

Like Kezzie says, you had a nice interviewer. I'm sure once you send the I-693A in, you'll have your greencard in no time.

Thank you Rebecca!

No, she didn't give me a copy of my DS-3025. Now that I think of it more clearly I should've done that but hopefully the civil surgeon here will just copy what's in my vaccination record and copy it to the I-693A since I don't think I could take any more vaccination while being pregnant.

[sjoefl01 1]

This would all be a lot easier if the USCIS would make their requirements clear. Many people pass with the DS 3025. Others have to get the 693A. There seems to be no pattern to it.

This is a simple RFE. It should clear quickly when you send them the form. It is a shame that they didn't RFE you by mail like most people. I know this must be aggrivating just when you thought this was all over with.

[ChanelKitten 0]

All the best of luck in getting this resolved quickly!!

[shakysgirl 1]

I am so sorry to hear about your problem at the interview and hope it is resolved quickly- I think the interview must be stressful enough without hearing something like that! At least your officer was nice to you- I've heard people on here have real jerks which probably make it all the worse. Good luck!

[rebeccajo 14]

Maureen, if you have your vaccine records, you should be able to figure out if you need more vaccines.

Go to your consulate website. Many have a list of required vaccinations. The requirments are age specific. They are usually in a chart format.

Have a look and then come back and tell us if you think you need more vaccines....I'm curious about that.

[Kez/JWolf 6]

This would all be a lot easier if the USCIS would make their requirements clear. Many people pass with the DS 3025. Others have to get the 693A. There seems to be no pattern to it.

This is a simple RFE. It should clear quickly when you send them the form. It is a shame that they didn't RFE you by mail like most people. I know this must be aggrivating just when you thought this was all over with.

USCIS has made it clear.... if you read the instructions on the I-486 it tells you you need to have a vaccination suppliment done (I-693a) some people have taken the chance and sent the vaccination record and not bothered with the I-693a and it has worked for them... but what is the point of not following the instructions and then having to get it done after interview.... I know if I was one of the people who had only sent a copy of the vaccination record I would now be getting the I-693a done so I could have it at the interview and that way avoid a post-interview RFE....

I hope the OP can get the form quickly and get her approval within a few weeks....

Kezzie

[Garfield fan 0]

This would all be a lot easier if the USCIS would make their requirements clear. Many people pass with the DS 3025. Others have to get the 693A. There seems to be no pattern to it.

This is a simple RFE. It should clear quickly when you send them the form. It is a shame that they didn't RFE you by mail like most people. I know this must be aggrivating just when you thought this was all over with.

USCIS has made it clear.... if you read the instructions on the I-486 it tells you you need to have a vaccination suppliment done (I-693a) some people have taken the chance and sent the vaccination record and not bothered with the I-693a and it has worked for them... but what is the point of not following the instructions and then having to get it done after interview.... I know if I was one of the people who had only sent a copy of the vaccination record I would now be getting the I-693a done so I could have it at the interview and that way avoid a post-interview RFE....

I hope the OP can get the form quickly and get her approval within a few weeks....

Kezzie

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/files/i-485.pdf

Actually the I-485 form itself said that you only need to send the vaccination supplement as long as you had the medical exam within 1 year from the day of submission (you can scroll down to page 4 and read it there under Fiancee). It's just apparently some DOs still think that you need another I-693 while some don't.

[rebeccajo 14]

Actually the I-485 form itself said that you only need to send the vaccination supplement as long as you had the medical exam within 1 year from the day of submission (you can scroll down to page 4 and read it there under Fiancee). It's just apparently some DOs still think that you need another I-693 while some don't.

Hmmm. I don't think there's any confusion about new medicals. I think the inconsistency comes in with the supplement.