AOS March 2011 Filers

[DT22511 0]

Ugh I am sorry that is really annoying...I wasnt expecting to have anything until August either but luckily its not interfering with any trips we have! How easy is it to reschedule?

[Little_My 464]

Not easy at all. I mean, they would probably let us make a new appointment, but there are two very unfortunate and likely scenarios that would follow..

1. We would be able to re-schedule, but we would not be given a new appointment right there in the spot but would end up waiting for a new interview date for anything up to 3-5 months, which obviously we don't want

2. We would be able to re-schedule, but this information would never reach our field office, which would lead us being a no-show for our original interview appointment, which would lead to an automatic denial of our application - if we had proof that we re-scheduled the interview and were told that the original had been canceled, we could get the case re-opened, but it would be a pain in the a** and cost us a lot of time and head ache

So. We are still discussing this and figuring it out, but right now it looks like we are just gonna have to make a 2-3 day trip from Finland to NYC in July to come to the interview. Then we also have to hope that we are in fact approved and I can get a stamp on my passport so that I will actually be able to return to Finland right after the interview.

I really did not expect that there was any chance of us getting an interview in July, since I know there are a ton of NYC filers from October, November, December, January and February who have not heard anything since their EADs were issued. Now we just have to somehow make this situation work. It will cost us money no matter what - let's just hope I actually get the GC and can start making some of that money back very very soon...

[liz16 0]

Got an email this morning saying that yesterday USCIS mailed us our date for our interview to be on July 20th...Ill let you know when the letter officially arrives!

LOLZ see! when you really aren't expecting, it will come!! ^^ i'm so happy for you!!!!

Uhhh.. Same here. A letter was mailed on June 14th, notifying us of an interview on July 20th. I am extremely surprised and was not expecting an interview anytime before August.. And now I have to choose from two options - flying back to the US from Finland with my husband for that interview appointment and then flying back to to Finland immediately after, since our wedding celebration is on July 30th, or taking the risk of attempting to reschedule.

Damn USCIS. The one time I needed them to work a bit slower, they actually decide to speed things along.

and same here!!! at least it's there already, right? don't u think it's a little costly if you fly to finland, then back here, then fly back???

[liz16 0]

Not easy at all. I mean, they would probably let us make a new appointment, but there are two very unfortunate and likely scenarios that would follow..

1. We would be able to re-schedule, but we would not be given a new appointment right there in the spot but would end up waiting for a new interview date for anything up to 3-5 months, which obviously we don't want

2. We would be able to re-schedule, but this information would never reach our field office, which would lead us being a no-show for our original interview appointment, which would lead to an automatic denial of our application - if we had proof that we re-scheduled the interview and were told that the original had been canceled, we could get the case re-opened, but it would be a pain in the a** and cost us a lot of time and head ache

So. We are still discussing this and figuring it out, but right now it looks like we are just gonna have to make a 2-3 day trip from Finland to NYC in July to come to the interview. Then we also have to hope that we are in fact approved and I can get a stamp on my passport so that I will actually be able to return to Finland right after the interview.

I really did not expect that there was any chance of us getting an interview in July, since I know there are a ton of NYC filers from October, November, December, January and February who have not heard anything since their EADs were issued. Now we just have to somehow make this situation work. It will cost us money no matter what - let's just hope I actually get the GC and can start making some of that money back very very soon...

i don't want to say that it will happen, but i read somewhere about this in this forum as well...they did reschedule and received a new interview date, but their local office wasn't notified and they were just shocked to receive a denial notice.... BUT!!! they did an infopass (i believe) and explained everything (cause they have the new appointment letter) and they got to another interview (the newer one) and got approved.. but that was heck of a hassle >.>

[Little_My 464]

and same here!!! at least it's there already, right? don't u think it's a little costly if you fly to finland, then back here, then fly back???

Yes, it's very costly - but nowhere near as costly as having our application denied because we fail to appear in our interview because the field office never got the notice that we re-scheduled, and then having to go through the hassle of refiling. Also, since I will be in Finland at the time when this would happen, I would effectively be stuck there - my AP would no longer be valid, and I could not return to the U.S. if our case was denied, even if we could prove that we had re-scheduled it and it was not our fault that the information did not reach the IO at NYC field office.

So. All things considered, I still think the least stress and hassle for us is by just flying in for that damn interview. It is partly our fault for planning the wedding for July with a pending AOS, but in all honesty I really did not expect us to get an interview anytime before August, after carefully reviewing several different timelines for NYC filers. There are so many from November - February still waiting to get an appointment, that I was almost certain that we would not get one until later in the fall.. obviously, I was wrong. So now all we can do is try to make the situation work somehow. Canceling the wedding is really not an option either at this point, so.. NYC - Helsinki - NYC - Helsinki - NYC it is.

..And, as I am trying to find some kind of a silver lining in this situation, I keep thinking that they could have scheduled the interview for Friday, July 29th - our wedding is on July 30th. At least July 20th makes it possible for us to fly in to NYC and still make it back to appear in our own wedding..

Edited June 14, 2011 by Little_My

[pathway2gc 0]

Yes, it's very costly - but nowhere near as costly as having our application denied because we fail to appear in our interview because the field office never got the notice that we re-scheduled, and then having to go through the hassle of refiling. Also, since I will be in Finland at the time when this would happen, I would effectively be stuck there - my AP would no longer be valid, and I could not return to the U.S. if our case was denied, even if we could prove that we had re-scheduled it and it was not our fault that the information did not reach the IO at NYC field office.

So. All things considered, I still think the least stress and hassle for us is by just flying in for that damn interview. It is partly our fault for planning the wedding for July with a pending AOS, but in all honesty I really did not expect us to get an interview anytime before August, after carefully reviewing several different timelines for NYC filers. There are so many from November - February still waiting to get an appointment, that I was almost certain that we would not get one until later in the fall.. obviously, I was wrong. So now all we can do is try to make the situation work somehow. Canceling the wedding is really not an option either at this point, so.. NYC - Helsinki - NYC - Helsinki - NYC it is.

..And, as I am trying to find some kind of a silver lining in this situation, I keep thinking that they could have scheduled the interview for Friday, July 29th - our wedding is on July 30th. At least July 20th makes it possible for us to fly in to NYC and still make it back to appear in our own wedding..

I'll do the same thing if I was in your situation

[Little_My 464]

Yeah. Making the best out of a shitty situation. But, in the end, I am happy our case is moving along. Now I am just reeeeeally hoping that we get approved and that they give me the I-551 stamp. I was looking at recent reviews of the NYC field office, and it looks like they are giving out stamps for petitioners who are approved at the spot.. so, fingers crossed.

[BenjaminUKtoUSA 7]

I love that I'm looking down all of your posts and can see under each post you're all due for an interview next month.

This is so exciting for all of us, I honestly hope that each and every one of us make it through this. To be with the ones we love.

Good luck to all, mine is a week before most of yours (July 13th)

[bogart 3]

GREEN CARD ARRIVED TODAY!!! Security features of the card looks awesome..

[pathway2gc 0]

GREEN CARD ARRIVED TODAY!!! Security features of the card looks awesome..

Congrats again friend! Our interview is tomorrow pls pray for us. Everybody's saying we should be good cuz we've together for so long.

[bogart 3]

Congrats again friend! Our interview is tomorrow pls pray for us. Everybody's saying we should be good cuz we've together for so long.

Thanks friend! Im so happy!

Just bring lots of photos of you together and with friends, that really helps. Good luck on your interview, youll be alright.. Be confident!

[dsjmcr 2]

Good luck tomorrow! And after the celebrations please dont forget to let us know how it went.

[liz16 0]

OMG!!!!

So we did arrive at the USCIS office at like 45 minutes earlier than our appointment time

It wasn't busy...we're the only ones at the security gate LOL Then we went in the Interview

Waiting lobby area...

There were several people waiting, including their lawyers

Then for 15-20 minutes, i was literally shaking and my hands were clammy because.. I don't know,

I guess it was pretty natural to be like that XD Good thing my hubby was there, held my hand teased me

that why am i feeling nervous LOLOL

Then after 20 minutes, I heard my last name but the first name was kinna unclear, so i thought

it was some other person xD then no one went near then the officer repeated the name and it was mine

So my hubby and I went in, the officer was friendly, but he looked strict. But he greeted us by the door,

like "how are you guys?" then he went into his mini office, then swore us in... then I began to feel

like "ZOMG THIS IS IT...BETTER LOOK PRO AND NEAT AND FRIENDLY..." (FYI...i did not sleep at all!! until now!

so i was like 30 hours awake!!!!!!)

so he asked for my passport, my hubby's naturalization cert., his original copy of divorce paper (since he was

married..once) then, my hubby was like.. "I think that's the only copy I have.." then the IO said it wasn't the original

BUT it's okay..it doesn't matter... and i was like steady the whole time xD but then he later realized it was the original -_____-""

then asked me yes or no q's written in the I485 about this if i were arrested, etc. then let me sign a paper that was

attached there >.>

then...he got my I94...

then he asked if i have my social sec. then i said, yes and pulled out my ss card from my envelope (i was proud of this

one cause i labeled the envelope per category LOL)

then he asked if there are any more proof that we are together or live together..

then i very proudly pulled out like a bunch of papers LOLOLOL like our

bank statements, phone bill, then i didn't know i also handed him our honeymoon

destination getaway tickets..which was in Orlando, FL..

then he flipped it and said, "OH YOU GUYS WENT TO ORLANDO?!!?"

then i was like "YES WE WENT THERE FOR HONEYMOON!!"

then the chitchat began lol then he was like "ok, so your gc will get to you in 4 weeks, etc etc..." then he asked if i have more questions... then i asked for my name to be changed and he said, it might cause some delays..and i said it's ok..(rather than spending $300+ just to change my name ) so yeah he did change, and everything's all set!

we even bought 2 photo albums, and a fat envelope full of our wedding cards and checks from our guests he didn't ask for any! the paper bag even got ripped off cause they're heavy! but it was all worth it!

then this PM i received a txt message to check my status online... then when we got home JUST NOW i checked my email

and the new card is in production!!!!

it was so light we were in and out for about 5-10mins. im not kiddng!!!! im so happy!!! we're proud too cause we did it with no help from lawyer! it just proves that we can do it ourselves!!! i'm really glad!!!! <3

Edited June 15, 2011 by liz16

[Larry86 2]

OMG!!!!

So we did arrive at the USCIS office at like 45 minutes earlier than our appointment time

It wasn't busy...we're the only ones at the security gate LOL Then we went in the Interview

Waiting lobby area...

There were several people waiting, including their lawyers

Then for 15-20 minutes, i was literally shaking and my hands were clammy because.. I don't know,

I guess it was pretty natural to be like that XD Good thing my hubby was there, held my hand teased me

that why am i feeling nervous LOLOL

Then after 20 minutes, I heard my last name but the first name was kinna unclear, so i thought

it was some other person xD then no one went near then the officer repeated the name and it was mine

So my hubby and I went in, the officer was friendly, but he looked strict. But he greeted us by the door,

like "how are you guys?" then he went into his mini office, then swore us in... then I began to feel

like "ZOMG THIS IS IT...BETTER LOOK PRO AND NEAT AND FRIENDLY..." (FYI...i did not sleep at all!! until now!

so i was like 30 hours awake!!!!!!)

so he asked for my passport, my hubby's naturalization cert., his original copy of divorce paper (since he was

married..once) then, my hubby was like.. "I think that's the only copy I have.." then the IO said it wasn't the original

BUT it's okay..it doesn't matter... and i was like steady the whole time xD but then he later realized it was the original -_____-""

then asked me yes or no q's written in the I485 about this if i were arrested, etc. then let me sign a paper that was

attached there >.>

then...he got my I94...

then he asked if i have my social sec. then i said, yes and pulled out my ss card from my envelope (i was proud of this

one cause i labeled the envelope per category LOL)

then he asked if there are any more proof that we are together or live together..

then i very proudly pulled out like a bunch of papers LOLOLOL like our

bank statements, phone bill, then i didn't know i also handed him our honeymoon

destination getaway tickets..which was in Orlando, FL..

then he flipped it and said, "OH YOU GUYS WENT TO ORLANDO?!!?"

then i was like "YES WE WENT THERE FOR HONEYMOON!!"

then the chitchat began lol then he was like "ok, so your gc will get to you in 4 weeks, etc etc..." then he asked if i have more questions... then i asked for my name to be changed and he said, it might cause some delays..and i said it's ok..(rather than spending $300+ just to change my name ) so yeah he did change, and everything's all set!

we even bought 2 photo albums, and a fat envelope full of our wedding cards and checks from our guests he didn't ask for any! the paper bag even got ripped off cause they're heavy! but it was all worth it!

then this PM i received a txt message to check my status online... then when we got home JUST NOW i checked my email

and the new card is in production!!!!

it was so light we were in and out for about 5-10mins. im not kiddng!!!! im so happy!!! we're proud too cause we did it with no help from lawyer! it just proves that we can do it ourselves!!! i'm really glad!!!! <3

Congradulations!!!!!!!

[liz16 0]

Congradulations!!!!!!!

thank you!! i feel like floating xD no sleep + happiness LOL

good luck to all who will have their interview!! you know you hold nothing

but the truth so don't be afraid!