New York City AOS timeline & Interviews

[MLee 1]

Hi all just want to share interview experience

Hubby and I were scheduled for our interview (1stFeb) at 9a , 26 Federal PLaza Building in NY. We got to the main waiting area around 830 after clearing security check and what not. We waited for almost an hour until we were called. This elderly woman came to escort us through the double doors and right into her office. She swore us in and asked that she have family photos and supporting documents, so I handed her those. She asked that we sit, then said to me " I am going to now ask your husband some questions, please do not answer or attempt to unless I ask you to"..:S, so I simply said sure!

Questions to Hubby:

What is your wife's birth date?

Where was your wife born?

What are your wife's parents name?

Where do they live?

Where was your wife living when you got married?

Why are you listed single on your paystubs? ( he explained)

Do your employers know that you are married?

Who pays the rent?

How much is the rent?

There were a few more questions that I dont quite rememeber...

Questions to me:

Where does your husband work?

What is your date of birth?

She flips through the paperwork.....

Does your husband have any nieces/nephews?

she then asked me the yes/no questions.

She went through the documents, took some pictures, letters, joint account statement, photocopies of wedding cards,

When it was over she said that we do not have enough documents to prove that the marriage was bonafide! My heart sank!!!!! She asked my hubby do we have our phones on the same account, he said no and that when we met each other I was already with my own carrier and he was with another and he saw no need to have it changed because we were very content with what we had. Then she asked him, why wasnt I on his insurance and he explained as well!

Then she asked my husband again does your employers know that you are married?..he answered yes again! She asked that we get a letter from them saying that they are aware we were married, she also asked that we bring in the recent tax and w2 (2011) which we did together (thankfully) and a copy of the original lease because we have been subleasing our apt from a family member for over 2 years now. We said sure we can provide these things. She asked that we return with these documents before 3:30 in the afternoon!! So we hurried along, went to my hubbys job went to the house got the lease, go to my hubbys tax guy have the recent tax forms printed and went back to see the Mrs. we waited 45 mins before we saw her. She called our names once again, we proceeded to the window and told her that we have the documents that she requested , handed it to her, she went through them...said great , thank you! You will be hearing from us soon, you can also check your case online if you do not hear from us in 60 days please call the 1800 # . I asked her is she needed my i94 she said no, she thinks she already has a copy,she checked and then said that was fine! we said Thank you! ( I think she said you welcome) lol. and we left!!!! So far no updates, but I am thinking positively!!

Now She has more than enough docs!

[Up and Away 10]

Omg, so scary!!! My heart sank for you too when I read that she said you didn't have enough documents. Before that part of your story I was nodding along and fully expected you guys to pass with flying colors. That's so crazy that she asked about phone carriers --I don't mean to be rude but that's a very antiquated approach of modern phone usage. Why on earth would anyone change their cell phone plan if they were already happy with theirs? I'm glad she gave you a chance to collect more documents and that you were able to give them all to her. It sounds like you guys did a really good job of giving her everything she asked and I'm positive you will get approved --but still, how scary!

PS. When did you submit your application to Chicago Lockbox? We submitted our application in early December and our file hasn't been touched since they cashed our checks.

[Germamerican 0]

Wow... that sounds crazy... !!! I thought for sure you had enough to begin with. I guess we are now going to ask his boss for a letter as well stating that he is aware of our marriage.

I am sure everything will be ok ... I am sending positive thoughts your way and I know that you will be fine

[EmmillJ 1]

Wow, that was some intense questioning! And if they had asked us for a letter from his job we would be hard pressed since he works in a hospital. His co-workers obviously know but he doesn't interact with management too often. And you needed all this by 3:30 pm? Wow. I'm really happy for you, now you can relax

[Up and Away 10]

Have any of the December NY filers heard anything yet? My file hasn't been touched since they deposited our checks mid-December!

[MLee 1]

Omg, so scary!!! My heart sank for you too when I read that she said you didn't have enough documents. Before that part of your story I was nodding along and fully expected you guys to pass with flying colors. That's so crazy that she asked about phone carriers --I don't mean to be rude but that's a very antiquated approach of modern phone usage. Why on earth would anyone change their cell phone plan if they were already happy with theirs? I'm glad she gave you a chance to collect more documents and that you were able to give them all to her. It sounds like you guys did a really good job of giving her everything she asked and I'm positive you will get approved --but still, how scary!

PS. When did you submit your application to Chicago Lockbox? We submitted our application in early December and our file hasn't been touched since they cashed our checks.

Yes it was a bit scary, I guess all the running around was beneficial... because we got approved 3 days later!!! so right now I am happy extremely happy!!

My application was received by the Chicago lockbox on july 18th 2011... Biometrics were completed 3 weeks after they received the package and I got ead/ap combo 1 month later..... and in total it took 5 months and 1.5 weeks till we got our IL. :s... NY is crazy

[MLee 1]

Wow... that sounds crazy... !!! I thought for sure you had enough to begin with. I guess we are now going to ask his boss for a letter as well stating that he is aware of our marriage.

I am sure everything will be ok ... I am sending positive thoughts your way and I know that you will be fine

Thanks!!! We got approved!!!

My advice...Bring all that you possibly can even if at the end of the interview you go home with half of what you brought!! Victory loves preparation!

[EmmillJ 1]

Victory loves preparation!

Very, very true!

[saywhat 5]

Hello all,

I wasn't really active in this thread but wanted to share my timeline anyway. My process took longer than usual because of the concurrent employment based file, but overall I wasn't approved too far off from my interview day.

For future reference, contacting Senator Gillibrand and opening a SR really helped in my opinion.

[HCM2NYC 0]

I'm a Feb filler. Hope everything is going well.

[Germamerican 0]

Ok so today was our big day ... and I have to say it was a very pleasant experience. We were very well prepared from alphabetical ordered documents to 4 picture albums to being dressed business like in suit for him and slacks and button shirt for me.

We were pleasantly surprised at how little was asked from us and we actually thought it was a very nice environment (the Holtsville location was build a year and a half ago and everything is really nice and clean).

Right now we are so relieved that it is finally over (for now) so I will try to remember the questions...

my name, date of birth and where I live... asked husband the same. She asked about each others siblings and parents and where I went to school and where husband worked. Then she asked for pics and documents... I pulled out my "miniature suitcase" as hubby called it and started handing her papers... afer a few seconds she said"ok that is enough , I don't need to see more" and she was giggling. We showed her some pictures, she kept one and then she said I will recommend you for approval. She told us to wait outside while they stamp my passport Now husband and I are just relaxing at home and enjoying his day off from work as a little longer weekend

See you all in 2 years

[kcoyclay1 98]

Congratulations. I'm happy for you

[Kristal 0]

Germanamerican I also had my interview At Holtsville by today was also approved and got my passport stamped and a letter about roc. Did u get an email about card production yet? I hope to get one soon I havent gotten anything yet.

[HCM2NYC 0]

Any updates for NYC fillers?

[kcoyclay1 98]

Any updates for NYC fillers?

Wating on RFE letter re: my son's case. It was mailed Feb 11 but still haven't received it. Called and was told it could take up to 15 days which ends on Sunday. Hope to get it by Monday.