2 Year Conditional GC v.s. 10 Year GC

[EmmillJ 1]

Hello all!

I did a search for the answer to this question and didn't find one, so decided to post one myself. It took my DH and I almost 2 years (23 months to be exact) to get the docs together for our AOS application. This was because we had trouble locating the original passport with the visa that my parents brought me in on (this is a 25yr old document, mind you) and we were told that this is the first step, proving that I came here legally. He also did not want to file taxes until I had a SSN and we could file jointly, impossible I know but he can be very stubborn. Also one accountant suggested that he file as single, but I refused because I felt that it would have a negative impact on our AOS when we finally did file. I was able to get an ITIN and we used that to file jointly and to open a joint account. Anyway, between those two issues and getting the money together we were finally able to file this May. The lawyer suggested that we wait the remaining month so that we wouldn't have to go through a ROC process and so we did. Anyway, it's now been a month and we haven't heard anything from them yet.

Long story short: Does it usually take longer to process an AOS application if the recipient of the gc will be getting a 10yr vs a 2 yr gc?

I can see why this would happen, but I would also like to check that I'm not being paranoid.

Thank you in advance for your answers!

[velnoure 2]

When filing for a 10-year GC you will also need the I-130 along with I-485. That's what we did, but the time it took us to receive a NOA1 was the same as everyone else (about a week after receiving the packet).

Our stories are sort of the same... We knew each other at a very young age (I was 7, she's 8) and became good friends at first.

Good luck with your application

[EmmillJ 1]

When filing for a 10-year GC you will also need the I-130 along with I-485. That's what we did, but the time it took us to receive a NOA1 was the same as everyone else (about a week after receiving the packet).

Our stories are sort of the same... We knew each other at a very young age (I was 7, she's 8) and became good friends at first.

Good luck with your application

We filed those forms and sent in all of the accompanying documents, bringing the total cost of fees (including the lawyer's fee) to $3500

Thank you and good luck to you as well!

[velnoure 2]

Yeah our filing fees were high up there too.

Odd, I'm not sure what my lawyer did to our packet, but knowing him, he probably made a cover letter to help our case, since our case is quite unusual according to him. What probably helped us the most is our last three joint tax returns, which are co-signed by me and my spouse. You should talk to your lawyer and ask him/her how the packet was prepared and what kind of extra touches were done to help your case

[Otto 83]

Long story short: Does it usually take longer to process an AOS application if the recipient of the gc will be getting a 10yr vs a 2 yr gc?

Is it safe to assume you're adjusting status based in a K-Visa (K-1/K-3)? If so, then in some respects the processing might take 'longer' than it might have - additional processing of the I-130 and the likelihood of an interview (for example).

[EmmillJ 1]

He wrote a cover letter and we included 3 years of tax returns, 2 of them joint. Other documents that we included were birth certificates, the marriage certificate, his employment letter, pay stubs, my original visa in my mother's 25+ yr old passport, etc. Our application was definitely complete, that's part of the reason why I had so many lawyers look it over, just to be sure.

I don't believe that I'm adjusting from K-status because I was already here. I was brought as an infant when my parents came to study, but that's another, and longer story.

And I think you're right, Otto. It just seemed weird that so many people that had sent their applications in after us and were already getting fingerprinted. I spoke the the lawyer and he said that he hasn't received anything yet either but will call to follow up if we still don't hear anything by Friday.

Guess I should just be patient now...

[Dulcinea 1]

I don't think that processing a 10 year GD is taking longer than a 2 year. Look at my timeline. Yes, i already got a response, but it sure did take longer than i expected. At the same time there are people who sent the package 2 weeks later than us and have there BIO done! The only thing i would suggest is to call USCIS since you hit the 30 day period. They might be able to give you your case number.

P.s. Our case is not simple as well, but we went without the lawyer. I will post a separate topic about it when i get my GC.

[Dulcinea 1]

He wrote a cover letter and we included 3 years of tax returns, 2 of them joint. Other documents that we included were birth certificates, the marriage certificate, his employment letter, pay stubs, my original visa in my mother's 25+ yr old passport, etc. Our application was definitely complete, that's part of the reason why I had so many lawyers look it over, just to be sure.

I don't believe that I'm adjusting from K-status because I was already here. I was brought as an infant when my parents came to study, but that's another, and longer story.

And I think you're right, Otto. It just seemed weird that so many people that had sent their applications in after us and were already getting fingerprinted. I spoke the the lawyer and he said that he hasn't received anything yet either but will call to follow up if we still don't hear anything by Friday.

Guess I should just be patient now...

Oh, and BTW, We had a very bad experience with the lawyer when filing papers for my DH's GC. WE couldn't get NOA for weeks. Untill we drove to his office and requested it. It turned out that NOA was sitting in there office while we've been told they never had it. Since then i don't trust lawyers. I hope you lawyer sent the paper requesting to send all the NOAs duplicates to your address as well.

[EmmillJ 1]

Oh, and BTW, We had a very bad experience with the lawyer when filing papers for my DH's GC. WE couldn't get NOA for weeks. Untill we drove to his office and requested it. It turned out that NOA was sitting in there office while we've been told they never had it. Since then i don't trust lawyers. I hope you lawyer sent the paper requesting to send all the NOAs duplicates to your address as well.

What?!? That's ridiculous.

And yes, copies are being sent to our address as well. If we don't hear anything by Monday the lawyer said he'll call but I'll call as well, even just to get the case number.

I wasn't sure if the process would take longer, not just in the initial stage, but maybe they would spend more time looking over things, we may definitely need an interview, etc. Even if the process takes longer it's fine regardless since we're happily married and plan to stay that way. It would be nice to get an EAD but I'd rather have the process take longer and only have to do it once than to get a notice saying I'm approved and then find out later someone made a mistake...yaddi yadda (you guys have heard enough horror stories, I'm sure).