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Lau975

Attorney necessary? Or self-guided process?

By Lau975 in Adjustment of Status from Work, Student, & Tourist Visas

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Lau975 Apprentice

Lau975   1

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Filed: Timeline
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Hi all!

Thank you so much everyone for sharing your experiences with this process as someone who is getting ready to go through the process very soon this has been incredibly helpful. My husband and I are trying to decide whether we should go to an attorney to do the paperwork. We are familiar with the process but we are wondering, are there any of you who did the adjustment of status process without an attorney?

I am a tourist visa over stayer (close to 10 years) so this may be a little different of an experience than for some of you. Would love to hear from those of you who had an attorney and what you felt were the benefits/drawbacks from that and if you didn't have an attorney what the benefits and drawbacks were.

If there is a particular thread or forum that I should post this on instead of this one to learn more about the process please let me know!

Thanks so very much!

Timeline:

10/18- Express mailed I-130, I-485 & I-765 to Chicago address

10/19- Received delivery notice from USPS to Chicago lockbox

10/24- Received text message and email notification of application arrival from USCIS with receipt #'s for all three applications from MSC (National Benefits Center).

10/27- Received hard copy letters on the mail of our NOAs for all three applications (dated 10/25)

10/27- Received biometrics appointment letter re: I-485 & I-765 for 11/22

11/22- Completed biometrics appointment

12/9 - Received initial Interview notice for I-485

12/16- Received e-mail that EAD card is in production!

12/21 -Received second email that EAD is in production & status is now in "post decision activity"

12/22- Received second email notice of approval being mailed on this date

12/24- Received EAD on the mail!

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Black Velvet Community Regular

Black Velvet   4

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Filed: Timeline
Posted

Hi all!

Thank you so much everyone for sharing your experiences with this process as someone who is getting ready to go through the process very soon this has been incredibly helpful. My husband and I are trying to decide whether we should go to an attorney to do the paperwork. We are familiar with the process but we are wondering, are there any of you who did the adjustment of status process without an attorney?

I am a tourist visa over stayer (close to 10 years) so this may be a little different of an experience than for some of you. Would love to hear from those of you who had an attorney and what you felt were the benefits/drawbacks from that and if you didn't have an attorney what the benefits and drawbacks were.

If there is a particular thread or forum that I should post this on instead of this one to learn more about the process please let me know!

Thanks so very much!

Welcome to VJ. Unless you entered the US illegally or you have a criminal record, please do not waste your money on an attorney. There are tons of VJ members that can assist you with the process. In the mean time, here is the AOS guide.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2

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vq35hr Rookie

vq35hr   0

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Filed: Other Timeline
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i am in a similar situation, different status. i have been arrested twice in the past, did probation on one and the other never went to court. meaning I have never been charged with a crime but do have arrest records. Will this thing cause me problems if i file for AOS myself? I am about to start my filing and need to know if I really need a lawyer to handle my case.

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Lau975 Apprentice

Lau975   1

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Filed: Timeline
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Thanks so much Black Velvet! Is there a particular sub forum I should follow for this or am I on the right one?

Timeline:

10/18- Express mailed I-130, I-485 & I-765 to Chicago address

10/19- Received delivery notice from USPS to Chicago lockbox

10/24- Received text message and email notification of application arrival from USCIS with receipt #'s for all three applications from MSC (National Benefits Center).

10/27- Received hard copy letters on the mail of our NOAs for all three applications (dated 10/25)

10/27- Received biometrics appointment letter re: I-485 & I-765 for 11/22

11/22- Completed biometrics appointment

12/9 - Received initial Interview notice for I-485

12/16- Received e-mail that EAD card is in production!

12/21 -Received second email that EAD is in production & status is now in "post decision activity"

12/22- Received second email notice of approval being mailed on this date

12/24- Received EAD on the mail!

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pathway2gc Contributor

pathway2gc   0

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

Hi all!

Thank you so much everyone for sharing your experiences with this process as someone who is getting ready to go through the process very soon this has been incredibly helpful. My husband and I are trying to decide whether we should go to an attorney to do the paperwork. We are familiar with the process but we are wondering, are there any of you who did the adjustment of status process without an attorney?

I am a tourist visa over stayer (close to 10 years) so this may be a little different of an experience than for some of you. Would love to hear from those of you who had an attorney and what you felt were the benefits/drawbacks from that and if you didn't have an attorney what the benefits and drawbacks were.

If there is a particular thread or forum that I should post this on instead of this one to learn more about the process please let me know!

Thanks so very much!

We were in the same situation. I overstayed for almost 8 years because I was petitioned for EB2 in 2003 but was denied due to employer's ability to pay. Me and hubby went to see a lawyer for consultation, and she told us that my case is not that complicated. So we decided to do it ourselves. As long as you don't have prior convictions or anything from the I-485 form questions that you answered 'yes', then you should be fine. Most important thing, is you tell the truth. I was petitioned by my stepdad 18 years ago and I kind of forgotten about it, but I was asked about it and they have that application included in my 5-inches thick file.

I didn't find out about Visa Journey until after I have submitted my packet. People here are very helpful and supportive.

Good luck on your journey.

Our journey update:

02/14/2011 Valentine's Day wedding

03/08/2011 Sent I-130, I-485, I-765 to Chicago Lockbox (PO Box address) thru USPS Priority Mail

03/09/2011 Found out this Visa Journey Community

03/10/2011 Package received at 6:48am

03/15/2011 Called USCIS to inform them that all the forms I sent don't have barcodes on 'em, except for I-693, was told to wait for 30 days before we hear from them

04/05/2011 E-notifications received (texts and emails)

04/06/2011 Checks cashed

04/11/2011 Received NOA's for all 3 applications

04/15/2011 Received Biometrics Appointment Notice for I-485 and I-765 (scheduled for 05/09/2011)

04/15/2011 Successful Walk-in Biometrics (05/09/2011 is week of my birthday and we'll be out of town)

04/27/2011 E-notifications received(text and email) EAD Card production in order; Online status for I-765 updated 4/27/11

05/05/2011 Received EAD card

05/06/2011 Applied for SSN

05/16/2011 Received Interview notice scheduled for 06/16/2011 (via e-notifications and USPS mail)

06/16/2011 Interview at San Jose,CA office, went well but no assurance from the IO

06/17/2011 Received e-notifications- I-485 approval and card production ordered :D

06/23/2011 Received Welcome letter, and approval of I-130

06/27/2011 Received GREEN CARD in the mail, it is indeed green!

I-751

05/10/2013 Sent in I-751 application to CSC PO box

05/13/2013 Package delivered at 11:28am

Thank you VJ for all the support and advise as me and my hubby go through this journey.

Thank you Lord for all the blessings!

316izq2.png

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Lau975 Apprentice

Lau975   1

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Filed: Timeline
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Thanks so much pathway2gc!

I have a question .. On the i485 form where it says "USCIS status" , if my tourist visa has been expired for ten years what is the appropriate terminology to use?

Also if filing i485 and i130 together as is suggested, I am unsure of what option to choose on i485 part 2 on the basis of my application... Since obviously no petition was approved yet as I'm filing them together.

Thanks so much for the guidance!

Timeline:

10/18- Express mailed I-130, I-485 & I-765 to Chicago address

10/19- Received delivery notice from USPS to Chicago lockbox

10/24- Received text message and email notification of application arrival from USCIS with receipt #'s for all three applications from MSC (National Benefits Center).

10/27- Received hard copy letters on the mail of our NOAs for all three applications (dated 10/25)

10/27- Received biometrics appointment letter re: I-485 & I-765 for 11/22

11/22- Completed biometrics appointment

12/9 - Received initial Interview notice for I-485

12/16- Received e-mail that EAD card is in production!

12/21 -Received second email that EAD is in production & status is now in "post decision activity"

12/22- Received second email notice of approval being mailed on this date

12/24- Received EAD on the mail!

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pathway2gc Contributor

pathway2gc   0

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

Thanks so much pathway2gc!

I have a question .. On the i485 form where it says "USCIS status" , if my tourist visa has been expired for ten years what is the appropriate terminology to use?

Also if filing i485 and i130 together as is suggested, I am unsure of what option to choose on i485 part 2 on the basis of my application... Since obviously no petition was approved yet as I'm filing them together.

Thanks so much for the guidance!

I answered 'visitor' on that part, I can't remember what I answered on the basis of aos. You can check the guides here.

Our journey update:

02/14/2011 Valentine's Day wedding

03/08/2011 Sent I-130, I-485, I-765 to Chicago Lockbox (PO Box address) thru USPS Priority Mail

03/09/2011 Found out this Visa Journey Community

03/10/2011 Package received at 6:48am

03/15/2011 Called USCIS to inform them that all the forms I sent don't have barcodes on 'em, except for I-693, was told to wait for 30 days before we hear from them

04/05/2011 E-notifications received (texts and emails)

04/06/2011 Checks cashed

04/11/2011 Received NOA's for all 3 applications

04/15/2011 Received Biometrics Appointment Notice for I-485 and I-765 (scheduled for 05/09/2011)

04/15/2011 Successful Walk-in Biometrics (05/09/2011 is week of my birthday and we'll be out of town)

04/27/2011 E-notifications received(text and email) EAD Card production in order; Online status for I-765 updated 4/27/11

05/05/2011 Received EAD card

05/06/2011 Applied for SSN

05/16/2011 Received Interview notice scheduled for 06/16/2011 (via e-notifications and USPS mail)

06/16/2011 Interview at San Jose,CA office, went well but no assurance from the IO

06/17/2011 Received e-notifications- I-485 approval and card production ordered :D

06/23/2011 Received Welcome letter, and approval of I-130

06/27/2011 Received GREEN CARD in the mail, it is indeed green!

I-751

05/10/2013 Sent in I-751 application to CSC PO box

05/13/2013 Package delivered at 11:28am

Thank you VJ for all the support and advise as me and my hubby go through this journey.

Thank you Lord for all the blessings!

316izq2.png

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Harpa Timsah Grand Master

Harpa Timsah   13,258

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Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Israel
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Also if filing i485 and i130 together as is suggested, I am unsure of what option to choose on i485 part 2 on the basis of my application... Since obviously no petition was approved yet as I'm filing them together.

You check choice "A." If your read between the parens, it says "if you have attached a petition which would make visa number immediately available..."

AOS for my husband
8/17/10: INTERVIEW DAY (day 123) APPROVED!!

ROC:
5/23/12: Sent out package
2/06/13: APPROVED!

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pathway2gc Contributor

pathway2gc   0

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

You check choice "A." If your read between the parens, it says "if you have attached a petition which would make visa number immediately available..."

Yes, that's what I answered as well.

Our journey update:

02/14/2011 Valentine's Day wedding

03/08/2011 Sent I-130, I-485, I-765 to Chicago Lockbox (PO Box address) thru USPS Priority Mail

03/09/2011 Found out this Visa Journey Community

03/10/2011 Package received at 6:48am

03/15/2011 Called USCIS to inform them that all the forms I sent don't have barcodes on 'em, except for I-693, was told to wait for 30 days before we hear from them

04/05/2011 E-notifications received (texts and emails)

04/06/2011 Checks cashed

04/11/2011 Received NOA's for all 3 applications

04/15/2011 Received Biometrics Appointment Notice for I-485 and I-765 (scheduled for 05/09/2011)

04/15/2011 Successful Walk-in Biometrics (05/09/2011 is week of my birthday and we'll be out of town)

04/27/2011 E-notifications received(text and email) EAD Card production in order; Online status for I-765 updated 4/27/11

05/05/2011 Received EAD card

05/06/2011 Applied for SSN

05/16/2011 Received Interview notice scheduled for 06/16/2011 (via e-notifications and USPS mail)

06/16/2011 Interview at San Jose,CA office, went well but no assurance from the IO

06/17/2011 Received e-notifications- I-485 approval and card production ordered :D

06/23/2011 Received Welcome letter, and approval of I-130

06/27/2011 Received GREEN CARD in the mail, it is indeed green!

I-751

05/10/2013 Sent in I-751 application to CSC PO box

05/13/2013 Package delivered at 11:28am

Thank you VJ for all the support and advise as me and my hubby go through this journey.

Thank you Lord for all the blessings!

316izq2.png

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Brother Hesekiel Mentor

Brother Hesekiel   2,236

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Filed: Other Timeline
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You need an attorney if you go to court.

You also need an attorney for many legal issues.

You only need an attorney to fill out your forms if you are overwhelmed by the process and have huge problems understanding what's being asked of you.

The overwhelming majority of people here on Visa Journey did not spend the $1,500 to $3,000 on an attorney. Filing for Adjustment of Status is an administrative, not a legal process.

There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americanism. When I refer to hyphenated Americans, I do not refer to naturalized Americans. Some of the very best Americans I have ever known were naturalized Americans, Americans born abroad. But a hyphenated American is not an American at all . . . . The one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin, of preventing all possibility of its continuing to be a nation at all, would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities, an intricate knot of German-Americans, Irish-Americans, English-Americans, French-Americans, Scandinavian-Americans or Italian-Americans, each preserving its separate nationality, each at heart feeling more sympathy with Europeans of that nationality, than with the other citizens of the American Republic . . . . There is no such thing as a hyphenated American who is a good American. The only man who is a good American is the man who is an American and nothing else.

President Teddy Roosevelt on Columbus Day 1915

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BenjaminUKtoUSA Explorer

BenjaminUKtoUSA   7

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Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: United Kingdom
 Timeline
Posted

The I.O who interviewed my wife and me said, "A previous conviction doesn't necessarily mean an instant denial, but I'm not letting any murderers, rapists or drug dealers in my Country."

As long as you can safely say "NO" to any of the major questions they ask on the I-485, you should be fine.

Good luck.

2005: Met my wife online, "Habbo Hotel" instantly became friends.

2007: Lost contact with her, as we both lived thousands of miles away.

2010: Regained contact with her, again instantly became best friends.

~At this point we'd talked about visiting the others country~

ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS TIMELINE

October 16th 2010: Landed at JFK INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL 2 under Visa Waiver Program.

October 17th 2010: Nicole (now my wife) took me to manhattan and treat me like no other.

November 13th 2010: Got Engaged!

December 17th 2010: We got married!

January 14th 2011: VISA EXPIRED (No AOS papers sent yet)

February 20th 2011: Filed for AOS (Sent in I-130 / I-864 / I-485)

March 7th 2011: Received NOA for I-130 / I-485

March 18th 2011: Biometrics taken

March 26th 2011: RFE MEDICAL

April 12th 2011: Medical Sent (ouch the needles)

April 18th 2011: Medical received my USCIS

April 30th 2011: I-765 (Employment Authorization Documentation) Sent

May 4th 2011: Rejection notice I-765 (I forgot to tick "applying for first card" at top of application)

May 9th 2011: New receipt for I-765 received

June 10th 2011: INTERVIEW DATE / JULY 13th 2011

June 15th 2011: EAD CARD PRODUCTION ORDERED

June 20th 2011: EAD CARD IN HAND

June 22nd 2011: SSN APPLIED

June 24th 2011: SSN IN HAND

July 13th 2011: Adjustment of Status Interview (A P P R O V E D)

July 13th 2011: Email confirmation Card Production Ordered

July 18th 2011: Second email confirmation Card Production Ordered (-.-)

July 19th 2011: Post Decision Activity

July 23rd 2011: Green Card Arrived!!!

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Lau975 Apprentice

Lau975   1

Posted
Filed: Timeline
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Thanks so much everyone, this really helps and gives me some piece of mind/keeps me calm as I go through the process. I can 200% surely answer NO to those questions on the I-485 so I am feeling safe on that regard. Thanks again for your support and guidance!

I'll keep you posted on how things go!

Timeline:

10/18- Express mailed I-130, I-485 & I-765 to Chicago address

10/19- Received delivery notice from USPS to Chicago lockbox

10/24- Received text message and email notification of application arrival from USCIS with receipt #'s for all three applications from MSC (National Benefits Center).

10/27- Received hard copy letters on the mail of our NOAs for all three applications (dated 10/25)

10/27- Received biometrics appointment letter re: I-485 & I-765 for 11/22

11/22- Completed biometrics appointment

12/9 - Received initial Interview notice for I-485

12/16- Received e-mail that EAD card is in production!

12/21 -Received second email that EAD is in production & status is now in "post decision activity"

12/22- Received second email notice of approval being mailed on this date

12/24- Received EAD on the mail!

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