Interview Wednesday...

[Em Z 3]

Hey all!

Interview on Wednesday, and of course, my stress is at an all time high - my poor husband.

Anyways. Ive looked at the forums and definitely have seen things that have helped me, but I figured I'd start something recent and see if you guys can just give me the okay on things I'm getting ready to bring.

I basically have like 4-5 folders organized.

One includes a copy of all of the paperwork I sent in originally (130, 485, 765, 864)

The other includes the copies of form I-102 (request for lost I-94), includes copy of the RFE, and then it includes approval notice as well as the I-94 they sent.

The other includes a copy of the I-693 (medical record the civil surgeon handed me for my records), a receipt of my appt, and my vaccination records, figured it won't hurt to bring them.

Other folder has all of the letters i have received. Basically notice of actions, biometrics appt, interview appt, letter the EAD came with.. I still haven't received a NOA for the ead being approved...

Next comes all of my "originals" folder.

This has birth certificates, passports, social security cards, power of attorney document, affidavits, marriage certificate, bills in our address to us (we don't have anything together).

I also have a photo album and our wedding album.

And then I was going to do a new I-864 because he got a new job, and put his employer letter and pay stub with that....

Sorry if this is long winded and slightly silly.. I'm pretty nervous! Gah!

It'd just be nice to have some "reminders"...

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Sounds like you're pretty well organized and have it all together. I think you'll do fine.

If you want to keep yourself busy and reduce the stress level a little bit why don't you two do the "interview game" with each other? The way it works is you each try to think of a really obscure question to ask the other about yourself. It has to be something for which there's a reasonable chance your spouse would know the answer. For instance, "What did I have for breakfast on Saturday?" or "What's the name of my sister's husband?". Keep score. It's fun, you'll learn a lot about each other, and you'll be prepared if the IO asks some obscure questions.

[_me 4]

How about life insurance showing you as the beneficiary? If you have that include that as well.

1) On a side note I have a question for you. I see that you were successful with your I-102.

Wanted to know what supporting documents did you send with your application. I came in 97 and my passport and I-94 were stolen.

I FOIA'd my records as proof of my entry, and was thinking about using that as my supporting document.

2) When you went for your biometrics appointment, what form of identification did you use? your expired passport or did you have a state ID?

Thank you so much and good luck!

Let us know how about your interview experience.

[Em Z 3]

JimVaPhuong - cute idea! I don't even remember what I had for breakfast on Saturday, but I get what you're saying!

Thanks for confirming I'm on the right track,. Feels nice!

_Me - I'm not on his insurance as of yet. And he just got a new job so he's not even insured either.

As for the I-102, I sent in copies of my current passport (which I went to the Brazilian embassy to renew), as well as a copy of my expired passport. Copy of the visa and copy of the page with the entrance stamp. Thats what they asked for. They were a pain though. A month after I sent, i received a RFE asking for the same things I sent, asking maybe if my name was wrong, and asking if I entered with someone else, and to send a copy of their visas. I came with my mom and sisters but I couldn't get a hold of that info, so I just sent all that stuff again, plus a letter with just the names of the people I came with and explaining that maybe they spelled my name wrong (it's Emilly with 2 L's) and that the correct spelling was in the documentation I had sent.

2 months later, I received it. I had called my cousin's lawyer in the meantime and asked him if I could just send my AOS packet without the number. He said that's the easiest thing they have access to and I could send it in and just put an asterisk with an explanation.

For the biometrics, I used my current passport that I renewed with the embassy. I didn't have the chance to grab a state ID prior to the appt..

Sorry for the long reply! Feel free to msg me for more clarification...

[zoom123 7]

- Don't forget to make two sets of House keys - One with you and other with your spouse. Some times they ask to show the home keys.

- If you have a car, rememember when,where and how you purchased. If you have any car Insurance on both of your names.

- Remember and discuss any tatoos, marks on each of you.

- State ID with same address on both of your ID'S.

- Carry Affidavit of support if he didn't have enough income.

Relax and be comfort, don't be nervous.

Good Luck.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Next comes all of my "originals" folder.

This has birth certificates, passports, social security cards, power of attorney document, affidavits, marriage certificate, bills in our address to us (we don't have anything together).

I also have a photo album and our wedding album.

What other evidence of relationship do you have? You said you "don't have anything together". No joint bank accounts? Joint car insurance? Health insurance? drivers licences with same address? Where's your proof of co-mingling?

[Em Z 3]

Vanessa&Tony:

Nope. He was named power of attorney on my bank account but I cant be added onto his until I have a GC: bank policy.

I don't yet have a driver's license, so no on the car insurance.

He just recently got a new job so he doesn't have insurance yet so I'm still on my mother's.

I'm bringing a hospital bill in my name with our address on it, a utility bill in his name with our address, state IDs have our address, I have pictures, birthday cards addressed to us... Like I said, we don't have much, but it's been really tough trying to add me to stuff.

Will let you all know how it goes!

Thanks for all the posts!

[Em Z 3]

So we had our interview today in Philadelphia and this os how it went... The day started out terrible.

We left at 630-640, our appt was at 9. We both work near the Philly area so we thought that was good time.

It wasn't.

For some reason, traffic was backed up for literally 30 miles.

We got there at 1030.

Obviously I'm freaking out, and my husband isn't in the most comfortable moods either.

We go through security and head to the 3rd floor. I give my interview letter to a receptionist, he stamps it and tells us to sit.

About 10 mins later we get called in.

A female took us in her office, swore us in and then asked for IDs. She was fairly nice...

Asked for his birth certificate, marriage license, my I-94, and my passport. She then asked his name, address, dob, etc.

Our interview was fairly easy... She asked me the same questions, asked me some of the questions off of the 485, asked us why we got married where we did, how many people attended, and how we met.

I then said I had our wedding album with me, if she wanted to see it, and she said I ha already sent pics bit she'll take a look. So she flipped through it and gave it back.

She then said everything seemed to be okay and we'd receive a decision within 2 to 4 weeks.

I then asked her about having my documents changed to my last name and she said that if SSA changed it, it really shouldn't matter. But she could change it now but shed have to resubmit stuff. And then she said I can just go about using both as I am now because "it's only conditional residency, so you'd have to come back in 2 years anyways" and that I can legally change my name when I "apply for naturalization, because they give you the option there".

So I just said I'd do it later then instead of having to wait for her to resubmit.

She gave me all of my documents back, except for my husbands new paystub (he has a new job) and the I-94 she had grabbed from me.

I realized she didn't give it back when we got in the car, so Idk what to do... I paid like 330 for that!

But anyways... It felt like everything went alright but hen I told my husband some people here on the forums were approved on the spot, he was a little worried....

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

It's a good sign that she took the I-94. They usually take that when you are approved. It's annoying to not be approved on the spot, for sure, but sometimes the IO can't do that because they need a supervisor to look over your file quickly first. It sounds like everything was smooth and easy, so all signs point to approved! Congrats!

[zoom123 7]

Congratulation. All colours are flying.

Probebly you got approved, but now a days its common to send the decission in mail.

Setup a email/Text alert for your application from USCIS website so you can get instant update if any changes happen to your status.

I was eagerly waiting to see your post.you will get approval soon.

[Em Z 3]

You guys were right! I received an email saying card production!

Yay!!

You VJers were such big help!

Now I'm free for 2 years...

[_me 4]

Congrats

Wishing you the best all the way to citizenship lol!!

Edited September 8, 2011 by _me

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Just in regards to your name, you should make sure your SSN and your GC match. Your legal ID is your GC. You can go back to the SSA now to have the conditions removed from your SSN but I don't know whether they'll let you keep the married name seeing it doesn't match your GC... but you'll only know once you go

I'm pretty confident the mismatched documents will cause you issue at some stage but some people seem to think it's not an issue. If you wanna risk it it's totally up to you though. I would make sure they match.

[ronron 0]

Hello OP, first of all, congrats. you guys made it. i just want to ask if the Immig. Officer ask your copies of form I485, 1765 and 864? because when i submit mine, i did not make a copy of those. so i'm kinda scared now coz my interview is on sept 12 and i only have bills, marriage cert, photos, birth cert of our newborn, bank account together and other tax documents. wish me luck! ty

[zoom123 7]

Congratulation!

I have one question for all you guys. My interview done on Aug 24,2011 and the IO gave me a printed paper that "file further review and you will receive a decision in 60 days by mail".

But my I-130 is still in initial reveiwe, and the I-485 says Testing and interview. Did you guys I-130 is approved already or they approve combined (I-130 and I-485) at the time of interview?

The average time for I-130 is 5 months, my NOA is May 23, 2011.(Till now 3.5 months)I submitted my I-130 & I-485 and 765 together and NOA is May 23.

I got my EAD on Aug 25, which is approved on Aug 18.

any comments/suggetions welcome.

Edited September 8, 2011 by zoom123