Something we all must have wondered

[Mac An Lighiche 1]

Is there some sort of detailed description or instruction I can review with information regarding what's actually happening to my information, as far as generically where it is and what's being done to it? All of us are interested in time lines even if they are rough and subject to circumstance, anything on that would be nice too. I love the replies on here but sometimes (and I completely understand why) they are rather brief for a man of my intrigue. Basically I knew what was going on when I filed the i-129f, knew where I stood for the most part. AOS on the other hand just seems to be happening in my life and I have no clue what's coming next I know vaguely what to expect, notice of some sort... an interview... biometrics... and EAD? But I don't know what they *physically* are or how they'll be used, what paperwork I have still to fill in or evidence I need to gather. My status as of now is: My wife and I filed for AOS on the 18th of last month (Nov)

It might be some time before we receive anything I know, but I really want to know what's going on. If not what's happening now, what will be happening soon.

Cheers

Edited December 6, 2011 by JasonLeitch

[david'sgirl 134]

We are waiting as well. The Biometrics is fingerprints and they take a photo. I had to do it in Boston at USCIS to get the visa from British government to wed in Scotland. I don;t know where you live but I'm guessing the offices will be similar. It took maybe 10 minutes. What I am finding frustrating is I sent in the check which they immediately cashed, the forms and all of the supporting evidence I could think of to avoid an RFE. We got the letter acknowledging they got the packet but still no Biometrics appointment letter. You can check your status online but not until the Biometrics letter comes. The letter we got does grant a year extension but I would feel better getting everything sorted earlier than later!Good Luck

Edited December 6, 2011 by david'sgirl

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

It might be some time before we receive anything I know, but I really want to know what's going on. If not what's happening now, what will be happening soon.

Cheers

The post from david'sgirl is about removing conditions and not really an accurate answer for you.

Briefly (sorry)

You can register your case numbers with the same login you used at USCIS.It may show up now, may take awhile or may never show up. Unreliable.

You get a biometric letter with barcodes for both the I-485 and I-751 (greencard and EAD). It assigns you an appointment for fingerprints and photo at your closest ASC office.You take the appointment notice so they can scan the barcodes. It doesn't take long and nobody asks you questions about your marriage details. This is not normally a regular field office where they do interviews and such. Our first one was in a run-down strip center. Way to look up yours https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=ASC

People are often able to do a walk-in at the ASC before their assigned date and do the biometrics early. After lunch is less busy and they will more likely allow it. The fingerprints gathered are run through FBI for clearance. The photo is for your card. Most get appointment notice in first 30 days after NOA1.

Then you wait. The EAD and AP usually get approved faster. 60-90 days. Call if 90 days passes without them. They process in a different location independently from AOS. Sometimes AOS happens first and then they cancel the others because you don't need them once you get a greencard.

While you wait gather things to prove your marriage--co-mingling of money and same address. You can't get a huge amount in a short time but joint bank account, adding spouse to insurance at work, joint names on lease, mail to both names at same address, photos with friends and family are some ideas. There are lists all over the forum.

Your AOS will take one of two routes:

1. Sent to your local USCIS Service Center where you will be assigned an interview date. You take in your married evidence. Some offices say "approved" right away and card comes in a week or two. Other offices say "we will review this and let you know if we need anything else." It's not necessarily a bad sign if they review. Some think they want a supervisor to go over it to give the okay. If you were missing something they want to see at the interview, they tell you to get it and mail it back to their office. Yes, you can get an RFE right until the end.

2. Transferred to California Service Center where they will approve you without interview and mail the greencard. If something is missing, they will send an RFE. You get a form/letter saying we have transferred your case to CSC. Then you get a second letter saying your case is processing at a USCIS office (which means it arrived at CSC and is in the processing queue there.)

[Mac An Lighiche 1]

So,the first thing I should receive is an NOA1? Which will allow me to check the status on our case? Then I'll receive and appointment notice for my bio stuff? After I attend my bio then what... will my EAD come through the mail, will I be given separate notice about it? What is an NOA1/2? Why do i need more evidence about being married to my wife when you said no one interrogates us on it? The time line here is still a bit fuzzy. At least if dates and times can't be put on it what actions/paperwork in order is coming during this process?

The time line in my mind:

1) 18 Nov Filed for AOS EAD etc

2) 4.. 5.. 6 months later AOS completed?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

So,the first thing I should receive is an NOA1? Which will allow me to check the status on our case?

Yes and yes. Did you create an account at USCIS to check you I-129F progress? Log in and ADD two more things. The case number for I-485(AOS)and the one for I-765(EAD) (sorry I said wrong number above). Most people also have a I-131 (AP for travel) but I don't see you listed that. You can sign up for email alerts within that account.

Then I'll receive and appointment notice for my bio stuff? After I attend my bio then what... will my EAD come through the mail, will I be given separate notice about it?

Yes it will. If you check the USCIS site, it will tell you a status change or if you signed up for email alerts, you'll get an email when it's approved and card production is ordered.

What is an NOA1/2?

That is slang for Notice Of Action (NOA1= receipt that they got your application)

NOA2 is what some people call the approval notice.

Why do i need more evidence about being married to my wife when you said no one interrogates us on it?

That was in the paragraph about the biometric appointment. All you do there is wait your turn and do digital fingerprints and photo. If you have an interview for your I-485/AOS/greencard, they will ask you some questions and will want to see paper evidence of your marriage. Totally different than the simple bio appointment.

The time line here is still a bit fuzzy. At least if dates and times can't be put on it what actions/paperwork in order is coming during this process?

I wrote things in the rough order they normally happen. You should know by now that every case is different so nobody knows how long yours will take. Some get RFEs that slow them down. Some biometric offices are busy so the appointment in Houston may take longer than in Phoenix. Same with the interview schedule at a local office.

I suggest you go to monthly filing forum groups and see how it's going for them. Read their stories and timelines.

Make a VJ timeline for yourself here---> http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=118387

Here's September filers http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/328777-september-2011-aos-filers/

And October http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/332879-october-2011-aos-filers/

Then join November http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/337144-november-2011-aos-filers/

Edited December 6, 2011 by Nich-Nick

[Darnell 8,478]

as i recall...

file the aos, ead, ap, get

NOA1, receipt notices, on

AOS,

EAD,

AP

all with different receipt numbers

and then

you will have at least one biometrics appointment letter, perhaps two, unsure anymore why there be two.

and then.

magically the EAD card shows up in the mail.

and then...

maybe you are pegged for an interiew for the AOS, maybe not; if so, you get a nice appointment letter.

then

magically the GC shows up in the mail.

Since there are 3 different NOA-1s, receipt notice letters , one on each thing, you'll have to check with USCIS on any status for each thing.

that's ROUGHLY what I remember.

You-ah, a man of intrigue

Good Luck !

[david'sgirl 134]

The post from david'sgirl is about removing conditions and not really an accurate answer for you.

Briefly (sorry)

You can register your case numbers with the same login you used at USCIS.It may show up now, may take awhile or may never show up. Unreliable.

You get a biometric letter with barcodes for both the I-485 and I-751 (greencard and EAD). It assigns you an appointment for fingerprints and photo at your closest ASC office.You take the appointment notice so they can scan the barcodes. It doesn't take long and nobody asks you questions about your marriage details. This is not normally a regular field office where they do interviews and such. Our first one was in a run-down strip center. Way to look up yours https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=ASC

People are often able to do a walk-in at the ASC before their assigned date and do the biometrics early. After lunch is less busy and they will more likely allow it. The fingerprints gathered are run through FBI for clearance. The photo is for your card. Most get appointment notice in first 30 days after NOA1.

Then you wait. The EAD and AP usually get approved faster. 60-90 days. Call if 90 days passes without them. They process in a different location independently from AOS. Sometimes AOS happens first and then they cancel the others because you don't need them once you get a greencard.

While you wait gather things to prove your marriage--co-mingling of money and same address. You can't get a huge amount in a short time but joint bank account, adding spouse to insurance at work, joint names on lease, mail to both names at same address, photos with friends and family are some ideas. There are lists all over the forum.

Your AOS will take one of two routes:

1. Sent to your local USCIS Service Center where you will be assigned an interview date. You take in your married evidence. Some offices say "approved" right away and card comes in a week or two. Other offices say "we will review this and let you know if we need anything else." It's not necessarily a bad sign if they review. Some think they want a supervisor to go over it to give the okay. If you were missing something they want to see at the interview, they tell you to get it and mail it back to their office. Yes, you can get an RFE right until the end.

2. Transferred to California Service Center where they will approve you without interview and mail the greencard. If something is missing, they will send an RFE. You get a form/letter saying we have transferred your case to CSC. Then you get a second letter saying your case is processing at a USCIS office (which means it arrived at CSC and is in the processing queue there.)

I thought the OP was asking about the same process we are in now. We just filed I 751 and are waiting for the Biometrics letter. It used to be nice to come on here and get support but the last two days every time I say anything someone jumps all over me!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I thought the OP was asking about the same process we are in now. We just filed I 751 and are waiting for the Biometrics letter. It used to be nice to come on here and get support but the last two days every time I say anything someone jumps all over me!

I really wasn't jumping all over you. I realized you were giving a very good answer for removing conditions--new case number for checking status comes with biometrics and the one year extension of permanent residence. But as he is doing AOS and seemed already confused, I thought he needed to know that wasn't accurate for his process. I said it as delicately as I could. Sorry that I hit a nerve.

[david'sgirl 134]

I really wasn't jumping all over you. I realized you were giving a very good answer for removing conditions--new case number for checking status comes with biometrics and the one year extension of permanent residence. But as he is doing AOS and seemed already confused, I thought he needed to know that wasn't accurate for his process. I said it as delicately as I could. Sorry that I hit a nerve.

You reprimanded my husband on a post yesterday as well when he was trying to help. I guess I just expect the worst now. Sorry if I misunderstood. I am confused though. I thought we are in AOS as well. His post is under removing conditions on a family based visa which is exactly what we are doing too.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

You reprimanded my husband on a post yesterday as well when he was trying to help. I guess I just expect the worst now. Sorry if I misunderstood. I am confused though. I thought we are in AOS as well. His post is under removing conditions on a family based visa which is exactly what we are doing too.

I said no, no about statements I know to be incorrect from a long time immigration attorney and from the FAQs on the London website. I thought he came on very strong and I could have said "You're wrong!!!" or "Stop posting rubbish!!!" if I was the reprimanding type. Again I try to correct mistakes in the least confrontational way possible so the OP doesn't get further lost.

AOS is adjustment of status and in this forum is mostly K1 fiances who came to the US as non-immigrants and have to adjust status from visa holder to permanent resident. A CR1 does not do AOS. David came over with a 2 year greencard waiting for him. These K1s are applying for that greencard now and spend $1070 to do so. David's greencard was conditional and is about to expire so he's removing the 2 year conditions on it and will get a 10 year card in the mail with no interview and hopefully with no RFE. The forum for that process is this Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

Again, sorry to have offended you and sorry to go so off-topic in Jason's thread.

[Brownie07 7]

Quick question, is it safe to ASSUME that cases that are forwarded to CSC will not be scheduled for an interview? My case was forward to CSC last week.

Thanks!

Edited December 7, 2011 by Brownie07

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Quick question, is it safe to ASSUME that cases that are forwarded to CSC will not be scheduled for an interview? My case was forward to CSC last week.

Thanks!

It is a safe assumption but if the adjudicator found something he thought bizarre about your case, he could send it back for some face time with an interviewer at your local office. You can also still get an RFE from CSC if anything required is missing.

It ain't over 'til it's over. ~Yogi Berra

Edited December 7, 2011 by Nich-Nick

[Mac An Lighiche 1]

Hey guys, thanks for the information it's helped a lot. Ironically and thankfully I just got an email about my NOA1 =] it gave me my case number(s) as well, so it looks like it's all going a head and I can chill out a bit! I'm just eager for my EAD. It gets frustrating sitting on your hands all the time.