Future AOS'ers

[TwoOddOnes 1]

Just wanted to share some general information about our successful AOS case that could be helpful for future AOS'ers. I know there's information I wish could've been easier to find. Note every case is the same but hopefully someone finds this useful!

1. Adjusted from overstayed B 1/2 Visa (Marriage to U.S. Citizen)

2. Came here with mother when I was 7. Overstayed 1 year B 1/2 visa. Unlawful presence began when I was 18 of course (Now 22)

3. Didn't have/need lawyer for our case or interview. Straight forward case. Came here, overstayed, never left, didn't commit crimes, didn't work, and married U.S. Citizen.

4. We were married in a courthouse. Nothing big at all. We still submitted those photos. (Young, broke, and in love) lol

5. We sent in two very organized folders:

1st

- Cover letter, G1145, payment, I-130, her U.S. birth certificate, marriage certificate, G325A (her+2 passport photos), G325A (mine + 2 passport photos), visa, entry stamp, passport bio, and my birth certificate, things in our name, pictures of us, and notarized affidavits/letters from family & friends

2nd

- Cover letter, G1145, payment, I-485, G325A (mine + 2 passport photos), copy of foreign birth certificate, copy of visa, copy of entry stamp, copy of passport bio, I-864, recent year tax transcript, employment letter, paystubs, I-765 and 2 more passport photos, and sealed I-693 envelope

6. Wife made way under I-864 poverty guidelines previous years according to previous years tax transcripts, but we sent in 6-7 months of paystubs from new job showing approx. $11000 made in 6-7 months and employment verification letter stating she was part-time, wage, and average hours she worked. We estimated $19,000 gross on I-864 form.

7. Only RFE we received was for a blank page we sent in.

8. My parents lost my I-94 a long time ago and I didn't want to pay or wait for the I-102. After a little research I took the chance and just sent a copy of the entry stamp in my passport along with visa as proof of entry w/inspection. I put "none" on the I-485 form when it asked for I-94.

9. We moved in the middle of our case and we submitted a change of address online for each application. No problems.

10. We only received text messages at the beginning of our case when they accepted it. Nothing after. We checked online to keep up with updates.

11. As soon as I got my EAD and I went to the social security office to apply for a new SSN. Because I wanted to renew my drivers license immediately so I could drive to our interview, I went back to the social security office the next day and they were able to give me a print out of my SSN. I went to the secretary of state/DMV and I was able to renew it after almost two years of expiration.

12. Interview lasted about 15-20 minutes. We brought in folders with photos, letters, poems from our relationship since high school and our married life folder (Bills, lease, insurance, joint bank account). She didn't dig in too deep about us I assume because we had already submitted photos, joint finances, etc with our paperwork. She was more interested in what I've been up to while here.

13. Entire case went faster than we thought. 2 months, 2 weeks, 5 days from acceptance to interview/approval. Expecting conditional GC next week.

14. My wife and I are young, 20 and I am 22 and not all cases are alike. But if do your research (GOOGLE, USCIS.GOV, and of course the VISAJOURNEY guides and forums!) you can make your journey a lot easier!!

~HAPPY JOURNEYS TO EVERYONE!~

[NancyNguyen 1,658]

Thank for an useful post, congrats!

[ezzie 7]

Thank you very much for taking time to post your experience. This should prove very helpful to us.