March 2013 Filers

[Blue Bianchi 77]

Thanks for the good vibes! I read this message before the interview

best of luck blue bianchi

[Blue Bianchi 77]

Thanks again for all these good wishes! Still got a few weeks wait before I get my card, but whew! I hope the review that I posted helps. Good luck to the next interviewees!

Tashired, it's going to be a really nice 4th indeed

Good luck to Tashired and Blue Bianchi on your upcoming interviews!!

ClydesdaleCouple .. we're getting closer to our dates!

All the best Tash and Bianchi....knock them out of the ball park!!!

Thanks Blue, you are next I will be praying for a smooth interview for you too, then we can all celebrate and have a happy 4th!

[Ebbie 1]

I am so very happy for you Blue! Did she keep your I-94?

[Blue Bianchi 77]

Thanks Ebbie! Yes, she did. I'm a bit nervous because there hasn't been a status update yet. Wondering if that is normal. Ak! Must stop torturing myself with this worry

I am so very happy for you Blue! Did she keep your I-94?

[ddkorestin 10]

Thanks for the good vibes! I read this message before the interview

your bless

[Ebbie 1]

I'm sure you will get it updated. Let us know when you do

Thanks Ebbie! Yes, she did. I'm a bit nervous because there hasn't been a status update yet. Wondering if that is normal. Ak! Must stop torturing myself with this worry

[tashired 18]

Hello all!

First off, I'd like to thank everyone on the March list, and the February list, and the April list, and all those other anonymous people in the other forum's that I have learned from. Reading other AOS applicants' experiences really helped prepare me well for my application, my wait process and the interview. I hope that my input helps other people in return. Thank you so very much! I have yet to hold my GC in my hand, but am already relishing this freedom from immigration paperwork and deadlines (at least for two years!). So, here is my barebones review of our interview process.

Location

USCIS @ 12484 East Weaver Place, Centennial, Colorado

Getting there

This USCIS office is right smack in between Denver's busiest highways. Best to get to the area with at least an hour to spare. There are cafes and restaurants a few blocks away to kill time in. Not public transportation-friendly.

Some context on our case

- Adjusting from H1B status

- No known red flags

- In a relationship for 7 out of 10 years of knowing each other

- We are both in our 40s

- No children and not previously married

Bona Fide documents submitted in the AOS application

- Colored copy of marriage certificate

- Joint car insurance

- Joint apartment lease

- 8 photos

Additional Bona Fide documents brought to interview (original and duplicate):

- Letters from both our 401k companies stating that we are each other's designated beneficiaries

- Joint car ownership

- Summary of benefits from my employer stating that my husband is the beneficiary of my employment-sponsored insurance and that he is on my employment-based health insurance

- Our health insurance cards

- Joint electric bill

- Three most recent pay stubs showing my tax status as married

- More photos of the wedding and reception and from our 10-year friendship and romantic relationship

What the IO asked to see and added to the file

- Some of our new photos

- Letters from both our 401k companies stating that we are each other's designated beneficiaries

- Joint car lease

- Summary of benefits from my company stating that my husband is the beneficiary of my employment-sponsored insurance and that he is on my employment-based health insurance

Interview sequence

- IO asked for our passports and drivers licenses, my social security card, and my EAD/AP card, all of which she made copies of

- IO gave a brief explanation of what the interview is for (to determine if the marriage is real), then asked us to stand up, and swore us in

- She went through the AOS application, verifying both our basic information (full names, address, date of last entry into the US, types of nonimmigrant visa used, etc)

- Then the yes or no questions

- She asked both of us details about each other (city of birth, parents' names, birthdays, etc..)

- Then she asked us to tell our story

- Then she asked for pictures and additional bona fide documents.

- We chatted a bit about the photos. This part was actually very nice.

- I wasn't even done giving her all the additional bona fide documents I brought (I brought seven. I had just finished showing her the third.), when she said she was going to approve my AOS application.

- She took my I-94s and told me about removal of conditions procedures and to expect my card in three to six weeks.

- Fin! The interview probably lasted 20 to 25 minutes.

Impressions on our IO

Our IO was a Latina woman in her early to mid-30s and very congenial. She was methodical and thorough during the interview, but not afraid to share a little about herself. She struck me as someone who has pride in and derives meaning kfrom her work.

Yaay Blue Congratulations!!!! This is so wonderful, we are all getting our approvals finally... Nice interview report u got a nice IO and she dis her job and appeoved u guys. Well done Blue

[Blue Bianchi 77]

Thanks Tashired!

Have you gotten any status updates yet? Still nada for me.

Yaay Blue Congratulations!!!! This is so wonderful, we are all getting our approvals finally... Nice interview report u got a nice IO and she dis her job and appeoved u guys. Well done Blue

[Blue Bianchi 77]

Hi Liz!

You're next Good luck on the interview! Let us know how it goes.

Cheers,

Blue

So, I guess I made the cut! Received the news just now that our interview has been scheduled for July 11! 5 days before I leave to Florida, thank God I don't have to reschedule! Yayyy almost there!!

Tash are you still bringing your little one with you? are you going to have someone with you or will it be just the 3 of you?

[ClydesdaleCouple 75]

Interview this Tuesday!!!! Anyone have suggestions on ESSENTIALS to bring with.

Also we were wondering what to wear.

Any stories about the Chicago Office???

[CarlaDave 27]

Interview this Tuesday!!!! Anyone have suggestions on ESSENTIALS to bring with.

Also we were wondering what to wear.

Any stories about the Chicago Office???

Interview this Wednesday!!! Are you as nervous/excited as we are?

Use the invitation as a guide and then add MORE!

We're bringing 2 binders & a photo album:

• Binder 1 - contains copies of original submissions for I-130, AOS, AP, and EAD

• Binder 2 - contains all original documents as well as proof of bonafide marriage
  • Marriage certificate
  • Birth certificates & Adoption Decrees
  • Divorce Decree
  • Child Custody
  • Passports
  • Banking Information (letter from bank confirming joint account, bank statements, check book
  • Pay stubs
  • IRS documents (Tax transcripts, W-2s, Letter from IRS containing Dave's ITIN, Tax Returns)
  • Utility bills containing both names
  • Social Security (Receipt containing Dave's SSN)
  • Mail (Letters/Envelopes addressed to both, Catalogues addressed to both)
  • Receipts (Show purchases for dinners, entertainment, household goods, groceries, clothing, and other misc.)
  • Automotive (joint insurance, registration showing both names, joint AAA account)
  • Misc (screenshots of our YouTube page [which we use to upload videos for family overseas], and joint email account

• Photo Album

If anyone notices something important that is missing from my list, PLEASE let me know. I'm finishing our binders today and want to forget about them until Wednesday. HA!

As far as what we're wearing .. Dave is wearing a suit & tie. I'm wearing a dress. I actually cringe when couples do this but we're color coordinating. It sends a positive subliminal message in my opinion.

[Ebbie 1]

My interview is on Wednesday too!! Super Nervous!!

Interview this Wednesday!!! Are you as nervous/excited as we are?

Use the invitation as a guide and then add MORE!

We're bringing 2 binders & a photo album:

• Binder 1 - contains copies of original submissions for I-130, AOS, AP, and EAD

• Binder 2 - contains all original documents as well as proof of bonafide marriage
  • Marriage certificate
  • Birth certificates & Adoption Decrees
  • Divorce Decree
  • Child Custody
  • Passports
  • Banking Information (letter from bank confirming joint account, bank statements, check book
  • Pay stubs
  • IRS documents (Tax transcripts, W-2s, Letter from IRS containing Dave's ITIN, Tax Returns)
  • Utility bills containing both names
  • Social Security (Receipt containing Dave's SSN)
  • Mail (Letters/Envelopes addressed to both, Catalogues addressed to both)
  • Receipts (Show purchases for dinners, entertainment, household goods, groceries, clothing, and other misc.)
  • Automotive (joint insurance, registration showing both names, joint AAA account)
  • Misc (screenshots of our YouTube page [which we use to upload videos for family overseas], and joint email account

• Photo Album

If anyone notices something important that is missing from my list, PLEASE let me know. I'm finishing our binders today and want to forget about them until Wednesday. HA!

As far as what we're wearing .. Dave is wearing a suit & tie. I'm wearing a dress. I actually cringe when couples do this but we're color coordinating. It sends a positive subliminal message in my opinion.

Interview this Tuesday!!!! Anyone have suggestions on ESSENTIALS to bring with.

Also we were wondering what to wear.

Any stories about the Chicago Office???

Good Luck Today Clydesdale Couple!!!

[Skholls 2]

Hi Yuna

Liz - Monday

Me - Tuesday

You - Wednesday

March Filers are on the move...

P.S Thanks Mr. Smiley.

Hi Everyone, you all received your interview/dates pretty quickly....hope it all went well...I also file March 15th 2013 but no interview as yet....

[ClydesdaleCouple 75]

Good Luck Carla and Dave!!!! The scots to take over America eh?? ;p ;p

[Ally12 4]

Haven't been here in a while. Congrats on your approvals everyone! Great news