2014 DV AOS steps

[Nacho77 0]

Hi,

I am a spanish working in academia in the U.S.A. with a J-1 visa and I have been selected in the diversity visa program to get the green card.

I am thinking about trying the Adjustment of Status (AOS) option but the information I have found about it is pretty confusing. I think I have figured out the steps that I must follow but would appreciate if someone can confirm that I am in the right direction.

Here is what I think I have to do:

1) As I know I am eligible for AOS I should file a fee payment of 985$ plus 85$ of biometric fee to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Question: Should I mail the payment with any form or I just have to send a check?

2) I will receive a receipt of this payment.

3) I must fill up the I-485 form and gather the required documentation (birth certificate, etc.) with a translation if not in English.

4) From October 1^st, check every month the visa bulletin. If my case number is smaller than the one indicated in the bulletin for Europe, I must submit the I-485 form and copies of the rest of documentation.

5) After submitting the documentation I will be summoned for the biometrics collection.

6) Later, I will be summoned for the interview. I should carry the original documents.

7) If everything goes well, I will get the green card.

That’s it? I really would appreciate any comment and correction.

To finish, just a couple of questions:

- Should I notify in some way to the Kentucky Consular Center that I intend to apply through the AOS process?

- I have read that AOS will take more time than applying through an embassy and that a long delay can jeopardy my possibilities of getting the green card at the end of the year. My case number is 18XXX so I think I do not have to worry as it is (for what I have seen in the current year) a kind of small number that should appear in the first months of 2014. Again, any comment will be well received.

- What are the fees in the case of applying through an embassy? I gave by granted that it will cost about the same that the AOS cost, but I have seen somewhere smaller amounts.

Thank you very much for your time reading this long description and I hope you can help me.

[Becvarisi 0]

Hi there,

From what I read, it is better to do the Consulate interview. They say that it is faster than the AOS.

Check also about any requirement of being out of the country in your J1 visa...