March 2014 filers

[Pilou 1]

Hi All!

I've been reading your timelines and stories and I am so happy most of you are within the home stretch of finishing this process! I came here to see what the general timelines were like as I also filed for my husband in March 2014. I am the petitioner and a US Citizen.

I'm getting pretty worried as we have not had an update yet ever since we sent in our RFE response.

For reference, here is our timeline so far:

March 18, 2014 - AOS Package Filed [i-485, I-130, I-765] and sent via USPS Priority

March 24, 2014 - AOS Package Received & Online Case Status Updated to Initial Review

March 27, 2014 - NOA1 Notices Received for all Forms in Mail

March 31, 2014 - Received Biometrics Appointment Date in Mail

April 23, 2014 - Scheduled Biometrics Appointment Completed

April 29, 2014 - RFE Received for I-485

May 18, 2014 - RFE Response sent via USPS Express Mail

May 20, 2014 - Online Case Status Updated to Request For Evidence Response Review and RFE Received

I am so worried as I see other similar stories who received RFEs and dealt with it, but did NOT see any delay in their EAD processing like we are. We have not received any notices thus far about it being approved nor has the Online Case Status changed for either the I-130 or I-765. Both are still stuck in Initial Review.

I understand the RFE will delay it a bit, but it's been almost 3 weeks since they have received our response and nothing has changed. All we want is at least a notice for a testing & interview date or a status change for the EAD!

Hoping that anyone who has/had any similar delays could chime in so I can assure myself that the delay does not mean anything negative.

Hi,

I am in a similar situation but ive been waiting for almost 2 months now for my i-485 status to change from RFE review...my husband received his EAD approximately 3 weeks after the RFE review, but EAD is separate from the i-485...so i think maybe just try to wait for something in the mail and give it more time...the website is not always up to date like everyone has mentioned on here...probably by the 4th week ull see a change...im not really worrying anymore because I drove myself crazy stressing about it, but there is no point...so if it passes 75 days for the EAD call the USCIS and ask them to expedite ur husband's EAD, but im sure you have nothing to worry about, just being patient is all we can do...stay positive!

[sparrowone 2]

We just finished going to the SSA office. When we arrived, we had to get a ticket number and wait about 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, our ticket was called and we went into a room. A lady asked my wife what she was here for. She said "to apply for a social security card". The lady then asked what documents we have from immigration. My wife showed her the EAD card and her notarized birth registry. The lady said that it needed to be an original birth certificate, but we did not have that. So she just asked for a passport and my wife gave her that, and it was fine. After a while, the lady said that immigration does not have her in the system yet probably because my wife just received the EAD card. (This was what I was hoping not to happen, but I expected that it may happen). So she said that they will contact them and wait for them to approve the verification. (This part may take up to 4 weeks) Once it is approved, we will be sent a receipt stating that the application has been processed and we should receive the SSN in 1-2 weeks from when it is approved. She made copies of our documents and told us that we did not need to come back to continue the process.

So overall it wasn't too bad, but I was hoping that my wife would already be in the system so that she can get the card sooner. But at least we did not have to return to the office.

You should bring originals, they will not keep them. If they need copies, they will make copies.

hey stake, can you please tell me what does your status say for I-485? Mine Says On March 26, 2014, your fingerprint fee was accepted and we have mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case. Please follow any instructions on this notice. Your case is being processed at our NATIONAL BENEFITS CENTER location. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283. Is it normal or do i have to worry about it? for your info i got my EAD/AP last week. thank in advance.

[Grumpycatnj 14]

hey stake, can you please tell me what does your status say for I-485? Mine Says On March 26, 2014, your fingerprint fee was accepted and we have mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case. Please follow any instructions on this notice. Your case is being processed at our NATIONAL BENEFITS CENTER location. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283. Is it normal or do i have to worry about it? for your info i got my EAD/AP last week. thank in advance.

no, i don't think you need to worry. you're I-485 still under initial review and hasn't gotten into "Testing and interview" stage. Getting your EAD card means your fingerprint was processed and they did your background check and you are ok. now u just have to wait for your case to move to testing and interview. it should happen soon since you got your cards, but also depends on what local office your case's been handled and how backup they are.

[Chucks234 3]

no, i don't think you need to worry. you're I-485 still under initial review and hasn't gotten into "Testing and interview" stage. Getting your EAD card means your fingerprint was processed and they did your background check and you are ok. now u just have to wait for your case to move to testing and interview. it should happen soon since you got your cards, but also depends on what local office your case's been handled and how backup they are.

Hi Grumpycatnj, I really am trying to take my mind off the expectation of my EAD but just cant...lol. I was actually calculating the time difference between your biometric completion and mine and am thinking I should have got an update on EAD approval by now. Today is my 75th day counting....

[Uhoh 10]

Our interview is in 24 hours!!!! I'm both excited and terrified. I think I have everything all set:

- photocopy of entire packet

- all uscis correspondence

- originals and copies of both my and my husbands IDs (passports, drivers licenses, SSN cards, birth certificates)

- 6 months of paystubs for sponsor

- 3 years of tax transcripts for sponsor

- 3 months of joint bank account statements plus letter from bank confirming our account is indeed joint

- certified copy of our marriage certificate

- proof of my husbands previous divorce

- wedding invite, photos, cards

- affidavits from family and friends (5)

- proof of trips we took together in the last 3 years including a handful of photos

- early emails we sent each other when we first met

- proof of joint health insurance, cell phone plan, car insurance

- proof I'm his beneficiary for life insurance

- cards we have sent each other

Is that enough?!

[LeslieandGarrett 0]

Our interview is in 24 hours!!!! I'm both excited and terrified. I think I have everything all set:

- photocopy of entire packet

- all uscis correspondence

- originals and copies of both my and my husbands IDs (passports, drivers licenses, SSN cards, birth certificates)

- 6 months of paystubs for sponsor

- 3 years of tax transcripts for sponsor

- 3 months of joint bank account statements plus letter from bank confirming our account is indeed joint

- certified copy of our marriage certificate

- proof of my husbands previous divorce

- wedding invite, photos, cards

- affidavits from family and friends (5)

- proof of trips we took together in the last 3 years including a handful of photos

- early emails we sent each other when we first met

- proof of joint health insurance, cell phone plan, car insurance

- proof I'm his beneficiary for life insurance

- cards we have sent each other

Is that enough?!

I'd say you're all set! Maybe just missing your EAD? I am sure you plan on taking it but just forgot to add it on here. Also, I have read experiences in which the officer asked for social media proof such as facebook, instagram photos. We have a few printed photos, status, and comments on them from people (sort of acknowledging that we have a real relationship & the world knows it! lol).

Best of luck tomorrow. Hope you get approved on the spot

Let us know how it went after you finish celebrating!

[virji1988 4]

Our interview is in 24 hours!!!! I'm both excited and terrified. I think I have everything all set:

- photocopy of entire packet

- all uscis correspondence

- originals and copies of both my and my husbands IDs (passports, drivers licenses, SSN cards, birth certificates)

- 6 months of paystubs for sponsor

- 3 years of tax transcripts for sponsor

- 3 months of joint bank account statements plus letter from bank confirming our account is indeed joint

- certified copy of our marriage certificate

- proof of my husbands previous divorce

- wedding invite, photos, cards

- affidavits from family and friends (5)

- proof of trips we took together in the last 3 years including a handful of photos

- early emails we sent each other when we first met

- proof of joint health insurance, cell phone plan, car insurance

- proof I'm his beneficiary for life insurance

- cards we have sent each other

Is that enough?!

What about the lease for u 2 are staying?

[Chucks234 3]

Our interview is in 24 hours!!!! I'm both excited and terrified. I think I have everything all set:

- photocopy of entire packet

- all uscis correspondence

- originals and copies of both my and my husbands IDs (passports, drivers licenses, SSN cards, birth certificates)

- 6 months of paystubs for sponsor

- 3 years of tax transcripts for sponsor

- 3 months of joint bank account statements plus letter from bank confirming our account is indeed joint

- certified copy of our marriage certificate

- proof of my husbands previous divorce

- wedding invite, photos, cards

- affidavits from family and friends (5)

- proof of trips we took together in the last 3 years including a handful of photos

- early emails we sent each other when we first met

- proof of joint health insurance, cell phone plan, car insurance

- proof I'm his beneficiary for life insurance

- cards we have sent each other

Is that enough?!

Hi Uhoh, I wish you the best at the interview. Is the list a request by Immigration or your initiative list? I'm also wondering how you calculated our timeline difference that made you advice I would likely receive my EAD towards the end of this month. Thanks in anticipation.

[Uhoh 10]

What about the lease for u 2 are staying?

My husband owns our home and I'm not on the mortgage, but I do have a couple of mortgage statements showing our address and the fact he is the account holder for the mortgage.

We have lots of proof of same address: bank statements, drivers licenses, etcetera. So that should be covered.

[A.M.T. 0]

Hi,

I am in a similar situation but ive been waiting for almost 2 months now for my i-485 status to change from RFE review...my husband received his EAD approximately 3 weeks after the RFE review, but EAD is separate from the i-485...so i think maybe just try to wait for something in the mail and give it more time...the website is not always up to date like everyone has mentioned on here...probably by the 4th week ull see a change...im not really worrying anymore because I drove myself crazy stressing about it, but there is no point...so if it passes 75 days for the EAD call the USCIS and ask them to expedite ur husband's EAD, but im sure you have nothing to worry about, just being patient is all we can do...stay positive!

Thanks for the reply! I am just really worried as we are on a tight schedule! This reminds me...Did you get any kind of notice/letter that allows your spouse to stay in the country while waiting for a decision? My husband is allowed to stay in the country 60 days after his OPT expires, which means by August 24, he needs to be out of the country! I doubt we will get a decision before then.

Does anyone know if there is such a letter that allows him to stay?

[Pilou 1]

Thanks for the reply! I am just really worried as we are on a tight schedule! This reminds me...Did you get any kind of notice/letter that allows your spouse to stay in the country while waiting for a decision? My husband is allowed to stay in the country 60 days after his OPT expires, which means by August 24, he needs to be out of the country! I doubt we will get a decision before then.

Does anyone know if there is such a letter that allows him to stay?

We are on a very tight schedule too...but your husband has to stay in the country until he gets his green card...once you apply for adjustment of status...you are technically "out of status" until your green card arrives/approved...if you applied for an AP along with a EAD then once that is approved, your husband can travel outside of the country...but if I were you I would stay put in the US...so there is no letter necessary for him to stay here...he technically has to haha

We are on a very tight schedule too...but your husband has to stay in the country until he gets his green card...once you apply for adjustment of status...you are technically "out of status" until your green card arrives/approved...if you applied for an AP along with a EAD then once that is approved, your husband can travel outside of the country...but if I were you I would stay put in the US...so there is no letter necessary for him to stay here...he technically has to haha

Anyone please feel to correct me if I am misinformed...

[mirian&john 1]

We are on a very tight schedule too...but your husband has to stay in the country until he gets his green card...once you apply for adjustment of status...you are technically "out of status" until your green card arrives/approved...if you applied for an AP along with a EAD then once that is approved, your husband can travel outside of the country...but if I were you I would stay put in the US...so there is no letter necessary for him to stay here...he technically has to haha

Anyone please feel to correct me if I am misinformed...

Your NOA1 is the prove that you are legal. No matter which visa your are adjusting from, once your application has been received and processed, you are not out of status anymore until the decision is made. The EAD card is also a prove of legal status.

[Uhoh 10]

I was approved on the spot. They didn't ask to see anything. I think we front loaded very effectively! Very quick interview, about 25 minutes at most. Will write more later. Off to celebrate now!

[LeslieandGarrett 0]

I was approved on the spot. They didn't ask to see anything. I think we front loaded very effectively! Very quick interview, about 25 minutes at most. Will write more later. Off to celebrate now!

Congratulations!!!! That is awesome! Now I am starting to get nervous and anxious since ours is on Wednesday

[Pilou 1]

Your NOA1 is the prove that you are legal. No matter which visa your are adjusting from, once your application has been received and processed, you are not out of status anymore until the decision is made. The EAD card is also a prove of legal status.

Correct, sorry I didnt mean "out of status" as in illegal, I just meant that her husband does not need to leave the country