K1 AoS Application stuck on "Acceptance" - Can I contact USCIS about this?

[Anna&Adam 0]

Hi everyone!

I entered the US on a K1 visa, married, and submitted my AoS, EAD and AP forms at the end of March, 2014. My files were received on March 31st. I have since received a combo EAD and AP card. On the USCIS website, it still says my AP is in initial review (clearly wrong, I already have it), and my AoS is in acceptance, not changing in the past 3+ months.

I know the USCIS is notorious for never communicating. Besides the initial receipt and Bio notice, I have not had any contact for RFEs or otherwise. However, according to VJ stats people who filed at the same time and later have their interviews scheduled, and some have been approved. If my case was at least in Initial Review I'd feel better about this. Oh, and occasionally USPS decides not to deliver my mail in spite of the correct address written on the envelope and the name matching that on my mailbox

Essentially I'm wondering:

- Is anyone else stuck on AoS "Acceptance" and does it actually mean anything?

- If I call USCIS (1-800-375-5283) will they actually be able to let me know about my case?

- Does anyone have an alternative number that leads to a helpful human?

- Is this the kind of thing you use the InfoPass system for?

In summary:

January 23: Entered US

February 28: Married

March 27: Submitted paperwork

April 29: Biometrics

June 13: Received AED and AP combo card

July: Still no word on AoS or interview, USCIS website is still on "Acceptance", National Benefits Centre

Thanks,

Anna

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from K1 Process to Family-based AOS Case Filing and Progress Reports Forum~

~Inquiry about AOS process case status, not K-1 related~

[yanbanga 0]

Hi, my timeline is virtually same as yours and my AOS has also been stuck in "Acceptance" National Benefits Centre too

I submitted my application on at the end of March and had my bio April 28th.

I received EAD & AP combo card on the 19th of June and AP is still in "initial review" just like yours, I don't think you need to worry about this.

I noticed after studying other peoples timeline that if your status does not change to "Interviewing and Testing" within one month after biometrics you are very likely one of the "interview Waiver" cases.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

AOS from K-1 can take nearly a year. It's just been about 3 months.

There is nothing wrong with your case; the online system is unreliable and not actually attached to your case. It will sit in acceptance until it is approved, and even then it may not update.

You just got EAD/AP about two weeks ago.

So now you can live your life normally, and either you will be called for an interview, or you will just be approved. It might take until next year.

Everything is fine. Good luck. Feel free to join a monthly filers thread to compare timelines.

[kehills 217]

My husband's AP document was still listed "initial review" after the combo EAD/AP was in hand, so I'm thinking the website doesn't update very often.

[Anna&Adam 0]

Thanks everyone.

@Kehills: With the exception of the I-485 acceptance, the website has updated within a day, if not hours for my case. So I was starting to rely on it. But you're right, it is unlikely that they would be that organized all the time

@Harpa Timsah: I understand it has only been a short time compared to some members, but at the same time, the AoS Stats page suggests the average time is 113 days to interview (for LA), which is in the next week or so for me. Plus most of the jobs I want require citizenship (obviously a while off), or a GC. Unfortunately an EAD is not sufficient. So I'm eagerly anticipating it! But thank you for the reassurance.

@Yanbanga: Nice to know you're traveling at the same pace as me. I get jealous looking at all the April filers who already have their GC's!

[Anna&Adam 0]

Oh, and thanks A&B - I wasn't sure since my AoS is based on a K1 visa.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Anna: There is a good chance you will not have an interview at all, so you can't rely on the local time to interview information. Your file will probably be held at NBC and the decision made there. Like I said, it can take nearly a year sometimes. Hopefully it is faster for you.

Some jobs can require USC, but I am not aware of many jobs, if any, that require LPR. An employer cannot tell you what documents to provide to hire you. If you can work, then you can get hired. Good luck.

[Anna&Adam 0]

Harpa:

I'm an engineer, and all the companies around me are either defense, aerospace, automotive, manufacturing etc. They practically all require applicants to be US Persons - ie. US citizen or LPR - mainly for security clearances. It says so on most job descriptions. On the few descriptions that don't, I have had interviews in which the interviewer wanted to hire me, but cannot due to my lack of LPR. The licensing, permits, paperwork and forced absences from the site would make impractical to even attempt hiring me (as stated by actual HR managers). I can always work in retail, or other positions not needing my qualifications. But for my industry, an EAD doesn't cut it unfortunately.

But again, thanks for your input.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Oh, and thanks A&B - I wasn't sure since my AoS is based on a K1 visa.

The AOS process is the next step after K1 POE entry. where the K1 has been canceled. I moved your thread as that you were inquiring about AOS processes, which are post K1.

Good luck on your immigration journey.

Edited July 5, 2014 by A&B

[otter~ 17]

I know I filed a lot later than you, but mine has been stuck on acceptance since the day it got there, no touches etc since the 3rd which is when they sent my bio letter

If you did contact them, ask for a level 2 person as the person who first answers the phone will just read to you what you see on the website. Normally I would say 'just wait' but since you are worried about the reliability of the mail where you are, it's worth giving them a call and asking if any letters have been sent recently. I don't wanna scare ya but there have been people who got an RFE in the mail but no update on the website, and ya certainly don't want to miss an RFE letter. So you can call em if it would put your mind at ease ^^

Though sometimes it shoots from Acceptance straight to Testing and interview, or Approved! So you may be lucky

[Anonymous885 44]

As far as I see that if your status does not change to Testing and Interview after your biometric within 1-2 months, then you might be selected to be Potential Interview Waiver. My wife applied before you and she just received the letter by mail few days ago that states potential interview waiver. The status is still at Initial Review and the last update date does not even change when she received the letter. Also, there is no text or email for interview waiver case.

Edited July 6, 2014 by Anonymous885

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Harpa:

I'm an engineer, and all the companies around me are either defense, aerospace, automotive, manufacturing etc. They practically all require applicants to be US Persons - ie. US citizen or LPR - mainly for security clearances. It says so on most job descriptions. On the few descriptions that don't, I have had interviews in which the interviewer wanted to hire me, but cannot due to my lack of LPR. The licensing, permits, paperwork and forced absences from the site would make impractical to even attempt hiring me (as stated by actual HR managers). I can always work in retail, or other positions not needing my qualifications. But for my industry, an EAD doesn't cut it unfortunately.

But again, thanks for your input.

Could you show me one of these vacancy notices? I would be interested.

[subwayguy 100]

Could you show me one of these vacancy notices? I would be interested.

I agree with her. (Him ?) most of jobs that I am looking want citizens or LPR. Companies are hesitate to hire EAD holders.

[kehills 217]

It's possible companies just don't understand what an EAD is; my husband made it clear in his cover letters what his immigration status was and what it meant for work, and he had no problem with job offers or necessary security clearances, prior to even receiving the EAD. (It's possible his security clearance from Oz worked in his favour here, I suppose.)