AOS Nov 2015 Filers

[juand25 2]

Hi guys,

Glad to see things have been moving along for some of us, and hopefully they will be moving along for everyone else still waiting!

Anton had the interview yesterday, in Boston, and I wanted to share the interview experience here. He got approved, btw, just to save the drama.

The best piece of advice that I can give is: study the questions! Also, don't be afraid to say "I don't remember" - from what I've read, most of us either don't remember something or may give different accounts on the same question. However, having some prep and knowing the type of questions you may be asked puts you in a better position to begin with. I have nothing but praise to whoever compiled this list:

>>> http://www.visajourney.com/content/exampleq#aos <<<

So, here is our experience:

The officer was sharp and professional-looking, though a bit on the stern side. Definitely not the kind of person you'd want to mess with. I got nervous a bit.

He first invited me in, which was good, as I had all the documents sorted. He asked me a lot of questions and got some papers from me, and later allowed me to stay for my husband's interview, on the condition that I would not interfere unless there was a need to help with translation. I've translated 2 words total, each time asking his permission to do so first.

Questions asked:

1) History of relationship:

Names, addresses, names of parents (I completely spaced out on my husband's step father name). Have I met them? Why not? (Hubby is from a closed city, which is next to Russian military base.. ). Where did we meet, what kind of chat room? (We both did our best to explain role-playing games to him; I don't think he fully got it, but our answers were similar enough). How many times did we meet? What did we do the first time we met?

2) Immigration-related: has he ever applied for a visa? When did he arrive to US? (I answered this one with exact date, hubby didn't remember)

3) Marriage: how many guests? Where was that? Did we go on a honeymoon? Which part of NYC did we stay in? (I said Manhattan, hubby said Brookline as this is where we mostly went for walks, but then he said "next to the Twin Towers memorial", so I think the officer understood) What was the hotel name? (I did not remember it and guessed Hyatt, Anton guessed Hilton, but we both said we don't remember it well).

4) Living together: what time do we leave the house? (I said I go at 7-8, because that's what I do most of the time, Anton said 6-9 cause sometimes I sleep in, and sometimes I have really early meetings). Where is laundry located (I said between bedroom and bathroom, in the hall, Anton said on the "3rd floor if you count the garage, 2nd living floor). Who does the laundry? What kind of toothpaste do we have? (I honestly said I don't remember, but I do know Anton doesn't brush, only rinses due to teeth problems, and Anton said the same thing). What do we do socially? What was the last movie that we saw? How did we celebrate last birthdays, what gifts did we give each other?

The officer also seemed to be taken aback by my statement that we did absolutely nothing for Christmas (despite me rationally explaining that we don't celebrate Christmas as my family is Jewish, he kept insisting it's such a big national holiday, and I was mentally like "so what dude told you I'm not Christian I stayed in and SLEPT IN I love my beauty sleep!!") or Valentine's day (we both agreed to ignore it, we exchange gifts and do romantic things when we feel like it, not because it's Febuary 14th). Oh, and Anton confused Christmas and New Years (the later we do celebrate) and said that we went to my parents' place and had dinner, which didn't help either.

The officer was also, I guess, puzzled by the fact that we both insisted that at my first visit we walked around and talked. Period. Well, excuse me, but have you been to Murmansk? Seriously a middle of nowhere city with not much to do, no concerts, or theater events, or anything - and we just like walks, like, actually, like walks. And talking. And each time I'm back in Russia it's a sight for sore eyes to just walk around and hear my native tongue spoken and read the shop's ads and all that. We did all the cultural stuff next time, in Moscow, where there actually are musicals, and amuzement parks and all that. But not in Murmansk, where I took a picture of 2 dudes with chainsaws(!) standing right outside of a supermarket(!) and they threatened to cut us to pieces if I don't delete it off my phone.... that was not the experience that I'd want to discuss with a USCIS office.

The officer took our photos and other "proofs" and said we would hear from USCIS in 2-3 weeks, probably, earlier, if he needs anything.

Needless to say, I was a sad little ball of nerves for the next 4 hours, thinking that we may need to do another interview, or be denied, or appeal, or be in AP for a year, like some people on this forum... you know, mentally preparing for the worst.

WHAM, 4 hours later I get an update saying "Your card is in production", and by the end of the day that change to "Your case was approved". YAY!

So, I guess even with a number of differences between our answers (I also said we did nothing on Anton's last birthday, and he said we went out for dinner on the weekend after.. technically both answers are correct, but logically they sound different) we did manage to convey our marriage is genuine, and so are our feelings.

Sorry for a long, long post, I needed this to start breathing again. Best of luck to everyone still waiting!

So happy for you both! question, do they keep all the pics? We plan to bring our wedding album and an album with lots of picture from our relationship, pics with both our families. also what else did you bring? have our interview next month

[naire37 53]

So happy for you both! question, do they keep all the pics? We plan to bring our wedding album and an album with lots of picture from our relationship, pics with both our families. also what else did you bring? have our interview next month

Hi Juand25,

They kept our pictures, and all of the copies of "proof", but the officer did not ask for anything specific, just offered me to submit all I see fit. I suggest you make copies of everything you bring.

Note: I did not have a copy of the Car Title, so the officer actually made a copy right there (but this is not something you should count on ).

We brought:

Medical: common medical insurance (copies of Aetna cards listing our names, husband gets his insurance through me).

Financials:

- bank statements from 2 banks with checking and saving joint accounts

- credit card opened for both of us

- 2015 tax returns filed jointly

Address:

- utility bills addressed to us both

- declaration of homestead (a document from purchasing the new house; Anton is not a co-owner, but he is listed on the homestead)

Property:

- car title and car taxes filed to our names by the town we live in.

~10 photos.

So, not too much, just whatever was handy. You can add dental/vision insurance, if you have that, or write will & medical will; this is something we may do for ROC in 2 years. I've heard that any kind of financial intermingling is considered the best proof, along with medical will - this shows seriousness. Best of luck on your interview next month!

[ChasUno 101]

Latest update on my case.

As has been mentioned in previous posts, USCIS were adamant that they needed a complete new I-693 completed, meaning a full medical had to be done. This was despite them being reminded of their own rules that clearly state that K1 visa holders adjusting do NOT require another medical. Nothing more I could do except comply, and of course with the deadline for submission looming I was getting concerned about the timing.

Anyhow, I found the local county health department do full medicals, and better still, it only cost $150. That's still more than I should have paid had USCIS done their jobs properly and not required me to do another medical, but a lot better then the $300+ I was quoted by other civil surgeons, and better then what I heard that immigration medicals USED to cost with stories of $500 and up. Today I had the part two done, and all was clear (as it was when I had the damn medical done at Knightsbridge - don't get me started on them - GRRRR!) All relevant parts of I-693 were completed and signed in the presence of a Civil Surgeon, then I was given two copies. One in a sealed envelope marked "For USCIS use only" and stamped on all the seals, and another that was a copy for me. These were immediately taken to the nearest USPS office and then sent via a "Priority Express" mailing envelope. Guaranteed to be delivered, with signature required, by midday tomorrow. One day before the deadline. I will of course be checking the tracking tomorrow to make sure USCIS have received it. Then hopefully, and at last, a positive decision will be made very soon and I can forget about dealing with that utterly incompetent government department for another couple of years.

Once I get the green card in my hands though, I'm still going to kick up a stink. I found the Ombudsman can get involved in cases where it is apparent that USCIS have not followed regulations:

Take a look at these three points mentioned on their website:

The Ombudsman provides case assistance to address the following issues:

• Refunds in cases of clear USCIS error

The Ombudsman provides case assistance to address the following substantive matters:

• Ongoing, systemic issues that should be subjected to higher level review (e.g., the exercise of discretion, the misapplication of evidentiary standards, USCIS employees failing to comply with USCIS policy, etc.)
• Clear errors of fact, or gross obvious misapplication of the relevant law by USCIS in Requests for Evidence, Notice of Intent to Deny, and denials

https://www.dhs.gov/cisomb-faqs

All three I feel relate to my case, especially when their own regulations are clearly shown on USCIS' website and they (Newark) clearly ignored them and issued an inappropriate RFE. Who knows, I might even get a refund for having to pay for an unnecessary medical. It's worth a try, and at the very least who ever screwed up in my case may actually get their knuckles rapped, and the office involved may have ensure that future K1 cases similar to mine have the correct regulations applied.

Edited June 20, 2016 by ChasUno

[Jeffrey&David 29]

These were immediately taken to the nearest USPS office and then sent via a "Priority Express" mailing envelope. Guaranteed to be delivered, with signature required, by midday tomorrow. One day before the deadline. I will of course be checking the tracking tomorrow to make sure USCIS have received it. Then hopefully, and at last, a positive decision will be made very soon and I can forget about dealing with that utterly incompetent government department for another couple of years.

Good Luck! Hopefully you get your approval in the next day or so once they have the new medical info (that says the same thing as the previous one! Will be thinking of you!

JB

[yuna628 9,677]

Good luck Chas

[Wooderz 314]

Hope you get the card production status soon Chas! Sorry you had to go through all that extra work and expense for that stupidity from USCIS!

Edited June 21, 2016 by Wooderz

[ocuevas 2]

Hi guys,

Our AOS was file Nov 15 of last year in NYC and we were stucked on ready for interview status since March 11. When I called uscis they were telling me there's a backlog in NYC. It's been 7 months now and the last time I called uscis the lady told me I have to wait for another 4 months!! What do you guys suggest I should do? Thank you.

[ChasUno 101]

Good Luck! Hopefully you get your approval in the next day or so once they have the new medical info (that says the same thing as the previous one! Will be thinking of you!

JB

Good luck Chas

Hope you get the card production status soon Chas! Sorry you had to go through all that extra work and expense for that stupidity from USCIS!

Thanks so much everyone, I really appreciate your good wishes. I also really hope this was the final hurdle. USPS tracking confirmed that the package was confirmed delivered on the 21st, and the final day for submission was the 22nd. They've had it for over a day, and still no case status update on the USCIS website. It's still showing that the RFE was sent on November 27th and that they won't take action on my case until they receive the requested information!

Just sitting tight now and hoping that I'll at last get the text and email update showing that my case has been approved. Fingers crossed!

[ChasUno 101]

Hi guys,

Our AOS was file Nov 15 of last year in NYC and we were stucked on ready for interview status since March 11. When I called uscis they were telling me there's a backlog in NYC. It's been 7 months now and the last time I called uscis the lady told me I have to wait for another 4 months!! What do you guys suggest I should do? Thank you.

Firstly, check the current processing times for the office that is dealing with your case. Use this link:

https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processTimesDisplayInit.do

Many offices are allegedly backlogged (according to USCIS), and if your case is still within the assigned office processing time, there's not a lot you can do via USCIS, i.e. raise a service request. If your case has exceeded the office's normal processing time, then you should be able to raise a service request via the USCIS helpline.

A better bet may be to contact your local congressman's office and see if they will intervene. Often a congressman's office enquiring on behalf of a constituent will get the case looked at and some form of action taken. At the very least, the office dealing with your case will have to tell your congressman what the status of your case is and also when they expect to take action on it. That seemed to work for me, and it has also worked for others.

Good luck!

[ocuevas 2]

Thanks for the link. I checked the AOS processing time in NY they are processing the Sept 2015 so I guess I would just wait for a couple of months.

[jersey34 1]

here is my update so far (adjusting from F1 student visa)

we received an interview letter for june 23rd at newark.

we prepared all the documents and went with my husband.

After waiting 1 hour 30 minutes immigration officer announced our name.

We walked together to his office.

We sworn and gave our id's.

After that he started to ask questions to my husband regarding my date of birth, the places i lived prior moving together and how we met and if currently i am working or not.

My husband answered questions and than IO started to ask me similar questions. During this motion IO goes back suddenly and asking questions from the first minutes again and checking if we give the same answer or not. Its like a cross check. We answered all questions nicely and he seemed to be convinced that we are indeed a couple.

Later on we presented our wedding pictures, flight tickets and other proof of documents. All went well.

After that IO told my husband that now he is going to ask some questions to me and asked from him not to interfere. IO started to ask my current legal status. and asked if my visa is expired. I said to him my student visa expired on December 2015 but i presented my I 551 to the school and in the school internal system i started to appear as resident. He suddenly seemed like surprised and started to ask more questions about it. I mentioned to him that my I 20 is good till 2019 so i am still with my student status. He looked like he doesnt agree. Than my husband asked permission to comment and he said, our application submitted on November 2nd 2015 and even though the visa on the passport expires on december 2015 I-20 expiration is good till december 2019 where she can continue to her education but incase she leaves the country than she supposed to apply for a new visa in order to reenter to the country. IO officer asked him if he is sure about this and he said YES. IO officer asked if the school also thinks like this way and my husband said this is the general immigration rule. (if your visa expires but your I-20 has time you still maintain your status). Also IO asked me if I did continue to my college study and I said yes and i added that expecting to graduate this december 2016.

Anyway he said that he has to check this internally if okay.

he finalized the interview but me and my husband were already worried because IO seems disagree with what we know.

than he said that if they need additional document within 2 weeks we will receive a letter.

If they dont need an additional document, 2 year conditional green card will be issued and 90 days before it expires we should reapply for the 10 year greencard.

He signed a document and gave to us. it was a notice of interview result and first box was selected which was saying:your case is being held for review..

but no document needed at this time...

not sure what is going to happen now? I will appreciate to hear your comments or experiences.

also we are going to travel on july 7th overseas and i have my I 551 card and as far as i know it allows me to travel. is that correct?

[caliliving 606]

here is my update so far (adjusting from F1 student visa)

we received an interview letter for june 23rd at newark.

we prepared all the documents and went with my husband.

After waiting 1 hour 30 minutes immigration officer announced our name.

We walked together to his office.

We sworn and gave our id's.

After that he started to ask questions to my husband regarding my date of birth, the places i lived prior moving together and how we met and if currently i am working or not.

My husband answered questions and than IO started to ask me similar questions. During this motion IO goes back suddenly and asking questions from the first minutes again and checking if we give the same answer or not. Its like a cross check. We answered all questions nicely and he seemed to be convinced that we are indeed a couple.

Later on we presented our wedding pictures, flight tickets and other proof of documents. All went well.

After that IO told my husband that now he is going to ask some questions to me and asked from him not to interfere. IO started to ask my current legal status. and asked if my visa is expired. I said to him my student visa expired on December 2015 but i presented my I 551 to the school and in the school internal system i started to appear as resident. He suddenly seemed like surprised and started to ask more questions about it. I mentioned to him that my I 20 is good till 2019 so i am still with my student status. He looked like he doesnt agree. Than my husband asked permission to comment and he said, our application submitted on November 2nd 2015 and even though the visa on the passport expires on december 2015 I-20 expiration is good till december 2019 where she can continue to her education but incase she leaves the country than she supposed to apply for a new visa in order to reenter to the country. IO officer asked him if he is sure about this and he said YES. IO officer asked if the school also thinks like this way and my husband said this is the general immigration rule. (if your visa expires but your I-20 has time you still maintain your status). Also IO asked me if I did continue to my college study and I said yes and i added that expecting to graduate this december 2016.

Anyway he said that he has to check this internally if okay.

he finalized the interview but me and my husband were already worried because IO seems disagree with what we know.

than he said that if they need additional document within 2 weeks we will receive a letter.

If they dont need an additional document, 2 year conditional green card will be issued and 90 days before it expires we should reapply for the 10 year greencard.

He signed a document and gave to us. it was a notice of interview result and first box was selected which was saying:your case is being held for review..

but no document needed at this time...

not sure what is going to happen now? I will appreciate to hear your comments or experiences.

also we are going to travel on july 7th overseas and i have my I 551 card and as far as i know it allows me to travel. is that correct?

WOW!!! i think you should start a new thread for this question.

also, i would not leave the country until your GC is in hand because if it gets denied while you are overseas, you are in trouble and stuck there!!! Not sure why u brought up when the student visa expired as overstay is forgiven when marrying a USC. And yes, your visa expired when you were out of sevis.. your I20 is only good if you are still in status with sevis... i think you really cnfused him and tried to say too much.

[jersey34 1]

thanks for the reply. but what would be the reason for the denial?

IO officer asked if my visa expired and i had to say Yes because it was on December 2015 however i had my I-20 was good till 2019.

I am not officially out of sevis because at the school i am currently an international student but under change of status process.

I would say no to his question but it would be saying the lie.. i hope i dont end up cancelling my ticket and travel plans..

WOW!!! i think you should start a new thread for this question.

also, i would not leave the country until your GC is in hand because if it gets denied while you are overseas, you are in trouble and stuck there!!! Not sure why u brought up when the student visa expired as overstay is forgiven when marrying a USC. And yes, your visa expired when you were out of sevis.. your I20 is only good if you are still in status with sevis... i think you really cnfused him and tried to say too much.

[Anggva 22]

thanks for the reply. but what would be the reason for the denial?

IO officer asked if my visa expired and i had to say Yes because it was on December 2015 however i had my I-20 was good till 2019.

I am not officially out of sevis because at the school i am currently an international student but under change of status process.

I would say no to his question but it would be saying the lie.. i hope i dont end up cancelling my ticket and travel plans..

I don't see why they had the issue there. F1 visa is the document that allows you to enter the country, but after that, they put "D/S" aka "Duration of Status" on your I-94, which means that the main document that allows you to stay is I-20. So if your I-20 expires in 2019, then you've never overstayed. I think the immigration officer just wasn't familiar with this process, which resulted in this whole confusion.

I hope that they will figure it out and you will get your green card soon!

[jersey34 1]

I don't see why they had the issue there. F1 visa is the document that allows you to enter the country, but after that, they put "D/S" aka "Duration of Status" on your I-94, which means that the main document that allows you to stay is I-20. So if your I-20 expires in 2019, then you've never overstayed. I think the immigration officer just wasn't familiar with this process, which resulted in this whole confusion.

I hope that they will figure it out and you will get your green card soon!

Thank you Anggva.

Hoping so as well.

No text or email received today and lets what will next week brings.

I am still indecisive whether if i should travel with my advance parole or not ...

Worst case scenario i am thinking is if they somehow deny the AOS - i still have I-20 and i will just go to the consulate and get another F1 visa.

Lets see