AOS March 2016 Filers

[oceana15 8]

I've been scheduled for my interview on July 26 but my EAD/AP are still on "case received" (since March 22). Is there any chance I will get these before my interview? Did anyone have a similar situation?

[palolis 43]

I've been scheduled for my interview on July 26 but my EAD/AP are still on "case received" (since March 22). Is there any chance I will get these before my interview? Did anyone have a similar situation?

You were scheduled for an interview very quickly! I don't think this is normal, that is why they provide EAD/AP, so you can work and travel abroad without the GC.

[B and E 19]

For people who apply for EAD and AP, do they always come as a combo? The online status of my EAD changed today. It was approved and the card is being produced, but the AP status has not changed. Is this normal?

EAD/AP doesn't always come as a combo card but usually does. Some people have received separate AP documents (a letter) and EAD card. My EAD was approved Monday morning and my AP approval came in the evening the same day. Wait about a day and see. Your AP may be approved soon and you may get a combo card.

[tamcloud 92]

ANY TAMPA FILERS -- They are only just getting around to November 2015 cases so anyone who filed in March will still be waiting a good 3-4 months to even get an interview.. Isn't that F****** GREAT. lol.

Anyway, I went to check my credit score and sign up with credit karma - apparently my social number does not match any records? Is there a time frame that I need to wait before my SSN is active? I don't understand.

ALSO, will this affect me trying to get a job? Obviously if they try to search my social, nothing will come up.

I'm concerned that my social says for "valid work purposes only" that I will not be able to apply for any credit cards, phone contracts, ANYTHING in general. Help?

Our office was still working on August 2015 last we checked, which was last month. However, we're interviewing next week. So, you may get in sooner...fingers crossed for that. ;-)

As far as your SSN and not matching up with anything - that's likely because you haven't built up any history for it to match up with, yet. Not sure what credit karma is, but maybe start trying to build a history with a cell phone contract (even the pay-as-you-go type) and/or the type of credit cards that draw from an account with money you put in for use (I forget what they're called). It shouldn't affect you getting a job; even though they sometimes use the number to support background checks, it's mainly used for setting up taxes and benefits.

[palolis 43]

EAD/AP doesn't always come as a combo card but usually does. Some people have received separate AP documents (a letter) and EAD card. My EAD was approved Monday morning and my AP approval came in the evening the same day. Wait about a day and see. Your AP may be approved soon and you may get a combo card.

Thank you! You were right. The AP was just approved. Now I'll await for the documents to arrive in the mail. Then, wait for the interview to be scheduled (my case status is "ready to schedule interview" since May 23)... Let's keep it up!

[6yearslater 4]

Our office was still working on August 2015 last we checked, which was last month. However, we're interviewing next week. So, you may get in sooner...fingers crossed for that. ;-)

As far as your SSN and not matching up with anything - that's likely because you haven't built up any history for it to match up with, yet. Not sure what credit karma is, but maybe start trying to build a history with a cell phone contract (even the pay-as-you-go type) and/or the type of credit cards that draw from an account with money you put in for use (I forget what they're called). It shouldn't affect you getting a job; even though they sometimes use the number to support background checks, it's mainly used for setting up taxes and benefits.

I sincerely hope you are right because nothing has been touched since March 29th I'm getting really impatient.

Thank you for clarifying regarding the SSN a little bit - Credit karma is a website that allows you to track and check your credit score. I am going to attempt getting a Target card and see how that goes I'll keep everyone posted on whether my SSN is accepted for a card.

[mamu 3]

I sincerely hope you are right because nothing has been touched since March 29th I'm getting really impatient.

Thank you for clarifying regarding the SSN a little bit - Credit karma is a website that allows you to track and check your credit score. I am going to attempt getting a Target card and see how that goes I'll keep everyone posted on whether my SSN is accepted for a card.

Getting a SSN does not automatically grant you credit card approvals. You will need to build your credit score through your SSN in order to get credit cards, phone plan, mortgage, etc.

What tamcloud said was true. Try to get a job, paid phone, pre-paid credit cards or so, some other simple stuff that does not require high credit score first to start building your credit. When your credit score is high enough, credit card companies will invite you to apply for their products. It took me about a year since I first got my SSN to apply for my first credit card.

[Mariana D.A. 2]

Guys, I need your opinion or in this case personal knowledge. So I finally just got some news on my parents case, their case has been stuck on "ready to be scheduled for an interview" since April 11, 2016. So I called USCIS to check if an interview had been scheduled and spoke to a tier 2 representative, she told me the case was now transferred to our local office and that we should be getting an interview date anytime now. My question is, every other time I have spoken to tier 2 reps. they've all told me that the case would only be sent over to our local office after they "opened a spot" and scheduled the interview. Now I'm confused, if they usually only transfer cases over to local office after an interview had been scheduled, why did they send ours without having an interview date? Is this normal?

Thanks in advance! :-)

[SraAcero 6]

Green Card Received Yesterday

yayyyyyyy!!!!

See y'all in two years again good luck to everyone whos still waiting

Quick aos for us just 3 months

Edited June 25, 2016 by SraAcero

[Rangm021 11]

Hello everyone! I found this forum and figured i'd make my own addition

I filed for AOS on March 30, 2016. I got my Biometrics done on May 9, 2016, and received my interview notice, which is scheduled for July 14, 2016. I did not receive any RFEs. Like many people, I have experienced a delay in my i765 EAD document. According to the case tracker, it has not been updated since April 18, 2016.

Because 75 days have passed since my application was received, I contacted USCIS. They put in a service request, indicating that the regulatory processing time is fast approaching. They told me it would take 15-30 days to reply to the service request. I also spoke to a Tier 2 officer, whom told me that nothing was wrong with my case.

So for those of you who have been waiting like crazy for the EAD, you're definitely not alone

[lntdenver 42]

Congratulations to all approvals and everybody receiving their GC, EAD/AP Combo cards!!!

It changed my life when I received the EAD, and I hope things change for the better for you guys as well... I had 3 job offers, started a new job, finally receiving paychecks again, don't have to carry my passport with me all the time, waitress don't have to check my international ID with their manager when I order alcohol, stopped reading this forum and checking USCIS updates every 10 minutes, hahaha

So I haven't been following the forum for a while, and I was briefly reading and trying to catch up on what's going on here...

I wanted to post and give a heads up to people that are in process of changing the name with SSA and getting a DL. I personally expected the process to be a lot quicker and smoother...

And I'll also write about my experience with credit cards.

SSA name change process

I had to change my SS Card to my married name, and I applied as soon as I received the EAD. As you've seen here in the forum, SSA had to verify with DHS / USCIS,... and it took 34 days for them to process mine!

What did I take to SSA? Their form filled out with my info to apply for a new card, passport, EAD, marriage certificate, previous SS card on maiden name, proof of address.

SSA and Starting Employment

When applying to the new SS card, they gave me a letter saying it could take up to 4 weeks and I could start employment if I had the authorization to do so. The SS number does not change when getting a new card, and I actually started employment between applying for the new card and actually receiving it. I used the old number, and showed my employer the old SS card. I told them about the situation with SSA and they had no problems with it. I showed them the new card as soon as I received it (about 1 week after started working), and got my first paycheck that same week.

DMV

While waiting for SS to process my name change, I had tried to get my DL, but the DMV couldn't issue any documents while SS was still pending (all names had to be matching, in the EAD, SS Card, proof of address, etc). I asked at the DMV about driving with my Brazilian DL and the DMV didn't care. They said it is up to law enforcement. Well, from my experience, once I was speeding and got pulled over, the officer didn't know what to do with my Brazilian DL, just gave me a warning and let me go. I should probably keep driving with my Brazilian DL and avoid tickets haha. But I wanted to sign up for Uber/Lyft for some extra cash, so I went through all that process with the DMV.

I don't know about other places, but here in Denver all DMV's are really busy and any appointments available are at least 3 or 4 weeks out. So I scheduled 3 times - hoping that SS would have processed my name change each time - and by the third time, it finally went through.

What did I take to the DMV? This might be different for each state, but I took EAD, 2 proofs of address, registration of the vehicle (in my husband's name), proof of insurance (with both mine and his name), SS card, and if you pay cash or check is a little bit cheaper, since credit cards add a fee. (here in Colorado)

Credit Cards

So my husband has worked as a banker before, and he recommended that I started working on my credit score a few years ago, when we were just dating. Unlike Brazil where each back has their own history for the client, here in the US they have credit systems that are linked to the individual and his/her SSN. What I did in the beginning was apply to the most basic Capital One, which was supposed to be approved more easily than others, and I filled out as $70k income. I got approved for a $1,000 limit credit card, which was a good start. Credit Karma is a great tool to help understand the factors that impact the score. Over time, using the card the right way, making payments on time, keeping the balance below 30% of the limit, etc, my limit increased and I started receiving offers to apply for better cards with no annual fees and cash back. Not sure how it would affect the score, but we try to stay away from the cards issued from stores. Another way to improve the credit score is to be added as an additional in the spouse's account.

Anyway, I hope some of this information is relevant and helpful to you guys.

And besides the GC approvals in the group, I know some people are in the same boat as me:

It still shows "Case Received on March 04" for I-130 and "Fingerprint Fee was Received on March 10" for I-485. When I called USCIS, I was told my case is in Lee Summit, MO. I am happy now that I am finally working, and stopped obsessing so much with USCIS. The only reason why I would like to get the AOS done as soon as possible is that without the GC I cannot qualify for a mortgage, so we would have to use only my husband's income until I have my GC.

[CRB 25]

Congratulations to all approvals and everybody receiving their GC, EAD/AP Combo cards!!!

It changed my life when I received the EAD, and I hope things change for the better for you guys as well... I had 3 job offers, started a new job, finally receiving paychecks again, don't have to carry my passport with me all the time, waitress don't have to check my international ID with their manager when I order alcohol, stopped reading this forum and checking USCIS updates every 10 minutes, hahaha

So I haven't been following the forum for a while, and I was briefly reading and trying to catch up on what's going on here...

I wanted to post and give a heads up to people that are in process of changing the name with SSA and getting a DL. I personally expected the process to be a lot quicker and smoother...

And I'll also write about my experience with credit cards.

SSA name change process

I had to change my SS Card to my married name, and I applied as soon as I received the EAD. As you've seen here in the forum, SSA had to verify with DHS / USCIS,... and it took 34 days for them to process mine!

What did I take to SSA? Their form filled out with my info to apply for a new card, passport, EAD, marriage certificate, previous SS card on maiden name, proof of address.

SSA and Starting Employment

When applying to the new SS card, they gave me a letter saying it could take up to 4 weeks and I could start employment if I had the authorization to do so. The SS number does not change when getting a new card, and I actually started employment between applying for the new card and actually receiving it. I used the old number, and showed my employer the old SS card. I told them about the situation with SSA and they had no problems with it. I showed them the new card as soon as I received it (about 1 week after started working), and got my first paycheck that same week.

DMV

While waiting for SS to process my name change, I had tried to get my DL, but the DMV couldn't issue any documents while SS was still pending (all names had to be matching, in the EAD, SS Card, proof of address, etc). I asked at the DMV about driving with my Brazilian DL and the DMV didn't care. They said it is up to law enforcement. Well, from my experience, once I was speeding and got pulled over, the officer didn't know what to do with my Brazilian DL, just gave me a warning and let me go. I should probably keep driving with my Brazilian DL and avoid tickets haha. But I wanted to sign up for Uber/Lyft for some extra cash, so I went through all that process with the DMV.

I don't know about other places, but here in Denver all DMV's are really busy and any appointments available are at least 3 or 4 weeks out. So I scheduled 3 times - hoping that SS would have processed my name change each time - and by the third time, it finally went through.

What did I take to the DMV? This might be different for each state, but I took EAD, 2 proofs of address, registration of the vehicle (in my husband's name), proof of insurance (with both mine and his name), SS card, and if you pay cash or check is a little bit cheaper, since credit cards add a fee. (here in Colorado)

Credit Cards

So my husband has worked as a banker before, and he recommended that I started working on my credit score a few years ago, when we were just dating. Unlike Brazil where each back has their own history for the client, here in the US they have credit systems that are linked to the individual and his/her SSN. What I did in the beginning was apply to the most basic Capital One, which was supposed to be approved more easily than others, and I filled out as $70k income. I got approved for a $1,000 limit credit card, which was a good start. Credit Karma is a great tool to help understand the factors that impact the score. Over time, using the card the right way, making payments on time, keeping the balance below 30% of the limit, etc, my limit increased and I started receiving offers to apply for better cards with no annual fees and cash back. Not sure how it would affect the score, but we try to stay away from the cards issued from stores. Another way to improve the credit score is to be added as an additional in the spouse's account.

Anyway, I hope some of this information is relevant and helpful to you guys.

And besides the GC approvals in the group, I know some people are in the same boat as me:

It still shows "Case Received on March 04" for I-130 and "Fingerprint Fee was Received on March 10" for I-485. When I called USCIS, I was told my case is in Lee Summit, MO. I am happy now that I am finally working, and stopped obsessing so much with USCIS. The only reason why I would like to get the AOS done as soon as possible is that without the GC I cannot qualify for a mortgage, so we would have to use only my husband's income until I have my GC.

Hello All

It seems like quite a few people are having issues with obtaining a SS card. Maybe I'm missing something, but for us, the name change on the SSC was a breeze.

We applied for her SS number about 3 weeks after her arrival here. We received it about 1 week later.

About 10 after we got married we went to the SSA office again. The only thing we brought was the old card along with a certified marriage certificate and her passport. (we should have brought a copy of the I-94 and a completed application) The officer pulled up the I-94 record online and he even filled out the application for us.

In less than a week we received the new card in the mail. Since we don't have the EAD yet, it states that she cannot work without DHS approval, but we knew that going in.

Very quick and surprisingly painless process.

[aakif 8]

Case status changed today morning. "Interview is scheduled on August 1st"

[Anamaria89 0]

This early morning my case changed that the interview is scheduled for August 2nd , after the first time got canceled by them. I hope stays like that because the date could not be more perfect after our family trip/ my birthday/.

I hope everyone will get their updates soon.

[phaedra 5]

Woohoo! Case status for AoS just changed to card being ordered