F1 to Greencard Holder! -- The steps I took, for anyone who needs help

[slee0000 13]

Hi friends,

I finally got my green card! It arrived through usps yesterday, and I am so beyond emotional and excited as this has been a very stressful journey.

Visajourney helped me a LOT, and I just wanted to pay it forward by listing the entire process.

A little background on me -- I came into the country on a visitor's visa, and then eventually changed my status to F1

Being an F1 student was incredibly hard, not only because of tuition, but because the limitations. Getting my license, for example, was like getting stars from the sky.

Eventually I was able to get my social security card through the school, as I had to do a summer internship.

4 years ago, I met my now wonderful husband, who didn't really know about my situation. He did know I was an F1 student, but that was the extent, because truthfully, american citizens who were born here don't really understand all this immigration stuff. Fast forward 3.5 years later, I transferred to a 4 year college, and tuition was even more expensive. Somehow we got into talking about loans and how I needed a co-signer, and how hard life is, etc. He had also mentioned that his mother pretty much said 'if you love her, marry her'. He proposed with my dream ring, got married February 12th, and began the AOS process.

I mailed everything (I-130, I-485, I-765) on February 29th, and arrived at the Chicago Lockbox on March 1st.

April 8th - Went to get my biometrics

May 11th - EAD card in production

June 1st - Greencard interview scheduled for June 30th

June 9th - Got EAD in the mail (finally)

June 30th - Went in for greencard interview. Interview lasted less than 1 hour

Online USCIS status changed to Card in production

July 1st - USCIS status changed to I-485 approved

USCIS status changed to I-130 approved

July 7th - USCIS status changed to USPS picked up card

July 8th - GREENCARD IN HAND!

I'm trying to attach my I-485 and I-130 checklist, but it says i'm not "permitted to upload this kind of file" -- if anyone needs it, I can email them to you.

I also have pictures of my packages before I sent them - I can email them to you as well!

If anyone has any questions, don't hesitate to ask! I might not have all your answers, but it may help others going through the same process.

[Cathi 5,748]

Congrats. On a side note I can say that US citizens who were born here and have been through the process with a spouse or family members understand the process 100%.

[hispany 23]

Congrats, but...

Getting your license was like getting the stars from the sky? Why so?

[slee0000 13]

Congrats, but...

Getting your license was like getting the stars from the sky? Why so?

Because I lost my passport which had my visa on it, and I also didn't have a social security card. It was only after that I was able to get my license.

I don't know how it is in other states, but Maryland was extremely strict

Congrats. On a side note I can say that US citizens who were born here and have been through the process with a spouse or family members understand the process 100%.

Thanks, I shouldn't have generalized

[tindera 2]

Aww congrats. I'm on a similar boat. I got married 2 weeks ago while on F1 visa and I'll be applying for AOS soon. You are giving me so much hope

[slee0000 13]

Aww congrats. I'm on a similar boat. I got married 2 weeks ago while on F1 visa and I'll be applying for AOS soon. You are giving me so much hope

Yayy!! Good luck! Let me know if there is anything I might be able to help you with!

[omarr123 0]

Congrats!!! I am just starting the whole process. Could you please send me copy of your package? I think it will help alot.

email: ahmomarr@gmail.com

Thanks a lot.

[slee0000 13]

Congrats!!! I am just starting the whole process. Could you please send me copy of your package? I think it will help alot.

email: ahmomarr@gmail.com

Thanks a lot.

Sure thing

[dmsmartins 0]

Could you sent to me too: dmsmartins@me.com

I'm really on the beginning. I just start to read

[iBillz 1]

I am so jealous of you!! I literally applied a month after you at the Chicago Lockbox office but it really isn't looking well for me. I just got my EAD/AP, after I requested an expedite through my local congresswoman. My local field office is processing I-485 applications from July 10th, 2015. That's 14 months

[akihon 129]

Ahem. http://www.visajourney.com/content/guides

[the0215 0]

Hi friends,

I finally got my green card! It arrived through usps yesterday, and I am so beyond emotional and excited as this has been a very stressful journey.

Visajourney helped me a LOT, and I just wanted to pay it forward by listing the entire process.

A little background on me -- I came into the country on a visitor's visa, and then eventually changed my status to F1

Being an F1 student was incredibly hard, not only because of tuition, but because the limitations. Getting my license, for example, was like getting stars from the sky.

Eventually I was able to get my social security card through the school, as I had to do a summer internship.

4 years ago, I met my now wonderful husband, who didn't really know about my situation. He did know I was an F1 student, but that was the extent, because truthfully, american citizens who were born here don't really understand all this immigration stuff. Fast forward 3.5 years later, I transferred to a 4 year college, and tuition was even more expensive. Somehow we got into talking about loans and how I needed a co-signer, and how hard life is, etc. He had also mentioned that his mother pretty much said 'if you love her, marry her'. He proposed with my dream ring, got married February 12th, and began the AOS process.

I mailed everything (I-130, I-485, I-765) on February 29th, and arrived at the Chicago Lockbox on March 1st.

April 8th - Went to get my biometrics

May 11th - EAD card in production

June 1st - Greencard interview scheduled for June 30th

June 9th - Got EAD in the mail (finally)

June 30th - Went in for greencard interview. Interview lasted less than 1 hour

Online USCIS status changed to Card in production

July 1st - USCIS status changed to I-485 approved

USCIS status changed to I-130 approved

July 7th - USCIS status changed to USPS picked up card

July 8th - GREENCARD IN HAND!

I'm trying to attach my I-485 and I-130 checklist, but it says i'm not "permitted to upload this kind of file" -- if anyone needs it, I can email them to you.

I also have pictures of my packages before I sent them - I can email them to you as well!

If anyone has any questions, don't hesitate to ask! I might not have all your answers, but it may help others going through the same process.

Congratulations!

Could you send me some more information to: lumberjoe0215@gmail.com please?

Thank you!

[Hopefully coming 1]

Please could you send me the file: voladorhair@yahoo.com

Would really appreciate your help. I'm about to start my process. Thank you!

[tindera 2]

Hi I'm also an F1 applying for a greencard soon. I am preparing my documents now and I know I need to provide sufficient evidence that I haven't been violating my F1 status, I was wondering if you can tell me if you need to submit your I-20? And were you still enrolled in school when you've applied? The start of fall semester in my school is on the 22nd of this month and I won't be enrolling since I'll be applying for AOS.

[Starkilla09 366]

Hi I'm also an F1 applying for a greencard soon. I am preparing my documents now and I know I need to provide sufficient evidence that I haven't been violating my F1 status, I was wondering if you can tell me if you need to submit your I-20? And were you still enrolled in school when you've applied? The start of fall semester in my school is on the 22nd of this month and I won't be enrolling since I'll be applying for AOS.

You don't need to submit any evidence of you being in status. This isn't part of the requirement. What you need to submit of prof of lawful entry to the U.S. You'd still be approved even if you were out of status since you're an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen. Send your application with copy of your electronic I-94, visa and page of your passport with CBP stamp showing you were lawfully admitted to the U.S.