AOS from London K1 - What now?

[thrashunreal 20]

Hi all, I hope everyone is well.

On Monday my husband and I sent off our AOS packet with I-485 and the travel/employment documents, plus payment for the forms and biometrics.

I have done a tonne of reading and am still somewhat drawing blanks - would someone mind explaining to me in simple terms what happens next, up until we have to take the next step? With a rough timeframe? I know the time scale is variable but any hints would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

[LionessDeon 2,060]

Biometrics appointment

EAD/AP combo card takes about 90 days

Possible interview

Greencard production could take up to one year.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/times -- See these processing times

[yuna628 9,676]

Hi all, I hope everyone is well.

On Monday my husband and I sent off our AOS packet with I-485 and the travel/employment documents, plus payment for the forms and biometrics.

I have done a tonne of reading and am still somewhat drawing blanks - would someone mind explaining to me in simple terms what happens next, up until we have to take the next step? With a rough timeframe? I know the time scale is variable but any hints would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

What's next? Nothing really. It will be more endless waiting. Relax and enjoy yourselves. The biometrics letter will be the first thing to come after the NOA1. It's a simple ten minute thing for biometrics. Eventually the EAD/AP will arrive around day 90, then you can start applying for work if you wish. Hopefully you will have gone to the SSA and handled that, so you'd be good on that front. You can also apply for a license if you wish once the EAD arrives. I'd spend time creating joint bills or accounts, adding to bank, etc. Health insurance is going to be something to consider (unless you have it already.. these days I answer so many questions about it I forget who is who and what situation they are in) - it's open enrollment afterall, but for what it's worth after January I don't know what the direction of the insurance industry will go in. Eventually you'll either be called for interview, or like many these days, be waived for an interview. We found out we were waived after a very long wait and the stupid RFE for the vaccination sheet. After the NOA2 or interview approval, the green card and welcome letter arrives shortly after. You can go to the SSA and get the restriction off the card or upgrade the license too by this time. After that, you're all set for a while until the next phase. There's really no timeframe on AOS honestly. If you end up at your local center you can focus on that timeframe estimate, but there really is no way of knowing where you will end up. If waived, it's likely your case will be sitting somewhere else for who knows how long too. It could be fast, it could be slow. Best thing is to use patience and enjoy the time you now have together.

Edited November 9, 2016 by yuna628

[thrashunreal 20]

Thank you for the detailed and helpful responses. When can I go to the SSA?

[yuna628 9,676]

Thank you for the detailed and helpful responses. When can I go to the SSA?

If you haven't been to the SSA before marriage (and I'd always advise to get that done first) then they are unlikely to help you now. You'll have to wait for your EAD for the earliest opportunity. The SSA card will have a restriction on it, and the EAD will be your valid authorization. Once the green card arrives you wait a week or so and go back in to update your status with the SSA - the new card will have the restrictions off of it.